title: Stock Newsletter Analyst, Beverly Hills Executive, and Money Launderer Charged with Conspiring to Tout Securities in Exchange for Money

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Federal criminal charges were filed today against an analyst for a newsletter promoting unregistered securities and over-the-counter stocks, his money-laundering associate, and the CEO of a Beverly Hills company, all of whom participated in a bribery scheme in which leaders of various companies paid more than $4.2 million in undisclosed compensation to have their stocks touted by the newsletter. The following defendants have been charged: Jonathan William Mikula, 38, of Woodstock, Georgia; who worked as a stock analyst and writer for an investment newsletter; Christian Fernandez, 33, a.k.a. “Christian Crockwell,” of Smyrna, Georgia, who was a business associate and friend of Mikula’s; and Amit Raj Beri, 47, of Hobe Sound, Florida, who was the CEO of a Beverly Hills-based business. All three defendants have been charged via information with one count of conspiracy to tout securities for undisclosed compensation. Mikula also has been charged with one count of touting securities for undisclosed compensation. According to an information filed January 30 in United States District Court, Mikula worked as an analyst for “Palm Beach Venture,” an investment newsletter with subscribers nationwide. This newsletter published promotional pieces for offerings of securities, including unregistered securities marketed pursuant to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation A, as well as microcap stocks traded “over the counter.” There, securities are lower-priced, illiquid securities traded not on liquid public exchanges but instead through securities dealers known as “market makers.” Federal law requires full and public disclosure from anyone who has received payment – directly or indirectly – from an issuer for publishing, publicizing, or circulating any advertisement or communication that describes the issuer’s security offered for sale. From December 2019 to August 2022, in exchange for Mikula touting certain securities issuances through “Palm Beach Venture,” Beri and others provided Mikula and Fernandez with both cash payments as well as undisclosed, indirect compensation, including lavish meals, beverages, and other illicit entertainment. Fernandez opened and operated foreign and shell companies and bank accounts – some based in Mexico – whose purpose was to conceal the nature of the bribes and kickbacks. In exchange, Fernandez took a hefty cut – sometimes half – of the funds. The conspiracy allowed some of its participants to raise tens of millions of dollars in investor funds through securities offerings described and promoted by “Palm Beach Venture” without required disclosures that such promotions had been obtained via direct and indirect payments to Mikula. For example, in March 2020, Mikula caused to be published an article in “Palm Beach Venture” entitled, “Curing Incurable Diseases and Giving Us Over 4,900% Potential Gains.” The article touted Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals (EHP), a San Diego-based life sciences company and falsely stated that neither the newsletter nor its affiliates had received compensation and that “as publishers of financial information, we make general recommendations based on our own analysis.” In fact, negotiations were underway between EHP, Beri, Mikula, and Fernandez toward concealed payments in exchange for the article. In total, Mikula, Fernandez, Beri and others received more than $4.2 million in undisclosed and misrepresented payments as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars of compensation in the form of undisclosed entertainment and illicit services. Another co-conspirator, Avtar Singh Dhillon, 62, of Long Beach, a one-time board member of and an indirect shareholder in EHP, pleaded guilty in December 2022 in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and admitted his role in the conspiracy. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 23 in Boston. The conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The securities touting charge also carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The FBI is investigating this matter. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has also charged the defendants in a separate civil enforcement action. Any investors who believe they are a victim of the crimes alleged in this Information are encouraged to go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/united-states-v-jonathan-william-mikula-christian-fernandez-and-amit-raj-beri for further information and updates regarding this matter. An information contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Assistant United States Attorney Adam P. Schleifer of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force is prosecuting this case.


title: Jefferson Parish Man Charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – COREY ESQUERRE , age 50, a resident of Jefferson Parish, was indicted on February 2, 2024, for possessing with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. If convicted, ESQUERRE faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. On July 31, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration agents searched Mr. Esquerre’s residence pursuant to a state search warrant and discovered 1,917 grams of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Texas Doctor Convicted of Illegally Prescribing Highly Addictive Opioids

body_text: Following an 8-day trial, a Texas doctor who unlawfully prescribed powerful opioids has been convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and six counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. On Monday, a jury convicted Leovares A. Mendez, a 58-year-old doctor who co-owned and operated Cumbre Medical Center, LLC in Dallas, on all counts. He will be sentenced at a later date. Codefendant Cesar Pena-Rodriguez, 56, pleaded guilty on January 17, 2024, 5 days before trial was scheduled to begin, to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Dr. Pena-Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2024. According to evidence presented at trial, Dr. Pena-Rodriguez and Dr. Mendez issued numerous prescriptions without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Specifically, the defendants repeatedly issued prescriptions for controlled substances, including hydrocodone, alprazolam, and tramadol to undercover agents posing as patients in exchange for $250 cash payments. The defendants sold medically unjustified prescriptions to undercover agents in 24 undercover visits. At trial, the evidence showed Dr. Mendez issued prescriptions despite performing only minimal or perfunctory medical evaluations during short visits, some only lasting one minute. Video and audio recordings of the visits made by the undercover officers showed a pattern of the officers requesting the medications by name with no complaint of pain. On multiple occasions, Dr. Mendez coached the undercover officers as to what to say if ever contacted by law enforcement in relation to the illegal prescriptions. Dr. Mendez now faces up to 140 years in federal prison – 20 years per count. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donna Strittmatter Max, Marty Basu and Renee Hunter prosecuted the case, with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Gail Hayworth.


title: Canonsburg Man Pleads Guilty to and is Sentenced for Killing of Bald Eagle

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in federal court to two years of probation and 50 hours of community service on his conviction of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Rodney Thomas, 51. Thomas also was ordered to pay a fine of $2,500 and restitution of $9,800 to the Pennsylvania Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Council. According to information presented to the Court, Thomas shot and killed a mature bald eagle with an air rifle in Mount Pleasant Township in Washington County on May 12, 2023. Prior to sentencing, testimony was offered from residents of Mount Pleasant Township. Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory C. Melucci and Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Mount Pleasant Township Police Department, Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Washington County District Attorney’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thomas.


title: Philadelphia Man Charged with Making Antisemitic and Islamophobic Threats

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Yaniv Gola, 50, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged today by information on eight counts of interstate communication of threats. The information alleges that between August 2, 2022 and November 5, 2023, Gola used a Voice over Internet Protocol service to mask his phone number and make telephone calls threatening to injure, rape and kill eight different victims. On one of these calls, Gola threatened, “You f***ing Jew, now I know where you are. I’m going to kill all you Jews … You all should be shoved back into ovens. I’m going down to [victim’s business location] to kill you.” On another call, Gola said to a victim, “I want to put a bullet in your head … You f***ing Muslims.” In the most recent call, Gola threatened a victim, “You’re Jewish, I’m from Hamas. You’re animals and pigs … If you don’t leave that place, we’re going to blow you up.” If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $2,000,000 fine and an $800 special assessment. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang. The FBI was assisted by the Philadelphia Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Cinnaminson Township (NJ) Police Department, the Newtown Township (Delaware County) Police Department, and the Haddonfield (NJ) Police Department. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: New Britain Resident Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS A. ROSADO, 30, of New Britain, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to possession of child pornography. According to court documents and statements made in court, in May and June 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received two CyberTipline reports from Kik Messenger that two separate Kik Messenger accounts had been used to upload video files depicting the sexual abuse of children. The investigation connected both Kik Messenger usernames to Rosado and determined that, between April and June 2022, he used them to upload and distribute 104 video files depicting the sexual abuse of children, including prepubescent children. Rosado, who resided in Manchester at the time of the offense, was arrested on October 6, 2022. At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Rosado faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing. This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Connecticut State Police, the Manchester Police Department, and the Connecticut Center for Digital Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Silver Spring Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Illegal Possession of Ammunition and Postal Service Keys

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – Andrew Steven Martin, age 30, of Silver Spring, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition and to unlawful possession of U.S. Postal Service keys used to access U.S. Postal Service mail receptacles. The guilty plea was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPS”)- Washington Division; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Mark P. Sroka of the Gaithersburg City Police Department. According to his guilty plea, on May 17, 2022, a Gaithersburg Police officer performed a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Martin. After approaching the vehicle, the officer detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Law enforcement recovered a bag containing marijuana in the center console, a half-smoked joint of marijuana, and two USPS “arrow” keys—one of which opened two collection boxes located outside the Reisterstown Post Office. During the search of the vehicle law enforcement also recovered from the back seat area a stack of credit cards which were not in Martin’s name; two identification cards, one of which bore a picture of Martin and a different name; and approximately 42 checks bearing the names of payors and payees who were not Martin. Law enforcement also located in the center framework near the floorboard additional checks in names other than Martin’s, at least five debit cards; a privately made 9mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with 10 9mm caliber ammunition cartridges; and an orange pill bottle containing 27 tablets found to contain heroin and fentanyl. In total, law enforcement located 47 personal checks and two cashier’s checks in the vehicle. The sum of the funds to be paid by the checks amounted to approximately $80,164.89. Martin was arrested on an open warrant. Martin knew that he had a previous felony conviction which prohibited him from possessing ammunition. Martin faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition and for illegal possession of USPS arrow keys. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Gaithersburg City Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gustavo Ruiz and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy F. Hagan, Jr., who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Former Washougal, Washington resident sentenced to 15 years in prison for production of images of child sexual abuse

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – A 29-year-old former resident of Washougal, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 15 years in prison for making videos of the rape of two infant children, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Steven Rian Price was convicted at trial of multiple felonies in Clark County Superior Court. Price was sentenced to 108 years in state custody. The 15-year federal sentence will run concurrently with the state sentence. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “The seriousness of this offense cannot be overstated. The crime was unspeakably cruel and depraved. No words can describe the horrors of the abuse… The victims will live with this for the rest of their lives.” According to records in the case, Price was residing in a motel in Washougal. In summer 2019, Price used a smartphone to videotape the rape of an infant child. Later that year, Price used the online communication platforms Discord and Skype to share videos depicting the rape of the infant. Also in the summer of 2019, Price filmed the sexual assault of a second infant – the child of an acquaintance. In October 2019, the day after one of the videos was uploaded, Discord alerted law enforcement and Vancouver Police moved quickly to arrest Price. The case was investigated by the Vancouver Police Department Digital Evidence Cybercrimes Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Dillon.


title: Tahlequah Resident Sentenced To Forty-Five Years For Aggravated Sexual Abuse In Indian Country

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Aaron Richard Eubanks, age 33, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to forty-five years imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on five counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. The charges were the result of an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On August 5, 2022, a federal jury found Eubanks guilty of the charges. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that during 2020 and 2021, Eubanks engaged in sexual acts with a minor victim who had not reached 10 years of age. The United States also presented evidence that in February 2021, Eubanks engaged in sexual acts with a second minor victim who had not reached the age of 11 at the time of the abuse. The crimes occurred in Adair and Cherokee Counties, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Charles B. Goodwin, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Oklahoma City. Eubanks will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney Caila M. Cleary represented the United States.


title: False Claims Act Complaint Filed Against Former President and Co-Owner of Mobile Cardiac PET Scan Provider

component: Civil Division

body_text: The United States has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas under the False Claims Act (FCA) against Rick Nassenstein, a resident of Florida and formerly the president, chief financial officer, and co-owner of Illinois-based Cardiac Imaging Inc. (CII), a provider of mobile cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The complaint alleges Nassenstein knowingly played a central role in a scheme whereby CII paid exorbitant, above-fair market value fees to doctors who referred patients to CII for cardiac PET scans in violation of the Physician Self-Referral Law, also known as the Stark Law. It prohibits health care providers from billing Medicare for certain designated health services referred by a physician with whom the provider has a financial relationship, including a compensation arrangement, that does not meet any statutory or regulatory exception. Congress enacted the Stark Law to protect Medicare patients from financial arrangements that can adversely impact physicians’ decision making and lead to unnecessary services. Claims knowingly submitted to Medicare in violation of the Stark Law also violate the federal FCA. “Financial relationships between healthcare providers and referring physicians can undermine the objectivity of medical treatment decisions and increase the cost of care,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will enforce provisions designed to prevent prohibited financial conflicts to ensure that taxpayers and patients can have confidence that decisions about patient care are driven by the medical needs of patients rather than the financial interests of physicians or providers.” “Improper compensation arrangements unnecessarily drive-up healthcare costs and cloud a physician’s medical judgment,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “This complaint alleges that in an effort to increase profits, Nassenstein caused CII to enter into improper compensation arrangements with cardiologists who referred patients for cardiac PET scans. We are committed to enforcing the Stark Law and protecting Medicare from these types of improper financial relationships.” Cardiac PET scans are nuclear medicine tests that doctors use to help assess heart function and diagnose cardiac disease. The United States’ complaint alleges CII provided cardiac PET scans on a mobile basis and paid the referring physicians, usually cardiologists, to provide the physician supervision required under Medicare rules. The United States alleges that from at least 2017 through June 2023, Nassenstein caused CII to enter into compensation arrangements with referring cardiologists, under which the cardiologists were paid as if they were fully occupied supervising CII’s scans, even though the cardiologists were actually providing care to other patients in their offices or were not even on site. The complaint alleges CII’s fees also purportedly compensated the cardiologists for additional services beyond supervision that were not actually provided. The lawsuit was originally filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA by Lynda Pinto, a former billing manager at CII. Under the FCA, private parties, known as relators, can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. The FCA permits the United States to intervene in and take over the action, as it has done here. If a defendant is found liable for violating the FCA, the United States may recover three times the amount of its losses plus applicable penalties. The Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) are handling the matter with assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General. The case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Pinto v. Nassenstein , No. 18-cv-2674 (S.D. Tex.). CII and its current owner, Sam Kancherlapalli, previously settled related claims arising from the conduct described above. Trial Attorneys Samuel R. Lehman and Jake M. Shields of the Justice Department's Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Green for the Southern District of Texas are handling the matter. The investigation and prosecution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The claims asserted in this case are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Complaint


title: Tacoma man pleads guilty to brutal assault that left victim critically injured

body_text: Tacoma– A 41-year-old Tacoma man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Shaun Lee Blue faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo on May 3, 2024. According to records filed in the case, Blue worked for the victim as a day laborer. On March 19, 2023, the men were working on removing an old trailer from a property in Eatonville, Washington. At the end of the workday, the two met up at the Roy Y Park and Ride lot so that the victim could pay Blue for the work he had done. At the parking lot, both men got out of their cars and started to argue. Blue pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen multiple times causing serious cuts to his intestines, colon, and liver. Blue continued to stab the victim even after the victim fell to the ground. After the attack, Blue drove away and the victim was able to call 9-1-1 for help. He was found critically injured in his vehicle and was taken to the hospital. The victim continues to recover from his significant injuries and multiple surgeries. The Roy Y Park and Ride is on the property of Joint Base Lewis McChord and therefore is in exclusive federal jurisdiction. Blue has agreed to make restitution to the victim. Assault resulting in serious bodily harm is punishable by up to ten years in prison and $250,000 fine. The case is being investigated by the FBI, and Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with assistance from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hillary K. Stuart.


title: Mescalero Man Charged with Domestic Violence

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Ronnie Pernell Evans appeared in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with assault by strangulation and/or suffocating a spouse or intimate partner. Evans, 20, of Mescalero, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 8, 2023, Evans confronted Jane Doe’s outside her house and they got into an argument. When Jane Doe tried to enter the home, Evans blocked her path and grabbed her by the throat with one hand and the back of her head with the other and began pushing her towards her car. Evans and Jane Doe tripped over something on the path and Jane Doe fell backwards and hit the back of her head on concrete. Evans got back up and continued dragging Jane Doe towards his car, at which point a neighbor intervened and Evans fled the scene. Responding officers later stopped Evans on Highway U.S. 70 and arrested him. A criminal complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the current charge, Evans faces up to 10 years in prison. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl is prosecuting the case. View the Criminal Complaint # # # 24-56


title: “Wholesaler” of fake tags sentenced for selling hundreds of thousands of illegal Texas paper tags

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 43-year-old woman has been sentenced for providing false information in order to access the state database to print illegal tags and then sell them to other sellers on the internet, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Leidy Hernandez Lopez pleaded guilty May 10, 2023, to conspiring with others residing in the Southern District of Texas and elsewhere, to buy and sell thousands of fraudulent Texas-issued temporary buyer tags for cars in and outside of Texas without a legitimate vehicle purchase. U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now ordered Lopez to serve 30 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Hernandez Lopez to pay restitution to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in the amount of $316,820. At the hearing, the court heard how she and others engaged in a widespread fraud to use fictitious car dealerships to generate and sell Texas temporary buyer tags without actually selling cars. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that while Lopez may not have known what the consequences of her actions were, she nonetheless placed peoples’ lives at risk by providing fake tags that were used in crimes such as drive by shootings. “The harm in this case was more than monetary,” said Hamdani. “In selling fake vehicle tags to other sellers, Lopez provided criminals with the means to create ghost cars that were invisible to law enforcement which were used to commit crimes that posed a hazard to the public ranging from driving without insurance to committing robberies and drive-by shootings.” Lopez and co-conspirators used the internet to buy and sell the fraudulent state-issued buyer tags and exchange proceeds from the illegal tag sales. At the time of her plea, Lopez acknowledged she and her co-conspirators communicated via email where she would deliver fraudulent buyer tags to sellers who then re-sold them to purchasers all over the United States, including New York, Florida and Washington, D.C. She also admitted she received fraud proceeds via electronic payment services such as Cash App and Zelle. Lopez was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Emmanuel Padilla Reyes aka Christian Hernandez Bonilla or Noel Rivera is still a fugitive in this case. The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone providing information that directly leads to his arrest. Those with information about the fugitive’s location should call 1-800-CALL-FBI or email www.TIPS.FBI.GOV The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance of Travis County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and New York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Adam Goldman prosecuted the case.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Meth Trafficking, Illegal Firearms

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing more than 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine to distribute and illegally possessing two firearms. Christopher Kelley, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 16 years and six months in federal prison without parole. On July 20, 2023, Kelley pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Springfield police officers executed a search warrant at Kelley’s residence on March 11, 2021, and seized more than 1.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, a Kimber 9mm semi-automatic pistol (that had been reported stolen) from the living room coffee table, a Smith & Wesson .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol from underneath a couch cushion, eight hollow point rounds, $6,842 in cash, two cell phones and drug paraphernalia. Kelley told investigators he had purchased approximately four to six pounds of methamphetamine each week from his source over the past five or six months. At the time of this offense, Kelley was wanted on an outstanding warrant for the revocation of his probation in an unrelated state case for his felony conviction of property damage. He also has prior felony convictions for possessing a controlled substance, distributing methamphetamine near a school, and unlawful possession of a firearm. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Michael Brown. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.


title: United States and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Announce Settlement with City of Lowell to Address Pollution in Merrimack River

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced a settlement agreement with the City of Lowell, Massachusetts, requiring the city to reduce sewage discharges into the Merrimack River. Under the consent decree, Lowell will pay a $200,000 penalty for past violations. A portion of Lowell’s wastewater collection system consists of sewers that convey sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff in a single pipe. During wet weather, untreated combined sewage is discharged through combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls to the Merrimack River and its tributaries, including Beaver Brook and the Concord River. The Merrimack River is a drinking water source for several downstream communities. Today’s settlement requires work to separate wastewater and stormwater, which will minimize the number of times untreated sewage is released into nearby waters. Lowell will also implement a program to detect and eliminate illicit connections that discharge wastewater to the city’s stormwater system thereby reducing pollution in stormwater that flows into local streams and rivers. Lowell must also establish and implement city ordinances to help prevent stormwater runoff from construction and post construction sites. The total cost to update the sewer system has been estimated at approximately $195 million. This consent decree was the result of a joint enforcement action brought by the Justice Department on behalf of the EPA, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. “Today’s settlement will result in cleaner and healthier water for the residents of Lowell and downstream communities, including some with environmental justice concerns, that rely on the Merrimack River for drinking water,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department is committed to upholding our nation’s water protection laws for the benefit all.” “For far too long the city of Lowell, Massachusetts has failed to protect the communities that rely on the Merrimack River and other water sources for their drinking water,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to ensure cities and towns meet their obligations under the Clean Water Act to prevent the overflow of sewage, pollutants, and debris into our nation’s waterways.” “With this consent decree, the City of Lowell is taking necessary steps to further protect Lowell’s historic river ecosystem and improve the quality of the Merrimack River for its residents,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “These measures are critical as we continue our work to ensure that all of our residents live in a healthy and safe environment.” “We are proud to have worked alongside our colleagues at the Attorney General’s Office and with our federal partners to make significant progress toward reducing contamination in the Merrimack River,” said Commissioner Bonnie Heiple of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to addressing complex issues like combined sewer overflows head-on, using all available tools – including technical support, funding and enforcement – to promote better environmental and public health outcomes.” “This settlement is good news for Lowell and for communities downstream who will be better able to enjoy healthful activities on and near the Merrimack River. The Merrimack flows through several historically disadvantaged communities, so this settlement is especially important for ensuring that all citizens can enjoy a clean and healthy environment,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “EPA is committed to continuing our work to ensure that Massachusetts and New Hampshire citizens along the Merrimack River have clean and safe water. The timing of this is fortunate, as funding assistance available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law may help defray costs borne by local ratepayers.” Lowell owns and, through the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility, operates the Duck Island Clean Water Facility, a 32 million gallon per day secondary wastewater treatment facility that discharges to the Merrimack River. The treatment facility treats wastewater not only from Lowell but also from the towns of Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury and Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Lowell had previously signed a consent decree with the federal government and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1988 to address its illegal CSO discharges. While several interim actions have taken place, Lowell has not yet fully complied with the federal and state environmental statutes. More information on EPA’s efforts to address water quality issues can be found on the agency’s Merrimack River website . The Justice Department’s Environmental Enforcement Section filed today’s proposed consent decree in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. It is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval. A copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees .


title: New York Man Sentenced for Mailing Fentanyl to Maine

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A New York man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for distributing fentanyl through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Tyler Dean , 49, to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. According to court records, in June 2020, Dean shipped an envelope via USPS Priority Mail Express from the Schenectady, New York area to a residence in Rockland, Maine using an alias. Text and Facebook messages confirmed Dean mailed the envelope and knew that he was sending a controlled substance but did not know the identity of the substance he shipped. Lab testing confirmed that the envelope contained fentanyl. The package’s recipient and their spouse died of accidental overdoses the day the package arrived. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Rockland Police Department, and Maine Attorney General’s Office investigated the case. Fentanyl listed as a cause of death in 78% of Maine overdose deaths in 2023 : According to the December 2023 Maine Monthly Overdose Report , from January 2023 thru December 2023, 78% of confirmed overdose deaths in Maine included fentanyl or fentanyl analogs, alone or in combination with other drugs. To find help dealing with substance use disorder for yourself or a loved one in Maine, including finding naloxone (Narcan) to have on hand and accessible in the case of an opioid overdose emergency, visit https://knowyouroptions.me . ###


title: Estherville Woman to Federal Prison for Firearm Conviction

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Jodeci Holmes, 22, from Estherville, Iowa, was sentenced on February 1, 2024, to 30 months in federal prison. Holmes pled guilty September 21, 2023, to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that on April 1, 2023, in Estherville, Iowa, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Holmes was a passenger. After the officer smelled marijuana from inside the vehicle, a search was conducted where marijuana and a 9mm pistol which belonged to Holmes were found. Holmes was a marijuana user and had been convicted of felony possession with intent to deliver marijuana. Both prohibit an individual from possessing a firearm. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Holmes was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and must serve a term of three years of supervised release following the imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Holmes remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison. 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. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Estherville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-3008. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: CEO of Beverage Company Marketed for Women Indicted for Alleged Securities Fraud that Took in More Than $13.5 Million from Investors

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – An Antelope Valley woman was arrested today on a 39-count federal grand jury indictment alleging she obtained more than $13.5 million from more than 1,000 investors for her for-women beverage company, the lion’s share of which she spent at casinos, on luxury items and cars, and renting a house. Lupe Louise Rose, 54, of Palmdale, surrendered to federal authorities this morning. She is charged with 38 counts of securities fraud and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. Rose pleaded not guilty at her arraignment this afternoon at United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and a March 19 trial was scheduled. A federal magistrate judge today ordered Rose freed on $20,000 bond. According to the indictment returned on January 18 and unsealed today, Rose in 2009 founded She Beverage Co. Inc., a Lancaster-based beverage manufacturer. Rose was the company’s president, CEO, and chairman of its board of directors. Rose promoted She Beverage as a woman-owned beverage manufacturer that marketed – primarily to female consumers – and sold beer, wine, bottled water, and other products purported designed specifically to cater to women’s needs. From 2017 to December 2020, Rose raised investments in She Beverage amounting to more than $13.5 million from more than 1,000 investors nationwide. Specifically, she caused the company to offer and sell its shares through an offering memorandum, offering shares in the company at a price of $2.50 per share. Rose also hosted in-person meetings for current and prospective investors, some of which were livestreamed to out-of-town investors. Even though Rose marketed She Beverage as a successful company, in fact, she allegedly used the vast majority of the $13.5 million she raised from investors personally to enrich herself, her family and friends. She also used victim investor money to “purchase” shell companies to give the false appearance that She Beverage was expanding, according to the indictment. Contrary to Rose’s written promises to spend 30% of money raised from investors on inventory, she allegedly spent only 2.5% of investors’ money on inventory from 2015 to 2021. From 2016 to 2021, Rose caused $6 million of victim investor funds raised in the company offerings to be used for the benefit of herself and her friends, the indictment alleges. Rose allegedly failed to inform investors that she spent more than $1 million of company funds at casinos, and she also used company money to purchase cars and trucks for family and friends. She allegedly also used company money to pay for a lease on a house she rented and used company money to purchase luxury clothing from retailers such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Rose allegedly lied to investors by stating in 2018 that her company had “generated approximately $4-5 million dollars in revenue” when, in fact, that year She Beverage had sold less than $263,000 in merchandise. She allegedly also made false statements to investors that She Beverage sold United States Food and Drug Administration-approved bottled water made with a proprietary formula that cured cancer. Rose made other alleged false claims about her prior business experience, including that she had developed McDonald’s Bagel Sandwich and the creation of Versace’s “Tribute” clothing line. Other false statements included that there were nine-figure offers from other companies to purchase She Beverage and about Rose’s educational background, including that she received “professional certificates in the field of Medicine, Journalism, Broadcasting, Education and Company Branding,” according to the indictment. Rose allegedly made false statements to investors and to investigators with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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 of all charges, Rose would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each securities fraud count and up to five years in federal prison for the false statements count. In September 2021, the SEC sued Rose for allegedly fraudulently raising millions of dollars from She Beverage investors throughout the United States. On January 16, United States District Judge Christina A. Snyder imposed a judgment finding Rose, She Beverage Co. Inc., and two others jointly and severally liable for disgorgement of $12,021,500, representing net profits from the fraud, as well as $738,774 in pre-judgment interest. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jeff P. Mitchell of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Central Illinois Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Attempted Arson of Clinic

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: URBANA, Ill. – A Prophetstown, Illinois, man, Philip J. Buyno, 73, was sentenced today to five years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for attempting to use fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce. United States District Judge Colin S. Bruce also ordered that Buyno pay $327,547.14 in restitution. Buyno had previously pleaded guilty, admitting that, on May 20, 2023, he brought several containers filled with gasoline with him and used his car to breach the front entrance to a commercial building at 600 N. Logan Avenue in Danville, Illinois, for the purpose of burning it down before it could be used as a reproductive health clinic. Danville police officers responded to an alarm at the building around 4:30 a.m. early on a Saturday morning. They found Buyno stuck inside a maroon Volkswagen Passat that he had backed into the entrance of the building, which was being renovated for use as a reproductive health clinic. A search of the car by FBI agents found bottles containing gasoline, a hatchet, road flares, multiple old tires, and a pack of matches. Agents also found that Buyno had fortified the trunk of the Passat with 4x4 wooden beams. Buyno was arrested on May 20, 2023, and has remained in official custody since that time. Buyno faced statutory penalties of a minimum five years up to twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release, and restitution for the damage caused to the building. “Our office strongly condemns the defendant’s attempt to prevent women in our community from accessing important reproductive health services,” said U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory K. Harris. “We are committed to prosecuting such crimes and thank our federal and local law enforcement officers for their critical work in pursuing this case.” “The FBI will always protect First Amendment rights, but when someone crosses the line from expressing beliefs to violating federal law, we will work to hold them accountable,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “It is important to remember to immediately report suspicious behavior or threats of violence by calling FBI Springfield at 217-522-9675.” The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and the Danville Police Department. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Fast Food Manager Charged with Wire Fraud for Embezzling More Than $140,000 From Employer

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Woodbury man has been indicted for embezzling over $140,000 from his employer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, Timothy Michael Hill, Jr., 36, was employed by The Grove, Inc., to manage a Chik-fil-A franchise restaurant at the Minneapolis airport. As manager, Hill was responsible for collecting and making daily cash deposits into a safe deposit box. According to court documents, between September 2022 and October 2023, Hill collected the daily cash receipts from The Grove’s airport restaurants and instead of depositing it into the safe deposit box, pocketed some or all of the cash. Hill used future cash receipts to cover his theft, creating a false impression that the cash deposits were delayed rather than stolen. Hill spent the stolen cash on jewelry, online sports betting, and the adult website Only Fans. He also transferred thousands of dollars through CashApp to various individuals, including several female colleagues in exchange for personal photos and videos. In total, Hill knowingly and willfully embezzled approximately $144,000 from The Grove over a period of 13 months. Hill was charged with five counts of wire fraud and will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on February 14, 2024. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Airport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Murphy is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Federal Charges Against 10 Additional Defendants in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota today announced federal criminal charges against 10 additional defendants for their alleged roles in the fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10 defendants are charged across two separate indictments and one criminal information with charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery. As outlined in the charging documents, the defendants participated in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program by obtaining, misappropriating, and laundering millions of dollars in program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to children. The defendants exploited changes in the program intended to ensure underserved children received adequate nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than feed children, the defendants enriched themselves by fraudulently misappropriating millions of dollars in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. ************** The following defendants are named in the two indictments: Ikram Yusuf Mohamed , 41, of Minneapolis, worked as a consultant for Feeding Our Future. Ikram Mohamed opened several food sites that were enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. To conceal her involvement, she put the sites and entities in the name of family members, including her husband, mother, and siblings. Ikram Mohamed also solicited and received kickbacks from individuals and companies involved in the program. Ikram Mohamed registered IM Consultation LLC with the Minnesota Secretary of State on or about March 10, 2021. She used IM Consultation to receive and launder kickback payments and fraud proceeds. Ikram Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Shakur Abdinur Abdisalam , 45, Ikram Mohamed’s husband, created a company called Inspiring Youth & Out Reach LLC (“Inspiring Youth”), which he enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Inspiring Youth purported to run a food site in Minneapolis. Between February and November 2021, the company claimed to have served more than 1 million meals. Based on these fraudulent claims, Inspiring Youth received more than $1.5 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Abdisalam also paid a $21,000 kickback to his wife’s entity, IM Consultation. Abdisalam is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Aisha Hassan Hussein , 27, Ikram Mohamed’s sister, was the principal of United Youth of MPLS LLC (“United Youth”). Hussein enrolled her company in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and purported to operate two sites in Minneapolis. As alleged, from December 2020 through November 2021, Hussein and her co-conspirators falsely claimed to have served more than 1.3 million meals to children at the United Youth sites, totaling approximately $2.2 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Hussein also paid a $166,000 kickback to Ikram Mohamed’s IM Consultation. Hussein is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Fadumo Mohamed Yusuf , 57, Ikram Mohamed’s mother, ran Active Mind’s Youth LLC (“Active Minds”), another company that enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Active Minds purported to operate a food site located on East Lake Street in Minneapolis. Between February and June 2021, Active Minds fraudulently claimed to have served more than 500,000 meals and received more than $1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Yusuf also paid a $38,500 kickback to Ikram Mohamed’s IM Consultation. Yusuf is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Sahra Sharif Osman , 41, of Savage, was the principal of Youth International Club LLC (“Youth International”). Youth International operated two Federal Child Nutrition Program sites under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. The Youth International food sites were in Hopkins and Edina, both purportedly serving meals out of community rooms in townhome complexes. Between March and November 2021, Youth International fraudulently claimed to have served nearly 700,000 meals and received more than $1.4 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Osman also paid a $7,500 kickback to Ikram Mohamed’s IM Consultation. Osman is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Suleman Yusuf Mohamed , 39, Ikram Mohamed’s brother, was the owner of Star Distribution LLC, which purported to be a food distribution business in Minneapolis. Star Distribution purported to be in the business of providing meals to be served at the Federal Child Nutrition Program site run by Suleman Mohamed’s family members and co-defendants. As alleged, from February 2021 through April 2022, Star Distribution received approximately $10 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, including more than $4.9 million from Feeding Our Future, $1.6 million from United Youth of Mpls, and $1 million from Inspiring Youth & Outreach. As part of the scheme, Suleman Mohamed also paid more than $330,000 in kickbacks to Ikram Mohamed’s IM Consultation. Suleman Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Gandi Yusuf Mohamed , 43, Ikram Mohamed’s brother, was the owner of GAK Properties LLC and GIF Properties LLC, companies used to receive and launder the proceeds of the fraud scheme. Gandi Mohamed also submitted fraudulent meal counts and claims on behalf of his family’s companies. As alleged, between March 2021 and July 2022, Gandi Mohamed fraudulently received and laundered more than $1.1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Gandi Mohamed is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. 24-CR-15 (ECT/DJF) Said Ereg , 45, and was the owner and operator of Evergreen Grocery and Deli, a for-profit grocery and deli in south Minneapolis. Ereg’s wife, Najmo Ahmed , 34, worked for Evergreen Grocery and Deli. Evergreen Grocery and Deli was enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. As alleged, April 2020 and April 2021, Evergreen Grocery and Deli fraudulently claimed to have served over 1.4 million meals to children and received more than $4.2 million in payments from Feeding Our Future for purportedly serving meals. Ereg and Ahmed transferred most of the money to fund their own lifestyles, including to make purchases from Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Canada Goose. Ereg and Ahmed also transferred more than $2.5 million to foreign accounts controlled by foreign companies. As part of the scheme, Ereg and Ahmed also paid more than $100,000 in kickbacks to Abdikerm Eidleh, a Feeding Our Future employee. Ereg and Ahmed are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. 24-CR-13 (PJS/DTS) Criminal informations: Hoda Ali Abdi , 53, was the owner of Alif Halal LLC (“Alif Halal”), a grocery store located in Burnsville, which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, Abdi fraudulently claimed to have provided approximately $3 million worth of food for children through other co-conspirator’s sites. Abdi also claimed, falsely, to have served more than 242,000 meals to children at her Burnsville site and received approximately $243,268 in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Abdi is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 24-CR-24 (JWB) United States Attorney Andrew Luger thanks the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their collaboration and skilled investigative work in bringing these charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Minnesota Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, Matthew S. Ebert, and Chelsea A. Walcker are prosecuting the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets. These charges are merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Pennsylvania Man Facing Federal Felony Charges for Illegally Operating a Drone During the National Football League’s AFC Championship Game

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Matthew Hebert, age 44, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on federal felony charges related to his flying a drone over M&T Bank stadium during the National Football League’s AFC Championship game in Baltimore on January 28, 2024. The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Baltimore Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Neighbors of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office; and Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (“MSP”). “Illegally operating drones poses a significant security risk that will lead to federal charges,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron, “Temporary flight restrictions are always in place during large sporting events.” “Operating a drone requires users to act responsibly and educate themselves on when and how to use them safely,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI would like to remind the public of the potential dangers of operating a drone in violation of federal laws and regulations. The reckless operation of a UAS in the vicinity of a large crowd can be dangerous to the public, as well as interfere with other law enforcement and security operations.” According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 28, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration had put in place a temporary flight restriction (“TFR”) for M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore during the National Football League (“NFL”) AFC Championship game, which precluded the flight of any UAS, including flying a UAS under the Exception for Recreational Flyers. A TFR temporarily restricts certain aircraft, including an UAS, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of the stadium. This is a standard practice for stadiums or sporting venues where a regular or postseason Major League Baseball, NFL, or NCAA Division One Game is occurring; or a NASCAR Cup, Indy Car, or Champ Series Race is occurring. The TFR goes into effect one hour before the scheduled start time and lasts until one hour after the end of a qualifying event. During the game on January 28, 2024, the incursion of an unidentified and unapproved drone was deemed a serious enough threat that NFL Security temporarily suspended the game. MSP Troopers tracked the movement of the drone directly over the stadium and deployed to the area where the drone landed in the 500 block of South Sharp Street in Baltimore. FBI agents traveled to that location and assisted MSP Troopers. Hebert was located at that location and spoke with law enforcement. Hebert advised law enforcement that he purchased a DJI UAS in 2021 and used the DJI account to operate the drone. The drone was not registered, nor did Hebert possess a Remote Pilot certificate to operate it. As detailed in the affidavit, on past occasions, the DJI application prevented him from operating the UAS due to flight restrictions and Hebert relied exclusively on the DJI application to tell him if he was not allowed to fly the UAS. The affidavit alleges that on January 28, 2024, Hebert assumed he was allowed to fly his UAS since the DJI application did not prevent him from doing so. Hebert allegedly flew the drone approximately 100 meters or higher for approximately two minutes. According to the affidavit, while in flight, Hebert captured approximately six photos of himself and the Stadium and may have taken a video as well. If convicted, Hebert faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for knowingly operating an unregistered UAS and for knowingly serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate. Hebert faces a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating United States National Defense Airspace. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance and arraignment will be scheduled later this month. A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, DOT OIG, and MSP for their work in the investigation, and thanked the FAA Office of Security & Hazardous Materials Safety for its substantial assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Michael Cunningham, who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Burbank Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Selling ‘Ghost Guns’ and for Possessing Methamphetamine

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A hookah lounge owner was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for illegally selling firearms – including several “ghost guns” – out of his business in downtown Los Angeles and for possessing with intending to distribute methamphetamine. Hovik Dagesian, 42, of Burbank, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi. Dagesian pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. From October 2020 to January 2021, Dagesian illegally sold 11 firearms – including firearms not bearing serial numbers, weapons that are commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” The firearms Dagesian illegally sold included a 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15-type rifle with no serial number, and a 9mm handgun. Dagesian also admitted to selling methamphetamine to a buyer on October 30, 2020. The illegal firearm and drug sales took place at Dagesian’s hookah business in downtown Los Angeles. In total, Dagesian sold $34,250 worth of firearms and methamphetamine to a buyer. In January 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Dagesian’s business. During the search, law enforcement seized 163.3 grams (5.8 ounces) of methamphetamine, a digital scale, approximately 215 rounds of ammunition, and many firearms he was willing to sell, including a sawed-off shotgun. Dagesian has never been licensed as a dealer, manufacturer or importer of firearms. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter. The International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section prosecuted this case.


title: San Diego Drug Dealer Sentenced to Eight Years in Fatal Fentanyl Overdose

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY —February 5, 2024 SAN DIEGO— Derek Neal Turfler of San Diego was sentenced in federal court today to 97 months in prison for his role in selling fentanyl pills to a 27-year-old woman who fatally overdosed on May 9, 2022. According to his plea agreement, Turfler arranged a meeting to deliver fentanyl to the victim, Faithe Sioban Thogode, who died later that morning after using the fentanyl he provided. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, the defendant was addicted to fentanyl, knew how deadly the drug was, and knew the consequences for selling the drug and causing another’s death, yet he sold her the drug anyway. Turfler also knew that the victim worked at a drug and alcohol treatment center, had just celebrated five years of sobriety, and was going through a drug relapse when he sold her the deadly pills. According to the sentencing memo, this was not the first time the defendant had seriously hurt someone due to fentanyl. In 2019, he was convicted in California state court of driving under the influence of fentanyl and causing great bodily harm and was on formal probation for that felony conviction at the time he sold the deadly pills to Thogode. “Faithe Thogode is not a statistic. She was a loving daughter and a devoted friend to dozens of people who appeared in court today to show their lasting appreciation for her infectious laugh and kind heart,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to our partnership with the DEA and the Overdose Response Team to hold accountable dealers—like this defendant—who deliver a fatal overdose.” “Fentanyl kills and those who sell this lethal drug must be brought to justice,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Abosamra. Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Response Team (formerly known as Team 10) led the investigation into Thogode’s death. This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Diego Police Department and the California Department of Health Care Services to investigate and prosecute the distribution of illegal drugs—fentanyl in particular—that results in overdose deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration created the Overdose Response Team as a response to the increase in overdose deaths in San Diego County. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan. DEFENDANT Case Number: 23-cr-175-LL Derek Neal Turfler Age: 29 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Distribution of Fentanyl – Title 18, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison AGENCIES Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Police Department State of California Department of Health Care Services


title: Northern Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Transportation of a Minor Across State Lines for Sexual Activity

body_text: TOLEDO – Jeffrey Deitsch, 36, of St. Marys and later Spencerville, Ohio, was sentenced on February 1, 2024, to 210 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick, after he pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor across state lines for illicit sexual activity. Deitsch was also sentenced to 25 years of supervised release after he serves his prison term and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and an additional assessment of $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. According to court documents, Deitsch met a 15-year-old Illinois girl online, drove from Ohio to Illinois less than a week later, and transported her back to Ohio where he engaged in illicit sexual activity with her. On June 25, 2020, Allen County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a hotel in Lima after receiving a report that the Illinois runaway was staying there with Deitsch, who was more than twice her age. Sheriff’s Deputies located the victim who later advised that Deitsch had told her to tell anyone who asked that she was 18. Deitsch admitted to law enforcement that he knew the victim’s age before transporting her and engaging in the sex acts. Deitsch had just been released from state prison the month before, after having served a prison term for abduction of a different female. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Lima, Ohio. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Tracey Tangeman and Angelita Cruz Bridges.


title: Serial Armed Robber With History of Violence Sent to Federal Prison for 36 Years

body_text: A man who robbed several Siouxland businesses at gunpoint was sentenced today, to 36 years in federal prison. Kevon Spratt, age 30, from Chicago, Illinois, received the prison term after an August 25, 2023, jury verdict finding him guilty of 2 counts of interference with commerce by robbery, 3 counts of use and brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count of attempted bank robbery, and 1 count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The jury acquitted Spratt of an additional count of bank robbery and use and brandishing of a fireman. Evidence in the case revealed that on October 22, 2022, Spratt entered the Sgt. Bluff’s Stop Shell gas station in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, at approximately 7:11 p.m., armed with a handgun that had a distinctive gold barrel and gold ejection port. Spratt forced the clerk to the register and robbed her before he fled on foot from the scene. Spratt’s vehicle was seen on several surveillance cameras in the area beginning as early as 5:28pm. On October 24, 2022, Spratt entered the Check into Cash, in Sioux City, Iowa, just after 10:00 a.m., armed with the same distinctive handgun, forcing two employees to their registers. Spratt’s vehicle was seen on surveillance footage in the area as early as 7:00 a.m., the same video surveillance also captured his silver and black convertible-top car leaving the scene and crossing the bridge into South Sioux City, Nebraska, as he fled. On November 14, 2022, Spratt attempted to enter the Pioneer Bank in Salix, Iowa, as the teller exited the bank just after noon. Spratt could be seen on surveillance footage circling the bank and town of Salix beginning just after 8:00 a.m. Spratt was able to make entry into the bank but was unable to get away with any funds because of the actions of the teller. Additionally, the sentencing court concluded defendant had committed two other armed robberies in the tri-state region. The court found on October 16, 2022, Spratt robbed the Dakota City, Nebraska Food and Fuel at gun point at approximately 8:04 p.m. and on November 11, 2022, Spratt attempted to rob the Conoco gas station in Jefferson, South Dakota, at gunpoint. In several of these robberies Spratt pointed his weapon at clerks and even pressed his firearm into their bodies. Spratt had previously been convicted of many offenses including aggravated battery of a peace officer, aggravated robbery (where he pressed a toy gun into the head of his victim), and an attempted theft from a person (where he actually used a real gun to rob and carjack his victim), in Cook County, Illinois. Spratt was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand to 432 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to make $5,304.00 in restitution to two of his victims. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Timothy Duax stated that, “Due the fine work of local, state, and federal law enforcement, a dangerous individual who preyed upon the businesses of our community was brought to justice. Spratt traumatized his victims by placing them in fear for their lives. For the next three decades, those victims can sleep more soundly knowing he can’t hurt them. This case is a good example of what happens to people who commit violent crimes in the Northern District of Iowa.” Spratt is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department; the Sergeant Bluff, Iowa Police Department; the Jefferson, South Dakota Police Department; the South Sioux City, Nebraska Police Department; the Woodbury County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department, the Woodbury County Iowa Attorney’s Office; the Monona County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department, the Dakota County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Department, The Iowa Department of Public Safety; Iowa State Patrol; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the United States Department of Justice – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, (ATF) and the United States Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-4011. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Grand Island Women Sentenced for Methamphetamine

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tarra Arcos, 47, and Glenda Aguilar, 67, both of Grand Island, Nebraska, were sentenced on Monday, February 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Arcos to 132 months’ imprisonment; and Aguilar to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Arcos and Aguilar are released from prison, each will begin an 8-year term of supervised release. Approximately $66,000 in United States currency was forfeited to the United States as part of sentencing. In March of 2023, investigators made a controlled purchase of meth from Glenda Aguilar at the residence of Tarra Arcos, Aguilar’s daughter. During this transaction, Aguilar stated that Arcos could supply a larger amount of meth. The following day, investigators executed a search warrant at Arcos’ residence where they seized over 10 ounces of meth and approximately $66,000 in United States currency. Tarra Arcos and Glenda Aguilar both have a prior federal conviction for selling meth. This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) Task Force which is made up of officers from the Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Massachusetts Man Extradited From Sweden on Charges Related to Fires at Jewish Institutions in Massachusetts

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Massachusetts man has been extradited from Stockholm, Sweden to face charges in connection with his alleged obstruction of an investigation into fires set at Jewish institutions in Arlington, Needham and Chelsea, Mass. in May 2019. Alexander Giannakakis, 37, formerly of Quincy, Mass., was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in 2019 for making false statements in a matter involving domestic terrorism; falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact in a matter involving domestic terrorism; concealing records in a federal investigation; tampering with documents and objects; and tampering with an official proceeding. After the indictment was returned, at the request of the United States, Giannakakis was arrested by Swedish authorities in a Stockholm suburb. The United States subsequently sought Giannakakis’ extradition from Sweden to the United States to face charges in Boston. In connection with his arrest in Sweden, authorities learned that he unlawfully possessed a firearm and other weapons in Sweden. Giannakakis was charged and convicted of those crimes and served a sentence in Swedish prison. On Dec. 4, 2023, near the completion of that jail sentence, the Supreme Court of Sweden ruled favorably on the United States’ extradition request, and on Dec. 21, 2023, the Government of Sweden granted the request for Giannakakis’ extradition. Giannakakis arrived at Boston’s Logan airport on Feb. 2, 2024 and will appear in federal court in Boston tomorrow afternoon. According to the indictment, in and around February 2020, Giannakakis’ younger brother became the prime suspect in an investigation into four fires set at Jewish-related institutions in the Boston area: the first during the evening of May 11, 2019 at a Chabad Center in Arlington; the second at the same location during the evening of May 16, 2019; the third at a Chabad Center in Needham; and the fourth during the evening of May 26, 2019 at Jewish-affiliated business in Chelsea. Giannakakis’ younger brother was hospitalized in a coma at the time he was identified as a suspect in February 2020. He remained in a coma until his death later that year. According to the indictment, Giannakakis left the United States with his younger brother’s electronic devices and papers and brought them to Sweden, where he was living at the time. According to court documents, when Giannakakis returned to the U.S. in March 2020, he was questioned by investigators and made false and misleading statements. Giannakakis allegedly removed and concealed physical evidence being sought by investigators which implicated his brother. Shortly after concealing that evidence, Giannakakis departed the United States for Sweden. Giannakakis remained in Sweden until his arrest by Swedish authorities in February 2022. The charges of making false statements in a matter involving domestic terrorism and falsifying, concealing, and covering up a material fact in a matter involving domestic terrorism by trick, scheme, and device each provide for a sentence of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of concealing records in a federal investigation, tampering with documents and objects, and tampering with an official proceeding each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Chief Juliann Flaherty of the Arlington Police Department; Chief John Schlittler of the Needham Police Department; and Chief Keith E. Houghton of the Chelsea Police Department made the announcement today. Substantial assistance was provided by Swedish authorities including the Swedish Security Service; the National Security Unit of Sweden’s National Public Prosecution Department; and Sweden’s Ministry of Justice. The investigation is being led by the FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Additional assistance was provided by the Quincy Massachusetts Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance to secure the arrest and extradition from Sweden of Giannakakis. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and John McNeil of the Office’s National Security Unit. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: INTERPOL WASHINGTON LAUNCHES NEW MISSING PERSONS UNIT LEVERAGING GLOBAL RESOURCES IN FIGHT TO FIND FAMILY MEMBERS

component: Interpol Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON – Today, INTERPOL Washington announced the establishment of the Missing Persons Unit (MPU), a new unit dedicated to leveraging the extensive INTERPOL network, cutting-edge technology, and specialized expertise to bolster efforts in locating missing individuals anywhere in the world. “The launch of the MPU marks a significant stride towards enhancing global law enforcement cooperation, bringing closure to families, and ensuring justice for missing persons,” said INTERPOL Washington Director Michael A. Hughes. “By integrating the unit into our operational framework, we are reinforcing our commitment to working with countries all over the globe to build a safer world together.” The MPU is a unit within INTERPOL Washington’s Global Police Services (GPS) Division and will use its resources, technology, and expertise to assist foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies and families in locating missing individuals. The unit will collaborate with INTERPOL's global network of 196 member countries and partners to share information, coordinate efforts, and enhance cross-border cooperation in locating missing persons. Using INTERPOL tools and the INTERPOL Washington team of experts in various fields, including law enforcement, the MPU will provide specialized support and guidance to domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies working on missing persons cases. MPU will also provide access to INTERPOL's extensive databases, which contain DNA, unidentified bodies, fingerprints, facial recognition, and other information. These INTERPOL tools include: Yellow Notices, which are INTERPOL alerts issued to help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves. Black Notices, which are an INTERPOL alert issued to seek information about unidentified bodies. INTERPOL’s I-Familia service, which provides the necessary international mechanism to allow missing persons DNA data to be compared globally. MPU’s establishment reflects INTERPOL Washington’s continuing proactive approach to addressing missing persons cases and emphasizes the agency’s dedication to bolstering global law enforcement cooperation. A component of the U.S. Department of Justice co-managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, INTERPOL Washington—the U.S. National Central Bureau (USNCB)—is the designated U.S. representative to INTERPOL. It serves as the national point of contact and coordination for all INTERPOL matters, coordinating international investigative efforts among member countries and the more than 18,000 local, state, federal, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Former Commonwealth’s Attorney in Wire Fraud and Bribery Scheme

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – Late Friday, a federal jury sitting in Lexington convicted Ronnie Goldy, 51, the former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties, of honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity, and bribery concerning a program that receives federal funds. Goldy was convicted of all 14 counts alleged in his indictment. According to evidence presented, Goldy maintained a personal relationship with a woman, which was sexual in nature, that included encounters and solicitations and acceptance of sexually explicit images and videos of the woman. On multiple occasions during the scheme, Goldy used his position as the Commonwealth’s Attorney to perform official actions, or to exert pressure and influence on other public officials to perform official actions, benefiting the woman. Goldy knew these sexually explicit images and periodic sexual encounters were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform, or pressure others to perform, official actions benefitting the woman with whom he had the relationship. “Instead of doing the job he was elected to perform, Mr. Goldy chose to victimize a vulnerable individual and exchange his law enforcement authority for things that benefitted him,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Whenever law enforcement officials violate their obligation to uphold the law, it does grave damage to victims and to the Justice system itself. This prosecution is a first step in restoring the public’s faith in the system and in holding him accountable for his disgraceful conduct.” United States Attorney Shier and Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Division, jointly announced the jury’s verdict. The case was investigated by the FBI. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Boone. – END –


title: New York Man Who Tried to Withdraw Money from Massachusetts Bank Accounts Using Fake Passports Agrees to Plead Guilty

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man has agreed to plead guilty to allegedly using counterfeit United States passport cards in the name of three Massachusetts residents in order to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Jean Andre Bontiffe, 40, has agreed to plead guilty to three counts of bank fraud, one count of forgery or false use of a Passport and one count of aggravated identity theft. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. Bontiffe was previously charged by criminal complaint in October 2023. According to the charging documents, on Aug. 9, 2022, Bontiffe was arrested in New York for attempting to pass through TSA screening at LaGuardia Airport using a counterfeit California driver’s license in the same name as one of the Massachusetts victims. A subsequent investigation allegedly revealed that, between July 20 and July 22, 2022, Bontiffe traveled to Massachusetts from the Bronx, N.Y., and made nine attempts to withdraw money from bank accounts that belonged to three victims from Massachusetts – stealing a total of $13,800. On July 20, 2022, Bontiffe allegedly entered a TD Bank branch in North Andover, Mass. and presented a United States passport and a Discover credit card, both in the name of a Massachusetts resident who had an account at the bank, as proof of identity and attempted to withdraw $4,500 from that account. Due to unmatched signatures, the bank denied the transaction and confiscated the passport and credit card prior to Bontiffe fleeing the scene. The charge of making or using a forged passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Paul Creazzo, Chief of the Mamaroneck (New York) Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Burlington Man Sentenced to 96 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms Charges

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced on January 24, 2024, to 96 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Brandon Allen Haynes, 32, was arrested for possessing a loaded pistol and loaded magazines as a felon, after a standoff with law enforcement, in Des Moines County, on December 15, 2022. Haynes had previously been convicted in state court of two felony charges, which bars him from possessing a firearm. After completing his term of imprisonment, Haynes will be required to serve three years of supervised release. 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 Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, the Burlington Police Department, and the West Burlington Police Department. 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charge

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today, Thursday, February 1, 2024, to 210 months in federal prison for distribution and receipt of child pornography. According to public court documents at the time of his plea, Benji Clark Engesser, Jr., 23, was identified by law enforcement when a parent reported that they found their minor child exchanging sexual pictures with an adult. The phone number associated with the adult was traced to Engesser. During the execution of a search warrant of Engesser, Engesser’s phone was seized. Law enforcement forensically evaluated Engesser’s phone and uncovered images and videos of child sexual abuse material, that had both been received and distributed from Engesser’s phone. After completing his term of imprisonment, Engesser will be required to serve ten years of supervised release. 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 Davenport Police Department. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc . / For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.


title: Foreign National Convicted of Advance Fee and Investment Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury in Washington, D.C., convicted a Kenyan national yesterday for perpetrating an advance fee and investment fraud scheme that defrauded numerous victims. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Paul Maucha, 58, who resides in Washington, D.C., along with a co‑conspirator, engaged in a scheme through a shell company Maucha controlled, American Eagle Services Group Inc. (AESG), to make numerous misrepresentations to victims about AESG, its assets, and its access to money and capital. In particular, Maucha — through AESG — promised victims who were seeking loans that AESG would provide them with these loans, so long as victims first provided AESG with an advanced fee while misrepresenting the purpose of that fee. AESG also told victims falsely that these advance fees could be refunded if AESG did not fund the loan. As proven at trial, however, Maucha and his co-conspirator knew that AESG did not have the capital to make these loans at the time the lending agreements were executed, and refunds to victims could not be assured because Maucha and his co-conspirator were splitting the fees between themselves and spending them, such that there was no money left to be refunded. The jury convicted Maucha of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the conspiracy and wire fraud counts and 10 years in prison for each count of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, and Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case, with substantial assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. Trial Attorneys Tian Huang and Tamara Livshiz of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine M. Macey for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. Assistant Chief William E. Johnston of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Rothstein for the District of Columbia previously provided valuable assistance in the investigation.