title: Doctor Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Health Care Fraud

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A doctor was sentenced today to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $1.9 million and forfeiture of $54,000 for his role in two separate conspiracies for defrauding New Jersey state health benefits programs and accepting kickbacks in exchange for referring laboratory work. Dr. Daniel Oswari, 51, of Bordentown, New Jersey, pleaded on Dec. 16, 2019, in Camden federal court to two counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Travel Act.


title: Matriarch Sentenced for Role in Violent Multimillion-Dollar Honduran Cocaine Trafficking Organization

component: Criminal - Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Honduran woman was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for her participation in a large-scale conspiracy to traffic cocaine for importation into the United States. According to court documents, from 2006 until 2015, Erlinda Ramos-Bobadilla, aka Chinda, 62, served as a leader in the Montes-Bobadilla drug-trafficking organization, or Los Montes, one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations then operating in Honduras. The Los Montes drug-trafficking organization was family-run and based in the town of Francia on the northeastern coast of Honduras. There, the organization received maritime and clandestine air shipments of cocaine from sources in South America. Individual shipments of cocaine usually carried hundreds of – and sometimes more than a thousand – kilograms of cocaine. After receiving a shipment of cocaine, Los Montes worked with other drug traffickers to transport the cocaine inland through Honduras into Guatemala and, eventually, Mexico, where the cocaine would then be imported into, and distributed within, the United States. “The defendant and her family lead a dangerous drug cartel that brought thousands of kilograms of poisonous drugs into the U.S. from Honduras and left murder, corruption, violence, and terror in its wake. EDVA prioritizes the investigation, dismantling, and prosecution of organizations like The Los Montes cartel that destroy communities across nations,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Today’s sentence would not have been possible without the coordinated efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to stop illicit drugs and violence from infiltrating our neighborhoods.” “Today’s sentencing reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding traffickers like Romas-Bobadilla accountable and dismantling the trafficking organizations they support,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, and international partners to ensure that our communities are kept safe.” Ramos-Bobadilla played an active leadership role in Los Montes. Among other responsibilities, she participated in the negotiation of cocaine transactions with other drug traffickers in Central and South America, managed the proceeds that the organization made from the sale of cocaine and, at times, paid sources of supply for cocaine that Los Montes purchased. Ramos-Bobadilla employed armed individuals to work at her direction and control, including by providing security for her and her cocaine shipments. Ramos-Bobadilla also participated in procuring, planning, and arranging acts of violence, including murders, in furtherance of the conspiracy. For example, Los Montes and other Honduran drug-trafficking organizations conspired to finance the murder of the head of Honduras’ anti-drug trafficking agency in December 2009. In June 2013, along with her son, Noe Montes-Bobadilla, and another co-conspirator, Ramos-Bobadilla also participated in coordinating and directing the murder of a permanent resident of the United States in Tocoa, Honduras, in retaliation for perceived cooperation with the U.S. government. In addition to her participation in these acts of violence, Ramos-Bobadilla engaged in bribery in furtherance of the conspiracy. Ramos-Bobadilla and her co-conspirators made payments to public officials in Honduras, including police officers and other law enforcement officials, to facilitate and protect the family’s drug-trafficking operations. “The Montes-Bobadilla Drug Trafficking Organization terrorized and poisoned communities under Ramos-Bobadilla’s leadership,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Field Division. “Today’s sentencing is a testament to the capabilities and commitment by DEA to ensure that any domestic or foreign criminal who peddles deadly drugs into our neighborhoods and puts our families at risk will be held accountable.” On Oct. 8, 2015, Ramos-Bobadilla and five co-conspirators were charged by indictment in the Eastern District of Virginia with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine for importation into the United States. Three of Ramos-Bobadilla’s co-conspirators have been convicted and sentenced in this case: Noe Montes-Bobadilla was sentenced in April 2019 to 37 years in prison. Arnulfo Fagot-Maximo was sentenced in May 2019 to 33 years in prison. Jose del Trancito Garcia-Teruel was sentenced in February 2022 to 13 years in prison. One co-conspirator, Tito Montes-Bobadilla, aka Alejandro Montes-Bobadilla, aka Pimpi, is deceased. The Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) supported this case. The DEA Washington Division investigated the case with assistance from FBI’s Washington Field Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., and the Virginia State Police. The Honduran National Police also provided substantial assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Ramos-Bobadilla. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas W. Traxler, Anthony T. Aminoff, and James L. Trump of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Douglas Meisel and Janet Turnbull of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of New York, the Middle District of Florida, and the Southern District of Florida also provided assistance. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-290.


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Christian County Felon for Illegally Possessing a Firearm, Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Trafficking Cocaine

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Paducah, KY – A federal grand jury in Paducah, Kentucky, returned an indictment on March 14, 2023, charging a Christian County felon with illegally possessing a firearm, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division made the announcement. According to the indictment, Morgan Hancock, Jr., 45, of Pembroke, Kentucky, was charged with possessing over 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute it, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Hancock was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he was previously convicted in Christian Circuit Court of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Hancock, Jr. made his initial court appearance on March 24, 2023, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, Hancock, Jr. faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is being investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty Office and the ATF Bowling Green Field Office with assistance from the DEA Nashville Field Division, the 19 th Judicial Task Force in Montgomery County Tennessee, the DEA Nashville HIDTA TF-3, the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hopkinsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting this 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. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Navy Doctor Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the Navy

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 28, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Dr. Michael Villarroel, a U.S. Navy doctor, pleaded guilty today in federal court, admitting that he and others conspired to defraud the Navy by faking or exaggerating injuries to obtain insurance payments intended to help service members recovering from traumatic injuries. Villarroel acknowledged he knew the claimed injuries were false or exaggerated but signed off on applications for a share of the insurance payments. Participants in the scheme obtained about $2 million in payments from the Traumatic Servicemembers Groups Life Insurance (TSGLI) program which is funded by service members and the Navy. Villarroel personally obtained more than $180,000 in kickbacks. “These military healthcare dollars, which were intended to benefit injured and traumatized service members, instead funded a fraudulent windfall,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our agency partners will relentlessly pursue justice for victims of fraud schemes that harm our service members and taxpayers.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case. Villarroel admitted that from 2012 to at least December 2015, he conspired to commit wire fraud with Christopher Toups, a chief petty officer construction mechanic in the Navy; Kelene Meyer, Toups’ spouse and a nurse; and others. Toups prodded other service members to submit claims, told them to provide medical records to Meyer, requested part of the insurance payment in return, and distributed shares to Meyer and Villarroel. Meyer used her medical background to falsify or doctor supporting records to reflect fake or exaggerated injuries. Villarroel claimed to have reviewed medical records and verified disabilities consistent with the injuries as needed for claims to be processed and qualify. At times Villarroel supported his determination by falsely stating he interviewed the claimant. At other times Villarroel gave Meyer medical records belonging to others to use in fabricating claims. Toups paid Villarroel in cash and by cashier’s check and, at points, Villarroel conducted transactions in amounts under $10,000 to evade currency transaction reporting requirements. Villarroel is the tenth defendant to plead guilty to crimes committed under the scheme. Several conspirators were members of Explosive Ordinance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit One (“EOD ESU One”), based in Coronado, California. “Dr. Villarroel defrauded the Navy and the U.S. taxpayer by participating in a reprehensible scheme to wrongly obtain more than $2 million that should have been directed to wounded service members,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael D. Butler II of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our partners remain committed to investigating all allegations of fraud that harms Department of the Navy service members and their families.” “Dr. Villarroel abused his position of trust to enrich himself and his co-conspirators,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “As a medical doctor and Naval Commander, Dr. Villarroel is held to a higher standard which makes this scheme to defraud the Traumatic Service Members Group Life Insurance program even more egregious. The FBI would like to thank our partners at Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General and Naval Criminal Investigative Service for their tremendous partnership on this case.” “Fraudulently filing claims for unearned TSGLI benefits diverts compensation from deserving service members who suffered serious and debilitating injuries while on active duty,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebeccalynn Staples of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Western Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in bringing this defendant to justice.” Villarroel is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16 at 9 a.m. by U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino. DEFENDANT 18CR1674-JLS Michael Villarroel 48 Coronado, California RELATED CASES Kelene Meyer 18CR1674-JLS 44 Jacksonville, FL Christopher Toups 18CR1674-JLS 43 Woodstock, GA Paul Craig 18CR1674-JLS 47 Austin, TX Richard Cote 18CR1674-JLS 45 Oceanside, CA Earnest Thompson 18CR1674-JLS 46 Murrieta, CA Ronald Olmsted 20CR0659-JLS 48 Mobile, AL Anthony Coco 20CR0197-JLS 43 San Diego, CA Stephen Mulholland 20CR0052-JLS 51 Panama City Beach, FL Roy Sedano 21CR1493-JLS 44 Spring Valley, CA CHARGES 18 U.S.C. § 1349, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution AGENCIES Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General Federal Bureau of Investigation Naval Criminal Investigative Service


title: Sexual Predator Sentenced to 120 Months for Attempting to Engage in Sexual Activity with a Teenager He Met on Facebook

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: Salt Lake City, Utah – A Salt Lake City man was sentenced today to 10 years’ imprisonment for attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl he was communicating with via Facebook Messenger – who was in fact an undercover officer. According to court documents, Christopher Philip Padilla, 33, of Salt Lake City, admitted that between September 2020 and January 2021 he used Facebook Messenger and his cell phone to communicate with a 13-year-old girl. On January 15, 2021, Padilla drove to an area in Salt Lake City intending to meet and engage in sexual activity with the minor. Padilla also admitted that by using Facebook Messenger and his mobile phone, the communications transferred across state lines because they were transported via the internet, a facility of interstate or foreign commerce. In addition to his sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment, Padilla was ordered to a lifetime of supervised release and must register and maintain his information under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Salt Lake City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Carol Dain, of the District of Utah prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Four Men Recently Sentenced in Connection With Three Louisville Area Carjackings

body_text: Louisville, KY – Four men were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky for their roles in Louisville area carjackings. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville made the announcement. On February 28, 2023, Timothy McCurley, 34, of Louisville, Kentucky, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for his role in a January 22, 2021, carjacking of a victim in the parking lot of her workplace in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, at 7:30 a.m. McCurley , who is serving a state sentence on unrelated charges, previously pled guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. McCurley’s 8-year sentence was ordered to be served consecutive to previously imposed state court sentences. He was also sentenced to a three-year term of supervised release which will commence after he completes his federal sentence. On October 12, 2022, McCurley’s co-defendant, Cameron Burnett , 31, of Louisville was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Burnett previously pled guilty to two counts of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Burnett’s sentence included the carjacking with McCurley and his separate role in a carjacking that was committed on January 18, 2021. During this carjacking, Burnett approached the victim at her place of employment in Louisville at 7:20 a.m., pointed a gun at her face, said he would shoot her if he had to, and drove away in her vehicle after she gave him her purse and keys. On March 16, 2023, Jalyn Redd , 24, and Dayveon Willock , 19, both of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, were sentenced for their roles in the carjacking and robbery of a Domino’s delivery driver on December 22, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky. Both Redd and Willock were each sentenced to 4 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Both had had previously entered guilty pleas to one count of carjacking and one count of interference with commerce by robbery. According to court documents and statements made in court, Redd and Willock lured a Domino’s pizza delivery driver to the location of the carjacking by placing an online order for a pizza. When the homeowner rejected the pizza, Willock , who had parked with Redd nearby, approached the victim, pointed a 9 mm semi-automatic firearm at the victim, demanded the victim’s keys, and drove away in the victim’s car. The car was located by law enforcement officials approximately a month later being used by Willock . There is no parole in the federal system. “We will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute those associated with violent carjackings,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “Working with our federal and local law enforcement agencies, and in partnership with Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Wine, this office will continue to seek justice for victims put in harm’s way by those who engage in such violent criminal behavior.” “These cases are examples of our federal campaign to crack down on carjacking,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community. Frankly, everyone in the Commonwealth deserves the right to go about their daily lives without fear of falling victim to violent crime. These sentences show that the FBI, in coordination with our law enforcement partners at every level, will aggressively pursue violent criminals who attempt to prey on our community.” “These four young individuals committed violent crimes, callously putting multiple lives within our communities at risk,” stated HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Saoud. “HSI is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to investigate and bring these violent offenders to account for the harm they cause to victims.” The carjackings were investigated by LMPD, FBI, and HSI, with assistance from the Greater Hardin County Drug Task Force and the Elizabethtown Police Department. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marisa J. Ford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Lantz of the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. ###


title: Cambridge Man Faces 5-40 Years, $5M Fine for Role in Penobscot County Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Cambridge man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, methamphetamine and cocaine. According to court records, between January 2021 and April 2021, Jeffrey Frost , 38, conspired with others to distribute the drugs in the Penobscot County area and elsewhere. As part of the conspiracy, Frost regularly obtained drugs and supplied them to a local dealer to sell for him. Frost faces a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. He also faces a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. # # #


title: Midwest Veterinary Supply Pleads Guilty to Misbranding Veterinary Drugs

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – Midwest Veterinary Supply (Midwest), a Minnesota-based company that supplies prescription drugs for animals to veterinarians, farms, feedlots, and other businesses, pled guilty today to introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce and agreed to pay more than $10 million in criminal fines and forfeiture. “The Department of Justice will continue to ensure that all companies follow federal laws regarding distribution of prescription drugs,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia said today. “In this case, millions of dollars were obtained from the illegal distribution of veterinary medicine and, just like pharmaceuticals intended for human-use, my Office will continue to hold accountable those companies and corporations that violate federal law.” “The FDA regulates animal drugs as part of its mission to protect the public health. Part of this responsibility includes ensuring that prescription animal drugs are lawfully distributed and dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription,” said Special Agent in Charge George A. Scavdis, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who attempt to evade the law.” According to court documents, from 2011-2021, Midwest shipped prescription drugs from their non-pharmacy locations throughout the United States to end-users that were not authorized to receive prescription drugs. Shipments from non-pharmacy locations to end-users and shipments to non-authorized locations are deemed misbranded. Midwest shipped at least $10,150,014 worth of misbranded drugs to end-users between 2011-2021. The law violated is designed, in part, to ensure that prescription drugs are kept within a controlled chain of distribution to prevent diversion and inappropriate use. As part of the plea agreement, Midwest will forfeit $10,150,014 and serve between one and three years’ probation. Midwest will also pay $1,000,000 to the Virginia Department of Health Professions, and a $500,000 fine. Midwest is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12, 2022, in United States District Court in Abingdon. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and the Virginia State Police investigated the case, with the assistance of the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer is prosecuting the case.


title: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – LAIRD JOHNSON , age 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on March 23, 2023 to a five-count indictment alleging violations of the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 922(j), 922(u), 924(a)(2), and 924(i)(1), announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. Count 1 of the indictment charged JOHNSON with theft of a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL”), Counts 2 through 4 charged him with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and Count 5 charged him with possession of a stolen firearm. Court documents reveal JOHNSON did unlawfully take and carry away a Glock Model 19X 9mm semi-automatic handgun from the premises of PDW Solutions, LLC, an FFL on June 19, 2021. He further possessed a firearm on July 23, 2021. During a search of his home on August 10, 2021, three firearms were recovered, including a Zastava Arms 7.62 Rifle, a Glock Model 19 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and the Glock Model 19X 9mm semi-automatic handgun, that was stolen from PDW Solutions, LLC. JOHNSON is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous convictions in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court for aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and simple burglary. Each count carries a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit.


title: Tucson Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug and Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – David Wayne Radde, 60, of Tucson, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 120 months in prison. Radde pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. On November 10, 2020, Pima County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle driven by Radde for multiple traffic violations. A drug detection canine was called to the scene and alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle. Sheriff’s deputies then searched the vehicle and found 2.68 kilograms of methamphetamine inside the passenger area of the vehicle. Due to the large quantity of methamphetamine, Drug Enforcement Administration agents were called to the scene. Inside the trunk, agents found a loaded Taurus 9 mm firearm and $14,695 in cash. A criminal records check revealed that Radde had multiple prior felony convictions, which prohibited him from possessing firearms. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case with the assistance of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Serra M. Tsethlikai, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-21-0940-TUC-JCH RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-044_Radde # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Former South Bay Resident Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Enticing Vulnerable Girls to Engage in Masochistic Abuse Online

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former Redondo Beach resident was sentenced today to 324 months in federal prison for targeting girls on the internet and enticing them to engage in masochistic abuse for his sexual gratification. Matthew Christian Locher, 32, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dolly M. Gee, who at today’s hearing said, Locher was “a parent’s worst nightmare” and was an individual who committed “monstrous acts.” Judge Gee also ordered Locher to pay $25,209 in restitution to his victims and ordered him placed on lifetime supervised release once he is released from prison. Locher pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a child for the purpose of producing a sexually explicit visual depiction. From November 2020 to May 2021, Locher targeted girls suffering from mental health issues, including depression, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. During internet conversations, Locher groomed his victims to engage in self-mutilation and instructed a victim struggling with an eating disorder to starve herself, ordering her to film herself cutting her body when she disobeyed him. Locher enticed two of the minor victims to send Locher images and videos of themselves committing acts of self-harm, which included cutting their breasts with razor blades. Locher enticed a third victim, who was 12 years old, to run away from her home in Ohio and travel to California to engage in illegal sexual activity with him. Specifically, Locher encouraged the victim to kill her parents and set her family’s house on fire, at which point he would pick her up, bring her to California, and make her his “slave.” This victim began a trip to California after setting a fire in her family’s home in an unsuccessful attempt to kill her parents. Soon after federal authorities executed a search warrant at his residence, Locher relocated to Indiana in the summer of 2021. Following his arrest in Indianapolis in January 2022, federal authorities transported Locher to California. He has been in federal custody since then. “[Locher’s] victims are real people – real girls who turned to the internet to seek help with their struggles with anorexia, schizophrenia, and depression, and tragically fell into [Locher’s] hands,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Locher] knew he was talking to kids, wanted to be talking to kids, and knew kids were, in fact, harming themselves at his urging.” The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Springfield (Ohio) Police Department, the Shelby County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office, and the New York City Police Department investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea Norell of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.


title: Man Sentenced To 292 Months In Prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: FORT WAYNE-Hector Castaneda, age 60, of Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady on his plea of guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 or more kilograms of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Castaneda was sentenced to 292 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to documents in this case and in related cases, from March of 2010 through April of 2011, Castaneda, also known as “El Pariente” conspired to distribute many kilograms of cocaine from Mexico into Allen County, Indiana, and elsewhere. Castaneda was indicted in 2012, and he remained a fugitive in Mexico until he was arrested in 2017. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, with the members being the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. Other law enforcement agencies providing assistance were the Allen County Drug Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the San Bernardino County, California, Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Distribution

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing more than 100 grams of fentanyl. Rafael Sierra-Baez, 42, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In November 2022, Sierra-Baez pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On five separate occasions between Feb. 22, 2022 and May 4, 2022, Sierra-Baez sold fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Methuen. Sierra-Baez coordinated and arranged all five deals and personally met with the cooperating witness to conduct the hand-to-hand transactions. On one occasion, Sierra-Baez was observed returning to his residence with a young child before exiting a few minutes later to conduct the drug deal. In total, Sierra-Baez sold about 120 grams of fentanyl. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Two California Men Indicted for $150 Million Securities Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – Two California men have been indicted for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated securities fraud scheme that generated over $150 million in illicit profits. Joseph A. Padilla, 53, of Carlsbad, Calif. and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, two counts of securities fraud and one count of attempting to cause the production of an identification document without lawful authority. Kevin C. Dills, 66, of Carlsbad, Calif., was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. The defendants will appear in federal court in Boston via remote hearing on March 29, 2023. According to the indictment, Padilla is a former stockbroker who was barred from the securities industry in 2012 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Dills is the former owner of a broker-dealer who was barred from the securities industry in 2001 by the SEC. Between 2020 and 2022, Padilla allegedly conspired with Dills and others to commit securities fraud by facilitating and participating in pump-and-dumps involving the concealed-control of the shares of penny-stock companies. The indictment alleges that, between October 2020 and July 2022, Padilla and Dills participated in a lucrative pump-and-dump involving the shares of Oncology Pharma, Inc., a thinly traded company that traded on the over-the-counter securities market under the ticker symbol ONPH. As part of the scheme, Dills allegedly used two companies under his control to exercise convertible debt issued by ONPH and acquire nearly all of ONPH’s free-trading shares. Dills, who allegedly used the two companies to disguise that he was an affiliate of ONPH, then transferred the ONPH shares to nominees of Padilla, who in turn, caused the shares to be transferred to a broker-dealer in the Cayman Islands with which he had a close association. Padilla and several of his associates then allegedly engaged in manipulative trading in ONPH to drive up the company’s stock price, after which Padilla allegedly began dumping ONPH shares to unsuspecting investors in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, while Dills caused ONPH to issue positive press releases. According to court documents, the scheme generated more than $150 million in illicit profits, $19 million of which Dills allegedly received through his companies for his role in the scheme. The indictment further alleges that, between January 2020 and April 2021, Padilla participated in a pump-and-dump fraud scheme involving the shares of Charlestowne Premium Beverages Inc., a thinly traded company that traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol FPWM. As part of the scheme, Padilla allegedly orchestrated the manipulation of Charlestowne’s stock price using his brokerage account and those of several other individuals. He then allegedly facilitated the sale of millions of Charlestowne’s shares at pumped up prices to unsuspecting investors in Massachusetts and throughout the United States, generating over $7 million in illicit profits. Padilla was arrested on a criminal complaint in August 2022 and released on pre-trial conditions, which included surrendering his passport and not obtaining another passport. The indictment alleges that while on pre-trial release, Padilla attempted to acquire a fraudulent Ukrainian passport so that he could flee prosecution. Based on this alleged conduct, Padilla was arrested in January 2023 for violating his terms of release. The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of attempt to cause the production of an identification document without lawful authority provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorneys James R. Drabick and Ian J. Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Atlanta Man Sentenced  for Role in Car Theft Ring

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – KEINAN CHAPMAN ( “CHAPMAN” ), age 39, was sentenced on March 23, 2023, for conspiring to transport and sell stolen vehicles in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, CHAPMAN and his co-conspirators stole cars from car dealerships and rental car facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. After the cars were stolen, CHAPMAN and his co-conspirators retitled the cars under fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. After the cars were retitled and cloned with fraudulent VINS, the defendants resold the cars to buyers in the New Orleans metro area at discounted prices. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown sentenced CHAPMAN to serve 57 months in prison, to be followed by three (3) years of supervised release and imposed a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. The judge also set a restitution hearing in this matter for June 15, 2023. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, the Louisiana State Police, the D’Iberville Police Department, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Biloxi Man Sentenced for Explosive Hoax

body_text: Gulfport, Miss. – A Biloxi man was sentenced to 6 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and a $1,000.00 fine for submitting a false tip to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to information presented to the Court, on September 20, 2022, Gregory Lee McKee, 24, submitted an anonymous tip to tips.fbi.gov, an FBI website, in which he claimed to have overheard a specific individual discussing plans to blow up a local police station. As a result of the tip, law enforcement officers searched the individual’s home, interviewed the individual, and interviewed the individual’s mother. The individual denied making any statements about blowing up the Biloxi Police Station. The individual also explained that Gregory McKee may have set him up because they had previously had a falling out. Internet data indicated that the tip had come from an IP address associated with McKee’s mother. Ultimately, officers spoke with McKee who eventually admitted to submitting the tip because he was angry with the individual. The FBI and Biloxi Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner prosecuted the case.


title: Salisbury Man Charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Scott Clark, 40, of Salisbury, Vermont, was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle after Clark’s indictment for possession of a stolen firearm. Clark was ordered detained pending trial. According to court records, on September 23, 2022, a concerned citizen, who had observed suspicious activity indicative of ongoing burglaries at the Waterhouses Campground in Salisbury, contacted Vermont State Police. The responding trooper encountered Clark and Clark’s female companion at the Waterhouses Campground and in the vicinity of a white Jeep Liberty. Clark gave the trooper the false name “Nathan Clark” and also a false date of birth. During the encounter, Clark was observed putting something in his female companion’s purse and then dropping a black holster to the ground. The companion’s purse was inspected by the trooper and sitting on top of the purse was a black Glock .40 semi-automatic handgun. Records from a local firearm store confirmed the firearm found in the purse was originally purchased by an individual who owns a residence at the Waterhouses Campground. The investigation revealed that Clark had been burglarizing residences at the campground, and while doing so, had stolen the Glock .40 handgun from one of the residences. A subsequent search of the Jeep Liberty revealed additional stolen property, including a spare .40 caliber magazine and box of .40 caliber ammunition which was reported by a campground resident as having been stored with the Glock prior to the burglary. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Clark remains presumed innocent until and unless he is convicted of a crime. Clark faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt. Clark is represented by Mark Oettinger, 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 https://www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Kirkwood Man Admits Gun Crimes

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Kirkwood, Missouri on Tuesday admitted repeatedly possessing firearms after having been committed to a mental institution, in violation of federal law. Joseph Zarky, 24, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig to two counts of possession of a firearm after being previously committed to a mental institution. “Police encountered Mr. Zarky behaving erratically while in the possession of firearms, a bloody knife, and animal parts,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming after Tuesday’s hearing. “After each encounter, he would try or succeed in buying more firearms and ammunition. This plea agreement is designed not to send him to prison, but to ensure that he receives the medication and treatment that he needs for the maximum amount of time we can provide. The felony conviction will also serve as an additional barrier if Mr. Zarky attempts to buy guns in the future.” As part of his plea, Zarky admitted being caught by police with firearms on multiple occasions. On June 1, 2021, Webster Groves Police Department officers responding to a report of an unstable person encountered Zarky, who was acting erratically and was in possession of multiple firearms, ammunition, and several plastic bags containing animal body parts. Relatives told police that he had a history of mental illness and they were concerned for his and their safety. More guns, ammunition and weapons were found in his bedroom. Police took Zarky to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. After a June 10, 2021 court hearing, Zarky was ordered involuntarily committed to a hospital for treatment. He remained there until June 25. On July 2 and July 7 of 2021, Zarky unsuccessfully tried to purchase firearms in a store. On July 28, 2021, Webster Groves police conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of South Old Orchard Avenue and Big Bend Boulevard and recognized Zarky from previous interactions. They asked Zarky if he had any guns and he said he did. He had a .22-caliber revolver in the waistband of his shorts and a 9mm pistol in a bag on his left hip. He said he bought the firearms at a gun show. On September 30, 2021, Webster Groves police were called again about Zarky. Officers found Zarky in a wooded area nearby, and he ran from officers. When police caught Zarky, they found him in possession of a knife with animal blood on it. He was again taken to the hospital and later ordered by a judge to be involuntarily committed to a hospital for treatment, where he stayed until October 20, 2021. While he was hospitalized, relatives found an AR-15 rifle hidden under a comforter in the backseat of Zarky’s vehicle. On January 29, 2022, St. Louis County police received a call for “shots fired” at a disc golf course in Unger Park. Officers were told about 24 shots had been fired. Upon arrival, officers found Zarky with a 9mm pistol in his waistband and a .22-caliber rifle nearby. Zarky was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on May 4, 2022 and arrested in Kentucky May 7. He has been in jail since that time. On May 9, 2022, federal agents executed a court-approved search of Zarky’s apartment in Kirkwood and found fifteen guns and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition in two safes. As part of the plea agreement, both the U.S. Attorney’s office and Zarky’s lawyer have agreed to recommend a series of measures to ensure that Zarky undergoes treatment and is compliant with all prescribed mental health medications. The agreement recommends five years of probation, during which time Zarky will participate in a location monitoring program and reside in a residential facility approved by the U.S. Probation Office. Zarky also agreed to participate in the Janis C. Good Mental Health Court , where participants receive treatment, counseling and resources from trained professionals to address persistent mental health issues, while at the same time being intensively supervised to ensure that they comply with the conditions of probation. The sentence is ultimately up to Judge Fleissig. Zarky is scheduled to be sentenced July 10. The Webster Groves Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.


title: Suburban Chicago Health Care Company and Its Owner Ordered To Pay False Claims Act Judgment of More Than $25 Million

body_text: CHICAGO — A former owner of a home visiting physician company in suburban Chicago, who was previously convicted of theft from the Medicare program, has been ordered by a federal judge to pay more than $25 million in damages and penalties as the result of more than 4,000 violations of the False Claims Act. AJIBOLA AYENI, 63, of Flossmoor, formerly operated DOCS AT THE DOOR, P.C., a home visiting physician company in Matteson, Illinois. In 2017, the government intervened in a sealed whistleblower lawsuit that had been brought against him and other defendants in 2013. The United States filed its own complaint-in-intervention against Ayeni and his wife, JOY H. TURNER-AYENI, 61, of Flossmoor, and their companies, including Docs at the Door, alleging that they had violated the federal False Claims Act by knowingly submitting claims for Medicare payments for services not rendered, services that were not medically necessary, and services that were “upcoded” to a higher level reimbursement than was appropriate or provided. The allegations included that Ayeni and Docs at the Door had submitted thousands of claims for a Medicare service called care plan oversight, which they knew had not been provided. Care plan oversight is a covered Medicare service, where a physician who has certified a plan of care for a home health patient spends an additional 30 minutes in a calendar month performing certain oversight functions that are not related to the certification itself or a face-to-face visit with the patient, which are separately billed. Also in 2017, Ayeni was charged in a related criminal case alleging care plan oversight fraud. That case resolved in a guilty plea on August 22, 2019, when Ayeni pleaded guilty to one count of theft or embezzlement in connection with a health care benefit program. In his plea, Ayeni specifically admitted that the Medicare program paid Docs at the Door approximately $523,600 from 2011 through June 2015 as the result of 4,367 false claims for the care plan oversight service that he, as the owner and authorized official of the business, knowingly caused to be submitted although he knew that care plan oversight service had not been rendered. He also admitted that he instructed others to create false documentation to support those false claims for care plan oversight. On March 24, 2023, Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer granted summary judgment to the United States regarding the care plan oversight false claims in its civil case, holding that Ayeni and Docs at the Door are liable under the False Claims Act for those false care plan oversight claims to Medicare based upon Ayeni’s earlier guilty plea and his admissions within the plea agreement. On March 28, 2023, the court entered judgment against Ayeni and Docs at the Door in the amount of $25,589,300, made up of $1,570,800 in treble damages and $24,018,500 in civil penalties. The ruling is announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Mario Pinto, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Region of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The government is represented in its civil fraud case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah North. The government was represented in the criminal case against Ayeni by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Daniel and Sarah North. To combat fraud, the False Claims Act permits private individuals to sue for false claims on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The Act also allows the government to intervene or take over the lawsuit, as it has done in this case, and to recover three times damages plus civil penalties, that ranged from $5,500 to $11,000 for each false claim submitted by the defendants during the fraud scheme in this case.


title: St. Louis County Man Admits Statutory Rape of Foster Child

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County, Missouri on Tuesday admitted impregnating a minor and sexually abusing her when she was in foster care. Edward Wiseman, 43, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two felonies: coercion and enticement of a minor and solicitation of child pornography. He admitted sexually abusing a minor for multiple years and impregnating her when she was 14. After she was placed in foster care, Wiseman sent her naked pictures of himself and requested the same from her and met her to have sex when she was 16. He initially lied to authorities when questioned about the rape and impregnation of the girl. That victim’s younger sister told authorities that Wiseman had also sexually abused her. Wiseman disputes those allegations. Law enforcement officers later found child pornography on Wiseman’s phone. At his August 4 sentencing, Wiseman could face at least 10 years and up to life in prison for the coercion charge and at least five years and up to 20 years for the child pornography charge. Wiseman is also facing charges including statutory rape and statutory sodomy in St. Louis County Circuit Court. The U.S. Secret Service, the North County Police Cooperative and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts  Tennessee Man for  Possession of a Machinegun

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KEATON MANGHANE , age 24, a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was charged on March 10, 2023 in a sealed one-count indictment for possession of a machinegun. The indictment was unsealed on March 28, 2023. If convicted, MANGHANE faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Minnesota Pool Contractor Charged in Federal Indictment for Defrauding Homeowners

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Scott County man has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud for defrauding multiple homeowners in a swimming pool contracting scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, Charles Ray Workman, 37, was the owner of MN Crete Pools, LLC, a Minnesota company that marketed and sold concrete swimming pools to families and individuals in and throughout the Twin Cities area. Beginning in 2021 continuing through 2022, Workman knowingly devised a scheme to market and advertise concrete swimming pools and pool installation services to customers around Minnesota. In soliciting down payments for the swimming pools, Workman represented to his customers that in exchange for their down payments he could “secure” their spot in MN Crete Pool’s workload for the installation of a swimming pool the same year their down payment was provided. According to court documents, between April 2021 and June 2021, Workman collected down payments from approximately one customer a month and subsequently failed to complete pool projects for any of those customers. Despite this, Workman increased the rate at which he signed up customers and collected down payments throughout the remaining summer months, despite knowing he had not fully utilized customer down payments for the completion of pool projects. Workman sometimes falsely represented to customers he only had one spot left available for a certain customer, before continuing to solicit and signup customers after making that representation. According to court documents, Workman converted some or all of customers’ payments for his own personal use and benefit, including $3,000 in child support payments, $18,000 at a casino, and more than $6,000 on a horse and saddle. In total, Workman fraudulently solicited and received more than $750,000 in payments from customers for whom he did not construct and install a complete and operational concrete swimming pool. Workman, who was arrested on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Alistair E. Newbern, in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee. He will appear for his arraignment on April 10, 2023, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Esther Soria Mignanelli is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former officer and another sentenced for drug trafficking

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – Two men from Donna have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alejandro Martinez, 44, was a former police officer with the Donna Police Department. He and Victor Vallejo, 48, pleaded guilty March 22, 2022. Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Vallejo to serve 108 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a three years of supervised release for his part in the drug trafficking conspiracy. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the serious harm drug trafficking can have against the community. Judge previously sentenced Martinez to serve a 175-month sentence followed by a five-year-term of supervised release. In imposing the sentence, the court noted that people come to the United States to escape nations with corrupt law enforcement officers. By accepting bribes, Martinez damaged public trust in the justice system. While serving as a police officer, Martinez assisted co-conspirators as they transported illegal drugs through Donna by escorting load vehicles in his official capacity as a police officer. He also diverted other officers away from the area. Vallejo assisted co-conspirators in the coordination and transportation of the narcotics. Previously released on bond, Vallejo was taken into custody following the sentencing today where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Martinez is currently serving his 175-month sentence. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Matthew Phelps and former AUSA Robert Wells prosecuted the case.


title: Domestic Assault on Menominee Indian Reservation Leads to 24-Month Prison Sentence for Keshena Man

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that Stephen Teller, Jr., (age: 41), a former resident of the Menominee Indian Reservation, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for an assault he committed on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Teller, an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, pleaded guilty on December 22, 2022, to Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 117(a). At a hearing on March 28, 2023, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach imposed a total sentence of 24 months in prison, followed by 36 months on supervised release. On July 29, 2022, officers with the Menominee Tribal Police Department responded to a 911 call from a residence in Keshena, which is on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The caller reported seeing Teller drag a screaming woman into a nearby house. Investigators subsequently learned that Teller had strangled the woman, with whom he was involved in a domestic relationship and shared a child, with his forearm and punched her in the head and back. The woman sustained injuries during the incident. Teller had previously been convicted of similar offenses in Menominee Tribal Court, which made him eligible for federal prosecution. In sentencing Teller, Judge Griesbach noted “the fact that someone would do this to someone he had a child with is outrageous.” Judge Griesbach also reflected upon what he described as a pattern of behavior where Teller engaged in violent acts against women with whom he had a domestic relationship. Judge Griesbach emphasized the need to protect the public from the defendant and observed the need to deter others who might consider engaging in violence against women. The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier. # # # For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Laredo man admits having over 27,000 child pornography images, including some of minor relatives

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 29-year-old Laredo resident has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Authorities identified Kristopher Santos in 2019 when conducting a peer-to-peer (p2p) undercover investigation. Santos was sharing child pornography online. On April 12, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and discovered and seized several electronic devices. Law enforcement also discovered a trunk full of sex toys and children’s underwear. Santos acknowledged he was sexually attracted to children, viewing the child pornography and that the trunk belonged to him. He also admitted to touching two minor relatives inappropriately and taking naked pictures of the boys exposing themselves. Law enforcement ultimately identified a total of 27,729 images and 7,667 videos containing child pornography on the seized electronic devices. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time, Santos faces a mandatory minimum of 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. Webb County Sherriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.


title: Couple Pleads Guilty to Smuggling $2 Million in Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 28, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Otilio Rodriguez Toledo and Alicia Aispuro Hernandez, husband and wife from Thermal, California, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to smuggle and distribute $2 million worth of Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs that are not approved for use in the United States. In pleading guilty, the defendants acknowledged that since at least December of 2018, they had been engaged in smuggling pesticides and veterinary drugs from Mexico into the United States, and then distributing them within the United States. The pesticides involved were primarily Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered with the EPA for use in the United States. The smuggled veterinary drugs included Tetragent Aves, Metabolase, Terramicina, Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, Tylovet, Caterrol, Penicilina, and Tylosma, which are not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. In pleading guilty, the defendants admitted that the smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs were brought in through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County and placed in storage units near the border. The smugglers would send photographs of the products at the storage units as proof of delivery. The defendants admitted they later picked up the products from the storage units and distributed them to others within the United States. As part of their plea agreement, the defendants agreed that the value of the smuggled goods was more than $1 million but less than $2.2 million and further agreed that the government could seek the forfeiture of up to $2.2 million in proceeds obtained from the sale of the smuggled goods. According to experts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and elsewhere, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees and humans if it is released into hives and ultimately ends up in honey, honeycomb and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz has been documented in multiple animal species, including central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia. “These rules are in place to protect animals, people and the environment from harmful pesticides and drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Public safety is our top priority and we intend to enforce those laws.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigators on the case who relentlessly pursued the leaders of this smuggling organization. “The defendants in this case smuggled illegal and hazardous chemicals into the United States for profit knowing they were banned and posed a significant health and safety threat to humans, wildlife and the environment,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Diego. “This guilty plea highlights HSI’s steadfast commitment to working with our partners to pursue, arrest, and bring to justice anyone who threatens the well-being of our communities. “The FDA regulates animal drugs as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription animal drugs are lawfully distributed and dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian G. McClune, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who attempt to evade the law.” “The defendants’ conduct put consumers at risk,” said Scot Adair, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s criminal enforcement program in California. “The pesticides they attempted to distribute were smuggled into the United States from Mexico and are illegally used in beehives. The defendants in this case made millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains through the illegal sale of this unregistered pesticide.” The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Houston on June 21,2023 at 10 a.m. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and Senior Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte from the Environmental Crimes Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. DEFENDANTS Case Number 22cr1965-JAH Otilio Rodriguez Toledo Age: 38 Thermal, CA Alicia Aispuro Hernandez Age: 38 Thermal, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371 Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Division U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; California Department of Toxic Substances Control


title: Lebanese National Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – KAMAL AL JAWHARI, age 28, a native of Lebanon, was sentenced for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section. 922 (g)(5)(A) announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. JAWHARI was found guilty as charged on December 20, 2022, after a two-day jury trial before Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown. JAWHARI was sentenced to time served and released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings. Judge Brown also ordered that the JAWHARI serve a supervised release term of one year should he return to the United States. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit, David Berman of the Violent Crimes Unit, and Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit are in charge of the prosecution.


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Carjacking and Firearms Offenses

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – MERVIN BAILEY , age 20, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today for carjacking and attempted carjacking in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119 and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii) announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. BAILEY was sentenced to a total term of imprisonment of 147 months. This consists of 63 months each, to be served concurrently, for a carjacking on June 3, 2021, which occurred outside of a residence in New Orleans and an attempted carjacking of a Lyft driver on October 4, 2021 in New Orleans. A consecutive 84-month sentence was ordered for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Additionally, the defendant must serve a three-year term of supervised release and pay a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee for each count. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Strauss of the Violent Crimes Unit.


title: Three Brooklyn Residents Charged in Kidnapping New Jersey Teenager for Ransom

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Three individuals from Brooklyn, New York, were charged today in connection with a kidnapping for ransom that left a teenager with stab wounds after a dispute over a drug transaction, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Dennis Reyes Mora, 37, Alexander Cruz, 26, and Cindy Aleman Fernandez, 27, all of Brownsville, Brooklyn, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and were detained. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On March 17, 2023, after a failed drug deal in Delaware, Cruz, Reyes, Aleman, and another individual kidnapped the 18-year-old victim, who they drove through New Jersey and held for ransom in the basement of a house in Queens, New York. During the drive, the kidnappers bound the victim with tape and stabbed the victim multiple times. Once they reached the house in Queens, the kidnappers covered the victim’s eyes and bound the victim’s wrists and ankles with tape. While holding the victim captive, the kidnappers tortured the victim, including by running a knife on the victim’s neck, holding a gasoline-soaked rag against the victim’s eyes, burning the victim with cigarettes, and beating the victim. One of the kidnappers also threatened the victim with a gun and rounds of ammunition. Aleman looked on and laughed while the victim was tortured. The kidnappers ultimately released the victim after the victim’s family, aided by law enforcement, paid a ransom. Before their arrest, the kidnappers tried to cover up their crimes by, among other things, removing and cleaning the seats of the car used in the kidnapping. The charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping carries a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Raymond Guidetti; the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mark Musella; the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety; the Clifton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Rinaldi; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Richard Berdnik; and the New York Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. reyes.complaint.pdf


title: Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Attempting to Steal Seized Cars from the FBI Using Fake Court Documents

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Quinten Giovanni Moody, aka Christano Rossi, 38, of Dublin, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute marijuana, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction of justice, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between June 2017 and June 2022, Moody, co-defendant Myra Boleche Minks, 44, formerly of Roseville, and other co‑conspirators generated hundreds of thousands of dollars by transporting marijuana from California to Georgia, Nevada, Texas, and other locations. Moody and others bought marijuana in California and then transported the marijuana to distributors in other states via couriers and baggage traveling on commercial airplanes and commercial shipping services. Once the marijuana was sold, Moody and others caused the proceeds of the marijuana sales to be returned to them in California by using couriers to travel on commercial airline flights carrying cash, using shipping services to ship cash, and causing others at their direction to deposit cash into bank accounts. Moody and others also committed unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in August 2020, Moody, Minks, and co-defendant Jessica Tang, 49, of Sacramento, participated in a scheme to submit fraudulent claims of unemployment benefits through the California Department of Employment Development (EDD). As part of this scheme, on Sept. 4, 2020, Moody used a Bank of America debit card in the name of an identity theft victim to make purchases at a Cartier store and Louis Vuitton store in Las Vegas, Nevada. Moody sought to obstruct the investigation into his activities by using faked court documents. As part of the investigation, the United States applied for seizure warrants for a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro and a 1956 Chevrolet pickup that Moody purchased with the proceeds of his criminal activities. On April 15, 2022, personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized the two vehicles in Georgia pursuant to the seizure warrants issued in the Eastern District of California. The vehicles were transported to the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office for storage. On May 8, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a flatbed truck from towing company arrived at the FBI’s Atlanta field office. The tow truck driver informed FBI security personnel that he had been directed to retrieve the vehicles from FBI’s custody. The tow truck driver gave FBI security personnel documents, including a document purporting to be an order issued by the Honorable John K. Larkins III, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. The documents purported to order the U.S. Marshal and the FBI to release the vehicles. The documents, however, were fraudulent and had been created by Moody and Minks for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining custody of the two seized vehicles. On May 21, 2022, a tow truck from a different towing company arrived at the FBI’s Atlanta field office. Again, the driver presented a fake federal court order purporting to authorize the release of the seized vehicles. The fraudulent federal court documents had been altered from the previous attempt. FBI personnel did not release the vehicles. Shortly before the arrival of the tow truck, a co-conspirator called personnel at the FBI’s Atlanta field office and pretended to be an FBI Special Agent. While in character, the co-conspirator attempted to contact the employees assigned to the gate outside of the field office to facilitate the tow truck gaining access to the FBI property. Charges are pending against Minks and Tang. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Moody is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on July 11, 2023. Moody faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine up to $5 million for the marijuana distribution conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison consecutive to any other term of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the aggravated identity theft count, and he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the obstruction of justice count. 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 was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, California Highway Patrol, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Probation Department, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department, Colma Police Department, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Police Department, Roseville Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and the California Employment Development Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee, and Sam Stefanki are 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Utah Lab Owner Admits $89 Million Health Care Fraud Kickback Scheme Involving Cancer Genetic Screening Tests

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Utah resident today admitted his role in a $89 million health care fraud and kickback scheme involving genetic cancer screening tests (CGX Tests), Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced. Jordan Bunnell, 41, of Sandy, Utah, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count each of conspiring to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and conspiring to defraud the United States in connection with a scheme to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Bunnell and others owned, operated, and had a financial interest in a marketing call center, a clinical laboratory, and a telemedicine company that conducted or arranged for a variety of medical tests. Bunnell and others paid kickbacks and bribes to various parties in exchange for referrals and orders for CGX Tests for beneficiaries of the Medicare program and other health care benefit programs, without regard for medical necessity. From October 2018 through July 2019, Bunnell and his conspirators caused a loss to Medicare and other federal and private health care benefit programs of approximately $89 million. The charge of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison; the charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison; the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. All three charges are also punishable by a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Attorney for the United States Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; special agents of the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Sherman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention & Enforcement Unit in Newark. bunnell.information.pdf


title: Reno Woman Sentenced To Prison For Straw Purchasing Firearms

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: RENO – A Reno woman who made false statements when she purchased multiple firearms that were bought for her son, a convicted felon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In December 2022, a jury found Gail Manney (48) guilty of illegal acquisition of firearms. According to court documents, on April 21, 2021, Manney illegally purchased seven firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee for her son — who is a convicted felon and is prohibited by law from buying and possessing firearms. At the time of purchase, Manney completed a federal firearms transaction form representing that she was the actual buyer of the firearms. “Buying a firearm for someone who is a prohibited person — be it a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger — is a serious offense and a violation of federal law,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Our office and ATF combine resources to ensure firearms do not end up in the hands of prohibited persons.” “Straw purchasing is not a victimless crime,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The act of willfully providing a prohibited person with a firearm by purchasing the firearm on their behalf puts firearms in the hands of criminal organizations and violent criminals which presents a grave threat to the safety of our communities. It is a federal crime to conduct the act of straw purchasing and ATF will continue to work with our prosecutorial partners to ensure that straw purchasers are held accountable.” United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. The ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Rachow and Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv . If you have information pertaining to illegal firearms activity such as a straw purchase, please contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Anonymous tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt mobile app. ###


title: Leader of Human Smuggling Transportation Cell Sentenced to 51 months in Prison

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 28, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Jose Manuel Gonzalez was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 51 months in prison for two unrelated human smuggling incidents - the first of which was committed in 2019 and the second in 2021 while the defendant was on supervised release for the 2019 charges. According to his plea agreement, in the late evening of July 5, 2019, Border Patrol agents caught Gonzalez as he was transporting eight individuals in a minivan after they crossed the border illegally from Mexico. Gonzalez was charged with Transportation of Illegal Aliens, granted bail on that offense, and remained out of custody. Agents and the United States Attorney’s Office continued to investigate Gonzalez’ activities. After reviewing Gonzalez’ cellphone records around the day of the offense, the prosecution team discovered that Gonzalez was communicating with unknown co-conspirators in Mexico and a “foot guide” who was responsible for guiding the illegal individuals over the U.S.-Mexico border. The purpose of Gonzalez’ communications with the unknown co-conspirators and the “foot guide” was to avoid law enforcement detection. After further investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office added charges alleging that Gonzalez conspired with others to bring aliens into the U.S. for financial gain. While on bail, on June 18, 2021, Gonzalez was again caught and arrested for transporting 12 illegal aliens in the back of a pickup truck into the United States. Customs and Border Protection agents attempted to stop Gonzalez, but Gonzalez disregarded emergency lights and sirens and led them on a high speed chase, narrowly avoiding at least one vehicle and a possible head-on collision during the pursuit. The undocumented individuals remained hidden in the back of the pickup truck as Gonzalez attempted to evade agents during the high-speed chase. As a result of this incident, Gonzalez was charged with additional counts alleging the transportation of illegal aliens, plus a count alleging that Gonzalez committed the June 18, 2021 acts while Gonzalez was on Court-ordered pretrial release. U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel sentenced Gonzalez to 36 months on the human smuggling offenses, plus an additional 15 months for committing the June 2021 offense while on pretrial release, for a total of 51 months in prison. The sentence also included enhanced penalties for the substantial risk that Gonzalez’ high-speed chase caused; the illegal transportation of a minor; and an aggravated role within the transportation cell’s Alien Smuggling activities. “This defendant committed the same crime again after he was caught and released on bond,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “This case is more proof that human smugglers care only about money and have zero regard for the safety and well-being of their customers. Please, never trust your life to a smuggler.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case. “This prosecution is a result of the continued dedication by our agents, and our partners in the U.S. Attorney's office,” said San Diego Border Patrol Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke. “We will continue to deliver consequences to the transnational criminal organization operating throughout border region.” DEFENDANT Case Number 20-cr-03446-GPC Jose Manuel Gonzalez Age: 31 Spring Valley, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain and Aiding and Abetting, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii); Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count, with a mandatory minimum of three years for the counts under § 1324. Transportation and Attempted Transportation of Certain Aliens for Financial Gain, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) and (a)(1)(B)(i); Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. AGENCY U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol *This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section. Formed in 2019, the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood. The VCHT Section also provides federal prosecutors to the downtown San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force-Gang Group, the North County Gang Task Force, and the East County Gang Task Force.


title: Kauai Woman Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Wire Fraud Schemes and Aggravated Identity Theft

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU –Leihinahina Sullivan, 51, of Lihue, Kauai, was sentenced today before United States District Judge J. Michael Seabright to 17 years in prison and three years of supervised release for three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft related to multiple long-running fraudulent schemes. Sullivan previously pleaded guilty to these offenses in July 2021. She is also required to pay $3,396,035.15 in restitution to various victims and public and private entities and subject to a penalty of $2,012,41.92 in forfeiture for the criminal proceeds of her offenses. In sentencing Sullivan, Judge Seabright described the “staggering scope, length, and complexity” of her criminal conduct. According to court documents and information presented in court, Sullivan perpetrated three fraud schemes beginning as early as January 2011, through at least July 2019. Sullivan devised a tax fraud scheme involving over $2.8 million in tax loss, mostly in the form of fraudulent tax refunds from the IRS and the State of Hawaii that she and the other individuals were not entitled to receive. She filed hundreds of false tax returns for herself and for others. The false federal and state tax returns included fictitious expenses, claims for credits, and other items Sullivan knew were false when made. Sullivan did not review these tax returns with the individuals before she filed the tax returns in their names and forged their signatures on many of the returns. According to further information presented to the court, the second scheme involved educational fraud. For college-bound students, mostly located on the island of Kauai, Sullivan prepared and submitted false student loan, grant, scholarship, and financial aid applications and other documents that requested money from public and private educational-based financial assistance and aid providers. Sullivan transferred some money from students’ financial aid applications to her personal bank accounts and other bank accounts that she controlled, then spent the money on her own personal and other expenses, such as for her home construction, retail purchases, and her bills. In the last fraud scheme, according to information presented to the court, Sullivan used personal identification information of many individuals, such as social security numbers and birth dates, to apply for and use approximately 40 credit cards in other peoples’ names and under their guaranteed lines of credit without their authorization. Sullivan spent over $1 million on these unauthorized cards. “This 17-year sentence holds Sullivan accountable for the damage she caused by her years-long fraudulent schemes, the money she stole from individuals in her community and public and private institutions, and her repeated and willful rejection of the rule of law.” said United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. “This sentence will stop Sullivan from continuing to prey on vulnerable members of our community who unwittingly trusted her manipulation and lies.” “Sullivan has spent the last decade spinning a web of lies, committing fraud, and not caring who she hurt in the process. But that ends today, as Ms. Sullivan faked it until she made it to a real-life prison sentence,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “While crime may seem to pay in the short run, today’s sentence is a reminder that IRS:CI is committed to bringing real-world consequences for fraud. ” “I am proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement partners for their work in this case and their dedication to protecting the integrity of Federal funds, and in particular, Federal student aid and the students that rely on those funds to make their dreams of higher education a reality,” said Adam Shanedling, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General’s (DOE-OIG) Western Regional Office. "We will continue to pursue those who exploit innocent students and misappropriate Federal student aid or game their system for their own selfish purposes.” IRS-CI conducted the investigation resulting in the indictment, in partnership with DOE-OIG, the FBI, and the State of Hawaii, Department of Taxation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Perlmutter and Mohammad Khatib prosecuted the case.