title: Stockton Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Pills and Illegal Firearms Possession

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kavieo Daeshaun Lee Wiley, 28, of Stockton, was sentenced Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and U-47700 (a synthetic opioid), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in May 2019, Wiley sold 4,000 methamphetamine-laced pills to a confidential source at a music studio in Stockton belonging to co-defendant Jamaine Dontae Barnes, 42, of Stockton. When agents executed a federal search warrant at the music studio, they encountered Wiley sitting on the floor with his left hand concealed between a sofa and filing cabinet. After giving Wiley repeated commands to display his left hand, an agent quickly approached Wiley, grabbed his left arm, and detained him. In the area where Wiley’s left hand had been concealed, agents found a loaded assault-style rifle. Throughout that room and the rest of the music studio, agents found large amounts of pills and powders laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine, materials for pressing the powders into pills, and a loaded handgun sitting on top of a large bag of methamphetamine-laced pills. Wiley possessed the assault-style rifle and handgun in furtherance of the crime of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Highway Patrol, the San Joaquin METRO Narcotics Task Force, the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT) Task Force, the Stockton Police Department, the Sacramento County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W. Spencer and Emily G. Sauvageau are prosecuting the case. Co-defendant Jamaine Barnes and four other co-defendants await sentencing after pleading guilty, and three others have been sentenced. Charges are pending against Jamar Deontae Barnes, who is scheduled for a jury trial on Dec. 2, 2024. The charges against Barnes are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Vallejo Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Possession of a Visual Depiction of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On July 11, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against John Robert Remlinger, 42, of Vallejo, charging him with sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following Remlinger’s arrest. According to court documents, between June and August 2021, Remlinger knowingly coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, and on Jan. 24, 2023, he possessed visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case. If convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor, Remlinger faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison up to a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, Remlinger faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison up to a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, plus restitution and a fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Trio sentenced to prison for multi-state wire and bank fraud conspiracy

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Three men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a conspiracy to cash fraudulent checks and obtain pandemic relief benefits using stolen identities. According to court documents, from at least May 2020 through January 2022, Deandre Merritt, aka Dre, Scam Likely, and John Adams, 29, of Hyattsville, Maryland, coordinated and participated in schemes to cash stolen or altered checks and use the personal identifying information of unwitting victims to fraudulently claim pandemic relief benefits. The conspirators used fake identification documents in both schemes. Merritt and at least one other coconspirator obtained U.S. Postal Service (USPS) arrow keys, which are universal keys used by mail carriers and collectors that can unlock various USPS collection boxes. Merritt and his co-conspirators stole checks from USPS collection boxes. The conspirators then created fraudulent checks by altering stolen checks or creating new fraudulent checks using the checks’ information such as the payees’ names, addresses, and account numbers, as well as the routing number of the bank. Merritt conspired with a bank teller who would tell Merritt if a check could be cashed, and Merritt would provide conspirators with checks and direct them to the teller. Among the conspirators Merritt directed to cash checks was Sylvester E. Hawkins II, 31, of Buffalo, New York. Merritt and Hawkins worked with Trevon Thompson, aka Rell and Zoe Bands, 23, of La Plata, Maryland, and other coconspirators to obtain illegitimate identification documents, including driver licenses and passport documents, in the names of other people, but which pictured Thompson or Hawkins. Merritt and Thompson then used these illegitimate identification documents in various fraudulent schemes, such as obtaining cellphones, opening bank accounts, and obtaining debit cards, credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Merritt recruited individuals, including drug addicts, to go into banks with the illegitimate identification documents as necessary. Thompson, Merritt and Hawkins used an illegitimate driver license in the name of an identity theft victim to apply for and receive a loan of approximately $20,833 through the Paycheck Protection Program, a pandemic relief program. Merritt, Thompson, Hawkins, and other co-conspirators used the fake identification documents and stolen personal identifying information to apply for pandemic and unemployment insurance (UI) benefits intended to assist those who lost their jobs through no-fault of their own or whose employment was negatively impacted by COVID-19. Over the course of the bank fraud conspiracy, Merritt directed at least 15 individuals into bank branches, and the overall bank fraud conspiracy caused an actual loss of at least $575,579. The overall wire and bank fraud conspiracy related to the fraudulent pandemic and UI benefit applications caused an actual loss of at least $506,308. An additional loss of approximately $20,833 was caused by the fraudulent PPP loan. The conspiracy used the personal identifying information of at least 10 victims. Thompson pled guilty on Aug. 1 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. On Oct. 18 he was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. Hawkins pled guilty on July 17 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. On Nov. 5 he was sentenced to one year and three months in prison. Merritt pled guilty on Aug. 27 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He was sentenced yesterday to five years and six months in prison. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; David E. Geist, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Troy W. Springer, Special Agent in Charge, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Robeson and Kimberly M. Shartar 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. 1:24-cr-98.


title: Montgomery Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl Pills that Resulted in Another Man’s Death

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Montgomery, Ala. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson and DEA New Orleans Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer announced the sentencing of a Montgomery, Alabama man previously convicted on charges of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute the illegal drug. On November 14, 2024, a federal judge ordered that 37-year-old Lawrence Coley, III, serve 240 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court records and evidence presented during Coley’s trial earlier this year, Coley sold a Montgomery man pills that had the appearance and markings of pharmaceutical oxycodone tablets. Lab analysis revealed that the pills sold to the victim were counterfeit and actually contained fentanyl, causing his death. During Coley’s sentencing hearing, the judge heard testimony that Coley continued to sell the counterfeit pills even after learning of the victim’s death. “This case illustrates the tragic consequences that drug trafficking can have on our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “Coley’s complete disregard for the lives of others by continuing to sell his illegal drugs after causing a man’s death is disturbing. The harsh reality is that any pill not obtained from a pharmacy or doctor’s office could contain a lethal dose of fentanyl or other deadly drug. This sentence should serve as a warning to drug dealers - if you sell a pill and it contains fentanyl, you run the risk of spending decades in federal prison with no possibility of parole.” “The Drug Enforcement Administration is dedicated to protecting our communities from the scourge of deadly drugs plaguing our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Hofer. “Today’s conviction sends a powerful message to drug traffickers: we will not tolerate the poisoning of our neighborhoods. This victory is a testament to the tireless work of our agents and law enforcement partners and should serve as a stark reminder that there are serious consequences for those who choose profit over people.” The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Christopher P. Moore prosecuted the case.


title: Orlando Man Sentenced To Ten Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Fentanyl

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Luis Miguel Plaza (34, Orlando) to 10 years in federal prison for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Plaza entered a guilty plea on July 24, 2024. According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration used an undercover agent and confidential informants to conduct multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Plaza. During two of the controlled purchases, in August 2023 and January 2024, Plaza sold the undercover agent and a confidential informant a total of over 1,100 pills containing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl. In February 2024, Plaza possessed more than 7,000 pills containing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, which he intended to sell to a confidential informant. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu.


title: Federal investigation of large meth trafficking ring on Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations results in 27 convictions

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BILLINGS — A federal investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization that was based on the Crow Indian Reservation and distributed drugs to three other Montana Indian reservations and communities from suppliers in Washington and a Mexican cartel has resulted in federal convictions in Montana of 27 persons, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today. U.S. Attorney Laslovich, along with federal law enforcement partners, discussed the dismantling of the drug organization, known as Spear Siding, during a news conference in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Billings. Investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, the case was one of the largest federal drug trafficking probes in Montana in recent years. According to court documents, beginning in June 2022, federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local law enforcement, conducted a large-scale investigation into a drug trafficking organization that centered on two residences on the Crow Reservation, including one referred to as Spear Siding, which was a family residence for some of the top-level dealers. The Spear Siding property was a source of meth for the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. The conspiracy also expanded to the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap reservations and to the Billings and Havre communities. The investigation determined that multi-pound quantities of meth and firearms were kept on the Spear Siding property. Firearms at Spear Siding were acquired by trading drugs for guns. Proceeds from drug sales went to Washington, California and Mexico. The Spear Siding investigation culminated in April 2023 when the DEA, FBI, BIA, with assistance from local law enforcement, arrested numerous individuals at Spear Siding in a coordinated takedown. The case led to the convictions of 27 defendants from Montana and Washington, all of whom pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking and related crimes. On Nov. 5, Geofredo James Littlebird, Jr., of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm crimes. Littlebird, Sayra Longfox and Emma King are pending sentencing. Two alleged co-conspirators remain fugitives. “The Spear Siding trafficking organization moved onto the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations to exploit and prey on persons addicted to meth and fentanyl, all due to greed. While meth and fentanyl distribution impacts all of Montana, these drugs continue to disproportionately devastate Indian Country. As this Spear Siding investigation shows, Montana’s Indian reservations are not a safe haven for out-of-state traffickers who think they can move in, set up shop, and enlist local residents to peddle drugs. Shutting down this far-reaching conspiracy is possible only through the relentless commitment and cooperation of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to bring these defendants to justice. I am proud of their work,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “DEA will continue focusing on organizations trafficking drugs into our communities. As seen in this case, Montana is not immune to cartel activity. Criminals should know we will be relentless in our pursuit, regardless of where they are distributing this poison,” Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jon Pullen said. “Cartel members preyed on an already vulnerable population, further fueling the drug crisis on Montana’s Indian Reservations, and employing members of the community to peddle poison to their own people,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Too many lives have been lost to illicit drugs. Too many families have suffered. The FBI and our partners will not stop pursuing criminals harming our communities.” “This investigation is a shining example of the power of unfettered cooperation between agencies when they share the common focus of eliminating controlled substances and the drug trafficking organizations distributing those substances. The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Division of Drug Enforcement (DDE) is devoted to continuing to protect our native communities, combating illegal drug usage, possession, and distribution throughout Indian Country,” said Deputy Associate Director Tom Atkinson. “The BIA is thankful for the incredible partnerships it shares with the BIA-District 5, U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, FBI, and other agencies that assisted with the investigation.” “The most effective way for law enforcement to protect our communities is through cooperation and coordination. The Spear Siding investigation and subsequent arrests and convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of cooperation and coordination by law enforcement on multiple levels,” U.S. Marshal Craig J. Anderson said. Among the top-level dealers were Wendell Lefthand and his sister and co-defendant, Frederica Lefthand, who both resided at Spear Siding, the family home. Until his arrest in June 2022 on another matter, Wendell Lefthand ran the operation with co-defendant 1, who is a fugitive. Wendell Lefthand was selling about one pound of meth per week and had a Washington source, who introduced him to co-defendant 1. When co-defendant 1 eventually moved to Spear Siding, business started booming. After Wendell Lefthand’s arrest, Frederica Lefthand took over management of the Montana operation, which the government indicated involved “pounds and pounds and pounds” of meth. Frederica Lefthand worked directly with co-defendant 1, dispensed drugs to lower-level dealers, collected debts, organized deals, and recruited others to help her sell drugs and make money. Sources reported that Spear Siding would “never run out” of meth. The government estimated that the Spear Siding conspiracy was responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of meth to the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations for redistribution. Convicted Spear Siding related defendants include: Wendell Lefthand, of Lodge Grass: 180 months in prison Frederica Lefthand, of Lodge Grass: 288 months in prison Roderick Plentyhawk, of Billings: 300 months in prison Carly Joy James, of Billings: 84 months in prison Jeffrey Prettypaint, of Crow Agency: 60 months in prison Darlon Richard Lefthand, of Billings: 84 months in prison Keilee Shambrae Diaz, of Hardin: 12 months, one day in prison Zachary Douglas Bacon, of Garryowen: time served Morgan Luke Hugs, of Hardin: 48 months in prison Anthony Springfield, of Hardin: time served Haley James, of Billings: time served John Littlehead, of Billings: 48 months in prison Marianna Wallace, of Omak, Washington: 36 months in prison Yvon Lopez Flores, of Omak, Washington: 48 months in prison Jacklyn Littlebird, of Lame Deer: time served Adrienne LaForge, of Lame Deer: 24 months in prison Geofredo James Littlebird, of Lame Deer: pending sentencing Nancy Hartsock, of Billings: 72 months in prison Joe Simpson, of Lame Deer: 240 months in prison Melanie Bloodman, of Billings: time served Renita Redfield, of Lodge Grass: 63 months in prison Daniel Jiminez-Chavez, of Omak, Washington: 84 months in prison Sayra Longfox, of Lodge Grass: pending sentencing Emma King, of Lame Deer: pending sentencing Antonio Infante, of Brewster, Washington: 128 months in prison Elisha Felicia, of Wyola: 60 months in prison Nicole Schwalbach, of Billings: 120 months in prison The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF . XXX


title: Beaumont man sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanyl

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing fentanyl for distribution in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Harry Francis Lowenthal, 66, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on November 12, 2024. According to information presented in court, Lowenthal was arrested following an investigation into fentanyl distribution. During the arrest, Lowenthal was found in possession of a white powdery substance, and later admitted to possessing cocaine and fentanyl and to selling heroin. During a search of his residence, officers discovered a firearm, $5,000.00 cash, and a small amount of suspected heroin and fentanyl along with indicators of drug trafficking, including plastic baggies, a digital scale and lactose powder commonly used to “bulk up” drugs. A lab analysis of the drugs confirmed that it consisted of approximately 19 grams of a fentanyl/heroin mix. “Fentanyl, even in small amounts, is a potent synthetic opioid, approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Today’s sentence should send a clear message that this Office, working closely with our state and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to prosecute and seek to hold accountable drug dealers who distribute this poison and exploit addictions in the Eastern District of Texas.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Beaumont Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy L. Coleman with assistance from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. ###


title: Nicholas County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Nathaniel Martin, 50, of Fenwick, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 6, 2021, Martin possessed a Smith & Wesson Model M&P Shield .40-caliber handgun in Nicholas County. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Martin knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for two counts of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance in Nicholas County Circuit Court on June 2, 2009. Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Forest Service. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-25. ###


title: Gregg County woman sentenced for distributing deadly fentanyl

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

body_text: TYLER, Texas – A Longview woman has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl resulting in death in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Rebecca Diane Merkel, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. According to information presented in Court, Merkel operated what was known to drug users as the “Walmart of drugs” out of her residence located on Williams Street in Longview. There, she and her co-defendants sold various illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine and pills laced with fentanyl, in exchange for money, stolen goods, and firearms. Merkel’s customers included street-level dealers in Gregg, Rusk, and Panola counties. On March 29, 2023, Merkel sold what were purported to be prescription pills to a victim, who died after ingesting them. On March 30, 2023, law enforcement located the victim’s body inside a vehicle in a remote area in Rusk County, where other co-defendants staged the body to avoid detection by authorities. An autopsy determined that the victim died of a fentanyl overdose. On May 10, 2023, Merkel was arrested following a traffic stop during which officers recovered a firearm, methamphetamine, heroin, crack cocaine, and pills that were later determined to contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid commonly used as an analgesic or anesthetic that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Merkel admitted to selling controlled substances from her residence, including in the time frame during which the victim purchased the fatal dose. “This case illustrates the very real and tragic danger associated with fentanyl distribution in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. We mourn the senseless loss of life and pray for the victim’s family in a time of such immeasurable grief. We will aggressively continue to work together with our state and local partners to bring to justice those who aim to profit from these tragedies,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. In addition to Merkel, six other co-defendants were also sentenced for their respective criminal conduct related to the conspiracy: - Timothy Wayne Yow, 58, of Longview, received a 188-month sentence; - Jonathan Schurr, 26, of Longview, received a 46-month sentence; - Stephanie Nichoal Kravis, 38, of Kilgore, received a 140-month sentence; - Wesley Ryan Parker, 33, of Carthage, received a 120-month sentence; - Daulton Wayne Anthony, 31, of Carthage, received a 71-month sentence; and - Kylie Breaane Durand, 28, of Carthage, received a 37-month sentence. “During the course of this investigation it has been our privilege to partner with surrounding Sheriffs’ Offices and federal agencies to provide manpower and other assistance. We appreciate our counterparts at ATF and the US Attorney’s Office for their help investigating and prosecuting violent crimes and narcotics offenses in our area,” said Panola County Sheriff Cutter Clinton. He added, “The opioid crisis often results in other criminal activity, particularly property crimes and violent crimes involving illegal firearms. By introducing fentanyl into the mix unsuspecting victims have experienced overdoses, often with fatal results. By working together, we can make our communities safer for our citizens.” The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. The Public Safety Alert coincides with the launch of DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Public Awareness Campaign to educate the public of the dangers of counterfeit pills and urges all Americans to take only medications prescribed by a medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in fake pills that are mass-produced by criminal drug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, and are killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate. For more information, please visit https://www.dea.gov/onepill. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), DEA, Gregg County Sheriff's Office, Panola County Sheriff's Office, Rusk County Sheriff's Office, Longview Police Department, and Kilgore Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek. ###


title: Houston man charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 28-year-old man has been indicted for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani and FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. Anas Said is now in custody and set for a detention hearing at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. Authorities arrested Said Nov. 8. According to court documents, multiple social media accounts linked to Said contained messages and posts that allegedly revealed that Said supported ISIS and the violent attacks carried out in its name. Law enforcement executed searches of Said and his residence, vehicle and electronic devices. According to court documents, analysis of the seized devices ultimately revealed Said’s activities relating to the creation and dissemination of propaganda on behalf of ISIS. If convicted, Said faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. FBI Houston's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) conducted the investigation with special assistance from Houston and Sugar Land Police Departments and Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The JTTF is comprised of Houston Police Department, sheriff’s offices in Harris and Montgomery Counties, Sugar Land Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, IRS – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Secret Service, Houston Metro Police Department, Customs and Border Protection and Federal Air Marshals Service. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Beaumont man who brought short-barreled rifle to state fair sentenced to federal prison

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced for federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Damon Donte Henry, 19, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on November 13, 2024. According to information presented in court, Henry smuggled a fully loaded short-barreled AR-15 style rifle into the South Texas State Fair on March 30, 2024. Around 10:30 p.m., Beaumont police on bike patrol at the fair noticed Henry suspiciously carrying a large backpack near one of the rides. When the officers attempted to speak with Henry, he immediately ran away, discarding the backpack. Officers quickly discovered the AR-15-style rifle and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. After a short chase, Henry was subdued in the fair parking lot. After recovering the firearms, officers found that the rifle was unlawfully modified to be shorter than required by federal law, which mandates that rifles with an overall length less than 26 inches or a barrel less than 16 inches be registered with the ATF. The rifle was also equipped with a large capacity magazine and 26 rounds of ammunition. A federal grand jury indicted Henry on June 5, 2024. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross. ###


title: Grand Rapids Man Sentenced To 300 Months For Trafficking And Sexually Exploiting A Minor

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Terrence Donte Clay, 39, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for sex trafficking of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and distribution of child pornography. “Mr. Clay is a sexual predator who preyed on a minor victim, treated her like his property, ordered her to sell herself for sex, and has demonstrated no remorse for his actions” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “We are committed to fighting the scourge of human trafficking, including both sex and labor trafficking. I appreciate the investigative work by our law enforcement partners to hold Mr. Clay accountable and secure a measure of justice for the victim.” Evidence introduced at trial showed that Clay met the minor victim at a park in the City of Grand Rapids in early October 2022. He had sex multiple times with the victim and ordered her to have sex with other men for money, at one point directing her to “make a sign” and “panhandle,” offering specific sex acts at set prices. After securing nude images of the minor victim, Clay advertised her online. Police found the minor victim in a library, and she was taken to a foster home in the Upper Peninsula, while law enforcement began its investigation. Meanwhile, Clay located the minor victim and picked her up at her foster home early on the morning of November 12, 2022, without the knowledge of the foster family. Shortly after crossing south of the Mackinac Bridge, law enforcement pulled over the vehicle and found the minor victim in the car with the defendant. “Our Human Trafficking Task Force continues to make progress in prosecutions and building relationships with area victim service providers to further enhance Kent County’s response to sex and labor trafficking,” said Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young . “It is not lost on us the impact these horrible crimes have on victims and our overall community.” “Today’s sentencing of Terrence Clay is a decisive victory in our unyielding battle against sexual predators who prey on children,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan . “This outcome underscores the relentless dedication of the FBI's WEBCHEX Task Force, specifically our law enforcement partners at the Kent County Sheriff's Office, Kentwood Police Department, Forsythe Police Department, Cheboygan Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarora Township Police Department, and Michigan State Police. It is a clear reminder of the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities and preventing further victimization. I also sincerely thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Michigan for their indispensable partnership in ensuring Mr. Clay is held accountable for his crimes.” Preventing and deterring human trafficking remains a high priority for the U.S. Department of Justice. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling (888) 373-7888 or by texting “INFO” to 233733. Information is also available on the hotline website: https://humantraffickinghotline.org . The Department of Justice previously unveiled its National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, as announced in a February 1, 2022 press release. The case was investigated by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, Kentwood Police Department, Forsythe Police Department, Cheboygan Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarora Township Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Constance Turnbull. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials. Other DOJ programs and initiatives for guidance https://www.justice.gov/our-work . # # #


title: Somerset County Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Defrauding New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Fund of Millions of Dollars and Committing Tax Evasion

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, five acts of healthcare fraud, and four counts of tax evasion, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. C.R. Kraus, 58, of Manville, New Jersey was convicted in April 2024 of all 10 counts of an indictment following a trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court. In January 2023, Kraus’s conspirators, Harry Pizutelli and Maritza Flores, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and tax evasion relating to defrauding the New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Fund (TBI Fund) of millions of dollars for their own personal benefit. Both are awaiting sentencing. “This defendant stole millions of dollars earmarked for victims of traumatic brain injuries. Stealing resources intended to help New Jersey residents who are already coping with serious challenges is especially egregious. This office will never relent in holding such criminals accountable. Today, this defendant learned the price of his criminal acts.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “C.R. Kraus was intent on defrauding the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund by making false claims that he treated patients who suffer from such maladies,” FBI – Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado said. “This not only took away valuable resources from other deserving patients but enabled Kraus and his co-conspirators to benefit substantial monetary gain, to the tune of more than $4 million. The FBI investigative team worked to put a stop to their fraudulent behavior, and bring to justice criminals who use the healthcare system as a personal piggy bank.” “Motivated entirely by greed, C.R. Kraus and his co-conspirators stole millions of dollars from a government program meant to aid individuals with life-altering injuries,” Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, said. “Today’s sentence reinforces IRS-CI’s dedication to investigating financial crimes and ensuring bad actors are held accountable for their misconduct.” According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial: The TBI Fund is a publicly funded program run by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, a component of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The TBI Fund’s purpose is to provide New Jersey residents who have suffered a traumatic brain injury with services and support in order to maximize their quality of life when funding from insurance, personal resources, or other programs is unavailable to meet their needs. Services funded by the TBI Fund include physical, occupational, and speech therapy; service coordination; assistive technology; cognitive therapy; neuropsychological services; pharmaceuticals; wheelchair ramp installation and other home modifications; and general home management and maintenance. After a prospective patient applies for services, TBI Fund personnel review the application and, if approved, the patient is authorized to secure designated services from a third-party vendor. Once a patient receives services approved by the TBI Fund, the vendor or service provider submits an invoice to the TBI Fund for payment. When an invoice is received, TBI Fund personnel review the invoice to ensure that the patient had been approved to receive the services. If the invoice is approved, an internal payment voucher is generated, authorized by TBI Fund personnel, and then submitted to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury for payment, which issues a check directly to the vendor. Pizutelli was the manager of the TBI Fund and was responsible for its day-to-day operation. He supervised, managed, and oversaw the process by which third-party vendors were paid for services rendered to eligible TBI Fund beneficiaries. From 2009 through June 2019, Pizutelli, Kraus, and Flores conspired to defraud the TBI Fund by misappropriating more than $4 million in fraudulent vendor payments for purported services that were never actually provided. Pizutelli orchestrated the distribution of fraudulent vendor payments to Flores and Kraus by generating and processing false invoices and internal payment vouchers. Pizutelli generated these invoices and vouchers to give the appearance that Flores and Kraus had provided approved services to eligible patients when, in fact, they had not provided any services. Pizutelli then approved and transmitted the internal payment vouchers so that his conspirators received vendor payments. Pizutelli orchestrated these fraudulent payments to maintain and further romantic and/or sexual relationships with Flores, including more than $940,000 in fraudulent distributions to Flores and more than $3.245 million in fraudulent distributions to Kraus. To obscure their fraudulent conduct, Flores and Kraus also evaded the payment of substantial amount of income taxes by making material misstatements and omissions on their federal income tax returns and significantly underreporting the income they had derived from the fraudulent scheme. In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Kraus to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $4.19 million. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Delgado, and special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict. He also thanked the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Division of Law, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, for its assistance. The government is represented by Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge in Trenton, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Suggs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Trenton Branch Office.


title: Mobile Man Sentenced To 63 Months For Illegally Possessing A Firearm

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – Daryl Lowe, a Mobile man, has been sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer. According to court documents, in July 2023, members of the Mobile Police Department (MPD) responded to a burglary in progress call. Lowe was captured on home surveillance entering a home and removing firearms. Within hours, MPD located and arrested Lowe. Lowe was in possession of two firearms he had stolen from the home he had just burglarized. Lowe is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possession a firearm. Lowe has an extensive criminal history including multiple burglary and property crime convictions. At sentencing, Judge Moore imposed a 63-month sentence of incarceration and a 3-year term of supervised release upon Lowe’s discharge from prison. Lowe’s state burglary charge arising out of these events remains pending. The Mobile Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Beth Stepan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Bristol Man Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Assaulting Officer With a Knife Outside Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Anthony Lombardo, 46, of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to 54 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assault on a federal officer. On the morning of January 17, 2023, Lombardo drove to the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse at 7 th & Market Streets in Philadelphia, where he brandished a large kitchen knife and approached a court security officer who was patrolling the exterior of the building. After Lombardo ignored the officer’s request to drop the knife, the officer discharged his firearm, striking Lombardo. While first responders administered aid to Lombardo, they discovered another kitchen knife hidden in his shirtsleeve and makeshift body armor attached to his chest and midsection. Lombardo was thereafter charged by federal complaint and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals once he was released from the hospital in February 2023. At the time of his arrest, Lombardo was on state supervision following a conviction for aggravated assault on a police officer in 2006. On April 9, 2024, Lombardo was charged by information with assault on a federal officer. On May 6, Lombardo waived prosecution by indictment and entered a plea of guilty. “Twice now, Anthony Lombardo has targeted police and security officers with violence,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Whatever your goals or grievances, if you try to harm someone working to protect a federal courthouse or facility, rest assured that my office and our partners will work to hold you fully accountable.” The case was investigated by the FBI and the United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.


title: Pueblo Man Convicted On Multiple Drug and Firearms Charges

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that David Wayne Watkins, 45, of Pueblo, Colorado, was convicted by a federal jury on five counts including possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a weapon and ammunition, possession of a weapon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. According to the facts established at trial, Watkins was stopped by Pueblo Police in December of 2023 for a forged temporary license plate tag. During the stop, Watkins briefly ran from officers before his arrest. During his arrest, police recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband and a bag and wallet together containing $52,000 in cash, 378 fentanyl pills, and 25 grams of pure methamphetamine. When officers searched his car, they found one additional handgun, numerous firearm magazines and ammunition, clear baggies, and a bag with an additional 375 fentanyl pills. A search of his hotel room resulted in the recovery of a short-barreled rifle and additional ammunition. “Violent drug dealers have no place in our communities, and we are proud of the team effort that was involved in getting this repeat offender off the street,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “This felon was responsible for bringing weapons and drugs into the Pueblo community, and neighborhoods are safer with him behind bars,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “FBI Denver leans on successful partnerships with Pueblo Police Department, Denver Police Department, ATF, DEA and USAO to support our common goals. We will continue our steadfast support and commitment to the Pueblo Community.” “This conviction is testament to the hard work and perseverance of the Pueblo Police Department’s Investigations Division, and more specifically the gang and narcotics unit,” said Pueblo Police Department Chief of Police Chris Noeller. “I want to commend the US Attorney’s Office and the jury for helping to ensure Mr. Watkins is held accountable for his actions and for working to keep this dangerous criminal off the streets of our community.” United States District Court Judge S. Kato Crews presided over the trial. The Pueblo Police Department and the FBI Denver Field Office handled the investigation. The Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution. 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. Case Number: 1:24-cr-00058-SKC


title: Three More Participants Graduate from U.S. District Court’s Alternative Treatment Court

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson congratulated three recent graduates of the Alternative Treatment Court (ATC) today. United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn oversees the ATC program for the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and presided over today’s graduation ceremony. The ATC program is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and various community-based treatment providers and organizations. The ATC program is a pre-plea, pre-sentence alternative to conviction or imprisonment for certain individuals charged with federal crimes. The ATC program provides a blend of treatment that focuses on drug and mental health treatment, and alternative sanctions to effectively address offender behavior, rehabilitation, and education and jobs skills training. The U.S. Probation Office provides oversight and monitoring that are integral to the ATC program’s success. In a video statement , Thompson commended U.S. Magistrate Judge Aboulhosn, the judges of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and the ATC program’s partners. “We appreciate the fact that they allow the program not only to exist but to thrive,” Thompson said. “This is something that is done on a volunteer basis. The work and effort they put in makes this program successful and they all deserve recognition today.” Participants must be individuals whose criminal conduct is believed to be motivated by substance abuse issues, mental health, or other underlying causes that appear to be amenable to treatment through programs available as part of the ATC. Defendants with a history of violent offenses, involved in child exploitation offenses or subject to removal by immigration authorities are among those excluded from participating. Eligible defendants must participate for at least 12 months, but may be required to participate for up to 24 months. Today’s graduates are Richard Allen Bowen, 63, of Charleston, Bradley Flowers, 29, of Hurricane, and Joseph Harper, 39, of Beckley. Thompson offered words of encouragement to each graduate. The three graduates each successfully completed Track Two of the program, which allows them to receive terms of probation. Track One of the program allows for the dismissal of charges against those participants upon their successful completion of the ATC program. Information about the Alternative Treatment Court program, including the program’s Memorandum of Understanding, is available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia: https://www.wvsd.uscourts.gov/programs-services/alternative-treatment-court . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:23-cr-4 (Bowen), 3:22-cr-96 (Flowers), and 5:23-cr-15 (Harper). ###


title: Three Philadelphia Men Indicted On Drug Trafficking And Firearm Violations

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Franklin Sael Gonzalez, age 25, Ricardo Batista, age 22, and Tazwell Berrios, age 22, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Gonzalez, Batista, and Berrios conspired to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine, between October 10 and 15, 2022, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The indictment also alleges that Gonzalez, Batista, and Berrios possessed a FN Five-seveN MK2P, 5.7 x 28 mm pistol during and in relation to their drug trafficking activities. The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is lifetime 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: Kenner Man Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Illegally Possessing Firearm

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –ALTON GRAYSON , age 37, was sentenced on November 7, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to 88 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release, along with a $200 special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), and being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, in January of 2023, GRAYSON was pulled over by a Kenner Police Department officer for traffic violations. Inside GRAYSON’s car there were large bags of multicolored pills containing methamphetamine that GRAYSON intended to sell. GRAYSON also possessed a stolen Kimber Model Ultra TLE II, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. GRAYSON is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions, including a conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Kenner Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing for Domestic Violence Case

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – After receiving credit for 13 months previously served in Tribal custody, a Laguna man was sentenced to serve an additional 27 months in prison for two violent assaults against his intimate partner, a member of the Acoma Pueblo in 2019. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, in the first incident on May 30, 2019, Bret Anthony Vallo , 32, a member of the Laguna Pueblo, admitted to approaching the victim from behind during an argument, wrapping his arm around her neck, and strangling her until she lost consciousness. In a separate incident between July 1 and July 15, 2019, Vallo acknowledged that he escalated another verbal dispute by punching the victim in the face and striking her multiple times with a metal futon leg. Upon his release from prison, Vallo will be subject to 3 years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Pueblo of Acoma Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Methamphetamine Violations

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Mark Camacho, 25, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Second Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around August 2022 to in and around March 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Camacho conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Camacho was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Camacho. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Sean Christopher Williams On Three Counts Of Production Of Child Pornography

body_text: GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Today, following a three-day trial in United States District Court, Greeneville, Tennessee, a federal jury convicted Sean Christopher Williams, 53, of Johnson City, Tennessee, on three counts of Production of Child Pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). Sentencing is set for February 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., before United States District Judge J. Ronnie Greer, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison as to each count. The evidence presented at trial showed that Williams used three minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and took photos of the sexually explicit conduct. The conduct occurred at Williams’ apartment in Johnson City, Tennessee. The evidence showed that Williams sexually assaulted each of the victims’ mothers while they were unconscious, around the same time that he took pornographic photos of their children. The criminal conduct extended over a 12-year period. Williams took photos of the first victim in 2008 and the two other victims on separate occasions in 2020. The jury was shown explicit photos of the victims that included Williams’ hands, including a distinctive tattoo on his middle finger and a scar on his wrist. U.S. Attorney, Francis M. Hamilton, III, of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico made the announcement. Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and conviction of Williams included the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Western Carolina University Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan L. Gomez and Emily M. Swecker represented the United States at trial. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources.” ###


title: Two Men Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men have been sentenced to federal prison for selling methamphetamine in Marshall County. David Adam Stewart, 42, of Glen Easton, West Virginia, was sentenced to 87 months for the distribution of methamphetamine. Michael J. Lloyd, Jr., 22, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Stewart, also known as “Adam,” was selling methamphetamine from his residence. Lloyd was also selling methamphetamine from Stewart’s residence, as well as from other residences in Marshall County. The investigation included the search of two homes, resulting in the seizure of 275 grams of methamphetamine, 8.5 grams of fentanyl, and cash. Stewart has prior convictions in Marshall County for selling fentanyl that resulted in death and a firearms charge. Stewart will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Lloyd will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.


title: Box Elder woman admits lying to buy two firearms later used in a double homicide

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder woman admitted on Nov. 13 to lying on a form to buy two firearms that were later used in a double homicide, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. The defendant, Airian Mariah Russette, 30, pleaded guilty to false statement during a firearms transaction. Russette 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. The court set sentencing for March 19, 2025. Russette was released pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that on March 27, Russette purchased two pistols from North 40 Outfitters, a federal firearms licensee in Havre, and immediately traveled back to Box Elder, where she traded the firearms to an individual in exchange for four oxycodone pills. The individual had contacted Russette prior to the purchase by text message and asked Russette to buy the two guns. The two firearms were recovered several hours later by law enforcement after they were used in a double homicide and still in possession of the homicide suspects. During an interview, Russette admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Form 4473 to buy the firearms for someone other than herself, a transaction known as a straw purchase. She further admitted that she traded the firearms for the four pills. Because Russette checked “yes” on the ATF form that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, it influenced North 40 Outfitters into believing that the two pistols could be lawfully sold to Russette and caused the business to do so. The firearms were a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The ATF, FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Rocky Boy’s Police Department and Hill County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Texas Man Indicted for Transportation of Illegal Alien Resulting in Death

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Moises Gabriel Castillo, 39, of Texas, was indicted on October 30 by a federal grand jury on charges of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and four counts of Transportation of Illegal Aliens. All five charges allege that the offenses were committed for financial gain, placed in jeopardy the life of any person, caused serious bodily injury, and resulted in death. The criminal complaint filed in this case alleges that on July 24, 2024, Castillo was driving a commercial semi-truck on Interstate-10 near Rita Road, Tucson, when he collided with another semi-truck from the rear. The collision caused Castillo’s semi-truck to skid down Interstate-10. One passenger was ejected, an adult male who was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement and emergency services found three additional passengers nearby in the brush, including a 16-year-old. All three individuals and the decedent were determined to be undocumented noncitizens without permission to be present in the United States. The individuals stated they were paying to be smuggled further into the United States. Two of the undocumented noncitizens involved in the collision underwent surgery for their injuries. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined the decedent’s cause of death was due to blunt force injuries of the head. A conviction for either Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death or Transportation of Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Homeland Security Investigations and the Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-24-07586-TUC-RM RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-154_Castillo # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Midland Resident Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Midland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on November 13, 2024, to four years of incarceration, to be followed by five years of federal supervised release, for possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on James Davis, 58, also ordering Davis to pay mandatory special assessments and restitution to the victims of his crime. Earlier this year, Davis pleaded guilty in this case to one count of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor on June 11, 2021. In imposing the sentence, Judge Colville emphasized the serious nature of the offense as well as the extreme harm suffered by Davis’s victims. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Davis. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Mississippi Man Sentenced For Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – MARSHALL GRACE (“GRACE”) , age 47, of Mississippi, was sentenced on November 12, 2024, by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey, after previously being found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Count One) and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Count Two), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. On Count One, GRACE was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. On Count Two, GRACE was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment, four years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, to run concurrent with the sentence imposed in Count One. According to the evidence at trial, GRACE supplied local methamphetamine dealers in the Hollygrove neighborhood in Orleans Parish with methamphetamine from approximately July 2019 until July 2020. GRACE was arrested after a traffic stop by Louisiana State Troopers in St. Tammany Parish, that uncovered half a kilogram of methamphetamine hidden in the trunk of GRACE’s vehicle. GRACE's two cellular phones were recovered at the time of his arrest and information was extracted. Drug Enforcement Administration Agents located multiple narcotics trafficking communications on GRACE’s two cellular phones, that included communications between GRACE and the local dealers he supplied. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, and the Kenner Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Lynn E. Schiffman and Nolan D. Paige of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Phoenix Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Deadly Human Smuggling-Related Crash on the Tohono O'odham Nation

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Kevin Rojo-Barron, 21, of Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 144 months in prison stemming from a deadly crash last March on the Tohono O’odham Nation. Rojo-Barron pleaded guilty on July 18, 2024, to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit Resulting in Death, and Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit Resulting in Death. On March 2, 2023, near Why, on the Tohono O’odham Nation, the Tohono O’odham Police Department and United States Border Patrol responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision at the intersection of State Route 86 and Federal Route 1. Rojo-Barron was driving the vehicle traveling northbound on Federal Route 1 at a high rate of speed and failed to yield at a stop sign, striking a vehicle traveling eastbound on State Route 86. All three Tohono O’odham Nation members in the other vehicle died as result of the crash. Further investigation showed that Rojo-Barron was smuggling four undocumented noncitizens and had an AR-15 style rifle in the vehicle at the time of the crash. One of the undocumented noncitizens died due to the crash and another was permanently injured. Homeland Security Investigations-Sells, Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol, and the Tohono O’odham Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Y. Chamblee and Ryan P. DeJoe, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-1844-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-155_Rojo-Barron # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Texas Man Pleads Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SAUL MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ (“MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ”) , age 38, a Texas resident, pled guilty on November 13, 2024 before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to two counts of a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine (Count 1) and, possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine (Count 5), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ and other co-conspirators distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin within the Eastern District of Louisiana. For Counts 1 and 5, MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.


title: All Six Defendants Sentenced to Prison for El Hipopótamo Restaurant Robbery that Resulted in the Death of 15-year-old Minor

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The last two defendants in the Hipopótamo Restaurant robbery that resulted on the murder of Jesús Francisco Pérez — a 15-year-old minor who was an employee of the restaurant, were sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández. Basilio Matías-Fajardo was sentenced to 21 years in prison and a supervised release term of five years. Matías-Fajardo, an employee of the El Hipopótamo restaurant, was convicted by a federal jury on August 12, 2024, for conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery, aiding and abetting in the interference with commerce through robbery, and aiding and abetting the use, carrying, and discharging of a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence. Defendant Luis Cabán-Nieves was sentenced to 11 years in prison and a supervised release term of five years for his participation during the robbery. Yesterday, November 13, 2024, defendant Geofley Jomar Pérez, was sentenced to 31 years and nine months in prison, and a supervised release term of five years; and defendant Edwin Peña-Valdéz was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison, and a supervised release term of three years. On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Jospe Jomar Santos-Mercado was sentenced to 24 years and three months in prison, and a supervised release term of five years; and defendant Luis Aulet-Maldonado was sentenced to 26 years and three months in prison, and a supervised release term of five years. According to court documents, the defendants planned and executed the armed robbery at the restaurant El Hipopótamo, during which three victims were kidnapped and the minor male victim was shot twice and killed. U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement. The FBI is investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linet Suárez and Julian Radzinschi of the Violent Crime Division prosecuted the case. ###


title: KC Woman Charged in $1.9 Bank Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman has been charged in federal court for a scheme to use stolen identities to deposit fraudulent U.S. Treasury checks totaling more than $1.9 million into her bank accounts. Briauna L. Adams, 28, was charged in a seven-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Adams was arrested today and, following an initial court appearance, remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing. According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Adams used a stolen identity to open a bank account on March 12, 2024. Approximately two hours after the account was open, the affidavit says, Adams deposited a stolen U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $10,590. The bank flagged the check as suspicious and did not credit the account. A Louisiana woman told investigators she had been expecting a check from the Internal Revenue Service and had been a recent victim of identity theft. On June 18, 2024, Adams allegedly deposited a fraudulent U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $450,504 into an investment account she had recently opened. The bank placed a 10-day hold on most of the balance, however, access was granted to a percentage of the funds for “good faith” investing. Adams transferred $12,000 from the account to two personal bank accounts, the affidavit says. Hours after both transfers were complete, the bank received notification that the U.S. Treasury check Adams deposited was fraudulent and reversed the deposit from Adams’s account, leaving a negative balance and causing the bank to suffer a financial loss. Investigators traced the IP address that was used to access the accounts and learned that Adams allegedly had used the stolen identity of a Texas woman, including a driver’s license, when she rented an apartment in Kansas City, Mo. Adams moved out of the apartment in July 2024 after failing to pay more than $14,000 in rent. On Aug. 15, 2024, Adams allegedly deposited a U.S. Treasure check worth $1,445,443 into another investment account with a different firm. Over the next two days, Adams accessed the account online eight times. Fraud investigators with the firm determined the U.S. Treasury check was fraudulent and reversed the deposit before suffering a financial loss. Investigators traced the IP addresses that were used in an attempt to gain access to the illicit funds and learned that Adams allegedly had used the stolen identity of a second Texas woman, including a driver’s license, to rent a townhouse in Raymore, Mo. The federal criminal complaint charges Adams with one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, three counts of wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering. The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.


title: Meridian Man Sentenced in the Northern District of Georgia for Computer Hacking and Extortion Scheme

component: U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

body_text: BOISE – Robert Purbeck, 45, of Meridian, who hacked into the computer servers of the City of Newnan, a Griffin, Georgia, medical clinic, and 17 other victims across the United States, and stole personal information belonging to more than 132,000 people, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Purbeck also attempted to extort a Florida orthodontist for payment in Bitcoin, threatening to disclose stolen patient records and other personal information. “Purbeck’s crimes reflect the efforts of a callous and brazen cybercriminal who not only hacked into numerous computer servers and stole sensitive personal information from both private and public actors, but also threatened to extort many of his victims and disclose their data,” said Northern District of Georgia’s U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Thanks to the tireless work of law enforcement, Purbeck’s time of hiding behind a computer to steal, threaten, and intimidate is over.” “Cyber extortion is unfortunately a rapidly growing threat and highlights the ever-growing need for corporations to remain vigilant in cybersecurity efforts,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This sentencing is just one example of the FBI working together to hold criminals that hide behind their computers accountable, regardless of their location.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: In June 2017, Purbeck purchased access to the computer server of a Griffin medical clinic on a darknet marketplace. He then used the stolen credentials to illegally access the computers of the medical clinic and removed records that contained the sensitive personal information of more than 43,000 individuals, including names, addresses, birth dates, and social security numbers. In February 2018, Purbeck purchased access to a City of Newnan Police Department server on a darknet marketplace. Purbeck used the stolen credentials to hack into the City of Newnan’s computer systems and stole police reports and other documents, including personal information of more than 14,000 individuals. Purbeck also attempted to extort a Florida orthodontist in July 2018, demanding a ransom payment in Bitcoin in return for his stolen patient files, threatening to sell the patient and personal information unless the orthodontist paid the ransom. Additionally, Purbeck threatened to sell the personal information of the orthodontist’s minor child. Purbeck harassed the orthodontist and his patients for 10 days with numerous threatening emails and text messages. On August 21, 2019, FBI special agents executed a federal search warrant at Purbeck’s home in Meridian, Idaho. During the search, agents seized multiple computers and electronic devices, which contained personal information of over 132,000 individuals, obtained through Purbeck’s numerous data breaches, including the City of Newnan, the Griffin medical clinic, and at least 17 other victims throughout the United States. Many of these victims incurred substantial expenses, including remediation costs and disruption to business operations because of Purbeck’s conduct. Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. also sentenced Purbeck to serve three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $1,048,702.98. Purbeck was convicted of two counts of computer fraud and abuse on March 19, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, with valuable assistance provided by the FBI Boise (Idaho) Resident Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Herskowitz, Nathan Kitchens, Alex R. Sistla, from the Northern District of Georgia, and Trial Attorney Brian Mund of the U.S. Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho also assisted with this case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga . ###


title: Grand Junction Man Sentenced To 71 Months In Federal Prison And 48 Months In State Prison In Connection With Fentanyl Overdose Death Of A Minor

body_text: GRAND JUNCTION – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the 21 st Judicial District of Colorado announce that Nathanial Matheny, 23, of Grand Junction, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and to 48 months in state prison after pleading guilty to one count of removing human remains. The sentences will be served concurrently. According to the federal plea agreement, on May 20, 2021, Grand Junction Police responded to a call about a young woman who was not breathing in an area home. When they arrived, police found an unresponsive minor victim. Toxicology reports attributed the minor’s death to an overdose of fentanyl. The investigation led to Matheny, who admitted to doing drugs with the minor and taking her body back to her home after she overdosed. “This is a tragic story of a young person whose life was cut short because of fentanyl,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “Coloradans need to know that this is a serious problem in our communities and that our office is working hard to prosecute people who are distributing fentanyl in our state.” “Justice was delivered for the victim of this terrible tragedy,” said Dan Rubinstein, District Attorney for the 21 st Judicial District of Colorado. “I hope these sentences send a message that fentanyl crimes have extremely serious consequences.” “The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) helped bring justice to a young woman and her family. I am extremely proud of the investigative team who meticulously pieced this investigation together from the smallest of details and delivered a comprehensive account of the victim’s final hours which helped hold the defendant accountable for his actions,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. “The sentencing of Nathanial Matheny underscores the commitment and dedication of law enforcement to protecting our communities, especially its youngest and most vulnerable members, from dangerous drugs,” said Grand Junction Police Department Chief Matt Smith. “Our department is grateful for the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in this ongoing fight against the devastating impact of dangerous drugs on our communities.” United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the federal sentencing. Mesa County District Court Chief Judge Brian Flynn presided over the state sentencing. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Grand Junction Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Hautzinger. Case Number: 1:23-cr-00257-GPG


title: Multistate Kilo-Level Fentanyl Trafficker with Network from Philadelphia to Raleigh Sentenced to 10 Years

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – A Pennsylvania man, Jerome Fiers, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation involving large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine. Fiers, who operated as a middleman in a drug distribution network from Philadelphia to Raleigh, coordinated transactions that involved nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine and 323.8 grams of fentanyl. On July 15, 2024, Friers, age 47, pled guilty to the charges. “We are using every tool available to combat the flow of fentanyl into Eastern North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “We have dismantled Fiers’ extensive operation, which moved large quantities of drugs from Philly to Raleigh through the diligent efforts of the DEA and Raleigh Police Department. This case resulted in significant drug seizures and removed dangerous weapons from our streets, reflecting our commitment to keeping our communities safe.” According to court documents and additional information presented in court, between July 2022 and January 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents utilized confidential sources to purchase controlled substances from Fiers and conduct surveillance. This operation led to multiple seizures and helped clarify Fiers’ role within the organization. On December 8, 2022, law enforcement arrested co-defendant Desmond Boyd, a well-known supplier in the network. His arrest resulted in the seizure of over 10 kilograms of cocaine, $7,591 in cash, and an AR-15 rifle with an obliterated serial number. Boyd would travel from Philadelphia and Reading, Pennsylvania, to deliver drugs to Fiers in Raleigh. Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The DEA and the Raleigh Police Department investigated and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Sandling prosecuted the case. This prosecution was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00053-FL.


title: Massachusetts National Guardsman Indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Master Sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in Sandwich, Mass. has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston of possession and distribution of child pornography. Nicholas Wells, 43, was indicted for possession and distribution of child pornography. At his initial appearance in federal court in Boston, on Oct. 24, 2024, Wells agreed to be voluntarily detained pending trial without prejudice. According to the charging documents, Wells engaged in chats on a messaging application, in which he discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. It is alleged that, following search warrants for Wells’ messaging application account and home, law enforcement officials have uncovered over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography on Wells’ phone and evidence that Wells distributed over 70 videos depicting child pornography. Some of the child pornography located involves infants. The charge of possessing child pornography provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. The charge of distributing child pornography provides for a sentence of not less than five years and not more than 20 years, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Barnstable and Sandwich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.