title: May Federal Grand Jury 2023-B Indictments Announced

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the May Federal Grand Jury 2023-B Indictments. The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence. Antonio Deshawn Baker. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Baker, 18, of Tulsa and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition knowing he was previously convicted of a felony. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy M. Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-160 Mark Verron Callshim, Jr. Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Callshim, 37, of Tulsa and a member of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, is charged with taking something of value by force, violence and intimidation. He is further charged with using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Flesher is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-159 Ernesto Casrto-Sierra. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Castro-Sierra, 43, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed in May 2018, at or near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Hockenbury is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-158 Leonel Limberg Hernandez. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. Hernandez, 33, a Mexican national, is charged with knowingly coercing and enticing an individual whom he believed was a minor child younger than 18 years old to engage in sexual activity. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Weems is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-166 Juan Jose Huerta; Miguel Angel Huerta; Carlos Pena-Villalba; Jose Fernando Flores Carillo; Roberto Carlos Valle. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 2 & 8); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (Count 3); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Counts 4, 6, 9, 11 & 14); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 5, 10 & 13); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Counts 7 & 15); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Count 12) (superseding). Juan Huerta, 57, a Mexican National; Miguel Huerta, 27, of Broken Arrow; Pena-Villalba, 53, a Mexican National; Carillo, 24, a Mexican National; Valle, 45, a Mexican National are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and maintaining a residence to distribute drugs. Juan Huerta is charged with allegedly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute. He is additionally charged with possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. Miguel Huerta is charged with knowingly possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. Pena-Villalba is charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. Carillo allegedly possessed cocaine with intent to distribute and possessed a firearm while drug trafficking. Valle is further charged with knowingly possessing methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Nasar is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-118 Tracy Eugene King. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. King, 44, of Sapulpa and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with possessing firearms and ammunition knowing he was previously convicted of several felonies. The Homeland Security Investigations, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy M. Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-156 Juan Daniel Rodriguez; Adrian Hernandez Barrios; Adolfo Jacobo; Jesus Ponce Alcaraz; Aureliano Rodriguez Hernandez; Felecia Martinez; Luis Martinez; Marco Antonio Monreal Lopez; Juan Luna; Bulmaro Martinez; Cesar Adolfo Gonzalez-Barrera; Jorge Mario Piedra Hernandez; Jaime Murillo. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Drug Conspiracy (Count 2); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 3); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Counts 4 through 6); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 7); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 8); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 9 & 11); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Counts 10, 12 & 14); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Count 13); Distribution of Cocaine (Counts 15 & 16); Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing, and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony (Counts 17 through 59) Rodriguez, 18, of Tulsa, Barrios, 29, of Tulsa, Jacobo, 28, of Tulsa, Alcaraz, 30, of Tulsa, Aureliano Hernandez, 38, a Mexican national, Felecia Martinez, 39, of Tulsa and a member of Potawatomi Nation, Luis Martinez, 37, a Mexican national, Lopez, 41, a Mexican national, Luna, 41, a Mexican national, and Jaime Murillo, 45, of Broken Arrow, are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Barrios, Jacobo, Alcaraz, Bulmaro Martinez, 38, a Mexican national, Gonzalez-Barrera, 28, a Mexican national, Jorge Hernandez, 28, a Mexican national, Felecia Martinez, and Jaime Murillo, are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine. In addition to being charged as part of the drug conspiracies, several defendants are charged with committing additional federal drug offenses. Barrios is separately charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the charged drug conspiracies, distributing methamphetamine, and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Rodriguez is separately charged with distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Aureliano Hernandez is separately charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Felecia Martinez is separately charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Alcaraz is separately charged with distributing cocaine. With the exception of Felecia Martinez, each of the defendants is charged with using a telephone to communicate to facilitate the charged drug conspiracies and methamphetamine and cocaine distribution. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam D. McConney is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-078 Markell Demond Stanley. Bank Robbery; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Stanley, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with taking money belonging to another from a bank, by force and violence. He is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence. Stanley is further charged with being in possession of a firearm knowing he was previously convicted of several felonies. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen J. Flynn and John Brasher are prosecuting the case. 24-CR-157 Gabriel Urquiza-Urquiza; Leticia Garcia Salazar; Daisy Villanueva; Javier Rodarte; Ricardo Plateado-Martinez; Eliser Blanco; Adamaris Jimenez; Rosa Maria Olmos. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Firearms Conspiracy (Count 2); Firearms Trafficking (Count 3); Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (Count 4); Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity (Counts 5 & 6); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 7); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Counts 8 & 9); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 10 & 17); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Count 11); Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of Firearms (Count 12); Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 13); Illegal Export of Firearms (Count 14); Smuggling Firearms from the United States (Count 15); Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien (Count 16) (superseding). Urquiza-Urquiza, 26, a Mexican National; Salazar, 22, of Tulsa; Villanueva, 24, of Oklahoma City; Rodarte, 26, of Moore; Plateado-Martinez, 34, of Broken Arrow; Blanco, 26, of Oklahoma City; Jimenez, 22, of Oklahoma City; Olmos, 35, of Broken Arrow are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Urquiza-Urquiza, Salazar, Villanueva, Rodarte, Plateado-Martinez, and Olmos are charged with conspiring to conceal or disguise proceeds from the transactions of methamphetamine distribution. Urquiza-Urquiza is charged with two counts of knowingly engaging in monetary transactions that involved criminally derived property valued at more than $10,000. Salazar is further charged with intentionally distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and maintaining a residence to distribute methamphetamine. Villanueva is also charged with Salazar for intentionally distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Lopez, Jimenez, and Salazar are charged with knowingly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Salazar is further charged with maintaining a residence to distribute drugs. Urquiza-Urquiza is also charged with possessing firearms knowing he is an illegal alien unlawfully in the United States and with possessing firearms in the furtherance of drug trafficking. He is additionally charged with willfully exporting and smuggling firearms from the United States to Mexico. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, and Oklahoma City Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Nasar is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-131 Robert Wallace; Marsha Clevenger. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Wallace, 52, of Tulsa, and a member of the Cherokee Nation, Clevenger, 66, of Tulsa, are charged with knowingly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute. They are further charged with maintaining a residence to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam D. McConney is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-162 Dylan Ray Yahola. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Production of Child Pornography; Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. Yahola, 32, of Kiefer and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with coercing and enticing a minor child under 18 years old to produce visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. He is further charged with receiving visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children under 12 years old. The FBI and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Harris is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-163


title: Pinellas Man Sentenced To 18 Years’ Imprisonment For Selling Fentanyl Linked To Two Fatal Overdoses

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Corey Gaddy (31, St. Petersburg) to 18 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances including fentanyl and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. Gaddy was found guilty following a trial on November 3, 2023. A co-conspirator in the case, Shawn Rodriguez, was sentenced on February 7, 2024, to 12 years and 7 months’ imprisonment. According to testimony, evidence presented at trial, and court records Gaddy was a supplier of opioids in Pinellas County since 2017. One of his dealers, Shawn Rodriguez, was at various times during the conspiracy a distributor of opioids in the Madeira Beach area. In February 2019, the Largo Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Gaddy and discovered heroin concealed in his pants. While on bond for that offense, Gaddy distributed fentanyl to Rodriguez on November 6, 2019, who then supplied the same to K.E. In the early morning hours of the next day, K.E. died of fentanyl toxicity. Gaddy learned that K.E. had died but continued distributing opioids. In April 2020, while still on bond for his pending state case, Gaddy again distributed opioids to J.P. and another person. Two days later, J.P. was found dead on a fishing boat. This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Largo Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Baeza and Lauren Stoia.


title: Pasco Man Found Guilty Of Witness Tampering, Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, And Obstructing Justice Sentenced To 27 Years In Federal Prison

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Javier Monserrate Vazquez (47, Wesley Chapel) to 27 years in federal prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy against the United States, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, suborning perjury, and contempt of court. Monserrate Vazquez was also ordered to forfeit $250,000. A federal jury found Monserrate Vazquez guilty on October 16, 2023. According to evidence presented at trial, Monserrate Vazquez was a supplier of cocaine in Pasco County. The drugs were received through the mail from Puerto Rico. Co-conspirators received the packages for further distribution. In October 2018, agents discovered a package containing two kilograms of cocaine addressed to one of Monserrate Vazquez’s co-conspirators. In a controlled delivery, a third co-conspirator retrieved the package. A search of his cellphone showed that Monserrate Vazquez had coordinated the pickup. Monserrate also delivered more than $171,000 in cash to an undercover agent in June 2018 for the purpose of laundering the funds to Colombia through the Black-Market Peso Exchange. In the summer of 2018, agents obtained evidence of Monserrate Vazquez threatening to kill an associate over an unpaid drug debt. The threats included claims that he would burn the associate alive, cut off his head, and chop off his hands. In the spring of 2020, Monserrate Vazquez induced two people – including the person he threatened to kill – to sign affidavits claiming that Monserrate Vazquez had no involvement in drug trafficking. In court filings seeking to exclude evidence, Monserrate Vazquez relied on one of the affidavits to accuse the federal agents investigating him of misconduct and to potentially end their careers. Monserrate Vazquez kept in contact with potential witnesses against him through an encrypted phone application and a contraband prison cellphone, as well as aided a witness in leaving Tampa while trial was pending to avoid a subpoena to testify. He also paid as much as $10,000 for his co-defendant’s attorney in exchange for his co-defendant’s silence. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Tampa Police Department and the Largo Police Department. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Baeza and Diego Novaes.


title: Guilty Verdict for District Man on First-Degree Murder Charges for 2021 Stabbing

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – A jury sitting in Superior Court yesterday found Aaron Jackson, 30, of Washington, D.C., guilty of first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon in the June 2021 stabbing death of Damohn Gill. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Sentencing is scheduled for August 9, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, at 7:50 p.m. in the evening of Thursday, June 24, 2021, the victim, Damohn Gill, 27, of Washington, D.C., pulled into the parking lot of the Orchard Park Apartments with his pregnant girlfriend. Around the same time, the defendant, Aaron Jackson, parked on the street near the parking lot. Both men got out of their cars and hugged on the sidewalk. The men spoke briefly before Jackson pulled out a knife and aggressively approached Mr. Gill. Mr. Gill raised his hands in the air at which point the defendant grabbed the victim by the throat. Mr. Gill pulled away and attempted to run, but Jackson held onto the victim and proceeded to stab him nine times in the back, face, arm, and abdomen leaving him disemboweled. The defendant then fled the scene. A few days after the murder, Jackson posted to Instagram to brag and sing about killing the victim. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Peter Roman. It is being prosecuted and tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Wes Faulkner and Marybeth Manfreda.


title: Quinton man sentenced for receiving child sexual abuse material

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Quinton man was sentenced today to five years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to court documents, in July 2021, the FBI identified an IP address used to seek CSAM. Law enforcement then identified that the IP address was assigned to the residence of Vincent Hopson, 66. On Nov. 29, 2021, agents executed a search warrant for the residence and seized several electronic devices, which were forensically examined. Hopson was in possession of 283 images and 95 videos of CSAM. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather H. Mansfield prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-5.


title: North Hollywood Man Charged in Federal Complaint Alleging Armed Robbery Spree of a Dozen Southern California Businesses

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with the attempted armed robbery of a Downey business – an attack in which a store employee pulled out a firearm and opened fire – as part of a series of armed robberies of other businesses in Los Angeles and Orange counties during a two-week crime spree earlier this year, the Justice Department announced today. Antonio Bland, 34, of North Hollywood, is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act). Bland, who was in state custody until earlier this week, made his initial appearance on Wednesday in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and was ordered jailed without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for June 10. Complaints have also been filed against two other suspected accomplices, who also face attempted Hobbs Act robbery charges: Ronnie Tucker, 22, of Long Beach, who is expected to be transferred to federal custody in the coming weeks. Abigail Luckey, 49, of North Hollywood, who was the alleged getaway driver in the February 14 robbery of the Downey donut shop. She was ordered released on bond in state court but has since failed to appear in court and is considered a fugitive. According to an affidavit filed May 13 with the complaints, from January 29 to February 14, Bland and his accomplices are suspects in armed robberies of 11 other businesses: one smoke shop in Tustin, nine 7-Eleven stores in North Hollywood, Burbank, Torrance, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, and one donut shop in Los Angeles. “We’ve seen too much violent gun crime in our community and it has to stop,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Our Operation Safe Cities initiative is intended to do just that. Violent criminals should take heed that federal and local partners are collaborating more than ever to ensure that there are consequences for those who engage in gun crime.” “Mr. Bland and others went on a mission to violently rob employees of small businesses in and around Los Angeles,” said Krysti Hawkins, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI is dedicated to working with our local partners to pursue the most violent criminals wreaking havoc on our communities. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of fugitive Abigail Luckey is urged to contact the FBI.” “We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office, which will go a long way in holding these individuals accountable for their alleged violent actions on our community,” said Burbank Police Chief Michael Albanese. These commercial robberies typically occurred late at night and usually involved two men who entered each business wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks. In several of the robberies, a getaway driver waited outside for the subjects to complete the robbery and fled the scene in a white four-door sedan when the subjects returned to the vehicle. The spree ended after Bland, along with two other individuals, committed an attempted armed robbery of a donut shop in Downey during the early morning hours of February 14, the affidavit states. Once the subjects entered the donut shop, one yelled, “Open the cash register!” The employee noticed that one of the subjects, believed to be Bland, had what appeared to be a handgun tucked into his front waistband with the handle visible. Fearing that the subjects were going to harm him, the employee ran toward the rear kitchen area from behind the main sales counter. The subjects jumped the counter in pursuit of him. The employee retrieved his own firearm to defend himself. To deter the suspects from attacking him, he fired at least one shot, hitting a wall of the building. After the employee fired, the subjects ran out of the store. Law enforcement witnessed the attempted robbery and, shortly afterward, pulled over a car containing Bland and two other individuals, and later retrieved a firearm from the vehicle. A complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Bland and the other defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments. The FBI and the Burbank Police Department are investigating with assistance from the Tustin, Torrance, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Downey police departments. Assistant United States Attorneys J’me K. Forrest of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Diane Roldán of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Fmr. executive pleads guilty after losing bank’s $47.1 million in crypto scheme

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to using his position as a bank executive to embezzle millions of dollars causing the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors. According to court documents, Shan Hanes, 52, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer. Hanes previously served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas. From May 2023 to July 2023 Hanes initiated a series of 10 outgoing wire transfers totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet. The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. “Shan Hanes is a liar and a master manipulator who caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse. Even as he was squandering away tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, Hanes orchestrated schemes to cover his tracks concerning the losses at the bank,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Many victims will never fully recoup losses to their life savings and retirement funds, but at least we at the Department of Justice can see that Hanes is held criminally responsible for his actions.” “Shan Hanes exploited his position as a bank executive to commit fraud and embezzle funds that ultimately led to Tri-State Bank’s failure,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice bank executives who engage in illegal activities that undermine the public trust. I commend our agent and law enforcement partners for their diligent work that ultimately led to this outcome.” Hanes is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, 2024, and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Federal Reserve Board - Office of Inspector General (FRB-OIG), and Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General ((FHFA-OIG) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Goshen Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison

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

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Koby Eldridge, 31 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm after being adjudicated mentally defective, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Eldridge was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in May, 2023, Eldridge was found to be in possession of five loaded firearms that were recovered from his car. On that same date, another loaded firearm and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition that were recovered from his residence. Eldridge had previously been adjudicated to be incompetent to stand trial in Elkhart Superior Court in February 2021, and had been committed to a mental institution, such that he was precluded from possessing these firearms. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Goshen Police Department, the Elkhart Police Department, and the Elkhart Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Gregg County man sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for drug trafficking

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: TYLER, Texas – A Kilgore man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Rodney Dewayne Fagans, 39, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on May 22, 2024. According to information presented in court, Fagans and his co-conspirators admitted to selling large quantities of methamphetamine on numerous occasions in Gregg County. Fagans was identified as the supplier for three separate illegal drug transactions totaling 598.72 grams of methamphetamine. Fifteen others involved in the drug distribution scheme have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Gregg County Sheriff's Office, and Longview Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek. ###


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison

body_text: FORT WAYNE – Dejon Parks, 28 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Parks was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in October 2022, Parks mailed two packages containing a large amount of fentanyl pills from Tempe, Arizona, to an address in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A United States Postal Inspector intercepted the packages and obtained a federal search warrant, discovering the packages contained a total of more than three kilograms of fentanyl pills. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Indiana State Police, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 36 months in Prison for Robbing a Postal Carrier, Mail Theft, and Check-Washing Scheme

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Sam Wolo, 23, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond to 36 months for his role in a scheme to steal checks from the United States mail, and to then fraudulently alter and deposit the stolen checks. Co-conspirator Gransae Manue, 22 of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 2 to 33 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and restitution of $42,184. Co-conspirator Bruno Nyanue, 22, of Philadelphia, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12. All three men admitted to their roles in the conspiracy, with Nyanue pleading guilty on November 8, 2023, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit mail theft, possession of stolen mail, and robbery of a postal carrier. Wolo pleaded guilty on December 5, 2023, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit mail theft, possession of stolen mail, and robbery of a postal carrier, and Manue pleaded guilty on January 10, 2024, to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit mail theft, possession of stolen mail, and robbery of a postal carrier. On December 22, 2021, the co-conspirators had forcibly robbed a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier of his Arrow Key, used by letter carriers to access blue USPS collection boxes along their routes. The Arrow Key stolen by the defendants opened collection boxes in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and the three used it repeatedly to steal mail from boxes in that area. Between December 2021 and February 2022, the co-conspirators “washed” and altered checks they stole from the mail that belonged to victims who had mailed checks in Drexel Hill. The defendants altered the stolen checks to make them payable to third parties, often in amounts greater than the checks’ original value, without the victims’ knowledge or consent. As part of the scheme, the defendants deposited the fraudulently washed and altered checks into those third-party accounts, and in at least some instances, withdrew some of the fraudulently deposited funds. Approximately 370 stolen checks and nine stolen money orders were recovered from defendant Wolo’s apartment. The Arrow Key stolen by the defendants from the USPS letter carrier in Drexel Hill, as well as two stolen checks and two money orders, were also recovered from defendant Wolo’s vehicle. Altogether, the value of stolen checks and money orders recovered from defendant Wolo’s apartment and car totaled more than $171,000. "The United States Postal Service is vital to American life, delivering essential items such as income, bills, and expenses," said U.S. Attorney Romero. "Today's sentence reflects the serious consequences that await those who compromise the security of our mail system. We ask everyone to help support this critical service and maintain the integrity of our mail system by reporting any suspicious activity as we work together to keep our mail safe and secure." “Sam Wolo, Gransae Manue, and Bruno Nyanue are being held accountable for their roles in robbing a Postal Service carrier of postal keys, stealing checks out of the U.S. mail, and fraudulently trying to pass those checks through the financial system,” said Christopher Nielsen, Inspector in Charge of the Philadelphia Division for the Postal Inspection Service. “Along with our law enforcement partners, Inspectors will work relentlessly to hold accountable individuals who bring violence and theft onto the Postal Service and its customers. I want to thank the investigators from the Philadelphia Police Department and the Upper Darby Police Department, along with the Inspectors from the Philadelphia Division, for identifying and apprehending these suspects. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting these three individuals.” The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Upper Darby Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger.


title: Wanblee Man Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Wanblee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault on a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on May 17, 2024. Chad Doyle Jr., 22, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Doyle was indicted for two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer by a federal grand jury in January of 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count of Assault on a Federal Officer on March 11, 2024. The case stemmed from Doyle assaulting an Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety patrol officer in December of 2023. During the assault, Doyle kicked and attempted to punch the officer. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because officers employed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety are federal law enforcement officers. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Doyle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Three New Haven Men Charged with Trafficking Pills Containing Meth and Fentanyl, Fentanyl Powder Mixed with Xylazine

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a seven-count indictment charging MARKEYSE KELLY , also known as “Curry” and “Keyse,” 45, of West Haven; JAQUAN PRICE , also known as “Sub,” 33, of New Haven; and ROBERT COVINGTON , 32, of New Haven, with offenses stemming from the distribution of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and fentanyl powder laced with xylazine. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in October 2023, FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization led by Kelly. The investigation, which included controlled purchases of narcotics in February and March 2024, revealed that Kelly, Price, and Covington, sold various controlled substances, including multi-colored pills pressed to look like ecstasy that actually contained methamphetamine, counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, and powder fentanyl laced with xylazine. Kelly, Price, and Covington were arrested on federal criminal complaints on May 14, 2024. On that date, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized numerous fentanyl and methamphetamine pills; additional quantities of fentanyl powder, meth powder, and cocaine; three handguns, two loaded gun magazines, and ammunition. On May 21, 2024, the New Haven grand jury returned an indictment charging Kelly, Price, and Covington each with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and fentanyl. If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics attributed to each defendant, Kelly faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, Prices faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and Covington faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. The indictment also charges Kelly, Price, Covington each with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and/or fentanyl; Kelly with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon; and Price with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon. It is alleged that Price has a prior federal conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Kelly and Price are detained, and Covington is released on a $100,000 bond. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, the West Haven Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Task Force includes personnel from the East Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Wallingford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Florida man sentenced for bank fraud at a Cheyenne financial institution

component: USAO - Wyoming

body_text: Kennard C. Bouk, III, 56, of Apopka, Florida, was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment for bank fraud and was ordered to pay $27,000 in restitution. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on May 22. According to court documents, on Jan. 9, 2023, Bouk deposited a counterfeit U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $560,625.04 made out to “Knight Insurance Company LLC,” at a financial institution in Cheyenne. Five days prior, on Jan. 4, 2023, Bouk had created an LLC of the same name with the Wyoming Secretary of State and opened a business account for Knight Insurance Company LLC at the financial institution. He was able to unlawfully obtain $27,000 before the fraud was detected. It is believed that the original U.S. Treasury check was stolen in the mail, the image was sold, and the check reproduced. It did not have four of the security features of the original U.S. Treasury check. Bouk was arrested on Jun. 9, 2023 by Apopka Police Department in Florida. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb. 27, 2024. The United Stated Secret Service investigated this crime. Case No. 23-CR-00122.


title: Mid-County felon sentenced to federal prison for having firearm at Central Mall

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Groves convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Moses Benjamin Castillo, 38, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on May 23, 2024. According to information presented in court, on Sep. 28, 2022, Port Arthur Police received information that Castillo was in possession of methamphetamine and a gun in the Central Mall parking lot in Port Arthur. Police encountered Castillo as he was leaving the parking lot and initiated a traffic stop after observing him commit a traffic violation. Castillo consented to a search of the vehicle where officers located a firearm, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Further investigation revealed Castillo to be a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Port Arthur Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove. ###


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced on Firearm Charge

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 17, 2024. Vance Hayes, 34, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Hayes was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024. Hayes was arrested in March of 2023 after being pulled over in Rapid City for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, officers learned Hayes was in possession of a stolen firearm. Hayes is a convicted felon and was on federal supervised release at the time. Hayes was aware of his status as a convicted felon and was also aware he was prohibited from possessing firearms. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Hayes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: North Dakota Man Sentenced for Possession of Nine Pounds of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute it in Northern South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Fargo, North Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024. Travis Leanell Henley, 28, was sentenced to 14 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Henley was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 10, 2023. On April 5, 2022, Henley was pulled over for a traffic violation in Roberts County, South Dakota. The Roberts County Deputy noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was searched. The deputy located marijuana in the ash tray, approximately $3,000 in cash in the center console, a loaded firearm in the backseat, and over nine pounds of methamphetamine in the back hatch of the vehicle. Upon the deputy locating the methamphetamine, Henley fled the scene on foot. After a short chase, Henley was captured and arrested for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Roberts County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cass County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case. Henley was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Former Boilermakers Union Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy

component: Criminal - Violent Crime and Racketeering Section

body_text: A Missouri man pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy in connection with his involvement in serious financial misconduct at an international labor organization. According to court documents, Tyler Brown, 44, of Kansas City, Missouri, was employed by the Kansas City, Kansas, headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmith, Forgers, and Helpers (the “Boilermakers Union”) as chief of staff of the Boilermakers Union and special assistant to the International President of the Boilermakers Union. From 2013 through October 2022, Brown reported directly to the International President and carried out his directives. Between those dates, Brown was involved in numerous instances of unlawful misappropriation of union funds, including: purchasing merchandise and hundreds of restaurant meals for the International President and his wife in their hometown that were not necessary to conduct union business or benefit the union or its members; employing several family members of international officers who received several hundred thousand dollars in salary, reimbursed expenses, unearned vacations, and benefit contributions for minimal or no productive work; and paying for dozens of international trips to Europe, Asia, and Australia for large entourages of international officers and employees of the Boilermakers Union, their families, and outside guests whose travel was not necessary to conduct union business or benefit the union or its members. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District Kansas; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office; and Denver-St. Louis District Director Christiane Abendroth of the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards made the announcement. The FBI and Department of Labor are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Vincent Falvo of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Jabari Wamble for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.


title: Stalker Arrested for Cyberstalking and Transmitting Interstate Threats to University of Arizona Student

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Caleb Alfred Tifft, 29, of Tucson, was arrested on May 8, 2024, on a federal indictment warrant by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force on charges of Cyberstalking and Transmitting Interstate Threats, for stalking and threatening a student at the University of Arizona. On February 7, 2024, Tifft is alleged to have transmitted a threat in interstate commerce when he sent a message via Facebook Messenger to the victim, stating “Think I’ll just go rape and kill a girl at this point. I give up. I’m the bad guy.” The next day, Tifft was served with an Injunction Against Harassment, which prohibited contact with the victim. Tifft was also served with a 12-month Exclusionary Order from all University of Arizona properties. Tifft continued to cyberstalk the victim when on March 1, 2024, he made an anonymous 911 call to the Pima County Sherriff’s Department (PCSD), stating that his friend had sent him a message that the friend was going to commit a mass shooting and that the friend was at the “[specific University of Arizona] building.” The call to PCSD was disconnected before it was able to be transferred to the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD). However, PCSD provided the phone number to UAPD and UAPD recognized that the phone number belonged to Tifft. Later that day, UAPD received a call from a Tucson Police Department dispatcher who transferred a 911 caller. A male caller, later identified as Tifft, told the UAPD dispatcher he was calling because a friend of his “sent some threatening messages about wanting to commit a mass shooting.” Tifft said the friend was “[the victim]” and confirmed the victim was at the “[specific University of Arizona] building.” The call was then disconnected. A UAPD officer familiar with Tifft from having interacted with him previously listened to the recorded call and determined the voice matched Tifft’s. The telephone number associated with the call was the same number used to contact the PCSD. Tifft turned himself in to the FBI on an indictment warrant. A conviction for Cyberstalking and Transmitting Interstate Threats each carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, and a maximum term of three years of supervised release. An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of Arizona Police Department, as part of the FBI’s Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force, conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Rossi, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-02373-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-067_Tifft # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: New Canaan Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that VISHAL DHAR, 55, of New Canaan, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to tax evasion. According to court documents and statements made in court, Dhar formed and operated various entities, including Grey Brown, Inc. (a holding company for several restaurants operating under the name “Oaxaca Taqueria”), West Partners, Inc., and NY Cloud Kitchens, LLC. From approximately October 2013 through August 2023, Dhar willfully failed to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service significant income from his business and gifts from family members. Instead of paying his outstanding tax liabilities, Dhar paid off personal and business debts, invested in a new business venture, and paid various personal expenses. In evading his payment of taxes owed, Dhar used financial accounts in the names of entities and other individuals rather than in his own name, paid personal expenses with corporate funds, and omitted significant assets on IRS forms. In addition, in the bankruptcy case In re Grey Brown Inc., filed in the Southern District of New York, Dhar failed to disclose the receipt of an Employee Retention Credit check in amount of $254,203.01 made payable to Oaxaca Atlantic Avenue, LLC. The Employee Retention Credit is a refundable tax credit for certain eligible businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees and were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2011 through 2020 tax years, Dhar owes $272,390.07 in back taxes, penalties, and interest. As part of the plea agreement, Dhar has agreed to pay that full amount in restitution. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 15, at which time Dhar faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Dhar is released pending sentencing. This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.


title: New York Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft and False Use of a Passport

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A New York woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and false use of a passport. According to court records, in May 2023, Lisa Campos , 57, attempted to withdraw funds from the joint credit union account of two victims, presenting a fake United States passport card as identification. She was successful in withdrawing $8000 from one credit union branch in two separate transactions. She made two additional unsuccessful attempts at other branch locations. Shortly after leaving the third branch, Campos was located by Freeport Police Department officers and provided them with the purported passport card and a debit card, both in one of the victims’ names. Campos faces up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million followed by up to five years of supervised release on the bank fraud charge. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release on the false use of a passport charge. She faces up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to a year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft charge. Any sentence on the aggravated identity theft charge would be served consecutively with any other sentence. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service investigated the case with assistance from the Sanford, Topsham, and Freeport police departments. ###


title: Detroit Man Convicted of Armed Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Detroit man residing in Richmond, Ky., Jarrett Howard, 56, was convicted Wednesday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington. Following a three-day trial and 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to testimony at trial, in November 2021, law enforcement received information from a confidential informant that Howard was responsible for distributing fentanyl in Madison County. Law enforcement conducted a search of Howard’s residence and found 285 grams of fentanyl, 416 grams of cocaine, and two loaded firearms. Law enforcement also discovered a digital scale and $34,450 at the residence. Howard was indicted in June 2023. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police (KSP); and Chief Rodney Richardson, Richmond Police Department, jointly announced the jury’s verdict. The investigation was conducted by DEA, ATF, KSP and Richmond Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Howard will appear for sentencing on August 28. He faces up to life in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence. — END —


title: Newport News man sentenced after being stopped with gun, drugs, and unrestrained child in vehicle

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to six years and six months in prison for federal drug and firearms offenses. According to court documents, on Sept. 9, 2022, two Newport News Police Department (NNPD) officers observed Daquan Montreal Lane, 29, driving a vehicle with a seven-year-old child in the back seat who was not properly restrained. The officers conducted a traffic stop and spotted a knotted, plastic “corner bag” of suspected narcotics protruding from the pocket of Lane's hoodie. As the officers began to investigate, they spotted and seized a firearm in the driver door of the vehicle. Lane refused to exit the vehicle. As officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle, several more bags containing narcotics fell from his hoodie pocket. NNPD recovered bags containing 8.37 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, 4.69 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, 8.19 grams of methamphetamine, 4.71 grams of cocaine, and a flip phone. NNPD also conducted a search of the vehicle, finding a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun, two digital scales containing narcotics residue, a cell phone, and approximately 140 grams of marijuana in 12 separate bags. In 2013, Lane was convicted of shooting at an occupied building, attempted malicious wounding, two counts of use/display a firearm during commission of a felony, and reckless handling of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Lane could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition at the time of the traffic stop. On Oct. 30, 2023, Lane pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Osyf and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-50.


title: KC Woman Pleads Guilty to $240,000 Email Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to laundering more than $240,000 she unlawfully obtained from a New York business as part of an email compromise scheme. Brianna S. Graves, 30, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a federal information that charges her with one count of money laundering. By pleading guilty today, Graves admitted that she received a payment of $240,926 from ETS Contracting, Inc., located in Brooklyn, New York, as part of a business email compromise scheme. According to today’s plea agreement, ETS Contracting was finalizing a contract with a vendor, who was communicating via email with the firm. On Dec. 12, 2022, ETS Contracting received a payment instruction email, which they believed originated from the owner of the vendor company, to wire $240,926 to a J.P. Morgan Chase Bank account. However, the instruction email actually came from a different email address that changed one letter in the domain name. ETS Contracting authorized the payment on Dec. 18, 2022, and the funds were posted to the bank account the next day. The bank account, a business account in the name of Heavy Weight Maintenance LLC, actually belonged to Graves. Graves obtained a cashier’s check for the full amount of the wire fraud proceeds, which she then deposited into another bank account. Graves spent the money on car payments, vacations, cruises, airfare, and gambling. On June 26, 2023, federal agents executed a warrant and seized $41,574 from Graves’s bank account. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Graves must pay $240,926 in restitution and must forfeit to the government $240,926, which represents the proceeds she obtained from her crime. Under federal statutes, Graves is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI and the New York City Police Department.


title: Doctor Convicted of Nearly $2M Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury convicted a Nevada doctor yesterday for his role in defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of nearly $2 million. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Eduardo Abellana, M.D., 75, of Las Vegas, referred medically unnecessary prescriptions to City Drugs, a Detroit, Michigan, pharmacy, for patients he had not treated in exchange for cash kickbacks paid by the owners of the pharmacy. Abellana and his co-conspirators caused nearly $2 million of loss to Medicare and Medicaid. The jury convicted Abellana of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and receive kickbacks. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 25, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit health care fraud count and five years in prison on the conspiracy to defraud the United States and receive kickbacks count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Chicago Region made the announcement. The FBI Detroit Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Claire Sobczak and Kelly M. Warner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Five-Time Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Firearm Offense

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Reginald Dugger Jr. (42, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Dugger faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, on February 29, 2024, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Dugger’s residence. During the search, agents discovered a currency counter, drugs, and two loaded firearms in plain view and accessible to Dugger. At the time of the offense, Dugger had previously been convicted of several felony offenses. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Monroe City, Missouri Woman Sentenced to 120 Months for Distributing Methamphetamine in Quincy, Illinois

component: USAO - Illinois, Central

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Monroe City, Missouri, woman, Amanda Carroll, 35, was sentenced on May 23, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. Carroll was indicted in April of 2023 and pleaded guilty in August 2023. She has been detained by the United States Marshals Service since being arrested. At sentencing, the government showed that on March 13, 2023, Carroll was travelling from Missouri to Quincy, Illinois with approximately one-half of pound of almost pure methamphetamine when her vehicle was stopped and searched after a K9 alert. When she was taken to jail, more methamphetamine was found on Carroll’s person. All total, she was held responsible for 223.8 grams of methamphetamine. The statutory penalties for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine are up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release. This case was investigated by the West Central Illinois Task Force, Illinois State Police, Quincy Police Department, and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Carroll is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: U.S. Attorney, Federal and Local Laws Enforcement Partners Announce Multiple Arrests of Alleged Fentanyl Traffickers in Ongoing D.C. Violence Reduction Efforts

body_text: WASHINGTON – Multi-agency law enforcement actions, targeting armed drug trafficking networks in the District, resulted in 23 arrests in the past nine days, plus an additional person already in custody. This morning, law enforcement arrested nine defendants in connection with a Trinidad-based drug trafficking investigation. Three of the arrestees are alleged crew members who were charged in a 13-count indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and heroin, and firearms offenses. Two additional defendants were arrested this morning in connection with a separate 13-count indictment on fentanyl distribution and firearms charges. These arrests follow another law enforcement action, a week ago, in which 15 people were arrested, 10 of whom are named in a 17-count indictment as alleged members of a drug trafficking crew operating near 21 st Street and Maryland Avenue, NE, and who are charged with participation in a fentanyl and cocaine distribution conspiracy and additional firearms counts. Today’s action follows a surge in additional law enforcement tools and resources announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to fight violent crime in Washington, D.C. The indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Troy Springer of the National Capital Region of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. “In January, the Justice Department surged law enforcement resources to the District of Columbia to further our efforts to target the individuals and organizations driving violent crime in the nation’s capital,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Over the past nine days, as a result of a multi-agency investigation, we have arrested 24 individuals we allege have fueled drug trafficking and community violence in Washington, D.C. The Department will continue to leverage our partnerships, our resources, and our investigative and prosecutorial tools to reduce violent crime and keep communities safe.” “The data tells us that a relatively small group of people in our community are the primary drivers of gun violence and that the bulk of the gun violence is clustered in a relatively few blocks of our city,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “For years, we and our law enforcement partners have been focused on developing effective strategies for how we can best build cases against these relatively few people driving violence because we know that proactively removing these people from our streets is the most significant thing we can do as prosecutors to impact violent crime trends.” Today’s arrests grew out of an investigation into an open-air drug market around the 1100 block of Raum Street, NE, in the Trinidad neighborhood that was commenced in summer 2023 in response to 59 violent crime incidents and 119 bursts of gunfire occurring in the area from January to July 2023. Agents conducted numerous controlled buys of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, cocaine base, and firearms in connection with this investigation. Law enforcement executed 14 residential search warrants today in connection with the Trinidad investigation in the District and Maryland and seized approximately 15 firearms, approximately $126,000 in cash currency, and significant quantities of drugs, including suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and xylazine. At least three of the defendants arrested today have been indicted on firearms charges. “Many Washingtonians have raised concerns about local drug trafficking crews that have been taking over their neighborhoods through violence and the distribution of fentanyl and other illegal drugs,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Forget. “Drug trafficking and violence are undeniably connected, and we are addressing this issue directly by taking a strong stance and implementing strict measures to combat the illegal manufacture and distribution of drugs, as well as removing firearms from the streets. Whether it's through increased law enforcement efforts, educational programs, or providing support for those struggling with substance misuse, we are confronting this problem head-on to restore the communities to the residents.” “Through relentless collaboration, the FBI and our federal and local partners dismantled two violent drug trafficking organizations that were based less than a mile from each other,” Scott said. “We vow to continue to work together to protect communities from crews who peddle drugs and wield illegal firearms.” “The success of these operations would not have been possible without the collaboration, dedication, and support of the officers, investigators, and detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department, our federal partners at the FBI and DEA, and the United States Attorney's Office. The unwavering commitment to upholding the law and protecting our communities is truly commendable,” said MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll. “To those who continue to engage in violent crimes, drug sales and the illegal possession and use of firearms: let this serve as a clear message. Your actions bring tremendous harm to our communities, and they will not be tolerated. Operations like these will continue, our investigations are ongoing, and our resolve is steadfast.” Last week’s arrests of crew members whose drug operations were based near 21 st Street and Maryland Avenue NE in the Carver Langston area included search warrants for 21 residences, nine vehicles, and 14 individuals in the District and Maryland. In the course of executing the arrests, law enforcement seized approximately 20 firearms, additional ammunition feeding devices, more than 150 cartridges of ammunition, over $23,000, and significant quantities of suspected fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and liquid PCP. During the course of these investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with federal and local law enforcement, identified the members of these networks, developed evidence of the illegal conduct, and obtained indictments charging the defendants. The investigations remain ongoing. In January, the Attorney General directed additional resources to the District of Columbia to help combat violent crime. As part of that direction, the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice joined the Trinidad drug trafficking investigation. Their participation helped to complete this investigation faster, and they will be full partners on these now-charged cases. While the U.S. Attorney’s Office has conducted a number of investigations targeting corners or blocks that crime data showed to be magnets for gun violence (including Lincoln-Westmoreland , MLK- Mellon , 7 th & O Sts ., and Kennedy St. ), these indictments represent the first time that the Office has simultaneously targeted multiple alleged crews in this fashion. Crews in these two areas, which are separated by less than a mile, have historically feuded with one another. This year, alone, we have seen mass shootings and homicides in the areas in which crews from these neighborhoods have historically operated. Both cases mentioned today are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The Trinidad fentanyl trafficking investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, the Narcotics Enforcement Unit of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section, and Trial Attorney Gerald Collins of the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Valuable assistance was provided by Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Christina Taylor and Gaelin Bernstein. The Carver-Langston fentanyl trafficking investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Violent Crime Investigations Team of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross-Border Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Ukrainian National Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charge Stemming from Attempt to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to Russia

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: STANISLAV ROMANYUK, 39, a citizen of Ukraine last residing in Estonia, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a money laundering charge stemming from his role in a scheme to violate United States export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Michael Khoo Directors of Task Force KleptoCapture; Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tambrini of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Division; and Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, made the announcement. According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, Romanyuk, who operated Estonia-based BY Trade OÜ, conspired with Vadims Ananics and Eriks Mamonovs, both citizens of Latvia who operated CNC Weld, a Latvia-based corporation, and with individuals in Russia and a Russian company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations to smuggle a 500 Series CPWZ Precision Jig Grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia. A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries, but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. Romanyuk and his co-conspirators knew that the jig grinder could not be exported from the U.S. to Russia or any country outside the European Union, and they did not apply for, receive, or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security. In April 2019, Romanyuk brokered the sale of the jig grinder from By Trade OÜ to a Russian company using funds wired to it from the Russian company to purchase the jig grinder from Sapphire Universal, LLP, a company in Latvia. Sapphire Universal, which Romanyuk knew was in the business of obtaining dual use items from the U.S. for sale in Russia, used CNC Weld as the claimed recipient and end-user of the jig grinder because no license was required to export the jig grinder to Latvia from the U.S. In August 2019, to finalize the purchase of the jig grinder, Ananics and others traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Ananics informed the sellers that the jig grinder was being purchased for the benefit of CNC Weld. In September 2021, Romanyuk provided a false statement to Estonian authorities about the jig grinder transaction in order to cover up his involvement in this scheme. U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. Approximately $826,000 in funds involved in the purchase of the jig grinder were subsequently forfeited , and a substantial portion of the forfeited funds were transferred to Estonia to provide aid to Ukraine. Romanyuk was arrested on June 13, 2022, in Latvia. He has been detained since his arrest. Romanyuk pleaded guilty to international money laundering conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled. Ananics and Mamonovs pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing. This investigation is being conducted by HSI field offices in New Haven and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston and Portland, Oregon; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the Latvian State Police have assisted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman, and Stephanie Levick of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs has provided valuable assistance. The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program and is being supported by OCDETF’s International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Fayetteville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Arkansas, Western

body_text: FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville man was sentenced on Monday, May 20, to 240 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of Distribution of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville. According to court documents, multiple law enforcement agencies received information that Ulysses Bush, age 44, was selling large quantities of methamphetamine throughout the Northwest Arkansas area. Between November 2022 and January 2023, law enforcement conducted a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Bush. In the months following these transactions, Bush was found with additional quantities of methamphetamine during traffic stops executed by the Inola, Oklahoma, and Fayetteville Police Departments. In April 2023, the 4 th Judicial District Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on a storage unit in Fayetteville that Bush was using, in which officers discovered additional methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, body armor, and a firearm. The purchased and seized methamphetamine was later submitted to the Homeland Security Investigations Crime Laboratory for testing where it was determined to be methamphetamine. Between the controlled purchases, the traffic stops, and the storage unit, Bush was held accountable for over a kilogram of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Benton County Drug Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, 4 th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Inola, Oklahoma Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Eaton prosecuted the case. Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov .


title: Anchorage man sentenced to 11 years for drug, firearm crimes

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison and four years’ supervised release for possessing firearms as a felon and possessing drugs with an intent to distribute them. According to court documents, on Jan. 28, 2021, law enforcement found Joseph Franks, 42, asleep in a running tow truck along a road in Big Lake. Franks had an active warrant for his arrest and was asked to step out of the vehicle. Upon his arrest, law enforcement found a loaded pistol magazine on his person. They obtained a search warrant for the tow truck and found a backpack containing two stolen pistols, six pistol magazines and over 300 grams of marijuana, among other items, and a safe containing over 60 grams of heroin and paraphernalia commonly used for drug distribution. Less than a week later, law enforcement attempted to stop a vehicle in Wasilla, but the vehicle fled, leading to a high-speed chase for several miles. Spike stripes were deployed, causing the vehicle to crash, but the driver, later determined to be Franks, broke the driver’s side window and fled from the vehicle on foot. Franks was apprehended by a K9 and law enforcement found $1,770 in cash and a small container with cocaine on his person, and $3,550 in cash, over 61 grams of marijuana, over 35 grams of meth, over 85 grams of heroin, and small amounts of psilocybin and cocaine inside a locked duffle back in the vehicle’s trunk. “Mr. Franks repeatedly disregarded the law and endangered the community with his criminal conduct,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice against defendants who choose to commit criminal acts, especially activity that puts our communities at risk like firearm and drug trafficking offenses.” “The defendant continued to plague our community with serious crimes involving drugs, stolen firearms, and reckless flight from law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This sentence, stemming from a joint investigation with the Alaska State Troopers, exemplifies our shared commitment in keeping our communities safe.” “The sentence handed down in this prosecution is a significant victory in the Alaska State Trooper’s fight against drug trafficking occurring across the State of Alaska,” said Captain Cornelius Sims, Captain of the Alaska State Trooper’s Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit. “The Alaska State Troopers will continue to work tirelessly with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to interrupt drug trafficking in Alaska and hold those that peddle these dangerous drugs accountable for their actions.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Alaska State Troopers investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Ivers and Alana Weber prosecuted the case. ###


title: Co-Owner of Clark County automotive shop convicted of violating Clean Air Act

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – The co-owner of two Clark County automotive businesses was convicted today of conspiracy and eleven felony counts of violating the federal Clean Air Act for tampering with diesel trucks’ emissions monitoring systems, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Tracy Coiteux, 44, of La Center, Washington, is the co-owner of Racing Performance Maintenance Northwest (known as RPM) and a related sales company called RPM Motors and Sales NW. A jury convicted Coiteux following a three-day jury trial. The jury deliberated for three hours before returning the guilty verdicts. U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle scheduled sentencing for August 19, 2024. An indictment returned in May 2021, charged Coiteux and her husband, Sean Coiteux, 50, and the service manager, Nick Akerill, 44, with conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and eleven specific violations of the Clean Air Act for tampering with the emissions-monitoring system on vehicles when removing pollution control equipment between January 2018 and November 2020. Sean Coiteux pleaded guilty in March 2024 and is scheduled for sentencing on August 13, 2024. Akerill pleaded guilty to state pollution charges and was sentenced to work 30 days on a Clark County work crew. According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, the investigation began when a former RPM employee notified the EPA that the company was performing the unlawful modifications, which are known as “deletes” and “tunes.” A single truck that has been deleted and tuned can cause the same amount of pollution as up to 1,200 trucks with compliant emissions systems. These modifications are marketed to truck owners as improving vehicle power and performance. The investigation revealed that between January 2018 and January 2021, the defendants charged their customers fees of about $2,000 per truck to remove (delete) emissions control systems required by federal law. They then modified (tuned) legally required software that works to ensure the vehicle’s pollution remains within legal limits. RPM Motors and Sales sometimes offered, as part of the sale of a truck, to remove the emissions control system after the customer purchased a truck. Email and other electronic records document the conspirators’ purchase of equipment and software kits to remove the pollution control and reprogram the monitoring systems. When agents executed a court authorized search warrant in January 2021, they found some of the emissions parts that had been removed and the replacement tailpipes. They found records detailing some 375 instances of removal of the emissions control hardware and software. Over the three years described in the court records, the defendants took in more than $500,000 for the modifications that violate the Clean Air Act. Conspiracy is punishable by up to five years in prison. Each violation of the Clean Air Act is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Settle after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being investigated by Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Seth Wilkinson and Cindy Chang and Environmental Protection Agency Special Assistant United States Attorney Karla Gebel Perrin.