title: La Mesa Redonda Interinstitucional De Asistencia Legal  De La Casa Blanca Emite Informe Al Presidente

body_text: Hoy, el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland y el Asesor Legal de la Casa Blanca Stuart Delery, emitieron en conjunto el Informe de la Mesa Redonda Interinstitucional de Asistencia Legal de la Casa Blanca (Mesa Redonda) de 2022. El informe, titulado “Acceso a la justicia a través de la simplificación: una hoja de ruta para la simplificación de los formularios, procesos y lenguaje del gobierno federal con enfoque en las personas” (“Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language”) , destaca los logros y compromisos de la agencia para promover la misión de la Mesa Redonda “aumentar la disponibilidad de un acceso significativo a la justicia para las personas y las familias, independientemente de la riqueza o el estatus”. “Los formularios y procesos gubernamentales deben ser accesibles para todos, no solo para los abogados o aquellos que pueden pagar por ellos”, dijo el Fiscal General Merrick B. Garland. “El informe de La Mesa Redonda de 2022 proporciona una hoja de ruta para ayudar a las agencias a reducir las barreras y ampliar el acceso a los programas y servicios gubernamentales”. El informe se centra en las formas en que el gobierno federal puede simplificar sus formularios y procesos para reducir la necesidad de que las personas busquen asistencia legal. En 2022, la Mesa Redonda se centró en ampliar el acceso a los programas, servicios y beneficios mediante el desarrollode una hoja de ruta de simplificación y destacando las mejores prácticas de las agencias miembros. El informe de la Mesa Redonda de 2022 identifica un camino de tres pasos hacia adelante para: (1) comprender las barreras de acceso a través de una interacción significativa con las comunidades atendidas y afectadas por los programas gubernamentales, (2) implementar estrategias mediante la incorporación de los comentarios recibidos de la interacción, y (3) evaluar el efecto de los esfuerzos de simplificación para determinar si tienen un acceso significativamente ampliado, o si son posibles mejoras adicionales. El informe también presenta esfuerzos exitosos de simplificación de formularios y procesos por parte de las agencias miembros y promueve compromisos para realizar mejoras de acceso en todo el gobierno a través de un diseño centrado en el ser humano y la participación de la comunidad. “Por medio de este trabajo, priorizamos los métodos centrados en el ser humano para simplificar los formularios, procesos y lenguaje”, dijo la Directora de la Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia Rachel Rossi. “Es crítico poner a las comunidades a las que servimos en el centro de nuestros esfuerzos por procurar el acceso a la justicia para todos”. En diciembre de 2022, el Fiscal General Merrick Garland y la Asesora Legal Auxiliar de la Casa Blanca Stacey Grigsby copresidieron una reunión de la Mesa Redonda con comentarios y participación del Segundo Caballero de los Estados Unidos Douglas Emhoff y la Fiscal General Asociada Vanita Gupta, y moderado por la Directora de la Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia Rachel Rossi. Los directores de agencias de la Mesa Redonda y los funcionarios de alto nivel que asistieron incluyeron al Secretario del Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos Denis Richard McDonough, el Subsecretario del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional John Tien, el Comisionado Interino del Departamento de Administración del Seguro Social Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, el Presidente de la Conferencia Administrativa de los Estados Unidos Andrew Fois, el Director de la Oficina de Protección Financiera del Consumidor Rohit Chopra, el Subsecretario del Departamento de Educación James Kvaal, la Presidenta de la Comisión de Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo Charlotte Burrows, la Presidenta de la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones Jessica Rosenworcel, el Asistente Adjunto del Presidente Chiraag Bains, la Asesora General del Departamento de Defensa Caroline Krass, la Abogada Laboral del Departamento de Trabajo Seema Nanda, el Presidente de la Corporación de Servicios Legales Ronald Flagg, la Administradora de Servicios Digitales Mina Hsiang, la Asesora Adjunta de la Oficina de la Vicepresidenta Nasrina Bargzie, el Asesor General de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental Jeffrey Prieto, la Abogada Adjunta Principal del Departamento del Interior Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, el Administrador Asociado de la Oficina de Información y Asuntos Regulatorios Sabeel Rahman, la Directora de Experiencia del Cliente del Departamento de Agricultura Simchah Suveyke Bogin, el Subadministrador Adjunto Principal de la Agencia para el Desarrollo Internacional Karl Fickenscher, y el Director Adjunto de División de la Fundación Nacional de Ciencias Alan Tomkins. Asistieron funcionarios adicionales del Departamento de Estado, el Departamento del Tesoro, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos, y el Departamento de Transporte. La Mesa Redonda planteó la importancia de interactuar con las comunidades, incluyendo los proveedores de servicios legales y las comunidades históricamente desatendidas y marginadas para comprender las barreras que enfrentan para acceder a los recursos gubernamentales. La Mesa Redonda destacó la importancia de incorporar la información aprendida a través de esa interacción para adoptar estrategias efectivas para simplificar los formularios, procesos y lenguaje del gobierno federal. La Mesa Redonda también reflexionó sobre el trabajo de los proveedores de servicios jurídicos para ayudar al público con el acceso a los beneficios y programas del gobierno federal, y cómo la simplificación de los formularios y el proceso puede aliviar la carga de las organizaciones de servicios legales. Durante la reunión, el Fiscal General Garland también nombró a Allie Yang-Green como Directora Ejecutiva de la Mesa Redonda, un puesto dentro de la Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia. La Sra. Yang-Green ha tenido una distinguida carrera comprometida con el acceso a la justicia, y anteriormente fue abogada de la Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia del Departamento. La Sra. Yang-Green, siguiendo las instrucciones de los copresidentes, convocará reuniones periódicas de la Mesa Redonda y supervisará su labor. La Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia del Departamento continuará dotando de personal a la Mesa Redonda y trabajando en asociación con las agencias miembros de la Mesa Redonda para impulsar el desarrollo de nuevos enfoques y mejores prácticas que proporcionen un acceso significativo a la justicia. En 2021, el Fiscal General Garland anunció la restauración de una Oficina de Acceso a la Justicia independiente dentro del Departamento de Justicia dedicada a mejorar la comprensión y la capacidad del gobierno federal para abordar las necesidades legales más urgentes de las comunidades en todo Estados Unidos. Además, en su calidad de copresidente de la Mesa Redonda Interinstitucional de Asistencia Legal, el Fiscal General Garland, junto con la Asesora Legal de la Casa Blanca Dana Remus, también publicaron el informe 2021 de la Mesa Redonda, “Acceso a la justicia en la era de COVID-19” (“ Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19 ”). La Mesa Redonda de 2021 se centró en las barreras al acceso a la justicia que fueron expuestas y exacerbadas durante la pandemia de COVID-19 e identificó las estrategias innovadoras adoptadas por los miembros de la Mesa Redonda en respuesta.


title: La Table Ronde Juridique Interagences De La Maison-Blanche Publie Son Rapport Au Président

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Aujourd’hui, le Procureur général des États-Unis Merrick B. Garland et le Conseiller juridique de la Maison-Blanche, Stuart Delery, ont émis conjointement le Rapport de la table ronde (Table ronde) juridique interagences de la Maison-Blanche. Le Rapport, intitulé « Accès à la justice par la simplification : Feuille de route pour une simplification axée sur les personnes des formulaires, des processus et du langage du gouvernement fédéral » (« Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language”) , souligne les succès de l’agence et les engagements conformes à la mission de la Table ronde d’ « accroître la disponibilité d’un véritable accès à la justice pour les particuliers et les familles, quelle que soit leur situation économique ». « Les formulaires et les processus gouvernementaux doivent être accessibles à tous et non pas seulement aux avocats ou à ceux qui peuvent se le permettre », a déclaré le Procureur général des États-Unis Merrick B. Garland. « Le Rapport de la Table ronde de 2022 offre une feuille de route pour aider les organismes à réduire les obstacles et à élargir l’accès aux programmes et services du gouvernement fédéral ». Le rapport est axé sur les moyens par lesquels le gouvernement fédéral peut simplifier ses formulaires et processus aux fins de réduire le besoin pour les particuliers d’obtenir une assistance juridique. En 2022, la Table ronde a porté sur l’élargissement de l’accès aux programmes, aux services et aux bénéfices en développant une feuille de route de simplification et en soulignant les meilleures pratiques des organismes membres. Le rapport de la Table ronde de 2022 identifie une voie à suivre en trois étapes pour : (1) comprendre les obstacles à l’accès moyennant un engagement sérieux avec les communautés desservies et touchées par les programmes gouvernementaux ; (2) mettre en œuvre des stratégies en intégrant les commentaires des engagements ; et (3) évaluer l’impact des efforts en faveur de la simplification aux fins de déterminer s’ils ont élargi l’accès de manière significative ou si des améliorations supplémentaires sont possibles. Le rapport témoigne aussi des efforts réussis de simplification des formulaires et des processus par les organismes membres et favorise les engagements en matière d’une amélioration de l’accès, à l’échelle du gouvernement, moyennant une conception centrée sur l’humain et la participation de la communauté. « Grâce à ce travail, nous donnons la priorité aux approches centrées sur les personnes pour simplifier les formulaires, les processus et le langage », a déclaré Rachel Rossi, directrice du Office for Access to Justice. « Il est primordial de placer les communautés que nous servons au centre de nos efforts pour poursuivre l'accès à la justice pour tous. » En décembre 2022, le Procureur général [des États-Unis] Merrick B. Garland et le Conseiller juridique adjoint de la Maison-Blanche Stacey Grigsby ont coprésidé une convocation de la Table ronde avec la participation et les contributions du deuxième gentilhomme des États-Unis Douglas Emhoff et de l’adjoint au Procureur général Vanita Gupta et sous la présidence de Rachel Rossi, directrice de l’Office for Access to Justice. La Table ronde a réuni les principaux responsables et hauts-fonctionnaires tels que : le secrétaire Denis Richard McDonough du département des Anciens combattants ; le secrétaire John Tien du département de la Sécurité intérieure ; le Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, commissaire intérimaire de l’Administration de la sécurité sociale ; Andrew Fois, président de la Conférence administrative des États-Unis ; Rohit Chopra, directeur du Bureau de protection des consommateurs des produits financiers ; James Kvaal, sous-secrétaire au département de l’Éducation ; Charlotte Burrows, présidente de la Commission de l’égalité des chances en matière d’emploi ; Jessica Rosenworcel, présidente de la Commission fédérale des communications ; Chiraag Bains, adjoint suppléant au président ; Caroline Krass, conseillère juridique générale du département de la Défense ; Seema Nanda, avocate au travail du département du Travail ; Ronald Flagg, président de la Legal Services Corporation ; Mina Hsiang, administratrice des Services numériques ; Nasrina Bargzie, conseillère adjointe au bureau du vice-président ; Jeffrey Prieto, directeur juridique de l’agence de Protection de l’environnement ; Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, principal solliciteur adjoint du département de l’Intérieur ; Sabeel Rahman, administrateur associé du Bureau des affaires de l’information et des réglementations ; Simchah Suveyke Bogin, directrice de l’expérience client du département de l’Agriculture ; Karl Fickenscher, administrateur assistant adjoint principal de l’Agency for International Development ; et Alan Tomkins, directeur adjoint de division de la National Science Foundation. D’autres fonctionnaires du département d’État, du département du Trésor, du département de la Santé et des services sociaux et du département de Transport ont aussi participé. La Table ronde a discuté de l’importance du dialogue avec les communautés, notamment avec les prestataires des services juridiques et avec les communautés historiquement les plus marginalisées et les moins bien desservies, afin de comprendre les obstacles à l’accès aux ressources gouvernementales. La Table ronde a relevé l’importance d’inclure l’information apprise par le biais de tel engagement en vue d’adopter des stratégies efficaces pour simplifier les formulaires, les processus et le langage du gouvernement fédéral. La Table ronde s’est aussi penchée sur le travail des prestataires des services juridiques en vue d’assister le public avec l’accès aux bénéfices et aux programmes du gouvernement fédéral, ainsi que sur comment la simplification des formulaires et processus peut alléger le fardeau des organisations d’aide juridique. Pendant la réunion, le Procureur général [Merrick B.] Garland a aussi nommé Allie Yang-Green au poste de directrice exécutive de la Table ronde, un poste au sein de l’Office for Access to Justice. Mme Yang-Green a eu une brillante carrière consacrée à l’accès à la justice et elle a précédemment travaillé comme avocate auprès de l’Office for Access to Justice du département. Selon les instructions des co-présidents, Mme Yang-Green convoquera de régulières réunions de la Table ronde et surveillera ses travaux. L’Office for Access to Justice du département continuera à doter la Table ronde en personnel et de travailler en partenariat avec les agences membres de la Table ronde aux fins de pousser le développement de nouvelles approches et des meilleures pratiques permettant un véritable accès à la justice. En 2021, le Procureur général [Merrick B.] Garland annonçait le rétablissement de l’Office for Access to Justice autonome au sein du département de la Justice destiné à améliorer la compréhension par le gouvernement fédéral et sa capacité à faire face aux besoins les plus urgents des communautés partout en Amérique. De plus, en tant que co-président de la Table ronde juridique interagences, le Procureur général [Merrick B.] Garland avec le concours de la Conseillère juridique de la Maison-Blanche Dana Remus, a aussi publié le rapport de la Table ronde de 2021 – « Accès à la justice à l’ère du COVID-19 » (« Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19 ») . La Table ronde de 2021 fut axée sur les obstacles à l’accès à la justice mis à jour et exacerbés durant la pandémie de COVID-19 et a identifié des stratégies novatrices adoptées en réponse par les membres de la Table ronde.


title: 백악관 법률 구조 부처간 원탁회의, 대통령 보고서 발표

body_text: 오늘 메릭 B. 갈랜드 법무장관은 백악관 고문 스튜어트 델러리와 공동으로 2022년도 백악관 법률 구조 부처간 원탁회의(Roundtable) 보고서를 발표했습니다. 보고서는 "간소화를 통한 사법 접근: 연방 정부 서류 양식, 절차 및 언어의 사람 중심 간소화를 위한 로드맵" ( Access to Justice through Simplification: A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language ,) 이라는 제목으로, "부유함 또는 지위와 상관없이 개인과 가족에게 의미있는 사법 접근 기회를 높이는" 원탁회의의 임무를 추진하는 데 있어 정부 기관들의 성과 및 공헌을 강조하고 있습니다. 메릭 B. 갈랜드 법무장관은 "정부 서류 양식과 절차는 변호사 또는 그들을 고용할 수 있는 여유를 가진 사람들뿐 아니라, 모든 사람에게 다가가기 쉬워야 한다"고 말했습니다. "원탁회의의 2022년도 보고서는 정부 기관들이 장벽을 낮추는 데 도움이 되고 연방 정부 프로그램 및 서비스에 대한 접근 확장을 위한 로드맵을 제공합니다." 보고서는 개인이 법적 도움을 구할 필요성을 줄이기 위해 연방 정부가 서류 양식 및 절차를 간소화할 방법들에 초점을 맞춥니다. 2022년에 원탁회의는 간소화된 로드맵을 개발하고 회원 기관의 모범 사례를 부각함으로써 프로그램, 서비스 및 혜택에 대한 접근을 확장하는 데 집중했습니다. 원탁회의의 2022년도 보고서는 앞으로 나아가는 3단계 계획을 구분했습니다: (1) 정부 프로그램에 의해 서비스 및 영향을 받는 지역사회와의 의미 있는 관계 유지를 통해 접근에 대한 장벽을 이해하며 (2) 관계 유지를 통해 받은 피드백 통합을 통해 전략을 실행하고 (3) 접근이 의미 있게 확장됐는지 또는 추가 개선 가능 여부를 측정하기 위해 간소화 노력의 영향을 평가합니다. 또한, 보고서는 회원 기관들의 성공적인 서류 양식 및 절차 간소화 노력을 보여주고 사람 중심 설계 및 지역사회 참여를 통해 범정부적 접근 개선을 위해 전념할 것을 촉진합니다. 사법접근실 실장 레이첼 로시는 "이 업무를 통해, 서류 양식, 절차 및 언어를 간소화하는 데 사람 중심 접근법을 최우선으로 하고 있다"고 밝혔습니다. 또한 "모두를 위한 사법접근을 실현하기 위한 우리의 노력은 현재 사법 업무가 지원되는 지역사회를 중심으로 이루어지는 것이 중요하다"고 덧붙였습니다. 2022년 12월에 메릭 갈랜드 법무장관과 스테이시 그릭스비 백악관 부수석 법률고문은 원탁회의 소집 공동의장을 맡아 미합중국 세컨드 젠틀맨 더글러스 엠호프와 바니타 굽타 법무차관의 발언과 참여로, 그리고 사법접근실 실장 레이첼 로시에 의해 조정되었습니다. 원탁회의에 참석한 기관장 및 고위급 관리들은 보훈부 장관 데니스 리처드 맥도너, 국토안보부 부장관 존 티엔, 사회보장국 국장 대행 키롤로 키자카지 박사, 미합중국 행정 회의 의장 앤드류 푸아, 소비자 금융 보호국 국장 로힛 초프라, 교육부 차관 제임스 크발, 평등 고용 추진 위원회 위원장 샬롯 버로우즈, 연방 통신 위원회 여성 위원장 제시카 로젠워셀, 대통령 부보좌관 차이래그 베인즈, 국방부 법률 고문 캐롤라인 크라스, 노동부 노동 사무변호사 시마 난다, 법률 서비스 공사 사장 로날드 플래그, 디지털 서비스 청장 미나 시앙, 부통령실 부수석 법률 고문 나스리나 발그지, 환경 보호국 법률 고문 제프리 프리에토, 내무부 수석 대리 사무변호사, 앤 마리 블렛소 다운즈, 정보 규제국 부국장 사빌 라만, 농무부 최고 고객 경험 책임자 심차 수베이케 보긴, 국제 개발처 수석 부행정관 칼 픽켄셔 및 국립 과학 재단 차장 알란 톰킨스를 포함합니다. 그 밖의 국무부, 재무부, 보건복지부 및 교통부 관리들이 참석했습니다. 원탁회의는 법률 서비스 제공자와 정부 자원에 접근하는 데 있어서 보편적으로 서비스가 취약하고 소외된 지역사회가 직면한 장벽을 이해하기 위해 지역사회와의 관계 유지의 중요성을 논의했습니다. 원탁회의는 연방 정부 서류 양식, 절차 및 언어를 간소화하는 효과적인 전략을 채택하는 데 관계 유지를 통해 알게 된 정보 통합의 중요성을 강조했습니다. 또한, 원탁회의는 연방 정부 혜택 및 프로그램에 대해 대중이 접근할 수 있도록 도움을 주는 법률 서비스 제공자의 업무를 되돌아 보고, 또한 서류 양식 및 절차의 간소화가 어떻게 법률 서비스 조직의 부담을 경감할 수 있는지 되돌아보았습니다. 또한, 회의 중 갈랜드 법무장관은 앨리 양-그린을 법무국 내부의 직책인 원탁회의의 기조실장으로 지명했습니다. 미스 양-그린은 사법 접근에 헌신한 뛰어난 경력을 가지고 있고 전에는 법무부 사법접근실의 변호사를 역임했습니다. 미스 양-그린은 공동의장의 지시에 따라 원탁회의의 정기 회의를 소집하고 업무를 감독하게 됩니다. 법무부의 사법접근실은 지속적으로 원탁회의에 직원을 제공하며 새로운 접근 방식의 개발 및 의미 있는 사법접근을 제공하는 모범사례를 추진하고 원탁회의 회원 기관들과 협력하여 일할 것입니다. 2021년에 갈랜드 법무장관은 법무부 내에 연방 정부에 대한 이해를 개선하고 미국 전역의 지역 사회에 가장 시급한 법적 필요성을 다루는 능력에 전념하는 독립된 사법접근실의 부활을 발표했습니다. 추가로 갈랜드 법무장관은 법률 구조 부처간 원탁회의의 공동의장 자격으로 백악관 고문 데이나 레무스와 함께 원탁회의의 2021년도 보고서 코로나 시대의 사법 접근 ( Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19 )도 발표했습니다. 2021년도 원탁회의는 코로나 팬데믹 기간에 드러나고 악화된 사법 접근에 대한 장벽에 초점을 맞추고 원탁회의 회원들이 이에 응하여 채택한 혁신적인 전략을 확인했습니다.


title: Mga Usapin Ng White House Roundtable [Talakayan] Ng Magkakasamang Ahensya Para Sa Tulong Panligal Ulat Sa Pangulo

body_text: Ngayong araw, magkasamang naglathala sina Attorney Genera l Merrick B. Garland at White House Counsel Stuart Delery ng 2022 Ulat ng White House sa Roundtable ng Magkakasamang Ahensya Para sa Tulong Panligal. Ang ulat na pinamagatang “ Pag-aabot sa Katarungan sa Pamamagitan ng Simplikasyon, Isang Mapa para sa Simplikasyong Nakasentro sa mga Tao ng mga Porma, Proseso, at Wika ng Pamahalaang Pederal” (“ Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language ”) ay nagtatampok sa mga nagawa at pangako ng mga ahenysa sa pagsulong sa sadya ng Roundtable na “dagdagan ang pagkakaroon ng makahulugang pag-aabot sa katarungan para sa mga indibidwal at pamilya, anuman ang kayamanan o katayuan.” “Dapat maaabot ng lahat ang mga porma at prosesong pang-gobyerno—hindi lamang mga abugado o yung may kayang makakabayad nito”, ani ni Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Nagkakaloob ang 2022 Ulat ng Roundtable ng roadmap upang tulungan ang mga ahensya na bawasan ang mga hadlang at palawakin ang pag-aabot sa mga programa at serbisyong pederal.” Nakatuon ang ulat sa mga paraan kung paano mapasimple ng pamahalaang pederal ang kanilang mga porma at proseso upang bawasan ang pangangailangan ng mga tao na maghanap ng tulong panligal. Sa 2022, nakatuon ang Roundtable sa pagpalawak ng pag-aabot sa mga programa, serbisyo at pakinabang, sa pamamagitan ng pag-buo ng isang mapa para sa simplipikasyon at pagtatampok ng mga best practice [pinakamahusay na kagawian] ng mga kasaping ahensya. Kinilala ng 2022 ulat ng Roundtable ang tatlong-hakbang na landas pasulong upang (1) unawain ang mga hadlang sa pag-aabot sa pamamagitan ng makahulugang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga pinaglilingkuran at naaapektohang komunidad ng mga programang pangpamahalaan, (2) tuparin ang mga estratehiya [balak na paraan] na pagsapi ng mga feedback [pagpuna] mula sa pakikipag-ugnayan, at (3) tasahin ang epekto ng mga pagsisikap sa simplipikasyon upang alamin kung napalawak nila nang makahulugan ang pag-aabot, o kung posible ang karagdagan pang pagpabuti nito. Tinatampok din ng ulat ang mga matagumpay na pagsisikap sa pagpa-simple ng mga porma at proseso ng mga kasaping ahensya, at tinataguyod nito ang mga pangako para sa mga pagpapabuti ng pag-aabot sa ibayo ng pamahalaan, sa pamamagitan ng disenyong nakasentro sa tao at pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunidad. “Sa pamamagitan ng gawaing ito, inuuna natin ang mga pamamaraang nakasentro sa mga tao upang mapasimple ang mga porma, proseso, at wika,” ani ni Office for Access to Justice Director Rachel Rossi. “Mahalagang ilagay natin ang mga komunidad na ating pinaglilingkuran sa gitna ng ating mga pagsisikap na ituloy ang pag-aabot sa katarungan para sa lahat.” Noong Disyembre 2022, magkasamang namuno sina Attorney General Merrick Garland at Deputy White House Counsel Stacy Grigsby ng isang pagpupulong ng Roundtable , na may pahayag at paglahok ng Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff at Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, at pinamatnugotan ng Director of the Office for Access to Justice , Rachel Rossi. Kabilang sa mga dumalong puno ng ahensya at mga mataas na antas na opisyal ng Roundtable ay sina Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis Richard McDonough, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary John Tien, Department of Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner Dr. Kilolo Kijakazi, Administrative Conference of the United States Chair Andrew Fois, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra, Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Charlotte Burrows, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Deputy Assistant to the President Chiraag Bains, Department of Defense General Counsel Caroline Krass, Department of Labor Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda, Legal Services Corporation President Ronald Flagg, Digital Service Administrator Mina Hsiang, Office of the Vice President Deputy Counsel Nasrina Bargzie, Environmental Protection Agency General Counsel Jeffrey Prieto, Department of Interior Principal Deputy Solicitor Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Associate Administrator Sabeel Rahman, Department of Agriculture Chief Customer Experience Officer Simchah Suveyke Bogin, Agency for International Development Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Karl Fickenscher, at National Science Foundation Deputy Division Director Alan Tomkins. Dumalo ang mga karagdagang opisyal mula sa Department of State, Department of Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services , at Department of Transportation . Pinag-usapan ng Roundtable ang kahalagahan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga komunidad, kabilang ang mga tagapagbigay ng tulong panligal at mga komunidad na may-kasaysayang kinakapos sa panustos at napapabayaan, upang unawain ang mga hadlang na hinaharap sa pag-aabot sa gamit-yaman ng pamahalaan. Tinampok ng Roundtable ang kahalagahan ng pagsasama ng impormasyon na natutuhan sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan upang magpatibay ang mga estratehiyang may-bisa para mapasimple ang mga porma, proseso at salita ng pamahalaang pederal. Nagmuni-muni din ang Roundtable tungkol sa gawain ng mga tagapagbigay ng tulong panligal upang tulungan ang publiko sa pag-aabot sa mga pakinabang at programa ng pamahalaang pederal, at kung paano mapapagaan ng simplipikasyon ng mga porma at proseso ang pasanin ng mga samahan ng mga serbisyong ligal. Sa miting, tinuring din ni Attorney General Garland si Allie Yang-Green bilang Executive Director ng Roundtable , isang tungkulin sa loob ng Office for Access to Justice . May marangal na kasaysayan si Ms. Yang-Green na nakatuon sa pag-aabot sa katarungan, at dati syang abugado sa Office for Access to Justice ng Departmento. Sa tagubilin ng mga Co-Chair , magtitipon si Ms. Yang-Green ng mga karaniwang pagpupulong ng Roundtabl e at pangangasiwaan niya ang pagsasagawa nito. Magpapatuloy ang Office for Access to Justice ng Departmento na tauhan ang Roundtable , at sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga ahensyang kasapi ng Roundtable na ipasulong ang pag-unlad ng mga bagong paraan at best practice s na magkakaloob ng makahulugang pag-aabot sa katarungan. Noong 2021, pinahayag ni Attorney General Garland ang muling pagpanumbalik ng nagsasariling Office for Access to Justice sa loob ng Justice Department , na nakatalaga sa pagpabuti ng pang-uunawa at kakayahan ng pamahalaang pederal na tugunan ang mga pinakakagyat na ligal na pangangailangan ng mga komunidad sa buong Amerika. Karagdagan sa kanyang tungkulin bilang co-chair ng Roundtable ng Magkakasamang Ahensya Para sa Tulong Panligal, pinalathala din ni Attorney General Garland, kasama ni White House Counsel Dana Remus, ang ulat ng Roundtable 2021, “Pag-aabot sa Katarungan sa Panahon ng COVID-19” (“ Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19 ” ). Tinutukan ng 2021 Roundtable ang mga hadlang sa pag-aabot ng katarungan na nailantad at napalala noong pandemiya ng COVID-19, at kinilala nito ang mga makabagong estratehiya na pinagtibay ng mga kasapi sa Roundtable bilang pagtugon.


title: NHÓM TRỢ LÝ PHÁP LUẬT LIÊN NGÀNH BÀN TRÒN NHÀ TRẮNG  PHÁT HÀNH BÁO CÁO TỚI TÔNG THỐNG

body_text: Hôm nay, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Merrick B. Garland và Cố vấn Nhà trắng Stuart Delery, cùng nhau phát hành Bản Báo cáo Trợ lý Pháp luật Liên ngành Bàn tròn (Bàn tròn). Bản báo cáo, mang tựa đề “ Truy cập Công lý qua sự Đơn giản hoá: Một Lộ trình Tâm điểm là-Con người để Đơn giản hoá các Biểu mẫu, Thủ tục và Ngôn ngữ của Chính quyền Liên bang ,” (“ Access to Justice through Simplification: A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language ”) nêu bật các thành quả và cam kết trong việc tiến hành nhiệm vụ của nhóm Bàn tròn để “gia tăng khả năng sẵn sàng các truy cập vào công lý có ý nghĩa cho các gia đình và cá nhân, bất kể giàu nghèo hay tình trạng.” “Các biểu mẫu và thủ tục của chính quyền phải có thể truy cập được bởi mọi người—không chỉ bởi luật sư hay những người chi trả nổi,” Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Merrick B. Garland đã nói. “Báo cáo của Bàn tròn 2022 cung cấp một lộ trình để giúp các cơ quan giảm thiểu các trở ngại và khuyếch trương truy cập đến những chương trình và dịch vụ của chính quyền liên bang.” Bản báo cáo tập trung vào những phương thức chính quyền liên bang có thể đơn giản hoá những biểu mẫu và trình tự của họ để giảm thiểu nhu cầu của cá nhân tìm kiếm trợ giúp pháp lý. Trong năm 2022, nhóm Bàn tròn đã tập trung vào việc khuyếch trương truy cập tới các chương trình, dịch vụ, và quyền lợi bằng cách phát triển một lộ trình đơn giản hoá và nêu bật những thực hiện tốt nhất của các cơ quan thành viên. Bàn báo cáo của Bàn tròn 2022 xác định một tiến trình ba-bước tiến đến để (1) tìm hiểu về những trở ngại truy cập qua sự hợp tác có ý nghĩa với những cộng đồng được phục vụ và bị ảnh hưởng bởi các chương trình của chính phủ liên bang, (2) áp dụng những chiến lược bằng cách áp dụng những phản hồi từ sự hợp tác, và (3) thẩm định những ảnh hưởng của nỗ lực đơn giản hoá để xác định xem chúng đã khuyếch trương truy cập có ý nghĩa, hay nếu có thể được cải tiến thêm. Bản báo cáo đổng thời nêu ra những nỗ lực đơn giản hoá biểu mẫu và thủ tục thành công bởi các cơ quan thành viên và cổ vũ những cam kết cải tiến truy cập khắp-chính quyền thông qua thiết kế tâm điểm-là con người và kết hợp cộng đồng. “Thông qua công việc này, chúng tôi đang ưu tiên các phương pháp lấy con người làm trung tâm để đơn giản hóa các biểu mẫu, quy trình và ngôn ngữ,” Giám đốc Văn phòng Tiếp cận Tư pháp Rachel Rossi cho biết. “Điều quan trọng là phải đặt các cộng đồng mà chúng tôi phục vụ làm trung tâm trong các nỗ lực của chúng tôi nhằm theo đuổi quyền tiếp cận công lý cho tất cả mọi người.” Trong tháng Mười hai 2022, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Merrick Garland và Phó cố vấn Nhà trắng Stacey Grigsby đã đồng chủ toạ một cuộc triệu tập nhóm Bàn tròn với tham dự và phát biểu của Phu quân Phó Tổng thống Hoa kỳ Douglas Emhoff và Phụ tá Tổng trưởng Tư pháp Vanita Gupta, và điều hành bởi Giám đốc Văn phòng yểm trợ Truy cập Công lý, Rachel Rossi. Giám đốc các cơ quan Bàn tròn và các quan chức cao-cấp tham dự bao gồm Bộ trưởng bộ Cựu chiến binh Denis Richard McDonough, Phụ tá Bộ trưởng bộ An ninh Nội chính John Tien, Quyền Cao ủy sở An sinh Xã hội Tiến sĩ Kilolo Kijakazi, Chủ tịch Hội nghị Hành chánh Hoa kỳ Andrew Fois, Giám đốc Cơ quan Bảo vệ Tài chánh người Tiêu dùng Rohit Chopra, Phụ tá Bộ trưởng bộ Giáo dục James Kvaal, Ủy viên Chủ tịch cơ quan Bình đẳng Cơ hội Charlotte Burrows, Chủ tịch Cơ quan Quản lý Truyền thông Liên bang Jessica Rosenworcel, Phó trợ lý Văn phòng Tổng thống Chiraag Bains, Cố vấn Quốc phòng Caroline Krass, Chưởng lý Bộ lao động Seema Nanda, Chủ tịch Tập đoàn Dịch vụ Pháp lý Ronald Flagg, Giám đốc Dịch vụ Kỹ thuật số Mina Hsiang, Phụ tá Cố vấn Văn phòng Phó tổng thống Nasrina Bargzie, Cố vấn trưởng Cơ quan Bảo vệ Môi trường Jeffrey Prieto, Phó chưởng lý Tổng quát Bộ Nội vụ Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Phụ tá Hành chánh Văn phòng các Vấn đề Thông tin và Quy Ước Sabeel Rahman, Trưởng văn phòng Kinh nghiệm Người tiêu dùng Bộ Nông nghiệp Simchah Suveyke Bogin, Phụ tá Hành chánh Cao cấp Cơ quan Phát triển Quốc tế Karl Fickenscher, và Giám đốc Chi nhánh Cơ sở Khoa học Quốc gia Alan Tomkins. Các nhân viên phụ thuộc tham gia từ các bộ Ngoại giao, bộ Tài chánh, bộ Y tế và Dịch vụ Nhân sự, và bộ Giao thông Vận tải. Nhóm Bàn tròn đã thảo luận sự quan trọng của việc hợp tác với các cộng đồng, bao gồm các nhà cung cấp dịch vụ pháp lý, và các cộng đồng có tiền sử bị thiệt thòi và thiếu phục vụ để hiểu rõ về những cản trở đối diện khi truy cập những tài nguyên của chính phủ. Nhóm Bàn tròn đã nêu bật sự quan trọng của việc kết hợp các thông tin thu được qua những hợp tác để áp dụng những chiến lược có hiệu quả để đơn giản hoá các biểu mẫu, thủ tục, và ngôn ngữ của chính quyền liên bang. Nhóm Bàn tròn cùng đồng thời phản ánh công việc của những nhà cung cấp dịch vụ pháp lý để yểm trợ công chúng trong truy cập những chương trình và quyền lợi của chính quyền liên bang, và sự đơn giản hoá các biểu mẫu và thủ tục cách nào để có thể giảm nhẹ gánh nặng của các tổ chức dịch vụ pháp lý. Trong buổi họp, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland đồng thời đã chỉ định Allie Yang-Green là Giám đốc Điều hành của nhóm Bàn tròn, môt vị trí trong Văn phòng Truy cập Công lý. Cô Yang-Green đã có sự nghiệp cống hiến đặc biệt liên quan trong truy cập công lý. Cô Yang-Green sẽ, như hướng dẫn bởi Đồng-Chủ tịch, tổ chức các cuộc họp thường xuyên của nhóm Bàn tròn và giám sát công việc của nó. Văn phòng Truy cập Công lý của Bộ sẽ tiếp tục điều phối nhân viên của Bàn tròn, và làm việc cộng tác với các cơ quan thành viên Bàn tròn để lèo lái phát triển những phương thức mới và các thực hành tốt nhất để cung cấp truy cập có ý nghĩa tới công lý. Trong năm 2021, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland đã tuyên bố sự phục hồi Văn phòng độc lập Truy cập Công lý thuộc bộ Tư pháp để cống hiến cho sự phát triển hiểu biết về và khả năng giải quyết những nhu cầu pháp lý cấp bách nhất của cộng đồng trên toàn nước Mỹ. Thêm vào đó, trong khả năng của ông ta là đồng-chủ tịch của nhóm Trợ lý Pháp luật Bàn tròn Liên ngành, Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Garland, cùng với Cố vấn Nhà trắng Dana Remus, đồng thời cũng công bố bản báo cáo Bàn tròn 2021, “Truy cập Công lý trong Thời kỳ COVID-19” (“Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19”) . Bàn tròn 2021 tập trung vào những cản trở truy cập công lý đã xảy ra và bị trầm trọng thêm trong đại dịch COVID-19 và xác định những chiến lược đổi mới áp dụng để giải quyết bởi thành viên Bàn tròn.


title: 白宫法律援助机构间圆桌会议向总统发布报告

body_text: 今天，司法部长梅里克·加兰德 （Merrick B. Garland） 与白宫法律顾问斯图尔特·德勒里 （Stuart Delery）联合发布了 2022 年白宫法律援助机构间圆桌会议（圆桌会议）报告。该报告题为 《通过简化程序获得司法公正：以人为本简化联邦政府表格、程序和语言的路线图》 (“Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language”) 强调了各机构在促进圆桌会议使命方面的成就和承诺，即 “为个人和家庭提供更多有意义的诉诸司法的机会，无论其财富或地位如何。” 司法部长加兰德说：“政府表格和程序必须可供所有人获得及使用——而不仅仅是律师或那些负担得起的人。圆桌会议 2022 年报告提供了一份路线图，帮助各机构减少障碍，扩大对联邦政府项目和服务的使用。” 该报告的重点是联邦政府如何简化其表格和程序，以减少个人寻求法律援助的需求。 2022 年，圆桌会议的重点是通过制定简化路线图和强调成员机构的最佳实践，来扩大对项目、服务和福利的使用。圆桌会议的 2022 年报告确定了一条三步走的路径：(1) 通过与政府项目所服务和影响的社区进行有意义的接触，了解获取服务的障碍，(2) 通过整合接触中的反馈实施战略， (3) 评估简化工作的影响，确定其是否有意义地扩大了获得服务的机会，或者是否有可能进一步改进。该报告还介绍了成员机构在简化表格和程序方面的成功努力，并通过以人为本的设计和社区参与，促进了改善政府整体的使用情况的承诺。 司法公正办公室主任雷切尔·罗西（Rachel Rossi）说：“通过这项工作，我们正在优先考虑以人为本的方法来简化表格、程序和语言，将我们所服务的社区置于我们努力为所有人寻求司法公正的中心，这一点至关重要。” 2022 年 12 月，司法部长加兰德和白宫法律顾问办公室共同主持了圆桌会议的召开，美国第二先生道格拉斯·埃姆霍夫（Douglas Emhoff）和副司法部长瓦尼塔·古普塔（Vanita Gupta）发表了讲话并参加了会议，司法公正办公室主任雷切尔·罗西主持了会议。出席圆桌会议的机构负责人和高级官员包括退伍军人事务部部长丹尼斯·理查德·麦克多诺（Denis Richard McDonough）、国土安全部副部长约翰·田（John Tien）、社会保障部代理专员基罗罗·基贾卡兹（Kilolo Kijakazi） 博士、美国行政会议主席 Andrew Fois，消费者金融保护局局长 Rohit Chopra、教育部副部长 James Kvaal、平等就业机会委员会主席 Charlotte Burrows、联邦通信委员会主席 Jessica Rosenworcel、总统副助理 Chiraag Bains、国防部总法律顾问 Caroline Krass，劳工部法律顾问Seema Nanda、法律服务公司总裁 Ronald Flagg、数字服务管理员 Mina Hsiang、副总统办公室副法律顾问 Nasrina Bargzie、环境保护署总法律顾问 Jeffrey Prieto、内政部首席副法律顾问Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes、信息和监管事务办公室副行政官Sabeel Rahman、农业部首席客户体验官 Simchah Suveyke Bogin、国际开发署高级副助理行政官 Karl Fickenscher ，以及美国国家科学基金会副处长 Alan Tomkins。来自国务院、财政部、卫生与公众服务部和交通部的其他官员也出席了会议。 圆桌会议讨论了与社区接触的重要性，包括法律服务提供者和历史上服务不足和边缘化的社区，以了解在获取政府资源方面面临的障碍。圆桌会议强调了整合从接触中了解到的信息，以采用有效策略来简化联邦政府表格、流程和语言的重要性。圆桌会议还反思了法律服务提供商为帮助公众获得联邦政府福利和项目所做的工作，以及简化表格和流程如何能够减轻法律服务组织的负担。 会议期间，司法部长加兰德还任命艾莉·杨·格林 （Allie Yang-Green） 为圆桌会议的执行主任，该职位属于司法公正办公室。杨·格林女士在致力于司法公正方面有着杰出的职业生涯，她此前是司法部司法公正办公室的一名律师。杨·格林女士将根据联合主席的指示，定期召集圆桌会议并监督其工作。司法部司法公正办公室将继续为圆桌会议配备人员，并与圆桌会议成员机构合作，推动开发新方法和最佳实践，提供有意义的司法援助。 2021 年，司法部长加兰德宣布在司法部内恢复设立独立的司法公正办公室，致力于提高联邦政府对解决全美社区最紧迫法律需求的理解和能力。此外，作为法律援助机构间圆桌会议的联合主席，司法部长加兰德与白宫法律顾问达纳·雷穆斯（Dana Remus）还发布了圆桌会议的 2021 年报告 《COVID-19 时代的司法公正》(“Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19”) 。2021 年圆桌会议重点关注在 COVID-19 大流行期间暴露和加剧的获得司法公正的障碍，并确定了圆桌会议成员采取的应对创新战略。


title: 白宮法律援助機構間圓桌會議向總統發布報告

body_text: 今天，司法部長梅裏克·加蘭德 （Merrick B. Garland） 與白宮法律顧問斯圖爾特·德勒裏 （Stuart Delery）聯合發布了 2022 年白宮法律援助機構間圓桌會議（圓桌會議）報告。該報告題為 《通過簡化程序獲得司法公正：以人為本簡化聯邦政府表格、程序和語言的路線圖》 (「Access to Justice through Simplification, A Roadmap for People-Centered Simplification of Federal Government Forms, Processes, and Language」) 強調了各機構在促進圓桌會議使命方面的成就和承諾，即 「為個人和家庭提供更多有意義的訴諸司法的機會，無論其財富或地位如何。」 司法部長加蘭德說：「政府表格和程序必須可供所有人獲得及使用——而不僅僅是律師或那些負擔得起的人。圓桌會議 2022 年報告提供了一份路線圖，幫助各機構減少障礙，擴大對聯邦政府項目和服務的使用。」 該報告的重點是聯邦政府如何簡化其表格和程序，以減少個人尋求法律援助的需求。 2022 年，圓桌會議的重點是通過製定簡化路線圖和強調成員機構的最佳實踐，來擴大對項目、服務和福利的使用。圓桌會議的 2022 年報告確定了一條三步走的路徑：(1) 通過與政府項目所服務和影響的社區進行有意義的接觸，了解獲取服務的障礙，(2) 通過整合接觸中的反饋實施戰略， (3) 評估簡化工作的影響，確定其是否有意義地擴大了獲得服務的機會，或者是否有可能進一步改進。該報告還介紹了成員機構在簡化表格和程序方面的成功努力，並通過以人為本的設計和社區參與，促進了改善政府整體的使用情況的承諾。 司法公正辦公室主任雷切爾·羅西（Rachel Rossi）說：「通過這項工作，我們正在優先考慮以人為本的方法來簡化表格、程序和語言，將我們所服務的社區置於我們努力為所有人尋求司法公正的中心，這一點至關重要。」 2022 年 12 月，司法部長加蘭德和白宮法律顧問辦公室共同主持了圓桌會議的召開，美國第二先生道格拉斯·埃姆霍夫（Douglas Emhoff）和副司法部長瓦尼塔·古普塔（Vanita Gupta）發表了講話並參加了會議，司法公正辦公室主任雷切爾·羅西主持了會議。出席圓桌會議的機構負責人和高級官員包括退伍軍人事務部部長丹尼斯·理查德·麥克多諾（Denis Richard McDonough）、國土安全部副部長約翰·田（John Tien）、社會保障部代理專員基羅羅·基賈卡茲（Kilolo Kijakazi） 博士、美國行政會議主席 Andrew Fois，消費者金融保護局局長 Rohit Chopra、教育部副部長 James Kvaal、平等就業機會委員會主席 Charlotte Burrows、聯邦通信委員會主席 Jessica Rosenworcel、總統副助理 Chiraag Bains、國防部總法律顧問 Caroline Krass，勞工部法律顧問Seema Nanda、法律服務公司總裁 Ronald Flagg、數字服務管理員 Mina Hsiang、副總統辦公室副法律顧問 Nasrina Bargzie、環境保護署總法律顧問 Jeffrey Prieto、內政部首席副法律顧問Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes、信息和監管事務辦公室副行政官Sabeel Rahman、農業部首席客戶體驗官 Simchah Suveyke Bogin、國際開發署高級副助理行政官 Karl Fickenscher ，以及美國國家科學基金會副處長 Alan Tomkins。來自國務院、財政部、衛生與公眾服務部和交通部的其他官員也出席了會議。 圓桌會議討論了與社區接觸的重要性，包括法律服務提供者和歷史上服務不足和邊緣化的社區，以了解在獲取政府資源方面面臨的障礙。圓桌會議強調了整合從接觸中了解到的信息，以采用有效策略來簡化聯邦政府表格、流程和語言的重要性。圓桌會議還反思了法律服務提供商為幫助公眾獲得聯邦政府福利和項目所做的工作，以及簡化表格和流程如何能夠減輕法律服務組織的負擔。 會議期間，司法部長加蘭德還任命艾莉·楊·格林 （Allie Yang-Green） 為圓桌會議的執行主任，該職位屬於司法公正辦公室。楊·格林女士在致力於司法公正方面有著傑出的職業生涯，她此前是司法部司法公正辦公室的一名律師。楊·格林女士將根據聯合主席的指示，定期召集圓桌會議並監督其工作。司法部司法公正辦公室將繼續為圓桌會議配備人員，並與圓桌會議成員機構合作，推動開發新方法和最佳實踐，提供有意義的司法援助。 2021 年，司法部長加蘭德宣布在司法部內恢復設立獨立的司法公正辦公室，致力於提高聯邦政府對解決全美社區最緊迫法律需求的理解和能力。此外，作為法律援助機構間圓桌會議的聯合主席，司法部長加蘭德與白宮法律顧問達納·雷穆斯（Dana Remus）還發布了圓桌會議的 2021 年報告 《COVID-19 時代的司法公正》(「Access to Justice in the Age of COVID-19」) 。2021 年圓桌會議重點關註在 COVID-19 大流行期間暴露和加劇的獲得司法公正的障礙，並確定了圓桌會議成員采取的應對創新戰略。


title: District Teen Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison For Repeatedly Threatening to Kill his Ex-Girlfriend

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON –A 19-year-old D.C. resident was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend. He pleaded guilty on December 12, 2022, in front of the Honorable Judge Tonya S.Chutkan. According to court documents, the defendant was in a relationship with a fellow high-school student which ended in March 2022. Following the end of the relationship, from March 2022 until June 2022, the defendant sent his ex-girlfriend, who was 17-years old at the time, a series of text messages threatening her life. The defendant threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend before killing himself, telling her that if he could not have her, no one would. The defendant also sent sexually explicit videos depicting his ex-girlfriend to her mother, one of her co-workers, and to one of her friends. As a result of the defendant’s threats, the 17-year old’s family obtained a civil protection order against the defendant. Despite this protection order, the defendant continued to attempt to contact the minor victim. The defendant was arrested in June of 2022, and he has remained in custody ever since. In addition to the prison term, Judge Chutkan ordered three years of supervised release and ordered the defendant to stay away from the victim. Healthy relationships are important for everyone, especially for teenagers. Healthy relationships are ones where adolescents can safely feel and express respect for themselves and others. More information is available at https://opa.hhs.gov/adolescent-health/healthy-relationships-adolescence . Anyone seeking help can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7283. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department commended the work of the FBI agents and MPD detectives. They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including paralegal specialist Alexis Spencer-Anderson. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Janani Iyengar, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Center Line Resident Sentenced in Unemployment Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – A Center Line woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison today based on her conviction for stealing over $300,000 as part of a wire fraud scheme targeting pandemic unemployment assistance benefits, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Joining Ison in the announcement were James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region of the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General. April Rienstra, 52, was sentenced by United States District Judge Bernard A. Friedman following her November 2022 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud arising from a scheme to defraud the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (MUIA). According to Court documents, between April 2020 and May 2021, Rienstra defrauded the MUIA by submitting false applications for pandemic unemployment benefits on behalf of herself and others (who paid her a fee). Ultimately, her scheme involved dozens of fraudulent claims and resulted in over $300,000 in losses to the MUIA. In addition to the 18 months of imprisonment, Rienstra was ordered to pay $318,760 in restitution. United States Attorney Ison stated, “Enhanced assistance for unemployed workers was a key lifeline for many of our district’s citizens during the pandemic. Unfortunately, those enhanced benefits attracted criminals seeking to exploit the system and enrich themselves at the public’s expense. Our office will remain vigilant in our pursuit of those who cheat the government and their fellow citizens.” “Ms. Rienstra defrauded a system designed to provide much needed support to individuals who were unemployed because of the pandemic. Her actions potentially prevented those who legitimately needed financial support during difficult times from receiving vital assistance,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI and our partners are committed to holding those who defraud the government accountable for their crimes.” “April Rienstra defrauded the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency of more than $300,000 by filing multiple fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that she was not entitled to. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and state workforce agencies to protect the integrity of unemployment insurance benefit programs," said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alyse Wu. The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.


title: Maryland Resident Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Transporting Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers and Smuggling Firearms to Nigeria

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Eric Fru Nji, age 42, of Fort Washington, Maryland, to 63 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy, for transporting firearms with obliterated serial numbers, and for smuggling firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria. Judge Bennett also ordered Nji to pay a fine of $25,000. Nji was convicted of those charges on May 6, 2022, along with co-defendants Wilson Nuyila Tita, age 47, of Owings Mills, Maryland and Wilson Che Fonguh, age 41, of Bowie, Maryland, after a two-week trial. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division. According to the evidence presented at trial, from at least November 2017 through July 19, 2019, Nji and his co-defendants conspired with each other and with others to export firearms, ammunition and other military typed items from the United States to Nigeria. Specifically, the evidence at trial established that Nji and his co-conspirators secreted 38 firearms, 28 of which had the obliterated serial numbers in a shipping container that they sent out of the Port of Baltimore in January of 2019. The guns included sniper rifles, SKS assault rifles (some with bayonets), other rifles and several handguns. There were 44 high-capacity magazines, two rifle scopes and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition. As detailed in trial testimony, Nji and his co-conspirators contributed funds for the purchase of firearms, ammunition, reloading materials and other equipment for shipping overseas to separatists fighting against the Government of Cameroon. The evidence proved that Nji and his co-conspirators concealed the firearms, ammunition, rifle scopes, and other items in duffle bags and heavily wrapped packages inside sealed compressor units, placing those items into a shipping container destined for Nigeria. Nji and his co-conspirators communicated about their efforts and plans to ship weapons and ammunitions using an on-line encrypted messaging application and code words in order to conceal their activities. Fonguh, Tita and seven defendants charged in related cases are awaiting sentencing. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI and the ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron recognized the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement; U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service; Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their contributions to the investigation. U.S. Attorney Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is 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/community-outreach . # # #


title: Former Florida State Representative Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, And Making False Statements In Connection With Covid-19 Relief Fraud

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA –Joseph Harding, 35, of Williston, Florida, plead guilty today to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea. Court documents reflect Harding devised a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) and obtained coronavirus-related small business loans by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, and while executing such scheme, caused wire communications to be transmitted in interstate commerce. Harding also made a false and fraudulent SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application, in the name of one of his dormant business entities, that he submitted to the SBA. By this conduct, Harding fraudulently obtained $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds from the SBA to which he was not entitled. After obtaining the EIDL proceeds, Harding conducted three monetary transactions each involving more than $10,000 in fraudulently obtained funds: a transfer to his joint bank account, a payment to his credit card, and a transfer into a bank account of a third-party business entity. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25, 2023, at 11:00 am, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida, before the Honorable United States District Judge Allen Winsor. Harding faces the following maximum terms of imprisonment for the offenses: 20 years: Wire Fraud 10 years: Money Laundering 5 years: Making False Statements The investigation was jointly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and David P. Byron. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: North Carolina Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Christopher Bell, 37, of Lumberton, North Carolina, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 5 years in prison for receiving child pornography. This term of imprisonment will be followed by 25 years of supervised release. Bell pleaded guilty to this offense on January 3, 2023. Beginning in approximately November 2020, Bell began exchanging sexually explicit messages with Minor A via Snapchat. During the conversations, he repeatedly asked her to send him sexually explicit images in exchange for money. Minor A ultimately send an explicit image of herself. Judge Conley found that the defendant enticed and manipulated Minor A into sending the image. The charge against Bell was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.


title: South Dakota Man to Federal Prison After Escape from Iowa Residential Facility

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who escaped from federal custody was sentenced March 17, 2023, to 27 months in federal prison. Anwar Amaya, 32, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received the prison term after he pled guilty on October 20, 2022, to escape from federal custody. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Amaya was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment on June 1, 2020, after a federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota. On February 7, 2022, Amaya departed a Federal Correctional Complex in Florida on furlough. According to the conditions of furlough, Amaya was required to arrive at Dismas Charities, a residential reentry center, halfway house in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, on February 9, 2022. Amaya did not arrive at Dismas Charities residential reentry center in Sioux City, Iowa as ordered. On February 17, 2022, Amaya was arrested by Sioux Falls Police Department after responding to a call for service of a burglary in progress. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Amaya was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 3-year of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Amaya remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the United States Marshal Service. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-4016. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Former Lincoln Lawyer Sentenced to Two Years in Prison in Tax Case

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Craig Hoffman, 46, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 20, 2023, in Lincoln by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for willful failure to collect or pay over employment taxes. Hoffman was sentenced to two years in prison. After his release from prison, Hoffman will begin a two-year term of supervise release. There is no parole in the federal system. Senior Judge Gerrard ordered Hoffman to pay $325,197.90 in restitution. Between 2011 and 2017, Hoffman Law Office, P.C. LLO was a professional corporation doing business as a law firm in Lincoln. Hoffman was the owner, operator, and sole employee of Hoffman Law, and exercised control over the business affairs, including authorizing business expenses, authorizing payment of employee compensation, approval of payments made by the corporation, and approval of payment of “payroll taxes” to the Internal Revenue Service. Hoffman Law, by and through Hoffman as the sole employee, was obligated to withhold taxes from his employee compensation, including federal income taxes, and Medicare and Social Security taxes, also known as FICA or payroll taxes. Hoffman Law was required to make deposits of “payroll taxes” to the Internal Revenue Service on a periodic basis. In addition, Hoffman Law was required to file quarterly tax forms showing employee wages subject to withholding, the total amount of income taxes withheld, the total amount of “payroll taxes” due, and the total tax deposits. As owner, operator, and sole employee of Hoffman Law, Hoffman had the authority required to exercise significant control over the corporate financial business affairs of Hoffman Law, and had the responsibility to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over “payroll taxes” of Hoffman Law to the Internal Revenue Service. Between 2011 and 2016, Hoffman Law failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service payroll taxes which were due and owing to the United States of America. For example, as of October 31, 2015, Hoffman failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service $11,155.12 in payroll taxes he owed for the previous quarter ending September 30, 2015. In October 2013, the IRS notified Hoffman of its intent to file levies to collect the taxes due for 2010 and 2011. Thereafter, several levy payments totaling more than $46,000 were received from the bank that held the Hoffman Law operating account. In 2014, Hoffman began the practice of transferring funds from the firm’s trust fund account to its operating account and then immediately writing checks to himself that he cashed or deposited into his personal bank account. Hoffman engaged in this conduct, at least in part, so that he could receive the funds before any levies on the account could be made by the IRS, which resulted in the account having a low balance from time to time in the event the IRS levied on the account. Between 2011 and 2016, Hoffman failed to pay $241,362.92 in employment taxes. Including interest and penalties, Hoffman’s outstanding tax debt grew to $325,197.90, which is the amount of restitution he was ordered to pay to the IRS as part of his sentence. “As an Attorney, Mr. Hoffman was not above the law. Investigating and prosecuting any business owner who intentionally fails to pay their employment tax obligations is a priority for IRS-Criminal Investigation," stated Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock of the IRS-Criminal Investigation St. Louis Field Office. "Today's sentencing is a reflection of just how serious the courts view these crimes, and Mr. Hoffman is now a convicted felon with a prison term to serve. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Bukjiok Dobuony, 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln for felon in possession of ammunition. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Dobuony to 30 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a two-year term of supervised release. On May 30, 2021, Lincoln Police Officers were called to gateway Mall in Lincoln on a report of two people fighting inside the mall. When police officers arrived, Dobuony was seen walking just outside the mall and was detained while witnesses were interviewed. Store employees and mall security guards reported that Dobuony attempted to take a black bag from another male who was in a group with about 2-3 other males. The black bag contained a loaded handgun. This led to a fight between Dobuony and the male with the black bag. Video of the incident showed Dobuony tackling the victim who has the bad containing the loaded firearm, and Dobuony possessing the bad containing the firearm for a short period of time. Eventually, the victim and his friends were able to wrestle the bag away from Dobuony. Once the fight broke up, both Dobuony and victims left the area. A police officer searched Dobuony’s person and found a .45 caliber bullet in the front pocket of Dobuony’s jacket. An agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives later examined the bullet and formed the opinion that the bullet was manufactured in the State of Idaho. At the time, Dobuony was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he had at least two prior felony convictions – theft and assault by a confined person – from Lancaster County. This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and the FBI. 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.


title: Meridian Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon

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

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Meridian, Mississippi man pleaded guilty today to possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Kurt H. Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). According to court documents, Waltravious Leeandre Watson, 31, was found in possession of nine firearms by officers of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office on February 19, 2020, during a search of his home. Watson has a prior felony conviction for burglary of a dwelling. As a convicted felon, it is contrary to federal law for Watson to possess any firearm. Watson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Allen and Charles W. Kirkham are prosecuting the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime .


title: Walker Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Connection with Interstate Transmission of a Threat to Injure Florida Congresswoman

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that Charles T. Germany, age 52, of Walker, Louisiana, pled guilty before Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to interstate transmission of a threat to injure another. According to admissions made during his plea, on or about May 27, 2022, in the Middle District of Louisiana, Germany knowingly placed a telephone call from his home in Walker, Louisiana, to a member of the House of Representatives in Florida containing a true threat to injure said member. During the call, he left a recorded voice message which was viewed by the member and their staff as a true threat. This matter was investigated by the United States Capitol Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Kleinpeter with the assistance of Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.


title: United States Files Complaint Alleging that Rite Aid Dispensed Controlled Substances in Violation of the False Claims Act and the Controlled Substances Act

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced on March 13, 2023, that the United States filed a complaint in intervention in a whistleblower lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act (FCA) against Rite Aid Corporation and various subsidiaries (collectively Rite Aid) alleging that Rite Aid knowingly filled unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances. In addition to alleging claims under the FCA, the government’s complaint also alleges violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Rite Aid is one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains, with over 2,200 pharmacies in 17 states. “The Justice Department is using every tool at our disposal to confront the opioid epidemic that is killing Americans and shattering communities across the country,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That includes holding corporations, like Rite Aid, accountable for knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances.” “We allege that Rite Aid filled hundreds of thousands of prescriptions that did not meet legal requirements,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “According to our complaint, Rite Aid’s pharmacists repeatedly filled prescriptions for controlled substances with obvious red flags, and Rite Aid intentionally deleted internal notes about suspicious prescribers. These practices opened the floodgates for millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Rite Aid’s stores.” “The opioid crisis has exacted a heavy toll on communities across the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s complaint is an important reminder that the Justice Department will hold accountable any individuals or entities, including pharmacies, that fueled this terrible crisis.” “Pharmacies, physicians, corporations, and other health care entities that have contributed to the proliferation of opioids in our communities and the tragic loss of life from overdose deaths must answer for their role in the crisis we now face,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio. “This complaint is a continuation of the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable those entities that aggravated and profited from the opioid crisis.” The government’s complaint alleges that, from May 2014 through June 2019, Rite Aid knowingly filled at least hundreds of thousands of unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances that lacked a legitimate medical purpose, were not for a medically accepted indication, or were not issued in the usual course of professional practice. These unlawful prescriptions included, for example, prescriptions for the dangerous and highly abused combination of drugs known as “the trinity,” prescriptions for excessive quantities of opioids, such as oxycodone and fentanyl, and prescriptions issued by prescribers whom Rite Aid pharmacists had repeatedly identified internally as writing illegitimate prescriptions. The government alleges that Rite Aid pharmacists filled these prescriptions despite clear “red flags” that were highly indicative that the prescriptions were unlawful. The government further alleges that Rite Aid not only ignored substantial evidence from multiple sources that its stores were dispensing unlawful prescriptions, including from certain pharmacists, its distributor, and its own internal data, but compounded its failure to act by intentionally deleting internal notes about suspicious prescribers written by Rite Aid pharmacists and directing district managers to tell pharmacists “to be mindful of everything that is put in writing.” By knowingly filling unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances, the government alleges that Rite Aid violated the CSA and, where Rite Aid sought reimbursement from federal healthcare programs, also violated the FCA. Along with Rite Aid Corporation, the government’s complaint names as defendants the following Rite Aid subsidiaries: Rite Aid Hdqtrs, Corp.; Rite Aid of Connecticut, Inc.; Rite Aid of Delaware, Inc.; Rite Aid of Maryland; Rite Aid of Michigan; Rite Aid of New Hampshire; Rite Aid of New Jersey; Rite Aid of Ohio; Rite Aid of Pennsylvania; and Rite Aid of Virginia. “The action supported today by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) should serve as a warning to those in the pharmacy industry who choose to put profit over customer safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the DEA. “Pharmacies are required to ensure prescription drugs are only dispensed based on valid prescriptions,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Prescriptions which are not medically necessary, and not for a medically accepted indication, will not be paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice’s Civil Division to recover improperly paid funds through the FCA.” Whistleblowers Andrew White, Mark Rosenberg, and Ann Wegelin, who all previously worked for Rite Aid at various pharmacies, filed an action in October 2019 under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. Those provisions authorize private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it has done here in part. Those who violate the Act are subject to treble damages and applicable penalties. The case is captioned United States ex rel. White et al. v. Rite Aid Corp., et al., No. 1:21-cv-1239 (N.D. Ohio). The United States’ intervention in this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). This matter is being handled by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. The DEA Cleveland Field Division, FBI Cleveland Field Office, and HHS-OIG provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The United States is represented in this matter by Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Wilson of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Berry for the Northern District of Ohio. The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law. Last week, the Associate Attorney General announced the creation of the Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, which formalizes and enhances coordination of the Department’s existing work and will consider new initiatives. Because of the scope and duration of the crisis, the Task Force includes U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other Department components. The Task Force will steer the Department’s civil litigation efforts involving actors alleged to have contributed to the opioid epidemic, including by diverting prescription opioids. The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: McKeesport Felon Gets 9 Years in Prison after Pleading Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms and Ammunition

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on Friday to a one-count Indictment and was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The defendant, Urian Jones, 47, pled guilty to felony possession of a firearm and ammunition and violating his conditions of federal supervised release. United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV, sentenced Jones to a total of nine years for Jones’ violation of federal law and his supervised release conditions. Judge Stickman also sentenced Jones’ to term of three years of supervised release following his term of incarceration and to pay a special assessment of $100. Jones’ sentence stems from an incident on Nov. 7, 2019, whereby he was found in possession of firearms and ammunition after having already been convicted of multiple crimes punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. At this time, Jones was still serving his term of supervised release for a prior federal case. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Ann Stockey and Nicole Vasquez Schmitt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Parole, DANET, and the McKeesport Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. 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.


title: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Trafficking

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kelvin Vazquez-Pagan, age 25, of Passaic, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to the charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Vazquez-Pagan admitted to possessing four kilograms of cocaine for further distribution. The charge stems from an incident on March 23, 2022, in which members of the Pennsylvania State Police made a traffic stop of a vehicle in Lackawanna County in which Vazquez-Pagan and another individual, Carlos Perez-Rivera, age 37, of West New York, New Jersey, were traveling. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately four kilograms of cocaine found hidden inside the vehicle. Co-conspirator Perez-Rivera previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion on March 3, 2023 and is awaiting sentencing. The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. O’Hara and Brian J. Gallagher are prosecuting the case. This case is also 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. The charge carries a maximum penalty under federal law of up to twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. ###


title: 26-Year-Old Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Two Border Patrol Agents

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Miguel Angel Acatzihua-Temoxtle, 26, of Mexico, pleaded guilty Wednesday before United States Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Rateau to one count of Assault on a Federal Officer Resulting in Bodily Injury and one count of Assault on a Federal Officer with the Use of a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon. On May 31, 2022, near Newfield, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation, United States Border Patrol agents, as part of their official duties, were assigned to Border Patrol operations at the San Miguel Forward Operating Base. While on duty, the agents received information that several groups of undocumented non-citizens were passing though the Baboquivari Mountain range. Agents inspected the area where one of the subjects, later identified as Acatzihua-Temoxtle, was located. Acatzihua-Temoxtle fled from the agents by running up the side of a wash while kicking several large boulders above one of the agents to slow his pursuit. While Border Patrol was trying to detain him, Acatzihua-Temoxtle physically assaulted two agents, which included the use of an agent’s flashlight and use of an agent’s lanyard which held night vision goggles. The agents ultimately detained and arrested Acatzihua-Temoxtle. A conviction for assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. A conviction for assault on a federal officer with the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine. Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Raquel Arellano, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-22-01420-TUC-JCH-JR RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-038_Acatzihua-Temoxtle # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Brother of former Gulf Cartel leader sent to prison

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 39-year old South Texas man has been handed a significant sentence for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal jury deliberated for approximately four hours following an eight-day trial before returning a guilty verdict July 22, 2019 , against Lee Roy Villareal, Rio Grande City, on conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen imposed a 180-month-term of imprisonment be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court found Villarreal ran a large-scale cocaine distribution network that spanned nearly five years. During that time, Villarreal and his associates distributed 150-450 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico and Panama to a large number of cocaine distributors based throughout the country to include cities in Texas, Georgia, Illinois and Indiana. The judge found Villarreal was directly involved in the importation of cocaine. Villarreal’s brother is Michael Villarreal aka Gringo Mike, a former Gulf Cartel plaza boss whom rival Gulf Cartel members killed in March 2013. “Drug cartels like Gulf Cartel aka Cartel del Golfo (CDG) flood our communities with drugs that cause death and destruction, but high-ranking CDG leaders like Villarreal are not immune from stiff punishments,” said Hamdani. “This prosecution dealt a tough blow to the CDG’s operations. Villarreal brought poison to our communities, and collaborative efforts with our partners brought him to justice.” At trial, the jury heard Villarreal was in charge of running drug trafficking operations on the U.S. side in South Texas on behalf of Gringo Mike and the Gulf Cartel. Testimony revealed Villarreal was directly involved in the importation of cocaine from Mexico and Panama. He directed the activities of his workers who imported, stashed and transported cocaine to cities across the United States. Villarreal was also in charge of repatriating proceeds from the sale of cocaine back to Gringo Mike and Gulf Cartel members in Mexico. Villarreal used at least one stash house in Mission to store cocaine and drug proceeds. Villarreal testified at trial and claimed he was never involved in drug trafficking, had no illegal association with his brother, Gringo Mike, and merely operated a legitimate auto mechanic business. The jury did not believe the defense claims and found him guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. To date, 12 other individuals have been convicted in relation to the conspiracy. Lee Roy Villareal has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI led the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation La Hermandad, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, Starr County High Intensity Drug Task Force Area Task Force and the Mission Police Department. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage . Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anibal J. Alaniz and Casey N. MacDonald of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.


title: Last individual admits role in nationwide fraud scheme targeting elderly victims

body_text: HOUSTON – A 25-year-old Indian citizen has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Anirudha Kalkote admitted he participated in a fraud ring from 2019-2020 which operated out of various cities including Houston. The scheme targeted elderly victims throughout the United States and elsewhere. The ring tricked and deceived victims using various ruses and instructed them to send money via wire through a money transmitter business such as Western Union or MoneyGram, by buying gift cards and providing to the fraudsters or by mailing cash to alias names via FedEx or UPS. Part of the scheme involved fraudsters contacting victims by phone or via internet sites for computer technical support and directing victims to a particular phone number. Once victims contacted the fraudsters, they were told various stories such as they were communicating with an expert that needed remote access to their computer in order to provide technical support services. The fraudsters then gained access to victims’ personal data and bank and credit card information. Victims typically paid a fee to conspirators for the fake technical support but were later told they were due a refund. Through paying for “technical support” or through the “refund” process, the ring gained access to the victim’s bank account(s) and credit cards and manipulated the accounts to make it appear the victim was paid too large a refund due to a typographical error. Victims were then instructed to reimburse the ring by various means. Victims were sometimes re-victimized multiple times and threatened with bodily harm if they did not pay. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 26. At that time, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Four others have already pleaded guilty in relation to the scheme and are awaiting sentencing April 20. MD Azad, 26, Sumit Kumar Singh , 25, Himanshu Kumar, 25, and MD Hasib, 27 are Indian nationals who illegally resided in Houston. All five individuals remain in custody pending sentencing. The FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States including the Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office of Augusta County, Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Quincy Ollison are prosecuting the case. The case is brought as a part of the Elder Justice Initiative. Its goal is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice launched National Elder Fraud Hotline to help combat fraud against older Americans and provide services to victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, we encourage you to call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372–8311). The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time. Services are available for speakers of English, Spanish and other languages.


title: “Suicide Squad” sentenced for trafficking drugs worth over $1.6M

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – Three individuals have been sent to prison for conspiracy to import heroin and fentanyl into the United States from Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Elias Herrera, 31, Liz Jomayra Diaz-Colon, 23, and Jonathan Guemez, 30, all previously pleaded guilty and admitted they admitted they had conspired together to import the drugs into the United States. All are from Nashville, Tennessee. Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane imposed a 87-month term of imprisonment for Herrera to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard Herrera had recruited his co-defendants and smuggled heroin and fentanyl for a period of eight months prior to his arrest. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Crane noted Herrera’s extensive involvement in drug smuggling as a recruiter and organizer. Diaz-Colon and Guemez were previously sentenced to 36 and 87 months in federal prison, respectively, and must serve four years on supervised release. In 2021, Diaz-Colon, Herrera and Guemez began working with Mexican drug traffickers to coordinate transportation of multiple drug loads into the United States. On Aug. 20, 2021, Diaz-Colon attempted to pass through a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. A K-9 alerted to her vehicle which resulted in the discovery of 4.66 kilograms of heroin concealed in the battery of her Jeep Cherokee. The following day, Herrera attempted to enter the United States. Authorities also discovered narcotics in his vehicle - 4.76 kilograms of fentanyl in the car’s battery. Guemez also attempted to bring drugs into the country. Law enforcement was able to seize 3.94 kilograms of heroin from his vehicle. The investigation connected all three people. It revealed they had been communicating with each other through WhatsApp, referring to themselves as the “Suicide Squad.” At the time of their pleas, they admitted they had conspired together to import a total of 8.6 kilograms of heroin and 4.76 kilograms of fentanyl into the United States. The drugs have an estimated street value of approximately $1,622,880. Herrera will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez prosecuted the case.


title: Othello Woman Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Alondra Yanez, age 25, of Othello, Washington, to 46 months in federal prison after Yanez had pleaded guilty on December 14, 2022 to being a Felon in Possession of Firearms. Judge Rice ordered that Yanez’s 46 month federal sentence be served consecutively to a 12 month sentence for theft in the second degree imposed by the Adams County, Washington, Superior Court. Yanez will also serve three years of supervised release after her release from confinement. According to court documents, on February 24, 2021, a co-defendant, Guillermo Valdez, participated in a residential burglary in Spokane County, Washington, during which Valdez stole eleven firearms. Yanez helped Valdez traffic the stolen firearms by advertising the firearms for sale using Facebook Messenger. One of the stolen firearms sold by Yanez was used during the homicide of a four-year-old child in Othello, Washington, during a domestic dispute on February 27, 2021. United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref, who is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the Eastern District of Washington, stated, “Ms. Yanez endangered our community by trafficking in stolen firearms. Her conduct directly led to the tragic homicide of a four-year-old child. I’m grateful for the joint efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement, who helped bring Ms. Yanez to justice and who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and our neighborhoods strong.” “Ms. Yanez’s brazen conduct clearly warranted this significant sentence,” said ATF Resident Agent in Charge Sterling Nixon. “ATF is committed to keeping members of our communities safe from individuals who provide firearms to dangerous criminals.” The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Othello Police Department, the Moses Lake Police Department, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. 2:22-cr-00021-TOR-2


title: Clackamas Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Local Pub

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Clackamas, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for robbing a local pub with a gun. Dustin Lee Henderson, 42, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. According to court documents, on November 22, 2019, Henderson robbed the Lighthouse Pub, a public house and deli located on 82 nd Avenue in Clackamas. In video surveillance of the robbery, Henderson was seen handing the pub clerk a bag, brandishing a firearm, and taking five cartons of cigarettes. The pub’s owner chased Henderson through the parking lot when Henderson discharged a single round from his firearm, prompting the owner to stop the chase. Law enforcement later recovered a .22 caliber cartridge case near the site of the shooting. Law enforcement later observed Henderson in a nearby mobile home lot and arrested him. Investigators executed a state search warrant on a mobile home where Henderson resided and recovered the stolen cigarette cartons, clothes worn by Henderson during the robbery, and a .22 pistol. DNA analysis later linked Henderson to the seized firearm. On March 17, 2022, Henderson was charged by superseding indictment with interfering with commerce with threats or violence, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On April 27, 2022, after a three-day trial, Henderson was found guilty on all counts. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Oregon State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams, Craig Gabriel, and Suzanne Miles prosecuted the case.


title: Suburban Man Found Guilty of Robbing Three Banks and Additional Firearms Charges

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal jury has found a suburban Chicago man guilty of three counts of bank robbery, three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and conspiracy to transfer a firearm to a felon. As revealed at trial, between May 11 and May 31, 2018, JAMES D. WILLIAMS, 46, of Bartlett, along with a co-conspirator, robbed three banks: Second National Bank located at 323 East Norris Drive, Ottawa on May 11, Norstates Bank located at 5384 Grand Avenue, Gurnee on May 21, and Aurora Bank and Trust located at 2287 West Galena Boulevard, Aurora, on May 31. Prior to the first robbery, Williams obtained an AK-47-style firearm, which he used in each of the three robberies. A day after the second robbery, Williams’ wife, Jessica Sweeney Williams, purchased a handgun. Williams used that handgun, as well as the rifle, in the third robbery. During the third robbery, Williams discharged one of the firearms but did not cause any injuries. Williams and his co-conspirator used disguises during each robbery and traveled in vehicles that were either rented or borrowed. Sentencing has not yet been set before U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey. Williams faces a sentence of at least 24 years, up to life, in federal prison. Williams’ co-conspirator, Alexis T. Handelman, 25, of Bartlett pled guilty to committing the bank robberies and is awaiting sentencing. Williams’ wife, Jessica Sweeney Williams, pled guilty to providing a firearm to Williams and was sentenced to 24 months in prison by Judge Blakey. The verdict is announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Ottawa Police Department, Gurnee Police Department, Aurora Police Department, and Palatine Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Edenfield and Jasmina Vajzovic.


title: Former Chicago Public Schools Employee Sentenced to 18 Months of Probation

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a former Chicago Public Schools employee to 18 months of probation after he pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. PEDRO SOTO, 48, of Chicago admitted in a plea agreement that he intentionally misled the FBI while the agency was conducting a criminal investigation into Soto’s interactions with a lobbyist and the lobbyist’s colleague regarding the awarding of a custodial services contract valued at approximately $1 billion. Soto was a member of a CPS evaluation committee tasked in 2016 with recommending to the Chicago Board of Education which company or companies CPS should hire to perform the services, and the lobbyist and the lobbyist’s colleague were assisting one of the companies bidding for the contract. Soto admitted in the plea agreement that he repeatedly provided non-public information to the lobbyist’s colleague concerning the award of the contract, and that he had done so, in part, because the lobbyist’s colleague had promised to extend various benefits to Soto. Soto further admitted that in 2019 he intentionally made false statements to the FBI when he denied having provided the lobbyist’s colleague with inside information about the awarding of the contract. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman sentenced Soto 18 months of probation, along with a $3,000 fine and 100 hours of community service on March 16, 2023. The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Chicago Board of Education Inspector General’s Office provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet Bhachu and Michelle Kramer.


title: Bakersfield Resident Pleads Guilty to Drug Sales from Smoke Shop

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Abraham Eduardo Navarro Mendez, 39, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in 2019, Navarro Mendez was suspected to be selling large quantities of methamphetamine from the Havana Smoke Shop in Bakersfield. On two occasions, law enforcement officers conducted two separate undercover drug transactions with Navarro Mendez, who delivered a total of 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine for $3,750. This case is the product of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case. Navarro Mendez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ana Isabel de Alba on July 17, 2023. Navarro Mendez faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a fine up to $10 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Southern California Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and Heroin in Bakersfield and Fresno

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Luis Noe Hernandez Rojo, 34, of Orange, California, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Aug. 7, 2019, Hernandez Rojo sold approximately 2,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl to an undercover agent in Bakersfield. On Dec. 13, 2019, Hernandez Rojo was arrested while driving to Fresno with more than 7 kilograms of counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, nearly 2 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 7 kilograms of heroin, which were slated for delivery to the same undercover agent. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Massey is prosecuting the case. Hernandez Rojo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on July 17, 2023. Hernandez Rojo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Tennessee Man and Kentucky Woman for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned an indictment on March 8, charging a Tennessee man with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. The indictment further charged that the defendant conspired with a Kentucky woman to commit that crime. According to the indictment, between Aug. 8 and 11, 2022, Portier Q. Govan, 36, of Memphis, Tennessee, used force, threats of force and coercion to compel an adult woman to engage in commercial sex. The indictment also charges Govan and Brittany R. Howard, 24, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, with entering into an agreement to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Govan made his initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Kentucky on March 20, 2023. Howard is expected to make her initial appearance later this week. If convicted of sex trafficking, Govan faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to life imprisonment. If convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, Govan and Howard face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, and Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement. The Bowling Green Police Department and the FBI Louisville Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda E. Gregory for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case. The FBI is asking anyone with information about Portier Govan or Brittany Howard to contact the FBI Bowling Green Resident Agency at (270) 781-4734. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Two Fresno Women Indicted for Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — On March 17, 2023, a three-count indictment was unsealed charging Genevra Winton, 51, and Shannon Bargas, 51, both of Fresno, with charges related to a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on March 20, 2023, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Winton’s residence and elsewhere. After the searches, Winton and Bargas were charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl, Bargas was charged with distributing fentanyl pills, and Winton was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Winton was convicted of a felony in 2010 and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by FORT, a team focused on investigating fentanyl overdose cases and composed of officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Winton and Bargas face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for the fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Bargas faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for fentanyl distribution. Winton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for the felon in possession of a firearm charge. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.