title: Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Loaded Firearm

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Hyde Park man was sentenced today for being a felon in possession of a Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with ammunition. King Belin, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 51 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In February 2024, Belin was convicted of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Dec. 20, 2020, Belin was stopped by law enforcement after he failed to yield at an intersection and nearly collided with another car. During the motor vehicle stop a Smith & Wesson, Model SD40VE .40 caliber pistol, loaded with 14 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition were found in Belin’s waistband. Belin then attempted to flee, and a struggle ensued. He was immediately apprehended. At the time of the offense, Belin was on federal supervised release for a 2015 conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he was sentenced to 71 months in prison. In 2010, Belin was convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, for which he was sentenced to 18 months in state prison and two years of probation. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Stoughton Police Chief Donna M. McNamara made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Dawley and Benjamin A. Tolkoff of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Providence Man Who Admitted His Role in a Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Involving the Kidnapping a U.S. Postal Worker Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Providence man who previously admitted to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, which involved a plot to kidnap a U.S Postal Service (USPS) employee while members of the conspiracy searched for missing cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico, was sentenced today to nearly six years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Irving Medina, 36, pleaded guilty on March 14, 2024, to a charge of conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 70 months of incarceration to be followed by four years of federal supervised release. In addition to admitting to his role in the conspiracy, Irving Medina admitted that co-conspirators abducted a USPS employee in an effort to locate the drugs. Medina conducted surveillance outside of a Pawtucket post office on May 28, 2021, and the next day outside of a mailman’s home. As alleged in court documents, on June 1, 2021, members of the conspiracy kidnapped the letter carrier at gunpoint and drove him to his home, interrogating him about the missing cocaine. After it became obvious that the mailman knew nothing about the missing drugs, and after the men learned that the letter carrier did not have a key with him to allow them to enter his locked home to search for cocaine, the kidnappers returned the mailman to an area near where his postal truck was parked. According to information presented to the court, three packages, each containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine, were seized by law enforcement. On August 31, 2021, law enforcement executed a court-authorized search of Irving Medina’s residence, and seized numerous items associated with drug trafficking, including $800 in cash, fifty bags filled with fentanyl, three bags filled with cocaine base, and a quantity of cutting agent. The matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of Pawtucket Police, Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force, Rhode Island State Police K-9 Unit, Rhode Island High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and the United States Marshals Service. ###


title: Convicted Felon Arrested For Smuggling Machinegun Conversion Devices Into The United States And Possession Of Firearms, Ammunition, And Silencer

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Phillip Michael Valeriani (41, Plant City) with smuggling machinegun conversion devices into the United States, possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, and possession of unregistered machineguns and a silencer. If convicted, Valeriani faces up to 20 years in federal prison for smuggling machinegun conversion devices, up to 15 years for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of an unregistered machinegun and silencer. According to the complaint, in April 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a suspicious package shipped from Shenzhen, China and destined for a residence in Plant City. The package contained 63 machinegun conversion devices, commonly referred to as “Glock switches.” A Glock switch is an illegal conversion device that converts a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic weapon. Under the National Firearms Act, a Glock switch is classified as a machinegun. (Pictured below: Glock Switches) After confirming Valeriani was the intended recipient of the package containing the 63 Glock switch parts, law enforcement conducted a search warrant at Valeriani’s residence. During the search, law enforcement seized firearms, including a pistol with a foldable stock and Glock switch, ammunition, a silencer, narcotics, a tactical vest with ballistic plates, and FBI and DEA raid jackets. A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Plant City Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Tampa International Airport Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Haynes. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Waltham Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offense

body_text: BOSTON – A Waltham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Robert Daigle, 47 pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Sept. 11, 2024. In February 2022, Daigle was indicted by a federal grand jury. On Jan. 11, 2022, approximately 10 electronic devices belonging to the Daigle were seized during a search of his residence. The majority of those devices were located in Daigle’s bedroom. Daigle admitted to downloading hundreds to thousands of CSAM for approximately 20 years. A forensic examination of one device was found to have approximately 1,100 child pornography images and approximately 900 child pornography videos. A second device was found to have approximately 380 child pornography images. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. 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 .


title: Professional Rock Climber Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sexual Assaults in Yosemite National Park

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Charles Barrett, 40, was sentenced today to life in prison for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact that occurred during a weekend in Yosemite National Park, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. “Barrett’s long history of sexual violence supports the imposition of a life sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “He used his status as a prominent climber to assault women in the rock-climbing community, and when his victims began to tell, Barrett responded by lashing out publicly with threats and intimidation. This case is a testament to the courage of the victims who reported these crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute violent crimes in National Parks like Yosemite.” “We are grateful for the tireless work of the National Park Service investigative team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring this case to justice,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message about the consequences of this criminal behavior. It makes Yosemite a safer place for the climbing community, park visitors and our employees.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in August 2016, the victim went to Yosemite for a weekend of hiking, and Barrett, who was living and working for a private business in the park, sexually assaulted her three times. During trial, three other women testified that Barrett also sexually assaulted them. These assaults were not charged because they were outside federal jurisdiction but were admitted at trial as relevant to the charged assaults. According to court documents, in 2017, seven years after he assaulted one of the victims who testified at trial, Barrett purposely climbed at a rock-climbing gym where the victim attended. She then disclosed Barrett’s assault on her to the gym owner in the interest of protecting other women at the gym. Barrett responded by harassing and threatening her for several years. In August 2022, he was convicted for criminal threats he made in January 2022. While in custody on the present case, Barrett made hundreds of phone calls. On these calls, he showed no remorse or regret. Instead, he threatened to use violence and vindictive lawsuits against the victims, claiming that they designed a conspiracy to ruin his life This case was the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael G. Tierney and Arin C. Heinz prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Participates In Walk for Awareness Event To Highlight Elder Abuse Awareness Day

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined Age-Friendly Mecklenburg and AARP-Charlotte to co-host a Walk for Awareness at Freedom Park in Charlotte. Community leaders, elected officials, Mecklenburg County personnel, federal and state prosecutors and staff, law enforcement partners, AARP volunteers, community organizations and private citizens joined this important event to increase awareness and support efforts to prevent the exploitation, neglect and abuse of older adults in our community. First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) seeks to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect suffered by millions of older adults – crimes that are often overlooked or unreported. WEAAD brings attention to the cultural, social, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to elder abuse. “Elder abuse can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation. It’s a growing concern that demands our immediate attention and action,” said U.S. Attorney King, who also serves on the Attorney General’s subcommittee on elder justice. “Participating in community events that shine a light on this important topic is crucial in our fight to protect vulnerable older adults. Whether it’s to support a loved one, to advocate for the rights of older adults, or to raise awareness in the community, these events not only educate the public on recognizing and preventing crimes involving the elderly, but also foster a sense of collective responsibility. By coming together, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for our older population and ensure that older adults receive the respect and protection they deserve from all of us.” “Protecting those in our community who have come before us, and helping them live their golden years to their fullest, is something we in Mecklenburg County are dedicated to continuing to hold up to the highest degree,” said Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Chairman George Dunlap. “Our employees who work with our elders each and every day are part of that protection, and continuing to provide resources for them to continue to thrive today and in the future is one of our top priorities.” “Although fraud and scams impact people of all ages, when older adults are scammed, they tend to lose more money. Fraud targeting elders remains a pervasive and growing problem. The Federal Trade Commission reported a record number of money lost to scams in 2023. AARP and North Carolina partners are doing more to help people spot, prevent, and report fraud. This week, a new on demand “scam jam” will be available on YouTube @AARPNC1, where members of the NC Senior Fraud Taskforce share important information about pervasive scams and how to find help,” said AARP Associate State Director Rebecca Gilbert. According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crimes Report , the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received a record number of complaints from the American public with potential financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, a 22% increase compared to 2022. The report also indicates that North Carolina is ranked 13th both in the number of complaints filed with the FBI and in financial losses sustained due to online schemes and financial fraud. Individuals 60 and above filed the most complaints (101,068) and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, the highest among all groups. The report further indicates that tech support scams continue to impact older adults disproportionately, accounting for half of all the financial losses of online schemes. In addition, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes continue to cost millions in losses for the 60+ population. Through prosecutions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to combat elder fraud involving domestic and transnational perpetrators. Major strides have already been made to that end: In April 2024, two men were indicted for allegedly laundering millions of dollars in fraud proceeds in the United States and Nigeria, stemming from romance scams targeting elderly victims and other online schemes. A third defendant has pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy. In November 2023, a Conover, N.C., woman pleaded guilty after she was charged with stealing more than $300,000 from an elderly couple. In August 2023, a Jamaican national pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with a fraudulent lottery scheme that targeted elderly Americans. In April 2023, a Charlotte man was indicted for an international multi-million dollar tech support fraud scam that allegedly defrauded thousands of victims throughout the United States, some of whom were elderly, of more than $7 million. In addition to prosecuting elder fraud cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, through its Elder Justice Initiative , partners with law enforcement agencies, government entities, and community organizations to ensure that older adults, caretakers, and those who come in frequent contact with the elderly are educated on how to detect, prevent, and report elder fraud, neglect, and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its efforts to educate the public by distributing the latest trends in schemes targeting older adults and sharing tips on how to be protected from scammers. In April 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office shared a scam alert issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) about alarming reports of fraudsters impersonating SSA OIG agents. In this latest iteration of government imposter scams, fraudsters request victims to meet them in person to hand off cash. Variations of the scam include fraudsters posing as IRS agents demanding money for unpaid taxes, as sheriff’s office deputies threatening arrest for purported outstanding fines, and as prosecutors or court personnel threatening prosecution or jail time for failing to comply with jury duty service. Additional financial schemes targeting older Americans are: Tech Support Scams – Convince victims to pay for non-existent problems with their computers. Non - Delivery Scams – Induce victims to pay for goods or services online, but never receive them. A variation of this scheme is victims receiving emails or texts messages that appear to be from legitimate shipping companies (e.g., UPS, FedEx) with fake non-delivery notifications, claiming that payment or additional personal information is required to complete a package delivery. Romance Scams – Lull victims into believing they are in an online romantic relationship and their paramour needs money to pay for a visit to the U.S. or for some other purpose. Grandparent Scams – Dupe victims into thinking that their grandchildren or other relatives are in trouble and need money right away for bail or another emergency. Charity Scams – Solicit donations for fake charities, or by altering or “spoofing” caller IDs to show the name of a real charity on the phone. Lottery Scams – Scammers use phone calls, letters, or emails to convince victims that a large fee or taxes must be paid before they can receive lottery winnings. Debt Collection Scams – Victims are threatened with arrest and jail time if payment for a fake debt is not made immediately. Money Mule/Money Laundering Scams – Convince victims to use their existing or new bank accounts to quickly move funds in and out of those accounts. Generally, the transferred funds are proceeds of other criminal schemes (such as romance schemes) and victims are unwittingly being used to launder the ill-gotten funds. Timeshare Scams – Fraudsters target timeshare owners with false promises of resale and exit from their timeshares for a fee. Sham Business Opportunities – Convince victims to invest in lucrative business opportunities or fake investments. Here are some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam: Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone you don’t know. If the person asking the information claims to be a relative, a friend, someone you know, or a representative of a financial institution or government agency, do not respond right away. Instead, contact the person/entity independently or ask a trusted family member or friend for help. Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning. Don’t click on pop-up ads, messages, or virus warnings. Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls. Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger or someone who claims to be a relative without verifying the person’s identity. Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or lucrative business deals. If you suspect fraud, take the time to talk to a trusted friend or family member. It’s not rude to say, “NO.” Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life. A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam. And remember, there is no shame in falling prey to an online scammer. These are professional criminals that use tried-and-true tactics to perpetrate fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges the public to report suspected elder fraud by calling the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) or visiting the Elder Justice Initiative at Justice.gov/elderjustice for additional information and resources.


title: Discord User Who “Catfished” Young Victims Is Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. B Aaron Joseph Wehrstein, 25, of Columbus, N.C., was sentenced yesterday to 21 years in prison for production of child pornography, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Wehrstein was also ordered to pay a $5,000 special assessment, to serve a lifetime of supervised release, to pay restitution to the victims of his offense, and to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison. Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Sheriff Timothy Wright of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and information introduced at the sentencing hearing, law enforcement received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerting them that an individual with the screenname JessicaLovesYou#1816 was using Discord to distribute child pornography. Discord is a popular free application that allows users to communicate with each other via voice and video calls and text messaging, and to share media files through private chats or communities. Court records show that law enforcement initiated an investigation and determined that the Discord user was Wehrstein. The investigation further revealed that Wehrstein would “catfish” minor males via Discord by posing as a female and would send the unsuspecting minors sexually explicit images of females, claiming to the person in those images. Wehrstein would then induce the minor victims to reciprocate by creating and sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. In September 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Wehrstein’s residence, seizing several electronic devices. A forensic analysis of those devices revealed that, in addition to using Discord, Wehrstein also used Twitter to communicate with minors and to receive child pornography created by the victims. In total, Wehrstein possessed more than 4,197 images and videos of child pornography. The investigation further determined that Wehrstein had induced at least eight male victims, between the ages of 12 and 17, to produce and send him child pornography via Discord and Twitter. “Wehrstein is an online predator who used a catfishing scheme to prey upon innocent victims, causing them significant emotional distress and mental anguish,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting vulnerable young people from predators like Wehrstein and seeking justice for victims harmed by this deplorable criminal conduct.” “Homeland Security Investigations aggressively pursues child predators, and cases involving child sex abuse material. Now Wehrstein will be held accountable for his predatory and reprehensible behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Morant. “Today we are once again reminded of the need for constant online vigilance to protect the most vulnerable among us.” On March 29, 2024, Wehrstein pleaded guilty to using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Wehrstein will remain in federal custody until he is transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons. U.S. Attorney King thanked the HSI and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Solheim of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice, aimed at combating the growing online sexual exploitation of children. By combining resources, federal, state and local agencies are better able to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue those victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov #


title: Vallejo Felon Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Cocaine Trafficking

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jacob Harding-Abeyta, 31, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to possession of cocaine for sale, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Oct. 7, 2020, a parole search of Harding-Abeyta’s residence resulted in the discovery of a loaded .45-caliber Springfield XDS firearm in his bedroom. Harding-Abeyta is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was previously convicted in Solano County for attempted murder in 2014. Officers also discovered 39 grams of powder cocaine, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and other drug paraphernalia. A search of his phone revealed that he was selling this and other cocaine. Additionally, Harding-Abeyta also admitted in his plea agreement that he committed obstruction of justice by attempting to suborn perjury of a witness during a prior evidentiary hearing in this case. This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Haddy Abouzeid, Jason Hitt and Adrian T. Kinsella are prosecuting the case. Harding-Abeyta is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Sept. 10, 2024. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearm charge and a maximum sentence of 20 year in prison and a fine of up to $1 million for the drug charge. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Former Scranton Police Officer And Police Union President Sentenced To Imprisonment For Federal Program Fraud In Connection With Overtime Patrol Shifts At Scranton Area Housing Complexes

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Paul Helring, age 48, a former Scranton police officer and the former elected police union president, was sentenced on June 4, 2024, by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 6 months’ imprisonment and a 2-year term of supervised release for the offense of Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds. According to the United States Attorney’s Office, from approximately March 2021 to May 2022, while serving as the coordinator of Scranton Police Department’s extra duty overtime program, Helring knowingly obtained by fraud over $5,000.00 in compensation that was paid to him for certain extra duty patrol shifts at local, Scranton-area, lower-income housing complexes that Helring claimed to work but did not in fact work. In all, the investigation found a total of 526 hours that Helring claimed to work patrolling the complexes but that he did not actually work. At his sentencing, Helring was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,831.40 and to pay a fine of $5000.00. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service as a condition of his supervised release. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Corruption Task Force with assistance from the Office of Inspector General within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffery St John and Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Romanian Man Extradited to Puerto Rico to Face Charges for Aggravated Identity Theft and Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A citizen from the country of Romania was extradited from the United Kingdom to Puerto Rico to face charges of identity theft and fraud. On September 21, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 12-count indictment charging Vlad Terebes with conspiracy to commit identity theft; aggravated identity theft; conspiracy to commit access device trafficking in a counterfeit access device; trafficking in device-making equipment; and bank fraud. Terebes was extradited on Friday, May 31, 2024. According to court documents, defendant Vlad Terebes and other co-conspirators acquired and then installed access device skimming equipment in the form of a card reader used to obtain information from credit and debit card transactions at several large retail stores in Manatí, Canóvanas, Caguas, and Carolina, Puerto Rico. From on or about March 8, 2022, to on or about March 13, 2022, defendant Vlad Terebes and other co-conspirators obtained credit and debit card numbers, names, and personal identifying information of approximately 1,215 customers from the large retail stores in Manatí, Caguas, Canóvanas, and Carolina, and attempted to obtain approximately $20,421 in funds from the unsuspecting customers’ bank accounts held by a financial institution in Puerto Rico. As a result of the investigation conducted by the United States Secret Service, Terebes was identified and ultimately apprehended in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2024 at the request of the United States. “Financial fraud is one of the largest challenges facing American citizens and businesses today. Prevention and prosecution of crimes of this nature will remain a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will not be deterred by individuals who attempt to flee from prosecution. In coordination with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, we remain committed to the arrest and extradition of those who commit crimes in Puerto Rico,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The defendant made his initial court appearance yesterday, June 3, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López for the District of Puerto Rico and was ordered detained. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least two years for each aggravated identity theft charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Terebes from the United Kingdom. The United States also thanks United Kingdom law enforcement authorities for their valuable assistance in securing Terebes’ extradition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Kalamazoo Man Sentenced For Possessing Firearm As Felon, Additional Gun Linked To Prior Shootings

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Bilal Rashaad McDaniel, 30, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. “Gun violence is an epidemic across America and here in Michigan that inflicts immense trauma on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “My office, together with our law enforcement partners, will not relent in our efforts to hold accountable those few individuals who are driving violence in our communities. Every person, regardless of where they live, deserves to live their life, walk their neighborhood, and play in the park free from the fear of gunfire.” McDaniel was arrested in October 2023, after officers found two handguns, various ammunition, and narcotics while executing a search warrant inside McDaniel’s home and car. One handgun had an extended magazine attached and had previously been transported across the state line. The other firearm was a crime gun linked to two prior shootings and one homicide, which all occurred in the summer of 2023. The homicide is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. A crime gun is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime. On account of this connection to a previous crime, these guns are often passed around inside and outside of groups. As recently announced , the U.S. Attorney’s Office is running a summer program with other law enforcement partners focused on firearms offenders who carry crime guns. “Removing violent offenders from our communities is ATF’s highest priority,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir . “We are proud of our long-standing partnerships in the law enforcement community expanding efforts to disrupt and dismantle these violent criminals.” This case was prosecuted by United States Attorney LaToyia Carpenter and investigated by the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. ###


title: Mexican Citizen Previously Convicted of Drug Trafficking Sentenced to a Year for Illegally Reentering U.S.

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Eli Torres-Banos, 36, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to a year in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. Torres-Banos pleaded guilty to this charge on March 15, 2024. In 2009, Torres-Banos was convicted in this district of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Following the completion of a one-year federal prison sentence, Torres-Banos was removed from the United States to Mexico. As a condition of his removal, Torres-Banos was ordered to not reenter the United States. On June 7, 2023, Torres-Banos was arrested for a misdemeanor traffic offense in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement became aware of Torres-Banos’s illegal presence in the country following a fingerprint match during the booking process. On December 6, 2023, Torres-Banos was arrested in Jefferson County following his indictment in this case. During the arrest, law enforcement found 8.5 kilograms of cocaine in a vehicle associated with Torres-Banos. He was indicted for the cocaine found during the December 6th arrest and that case is scheduled for trial on September 23, 2024. Torres-Banos is presumed innocent of the cocaine charge unless proven guilty. At sentencing, Judge Peterson said that Torres-Banos’s prior federal conviction was an aggravating factor in determining a sentence. The charge against Torres-Banos was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson and Steven C. Ayala prosecuted this case.


title: Federal Felon Who Fled Police Found Guilty of Meth Offense

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who fled from law enforcement while possessing methamphetamine pled guilty May 31, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City. Chad Hughes, 40, from Sioux City, Iowa, was convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Hughes was previously convicted of a federal firearms offense in 2005. At the plea hearing, Hughes admitted possessing almost ½ pound of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others in Sioux City. Evidence showed that on June 24, 2023, law enforcement attempted to stop the motorcycle Hughes was operating. Hughes fled from law enforcement with high-speed pursuits overlapping in cities of Sioux City, Iowa and North Sioux City, South Dakota during which Hughes ditched the motorcycle and a backpack to avoid apprehension. Law enforcement seized the backpack which contained methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and other items (one shoe, lottery tickets, etc.) which aided in the ultimate identification of Hughes. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Hughes remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Hughes 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 Iowa State Patrol, North Sioux City, South Dakota, Police Department, and the 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 23-4053. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Greenville Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Threatening Judge

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: GREENVILLE, S.C. — Alvin Bernard Parks, 44, of Greenville, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to threatening a federal judge. According to court documents, Parks sent a letter to a specifically-named United States District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina. The handwritten letter contained threats to harm the judge. An excerpt from the letter reads: “I have watched you leave the courthouse numerous times and plotted to get my revenge.” The letter goes on to say, “you best to make sure they lock me away for good cause I’m going to kill you or blow that courthouse up.” The return address on the letter was listed as Alvin Parks with the address to the Greenville County Detention Center, where Parks was detained. “Threats like this endanger our justice system,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “We remain committed to prosecuting illegal threats against public officials to ensure that such officials can do their jobs free from intimidation.” United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr. sentenced Parks to 84 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Parks pled guilty in February. This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Manly, Iowa, Man Pleads Guilty to Possession  of a Firearm by a Drug User

body_text: A man who possessed a firearm as un unlawful drug user pled guilty June 3, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City. Cory Allen More, age 33, from Manly, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user. In a plea agreement, More admitted that on October 23, 2023, his vehicle ran out of gas in Clear Lake, Iowa. A Clear Lake police officer saw More pull his vehicle over to the side of the road. The officer made contact with More while he was outside of his vehicle near the engine bay where he had just opened the hood. At that time, the officer observed 2 marijuana baggies with a green leafy substance on the ground between More’s feet and the officer’s feet. The officer seized the two baggies which were found to contain marijuana. More also had a handgun in a holster on his belt in plain view of the officer. On October 27, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at More’s residence in Manly, Iowa and seized marijuana, scales, drug paraphernalia, and an additional 16 firearms and ammunition. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. More remains free on bond previously set. More faces a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the Clear Lake Police Department, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, Manly Police Department, Worth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and United States Marshal’s Service. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-03006. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Iowa Surgical Center Agrees to Pay $125,000 to Resolve Allegations It Violated the Controlled Substances Act

body_text: First Choice Surgical Center, an ambulatory surgical center located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has agreed to pay $125,000 to the United States to resolve allegations that it violated civil provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. First Choice Surgical Center is the surgical center affiliated with Fox Eye Laser & Cosmetic Institute, P.C., a practice performing laser vision correction and cataract surgery. The settlement resolves allegations that First Choice failed to maintain complete and accurate records concerning the controlled substances it purchased and dispensed and failed to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances. In August 2019, other employees of First Choice discovered that Sabrina Thalblum, a registered nurse at First Choice, had been tampering with vials of fentanyl. The fentanyl was kept at First Choice for patient use during out-patient surgical procedures. A criminal investigation revealed that Thalblum stole the fentanyl for her own use. Thalblum withdrew fentanyl from the vials, reinjected saline into the vials, and returned the vials, which now contained less than declared values of fentanyl, to storage at First Choice. In January 2021, Thalblum pled guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to charges related to the theft and, in January 2022, was sentenced to five years-probation. A related civil investigation identified at least 130 separate occasions in which the record-keeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act were allegedly violated by First Choice. The DEA’s investigation found that First Choice employees “batch signed” records indicating they had witnessed the wasting of fentanyl remaining after surgery when it was not First Choice’s practice to ensure those employees had witnessed the wasting. Additionally, First Choice failed to make a timely report to DEA after it learned of the fentanyl theft. With the passage of the Controlled Substances Act, Congress took steps to create “a closed system” of distribution of controlled substances in which every facet of the handling of the substances – from their manufacture to their consumption by the ultimate user – is subject to intense governmental regulation. This mission was taken against the backdrop of trying to prevent the diversion and abuse of legitimate controlled substances, while still ensuring that an adequate supply of those substances meet the medical and scientific needs of the United States. “This settlement highlights one part of our office’s efforts to battle the opioid crisis,” said Timothy T. Duax, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. “Healthcare providers must do their part to ensure the safety of our community by maintaining accurate records and safeguarding access to dangerous controlled substances.” “The DEA works vigilantly to make sure hospitals are enforcing the rules and regulations that ensure patient safety,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “Lives are unnecessarily put at risk when accuracy and good record keeping habits are brushed aside. These rules are in place for a reason and should provide families with peace of mind that they are receiving the best care possible when they walk in the door of any hospital in the United States.” The claims asserted against First Choice are allegations only; there was no determination of liability. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon J. Gray and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Readout of U.S. Attorney Waldref’s Remarks Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Spokane, Washington

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: U.S. Attorney Waldref met with state, local, federal, and community stakeholders at Spokane Fire Station No. 1 on June 4, 2024, as part of the City’s emergency declaration for implementing an integrated response to address the opioid crisis in the City of Spokane. In her remarks at the press conference in which Mayor Lisa Brown made the emergency declaration, U.S. Attorney Waldref expressed her gratitude to the many partners and stakeholders, who gathered together to implement ideas for improving public safety in the downtown corridor. U.S. Attorney Waldref explained how she was born and raised in Spokane and how she and her husband proudly raise their two kids here. U.S. Attorney Waldref expressed how deeply she cares for everyone’s safety here in Eastern Washington, especially given how the Spokane community is facing an extraordinary challenge with the growing and continued influx of deadly fentanyl and other drugs. As U.S. Attorney Waldref put it, “The fentanyl crisis is the new face of the opioid epidemic and the death and tragedy that we are witnessing are staggering. The downtown area has been hit particularly hard.” U.S. Attorney Waldref further remarked that the mission of her office is to build a safe and strong Eastern Washington community, which starts with building critical partnerships to have both (1) law enforcement strategies with our key partners at the Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office; and (2) proactive engagement to empower our community to protect our loved ones. U.S. Attorney Waldref further explained, “My job as the chief federal prosecutor is to set strategic enforcement priorities to identify and prosecute the most significant drivers of violent crime. Drug trafficking and violent crime are closely linked. My team works closely with DEA and all our law enforcement partners, and we have seized hundreds of thousands of poison fentanyl pills and other drugs – keeping these dangerous substances out of the hands of drug traffickers and out of our community. We are prioritizing the prosecution of fentanyl cases – vigorously seeking to disrupt the sources of drugs in our communities and to send a strong deterrent message to criminal drug networks.” As part of her remarks, U.S. Attorney Waldref highlighted two recent cases touching on the fentanyl crises in Spokane and throughout Eastern Washington: United States v. Alexander Kosnicki involved a repeat offender, who was distributing drugs at a local charity. Mr. Kosnicki, who was convicted at trial and is awaiting sentencing, was trespassing at an apartment complex, when he was contacted by law enforcement. After he was arrested, law enforcement located a stolen gun and large amounts of fentanyl inside his sock, along with a substantial amount of U.S. currency from drug trafficking. The case came together and was able to be prosecuted in federal court because of the incredible partnership between state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, DEA, and Spokane Police Department. United States v. Robert Patrick Hanrahan, et. al. involved the takedown of a criminal enterprise, which operated a large scale organized crime operations in Eastern Washington, including in Spokane, Yakima, Walla Walla, and elsewhere. Takedown included federal indictments for nearly 40 criminal defendants. The case involved tremendous collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Prisons, U.S Marshals Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Yakima Police Department, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The investigation and prosecution has led to the recovery of significant quantities of drugs, guns, and drug proceeds from throughout the greater Spokane area, and throughout Washington state. U.S. Attorney Waldref concluded her remarks by recommitting her team to seeking justice in critical cases like these and by implementing an all-hands-on-deck strategy involving prosecution, prevention, and treatment. She explained, “We have to do more to stop the flood of these pills into our community. Federal prosecutors around the country are working closely with our Tribal, federal, state, and local partners to identify and prosecute the drug traffickers who seek to profit from the sale of these deadly substances in our communities. We target the command and control elements of the cartels, the money launderers, and the violent and heartless individuals who choose to sell this poison. Through our law enforcement efforts, we are seeking to hold these criminals responsible for the damage that they have caused to our communities. The impact and overall effectiveness of our joint efforts are directly dependent on the community, law enforcement, health care, prevention and social service professionals working together to mitigate the fentanyl drug threat. I am committed to prosecuting the criminal drug cartels who put our communities and our youth at risk. Our office has been prosecuting fentanyl cases since 2016, and we will continue vigorously prosecuting these cases as part of our ongoing efforts to build safer and stronger communities in the Eastern District of Washington.”


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 30 months in Prison for Bank Robbery

component: USAO - Illinois, Central

body_text: Springfield, Ill. – On June 3, 2024, a Springfield man, Kyle W. Harris, 29, of the 1700 block of East Watch Avenue was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for bank robbery. Harris will serve a two-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. At the sentencing hearing, the government showed that on December 15, 2021, Harris robbed a Marine Bank branch in Springfield of just over $6,000 after passing a teller a note indicating he would shoot everyone in the bank. No firearm was brandished. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough noted that the bank employees and patrons were terrorized by the actions of the defendant. Harris pled guilty on December 1, 2023. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshal since the guilty plea. The statutory penalties for bank robbery are not more than 20 years of imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The Springfield Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Harris is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Belgrade felon sentenced to two years in prison for illegal possession of firearm

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

body_text: MISSOULA — A Belgrade felon who admitted illegally possessing a firearm for five years and while on state probation was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Mark John Littlefield, 49, pleaded guilty in January to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The government alleged in court documents that Littlefield was convicted in December 2011 of felony driving under the influence in Gallatin County District Court. One of the conditions of Littlefield’s sentence was that he could not own or possess firearms. In 2020, Littlefield was explicitly informed he could not possess firearms, and he signed a form affirming his understanding of the prohibition. Littlefield illegally possessed a firearm for five years, beginning with his acquisition of a .357 pistol in 2018. For all the time from 2018 until June 2023, when probation officers found the pistol in his bedroom, Littlefield was on supervision with the Montana Department of Corrections. Once Littlefield became aware officers had located the firearm, he stated, “I’m going federal, I’m going federal.” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian C. Lowney and Zeno B. Baucus prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Mescalero Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty in to assault of an intimate partner by strangling. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on July 19, 2023, Ashton Louis Apachito , 20, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, assaulted his girlfriend, Jane Doe, at his mother’s house. Following the incident, Jane Doe left the residence to stay with her mother. Over the next several days, Apachito harassed Jane Doe by phone and threatened to throw all her belongings in the road. On July 29, Jane Doe returned to the residence to collect her belongings, at which time Apachito attacked Jane Doe, pushing her to the ground, kicking her in the stomach multiple times and choking her. The next morning, Jane Doe called her mother and asked her to pick her up. Jane Doe’s mother reported the domestic violence to BIA and Jane Doe was transported to the Lincoln County Medical Center for treatment. Jane Doe’s injuries included swelling and dark bruising on her left eye, slight bruising on her right eye, bruising on both facial cheeks, bruising on the left side of her stomach and hip, and bruising on her right triceps. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Buffalo man pleads guilty to buying stolen data from Genesis Market

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Wul Isaac Chol, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that Genesis Market is an online marketplace whose operators compile stolen data, such as computer and mobile device identifiers, email addresses, usernames, and passwords, from malware-infected computers around the globe and package it for sale on the market. Purchases made through Genesis Market are conducted using virtual currency, such as bitcoin. Between June 2019, and January 2021, Chol deposited approximately $105.08 worth of bitcoin in a Genesis account that he had created. Chol used the funds he deposited in his Genesis account to purchase 21 packages of unauthorized access devices. Those packages contained, in total, approximately 778 unauthorized access devices. In addition, Chol admits that he obtained, without authorization, $25,164.00 from the New York State Department of Labor. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Sentencing is scheduled for September 13, 2024, before Judge Sinatra. # # # #


title: Ex-Husband Of ‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey’ Star Convicted Of Violent Crime In Aid Of Racketeering And Obstruction Of Justice

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. The ex-husband of one of the stars of the Bravo television show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” was convicted today on charges of planning an assault of his ex-wife’s current husband in exchange for a lavish wedding reception, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Thomas Manzo, 59, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, was convicted after a two and a half week trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court on one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to a federal investigation. “Thomas Manzo hired a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family to carry out a vicious assault on his ex-wife’s then-boyfriend, causing the victim to suffer significant injuries,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. “As a unanimous jury found, Manzo committed multiple offenses by providing a free wedding in exchange for the assault and then concealing documents relating to that wedding. He will now face just punishment for his crimes.” “Manzo now faces a lengthy federal prison sentence because he chose to hire a ‘made man’ to carry out an assault on his ex-wife’s boyfriend,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “He then gave away a free wedding and hid the documents to cover it up. The facts and circumstances in this case read like something from a bad TV crime drama, but the evidence and testimony presented in court prove it was reality. We truly hope the victims in this investigation are able to move on with their lives and forget about Manzo and his criminal mafia bedfellows.” According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial: In the spring of 2015, Manzo hired Lucchese Crime Family soldier John Perna to assault his ex-wife’s then-boyfriend in exchange for a free wedding reception for Perna held at an upscale venue Manzo owned. Perna, who is a “made man” in the Lucchese Crime Family with his own crew, worked with his associates to plan and carry out the violent assault, which took place on July 18, 2015. In exchange for committing the assault, Perna held a lavish wedding reception at Manzo’s venue for free. During the investigation of the assault, Manzo concealed and falsified documents related to the Perna wedding in response to a grand jury subpoena. The violent crime in aid of racketeering activity count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The conspiracy to commit violent crime in aid of racketeering carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison, and the falsifying and concealing records related to a federal investigation charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges and arrest. He also thanked special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, officers of the Lyndhurst Police Department, officers of the Totowa Police Department, investigators of the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, investigators of the New Jersey State Police, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall Randolph of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.


title: Cheektowaga man going to prison for possessing 200,000 images of child pornography

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael P. Daly, 49, of Cheektowaga, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison, and 25 years supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Daly was also ordered to pay $23,000 in victim-related assessments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that in June 2019, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report from Microsoft Bing that one of their users uploaded an image of child pornography. Subsequent investigation traced the image to Daly. On October 22, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Daly’s residence in Cheektowaga, seizing a laptop computer, a flash drive, and an iPhone. A forensic search of all three items recovered over 200,000 images and 95 videos of child pornography. Some of the images include prepubescent minors and depictions of violence. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Miraglia, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Stanley Edwards, III, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Coons. # # # #


title: Rochester man pleads guilty to drug charge

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Arcides Castillo-Dieguez, 59, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that over the course of a long-term narcotics investigation, law enforcement identified Castillo-Dieguez as a bulk supply source of fentanyl for other Rochester drug dealers. Investigators identified several locations from which Castillo-Dieguez either sold or stashed fentanyl for future distribution. In May 2023, multiple search warrants were executed at three of these locations on Avenue A, East Main Street, and Durnan Street. One of the locations was used as a day care facility. Investigators seized over four kilograms of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and heroin. Drug paraphernalia was also seized during the searches. This is Castillo-Dieguez’s sixth felony conviction for an offense involving the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, III, New York Field Division, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET). Sentencing is scheduled for September 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci. # # # #


title: Founder and Former CEO of Sustainable Fuel Company Sentenced for Multimillion-Dollar Embezzlement and Investor Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The founder and former CEO of a sustainable fuel company was sentenced today to three years in prison in connection with a scheme to embezzle at least $5.9 million and to defraud several investors out of approximately $15 million. According to court documents, between 2021 and 2022, Bryan Sherbacow, 55, of Charleston, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., defrauded the company he co-founded by transferring company funds without authorization to his personal bank account and by making unauthorized personal expenditures from a company bank account. Sherbacow attempted to conceal his actions by, among other things, emailing altered bank statements and other falsified financial records to the company’s outside accounting firm and members of the company’s board. Sherbacow used embezzled funds to pay for, among other things, a vintage Mercedes-Benz sports car, a Range Rover sport utility vehicle, payments to an art auction operator, personal tax liens, personal credit card payments, rent payments on personal residences, payment to a beach club, electronics, and a down payment on a condo. To raise additional funds for the company, Sherbacow also sent or caused to be sent altered bank statements and other falsified financial records to prospective and current investors. For example, Sherbacow caused a false and fabricated bank statement to be sent to two investors, in which Sherbacow intentionally removed transactions showing transfers from the company bank account to his personal bank account and falsified account balance information to make it appear that the company possessed more cash on hand than it possessed, due in part to Sherbacow’s unauthorized transfer of funds. Sherbacow also caused a balance sheet containing false and misleading financial information to be sent to another investor. In at least partial reliance on the fabricated bank statement and false and misleading financial information, three investors collectively invested approximately $15 million. Sherbacow also misled an individual who loaned funds to the company regarding the company’s financial state. Sherbacow pleaded guilty on Feb. 8 to wire fraud. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office; and Director Kelly Mayo of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) made the announcement. The FBI Washington Field Office and DCIS Charleston Resident Agency investigated the case. Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.


title: Harrison County Man Admits to Methamphetamine Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Todd Eugene Haynes, 48, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, pled guilty today to the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Haynes sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in Clarksburg in September 2022. Haynes faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: Former Rochester couple arrested, charged with defrauding VA out of hundreds of thousands of dollars

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Joyce, 52, and his wife Sarah Shultis, 32, both formerly of Rochester, NY, now living in New Jersey, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft of government funds, making false statements, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in April 2016, defendant Joyce submitted claims for disability compensation to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an issue with his left hand, asthma, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, sleep apnea, GER, hypertension, tinnitus, gout, an unidentified left knee issue, an unidentified left ankle issue, an unidentified right ankle issue, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and unidentified cardiac issues. Following multiple consultations and examinations for various issues, Joyce was awarded a 100% disability rating for reported PTSD in December 2016. In February 2018, Joyce applied for a status of permanent and total disability (PTD), which removes an individual’s obligation to continue getting re-evaluated for various disabilities, and makes them eligible for other veteran benefits. In his Statement in Support of Claim, Joyce asserted, “Every disability that I have either is the same but will not get better or has gotten worse.” He stated that his PTSD has not improved, that he is more housebound, and feels that he will die if he goes outside. Joyce was subsequently granted a PTD status in April 2018. In July 2019, Joyce submitted a Declaration of Status of Dependents, listing himself as married and living with his wife and seven additional dependent children, raising his payment for a 100% disabled veteran from $3,171.12 per month, to $3,860.55 per month. Joyce continues to receive VA disability compensation and special monthly compensation in the amount of $4,737.42 per month. He has received over $393,158.14 in payments from VA as of March 2024. In November 2017, Joyce and Shultis applied for Shultis, as Joyce’s purposed caregiver, to receive payments through the VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP), claiming that Joyce is wholly reliant on Shultis for multiple life tasks, including feeding, bathing, and dressing. Shultis was approved and received a retroactive payment of $8,345.82, and began to receive $2,890.14 per month for the care of Joyce. As of March 2024, Shultis has received over $213,000. A review of Joyce’s Army personnel file and during interviews with former members of Joyce’s unit, investigators found multiple inconsistencies in Joyce’s claims. Unit members described Joyce as competent, intelligent, and physically fit, someone who remodeled multiple bathrooms and repaired a roof, and was never deployed to a combat zone. Subsequent investigation and surveillance documented, on multiple occasions, Joyce walking with no apparent difficulty or assistance, driving a motor vehicle, and performing household maintenance tasks, including climbing a ladder and snow shoveling. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Bradley Parker, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher F. Algieri, Northeast Field Office. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Columbia Man Sentenced to 10 Years and Ordered to Pay $35,000 for Gun Charges

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. —Joseph Dean Dyches, 42, of Orangeburg, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms. Evidence presented to the court showed that on Nov. 13, 2019, Dyches sold a .45 caliber handgun and a loaded, stolen, unregistered, short-barreled shotgun to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). During the transaction, Dyches admitted to being a “five-time felon.” Approximately one week later, Dyches was pulled over by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and found to be in possession of a .40 caliber handgun, a loaded .22 caliber handgun, multiple rounds of ammunition, and methamphetamine. Dyches is a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. Dyches has prior convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, strong armed robbery, assault and battery 1 st degree, and criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. United States District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Dyches to 120 months in prison to be followed by a term of court-ordered supervision. Dyches was also ordered to pay a $35,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein. ###


title: Brooklyn Man Arrested for Illegal Sports Betting Scheme Involving National Basketball Association Player

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Long Phi Pham, also known as “Bruce,” with conspiring with others to defraud a sports betting company (Betting Company 1) by placing “under prop” bets on a National Basketball Association (NBA) player (Player 1) in NBA games on January 26, 2024 and on March 20, 2024. Pham was arrested on Monday and made his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak. Pham was ordered detained pending trial. Three co-conspirators charged in the scheme remain at large. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charge. “Whether on the court or in the casino, every point matters. As alleged, the defendant and his co-conspirators, as well as an NBA player, participated in a brazen, illegal betting scheme that had a corrupting influence on two games and numerous bets,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This prosecution serves as a warning that fraud and dishonesty in professional sports will not be tolerated and those who engage in this flagrant flouting of the law will be prosecuted.” "Long Phi Pham allegedly participated in a conspiracy to defraud an online sports betting website, encouraging an NBA player to unnecessarily withdraw himself from select games in an attempt to profit from personal bets made with this advanced, insider knowledge. These alleged actions violated the prohibition of using non-public information - eliminating the risk associated with the unpredictable nature of the betting world – an unfair advantage not afforded to other bettors. There is no 'over/under' when intentionally circumventing rules for financial gain, the FBI remains vigilant in its investigations of those who engage in such fraudulent conspiracies," stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith. The Betting Scheme The NBA is a professional basketball league in North America. The NBA maintains a code of conduct for all of its players which prohibits wagering in connection with NBA games. As alleged in the complaint, Pham and his co-conspirators placed “under prop” bets on Player 1’s performance in two NBA games, knowing in advance that Player 1 planned to withdraw from those games for purported health reasons. A “prop,” or proposition bet is a wager placed on a player’s performance, rather than the outcome of the game. For example, a betting platform could offer users a wager that a player would score more (referred to as betting the “over”) or fewer (betting the “under”) points than a certain number of points designated by the betting platform for a given game. The January 26, 2024 Game In early 2024, Player 1 had amassed large gambling debts to certain of the co-conspirators. Player 1 was encouraged to clear those debts by withdrawing from certain games prematurely to ensure that under prop bets on Player 1’s performance were successful. On January 22, 2024, Player 1 sustained a purported eye injury during a game. He was evaluated and diagnosed with a corneal abrasion, but was not placed on the NBA injury list. Shortly before the game on January 26, 2024 (the January 26 Game) Player 1 told the defendant that he would be removing himself early from the game, claiming that he was injured. Player 1 entered the January 26 Game midway through the first quarter. After playing just four minutes and recording zero points, three rebounds and one assist, Player 1 removed himself from the game after he complained to team officials that he had reaggravated the eye injury. Player 1’s performance in several statistical categories during the January 26 Game was under the designated amounts set by Betting Company 1 in its prop bets related to Player 1. Thus, several bettors, including co-conspirators, who wagered the “under” on prop bets related to Player 1’s performance for the January 26 Game won those bets. For example, a relative of a co-conspirator placed a $10,000 parlay bet through Betting Company 1 on the “under” for Player 1’s three pointers, assists and steals. As a result of Player 1 removing himself from the January 26 game, the bet was successful and the relative won $85,000 (netting a profit of $75,000). Additionally, a co-conspirator placed a $7,000 parlay bet through Betting Company 1 on the “under” for Player 1’s three pointers, points, assists and rebounds. As a result of Player 1 removing himself from the January 26 Game, the bet was successful and the co-conspirator won $40,250 (netting a profit of $33,250). The March 20, 2024 Game Prior to a game on March 20, 2024 (the March 20 Game), Pham and his co-conspirators discussed in a Telegram group chat that Player 1 would be removing himself early from the game, claiming that he felt ill. They agreed to share the profits for money won on successful under bets placed on Player 1, and that Pham would receive approximately 24% of the profits. On March 20, 2024, Pham and his co-conspirators met at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and placed several bets on Player 1. After playing just three minutes and recording zero points, three rebounds and zero assists, Player 1 removed himself from the March 20 Game, complaining he felt ill. Several bettors, including the co-conspirators, who wagered the under on prop bets related to Player 1’s performance won those bets. In total, the defendant and his co-conspirators netted over $1 million in profits. On April 4, 2024, in a group chat between Player 1 and the conspirators, Player 1 wrote to the group that they “might just get hit w a rico,” referring to a racketeering charge, and asked if the group chat participants had “delete[d] all the stuff” from their personal cell phones. The charge in the complaint is based on allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of wire fraud, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section and General Crimes Sections. Assistant United States Attorneys Kaitlin Farrell, Benjamin L. Weintraub and David Berman are in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant: LONG PHI PHAM (also known as “Bruce”) Age: 38 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 24-MJ-404


title: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Chidi Anthony Okafor, 26, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 31, 2022, Okafor sold approximately 338.3 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Charleston. Okafor is scheduled to be sentenced on September 11, 2024, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $10 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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander A. Redmon and Ryan A. Keefe are 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. 2:24-cr-75. ###


title: Nine Sentenced In Interstate Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Spanning California, Arizona, And Central Florida

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced nine individuals to federal prison for their respective roles in a multi-kilogram cocaine and methamphetamine distribution operation. The multi-agency investigation lasted two years and spanned from Central Florida to Arizona and California. Each individual charged in the case was found guilty by a jury or pleaded guilty for their role in the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and related offenses, and were sentenced as follows: Name Offense(s) Date of Conviction Sentencing Date Judgment Luis Miguel Hernandez (36, Phoenix, AZ) 500 grams methamphetamine; 5 kilograms cocaine 8/10/23 (pleaded guilty) 12/13/23 9 years, 1 month Saul Sandoval (41, Phoenix, AZ) 500 grams methamphetamine 12/27/23 (pleaded guilty) 5/31/24 10 years Zara Mascarella (20, Palm Coast, FL) 500 grams methamphetamine; 500 grams cocaine 9/12/23 (pleaded guilty) 12/19/23 5 years Camarie Shavers (24, Bunnell, FL) 500 grams cocaine 9/20/23 (pleaded guilty) 12/11/23 2 years, 6 months Alfred L. Shavers (50, Bunnell, FL) cocaine; possession of a firearm by convicted felon 2/23/24 (jury trial) 6/3/24 16 years Alfred L. Shavers Jr. (26, Bunnell, FL) 50 grams methamphetamine 9/18/23 (pleaded guilty) 12/11/23 5 years Jimmie Lee Bizzell (53, Bunnell, FL) 500 grams methamphetamine 9/18/23 (pleaded guilty) 1/16/24 6 years Wendell Ferreira (42, Berlin, CT) 500 grams methamphetamine, 5 kilograms cocaine 1/31/24 (pleaded guilty) 5/13/24 2 years, 9 months Tyrone Jones (56, Palm Coast, FL) 500 grams methamphetamine (2 counts); 50 grams methamphetamine 2/23/24 (jury trial) 6/3/24 10 years According to court records, during the investigation, federal agents and task force officers identified several members of the conspiracy and the methods used by the drug trafficking organization (DTO) to ship methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico across the United States to Central Florida using commercial trucks. Law enforcement tracked the drugs from Phoenix and Los Angeles gathering vital intelligence on the DTO. Bizzell and Ferreira were the commercial truck drivers who transported the drugs from California and Arizona to Florida. On October 31, 2022, search warrants were executed at six locations in Palm Coast, Bunnell, and Daytona Beach, Florida. As a result, 44.54 kilograms of methamphetamine and 2.72 kilograms of cocaine were seized. In addition, nine guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized from a location where Alfred Shavers resided. Jones, Mascarella, Alfred Shavers, Alfred Shavers, Jr., and Camarie Shavers were identified as drug traffickers in Central Florida. Law enforcement determined that Sandoval and Hernandez were the sources of the methamphetamine and cocaine from Phoenix and Los Angeles. Agents learned they had brokered deals with co-conspirators in Mexico who were sending drugs across the border for Sandoval and Hernandez to sell. Authorities believe that since 2021, Sandoval and Hernandez distributed more than 300 kilograms of drugs that were shipped to Central Florida. On April 25, 2023, Sandoval was arrested in Phoenix and a search warrant was executed at his residence. Inside his home, agents located 1,114 grams of fentanyl pills, 18 firearms, 4 firearm suppressors, and more than $5,000 in cash. The illegal firearms included fully automatic firearms, short-barreled firearms, and auto switches designed to be installed on Glock handgun slides to transform the handguns into machineguns. Hernandez was arrested in Los Angeles on the same day he was conducting a new drug trafficking deal for approximately 36 kilograms of methamphetamine. Both were returned to the Middle District of Florida for prosecution. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Daytona Beach Resident Agency, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the Daytona Beach Police Department, and the DeLand Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Sartoian and Matthew Del Mastro. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Bremerton Washington, man sentenced to 3 years in prison for extensive swatting campaign targeting victims in US and Canada

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma –A 21-year-old Bremerton, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to three years in prison for four federal felonies stemming from his extensive illegal harassing activity known as “swatting,” announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ashton Connor Garcia pleaded in January 2024 to two counts of extortion, and two counts of threats and hoaxes regarding explosives. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “Swatting is cruel. It is uncivilized. It is the willful terrorizing of other human beings.” Judge Settle added that he saw great need to “send a message that engaging in swatting will get more than a slap on the hand.” “This conduct is not only outrageous, it is dangerous for the victims, for first responders and for members of the public who may need emergency response but cannot get it because resources are tied up at a false report,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “I hope this prosecution and sentence is a wake-up call for those who think swatting is fun or entertaining. It is a federal crime with potentially fatal consequences.” According to the plea agreement and records in the case, from early June 2022 through March 2023, Garcia used voice over internet technology and social media platforms to make false emergency calls to dispatch services while urging others watch his illegal activity via social media. In his plea agreement, Garcia admits he intended his calls to cause a large-scale deployment of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams, bomb squads, and other police units to the targeted locations. He made these calls with malicious intent to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against certain individuals and organizations, and to obtain items of value through extortion. The plea agreement details 20 different false emergency reports targeting victims in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Garcia gathered personal information about his victims, and then threatened some of his victims with harm, including placing swatting calls to send an armed police presence to their home. Garcia demanded money, virtual currency, credit card information, or sexually explicit photos from some of the people he threatened. Garcia made fake reports to non-emergency police numbers claiming things such as that he and others had planted explosive devices in particular locations. He falsely accused other individuals of committing crimes, such as murder, rape, and kidnapping, and he falsely claimed that these individuals possessed dangerous weapons, such as knives, firearms, and explosive devices. Frequently, he used the same scripts claiming that his father was holding him hostage, false claims that he shot his parents, false claims that his father stabbed his mother, and false claims that his father had raped female members of the family. The false reports tied up law enforcement resources that could have been used for actual emergencies. In some instances, law enforcement entered the victim residence with weapons drawn and detained people at the residence. In asking for a four-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca described some of the people harmed by Garcia’s crimes. In her sentencing memo, she wrote, “In Edmonton, Alberta, an 8-year-old boy and his mother were woken up in the night by a team of law enforcement officers with rifles. 20 officers and 7 civilian staff members were directly involved in that law enforcement response. In New Jersey, a man was removed from his house and detained at gunpoint, and an elementary school was locked down on the first day of school. Over 19 officers responded to the area, along with several officers from a neighboring police agency. In Colorado, a family was traumatized when officers suddenly broke down their front door to rescue a woman whom they believed was bleeding to death on the floor. At least 9 police units were dispatched to that incident.” Commander Dan Grispino from the Shaker Heights Ohio Police Department traveled to Tacoma for the sentencing to ensure Garcia was held accountable. He recalled how a 12-year-old girl, was home alone when Garcia’s false call sent armed police to her home. “To see the terrified look on her face will always be with me,” Grispino said. “Swatting is not a prank, real lives were at stake…. Mr. Garcia showed no regard for the lifelong trauma he imposed on a 12-year-old girl.” Garcia treated the swatting calls like entertainment. He broadcasted his swatting calls via the internet platform Discord. Garcia told other Discord users that he considered himself a “cyber terrorist.” Today in court he expressed remorse saying, “I knew what I was doing was wrong…. I just didn’t realize the trauma I was causing.” Garcia has been detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington since he violated the terms of his pretrial release last year. The case was investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from numerous local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and in Canada. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca.


title: Bridgeport Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONALD BOYD, 38, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating a bank fraud scheme. According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2021 and April 2022, Boyd and others recruited individuals (“runners”) to open bank accounts at Newtown Savings Bank. Boyd and others then used the bank accounts to conduct transactions so that the accounts appeared legitimate, known as “seasoning” the account. Boyd deposited into the runners’ accounts counterfeit checks, as well as checks that were stolen from the U.S. Mail with the original payee and amount information “washed” and altered. Boyd often obtained the illegitimate checks from other coconspirators and either provided the checks to the runners for deposit into their Newtown Savings Bank accounts, or he made the deposits himself through ATM transactions and through mobile deposits. He then withdrew money from the accounts using a runner’s debit card to make purchases and obtain cash back, or to conduct ATM and in-branch withdrawals. Boyd has been detained since May 8, 2023, when he was arrested on unrelated state charges. On March 8, 2024, he pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Dearington.


title: Mason City Woman Pleads Guilty to Being a Drug User in Possession of Firearms

body_text: A drug user who possessed firearms pled guilty on June 3, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa. Brittany Graham, age 36, of Mason City, was convicted of one count of being a drug user in possession of firearms. At the plea hearing, Graham admitted that, in August 2022, she possessed four pistols while she was an unlawful user of marijuana. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Graham remains free on bond previously set. Graham faces a possible maximum sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mason City Police Department, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is CR 23-3014. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.