title: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Matthew L. Farmer, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 8, 2023, law enforcement officers had reason to believe Farmer was carrying a firearm and encountered him while patrolling Charleston’s West Side. Officers asked Farmer if he had a firearm, and he told them he had a firearm in his back pocket. Officers retrieved a Firearms Import Export (FIE) model Titan .25-caliber handgun from Farmer’s back pocket. The firearm had a magazine inserted that contained seven rounds of ammunition. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Farmer knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for first-degree robbery in Monongalia County Circuit Court on October 7, 2015, and grand larceny in Wetzel County Circuit Court on January 26, 2011. Farmer is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Charleston Police Department-Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-202. ###


title: Cabarrus County Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of Firearm

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: WINSTON-SALEM – A Midland, North Carolina man was sentenced today for a felony firearm offense, announced Sandra J. Hairston, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC). RONALD CHRISTOPHER BETHEA, JR., 34, was sentenced to a 92-month term of imprisonment by the Honorable Thomas D. Schroeder, United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on April 2, 2024, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, on April 4, 2023, a Cabarrus County Deputy Sheriff conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle after the driver, BETHEA, committed a traffic infraction. The Deputy smelled marijuana upon approaching the vehicle and speaking with the driver. BETHEA admitted he had 3.5 grams of “weed” in the car and advised that he had recently gotten out of prison in South Carolina. BETHEA also admitted he had a gun, and the Deputy recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from BETHEA’s right front pants pocket. During a search of BETHEA’s vehicle, deputies found small quantities of marijuana, cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms. BETHEA had been previously convicted of the felony offense of Attempted Murder in the Court of General Session for the State of South Carolina, Marlboro County, and was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. His conviction had not been set aside or expunged, and he had not been pardoned or had his civil rights restored, and he was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig M. Principe. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Carteret County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – A Carteret County man was sentenced today to 360 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for production of child pornography, including videos in which the defendant is sexually abusing a minor. The investigation ultimately found a collection of more than 1,000 images of child pornography in the possession of the defendant. The Court ordered $56,000 in restitution for the victim. Lester David Gillberg, 33, pled guilty in March of 2023. According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Department of Homeland Security launched an investigation into Gillberg in June 2022 for child exploitation offenses following a cybertip that the CCSO received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Dropbox had reported one of its users had uploaded images depicting the sexual abuse of children. The IP address used to upload the images came back to the residence in which Gillberg was living. When investigators visited Gillberg’s residence, Gillberg initially denied knowing anything about child pornography then changed his story and told investigators he received child pornography in a chat group and that he uploaded the files to his Dropbox account so he could report it to the authorities. Gillberg said he forgot to make a police report. During the 2022 investigation, one of Gillberg’s family members told investigators that Gillberg had been investigated for child pornography in Kansas a few years prior. Gillberg was arrested on state warrants and digital devices were seized for analysis. Investigators confirmed that in 2019 law enforcement in Kansas investigated Gillberg after Dropbox reported one of its users had uploaded child pornography. The email used for the uploads was linked to Gillberg. Gillberg claimed he recently discovered his phone had been stolen months ago. In October 2022, a family member reported to law enforcement they found a computer and cell phone they believed belonged to Gillberg that contained child pornography. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to examine the devices. The phone turned out to be the phone Gillberg had reported stolen in the 2019 Kansas investigation. When the media files on the phone were examined law enforcement found evidence Gillberg had been taking images of videos of him sexually assaulting a child with whom he had contact. The investigation showed Gillberg had distributed the images he produced of the child and had conversations with others online about the sexual abuse of children. Investigators found that Gillberg had a collection of over 1,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III presided over the sentencing. The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-CR-43-D ###


title: Former Pennsylvania Attorney Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

component: Tax Division

body_text: A former Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, attorney pleaded guilty today to tax evasion for calendar year 2016 in connection with substantial legal fees he earned while associated with The Powell Law Group P.C., a Luzerne County-based law firm. Powell was released on an unsecured bond while awaiting his sentencing. According to court documents and statements made in court, Robert Powell sought to evade a substantial tax that was due and owing the IRS for 2016 by using nominee bank accounts, causing an accountant to file a request for a filing extension that falsely reported zero estimated tax liability for 2016 and making false statements during an IRS audit in 2019. Powell’s license to practice law was suspended in 2009 and he was subsequently disbarred in 2015. As a result, in 2009, he relinquished his ownership of The Powell Law Group. He nevertheless retained the right to collect 90% of the remainder of any future fees collected by the firm after the payment of firm expenses. Specifically, The Powell Law Group represented thousands of plaintiffs in a mass tort litigation that settled for approximately $5.15 billion in 2015 and The Powell Law Group was expected to receive approximately $120 million in attorneys’ fees from that settlement. Prior to the attorneys’ fees disbursement, The Powell Law Group and its co-counsel used those future legal fees as collateral to obtain a series of loans totaling over $125 million. Instead of depositing the loan proceeds into The Powell Law Group’s bank accounts and using them to pay firm expenses, Powell directed the loans to nominee bank accounts that were under his control. He then used the loan proceeds for his personal debts and expenses as well as his and his former law partner’s personal benefit. In June 2016, most of the attorneys’ fees were finally disbursed and the loans were repaid. Nevertheless, Powell did not file a personal income tax return and pay taxes on the receipt of the fees in that year. After the initial disbursement and through October 2019, an additional $12 million in attorneys’ fees was distributed and The Powell Law Group’s share continued to be directed into nominee bank accounts that Powell controlled. Powell personally received an additional $3.6 million of the fees during that time. For the full period of tax years 2010 through 2022, Powell did not file income tax returns despite receiving and spending other personal income. Rather, he willfully attempted to evade taxes due and owing by him to the United States. In 2019, when the IRS commenced an audit of his tax liabilities, Powell made false statements to the interviewing revenue agents to conceal his income and expenditures for tax years 2014 through 2016. Namely, Powell falsely stated that his only source of funds were loan advances, that he and his spouse did not have signature authority or control over other bank accounts and that he had no ownership in any corporations. Ultimately, as alleged by the government, Powell received millions in income over the relevant time period resulting in substantial taxes that were due but not paid to the United States. In the plea agreement filed with the Court, Powell agreed to pay full restitution to the IRS in an amount to be determined by the Court at a later date. “Powell engaged in a lengthy scheme to hide his income and not pay taxes,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “And when audited by the IRS, rather than step up, acknowledge his illegal conduct and pay what he owed, he chose to double down and lie to the revenue agents who interviewed him.” “For over a decade Robert Powell failed to file personal income tax returns and executed a sophisticated scheme to evade paying substantial taxes that were due and owing the IRS from massive legal fees his firm earned,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “The brazenness of his conduct included using nominee bank accounts, reporting zero estimated tax liability for the years in question and repeatedly lying to IRS auditors attempting to unravel the scheme. I want to thank all the IRS agents, prosecutors and support staff for their hard work that will allow justice to be finally served in this important case.” “Federal income tax compliance should be equally shared among all Americans,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Denise Leuenberger of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Philadelphia Field Office. “Defrauding the government with an elaborate scheme to underreport taxable income is unlawful. Mr. Powell’s plea today serves as an important reminder that IRS-CI is committed to bringing to justice those who evade their federal income tax responsibilities.” IRS-CI is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Alexandra Fleszar of the Tax Division and Senior Litigation Counsel Phillip J. Caraballo and Criminal Division Chief Bruce D. Brandler for the Middle District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. Powell SOF.pdf


title: Tampa Man Indicted For Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Brandon Palmore (29, Tampa) with possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Palmore faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Palmore that the United States intends to forfeit a Sig Sauer handgun and assorted ammunition, which are alleged to have been used in the commission of the offense. According to the indictment, on December 1, 2023, Palmore, knowing that he had been previously convicted of multiple felonies – including shooting at, within, or into a vehicle, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – was in possession of a Sig Sauer handgun and 10 rounds of ammunition. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang. This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Two More Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Roles in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Today, Vernard Antonio Brown, also known as “Bam,” 33, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and Denzil Roger Grant II, 50, of Hurricane, was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine. Both men admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia. According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 15, 2023, law enforcement officers arrested Brown and searched his Huntington residence. Brown admitted that he and others used the residence to store and distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Officers seized quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, a Landor Arms Canyon Arms 12-gauge shotgun, a Walther P22 .22-caliber pistol equipped with a silencer, a Kel-Teck .22-caliber pistol, and various rounds of ammunition during the search. Brown admitted that he and other individuals possessed the firearms and intended to sell the controlled substances in exchange for money. Brown further admitted to participating in the DTO from at least August 2023 through November 2023. As part of that participation, Brown admitted to roles in multiple drug transactions within the Southern District of West Virginia. On May 17, 2023, Brown and a co-defendant distributed approximately 446 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. On July 13, 2023, Brown arranged for another individual to distribute approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine and 3 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant. On August 15, 2023, Brown distributed approximately 27.7 grams of methamphetamine and 3 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant On September 27, 2023, Grant called DTO ringleader Derrell Cashawn Massey and asked to purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine. Grant admitted that after arranging the transaction, he traveled from Hurricane to Huntington where he met with Massey and bought methamphetamine. Grant was returning to Hurricane from Huntington when law enforcement officers stopped his vehicle in Putnam County. Grant consented to a search of the vehicle, and a female passenger in his vehicle gave officers approximately 13.5 grams of methamphetamine. Grant admitted that he intended to distribute the seized methamphetamine and further admitted that the passenger had hidden the methamphetamine on her person at his request. Brown, Grant and Massey are among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia. Massey, also known as “Rell” and “Fat Rell,” 34, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty on April 22, 2024, to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and awaits sentencing. Brown, Grant and Massey are among 21 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. One other of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180. ###


title: Grand Jury Returns Indictments

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. State of Washington Man Charged with Possessing Destructive Devices Eric Stubb, 69, Aberdeen, Washington, formerly of Wisconsin, is charged with possessing destructive devices. The indictment alleges that Stubb possessed the devices in the Western District of Wisconsin from approximately January 1, 2019, to February 1, 2023. If convicted, Stubb faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak is handling the case. Onalaska Man Charged with Drug and Gun Crimes Efrain Estrada, 30, Onalaska, Wisconsin, is charged in a seven-count indictment, with possessing and distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and maintaining a drug trafficking place. The indictment alleges that on July 25, 2024, Estrada: (1) attempted to possess 400 grams or more of fentanyl intended for distribution; (2) distributed fentanyl; (3) possessed 400 grams or more of fentanyl intended for distribution; (4) possessed 500 grams or more of methamphetamine intended for distribution; (5) possessed as a felon, five rifles, two shotguns, two handguns, and multiple types of ammunition; (6) possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes; and (7) maintained a drug trafficking place. If convicted of the drug charges involving 400 or 500 grams, Estrada faces minimum penalties of 10 years and maximum penalties of life in prison. If convicted of the felon in possession of firearms charge, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If convicted of the charge alleging that he possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, he faces a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life, and the sentence imposed must run consecutively to any other prison term. Both the distribution charge and the maintaining a drug trafficking charge carry a maximum penalty of 20 years. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms. The charges against Estrada are the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, La Crosse Sheriff’s Office, La Crosse Police Department, and the Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Reinhard and Steven Ayala are handling the case. Madison Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearms, Including Machinegun Donald R. Spivey, Jr., 22, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing firearms as a felon and possessing a machinegun. The indictment alleges that Spivey possessed a loaded Glock 19 handgun and a loaded Glock 20 handgun on July 17, 2024. The indictment further alleges that the Glock 20 handgun that Spivey possessed had a machine gun conversion device. A machine gun conversion device is an illegal after-market device that converts a semi-automatic handgun into a fully functioning machinegun. If convicted, Spivey faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the felon in possession charge and a maximum of 10 years on the machine gun charge. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms. The charges against Spivey are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan is handling the case. Janesville Man Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking D'Angelo Chenoweth, 27, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing fentanyl. The indictment alleges that Chenoweth distributed fentanyl on February 15, 2024, and distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl on February 29, 2024. If convicted of distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl, Chenoweth faces a minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. The other distribution charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The charges against Chenoweth are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Glinzak is handling the case.


title: Husband and Wife Arrested For Fraud, Money Laundering, And Tax Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On August 8, 2024, a federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a 14-count indictment against Kenneth Francis Lee, 53, and Susan Amie Lee, 54, of Knoxville, TN. Kenneth Lee was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and three counts of tax offenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343; 1956(h), 26 U.S.C. §§ 7201 and 7203. Susan Lee was indicted on three counts of money laundering offenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956/1957. Kenneth and Susan Lee appeared in court today before the Honorable Judge Debra C. Poplin, United States Magistrate Judge and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. Trial has been set for October 22, 2024, before the Honorable Judge Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Court Judge in United States District Court, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The filed indictment alleges that from March 2019 through August 8, 2024, Kenneth Francis Lee executed a scheme to defraud investors and obtain funds by falsely claiming that Lee was in litigation to sell a company to a large U.S. based investment firm. Victims wired funds to Kenny Lee for “legal fees” to help procure the settlement funds. In exchange, the victims were promised a percentage of the sale proceeds. The indictment alleges that there was no settlement and Lee used the funds for personal expenses, including funding his gambling habit. It is further alleged that Kenneth Lee did not report any of this income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), despite being required to do so. Susan Lee, for her part, is alleged to have assisted in collecting the fraud proceeds into accounts in her name and then spending those funds. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee, IRS Supervisory Special Agent Meredith Louden, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico made the announcement. If convicted, Kenneth Lee faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine, restitution, forfeiture, and a maximum five-year term of supervised release for the fraud and money laundering offenses, and a maximum term of five years imprisonment, a fine, a term of supervised release and restitution. Susan Lee faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine, or twice the amount involved in the money laundering transactions, forfeiture, and a maximum term of supervised release of three years. This indictment is the result of an investigation by IRS Knoxville and FBI Knoxville. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto will represent the United States. Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. ###


title: Federal Court Permanently Shuts Down Texas Tax Return Preparer

body_text: The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued a permanent injunction today barring Texas tax return preparer Ruben Gonzalez and anyone acting with him or at his direction from preparing federal tax returns for others. Gonzalez consented to entry of the permanent injunction. According to the injunction, Ruben Gonzalez is banned from using his business called “Sin Barreras Income Tax” to prepare returns for others. The government’s complaint alleged that Gonzalez or those working for him significantly overstated customers’ tax refunds in a substantial number of returns prepared at the business from 2021 to 2023, by fabricating or inflating business losses, by fabricating charitable donation deductions and by falsely claiming energy credits and coronavirus family sick leave credits to which the customers were not entitled. By repeatedly overstating customers’ tax refunds, the complaint alleges Gonzalez caused the United States harm of more than $20 million in lost tax revenue from 2021 to 2023. The permanent injunction requires Gonzalez to send notice of the injunction to each person for whom he, or preparers at Sin Barreras Income Tax, prepared federal tax returns, amended tax returns or claims for refund between Jan. 1, 2021, to the present. The permanent injunction also requires Gonzalez to post a copy of the injunction at all locations where he conducts business and post a statement on all social media accounts and websites that he is barred from preparing tax returns. Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information. In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website . An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page . If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details. Signed PI - Gonzalez.pdf


title: Assault on woman sends Crow Agency man to prison for more than five years

body_text: BILLINGS — A Crow Agency man who punched a woman in the face, causing her to lose vision in an eye, was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jessed Laslovich said. The defendant, Darek Paul Birdinground, 34, pleaded guilty in April to assault resulting in serious bodily injury as charged in an indictment. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that while investigating a separate, unrelated assault, the FBI learned in June 2023 of an assault that occurred on Jan. 21, 2023 in Crow Agency, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Agents with the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs learned that the victim, identified as Jane Doe, was driving a truck in Crow Agency when she saw Birdinground coming up fast behind her in an SUV, so she pulled over. Birdinground got out of his vehicle carrying a baseball bat. After a few angry words, Birdinground punched Doe on the side of her left eye. Birdinground then used the bat to break the windows of the truck. Doe suffered loss of vision in her eye. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Repeat Felon Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis felon has been sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by 48 months of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on September 27, 2022, law enforcement received a tip that Keith Haywood, 52, possessed a gun and was selling narcotics. Officers obtained a warrant and conducted a search of Haywood’s residence in North Minneapolis. At his Minneapolis residence, they discovered 230 grams of heroin, over 100 grams of cocaine, a semi-automatic pistol, and $25,000 in cash. A subsequent search of Haywood’s person and vehicle revealed another firearm, approximately 29 grams of a fentanyl/heroin mixture, and 10 grams of cocaine in the console of his car. On April 5, 2024, Haywood pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge R. Tunheim. In announcing the sentence, Judge Tunheim observed that Haywood’s “crime was serious, and the fact that fentanyl was involved made it especially dangerous.” This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Green and Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.


title: Jefferson County Contractor Sentenced for Financially Exploiting Elderly Woman

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Wednesday sentenced a contractor from Jefferson County, Missouri to five years of probation, 90 days of house arrest and 80 hours of community service for his role in the financial exploitation of an elderly St. Louis woman. Austin James, of Hillsboro, was also ordered to repay $94,606 to the victim’s estate. James aided in the crimes of Gino Rives, who the 80-year-old victim hired sometime before Jan. 17, 2021, to repair her roof for $7,500. She next hired Rives, who falsely claimed to be a licensed contractor, to renovate the interior of her home. Rives told the woman to write checks to himself and others, including James, that totaled more than $550,000 for renovations on the one-bedroom, one-bath, 1,100 square-foot home. After being contacted by concerned bank employees due to the volume of checks being written on the victims account, the St. Louis City Building Inspector’s Office determined that any work done on the house was worth at most $50,000. James received eight checks totaling $94,606 between January 2021 and July 2021 for purportedly performing work on the victim’s, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, basement and foundation. Photos presented during the sentencing hearing proved that he did not perform the work for which he had been paid. James, 27, of Hillsboro, pleaded guilty to one count of identity theft. Rives, 36, of Edmundson, in St. Louis County, was sentenced in June to 87 months in prison and ordered to repay more than $1 million to elder fraud victims. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is prosecuting the case. Anyone with concerns about suspected abuse or neglect of the elderly or disabled should contact Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-0210.


title: Former Town Clerk and Town Council Member Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $195,000 From Town of Cusick

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Luke Michael Servas, a former public official for the Town Cusick, Washington, pleaded guilty to Bank Fraud in connection with embezzling Town funds. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice accepted Servas’s guilty plea and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 13, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. According to the plea agreement and other court filings, Servas embezzled more than $195,000 while employed as the Town Clerk for the town of Cusick, Washington between October 2022 and March 2023. During that time period, Servas was also an elected member of the town council. Like many cities and towns, Cusick residents elect a town council, which selects a town clerk. The clerk is responsible for managing Cusick’s finances and financial accounts. Cusick’s account also had two credit cards issued to make expenditures on behalf of the town: one issued to Cusick’s elected mayor, and one issued to Servas as town clerk. Servas fraudulently and without authority used the mayor’s town credit card, as well as his own town credit card, to embezzle and transfer more than $190,000 in public town funds from Cusick’s bank account to PayPal accounts owned and controlled by Servas and his spouse, and to a cryptocurrency account owned and controlled by Servas. In March of 2023, other town officials expressed concern that funds were missing from the town’s account. Servas contacted the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office to report that between $150,000 and $200,000 had been stolen from the Town of Cusick’s operating bank account. Servas indicated that these funds were stolen using the mayor’s credit card account and falsely stated that only the mayor had access to the account. After making this report, Servas wrote a fraudulent $4,961 check from Cusick’s account to himself, forged the mayor’s signature as well as that of another town official, and cashed the check on or about March 20, 2023. “Mr. Servas not only carried out a fraudulent scheme to rob a town of its financial resources, but when his colleagues noticed the money missing, Mr. Servas filed a report with law enforcement to hide his theft.” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Mr. Servas took these actions while an elected public official with a moral duty and legal obligation to protect that money. Our communities trust elected officials to serve others, rather than to look after only their own self-interest. When elected officials abuse this trust by committing theft and lining their own pockets with taxpayer money, these officials devastate our communities and undermine our democratic system of government. I commend the exceptional work done by the FBI and the Washington State Auditor’s Office to root out the fraud. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to expose and prosecute public corruption, self-dealing, and fraud.” “I’m sure a small town like Cusick could have used the nearly $200,000 Mr. Servas embezzled,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Even more disturbing, Mr. Servas served in a position of trust as the Town Clerk when he committed his fraud. Investigating the corruption of public officials remains one the FBI’s most important priorities.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency, with investigative and logistical support from the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Auditor’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter.


title: St. Louis Felon Admits Committing Two Arsons in 2022

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon from St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday admitted committing two arsons in St. Louis in 2022 and being caught with two firearms during the resulting investigation. Vaely Berry, 52, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two arson charges and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He admitted throwing a gasoline-filled bottle on the roof of a supermarket and grill in the 8300 block of North Broadway in St. Louis on July 15, 2022, igniting a fire. Berry used two gasoline-filled bottles on Dec. 8, 2022, to set the roof of a liquor store in the 5900 block of Lillian Avenue in St. Louis on fire. During the investigation of the fires, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives special agent conducting a court-approved search of Berry’s home found a revolver and a shotgun. Berry admitted knowing that as a convicted felon, he is barred from possessing firearms. Berry is scheduled to be sentenced November 13. The arson charges are punishable by five to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. The firearm charge is punishable bv up to 15 years in prison and the same fine. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware is prosecuting the case.


title: Convicted Felon Who Was Showing Off His Shotguns To His Friends Pleads Guilty

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that James Hilligardt (21, Brooksville) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Hilligardt faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on January 23, 2024, Hilligardt was showing his firearms off to friends, and in the process ended up with an accidental gunshot wound. Deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and found him in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. The investigation revealed that Hilligardt repeatedly posted images of himself with firearms and ammunition. Detectives later recovered a second shotgun that Hilligardt owned, which had been buried in a yard. As a convicted felon Hilligardt is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Armed Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man caught exchanging gun fire with another vehicle and in possession of fentanyl was sentenced July 31, 2024, to 10 years in federal prison. Macarr Hill, age 28, from Minneapolis, received the prison term after a March 27, 2024, guilty plea to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. Evidence in the case revealed on June 16, 2023, at approximately 11pm, while Sioux City Police Officers were on an unrelated call for service, they heard gunshots, then observed two vehicles chasing each other. Officers relayed information related to the vehicles but couldn’t immediately locate them. Just before 5:00 a.m. on June 17, officers observed a vehicle matching the description previously relayed, and were able to conduct a stop for traffic violations. Hill was the driver and owner of the vehicle and gave officers consent to a search of his vehicle. During the search, officers located 2 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, a baggie containing 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, 4 grams of cocaine, and a loaded magazine. A fuller search of the car occurred on June 19, 2023, and that search revealed an additional 801 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone and a firearm consistent with the magazine. Hill was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 120 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Hill is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-4057. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Woman Who Sold Methamphetamine to Undercover Agent Sentenced to Over 13 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: A woman who sold methamphetamine to an undercover agent was sentenced today to 160 months in federal prison for her involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Heather Sue Hartzell, age 32, from Waverly, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 21, 2023 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. In 2022, an undercover agent purchased methamphetamine from Hartzell outside her residence in Waterloo, Iowa. Approximately one month later, law enforcement officers stopped Hartzell while she was in a car with her eventual co-defendant James Douglas Morrison returning from Des Moines. Inside the car, Hartzell and Morrison had almost 2,000 grams of “ice” methamphetamine that Morrison had obtained from his supplier in Des Moines, Iowa. Morrison also had a gun. Hartzell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Hartzell was sentenced to 160 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Hartzell is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin, and it was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Black Hawk County Sherriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-2045. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Atlantic County Health System Settles Matter Alleging it Received Improper Paycheck Protection Program Loan

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County health system entered into a settlement agreement with the United States resolving allegations that the non-profit company violated the False Claims Act by taking a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to which the company was not entitled, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. According to the allegations in the complaint and the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement: Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial support to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses. Shore Memorial Physicians’ Group (SPG), an affiliate of the Shore Memorial Health System Inc., applied for and received a PPP loan for $2.78 million, even though it was ineligible for such a loan because it was affiliated with Shore Memorial Health System and was therefore not a small business within the meaning of the PPP program. Shore Memorial Physicians’ Group thereafter sought and received forgiveness of the total amount of the loan. Shore Memorial Health System fully cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter. In accordance with the terms of the settlement, Shore Memorial Health System agrees to pay the United States $3.15 million. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. In this matter, the relator is receiving $315,000 as his share in the recovery. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credits special agents of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Supervisory Criminal Investigator Angelo Palmeri in New York, with the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul W. Kaufman of the Healthcare Fraud Unit. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . The qui tam case is captioned US ex rel. Zachary Holtzman v. Dr. David P. May ; Shore Memorial Hospital d/b/a Shore Medical Center , 23-cv-3680 (JHR). shore.settlement.pdf


title: Houston resident heads to prison for decades for trafficking minor

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to federal prison for sex trafficking of a 16-year-old girl for commercial sex, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Antonio Dario Osorio-Avelar aka Pressure pleaded guilty April 18, 2023. U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. has now ordered Osorio-Avelar to serve 375 months in federal prison. In handing down the prison term, the court heard additional information about his significant criminal history. He also gave a different minor victim to a criminal associate. The court also heard testimony from the victim who, with grace and strength, detailed how Osorio-Avelar’s actions destroyed her familial relationships. In imposing the sentence, Judge Hanks noted although Osorio-Avelar attempted to claim immaturity, he still knew what he was doing and manipulated people and lost. Additionally, Judge Hanks noted Osorio-Avelar was a danger to those around him, and his actions will affect every relationship the victim has and will have. Osorio-Avelar will also serve 15 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date. “Osorio-Avelar claimed immaturity caused him to force a 16-year-old to walk the Blade, a notorious area known for prostitution. There is a difference between immaturity and evil, and Osorio-Avelar is evil,” said Hamdani. “Those like Osorio-Avelar who take what they want by means of force or intimidation will never acquiesce to societal norms. Judge Hanks' 30-year sentence protects society’s most vulnerable from predators like Osario-Avelar.” “With today’s sentence we have removed a dangerous predator from the community who used physical and sexual abuse, threats of violence and psychological manipulation to groom and control a minor victim and force her to engage in commercial sex for his own profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “The unspeakable atrocities that he committed to break her down and control every aspect of her life are truly abhorrent, but unfortunately are all too common among human traffickers. HSI remains committed to continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue the vile human trafficking organizations preying on our most vulnerable populations and to help connect victims with the trauma-informed services that they need to recover from their nightmare.” Osorio-Avelar trafficked a 16-year-old minor female for commercial sex during January 2023, with barely any clothes on in freezing temperatures. After recruiting her in Dallas, he brought her and another adult female he controlled to Houston to engage in commercial sex. Osorio-Avelar manipulated the minor victim, provided her with a phone to track her and frequently brandished a firearm in her presence. Throughout the time the minor victim was with him, Osorio-Avelar supplied her with drugs and condoms. He directed when she ate, slept and worked. He also set a daily quota of $500 for her and coerced her into walking the “track” and appearing in online ads for commercial sex. When he was not causing her to engage in commercial sex, Osorio-Avelar was having violent sex with her himself, knowing she was just 16 years old. He also had the minor victim record videos of herself engaging in sex acts and sell them. Osorio-Avelar took all proceeds. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department, Texas Juvenile Justice Department - Office of Inspector General as part of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA). Established in 2004, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Houston formed HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as both a national and international model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack prosecuted the case.


title: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty for Making Online Threats Against Public Servants Including Federal Officials

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, of Rio Verde, Arizona, pleaded guilty yesterday to making threats against federal officials. From May 2021 through November 2023, while living in Colorado and Arizona, Tomasi used a social media platform to express a desire to incite violence and threaten a variety of individuals and groups, including a city district attorney, a state court judge, a member of Congress and other federal officials and law enforcement officers. Tomasi pleaded guilty to posting a threat on Aug. 26, 2023, to kill FBI agents in order to impede, intimidate, or interfere with FBI agents’ performance of their official duties. Specifically, Tomasi admitted that, on that day, he posted: “Shoot the FBI first and ask questions later. . . . Any FBI [] have a problem with that[,] come to my house and see what happens. Shoot before they even pull their guns out of their trunk and you shoot to kill.” “Threats of violence against elected officials, judges, and FBI agents pose immense danger to the physical safety of individual victims and undermine our very system of government,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will hold to account anyone who targets public servants with illegal threats of violence.” “Threatening law enforcement officers and elected officials strikes at the heart of our communities and our democracy,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to defend our homeland and protect the American people. I am proud of their selfless spirit — putting themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe — and we will hold accountable anyone who threatens them.” "This disgruntled defendant threatened officials from all three branches of government,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. “Moreover, he was prepared to carry out his threats: when arrested he had a loaded handgun in his vehicle, as well as other firearms and body armor in his home. The prosecution of threats offenses makes Americans safer.” Tomasi pleaded guilty to making threats against federal officials. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raymond K. Woo and Abbie Broughton Marsh for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.


title: Readout of the Justice Department Quarterly Convening with National Public Defense Organizations

component: Office for Access to Justice

body_text: The Justice Department’s Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) today hosted their quarterly convening with national public defense organizations. This quarter's convening specifically centered on youth defense issues. ATJ Director Rachel Rossi, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division, Administrator Liz Ryan of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent Cohen of the Office of Justice Programs and Director Nancy La Vigne of the National Institute of Justice delivered remarks for the convening on the topic of youth defense. Department officials affirmed the Justice Department’s commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of our nation’s youth, strengthening and supporting youth defense systems, and advancing public safety and trust. Today’s convening gathered public defense and youth defense organizations to discuss critical topics and trends in youth defense systems including research and data needs, the role of youth defenders in addressing racial disparities in the juvenile legal system, conditions of confinement and youth access to counsel and the need for specialized and independent youth defenders across the nation. Justice Department officials highlighted recent programs, actions and initiatives aimed at addressing the myriad of access to justice issues in juvenile legal systems. ATJ supports indigent defense systems through its mandates to “plan, develop and coordinate the implementation of access to justice policy initiatives of high priority to the department and the executive branch,” and to “promote uniformity of Department of Justice and government-wide policies and litigation positions” relating to access to justice, “including in the area of criminal indigent defense.” See 28 C.F.R. § 0.33. ATJ serves as the principal legal advisor for the department on the constitutional right to counsel and the other rights guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment, and as the liaison and point of contact between the department and indigent defense organizations. In furtherance of this mission, ATJ hosts quarterly convenings with the public defense community. Quarterly convenings are directed and led by the Justice Department’s senior attorney dedicated to supporting, collaborating with and engaging the state and local public defense community housed in ATJ. This quarterly convening included leaders and staff from The Gault Center, National Association of Public Defense, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Legal Aid and Defender Association and Georgetown Law’s Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative. Senior Justice Department Officials meet with Public Defense and Youth Defense Organizations.


title: Gallatin Gateway man unlawfully in the country admits illegal possession of firearm

body_text: MISSOULA — A Gallatin Gateway man accused of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition because he was in the United States unlawfully admitted to a firearms charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Oscar Enrique Ruiz Rojas, 25, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. Rojas faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Dec. 18 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Rojas was detained pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that law enforcement was investigating Rojas for cocaine distribution and observed him outside his house with a pistol on his hip on two days in April. On April 24, law enforcement served a search warrant on his residence and located several firearms and ammunition. Rojas admitted that he had been in the United States illegally for the past six years after crossing the southern border at Nogales, Arizona. Rojas further stated that he had purchased a .22-caliber firearm for $400 from an individual. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Enticement of a Minor. The sentencing took place on August 12, 2024. Rowland Coomes, age 37, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Coomes was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in February 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 30, 2024. In February of 2022, a 14-year-old female reported that she had been provided methamphetamine and sexually assaulted by Coomes while on the Pine Ridge Reservation. During the report, the 14-year-old female disclosed that Coomes had also solicited her for nudes photographs, constituting child pornography, in exchange for transportation. The FBI applied for and received a search warrant to search Coomes’ Facebook account. Messages revealed that Coomes had in fact received images constituting child pornography. An analysis of Coomes’ Facebook account established that he was in an illegal sexual relationship with another victim – living on the Reservation. After Coomes’ arrest, he contacted a family member and urged the family member to delete his Facebook account in order to get rid of evidence establishing his guilt. The FBI, however, had already searched and seized his account at the time Coomes’ made the request to the family member. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Coomes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: North Tonawanda man pleads guilty to using stolen credit card numbers to purchase tens of thousands of dollars worth of gas

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kingsley Brown, 22, of North Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that between August 2022, and July 2023, Brown, along with co-defendant Cross Malik Williams, purchased approximately 570 stolen bank cards from various online marketplaces. Williams and Brown then used a card-making device to load the stolen banking card information onto blank plastic bank cards with magnetic strips, which allowed purchases to be made using the victims’ funds from the victims’ bank accounts. Williams and Brown used, or allowed others to use, the stolen bank card information to purchase gas for other individuals. The gas customers would then pay Williams and/or Brown an amount of money less than the cost of the gas. As part of his plea agreement, Brown agreed that he was responsible for $192,673 of total loss. Cross Malik Williams was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2024, before Judge Sinatra.


title: Bellevue Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: BOISE – Spencer Riding, 26, formerly of Bellevue, Idaho, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also sentenced Riding to a lifetime of supervised release to follow his prison term. According to court records, in 2019, Riding used social media to contact a 15-year-old minor child. Through social media, Riding persuaded the child to send him topless photos. Using these photos, Riding threatened the minor child. He threatened to send the topless photos to strangers on the internet if she did not send him child pornography. The child sent him child pornography to avoid release of her explicit photos. Eventually, the child and her family came forward to law enforcement. Law enforcement, through the report from the child and investigative efforts, secured a search warrant for Riding’s residence. The search warrant authorized law enforcement to seize and forensically analyze his digital devices. Law enforcement seized a cell phone and forensically examined it. On the phone, law enforcement discovered images of child pornography from an additional child victim. Law enforcement investigated the production of these images. They discovered that Riding engaged in a similar criminal pattern of coercion, whereby he contacted a minor child over social media, secured compromising photos, and threatened to release sexually explicit images if the child did not send additional child pornography. Riding was indicted by a federal grand jury for the conduct above. While pending sentencing, law enforcement in Wyoming received a tip that Riding was engaged in further child pornography crimes using social media. Law enforcement secured another search warrant for his residence and executed it in 2022. Law enforcement discovered that Riding had previously contacted a minor child in another state and traveled there to record sexual acts with the child. Riding entered a subsequent plea of guilty to a superseding information that reflected criminal conduct against all known victims. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office, the Wyoming Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Department of Homeland Security, and the St. Helen’s Police Department, which led to the charges. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Robins and Kassandra McGrady. 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 Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department of Justice, 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: Falconer woman pleads guilty to child pornography charge

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Lily A. Brandow, 23, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in June 2021, Brandow sold a video to two different Snapchat users for $20 showing her, co-defendant Yusef Myrick and a 16-year-old minor female engaged in sexual relations. In addition, while Myrick was in custody in connection with this case, he instructed Brandow to “get rid of” a cell phone, which both Myrick and Brandow knew contained child pornography. At Myrick’s instruction, Brandow also logged into and deleted Myrick’s Snapchat and Google accounts, rendering them inaccessible to law enforcement. When Brandow was arrested in January 2022, the cell phone was found in her purse. A subsequent search of phone recovered an image and three videos of child pornography. Charges are pending against Yusef Myrick. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone; the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. Sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.


title: Former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to Seven Months in Federal Prison for Abusing Jail Inmate While on Duty

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced today to seven months in federal prison for abusing a county jail inmate by dragging the victim by her hair on the ground from one cell by several feet and then throwing her into another jail cell. Joshua Fischer, 42, of Grover Beach, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. At today’s hearing, Judge Birotte said Fischer’s actions toward the victim showed a “level of callousness” and “disdain” toward the victim and that his use of force was “unreasonable.” Fischer pleaded guilty on April 2 to one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law. As part of his plea agreement, Fischer agreed to not seek future employment as a sworn law enforcement officer. Fischer was a sworn law enforcement officer and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office senior correctional deputy assigned to work at the Intake Release Center in the city of San Luis Obispo between January 2017 and December 2018. While on duty on November 18, 2018, Fischer instructed the victim, a jail inmate, to exit her cell, which she did. Fischer then directed her to enter an adjacent cell. After arguing with Fischer, the victim, who was shirtless, turned around, crossed her arms across her chest, and started to re-enter her original cell. Fischer forcibly grabbed the victim by her hair and pulled her to the ground. He then dragged the victim across the floor by her hair several feet. Fischer then flung the victim, again by her hair, into an adjacent cell. After Fischer closed the cell door, the victim huddled in the corner of the cell. Fischer then authored a report about the incident and saved it as “11-18-18 [victim’s last name] what a drag” on a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office computer. In his plea agreement, Fischer admitted that he knew his use of force during the November 2018 incident was unreasonable and unnecessary. He also admitted that he acted willfully, intending to deprive the victim of her right to be free from the use of unreasonable and unnecessary force by a law enforcement officer. Prior to the filing of charges in this case, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office terminated Fischer’s employment. The FBI investigated this matter with assistance from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas F. Rybarczyk and Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.


component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. - Michael Lee Tomasi, 37, of Rio Verde, Arizona, pleaded guilty yesterday to making threats against federal officials. From May 2021 through November 2023, while living in Colorado and Arizona, Tomasi used a social media platform to express a desire to incite violence and threaten a variety of individuals and groups, including a city district attorney, a state court judge, a member of Congress and other federal officials and law enforcement officers. Tomasi pleaded guilty to posting a threat on Aug. 26, 2023, to kill FBI agents in order to impede, intimidate, or interfere with FBI agents’ performance of their official duties. Specifically, Tomasi admitted that, on that day, he posted: “Shoot the FBI first and ask questions later. . . . Any FBI [] have a problem with that[,] come to my house and see what happens. Shoot before they even pull their guns out of their trunk and you shoot to kill.” “Threats of violence against elected officials, judges, and FBI agents pose immense danger to the physical safety of individual victims and undermine our very system of government,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will hold to account anyone who targets public servants with illegal threats of violence.” “Threatening law enforcement officers and elected officials strikes at the heart of our communities and our democracy,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to defend our homeland and protect the American people. I am proud of their selfless spirit — putting themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe — and we will hold accountable anyone who threatens them.” "This disgruntled defendant threatened officials from all three branches of government,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. “Moreover, he was prepared to carry out his threats: when arrested he had a loaded handgun in his vehicle, as well as other firearms and body armor in his home. The prosecution of threats offenses makes Americans safer.” Tomasi pleaded guilty to making threats against federal officials. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Raymond K. Woo and Abbie Broughton Marsh for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01751-PHX-DWL RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-112_Tomasi # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Former Postal Employee Pleads Guilty to Four Counts of Workers’ Compensation Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: UTICA, NEWYORK -- Christopher Gleason, age 36, of Auburn, New York appeared before U.S. District Court Judge David N. Hurd today and pleaded guilty to four counts of false statement to obtain federal employees’ compensation, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General - Northeast Region. Gleason was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier. On January 20, 2022, Gleason sprained his ankle while delivering mail. Shortly thereafter, Gleason began receiving workers’ compensation benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). To continue receiving benefits, Gleason was required to electronically complete, sign and file a Claim for Compensation Form CA-7 biweekly. On each form, Gleason was instructed to report any and all earnings from employment outside his federal job during the period claimed in the CA-7. The defendant admitted to filing multiple false claims affirming that he had not worked outside of his federal job, when the defendant was in fact working and earning income performing construction work while collecting workers’ compensation benefits. As a result of the false statements, Gleason received benefits totaling $14,858.94. At sentencing, scheduled for December 11, 2024, Gleason faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00 a term of supervised release of up to 3 years, and Gleason will be required to pay restitution in the amount of the fraudulently obtained benefits. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson is prosecuting the case.


title: Utica Man Sentenced for his Role in Large Fentanyl Conspiracy

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Bernabe Lopez, age 59, of Utica, New York, was sentenced today to serve 88 months in federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office. Lopez was also ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, pay a $100 special assessment and a $4,950.00 money judgment, representing proceeds of his drug trafficking offense. From May 2020 through October 2021, Lopez acquired quantities of fentanyl from co-conspirators in the Rodriguez Drug Trafficking Organization (Rodriguez DTO), which he then re-distributed to others in the Utica, New York area. Lopez also sold a cutting agent to members of the conspiracy for $10 a gram, knowing that the co-conspirators were adulterating fentanyl with the cutting agent to increase volume for sales. Lopez was one of 9 defendants charged in the Rodriguez DTO. To date, all of the other defendants pled guilty and were sentenced as follows: Ivan Rodriguez, Sr. , the head of the Rodriguez DTO, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl and one count of money laundering and was sentenced to 121 months incarceration. Eric Ares pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 120 months incarceration. Ivan Rodriguez, Jr. pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 120 months incarceration. Jose Morales pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and was sentenced to 120 months incarceration. Harry Rodriguez pled guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 84 months incarceration. Edgar Tejada pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and was sentenced to 72 months incarceration. Angel Calderon Ortiz pled guilty to conspiring distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 60 months incarceration. Jose Aponte pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 40 months incarceration. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, Rome Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, Yorkville Police Department, Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.


title: Portland Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Local Fraud Ring

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—An Oregon City, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison today for her role in a fraud conspiracy that used the stolen identities of multiple victims in the Portland area to steal more than $158,000. Mary Phoenix Nguyen, 41, was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $158,286.85 in restitution to her victims. According to court documents, in April 2022, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating Nguyen and others in the Portland and Vancouver, Washington areas for their roles in a coordinated fraud ring targeting individuals in the Portland Metropolitan Area, Texas, Florida, and elsewhere. Nguyen and her associates used stolen identities and personal information to obtain credit cards, unlawfully access victims’ bank accounts, apply for multiple vehicle loans, rent at least six apartments and other residences, and fraudulently produce various personal and financial documents including social security cards, driver’s licenses, vehicle titles, and vehicle bills of sale. On October 18, 2022, Nguyen was arrested at her Oregon City residence. During a search of the residence, investigators found hundreds of stolen, altered, or counterfeit documents and identifications, equipment used to produce counterfeit items, and master U.S. Postal Service keys. On April 18, 2023, Nguyen was charged by superseding indictment with conspiring to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; social security fraud; aggravated identity theft; and possessing fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, stolen or reproduced keys or locks, and stolen mail. On May 15, 2024, Nguyen pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possessing stolen or reproduced keys. This case was investigated by HSI and the Portland Police Bureau with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Sowray.


title: Floyd County Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Production and Distribution of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A Harold, Ky., man, Christopher Hall, 26, was sentenced on Wednesday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 50 years in prison, for production and distribution of child pornography. According to his plea agreement, on May 29, 2022, Hall produced a video of him sexually abusing a minor. Hall later distributed the video to others using WhatsApp. Under federal law, Hall must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . — END —


title: Portland Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sextortion of a Minor

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Portland man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for producing child sexual abuse material and sextorting a minor victim, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, in May 2022, Aaron Eugene Bjarnason, 25, of Portland, Oregon, used his Instagram account to message Minor Victim 1 and asked if she was “open to sugar daddies.” Bjarnason offered to pay the minor for sexually explicit images and videos and shared a screenshot of his purported bank account to prove he could provide payment. On several occasions, Bjarnason directed Minor Victim 1 to send him specific sexually explicit images and videos. Bjarnason became increasingly forceful in his demands and threatened Minor Victim 1 that he would share the images and videos with her father and her peers if she did not continue to comply with his demands. On April 2, 2024, Bjarnason pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John R. Tunheim. 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 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.projectsafechildhood.gov . This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Carver County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.


title: Atlanta Woman Sentenced to Prison for Supplying Fentanyl and Meth to Armed Drug Trafficking Organization

body_text: MACON, Ga. – The supplier to an armed methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking organization who was providing kilogram quantities of narcotics out of her high-rise Atlanta condominium was sentenced today to serve 20 years in prison. Heather Marie Breland, 40, of Atlanta, was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Aug. 14. Breland previously pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting others to possess with intent to distribute more than fifty grams of methamphetamine on Oct. 5, 2023. There is no parole in the federal system. “Heather Breland enjoyed the trappings of luxury by trafficking in deadly drugs, to include the scourge of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Her 20-year federal prison sentence demonstrates the dedication of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to halting the supply of deadly drugs into our communities and saving lives." “Violent and dangerous drug traffickers are enriching their lives by profiting off someone else’s pain and addiction,” stated Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Heather Breland will now face significant federal prison time for her crime.” “Heather Breland and her co-defendants were involved in an organized network designed to peddle poison onto the streets of our community. Most law enforcement agencies don’t have the resources to handle investigations to combat organizations like this one. We are fortunate to have federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in Middle Georgia that recognize the benefit of working together in order to keep our communities safe,” said Peach County Sheriff Terry W. Deese. According to court documents and statements made in court, between Oct. 2021 and June 2022, DEA agents and local law enforcement investigated a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by co-defendant Raiford Reeves aka “RH,” 44, of Warner Robins. Breland—the supplier to this DTO—was distributing kilogram quantities of narcotics, primarily methamphetamine and fentanyl, to Reeves out of her condominium located in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. Law enforcement obtained court orders to intercept the phone calls and text messages from cell phones belonging to Breland and Reeves and conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Reeves. Reeves would supply other co-defendants with some of the narcotics to sell. Agents observed Breland travel to Macon to provide narcotics to Reeves; she also had a self-storage unit in Macon on Riverside Drive to store drugs. On May 26, agents executed search warrants in Warner Robins, Macon, and at Breland’s Atlanta condominium. In her residence, agents seized 3.266 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, 14.72 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 magnum caliber revolver, two cellphones and $78,353 cash. Agents seized eight pounds of marijuana in a Louis Vuitton duffle bag from her Macon storage unit. Following the searches, Breland fled to North Carolina, created a fictitious license plate and changed her hair length and color. She was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Oct. 20, 2022, at a hotel and casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. When she was arrested, she had methamphetamine and ID cards with a similar appearance but false identifying information. Breland has seven prior felony convictions for forgery, possession of methamphetamine, burglary and identity fraud. Co-defendant Reeves was sentenced to serve 210 months in prison on May 15, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on March 29, 2023. For more information about this case and additional codefendants, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/atlanta-resident-supplying-armed-meth-fentanyl-organization-pleads-guilty . This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven and multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Warner Robins Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Inmate Who Enticed Child into Sexually Explicit Video From Behind Bars Sentenced to 28+ Years

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A 26-year-old inmate who used a video-visitation kiosk to entice a teenager into making sexually explicit videos from behind bars was sentenced this week to more than 28 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Obadiah Fraser was indicted in September 2022 and pleaded guilty in May 2023 to production of child pornography. He was sentenced Wednesday to 340 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr, who also ordered him to register as a sex offender. “This defendant willfully exploited a minor by coercing the victim into producing sexually explicit material without any regard for the mental and physical anguish his offenses would cause,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge of HSI Dallas. “I’m grateful for the collaborative efforts between HSI and our law enforcement partners in ensuring another child predator is brought to justice.” While incarcerated in Dallas County Jail on an unrelated charge of possession of child pornography, Mr. Fraser used the jail’s video visitation kiosk to communicate with a 17-year-old girl. Because the video visitation platform requires users to be 18 years of age or older, the child used Mr. Fraser’s cellmate’s wife’s account to communicate with him. During their calls – which were monitored by a third-party company – Mr. Fraser instructed the girl to make sexually explicit videos of herself. When she hesitated, he yelled and cursed at her. When Dallas County Jail officials confronted him about the videos, Mr. Fraser admitted to making them and said he knew the child was only 17. Homeland Security Investigations’ Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and the full cooperation of Dallas County Jail. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Douglas and Camille Sparks (fmr.) prosecuted the case. UPDATE : The United States Attorney's Office initially misidentified the technology Mr. Fraser used to communicate with the victim. He spoke to her via a video-visitation kiosk inside the jail, not via a jail-issued tablet.


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Distribution of Methamphetamine and Gun Charges

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jimmy P. Nguyen, age 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of distributing 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm during/in furtherance of drug trafficking. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Nguyen to a total of 120 months’ imprisonment for both counts. There is no parole in the federal system. After Nguyen’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. On December 16, 2021, Nguyen agreed to sell two semi-automatic handguns to a Confidential Informant (CI) in Lincoln. Nguyen then informed the CI that he had two ounces of meth that he could sell to the CI as well. Ultimately, Nguyen and the CI agreed that Nguyen would sell the two handguns and one ounce of meth. They agreed to meet at a parking lot of a grocery store in Lincoln. The purchase of the firearms and meth occurred in the CI’s vehicle. After the controlled buy, the firearms and baggie of crystalline substance were turned over to law enforcement. The firearms were a SCCY CPX-2 9mm handgun and a FN FNS-9 Compact 9mm handgun, which had a defaced serial number. The crystalline substance was lab tested and confirmed to be at least 25 grams meth actual. This case was investigated by the Greater Omaha Safe Streets Task Force (GOSSTF). GOSSTF is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.