title: Readout from Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta’s Meeting with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

component: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

body_text: Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta traveled to Minnesota today and met with Tribal leaders and members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The trip focused on areas – public safety, justice administration, reentry and victims’ services – where the Justice Department provides substantial grant funding to support Tribal self-governance. Associate Attorney General Gupta held government-to-government meetings with the Tribe’s leadership, heard about the Tribe’s work to respond to challenges and reinforced the Justice Department’s commitment to supporting Indian Country. She was joined throughout the trip by Director Tracy Toulou of the Justice Department’s Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ). The Associate Attorney General’s trip to the Mille Lacs Band is the first in a series of meetings with Tribal governments on Tribal land in the coming months and is part of the Justice Department’s continued efforts to strengthen ties to Indian Country and elevate the voices and concerns of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Associate Attorney General Gupta opened the visit by remarking on the Supreme Court’s decision to reject constitutional challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act, a landmark statute that protects Indian children and families and safeguards Tribal self-governance. As Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement following the decision, the Justice Department vigorously defended the Act before the Court and will continue to do everything in its power to protect Tribal communities and affirm Tribal sovereignty. Meetings with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive and Tribal Leadership Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin of the Mille Lacs Band welcomed the Associate Attorney General and convened a meeting with a number of the Band’s executive, legislative and judicial leaders. During the meeting, the Associate Attorney General learned more about the operations of the Band’s government, day-to-day challenges and exercise of sovereignty over their Homelands. Chief Executive Benjamin is the Midwest representative on the Attorney General’s Tribal Nations Leadership Council. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta (center) and Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin (center right) with members of Tribal Leadership. Associate Attorney General Gupta (right) and Chief Executive Benjamin (left) Tour of Reservation and Government Programming Later in the afternoon, Associate Attorney General Gupta joined a tour of the reservation, which included visits to Tribal Courts and the Band’s Police Department and Government Center. She also visited the Band’s aanjibimaadizing, a center dedicated to “changing lives” by providing social services to youth and adults. She ended her visit at the Band’s Health and Human Services Department. Associate Attorney General Gupta (right) speaking with Associate Justice Brenda Moose, of the Mille Lacs Band Central Court of Jurisdiction (left). Associate Attorney General Gupta (left) touring the Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police Department with Chief of Police James West (right). Assembly Speaker and Secretary-Treasurer Sheldon Boyd (left) briefing Associate Attorney General Gupta (right) on the Band’s implementation of Justice Department-supported grant programming. Justice Department Resources to Address the Unique Needs of Indian Country Throughout the visit, the Associate Attorney General and Tribal leadership discussed the Justice Department’s grant programs and how they assist the Band’s self-government initiatives. Through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), the Justice Department has provided the Band resources to construct new courtrooms, recruit and retain police officers, revise the Band’s statutes and provide shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. The Justice Department has also designated a Band attorney as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to enable the Band to more effectively prosecute serious crimes. OTJ, among other duties, serves as a primary point of contact for Tribal governments and organizations regarding policies and programs and issues relating to public safety and justice in Indian country. In line with a whole-of-department approach, the department recently announced the hiring of 44 additional Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff to serve Native communities nationwide. In Minnesota alone, five new department personnel will be added to address issues arising within Indian Country.


title: Fredericksburg Family Sentenced for Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Fraud, Mail Theft, and Bank Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Fredericksburg man was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution for conspiring to obtain pandemic unemployment benefits (UI) and his role in his sister’s mail theft and bank fraud scheme. According to court documents, from in or about May 2020 through in or about January 2022, Eric Wilhoit, II, 29, conspired with Odyssey Wilhoit, 23, Jeremiah Wilhoit, 26, Dejhaun Wilhoit, 26, and others to obtain pandemic unemployment benefits. Eric Wilhoit, Odyssey Wilhoit, and Dejahun Wilhoit are family members. They conspired to apply for pandemic unemployment benefits in their own names and in the names of others, many of whom were identity theft victims. Eric Wilhoit admitted that he instructed his co-conspirators on how to make the claims. The group then used VPNs and false or anonymized email addresses in an attempt to hide the fraud. Additionally, each member of the conspiracy recruited others to use their physical addresses to receive the prepaid debit cards that contained the unemployment benefits. Eric Wilhoit and his co-conspirators made significant cash withdrawals from the prepaid debit cards, bought luxury goods, and at least one firearm with the benefits. Specifically, Eric Wilhoit purchased a diamond ring, while his sister Odyssey Wilhoit purchased a Chanel purse, Louboutin shoes, along with many other items. The loss associated with the unemployment fraud scheme impacting the Virginia Unemployment Commission was over $1.7 million. While attempting to flee his arrest, Eric Wilhoit led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, resulting in him crashing his car with his minor children in the backseat. Separately, Odyssey Wilhoit ran her own mail theft and bank fraud scheme in which she conspired with Eric Wilhoit, Jeremiah Wilhoit, Dejhaun Wilhoit, and others, including Jaleai Morrison, 23, of Temple, Georgia. According to court documents, Morrison obtained a master U.S. Postal key and would steal checks from a U.S. Postal collection box, one of which was located in Arlington, and provide the checks or personal information from the checks to Odyssey Wilhoit. Odyssey Wilhoit used the information to create counterfeit checks, which she would then deposit into bank accounts and later withdraw or transfer to cash applications once the funds cleared. After her conspiracy with Morrison ended, Odyssey Wilhoit obtained the U.S. Postal key and continued to steal mail from the U.S. Postal collection boxes. Her bank fraud scheme continued through at least July 2022. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered hundreds of stolen checks, which when altered totaled over $850,000. On January 25, 2023, Jaleia Morrison was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, and three years of supervised release for her role in the mail theft and bank fraud scheme. On April 26, 2023, Odyssey Wilhoit was sentenced to 75 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release. On May 3, 2023, both Dejhaun and Jeremiah Wilhoit were sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment and to three years and five years of supervised release respectively. Odyssey Wilhoit, Dejhaun Wilhoit, and Jeremiah Wilhoit were also ordered to pay restitution and consented to the forfeiture of certain assets. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Troy W. Springer, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the National Capital Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police provided significant assistance in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Shartar and Christopher Hood prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:22-cr-191 and 1:22-cr-177.


title: Ten Indicted and Six Arrested in Joint Task Force Alpha Investigation of the Lopez Crime Family Human Smuggling Organization Operating in Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Thursday, Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Francisco B. Burrola, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, announced the unsealing of an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 24, 2023, and the arrest of, six alleged human smugglers in a coordinated, multistate enforcement operation that included arrests in Arizona and California. According to the indictment and other court records, Ronaldo Galindo Lopez-Escobar, aka “Tio Roni,” 45, of Guatemala City, Guatemala, and his sister, Rosa Adriana Lopez-Escobar, aka “Tia Rosa,” 38, of Phoenix, and citizens of Guatemala, allegedly led the Lopez Crime Family, a transnational criminal organization principally involved in human smuggling with operations in Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. The organization smuggled undocumented noncitizens into the United States utilizing a series of coordinated transports, stash houses, and directed electronic money transfers to avoid detection. Rosa Adriana Lopez-Escobar was arrested in Phoenix on June 14, 2023, and is detained pending further proceedings, which have not been scheduled. Ronaldo Galindo Lopez-Escobar’s family associates, who are alleged to have been involved in moving money through funnel bank accounts and through electronic money transfers on behalf of the organization were also arrested. Deysi Marisela Lopez-Ambrosio, 25, was arrested in Long Beach, California. Both are citizens of Guatemala. Arrests in Arizona on June 14 also were made of Rosa Adriana Lopez-Escobar’s family and their close associates, who allegedly coordinated the transportation and harboring of the smuggled undocumented noncitizens: Jose Denilson Lopez-Chilel, aka “Andres,” 24, Franklin Leonardo Chilel-Ramirez, aka “Arisona,” 37, and Junior Vanegas-Portillo, 20, citizens of Guatemala. If convicted, they each face up to ten years in prison and some will be subject to deportation. Suny Diaz-Salguero, an associate of the Lopez family associate, was also arrested in a related in case in Los Angeles, California. “Today’s human smuggling organizations prey on the hope of Latin American migrants, targeting those who are most vulnerable for exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “To combat human smuggling we will dismantle networks, arrest leaders, and seize bank accounts. And that is our promise, and our solemn duty to each other and to our neighbors south of the border seeking a better life—this team will tirelessly target those who profit from the misery of others. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their invaluable contribution to the success of this tri-state enforcement action - a significant joint effort and victory against unscrupulous human smugglers,” said Special Agent in Charge Burrola. “Criminal organizations, such as the Lopez Crime Family, not only jeopardize the safety and lives of the people on whom they prey for profit and greed, they also threaten the security of the United States. HSI remains steadfast in vigorously investigating and dismantling transnational criminal networks that pose a threat to our nation.” “El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents continue to successfully disrupt smuggling schemes and the illegal operations of Transnational Criminal Organizations through our law enforcement partnerships,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good. “I am grateful for these partnerships at the state, local and federal level and are vital to our National Security Mission. This alliance is successfully disrupting dangerous criminal organizations, their leadership, and their human smuggling schemes.” JTFA was created by Attorney General Merrick Garland in June 2021 in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to strengthen the Department’s overall efforts to combat these crimes based on the rise in prolific and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our border communities. JTFA’s goal is to disrupt and dismantle those human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, with a focus on networks that endanger, abuse or exploit migrants, present national security risks, or engage in other types of transnational organized crime. Since its creation, JTFA has successfully increased coordination and collaboration between the Justice Department, DHS, and other interagency law enforcement participants, and with foreign law enforcement partners, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico; targeted those organizations who have the most impact on the United States, and coordinated significant smuggling indictments and extradition efforts in U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. To date, JTFA’s work with its partners has resulted in criminal charges and over a hundred domestic and international arrests, including against leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of human smuggling activities; several dozen convictions; significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial asset forfeiture. JTFA is comprised of detailees from southwest border U.S. Attorney’s Offices, including the New Mexico, the Southern District of Texas, the Western District of Texas, the District of Arizona, and the Southern District of California, and dedicated support for the program is also provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division that are part of JTFA – led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), and supported by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT), the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS), the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), the Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO), the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), and the Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS). JTFA is made possible by substantial law enforcement investment from HSI, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other partners. HSI New Mexico led U.S. investigative efforts, with enforcement assistance from HSI in Arizona and the Central District of California. HSI received investigative assistance from U.S. Border Patrol Deming, Lordsburg, Blythe, El Centro, Yuma, and Tucson, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center/Operation Sentinel , and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. HRSP and MLARS also provided support in this matter. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ramirez for the District of New Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Nelson for the Central District of California and Stuart Zander for the District of Arizona provided critical support fugitive location and search warrants. The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ### 23-129


title: Federal Jury Convicts Broome County Man For Traveling To Wyoming County To Attempt To Have Sex With A 13-Year-Old

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal jury convicted David Lettieri, 36, of Harpursville, NY, of enticement of a minor. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Maeve E. Huggins, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that in October 2020, Lettieri traveled from Broome County to meet a 13-year-old girl (victim) in a park in Wyoming County with the intent of having sexual intercourse, however sexual contact did not occur. Subsequent investigation recovered communications between Lettieri and the victim, including photos of the victim on Lettieri’s phone. Investigators also searched Lettieri’s Facebook account and recovered conversations between Lettieri, the Victim, and the Victim’s sister, which were sexual in nature. The Victim’s age was also revealed during the conversations. The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Gregory J. Rudolph, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, who presided over the trial of the case. # # # #


title: Elmira Methamphetamine Dealer Going To Prison For 15 Years

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Corey J. Lattimer, 30, of Elmira, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Lattimer was also ordered to forfeit $3,528.62 in seized U.S. currency, and over 250 rounds of seized ammunition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that Lattimer was arrested April 25, 2022, after the Elmira Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit and the New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at his S. Main Street residence. During the search, investigators recovered approximately 2,075 grams of methamphetamine, 475 grams of fentanyl, and 5.2 grams of p-Flourofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, drug paraphernalia, $3,528.62 in U.S. currency, and over 250 rounds of live .45 caliber, 9mm caliber, and .380 caliber ammunition. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kristen Thorne, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division. # # # #


title: Former Executive Director Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND – Alfonzo Bailey, 40, of Euclid, Ohio, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Bailey was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and restitution of $3,465,643.33. According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, Bailey founded Eye for Change Youth and Family Services in 2016 and provided a wide range of services to clients such as mental health counseling, case management, job training, and supportive housing. Beginning in 2017, Bailey and his defendants conspired together to execute a scheme to defraud The Ohio Department of Medicaid by obtaining payments on false claims. To execute the scheme, Bailey encouraged his staff to create false progress notes for counseling services not actually rendered to patients in order to bill the Ohio Department of Medicaid. Search warrants were executed at Eye for Change Youth and Family Services in 2020 which led to the indictments of 21 defendants including Bailey. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cleveland, the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Section. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Collyer and Edward Brydle as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Metzler.


title: Three charged in $6M pediatric dental fraud scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON - A superseding indictment has been unsealed charging an operator and two managers at a local dental clinic for their roles in a $6 million Medicaid fraud and kickback scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Authorities took Christian Agno Aquino, 42, Humble, into custody today. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m. Also charged is Rene Gaviola, 67, and Ifeanyi Ndubisi Ozoh, 51, both of Houston. They were previously arrested on similar charges in August 2022. Ozoh and Gaviola are expected to make their appearances on the superseding indictment in Houston tomorrow. According to the charges, Gaviola was the operator, while Ozoh and Aquino were managers of Floss Family Dental Care clinic located in Houston. The superseding indictment alleges Gaviola and other employees submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for pediatric dental services, including numerous cavity fillings, that Floss did not provide or that licensed individuals did not conduct. At Gaviola’s direction and with Aquino’s assistance, Floss allegedly employed one individual to practice dentistry without a license. Floss billed Medicaid for these dental services as if they were provided by a licensed dentist, according to the indictment. Gaviola, Ozoh and Aquino also allegedly paid kickbacks to marketers and caregivers of Medicaid-insured children to bring them to Floss for dental services. The indictment further alleges Gaviola laundered Medicaid monies from the Floss business bank account to his personal bank account in several transactions exceeding $100,000. From 2019 to 2021, the dental clinic allegedly billed Medicaid for nearly $6.9 million for which Medicaid paid approximately $4.9 million. If convicted, all three face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks and 10 years for each count of payment of health care kickbacks. Gaviola and Aquino also face up to 10 years for each count of health care fraud and conspiracy to do so. Finally, Gaviola faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of money laundering. All charges also carry a possible $250,000 maximum fine. The FBI, Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olson and Assistant U.S. Attorney 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: Suffolk County to Comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and Prevent Contamination of the County's Drinking Water Supply

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Lisa Garcia, Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2, announced today that the United States filed suit under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), against Suffolk County, the Suffolk County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Suffolk County Department of Public Works for their longstanding violations of the Underground Injection Well regulations which required Suffolk to close all Large Capacity Cesspools (LCCs) by April 2005 and all Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells (MVWDWs) by January 1, 2008 (Prohibited LCCs and MVWDWs). A Consent Judgment requiring Suffolk County to close all Prohibited LCCs and MVWDWs at an estimated cost of $7,020,000 and pay a $200,000 civil penalty was also lodged with the Court. “Today’s Consent Judgment will protect the residents of Suffolk County and Long Island’s drinking water from harmful nutrient pollution which poses a risk both to the public health and the natural environment,” said United States Attorney Peace. “This office will continue to vigorously enforce violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act to protect the public from contamination of its water supply and promote environmental justice.” “This agreement with Suffolk County is a major achievement that will help protect the drinking water of millions of Long Islanders from the harmful impacts of large capacity cesspools and waste disposal wells," said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "These types of underground injection wells can pollute groundwater and endanger public health and the environment. EPA is committed to enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure that all communities have access to clean water.” Background The complaint alleges that the Defendants violated the SDWA in their continued ownership and operation of Prohibited LCCs and MVWDWs at various Suffolk County parks and facilities for years beyond the SDWA regulatory deadline by which they were required to close them. LCCs are cesspools that receive untreated sanitary waste, including human excreta, which have an open bottom or perforated sides, and have the capacity to serve 20 or more persons a day. Such untreated waste is high in harmful nutrients, such as nitrogen, that can compromise ground and surface water quality. Nutrient pollution of the ground and surface waters in and surrounding Suffolk County is a longstanding problem that threatens the area’s water quality and ecosystem. MVWDWs are disposal wells that receive fluids from motor vehicle repair or maintenance activities. During normal activities, vehicle fluids—such as engine oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze—when released to a dry well or septic system, can introduce various toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water. Congress enacted the SDWA to protect the nation’s drinking water sources, including the regulation of LCCs and MVWDWs to prevent them from contaminating underground sources of drinking water. Underground injection wells, including the LCCs and MVWDWs at issue in the Complaint, pose a risk to the public because they can contaminate underground drinking water sources and the public water systems that use those sources. Consent Judgment All of the Prohibited LCCs and MVWDWs are above the Nassau/Suffolk County Sole Source Aquifer, an already stressed sole source aquifer that supplies drinking water to the entire population of Suffolk County and most of the population of Long Island. Because discharges from LCCs and MVWDWs have the potential to discharge to groundwater, through which contamination may migrate, such discharges impact all communities receiving drinking water from the Sole Source Aquifier, including communities that have been historically exposed to disproportionate environmental burdens. Under the Consent Judgment, Defendants will close all the Prohibited LCCs and MVWDWs, convert them to lawful uses and prevent further contamination. LCCs associated with most buildings will be converted to Innovative Alternative Solutions (IASs), with significant environmental benefits, particularly in the area of nitrogen reduction to nutrient compromised waters and protection of groundwater on Long Island. IASs significantly decrease nitrogen discharges from wastewater. The estimated cost of these measures and the closing of all Prohibited LCCs and MVWDWs is $7,020,000. Defendants have already implemented certain measures to achieve compliance with the SDWA, including closing one of the Prohibited MVWDWs. The remainder of the MVWDWs will be closed within 30 days of entry of the Consent Judgment. The LCCs will be closed and converted in a phased schedule. The Consent Judgment also requires Defendants to pay a $200,000 civil penalty. The proposed settlement which is subject to a 30-day public comment period is available here: https://justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees . Assistant United States Attorney Deborah B. Zwany is in charge of the litigation, with assistance from Phyllis Kaplan Feinmark and Lauren Fischer, Regional Counsel's Office, EPA Region 2; Doughlas McKenna, Chief of the Water Compliance Branch, EPA Region 2; Nicole Foley Kraft, Chief of the Ground Water Compliance Section, EPA Region 2; and Lisa Kim Pelcyger, Environmental Engineer, Water Compliance Branch, EPA. E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CV-4369 consent_decree_and_judgment.6.14.2023.pdf complaint.6.14.2023.ecf_filed.pdf


title: Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Illegal Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Ronnie Peoples, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal charge of illegal possession of a firearm in a school zone, specifically, the New Hope Academy. The guilty plea 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; and Acting Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department. According to his guilty plea, on April 29, 2020, Peoples was seen engaging in what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug transactions in the 500 block of Orchard Street. Peoples then got into a maroon Nissan Ultima and Baltimore Police officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Peoples. Law enforcement recovered a revolver, loaded with six rounds of ammunition, and 34 flip-top containers of approximately 14.5 grams of cocaine from Peoples’ jacket pocket. Peoples admitted that he knew he had the firearm and ammunition and had reasonable cause to believe he was within 1,000 feet of the New Hope Academy. Peoples faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm in a school zone. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for September 6, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. 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 and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney LaRai Everett, who is prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Virginia Beach Man Sentenced for Dealing Illegal Machine Guns

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison for possessing and selling unregistered machineguns and possessing unregistered destructive devices. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, between approximately October 2021 and April 2022, Patrick Tate Adamiak, 28, was obtaining illegal machine guns that were not registered and he was selling these machine guns online. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) purchased eight machine guns from him through a confidential source. They then executed a search warrant at Adamiak’s residence and recovered 25 additional unregistered firearms. A search warrant at his residence found that Adamiak was in possession of two grenade launchers and two antitank missile launchers. Adamiak is a Master at Arms in the U.S. Navy. Adamiak was convicted after a four-day jury trial on October 21, 2022. Evidence presented at sentencing further revealed that Adamiak engaged in the unregulated sale and transfer of firearms beginning in at least 2016. Adamiak had just begun to make greater profits from his business, Black Dog Arsenal, when his firearms trafficking was discovered by law enforcement. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; and Mack Hickman, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Muhr prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-47.


title: Panama City Woman On State Probation Pleads Guilty To Passing Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Lyndsey Rhea Markland (41, Panama City) has pleaded guilty to four counts of passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Markland faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count and payment of restitution to the victims she defrauded. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents and public records, in 2022, Markland entered various businesses in Brevard, Clay, Duval, and Seminole counties and purchased gift cards and merchandise using counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Law enforcement subsequently determined that Markland and her co-defendant, Neal Evan Pollman (42, Panama City), were staying at the Comfort Inn in Palm Bay. In November 2022, the Palm Bay Police Department (PBPD) executed a search warrant at the Comfort Inn and located Markland inside her room. Also located in the room was approximately $30,000 in counterfeit currency and a HP printer, used for manufacturing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. Pollman and Markland appeared in federal court on April 27, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing them to Jacksonville from the Bay County Jail, where they are serving a jail sentence for violating their state probation on multiple charges related to passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. The court ordered Pollman and Markland detained pending trial. Pollman was charged with one count of manufacturing and nine counts of passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes. He is scheduled for trial in July 2023. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Bay Police Department, the Orange Park Police Department, and the United States Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.


title: Federal Jury Convicts North Carolina Man of Transporting Cocaine through Louisiana

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict yesterday afternoon convicting Howard Davis , 45, of Raleigh, North Carolina, of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the two-day jury trial. Testimony at trial showed that on August 2, 2022, Davis was stopped by a Louisiana State Trooper on Interstate 20 near Minden, Louisiana, for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of the story that Davis gave him as to why he was traveling through the area. The trooper was able to receive information from law enforcement indicating that the vehicle Davis was driving had been seen in North Carolina during the early morning hours the day before the traffic stop and was seen later that same evening in Dallas, Texas. The information Davis provided to the trooper led him to believe that he was not being truthful. A Louisiana State Trooper K-9 was called in and conducted an open-air sniff of Davis’ vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics. While conducting a search of the vehicle, troopers found inside the trunk a tote bag containing approximately 4.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine wrapped in black electrical tape. The cocaine had an estimated street value of over $110,000. The narcotics were seized and sent to the DEA Laboratory for testing, and it was confirmed to be cocaine. Davis faces a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. His sentencing has been scheduled for October 11, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young Announces Assistant U.S. Attorney Appointments

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces the appointment of career prosecutor Jeff Strelzin as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and the appointments of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kasey Weiland as the Senior Litigation Counsel (SLC) and Jarad Hodes as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Coordinator. AUSA Strelzin has over 25 years of experience as a prosecutor. AUSA Strelzin most recently served as the Associate Attorney General, Director of the Division of Public Protection at the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, where he oversaw the Criminal Bureau, Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, and the Environmental Protection Bureau. During his career, AUSA Strelzin prosecuted murder cases as the Chief of the Homicide Unit for nearly 15 years and investigated hundreds of suspicious deaths. He also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office in 2003. AUSA Strelzin is expected to investigate and prosecute a variety of federal crimes, including violent crime, firearm and drug offences, and immigration cases. “Assistant U.S. Attorney Strelzin has devoted his career to serving New Hampshire,” said Jane E. Young. “Not only has he spent the past three decades working to make our communities safer, but he has been a committed granite-stater, attending college and law school here.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland has been appointed to serve as the district’s Senior Litigation Counsel. The SLC is a federal prosecutor with at least five years of experience who has been recognized as an outstanding litigator. The SLC is responsible for in-office trainings of other Assistant U.S. Attorneys. Weiland will continue to serve as the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and the Human Trafficking Coordinator. “Assistant U.S. Attorney Weiland has had a distinguished career both in the District of New Hampshire and the Western District of Tennessee,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “She is an exceptional attorney that has earned the respect of her colleagues. She will be an outstanding mentor for this generation of prosecutors.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes has been promoted to serve as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Coordinator in the District of New Hampshire. The OCDETF Coordinator is responsible for leading the district’s specialized investigation and prosecutions of drug trafficking and money laundering criminal conspiracies. AUSA Hodes previously served as a Trial Attorney in the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, as well as an Associate Deputy Attorney General, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California. AUSA Hodes will continue to serve as the National Security Coordinator in the District of New Hampshire. “Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes’ experience in the U.S. Department of Justice makes him uniquely suited to lead the organized crime and drug enforcement task force for the District of New Hampshire,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “The OCDETF program requires cohesion and coordination among our federal investigative partners, and Jarad is undoubtedly equipped to work with this specialized group of agents.” ###


title: Member of Navajo Nation Sentenced to 120 Months for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian Country

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Raydell Billy was sentenced to 90 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country and 30 months for violating prior terms of supervised release, with the sentences to run consecutively for a total of 120 months in prison. Billy, 32, of Shiprock, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was found guilty of the charge on March 8, 2023, by a federal jury sitting in Albuquerque, New Mexico following a one and a half-day trial. United States District Judge Kea W. Riggs presided. During the trial, the jury heard evidence that victim John Doe was at his girlfriend’s home with her young child in Shiprock, New Mexico on the evening of April 11, 2022, when Defendant Raydell Billy and two others burst into their home and attacked him. The home is located within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation. John Doe’s girlfriend testified that on that evening, Raynorma Billy knocked on the door, and the girlfriend opened the door to let Raynorma in. Immediately after, Raynorma Billy, Raydell Billy, and Alvin White barged their way through, rushed down the hallway of the home, and found John Doe lying down in the bedroom, where they immediately attacked him. His girlfriend further testified that she had been in the hallway struggling with Raynorma Billy when she heard a gunshot and ran into the bedroom to see a gun in Raydell Billy’s hands. White, who participated in the attack, testified that he and Raydell Billy attacked John Doe with the intent to commit bodily harm. He testified that they both hit John Doe and that he also heard the gunshot, which came from over his shoulder, and that Raydell Billy was the only person in the room and was the shooter. Finally, a Navajo Nation criminal investigator testified about finding a bullet hole in the bedroom’s mattress and box spring, and that he collected a bullet fragment as evidence from underneath the bed. The bullet hole’s point of impact was right in front of where John Doe had been standing when the shot was fired. The criminal investigator further testified that John Doe’s car, which was parked outside the home, suffered damage from multiple gunshots and that its windows had been smashed in. John Doe, who said he tries to forget about that day, testified about the attack and his fear that he would be shot. He said he was attacked in the bedroom by all three defendants and that it was Raydell Billy who held him at gunpoint with a handgun. John Doe further testified that Raydell Billy fired the gun in his direction. At one point, Raydell Billy began hitting him in the back of the head with the gun. Raydell Billy, Raynorma Billy, and Alvin White were indicted on May 25, 2022, for the assault. White pleaded guilty and entered into an agreement with the government on February 1, 2023, admitting that he and Raydell Billy assaulted John Doe with a handgun and their fists and that Raydell Billy fired a round from the handgun into the bed. He also agreed to cooperate and provided testimony in the now-concluded trial. A superseding indictment was filed against Raydell Billy and Raynorma Billy on February 22, 2023. Raynorma Billy pleaded guilty on February 28, 2023, to being a conspirator, admitting that she, Raydell Billy, and Alvin White discussed and agreed to assault John Doe. This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the Federal Bureau Investigation and by Navajo Nation Office of Criminal Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander F. Flores and Matthew J. McGinley. # # # 23-128


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, IA – A Davenport man was sentenced yesterday to seven years in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, and evidence presented at sentencing, Donnell Hargrove, 54, was stopped by law enforcement on the evening of August 21, 2022 for a traffic violation. Officers detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Hargrove admitted that marijuana had been smoked in the vehicle earlier and showed officers the marijuana. During the traffic stop and a search of Hargrove’s person, a loaded nine-millimeter pistol was found on Hargrove’s waistband. Hargrove was a felon prohibited from possessing firearms. After completing his term of imprisonment, Hargrove 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 Bettendorf Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice 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: Greensboro, N.C. Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty To $4.7 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aljihad Shabazz, 44, of Kernersville, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriquez today and pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for his role in a scheme that defrauded the North Carolina Medicaid Program (Medicaid) of more than $4.7 million, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office (IRS-CI), and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, who oversees the North Carolina Medicaid Division (MID), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court records, filed plea documents, and today’s hearing, Shabazz was the owner and operator of Reign & Inspirations, LLC (R&I), a clinic that provided outpatient behavioral services in Greensboro and surrounding areas. Between 2017 and 2020, Shabazz conspired with other individuals to carry out an extensive health care fraud scheme involving the fraudulent submissions of fake reimbursement claims to Medicaid, for services that were never provided to Medicaid beneficiaries. As Shabazz admitted in court today, he obtained the personal identifying information (PII) of Medicaid beneficiaries through community outreach programs, including football and mentoring programs, and misused the beneficiaries’ PII to create and submit hundreds of fraudulent reimbursement claims and to receive payment for services that were never in fact provided by R&I. Over the course of the scheme, Shabazz used the beneficiaries’ PII to submit more than 1,500 fraudulent reimbursement claims to Medicaid, some of which claimed that R&I provided services that exceeded 24 hours in a single day. Court records show that the reimbursement payments made by Medicaid were deposited in bank accounts under Shabazz’s control. Shabazz used a portion of the fraudulent proceeds to pay kickbacks to his co-conspirators and to cover personal expenses, including to pay for personal travel, luxury items, and timeshares, and to make cash withdrawals. Shabazz was released on bond following his plea hearing. The health care fraud conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and the money laundering conspiracy charge up to 20 years in prison. A sentencing date for Shabazz has not been set. In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney King credited the FBI in Charlotte, IRS-CI, and NCDOJ’s Medicaid Investigations Division for the investigation that led to today’s guilty plea Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassye Cole and Mike Savage and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jermaine Sellers with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.


title: Gregg County Man Sentenced to 9 years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: TYLER, Texas – A Longview man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Dimitri Aaron Reynoso, 48, pleaded guilty on Nov. 28, 2022, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker. According to information presented in court, Reynoso was trafficking various types of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and pills laced with fentanyl in and around Longview and Tyler. During the course of a joint state and federal investigation, law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine from Reynoso on multiple occasions. On January 25, 2022, Reynoso sold 82.63 grams of methamphetamine for $1,000. On February 9, 2022, Reynoso sold 7.7 grams of methamphetamine for $140. Reynoso aborted the sale of one pound of methamphetamine on March 1, 2022. On May 19, 2022, Reynoso agreed to sell 8 ounces of methamphetamine to law enforcement. Upon observing Reynoso before the meeting in Longview, Reynoso was arrested and found to be in possession of 211.3 grams of methamphetamine and approximately one ounce of marijuana. Reynoso was held responsible for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 301 grams of methamphetamine. On July 20, 2022, Reynoso was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with drug trafficking violations. This case was investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety-Texas Highway Patrol, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Longview Police Department, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, and the East Texas Anti-Gang Center. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst. ###


title: Atlanta Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Defrauding Farmers in Hemp Business Venture

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Rahsaan Jackson Garth, age 49, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay over 2 million dollars in restitution for his role in defrauding farmers in a hemp business venture. Evidence presented to the court showed that, after being released from federal prison in 2017 for his involvement in a health care fraud, Garth formed the company Verde Leaf and directed it. Verde Leaf was supposed to address the challenges farmers faced in the hemp arena including license acquisition, hemp cultivation and processing, and industry knowledge. He solicited multiple farmers (in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia) to grow hemp for his company. On February 19, 2020, in the District of South Carolina, Verde Leaf held a workshop for potential farmers. During the workshop, Garth represented that Verde Leaf had distribution networks and deals with food companies, pet companies, and pharmaceutical companies. While Garth was in various stages of negotiations with many of these companies, he fraudulently represented that Verde Leaf had consummated these deals. Based in part on these knowing misrepresentations, farmers entered into contracts with Verde Leaf to grow hemp. Verde Leaf assisted these farmers with their hemp crops. However, Verde Leaf was unable to consummate the deals referenced at the SCDA meeting to distribute or sell products. Therefore, Verde Leaf was unable to process the hemp or pay most of the farmers for their crops and had to declare bankruptcy. As a result of the false statements that lured the farmers into doing business with Garth, the farmers suffered great financial harm. “The District of South Carolina is committed to prosecuting schemes that target South Carolina farmers and small business owners,” said United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We appreciate the hard work of the FBI and their continued efforts to investigate these crimes.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case. ###


title: Lexington County Man Sentenced to 23 Years on Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- Christopher Michael Alexander, 32, of Gilbert, South Carolina, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted enticement of a minor for sexual activity, to be followed by a lifetime of supervision and registration as a sex offender. According to evidence presented in Court, on May 19, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Secret Service (USSS), South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Mount Pleasant Police Department participated in an online chat operation targeting child sex offenders, where an officer posed as a 13-year-old female. That day, Alexander engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the alleged 13-year-old female as well as sent and requested sexually explicit photographs through various social media applications and text messages. Alexander ultimately traveled to the residence where he believed the 13-year-old lived to engage in sexual activities with her. At that time, he was arrested. Evidence presented in Court indicated Alexander made admissions to law enforcement that he previously engaged in numerous occasions of the sexual battery of minors. Alexander admitted that he had previously digitally penetrated at least 25 infants on hundreds of occasions as well as digitally penetrated another minor child approximately six times a day for weeks. Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Alexander to 23 years in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision, and Alexander will have to register as a sex offender after release. There is no parole in the federal system. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Mount Pleasant Police Department participated in the online chat operation. The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States 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, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . ###


title: Mexican National  Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-Entry

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – ALFREDO ERASMO CASTILLO-MORALES , age 33, a Mexican national, pled guilty on June 13, 2013 to an indictment charging him with illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, ALFREDO ERASMO CASTILLO-MORALES (“ CASTILLO-MORALES ”) admitted to reentering the United States after being previously removed on November 1, 2019. CASTILLO-MORALES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of up to one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Smith County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine Laced with Fentanyl

body_text: TYLER, Texas – A Tyler man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Devonte Ladarius Davis, 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl near a school or college and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker. According to information presented in court, on August 18, 2021, Davis sold approximately 102 pills to a person working with law enforcement. The pills were found to contain approximately 55 grams of fentanyl. This distribution occurred at a Tyler location within 1,000 feet of a public junior college. In all, Davis was responsible for the possession and intent to distribute 109 grams of pills containing fentanyl and 98 grams of methamphetamine. Davis was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 24, 2022 and charged with drug trafficking violations. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Tyler Police Department and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson. ###


title: U.S. Army Soldier Pleads Guilty To Terrorism Charges For Attempting To Assist ISIS To Conduct Deadly Ambush On U.S. Troops

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that COLE BRIDGES, a/k/a “Cole Gonzales,” pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and attempting to murder U.S. military service members based on BRIDGES’s efforts to assist the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (“ISIS”) to attack and kill U.S. soldiers in the Middle East. BRIDGES pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted in court today, Cole Bridges attempted to orchestrate a murderous ambush on his fellow soldiers in service of ISIS and its violent ideology. Bridges’s traitorous conduct was a betrayal of his comrades and his country. Thanks to the incredible work of the prosecutors of this Office and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Army, Bridges’s malign intent was revealed, and he now awaits sentencing for his crimes.” According to the Complaint, the Indictment to which BRIDGES pled guilty, and other documents in the public record, as well as statements made in public court proceedings: BRIDGES joined the U.S. Army in approximately September 2019 and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the Third Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Beginning in at least 2019, BRIDGES began researching and consuming online propaganda promoting jihadists and their violent ideology. BRIDGES also expressed his support for ISIS and jihad on social media. In or about October 2020, BRIDGES began communicating with a Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) online covert employee (the “OCE”), who was posing as an ISIS supporter in contact with ISIS fighters in the Middle East. During these communications, BRIDGES expressed his frustration with the U.S. military and his desire to aid ISIS. BRIDGES then provided training and guidance to purported ISIS fighters who were planning attacks, including advice about potential targets in New York City. BRIDGES also provided the OCE with portions of a U.S. Army training manual and guidance about military combat tactics, for use by ISIS. In or about December 2020, BRIDGES began to supply the OCE with instructions for the purported ISIS fighters on how to attack U.S. forces in the Middle East. Among other things, BRIDGES diagrammed specific military maneuvers intended to help ISIS fighters maximize the lethality of attacks on U.S. troops. BRIDGES further provided advice about the best way to fortify an ISIS encampment to repel an attack by U.S. Special Forces, including by wiring certain buildings with explosives to kill the U.S. troops. Then, in January 2021, BRIDGES provided the OCE with a video of himself in his U.S. Army body armor standing in front of a flag often used by ISIS fighters and making a gesture symbolic of support for ISIS. Approximately a week later, BRIDGES sent a second video in which BRIDGES, using a voice manipulator, narrated a propaganda speech in support of the anticipated ambush by ISIS on U.S. troops. * * * BRIDGES, 22, of Stow, Ohio, pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and attempting to murder U.S. military service members, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. BRIDGES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Liman on November 2, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which primarily consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies. Mr. Williams also thanked U.S. Army Counterintelligence, the FBI Washington Field Office, the FBI Atlanta Field Office and its Savannah Resident Agency, the FBI Cleveland Field Office, the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, the U.S. Army Third Infantry Division, and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance. This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Matthew Hellman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the Counterterrorism Section.


title: East Windsor Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Recording His Sexual Abuse of Minor

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK ROMAN, 54, of East Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 400 months of imprisonment*, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for recording his repeated sexual abuse of a minor. According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement began investigating Roman after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report that Roman’s email account was transmitting images of child sexual abuse. Investigators determined that Roman’s email account also contained voyeuristic images and videos of naked children that appeared to be homemade. On November 2, 2021, the Connecticut State Police and East Windsor Police Department executed a state search warrant at Roman’s residence and seized Roman’s iPhone, laptop, and computer storage devices. Analysis of the seized revealed more than 1,000 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including images and videos of Roman sexually abusing a girl who was between the ages of six and eight. The seized images also included numerous voyeuristic videos that Roman secretly took of the minor victim, another minor female who was between the ages of two and four, and adult victims. Roman has been detained since his arrest on November 29, 2021. On January 11, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the East Windsor Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford. U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com . *On June 29, 2023, Judge Bryant issued an amended judgment correcting Roman's sentence to 360 months of imprisonment.


title: Six Charged With Trafficking In Stolen Human Remains

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cedric Lodge, age 55, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, Katrina Maclean, age 44, of Salem, Massachusetts, Joshua Taylor, age 46, of West Lawn, Pennsylvania, Denise Lodge, age 63, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, and Mathew Lampi, age 52, of East Bethel, Minnesota, were indicted by a federal grand jury on conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods charges. Additionally, Jeremy Pauley, age 41, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, was charged by Criminal Information, and Candace Chapman Scott, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was previously indicted in the Eastern District of Arkansas. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictments and information allege that a nationwide network of individuals bought and sold human remains stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary. The charges allege that from 2018 through 2022, Cedric Lodge, who managed the morgue for the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School, located in Boston, Massachusetts, stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations. Lodge at times transported stolen remains from Boston to his residence in Goffstown, New Hampshire, where he and his wife, Denise Lodge, sold the remains to Katrina Maclean, Joshua Taylor, and others, making arrangements via cellular telephone and social media websites. At times, Cedric Lodge allowed Maclean and Taylor to enter the morgue at Harvard Medical School and examine cadavers to choose what to purchase. On some occasions, Taylor transported stolen remains back to Pennsylvania. On other occasions, the Lodges shipped stolen remains to Taylor and others out of state. Maclean and Taylor resold the stolen remains for profit, including to Jeremy Pauley in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Jeremy Pauley also purchased stolen human remains from Candace Chapman Scott, who stole remains from her employer, a Little Rock, Arkansas mortuary and crematorium. Scott stole parts of cadavers she was supposed to have cremated, many of which had been donated to and used for research and educational purposes by an area medical school, as well as the corpses of two stillborn babies who were supposed to be cremated and returned as cremains to their families. Scott sold the stolen remains to Pauley and shipped them to Pauley in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Pauley sold many of the stolen remains he purchased to other individuals, including Matthew Lampi. Lampi and Pauley bought and sold from each other over an extended period of time and exchanged over $100,000 in online payments. “Some crimes defy understanding,” said United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “The theft and trafficking of human remains strikes at the very essence of what makes us human. It is particularly egregious that so many of the victims here volunteered to allow their remains to be used to educate medical professionals and advance the interests of science and healing. For them and their families to be taken advantage of in the name of profit is appalling. With these charges, we are seeking to secure some measure of justice for all these victims. I’d like to thank Harvard Medical School, which is also a victim here, for their cooperation in this investigation. Additionally, this prosecution would not be possible without the close cooperation and hard work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Attorney’s Offices in multiple districts, including the Eastern District of Arkansas. From the beginning, this has been a multi-jurisdictional investigation, and our two offices have worked side by side to bring justice for these victims.” "The defendants violated the trust of the deceased and their families all in the name of greed," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire. "While today's charges cannot undo the unfathomable pain this heinous crime has caused, the FBI will continue to work tirelessly to see that justice is served." “Today, the United States Attorney has announced charges against several individuals who used the United States mail to ship stolen human remains,” said Christopher Nielsen, the Inspector in Charge of the Philadelphia Division of the Postal Inspection Service. “Robbing families of the remains of their loved ones is an unconscionable act and confounds our collective sense of decency. Using the United States mail to facilitate the theft and shipment of human remains is a federal crime and the Postal Inspection Service will do everything in its power to stop it. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney for working with the Postal Inspection Service to stop this group, and I hope our efforts bring a small amount of relief to the victimized families.” The United States Attorney’s Office has and will continue to attempt to identify and contact as many of the victims and victims’ families affected by this case as possible. If anyone believes they or a family member may have been affected by the conduct charged in these indictments and information, please contact our Victim and Witness Unit at USAPAM.Victim.Information@usdoj.gov or (717) 614-4249. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the East Pennsboro Township Police Department, and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 15 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 and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: St. Charles County Man Admits Child Pornography Charge, Hiding Camera in Bathroom

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Charles County, Missouri admitted hiding a camera in a bathroom that captured images and videos of girls. Dennis J. Naumann, 55, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Court Judge Matthew T. Schelp to one count each of attempted production of child pornography and one count of receiving child pornography. Naumann admitted uploading at least 50 videos containing child sexual abuse material to Dropbox. He also admitted possessing videos and still images of underage girls that he had produced by hiding a video camera in a bathroom. Naumann shared images or videos he produced with the camera with two others, his plea agreement says. At his sentencing, Naumann faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for the attempted production charge and at least five years in prison for the receipt charge. The case was investigated by the St. Charles County Cybercrime Task Force, the St. Charles County Police Department and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Montana Man Sentenced for Federal Hate and Firearms Crimes for Shooting Intended to Kill and Rid Town of LGBTQI+ Residents

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

body_text: WASHINGTON -- A Montana man was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris to 18 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for shooting into a residence and attempting to shoot others with the intent of ridding a town of LGBTQI+ residents. John Russell Howald, of Basin, was convicted by a federal jury on Feb. 17 of a hate crime involving an attempt to kill and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for firing an AK-style rifle at the residence of a woman who was known within the town as lesbian and was home at the time, and then walking further into town intending to target others he perceived to be lesbian, queer, and gay. The trial lasted four days. “This defendant is being held accountable for his horrific attempted mass shooting against the LGBTQI+ community in a Montana town,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Howald set out to rid the town of all LGBTQI+ members by killing them. He shot into the home of a lesbian resident, nearly killing her, with the hope of inspiring similar attacks around the country. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, to be free from hate-fueled violence. This Pride Month, we affirm our commitment to using the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act to hold perpetrators of hate-fueled violence targeting the LGBTQI+ community accountable.” “Howald fired multiple shots into someone’s home based solely on her sexual orientation and only the heroic and brave actions of residents and law enforcement, as well as some good fortune, prevented a targeted mass shooting,” said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana. “It is the kind of conduct that has no place in Montana, which is why our office vigorously prosecuted Howald and why the justice system is holding him accountable for his actions. Our office has an unshakable commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the civil rights of all Montanans, including our LGBTQI+ friends and family members.” “Motivated by hatred of the LGBTQI+ community and armed with multiple firearms and high-capacity magazines, this defendant sought to intimidate - even terrorize – an entire community by shooting into the victim’s home trying to kill her for no reason other than her sexual orientation, this defendant did something distinctly un-American by depriving her of her sense of safety, freedom and privacy all at once,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “This 18-year sentence reflects the appalling nature of Howald’s actions. I want to commend the ATF Helena Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their extraordinary work ensuring justice, not only for the victim, but for the entire LGBTQI+ community.” “The unfortunate reality is bigotry and hate exist in our communities. Still, as a diverse nation, we will not tolerate violence motivated by such bias,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “The harm and trauma experienced by the victim, her family, and the entire community may be irreparable, but rest assured, the FBI is committed to protecting the civil rights of all.” According to court documents, on March 22, 2020, Howald went on a self-described mission to rid the town of Basin of its lesbian, queer and gay community. Howald was armed with two assault rifles, a hunting rifle, two pistols and multiple high-capacity magazines that were taped together to speed reloading. Howald walked to the first victim’s residence and fired multiple rounds from an AK-style rifle into her property and home, all because of his belief regarding her sexual orientation. Hoping he had killed her, Howald set off toward other houses occupied by people who identify as lesbian, queer or gay. Local residents, who knew Howald and happened to be leaving church, stalled him long enough for a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy to respond and inadvertently recorded Howald yelling and firing more rounds with the same rifle, expressing his hatred toward the community’s gay and lesbian residents and his determination to “clean” them from his town. When the deputy arrived, Howald pointed the AK-style rifle at the officer, nearly starting a shootout in downtown Basin, and then fled into the hills, firing at least one round as he went. Law enforcement arrested Howald the next day and found him armed with a loaded pistol and a knife. In Howald’s car, officers found an AR-style rifle and a revolver. During a search of Howald’s camper, officers found an AK-style rifle, a hunting rifle, and ammunition. Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Laslovich, Special Agent in Charge Gibson and ATF Director Dettelbach made the announcement. The FBI, ATF and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut for the District of Montana and Trial Attorney Eric N. Peffley of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.


title: Easton Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison for Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – An Easton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiring to distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and Maine as part of a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy. Christopher Riley, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 42 months and five years of supervised release. On March 22, 2023, Riley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine. Riley was charged in November 2021 along with 12 others in connection with a large drug conspiracy centering around the Gangster Disciples gang in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The investigation, which began in August 2020, intercepted communications between Gangster Disciples’ leaders, members and drug suppliers pertaining to their alleged distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and Suboxone in Massachusetts, Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. The investigation intercepted phone calls between Riley and other gang members, who conspired distribute cocaine in Massachusetts and Maine. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Levy’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. This case is also a 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 details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Reno Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Receiving Thousands Of Images And Videos Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 10 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for receiving more than 3,000 sexually explicit images and videos of children. Judge Hicks ordered $108,000 in total restitution: $68,000 in restitution to the 10 known victims, $5,000 in restitution under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015, and $35,000 in restitution under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018. Ryan Thomas Eley (26) pleaded guilty in March of 2023 to one count of receipt of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, Eley will be required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to register as a sex offender. According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded at least 12 CyberTips to law enforcement. Law enforcement determined the IP address was being used by Eley. On August 4, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Eley’s residence and seized USB flash drives, an external hard drive, and a cell phone belonging to him. Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed that some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent children — including children under 12 years old — engaged in sexually explicit conduct and intercourse with adults. In total, over 2,700 images and over 400 videos of child sexual abuse material were recovered from electronic devices seized from Eley. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement. This case was investigated by the FBI, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org . ###


title: Appleton Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Coercing 13-Year-Old to Engage in Sexual Conduct

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Wang Lo, 23, of Appleton, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 15 years in federal prison for enticing and coercing a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct. This term of imprisonment is to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Lo pleaded guilty to this charge on March 16, 2023. In May 2022, a then-14-year-old girl, reported she had been sexually assaulted by someone she met online when she was 13. She reported that he coerced her to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him, that he recorded that conduct, and then threatened to distribute the video if she did not engage in additional sexual conduct with him. Agents searched Lo’s phone and found messages to the girl, threatening to send the sexually explicit video to her family and to her school if she did not engage in additional sexual activity with him. They also found messages indicating he had sexually assaulted a second 13-year old girl. Judge Peterson called the defendant’s conduct shocking and outrageous, and noted that while the defendant was technically a first time offender, he had been engaged in similar conduct for almost three years. He stated the 15-year sentence was warranted to protect the public because Lo was a repeat and dangerous sex offender. The charge against Lo was the result of an investigation conducted by the Marathon and Outagamie County Sheriffs’ Offices and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case.


title: U.S. Marine, 2nd Man Arrested on Federal Charges Stemming from Firebombing of Planned Parenthood Clinic in Orange County

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – Special agents with the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service this morning arrested two Orange County men on federal charges alleging they used a Molotov cocktail to firebomb a Costa Mesa clinic operated by Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Tibet Ergul, 21, of Irvine, and Chance Brannon, 23, of San Juan Capistrano, an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, were arrested this morning without incident. Ergul and Brannon are named in a criminal complaint that charges each with using an explosive or fire to damage real property affecting interstate commerce. Both defendants are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. “My office takes very seriously this brazen attack that targeted a facility that provides critical health care services to thousands of people in Orange County,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “While it is fortunate that no one was physically harmed and responders were able to prevent the clinic from being destroyed, the defendants’ violent actions are entirely unacceptable.” “The depraved act of launching an improvised explosive device into a public facility put lives at risk and will not be tolerated," said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. “The joint investigation among local and federal law enforcement led to today's arrests and we will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to hold accountable those who deliberately endanger the community.” The complaint alleges that Ergul and Brannon attacked the clinic during the early morning hours of March 13, 2022, by igniting and a throwing a Molotov cocktail at the clinic entrance. As a result of the fire, the Planned Parenthood Costa Mesa healthcare clinic was forced to close the following morning and cancel approximately 30 appointments. Security videos described in the affidavit show that two men wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks approached the Planned Parenthood facility at approximately 1 a.m. the day of the attack, ignited a device, and threw the flaming device at the front door of the building. “The device landed against a southern wall next to the glass door and erupted into a fire, which spread up the wall and across the ceiling above the glass door,” according to the complaint. The Costa Mesa Police Department and Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. An analysis of evidence collected at the scene showed that the glass container and other materials contained gasoline. A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charge of using an explosive or fire to damage real property affecting interstate commerce carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are conducting the ongoing investigation in this matter. The Costa Mesa Police Department provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Kathrynne Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 180 months in Prison for Drug Distribution

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois, man, Vonta Commer, 37, of the 200 block of David Street was sentenced on June 13, 2023, to 180 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. At the sentencing hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless, the government presented evidence that Commer, a street gang member, possessed over five pounds of methamphetamine on March 1, 2022, and had been selling similar quantities for several months. Commer has an extensive criminal history, including armed robbery, battery, and drug distribution convictions. The government’s evidence also established that Commer resumed drug dealing while on mandatory supervised release following a 2013 state conviction for drug distribution for which he had received a ten-year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Commer pleaded guilty on January 6, 2023, to one count of possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. He has been detained by the United States Marshal since his arrest in March 2022. The statutory penalties for possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute are at least ten years and up to life imprisonment, a minimum five-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains dedicated to keeping the community safe – which includes stemming the tide of drugs distributed on our streets by individuals such as Mr. Commer,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Seberger. “We thank our local and federal law enforcement partners for their work on this case.” The Drug Enforcement Administration, Illinois State Police Central Illinois Enforcement Group, and the Springfield Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Inmate at FCI-Berlin Pleads Guilty to Assault

body_text: CONCORD – An inmate at FCI Berlin pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to assaulting and seriously injuring another prisoner, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Aniel Gomez, 48, pleaded guilty to an assault resulting in serious bodily injury. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for September 26, 2023. Gomez was charged on March 15, 2023. On December 19, 2022, Gomez beat another inmate with a homemade weapon consisting of two padlocks strapped together. Prison video footage showed Gomez waiting for the victim. After the victim exited a shower, Gomez followed him and beat him with the homemade weapon. As a result, the victim suffered head trauma including lacerations above the right eyebrow and back of the head. At the time of the assault, Gomez was serving a 365 month imprisonment for conspiracy to maintain a residence for manufacturing and distributing marijuana, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 100 or more marijuana plants. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case. ###


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

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Mount Vernon, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute nearly 32 kilograms of methamphetamine over a three-month period and for illegally possessing two firearms. James L. Mangold, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 16 years and 11 months in federal prison without parole. On Aug. 25, 2021, Mangold pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Co-defendant Francisco A. Magallon, 37, of San Diego, California, shipped at least seven packages that contained nearly 32 kilograms, or 85 pounds, of methamphetamine to Mangold between Jan. 24 and April 14, 2020. Mangold then shipped cash back to Magallon and distributed the methamphetamine to his co-conspirators in southwest Missouri. On April 14, 2020, law enforcement intercepted a package that had been shipped from Magallon to Mangold via FedEx. The shipment, sent to the address of co-defendant Dustin L. Brenneman, 41, of Mount Vernon, contained a red and white Igloo cooler that was taped shut with two layers of duct tape. Inside the cooler, officers found five bundles of methamphetamine that weighed a total of nearly 6.2 kilograms, or approximately 14.2 pounds. Law enforcement officers conducted a controlled delivery of the shipment to Brenneman’s residence, where Mangold accepted and signed for the parcel. Officers also executed a search warrant at Mangold’s residence. In the bedroom closet they found a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol, along with a regular magazine and an extended 15-round capacity magazine, and a Kel-Tec .22-caliber pistol. They also found a backpack that contained a small amount of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Magallon was sentenced on Feb. 9, 2023, to 21 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Brenneman was sentenced on July 14, 2022, to five years and six months in federal prison without parole. Three additional defendants in this case have been sentenced and another defendant has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET), the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


title: Great Falls man admits lying about income to receive Medicaid

body_text: GREAT FALLS —A Great Falls man accused of lying about his income to receive Medicaid while he had cancer admitted to fraud charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Dustin Tempel, 38, was arraigned on and pleaded guilty to an information charging him with health care fraud. Tempel faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 9. Dustin Tempel was released pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that investigators uncovered false IRS form 1099s for Dustin Tempel while investigating his mother, Lynn Tempel, who was the finance manager for William Tempel Construction and was sentenced for fraudulently inflating construction costs when building a home for a victim in Great Falls. Investigators determined from a review of bank records that Dustin Tempel received money approximately every two weeks from Lynn Tempel, and that $286,969 of income to Dustin Tempel was underreported during a five-year period. The government further alleged that in November 2016, Kelly Tempel, Dustin Tempel’s wife, applied for Medicaid, which is a health care benefit. When applying, the Tempels underrepresented their income, claiming they made only $1,692 per month, which was false. If the Tempels had reported their actual income, Dustin Tempel would not have qualified for Medicaid. Investigators further determined that the Tempels had applied for a bank loan for a 2019 Ford F350 in the amount of $63,589 and claimed they made $8,000 in gross monthly income. As a result, from November 2017 to September 2020, Dustin Tempel received $75,493 from Medicaid that he was not entitled to receive. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation. XXX