title: Justice Department Secures $3.8 Million Award Against Owner and Operator of Massachusetts Sober Homes for Sexual Harassment

body_text: BOSTON – The owner and operator of Steps to Solutions, Inc., a group of residential sober homes, has been found liable by a federal jury in Boston for sexual harassment of tenants. Peter McCarthy, 51, of Lynn was found liable on May 17, 2024 for sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Following a five-day trial, a federal jury awarded $3.8 million in damages to seven identified victims who rented from McCarthy. In August 2021 , the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit alleging that McCarthy subjected tenants to sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The jury award includes compensatory damages for the emotional harms the victims suffered as a result of McCarthy’s conduct as well as punitive damages to punish the defendant. The Justice Department also intends to seek a civil penalty against McCarthy to vindicate the public interest and a court order for injunctive relief to prevent McCarthy from, among other things, managing Steps to Solutions sober homes or having contact with residents or prospective tenants. “This defendant preyed on vulnerable women in recovery from addiction and forced them to choose between his sexual demands and keeping a roof over their heads. Housing is a fundamental need and every person has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home. No one should be subjected to unwanted demands for sex acts from their landlord,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This case should send a powerful message to all landlords that there are severe consequences to sexually exploiting tenants.” “Sexual harassment of tenants is abhorrent, and the department stands committed to holding housing providers accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We commend the survivors who came forward to testify about the heinous conduct that they experienced. This verdict sends a message that there is no place in our society for landlords who abuse their position of power to prey on vulnerable people.” Since at least 2009 through 2021, McCarthy — the registered agent and sole officer of Steps to Solutions, Inc. — sexually harassed residents of his sober homes by offering to reduce or forgive rent, granting extra house privileges, or waiving security deposits in exchange for engaging in sex acts or sexually explicit photographs; and making unwanted sexual comments. The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 40 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $16.4 million for victims of such harassment. Individuals who have information about this case can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling 617-748-3274, by e-mailing USAMA.victimassistance@usdoj.gov or by visiting the case webpage . Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and AAG Clarke made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Dorchak, Michelle Leung and Eve Piemonte of the Civil Division handled the matter along with the Housing Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2016 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights .


title: “Incognito Market” Owner Arrested for Operating One of the Largest Illegal Narcotics Marketplaces on the Internet

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Rui-Siang Lin, also known as Ruisiang Lin, 林睿庠, Pharoah, and faro, 23, of Taiwan, was arrested today in connection with his operation and ownership of “Incognito Market,” an online dark web narcotics marketplace that enabled its users to buy and sell illegal narcotics anonymously around the world. Lin was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport on May 18, and will be presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willis later today. “Drug traffickers who think they can operate outside the law on the dark web are wrong,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged, Rui-Siang Lin was the architect of Incognito, a $100 million dark web scheme to traffic deadly drugs to the United States and around the world. The long arm of the law extends to the dark web, and we will bring to justice those who try to hide their crimes there.” As alleged in the complaint and the indictment, Incognito Market was an online narcotics bazaar that existed on the dark web. Incognito Market formed in October 2020. Since that time, and through its closing in March, Incognito Market sold more than $100 million of narcotics — including hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamines. Incognito Market was available globally to anyone with internet access and could be accessed using the Tor web browser on the “dark web” or “darknet.” Lin operated the Incognito market under the online pseudonym “Pharoah” or “faro.” As “Pharoah” — the leader of Incognito market — Lin supervised all of its operations, including its employees, vendors, and customers, and had ultimate decision-making authority over every aspect of the multimillion-dollar operation. “As alleged, Rui-Siang Lin operated a sophisticated and dangerous online narcotics marketplace through which he profited millions of dollars at the community’s expense,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “The dedicated prosecutors from the Southern District of New York and our law enforcement partners will pursue criminal actors regardless of whether they operate on street corners or in the dark corners of the internet. The so-called ‘dark web’ is not a safe haven for those who seek to break the law.” “For nearly four years, Rui-Siang Lin allegedly operated ‘Incognito Market,’ one of the largest online platforms for narcotics sales, conducting $100 million in illicit narcotics transactions and reaped millions of dollars in personal profits,” said Assistant Director in Charge James Smith of the FBI New York Field Office. “Under the promise of anonymity, Lin’s alleged operation offered the purchase of lethal drugs and fraudulent prescription medication on a global scale. The FBI is committed to targeting and dismantling all criminal enterprises, especially those whose leaders distribute illegal substances on the dark web.” “As alleged, Rui-Siang Lin’s brazen operation resulted in the illicit sale of over $100 million in narcotics, including those that were mislabeled and later found to include deadly fentanyl,” said Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. “The defendant’s greed and disregard for others was further demonstrated by his alleged extortion attempt during the platform’s final days. The El Dorado Task Force’s Darkweb and Cryptocurrency Task Force leverages cutting-edge techniques to target even the Internet’s most savvy criminals. HSI New York, in coordination with law enforcement partners, remains resolute in its commitment to protecting the public from individuals utilizing dangerous means to make a profit.” “The arrest of ‘Incognito Market’ owner Rui-Siang Lin is a result of the continued working relationship the DEA has with our law enforcement partners in targeting individuals who use the dark web as a marketplace to promote the sale of illicit narcotics,” said Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s New York Division. “Mr. Lin’s alleged actions of putting profits before public health were not only reckless and dangerous, but unconscionable. We will continue to make sure those who hide behind a keyboard and use the dark web to profit off lives face justice.” “The FDA is committed to continuing its work to disrupt and dismantle the illegal sales of drugs on the dark web, where such sales far too often have tragic consequences,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to monitor, investigate, and bring to justice those who misuse the internet in a quest for profits with reckless disregard for the risk to public health and safety.” “This arrest underscores the dedicated, ongoing efforts of law enforcement to identify and dismantle illicit drug networks operating from every shadowy recess of the marketplace,” said Commissioner Edward A. Caban of the New York Police Department (NYPD). “I commend our NYPD investigators and all of our state and federal partners for their unwavering commitment to public safety.” Incognito Market was designed to foster seamless narcotics transactions across the internet and across the world and incorporated many features of legitimate e-commerce sites such as branding, advertising, and customer service. Upon visiting the site, users were met by a splash page and graphic interface, which is picture below: After logging in with a unique username and password, users were able to search thousands of listings for narcotics of their choice. Incognito Market sold illegal narcotics and misbranded prescription medication, including, heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, oxycodone, methamphetamines, ketamine, and alprazolam. An example of listings on Incognito market is below: Listings included offerings of prescription medication that was advertised as being authentic but was not. For example, in November 2023, an undercover law enforcement agent received several tablets that purported to be oxycodone, which were purchased on Incognito Market. Testing on those tablets revealed that they were not authentic oxycodone at all and were, in fact, fentanyl pills. Each listing on Incognito Market was sold by a particular vendor. To become an Incognito Market vendor, each vendor was required to register with the site and pay an admission fee. In exchange for listing and selling narcotics as a vendor on Incognito Market, each vendor paid 5% of the purchase price of every narcotic sold to Incognito Market. That revenue funded Incognito Market’s operations, including paying “employee” salaries and for computer servers. Lin collected millions of dollars of profits from Incognito. To facilitate these financial transactions, Incognito Market had its own “bank,” which allowed its users to deposit cryptocurrency on the site into their own “bank accounts.” After a narcotics transaction was completed, cryptocurrency from the buyer’s “bank account” was transferred to the seller’s “bank account,” less the 5% fee that Incognito collected. The bank enabled buyers and sellers to stay anonymous from each other. The bank’s graphic interface is picture below: If convicted, Lin faces a mandatory minimum penalty of life in prison for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise; a maximum penalty of life in prison for narcotics conspiracy; a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for money laundering; and a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI, HSI, DEA, FDA-OCI, and NYPD investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan B. Finkel and Nicholas Chiuchiolo for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-drive, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Justice Department Sues Two Organizations and Seven Individuals for Physically Obstructing Access to Reproductive Health Services in Violation of the FACE Act

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit today in the Northern District of Ohio against two organizations and seven individuals for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act prohibits anyone from using force, threats of force or physical obstruction against any person because they are seeking or providing reproductive health services. The complaint alleges that the defendants, two organizations – Citizens for a Pro Life Society and Red Rose Rescue – and seven individuals – Laura Gies, Lauren Handy, Clara McDonald, Monica Miller, Christopher Moscinski, Jay Smith and Audrey Whipple – violated the FACE Act on June 4 and 5, 2021, by engaging in physical obstruction at two Ohio reproductive health facilities to prevent the facilities from providing, and patients from receiving, reproductive health care services. The complaint seeks compensatory damages, monetary penalties and injunctive relief as provided by the FACE Act. “Obstructing people from accessing reproductive health care and physically obstructing providers from offering it are unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Congress passed the FACE Act 30 years ago this month in response to acts of violence, threats of violence and physical obstruction at reproductive health clinics in our country. The Civil Rights Division is committed to enforcing federal law to protect the rights of those who seek and those who provide access to reproductive health services.” “Federal and state laws protect access to reproductive health care services,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Individuals have the right to access facilities in Ohio to make decisions about their own bodies, health and futures, in consultation with health care providers, free from force, threats of force, intimidation or physical obstruction. Our office remains committed to enforcing the FACE Act to protect these important rights of both individuals and providers, whether or not the services provided include abortion care options, as they do here. We encourage anyone with information about potential FACE Act violations to contact our office.” The Civil Rights Division's Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio are handling the case. Civil rights complaints can be submitted online at civilrights.justice.gov . Anyone in imminent danger should call 911 or local police. Contact your local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (or 1-800-225-5324) or via tips.fbi.gov . Anyone in the Northern District of Ohio may report potential FACE Act or other civil rights violations by calling the Civil Rights Hotline at 855-365-2485.


title: Justice Department Secures Award Against Owner of Massachusetts Sober Homes for Sexual Harassment

body_text: Peter McCarthy, 51, of Lynn, Massachusetts, the owner of Steps to Solutions Inc., a group of residential sober homes, was found liable following a five-day jury trial. In August 2021 , the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit alleging that McCarthy subjected female tenants to sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act. “Sexual harassment of tenants is abhorrent, and the department stands committed to holding housing providers accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We commend the survivors who came forward to testify about the heinous conduct that they experienced. This verdict sends a message that there is no place in our society for landlords who abuse their position of power to prey on vulnerable people.” “This defendant preyed on vulnerable women in recovery from addiction and forced them to choose between his sexual demands and keeping a roof over their heads. Housing is a fundamental need and every person has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home. No one should be denied housing because of their refusal to submit to unwanted sexual harassment and intimidation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. “This case should send a powerful message to all landlords that there are severe consequences to sexually exploiting tenants” Since at least 2012 through 2021, McCarthy — the registered agent and sole officer of Steps to Solutions Inc. — sexually harassed residents of his sober homes by offering to reduce or forgive rent, granting extra house privileges or waiving security deposits in exchange for engaging in sex acts or sexually explicit photographs; and making unwanted sexual comments. The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The goal of the initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 40 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $16.4 million for victims of such harassment. Individuals who have information about this case can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts by calling 617-748-3274, emailing USAMA.victimassistance@usdoj.gov or visiting the case webpage . Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Dorchak, Michelle Leung and Eve Piemonte for the District of Massachusetts handled the matter, along with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Housing Section.


title: Former Insider At TIAA-CREF Sentenced To 70 Months In Prison For Involvement In Multimillion-Dollar Insider Trading Ring

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that LAWRENCE BILLIMEK was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe to 70 months in prison for engaging in a multi-year insider trading scheme resulting in tens of millions of dollars in profits. BILLIMEK previously pled guilty to one count of securities fraud before Judge Gardephe. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: "Lawrence Billimek shamelessly abused his position, orchestrating an insider trading scheme that pocketed tens of millions in illicit gains. Billimek thought that hiding his conduct behind burner phones and lies would shield him from detection from law enforcement. He was mistaken. Prosecuting white collar crimes like this sends a clear message that no one, regardless of their position, privilege, or the type of crime they commit, is outside the reach of the law.” According to the filings and statements made during court proceedings: Through his employment at TIAA-CREF, BILLIMEK had advance access to certain of TIAA-CREF’s anticipated trades. Due to the size of certain of these TIAA-CREF trade orders, they often caused market movement in the securities they traded. From at least 2016 through his arrest in December 2022, BILLIMEK abused his insider access and provided inside information about these trades to his co-conspirator (“CC-1”) who then bought or sold the same securities in advance of the TIAA-CREF trading. CC-1 then provided BILLIMEK with a portion of the profits on these trades. BILLIMEK and CC-1 engaged in these front-running trades on over a thousand occasions between in or about 2016 and December 2022. In an effort to hide their scheme, BILLIMEK used prepaid, unregistered “burner” phones to communicate with CC-1 throughout the trading day. BILLIMEK and CC-1 also lied to various financial institutions about the source of funds they received during the scheme, claiming that they were, among other things, gifts. In total, BILLIMEK and CC-1 generated tens of millions of dollars in profits. BILLIMEK bought multiple homes and funded an active social lifestyle through the proceeds of his criminal scheme. * * * In addition to a prison term, BILLIMEK, 52, of Hailey, Idaho, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $12,249,000. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a parallel civil action. This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason A. Richman is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Justice Department Announces Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced an important new resource for prosecutors. The Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims , written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence. “When investigating and prosecuting the heinous crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence, prosecutors must pursue justice in a manner that does not retraumatize victims and survivors,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This framework for prosecutors reflects the Justice Department’s commitment to strengthening our collective response to sexual assault and domestic violence, and to setting the standard for how prosecutors should respond to victims and survivors.” Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts beyond a reasonable doubt. This guide addresses that phenomenon by discussing: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) the fundamental importance of prosecutors, investigators, and victim specialists working together and meeting with victims; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. “Achieving justice for victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence is one of the Department’s highest priorities,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This guide provides a framework that we encourage prosecutors throughout the country to use when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting these critically important cases.” More than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions were consulted in developing this guide. The principles set forth in this guide are designed to encourage and assist prosecutors of all levels of experience to handle cases involving sexual assault and domestic violence. This guide further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias . “The Justice Department is committed to strengthening the prosecution of sexual assault and domestic violence crimes and ensuring a trauma-informed approach to working with victims,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “This guide provides a practical, accessible framework that prosecutors can use when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting these crimes. We thank everyone who contributed to this guide for sharing their expertise and experience and for their years of dedicated work to address and combat sexual assault and domestic violence.” “The framework announced today reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said Director Rosie Hidalgo of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.” In conjunction with this guide, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing the guide and its principles. OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW funds national training and technical assistance and undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw .


title: Ponte Vedra Beach Man Indicted For Fraud Scheme Involving COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging James Elliott Davis II (35, Ponte Vedra Beach) with 16 counts of bank fraud, 12 counts of wire fraud, and 1 count of money laundering and theft of mail. If convicted, Davis faces up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud, up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years in prison for the money laundering count, up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the theft of mail count, and payment of restitution to the victims he defrauded. According to court documents, from March 2018 through 2022, Davis ran a purported medical supply company named Medisale, Inc. By using false representations, Davis enticed individuals and business entities to invest over $7 million in Medisale. He falsely represented to victim-investors that Medisale was making significant profits on the sale of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). He claimed to have contact with CEOs at various hospitals and that Medisale had contracts with hospitals to sell large volumes of N95 masks and other PPE. As part of his sale’s pitch, Davis showed bank statement with large balances, claiming the money was from the sale of PPE. In reality, Medisale had no such contracts and had no true revenue from the sale of PPE. Davis kited checks and conducted fraudulent ACH/wire transfers between multiple financial institutions to artificially inflate the apparent balances on his bank accounts. Utilizing victim-investor money, Davis paid off previous debts, paid other investors purported profits from the sale of PPE, and paid for personal expenses. This included Davis using victim-investor money to purchase a membership at a luxury club in Ponte Vedra Beach and spending more than $27,000 on custom clothing. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.


title: Five Members Of Multi-State Gas Pump Skimming Device And Fuel Theft Ring Arrested On Aggravated Identity Theft And Fraud Charges

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging five individuals with conspiracy, 4 counts of wire fraud, 15 counts of access device fraud, and 3 counts of aggravated identity theft. The following individuals have been charged in the indictment in connection with their participation in a multi-state gas pump skimming device conspiracy involving the theft of diesel fuel: Luis Edel Trujillo Pena (29, Miami) Deyvis Hernandez (37, Miami) Luis Ernesto Vigil Ochoa (32, Miami) Isvaldo Guerra Perdomo (38, Jacksonville) Deonelky Tabares Cid (36, Tampa). If convicted each faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of access device fraud, up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy count, a consecutive minimum mandatory penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count, and payment of restitution to the victims they defrauded. According to court documents, the individuals worked together, and with others, to place skimmers on gas pumps in the north Florida area and other states. Using the account numbers stolen by the skimmers, they made counterfeit credit and debit cards and then used them to purchase primarily diesel fuel. Utilizing vehicles with a bladder/container to pump the fraudulently purchased diesel fuel into, the conspirators would offload the stolen fuel into containers at a fuel yard. The stolen fuel was then sold to a gas station associated with one of the co-conspirators. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, U.S. General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.


title: Domino’s Pizza Franchisee Sentenced to a Year and a Day in Prison, Ordered to Pay $2.5 Million to IRS for Tax Crimes

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Ammar Jali, 56, of Bethlehem, PA, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Joshua D. Wolson to 12 months and one day in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $50,000 fine, and ordered to pay $2.5 million to the Internal Revenue Service for filing false tax returns. The defendant was the sole shareholder of 36 Domino’s Pizza restaurants located throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. On January 29, 2024, Jali pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return for his businesses and himself. From 2014 to 2016, Jali underreported the gross receipts for his Domino’s stores by $10,000,000 and caused his accountant to file false tax returns. Accordingly, Jali caused over $2.5 million of tax loss to the federal government. “Owning your own business often requires taking some risks,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “But in underreporting his restaurants’ earnings by millions and millions of dollars, Mr. Jali went beyond risk-taking straight to law-breaking. In doing so, he was effectively thumbing his nose at both the IRS and all the honest filers who accurately report their income and pay what they owe. This case should send the message that my office and IRS-CI won’t put up with tax cheats, and we will pursue and prosecute these crimes to ensure they’re held accountable.” “Anyone contemplating cheating on their taxes should know that IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents work tirelessly, year-round, to investigate tax and financial crimes,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Denise Leuenberger. “Our largest enforcement program is directed at the portion of American taxpayers who willfully and intentionally violate their known legal duty of filing and paying their taxes.” The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiwana Wright.


title: Tulare County Man Indicted for Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — On April 25, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Boyce Isaiah Cervantez, 27, of Dinuba, charging him with receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following his arrest on Friday, May 17. According to court documents, between March 1, 2024, and March 16, 2024, Cervantez received at least one visual depiction of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dinuba Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Cervantez faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: St. Cloud Man Sentenced To More Than 24 Years In Prison For Enticement Of A Child To Engage In Sexual Activity And Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Images And Videos

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Joshua Douglas Dodson (41, St. Cloud) to 24 years and 5 months in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity and possessing images and videos of children being sexually exploited. Dodson entered a guilty plea on November 13, 2023. According to court documents, in November 2021, investigators received a cyber tip that Dodson had received child sexual abuse material on a social media platform. When the investigation became public knowledge, a child victim (“CV1”) came forward and told investigators that Dodson asked her to sit on his lap and attempted to touch her by putting his hands down her pants. CV1 stated that these events occurred in March 2020. CV1 and her mother gave investigators authority to take over CV1’s phone and pose as CV1. During conversations with the investigators posing as CV1, Dodson sent multiple pictures of himself nude and a video of him masturbating. The conversation continued with Dodson asking for “naughty pics” of CV1’s private parts in exchange. The conversation then turned to a meeting to have sex on a day that CV1 was supposed to be in school. Dodson joked that CV1 had him “...talking and feeling like I’m 15 again.” In their text exchanges, Dodson warned CV1 to be cautious and delete their communications. A meeting was agreed to between Dodson and the law enforcement officer posing as CV1 for November 7, 2022. When Dodson arrived as scheduled, an arrest team swarmed his truck and seized his cellphone. The phone contained child sex abuse images that appeared to have been taken using a hidden camera. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Osceola County Sherriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office For The Western District Of North Carolina Commends The Release Of Framework For Prosecutors To Strengthen National Response To Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King of the Western District of North Carolina commends the announcement of the Department of Justice’s new resource for prosecutors, “ Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims .” The announcement was made today in Dallas, Texas, at the Conference on Crimes Against Women by Rosemarie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The guide, written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence. “The framework announced today reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Rosie Hidalgo. “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.” “I commend the guidance announced today and reaffirm my Office’s dedication to strengthening the prosecution of sexual assault and domestic violence crimes in the Western District of North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney King. “This framework is a vital resource for federal prosecutors because it underscores that justice and healing are interconnected and mutually reinforcing concepts. The guidance guarantees that we will do all we can to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, while ensuring that we support victims and survivors every step of the process, protect their health and safety, respect their experiences, and promote their healing.” Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts. This guide equips prosecutors to build provable cases by: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) meeting with victims and working with investigators and victim specialists to do so; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King said, “The framework emphasizes the importance of supporting and advocating for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault within our criminal justice system. Equally important are our ongoing efforts to educate the public about sexual assault and domestic violence prevention, and to administer federal grants that support organizations dedicated to individuals whose lives have been affected by gender-based violence. When victim advocacy remains central in our collective efforts, we ensure that impacted individuals have access to the care, support, and resources they need and the justice they deserve, and we empower communities to take proactive steps to foster safe environments for all.” More than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions were consulted in developing this guide. This guide is designed to encourage prosecutors with all levels of experience to implement its principles when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting allegations involving sexual assault and domestic violence. In conjunction with this guide, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing the guide and its principles. This guide further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias . For additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office please visit our website . Contact details and information about our Victim Witness Unit can be found here . OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW funds national training and technical assistance and undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at https://www.justice.gov/ovw .


component: USAO - Ohio, Northern


title: Boone County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kevin Wayne Britton, 54, of Danville, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 1, 2023, Britton possessed a Savage model 67F 12-gauge shotgun and a Hoban Manufacturing model 45 .22-caliber rifle in the South Charleston area. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Britton knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony conviction for obstruction of justice in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on November 15, 2012. Britton is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Troy D. Adams is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-30. ###


title: Mission stash house operator imprisoned

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old man has been sentenced for harboring aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Miguel Angel Nunez-Urrea pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Nunez-Urrea to serve 41 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that the firearms Nunez-Urrea possessed were capable of accepting large capacity magazines. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted the effect these actions had on Nunez-Urrea’s family. On Sept. 26, 2023, authorities encountered a group of undocumented aliens near Falfurrias. The investigation led to a stash house in Mission where Nunez resided with his wife. They also believed firearms to be in the home. On Oct. 11, 2o23, law enforcement conducted a search at the couple’s residence in the early hours of the day. At that time, they discovered seven undocumented aliens - Nunez-Urrea, his wife and five others who were in the attic above a child’s bedroom. Authorities also found a loaded pistol, a .22 caliber rifle and high-capacity magazines within the couple’s bedroom, all of which belonged to Nunez-Urrea. Further investigation revealed text messages detailing the undocumented migrants were to be transferred to the Houston area after staying with the couple. Nunez-Urrea’s wife, Kenia Anguiano-Sanchez, 30, a Mexican national, also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced. Nunez-Urrea and Anguiano-Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.


title: Man Arrested for Producing, Distributing, and Possessing AI-Generated Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Wisconsin man was arrested last week on criminal charges related to his alleged production, distribution, and possession of AI-generated images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and his transfer of similar sexually explicit AI-generated images to a minor. “Technology may change, but our commitment to protecting children will not,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue those who produce and distribute child sexual abuse material—or CSAM—no matter how that material was created. Put simply, CSAM generated by AI is still CSAM, and we will hold accountable those who exploit AI to create obscene, abusive, and increasingly photorealistic images of children.” According to court documents, Steven Anderegg, 42, of Holmen, allegedly used a text-to-image generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) model called Stable Diffusion to create thousands of realistic images of prepubescent minors. Many of these images depicted nude or partially clothed minors lasciviously displaying or touching their genitals or engaging in sexual intercourse with men. Evidence recovered from Anderegg’s electronic devices revealed that he generated these images using specific, sexually explicit text prompts related to minors, which he then stored on his computer. “As alleged, Steven Anderegg used AI to produce thousands of illicit images of prepubescent minors, and even sent sexually explicit AI-generated images to a minor,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s announcement sends a clear message: using AI to produce sexually explicit depictions of children is illegal, and the Justice Department will not hesitate to hold accountable those who possess, produce, or distribute AI-generated child sexual abuse material.” Additionally, Anderegg allegedly communicated with a 15-year-old boy and described how he used Stable Diffusion to convert his text prompts into images of minors. Anderegg also allegedly used Instagram direct message to send the boy several GenAI images of minors lasciviously displaying their genitals. Anderegg came to the attention of law enforcement through a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) after Instagram reported Anderegg’s account to NCMEC for distributing these images. Anderegg remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 22. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin returned an indictment on May 15 charging Anderegg with producing, distributing, and possessing obscene visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and transferring obscene material to a minor under the age of 16. If convicted of all four counts alleged in the indictment, he faces a total statutory maximum penalty of 70 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) is prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Indictment Government’s Brief in Support of Detention


title: Texas Man Arraigned for Defrauding State and Federal Taxpayers

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Texas man was indicted for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funds from the United States government and the State of New York, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Dyetaniel Washington, 29, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Washington was arrested in the Southern District of Texas on May 7, 2024. He appeared in federal court in Concord today, and he was released on conditions. Dyetaniel Washington and his two co-defendants, Kyereem Sackey and Jerred Beniquez, were indicted on October 25, 2023. Sackey was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Beniquez was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the charging documents, Washington obtained Beniquez’s personal identifying information and provided this information to Sackey. Sackey then used the information to make unemployment insurance claims in the State of New York in Beniquez’s name. On two occasions, the money was deposited into Beniquez’s bank account, and a portion of the money was sent to Washington. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Warren County Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Federal Sex Offender Registry Violation

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Warren County, Kentucky man was sentenced today to 2 years in federal prison for failing to update his Sex Offender Registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and United States Marshal Gary B. Burman of the Western District of Kentucky made the announcement. According to court documents, Kelly Lamont Mason, 52, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was sentenced to 2 years in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for one count of failing to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Mason was required to register by reason of a conviction under state law and knowingly failed to update a registration as required by SORNA. On June 26, 2003, Mason pleaded guilty to counts of sexual battery by an authority figure in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-527, in the 20th Judicial District, Judicial Division III, Criminal Court of Davidson County, Tennessee, Case Number 2002-C-1636. This prior criminal conviction carries a lifetime registration requirement under SORNA, which Mason was both aware of and previously affirmed his knowledge of by signed document. In the summer of 2023, Mason moved to Warren County, Kentucky, where he knowingly failed to update his SORNA registration. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###


title: Four men federally indicted on attempted child sexual enticement charges

component: USAO - Georgia, Southern

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: Four men have been indicted on federal charges after a multi-agency sting operation targeting online predators. The men are all charged with Attempted Enticement and Inducement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, a charge that carries a statutory penalty upon conviction of 10 years to life in prison, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. A conviction subjects the defendants to lifetime registration as a sex offender; at least five years to life of supervised release, upon completion of any prison term; and substantial financial penalties. There is no parole in the federal system. “As exemplified in Operation Nightfall, the dangers of the internet require the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies in identifying adults who are using online platforms to target children,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We will continue our work protecting our most vulnerable citizens.” Those indicted on federal charges in Operation Nightfall include: Bobby Edwards Crews-Couch , 41, of Pooler, Ga.; Lancaster Graham , 38, of Garden City, Ga.; Clifton Newman , 34, of Savannah; and, Henry London Taylor , 69, of Savannah. Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Operation Nightfall, a proactive undercover child exploitation investigation, was coordinated and investigated by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit, and the Savannah Police Department, with assistance from multiple state and local law enforcement agencies, the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office. The operation targeted those who communicate online with children in order to engage in illegal sex acts. A total of seven individuals, including the named four federal defendants, were arrested on multiple state charges involving online sexual communications with purported children, and attempting to meet a child for illegal sex acts. The defendants are being prosecuted for the United States by Sherri A. Stephan and Timothy P. Dean, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of Georgia. Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/ .


title: North Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling  More than a Half Million Dollars from Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua

body_text: CONCORD – A North Carolina woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges arising out of her embezzlement of funds from her previous employer, Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. LaSaundra Simmons, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for August 29, 2024. Simmons worked as the bookkeeper for Farwell Funeral Service, Inc. for several years. Starting in 2015, and continuing until it was discovered in January 2023, Simmons employed a scheme to embezzle funds from the company. On more than 100 occasions, she either made unauthorized wire transfers of funds from the funeral home’s bank account to her own account, or drafted unauthorized checks which she deposited by electronic wire transfer into her own account. She would often describe these checks as “commissions” or “consulting fees.” She embezzled more than $500,000 over the course of the scheme. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Restitution is mandatory. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Final Elite Assassin Milla Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 18 Years in Prison for Violent Crimes in Two Separate Cases

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Qawon Allen, also known as “40” and “Phorty Wap,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 140 months in prison for assault in-aid-of-racketeering in connection with his role in the shooting and attempted murder of a rival. Allen pleaded guilty to the charges in May 2022. Today’s sentence will be served consecutive to the seven-year term of imprisonment imposed earlier this year by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis for brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Allen pleaded guilty to the firearm charge in January 2020. 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, announced the sentence. Allen was a long-time member of the East New York-based Elite Assassin Millas (E.A.M.), a set of the Bloods street gang that operated primarily in East New York. The gang made money through fraud and drug dealing, particularly sales of crack cocaine and marijuana. The gang murdered or attempted to murder its rivals to maintain its power and referred to East New York as “Gun Town” for the level of violence its members and associates committed and perpetuated. Allen helped track down rivals so E.A.M members could shoot them. In United States v. Allen, Docket No. 19-CR-128, Allen pleaded guilty to robbing a drug dealer at gunpoint. In United States v. Allen, Docket No. 20-CR-213, Allen pleaded guilty to his role in the shooting of a victim. Specifically, Allen alerted the gang’s so-called “Godfather” Quandel Smothers and another member of E.A.M. to the victim’s location so that the victim could be murdered. Allen also provided the location of a hidden firearm that others could pick up to use in the shooting. All other members and associates of E.A.M. that were charged with Allen have been convicted of crimes including conspiracy to commit murder, using firearms in connection with murder, assault, and interstate stalking causing life threatening injury and sentenced for their conduct. Tyshawn Corbett was sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment; Smothers was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment after being convicted at trial; Marlon Bristol was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment; Devon Bristol was sentenced to 80 months’ imprisonment; and Desmonn Beckett was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel, Genny Ngai, and Matthew Galeotti are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Brittany Wissel. The Defendant : QAWON ALLEN (also known as “40” and “Phorty Wap”) Age: 28 Brooklyn, New York Defendant Convicted at Trial : QUANDEL SMOTHERS (also known as “Chucky”) Age: 32 Brooklyn, New York Defendants Who Pleaded Guilty TYSHAWN CORBETT (also known as “Reck”) Age: 32 Brooklyn, New York DESMONN BECKETT (also known as “Des”) Age: 30 Brooklyn, New York DEVON BRISTOL (also known as “D”) Age: 32 Brooklyn, New York MARLON BRISTOL (also known as “Marlo”) Age: 35 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-213 (KAM); E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-128 (NGG)


title: Russian Citizen Charged with Fraud, Selling Access to Victim Computer Networks

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Russian citizen has been indicted for working as an “access broker” and selling unauthorized access to computer networks, including a victim company in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, District of New Jersey. Evgeniy Doroshenko, 31, aka “Eugene Doroshenko”, aka “FlankerWWH,” aka “Flanker,” of Astrkhan, Russia, is charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud and one count of fraud and related activity in connection with computers. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From February 2019 to May 2024, Doroshenko devised a scheme whereby he gained unlawful access to victim computer systems and sold this access to others for a profit through a Russian language cybercrime forum located on the dark web. In January 2024, Doroshenko gained unauthorized access to the computer network of a victim company located in Bergen County, New Jersey. Doroshenko then offered to sell access to the victim company’s network to other cybercriminals via the cybercrime forum. Cybercrime forums, like the one used by Doroshenko to sell access to victim computer networks, are online forums where cybercriminals promote and facilitate a wide variety of criminal activities including, among other activities, computer hacking and trafficking in stolen data. The count of wire fraud carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest. The count of computer fraud carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, and special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge, Aaron Hatley, Newark Field Office, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Malagold of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. doroshenko.indictment.pdf


title: Cole County Jail Inmate Sentenced for Contraband Drugs

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing illegal drugs while incarcerated in the Cole County Jail. Waun Ramon Ivory, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to eight years in federal prison without parole. On Oct. 26, 2023, Ivory pleaded guilty to possessing contraband in prison. Ivory admitted that he was in possession of cocaine while incarcerated in the Cole County Jail. According to court documents, Ivory was incarcerated pending a supervised release revocation hearing in an earlier case. In 2017, Ivory was convicted in federal court of being a felon in possession of a firearm, after a family member called 911 reporting that Ivory was carrying a firearm and threatening to “put a hole” in another person’s head. Ivory was sentenced to five years in prison; he was released to supervision on June 7, 2022. Ivory failed to comply with the conditions of his supervision, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Before he could be arrested, he was charged with a new offense after a woman reported she was assaulted by Ivory. The court revoked Ivory’s supervision and sentenced him to two years in prison. While in the Cole County Jail pending the supervised release revocation, Ivory was caught in possession of cocaine on March 6, 2023. According to court documents, he also possessed a razor, unsheathed from its safety case. While this case has been pending, Ivory also was caught in possession of a weapon made from a toothbrush, as well as another razor. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.


title: Grand Haven Man Sentenced To 27 Years  For Child Exploitation

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Man sexually assaulted and exploited 4-year-old child GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Brian Ray Stefono, 55, from Grand Haven, Michigan, was sentenced to serve 27 years in prison for the sexual assault and exploitation of a 4-year-old child. After his release from prison, Stefono will serve 10 years of supervised release. “Brian Stefono committed horrific crimes against children and will spend the next 27 years in prison because of it,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “I’m grateful for our partners in the private sector who help report these crimes and for our partners in law enforcement who help investigate them. We urge anyone aware of child exploitation to contact law enforcement and we commit to doing everything we can to protect these victims.” Stefono pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the child on multiple occasions in a residence in Grand Haven. He produced multiple videos that depicted the sexual assaults. The victim was approximately 4 years old at the time. Stefono came to the attention of law enforcement after a cloud-storage provider discovered videos in Stefono’s accounts that depicted sexual assaults of very young children. Michigan State Police and Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant on Stefono’s home and uncovered his collection of child pornography—including the self-produced exploitative content. “Our children and our communities are safer with this predator behind bars,” said HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey . “Through law enforcement partnerships and the vigilance of private industry, we can help hold these offenders accountable and deliver justice for the victims of these heinous crimes.” This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Mekaru and investigated by Michigan State Police ICAC taskforce and Homeland Security Investigations. ###


title: Springfield, Vermont Man Sentenced to 72 Months for Drug Conspiracy and Possession of Pipe Bomb

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 20, 2024, Anibal Castro, Jr., 35, of Springfield, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 72 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Castro previously pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing a firearm, that is a destructive device, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to court records, on April 6, 2022, while the Springfield Police Department and Vermont State Police were executing a state search warrant at Castro Jr.’s Valley Street residence, they discovered a ten and one-half inch pipe bomb. The pipe was made of aluminum with crimped metal ends covered in tape and had a pyrotechnic fuse extending out from inside the pipe. The words “BYE BYE !!” were written on the outside of the pipe. The pipe contained 650 BB pellets and black powder. The presence of BBs “further weaponized” the device. An examination by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that an explosion of the device would produce blast effects capable of causing property damage, injury or death to people or property nearby. Additionally, from March 2022 to May 5, 2022, Castro Jr. worked with others to distribute heroin, cocaine base, and fentanyl on Valley Street in Springfield and elsewhere. Also, Castro, Jr. armed himself with a firearm in connection with the drug trafficking. A case against Castro Jr.’s co-conspirators is still pending before the United States District Judge Christina Reiss. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Springfield Police Department, the Vermont State Police and the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Perella and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig. Castro, Jr. was represented by Karen Shingler, Esq. 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 .


title: Lowell Man Sentenced to Prison for Gun Trafficking

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for firearms trafficking charges. Isael Rodriguez, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2024, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of making false statements to acquire firearms from a licensed dealer. In January 2021 and June 2021, Rodriguez purchased a dozen Glock pistols from a licensed dealer for $500 each, falsely claiming that he was purchasing them for himself. Rodriguez then resold the firearms for profit to individuals in Massachusetts. Rodriguez is not a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer and Glock firearms are only allowed to be sold to active law enforcement officers. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; Lowell Superintendent of Police Gregory C. Hudon; Brookline Police Chief Jennifer M. Paster; and Brockton Police Chief Brenda I. Perez made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. Aids Justice Department’s Creation of Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves commends the announcement of the Department of Justice’s new resource for prosecutors, “ Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims ,” The announcement was made today in Dallas, TX at the Conference on Crimes Against Women by Rosemarie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The guide, written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence. “The framework announced today reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Rosie Hidalgo. “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.” “This Office sees daily the impact of domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “It is why we have so many dedicated and highly trained prosecutors, victim advocates, and staff members working in the space to support survivors, and why we have implemented innovative and effective programs such as the Sexual Assault Cold Case Initiative and the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Initiative created and staffed by members of the Office’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Section. We were proud to participate in this effort and to help draft a framework that will be implemented across the country.” Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts. This guide equips prosecutors to build provable cases by: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) meeting with victims and working with investigators and victim specialists to do so; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. Staff from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. joined more than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions to aid the developers of this guide. This guide is designed to encourage prosecutors with all levels of experience to implement its principles when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting allegations involving sexual assault and domestic violence. In conjunction with this guide, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing the guide and its principles. This guide further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias .


title: Mason County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – James Franklin Will III, 42, of Point Pleasant, was sentenced today to three years and nine months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 15, 2023, law enforcement officers encountered Will while responding to reports of a suspicious person at a Point Pleasant residence. The residents told officers that Will had entered their home with two firearms. Officers recovered a loaded Sig Sauer AR-15 .223-caliber rifle and a Smith & Wesson .22-caliber revolver at the residence. Will admitted to possessing the firearms. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Will knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for attempt to commit a felony on December 7, 2015, and conspiracy on November 13, 2017, both in Mason County Circuit Court, and for unlawful possession of a deadly weapon by a felon in Wood County Circuit Court on April 16, 2021. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Point Pleasant Police Department and the Mason County Sheriff’s Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor 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. 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. 3:23-cr-148. ###


title: Columbia Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking, Illegal Firearms

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for distributing fentanyl and illegally possessing several firearms. Robert Jevon Bean, also known as “Shaq,” 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 22 years and six months in federal prison without parole. On Nov. 30, 2023, Bean pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Bean was stopped by Columbia police officers on June 22, 2022. During the traffic stop, he was found to be in possession of 12.5 grams of fentanyl. Officers executed a search warrant at Bean’s apartment and found his 10-year-old child at home alone. According to court documents, unsecured firearms were found next to video game controllers, lying next to the couch, at the entry of the kitchen pantry where food was kept, and alongside a bed. Officers seized from Bean’s residence a Glock 9mm handgun that had been converted into a machine gun, an American Tactical AR-15 .223/5.56 pistol, a Glock .40-caliber handgun, an Extro 12-gauge shotgun, an Anderson AR-15 .223/5.56 pistol, a Keltec .40-caliber rifle, 46.71 grams of fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, multiple firearm magazines, including a drum magazine, multiple boxes of ammunition, and $23,235 in cash, which must be forfeited to the government. Bean told investigators that he paid $1,400 per ounce for the approximately two ounces of fentanyl they found at his residence. Bean sold fentanyl for $210 per gram. Based on Bean’s statements, he has distributed at least four kilograms (8.8 pounds) of fentanyl from a source in Detroit, Michigan, and approximately two ounces from a more recent source in St. Louis, Mo. Bean stated he buys all his guns off the streets locally, and often takes guns in trade for drugs. Bean told investigators all the guns came from Columbia except the Glock machine gun, which he purchased in St. Louis for $1,500. Investigators found multiple posts and livestream videos on Bean’s Facebook profile that show Bean with a variety of firearms, including a black Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and a laser attachment and what appeared to be a Glock handgun with an extended magazine. Another video posted showed Bean with three handguns with high-capacity drum magazines, a semi-automatic shotgun, an AK-47 with an extended magazine, an AR-15 with dual 30-round magazines, and a Kel-tec Sub-2000 with a brass catcher. Other videos showed Bean with an AR-style pistol and an AK-47-style rifle. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Ann Pierce. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


title: Third Mortgage Professional Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — German Antonio Lopez-Velasquez, 55, of Modesto, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit bank fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, German Antonio Lopez-Velasquez, a real estate agent, worked with Lisa Santos, 48, of Long Beach, a mortgage loan officer, and Marko Antonio Lopez, 27, of Modesto, a real estate agent and notary public, to obtain fraudulent mortgage loans for properties based in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara Counties, and elsewhere. The three defendants used false documents, fictional companies, and fictional individuals to obtain mortgage loans for borrowers who were not qualified to receive loans. “The integrity of the FHA loan program is essential to helping hard working citizens realize the American dream of homeownership,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Kaminsky with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “HUD OIG will continue to work with its prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to jeopardize this program and the health and stability of our nation’s housing market.” Santos pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024, to conspiring to commit bank fraud, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 30, 2024. Marko Antonio Lopez previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 1, 2024. Lopez-Velasquez is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Lopez-Velasquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. 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 the product of an investigation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Antione Terren Glanton, also known as “Twan” and “T,” 46, of Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine base, also known as “crack.” According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 27, 2022, Glanton sold approximately 27.5 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of crack to a confidential informant in the area of the 2500 block of Washington Boulevard in Huntington. Glanton admitted to the transaction and to arranging it with the confidential informant beforehand. Glanton further admitted to selling approximately 2.7 grams of crack to the confidential informant in the area of the 200 block of Olive Street in Huntington on October 24, 2022, and to selling approximately 2.9 grams of crack and 1.3 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant on the 2500 block of Washington Boulevard in Huntington on January 5, 2023. On January 11, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Glanton’s Marcum Terrace residence in Huntington and found approximately 15 grams of crack, 32 grams of fentanyl, a quantity of heroin, digital scales, fentanyl test strips and $501. Officers also found a loaded Glock 19 9mm pistol and a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol in Glanton’s possession. Glanton admitted that he possessed the seized crack, fentanyl and heroin and intended to distribute the controlled substances. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney L. Finney and Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-113. ###


title: Indictment Charges Tobacco Wholesaler with Operating Tax Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 10-count indictment charging KHAWAR M. KHOKHAR, 35, of Ellington, with offenses stemming from an alleged tax fraud scheme. The indictment was returned on May 15, 2024. Khokhar appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $100,000 bond. As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, Khokhar operated Smokin’ Wholesale LLC, a Connecticut-licensed tobacco wholesale business that acquired smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products from out-of-state distributors, including businesses in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and sold the products to retail merchants in Connecticut. Between approximately May 2017 and June 2019, Khokhar and Smokin’ Wholesale purchased approximately $2 million in tobacco products from the distributors, but failed to report accurately to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services the value of the products imported into the state, and failed to pay to the state the associated tobacco taxes owed. Through this scheme, Khokhar and others caused Connecticut to suffer a tax loss of approximately $1 million. The indictment charges Khokhar with one count of conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years; eight counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; and one count of engaging in an illegal monetary transaction, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, Criminal Investigations Division. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.


title: 22 Alleged Drug Traffickers Charged in Wichita Falls

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: Twenty-two alleged drug dealers in Wichita Falls, Texas have been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Sixteen of the 22 defendants were arrested during a takedown on Thursday that included the use of multiple tactical units, including SWAT teams from five FBI divisions, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team ( HRT ), the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Response Teams, the U.S. Marshals, and the Wichita Falls Police Department. Six defendants had been previously taken into custody. Twenty-one of the 22 defendants were charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances: Dywane Cecil Graham, aka “D” Dmetrius Lakeith Brooks, aka “D Blocc” Dominique Equincy Hall, aka “Playa D” Nicholas Bryan Darcus, aka “Locc D” Brandy Lynn Flowers, aka Brandy Mason Jaryd Blake Howard Jewel Wayne Fletcher, Sr., aka “Goofi” Sarah Leann Parker, aka Sarah Davis Robert “Bobby” Lee Collins Madeline Josephine Stephens, aka Madeline Kearney Elisha Earl Johnson, aka “Cash” Samuel Conta Manuel, aka “Butterman” Kiesha Tanga Wyatt, aka “Tanga” Shedrick “Sed” Cortez Cyrus Robert Thomas Bustamante Kenzie June Lozano William Lee Freeman, aka “Ghost” Jack Bishop Cline Dwight Albert Simpson, aka “Tray” Jimmie Scott Williams, aka “Motorcycle Man” Stanley Wayne Britt The 22 nd defendant, Ujamaa Jelani Rashaun Ballard, was charged in a sperate criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to the 21-defendant criminal complaint, the investigation began in March 2023, when law enforcement learned from confidential informants that Dwayne Graham and Dmetrius Brooks – both associated with the notoriously violent Crips street gang – were operating a methamphetamine distribution ring in Wichita Falls, Vernon, and its environs. Over the ensuing months, law enforcement deployed several confidential sources to make multiple drug buys, which were video and audio recorded. They also searched several suspects’ vehicles and residences, where they recovered copious amounts of methamphetamine and numerous firearms. On one occasion, a defendant led police on a 9.5- mile pursuit, tossing a Ziploc baggie full of meth out his window as he sped off. To date, law enforcement has recovered 7,229.46 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 719 grams of powder cocaine, approximately 55 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 49.75 grams of powdered fentanyl, approximately 2,197 counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, and nine firearms in the course of the investigation. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, they each face a minimum of 10 years and up life in federal prison. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office - Wichita Falls Resident Agency, the Wichita Falls Police Department, the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Central Lab. Valuable assistance was also provided by Wichita County District Attorney’s Office Drug Enforcement Division, Wilbarger County District Attorney’s Office, Vernon Police Department, Crowell Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes is prosecuting the case.


title: Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Andrew Nicholas-Scott Titus, 33, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to failure to provide information related to interstate travel as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2023, Titus relocated from Michigan to Lavalette, West Virginia. In October 2023, Titus relocated from Lavalette to Huntington, where he lived in a residence with four minor children. Titus failed to register or update his registration as required by SORNA after each relocation. Titus is required to register as a sex offender and comply with SORNA because of his prior convictions for gross indecency between a male and female on March 21, 2022, and for distributing obscene materials to a minor on August 6, 2015, both in Wexford County, Michigan, Circuit Court. Titus is scheduled to be sentenced on September 3, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Marshals Service (USMS). United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case. SORNA is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs, in part by requiring registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school. 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. 3:24-cr-26. ###