title: City Of Chicago Held in Violation of Americans with Disabilities Act

body_text: A federal judge in Chicago held the City of Chicago liable for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city to those who are blind or have low vision. In April of 2021, the Justice Department moved to intervene in a disability discrimination lawsuit that people with visual disabilities brought against the City under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. The United States’ complaint in intervention alleged that the city fails to provide people who are blind, have low vision or are deaf-blind with equal access to pedestrian signal information at intersections. Pedestrian signal information, such as a flashing “Walk/Don’t Walk” signal, indicates when it is safe to cross the street for sighted pedestrians. Accessible pedestrian signals (APSs) are devices that provide pedestrians with safe-crossing information in a non-visual format, such as through audible tones, speech messages and vibrotactile surfaces. Since at least 2006, Chicago has recognized the need to install APSs for pedestrians with visual disabilities, specifically identifying the need for such installation in multiple city documents. Yet, while Chicago currently provides sighted pedestrians visual crossing signals at nearly 2,800 intersections, the United States’ suit alleged that — at the time it intervened — fewer than one percent of those were equipped with APSs for people who are blind or have low vision. On March 31, U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo sided with the United States and the private plaintiffs in a decision on both sides’ motions for summary judgment, holding the city in violation of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The court found that the city had provided APS at only a “miniscule portion of the whole,” and thus had failed “to provide ‘meaningful access’ to its network of existing facilities and to ensure that newly constructed signals are designed and constructed in such a manner as to be ‘readily accessible’ by blind individuals.” “Federal law offers people with visual disabilities the promise of full participation in community life, and safely navigating city streets is a critical part of that,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue pushing for a remedy that fully addresses the discrimination faced by blind people in Chicago.” “As previously stated, the U.S. Attorney’s Office took action in this case in order to ensure that Chicagoans with disabilities are provided equal access to city services, particularly services where the primary focus is on public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois. “Our office remains committed to standing up for the rights of all those who reside in and visit the City of Chicago and all other communities across the Northern District of Illinois. We look forward to working with the City of Chicago to identify an appropriate remedy for the future.” For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report .


title: Federal Court Orders Forfeiture of $826K in Funds Used in Attempt to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to Russia

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: An investigation into the attempted smuggling of a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia in violation of United States export laws and regulations has resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $826,000. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, operators of a Latvia-based corporation conspired with the operator of By Trade OU, an Estonia-based company, as well as individuals in Russia and a Russia-based company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations and smuggle a jig grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia. A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. At no time did the defendants apply for, receive or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security. U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. Several individuals and companies involved in this alleged scheme have been charged by indictment in the District of Connecticut with conspiracy, violation of the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling goods from the United States and international money laundering conspiracy offenses. On Dec. 1, 2022, By Trade OU pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, and one count of international money laundering conspiracy. In pleading guilty, By Trade OU admitted that it received funds from a Russian company, identified in the indictment as “Company B,” to purchase a jig grinder on its behalf from a Latvian company that had arranged to purchase the jig grinder from the Connecticut manufacturer. On March 29, in a related civil forfeiture action, U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden ordered the forfeiture of $484,696 that had been delivered to the Connecticut manufacturer as part of the attempted purchase of the jig grinder. On April 4, 2023, in association with the sentencing of By Trade OU, Judge Bolden ordered the forfeiture of an additional €312,192.44 (approximately $342,000) seized from By Trade OU. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut; Director Andrew Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston; Special Agent in Charge Rashel D. Assouri of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Field Office made the announcement. This investigation is being conducted by HSI Field Offices in New Haven, Connecticut; Portland Oregon; and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston; and the FBI. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board and the Latvian State Police are assisting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman and David Nelson for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorney Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance. The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former City Treasurer Indicted for Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Tax Evasion

component: Tax Division

body_text: ANCHORAGE – A former city treasurer was arrested this week after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with wire fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. The indictment charges that from 2015 to 2022, Jess George Adams of Willow embezzled more than $1.16 million from the City of Houston in Alaska and from a Wasilla-based equipment company. The indictment alleges that from 2015 through 2018, Adams was the Treasurer for the City of Houston, entrusted with bookkeeping responsibilities and administrative access to the City’s accounting records and software. Adams allegedly used this access to direct electronic transfers of funds from the City’s bank account to his personal account, maintained by Adams to hide the embezzled funds. It is further alleged that Adams used fictitious entries in the City’s accounting software to make it appear as though these payments were made for legitimate business expenses. In October 2018, the City of Houston allegedly placed Adams on administrative leave, and he resigned his position in November 2018. A year later, Adams allegedly was employed as a bookkeeper by an equipment company, where he exercised control over the company’s accounting records and software. The indictment charges that, using this access, Adams directed electronic transfers of funds from the company’s bank account to his other personal accounts at multiple banks, maintained by Adams to hide the embezzled funds. To conceal his activity, Adams allegedly used fictitious entries in the company’s accounting software to make it appear as though these funds were transferred for the payment of legitimate business expenses. Adams allegedly laundered the embezzled money he obtained from the equipment company by making several wire transfers from his personal bank account to other accounts, each at a value greater than $10,000. The indictment further charges that in another attempt to conceal his embezzlement and evade the assessment of income taxes, Adams filed false individual income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2021, which did not disclose the additional income he diverted to himself. According to the indictment, Adams was a former seasonal tax return preparer for a national tax advisory company. Adams is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, 10 years in prison for each money laundering count, 5 years in prison for each tax evasion count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case with substantial assistance from the Alaska State Troopers. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Tran for the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Boris Bourget of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ### usao/ak/23-024


title: Court Sentences 15th Defendant Involved in Southeast Washington Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

component: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Rico Griffin, 34, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking network based in Southeast Washington that sold cocaine, crack cocaine, Fentanyl, PCP, and marijuana, announced United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Crime Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Griffin pleaded guilty on January 25, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base. Griffin was indicted with 16 co-defendants (listed below). All but two of the seventeen defendants have pleaded guilty and received prison terms ranging from 24 months to 114 months based on their criminal conduct and criminal histories. The case stems from an investigation by the MPD Narcotics and Special Investigations Division and the FBI into the “MLK Crew” - a group of individuals who were operating an open-air drug market in and around the 2900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Washington D.C. The investigation began in response to numerous citizen complaints about rampant drug trafficking and accompanying incidents of violence in the area. In addition to numerous citizen complaints, MPD targeted this area as one of the most notorious in the city in terms of recent shootings and shots fired, as well as for the area’s high numbers of arrests—particularly offenses involving drugs and firearms. “Our Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI are focused on the couple dozen blocks across our District that are magnets for violence,” said US Attorney Graves. “There is no doubt that the blocks in which the MLK Mellon Crew operated were among the most dangerous. We know that drug trafficking attracts violence and we saw, after dismantling this crew, a substantial decrease in shooting incidents in the months after the incident. Temporarily breaking the cycle of violence offers a valuable window to restore order and to provide the community the support it needs to heal.” “The defendants wreaked havoc on the residents of Congress Heights by running an open-air drug market built on violence, often commandeering local businesses to conduct illegal sales,” said SAC Jacobs. “As this case demonstrates, the FBI through its commitment to partnerships will aggressively pursue data-driven intelligence and public tips to dismantle the violent gangs terrorizing our communities.” “There is no excuse for the fear that the MLK Mellon Crew spread across our community,” said Chief Contee. “Their drug trafficking and violence has impacted our entire city. Now, thanks to the tireless work of our officers, detectives, and law enforcement partners, our community can rest easier knowing that these individuals are being held accountable.” As part of its investigation, MPD and FBI began conducting surveillance, obtaining search warrants, and making controlled buys of narcotics from suspected members of the conspiracy. The investigation revealed that MLK Crew members openly engaged in the sale of various drugs (including PCP, crack, fentanyl, and marijuana) and took over the area and, effectively, some of the neighborhood’s businesses. MLK Crew members would often go into the neighborhood businesses to complete sales and constantly loitered outside of these businesses to engage in sales. As part of its investigation, MPD and FBI obtained video of defendants openly conducting narcotics transactions in these businesses and even displaying firearms. Throughout the case, law enforcement seized at least 10 firearms (many of which were privately manufactured firearms or “ghost guns”) from MLK crew members and/or stash houses and a sizeable quantity of various narcotics. The MLK Crew’s drug trafficking contributed to numerous incidents of drug-related violence in and around the 2900 Block of MLK Avenue, including multiple assaults, shootings, robberies, and murders—most notably, the murder of a six-year-old girl who was the daughter of one of the co-defendants in this case. In July of 2021, a few months after opening the investigation, MPD and FBI arrested 11 initial defendants and seized 10 firearms, along with PCP, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, pills, and over $2,500 in cash. The additional six defendants were charged in September 2021 and were arrested shortly thereafter; however, Rico Griffin, remained a fugitive until January 3, 2023. After his arrest, Rico Griffin quickly pleaded guilty and was sentenced today. The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force in partnership with MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations (NSID) Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). This partnership targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Park Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Henek and Andy Wang of the of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The investigation had the sponsorship and support of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF specializes in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises. DEFENDANT STATUS Ricky Lyles, 42, Accokeek, MD sentenced to 114 months for conspiracy to distribute 16.8-22.4 grams of crack cocaine and possessing a firearm Nico Griffin, 32, Washington, DC sentenced to 37 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Dandre Shorter, 28, Washington, DC sentenced to 37 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Wesley Leake, 32, Washington, DC sentenced to 40 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Leon Lindsay, 37, Washington, DC sentenced to 57 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Dezmond Cunningham, 28, Washington, DC sentenced to 48 months conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Divine Chappell, 26, Washington, DC sentenced to 76 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine Shawn Wooden, 40, Washington, DC trial scheduled for October 16 Barry Tyson, 20, Washington, DC sentenced to 73 months of incarceration for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine Delonta Chappell, 35, Washington, DC sentenced to 48 months for conspiracy to distribute 28-112 grams of crack cocaine Anthony Graves, 32, Washington, DC sentenced to 27 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Deshawn Loggins, 21, Temple Hills, MD sentenced to 42 months for conspiracy to distribute 28-112 grams of crack cocaine Kevonte Randall, 25, Washington, DC sentenced to 46 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine and possessing a firearm Corenzo Mobery, 40, Washington, DC trial scheduled for October 16th. Rico Griffin, 34, Washington, DC 66 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Shahborne Scales, 32, Washington, DC sentenced to 66 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine Luther McDuffie, 35, Washington, DC sentenced to 24 months for conspiracy to distribute 22.4-28 grams of crack cocaine


title: Six Individuals Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for perpetrating a Multimillion Dollar Fraudulent Scheme to obtain COVID recovery assistance funds under the Federal CARES Act

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced the indictment of six individuals for a multi-million-dollar fraudulent scheme to illegally obtain federal recovery funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Grand Jury charged the defendants with multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud, and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) fraud. The charging documents claim that from April 2020 through April 2023, the defendants and their co-conspirators caused the submission of at least 272 EIDL and PPP loan applications seeking the illegal disbursement of at least $9,020,590.33 in federal recovery funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Bank 1. “This case demonstrates the brazenness with which the defendants took advantage of federal programs meant to help businesses that were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to find and prosecute those who have fraudulently stolen taxpayer money that was meant to help our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. The United States Secret Service, Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department, Puerto Rico Bureau of Special Investigations, Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and Guaynabo Municipal Police. According to court documents, Manfred A. Pentzke Lemus, a.k.a. “Man/Contable/El Gestor”; Rodolpho R. Pagesy Roussel, a.k.a. “El Banquero”; Augusto A. Lemus Berríos, a.k.a. “Primo”; Jonatan Ben David Prieto Ruiz De Val, a.k.a. “Johnny Millones”; Ligia María Lemus De Pentzke, a.k.a. “Ligia Lemus Lanuza”; and Carlos Manfredo Pentzke Chamorro, a.k.a. “El Doctor”, knowingly devised a scheme to defraud the SBA and Bank 1 to obtain federal money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises submitted through applications for EIDL and PPP loans made available to help small businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic through the CARES Act. The CARES Act authorized federal assistance through the issuance of SBA loans to small businesses and non-profit entities that experienced revenue loss due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. The EIDL program was one such loan assistance program for small businesses. To procure the loan, applicants had to fill out an online application detailing operational information for the 12‑month period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the number of employees in the business, the gross business revenues realized, and the cost of goods sold. The applicant also had to certify that the information provided in the application was true and correct under penalty of perjury and applicable criminal statutes. The information submitted by the applicant was then used by the SBA to calculate the amount of money to be made available to the applicant for economic relief. Non-profit applicants and non-agricultural for-profit applicants were both generally eligible to receive an EIDL loan of up to $150,000, with a 30-year scheduled repayment, deferred for 12 months. Some applicants were also eligible for advance funds of up to $15,000. Pursuant to the provisions governing the EIDL program, loan proceeds could only be used by the affected business receiving EIDL loans to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the COVID-19 disaster not occurred. Another form of assistance provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of United States taxpayer funds in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, such as interest on mortgages, rent and utilities, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). To procure a PPP loan, the small business was required to submit an application, through its authorized representative, where it provided, among other things, its average monthly payroll expenses, and number of employees. These figures were used to calculate the amount of money the small business was eligible to receive under a PPP loan. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be entirely forgiven if the business spent a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds to satisfy payroll expenses and the remainder of the loan proceeds on allowable expenses within a designated period. The indictment alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators submitted at least 272 fraudulent EIDL and PPP loan applications containing materially false and fraudulent information and false documents, including false and fictitious tax documents, payroll records, bank records, and identification documents, to procure the disbursement of EIDL and PPP assistance loans by Bank 1. The indictment further alleges that the defendants and their co-conspirators directed the recipients of the fraudulently obtained PPP and EIDL loans to remit a portion of the proceeds of the loans to the defendants and their co-conspirators and used the loan proceeds to benefit themselves and others, and to pay for expenses prohibited under the requirements of the EIDL and PPP programs. The court documents claim that defendant Manfred A. Pentzke Lemus was the principal organizer of the fraudulent scheme to obtain the federally subsidized loans and the efforts to launder the proceeds; defendant Rodolpho R. Pagesy Roussel worked at Bank 1 in San Juan, Puerto Rico and used his position to obtain the approval of fraudulent PPP applications by Bank 1; defendant Augusto A. Lemus Berríos assisted in the preparation of fraudulent PPP applications by, amongst other things, preparing false documents to submit to the bank; defendant Jonatan Ben David Prieto Ruiz De Val acted as a money courier and coordinated the delivery of “kickback” payments to further the fraudulent scheme to obtain PPP and EIDL loans; defendant Ligia María Lemus De Pentzke received “kickback” payments from proceeds of the fraudulent scheme and forwarded them to her co‑conspirators; and defendant Carlos Manfredo Pentzke Chamorro received fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans in furtherance of the conspiracy. The defendants are also alleged to have recruited other un-indicted co-conspirators to obtain the EIDL and PPP loans under false pretenses. The United States seized approximately $848,957.96 in proceeds of this scheme from Bank 1, which are currently subject to forfeiture. If convicted, the defendants are facing up to 30 years in prison for the wire fraud counts; and up to 20 years of imprisonment for the money laundering count. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy R. Henwood, Daniel J. Olinghouse and María L. Montañez Concepción. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Virginia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking

body_text: Defendant Coerced and Sexually Exploited Three Women in Northwest Washington WASHINGTON – Michael Jabaar Wilkins, 39, of Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for a federal sex trafficking conviction stemming from his sexual exploitation of three women, announced United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee III, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered 10 years of supervised release. Wilkins pleaded guilty on July 21, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to a charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. According to the government’s evidence, between 2011 and 2019, Wilkins separately induced and coerced women to travel from Virginia to the District of Columbia to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial benefit. He took sexually explicit photographs of these women that he used in online advertisements for commercial sex. The activities took place in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington. According to the evidence, Wilkins repeatedly physically assaulted two of the women, knocking one of them unconscious in one instance, and causing a severe injury to the woman’s eye. One of these assaults was captured on a home security camera. Wilkins also used verbal abuse, threats to harm, and emotional manipulation in order to entice and coerce these women into commercial sex work for his financial gain. and Wilkins was arrested on Nov. 5, 2019, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is composed of FBI agents and local, state, and federal partners. He has been detained ever since. He pleaded guilty less than a week before his trial was scheduled to begin. In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI and MPD.. They acknowledged the efforts of those who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Alexis Spencer-Anderson, Victim Witness Program Specialist Yvonne Bryant, Victim Witness Service Coordinator Tonya Jones, and Witness Security Specialist Lesley Slade. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Larson and Trial Attorney Jessica Arco, from the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the Department of Justice, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: La Crosse Man Sentenced to 172 Months for Methamphetamine Trafficking & Illegally Possessing Firearm

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jade Deeny, 26, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 172 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a felon. This prison term will be followed by an eight-year period of supervised release. On June 6, 2022, a confidential informant (CI) worked with investigators from the La Crosse Police Department (LCPD) and purchased cocaine and prescription pills from Deeny. During the drug transaction, investigators overheard Deeny and the CI discuss an assault rifle and a 9 mm pistol. Shortly after the CI left Deeny’s residence, surveillance officers watched Deeny and a female drive away from the house. Officers stopped the car and arrested Deeny. Following Deeny’s arrest, an investigator from the LCPD obtained a search warrant for his house. During the search, investigators found three firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and a taser. Investigators also located pounds of counterfeit prescription pills, a scale, empty vegetable capsules, a vacuum sealer, U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping boxes, cash, and a lease to self-storage unit. Investigators eventually obtained a search warrant for Deeny’s storage unit and found that it contained a motorized pill press with a mixer and ventilation unit, tablet presses, 350 pounds of different colored cutting agents, gallons of acetone and ethyl alcohol, 135 pounds of counterfeit prescription pills in various colors, two firearms, ammunition, a high-capacity magazine, and thousands of additional USPS shipping boxes. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the review of Deeny’s computer and discovered evidence that showed he shipped hundreds of packages to people in 46 different states, as well as Puerto Rico. Testing by the Drug Enforcement Administration determined that pills located in Deeny’s residence and storage unit contained methamphetamine, bromazolam, and other substances. In sentencing Deeny, Judge Conley focused on the danger that Deeny posed to the community. Judge Conly noted that some of the prescription pills Deeny manufactured contained substances not yet scheduled in the United States. Judge Conley also highlighted Deeny’s continued possession of firearms, despite his prior felony convictions. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence. The charges against Deeny were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma prosecuted this case.


title: Baltimore Eight Tray Gangster Crips Member Sentenced to Almost 20 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering and Drug Conspiracy Charges

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Devon Powell, a/k/a “Smuppy,” age 32, of Baltimore, today to 235 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for racketeering and drug conspiracy charges, related to his activities as a member of the Eight Tray Gangster (ETG) Crips gang in Baltimore. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department. The ETG Crips are a violent subset of the Crips gang that originated in California in the 1970s, eventually operating on the streets and in correctional facilities in Maryland beginning in the 2000s. For many years, the ETG Crips controlled the drug trade in particular territories in Baltimore City, including the area around the intersection between West Baltimore Street and South Hilton Street in West Baltimore (the “Baltimore Hilton neighborhood”), the area around the intersection between West Lexington Street and North Fremont Avenue (the “Lexington Terrace neighborhood”), and the area around the intersection between Frankford Avenue and Sinclair Lane in North Baltimore (the “Frankford Sinclair neighborhood”). The ETG Crips members from the Baltimore Hilton and Lexington Terrace neighborhoods referred to themselves as the Baccwest ETG Crips—modeling themselves after the Baccwest ETG Crips in Los Angeles—and ETG Crips members from the Frankford Sinclair neighborhood called themselves the Nutty North Side ETG Crips. The two groups worked together for common criminal purposes. According to his guilty plea, Davon Powell was a member of the Baccwest ETG Crips in Baltimore. The Baccwest ETG Crips operated street-level drug distribution “shops” primarily in the Baltimore Hilton neighborhood, the Lexington Terrace neighborhood and the Franklin Sinclair neighborhood, distributing heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Non-members of the gang who attempted to sell drugs in the ETG Crips’ territories were targeted for violence by ETG Crips members. Powell admitted that he and his co-defendants conspired to distribute and distributed drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine. The ETG Crips used social media websites to assert their claim to drug territories, intimidate rival gangs and witnesses against gang members, and to enhance the status of the ETG Crips and of individual members within the gang. Members of the ETG Crips posted photos and rap videos to social media websites flaunting weapons and threatening to kill those who stood in the way of the gang. By participating in criminal activities in furtherance of the gang, particularly violent acts directed by the ETG Crips leadership, ETG Crips members earned respect from fellow members and maintained or advanced their position within the gang. Also, as detailed in his plea agreement, on May 19, 2019, in the 4900 block of Greencrest Road, Powell attempted to murder Victim 22, shooting the victim multiple times using a 9mm caliber pistol. Co-defendant Trayvon Hall, who was the leader of the ETG Crips, provided the weapon and served as the getaway driver. A week later, Hall offered to give Powell the 9mm caliber pistol used in the shooting, in exchange for a .40 caliber firearm that Powell had in his possession. Powell advised that the .40 caliber firearm was his “favorite,” but he had a friend with a .40 caliber firearm who might be willing to trade. Powell warned Hall that his friend’s gun was “dirty,” meaning it had been used to shoot or kill someone. Ultimately, Powell did swap guns with Hall, taking the 9mm pistol used to shoot Victim 22, and giving Hall his .40 caliber firearm. Co-defendant Trayvon Hall, a/k/a “Tru,” and “G Tru,” age 31, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to his role in the gang and was sentenced on December 7, 2022, to 454 months in federal prison. This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin . This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, the ATF, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Kim Y. Oldham, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Chicago Man Sentenced to 78 Months for Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shakur Antwan Clayton, 28, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 78 months in prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. This prison term will be followed by a four-year period of supervised release. On May 16, 2022, an inspector from the Wisconsin State Patrol stopped a vehicle in Monroe County, Wisconsin for speeding. The driver, later identified as Clayton, claimed he did not have a driver’s license and gave the inspector a false name. The inspector also smelled marijuana and saw a marijuana blunt in the center console. When the inspector asked Clayton to step out of the car, he sped off at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement pursued the car before it lost control, crossed into the median, and rolled into the opposite lane of traffic. Clayton crawled out of the car and fled on foot. As law enforcement approached Clayton, he reached into his waistband, pulled out a plastic bag, ripped it open, and threw the contents into the air. Laboratory testing determined that the substance Clayton discarded was 179 grams of pure methamphetamine. Clayton admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to someone in the Western District of Wisconsin. The charge against Clayton was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.


title: Marketing Firm Owner Charged with Tax Crimes and Bank Fraud

body_text: A federal grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, returned an indictment unsealed today charging a Maryland businessman with filing false income tax returns, theft of government funds, tax evasion, willful failure to file income tax returns and bank fraud. According to the indictment, Orin Wayne Solomon of Glenn Dale, filed at least 15 false income tax returns between 2017 and 2022 on behalf of himself, his business and two trusts that he controlled. On these returns, Solomon allegedly sought nearly $65 million in refunds that he and his entities were not entitled to receive. After receiving one allegedly false trust tax return, the IRS issued a tax refund check for more than $10 million. Solomon allegedly used those funds to pay for cars, a house, silver coins and insurance policies. The indictment further alleges that Solomon attempted to evade his income tax liabilities for numerous years between 2009 and 2021 by, among other means, using funds from a business bank account to pay personal expenses for himself, his wife and his children, registering a vehicle in the name of a trust and transferring his personal residence to another trust. The personal expenses that Solomon allegedly paid from his business bank account included tuition for his children, personal training sessions, medical and dental expenses and expenses relating to his personal residence and a property that his wife owned. From 2017 through 2021, Solomon also allegedly failed to file individual income tax returns and pay taxes on income generated by his business, Anjacor Marketing Inc. (Anjacor). The indictment also charges that in 2020, Solomon applied for a loan on behalf of Anjacor under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), an initiative authorized by Congress to provide financial assistance to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of that application, Solomon allegedly provided a bank with false information about his company’s payroll, fraudulently causing the bank to extend a $229,012 PPP loan. If convicted, Solomon faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the bank fraud charge, 10 years in prison on the theft of government funds charge, five years in prison on each of the tax evasion charges, three years in prison on each of the false return charges, and one year in prison on each of the failure to file charges. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Jeffrey A. McLellan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Regarding the  Police-Involved Shooting on March 18, 2023

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: The loss of a life is always tragic but is especially heartbreaking when it involves a child. On Saturday, March 18th, 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin tragically died after a shooting involving the U.S. Park Police, and we recognize that the body-worn camera footage just released of his death is extremely upsetting. We extend our condolences to Mr. Martin’s family and friends. In coordination with the FBI Washington Field Office, the United States Attorney’s Office has opened a civil rights investigation into the circumstances leading to Mr. Martin’s death. That investigation—which we are committed to conducting diligently and thoroughly—is ongoing. As this is an open matter, we are not able to provide additional comment or release further information at this time.


title: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to   Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – A repeat sex offender was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Ison was joined in her announcement by Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit Field Office. Charles Robert Taylor, Jr., 35, of Detroit, had been convicted of causing a 10 year old minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct with an adult female so that he could create a video on his cellular phone. Taylor then distributed the video to at least one other person. Taylor committed this offense while on parole as a registered sex offender. This incident was the second time Taylor’s parole was revoked for this type of conduct, and Taylor was out of prison for less than one year when he committed this offense. Taylor was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Victoria A. Roberts. “This offender committed a horrific act, an offense made even more serious because he did so while on supervision for another sex offense. This sentence will protect the public and demonstrates our commitment to keep children safe,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “Taylor’s heinous actions and the fact that he committed them while on parole for other sex crimes is evidence of the danger he poses to our communities,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “We will continue to prioritize the innocence and well-being of children by diligently investigating sexual offenses involving minors.” The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne.


title: Two Detroit Men Sentenced to Prison for Spree of Three Carjackings

body_text: DETROIT – Two Detroit men were sentenced to multiple years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to a series of three carjackings occurring in a three-day period, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Damario Howell, 21, was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison. Seandre Braxton, 24, was sentenced in February of this year to 15 years in federal prison. Both were sentenced before United States District Judge Judith Levy. According to court records, Braxton and Howell committed the first carjacking on September 29, 2021, and the second and third carjackings on October 1, 2021, all in Detroit. In the first carjacking, Braxton and Howell pointed handguns at the victim seated in his car and removed the victim from the vehicle before Howell drove off. In the second carjacking, Braxton and Howell, while armed with handguns, confronted a victim outside his car and demanded the keys before Braxton drove off in the victim’s car. In the third carjacking, Braxton and Howell seized a third car after confronting the victims at gunpoint, with Braxton driving off with their car. Minutes after the third carjacking, Howell fled from police by smashing the car from the second carjacking into a police car, driving off in a highspeed chase, exiting the car, and entering the car from the third carjacking driven by Braxton. Braxton drove off in another highspeed chase that ended when Braxton crashed the car into two other vehicles. Following a short foot chase, both Braxton and Howell were arrested. Braxton and Howell both pleaded guilty to three counts of carjacking, one count of carrying a firearm while committing a carjacking, and one count of brandishing a firearm while committing a carjacking. Braxton and Howell’s sentencing guidelines were increased for reckless endangerment during flight because of the highspeed chases. “Carjacking is one of the most brazen crimes. These defendant’s carjacking spree not only endangered their victims, but their reckless indifference also created a significant risk of harm across the community,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We will seek significant federal penalties against those who prey on motorists in our communities.” Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community," said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office. "The FBI remains committed to working alongside the Detroit Police Department and Michigan State Police to curb these violent offenses and bring the perpetrators to justice." This case was investigated by the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, Detroit Police Department, and Michigan State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Kuebler.


title: Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced To More Than 27 Years In Prison For Attempted Enticement Of A Minor

component: USAO - Arkansas, Eastern

body_text: LITTLE ROCK—A repeat and dangerous sex offender against children was sentenced this afternoon for attempted enticement of a minor. United States District Court Judge Jay Moody sentenced Joe Newman, 64, of Star City to more than 27 years in federal prison and, should he survive his prison sentence, supervised release for the rest of his life. In early 2020, Star City Police Department began investigating Newman after the mother of a 10-year-old girl reported sexually explicit messages that were being sent to her daughter by Newman on Instagram. Law enforcement initiated a ruse using the child’s Instagram account and agreed to meet Newman. Newman then sent law enforcement a nude picture of himself, believing law enforcement was the child victim. Newman was traffic-stopped on his way to meet the victim, and his telephone was seized. Investigation of Newman’s Instagram account revealed conversations between himself and numerous other minors, to whom he sent nude pictures of himself. In an interview with law enforcement, Newman admitted to messaging 20 to 30 underage girls in the Lincoln County, Arkansas, area. In addition, Newman admitted performing oral sex on and receiving oral sex from nine victims, ages eight to 13. Newman is a registered sex offender with several prior convictions for violent sex offenses against children under the age of 16. Newman was originally indicted by a grand jury on December 1, 2020, and charged with four counts related to child pornography, as well as the attempted enticement charge. On Wednesday, Judge Moody sentenced Newman to 327 months’ imprisonment, plus lifetime supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The investigation was conducted by the Star City Police Department and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant. # # # This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at https://www.justice.gov/edar Twitter: @EDARNEWS


title: Man Who Possessed Child Pornography Sentenced to  Over Five Years in Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who possessed over 3,500 photographs and 25 videos of child pornography was sentenced today to more than 5 years in federal prison. Jeff Gruber, age 60, from Sumner, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 13, 2022 guilty plea to possession of child pornography. At the guilty plea, Gruber admitted he possessed child pornography on his computer between November 2016 and March 2017. Gruber was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Gruber was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. He was also ordered to make restitution. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” Gruber is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Sumner Police Department.. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-cr-2054. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Threatening Bank Employees

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced today that Jason Charles Fink, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for transmitting an interstate communication containing a threat. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Fink to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Fink will begin a three-year term of supervised release. On May 26, 2021, Fink, using his cellphone in Omaha left a voicemail with Community State Bank at their Ankeny, Iowa branch. In the voicemail Fink threatened to harm Community State Bank employees. Fink’s voicemail was eventually received by employees of Community State Bank who reported the voicemail to law enforcement. This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partner: the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/archives/ag/about-project-guardian .


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Pablo Inda, 33, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Inda to 57 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. On November 9, 2020, Inda sold an Aero Precision Model X15 .223 rifle to a confidential witness working with law enforcement. The transaction, which occurred at Inda’s residence in Omaha, was audio and video recorded. Inda also sold the confidential witness three 30-round magazines, one 40-round magazine, and 99 rounds of ammunition. The rifle had been reported stolen from a home burglary in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on September 7, 2020. A second gun sale by Inda on October 19, 2020, of an Intratec Model TecDC9 9mm handgun, to the same cooperating witness was also considered by the court as relevant conduct at sentencing. Inda is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law because of a prior felony conviction for unlawful/intentional discharge of a firearm. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


title: Walthill Man Sentenced to 110 Months for Drug and Firearm Offenses

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Collin Parker, 29, of Walthill, Nebraska, was sentenced in federal court today in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Parker to 110 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Parker will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. On August 20, 2021, officers stopped a vehicle in Macy, Nebraska, containing four people, including Parker and co-defendant Terrence Sherman. Officers located approximately 123.18 grams of methamphetamine, scales, baggies, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Parker and Sherman had conspired to distribute methamphetamine and they possessed the shotgun in furtherance of that conspiracy. Sherman pled guilty on February 23, 2023, and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2023. This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Last Conspirator Sentenced in Methamphetamine Drug Ring

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Dustin Charles Vogel, 36, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his participation in a methamphetamine drug conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Vogel to 140 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. On October 6, 2021, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Metro Fugitive Task Force were attempting to locate co-defendant Haley Coffman, who had an outstanding felony warrant for violating her bond conditions on a charge of possessing methamphetamine in Douglas County Court. Responding to a tip, law enforcement located Coffman at an Omaha area motel. Law enforcement set up surveillance and observed Coffman, Vogel, and Jonathan Miller leaving the hotel and getting into a vehicle, which law enforcement then approached. The driver of the vehicle, Miller, put the car in reverse and backed up toward law enforcement, striking the front of one of their vehicles with the back of the Impala. An officer was seated in the vehicle when it was hit. Miller then drove his vehicle from the area at a high rate of speed before crashing in a construction area. Miller, Vogel, and Coffman fled on foot before being apprehended a short time later by law enforcement. During an inventory search of the vehicle, a large amount of suspected methamphetamine was found in a bag on the floorboard. The bag was accessible to all three occupants. A forensic laboratory analyzed the suspected narcotics and determined it to be methamphetamine having a purity of 86.9%, resulting in an actual weight of 255.1 grams. Haley M. Coffman was sentenced on November 16, 2022, to 170 months’ imprisonment and 5 years’ supervised release for her participation in the drug conspiracy. Jonathan Miller was sentenced on August 24, 2022, to 205 months’ imprisonment for his participation in the drug conspiracy and for assault, resisting or impeding an officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 5 years total of supervised release on both charges. This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Fugitive Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: United States Attorney Steven A. Russell announced that Michael Dickmeyer, 24, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution and receipt of child pornography. The Honorable Brian C. Buescher sentenced Dickmeyer to 96 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Dickmeyer will serve 5 years of supervised release. Dickmeyer was also ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution. In October 2021, law enforcement began investigating after receiving a Cybertip from Twitter stating that a user had uploaded child pornography. Investigators contacted Dickmeyer who admitted to accessing, viewing, and trading images and videos of child pornography online. Investigators searched Dickmeyer’s cell phone and observed more than 700 images and videos of child pornography on the device. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Detroit Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Role in Drug Conspiracy

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western


title: Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to 33 Months for Illegally Possessing a Loaded Handgun

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA -- A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 33 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release on his conviction for violating federal firearm laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Cameo Witherspoon, age 33, formerly of the City’s Larimer neighborhood. In connection with the earlier guilty plea, the Court was advised that on July 6, 2021, an officer with the Monroeville Police Department initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle due to an expired registration in Monroeville, PA. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, failed to immediately stop, and when he did, he quickly exited the vehicle to dispute the stop. While interacting with law enforcement, the driver lied about his identity, misrepresented where the vehicle’s registration was located, locked and unlocked the vehicle three times, and dumped the contents of the glovebox onto a fanny pack within the vehicle. The officer then requested a K-9 unit, and the drug dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. Subsequently, law enforcement had the vehicle towed and applied for a search warrant. During the resulting search, law enforcement recovered a loaded handgun from the fanny pack in the vehicle. Following the driver’s arrest, law enforcement determined that the driver was the defendant, Cameo Witherspoon, and that Witherspoon had an active warrant for a parole violation. As described in the Indictment, Witherspoon has multiple prior felony convictions in the Court of Common Pleas, County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For example, on May 31, 2013, Witherspoon pled guilty to robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 90-180 months. Under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from the possession of firearms and ammunition. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Monroeville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Witherspoon.


title: Frederick County Sheriff and Gun Dealer Indicted for Scheme to Illegally Acquire Machineguns

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Charles Austin Jenkins, age 66, of Thurmont, Maryland, and Robert Justin Krop, age 36, of Frederick, Maryland, with conspiracy and false statements in order to acquire machineguns. Krop is also charged with illegal possession of machineguns. No court appearance is scheduled for the defendants at this time. The indictment was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division. As detailed in the indictment, Charles Jenkins has been the Sheriff of Frederick County since his election in 2006 and was most recently re-elected in 2022. Robert Krop is the principal owner and operator of firearms-related businesses in Frederick County. Krop and his businesses held up to two Federal Firearms Licenses (“FFLs”) that allowed Krop and the business, under certain circumstances, to possess and deal in machineguns. The six-count indictment alleges that from August 2015 to May 2022, Jenkins and Krop conspired to unlawfully purchase machineguns and falsified multiple documents on the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office letterhead requesting machineguns for evaluation and demonstration to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Krop allegedly drafted these documents for Jenkins’ signature. According to the indictment, Jenkins and Krop knew that there would not be a demonstration of the machineguns to the Sheriff’s Office and that the machineguns were intended for rental to Krop’s customers. Krop also allegedly illegally possessed seven machineguns. The indictment further alleges that Krop’s business offered political support to Jenkins in recognition of his support for the business. If convicted, Jenkins and Krop face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy, for false statements in records maintained by a federal firearms licensee and for false statements to federal law enforcement. If convicted, Krop also faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a machinegun. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Goo and Leo Wise, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Belize Real Estate Developer Charged With Embezzling Investor Funds

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment in Manhattan federal court charging ANDRIS PUKKE with wire fraud and with engaging in unlawful monetary transactions in connection with his embezzlement of more than $13 million from Sanctuary Belize, a real estate development in Belize that he directed and controlled. PUKKE was arrested this morning in Los Angeles and will be presented in the Central District of California later today. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Andris Pukke sold residential lots in Belize with a promise to build out an affordable vacation and retirement community in a tropical paradise. Instead, Pukke’s planned paradise turned out to be just a mirage, as he allegedly stole the very funds the development needed to pay for roads, utilities, and other infrastructure, leaving the lot buyers with nothing but land they cannot access or use. This Office will continue to aggressively pursue consumer fraud to ensure that businesses deliver on their promises to their customers.” FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “The defendant, as alleged, sold his victims dreams of a tropical haven, instead he used their money for his own interests. Investigating and holding financial fraudsters like Mr. Pukke accountable in the criminal justice system remains a top priority for the FBI.” According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court: [1] PUKKE directed and controlled Sanctuary Belize, which was a vacation and retirement community under development in Belize. PUKKE marketed and sold residential lots in the development to U.S. residents with promises that the development, when finished, would be near an international airport and hospital and would include a marina, a wildlife reserve, a beach club, and an equestrian center, among other amenities. Lot buyers could construct homes on their lots once the infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, was built out by Sanctuary Belize. PUKKE and his salespeople falsely represented to lot buyers that Sanctuary Belize was free of debt and that all income from lot sales would go to the development of Sanctuary Belize's infrastructure. In fact, Sanctuary Belize had more than $12 million in debt, and PUKKE stole more than $13 million of the $124 million that Sanctuary Belize received from sales of residential lots. PUKKE stole the money by directing Sanctuary Belize employees to transfer the funds to recipients he designated. These transfers of funds were concealed on the books and records of Sanctuary Belize as business expenses, such as professional fees, legal fees, consulting fees, loans receivable, and online advertising expenses. PUKKE used the embezzled funds for his personal benefit, including the renovation of his home in Newport Beach, California; investments in various entities unrelated to Sanctuary Belize; investments in unrelated real estate developments; repayment of personal debt; and payments to PUKKE's family members. * * * PUKKE, 54, of Newport Bach, California, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked the Federal Trade Commission for their assistance with the case. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James McMahon and Jeffrey C. Coffman are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.


title: Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 175 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Charges

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Courtney Clayton, age 39, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 175 months in federal prison following his convictions for possession with the intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. The Court further sentenced Clayton to five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. According to admissions made as a part of his guilty plea, on January 26, 2021, after a months' long investigation into suspected narcotics trafficking by Clayton, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office narcotics agents executed a traffic stop on Clayton’s vehicle. Agents found 1,172.48 grams of heroin, 103.5 grams of fentanyl, 676.5 dosage units of fentanyl, and 16 grams of cocaine. in the trunk. Additionally, $12,760 cash was found in the glovebox along with three (3) cell phones belonging to Clayton. This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William K. Morris.


title: Former Baton Rouge Doctor Convicted of Distributing Controlled Substances Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Randy J. Lamartiniere, age 64, formerly a doctor in Baton Rouge and now a resident of Alexandria, Louisiana, to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction for distribution of controlled substances by a physician. The Court further sentenced Lamartiniere to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, and ordered forfeiture of all property and proceeds obtained by Lamartiniere as a result of his conviction. According to evidence presented at trial, from in or about March 2015 through January 2016, Lamartiniere, in exchange for cash, wrote medically unnecessary prescriptions for large quantities of Adderall, fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone. Lamartiniere’s fee typically ranged from $100 to $300 per visit, and he accepted no form of health insurance for “doctor visits.” At the end of these “visits,” Lamartiniere routinely issued prescriptions for Adderall and opioids, therefore, distributing and dispensing controlled substances that he knew were not for a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of a legitimate medical practice. After the hearing, U.S. Attorney Gathe stated, “This prosecution and the lengthy prison sentence imposed today should serve as a reminder of the Department of Justice’s firm commitment to fighting opioid diversion, and a warning to those who would traffic and illegally dispense dangerous opioids in our community. The investigation and federal criminal prosecution have taken several years, but our commitment to this cause has never wavered. I want to thank the great work and dedication of all of the law enforcement agents and investigators who contributed to this successful prosecution, and the prosecutors in this office whose work helped lead to today’s result.” DEA Baton Rouge District Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer stated, “The DEA and its law enforcement partners are committed to investigating any medical professional that chooses to place their personal gain over patient care. This investigation demonstrates the positive effects of a collaborative law enforcement effort in Louisiana and our strong partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office to pursue anyone who intends to harm the community. The lengthy sentence received by Dr. Lamartiniere reflects the damage he caused to the community and, hopefully, will deter other medical practitioners with intentions to profit by taking advantage of the public from their trusted position.” Iberville Parish Sheriff Stassi said, “as law enforcement officers, we are held to a higher standard, as we should be, the same applies to doctors and other medical professionals. Lamartiniere betrayed the trust of his patients, and he abused his authority. His arrest and conviction are continued steps to fight the war on drugs. The persistence of the law enforcement officers that worked to build this case and the tireless efforts of the prosecutors are proof positive that we are committed to providing a safe and peaceful community.” Stassi also acknowledged the countless hours that DEA, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, our state and local law enforcement partners, and the US Attorney’s Office spent on this case and thanked them for their efforts. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with the Baton Rouge Police Department and Department of Health and Human Services – OIG. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul L. Pugliese; Alan A. Stevens, who also serves as Senior Litigation Counsel; and Harley W. Ferguson.


title: Fourth Circuit Affirms Life Sentence of West Virginia Sex Trafficker

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the life sentence for a West Virginia man convicted in the Western District of Virginia for commercial sex trafficking. Kendall Demarko Wysinger, 46, from Manassas, Virginia, was convicted by a jury in January 2019 of sex trafficking and various drug crimes in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. In August 2020, Wysinger was sentenced to life in prison. Last week, a three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond affirmed that sentence. According to evidence presented at trial, Wysinger used heroin to coerce his victims into engaging in commercial sex and employed threats and intimidation to ensure he maintained power and control over those victims. Wysinger routinely advertised these victims for commercial sex using online classified ads in Winchester, Virginia, Shenandoah County, Virginia, and cities in West Virginia and Maryland, and used social media accounts to target and recruit women into his sex-trafficking operation. The defendant demanded his victims pay him nearly all of the money they received from commercial sex in order to pay their drug debts, his charges for posting ads online, and the costs of transporting them to prostitution dates. On one occasion, the heroin Wysinger distributed resulted in two overdoses. Wysinger gave what he said was heroin to one victim of his sex trafficking ring and her friend, but the substance was actually fentanyl, a far more powerful synthetic opioid. Both victims overdosed as a result of fentanyl poisoning, and one of them eventually died. Wysinger was with both victims when they overdosed and left the victims unconscious in a Winchester motel room. Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Taylor, Jennifer R. Bockhorst, and Rachel Swartz handled the appeal for the United States.


title: New Orleans Man Charged  With Federal Cares Act Fraud

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DENT HUNTER , of New Orleans, LA, age 45, was indicted on March 31, 2023, on one count of making false statements, one count of theft of government funds, and two counts of money laundering related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed into law the CARES Act, which provided emergency assistance, administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), to small business owners affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The two primary sources of funding for small businesses were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program. According to the indictment, on or about April 6, 2020, HUNTER made false statements to an approved lender , for a business in order to obtain a PPP loan for $122,100. On or about July 22, 2020, HUNTER stole $149,900 from the SBA by using an application in the name of NexLevel ONE Realty. Finally, HUNTER committed two counts of money laundering when he used the ill-gotten funds to buy two motor vehicles for family members. HUNTER faces a sentence of up to five years in prison for the false statements count. He also faces up to ten years in prison for the theft count and each money laundering count. All of the counts include up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release along with a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count due after conviction. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . This case was investigated by an agent assigned to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to serve the American public by promoting transparency and facilitating coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 21 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending. The PRAC Fraud Task Force brings together agents from 15 Inspectors General to investigate fraud involving a variety of programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program. Task force agents who are detailed to the PRAC receive expanded authority to investigate pandemic fraud as well as tools and training to support their investigations. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General (a member of the PRAC) and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Federal jury convicts Albuquerque man of drug trafficking offenses and federal firearm violation

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Gregory M. Millard, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA El Paso Division, announced today that a federal jury on March 30 returned a guilty verdict against Eloy Romero. The jury convicted Romero, 47, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on one count each of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Judith C. Herrera presided. The case against Romero was part of a February 25, 2021, tactical operation by the Albuquerque Police Department in the Southwest Area Command. During the operation, members of the APD Gang Unit observed Romero engage in suspicious behavior in a business parking lot. They approached Romero’s vehicle with emergency equipment engaged, but Romero drove away from the area, disregarding their lights and sirens. APD followed but temporarily disengaged to avoid a dangerous pursuit. Eventually, Romero pulled over and was approached by the investigating officers. Officers determined that Romero’s vehicle had a suspended registration and Romero had a suspended driver’s license. Officers decided to tow the vehicle, pursuant to department policy. During an inventory of the vehicle, officers discovered suspected fentanyl and a firearm. They immediately sealed the vehicle and sought a search warrant. During execution of the search warrant, officers located a black backpack in the back seat that contained 352 grams of methamphetamine, 1,876 tablets of fentanyl, numerous rounds of .22 ammunition and a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Romero will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. He faces a minimum of fifteen years in prison. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Albuquerque District Office and Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nora Wilson and Joseph M. Spindle. # # # 23-63


title: Thirteen Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Related Firearms Crimes

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Eleven men and two women from across the Pee Dee were sentenced to multi-year terms in federal prison after pleading guilty to their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy out of the Chesterfield and Darlington County areas. Clifford Ray Gardner, 67, of McBee, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; Zachary Miles Gardner, 29, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting distribution of methamphetamine; Marion Wendell Brown, Jr., 37, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Harvey Lee Dixon, 37, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 74 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Jeffrey Scott Lloyd, 32, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Craig Leon Warr, 50, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Ricky Jerry Wallace, 30, 0f Patrick, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Charles Barney Lloyd, 50, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Justin Lee Kelly, 40, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 80 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Jonathan Nowell Dixon, 41, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 66 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Ashley Jordan Griffits, 33, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Thomas George Hall, II, 42, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; and Lacey Elizabeth Watford, 22, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Wallace and Warr’s terms of imprisonment will be followed by a ten-year term of court-ordered supervision. The remaining defendants will have a five-year term of court-ordered supervision to follow imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. “Our office is dedicated to protecting the people of South Carolina from the dangers of drug trafficking and related gun crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners who worked together to dismantle this methamphetamine trafficking ring and hold accountable those who were pedaling this dangerous drug into our neighborhoods.” “The same individuals responsible for bringing deadly narcotics into our communities are often responsible for much of the violent gun crime we face,” said Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Charlotte Field Division. “Bringing these individuals to justice and dismantling drug trafficking networks has a major impact on stopping gun violence and making communities safer.” “We are thankful for the diligent work and collaboration of the many departments that brought an end to the organization that was bringing these dangerous drugs into our community,” said Public Information Officer for the City of Hartsville Michelle Byers Brown. “The City of Hartsville continues to stay vigilant and dedicated to working with all agencies to assure that individuals who desire to harm our city and surrounding communities are brought to justice.” Evidence presented to the Court showed that Clifford Ray Gardner was the head of a multi-year methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy based out of Chesterfield and Darlington Counties. During the course of that conspiracy, Gardner was accountable for trafficking more than 9 kilograms of methamphetamine. Evidence showed Harvey Lee Dixon, Jeffrey Scott Lloyd, Craig Leon Warr, Ricky Jerry Wallace, Charles Barney Lloyd, Justin Lee Kelly, Jonathan Nowell Dixon, Ashley Jordan Griffits, Thomas George Hall, II, and Lacey Elizabeth Watford were distributors within the conspiracy. Each was accountable for trafficking half a kilogram or more of methamphetamine during the course of the conspiracy. In May 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Marion Wendell Brown Jr.’s residence in Hartsville, from which he sold drugs. Officers found two rifles and a 12-gauge shotgun, approximately $1,000 in cash, 16 grams of methamphetamine, and a quantity of heroin. A subsequent search of the same location revealed additional drugs and a stolen law enforcement firearm. In May 2021, law enforcement conducted a controlled buy of approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine from Clifford Ray Gardner at a residence in McBee. Zachary Miles Gardner was the middleman on the deal. In June 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the same McBee residence where the controlled buy occurred. Officers found three firearms. Federal law prohibits Clifford Ray Gardner from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction. Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced all thirteen individuals. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case was investigated by Hartsville Police Department, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case. ###


title: Sixth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Local “DMV Board” Dogfighting Conspiracy

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Westmoreland County man pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to engage in dogfighting. According to court documents, from at least May 2015 through August 2020, Tarry Jeron “TJ” Wilson, 38, and other conspirators from Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, used a messaging app private group, which they generally referred to as “the DMV Board” or “the Board,” as a place where they and their associates could discuss training fighting dogs, exchange videos about dogfighting, and arrange and coordinate dog fights, away from the view of law enforcement authorities. Members of the DMV Board also used the messaging app to compare methods of killing dogs that lost fights, as well as to circulate media reports about conspirators who had been caught by law enforcement and discuss methods to minimize the likelihood that they would be caught themselves. According to court documents, Wilson, who used the kennel name “City Limits,” regularly used the DMV Board to solicit fights for his dogs, and to notify his fellow dogfighters of the results of the fights that were arranged. In January 2019, Wilson entered his dog “City Limits Lil Bella” in a fight in Delaware. The fight lasted one hour and 12 minutes, before his dog lost the fight. Wilson later described on the DMV Board how, when his attempt to electrocute the dog failed, he simply shot her. In June 2020, Wilson attended five dogfights, including two involving his own dogs. Wilson’s dog, “Thor,” won the first fight when the opposing dog quit 16 minutes into the fight. Wilson’s dog, “Red Alert,” won the last fight after 32 minutes when the opposing dog stopped moving. In August 2020, Wilson possessed eight pit-bull type dogs at his Warsaw residence, including four that bore scarring patterns that indicated previous involvement in dogfighting. According to court documents, Wilson warned members of the DMV Board to be sure to confirm the death of the dogs that they try to kill upon losing a fight. He explained that one time, he and a co-conspirator thought that their dog had died in a fight, only to find that the dog returned to life. Further, Wilson provided on the DMV Board instructions on how to kill a losing dog and offered to drive to another conspirator’s house to hang the dog from a tree himself. Wilson told his fellow DMV Board members that he “loved” killing losing dogs. According to court documents, in response to a news article posted to the DMV Board regarding an individual charged with running a dogfighting operation, Wilson warned: “People like dogs. They don’t like what we doing to them, though, I bet you that.” In August 2022, Wilson and six others were indicted for a dogfighting conspiracy involving the DMV Board. Five of those six have previously pleaded guilty and been sentenced for dogfighting offenses. Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Cristina C. Stam are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-154.


title: Former Postal Employee Indicted for Delaying and Stealing the Contents of U.S. Mail

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – DAZMON DYER , age 29, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was indicted on March 31, 2023 by a federal grand jury for unlawful delay of U.S. Mail matter by a postal employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703(a) and theft of U.S. Mail matter by a postal employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to the two-count indictment, between on or about June 17, 2022 and July 17, 2022, DYER unlawfully secreted, detained, and stole the contents of U.S. mail entrusted to him as a postal employee. As to each count, DYER faces a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee . U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.