title: Teres Tinnin Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison For Stalking Convictions

component: USAO - Delaware

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Teres Tinnin, age 39, was sentenced today to a total of 15 years in prison, 5 years for conspiracy to stalk and 10 years for stalking. U.S. District Judge Joshua D. Wolson pronounced the sentence. According to court documents, Tinnin worked with at least five co-conspirators—Ryan Bacon, Donte Sykes, Dion Oliver, Maurice Cooper, and Michael Pritchett—to search for a man, listed in the Indictment as M.S., in an attempt to kill him. After M.S. and an associate robbed Tinnin and Pritchett on May 10, 2017, Tinnin and others discussed increasing the amount of money they would pay to have M.S. found and killed. On June 6, 2017, in furtherance of their continuing pursuit of M.S., Tinnin’s co-conspirators kidnapped M.S.’s girlfriend, Keyonna Perkins, and used her to find M.S. Perkins was held at gunpoint and forced into the trunk of her car. A short while later, Tinnin alerted his co-conspirators that he had just seen M.S. walking alongside Route 896 and directed them to his location. After locating M.S. along Route 896, Tinnin’s co-conspirators fired multiple shots at M.S., but failed to hit him. Following the shooting, Perkins was forced into the trunk of a second car and driven by two of Tinnin’s co-conspirators to Elkton, Maryland where she was murdered. Following the first failed shooting, Tinnin’s co-conspirators continued their pursuit of M.S. They located M.S. at Probation & Parole Offices in New Castle, and followed him into Wilmington, waiting until M.S. got out of a car around the area of 6 th and Spruce Streets, where one of Tinnin’s co-conspirators again opened fire on M.S. The gunfire missed M.S., but one of the bullets ripped through a passing SUV and struck a six-year-old boy in the head, causing the child severe and permanent injuries. Tinnin remained in close contact with his co-conspirators via FaceTime while their violent crime spree unfolded. Commenting on the case, U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The defendant and his confederates agreed on a plan to hunt down and kill a perceived enemy with complete disregard for the lives of innocent people who stood in their way. The defendant may not have pulled a trigger on June 6, 2017, but he bears no less responsibility for the violence he helped set into action. My office and our law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue all those who bear responsibility for violent crime.” “The FBI remains focused on protecting our neighborhoods and communities from violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “While no sentence will undo his crimes, we thank our partners for their coordination in ensuring that Mr. Tinnin is behind bars where he belongs.” This case was investigated by FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Taskforce, with assistance from the Wilmington Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Delaware State Police, and the Elkton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jesse S. Wenger and Eli H. Klein prosecuted the case along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-75.


title: Two Sentenced for Roles in Drug Trafficking Organization That Imported 37 Kilos of Cocaine into Rhode Island

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A leader of a long-running drug trafficking organization (DTO) that used the U.S. Postal Service to import 37 kilograms of cocaine into Rhode Island from Puerto Rico, along with a co-conspirator who provided addresses for mailing and retrieved many of the packages of cocaine, were sentenced to federal prison today, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Arcadio Torres, 41, of North Smithfield, sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, previously admitted to a federal judge that, as a leader of the DTO, he worked with family members and co-conspirators to have kilogram quantity parcels of cocaine regularly shipped to addresses in Rhode Island; that he tracked many of the shipments and watched as they were delivered and retrieved by other members of the DTO; and that he coordinated with co-conspirators to store the cocaine for him. Nelson Carvalho, 48, of Cranston, sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison, previously admitted to the court that he provided members of the DTO with residential and business addresses in Rhode Island as destinations for U.S. Priority mail parcels, each containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine. Carvalho also discussed arrival dates and retrieval of the parcels with co-conspirators; retrieved the packages from locations throughout Rhode Island, including his work address; transported the cocaine to co-conspirators in Rhode Island; and performed other functions as needed to facilitate the operations of the DTO. At least eleven of the parcels were shipped to Women and Infants Hospital, where Carvalho was employed as a mail courier, addressed to names provided to the DTO by the defendant. Carvalho retrieved the packages from the Hospital mail and provided them to other co-conspirators. Torres, who pleaded guilty on June 30, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 96 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of federal supervised release. Carvalho, who pleaded guilty on August 1, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 90 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of federal supervised release. Co-conspirators George Mojica, 42, and Angel Delgado, 25, of Central Falls, previously admitted to a federal judge that they participated in the conspiracy and performed various functions to assist the DTO. Mojica and Delgado were sentenced in May 2022 to serve seven years and five years in federal prison, respectively. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton. ###


title: San Antonio Woman Sentenced to 8 years in Prison for Trafficking Meth

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in San Antonio to 100 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Karen Lastiri, 32, consented to a vehicle search during a 2021 traffic stop. During the search, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies found 52.38 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride. Lastiri, traveling from Houston to San Antonio with two children in the vehicle, was arrested by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration. She was later released on a $50,000 unsecured bond. “Lastiri worked as a driver for a Drug Trafficking Organization and put her children’s lives at risk by bringing them on this job,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “I appreciate the cooperation between BCSO and the DEA, leading to this successful prosecution and the disruption of drug trafficking operations.” "Drug Trafficking Organizations will stop at nothing. This case demonstrates the length these organizations go to disguise illicit drug activities by putting children in harm's way," said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the DEA Houston Division. "Lastiri was transporting a significant amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride from Houston to San Antonio with two children in the vehicle. DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue anyone using our communities to traffic drugs while attempting to harm the innocent along the way." The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Spears prosecuted the case. ###


title: Two Men Facing Federal Indictment in Maryland for an Arson Conspiracy Targeting Convenience Stores

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Stephen Kennedy, age 33, of Temple Hills, Maryland, and Donnell Kelly, age 33, of Washington, D.C., for conspiracy to commit arson, arson affecting interstate commerce, commercial robbery, and use of a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, in connection with a series of convenience store robberies. Kennedy and Kelly are also charged with being felons in possession of a firearm and an explosive device, respectively, and Kennedy is charged with carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony. The indictment was returned on February 22, 2023, and was unsealed today upon the arrests of the defendants. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci; St Mary’s County Sheriff Steven A. Hall; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Chief Tiffany D. Green of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. According to the 10-count indictment, from at least January 2021 to January 2022, the defendants conspired to commit arsons at 7-Eleven convenience stores so that they could obtain cash contained in ATMs in the stores. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Kennedy and Kelly traveled to 7-Eleven locations while they were open for business and deployed explosive devices to set fire to the buildings, and on at least one occasion, demanded the contents of the cash register. The defendants allegedly burned the stores to force their closure and shut off power to the security cameras, which would enable them to return to the unguarded locations to burglarize the ATMs unhindered. The indictment alleges that this resulted in losses to the ATM company of at least $249,000. To conceal the evidence of their crimes, Kennedy and Kelly allegedly burned vehicles used in the arson attacks and/or burglaries and/or made false police reports regarding stolen license plates. If convicted, Kennedy and Kelly each face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the arson conspiracy and each of four counts of arson affecting interstate commerce; a maximum of 20 years in prison for an armed commercial robbery; a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and up to life in federal prison for using a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being felons in possession of an explosive device and firearm. Finally, Kennedy faces a mandatory sentence of 10 years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for carrying an explosive during the commission of another federal felony. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendants each had an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ajmel A. Quereshi. Kelly and Kennedy agreed to remain detained pending detention hearings scheduled for Friday, March 3, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m., respectively. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 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. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the ATF Washington Field Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam K. Ake and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rosenthal, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Texas Oil and Gas Company Pays Over $240,000 to Settle Trespass Allegations Arising From the Unauthorized Drilling, Extraction, and Sale of Federal Minerals

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – EOG Resources, Inc. ("EOG"), a Texas based oil and gas company, paid $243,604 to settle claims related to its alleged unauthorized drilling, extraction and sale of federal minerals, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. EOG is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and owns the Spitfire 0817 1H Well ("Spitfire"). Spitfire is located on non-federal land in McClain County, Oklahoma. The United States owns a twenty-five percent interest in the mineral rights below the surface of the Spitfire. On or about January 7, 2019, EOG commenced drilling the Spitfire well and, on or about March 1, 2019, began to extract and sell federal minerals. The United States alleges EOG drilled the well and extracted and sold the federal minerals without approval from the United States. The United States further alleges that EOG is liable for trespass and conversion damages and was unjustly enriched by the unauthorized sale of the federal minerals. To resolve the claims, EOG paid the United States $243,604. In reaching this settlement, EOG did not admit liability, and the government did not make any concessions about the legitimacy of the claims. The agreement allows the parties to avoid the delay, expense, inconvenience, and uncertainty involved in litigating the case. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca A. Frazier and Ronald R. Gallegos prosecuted the case.


title: Baraboo Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Paul R. Ripp, 50, of Baraboo, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 6 years in prison for possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Ripp pleaded guilty to this charge on December 8, 2022. On March 28, 2022, Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Ripp driving a truck near a hotel in Portage off the interstate highway, pursuant to an arrest warrant for state offenses. Ripp fled from officers in a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 100 miles per hour. Ripp avoided apprehension, then abandoned his truck and fled on foot. The following day, Sauk County Sheriff’s deputies located Ripp at a hotel in Wisconsin Dells. At the time Ripp was encountered and arrested by deputies outside the hotel, he was carrying a bag that contained multiple individually packaged bags of methamphetamine that totaled 111 grams of the drug. In the months prior to his arrest, Ripp was involved in multiple sales of methamphetamine in both Columbia and Sauk Counties. Judge Conley said that a significant period of incarceration was necessary because Ripp had been trafficking methamphetamine in the community for an extended period of time and, further, endangered both officers and the public by engaging in high-speed flight when police attempted to apprehend him. Judge Conley also considered the fact that Ripp had been convicted of drug trafficking in recent years with little deterrence from sentences that had not imposed meaningful terms of incarceration. The charge against Paul Ripp was the result of an investigation conducted by the Sauk and Columbia County Sheriffs’ Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson prosecuted this case.


title: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Violating  the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Jay Smith, 32, of Freeport, New York, pleaded guilty today to a criminal information charging him with a felony violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in connection with the Oct. 22, 2020, invasion of a reproductive health care clinic in Washington, D.C. Smith was indicted with nine others (Lauren Handy, Jonathan Darnel, Paulette Harlow, Jean Marshall, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman, Herb Geraghty and Joan Bell), all of whom were charged with conspiracy against rights and FACE Act offenses in creating a blockade at a reproductive health care clinic to prevent it from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. Smith pleaded guilty to a charge that he used force and physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, and interfere with a nurse and other employees of the reproductive health clinic because of the services being offered. The charge further alleges that Smith’s conduct resulted in bodily injury to the clinic nurse. A felony violation of the FACE Act carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled a sentencing hearing for Aug. 7. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office provided valuable assistance. The Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia’s Fraud, Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Eastern District of New York and Southern District of New York; and FBI Field Offices in Newark, New York City, Boston and Detroit provided valuable assistance.


title: Child Predator Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison  For Following a Child on the Street and Later  Communicating with her Online

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Marcus Douglas, 53, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for the coercion and enticement of a minor. Douglas pleaded guilty to the charge on August 31, 2022. In July of 2021, Douglas approached a 14-year-old girl he saw walking on a sidewalk in downtown Washington, D.C. He placed a note on her cell phone suggesting that he wanted to pay her to engage in sexual activity with him. The note contained his first name, Marcus, and his cell phone number. The victim immediately went to a nearby firehouse and reported the incident. Police officers with the Metropolitan Police Department responded, interviewed the victim, and quickly traced the phone number to Douglas. An undercover officer then initiated a text conversation with Douglas, pretending to be the 14-year-old girl. During messaging with the individual he believed was a minor, Douglas asked for pictures of the victim, told her about his sexual fantasies, and asked for an opportunity to meet the minor victim in person. A location for this meeting was discussed during this text conversation. When Douglas arrived at the agreed upon meeting location, he was arrested. In addition to the prison term, the Honorable Judge Florence Y. Pan ordered 10 years of supervised release and ordered Douglas to register as a sex offender for 25 years. She also ordered Douglas to pay the minor victim $36,956 in restitution. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee, III commended the work of the detectives and patrol officers of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. They also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Yvonne Bryant, the Victim/Witness Specialist assigned to this matter, and paralegal Alexis Spencer-Anderson. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Larson, who investigated and prosecuted the case. If you have information that a child is being physically or sexually abused or neglected, you can help by reporting the abuse to the Child and Family Service Agency for the District of Columbia (CFSA). CFSA takes reports of child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (202) 671-SAFE or (202) 671-7233 . This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI's Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


body_text: WASHINGTON – Jay Smith 32, of Freeport, New York, pleaded guilty today to a felony charge of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in connection with the October 22, 2020 invasion of a reproductive health care clinic in Washington, D.C. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled a sentencing hearing for August 7, 2023. Smith was indicted with nine others (Lauren Handy, Jonathan Darnel, Paulette Harlow, Jean Marshall, John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman, Herb Geraghty and Joan Bell), all of whom were charged with conspiracy against rights and FACE Act offenses in creating a blockade at a reproductive health care clinic to prevent it from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health services. Smith pleaded guilty to a charge that he used force and physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, and interfere with a nurse and other employees of the reproductive health clinic because of the services being offered. The charge further alleges that Smith’s conduct resulted in bodily injury to the clinic nurse. Violation of the FACE Act carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of New York; and FBI Field Offices in Newark, New York City, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh provided valuable assistance.


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charges

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, IA – A Davenport man was sentenced on February 27, 2023, to 210 months in prison for Receiving Child Pornography and Possession of Obscene Visual Representation of the Sexual Abuse of Children. The investigation of Adam Carney Conn, 40, began when the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a cybertip that images and videos of child pornography were downloaded to two of Conn’s Google accounts. Conn’s Google accounts had over 1,100 images of child pornography, which were categorized and organized. When law enforcement arrested Conn, he was in possession of electronic devices that contained several hundred more images of child pornography. Prior to this investigation, a child disclosed that Conn had sexually abused her. The government submitted evidence of the sexual abuse at sentencing, which the Court found to be credible. Conn’s sentence was ordered to be served consecutively to a sentence he is currently serving in the Iowa Department of Corrections. Following his prison term, Conn was ordered to serve ten years of supervised release and pay $24,000 of restitution. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC). In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Lying to a Federal Grand Jury

body_text: DAVENPORT, IA – A Davenport man was sentenced yesterday to 27 months in federal prison for lying to a federal grand jury. According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Kaleb Bentley, 23, was called to testify as a witness before a federal grand jury in May 2021. While under oath, Bentley provided multiple false statements to the grand jury about a felony investigation involving multiple shots fired incidents and drug trafficking. Bentley’s false statements substantially interfered with the grand jury’s investigation. After Bentley completes his prison sentence, he will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.


title: Clinton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Charges

body_text: DAVENPORT, IA – A Clinton man was sentenced on February 28, 2023, to 178 months in prison following his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Jovan Fedrick, 38, was identified as part of a large-scale methamphetamine drug trafficking organization operating in California, Iowa, and Illinois. Fedrick and a co-defendant traveled to California to have large quantities of ice methamphetamine transported to Chicago. As part of the investigation, agents seized more than 15 pounds of “ice” methamphetamine and conducted a half-pound purchase of methamphetamine from Fedrick at his residence in Clinton. Following his prison term, Fedrick was ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release. In December 2021, co-defendant Brent White, 52, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 135 months in prison. In January 2022, co-defendant Michaelene Damian Rojas, 50, of Hemet, California, was sentenced to 135 months in prison. Rojas served as a source of supply for the methamphetamine. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Felon In Possession of Ammunition

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

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Austin Galvan, 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for felon in possession of ammunition. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Galvan to 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. On November 7, 2021, Ralston police responded to a call for a domestic assault. Galvan was eventually arrested and transported to the Douglas County Jail along with two bags he had in his possession. Inside one of the bags, corrections staff found the lower receiver to an AR-15 style rifle, a gun magazine, and two rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. Galvan is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law. This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ralston Police Department. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/archives/ag/about-project-guardian.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Derrick Lloyd, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lloyd to 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. On July 20, 2021, Omaha Police conducted a traffic stop for going through a red light at 42nd Street and Fontenelle Boulevard. Officers made contact with the driver, who was Lloyd, who indicated he had personal use marijuana in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle, and underneath the center console armrest, located a plastic bag with 821 fentanyl pills. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Former Executive Director Of Ardmore Charitable Foundation Pleads Guilty To Fraud Charges

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Roslyn Melodie Haile, age 64, of Ardmore, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to an Information charging her with one count of Bank Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2) and one count of Tax Fraud, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1). Bank Fraud is punishable by up to 30 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00, or both. Tax Fraud is punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both. The Information alleged that on or about June 27, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, Roslyn Melodie Haile, for the purpose of executing or attempting to execute a scheme or artifice to obtain money, funds, credits, assets, securities, or other property under the custody and control of BancFirst, the defendant knowingly embezzled funds from the More Foundation’s BancFirst account by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representation or promises. The Information further alleged that on September 9, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, the defendant willfully made and subscribed a false 2018 Form 1040, U.S. Individual Tax Return, which contained and was verified by a written declaration that it was made under the penalties of perjury and which the defendant did not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter, in that she knowingly failed to report $63,490.54 of income. As part of the plea hearing, the defendant acknowledged that beginning prior to 2017 and continuing through in and around June 2021, she served as the Executive Director of the More Foundation, a charitable foundation based in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The defendant admitted that between in and around 2017 and in and around May 2021, she embezzled funds from the More Foundation and that her actions resulted in a total loss of $428,271.26 to the More Foundation. The defendant further acknowledged that her failure to report her true income on her taxes resulted in loss to the U.S. Treasury of $120,777.02. The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS-Criminal Investigations. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Assistant United States Attorney Kara Traster represented the United States.


title: Local woman indicted in romance scam

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 38-year-old resident of Richmond has been charged for operating as a “money mule” as part of her involvement in a nationwide romance fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Akua Dufie is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison at 2 p.m. today. On Feb. 16, a federal grand jury returned the seven-count superseding indictment adding Dufie to an existing case against her co-conspirator, Kenneth Anim, 39, a dual citizen of Ghana and the United States who is currently in federal custody awaiting trial on these charges. From 2014 to 2019, Dufie and Anim allegedly created individual sham businesses. The charges allege they operated as money mules in relation to various mail and wire fraud schemes including internet fraud and romance scams. Dufie and Anim also allegedly opened and maintained bank accounts to collect proceeds from the schemes and to send the money to themselves, co-conspirators and overseas. If convicted, Dufie and Anim face up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $500,000 maximum fine. The FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Grace Murphy are prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Executive Director of Dubois County Nonprofit Charged with Embezzling Over $156,000

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Ellen L. Corn, 47, of Petersburg, Indiana has been indicted by a federal grand jury on fifteen counts of wire fraud, after allegedly embezzling over $156,000 from a Dubois County nonprofit organization that facilitates a youth mentoring program. The indictment was unsealed on February 27, 2023, following Corn’s arrest and initial appearance. According to court documents, Corn served as the Executive Director for the nonprofit from March 2017 through August 2022. During her employment, Corn had various financial responsibilities including entering all income and expenses into the organization’s accounting software. Over that five-year period, Corn allegedly stole more than $156,000 by using an organizational credit card for personal expenses without authorization. She attempted to conceal her unauthorized purchases by not entering them into the accounting software. Corn allegedly used the organization’s credit card to purchase goods and services from various businesses, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and to make payments to colleges. Further, Corn allegedly used the credit card to make electronic payments from the official business PayPal account to her personal PayPal account. Once the funds appeared in her PayPal account, she transferred them to her personal checking account. If convicted of wire fraud, Corn faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the USSS Indianapolis Field Office, and Nathan Schmitt, Chief of Police for the Jasper Police Department made the announcement. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who is prosecuting this case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Springfield, Illinois Man Sentenced to 60 Months and One Day in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute and Firearm Offenses

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois man, Jason Craig, 46, of the 2000 block of Normandy Road, has been sentenced to 60 months and one day for possession with intent to distribute a substance containing cocaine base (crack), possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Craig was indicted in November of 2019 and pleaded guilty in June of 2022. The statutory penalties for possession with intent to distribute are not more than 20 years in prison, not more than a $1,000,000 fine, and not less than 3 years of supervised release. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are not less than five years and up to life in prison, not more than a $250,000 fine, and not more than 5 years of supervised release. The Springfield Police Department, Illinois State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Craig 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: United States & Tennessee Settle False Claims Act Allegations Against Three Medical Providers

component: USAO - Tennessee, Middle

body_text: NASHVILLE – Three Tennessee medical providers have agreed to settle allegations of False Claims Acts violations relating to the submission of claims seeking reimbursement for autonomic nervous system testing, announced U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. The United States and Tennessee contend that: Premier Internal Medicine of Giles County, PLLC (Premier) violated the False Claims Act and the Tennessee Medicaid False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting claims for non-reimbursable and/or medically unnecessary autonomic nervous system testing during the period of January 2, 2015, through April 28, 2021. As a result of the settlement, Premier will pay $440,518.84, of which $264,050.17 is restitution. Christine King-Patterson (King), a medical practitioner at a former medical practice in Waverly, Tennessee, violated the FCA by submitting claims for non-reimbursable and/or medically unnecessary autonomic nervous system testing during the period of January 2, 2015, through December 31, 2020. King will pay $126,988.65, of which $82,118.36 is restitution. Monica Masingale, formerly a nurse practitioner in Englewood, Tennessee, violated the FCA by submitting claims for non-reimbursable and/or medically unnecessary autonomic nervous system testing during the period of February 1, 2015, through October 30, 2019. Masingale will pay $315,000 in restitution under the terms of the settlement. Of the $882,50749 in settlements, the United States will receive $639,551.41 and Tennessee will receive $242,956.08. The civil claims resolved by these settlements are allegations. There has been no determination or admission of liability. These matters were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara F. Sweet of the Middle District of Tennessee and Senior Assistant Attorney General Tony Hullender of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. # # # # #


title: Philadelphia Man Found Guilty by Jury on Murder-For-Hire Charges; Attempted Homicide in Southwest Philadelphia Thwarted

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Darnell Jackson, a/k/a “Major Change,” 51, of Philadelphia, PA was convicted at trial of federal charges of murder-for-hire and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The defendant orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot which stemmed from an ongoing state drug trafficking investigation. On Monday, July 19, 2021, and in the days immediately following, Jackson communicated with an individual via cell phone calls and text messages in an effort to arrange the killing of a different individual (the intended victim), sending a photo of the intended victim and indicating that he was willing to pay $5,000 to someone to commit the murder. Once the individual reported to the defendant that he had located the intended victim, they allegedly agreed that the killing would occur on the evening of Wednesday, July 21 st . That same evening, the individual called Jackson to report that the intended victim had been killed, but this was actually false. In response, the defendant replied that he was on his way to meet the individual in order to pay him for carrying out the murder. A few minutes later, Jackson was stopped by law enforcement while driving a vehicle in the vicinity of 65 th Street & Guyer Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. He was found in possession of a Glock-style Personally Manufactured Firearm (PMF or “ghost gun”) loaded with 16 live rounds of ammunition, and nowhere near the amount of $5,000. The defendant was immediately arrested and taken into custody pursuant to a Criminal Complaint. “Every day, members of law enforcement agencies at all levels work tirelessly to prevent violent events from occurring in our city,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “In this case, the work of the FBI and the Philadelphia Department of Police ensured the swift arrest and filing of a Criminal Complaint that stopped Darnell Jackson en route to an attempted murder plot. “Darnell Jackson not only wanted his intended target dead, he was open to killing others in the process,” said Jacqueline Maguire, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Given his lack of respect for human life, he belongs behind bars and that’s exactly where the jury’s verdict today will keep him. The FBI and Philadelphia Police Department are committed to working together and bringing all our resources to bear, to take violent criminals like Jackson off the street for the safety of all Philadelphians.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Philadelphia Field Office and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.


title: Rochester Felon Pleads Guilty To Gun Charge

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER , N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jerry Wesson , of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that on September 23, 2022, Wesson was wanted by the Rochester Police Department for an assault that had allegedly occurred on July 25, 2022. At approximately 12:30 p.m., officers saw Wesson in a van on Champlain Street and took him into custody. At that time, Wesson possessed a loaded .45 caliber pistol and ammunition. In In October 2012, and July 2018, Wesson was convicted of felonies in Monroe County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and 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. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division. Sentencing is scheduled for July 5, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci. # # # #


title: Brown County Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Timewell, Illinois man, Thomas L. Langan, 58, of the 1800 block of East Street. has been sentenced to 60 months for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that the defendant sold 100% pure methamphetamine from his residence in Brown County on multiple occasions, culminating in a search warrant of the residence resulting in federal prosecution. The months long investigation also resulted in the forfeiture of Langan’s residence by the Brown County State’s Attorney, due to its use in the trafficking of methamphetamine. Evidence was also presented that Langan had a prior conviction from Brown County relating to manufacturing methamphetamine at the residence in 2013. Langan was indicted in May of 2022 and pleaded guilty in September of 2022. He has been detained by the United States Marshals Service since his arrest. The statutory penalties for distribution of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine are not less than five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and up to a $5,000,000 fine. The statutory penalties for distribution of methamphetamine are up to 20 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and up to a $1,000,000 fine. “Ice methamphetamine’s rampant use in Central Illinois places a burden on everyone. Our society’s health care systems, social services, law enforcement, and the community, have suffered the devastating impact of pure methamphetamine on communities in Central Illinois,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger. “I would like to thank the local, state, and federal agencies for their cooperative and dedicated efforts in this successful prosecution.” The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Illinois State Police West Central Illinois Task Force investigated the case with assistance from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Brown County State’s Attorney. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To  Drug Conspiracy And Gun Charge

body_text: ROCHESTER , N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Janard D. Warnick, 30, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated Warnick sold cocaine for profit and maintained a Clifford Avenue residence in Rochester to store, process, and sell controlled substances. On February 23, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at the Clifford Avenue residence, seizing approximately 61 grams of cocaine, a quantity of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl, approximately two grams of crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also recovered three firearms and a variety of ammunition. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. Sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci. # # # #


title: Former Advanced Practice Nurse Admits Role in Health Care Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A former Pennsville, New Jersey, advanced practice nurse today admitted defrauding New Jersey state and local health benefits programs and other insurers by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced. Ashley Lyons-Valenti, 66, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to an information charging her with one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud. Lyons-Valenti was previously charged with Vincent Tornari, 49, of Linwood, New Jersey, and Brian Sokalsky, 44, of Margate, New Jersey, in a 33-count indictment in June 2020. The charges against Tornari and Sokalsky remain pending, and they are set to proceed to trial later this year. The charges and allegations against Tornari and Sokalsky are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. According to court documents and statements made in court: Compounded medications are specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. Although compounded drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are properly prescribed when a physician determines that an FDA-approved medication does not meet the health needs of a particular patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a dye or other ingredient. Lyons-Valenti was previously an advanced practice nurse at a medical office in Pennsville, New Jersey. At the same time, Tornari hired Lyons-Valenti’s live-in boyfriend to be a sales representative for his company which promoted compound medications, even though Lyons-Valenti’s boyfriend had no background or experience in medicine and pharmaceutical sales. Tornari and Lyons-Valenti’s boyfriend had an agreement that the boyfriend would receive a commission on all prescriptions authorized by Lyons-Valenti. Lyons-Valenti then authorized numerous medically unnecessary prescription medications associated with Tornari and her boyfriend – including for her patients, staff members and co-workers at the medical office where she worked, and her children – for the sole purpose of financially benefitting herself, her boyfriend, and Tornari. In exchange for authorizing the prescriptions, Lyons-Valenti’s boyfriend paid her half of his commissions that he received from Tornari. As a result of the scheme, health insurance paid over $1.2 million for medically unnecessary medications and Lyons-Valenti received over $90,000 in kickbacks for signing the prescriptions. As part of her plea agreement, Lyons-Valenti also admitted to attempting to obstruct or impede the administration of justice with respect to the investigation of the health care fraud conspiracy by trying to influence the testimony of a grand jury witness. Lyons-Valenti faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2023. Attorney for the United States Khanna credited agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. The government is represented by Christina O. Hud, Senior Trial Counsel in the Health Care Fraud Unit; R. David Walk, Jr., Chief of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the Criminal Division in Camden. lyonsvalenti.sinformation.pdf


title: Authorities Make Huge Methamphetamine Seizure at Border; Tijuana Man Arrested and Charged

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – A Tijuana man appeared in federal court late yesterday to face federal drug trafficking offenses following the seizure of more than 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine and 53 pounds of fentanyl discovered in the Chevy van he was driving as he attempted to cross into the United States through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry Cargo Facility. It is believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in San Diego County. The complaint alleges that on February 22, 2023, at approximately 3:47 p.m., the 2005 Chevy Van applied for entry into the United States through the Otay Mesa Commercial Port of Entry. A Customs and Border Protection Officer referred the vehicle to a secondary inspection area based on a computer-generated referral. Officers found 63 packages in the rear cargo area of the van concealed within cardboard boxes. The packages contained substances that field-tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. Law enforcement then arrested the driver, Andres Gonzales Soriano. “This is huge quantity of dangerous drugs that is no longer destined for the streets of San Diego and beyond,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “A seizure of this magnitude saves lives.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team as well as Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations for their excellent work on this case. “These drugs are a blight that destroy lives and fuel crime and violence in our communities,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge, HSI San Diego. “This massive seizure likely saved lives and delivers a significant financial blow to the drug cartels. “CBP officers are the front-line of stopping these dangerous drugs from entering the U.S.” said Sidney K. Aki, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego. “Keeping our communities safe is among our top priorities, and this major interdiction will prevent its negative impacts and the proceeds from funding transnational criminal organizations.” DEFENDANTS Criminal Case No: 23-mj-0611-BLM Andres Gonzalez Soriano 24 Tijuana SUMMARY OF CHARGES Importation of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 952 and 960 Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, $1 million fine AGENCY United States Customs and Border Protection Homeland Security Investigations Drug Enforcement Administration Border Crime Suppression Team *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Former Bookkeeper Sentenced to Over 2 Years in Federal Prison for Stealing Nearly One Million Dollars from Anderson Community School Corporation

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Carla Burke, 63, of Anderson, Indiana was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and falsifying tax documents. According to court documents, Carla Burke served as the Anderson Community School Corporation (ACSC) Food Service Department’s Bookkeeper since 2007. As part of her employment duties, Burke maintained the financial records, bank account, and vendor invoices for the Food Service Department, and generated checks in the name of the Department for payments to vendors. From January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019, Burke issued checks in the name of ACSC Food Service to herself as the payee and then cashed the checks at her personal bank. Burke falsified records by recording that the payee was a vendor, rather than herself. Burke then cashed the checks and used the money for her own personal expenditures, including gambling. In order to conceal her scheme, Burke failed to report approximately $225,381 in income derived from the checks on five years of income tax returns, then lied to federal agents about her conduct. The scheme was uncovered during a routine, scheduled Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) audit. SBOA conducted a disbursement of funds test and found missing documentation. In total, Burke cleared approximately 312 fraudulent checks totaling $976,773.29 in losses to ACSC. “The defendant stole nearly a million dollars intended to put food in the mouths of children to satisfy her own greed,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Public employment is a public trust, and the sentence imposed today shows that those who violate that trust will be held accountable. I commend the SBOA for their diligence and partnership with our office as we combat waste, fraud, and abuse on behalf of all Hoosiers.” The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, and Indiana State Board of Accounts investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Burke be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following her release from Federal prison. Burke was also ordered to pay $976,772.39 in restitution to Anderson Community School Corporation and $141,190 to the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Co-Leader of COVID-19 Loan Fraud Ring Extradited from Montenegro to Begin Serving Prison Sentence

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Southern California woman who fled to Montenegro to avoid serving a lengthy prison sentence has been returned to the United States after spending approximately one year as a fugitive. Tamara Dadyan, 43, of Encino, was extradited by Montenegro and arrived in Los Angeles Monday evening. She is expected to appear this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles. According to court documents, Dadyan was a member of a Los Angeles-based fraud ring that schemed to fraudulently obtain more than $20 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 relief funds. Dadyan and her co-conspirators used dozens of fake, stolen or synthetic identities – including names belonging to elderly or deceased people and foreign exchange students who briefly visited the United States years ago and never returned – to submit fraudulent applications for approximately 150 PPP and EIDL loans. In support of the fraudulent loan applications, Dadyan and her co-conspirators also submitted false and fictitious documents to lenders and the Small Business Administration (SBA), including fake identity documents, tax documents and payroll records. Dadyan and her co-conspirators then used the fraudulently obtained funds as down payments on three luxury homes in California. They also used the funds to buy gold coins, diamonds, jewelry, luxury watches, designer handbags, cryptocurrency, securities and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In June 2021, Dadyan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft. She was sentenced in December 2021 to 130 months in prison. In January 2022, Dadyan fled the United States. U.S. authorities determined Dadyan had fled to Montenegro where she joined Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian, two other participants in the scheme and conspiracy who also fled after their convictions. Ayvazyan and Terabelian, who were respectively sentenced to 17 years and six years in prison, were extradited to the United States from Montenegro in November 2022. United States Attorney Martin Estrada; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Los Angeles Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the SBA’s Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Western Region; and Special Agent in Charge Jay N. Johnson of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Western Region made the announcement. The Government of Montenegro, including the Ministry of Justice, provided significant assistance in the extradition of Dadyan to the United States. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Dadyan. The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, IRS-CI, SBA-OIG, and FHFA-OIG investigated the case. The U.S. Marshals Service transported Dadyan from Montenegro to the United States. Trial Attorney Christopher Fenton of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Paetty and Brian Faerstein are prosecuting the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Boyle is handling forfeiture proceedings. Trial Attorney Goran Krnaich and International Affairs Specialist Marina Shimarova of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs handled the extraditions, with significant assistance from Assistant United States Attorney John Lulejian. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted more than 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud . In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robberies of Seven Businesses in Eight Days

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Johnathon Griffin, 42, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of commercial robbery. According to court documents, between January 25, 2021, and February 2nd, 2021, Johnathon Griffin robbed, or attempted to rob, the following seven Indianapolis businesses: DATE VICTIM BUSINESS January 25, 2021 Family Dollar, 1836 E. 10th Street January 26, 2021 Circle-K, 6734 E. Washington Street January 26, 2021 Speedway, 2012 English Avenue January 31, 2021 Dollar General, 3725 N. Keystone Avenue January 31, 2021 Family Dollar, 5131 N. Keystone Avenue February 1, 2021 Circle-K, 2080 N. Shadeland Avenue February 2, 2021 Dollar General, 8323 E. Washington Street During each of the robberies, Griffin brandished what appeared to be a firearm at victim employees, made threats, and demanded money from the business’ cash register. On February 2, 2021, investigators with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted surveillance of Griffin after identifying him as a suspect in prior robberies. Investigators followed Griffin to the Dollar General located on East Washington Street, near Warren Park. Griffin entered the store, brandished what appeared to be a firearm when the register was opened, and demanded money from the employee. Griffin grabbed the entire register drawer and ran from the store and attempted to flee in a vehicle. IMPD officers pursued Griffin as he fled. Soon after the pursuit began, Griffin crashed into two other vehicles and was immediately arrested by IMPD officers. During a search of Griffin’s vehicle, officers located a revolver style BB-gun matching the description of the weapon used in the seven robberies. “Over just eight days, this defendant repeatedly intimidated, threatened, and robbed hard working employees of seven different businesses,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Violent spree criminals like this defendant are a grave danger to the public. Reducing violence in our communities is a top federal law enforcement priority, and I commend the FBI and IMPD for their work to hold the defendant accountable for his crimes.” “The defendant’s spree of violent robberies terrorized innocent victims who were simply doing their jobs,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “This sentence demonstrates the importance of collaboration between law enforcement partners to ensure violent offenders such as this are held accountable, and residents can feel safe in their homes and places of work.” The FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Griffin be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison. Griffin must also pay restitution to each victim. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence D. Hilton, who prosecuted this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: South Carolina Man Who Trafficked Guns Into Connecticut Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Marquis Jerome Pollard, 42, of Yemassee, South Carolina, was sentenced by the United States District Court in Connecticut to 96 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm offenses related to an illegal gun trafficking operation. According to court documents and statements made in court, in the Spring of 2021, ATF Task Force officers learned that Pollard used straw purchasers to obtain firearms in South Carolina, and sold the firearms in Connecticut. On April 19, 2021, investigators made a controlled purchase of a 9mm Glock handgun and a drum magazine from Pollard and Quinn Mooring in New Haven, Connecticut, in exchange for $1,500. The firearm was one of five 9mm handguns that had been purchased by an individual at a pawn shop in Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month prior to the transaction in Connecticut. On May 3, 2021, investigators surveilled the firearm purchaser as he picked up two additional handguns from the Port Royal firearm dealer and traveled to a restaurant parking lot in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he transferred them to Pollard. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Pollard, he fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. Pollard drove on sidewalks and over curbs during the pursuit, and was eventually apprehended in a residential neighborhood after abandoning his car and attempting to flee on foot. Investigators recovered three firearms from his vehicle, including the two handguns that he received in the restaurant parking lot, and a loaded .40 caliber pistol with a 30-round magazine. The investigation revealed that Pollard paid two separate straw purchasers to acquire at least 17 firearms for him. In addition to the two handguns that were seized from Pollard’s vehicle and the 9mm handgun that investigators purchased from Pollard in New Haven in April 2021, five additional firearms have been recovered by law enforcement. One was recovered from a felon in New Haven in June 2021; one was recovered from the scene of a shooting in Hamden, Connecticut; one was recovered after it was used in a shooting in New Haven; one was recovered from a juvenile in South Carolina after it had been used in multiple crimes; and one was recovered earlier this month in Hamden from an individual who was fleeing from law enforcement in possession of the firearm and a distribution quantity of crack cocaine. Nine firearms have not been recovered. Pollard’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Pollard was charged by indictments in both the District of Connecticut and in the District of South Carolina. The South Carolina case was transferred to Connecticut for further prosecution. Pollard has been detained since his arrest. On October 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. On January 13, 2022, Mooring, of New Haven, pleaded guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon. He awaits sentencing. The individuals who purchased firearms for Pollard in South Carolina were charged and convicted in the District of South Carolina. This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); West Haven, Connecticut, Police Department; New Haven, Connecticut, Police Department; Beaufort, South Carolina, Police Department; and Beaufort County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office. These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carra J. Henderson in the District of South Carolina and Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman in the District of Connecticut. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. ###


title: WFBMC Agrees to Pay U.S. $754,585 Following Documentation Issues Relating to Therapy Services at Wilkesboro Skilled Nursing Facility

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO, N.C. - Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFBMC) has agreed to pay the government $754,585 to resolve an overpayment resulting from improper documentation at the Wilkes Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit (“Wilkes SNU”), announced U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston. WFBMC acquired Wilkes Medical Center, including the Wilkes SNU, on July 1, 2017. The United States contends that between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2019, the Wilkes Medical Center submitted or caused to be submitted claims to Medicare for physical and occupational therapy services provided to patients at the Wilkes SNU that were not supported by documentation. The United States initiated its investigation when a whistleblower filed a lawsuit under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. WFBMC cooperated with the United States’ investigation and took remedial actions to address the issues discovered during the investigation. “Medical facilities that submit claims to Medicare must ensure that those claims are supported by documentation and are medically necessary,” said Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. “This office is dedicated to protecting federal health care programs and ensuring that the government does not pay for unsupported claims.” This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina with assistance from Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Cook v. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center et al. , No. 20-CV-386 (M.D.N.C.). The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. The Settlement Agreement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by WFBMC. ###


title: Coraopolis Man Indicted in Western Pennsylvania and in the District of Columbia on Drug Charges

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: PITTSBURGH - A resident of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Jacob Blair, 25, is also charged in a parallel indictment in the District of Columbia with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and metonitazen and money laundering. Blair was arrested by FBI agents on Feb. 24, 2023 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He made an initial appearance in federal court and is detained pending a detention hearing on March 1, 2023. The indictments were announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. According to the three-count Indictment returned in the Western District of Pennsylvania, on or about February 24, 2022, Blair is alleged to have attempted to possess over 100 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of a fentanyl analogue; possessed with intent to distribute over 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; and possessed with intent to distribute over 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. According to the Indictment returned in the District of Columbia, Blair is accused of running a counterfeit drug conspiracy that sold fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as Oxycontin, Xanax and Adderall on a Darknet Marketplace. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys DeMarr Moulton, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Kevin Rosenberg in the District of Columbia. This case is being investigated by the Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. offices of: the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, along with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Moon Township Police Department. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Cairnbrook Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Methamphetamine and Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Cairnbrook, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Travis Emert., age 43, pleaded guilty to Counts One and Two of the Indictment, before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines. In connection with the guilty plea, on or about Nov. 9, 2021, Emert knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully, possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Further, on or about Nov. 9, 2021, Emert knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully, possessed firearms and ammunition, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for July 5, 2023. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both, for Count One, and a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, for Count Two. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Emert.


title: Men Involved in Arlington Restaurant Shooting  Sentenced to Combined 20 Years for Firearm Crimes

body_text: Two men involved in a shooting at a restaurant in Arlington have been sentenced to a combined 20 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. James Edward Johnson, 34, and Leroy Harold White, Jr., 53, were charged via criminal complaint in August 2022 and indicted the following month. Mr. White plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in October 2022; Mr. Johnson plead guilty to the same charge two weeks later. They were sentenced on Friday to 10 years each in federal prison. According to court documents, Mr. Johnson and another patron got into a physical altercation with Mr. White and another security guard at JJ’s Corner Lounge in Arlington just before midnight on July 29, 2022. During the altercation, Mr. White fired his a Smith & Wesson pistol, missing the unidentified patron involved in the altercation. In response, Mr. Johnson fired his Ruger at a random group of citizens that had just entered the business, hitting a victim in their right foot. Mr. White then approached Mr. Johnson from behind, striking him in the head with his hand. Mr. Johnson whirled around and fired at Mr. White, striking him two times in the front of his body armor and one time in his left arm. In plea papers, both men admitted that they were previously convicted felons and thus prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. “ATF is proud of our long standing relationship with the Arlington Police Department. Chief Jones is a national leader amongst law enforcement in the fight against firearms violence. His vision to create the NIBIN Engagement Team (NET) led us to these convictions. Mr. Johnson and Mr. White will now have ten years to think about carrying guns illegally in Arlington, Texas. Gun crime will always equal hard time,” stated ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division and Arlington Police Department’s Violent Crime United conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl prosecuted the case.


title: Berks County Man Indicted For Fraudulently Selling Body Armor

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marco Decamillo, age 46, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of mail fraud. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges Decamillo perpetrated a scheme using his company, “Downrange Tactical,” to advertise and sell ballistic rifle plates and other body armor which Decamillo falsely claimed were certified by the National Institute of Justice. The indictment further alleges, that on January 13, 2021, Decamillo mailed four body armor plate inserts to a P.O. Box in Wyoming, Pennsylvania. The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is twenty years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Roundup man admits coercing minor girl to produce sexually explicit images

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — A Roundup man today admitted allegations that he coerced a minor girl into producing sexually explicit images of herself after providing the girl with a laptop, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Marshall Vincent Lucas, 42, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement. Lucas faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to a lifetime in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Lucas was released pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that in September 2021, Lucas provided the victim, Jane Doe 1, who is under the age of 16 years, with a laptop for purposes of communicating with her. Lucas had met Jane Doe 1 through her mother. Lucas began to correspond with Jane Doe 1 using an alias. Through electronic and in-person communications, Lucas asked Jane Doe 1 how she felt about him and requested nude pictures of her. Lucas persisted, and Jane Doe 1 ultimately provided him with nude pictures of herself that she produced as his direction. Lucas also sent Jane Doe 1 nude pictures of himself and instructed her to delete electronic communications between them. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. XXX


title: Florida Sex Offender Sentenced To Federal Prison For Attempting To Exploit A 13-Year-Old Minor In Tennessee

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NASHVILLE – A Florida man previously convicted of sex crimes against a child was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Nashville to 15 years in federal prison for attempted production of child pornography or attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis. David Earl Parker, 62, of Bryceville, Florida, was also ordered to serve seven years of supervised release upon the expiration of his prison sentence. Parker was indicted in December 2021, after contacting an undercover FBI agent online, who was posing as a 13-year-old female living in Clarksville, Tennessee. During subsequent months of texting the purported minor female, Parker sent photos of his genitals and requested that the minor female send nude photos to him. The conversations continued with Parker making sexually explicit comments and eventually planned to travel to Clarksville to have sex with her. On January 23, 2022, the FBI arrested Parker in Bryceville, Florida on the warrant associated with the indictment. Parker pleaded guilty in October. Parker was previously convicted in Florida in 2015 after being arrested for similar conduct and arriving at an agreed location to have sex with a 14-year-old female. This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison. # # # # #


title: Orlando Man Sentenced To More Than 9 Years In Prison For Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Keith Ingersoll (46, Orlando) to nine years and one month in federal prison for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, attempted wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Ingersoll to forfeit $9,814,993.36 in proceeds traceable to the offense and ordered him to pay $12.748 million in restitution to the victims. Ingersoll had pleaded guilty on October 18, 2022. According to court documents, in one conspiracy, Ingersoll and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained $12.7 million from a victim between 2016 and 2021. The co-conspirators falsely represented that the funds provided by the victim would be used as refundable deposits for specific real estate transactions, that the funds would be held in escrow by an attorney, and that the funds would be returned to the victim upon request. In fact, the funds were sent to two conspirators who were not licensed attorneys. Rather than retain the funds as had been promised, these conspirators diverted portions of the funds for their own personal benefit, including for luxury car rentals, travel, and adult entertainment and transferred the majority of the funds to Ingersoll. As part of the conspiracy, Ingersoll and other conspirators provided the victim with fake real estate purchase contracts and other documents that were not executed by the owners of the properties, but rather contained forged signatures or were executed using the names of fictitious individuals and that falsely represented the entities that owned the properties. Ingersoll and other conspirators also falsely claimed that specific entities and individuals had expressed interest in purchasing the real estate, when those potential buyers did not exist, had never been contacted about purchasing the real estate, or had declined to pursue a transaction. When the victim requested a return of some of the funds, Ingersoll provided false excuses about why the funds could not be returned, including false claims that the purported escrow agent was in Costa Rica and was not allowed to leave that country due to having COVID-19. In another conspiracy that took place in 2017, Ingersoll conspired to defraud a local government entity in the Middle District of Florida out of $262,000 through the straw purchase and markup of a piece of real estate. As part of that conspiracy, Ingersoll used his position as a consultant for the local government entity to find a straw purchaser to buy a piece of real estate. On the same day that the straw purchaser bought this real estate, Ingersoll caused the property to be transferred to the local government agency for an extra $262,000 above the purchase price. The $262,000 windfall was then divided amongst Ingersoll, the straw purchaser, and other conspirators. In yet another scheme, on March 31, 2020, Ingersoll submitted a fraudulent application to the U.S. Small Business Administration seeking $66,500 in emergency COVID-19 funding in the form of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for a business controlled by him named “The Ingersoll Group.” In this application, Ingersoll made false representations regarding The Ingersoll Group’s revenues and costs in an attempt to fraudulently increase the amount of the loan. The application was ultimately denied. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg and Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Daniels, Chauncey A. Bratt, and Jennifer M. Harrington.


title: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Scott Phalen, 63, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 15, 2022, law enforcement officers responded to a report from an employee at a Kanawha City restaurant in Charleston that an individual had placed a firearm in a trash can at the restaurant. Officers recovered a SCCY, model CPX-1, 9mm semi-automatic pistol from the trash can. Phalen admitted to possessing the firearm and further admitted to placing the firearm in the trash can. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Phalen was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for first-degree sexual abuse in Kanawha County Circuit Court on February 14, 2012. Phalen is scheduled to be sentenced on June 22, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department. Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Troy D. Adams is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-204. ###


title: Peoria Man Sentenced to Almost 22 years in Prison for Armed Bank Robbery

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois, man, Dante Latice Williams, 51, formerly of the 700 block of NE Madison Street, has been sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for armed bank robbery, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Williams’ girlfriend and accomplice, Irene Belton, pled guilty in January 2022 and was sentenced to 43 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Chief Judge Sara Darrow, the government presented evidence that on February 27, 2019, Belton drove Williams from Peoria to Galesburg in her van, knowing he was planning to rob a bank. The two ultimately picked First Mid Bank and Trust, 101 E. Main Street, Galesburg for their target robbery. Once in Galesburg, Belton experienced mechanical problems with the van, so she parked and waited in the van while Williams proceeded on to First Mid Bank and Trust. Upon arrival, Williams approached the teller counter and then demanded money. During the robbery, Williams was displaying a taser in a threatening manner and, on several occasions, caused the taser to discharge part of its electrical charge. In response to Williams’ threat, the teller handed him more than $2,000. Williams then met up with Belton where they used the ill-gained funds to make small purchases at local stores and restaurants. They were arrested in the parking lot of one of the local restaurants. At the time of their arrest, Belton had most of the stolen money in her purse, and Williams had the purple electrical discharge weapon in his coat. The disguise Williams wore was also located in the vehicle they had driven to Galesburg. The Government also noted in its arguments that Williams had a long, storied history of convictions, starting with auto thefts at age 15, aggravated battery at age 17, armed robbery (a Class X felony) at the age of 28, and his first bank robbery in 2007 at the age of 36. After several violations, he was placed on supervised release in December 2018, just 3 months prior to the First Mid Bank and Trust robbery. During the hearing, Judge Darrow commented on the profound impact that Williams actions had on the lives of the tellers he robbed. She also commented on Williams’ significant criminal history including the fact that he was on supervised release for bank robbery when he committed this bank robbery. Williams originally pled guilty in November 2021, but his sentencing was delayed by a series of unsuccessful motions, an effort that he chose to abandon in December 2022. Williams has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest. The statutory penalties for armed bank robbery are up to 25 years imprisonment, followed by up to 5 years of supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas McMeyer stated that “this sentence should send a strong message that hurting others—even if only through threats—will not be tolerated.” He further praised the bravery and professionalism of the bank tellers who followed their training and likely prevented violence on that day. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, The Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and the Galesburg Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas F. McMeyer represented the government in the prosecution.


title: U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson Statement In Recognition of Black History Month

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada issued the following statement from United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson in recognition of Black History Month: “As our celebration of Black History Month comes to a close this year, I would like to acknowledge the generations that have come before us as well as those who continue their work advancing justice and equality in our country. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has joined communities throughout Nevada to celebrate African American history and culture, and have paid tribute to individuals whose achievements impacted our community and society as a whole. We acknowledge individuals at all levels who work today to advance the Department of Justice’s mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. I am humbled to serve as the first African American to hold the position of United States Attorney in the District of Nevada. As we strive to reflect the community that we serve, I am also proud that we have more African American Assistant United States Attorneys in the District of Nevada than ever before. It is an honor to work alongside dedicated Assistant United States Attorneys, professional staff, law enforcement partners, and community organizations to make Nevada a safer place to live and work.”


title: Celebrate Safe Communities 2023

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – The United States Attorney’s Office, Weed and Seed Hawaii, Inc., State of Hawaii Attorney Generalʻs Office, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Securities Commissioner, and the Honolulu Police Department, in partnership with Pearlridge Center and along with other community partners are coordinating the Celebrate Safe Communities Day on Saturday, March 4, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pearlridge Center Mauka. This is a free event for the entire community. This partnership was formed so these federal, state and county agencies and other service providers could better work together to keep communities safe from crime, fraud, and disasters. “We are delighted to participate again in this event, which has helped educate our community about important safety issues since 2012,” said United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. “Everyone is a potential target and to keep safe, it is critical to know about threats such as online scams, fraud prevention, disaster preparedness, and substance abuse prevention. This partnership helps our different agencies provide as much useful information to as many families as possible.” There will be over 30 interactive vendors at Pearlridge Center Mauka along with static displays in the TJ Maxx parking lot. Some of the vendors and static displays include those from the United States Attorney’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaii Army National Guard, Department of Public Safety canine unit, Hickam Federal Credit Union’s Keiki ID, Walk Wise Hawaiʻi, Aloha Medical Mission and many other excellent resources vendors. For more details, please visit pearlridgeonline.com . For more information, contact Lorrie Kanno, Program Director, Weed and Seed Hawaii at lorriek@weedandseedhi.org (e-mail) or https://weedandseedhi.org ./ (web).