title: Jury Convicts Federal Correctional Officer For Sexual Abuse Of Two Female Inmates

body_text: OAKLAND – A federal jury convicted a federal correctional officer of five counts involving sexually abusive conduct against two female victims who were serving prison sentences. United States District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers presided over the trial. John Bellhouse, 40, formerly of Pleasanton, California, was initially charged with sexual abuse of an inmate on Feb. 17, 2022. A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on Sept. 29, 2022, charging Bellhouse with two counts of sexual abuse and three counts of abusive sexual contact. The charges involved conduct that was alleged to have occurred against two female inmates from December 2019 to December 2020. A jury convicted Bellhouse of all counts. “Correctional Officer Bellhouse committed an egregious breach of trust by using the cover of the BOP facility’s Safety Office to sexually abuse individuals in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “This guilty verdict is yet another warning that any Bureau employee who abuses their authority will be held accountable. The Department of Justice is committed to rooting out sexual assault within the BOP and continuing to prioritize cases involving sexual abuse of individuals in BOP custody.” “As an officer in a federal correctional facility, Bellhouse had an obligation to ensure the safety of all the persons serving their sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “Instead, Bellhouse used the power entrusted to him to serve his own corrupt purposes. The sexual abuse of inmates will not be tolerated, and Bellhouse will now face the consequences for committing his despicable crimes.” “The heinous crimes in this case destroyed the sense of safety and security every human being is entitled to,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “While he was a federal corrections officer, the defendant sexually abused two victims in his care over the course of a year, an unimaginable violation of the most basic human rights. Today’s conviction demonstrates that the FBI remains unyielding in our protection of all people no matter where the crime occurs or who commits it.” "Instead of fulfilling his duty as the prison Safety Manager, Bellhouse used his position to abuse the women he was responsible for keeping safe," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. "The FBI and our partners will continue to pursue allegations of abuse by Dublin FCI correctional officers and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes." “Bellhouse violated vulnerable women under his custody and care, and a jury held him accountable for these despicable acts. Four other FCI Dublin employees, including the former Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexually abusing inmates. Our investigation of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin remains ongoing, and we will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BOP employees,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. Bellhouse was employed as a Correctional Officer at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, Calif. (FCI Dublin), an all-female low security federal correctional institution. Trial evidence showed that Bellhouse sexually abused and committed abusive sexual contact against a victim beginning December 2019 through October 2020. The victim was incarcerated and serving a prison sentence at FCI Dublin under Bellhouse’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority. The trial evidence demonstrated Bellhouse engaged in oral sex with the victim in the prison Safety Warehouse and Safety Office and that Bellhouse touched the victim’s vagina and breasts in the prison Safety Office. The trial evidence also demonstrated Bellhouse committed abusive sexual contact against a second victim between October and December of 2020. Trial evidence showed that the acts occurred in the Safety Office at the FCI Dublin Camp. Bellhouse was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a ward, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b), and three counts of abusive sexual conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4). Each count of sexual abuse carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. Each count of abusive sexual conduct carries a maximum term of two years imprisonment. A federal district judge will determine any sentence only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Judge Gonzalez Rogers scheduled Bellhouse’s sentencing hearing for August 30, 2023. Bellhouse remains out of custody pending his sentencing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Priedeman and Andrew Paulson, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slattery, and Leeya Kekona. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DOJ OIG and the FBI. bellhouse_sup_indictment.pdf


title: Man admits he caused thousands in losses to IRS

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – An area man has admitted he filed false tax returns for three years, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Oscar Dominic Garcia admitted that between 2016 to 2018, he filed false tax returns in which he under-reported his income. As part of his plea agreement, Garcia agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $108,113 to the IRS, representing the tax loss for the three years of false tax returns. “Whether they are self-employed or own a large business, everyone pays taxes to keep services running. When they don’t pay, they violate the trust placed in them by their communities and the American public,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS - Criminal Investigation’s (CI) Houston Field Office. “There is no ‘up-side’ to stealing from our nation. All you gain is a felony record and the ire of honest taxpayers.” A sentencing date has not yet been set. At the time of sentencing, Garcia faces up to three years in federal prison and possible $100,000 maximum fine. Garcia was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing. IRS – CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Swartz prosecuted the case.


title: Bronx Man Convicted Of 2018 Murder During Which He Shot The Victim’s Five-Year-Old Son

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSHUA RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Suave,” was found guilty at trial of the October 23, 2018, murder of Jaquan Millien in connection with a drug trafficking crime. RODRIGUEZ shot and killed Millien in the Butler Houses in the Bronx, New York. During the shooting, RODRIGUEZ shot Millien’s five-year-old son, who was with his father at the time. Thankfully, his son survived. The verdict followed a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jaquan Millien was bringing his five-year-old son to an after-school program — something parents do in New York City every day — when he was gunned down in his building’s stairwell. His son not only was shot, but he had to see his father die before his eyes. Today, a unanimous jury returned a verdict within hours that found Rodriguez shot and killed Millien. While the verdict cannot bring Millien back, we hope today’s verdict brings some measure of justice for Millien’s family and his community. We remain committed to ridding our neighborhoods of gun violence, and today’s verdict, made possible by the career prosecutors of this Office and our FBI and NYPD law enforcement partners, is an important step in that fight.” According to the evidence presented in court during the trial: Between in or about 2012 and in or about 2018, JOSHUA RODRIGUEZ conspired with others to sell marijuana in an apartment building located at 1408 Webster Avenue (the “Apartment Building”). In connection with his narcotics dealing, on or about October 23, 2018, RODRIGUEZ followed Jaquan Millien and his son into the Apartment Building and into a stairwell. RODRIGUEZ then fired multiple shots, killing Jaquan Millien and hitting Millien’s son in the arm. * * * RODRIGUEZ, 31, of the Bronx, New York, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute for remuneration, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of using a firearm to commit murder during a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the judge. RODRIGUEZ is scheduled to be sentenced on September 19, 2023. Mr. Williams thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department for their outstanding work on the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Andrews, Courtney Heavey, and Jim Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist William Coleman.


title: San Rafael Resident Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Receiving Child Pornography After Grooming Child In Texas Over Two-Year Period

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Robert Haeuser was sentenced to 60 months in prison for soliciting and receiving child pornography from a child victim after grooming her over the internet, announced U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Susan Illston, United States Senior District Judge. Haeuser, 33, of San Rafael, pleaded guilty to the charge on December 2, 2022. In 2015, he began communicating with a victim he would learn was 11 years old through the chat function of a mobile game called “Dynasty Wars.” The victim lived with her parents in Houston while Haeuser lived in Marin County. By November of 2015, Haeuser knew his victim was not yet in high school, and by October of 2016, Hauser engaged in an exchange during which he acknowledged she was not older than 12 years old and that if the world were aware of their conversations, “I would be in jail.” Haeuser and the victim eventually switched their communications to email where Haeuser repeatedly asked the victim to produce sexually explicit images and videos of herself and to send them to him by email. His instructions included telling her to pose and masturbate for him. The victim complied with Haeuser’s directions. Haeuser and the victim exchanged approximately 20,760 emails and 13,600 text messages between July 15, 2015, and October 5, 2017. In total, the victim sent Haeuser at least 29 images and 4 videos depicting herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On May 3, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Haeuser, charging him with one count of receipt of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1). Haeuser pleaded guilty to the charge. In addition to the prison term, Judge Illston ordered Haeuser to serve ten years of supervised release—to begin after his prison term. Judge Illston ordered Haeuser to begin serving his prison term on August 25, 2023. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Yeh and Leif Dautch are prosecuting the case with assistance from Mark DiCenzo. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.


title: Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Andre Leavell Pardue Jr., 35, of Nitro, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 16, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Pardue’s residence and found a bag of fentanyl and cash in a pair of pants in Pardue’s bedroom, a Smith & Wesson model M&P 9, 9mm pistol under Pardue’s bed, and a safe containing cash, a second bag of fentanyl and a Smith & Wesson, model M&P 40 Shield, .40-caliber pistol. Pardue admitted to possessing the fentanyl found in his pants. Pardue further admitted that he intended to both sell and use the fentanyl found in the safe. Pardue also admitted that the cash found in his pants and the safe totaled $3,020 and was proceeds from his fentanyl sales, with a portion of the money intended for his drug supplier. Pardue is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) and the invaluable assistance provided by the West Virginia State Police. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-124. ###


title: Drug Trafficker With Stolen Law Enforcement Gun  Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

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

body_text: A Fort Worth drug trafficker with eight firearms – including one stolen from Tarrant County law enforcement – was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Juan Carlos Perez, 20, was charged in November 2022. He pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor. In plea papers, Mr. Perez admitted he conspired to deal methamphetamine, including methamphetamine-laced counterfeit pills. According to court documents, law enforcement recovered eight firearms, including two AM-15s and two 9mm Glock pistols, from Mr. Perez’s apartment. One of the Glock pistols had previously been reported stolen from a Tarrant County Detention Officer. On his phone, law enforcement discovered multiple photos and videos of firearms, narcotics, and large quantities U.S. currency. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Office and the Fort Worth Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas prosecuted the case.


title: North Redington Shores Man Pleads Guilty To  Murder-For-Hire And Obstruction Of Justice

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Alexander Leszczynski (24, North Redington Beach) today pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with murder-for-hire and obstruction of justice. Leszczynski faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on or about October 7, 2020, Leszczynski filed with the Clerk of Court for Pinellas County a warranty deed purporting to transfer a parcel of property in Redington Shores, Florida from its rightful owners (Victim 1 and Victim 2) to Aura, Inc., a fictitious corporate entity that Leszczynski controlled. In April 2022, a grand jury in the Middle District of Florida charged Leszczynski with several counts of fraud, including fraud related to the property owned by Victim 1 and Victim 2, in United States v. Alexander Leszczynski , 8:22-cr-155-MSS-SPF. He was arraigned on May 17, 2022, and ordered detained. The fraud case was eventually set for the October trial calendar with United States District Judge Mary S. Scriven. Both Victim 1 and Victim 2 were complainants against Leszczynski and could be called as witnesses against him in his fraud trial. In August 2022, the FBI became aware that while incarcerated at the Pinellas County Jail, Leszczynski sought out a hitman to kill Victim 1 and Victim 2. Leszczynski reported to a confidential informant that he had $45,000 hidden at his residence available to pay someone to kill the victims. Leszczynski relayed to the confidential informant that his pending criminal case (fraud) would have to be dropped if the victims were dead. The confidential informant agreed to put Leszczynski in contact with the purported hitman, who was an undercover agent. On September 8 and 9, 2022, Leszczynski had calls with the undercover agent. Among other details, Leszczynski shared Victim 1 and Victim 2’s name, address, physical descriptions, approximate ages, and provided additional details that would allow the undercover agent to find photographs of Victim 1 and Victim 2 online. Leszczynski also negotiated price, settled on paying $30,000, and repeatedly ensured the undercover agent that he wanted Victim 1 and Victim 2 dead. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shauna S. Hale and Samantha J. Newman.


title: Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime and Violating Supervised Release

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Terrence Wilson, also known as Terrance Matthew Wilson, 34, of Dunbar, was sentenced today to seven years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a stolen firearm and violating his supervised release. According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 28, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Wilson’s residence and recovered a stolen, loaded Smith & Wesson .380-caliber pistol and a loaded Glock 22 pistol. Wilson admitted to possessing the firearms and further admitted that he had reasonable cause to believe the Smith & Wesson .380-caliber pistol was stolen when he purchased it. At the time of this offense, Wilson was serving a term of federal supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on June 9, 2016. Today’s prison sentence includes one year and six months for committing a crime while on supervised release. Wilson has a long criminal history that also includes prior felony convictions for possession with intent to deliver alprazolam in Kanawha County Circuit Court on May 3, 2013, and interstate travel in aid of drug trafficking in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on February 5, 2015. The court cited the extensive criminal history and called Wilson a rabid recidivist. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT). Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew and former Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:22-cr-3, 2:16-cr-88 and 2:21-cr-257. ###


title: Repeat Drug Dealer From Mexico Sentenced to 15 Years After Being Caught with Over 11 Pounds of Methamphetamine in La Crosse

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Juventino Lara Plancarte, 55, of Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 15 years in federal prison for possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and maintaining a drug trafficking place. This prison term will be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. Plancarte also forfeited $72,000 in drug proceeds seized by police. Plancarte pleaded guilty to this charge on March 14, 2023. On January 20, 2022, La Crosse Police stopped a car in which Plancarte was a passenger, after it engaged in suspicious activity in an area of La Crosse known for drug trafficking. During the stop, a police dog trained in drug detection signaled that he detected the possible presence of illegal controlled substances in the trunk of the car. Officers then searched the car and found nearly 11 pounds of methamphetamine in a backpack that was in the trunk. Plancarte later acknowledged that the bag and drugs were his and that he was in La Crosse to sell the methamphetamine. There were two other men in the car with Plancarte, and following the search of the car, investigators searched a home in Hudson, Wisconsin where the three men lived. There, Hudson Police and St Croix County Sheriff’s deputies found another nearly 300 grams of methamphetamine in Plancarte’s bedroom, along with $72,000 in another room and evidence that there had been larger quantities of methamphetamine divided up and repackaged at the home at some earlier time. Plancarte is a Mexican citizen who had recently served a 12-year federal sentence for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Idaho. When he was released from his sentence, he was deported back to Mexico in December 2019, but illegally returned to the United States to continue his drug trafficking activity in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area. The two other men who were in the car with Plancarte and whom he used to help drive him around and make deliveries, Armando Nieto and Emmanuel Sauceda, had no prior convictions for drug trafficking and were prosecuted on state drug charges in La Crosse and St. Croix Counties for their involvement in this case. Judge Conley told Plancarte that the large quantity of methamphetamine combined with Plancarte’s fast return to the United States, illegally, in order to immediately pick up his drug distribution once again, warranted the 15-year sentence, especially in light of the fact that Plancarte was not deterred by serving a previous sentence of 12 years for the very same offense. The charges against Plancarte were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Hudson Police Department, and St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson prosecuted this case.


title: Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a Machinegun

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on convictions for illegal possession of a machinegun and illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. As proven at trial, on October 12, 2021, Marques Dwell Armstrong, Jr., 28, possessed a machinegun, namely, a loaded 9mm-caliber Glock pistol, with a high-capacity magazine, equipped with an attached machinegun conversion device, or “switch,” enabling it to be fired as a fully automatic weapon. A jury found Armstrong guilty on February 16, 2023, of one count of illegal possession of a machinegun and one count of illegal possession of a firearm. Armstrong was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank to two concurrent terms of 120 months imprisonment. Armstrong also received a consecutive term of seven months imprisonment for a prior supervised-release violation. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Albania Concepcion prosecuted the case.


title: Texas man sent to prison after leading officers on high-speed chase

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 36-year-old San Benito man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of smuggling eight non-U.S. citizens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Rogelio Garcia pleaded guilty March 15. Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Ruiz to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how Garcia led officers on a high-speed chase through the town of Sinton, putting the smuggled individuals and surrounding motorists in danger. In discussing the factors impacting the sentence, the court remarked on the danger to which Garcia exposed both the aliens and other motorists and noted the serious nature of his conduct. On Jan. 23, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Garcia was driving and did not yield to them. He then led officers on a 10-mile chase, reaching speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The chase led into the town of Sinton, where Garcia ran stop signs and forced other vehicles to pull to the side of the road to avoid his vehicle. Ultimately, Garcia lost control and veered off the roadway onto railroad tracks. At that time, approximately eight people fled into the nearby brush, three of whom authorities located and placed in custody. Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Foster prosecuted the case.


title: Two Indicted in Nationwide Controlled Substance Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – Two individuals have been charged in a superseding indictment in connection with a nationwide conspiracy to traffic controlled substances from Arizona into Massachusetts. More than 16 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 700 grams of fentanyl pills were seized during the investigation. Denise Guyette, 30, of Woonsocket, R.I. and Gerardo Garza, a/k/a “Oso,” 47, of Yuma, Ariz., were indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The superseding indictment alleges that 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine were attributable to Guyette. Guyette and Garza were originally charged along with co-defendant Nathan Boddie with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Feb. 7, 2023. Boddie pleaded guilty on May 19, 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10, 2023 before United States District Judge Indira Talwani. According to court documents, in or about April 2022, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Guyette. It is alleged that Guyette conspired with Garza, Boddie and others to traffic various controlled substances – including methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and cocaine – in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and elsewhere. It is further alleged that the DTO routinely used the mail to ship drugs from Arizona to Massachusetts, often hiding the drugs within packages containing children’s items such as toy trucks, Halloween decorations and Disney items. Between May and October 2022, investigators seized seven packages containing a total of over 900 grams of methamphetamine, as well as thousands of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. At the time of Guyette’s arrest on Feb. 8, 2023, approximately 14 pounds of pure methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills weighing over 300 grams were located in a safe in her bedroom. A digital scale as well as multiple Rhode Island and Massachusetts driver’s licenses, Social Security cards and credit cards in the names of other individuals were also found during a search of Guyette’s residence. In total, over 16 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 700 grams of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl was seized over the course of the investigation. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum of life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Hudson Police Chief Richard DiPersio made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Imperial County Resident Agency and Yuma Resident Agency; United States Postal Service; Massachusetts State Police; and the Woonsocket (R.I.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Charles Dell’Anno of Levy’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Fort Dodge Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Conspiracy

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who conspired to, and distributed, methamphetamine pled guilty June 6, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City. Phillip Pringle, 53, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting another in the distribution of methamphetamine. At the plea hearing, Pringle admitted that between January 2015 and December 2019, he and others distributed several pounds of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. In October 2019 and two occasions in 2020, Pringle was the source of methamphetamine for an individual selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer. On October 19, 2021, Pringle failed to appear for a pre-trial release revocation hearing and an arrest warrant for him was issued. On February 14, 2023, Pringle was arrested by the United States Marshals Service. From about October 19, 2021, to about February 14, 2023, Pringle was a federal fugitive. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Pringle remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Pringle faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 20-3022. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Member of Tulalip Tribes sentenced to nearly four years in prison for assault and robbery

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 32-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribes was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 46 months in prison in connection with a carjacking during which he assaulted a driver who had tried to help him, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Michael J.D. Clark Jones, was arrested in February 2022, following a high-speed chase that left his girlfriend injured, and then he injured another person in the carjacking. In sentencing Jones to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release, Judge John C. Coughenour said he was conscious of the “dangerous theft of the vehicle” and the concerns of the Tulalip Tribes. According to records filed in the case, Jones fled from Tulalip Tribal Police at high speeds, ultimately crashing his car and leaving his girlfriend injured. Jones fled into the woods and ultimately came to the home of a woman on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. He told the woman he had been injured in a boating accident and asked her for a ride. The woman drove him a short distance to an intersection where she saw a tribal fish and wildlife truck. The woman started to get out of the car to get help from the fish and wildlife agents. Jones lunged at her and attempted to push her out of the car. The woman grabbed the door handle and steering wheel to keep from falling. Jones put the vehicle in drive and hit the gas pedal. The car accelerated across the road and hit an embankment. Jones hit the woman and tried to force her out of the moving car by punching her hand on the wheel. The door closed on the woman when it hit the embankment, and ultimately, she lost her grip and fell from the car. The force knocked the wind out of her, and she suffered back pain from the assault where Jones punched her in the shoulders, ribs, and chest. Tribal police found the damaged car and located Jones at a home on the reservation where he was arrested. Jones told law enforcement he fled because he had just picked up 500 fentanyl pills. In court today, Jones’ attorney said at the time of the crime Jones was “smoking 100 fentanyl pills a day.” Judge Coughenour commented that given that level of drug use, “It is amazing he is still alive.” In asking for a 52-month sentence Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London noted that the crime was “part of a pattern of endangering the lives of others,” and “showing little to no concern for the community.” At a later hearing a Magistrate Judge will determine the amount of restitution Jones will pay to the victims in this case. The case was investigated by the Tulalip Tribes Police Department with assistance from the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. Mr. London serves as the Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.


title: Cherokee Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Charges

body_text: A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty on June 6, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City. Jason Werner, 37, from Cherokee, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. At the plea hearing, Werner admitted his involvement in a conspiracy that distributed at least 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from December 2019 through May 2022. Werner further admitted to assisting at least six others in the conspiracy in obtaining roughly four pounds of methamphetamine and one pound of marijuana from sources in California and Nevada and transporting it via a hidden vehicle compartment to Cherokee, Iowa, for further distribution. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Werner is in the custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Werner faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, United States Postal Inspectors, Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa DCI Laboratory, and Cherokee Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-4066. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Shasta County Man Sentenced for Black Market Firearms Trafficking

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Brian Scheckla, 65, of Burney, was sentenced today to two years in prison for unlawful dealing in firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Scheckla traveled to gun shows buying guns only to turn around and sell them for a price markup on the black market. In 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served Scheckla with a cease-and-desist letter, advising him that he was unlawfully selling guns without a license. Nevertheless, Scheckla continued to travel to 20 gun shows a year to sell guns in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho. Between March 2016 and February 2019, Scheckla purchased at least 77 guns from federally licensed firearms dealers. Ten of those firearms that have been recovered by law enforcement as part of criminal investigations in Manteca, Sacramento, Modesto, Vallejo, Elk Grove, Anderson, Ontario, and Rancho Cordova. This case was the product of an investigation by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Former Keshena resident sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for voluntary manslaughter and related crimes on the Menominee Indian

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on June 3, 2023, Duane A. Waupoose, Jr. (Age 29), was sentenced to a total of 14 years in federal prison following his convictions at trial for voluntary manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. The convictions related to an armed assault which resulted in the death of a man on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Waupoose and the victim were enrolled members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and formerly resided on the reservation. Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach also imposed a 60-month term of supervised release to be served upon Waupoose’s release from prison. The evidence presented at trial showed that around midnight on January 31, 2021, the defendant and others were approached by a group looking to fight another person. A fight broke out in the driveway of a home in the School View area of the Menominee Indian Reservation, and Waupoose received minor injuries after being shot. Waupoose then disarmed the man who shot him and pursued him down the driveway and into the street, striking the man with the shotgun. The evidence also showed that after the man subsequently fled, Waupoose caught up with him approximately 40 yards down the road and repeatedly struck him on the face and head, causing serious injuries which eventually resulted in his death. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach commented, “A life was lost, and it was lost without justification . . . there is no justification for the brutal beating Mr. Waupoose delivered.” Judge Greisbach further noted that the serious nature of the crime, the lasting impact on the victim’s family, and the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct warranted a lengthy sentence. The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Maier and Peter J. Smyczek prosecuted the case in United States District Court. # # # For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Joplin Chiropractor Indicted for Child Pornography

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., chiropractor has been indicted by a federal grand jury for receiving and distributing child pornography. Eric Hedman, 39, was charged in a single-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on May 24, 2023. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon Hedman’s arrest and initial court appearance. Hedman, who operated his own practice at Hedman Chiropractic at the time of the alleged offense, is charged with one count of receiving and distributing child pornography between Jan. 1 and Dec. 12, 2022. The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge 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 James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force. Project Safe Childhood 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Suffield Man Sentenced to Nearly 8 Years in Prison for Trafficking Cocaine While on Supervised Release

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SERGIO HORTA-MOLINA, 47, of Suffield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 94 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior narcotics trafficking conviction. According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization, with ties to a Mexican drug cartel, operating in the area of Enfield, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. The organization was believed to be trafficking multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, as well as heroin. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics, revealed that Horta-Molina arranged the shipment of cocaine and other narcotics to Connecticut, and then distributed the drugs to other members of the organization who, in turn, sold the drugs to street-level traffickers and drug customers. During the investigation, Horta-Molina arranged the shipment of a package from California to Juan Sanchez-Razon’s residence in Enfield. On April 27, 2022, Sanchez-Razon delivered the package to another individual. Law enforcement subsequently stopped that individual as he was attempting to deliver the package to Horta-Molina. A search of the package revealed a kilogram of cocaine. Horta-Molina was previously convicted in the District of New Jersey of conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin. He was charged with the offense after a search of his Suffield residence in September 2017 revealed approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of heroin. In November 2019, Horta-Molina was sentenced to 40 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for that offense. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was released from prison early in May 2020, and he was on federal supervised release at the time of his criminal conduct in this case. Horta-Molina has been detained since his arrest on May 5, 2021. On March 10, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Judge Dooley sentenced Horta-Molina to 70 months of imprisonment for the cocaine offense, and a consecutive 24 month of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release. Sanchez-Razon pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing. This investigation has been conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and the Enfield Police Department. The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Former U.S. Postal Service Employee Pleads Guilty to Using Her Position to Obtain the Personal Information of Victims as Part of a Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – Breanna Lee Cartledge, age 28, of Clinton, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud financial institutions by creating fake checks using information Cartledge intercepted as a Clerk with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The guilty plea was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Brown of the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). According to her guilty plea, Cartledge utilized her position as a USPS employee to wrongfully access USPS money orders and individual mail to illegally obtain the personal information of victim individuals and businesses, which she and her co-conspirators used without the victims’ authorization. For example, after a co-conspirator texted Cartledge requesting pictures of checks, Cartledge sent the co-conspirator images of at least nine separate money orders or checks that contained personal identifying information with the intent that the information be used to create fake checks to steal from victim accounts. As detailed in the plea agreement, on May 28, 2020, Cartledge negotiated a counterfeit check fraudulently drawn for $4,900 from the account of a victim, but the transaction was reversed by the bank. Cartledge admitted that she abused her position as a USPS Clerk to facilitate the commission or concealment of the offense. Cartledge faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby has scheduled sentencing for October 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the USPS-OIG for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys G. Michael Morgan and Darren Gardner, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Maple Grove Felon Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking, Possession of a Machinegun

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove felon has been sentenced to 360 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl while possessing a machinegun, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on June 4, 2022, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department received a complaint that an individual, later identified as Derrick Maurice Scott, 35, had threatened a man at a convenience store while brandishing a firearm. Two days later, officers located Scott and conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Scott was a passenger. Following a search of the vehicle, officers recovered 355 fentanyl pills and a Glock 41, .45 caliber pistol equipped with an auto-sear or “switch” (a device that makes a firearm function as a fully automatic machinegun) and a high-capacity magazine. Because Scott has multiple prior felony convictions, including aggravated robbery, domestic assault, and terroristic threats, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. On February 7, 2023, Scott was convicted by a federal jury of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, carrying a machinegun during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, possession of a machinegun, and possession of a firearm as a felon. Scott was sentenced today to the mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison, before Senior U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Hollenhorst and Chelsea A. Walcker prosecuted the case.


title: Canóvanas Man Indicted for Production of Child Pornography and Exploitation of a Minor

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced that Christopher Joel Rabell-Pineiro, a 25-year-old man from Canóvanas was indicted on counts of production of child pornography and child exploitation. Pursuant to the allegations in the indictment, Rabell-Pineiro used his cell phone and internet instant messaging services from November 2021 through March 2022 to use and coerce a 12-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that sexual conduct and transmitting the images in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2422(b) and 2251(a) and (e). The charges of coercion and enticement under Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b), carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life. The sentences on a conviction for Production of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a), vary from 15 years to life depending on the enhancements set out in Section 2251(e). On May 31, 2023, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rabell-Pineiro with counts of production of child pornography and child exploitation and he was arrested on June 6, 2023. These charges resulted from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan along with the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF) during which materials used for the production and distribution of child pornography were seized from the defendant. HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos explained that: “the diligent and extensive investigative work by our special agents led to the identification and prosecution of this defendant who will face the consequences for his actions. He will now have to answer for the crimes for which he is charged.” “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains steadfastly committed to prosecuting those who violate federal laws regarding child endangerment,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, along with our federal, state and local partners, are committed to protecting children from those who would seek to exploit them.” HSI and the PRCACTF conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Emelina Agrait, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting this case. For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians , and to denounce suspicious activities call 787-729-6969. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ###


title: Faribault Couple Plead Guilty to Their Roles in $250 Million Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Mohamed Ali Hussein and Lul Bashir Ali have pleaded guilty to their roles in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and court documents, Hussein, 53, and Ali, 57, both of Faribault, admitted that between June 2020 and January 2022, they knowingly and willfully conspired with others to participate in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and misappropriate millions of dollars in federal child nutrition program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to underprivileged children. According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and court documents, in April and September 2020, Ali and Hussein enrolled their companies, Lido Restaurant and Somali American Faribault Education (SAFE), respectively, in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. After enrolling, Hussein and Ali began submitting fraudulently inflated invoices for reimbursement in which they claimed to be serving meals to thousands of children a day. In support of these fraudulent claims, they prepared and submitted fake paperwork, including falsely inflated meal counts. According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and court documents, Lido Restaurant also participated in the program as a vendor. Lido Restaurant had a contract to prepare meals to be served by Hussein’s SAFE site. Ali and Hussein submitted fraudulent claims that sought reimbursement for far more meals and food than Ali’s company actually prepared. As part of the scheme, Hussein also paid more than $100,000 in kickbacks to Feeding Our Future personnel in exchange for the nonprofit’s sponsorship of Lido Restaurant and SAFE. In total, Hussein’s company claimed to have served more than 1.2 million meals to children between February and November 2021 and obtained approximately $2.1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Ali’s company claimed to have served more than 700,000 meals to children between June 2020 and April 2021 and obtained approximately $2.9 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Hussein and Ali pleaded guilty today before Judge Nancy E. Brasel to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $5,037,649 and to forfeit to the United States real property and a vehicle. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later time. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Chelsea A. Walcker are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.


title: Porcupine Man Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Porcupine, South Dakota, man for Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Robert Cottier, age 64, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta L. Wollmann on May 26, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for each assault count, and eight years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter. Also $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count and restitution may be ordered. The Indictment alleges that on February 18, 2023, near Porcupine, Cottier killed a man by operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner. Cottier is also alleged to have assaulted four other individuals, three of which were minors. The charge is merely an accusation and Cottier is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth is prosecuting the case. Cottier was released on conditions pending trial. A trial date has been set for August 1, 2023.


title: Sioux Falls Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for two counts of Production of Child Pornography. Marc Jones, age 29, was indicted in May of 2023. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on June 1, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The Indictment alleges that on March 23, 2023, Jones knowingly employed, used persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced two minor females to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct and knowing that such visual depictions would be transported in interstate or foreign commerce. The charges are merely accusations and Jones is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper 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 . Jones was remanded to the custody of the State pending trial. A trial date has not been set.


title: North Dakota Man Sentenced for Assault

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Fort Yates, North Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 5, 2023. Calvin Killspotted, a/k/a Sonesakda Killspotted, age 41, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $3,954, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Killspotted was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in August of 2021. He pleaded guilty on May 17, 2022. On June 3, 2021, near Little Eagle, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, Killspotted punched his dating partner and broke her jaw. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Killspotted was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Little Eagle Man Sentenced for Assault

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 5, 2023. Raul Tomas Mata, age 22, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $5,150.31, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Mata was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in July of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 14, 2023. On April 29, 2022, in Little Eagle, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, Mata fired a rifle from a vehicle towards several houses. One of the bullets Mata fired struck a three-year-old child in the abdomen, causing her serious and life-threatening bodily injury. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Standing Rock Agency, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Corson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. Mata was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Felon admits to manufacturing and selling automatic weapons to the Mexican cartel

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 37-year-old Laredo resident has pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and conspiracy to possess intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Jaime Jesus Esquivel produced and illegally exporting fully automatic firearms to Mexico for the use of drug cartels. As part of the undercover investigation, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of cocaine or multiple AR-type fully automatic rifles. The rifles were ghost guns, a common term for privately made firearms that are absent any manufacture marks of identification. Esquivel assembled and manufactured these weapons for distribution. He made them from various components of Colt model M4 parts and a 3D printed polymer AR-Type drop-in auto-sear or machine gun conversion device (MGCD). An MGCD is any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun. Law enforcement executed two federal search warrants on locations in Laredo and seized completed and privately manufactured AR-type lower receivers, various firearm parts, firearm manufacturing tools/jigs, 950 rounds of assorted ammunition, a 7.62mm rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and one privately manufactured short barrel fully automatic rifle that lacked any serial numbers or industry markings as well as meth and cocaine and a 3D printer. “Selling fully automatic rifles to Mexican cartels so they can carry out their deadly and heartless goals puts the lives of families on both sides the border in serious danger,” said Hamdani. “Esquivel manufactured and assembled fully automatic AR-Type rifles for distribution to Mexico’s cartels, placing his and the cartels’ profits above the lives of his neighbors. As a result, he now faces the potential of a very lengthy term in federal prison.” U.S. District Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time, Esquivel faces up to 10 years for possession of a machine gun, a maximum of 20 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as well and 20 years for conspiracy to possess intent to distribute cocaine and total fines of up to $1.5 million. Esquivel has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing. The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods ( PSN ) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.


title: Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rodolpho Bogado, age 39, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to receipt and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. Bogado admitted that from 2018 through January 2022, he used a file-sharing service to download and receive numerous video files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also admitted that he possessed over 300 child pornography video and images files on his electronic devices when he was arrested on February 3, 2022. At sentencing on October 11, 2023 before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe, Bogado faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, and at least 5 years and up to a life term of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Bogado will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. HSI is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel L. Williams is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Schenectady County Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Precious Metals from VA Dental Clinic

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Arthur Hanvey, age 65, of Delanson, New York, pled guilty today to theft of government property. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, made the announcement. Hanvey admitted that, while employed as a dental technician at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center between October 2017 and May 2021, he stole precious metals and noble alloys that were intended to be recycled and used to manufacture crowns, bridges, and other dental prostheses, and then sold those precious metals to a third-party refinery for a profit. Hanvey admitted to obtaining $17,574 from the scheme. Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2023, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Hanvey faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.


title: Texas And Louisiana Men Plead  Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled  Substances Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LARRY TRICHE , age 51, a resident of Norco, Louisiana, and RANDY HARROD , age 43, a resident of Trinity, Texas, each pled guilty on May 31, 2023 to a one-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of amixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, between May 25, 2020, and July 2, 2020, TRICHE traveled four times with co-conspirator 1 from Louisiana to the Houston, Texas area to purchase kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from a Houston-based narcotics trafficker. On each occasion, TRICHE obtained a hotel room outside of Houston while co-conspirator 1 drove to Houston and met with HARROD and co-conspirator 2, the supplier, to purchase the methamphetamine. TRICHE and co-conspirator 1 then returned to Louisiana, sometimes in separate vehicles, with TRICHE carrying the methamphetamine in his vehicle. Upon their return to the Eastern District of Louisiana, co-conspirator 1 took possession of the methamphetamine from TRICHE and distributed it to customers in the area. For the conspiracy count, TRICHE and HARROD each face a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a term of supervised release of at least three years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Five Charged in Theft of California Benefits for Low Income Families

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 6, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Five men were arrested and charged in connection with the theft of tens of thousands of dollars in public-assistance benefits from low-income families that need the funds to pay for food, housing and other necessities. The defendants were arrested by a U.S. Secret Service-led task force as part of a three-day effort to crack down on this devastating and growing fraud in which California benefits are drained from recipients’ accounts almost immediately after the funds are dispersed by the state, typically early in the month. According to federal complaints, the defendants accomplished this by placing illegal devices known as skimmers on ATMs or a retailer's card-swiping machine to copy account information from state-issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used by the recipients. Two defendants – Constantin Irimia and Devonte Linell Pipkins - appeared in federal court this morning. Irimia was ordered detained; Pipkins was ordered released on a $35,000 bond secured by real property. The other defendants - Radu Grosu, Gabriel Ionita, and Richard Calin – are scheduled to appear in court Friday for detention hearings. Ionita and Calin are codefendants; the other defendants are charged individually. All are charged with use of unauthorized access device fraud, which criminalizes the misuse of electronic account information contained on EBT cards issued to public assistance recipients in California and across the country. Three of the men were also found to be in possession of skimming devices, pinhole cameras, and tools for inserting the skimming devices into ATMs. One victim, a local single mother of four whose EBT account was drained in early June, said she learned that her benefits had been stolen when she went to the store later that day and found that the money she had been counting on to buy diapers and pay rent was gone. “This kind of crime is extremely hard on people who can least afford to lose their benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “We are committed to working with all of our federal, state and local agency partners to identify perpetrators of EBT theft and relentlessly pursue justice for the victims.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team, the U.S. Secret Service and task force members for their excellent work on these cases. “This type of fraud hurts everyday Americans who rely on government support to feed and care for their families,” said Jason Reynolds, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s San Diego Field Office. “The Secret Service is committed to protecting our nation’s financial systems from abuse, and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that those involved are held accountable.” “The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the USSS So-Cal Cyber Fraud Task Force and has been for over 20 years,” said San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit. “This operation targeted those taking advantage of San Diego residents who rely on public assistance for everyday needs. We are committed to this task force partnership and will continue to support any and all efforts to suppress fraud in any form throughout our city.” “Shutting down this type of systematic fraud that steals food from the tables of families is a priority for the District Attorney’s Office,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Our office continues to be committed to providing assistance to this task force of state and federal partners who are working together to protect the most vulnerable in our community.” According to charging documents, here’s how the fraud works: Benefits are distributed via electronic transfers to the state-issued EBT cards. The benefits are automatically distributed to the recipient’s EBT card on a designated day of the month - typically, in California, the first five days. The user can make cash withdrawals and payments using the card. To access their benefits to purchase eligible food items, the recipient swipes the card through a point-of-sale terminal, or inserts it into an ATM, which record the card number, date, time, and amount of the transaction. The recipient then enters his/her unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) into a keypad to complete the transaction. According to a complaint, the U.S. Secret Service has gathered evidence indicating that members of what appear to be one or more criminal enterprises are stealing California EBT account information by installing skimmers on point-of-sale terminals, often at large-volume retailers like Walmart, in communities with higher concentrations of public benefit recipients. The skimmed data is then often re-encoded onto the magnetic strips of cards that members of the conspiracy use to make unauthorized withdrawals and purchases. These re-encoded cards are sometimes referred to as “cloned” cards. Cloned cards can be a blank white plastic card, or another debit, credit, or gift card. Cloned cards may have names or numbers embossed on the physical face of the card. A common feature of cloned cards is that the account number encoded on the card’s magnetic strip will not match the number embossed on the card’s face. To facilitate the use of the stolen EBT benefits, members of the scheme will commonly put stickers bearing the account’s PIN on the physical cards, or access devices, that are swiped at a point-of-sale terminal, along with the account balance. As outlined in the affidavits supporting the five arrests, individuals engaged in stealing EBT benefits have targeted point-of-sale terminals at large-volume stores in National City, Sherman Heights, and El Cajon to skim and thereby steal the EBT account information of local victims. According to the California Department of Social Services (CalDSS), almost $40 million has been stolen using compromised EBT account information since August 2022. Most of the stolen funds were obtained through unauthorized ATM withdrawals from victims’ CalWORKs benefits. CalWORKS provides cash to eligible families with one or more children in the home. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing CalWORKS assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food, and other necessary expenses. CalWORKS, along with CalFresh, is distributed by CalDSS through the California Advantage EBT card. U.S. Attorney Grossman thanked the many law enforcement partners whose work and dedication made this operation a success: The U.S. Secret Service, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, California Department of Social Services, Homeland Security Investigations, National City Police Department, El Cajon Police Department, Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. If you or someone you know has had your EBT benefits stolen, San Diego County’s Department of Health & Human Services Agency requires that the theft be reported within 10 days. More information for San Diego County victims is available at: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ssp/ebt_fraud.html . DEFENDANT Case Number Age Hometown Constantin Irimia 23mj01955-JLB 40 Iasi City, Romania Devonte Linell Pipkins 23mj01963-JLB 25 Ecorse, Michigan Gabriel Ionita 23mj01973-WVG 35 Bucharest, Romania Richard Calin 23mj01973-WVG 23 Bucharest, Romania Radu Grosu 23mj02000-WVG 35 Rockville, Maryland SUMMARY OF CHARGES Use of Unauthorized Access Devices – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1029(a)(2) (All Defendants) Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine Possession of Access Device-Making Equipment – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1029(a)(4) (Irimia, Ionita, Calin) Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine AGENCY U.S. Secret Service’s Southern California Cyber Fraud Task Force San Diego District Attorney’s Office San Diego Police Department San Diego Sheriff’s Department U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General California Department of Social Services Homeland Security Investigations National City Police Department El Cajon Police Department Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Battle Creek Couple Sentenced On Fraud Charges

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: C ouple charged with COVID-19, SSI, and Food Assistance Fraud; Combined Fraud $216,000 GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN —U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Antonio and Keturah Mixon, of Battle Creek, Michigan were sentenced after pleading guilty to COVID-19 Relief, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Food Assistance Program fraud charges before U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering. The combined alleged fraud totals approximately $216,000, with Antonio defrauding $36,000 and Keturah defrauding $180,000. The prosecution noted that the guilty pleas represented only a portion of the fraudulent conduct the Mixons committed. Antonio was sentenced to four months in prison and Keturah was sentenced to 18 months and ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution. “These programs were meant to protect people who had fallen on hard times,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “My office will continue to aggressively hold accountable scam artists and cheats who steal hard-earned taxpayer dollars.” Antonio Mixon committed wire fraud by falsely claiming he was entitled to financial assistance under the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program was used to provide loans and grants to small businesses hurt by the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Antonio Mixon claimed that he ran Kingdom Warriors Ministry, allegedly a nonprofit organization to help children in Battle Creek. He received $36,000 in grants and loans based upon the number of his purported employees. This claim was false because Kingdom Warriors Ministry never operated, never assisted children, and had no employees. After the money arrived in the Mixons’ bank account, Keturah Mixon immediately withdrew it. Keturah Mixon falsely obtained subsistence benefits from two federal programs: SSI and the Food Assistance Program. Both programs are meant for people experiencing economic hardships, so anyone applying for assistance must demonstrate that they financially qualify. Keturah Mixon did not qualify because she owned several parcels of real estate, ran a business, and had access to Antonio Mixon’s income, all of which disqualified her. However, she unlawfully concealed this information and received approximately $180,000 in funds. “Ms. Mixon knowingly concealed from and failed to disclose information to the Social Security Administration (SSA) which would have made her ineligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). By doing so she abused the SSI program, a needs-based safety net for the most vulnerable among us,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for SSA . “My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who defraud SSA. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support of our investigation and holding Ms. Mixon accountable for her actions.” The couple was charged with federal fraud offenses in December 2021 and pleaded guilty in January 2023. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Social Security Office of Inspector General, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. ###


title: CEO of Dozens of Companies Pleads Guilty to Massive Scheme to Traffic in Fraudulent and Counterfeit Cisco Networking Equipment

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Florida resident and dual citizen of the United States and Turkey pleaded guilty yesterday in the District of New Jersey to running an extensive operation over many years to traffic in fraudulent and counterfeit Cisco networking equipment. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Onur Aksoy, 39, of Miami, ran at least 19 companies formed in New Jersey and Florida, as well as approximately 15 Amazon storefronts and at least 10 eBay storefronts (collectively, the “Pro Network Entities”), that imported from suppliers in China and Hong Kong tens of thousands of low-quality, modified computer networking devices with counterfeit Cisco labels, stickers, boxes, documentation, and packaging, all bearing counterfeit trademarks registered and owned by Cisco, that made the goods falsely appear to be new, genuine, and high-quality devices manufactured and authorized by Cisco. The devices had an estimated total retail value of hundreds of millions of dollars. Moreover, the Pro Network Entities generated over $100 million in revenue, and Aksoy received millions of dollars for his personal gain. The devices the Pro Network Entities imported from China and Hong Kong were typically older, lower-model products – some of which had been sold or discarded – which Chinese counterfeiters then modified to appear to be genuine versions of new, enhanced, and more expensive Cisco devices. The Chinese counterfeiters often added pirated Cisco software and unauthorized, low-quality, or unreliable components – including components to circumvent technological measures added by Cisco to the software to check for software license compliance and to authenticate the hardware. Finally, to make the devices appear new, genuine, high-quality, and factory-sealed by Cisco, the Chinese counterfeiters added counterfeited Cisco labels, stickers, boxes, documentation, packaging, and other materials. Fraudulent and counterfeit products sold by the Pro Network Entities suffered from numerous performance, functionality, and safety problems. Often, they would simply fail or otherwise malfunction, causing significant damage to their users’ networks and operations – in some cases, costing users tens of thousands of dollars. Customers of Aksoy’s fraudulent and counterfeit devices included hospitals, schools, government agencies, and the military. Between 2014 and 2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized approximately 180 shipments of counterfeit Cisco devices being shipped to the Pro Network Entities from China and Hong Kong. In response to some of these seizures, Aksoy falsely submitted official paperwork to CBP under the alias “Dave Durden,” an identity that he used to communicate with Chinese co-conspirators. To try to avoid CBP scrutiny, Chinese co-conspirators broke the shipments up into smaller parcels and shipped them on different days, and Aksoy used fake delivery addresses in Ohio. After CBP seized a shipment of counterfeit Cisco products to Aksoy and the Pro Network Entities and sent a seizure notice, Aksoy often continued to order counterfeit Cisco products from the same supplier. Between 2014 and 2019, Cisco sent seven letters to Aksoy asking him to cease and desist his trafficking of counterfeit goods. Aksoy responded to at least two of these letters by causing his attorney to provide Cisco with forged documents. In July 2021, agents executed a search warrant at Aksoy’s warehouse and seized 1,156 counterfeit Cisco devices with a retail value of over $7 million. Aksoy pleaded guilty to (1) conspiring with others to traffic in counterfeit goods, to commit mail fraud, and to commit wire fraud and (2) mail fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 6, and under the plea agreement that the court conditionally accepted yesterday pending sentencing, faces a sentence of four to six and a half years in prison. Also pursuant to the plea agreement, Aksoy must forfeit $15 million in illicit gains from his scheme and make full restitution to his victims. The court will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna for the District of New Jersey; Acting Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Bryan Denny of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Western Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Floyd Martinez of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG), Southeast and Caribbean Division; Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Economic Crimes Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of the HSI Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of the HSI Newark Field Office made the announcement today. HSI, DCIS, GSA-OIG, NCIS, and CBP are investigating the case. Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Trombly and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case. The CBP Electronics Center of Excellence; the CBP Los Angeles National Targeting and Analysis Center; and the CBP Office of Trade, Regulatory Audit and Agency Advisory Services, Miami Field Office provided valuable assistance. If you believe you are a victim of Aksoy or the Pro Network Entities, please visit www.justice.gov/largecases or www.justice.gov/usao-nj/united-states-v-onur-aksoy-pro-network for more information. The Pro Network Entities include at least the following: Pro Network Companies Approximate Month and Year of Formation State of Formation Pro Network LLC August 2013 New Jersey Netech Solutions LLC November 2016 Florida Target Network Solutions LLC January 2017 Florida Easy Network LLC April 2017 New Jersey ACE NETUS LLC (aka Ace Network) April 2017 New Jersey My Network Dealer LLC April 2017 New Jersey 1701 Doral LLC May 2017 New Jersey Maytech Trading LLC August 2017 Florida NFD Trading LLC September 2017 Florida Kenet Solutions LLC September 2017 Florida Team Tech Global LLC January 2018 New Jersey Tenek Trading LLC January 2018 Florida The Network Gears LLC February 2018 Florida All Networking Solutions LLC (aka All Network) April 2018 Florida San Network LLC October 2018 Florida Pro Network US Inc. January 2019 Florida Jms Tek LLC August 2019 Florida Renewed Equipment LLC August 2021 Florida Pro Ship US LLC August 2021 Florida Pro Network Amazon Storefronts Approximate Date of Earliest Known Activity Albus Trade Hub January 2014 EasyNetworkUS March 2014 Get Better Trade July 2015 Mercadeal February 2017 Netech Solutions February 2018 Netkco LLC September 2014 NFD Trading LLC January 2018 Palm Network Solutions June 2017 Renewed Equip August 2017 Servtaur August 2019 Smart Network July 2017 SOS Tech Trade August 2017 Target-Solutions September 2020 TeamTech Global March 2016 TradeOrigin US August 2015 Pro Network eBay Storefronts Approximate Date of Earliest Known Activity connectwus March 2014 futuretechneeds July 2017 getbettertrade July 2017 getontrade April 2016 maytechtradingllc October 2017 netechsolutions April 2017 netkco September 2014 nfdtrading February 2018 smartnetworkusa January 2014 tenektradingllc May 2018


title: Justice Department Announces Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Illegal Dumping in the City of Houston

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement in its environmental justice investigation into the City of Houston’s response to illegal dumping in Black and Latino neighborhoods. The agreement builds upon the city’s recently announced One Clean Houston initiative, a comprehensive plan to address pervasive illegal dumping and its negative impacts on the health, safety and quality of life of Houston residents. Today’s agreement memorializes the city’s cooperation with the Justice Department as it implements these new steps to combat illegal dumping and develops improved waste management services for residents across Houston. “Houston’s illegal dumpsites have contaminated water and soil, attracted vermin and created blight in historically under-resourced neighborhoods across the city,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I appreciate Mayor Turner’s leadership in addressing these concerns and his resolve in developing One Clean Houston. This agreement will ensure that Houston fully addresses chronic illegal dumpsites, provides access to adequate waste management services and improves quality of life in communities of color. The Justice Department will continue advancing environmental justice and ensuring that people of color across our nation live in safe, clean and healthy communities.” “No one should have to live next to discarded tires, bags of trash, rotting carcasses, infected soils and contaminated groundwater, all caused by illegal dumping,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “For too long now, Houston’s underserved and low-income communities have had to bear the health burdens of the inaction and misdeeds of others. My hope is that this resolution is an important step in remedying those wrongs.” In July 2022, the Justice Department launched its investigation after it received a civil rights complaint filed on behalf of Houston residents alleging that the city discriminated against Black and Latino residents of the Trinity/Houston Gardens neighborhood in northeast Houston in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits recipients of federal funds from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin in their federally funded programs and activities. The department’s ten-month investigation focused on Houston’s efforts to address illegal dumping, a persistent and pervasive problem that occurs more frequently in the city’s Black and Latino neighborhoods. In March 2023, the city announced its One Clean Houston initiative. One Clean Houston focuses on rapid cleanup, better enforcement and prevention and education. In addition to confirming the city’s commitment to One Clean Houston, the agreement establishes a three-year period of federal monitoring; data reporting obligations; enhanced community outreach with impacted neighborhoods, including engagement with residents with limited English proficiency; consideration of additional actions to combat commercial sources of illegal dumping and reduce restrictions for residents seeking to use waste depositories; and a federal civil rights training program for specified city employees. The Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section conducted this investigation in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Addressing discriminatory environmental and health impacts through enforcement of the nation’s civil rights laws is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Today’s announcement marks the second environmental justice settlement under federal civil rights statutes. Last month, the division announced the resolution of its environmental justice investigation into the Alabama Department of Health and Lowndes County Health Department in Lowndes County, Alabama. In April 2022, the Justice Department launched its Office on Environmental Justice and its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy. Individuals who believe their civil rights have been violated or have environmental justice concerns can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .