title: Pierce County based drug trafficking organization indicted for distributing cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – Ten members of a South Puget Sound drug trafficking organization were indicted following a lengthy investigation that uncovered the trafficking of marijuana to East Coast locales, and the importation and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in Western Washington. Multiple search warrants were served this morning and eight people were arrested. Seven will appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today, and one will appear in U.S. District Court in San Diego today. “Unfortunately, these defendants were all young- under the age of 30, but the quantity of drugs they were dealing was staggering” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “They communicated via social media, and they advertised their drugs on social media using codes and emojis. They not only put their lives on a negative path, but they sold dangerous drugs that are harming so many other young people in our community.” Since the beginning of this investigation in 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration and partner law enforcement agencies have seized nearly 52 kilos of cocaine, more than 23 kilos of fentanyl pills, and 131 kilos of marijuana. One drug shipment seized by law enforcement contained 37 kilos of cocaine and more than a kilo of fentanyl pills. In June 2023, a traffic stop on Interstate 5 resulted in the seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills that had been hidden in the vehicle. Those arrested today for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances include: Joel Adrian Valencia Rosas, 27, of Lakewood, Washington Scott Bud Burrows, Jr., 26, of Spanaway, Washington Jesus Emmanuel Cardenas Gonzalez, 22, of Chula Vista, CA Silias Kapone Hale, 19, of Federal Way, Washington Ronnie Kendrick, 24, of Lakewood, Washington Alyson Marie Pyles, 20, of Port Orchard, Washington KeShaun Marcus Tremper, 18, of Federal Way, Washington Corey Earl Huff, 39, of Lakewood, Washington, was arrested today for the unlawful possession of a firearm. “These defendants are accused of trafficking over 150,000 lethal doses of fentanyl to communities in Western Washington and beyond,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This poison will never reach its potential victims because of the cooperation between DEA and our law enforcement partners in this investigation.” “This operation will make a sizable dent in the drug trade over multiple states,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “In addition, the participants’ use of firearms as part of this scheme makes these actions even more dangerous to our communities.” “Illegal drugs continue to have horrific effects on our communities,” said Bonney Lake Police Chief Mark Berry. “Collaborative investigations partnering federal and local law enforcement agencies are a crucial element in reducing the flow of illegal narcotics into our community.” “Fentanyl is impacting communities all across the country, including here in Lakewood,” said Assistant Chief John Unfred, Lakewood Police Department. “It is for this reason we have partnered with the DEA on this investigation. We hope that this operation will make a big impact in the distribution of this deadly drug. We look forward to continuing this positive working relationship and assisting with cases of this magnitude that impact Western Washington.” Due to the quantity of drugs involved in this case, some defendants face mandatory minimum ten-year prison terms. The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) IRS- Criminal Investigations, TNET (Tacoma Narcotics Enforcement Team), TNT (Thurston Narcotics Task Force), Lakewood PD, Puyallup PD, Bonney Lake PD, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Tacoma PD, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and Metro Cities SWAT. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Marci L. Ellsworth and Crystal Correa.


title: United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref Testifies  Before United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs about  Fentanyl in Native Communities

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Washington, D.C. – On December 6, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, testified before the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The title of the hearing was “Fentanyl in Native Communities: Federal Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis.” At the hearing, U.S. Attorney Waldref was joined by Adam Cohen, Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Roselyn Tso, Director, Indian Health Service for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Glen Melville, Bureau Deputy Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. U.S. Attorney Waldref gave background on the fentanyl crisis in native communities, and the Department of Justice efforts to respond to it – including prevention and education efforts. One example noted by U.S. Attorney Waldref is the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Operation Engage. In the summer of 2022, Operation Engage worked with the Spokane Tribe of Indians through the Boys and Girls Club in Wellpinit, Washington, to host a day of learning and activities that focused on making healthy choices and increasing drug prevention and awareness. In addition to prevention and education efforts, U.S. Attorney Waldref highlighted significant prosecutions in the Eastern District of Washington addressing the distribution of fentanyl on Native American reservations. For example, in January , more than 120,000 fentanyl-laced pills and 42 pounds of methamphetamine were sized in a takedown in Yakima County, Washington. In another recent case highlighted in U.S. Attorney Waldref’s testimony, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted a drug dealer in connection with the overdose death of a young Native American mother, who purchased drugs from the defendant on the Colville Indian Reservation. “It was an honor to testify before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. As I stated in my testimony, the Department of Justice’s commitment to serving Indian country goes beyond prosecution. We are public servants who want to do all we can to make Tribal communities stronger and safer,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “To accomplish that goal, we will continue to work in partnership with Tribal, federal, state, and local partners to effectuate a multi-faceted response to the fentanyl epidemic, including prosecuting those who distribute deadly fentanyl in the Eastern District of Washington.” When asked during the hearing about examples of success in combating the fentanyl crisis in Native communities by Senator Jon Tester of Montana, U.S. Attorney Waldref further highlighted a case that involved the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana. In that case, more than 100 pounds of illegal drugs, including 161,000 fentanyl-laced pills were seized. A significant portion of the drugs seized were believed to be destined for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, as well as for other Native American communities and surrounding areas in Washington and Montana. U.S. Attorney Waldref’s testimony is available here. A recording of the entire hearing is available here.


title: 16-year-old Virginian charged as an Adult for October 21, 2023, murder of 24-year-old D.C. Resident

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Ashton Inabinet, 16, of Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested yesterday on Second Degree Murder While Armed charges stemming from the homicide of 24-year-old Diamonte Lewis on October 21, 2023, in front of Nellies Bar at 9 th and U Streets NW, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves announced. Inabinet, who was a student at West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia, was arraigned on a charge of second degree murder while armed in D.C. Superior Court, Courtroom C-10, earlier today, where he entered a plea of not guilty. Judge Nolan found probable cause that the defendant committed the murder and held him without bond pending a preliminary hearing on December 13, 2023 before Judge Robert Okun. An arrest on a complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty. In announcing the arrest, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Assistant United States Attorney Erin DeRiso for her efforts in prosecuting this case.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced for Violating Federal Firearms Laws

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh has been sentenced in federal court on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak sentenced Isaac Akwasi Duku, Jr., age 23, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to 34 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to information provided to the court, Duku Jr. has several prior convictions for firearm offenses, some of which involved drugs and indications of drug trafficking. On May 28, 2022, Duku Jr. unlawfully possessed a privately made .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that was loaded with an extended magazine and 20 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Law enforcement observed and recorded Duku Jr. possessing this pistol in Pittsburgh’s North Side using the city’s surveillance system shortly before locating the pistol and ammunition near his person. Under federal law, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing ammunition. Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Convicted felon going to prison for more than 12 years on child pornography charge

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, NY—U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jason Koscielski, 35, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior sex offense conviction, was sentenced to serve 151 months in prison and 20 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that in December 2011, Koscielski was convicted on federal charges of receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography, and sentenced to serve 135 months in prison and 30 years supervised release, which prohibited him from possessing any unmonitored telephone. In November of 2021, Koscielski obtained a Tracfone, in violation of the terms of his supervised release. Between November 2 and November 16, 2021, Koscielski used the phone to send and receive images of child pornography and to possess approximately 476 images of child pornography. Many of the images involved children younger than 12 years old and were sexually explicit in nature. On November 5, 2021, Koscielski also used the Phone to exchange sexually explicit photos with Minor Victim 1, a 15-year-old male. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Probation Department, under the director of Chief Probation Officer Timothy Englert and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.


title: Wichita man sentenced after dealing narcotics out of hotel

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to five years in prison for having firearms while dealing illegal narcotics. According to court documents, Alexander Schultz, 36, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In February 2023, the Sedgwick County Sherriff’s Office (SCSO) learned that Schultz was selling narcotics at a hotel in Wichita. Through surveillance, SCSO detectives observed Schultz dealing out of his hotel room and from his car in front of the hotel. Law enforcement arrested Schultz on an outstanding warrant and searched his vehicle. Detectives discovered baggies with blue "M30" pills with later tested positive for fentanyl with a total net weight of 138.89 grams. Law enforcement also found methamphetamine (29.40 grams), two firearms, $2,878 in U.S. Currency, and several zipper bags containing raw marijuana inside the vehicle. In Schultz’s hotel room, deputies found approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of crack cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. They also found a rifle under the mattress. Schultz admitted the items located inside of the vehicle and hotel room were his, and that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and fentanyl. He told investigators he had the firearms to protect himself and the drugs he was trafficking. “Wherever there are illegal narcotics sales and guns there will likely be violence at some point. The defendant chose to deal drugs from a hotel showing he had no regard for the safety of the staff and other guests,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Law enforcement was able to arrest Alexander Schultz and stop him from selling fentanyl and methamphetamine which may have saved lives.” The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Wichita Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ola Odeyemi and Deb Barnett prosecuted the case. ###


title: Nineteen-Year-Old Sentenced for Armed Carjacking

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: A 19-year-old Tulsa man was sentenced to prison yesterday for carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge Terence C. Kern sentenced Isaiah Blaine Ousley, 19, of Tulsa to 84 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release. Court documents show that on July 13, 2022, Ousley committed an armed carjacking in broad daylight. He approached a woman who just exited her vehicle after lunch. Ousley pointed his firearm at the woman and demanded her keys. She complied with his demands, and he drove away in the vehicle. Ousley was spotted driving the vehicle, pulled over and arrested several hours later. He had a loaded firearm in his possession. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan E. Michel prosecuted the case.


title: Sioux Falls Man Convicted of Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Armando Cheshier, age 25, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death and two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Fall. The verdict was returned on November 22, 2023. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, life on supervised release, and a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Cheshier was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2022. Cheshier distributed fentanyl and Xanax to the victim in this case, which ultimately resulted in her death, due to the fatal amounts of fentanyl in her system. The defendant and victim in this case were friends and had spent the night together, after both ingested multiple illegal narcotic substances. The defendant awoke the next day to find the victim lying lifeless in his bed. After traveling across town to obtain Narcan to administer to the victim, the authorities were then called, and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. An interview of the defendant following the incident revealed that he had not only provided the fentanyl that caused the overdose, but that he had also ingested the remaining pills prior to authorities arriving at the scene. “According to lab testing, seven out of every ten fentanyl pills contain a lethal dose of this deadly controlled substance,” said Alison J. Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota. “So when Armando Cheshire provided the victim a fentanyl pill, he essentially gave her a death sentence. We are fortunate to have law enforcement partners such as the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sioux Falls Police Department that will investigate these difficult cases and help us hold accountable those who carelessly distribute this lethal drug. This prosecution also serves as a stark reminder that as a community, it is imperative we educate our loved ones on the dangers of fentanyl so that we can avoid the tragic loss of young lives.” “Armando Cheshire faces countless hours in federal prison to reflect on the tragic consequences that came as a result of his actions,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “Two milligrams of fentanyl, small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered potentially lethal. We need to raise awareness of the threat this drug poses to our communities if we want to prevent futures deaths such as this one from occurring.” This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has been set for February 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Waubay Man Sentenced for Escaping from Custody

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Waubay, South Dakota, man convicted of Escape from Custody. The sentencing took place on November 28, 2023. Levi Ambrose Locke, age 32, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Locke was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He pleaded guilty on August 25, 2023. The conviction stemmed from an incident on April 13, 2023, when Locke was in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons at Dismas Charities, an institutional facility located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Locke was at Dismas Charities based on a felony conviction. On April 13 th , Locke left Dismas Charities to go work his shift at his place of employment, but instead of going to work, Locke escaped and did not return to the facility that same day as required. This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case. Locke was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Allen Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Allen, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on November 29, 2023. Llewellyn John Running Hawk, age 48, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Additional restitution may apply. Running Hawk was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 6, 2023. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on November 19, 2022, in Todd County, South Dakota. On that date, Running Hawk had been consuming alcoholic beverages, and was driving a motor vehicle eastbound on US Highway 18. The victim, an adult female, was riding in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. As Running Hawk approached a curve at a high rate of speed, he lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway. The vehicle rolled multiple times, causing the victim to be ejected from the vehicle. The victim died as a result of injuries suffered in the wreck. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Running Hawk was ordered to self-surrender to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons at a date to be set later.


title: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking and Use and Brandishing of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota man, convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking and Use and Brandishing of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The sentencing took place on November 30, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jose Uribe, age 26, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $200 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Uribe was indicted for Carjacking, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on September 11, 2023. According to court documents, on or about the 31st day of May of 2022, Uribe, working with two others, was given a ride by another individual. During the ride, Uribe pointed a shotgun at that person and demanded the person get out of the car. Uribe and the other two conspirators then drove away in the car, later fleeing from law enforcement in the vehicle and on foot. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case. Uribe was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.


title: Federal officer charged with bribery and attempted importation of cocaine

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 35-year-old Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer working at the Port of Entry in Laredo has been arrested, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Emanuel Celedon is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos at 9:40 a.m. The indictment, returned Nov. 28, charges him with two counts of bribery and witnesses and two counts of attempted importation of cocaine. The charges allege that from Oct. 1-17, Celedon accepted U.S. currency in exchange for allowing an individual to transport a substance he believed to be several kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Mexico through the Laredo Port of Entry without inspection. Celedon allegedly accepted another bribe for the same conduct from on or about Oct. 23-30. If convicted, Celedon faces up to 15 years in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine for the bribery allegations, while the attempted importation of cocaine charges carry a mandatory minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison and up to a $5 million fine. Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration and CBP - Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard W. Bennett and Jennifer Day are prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Warns About Common Holiday Scams

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. –U.S. Attorney Dena J. King issued a warning today to alert consumers about a potential uptick in online scams during the holiday season, and cautioned against financial schemes that target older adults. To further the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts to protect seniors from online scams, federal prosecutors hosted a game of Fraud Bingo today, to educate older Americans about online fraudsters and internet schemes that specifically target the elderly. “December is the month of giving, but it’s also the time of year when cybercriminals try to take advantage of consumers, quickly turning a joyous season into a living nightmare,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Whether shopping online for a gift, choosing a charity for a donation, or applying for seasonal work to earn extra money, it is imperative for everyone to stay vigilant against online scams and identity theft schemes. It’s important for all of us to do all we can to protect our hard-earned money and our personal information from financial predators.” 2023 Holiday Scams According to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crimes Report , North Carolina is ranked among the top 20 States for online financial fraud, both in the number of victims and in monetary losses. The report notes that in 2022 Americans lost a combined total of over $281 million to internet scams, including online shopping and “non-delivery” schemes, that generally spike during the holiday season. Here are the most common scams that consumers may encounter during the holiday season this year: Fake Online Stores or “Lookalike Stores.” Be on the lookout for online stores that are either entirely fake or made to look like a legitimate store. Watch out for red flags, such as deeply discounted prices especially for in-demand items, like electronics, jewelry, and clothing. Be particularly careful with social media ads that link you to bogus online stores or product listings. These scams target shoppers looking to buy luxury or hard-to-find items at an affordable price. Consumers may end up with stolen credit card information or paying for an item that is never received. Missed Delivery/Non-Delivery Notification. With the rise in online shopping, lots of packages arrive at our front door during the holiday season. Beware of fake delivery notification emails or text messages alerting you of a missed package delivery. Do not be quick to click on the link provided in a text or email, as you may be directed to a website designed to steal your information. Make sure you pay attention to the domain address of the link to ensure it is a reputable delivery site and be especially cautions with delivery websites that ask for your personal or payment information in order to complete a package delivery. Gift Card Scams. Gift card scams involve either scamming consumers into buying fake gift cards or tricking consumers into using gift cards to pay for fraudulent goods or services. For example, avoid online stores or advertisements that purport to sell commercial gift cards at deeply discounted prices. While they may have you believe you are buying a gift card on sale, in fact you may end up receiving a gift card with zero money value. Instead, purchase gift cards from reputable retailers. Fake Charities. During the holidays, cybercriminals seek to take advantage of consumers’ generosity through fraudulent charities, GoFundMe campaigns, and other charitable causes. These types of scams can be particularly difficult to decipher, so before donating money be extra cautious about selecting a charity. If donating online, research the charity thoroughly, check with the Better Business Bureau, and take a look at the charity’s URL and website for telltale signs of fraud, including misspellings, bad grammar, and no contact information. For GoFundMe type of donations research the organizer or the group behind the campaign before making a donation. Phishing Emails or Texts. Cybercriminals take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to dupe consumers via phishing emails or texts that contain suspicious links. Be particularly mindful of purported communications from your bank or credit card company, warning you that your account has been compromised. These phishing emails or texts generally prompt you to click on the provided link to log into your account to update your compromised information, so scammers can steal your information. Also avoid clicking on emails that promise free giveaways, prompt you to claim a prize, or ask you to confirm a reservation or other booking. If you receive this type of communication do not use the provided link. For example, if it’s an email related to a compromised bank account, instead of using the link in the email, go to your bank’s main website to log into your account. Fraudulent Seasonal Jobs . Employment scams tend to increase during the holiday season, as scammers prey on individuals seeking to make extra money. Be mindful of fake job ads, especially online job listings that offer really good money for very little work. Do not ever pay upfront for any equipment or training you need for a new job. Also, do not readily provide your personal identifying information (social security number, date of birth, address, etc.) or your financial and banking information without confirming the job is legitimate. Be particularly mindful of money mule schemes, in which a fake employer asks you to cash a check through your bank, keep a portion of the money, and then send the rest of the money back to the employer. Scams Targeting Older Adults U.S. Attorney King also noted that older adults are particularly vulnerable of becoming victims of online fraud, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. According to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crimes Report , adults 60 years and older reported the highest financial losses last year, with a combined $3.1 billion in money lost to financial fraud. In an effort to educate older adults about online scams and financial fraud, today the U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted a scam alert seminar at the Rutherford County Senior Center, during which participants were presented important information about financial fraud. Following the presentation, the attendees played a game of “Fraud Bingo,” a fun activity designed to deliver information and practical tips on how to prevent the financial exploitation and victimization of older adults by scammers. “Online scams that target seniors are a growing concern in North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney King. “We have a responsibility to protect our vulnerable older population from financial fraud and from scammers that victimize seniors and threaten to leave them in financial peril. Elder Fraud Bingo is an entertaining way to help older adults understand how scams operate and to educate them on how to protect themselves from financial ruin.” Some examples of financial fraud targeting seniors are: Lottery Phone Scams – in which the callers convince seniors that a large fee or taxes must be paid before they can receive lottery winnings. Grandparent Scams – which convince seniors that their grandchildren are in trouble and need money to make rent, repair a car, or even money for bail. Romance Scams – which lull victims to believe that their online paramour needs funds for a U.S. visit or some other purpose. Tech Support Scams – which convince victims to pay for non-existent problems with their computers. IRS Imposter Scams – which defraud victims by posing as IRS agents and claiming that victims owe back taxes. Sham Business Opportunities – which convince victims to invest in lucrative business opportunities or investments. Below are some tips shared with participants during the seminar on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam: Don’t share personal information with anyone you don’t know. Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning. Don’t click on pop-up ads or messages. Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls. Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger. Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or a lucrative business deal. If a scammer approaches you, take the time to talk to a friend or family member. Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life. Remember, it’s not rude to say, “NO.” A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam. To report elder fraud please call the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). If you believe you are the victim of an online scam call the FBI and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or contact local law enforcement.


title: Maryland Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Role In Contract Killing Of A Federal Witness And Two Others

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Johnny Jenkins-Armstrong, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced on December 4, 2023, to life imprisonment for his role in the June 25, 2016 murders of three individuals in Mercersburg, Franklin County, one of whom was cooperating with state and federal drug investigators. The sentence was imposed by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, who also sentenced Jenkins-Armstrong to a consecutive 20-year term of imprisonment on a companion robbery charge. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Corbett’s conviction was the result of a seven-year investigation into three murders that occurred on June 25, 2016, on a property along Welsh Run Road in Mercersburg, Franklin County. When Pennsylvania State Police officers were called to the scene, they found the bodies of Wendy Ann Chaney, 39, Hagerstown, Md, Brandon Cole, 47, Fayetteville, PA, and Phillip Matthew Jackson, 36, Mercersburg, PA, in a barn on victim Jackson’s property. All were shot. The three victims had their hands zipped-tied behind their backs and had been set on fire. Jackson and Cole were shot once in the head. Chaney was shot twice, once in the back and once in the back of her neck. Wendy Chaney and Brandon Cole were already dead when the police responded to the scene. Phillip Jackson was transported to York Hospital where he died shortly after arrival. The evidence previously presented at Jenkins-Armstrong’s guilty plea and earlier related proceedings established that Wendy Chaney was in a relationship with co-defendants Kevin Coles and Torey White and had been previously assisting both with their drug distribution operation. Coles, White, co-defendant Devin Dickerson and co-defendant Kenyatta Corbett, also a heroin trafficker in Hagerstown and areas of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, learned that Chaney was cooperating with federal authorities and contracted for her to be murdered. Corbett, and co-defendant Jerell Adgebesan who worked for Corbett recruited members of a Baltimore based gang known as the Black Guerilla Family and others from Baltimore to include Jenkins-Armstrong to travel to the Jackson property to kill Wendy Chaney. Adgebesan knew these individuals from Baltimore. The killers were promised that they could take as payment $20,000 that was to be in a safe in the barn and any drugs and firearms that they could locate on the Jackson property. Once there, the killers encountered not only Wendy Chaney but also Brandon Cole and Phillip Jackson. The victims had their hands bound behind their backs with zip-ties, all were shot execution style and their bodies set on fire. Jenkins-Armstrong shot victim Chaney once in the back while co-defendant Johnson shot her in the back of the neck. Chaney was killed to protect the drug trafficking activities of Corbett, Coles, White, Dickerson, and others. Jackson and Cole were murdered to prevent them from being witnesses to the crimes of violence that were committed at the Jackson property. The killers never found any money on the property but stole some drugs and firearms. The following individuals were charged along with Corbett as a result of the investigation: Jerell Adgebesan, age 35, of Baltimore and Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to life imprisonment for participating in the murder of three people including a federal witness; Devin Dickerson, age 31, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment; Torey White, age 32, Waynesboro, PA, was convicted by a federal jury in May of 2023 of three counts of first-degree murder. His conviction is on appeal; Michael Buck, age 30, Hagerstown, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and to being an accomplice to the use of a firearm during Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing; Nicholas Preddy, age 29, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a witness and was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment; Kenyatta Corbett, age 41, of Hagerstown and Baltimore, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the murders and a consecutive 20 year term of imprisonment on a Hobbs Act robbery charge. Corbett pled guilty to those charges; Terrance Lawson, age 31, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness; Tyrone Armstrong, age 30, Baltimore, sentenced to time served for attempting to intimidate a witness; and Christopher Johnson, age 31, Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to multiple counts including murder for hire and is awaiting sentencing; Mark Johnson, 35, Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to obstructing the grand jury’s investigation and was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment; Llesenia Woodard, 46, Hagerstown, Maryland, pled guilty to providing false testimony to the grand jury investigating the murders and is awaiting sentencing Kevin Coles, Kevin Coles, age 36, of New York, NY and Hagerstown, Maryland, was found guilty in April 2022 of multiple crimes, including murder for hire, robbery, and drug trafficking, and was sentenced to multiple consecutive life sentences; Yolanda Diaz, 31, Hagerstown, Md, indicted on multiple counts of perjury and obstruction of justice based upon her testimony at the Coles trial. Her trial is currently scheduled for February 2024. Joshua Davis, age 30, previously pled guilty to participating in the conspiracy to locate and kill an individual believed to be cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation of the triple murders. Davis was sentenced to serve 100 months’ imprisonment. The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the investigation: Drug Enforcement Administration Harrisburg Resident Office; Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg; Pennsylvania State Police, Troop H; Franklin County Drug Task Force; Franklin County Adult Probation; Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole; Hagerstown Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division; Drug Enforcement Administration, Hagerstown Resident Office; Washington County Narcotics Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office, Strike Force Group 1; Maryland State Police Homicide Unit; Baltimore Police Department Narcotics, Fugitive And Homicide Units; Baltimore County Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit; Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Management Unit, Quantico, VA; US Marshal’s Service Harrisburg, PA and Phoenix, AZ; Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office, District Of Maryland; and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office. Judy Fernandez, Manager of Analytic Services at LexisNexis Special Services, Inc., (LNSSI) provided expert assistance to investigators and the prosecutors in the areas of analysis, support, and the rendering of her expert opinion. Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and Senior Litigation Counsel Michael Consiglio prosecuted these cases This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses. This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) identified as “Retribution for Welsh Run”. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Memphis Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison After Pleading Guilty in Railroad Car Burglary

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – On Thursday, November 30, 2023, a federal judge sentenced a Memphis man to five years in federal prison for firearms charges as well as his role in a railroad car burglary. Lawrence Anthony , 35, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting a railroad car burglary, possessing a machine gun, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. also ordered Anthony to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on March 4, 2022, agents with CSX Transportation observed several people breaking into railroad cars containing retail merchandise destined for California. Agents apprehended one of the suspects, Anthony, who was also found to be in possession of a Glock .40 caliber pistol. The firearm had been modified with a small switch mechanism on the rear of the slide, allowing the weapon to fire fully automatically. The other suspects fled the scene after stealing merchandise worth more than $7,500 from the railroad cars. On August 18, 2022, Memphis Police Department officers responded to a complaint that liquor was being sold from a local residence. Upon entering the home, the officers found Anthony and discovered several boxes of liquor that had been taken during a business burglary a few hours before. Officers searched the residence and found a Taurus 9mm pistol, which Anthony admitted belonged to him. Anthony was arrested by the Memphis Police Department. Anthony pled guilty to a four-count indictment on July 20, which charged him with aiding and abetting burglary along with firearms offenses stemming from his March and August arrests. Anthony is a convicted felon with a criminal history of committing robbery, theft, and burglary. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with valuable assistance from the Memphis Police Department and CSX Transportation. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Regina Thompson, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.


title: Riverside County Woman Sentenced to Nearly 3½ Years in Federal Prison for $2.8 Million Unemployment Insurance Scam

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A Riverside County woman who participated in a scheme that used stolen identities to fraudulently apply for just over $2.8 million in unemployment insurance (UI) benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, the Justice Department announced today. Sasha Lizette Jimenez, 26, formerly of Placentia and now residing in Riverside County, was sentenced Monday afternoon by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney. In addition to the prison term, Judge Carney ordered Jimenez to pay $2,304,203 in restitution to the EDD. Jimenez pleaded guilty on May 22 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and admitted that she fraudulently obtained UI benefits from the EDD, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits intended for individuals who were unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the scheme that started at the beginning of the pandemic and ran for about two years, Jimenez and her co-conspirators obtained stolen personal identifying information (PII) – sometimes from the darkweb – and used those stolen identities to apply for UI benefits. The PII was stolen from victims who did not live in California, were deceased or were otherwise not eligible for UI benefits, including pandemic benefits. In total, the fraud scheme caused the issuance of at least $2,804,508 in fraudulent unemployment benefits – which were disbursed via EDD debit accounts – and at least $2,304,203 was withdrawn from those accounts. “[B]ank records show that in 2020, an EDD card in the name of victim S.S. was used to purchase luxury jewelry from Peter Marco, a Beverly Hills jewelry business frequented by [Jimenez],” prosecutors noted in a sentencing memorandum. In her plea agreement, Jimenez also admitted participating in a separate check fraud scheme orchestrated by her boyfriend, Meshach Samuels, 26, of Placentia. Samuels, who also participated in the EDD fraud scheme, was sentenced in October to 90 months in federal prison. The investigation in this matter was conducted by the Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force led by Homeland Security Investigations that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration also participated in this investigation. The Costa Mesa Police Department, the Inglewood Police Department, the Placentia Police Department, the New York City Police Department, and the Miami Beach Police Department provided assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Rachel N. Agress of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section prosecuted this case. Anyone with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Salem Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Transferring a Machine Gun

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Salem, Oregon man previously convicted at trial was sentenced to federal prison Monday for illegally transferring a machine gun. Daniel Matthew Kittson, 61, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, in December 2019, a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned that Kittson was attempting to sell a Russian PPSh-41, a machine gun capable of firing approximately 900 rounds per minute. Investigators learned that he had prior felony convictions for attempted murder, first degree manslaughter, and felon in possession of a weapon, making it illegal for him to possess any type of firearm. In early January 2020, investigators communicated with Kittson on two separate occasions to arrange a controlled purchase of the machine gun and, on January 10, 2020, completed the transaction. Following their purchase, investigators tested the firearm and confirmed that it was indeed a functional machine gun. On March 9, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Kittson with illegally possessing and transferring a machine gun and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On May 28, 2021, Kittson was arrested without incident by the U.S. Marshals Service and was released following his first appearance in federal court. In June 2022, Kittson absconded his pretrial supervision. Three months later, on September 27, 2022, he was located and arrested in Crook County, Oregon in possession of a firearm and small quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. On August 24, 2023, a jury found Kittson guilty of illegally transferring a machinegun. This case was investigated by ATF. It was prosecuted by Leah Bolstad and Nicole Bockelman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.


title: Boise Man Sentenced for Role in Conspiracy to Use Cryptocurrency to Launder Drug Proceeds

body_text: BOISE – Michael Robert Osborn, 39, of Boise, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute controlled substances and conspiring to commit money laundering, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, Osborn participated in a lengthy conspiracy to distribute drugs and a conspiracy to commit money laundering. Osborn, who was incarcerated in the Idaho Department of Correction during the criminal activity, was a supervisor of the criminal activity. He utilized a contraband cellular telephone to communicate with other members of the conspiracy to facilitate the crime. Osborn used cryptocurrency to purchase alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone (a-PHP), a schedule I controlled substance that is commonly referred to as “bath salts,” on the internet. The drugs were shipped from outside the United States into Idaho where other members of the conspiracy sold the drugs and collected the drug proceeds. Those drug proceeds were converted into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to conceal the nature and source of the drug proceeds. Osborn would then use the Bitcoin to purchase additional a-PHP for distribution. This scheme continued from October 2019 until March 2021. During the investigation, law enforcement agents seized a digital wallet, pursuant to a court-authorized seizure warrant, that contained the drug proceeds. The wallet contained 7.83777 Bitcoin and was valued at approximately $280,000 at the time of the seizure. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Osborn to 188 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered the seized Bitcoin to be forfeited. Osborn pleaded guilty to the charges on April 26, 2023. Osborn is the fourth and final defendant to be sentenced in the case. Codefendant Troy Thomas Wheeler, 48, of Meridian, was sentenced on September 11, 2023, by Judge Nye to 86 months in federal prison for his role in the drug conspiracy. Wheeler, who was also incarcerated in the Idaho Department of Correction during the criminal activity, assisted Osborn in recruiting others and supervising the criminal activity. Wheeler was sentenced to three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Laura Russell, 66, of Mountain Home, who is Osborn’s mother, was sentenced by Judge Nye on June 22, 2023, to 40 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for her role in the money laundering conspiracy. Russell collected the drug proceeds from others and converted them into Bitcoin knowing that the funds were drug proceeds to conceal the nature and source of the drug proceeds. Angela Marie Klinkhamer, 44, of Caldwell, was sentenced by Judge Nye on March 16, 2023, to 70 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for her role in both the drug and money laundering conspiracy. Klinkhamer’s role included distributing the drugs to others and collecting the drug proceeds, which she provided to codefendant Russell so they could be converted into Bitcoin to conceal the drug proceeds. Klinkhamer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 28, 2022. “This case reflects our commitment not only to remove drug dealers and their drugs from our streets, but also to seize their proceeds using the money laundering and forfeiture statutes,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Drug traffickers should know it makes no difference whether they hide their illicit proceeds in a suitcase or a cryptocurrency wallet. We will track their money, find where it’s hidden, and seize it.” “IRS CI special agents are federal law enforcement’s premier financial investigators, and experts at dismantling drug trafficking organizations by unraveling their cryptocurrency schemes,” said Todd Martin, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “CI, our law enforcement partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work together to target these operations and eliminate this threat from our communities.” “These sentences exemplify the unwavering commitment that HSI and our law enforcement partners bring to safeguarding our communities from the distribution of controlled substances and the illicit money laundering schemes that fund such criminal activities,” said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “There are no corners where criminal activities or their proceeds can elude our reach, as demonstrated by the successful prosecution and sentencing of individuals like Michael Robert Osborn and his co-defendants. Our collaborative efforts ensure that justice is served, protecting the well-being of our communities.” U.S. Attorney Hurwit credited the cooperative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the and the Idaho Department of Correction – Special Investigations Unit, which led to the charges. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Atwood and Erin Blackadar. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Five charged in bank fraud and theft scheme

body_text: HOUSTON – Five local men have been taken into federal custody on charges they conspired in a large-scale mail theft and credit card fraud scheme resulting in more than $1.2 million in losses, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Authorities arrested Daniel Rios Sanchez, 35, and Omokehinde Muyiwa Oyegoke-Tewogbade, 62, both of Houston today. They are expected to make initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan at 2 p.m. Also charged and previously arrested were Dennis Christopher McGee, 41, Bradley Kane Zarco, 37, and Travis Castaneda Qawasmeh, 26, all also of Houston. According to the indictment returned Oct. 4, all five obtained stolen U.S. mail containing new credit cards and bank statements for intended account holders. They allegedly called financial institutions to activate the stolen credit cards, increase credit limits and change information. The stolen credit cards were used to purchase goods, services, gift cards, cash and merchandise at retail stores, according to the charges. Over a six-month period, they allegedly fraudulently activated at least 210 stolen credit cards and caused approximately $1,230,542.92 in losses. All are charged with one count of conspiracy which carries a possible five-year prison term. If convicted of bank fraud, they could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, while a conviction of receipt of stolen mail carries a potential five years. All are also charged with aggravated identity theft which carries a mandatory two years in prison which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. The charges also have potential fines of up to $1 million. U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Lansden is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: District Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Assault of a Senior Citizen

body_text: WASHINGTON – Alexander Adams, 35, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty December 4, 2023, to aggravated assault of a senior citizen, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced. Sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2024, before the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. According to the government’s evidence, on February 23, 2022, around 11:10 p.m., the defendant randomly approached then 78-year-old John Hopkins and then 79-year-old Claudia Hopkins outside of the Giant located at 3700 Newark Street NW, Washington, D.C., and asked them for five dollars. When Mr. Hopkins gave the defendant one dollar, the defendant declared, “That is not enough!” and began attacking Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins. Defendant first struck Mr. Hopkins with his fist, causing Mr. Hopkins to fall. Then, the defendant took Mr. Hopkins’ wooden cane and began beating Mrs. Hopkins with it about her head and body, causing her to fall backward and hit her head on the concrete. Fortunately, two District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel were sitting at a red light near the Giant and saw the attack. They immediately took action and transported Mrs. Hopkins to the hospital. Metropolitan Police Department officers apprehended Adams around the corner from the Giant. As a result of the attack, Mrs. Hopkins suffered numerous injuries including a concussion, a brain bleed, swelling on the brain, altered mental state and cognitive deficits. In fact, to this day, Mrs. Hopkins suffers from severe cognitive decline and will likely never recover. In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, which investigated the case. The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shakinah Douglas with valuable assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah Simmons.


title: Postal carrier pleads guilty to selling mail key

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A former United States Postal Service employee pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to selling a postal key that was then used to steal mail from collection boxes. Demarco Tapplar, 19, of Cincinnati, admitted to selling a mail arrow key, which is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. According to court documents, in 2023, individuals in the Cincinnati area sought to steal cash and checks from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes by illegally obtaining the postal keys to the boxes. On Jan. 23, 2023, police recovered a stolen postal key. The next day, the perpetrators of the mail theft obtained a new postal key by purchasing one from Tapplar. At that time, Tapplar was a postal carrier. Court documents also detail that in August 2022, 10 altered checks were deposited into Tapplar’s bank accounts and in September 2022, a check stolen from the mail was altered to include Tapplar’s name and cashed. Tapplar was indicted in June 2023. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences, and sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley C. Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the guilty plea entered on Dec. 4 before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Iowa Custom Cattle Farmer Pleads Guilty to Livestock Theft and COVID-19 Fraud

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: An Iowa farmer who operated an unlicensed custom cattle operation known as “Fawn Hollow” in Clayton County pled guilty on December 1, 2023, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Michael Wayne Butikofer, age 53, from Monona, Iowa, was convicted of one count of theft of livestock, one count of wire fraud, and one count of false bankruptcy declaration. In his plea agreement, Butikofer admitted he operated a large farming operation in Northeastern Iowa known as “Fawn Hollow,” from his home farm outside St. Olaf, Iowa, and at satellite locations elsewhere in Iowa and Wisconsin. Butikofer operated a so-called “custom cattle” feeding operation in which employees of his organization would raise and care for cattle owned by other individuals, including cattle investors located across the United States. Fawn Hollow then sold the cattle, primarily to a Wisconsin slaughterhouse. At no time was Butikofer or “Fawn Hollow” registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) as a “dealer” under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (“the Act”). Butikofer and another individual identified as “Individual-1” did participate in the so-called “H-2A” visa program and recruited agricultural workers from the Republic of South Africa to work at Fawn Hollow. Between July 2020 and February 2022, Butikofer converted the proceeds of sales of cattle owned by six cattle investors to his own use. Butikofer had convinced the cattle investors to allow Butikofer to sell the cattle in his own name. When Butikofer sold the cattle to the Wisconsin slaughterhouse, Butikofer falsely represented to the slaughterhouse that he had “good and merchantable title to” the cattle when he did not, in fact, own or otherwise have title to the cattle. By convincing the cattle investors to permit Butikofer to sell their cattle in his own name, and by fraudulently concealing the true ownership of the cattle from the slaughterhouse, Butikofer attempted to evade the requirements of the Act and its regulations for registration, posting of a dealer bond, and prompt payment, which would have protected the cattle investors’ funds. Between July 2020 and August 2020, Butikofer defrauded the USDA of more than $200,000 in emergency assistance funds designed to assist livestock producers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, applications were submitted in the name of Individual-1 and entitled “Coronavirus Food Assistance Program” (“CFAP”) payments. A cattle producer qualified for CFAP payments on a per head basis based on the producer’s owned inventory of eligible beef cattle on a date selected by the producer between certain dates in calendar year 2020. It was part of Butikofer’s wire fraud scheme that the CFAP applications in Individual-1’s name falsely stated that Individual-1 owned cattle when, in truth, Individual-1 did not own any cattle. Finally, it was part of the scheme that Butikofer would intercept or otherwise gain access to the CFAP funds once the USDA provided those funds to Individual-1 and then use those CFAP funds for his own purposes. In February 2022, Butikofer received over $1.5 million from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) as part of an application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”). Butikofer falsely stated to the SBA that he would use the proceeds “solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by” the COVID-19 pandemic. In truth, upon receiving the $1.5 million from the SBA, Butikofer used no less than $75,000 of the EIDL funds to pay an attorney known as Attorney-1 for services rendered in connection with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding that Butikofer filed on or about February 28, 2022, in In re Michael W. Butikofer et al. , Case Number 22-00096, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa. In March 2022, Butikofer submitted a false and fraudulent statement of financial affairs in his bankruptcy case. In April 2022, Butikofer falsely testified under oath at a meeting of creditors and, in November 2022, repeatedly committed perjury before the bankruptcy court when asked questions about the ownership of his cattle operation. From April 2023 to November 2023, while on federal pretrial release, Butikofer recruited and caused Individual-1 to recruit H-2A workers to the United States under false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises. The false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises included: (1) the housing conditions provided to the employees; (2) the location of the employees’ work; (3) the terms and timing of reimbursement for the employees’ work and expenses; and (4) payment for injuries sustained during the employment. Evidence at a detention hearing held on December 1, 2023, and December 4, 2023, showed that Butikofer attempted to tamper with grand jury and trial witnesses. In 2020, a federal district court entered a default judgment against Butikofer and in favor of H2A workers from the Republic of South Africa for civil violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Trafficking Victims Protective Reauthorization Act in 2018. As part of his plea agreement, Butikofer has agreed to voluntarily terminate and cease participation in foreign labor programs with respect to any program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor or U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Butikofer faces a possible maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-CR-1018. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Dubuque Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: A felon who possessed a firearm was sentenced December 4, 2023, to eight years in federal prison. Rosnel Larose, age 32, of Dubuque, received the sentence after a June 20, 2023, guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Larose admitted that, in January 2022, he possessed a pistol after having been convicted of eleven felonies. Larose was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Larose was sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is CR 22-1044. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Bosnia and Herzegovina National Indicted for Aiding in Escape of Russian Defendant

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A two-count indictment was unsealed yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging Vladimir Jovancic, a Bosnian national, with obstructing justice and assisting escape for his role in helping Artem Uss flee from Italy to Russia following an Italian court ruling that Uss would be extradited to the United States. Uss had previously been charged in United States v. Orekhov et al. with heading a global scheme to smuggle millions of dollars in sensitive military and dual-use technologies and oil from Venezuela to sanctioned Russian oligarchs and companies. Jovancic was arrested yesterday in the Republic of Croatia and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a future date. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Lisa O. Monaco, United States Deputy Attorney General, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges. “As alleged, this defendant brazenly helped Artem Uss escape justice on an indictment charging Uss for his actions in fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine, evading sanctions and enabling oligarchs,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “I want to thank our partners in Italy for their valuable assistance and support. We will continue to work together to make sure everyone involved in this flagrant scheme to obstruct justice is held accountable.” United States Attorney Peace also thanked the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Task Force Kleptocapture Milan Prosecutor’s Office (Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale di Milano), the Carabinieri, the Ministry of Justice, and Croatian authorities for their assistance. “The defendant allegedly helped a Kremlin crony jump bail in order to evade justice—but now finds himself captured by the long arm of U.S. law enforcement,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This case demonstrates the reach of the Department of Justice and further exposes the criminal networks propping up the Russian regime as it wages its unlawful and unprovoked war in Ukraine.” “Vladimir Jovancic was arrested yesterday for allegedly orchestrated Artem Uss’s escape from Italy by cutting off his ankle monitor and smuggling him through multiple countries. The action yesterday is a stark reminder – if you interfere with U.S. legal proceedings anywhere around the world, the FBI will find you, we will arrest you, and we will bring you to justice. Artem Uss remains a fugitive, no matter how often he leverages connections with criminal groups in Europe he is only temporarily evading imprisonment; we are confident that today’s reward announcement will aid in bringing an end to Uss’s transient criminality and he will soon find himself back in U.S. custody. The FBI and our international partners will continue to work together to thwart attempts to evade sanctions imposed against Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith. Artem Uss As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, Uss is the son of Alexander Uss, the governor of Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Krai region and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Uss has ownership interests in several Russian companies in Krasnoyarsk Krai and elsewhere, as well as a senior position with a subsidiary of Rosneft, a sanctioned Russian state-controlled oil conglomerate. Uss also had several significant holdings in Italy, including a luxury hotel in Sardinia, a vineyard and other real estate. Uss and his business partner, Yury Orekhov, orchestrated a transnational fraud, smuggling and money laundering operation under the umbrella of Nord-Deutsche Industrieanlagenbau GmbH (NDA GmbH), a privately held industrial equipment and commodity trading company located in Hamburg, Germany. Uss and Orekhov each owned fifty percent of NDA GmbH. Using NDA GmbH as a front company, Uss and Orekhov sourced and purchased sensitive military and dual-use technologies from U.S. manufacturers, including advanced semiconductors and microprocessors used in fighter aircraft, missile systems, smart munitions, radar, satellites, and other space-based military applications. These items were shipped to Russian end users, including sanctioned companies that serviced Russia’s defense sector. Some of the types of electronic components obtained through the criminal scheme have been found in Russian weapons platforms seized on the battlefield in Ukraine. Uss and Orekhov also used NDA GmbH as a front to smuggle hundreds of millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela to Russian and Chinese purchasers, including a Russian aluminum company controlled by a sanctioned oligarch and the world’s largest oil refining, gas and petrochemical conglomerate based in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. Uss’ Escape Uss was apprehended in Milan, Italy on October 17, 2022, pursuant to a provisional arrest request from the United States. Following his arrest, and over the objection of both Italian and U.S. prosecutors, Uss was released on bail to home detention at his Milan residence with electronic monitoring. On March 21, 2023, the Italian court approved Uss’ extradition to the United States. The next day, on March 22, 2023, Uss escaped from home detention and fled Italy, ultimately arriving in Russia, with the assistance of several individuals, including Vladimir Jovancic. The investigation into Uss’ escape revealed that, in or about January 2023, Jovancic and other individuals affiliated with a Serbian organized crime group were recruited by Uss to help him flee to Russia in the event extradition was granted. Jovancic met Uss’ wife at a hotel in Milan, Italy, where they planned for Jovancic to deliver groceries to Uss’ residence in Milan as a pretext so that Jovancic’s presence would not raise suspicion if an escape was necessary. Uss’ wife also provided Jovancic with a cell phone and a 10,000 euro deposit for his services. Jovancic was later provided with a keycard to directly access Uss’ residence. On the day of Uss’ escape, following the Italian court’s decision to extradite Uss to the United States, Jovancic and several other coconspirators went to Uss’ residence. Once there, Jovancic escorted Uss into a car and provided Uss with bolt cutters. Uss used the bolt cutters to remove his electronic ankle monitor and throw the monitoring device out the window. Jovancic and his coconspirators then drove Uss across the border into Slovenia. Over the next several days, Jovancic and his coconspirators shuttled Uss through Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina before crossing into Serbia, where Uss paid Jovancic an additional 40,000 euro before boarding a plane to Russia. If convicted, Jovancic faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. In conjunction with yesterday’s arrest, the State Department announced a reward offer of up to $7 million under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Uss. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorney Artie McConnell is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Defendant : Vladimir JOVANCIC AGE: 52 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-430 (RPK)


title: Five Defendants Indicted and Arrested for Drug Trafficking

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 29, 2023, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging five individuals with drug trafficking. According to court documents, Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez, a.k.a. “Javi Popcorn;” Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez, a.k.a. “Luisito;” Meilyn Vázquez-Álvarez, a.k.a. “La Gorda;” Raymond Omar de Jesús-Rivera, a.k.a. “Villa;” and Sandra Álvarez-Rodríguez are charged with conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. Specific defendants are charged with respect to three substantive charges relating to the possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine on separate occasions. The United States alleges that Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez and Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez, known as the “Popcorn Brothers,” have led a drug-trafficking organization in Puerto Rico and spanning the eastern seaboard since at least March of this year. The organization’s members acquired kilograms of cocaine in Puerto Rico and used the United States Postal Service to send the kilograms to the continental United States. Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez, who resides in Puerto Rico, organized the purchase and shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to the continental United States. Defendants Meilyn Vázquez-Álvarez (the sister of the “Popcorn Brothers”) and Sandra Álvarez-Rodríguez (their mother) mailed numerous parcels containing cocaine from post offices throughout the south of Puerto Rico. Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez, who lived in New Jersey, received parcels containing cocaine for further distribution there. The government alleges that Raymond Omar de Jesús-Rivera also conspired in Puerto Rico to facilitate the trafficking of drugs to the United States through the mail. Luis Javier Vázquez-Álvarez is currently on bail for a murder case in the municipality of Guayama and engaged in the charged offenses while on bail. Luis Norberto Vázquez-Álvarez is on bail from two separate cases in New Jersey -- for assault and for money laundering. He also participated in the charged drug trafficking activities while on bail on those two cases. If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of ten years, up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The announcement was made by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, U.S. Postal Inspector Sigfredo Martínez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, Denise Foster, and Puerto Rico Police Bureau Commissioner, Colonel Antonio López-Figueroa. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau’s Guayama Strike Force investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Vance Eaton is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Bosnia and Herzegovina National Arrested for Aiding Escape of Russian Defendant

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: A two-count indictment was unsealed yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging Vladimir Jovancic, 52, a Bosnia and Herzegovina national who resides in Serbia, with obstructing justice and assisting escape from custody. Jovancic was arrested on Dec. 4 in the Republic of Croatia. In a related operation, Italian authorities separately arrested a second suspect in Italy on Dec. 4. As alleged, Jovancic is one of several individuals who helped Artem Uss, a defendant in United States. v. Orekhov et al., flee from Italy to Russia following an Italian court ruling that Uss would be extradited to the United States to face charges. Uss is charged with heading a global scheme to smuggle millions of dollars in sensitive military and dual-use technologies and oil from Venezuela to sanctioned Russian oligarchs and companies. “The defendant allegedly helped a Kremlin crony jump bail in order to evade justice — but now finds himself captured by the long arm of U.S. law enforcement,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This case demonstrates the reach of the Department of Justice and further exposes the criminal networks propping up the Russian regime as it wages its unlawful and unprovoked war in Ukraine.” “As alleged, this defendant brazenly helped Artem Uss escape justice on an indictment charging Uss for his actions in fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine, evading sanctions and enabling oligarchs,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “I want to thank our partners in Italy for their valuable assistance and support. We will continue to work together to make sure everyone involved in this flagrant scheme to obstruct justice is held accountable.” “The defendant’s flagrant disregard for the rule of law has not gone unanswered. This indictment and arrest demonstrate the FBI’s continued focus on holding accountable those who assist criminals attempting to evade U.S. law, regardless of where they may try to hide,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “The FBI, along with our international partners, will continue to aggressively investigate, pursue, and prosecute those who facilitate corrupt practices that place our nation and our institutions at risk.” “Today’s actions are a warning to anyone who is thinking about unlawfully aiding sanctioned Russian elites and their enablers,” said Co-Director of Task Force KleptoCapture David Lim. “If you break our laws, we will use every available tool and leverage our strong international partnerships to pursue you until you are brought to justice.” Concurrent with this law enforcement action, the State Department announced a reward offer of up to $7 million under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Artem Aleksandrovich Uss. As alleged in the indictment and other court filings, Uss is the son of Alexander Uss, the governor of Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Krai region and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Uss has ownership interests in several Russian companies in Krasnoyarsk Krai and elsewhere, as well as a senior position with a subsidiary of Rosneft, a sanctioned Russian state-controlled oil conglomerate. Uss also had several significant holdings in Italy, including a luxury hotel in Sardinia, a vineyard and other real estate. Uss and his business partner, Yury Orekhov, allegedly orchestrated a transnational fraud, smuggling and money laundering operation under the umbrella of Nord-Deutsche Industrieanlagenbau GmbH (NDA GmbH), a privately-held industrial equipment and commodity trading company located in Hamburg, Germany. Uss and Orekhov each owned 50% of NDA GmbH. Using NDA GmbH as a front company, Uss and Orekhov sourced and purchased sensitive military and dual-use technologies from U.S. manufacturers, including advanced semiconductors and microprocessors used in fighter aircraft, missile systems, smart munitions, radar, satellites and other space-based military applications. These items were shipped to Russian end users, including sanctioned companies that serviced Russia’s defense sector. Some of the types of electronic components obtained through the criminal scheme have been found in Russian weapons platforms seized on the battlefield in Ukraine. Uss and Orekhov also used NDA GmbH as a front to smuggle hundreds of millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela to Russian and Chinese purchasers, including a Russian aluminum company controlled by a sanctioned oligarch and the world’s largest oil refining, gas and petrochemical conglomerate based in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. Uss was apprehended in Milan, Italy, on Oct. 17, 2022, pursuant to a provisional arrest request from the United States. Following his arrest, and over the objection of both Italian and U.S. prosecutors, Uss was released on bail to home detention at his Milan residence with electronic monitoring. On March 21, the Italian court approved Uss’ extradition to the United States. The next day, Uss escaped from home detention and fled Italy, ultimately arriving in Russia, with the assistance of several individuals, including Vladimir Jovancic. The investigation into Uss’ escape revealed that, in or about January 2023, Jovancic and other individuals affiliated with a Serbian organized crime group were recruited by Uss to help him flee to Russia in the event extradition was granted. Jovancic met Uss’ wife at a hotel in Milan, Italy, where they planned for Jovancic to deliver groceries to Uss’ residence in Milan as a pretext so that Jovancic’s presence would not raise suspicion if an escape was necessary. Uss’ wife also provided Jovancic with a cell phone and a 10,000-euro deposit for his services. Jovancic was later provided with a keycard to directly access Uss’ residence. On the day of Uss’ escape, following the Italian court’s decision, Jovancic and several other co-conspirators went to Uss’ residence. Once there, Jovancic escorted Uss into a car and provided Uss with bolt cutters. Uss used the bolt cutters to remove his electronic ankle monitor and throw the monitoring device out the window. Jovancic and his co-conspirators then drove Uss across the border in Slovenia. Over the next several days, Jovancic and his co-conspirators shuttled Uss through Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina before crossing into Serbia, where Uss paid Jovancic an additional 40,000 euro before boarding a plane to Russia. If convicted, Jovancic faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI and Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement New York Field Office are investigating the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The Justice Department thanks the Croatian authorities and the Italian authorities for their critical collaboration, specifically, the Milan Prosecutor’s Office (Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale di Milano), the Carabinieri and the Ministry of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Artie McConnell for the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Jovancic Indictment Italian release Italian release translation


title: Bronx Man Sentenced To 47 Months In Prison For Committing Shooting In Broad Daylight

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that DUJOHN WILLETTE was sentenced to 47 months in prison in connection with a shootout he engaged in on September 27, 2021, that resulted in a 14-year-old being shot in the ankle. WILLETTE previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman, who also imposed today’s sentence, to one count of possessing ammunition after conviction for a felony. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “In September 2021, Dujohn Willette engaged in a shootout in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded street in the Bronx. Residents of the Bronx were endangered that day, and a 14-year-old was injured. Willette is a repeat offender, having been prosecuted by our Office twice before for illegally possessing firearms. As today’s sentence demonstrates, our Office is committed to keeping New York City safe by vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of gun violence.” According to the Indictment and other filings and statements made in court: At approximately 2:32 p.m. on September 27, 2021, WILLETTE was riding his moped on the sidewalk of East 228th Street in the Bronx. As WILLETTE approached the corner of East 228th Street and White Plains Road, he rode past a group of men, jumped off his moped, and, while running backwards, fired a gun. In total, WILLETTE and another shooter shot at each other seven times. Below are two photographs showing WILLETTE firing his weapon: In the crossfire, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the ankle. Before this conviction, WILLETTE had three prior felony convictions for illegally possessing firearms and had twice before been prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. * * * In addition to his prison term, WILLETTE, 35, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Sowlati and Danielle Sassoon are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Roshell Beaty Sentenced To 124 Months In Prison For Over $1 Million In COVID Fraud

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Beaty enlisted the help of five family members who have been convicted alongside her GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Roshell Beaty, 46, of Benton Harbor, was sentenced to 124 months in prison for her role related to pandemic fraud schemes used to obtain over $1 million in COVID-19 relief. Beaty previously pled guilty to two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft. “Federal pandemic dollars were meant to protect people who had fallen on hard times,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Beaty and her co-defendants deliberately devised a multi-state plan to commit fraud and steal over a million dollars. My office will continue to aggressively hold accountable scam artists and cheats who steal hard-earned taxpayer dollars.” Beaty and her family stole $1,036,870 in money intended to help people during the COVID pandemic. During COVID, the federal government provided money to states to distribute to people who could not work. Beaty and her co-defendants stole $749,086 of unemployment insurance money to which they were not entitled from Michigan, California, Indiana, Illinois, and Arizona. They did this by filing unemployment insurance claims in their own names in multiple states, often states where they did not live or work. Beaty also filed unemployment insurance claims in the names of other people by using fake identification documents. Beaty and her co-defendants also stole $287,784 in loans intended for businesses suffering decreased business due to the COVID pandemic. Beaty was the leader of the group, and she enlisted the help of five family members to file fraudulent claims. Those family members have all been convicted for their role in the conspiracy. The previous press release can be viewed by visiting the following link Six Defendants Charged In $1 Million Covid Fraud Schemes . “The blatant disregard by the defendant to defraud unemployment insurance and loan programs during the COVID-19 pandemic while many individuals and families were struggling was staggering,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “Providing false information to fraudulently gain access to relief funds is a theft of taxpayer money. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to investigate and hold those accountable who seek to defraud government assistance programs.” "Roshel Beaty defrauded multiple state workforce agencies by filing false unemployment insurance (UI) claims in the names of identity theft victims,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General . “Beaty stole benefits intended to assist those who became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI system from those who exploit these benefit programs.” “This sentencing wraps up yet another successful anti-fraud case for UIA’s investigators who work closely with our law enforcement partners at the state and federal levels to stop fraudsters,” said Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Julia Dale . “Our agency has increased its staffing in the Fraud and Investigations Division to allocate even more resources to catching bad actors who steal from Michigan taxpayers and bringing them to justice.” This case was investigated by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, the Michigan Department of Labor, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor - Office of the Inspector General. ###


title: Three Sentenced in Austin for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in 18 Year Old’s Death

body_text: AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin man and two co-conspirators were sentenced in a federal court in Austin for their roles in the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. According to court documents, David Lee Jr., 46, of Austin, Virginia Zepeda, 43, of Austin, and Jackie Lynne Chester, 37, of Taylor, were identified as suppliers of counterfeit oxycodone tablets and other counterfeit prescription pills in the investigation of the overdose death of an 18-year-old Coupland male. Video surveillance footage revealed the victim approaching Lee’s vehicle at a gas station and engaging in a hand-to-hand exchange with Chester through a window of the vehicle. Four and a half tablets of counterfeit oxycodone were recovered from the victim’s residence following his death. As part of the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents conducted controlled-buys with Lee and Zepeda, indicating that the two were actively distributing fentanyl in the form of counterfeit oxycodone following the victim’s death. Lee was sentenced to 240 months in prison; Zepeda was sentenced to 135 months in prison; and Chester was sentenced to 108 months in prison. “These drug dealers knowingly sold several counterfeit pills, each containing incredibly lethal doses of fentanyl, to an unsuspecting victim, tragically leading to the poisoning and death of an 18-year-old,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This is another case in which a young victim leaves behind their loving family and friends, while the criminals themselves walked away with the intent to cause more harm. Thanks to our local and federal law enforcement partners, these three will now spend decades off the streets, unable to inflict any further damage in our communities.” “These defendants were blinded by greed and sold fake fentanyl pills for a quick profit, and as a result, the victim and his family have suffered an immeasurable loss,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our country today, and it takes just a small amount to take someone’s precious life away. The disregard for human life by these defendants is apparent, and we hope these sentences serve as a closure to the family now devastated by the loss of their 18-year-old son.” “It is the goal of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit to arrest and prosecute fentanyl dealers to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sheriff Mike Gleason for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. “Fentanyl poisonings have increased in central Texas, and we will continue to use all resources available to us, including the DEA and USAO. Task Force members are committed to serving the victims, seeking justice, and providing closure for their families.” The DEA, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Marshall prosecuted the case. ###