title: Philadelphia Pharmacy Criminal Pleas and Civil Resolutions Result in Multiple Criminal Convictions and Over $4 Million Recovered

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that two former pharmacy employees pled guilty, were sentenced, and settled civil allegations as to Philadelphia-based Spivack, Inc., previously operating under the name Verree Pharmacy (“Verree”). These two employees’ criminal and civil resolutions bring to an end the years-long investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners as to opioid and fraud-related issues at Verree by its owner, Mitchell Spivack, and his employees. In addition to criminal convictions resulting in imprisonment, the settlements resulted in over $4.1 million recovered and permanently ban the employees from ever dispensing controlled substances in the future. Most recently, two former employees, Todd Goodman and Eric Pestrack, pled guilty to charges that they knowingly dispensed oxycodone without a valid prescription. The district court sentenced Goodman and Pestrack to four months and three months in prison, respectively. In addition to the criminal convictions, Goodman and Pestrack separately agreed to resolve civil allegations that they engaged in a years-long practice of illegally dispensing and distributing opioids and other controlled substances as well as systematic health care fraud by billing for drugs the pharmacy did not actually dispense to patients. In addition to paying the United States to resolve their exposure, the two also committed to never dispense controlled substances in the future. Goodman and Pestrack’s convictions come after owner-pharmacist Mitchell Spivack pled guilty and was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role at Verree. Spivack pled guilty to having conspired with others to engage in health care fraud and illegally dispense the controlled substance oxycodone at Verree. Spivack also resolved the civil allegations against him through a court-approved consent judgment. Spivack and his business agreed to pay over $4.1 million to resolve their civil liability under the Controlled Substances Act, False Claims Act, and forfeiture. The judgment also permanently banned them from ever dispensing controlled substances in the future and imposed a 22-year exclusion on the pharmacy and Spivack from Medicare and Medicaid. The culmination of a multi-year federal-state investigation, the previously filed civil complaint alleged that Verree, its owner Spivack, and employees of Verree had a responsibility to dispense opioids and other controlled substances only when appropriate. Instead, the United States alleged that Verree and Spivack dispensed the drugs, even when faced with numerous red flags suggestive of diversion, such as opioids in extreme doses, dangerous combinations of opioids and other “cocktail” drugs preferred by those addicted, excessive cash payments for the drugs, blatantly forged prescriptions, and other signs that the pills were being diverted for illegal purposes. The complaint alleged that Verree—which was the top retail pharmacy purchasing oxycodone in Pennsylvania—has been a nationwide and regional outlier in its deviant purchasing, dispensing, and billing of controlled substances. To avoid scrutiny from the drug distributors that sold them the pills, Verree through Spivack allegedly made false statements to maintain the façade of legitimacy and keep the pharmacy stocked with these pills critical to their profits. Behind that façade, the complaint alleged that Spivack drew millions of dollars from the pharmacy while the public suffered the consequences. The United States’ complaint alleged that Verree and Spivack were also engaged in an expansive health care fraud scheme involving fraudulent billings for drugs not actually dispensed. The alleged cornerstone of the scheme was a code used by the pharmacy employees in their internal computer system: “BBDF” or Bill But Don’t Fill. Verree, Spivack, and their co-conspirators allegedly used BBDF as a means to cover their losses on other drugs and further line their pockets with illicit profits by falsely claiming to insurers, including Medicare, that they had dispensed a drug to a patient, when in fact they had not. According to the complaint, this sophisticated fraud—which one of the employees allegedly admitted to investigators—resulted in significant damages to Medicare and other federal programs. “Pharmacies and pharmacists who engage in illegal dispensing of opioids devastate their communities and worsen our country’s opioid epidemic” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Providers who abuse Medicare and other federal health care programs by taking money with false billings also steal precious resources from programs critical to the health of our seniors and other citizens. This Office is committed to investigating and holding accountable those providers who violate their controlled substance and health care billing obligations. Our Office deeply appreciates our partnership with the DEA, HHS-OIG, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office in pursuing these cases.” “In a city that has been so adversely and disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic, Verree Pharmacy was the top retail pharmacy purchasing oxycodone in the entire state of Pennsylvania,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “Spivack and the other employees at Verree routinely demonstrated total disregard for their professional and ethical obligations and improperly dispensed powerful painkillers when numerous warning signs were present.” “The Medicare and Medicaid Programs provide vital prescription drug services to their beneficiaries,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Regional Office for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “Pharmacies are required to only bill for prescriptions and products they actually provide to their patients. HHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the DEA to investigate allegations of fraudulent insurance billings.” “We are proud collaborators in efforts leading to these recent convictions, along with the millions of settlement dollars from this deceptive, predatory pharmacy practice. Our communities continue to rebuild and recover from opioid-related devastation, so our efforts to assist in that recovery cannot and will not stop,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “My office has shown a commitment, through this and other actions, to hold accountable the pharmacists and businesses that exploited a nationwide addiction crisis to line their pockets.” The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Field Division of the DEA, the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation, HHS-OIG, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, with additional assistance from the HHS-OIG Office of Audit Services, Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, the Defense Health Agency, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The criminal charges were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys M. Beth Leahy, Joan Burnes, and Eileen Geiger, and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Smulktis and Linda Montag from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. The civil investigation and litigation were handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony D. Scicchitano and Sarah L. Grieb and auditors Dawn Wiggins and George Niedzwicki. Except for what has been admitted in the criminal proceedings, the complaints in the civil litigation contain allegations only.


title: IRS Revenue Agent Arrested for Filing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Revenue Agent for the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was arrested today for allegedly filing false personal tax returns for three years. Ndeye Amy Thioub, 67, of Swampscott, was charged with filing false tax returns. Thioub will appear in federal court in Boston at 2 p.m. today. According to the charging documents, Thioub has been employed by the IRS for over 17 years. In her current position as a Revenue Agent assigned to the Large Business and International Division of the IRS, Thioub conducts independent field examinations and related investigations of complex income tax returns filed by large businesses, corporations and organizations. Thioub has extensive and specialized knowledge of and training in accounting techniques, practices and investigative audit techniques. She is also responsible for examining and resolving various tax issues of individuals and business organizations that may include extensive national and/or international subsidiaries. In addition to her IRS position, Thioub worked as a Visiting Instructor at Salem State University, teaching college-level classes that included instruction on the verification of records; valuation and analysis of accounts; the importance of financial accounting and financial statements; professional standards; and ethics, professional responsibilities and legal liabilities issues facing auditors. It is alleged that Thioub filed false personal tax returns for tax years 2017, 2018 and 2019. It is further alleged that, for each year, Thioub filed a false Schedule C claiming a business loss from a purported “import and export” business she claimed to have. As a result, the claimed net loss was carried over to her personal IRS Form 1040s and used to reduce Thioub’s adjusted gross income and ultimate tax liability. Specifically, Thioub allegedly underreported her total income by approximately $42,805 in 2017, $20,324 in 2018 and $27,063 in 2019. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Christopher J. Gust, Acting Special Agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Northeast Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening and Harassing Interracial Couple and Obstructing Justice

body_text: BOSTON – A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today to threatening an interracial couple via Facebook Messenger in January 2021, and with attempting to prevent the couple from reporting the threats and harassment to law enforcement. Stephen M. DeBerardinis, 46, of Boston and Dedham, pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person; one count of tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats, and corrupt persuasion; and one count of tampering with a witness and victim by harassment. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2024. DeBerardinis was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2021. “This case demonstrates that you cannot cowardly hide behind a keyboard and spread bigotry, intimidation and fear. The spike we have all witnessed in hate-motivated threats of violence will not be tolerated, and our office remains steadfast in our commitment to aggressively pursue threats and acts of hate that are motivated by racism or bigotry,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Everyone deserves to live free from persecution and threats simply for who they are. Full stop.” “You can’t just threaten people online with racially motivated, violent physical harm and not face repercussions,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “What Stephen DeBerardinis put this couple through is despicable. The FBI takes all threats to life seriously and so should anyone thinking about making one. We will investigate, identify you, and ensure you’re held accountable for your actions.” “This is another example of the value of bringing together the collective resources and expertise of the Boston Police Department with our State and Federal partners to keep our residents safe,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. In late December 2020, the victims, a white woman and a Black man, announced their engagement on Facebook which included photographs of the couple. DeBerardinis, who did not know the couple personally, could view the photographs because he was a friend of one or more of the victims’ Facebook friends. On or about Jan. 6, 2021, DeBerardinis used Facebook Messenger to send the couple a series of threatening and harassing messages concerning the couple’s interracial relationship. For example, DeBerardinis wrote, “EWWWWWWWW YOUR A N***** F***** F****** DIRTY A** WHITE TRASH,” and continued with similar messages. When the couple messaged DeBerardinis that they were reporting him to law enforcement, he sent them a message that said, “SNITCHES GET STITCHES” with a picture of brass knuckles. DeBerardinis also threatened, “Read up more on me lol… you will see how me and my crew burn n*****s alive,” and “And white whores like you well [sic]…. get rape and killed THAN [sic] we cut off body parts and mail them to your family lol.” The victims reported the incident to local police, who contacted federal law enforcement. The charge of transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure a person provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. The charge of tampering with a witness and victim by intimidation, threats and corrupt persuasion provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution and forfeiture. The charge of tampering with a witness and victim by harassment provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; FBI SAC Cohen; and Commissioner Cox made the announcement today. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Torey B. Cummings and Nadine Pellegrini of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Three More Defendants Plead Guilty to Roles in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two men from Detroit, Michigan, and a Nitro, West Virginia, man pleaded guilty yesterday to roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia. Vernard Antonio Brown, also known as “Bam,” 32, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. Paul Anthony Rucker, 46, of Nitro, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Trevon Eaarle Godfrey, also known as “Trey,” 27, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to use of a communications facility in committing, causing, and facilitating a felony controlled substance offense. 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 Officers also arrested Rucker on November 15, 2023, and searched his Nitro residence. Rucker admitted that he and others used the residence to distribute controlled substances. Officers seized 64.45 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 41 grams of fentanyl, 11 firearms, and ammunition during the search. Rucker admitted that he and another individual possessed the firearms and ammunition and intended to distribute the controlled substances found during the search. Rucker further admitted to participating in the DTO from at least February 2023 through November 2023. As part of that participation, Rucker admitted that he distributed fentanyl to a confidential informant at his Nitro residence on May 19, 2023, and to transporting quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Huntington to Nitro in a vehicle with co-defendant Mark Lawrence Lowe on September 9, 2023. Law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and seized approximately 149 grams of fentanyl and 222.6 grams of methamphetamine. Rucker admitted that he and Lowe intended to distribute the controlled substances. On September 4, 2023, Godfrey received a call from another individual who asked Godfrey to conduct a drug transaction with a specific customer. The individual told Godfrey to distribute 10 grams of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine to the customer, who would be bringing $500 for the controlled substances. Godfrey admitted that he met the customer at a location in Huntington pre-arranged by the individual and conducted the transaction. Godfrey further admitted to participating in the DTO from at least August 2023 through November 2023. Brown and Rucker are scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2024, and Godfrey is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2024. Brown faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a $5 million fine. Rucker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Godfrey faces a maximum penalty of four years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Brown, Rucker, Godfrey and Lowe 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. Brown, Rucker and Godfrey are among 11 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. Another of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against Lowe and 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 presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor are prosecuting 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: Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Las Vegas Tax Return Preparers Filing False and Fraudulent Tax Returns for Customers

component: Tax Division

body_text: The Justice Department filed two civil complaints today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada against Las Vegas tax return preparers and their companies. The complaints seek to enjoin these tax return preparers and their companies from preparing and filing federal income tax returns for others. The complaints allege that Michael Moreno and his company, Awesome Tax LLC, and Carlos Yero and his company, Travel All The World, prepared and filed thousands of federal income tax returns for customers since at least 2018. Allegedly, Moreno and Yero and their companies regularly filed returns with the IRS that fraudulently overstated the amount of refund due while simultaneously telling their customers that they would receive a smaller refund. Moreno and Yero would then allegedly collect as “bank fees” the substantial difference between these amounts. The complaints allege that the amount collected as “bank fees” ranges between $300 and $800 per return. The complaints allege that Moreno and Yero prepared, and their companies filed, tax returns with false tax credits, fabricated business income and expenses on Form 1040 Schedule C and improper itemized deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A to improperly understate their customers’ tax liabilities and to inflate refunds. Moreno and Awesome Tax have allegedly caused a tax loss of approximately $2.74 million in 2018 and 2019, while Yero and Travel All The World allegedly caused a tax loss of $2.64 million in 2019 alone. Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. Attorneys from the Justice Department’s Tax Division are handling the case. 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. United States v. Carlos Roberto Yero et al..pdf United States v. Michel Moreno et al..pdf


title: Saskatchewan Man Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Saskatchewan, Canada, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 15, 2024. Benjamin Martin Moore, 52, was sentenced to four years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Moore will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Moore was indicted for Possession of Child Pornography and Transporting Illegal Aliens by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on December 13, 2023. On August 9, 2022, Moore illegally entered the United States with his significant other and her two minor children. It was believed Moore fled Canada likely to escape potential prosecution and removal of the children from their custody. Moore had entered the United States by cutting a barbed wire fence near Turner, Montana. An Amber Alert was issued, and it was reported that Moore had been working as a security guard at a campground in Meade County, South Dakota. Agents responded to the campground and were able to locate Moore attempting to flee with his significant other and her minor children. Agents were able to stop Moore and upon his arrest located a cell phone and SIM card in his possession. A forensic examination of the phone revealed he was in possession of images and videos of child pornography. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Meade County Sheriff’s Office, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Havre Sector Border Patrol, and the Canadian Child Protective Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Moore was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Father and Two Sons Indicted and Arrested for Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Catalytic Converters and Money Laundering

component: Criminal Division

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging three men with conspiring to transport stolen property interstate and money laundering. According to court documents, Jaime A. Pérez-Hernández, Jaime Pérez-Ramírez, and Jesiel Pérez-Hernández conspired to purchase catalytic converters that were stolen from vehicles in Puerto Rico and transport them in interstate commerce to sell them to entities in New Jersey and Massachusetts, all in order to enrich themselves. Catalytic converters are a component of an automotive vehicle’s exhaust device that reduces the toxic gas and pollutants from a vehicle’s internal combustion engine into safe emissions. To do so, catalytic converters use precious metals in their center, or “core”, that are regularly targeted for theft due to the high value of these metals, especially palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Some of these precious metals are more valuable per ounce than gold, and their value has been increasing in recent years. The black-market price for catalytic converters can exceed $1,000 each, depending on the type of vehicle, the source state, and other factors. Thus, the theft of catalytic converters has become increasingly popular because of their value, widespread availability, and relative ease to steal. Beginning in October 2020, the defendants used Facebook to advertise the purchase of catalytic converters from the public in Puerto Rico. The defendants used their two metal recycling companies, Borinken Catalytics LLC and Perez Metal Recycle, to purchase stolen catalytic converters. After amassing catalytic converters, the Conspirators used private commercial shipping companies to regularly transport and sell the catalytic converters to various catalytic converter extraction companies in the continental United States, who in turn extracted and shipped the precious metals to refineries. The defendants earned more than $3,000,000 from the sale of catalytic converters between October 2020 and the date of the indictment. Defendants Jaime A. Pérez-Hernández and Jaime Pérez-Ramírez face one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The defendants received wire transfers, cash, and checks for the bulk shipments of catalytic converters, which they withdrew and transferred to conceal the stolen catalytic converter proceeds. “Amidst a rise in catalytic converter thefts in Puerto Rico and in the continental United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with the Justice Department have executed investigations and arrest operations in order to deter this multimillion-dollar catalytic converter theft trend,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will continue to work alongside the FBI and our state and local partners to disrupt criminal conspiracies like this one that target innocent people.” “The theft and resale of catalytic converters is a serious crime that not only harms the environment but also undermines the safety and security of our communities,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “This coordinated effort spanned multiple states and involved numerous law enforcement agencies. I am proud of the tireless efforts of our agents and law enforcement partners in bringing these criminals to justice.” The defendants are scheduled for their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos-Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and up to 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI is in charge of the investigation of the case, with the collaboration of the following agencies: Puerto Rico Police Bureau, PR Department of Treasury (Hacienda), Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, Bayamón Municipal Police, Carolina Municipal Police, the PR Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, and the US Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Giovannie Mercado, Carlos Romo-Aledo, and Cesar Rivera-Díaz from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico; and Cesar S. Rivera-Giraud, Trial Attorney from the Violent Crime & Racketeering Section, Criminal Division, are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Ponchatoula Woman  Indicted for Embezzlement

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on March 14, 2024, ANGELA C. MITCHELL , age 48, of Ponchatoula, La. was indicted for access device fraud, in connection with her embezzlement from a Covington. La. company where she worked from October 2016 to June 2018. According to the indictment, MITCHELL is alleged to have diverted to herself approximately $116,998.70 from Company A by, among other things, fraudulently transferring funds from Company A’s bank accounts via electronic transfers and by drafting unauthorized checks to herself. MITCHELL committed the fraud during her employment, and continued illegally accessing Company A’s accounts after she was terminated in June 2018. If convicted, MITCHELL faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine or the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely an accusation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Field Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne, of the Financial Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Sabine Parish Man Sentenced for Distribution of Methamphetamine

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – Sergio Valdez , 28, of Zwolle, Louisiana, has been sentenced for distribution of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced Valdez to 87 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. On March 22, 2023, federal and state law enforcement agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Valdez in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Agents were able to obtain information that Valdez sold an individual the methamphetamine outside of his home. The drugs which were sold by Valdez were sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Southeast Laboratory for testing and found to have a net weight of 54.4 grams of pure methamphetamine. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 28, 2023, charging Valdez with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and he pleaded guilty to the charge on November 7, 2023. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins. # # #


title: South Florida Resident Charged With Receiving Millions From Filing Fraudulent COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Claims

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Willie F. Murray, Jr. (55, West Park, FL) with six counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Murray faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count followed by a consecutive two years of imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count. The indictment also notifies Murray that the United States intends to forfeit $5,671,611.74 in U.S. currency, $1,578,925.56 from a bank account, and seven real properties located in Punta Gorda, Fort Lauderdale, Belle Glade, Hollywood, and South Bay, Florida, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. According to the indictment, Murray was the registered agent and manager of Lab Tess, LLC, a Florida company that purportedly provided its customers COVID-19 testing services. In fact, Lab Tess provided no such services. Murray used Lab Tess to submit fraudulent claims for reimbursement to the Health Resources and Services Administration for COVID-19 testing services supposedly provided to uninsured individuals. To complete the illegal scheme, Murray used personal identifying information of individuals incarcerated by the Florida Department of Corrections, individuals falsely reported as having been tested at homeless shelters and electrical substations, and deceased individuals. Murray submitted more than 126,000 fraudulent claims and received reimbursement in the approximate amount of $5.6 million, which he used, in part, to purchase real properties in South Florida. 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. In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Pizzo and Suzanne Nebesky. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Mt. Pleasant Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Role in One of the Largest Medicare Fraud Schemes in History

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Andrew Chmiel, 48, of Mt. Pleasant, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison yesterday for his role in a nearly $100 million scheme related to the payment of kickbacks and bribes in exchange for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) orders. Chmiel’s charges were brought in 2019 as part of Operation Brace Yourself, an investigation that originated in South Carolina. Operation Brace Yourself, which was prosecuted in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division Fraud Section, was a multi-jurisdictional investigation that involved the execution of more than 80 search warrants in 17 federal districts. As for Chmiel’s criminal conduct, evidence presented to the court showed that Chmiel controlled and operated at least 10 DME companies, which were located throughout the United States. These DME companies were used by Chmiel and his coconspirators to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for braces that were not medically necessary and/or were obtained through the payment of kickbacks and bribes. To effectuate the scheme, these DME companies entered into agreements with an offshore call center to purchase completed doctors’ orders so the DME companies could bill Medicare. This offshore call center was advertising through television and internet advertisements. Once a Medicare beneficiary called a 1-800 number that was on the advertisements, that Medicare beneficiary would be screened for eligibility and then convinced that he or she needed a brace, and oftentimes upsold on other braces. The call center would then contact a telemedicine company whose physician and/or or nurse practitioner would issue a prescription without regard to the medical necessity. Throughout the investigation the evidence revealed that beneficiaries were prescribed braces without ever being examined by, seeing, or, in some instances, even speaking to a medical professional. Evidence presented showed that Chmiel was attempting to hide that he was purchasing completed doctors’ orders by creating fraudulent and false invoices for alleged marketing and business processing services. Throughout the health care fraud scheme, Chmiel’s companies, which included 10 DME companies, two dropship companies, and two additional companies that were used to facilitate the fraud – D.O. Delivery and Pain Center – billed Medicare in excess of $200 million and Medicare paid Chmiel’s companies in excess of $95 million. Chmiel was also held accountable at sentencing for an obstruction of justice enhancement pursuant to the United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines. Based on evidence presented by the Government during the sentencing, the court held that when Chmiel testified as a government witness in a trial in the Eastern District of New York against a coconspirator, he knowingly gave false testimony on matters material to the health care fraud scheme, violating the terms of his plea agreement. “Chmiel’s scheme preyed upon honest citizens seeking medical help and this sentence brings an end to that exploitation,“ said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We will continue to pursue and dismantle health care fraud schemes in South Carolina, especially those that permeate throughout the country.” “Fraudulent schemes, such as this, undermine the trust and confidence of the American people in our healthcare programs,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “This ruling should serve as a reminder that healthcare fraud remains a top priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners and we remain committed to the vigilance and accountability in preserving healthcare integrity.” "This outcome underscores our unwavering commitment to combat health care fraud and pursue those who exploit Medicare beneficiaries and defraud taxpayers for personal gain,” stated Tamala E. Miles, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG takes pride in collaborating with our partners to ensure accountability for those seeking to illegitimately profit from federal health care programs.” “Crimes against our health care system equates to billions of dollars in losses and degrades a system designed to help those in need,” said Donald "Trey" Eakins, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “We will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who attempt to enrich themselves by fraudulent means, and to help end health care fraud." United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson sentenced Chmiel to 108 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. The court also ordered that Chmiel pay $98,935,533.00 in restitution. In addition to Chmiel’s sentence, two corporations were also sentenced by United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson on Tuesday. D.O. Delivery, LLC and Pain Center, LLC, two entities that Chmiel owned and operated that were used to facilitate the health care fraud scheme. Each entity was sentenced to 12-months’ probation and ordered to pay $98,935,533.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower prosecuted the case. ###


title: Valparaiso Woman Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

body_text: HAMMOND – Randi Scannell, 66 years old, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Scannell was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $460,182.69 in restitution. According to documents in the case, Scannell was the owner of Custom Drying Solutions, a company that built and refurbished drum dryers. In 2015, Custom Drying Solutions started managing Company A’s production facility in exchange for a fixed amount of money each week. Company A also agreed to reimburse Custom Drying Solutions for labor and payroll. Between September 2015 and August 2020, Scannell sent scores of fraudulent invoices to Company A for reimbursement of payroll expenses incurred by Custom Drying Solutions. These invoices concealed weekly paychecks that Scannell directed a third-party payroll service to issue to herself and her family members. By paying the invoices, Company A unwittingly funded unearned paychecks totaling $460,182.69 for Scannell and her family members. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa.


title: Land O’ Lakes Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Offenses

body_text: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Raymond Montanez (42, Land O’ Lakes) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Each count carries a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. According to court documents, beginning at unknown time and continuing through May 11, 2023, Montanez conspired with others to distribute cocaine and possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Montanez imported the cocaine through the mail and sold it from points within the Middle District of Florida. On March 17, 2023, Montanez sold 209 grams of a substance to an undercover officer. On April 13, 2023, Montanez sold approximately 200 grams of a substance to an undercover officer. Eleven days later, agents observed Montanez travel to Jupiter, Florida, where he met with a co-conspirator and retrieved a package containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine. After confirming Montanez was the sole occupant of the vehicle, a traffic stop was conducted, and the cocaine was seized. A lab analysis by the Drug Enforcement Administration later confirmed that the seized substance was cocaine weighing 999.1 grams. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.


title: Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to Eight Months in Federal Prison for Accepting Bribes to Smuggle Tobacco into Terre Haute Correctional Complex

body_text: TERRE HAUTE- Jordan Kelsheimer, 25, of Blanford, Indiana, has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting a bribe as a public official. According to court documents, beginning in 2019, Jordan Kelsheimer was employed with the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a Corrections Officer. At the time of the offense, Kelsheimer was employed at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. In the summer of 2022, Bureau of Prisons investigators initiated an investigation of the defendant after receiving multiple reports from inmate witnesses that Kelsheimer was smuggling tobacco into the facility. Tobacco is prohibited for inmate use in federal prisons. The witnesses reported that they repeatedly observed Kelsheimer in intimate contact with “Inmate 1” in and near her office. The reported contact included kissing and, on occasion, more intimate contact. Investigators reviewed prison surveillance footage from July 2022, which showed repeated contact between Kelsheimer and Inmate 1 in and near her office, as reported. The witnesses also reported that Inmate 1 was selling the cigarettes to other inmates in the prison. On July 18, 2022, staff searched Kelsheimer when she reported for work at the prison. Kelsheimer had eight packs of Newport cigarettes on her person, which she ultimately acknowledged she intended to deliver to Inmate 1 that day. Kelsheimer also had a stack of love letters from Inmate 1 on her person. She admitted that she was paid $400 per carton by Inmate 1’s brother via CashApp, and she communicated with the brother by text messaging. Electronic records showed that she received a total of 15 separate bribe payments for a total of $5,140. “Corrupt correctional officers fuel the contraband problems in our prison facilities and exploit the vulnerability of inmates for their own profit,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Contraband sales fuel a cycle of debt, extortion, and violence, and officials whose honor is for sale endanger every inmate and staff member in the facility. As the sentence here demonstrates, these corrupt officers will find themselves returned to the prisons as inmates.” FBI and Department of Justice- Office of Inspector General’s Chicago Field Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Judge Hanlon also ordered that Kelsheimer be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for two years following her release from federal prison, and pay a $500 fine. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Federal jury convicts Billings woman of trafficking meth

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BILLINGS — A federal jury on March 19 convicted a Billings woman who was accused of trafficking methamphetamine by walking the drug across the Mexican border using her U.S. passport and then mailing the drug from California to a Billings contact for distribution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. After a two-day trial that began on March 18, the jury found Dawn Marie Guevara, 43, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth as charged in an indictment. Guevara faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The court set sentencing for July 18 and continued Guevara’s detention pending further proceedings. “Guevara’s convictions are yet another example of our office’s success in holding people accountable for trafficking drugs directly from Mexico to Montana, which is exactly what Guevara did here. Her convictions are due to the years of relentless work of our federal and state partners to bring Guevara and her co-defendants to justice, for which I am very grateful. I also thank Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich and Jacob Yerger and our entire trial team for their diligent work in obtaining this result,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that Guevara conspired with others to distribute meth in the Billings community from about July 2018 to December 2018. In July 2018, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation received information that Guevara, who was living in Mexico, was selling meth to an individual through social media orders and arranging to have another person in Billings receive the meth to complete the transaction. Law enforcement obtained meth sent by Guevara in a series of controlled purchases and for increasing amounts. and through an undercover. The investigation determined that Guevara would obtain meth in Mexico, then cross into the United States using her U.S. passport and mail the meth from a post office in San Ysidro. Money collected from sales was wired to Guevara in Mexico. Border crossing information determined that Guevara entered the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry approximately 20 times between July 7, 2018 and Oct. 18, 2018. Guevara was arrested in 2023 when she crossed the border from Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin M. Rubich and Jacob Yerger are prosecuting the case. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Postal Service 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. XXX


title: Pawtucket Man to Serve Six Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl Pills

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Pawtucket man described in court documents as being a “seasoned drug dealer” who previously served eight different jail sentences for selling drugs was sentenced today to six years in federal prison, having been convicted most recently of selling thousands of fentanyl pills, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Gary Doran, a/k/a “G-Baby,” 36, pleaded guilty on October 5, 2023, to a charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, three months after being released from jail in 2021, members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force developed information that Doran was active in drug dealing. During the course of a later FBI investigation, Doran sold a cooperating witness thousands of fentanyl pills, for a total of $9,250 over a period of less than two months. Doran was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 72 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. According to court records, prior to his arrest in this matter, Doran was previously convicted eight times in state courts for selling drugs, serving eight different sentences ranging from six months to two years of incarceration. This most recent case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine D. Lowell. The matter was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Pawtucket Police Department. ###


title: Live Oak Sex Offender Sentenced To More Than 12 Years In Federal Prison For Possessing Child Sex Abuse Images

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Steven Lee Carty (55, Live Oak) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for possession of child sex abuse images after previously being convicted of possessing, receiving, and distributing child sex abuse images. The court also ordered Carty to pay $19,000 in restitution to the victims of his offense. Carty entered a guilty plea on October 19, 2023. According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating Carty in relation to a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that had been provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The CyberTip indicated that child exploitation material had been uploaded to an account with an electronic service provider. Law enforcement reviewed the material and determined it contained child sex abuse material (CSAM). Account information was provided for the user, which was connected to Carty. Internet Protocol (IP) history for the account that had uploaded the material was traced to Carty. FDLE obtained a state search warrant for that account, and it was determined to contain the file of CSAM from the CyberTip, along with additional files containing CSAM. HSI learned that there were additional CyberTips connected to Carty, which HSI obtained and reviewed. Those CyberTips indicated that accounts associated with Carty had uploaded CSAM, including within a chat conversation with another user for one of the Cybertips. During their investigation, law enforcement learned that Carty was listed as an offender on FDLE’s Sexual Offenders and Predators registry because of federal convictions for receiving, distributing, and possessing CSAM in 2005. On August 24, 2023, a federal search warrant was executed at Carty’s residence by HSI and FDLE, with assistance from the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. During an interview with law enforcement, Carty admitted to viewing, obtaining, and sharing CSAM. He also admitted to being obsessed with CSAM and possessing hundreds of files of CSAM on his cellphone. A preliminary examination of Carty’s cellphone during the execution of the search warrant revealed at least one file containing CSAM. “Computers and mobile devices provide an instant, all-access pass for predators to distribute life-long records of the darkest moments of a child’s short life,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “The Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force partnership is 1,000 percent committed to be a light in the dark world that chooses to victimize children rather than nurture them.” This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington. It is another case that was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: New Britain Man Involved in Cocaine Trafficking Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that NERICK DIAZ-QUESADA, 25, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine. According to court documents, on November 10, 2022, members of the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and New Britain Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment located on LaSalle Street in New Britain suspected of being used as a location to store, process, and package narcotics for distribution. Diaz-Quesada was apprehended after he attempted to flee from investigators when they entered the apartment. A search of bedroom that Diaz-Quesada used revealed more than two kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, narcotics packaging materials, and a large amount of cash. Diaz-Quesada has been detained since his arrest. On January 26, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.


title: Dominican Republic Native Charged With Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Adony Rivera-Cortorreal, age 28, of the Dominican Republic, was indicted on March 19, 2024, by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Rivera-Cortorreal was previously removed from the United States on April 2, 2019, and it is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. The indictment also alleges that on March 2, 2023, Rivera-Cortorreal was encountered in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Moreno is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: St. Gabriel Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Convictions

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Charles J. Alexander, Jr., age 39, of St. Gabriel, Louisiana, to 180 months in federal prison following his convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition to the term of imprisonment, the Court further sentenced Alexander to serve three years of supervised release and ordered the firearms involved be forfeited. On November 15, 2023, after a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson, the jury unanimously convicted Alexander of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In 2021, DEA agents and the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into cocaine distribution by Alexander in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. On April 1, 2021, three search warrants were executed at properties tied to Alexander. Agents located Alexander at one of the properties and recovered cocaine cooking paraphernalia, over 200 grams of cocaine, and a total of four firearms. After the presentation of the case at trial by the United States, Alexander did not return from a lunch recess and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The jury deliberated in his absence and convicted him. Alexander was ultimately apprehended in Illinois by the United States Marshals Service on December 6, 2023, and was detained pending sentencing. U.S. Attorney Gathe stated, “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and promotes respect for the law. It is a just punishment for the facts exhibited at trial which warranted this sentence.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshal’s Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William Morris and Benjamin Wallace.


title: Liberian Man Sentenced to 20 Years For Stealing $2.6M in SNAP Benefits From Needy

body_text: A Liberian man was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison for stealing $2.6 million in SNAP benefits from needy and disabled beneficiaries, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. James Peabody, 34, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who called the crime “one of the most disturbing schemes” he’d seen during his time on the bench. “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is often the only way low-income Americans can afford to feed their families. I can only imagine the devastation these victims felt at the cash register when they attempted to pay for their groceries and discovered their accounts had been emptied,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “These defendants callously preyed on the needy, disabled, and elderly. My heart breaks for them.” “The defendant and their co-conspirators exploited a program designed to aid low-income families. They stole directly from thousands of victims that needed those funds to purchase food and other necessary household items,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. “The FBI and our partners worked together to hold these individuals accountable for stealing millions of dollars from the most vulnerable citizens in our community. We will not tolerate anyone that uses a federal program to enrich themselves at the expense of families who truly need and depend on the benefits.” According to plea papers, the defendant admitted to defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP , commonly known as food stamps). In furtherance of the scheme, Mr. Peabody and two coconspirators, Saybah Keihn, 48, and Margretta Jabbeh, 43, opened several African food stores. They applied for, and received, SNAP merchant privileges. They then used EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards programmed with stolen SNAP account information – illegally obtained by placing so-called “skimming” devices on point-of-sale terminals in stores throughout the United States – and used them to “purchase” groceries from their own stores. With each swipe of the card, the defendants falsely represented to the USDA that actual SNAP beneficiaries were using benefits to purchase approved grocery items. In reality, the beneficiaries were not present in the stores at the time of the transaction and no groceries were actually purchased. As a result of the scheme, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which administrates SNAP) deposited more than $2.6 million in bank accounts associated with their stores. When the beneficiaries whose accounts had been stolen attempted to use their SNAP benefits to purchase food, they learned there was no money in their accounts. For Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, several victims submitted statements revealing that that they were forced to rely on food banks, while one stated she resorted to eating “out of dumpsters.” Another victim thanked the FBI “for investigating my case when no one else seemed to care.” Mr. Keihn and Ms. Jabbeh both previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and were sentenced to 108 and 129 months in federal prison, respectively. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Fort Worth Resident Agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with help from the Bedford Police Department, the Blue Mound Police Department, the Euless Police Department, and the North Richland Hills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Launches Operation Safe Cities to Coordinate Regional Law Enforcement Response to the Most Violent Offenders Involved in Commercial Robberies and Gun Offenses

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Federal and local law enforcement officials today announced the launch of Operation Safe Cities, an initiative that includes new protocols, enhanced partnerships and a renewed emphasis on violent crime designed to increase federal prosecutions of the region’s most violent criminals, particularly those involved in commercial robberies, kidnappings, extortions and gun offenses. Combatting violent crime is one of the Justice Department’s top priorities, and this United States Attorney’s Office is strengthening existing partnerships and creating new connections between federal and local law enforcement to take the most violent and repeat offenders off the streets. Operation Safe Cities builds on long-standing connections between local authorities, federal agents and federal prosecutors. These relationships have yielded numerous significant and impactful cases over the years, and federal authorities now are strengthening these partnerships by conducting outreach to the officers and detectives who typically have the best knowledge of the most dangerous criminals and by streamlining the process to present cases to federal prosecutors. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will bring federal resources to investigations, which will be particularly helpful when, for example, robbery crews operate across jurisdictional lines or when sophisticated investigative tools are needed to develop leads, process evidence or track firearms. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are part of the initiative, and other local agencies are expected to join in the near future. Defendants charged in United States District Court with violent and gun-related offenses face significant sentences in federal prison, where there is no parole. For example, commercial robbery offenses charged under the Hobbs Act each carry up to 20 years in federal prison, and these sentences can be significantly increased if the perpetrator used – or simply possessed – a firearm. Under federal law, armed career criminals with three prior convictions for violent offenses face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm. “Both individual victims and entire communities are being traumatized by the epidemic of gun violence, and the Justice Department is committed to saving lives and improving public safety by using every possible tool to target offenders,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We are increasing our collaboration among law enforcement agencies to lock up offenders who are a demonstrated threat. Violent crime threatens everyone’s sense of security, which is why we are fully committed to improving and expanding our response to the most dangerous criminals.” “Violent criminals that inflict harm in our communities and threaten public safety need to be held accountable with the full weight of the justice system,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “Our coordinated efforts with local, state, and federal partners will safeguard our communities and keep dangerous, career criminal off the streets.” “Violent crime has no place in any of our communities,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi. “Together, we are more effective, stopping gun and violent crime throughout the region. I am proud of our partnership with the U.S. Attorney, other Federal partners, as well as regional partners as we work towards safer communities collaboratively.” “We are excited about strengthening an already solid relationship with our federal partners,” said Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. “Having the full weight of the federal government behind our efforts to keep our communities safe from violent crime is not only important, it’s crucial. I appreciate the ongoing partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office as well as our alliance with other federal and local law enforcement agencies.” Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. The United States Attorney’s Office has established protocols for the intake of cases that will go beyond the traditional federal-state task force model that has long been in place. Federal prosecutors will train state law enforcement partners on identifying and supporting federal prosecutions in these areas. A team of federal prosecutors will also be assigned to identify investigations and cases appropriate for prosecution. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments. “We have limited enforcement resources, but we can multiply our efforts by collaborating with our colleagues at local police agencies to have the most significant impact on violent crime,” U.S. Attorney Estrada stated. “Operation Safe Cities will allow us to identify and use the best available intelligence and information to assess the violent crime problem and the offenders who drive that violence.” “The FBI and our partners in local law enforcement work together on task forces throughout the United States to investigate a range of violent and gun-related offenses targeting innocent victims,” said Amir Ehsaei, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “We look forward to the enhanced resources provided by the United States Attorney’s Office through the Safe Cities initiative in order to further pursue federal charges for crimes harming our communities.” “Last year the ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division initiated almost 500 cases with 93% of those cases being firearms-related investigations,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere of ATF Los Angeles Field Division. “ATF reduces violent crime by partnering with the federal, state and local law enforcement as a force multiplier. By enhancing our existing partnership and providing federal investigate tools we aim to create safer cities throughout the Los Angeles area. ATF will continue to work tirelessly with its partners to target violent criminals, as well as identify, investigate and arrest those who illegally supply firearms to prohibited individuals.” The United States Attorney’s Office has worked with its law enforcement partners for years to address gun-related crime and recently has increased the number of federal cases against violent criminals engaged in Hobbs Act violations, including commercial robberies and extortions. Already this year, the office has obtained four indictments naming a total of nine defendants who allegedly participated in commercial robberies, with three of those cases involving firearms and one alleging a “smash and grab” robbery at a jewelry store. In 2023, grand juries indicted 16 Hobbs Act robbery cases (two of which involved carjackings), eight bank robbery cases, a stand-alone carjacking case, a Hobbs Act extortion and a kidnap for ransom case. In 2022, federal prosecutors secured indictments in 18 Hobbs Act robbery cases, three bank robbery cases and three postal robberies, one of which involved a postal carrier robbed at gunpoint. These 24 cases charged a total of 40 defendants. Since the beginning of 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office has charged nearly 600 defendants with illegal gun possession offenses, and nearly 30% of these cases involved “ghost guns.” Approximately 450 of the defendants in these firearms cases were allegedly felons in possession of firearms or ammunition. Dozens of other defendants were charged with possessing machine guns and other illegal firearms, including short-barreled rifles and silencers. Some of the recent cases handled by the office and involving partners in Operation Safe Cities include: A robbery crew dubbed the “all-armed bandits” Federal prosecutors this week charged two additional defendants who allegedly were part of a 2023 string of armed robberies of pharmacies, restaurants and marijuana dispensaries – a total of 19 robberies that spanned Los Angeles County. Even after authorities arrested three of the alleged robbers in late October, members of the robbery crew continued committing crimes. On November 24, following the robbery of a CVS store, Inglewood police responded and, following a high-speed pursuit that ended with a vehicle collision, arrested two adults and a minor. A federal criminal complaint filed Tuesday charges the two adults – Adrian Timothy Bedran, 23, of Rosemead, and Kevin Antwan Gadley, 19, of San Fernando – meaning that six defendants have now been charged in federal court. Bedran and Gadley, who are currently in state custody, each are charged in the complaint with Hobbs Act robbery and using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. They are expected to be arraigned sometime next week. A federal grand last year returned a 26-count indictment that charged the three original defendants and fourth who allegedly participated in the robberies. A trial for these four defendants is currently scheduled for June 18. If convicted at trial, the ringleaders of the “all-armed bandits” would face mandatory minimum sentences of more than 40 years in federal prison, and potentially life imprisonment. The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are the lead investigating agencies on this matter, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Butler and Jena MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section. Massage parlor robberies Two Los Angeles County men were indicted earlier this month for allegedly conducting a series of armed robberies of massage parlors earlier this year in Orange County and Torrance. Andy Cuellar, 28, of Hawthorne, and Arturo Morales, 27, of Downey, were arrested one month ago today. The 12-count indictment specifically charges the two defendants with robbing five massage parlors – two on January 22 – and using a firearm in all the incidents. Cuellar and Morales are also charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition, with the indictment alleging that Cuellar has prior convictions for burglary and a scheme to import methamphetamine and that Morales was previously found guilty of conspiracy and threaten with intent to terrorize. Both men are being held without bond and are currently scheduled to be tried on April 30. If they were to be convicted, Cuellar and Morales each would face potential sentences of more than 100 years in federal prison. The ATF, several Orange County police agencies and the LAPD are investigating this matter. AUSAs MacCabe and Butler are prosecuting this case. Felon in possession cases In a case filed Tuesday, Rodolfo Hernandez Jr., 28, of Oxnard, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, specifically a .38-caliber revolver and several types of ammunition. Hernandez, who is currently in Ventura County Jail, was arrested February 28 after Oxnard Police officers stopped him in relation to a robbery investigation. When police searched his vehicle, they also recovered a Mac-11 machine gun. According to the federal criminal complaint, Hernandez has five prior felony convictions, including for assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. The FBI and the Oxnard Police Department under the auspices of the Ventura County Violent Gang Task Force, which includes the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, is conducting the investigation in this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph DeLeon filed the federal charges in this case. An Inland Empire man – Frank Escobar Jr. , 35, of San Bernardino – was sentenced in February to 15 years in federal prison for possession of ammunition, receiving the mandatory minimum sentence for being an armed career criminal. On May 13, 2023, Escobar threatened family members at their residence with a loaded firearm and discharged the gun multiple times. In a sentencing memo that recounts how Escobar fired the gun at the feet of the victims and into a wall of the residence, prosecutors argued that this “[d]efendant’s criminal history is marked by a pattern of extreme and repeated acts of violence.” Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Stimson of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this matter, which was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Butler and Jena MacCabe, both of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, and Ian Yanniello and Ben Balding, both supervisors in the General Crimes Section, have been designated as Violent Crime Coordinators to implement the initiative, conduct further outreach and training to local police agencies, and oversee the prosecution of cases under Operation Safe Cities.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Meets With Faith Leaders To Promote The United Against Hate Initiative

body_text: SCRANTON - United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that as part of the Department of Justice’s United Against Hate initiative to better counter hate crimes and hate incidents in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, he has met and will continue to meet with religious leaders to discuss their concerns about extremism and threats to their places of worship and their members. In December 2023, U.S Attorney Karam hosted two separate meetings in Scranton and in Harrisburg with local Jewish leaders to discuss their concerns about the recent uprise in antisemitic speech and incidents of hate. At those meetings, subject matter experts from the United States Attorney’s Office; Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigations; Pennsylvania State Police; Dauphin, Cumberland, Lackawanna, and York County District Attorney’s Offices; Harrisburg, Scranton, and York Police Departments; and York Human Relations Commission attended and listened to the leaders’ safety concerns and encouraged them to report all hate incidents and crimes. In February and March 2024, U.S. Attorney Karam had similar meetings with local Muslim, Islamic, and Arab Christian leaders to discuss the equally troubling uprise in threats to their members. “We continue to strengthen our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement in conjunction with our stakeholders in the religious communities by holding these conversations to serve them better, said U.S. Attorney Karam. “Hate-fueled violence and incidents will not be tolerated in our district, and we will continue to unite our stakeholders with the shared goal of reporting, preventing, disrupting, and prosecuting these crimes.” The United Against Hate initiative seeks to strengthen collaborative relationships of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents. Those who believe they are subject to hate crimes or incidents should contact local law enforcement and the FBI. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing usapam.civil.rights@usdoj.gov . # # #


title: Former New York City Transit Worker and Former New York State Court Officer Sentenced to 18 Months' Imprisonment for COVID-19 Loan Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Arthur Cornwall, a former signal maintainer with the New York City Transit Authority, and Sean Williams, a former New York State Court Officer, were each sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 18 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud in connection with their receipt of approximately $770,000 in small business loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP). The Court also ordered the defendants to pay $770,000 in restitution to the United States Small Business Administration. The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2023. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Daniel Brubaker, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the sentences. “Abuse of public benefits programs, particularly shameful when those defrauding the government are public servants, will not be tolerated and not forgotten with the passage of time from the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The defendants’ theft of relief money, despite holding jobs with good salaries and benefits, so they could purchase real estate, cryptocurrency and pay off credit card bills with the stolen funds, is deserving of jail sentences. This Office and our agency partners will continue working to bring to justice those fraudsters who take advantage of a national emergency, and recover every dollar that they stole from the government.” Inspector in Charge of the New York Division Daniel B. Brubaker said, “The sentencing today of these two defendants should serve as a clear message to anyone who schemes to steal the public’s money, Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners will track you down and see you prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. What makes this case even more egregious is that the defendants were employed in positions of public trust when they stole money specifically intended for those struggling to keep their businesses afloat during the pandemic. Today is a win for the good guys and the people we protect, but the fight is far from over and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal to pursue anyone who attempts to defraud the public.” Between May 2020 and July 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Cornwall and Williams fraudulently applied for, and received, at least six PPP and EIDLP loans, totaling approximately $770,000, on behalf of purported corporate entities they controlled. As part of the scheme designed to mislead the SBA and a financial institution disbursing the funds, the defendants submitted supporting documentation that contained false information, including the identity of the individual applying for the loan, the number of employees, revenue, payroll costs, and the intended use of the loan proceeds. Instead of using the funds for disaster relief, Cornwall and Williams diverted them for their personal use, including the discharge of personal credit card debt and the purchase of cryptocurrency. Following their guilty pleas, the defendants resigned from their respective government jobs. Congress created the PPP and EIDLP as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Enacted on March 29, 2020, the CARES Act provided emergency financial assistance in connection with economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the allocation of funds for the issuance of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses to receive unsecured loans on favorable terms, which they were required to use for specified expenses, including payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP provided for forgiveness of the loan if the recipient businesses spent the proceeds on these specified expenses within a limited time period and used a certain percentage for payroll costs. Another source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the EIDLP, which provided low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. Under the program, EIDLP recipients were eligible to receive advances of up to $10,000 for small businesses within three days of applying for an EIDL (EIDL Advance). The amount of an EIDL Advance was determined based on the number of employees working for the applicant. The EIDL Advance did not have to be repaid. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorney Bradley T. King is in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder and Legal Assistants Danielle Casey and Janelle Robinson. The Defendants : ARTHUR CORNWALL Age: 43 West Babylon, New York SEAN WILLIAMS Age: 42 Valley Stream, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-238 (JMA)


title: Federal Inmate Charged With Sending Threatening Letter to U.S. Probation Officer in Chicago

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal inmate has been charged with sending a threatening letter to a U.S. Probation officer in Chicago. An indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges GLENN BOWDEN, 62, most recently of Riverdale, Ill., with one count of mailing a threatening communication, one count of obstructing an official proceeding, and one count of willfully making false statements to the FBI. Arraignment is set for April 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz. According to the indictment, Bowden was incarcerated in a federal prison on May 19, 2023, when he mailed a letter threatening to injure the U.S. Probation officer. The officer had conducted a presentence investigation of Bowden prior to Bowden’s sentencing on federal robbery charges in 2022. Bowden in the robbery case was sentenced to more than nine years in prison. In addition to the alleged threat, the obstruction count in the new indictment alleges that Bowden authored a letter purportedly from his prison chaplain and caused it to be filed with the Court last year in support of a motion for compassionate release. The chaplain had no knowledge of the letter, which advocated for Bowden’s release from prison, the indictment states. The false statements count pertains to alleged false statements provided by Bowden to the FBI during its investigation into the letters. When interviewed by the FBI, Bowden falsely claimed that he did not type or send the letter to the Probation officer and that he knew nothing about the Chaplain’s letter or who wrote it, the indictment states. The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and LaDon A. Reynolds, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey B. Rubenstein. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Bowden indictment


title: Arlington doctor who illegally flooded Northern Virginia with oxycodone pills sentenced to 10 years in prison

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Arlington woman convicted of illegally prescribing and distributing over a million oxycodone pills was sentenced today to 10 years in prison. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Kirsten Van Steenberg Ball, 69, was a primary care physician who operated a medical practice out of her home in Arlington. Ball directed her office manager, Candie Marie Calix, 42, of Front Royal, to recruit other individuals - including several of Calix’s immediate family members - to become pain patients of Dr. Ball’s so that she could prescribe large quantities of oxycodone to them. Calix, in turn, then sold the tens of thousands of oxycodone pills that Ball prescribed to them. Calix was herself a patient of Ball. Ball prescribed Calix approximately 50,000 oxycodone pills over 10 years. It was common for Ball to prescribe her patients as many as 360 oxycodone 30-mg pills per month, although she would split the prescriptions into two 180-pill prescriptions to try to disguise the amount. Ball continued to prescribe oxycodone to patients showing blatant signs of drug dependence, abuse, diversion, and addiction; to patients that had been arrested and convicted for selling illegal drugs; and to patients who asked for early refills of oxycodone based on unsubstantiated claims of lost or stolen pills. The government’s investigation identified three of Ball’s former patients who died of drug overdoses. Ball consistently overprescribed oxycodone to these patients and ignored signs of drug abuse, fueling their addictions. For example, Ball concurrently prescribed a patient from Fauquier County large doses of both oxycodone and benzodiazepines, which when prescribed in combination with opioids significantly increases the risk of overdose. Ball repeatedly documented in the patient’s chart that the patient was overusing or abusing her medication and had even been admitted to the local emergency room for a likely drug overdose, yet Ball continued to prescribe oxycodone to her. On July 22, 2016, Ball prescribed 240 oxycodone 30-mg pills. A few weeks later, the patient was found dead in her home of an oxycodone overdose. In 2015, at the same time Ball was under investigation by state regulatory authorities, Ball discharged a patient whom she knew was overusing his medication. Rather than referring the patient to a substance abuse clinic or another medical provider, Ball prescribed a total of 500 oxycodone 30-mg tablets, along with 90 diazepam 10-mg tablets, and 60 methadone 10-mg tablets, for the month of June 2015, even though she knew this was a dangerous combination of drugs. On July 14, 2015, Ball issued a final prescription to the patient for another 160 oxycodone 30-mg pills. In August 2015, the patient died of a drug overdose in his home. The Medical Examiner’s report noted a “toxic level of oxycodone.” While under investigation by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) in 2014 and 2015, and again in 2021, Ball falsified records that she submitted to DHP to cover up the fact that she was prescribing oxycodone to patients for no legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. Following the first DHP investigation, Ball directed Calix to use a false name in her capacity as office manager to hide the fact that Calix was receiving oxycodone from Ball. The FBI introduced an undercover law enforcement officer, purporting to be the nephew of an existing patient. In recorded conversations, the undercover told Ball that he was sharing pills with his family members. In response, Ball told the undercover that was “a felony,” that she would simply not write it down in his patient file, and not to tell anybody else. She continued to prescribe escalating quantities of oxycodone to the undercover. On Dec. 12, 2023, a federal jury convicted Ball on one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, and 19 counts of distribution of oxycodone. On Sept. 28, 2022, Calix was sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone. In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, the Court ordered Ball to forfeit $750,000 and pay an additional $50,000 in community restitution. The community restitution payment, which is the first of its kind in the Eastern District of Virginia, will go to two separate Virginia state entities, including the department tasked with receiving federal funds for substance abuse programs in the state. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Rumbaugh and Heather D. Call prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-80.