title: Defendants Sentenced for Shooting at Hopi Police Officers During Car Chase

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. –Two defendants were sentenced by Senior United States District Judge David G. Campbell last week for their role in shooting at Hopi police officers while fleeing from tribal law enforcement. Ryan Adelbert Johnson, 39, of Dilkon, was sentenced to 209 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Mike Duffy, III, 41, of Ganado, was sentenced to 161 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. After a five-day jury trial in September 2023, Johnson and Duffy were each convicted of two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; Johnson also was convicted of Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence; and Duffy also was convicted of Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. In addition to the convictions at trial, Johnson and Duffy, who are convicted felons, both pleaded guilty to one count each of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. On February 3, 2021, Johnson and Duffy were driving through the Hopi Indian Reservation when they ran a stop sign and nearly collided with a Hopi Law Enforcement Services (HLES) police vehicle. Johnson and Duffy then fled and refused repeated commands by law enforcement to pull over. While Duffy drove, Johnson used an AM-15 rifle to fire multiple shots at the pursuing officers, who narrowly avoided being hit. Johnson and Duffy are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation. “Too often law enforcement is confronted with gun violence as a part of their duties,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “This sentence sends a message that when the violence is directed at them, it will not be tolerated.” “This shooting was without justification and threatened the lives of police officers who work every day to keep their community safe,” said Daniel Mayo, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office. “An attack like this has serious consequences as proven by the sentences handed down to the defendants.” The Phoenix Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Hopi Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Navajo Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alanna Kennedy and Christina Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-22-08057-PCT-DGC RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-079_Duffy # # # 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 X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Colorado man pleads guilty in crypto investment fraud scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Colorado man pled guilty today to wire fraud relating to his scheme to fleece investors through a series of misrepresentations and high-pressure tactics. According to court documents, on Sept. 4, 2023, Robert Wesley Robb, 46, advertised on a social media chat an opportunity to invest in a Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) cryptocurrency trading bot. Robb invited individuals that had “$100-$200k+ sitting around” and wanted to “participate in some next-level MEV stuff” to send him a direct message to learn more. On Sept. 7, 2023, Investor A, a resident of Brambleton, Virginia, sent a direct message to Robb and discussed the opportunity. Robb told Investor A that the investment must total at least $100,000 and described the MEV bot as capable of delivering very high returns. Robb insisted that Investor A must invest within a “day or two,” because he expected the bot to be operational “soon (likely early next week).” Robb provided Investor A an Ethereum virtual currency address to send his initial investment and on Sept. 8, 2023, Investor A sent Robb $100,000. On Oct 27, 2023, Robb falsely told Investor A that a new investor was interested in making a $300,000 investment that would dilute Investor A’s profits, and that he was giving Investor A the chance to make an additional investment to insulate Investor A from dilution. In truth, Robb had already spent Investor A’s initial investment on personal expenses. On Oct. 28, 2023, Investor A sent an additional $50,000 to Robb’s Ethereum virtual currency address. On Nov. 8, 2023, Robb falsely claimed that the bot had not yet conducted any transactions because it was still “warming up.” Investor A requested a refund from Robb because there were neither any returns nor evidence Robb had created the MEV bot. The government’s investigation identified more than ten investors in Robb’s scheme alleging losses totaling more than $2.2 million. Despite Robb’s representations that investor funds would be used as trading capital for the MEV bot, they were funneled instead to Robb’s virtual currency exchange accounts and bank accounts. The vast majority of the funds were used for personal expenses, including airline tickets, vacations, gambling, cars, and other luxury items. For example, Robb used $204,423 to lease an executive suite at the Denver Broncos’ Mile High Stadium, $117,570 to purchase a 2023 Jeep Wagoneer, and $46,914 to send his girlfriend and her extended family to a resort in the Bahamas. Robb is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 2 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zoe Bedell and Katherine E. Rumbaugh are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-141.


title: Hampton man pleads guilty to recording videos of minors in amusement park restroom

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Hampton man pled guilty today to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to court documents, on Sept. 4, 2021, Corey Thomas Mason, 29, used a cell phone to record two videos of exposed minors in a restroom stall at an amusement park. On Feb. 8, 2022, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Police Department requested assistance from the Naval Investigative Criminal Service (NCIS) with conducting a review of Mason’s cellphone relating to a video voyeurism that had recently occurred on NNSY in Portsmouth. Investigators conducted a digital forensic extraction on Mason’s cellphone. An initial review of the cellphone extraction revealed several suspected recordings of males while utilizing bathroom stalls. On Feb. 14, 2022, further review identified the two videos of minors. On April 13, 2022, NCIS obtained a federal search warrant to review the forensic extraction and found 141 voyeuristic videos taken in what appear to be bathroom stalls, including the two videos of minors. Mason is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 18 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Mack Hickman, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Heck is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-48. This release was edited on June 22, 2024, to reflect that the defendant pled guilty to possession of CSAM, not production.


title: CEO Of Health Care Center Indicted For Stealing Federal Grant Money

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A federal grand jury indicted the Chief Executive Officer of Silver State Health Services, LLC, for allegedly stealing federal grant funding intended for the health care center to provide services to indigent persons. According to allegations contained in the indictment, David Ryan Linden, 35, was the Chief Executive Officer of Silver State Health Services, LLC, a not-for-profit limited liability corporation in Las Vegas. On behalf of Silver State Health Services, LLC, Linden applied for federal grant money from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. As part of the grant application, Linden represented that $735,200 of the budgeted costs would be used to meet projected personnel costs for the health center. In February 2019, Silver State Health Services, LLC was awarded $735,200 in grant funding. As alleged, on June 10, 2019, Silver State Health Services, LLC withdrew in excess of $357,000 from the grant and deposited the funds into a bank account belonging to Silver State Health Services, LLC. Then, on June 16, 2019, Linden became a signatory on a bank account belonging to a company named Freedom Infusions, LLC, which was not affiliated with the grant or Silver State Health Services, LLC. Further alleged, on June 24, 2019, Linden transferred $340,000 of federal grant funds from the Silver State Health Services, LLC bank account to the bank account for Freedom Infusions. The $340,000 was allegedly used for the benefit of others. A jury trial has been scheduled to begin on August 27, 2024, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. If convicted, Linden faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Myhre and Justin Washburne are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Leader, Members of Galloping Goose Motorcycle Club Indicted for Criminal Racketeering Enterprise

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Seven area residents, including the leader and several members of the Galloping Goose Motorcycle Club, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in an ongoing criminal enterprise that involved acts of violence, drug trafficking, and illegally possessing firearms. Tonka Way Con Ponder, 53, and his wife, Carolynn L. Ponder, 47, both of Preston, Mo., and Tretch Lucius Lawrence, also known as “Travis Dewain Shankle,” 48, Keith Dewayne Nolen Jr., also known as “Seg,” 34, Paul Leon Gardner, 52, Daniel Scot Kurtzenborn, 41, and Robert Russell Warren, also known as “Russ,” 54, all of whom have unknown addresses, were charged in a 25-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on Tuesday, June 18. That indictment was unsealed and made public today following the arrests of six of the defendants (with the exception of Warren). Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen and Kurtzeborn remain detained in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, June 25. Gardner and Carolynn Ponder were released on bond. The federal indictment alleges that Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen, Gardner and Kurtzeborn are members of the Lake of the Ozarks chapter of the Galloping Goose outlaw motorcycle gang, an organized criminal enterprise. Members of the Galloping Goose, says the indictment, engaged in acts of violence, including assault, attempted robbery, and extortion. According to the indictment, Tonka Ponder was the leader of the local chapter of the Galloping Goose, which has a clubhouse in Camdenton, Mo. The federal indictment charges Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Shankle, Nolen, Kurtzeborn and Gardner with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering. They allegedly assaulted another person with a deadly weapon on Dec. 12, 2020. The federal indictment charges Tonka Ponder, Lawrence, Nolen, and Kurtzeborn with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering. They allegedly conspired to assault members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club and the Iron Celtics Motorcycle Association, resulting in serious physical injuries, on July 15, 2021. Tonka Ponder is charged with two counts of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering and two counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Tonka Ponder allegedly shot two persons, resulting in serious physical injury, on July 15, 2021. Kurtzeborn is charged with one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Kurtzeborn allegedly attempted to assault a victim by shooting at him on July 15, 2021. Tonka Ponder and Lawrence are charged with one count of attempted extortion. The indictment alleges that, from July 1, 2020, to July 15, 2021, they attempted to obtain the property of the Iron Celtics Motorcycle Association by threatened use of force, violence, and fear. The federal indictment charges Tonka Ponder, Carolynn Ponder, and Warren with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Camden and Miller Counties from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, 2022. Tonka Ponder is also charged with five counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and four counts of traveling across state lines to facilitate the illegal distribution of methamphetamine. Tonka Ponder is charged with two counts of using his cell phone to facilitate a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Carolynn Ponder is charged with one count of using her cell phone to facilitate a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Kurtzeborn and Nolen are each charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kurtzeborn allegedly possessed a Taurus .357-caliber revolver on July 15, 2021. Nolen allegedly possessed a Taurus 9mm handgun on Aug. 24, 2023. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron M. Maness and Cecily L. Hicks. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Police Department, the Miller County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Camden County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department. Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force This case 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 https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Charlotte Man Is Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison For Possession Of A Firearm By A Felon

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced that Bryan Dequan Ledbetter, 48, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 96 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to documents filed in the case and court proceedings, on September 25, 2022, in the early morning hours, Ledbetter used a bedroom window to enter the home of a female victim who was known to Ledbetter. Upon hearing Ledbetter attempting to enter her home, the victim called 911. While she was on the phone with the dispatcher, the victim managed to escape and run toward the neighbor’s home. Ledbetter caught up with the victim on the neighbor’s porch, placed his hands around the victim’s neck and began to squeeze her neck. Ledbetter then dragged the victim on the neighbor’s yard while keeping his hands around her neck. Court records show that, while Ledbetter held the victim down, he pulled out a firearm and fired into the air. Ledbetter then dragged the victim in the nearby bushes where he placed the muzzle of the firearm against the victim’s head and under her neck. When officers arrived at the scene, they ordered Ledbetter to surrender. At first, Ledbetter refused and continued to press his firearm against the victim’s head. Ledbetter eventually threw down his firearm and he was arrested on scene. On March 14, 2023, Ledbetter pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ledbetter has prior state convictions that include assault on a female and felony assault by strangulation, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Ledbetter is in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Lindahl of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the 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: Illegal sale of firearms and ammunition buys prison time for local felons

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – Two Rio Grande City residents have been sentenced for being felons in possession of firearms and for attempting to sell multiple firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jesus Maria Salazar Jr., 29, and Filiberto Martinez Jr., 42 pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2023. U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa has now imposed a 30-month term of imprisonment for Salazar, while Martinez received 22 months. Both must also serve 2 years of supervised release following their sentences. At the hearing, the Court heard additional evidence including that both Salazar and Martinez had federal convictions for smuggling ammunition. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Hinojosa noted their prior convictions. On March 2, 2023, Salazar sold three AK-47 variant rifles, one AR-15 variant rifle and approximately 5,900 rounds of ammunition to an ATF undercover agent. The investigation revealed Martinez stored three of the firearms for Salazar prior to the sale. Salazar and Martinez are both prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition following their respective federal convictions for illegally smuggling ammunition to Mexico. Both will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods ( PSN ) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition

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

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Victor Henderson, 24, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced June 21, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Henderson to 18 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Henderson’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On July 30, 2023, Omaha Police observed the driver of a Ford Edge commit a traffic violation and initiated a traffic stop on that vehicle. The driver was identified as Christopher Grutel. Henderson was seated in the front passenger seat. Officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, so they detained Grutel and Henderson for a probable cause search of their persons as well as the vehicle. While searching the vehicle, officers located marijuana shake on the front passenger floorboard, an open container of alcohol on the driver’s seat, and an ammunition box in the back seat inside a plastic bag that contained four live “Aguila” 9mm rounds of ammunition. In 2021, Henderson was convicted in Douglas County District Court for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Grutel also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition and will be sentenced on September 6, 2024. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.


title: Chattanooga Man Sentenced To More Than 6 Years’ Imprisonment For Possessing “Glock Switch” And Fentanyl Pills

body_text: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – June 20, 2024, Christian J. Williams, 22, was sentenced to 75 months in prison by the Honorable Charles E. Atchley, Jr., United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Following his incarceration, Williams will be on supervised release for three years. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Williams agreed to plead guilty to one count of possession a machinegun in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 922(o) and one count of possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). According to filed court documents, in December 2021, Chattanooga Police Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle. The vehicle fled and ultimately crashed. Williams exited the passenger-side door and fled on foot. Officers gave chase, caught Williams, and found him in possession of fentanyl pills and a Glock, Model 27, .40 caliber pistol with an installed machinegun conversion device, colloquially known as a “switch.” The “switch” enabled the pistol to fire “fully automatic,” that is, fire multiple rounds by a single pull of the trigger. Possession of a “switch” is illegal under Federal law, as the National Firearms Act classifies the “switch” itself as a machine gun. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the ATF Chattanooga Field Office, the ATF Firearms Technology Branch, and the Chattanooga Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin T. Brown represented the United States. 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: Multiple Alabama Individuals Charged for Sex Trafficking and Related Offenses

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – A federal judge in Montgomery, Alabama unsealed an eight-count indictment today charging five individuals with sex trafficking and related offenses. According to the indictment, Kimani Jones, 30, Treymane Lambert, 48, and Aleecia Scott, 27, of Montgomery, Alabama, used force, fraud and coercion to compel adult women to engage in commercial sex acts between August 2016 and November 2020. Jones also used force, fraud and coercion to compel two minors to engage in commercial sex acts during that period, and Joseph Keon Bowe, 37, of Notasulga, Alabama, used force, fraud and coercion to compel a minor to engage in commercial sex acts between August 2018 and March 2019. In addition, the indictment charges Jones with transporting one minor and one adult woman across state lines for purposes of prostitution in November 2016 and January 2020. A fifth defendant, Daryle Gardner, 30, of Prattville, Alabama, is charged with transporting an adult woman for purposes of prostitution in January 2020. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including substantial prison terms, and mandatory restitution. 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, United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross for the Middle District of Alabama and Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Picard of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement. HSI, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery Police Department and Alabama Attorney General’s Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Kate Alexander of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Ratz for the Middle District of Alabama are prosecuting the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking .


title: Mexico-Based Drug Cartel Leaders Indicted and Sanctioned

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA –Rodolfo Maldonado-Bustos, a.k.a. “Don Jose,” and Euclides Camacho-Goicochea, a.k.a. “El Quilles,” who occupy leadership roles in the La Nueva Familia Michoacana drug cartel, were charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to import heroin into the United States. Earlier today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) announced financial sanctions against Camacho-Goicochea and Maldonado-Bustos, who are fugitives believed to be residing in Mexico. “These actions demonstrate that in addition to holding cartel leaders accountable for their crimes, we are working together with our partners at the Treasury Department to hit the cartels’ criminal operations where it hurts the most – their profits,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to mobilize a whole-of-government effort to disrupt the cartels profiting from the drug trafficking and human smuggling that devastate communities and endanger our national security.” “These cartel members allegedly imported massive amounts of heroin from Mexico to the Atlanta area and elsewhere in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The federal indictments in conjunction with the recent imposition of OFAC sanctions send a strong message that our office, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly investigate, prosecute, and defund individuals around the globe who import deadly drugs into our communities.” “Denying drug cartels the profits earned from distributing poison in our communities is an essential tool in DEA’s efforts to combat these drug cartels,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “DEA Atlanta will continue to attack the La Nueva Familia cartel on all fronts by arresting its members, as well as seizing their drugs and assets.” “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are highly skilled financial investigators who can unravel complex schemes cartels use to hide their money,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-CI and other members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces will continue working together to bring these international criminals to justice.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictments, and other information presented in court: In September 2016, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) initiated an investigation into Mexico-based La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel members allegedly importing heroin, cocaine, and marijuana into the United States, including to the Northern District of Georgia. As part of the investigation, agents identified Maldonado-Bustos as a high-level cartel member who allegedly coordinated the manufacturing of large quantities of heroin in Mexico. In particular, the investigation revealed that Maldonado-Bustos allegedly directed the harvesting of gum from opium fields, procured chemicals to process the gum into heroin, and supplied Camacho-Goicochea and other conspirators in Mexico with the heroin to import into cities in the United States, including Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas. The investigation further revealed that Camacho-Goicochea allegedly coordinated the collection and return of drug proceeds from the United States back to Mexico. In early 2017, agents seized over $580,000 in drug proceeds from vehicles and homes in the Atlanta area, which were ultimately destined for the cartel in Mexico. Rodolfo Maldonado-Bustos, a.k.a. “Don Jose,” 59, and Euclides Camacho-Goicochea, a.k.a. “El Quilles,” 51, both of Guerrero, Mexico, were charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to import heroin into the United States. Camacho-Goicochea was also charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. The indictments were returned in August 2017 and were recently unsealed. Members of the public are reminded that the indictments only contain charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebeca Ojeda is prosecuting the case against Camacho-Goicochea and Maldonado-Bustos. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel Milam, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Hartigan, who is presently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, provided valuable contributions to the investigation. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (the Strike Force) is to degrade and dismantle major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs), Regional Priority Organization Targets (RPOTs), and their associates. The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia recommends that parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following websites: www.justthinktwice.gov ; www.operationprevention.com/ ; and www.dea.gov/onepill . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement from Ohio Landlords to Resolve Claims of Sexual Harassment Against Female Tenants

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that Joseph Pedaline and YLP LLC, who owned and managed residential rental properties in Youngstown, Ohio, have agreed to pay $199,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act. The department’s lawsuit alleged that Joseph Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants from at least 2009 to at least 2020, and that YLP LLC was liable for Pedaline’s conduct during the period in which it owned and managed the properties. “No one should ever have to fear sexual harassment when they sign a lease, pay their rent or simply spend time in their home,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Landlords who sexually harass tenants violate the Fair Housing Act, and the Justice Department will continue to hold landlords accountable for this egregious conduct.” “This consent decree bars Pedaline from ever again having the ability to rent property to others, and thus prevents him from ever again subjecting Ohio tenants to sexual harassment and discrimination in return for a place to live,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This resolution should serve as a strong reminder to all landlords that they must comply with all aspects of the Fair Housing Act and may not engage in discriminatory behavior that violates the security, safety and wellbeing of their tenants.” Under the consent decree entered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Pedaline and YLP LLC must pay $189,000 to former tenants harmed by Pedaline’s discriminatory conduct and must pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the federal government. Pedaline and YLP LLC must also take steps to vacate any adverse judgments and repair the credit of tenants who were evicted after refusing Pedaline’s advances. The consent decree also bars future discrimination, permanently bars Pedaline from managing residential rental properties, mandates Fair Housing Act training and requires reporting regarding compliance with the consent decree’s terms. The department’s lawsuit alleged that Joseph Pedaline subjected multiple female tenants to sexual harassment. According to the complaint, Pedaline subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual comments, entered the homes of female tenants without their consent, touched female tenants without their consent, offered to excuse late or unpaid rent in exchange for sexual acts and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances. The department’s complaint also alleged that YLP LLC was liable for Pedaline’s discriminatory conduct while it owned and managed the rental properties. Individuals who may have been victims of sexual harassment at rental dwellings owned or managed by Joseph Pedaline or YLP LLC can email Youngstown.Community@usdoj.gov or call 1-833-591-0291 (press 1 for English, press 2 for sexual harassment and then press 01 for United States v. Joseph Pedaline to leave a message). If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submit a report online . More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt . Reports may also may be made by contacting the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online . The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 42 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered nearly $17 million for victims of such harassment.


title: United States Brings Federal False Claims Act Suit Against Pain Management Practice and Its Principal

component: USAO - Delaware

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss announced today that the United States has filed a civil complaint against the Center for Interventional Pain and Spine, LLC (“CIPS”) and its principal, Dr. Chee H. Woo, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The United States alleges that CIPS and Dr. Woo violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to federal and state healthcare programs for thousands of diagnostic tests and services that were not ordered by healthcare providers, not medically necessary, and sometimes never performed. CIPS is a pain management practice with multiple locations in Delaware and Pennsylvania. The complaint alleges that, from at least July 2018 through at least 2021, CIPS and Dr. Woo devised a scheme to bill Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (“FEHB”) for medically unnecessary urine drug tests. The complaint further alleges that, between 2019 and 2021, CIPS and Dr. Woo caused Medicare, Medicaid, and FEHB to pay thousands of claims for psychological and neuropsychological testing that was not performed or was not medically necessary. As a condition of reimbursement, Medicare, Medicaid, and FEHB each require participating providers to certify that all services rendered are necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. As alleged in the complaint, CIPS and Dr. Woo developed and implemented a urine drug testing protocol that required all CIPS’ patients to submit to urine drug tests every three months, regardless of whether the testing was supported by individual patient or clinical need. The complaint alleges that CIPS’ health care providers did not order the urine drug tests and, in many cases, were not aware that the tests had been ordered, and that the results of the tests were not used to inform the diagnosis or treatment of CIPS’ patients. As a result, these tests were medically unnecessary, and CIPS’ certifications that it complied with Medicare, Medicaid, and FEHB requirements were false. The complaint further alleges that CIPS submitted thousands of false claims for psychological and neuropsychological tests that were not performed. Instead, as alleged, CIPS asked patients to self-complete health screening questionnaires that were ineligible for reimbursement as psychological and neuropsychological tests. CIPS then allegedly failed to use the results of these questionnaires to treat patients, even when the results indicated that medical interventions were warranted. “Providers and entities that participate in federal health care programs must comply with the rules intended to protect the integrity of those public programs,” U.S. Attorney Weiss said. “Billing federal health care programs for services that are not medically necessary and that are not actually provided undermines the quality of patient care and increases the costs of these taxpayer funded programs. We are committed to holding accountable those medical providers who seek to exploit these programs for their own benefit. Today’s civil complaint demonstrates that this office will aggressively work to recover public money from those who fraudulently seek to overcharge the federal government.” The allegations in the complaint were identified during a government investigation that arose from a proactive analysis of Medicare claims data. The investigation and litigation are being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Shamoor Anis and Jacob Laksin. The complaint contains allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 24-cv-711-JLH.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Highlights Efforts To Enhance Community Safety During The Summer Months Through Prosecutions, Partnerships And Prevention

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts to enhance safety across communities in Western North Carolina, especially during the summer months when violent crime historically increases. These efforts include federal prosecutions, collaborations with law enforcement and local communities, and proactive prevention programs aimed at strengthening public safety. “We are closely monitoring a potential increase in criminal activity during the summer months,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office is fully committed to protecting our neighborhoods by identifying and prosecuting violent offenders, armed drug traffickers, and felons illegally possessing firearms, and leveraging the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to pursue charges against straw gun purchasers and gun traffickers. Our dedication to community safety extends far beyond the courtroom. We are actively collaborating with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to identify cases for federal prosecution, provide essential training, and utilize technology to combat violent crime. Furthermore, we are enhancing community involvement by partnering with organizations, youth groups, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to develop and support prevention programs that address the causes of violence.” Prosecution Successes: Our prosecutions aim to enhance community safety, deliver justice for crime victims, and hold accountable those individuals responsible for perpetuating violence within our communities. The cases below were indicted this week and underscore our commitment to public safety: U.S. v. Jose Maria Quijada-Ortega – On Tuesday, a federal grand jury in Charlotte returned a criminal indictment, charging Jose Quijada-Ortega, 26, of Charlotte, with possession of a machinegun. According to allegations in the indictment, on October 6, 2023, Quijada-Ortega knowingly and willfully possessed a machinegun, that being a Glock, Model 23, .40 caliber pistol, with an affixed machinegun conversion device, commonly referred as a “Glock Switch.” U.S. v. Allison et al. – The grand jury in Charlotte has also returned a criminal indictment against Desmoria Deoria Allison, 24, Mustafa Dajron Howie, 30, and Kinyona Jenae McClain, 22, all of Shelby, North Carolina, for federal firearms violations related to straw purchasing and illegal possession of firearms. McClain is charged with two counts of straw purchase of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Allison is charged with two counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, and Howie is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The indictment alleges that, in October 2023, and again in February 2024, McClain straw purchased two firearms, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of Howie, knowing that Howie had previously been convicted of a crime. The indictment also alleges that, in March 2023, Allison made false and fictitious written statements in connection with the acquisition of two firearms from two licensed firearms dealers. The indictment further alleges that Howie illegally possessed the firearms that had been straw purchased by McClain and Allison. U.S. v. Jadarius Connell Potts – Jadarius Connell Potts, 31, of Charlotte, was indicted with one count of dealing in firearms without a license and three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. As alleged in the indictment, between August and September 2023, Potts engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. The indictment alleges that Potts illegally possessed three firearms, an AM-15 rifle and two pistols, knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. U.S. v. Wade Bolton – A federal grand jury in Charlotte indicted Wade Bolton, 33, of Charlotte, of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to allegations in the indictment, in December 2023, Bolton allegedly possessed three firearms, knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. It is further alleged that Bolton knowingly possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and possessed one or more firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking activities. U.S. v. Melvin Baylor – Melvin Bolton, 38, of Charlotte, was indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As alleged in the indictment, in December 2023, Baylor illegally possessed two firearms, that being a Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Rifle, and an AK-47, along with all the associated magazines and ammunition, knowing that he had previously been convicted of at least one crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year. In addition to this week’s indictments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing outcomes for additional defendants convicted in separate cases involving firearms offenses, drug trafficking, and armed robbery. The defendants received prison terms ranging from over 3 years to more than 34 years. Press releases with additional information on these cases can be found here . Trainings and Technology-Driven Strategies: As part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office partners with our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. An important component of PSN is providing training to law enforcement that can enhance investigations for federal prosecution. Another important component of PSN is the use of technology and data-driven strategies to target crime hotspots and identify repeat offenders. For example, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) in Charlotte coordinates comprehensive tracing and ballistics analysis. The CGIC focuses exclusively on investigating and preventing gun violence in local communities, using eTrace systems and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN. NIBIN is an incredibly powerful tool used in investigations that involve firearms. Part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s role is to work with our federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to facilitate the submission of ballistics evidence to the NIBIN system on a timely basis that can assist with turning evidence into concrete leads. Furthermore, U.S. Attorney King and Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Charlotte and Asheville Divisions continue to foster relationships by regularly meeting with local law enforcement and state and Tribal prosecutors to determine training needs and identify cases for federal prosecution. Also, as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s violent crime reduction strategy, members of the office meet with community leaders to discuss community concerns and develop collaborative strategies with stakeholders to improve public safety. Victim Support and Restorative Justice: Our commitment to supporting victims of violence remains one of our core missions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit provides comprehensive victim support services and advocates for justice at every phase of the litigation process, ensuring that victims are afforded all the rights and protections they are entitled to under the law, and stay informed as their case progresses through the court system. In addition, members of the Victim Witness Unit meet regularly with community organizations, service providers, victim advocates, allied professionals, and law enforcement counterparts to ensure that everyone in the community knows and understands where and how crime victims and survivors can access the support and resources they need to promote healing and recovery. Prevention Initiatives and Long-Term Commitment: In collaboration with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, nonprofit entities, and school districts, we have launched and strengthened several violence prevention initiatives. Just last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Asheville Police Department (APD), hosted an outreach event at My Daddy Taught Me That (MDTMT), a youth development program in Asheville, designed to support young people through advocacy, education, and mentoring. During the event, U.S. Attorney King introduced newly appointed APD Police Chief Michael Lamb to a group of young males and he spoke about his background, shared his life experiences, and talked about APD’s community engagement goals under his leadership. U.S. Attorney King continues to actively engage with local school districts in the Western District and the Qualla Boundary, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to hold listening sessions and have impactful conversations with students on the causes and consequences of violence. Through these sessions, U.S. Attorney King educates students on how to effectively handle conflict resolution and emphasizes the importance of making positive choices. By fostering open dialogue, soliciting the students’ feedback, and providing insights into the legal consequences of violence, U.S. Attorney King aims to empower students with knowledge that can help prevent future incidents. Her proactive approach not only supports community safety but also encourages young people to become informed, responsible citizens committed to building safer neighborhoods for everyone. In July, U.S. Attorney King will attend the National Recognition Week for the winners of the “Do the Write Thing” essay challenge in Washington, D.C. DtWT is organized by the National Campaign to Stop Violence and seeks to encourage middle school students to express the impact of violence in their lives through writing, and to empower students to become catalysts for positive change by sharing their ideas on ways to reduce youth violence. U.S. Attorney King serves as Chair of the DtWT Committee in Asheville. In this role, U.S. Attorney King accompanies National Student Ambassadors selected from Charlotte and Asheville schools to Washington, D.C., where students participate in planned events and engage in discussions on important topics such as the problem of youth violence. Beyond the immediate summer months, federal prosecutors are dedicated to sustaining these efforts throughout the year, with the goal of putting in place lasting improvements in public safety and community well-being. “We encourage everyone in our community to join us in these efforts,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Together, we can build safer, more resilient neighborhoods where every resident can thrive.” U.S. Attorney King thanks all the law enforcement agencies involved in the aforementioned prosecutions and commends Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shavonn Bennette ( U.S. v. Allison et al. ), Brandon Boykin ( U.S. v. Potts , U.S. v. Bolton , and U.S. v. Baylor ), and Kenneth Smith ( U.S. v. Quijada-Ortega ) for handling the prosecution of these cases. The defendants named in the indictments are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The U.S. v. Allison et al. case is being prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms. For more information on our initiatives visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website .


title: Former Federal Investigator Convicted and Sentenced for Fabricating Dozens of Background Check Interviews he Never Conducted

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Christopher B. Laughlin, 37, of Whiteland, Indiana, has been sentenced to one year of federal probation and must pay restitution in the amount of $69,846.44 after pleading guilty to making false statements in the course of his government employment. Federal employees, contractors, and military members must undergo a background investigation to determine their suitability for serving in a position of trust and obtaining any required security clearance. The extent of the investigation will depend on the type of job and the degree of harm the person in that job could cause. Background investigators conduct interviews, review documents, and record the information they find in reports of investigation. Federal agencies rely on these reports to determine suitability of subjects for sensitive positions and security clearance. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is responsible for conducting background investigations of certain individuals who are either employed by or seeking employment with federal agencies or government contractors. DCSA utilizes a variety of internal controls to verify the work of investigators and help ensure the integrity of its investigations. According to court documents, Christopher Laughlin began working at the United States Office of Personnel Management as a federal background investigator in May of 2018. His position was transferred to DCSA on September 30, 2019. On August 2, 2021, as part of DCSA’s internal control process, an individual reported that Laughlin never interviewed them, contrary to Laughlin’s statements in an investigation report. DCSA investigated and identified three other sources Laughlin claimed to have interviewed in the same investigation who all stated they’d never been interviewed. DCSA’s Office of the Inspector General then initiated a formal investigation into Laughlin’s conduct. Investigators determined that between February 18 and September 1, 2021, Laughlin submitted at least 22 false reports containing fabricated statements from at least 43 interviews that never actually happened. The reports included statements that the sources purportedly made to Laughlin by people he never spoke with. DCSA spent $69.846.214 in payroll and travel to conduct the investigations that Laughlin fabricated. “The safety and security of our country depends on the trustworthiness and integrity of federal employees and contractors,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This defendant’s decision to falsify reports and fabricate statements compromised the integrity of these important investigations, and increased the risk that unsuitable individuals are put in positions that could compromise our government and our national security. I commend DCSA OIG, DCIS, and our federal prosecutor for their commitment to protect the public and hold officials accountable for criminal violations of their oaths to serve and protect the public.” “Compromising the integrity of the security clearance process puts our country’s most sensitive information at unnecessary risk,” said Darrin K. Jones, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “DCIS, along with our investigative partners, will continue to aggressively pursue bad actors whose actions threaten to undermine the public’s trust.” The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, Office of Inspector General and Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigated this case . The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James Warden, who prosecuted this case. ###


body_text: The Justice Department announced that Joseph Pedaline, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio, and YLP LLC, who owned and managed residential rental properties in Youngstown, have agreed to pay $199,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that they violated the Fair Housing Act. The department’s lawsuit alleged that Joseph Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants from at least 2009 to at least 2020, and that YLP LLC was liable for Pedaline’s conduct during the period in which it owned and managed the properties. “No one should ever have to fear sexual harassment when they sign a lease, pay their rent or simply spend time in their home,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Landlords who sexually harass tenants violate the Fair Housing Act, and the Justice Department will continue to hold landlords accountable for this egregious conduct.” “This consent decree bars Pedaline from ever again having the ability to rent property to others, and thus prevents him from ever again subjecting Ohio tenants to sexual harassment and discrimination in return for a place to live,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This resolution should serve as a strong reminder to all landlords that they must comply with all aspects of the Fair Housing Act and may not engage in discriminatory behavior that violates the security, safety and wellbeing of their tenants.” Under the consent decree entered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Pedaline and YLP LLC must pay $189,000 to former tenants harmed by Pedaline’s discriminatory conduct and must pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the federal government. Pedaline and YLP LLC must also take steps to vacate any adverse judgments and repair the credit of tenants who were evicted after refusing Pedaline’s advances. The consent decree also bars future discrimination, permanently bars Pedaline from managing residential rental properties, mandates Fair Housing Act training and requires reporting regarding compliance with the consent decree’s terms. The department’s lawsuit alleged that Joseph Pedaline subjected multiple female tenants to sexual harassment. According to the complaint, Pedaline subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual comments, entered the homes of female tenants without their consent, touched female tenants without their consent, offered to excuse late or unpaid rent in exchange for sexual acts and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances. The department’s complaint also alleged that YLP LLC was liable for Pedaline’s discriminatory conduct while it owned and managed the rental properties. Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Heyer and Kathryn Andrachik investigated the matter on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. Individuals who may have been victims of sexual harassment at rental dwellings owned or managed by Joseph Pedaline or YLP LLC can email Youngstown.Community@usdoj.gov or call 1-833-591-0291 (press 1 for English, press 2 for sexual harassment and then press 01 for United States v. Joseph Pedaline to leave a message). If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submit a report online . More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt . Reports may also may be made by contacting the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online . The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 42 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered nearly $17 million for victims of such harassment.


title: Northumberland County Man Indicted for Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that an indictment was returned by a grand jury charging a Northumberland County man with multiple firearms offenses. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges that on or about January 10, 2024, Ryan Edward Mills, age 51, a resident of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, possessed three firearms—that is, a pistol, semi-automatic shotgun, and AR-15 style rifle—knowing that he was prohibited from possessing firearms, having been previously convicted of a felony. In addition, the Indictment alleges one of the firearms Mills possessed had an obliterated serial number. The charges stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Milton Borough Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Moreno. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. 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. The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Indictment is thirty-five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant. # # #


title: Bridgeport Felon Admits Possessing Gun with Extended Magazine While on Supervised Release

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on June 18, 2024, JORGE MORALES, also known as “Capone,” 38, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2017, Morales was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 46 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for distributing heroin. The investigation revealed that in April 2016 Morales distributed heroin to a 21-year-old woman who died of an overdose from the drug. Morales was released from federal prison in September 2019. On December 17, 2021, while Morales was on federal supervised release, Bridgeport Police conducted a traffic stop of an SUV Morales was driving because the vehicle had been spotted near the scene of a shooting incident and homicide on Barnum Avenue earlier that day. Before the SUV came to a complete stop, a juvenile girl ran from it carrying an object close to her chest. As officers apprehended the girl, she dropped a loaded Glock 22 semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine. The investigation revealed that the gun belonged to Morales and that, as he was being pulled over, he told the girl to take the gun and run. In addition to his prior federal conviction, Morales’ criminal history includes state convictions for drug and firearm felony offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2024, at which time Morales faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for unlawfully possessing the firearm. He also faces penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release. Morales has been detained since his arrest. This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel George and Karen Peck. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Worldwide Staffing Agency to Resolve Claims of Hiring Discrimination in the United States

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with eTeam Inc. (eTeam), an online staffing agency that provides services to companies throughout the United States and around the world. The agreement resolves the department’s determination that eTeam discriminated against non-U.S. citizens with permission to work in the United States by excluding them from job opportunities based on their citizenship or immigration status, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). “Staffing companies cannot engage in hiring and recruiting practices that unlawfully exclude or deter people with permission to work in the United States because of their citizenship or immigration status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold companies accountable for engaging in practices that create barriers to employment, in violation of our nation’s federal civil rights laws.” The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER)’s investigation found that during various months in 2021, eTeam regularly distributed job advertisements that contained unlawful hiring restrictions based on citizenship status or otherwise screened out candidates based on their citizenship status. These actions harmed lawful permanent residents and individuals granted asylum or refugee status by deterring them from applying to the job advertisements and failing to meaningfully consider those who did apply. Under the terms of the settlement, eTeam will pay $232,500 in civil penalties to the United States and set aside $325,000 to compensate affected workers. The agreement also requires eTeam to train its personnel on the INA’s requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements. IER is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute generally prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices ; retaliation and intimidation . Find more information on how employers can avoid discrimination in recruiting and hiring on IER’s website . Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video . Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify) or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge . The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation ; email IER@usdoj.gov ; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Sign up for email updates from IER.


title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con una agencia internacional de dotación de personal para resolver acusaciones de discriminación en la contratación en los Estados Unidos

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo conciliatorio con eTeam, Inc. (eTeam), una agencia de dotación de personal en línea que presta servicios a empresas por todo Estados Unidos y el mundo. El acuerdo resuelve la determinación del Departamento que eTeam discriminó a no ciudadanos de los EE. UU. con permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos cuando los excluyó de oportunidades laborales con base en su ciudadanía o estatus migratorio, en contra de la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés). «Las empresas de dotación de personal no pueden participar en prácticas de contratación y reclutamiento que excluyan o disuadan ilegalmente a personas con permiso para trabajar en los Estados Unidos debido a su ciudadanía o estatus migratorio», comentó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia seguirá responsabilizando a las empresas por participar en prácticas que creen barreras al empleo, en contra de las leyes federales de derechos civiles de nuestra nación». La investigación de la Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados (IER, por sus siglas en inglés) de la División de Derechos Civiles determinó que, durante varios meses en el año 2021, eTeam distribuía regularmente anuncios de empleo que contenían restricciones de contratación ilegales basadas en el estatus de ciudadanía o que de otro modo seleccionaba a los candidatos en función de su estatus de ciudadanía. Estas acciones perjudicaron a residentes permanentes legales e individuos a los que se les ha otorgado el asilo o el estatus de refugiado al disuadirles de presentar una solicitud para los anuncios de trabajo y no considerar, de forma significativa, a aquellos que sí solicitaron un trabajo. En virtud de los términos del acuerdo, eTeam pagará $232,500 en sanciones civiles a los Estados Unidos y destinará otros $325,000 para compensar a los trabajadores afectados. El acuerdo también requiere que eTeam capacite a su personal en cuanto a los requisitos de la INA, que revise sus políticas de empleo y que se someta a los requisitos de supervisión y declaración departamentales. La IER es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. Entre otras cosas, por lo general, la ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación . Puede obtener más información sobre cómo los empleadores pueden evitar la discriminación en la contratación y el reclutamiento en el sitio web de la IER . Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto . Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia . El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito o visualizar una presentación a la carta; enviar un correo electrónico a IER@usdoj.gov ; o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español . Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico desde la IER.


title: Four Indicted For Distribution Of Fentanyl Resulting In The Death Of A University Of South Florida Student

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Miguel Cintron (36, Tampa), Marquise Trant (35, Tampa), David Chudhabuddhi (37, Tampa), and Darrius Gustafson (20, Tampa) with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, resulting in death. All four are also charged with additional distributions of fentanyl over 40 grams. Cintron is further charged with possession with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted on all counts, each faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit all assets which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. All four defendants were arrested, made their initial appearances in federal court, and have been ordered detained pending trial. According to the indictment and court documents, on February 16, 2024, Cintron, Trant, Chudhabuddhi, and Gustafson distributed a lethal amount of fentanyl that resulted in the death of Victim-1. Subsequent to Victim-1’s death, all four individuals continued to distribute fentanyl to undercover deputies and detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. On April 10, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Cintron’s residence where law enforcement recovered firearms, several rounds of ammunition, more than 7 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of black tar heroin, 1 kilogram of heroin, 1,200 pressed pills containing fentanyl, and over $200,000 in cash. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the University of South Florida Police Department, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.


title: Tampa Gang Member Sentenced To 15 Years’ Imprisonment, The Maximum Sentence Allowed By Law, For Orchestrating Shootings And Threatening To Commit Violence On A Child And Grandmother

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Antonio McCray (22, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison—the maximum sentence allowed by law—for possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense. McCray pleaded guilty on November 14, 2023. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, McCray was a member of the “2x” gang in Hernando County. In September and October 2022, McCray planned to carry out a murder against a rival gang member, telling his rival gang members, “I’m tryna do these f*** [dudes] so dirty…we getting them tonight…I’m [going] to shoot his a**.” On at least two occasions, McCray and his fellow gang members went to a residence in Hernando County, ultimately surrounding the house and shooting the windows, front door, and back sliding door. Two minor children were present at the time of the shooting, and bullets came through the window of a 9-year-old girl’s room. On October 29, 2022, detectives from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. McCray was seated in the back seat of the car, and in possession of a Hellcat Pistol. McCray’s DNA was found on the firearm, and FDLE revealed a correlation between the Springfield firearm and shell casings recovered from one of the shootings. At the time, McCray had multiple prior felony convictions including burglary of a conveyance while armed, burglary (6 counts), and dealing in stolen property. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. McCray’s phone later revealed additional text messages in which he was threatening individuals who owed him a drug debt, telling people; “Listen bra if u care about ur son an ur grandma have my money by Thursday…or I’m coming for u and ur family…I’ll be at ur house tonight…Im torture ur grandma, u don’t know who u playing with.” This case was investigated by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes. 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: Tapestry Hospice Settles Healthcare Kickback Claims for $1.4 Million

body_text: ATLANTA – Tapestry Hospice of Northwest Georgia, LLC, and its owners and managers, David Lovell, MD, Stephanie Harbour, Ben Harbour, and Andrew Nall (collectively “Tapestry”), agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by entering into kickback arrangements with medical directors in exchange for referrals of hospice patients to Tapestry. “By entering into kickback arrangements, health care providers can cause doctors to make medical decisions that are motivated by financial gain, rather than the patient’s best interest,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our office is committed to ensuring the accountability of health care providers who put their own financial needs ahead of their patients.” “The False Claims Act settlement in this case will hopefully be a deterrent to those who selfishly evade our federal healthcare programs for their own benefit,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The message is clear, the FBI will not tolerate companies operating corporate-wide schemes to illegally line their pockets.” “Decisions regarding end-of-life care are incredibly difficult and personal, and families must be able to trust the intentions of their chosen providers,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “Those who instead take advantage of the system for their own personal gain will be held accountable.” This case began when a former employee of Tapestry filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that Tapestry paid kickbacks to medical directors to induce them to refer patients to Tapestry. These alleged kickbacks included monthly stipends and a signing bonus paid to the medical directors. The compensation allegedly increased when the medical director referred more patients and decreased when the medical director failed to make referrals. The Government alleges that these arrangements violated the Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b), and caused the submission of false claims in violation of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, et seq. This civil settlement resolves a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by Kathy Erwin (the Relator) under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, U.S. ex rel. Erwin v. Tapestry Hospice of Northwest Georgia, LLC, et al . , No. 1:18-cv-4320-AT. Under the False Claims Act, private citizens may bring suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery obtained by the government. The Relator has received $252,000 from the settlement. This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The civil settlement was reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam D. Nugent and Georgia Assistant Attorney General Rick Tangum. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Schenectady Resident Indicted for Witness Retaliation

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Patrick Civitello, age 18, of Schenectady, New York, was indicted on Tuesday for witness retaliation for his assault of the child of a witness who testified in a federal criminal trial. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Patrick Civitello is the son of Jeffrey Civitello Sr. and the younger brother of Jeffrey Civitello Jr., both of whom were convicted of federal drug trafficking charges following a jury trial in Albany in April 2023 . A witness, identified in the indictment as V-1, testified at that trial. The indictment and a previously filed criminal complaint allege that on May 19, 2024, Patrick Civitello assaulted V-1’s son, V-2, causing him to suffer head and bodily injuries, with the intent to retaliate against V-1 for her trial testimony. Patrick Civitello’s assault of V-2 occurred in front of V-1 in a restaurant parking lot in the Town of Glenville. The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Civitello was arrested on the criminal complaint on June 13, 2024. Following a detention hearing on June 14, United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart ordered Civitello released with conditions. The Government has appealed that decision and, as a result, Civitello currently remains in custody. If convicted, Civitello faces up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 5 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force is investigating this case, with assistance from the Glenville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Dustin Segovia are prosecuting this case.


title: Jury Finds Tampa Man Guilty Of Trafficking In Unauthorized Access Devices And Aggravated Identity Theft

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Damond Alford (31, Tampa) guilty of trafficking in unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft. Alford faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the trafficking offense followed by an additional two-year mandatory consecutive sentence for the aggravated identity theft offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, officers from the Tampa Police Department stopped Alford twice in August 2020. During those traffic stops, law enforcement searched Alford’s vehicle and discovered debit cards in other individuals’ names and a ledger containing personal identifying information of others. An investigation by the Department of Labor reveled that the personal identifying information on the ledger had been used to apply for unemployment insurance benefits throughout the country on at least 57 occasions. Debit cards containing unemployment insurance benefits were then mailed to Alford and, on several occasions, he used those debit cards to withdraw thousands of dollars. In total, more than $300,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance payments were attributed to Alford. This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.


title: Orlando Man Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing Firearm And Ammunition

body_text: Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Benjamin Garmon, Jr. (25, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Garmon faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on January 20, 2024, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a homicide investigation and executed a search warrant at Garmon’s home on Gadwall Lane in Orlando. Garmon was present, along with his girlfriend. During the execution of the warrant, law enforcement located a firearm inside a shoebox in the closet of Garmon’s bedroom. The firearm was a Glock, model 21 Gen 4, .45 caliber pistol, loaded with ammunition. Garmon told the deputies that he had moved the firearm from a dresser in his bedroom to a shoebox in the closet when the deputies arrived at his home to execute the warrant. At the time Garmon possessed the firearm and ammunition, he had previously been convicted of four felonies, including carrying a concealed firearm on July 25, 2018, burglary of a structure, grand theft, and resisting law enforcement officer without violence in March 2019. As a convicted felon, Garmon is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kara Wick. 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: Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer Sentenced To Three Years In Federal Prison

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Angel Ruben Hernandez, Jr. (75, Altamonte Springs) to three years in federal prison for failing to record required information about firearms purchases. Hernandez entered a guilty plea on January 22, 2024. According to court documents, Hernandez was an owner and responsible party for Arms Hill LLC, a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL or Federal Firearms Licensee) from 2019 through 2023. In 2022, the FBI obtained information that Hernandez was supplying firearms to an individual who was unlawfully selling them to drug dealers and convicted felons and that Hernandez was falsifying paperwork in connection with supplying those firearms. FFL dealers who operate within the law require purchasers to complete specific forms (ATF Form 4473) and answer numerous questions about the buyer’s background and eligibility to purchase firearms. Beginning in April 2023, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), through a cooperating source, conducted a series of undercover purchases from Hernandez. On April 20 and 24, 2023, and May 1, 2023, Hernandez sold nine firearms to the ATF’s source. Hernandez charged above-market prices for the firearms while also creating false ATF Form 4473 forms documenting fake sales to Hernandez’s relatives. On May 19, 2023, during the execution of a search warrant, ATF agents found pre-filled ATF 4473 forms with information from Hernandez’s relatives that had been pre-populated and prepared for future fake sales. Hernandez’s FFL records indicate that nearly a quarter of his sales as an FFL from 2019-2023, including more than 260 firearms, were recorded as though they were sold to his relatives. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Apopka Police Department, and the Altamonte Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dana E. Hill and Noah P. Dorman. 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: Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchasing a Shotgun Later Used to Fire Shots Outside of Temple Israel

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Miller, age 38, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring with Mufid Fawaz Alkhader to illegally purchase a shotgun for Alkhader. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement. Miller admitted that between October 1, 2023 and November 6, 2023, he and Alkhader conspired to lie to a firearms dealer in Albany County that he (Miller) was the actual buyer of a Kel-Tec 12-gauge pump shotgun, when in reality, Alkhader was the true buyer. Miller and Alkhader came up with the plan because they believed that Alkhader could not lawfully purchase the shotgun himself. Miller further admitted that on November 5, 2023, he lied on the Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473) submitted to the gun shop when he falsely stated that he was the true purchaser of the shotgun. On November 6, 2023, Miller and Alkhader returned to the gun shop wherein Miller took possession of the shotgun. Miller also admitted that later on November 6, 2023, he transferred the shotgun to Alkhader. The shotgun purchased by Miller and given to Alkhader is the same shotgun alleged to have been possessed and shot by Alkhader outside of Temple Israel on December 7, 2023 . Miller will be sentenced on October 18, 2024, by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Miller faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Judge Nardacci ordered Miller released with conditions pending sentencing. Alkhader is charged by complaint with two firearms crimes. The charges in the complaint against Alkhader are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the ATF, and the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting this case.


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Meth

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: Davenport, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, on April 25, 2019, Illinois State Police initiated a traffic stop of a van. Henry Earl Dinkins, 51, was a passenger in the van. The van was searched after a canine alerted to the presence of narcotics. Troopers found three bags containing a total of approximately 5,600 ecstasy pills, found to contain methamphetamine, which Dinkins intended to redistribute in the Davenport area. In September 2019, a confidential source bought pills containing methamphetamine from Dinkins. Dinkins’ sentence is to be served consecutively to his convictions for first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the Iowa District Court in Scott County, in which he received life sentences without the possibility of parole. After completing his federal term of imprisonment, Dinkins will be required to serve supervised release for a term of life. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Illinois State Police and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. 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: Sedalia Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years for Child Pornography

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Sedalia, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court today for soliciting sexually explicit photos of a 14-year-old victim. Dustin Shane Colvin, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 35 years in federal prison without parole. On Jan. 4, 2024, Colvin pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving and distributing child pornography. Colvin, a registered sex offender, was convicted of the statutory rape of a 13-year-old victim in 2007. Co-defendant Serena Dowling, 24, of Sedalia, pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024, to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography and awaits sentencing. Dowling took sexually explicit photos of a 14-year-old victim at the request of Colvin, her fiancé, and sent them to him over Snapchat. Dowling told the child victim she would receive $100 per photo from Colvin, although she only paid about half the money she had promised. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."