title: Federal Jury Convicts Maryland Man Of Attempting To Entice A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found William Daniel Leonard (55, Maryland) guilty of using the internet and his cellphone to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Leonard faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison, as well as a potential life term of supervised release. Leonard was remanded into custody after the return of the verdict. His sentencing hearing in scheduled for January 4, 2024. Leonard was indicted on February 23, 2022. According to evidence and testimony introduced during the two-day trial, on November 12, 2021, Leonard reached out to an undercover agent who was posing as the father of a 13-year-old daughter online. Leonard expressed interest in meeting the notional child for sex and spent the next three weeks planning his trip from Maryland to Florida. During the same time that he was making plans to come to Florida, Leonard was talking to two other minors online, a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl. Leonard traveled to North Carolina on November 19, 2021, to see the 14-year-old girl after deciphering her address from a digital photograph that she had sent to Leonard. On December 7, 2021, Leonard arrived in Florida with two boxes of condoms to meet the notional 13-year-old girl, where he was met by law enforcement officers and arrested. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Florida. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie McNeff and Amanda Daniels. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Middle District Of Florida Task Force Continues To Combat COVID-19 Fraud

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the United States Attorney’s Office’s (USAO-MDFL) Criminal, Asset Recovery, Appellate, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. “The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office continues to pursue, investigate, prosecute, and recover money from those who were engaged in major or sophisticated fraud schemes designed to steal benefits intended for Americans coping with the myriad impacts of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. On the criminal enforcement front, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 73 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Unemployment Insurance (UI), the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), as well as government Healthcare programs such as Medicare (HCF). Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $83 million. Fifty-three of those defendants have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 20 defendants. ( See chart for criminal case details .) In fiscal year 2023, the Task Force indicted 24 COVID-19 fraud related cases in which defendants sought to obtain more than $14 million from the various federal programs. For example, in September 2023, Jordan Ross was indicted on charges relating to EIDL and PPP applications he submitted. During the pandemic, Ross applied for 3 EIDLs and 5 PPP loans. Ross made numerous false statements in these applications including misrepresenting the number of employees, submitting fake tax documents, and submitting fake invoices. Ross’s false and fraudulent representation caused the SBA and PPP lender to approve and fund 1 EIDL and 2 PPP loans totaling over $800,000. Ross used these funds for his personal benefit, allegedly purchasing a vehicle with the fraudulent funds amongst other items. In another matter, U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Alexander Leszczynski (24, North Redington Beach) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for three different fraud schemes (one of which including a fraudulent PPP loan) in which he attempted to obtain more than $10 million from the U.S. government, financial institutions, and individual victims. In a case handled by the Civil Division, Victory Automotive Group, Inc. (VAG) agreed to pay $9 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by providing false information in support of PPP loan forgiveness application. Only small businesses are eligible for PPP loans. Whether an applicant qualifies as a small business is determined by assessing the employees, revenues, or net worth of the applicant along with any other corporate affiliates that share common operational control. VAG’s application for a PPP loan certified it was a small business with fewer than 500 employees. However, VAG shared common operational control with dozens of automobile dealerships across the country, and VAG and its affiliates had more than 3,000 employees. For that reason, VAG should have known that VAG was ineligible for the $6,282,362 PPP loan it received, which was later forgiven in full. Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $17.2 million of EIDL, UI, and PPP funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. More than $18 million in additional pandemic fraud proceeds have been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture. The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own. The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board—Office of Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of Florida. The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation. United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida COVID Fraud Criminal Cases Charged Cases Defendant(s) (Age) Charge(s) Max. Imprisonment Type of Fraud* Intended Loss Amount Tampa Division Alexander Alli Wire fraud conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years EIDL $80k Ellyn Pinkney Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years EIDL $40k Kieanna Garrett Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years EIDL $40k Nicole Bramble-King Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $40k Mehdi Tazi Conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 5 years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive UI $1.5M Modupe Ogundele Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $20k Jalissa McDuffy Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $41k Devontaie Deravil Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years UI $480k Jordan Ross Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years EIDL/PPP $1.3M Demarius Wilson Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $18K These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Tiffany Fields, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Jennifer Peresie, and Michael Kenneth Orlando Division Evan Edwards Joshua Edwards Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Visa fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 years False statements Maximum Prison Term: 30 years PPP $8M Emmet Bowens Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years PPP $740k Latresia Wilson False Statements Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years HCF $2.6M These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick and Amanda Daniels Jacksonville Division Deconna Burke Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $20k These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein Fort Myers Division Venera Price Mail fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years ERAP $82k Timothy Jolloff Lisa Jolloff Wire Fraud ( T. Jolloff only ) Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years PPP/EIDL $3.4M Diop McKenzie Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated Identity Theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive EIDL/PPP $237K These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava and Trent Reichling Ocala Division Henry Wade Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years EIDL $500k This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk Adjudicated Cases Tampa Division Joseph Abdo Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years PPP $500k Keaujay Hornsby Racketeering conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years UI $3M Kareem Spann Racketeering conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years UI $3M Marqus Willard Johnson Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $500k Charles Cunningham Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years PPP $800k These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Diego Novaes, Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, and Greg Pizzo, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon Orlando Division Joseph Faubert Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years PPP $778k This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt Jacksonville Division Kenneth Landers Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Money Laundering Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years PPP $1.4M Christopher Daragjati Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Theft of government funds Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive PPP $150k These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican Ocala Division Passion Jackson Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $20K These COVID Fraud cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk Fort Myers Division Ismaelle Manuel Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $280k Denis Casseus Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years PPP $298k These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava Sentenced Cases Tampa Division Alexander Leszczynski Wire fraud, bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions Sentence Imposed: 17 and ½ years in federal prison PPP $1.1M Louis Thornton, III Wire Fraud Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison EIDL/PPP $815k Kary Stevenson Corey Quinn Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson) Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn) UI $1M Bridgitte Keim Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison PPP $588k Wayne Ganaway Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison EIDL $300k Eriaius Bentley Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison UI $3M Rolanda Wingfield Access device fraud, Aggravated identity theft Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison UI $135k Tywon Spann Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison UI $3M Randy Jones Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison EIDL/UI $250k Julio Lugo Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison EIDL/PPP $4.4M Keith Nicoletta Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison PPP $1.9M Rosenide Venant Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison EIDL/PPP $413k Melinda Hernandez Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Wire fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison UI $1.5M Bri’antina Mills Wire fraud and theft of government funds Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison $10K Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria Wire fraud Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison EIDL $150k Omar Esquivel Bello Wire fraud Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison EIDL $242k Steve Moodie Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison UI $1.5M Richard Simpkins Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison PPP $1.9M Devaris McClain Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison UI $85K These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, and SAUSA Chris Poor Orlando Division Daniel Johnson Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison UI $2.3M Jacquavius Smith Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison PPP $10k Johnson Eustache Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison EIDL/PPP $2.2M Joseph Harrison Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison UI $2.1M Tomas Ziupsnys Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison PPP $2M Holly Urban Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison PPP $1.5M Joel Greenberg Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison EIDL $430k Don Cisternino Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison PPP $7.2M Keith Ingersoll Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison. EIDL $66k Jaheim Davis Access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison. UI $219k Teresa McIntyre Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation EIDL $730k Brian Blake Possession of device-making equipment, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8 months in federal prison PPP/UI $832k These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg Jacksonville Division Jacob Byrd Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: probation PPP $10k Desmond Williams Wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’ probation PPP $40k This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division was handled by AUSA Kevin Frein Fort Myers Division Casey Crowther Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison PPP $2.7M Anthony Bruey Amber Bruey Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions Sentence Imposed : Anthony Bruey : 4 years, 3 months in federal prison Amber Bruey : 4 years in federal prison PPP/EIDL $881k Edrica Leann Watson False statement to a lending institution Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison PPP $392k Daniel Joseph Tisone Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison PPP/EIDL/MSLP $10.7M Liliana Gonzalez Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement PPP $169k Al Clint LaRoche Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison PPP $1M These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, and Jesus M. Casas Ocala Division Lavelle Harris Wire Fraud Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison PPP $1.2M This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk Types of Fraud* Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Health Care Fraud (HCF)


title: Middle District Of Florida Fourth Quarter 2023 Prosecutions Reach 123 Firearms And Violent Crime Defendants As Part Of Project Safe Neighborhoods Strategy

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces today the fourth quarter results of the Middle District of Florida’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During the fourth quarter, ending on September 30, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has prosecuted 123 defendants for federal firearms and violent crime offenses. The prosecutions include defendants who have been indicted, pleaded guilty, been convicted at trial or who have been sentenced. In addition, law enforcement seized several silencers and hundreds of machine gun conversion devises. Over the last fiscal year, the United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted more than 250 defendants and seized approximately 400 firearms. ( See chart for case details ) The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also engaged in community outreach efforts aimed at violent crime prevention throughout the year. Specifically, re-entry program events this summer reached over 300 inmates and individuals recently released to the community. “Our office is committed to reducing violent crime throughout the Middle District of Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners and community stakeholders as part of our joint effort to make our communities safer.” PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism. MDFL PSN 4 th Quarter Case Highlights United States v. Louis Michael Pasquazzi (Ft. Myers) In July 2022, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Louis Michael Pasquazzi. A search of the vehicle revealed two firearms, one under the driver’s seat and the other in the passenger side glovebox. Following the traffic stop, a search warrant was executed at Pasquazzi’s residence which resulted in the recovery of cocaine and fentanyl. Additionally, four firearms and ammunition were located inside the home. Pasquazzi, a 12-time convicted felon, qualified as an Armed Career Criminal and was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison. United States v. Dwayne Eric Thompson (Jacksonville) On July 11, 2023, a federal jury found Dwayne Eric Thompson guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Thompson faces a minimum mandatory maximum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 17, 2023. According to evidence presented at trial, on March 8, 2023, Thompson was arrested, pursuant to an outstanding warrant, by officers from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office and his car was searched. A loaded pistol was recovered from the center console. During the search, Thompson and the other passengers denied knowledge and ownership of the firearm. DNA evidence presented at trial showed that Thompson’s DNA was present on the firearm and the loaded magazine. At the time he possessed the firearm, Thompson had multiple prior felony convictions and was on federal supervised release, having previously been convicted by a federal jury in 2010, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Thompson had previously been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison and was released on November 20, 2022. As a convicted felon, Thompson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. Thompson qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal based upon his past criminal record. United States v. Kingsley Wilson and Viviana Rodriguez (Ocala) On August 22, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 39-count indictment charging Kingsley Wilson (35, Kissimmee) and Viviana Rodriguez (41, Kissimmee) with dealing in firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), and causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. If convicted, Wilson and Rodriguez each face 10 years in federal prison for each count of making a materially false statement to an FFL; a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment for dealing in firearms without a license; and 5 years in prison for each count of causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. According to evidence presented in court, between January 2022 and July 2023, Wilson purchased 89 firearms from multiple gun dealers in Florida. During that same period, Rodriguez purchased approximately 40 firearms, also from licensed gun dealers. While purchasing these firearms, Wilson and Rodriguez each falsely certified on ATF Form 4473s (Firearm Transaction Records) that they were the “actual transferee/buyer” of the firearms. Actually, they were purchasing the firearms for other individuals. Ten firearms purchased by Wilson have been recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes (including homicides) in the Bahamas and Canada. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. United States v. DaMarris Jean Saint-Juste, et al (Orlando) In September 2023, DaMarris Jean Saint-Juste, Marcus Terrell Ellington, Jr., Nelson Ross Henderson, and Rodreakas Deshay Smith, Jr. were each sentenced to prison terms of between 10-17 years for their respective roles in a string of armed robberies throughout Orlando. In a series of eight armed robberies, the men entered convenience stores wearing masks and brandishing firearms to compel the employees to surrender cash, lottery tickets, and tobacco products. The robberies were investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and all four of the perpetrators were identified, charged, and convicted. Saint-Juste and Ellington fled Orlando and were apprehended by the FBI while hiding in North Carolina. A fifth participant, who was a juvenile when these crimes occurred, was prosecuted in state court. United States v. Lemar Cowart and Armani Dilworth (Tampa) On September 15, 2023, Lemar Cowart (27, St. Petersburg) was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and Armani Dilworth (28, St. Petersburg) was sentenced to 8 years and 10 months’ imprisonment for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on May 4, 2020, an eyewitness observed a car occupied by Dilworth and Cowart pull into oncoming traffic and shoot into the front of another vehicle. This action caused the other vehicle to retaliate, and a high-speed chase ensued. The car which Dilworth and Cowart occupied ultimately crashed into a gate at Azalea Middle School, and Cowart and Dilworth ran from the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, officers found cocaine, two substances containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, alprazolam, oxycodone, amphetamine, buprenorphine, and cannabis. They also found indications of narcotics distribution, including plastic sandwich bags; two scales, scissors, smaller jewelry bags, and one firearm inside the vehicle. Dilworth’s and Cowart’s DNA were found on the firearm recovered in the vehicle. These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0 . Charged Cases Defendant(s) (Age) Charges Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment Firearms Seized Fort Myers Division 4th Quarter Jimmy Derrick Diggs (57) Possession of firearms and ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal Minimum mandatory prison term: 15 years, up to life 2 Wyatt Henderson (64) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Coroy Flournoy (40) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Simon Eth. Jacksonville Division 4 th Quarter Danny Ray Boree (38) Angela Denee Lynch (47) Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to 40 years Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to 40 years Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Antonio Jose Melean Reyes (29) Using common carrier to transport firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number Maximum prison term: 5 years Smuggling goods from the U.S. Maximum prison term: 10 years 3 Jucory Randell Kirtsey (44) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Minimum mandatory prison term: 15 years, up to life 1 Brendon Bobby Brown (25) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Minimum mandatory prison: 15 years, up to life 1 Tyler Christian Parker-Rivero (24) Conspiracy to distribute marijuana; distribution of marijuana; possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute Maximum prison term: 5 years per count Possession of a firearm during commission of a federal crime Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life 6 Anthony Tyrone Mackey (40) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 2 Jason Dion Harris (42) False statements to a firearms dealer Maximum prison term: 5 years 0 Timothy Crowe (54) False statements to a firearms dealer Maximum prison term: 5 years 0 These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein, Brenna Falzetta, John Cannizzaro, Frank Talbot and Aakash Singh. Ocala Division 4th Quarter Clinton Kaham (25) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term : 15 years 1 Brady Kyle Milton Williams (27) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term : 15 years 2 Raymond Devon Haynes (33) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term : 15 years 1 Kingsley Samuel Richard Wilson (35) Viviana Rodriguez (41) False statement to a firearms dealer Maximum prison term : 10 years Dealing in firearms without a license Maximum prison term : 5 years False statement in required information kept by a firearms’ dealer Maximum prison term : 5 years 139 These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Hanna Nowalk, Sarah Swartzberg, and Belkis Crockett. Orlando Division 4th Quarter Antoine Johnson (44) Possession of a firearm by an Armed Career Criminal Minimum mandatory prison term 15 years, up to life 1 Robert Badders (33) Receipt of child pornography Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to 20 years Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 2 Angel Ruben Hernandez, Jr. (75) Failure to record firearms purchaser by FFL dealer Maximum prison term: 5 years 9 Nicholas Brooks Race (40) Bank robbery (two counts) Maximum prison term: 20 years per count 0 Xavier Omar Hernandez-Gerena (34) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Ellis Dulaire (25) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Jose’Luis Gabriel Villanueva (31) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 4 These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Stephanie McNeff, Ranganath Manthripragada, Dana Hill, Michael Sartoian, Courtney Richardson-Jones, and Rachel Lyons. Tampa Division 4th Quarter Devon Floyd (31) Hobbs Act robbery Maximum prison term : 20 years 2 Stewart Walter Bachmann (55) Unlicensed possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record Maximum prison term: 10 years 4 Emmanuel Dourthe (24) Brendan Wells (27) Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances Minimum mandatory prison term: 10 years, up to life Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life 1 Sherron Gary (40) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Minimum mandatory prison term: 15 years, up to life 1 Reshay Rashard Nelson (43) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: life 1 These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Samantha Newman and Michael Kenneth. Adjudicated Cases Defendant(s) (Age) Charges Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment Firearms Seized Fort Myers Division 4th Quarter Brandon Albanito (37) Possession of a firearm by convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 2 Steven Barnes (26) Possession of a firearm by convicted felon. Maximum prison term: 15 years Possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number Maximum prison term: 5 years 1 Manuel Copland (30) Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life 3 Deshon Walker (27) Possession of a firearm by convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Keith Drayton, Jr. (30) Possession of a firearm by convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Marvin Harris (25) and Latrel Jackson (26) Conspiracy to commit interstate murder for hire, interstate murder for hire Maximum prison term: life 2 Mar’tavious Brown (45) Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life 1 Chester Risco , III (19) Possession of a firearm by convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Robert Wright (21) Possession of a machine gun Maximum prison term: 10 years 1 These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Simon Eth, Mark R. Morgan, and Michael Leeman. Jacksonville Division 4th Quarter Dwayne Eric Thompson (39) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Maisha K. Daniels (46) Selling a stolen firearm Maximum prison term: 10 years 1 Shawntae Jamell Clark (44) Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine Maximum prison term: 10 years Possession of a firearm as a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Edward Sherwood Gustafson, IV (30) Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to 40 years Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Lucas Shirley II (28) Transferring short-barreled rifles not registered in the national firearms registration and transfer record Maximum prison term: 10 years 29 Pocols Lashawn Jackson (39) Illegal distribution of a controlled substance Maximum prison term: 20 years Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Tony Kenneth Paul, Jr. (23) Possession of a machine gun Maximum prison term: 10 years Possession with intent to distribute marijuana Maximum prison term: 5 years 3 Pernell Dewayne Bodiford, Jr. (25) False statements to a firearms dealer during firearm purchase Maximum prison term: 10 years 0 Bronquell Aurion Hutchinson (24) False statements to a firearms dealer during firearm purchase Maximum prison term: 10 years 0 Mario Lenard Elbert (34) Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl Maximum prison term: 20 years of Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years Possession of a machine gun Maximum prison term: 10 years 2 Charles Hood (65) Possession of an unregistered machinegun Maximum prison term: 10 years 3 These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs John Cannizzaro, Michael J. Coolican, and Kevin Frein. Ocala Division 4th Quarter Christopher Worlds (36) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Eddie Lee Parks, III (24) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Brian David Casey (35) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Tyrie K. Boyer, and Hannah Nowalk. Orlando Division 4th Quarter Antione Oshea Ladson (29) Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana Maximum prison term: 20 years Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Christian Arroyo-Rivera (30) Possession of firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 10 years Possession with intent to distribute cocaine Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to 40 years 1 Zachary Ramyard (22) Conspiracy to rob a postal carrier, robbery of postal carrier Maximum prison term: 35 years 0 Camilo Ignacio Vivas Sanchez (20) Conspiracy to rob a postal carrier, robbery of postal carrier Maximum prison term: 35 years 0 Jeremy Deion Middleton (24) Receiving stolen firearms Maximum prison term: 10 years 13 Terrell Anthony Robinson (36) Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA Maximum prison term: 20 years Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and Armed Career Criminal Minimum mandatory prison term: 15 years, up to life 1 Allen Lee Glover (24) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 2 These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSA David Pardo, Megan Testerman, Kara Wick, John Gardella, and Dana Hill. Tampa Division 4th Quarter Deandre Riviera Lopez (33) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Minimum mandatory prison term: 15 years, up to life 1 Antonio Brown (55) Steve Jackson (41) Conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery Maximum prison term: 20 years Brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence Mandatory minimum prison term: 7 years 1 Basilio Amaury Bron, Jr. (43) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 10 years 1 Randell Love (48) Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute Maximum prison term: 20 years Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life 1 Marquis Henry Mack (33) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Jonathan Kyle Eva (51) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years 1 Rodney Devon Jones (28) Carjacking Maximum prison term: 15 years Brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence Minimum mandatory prison term: 7 years, up to life 1 Sean Peter Brewer (32) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Maximum prison term: 15 years of Possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it Maximum prison term: 20 years Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Minimum mandatory prison term: 5 years, up to life 1 Michael Edward Lindsey (47) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of controlled substance with the intent to distribute it Under the Armed Career Criminal Act, the minimum mandatory prison term: 15 years, up to life 1 Michelle Denise Herds (45) Possession of controlled substances with intent to sell; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime Maximum prison term: life (1) These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs David W.A. Chee, Charlie D. Connally, Michael Kenneth, Christopher F. Murray, Samantha Beckman, and David P. Sullivan. Sentenced Cases Defendant(s) (Age) Charges Sentence Imposed Firearms Seized Fort Myers Division 4th Quarter Travis Anderson (36) Possession of firearms and ammunition by convicted felon Sentence imposed: 9 years 4 Michael Karp (50) Possession of a firearm and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Sentence imposed: 5 years 6 Shaborn Washington (25) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon Sentence imposed: 9 years, 2 months 1 James Blanks (27) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon Sentence imposed: 1 year 1 Samuel Bruner (37) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon Sentence imposed: 15 years 3 Louis Pasquazzi (53) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon Possession with intent to distribute controlled substance. Sentence imposed: 18 years 4 Javonte Whitfield (25) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 4 years, 9 months 1 These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Simon Eth and Mark Morgan. Jacksonville Division 4th Quarter Dylan Milton Jarvis (31) Unlawful possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act firearm (sawed-off shotgun) Sentence imposed: 1 year, 4 months 1 Gregory Austin Eward (25) Conspiracy to possess and transfer unregistered firearm silencers Sentence imposed: 2 years 0 Antoine Danielle Pearson, Jr. (28) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 3 years, 1 month 1 Kristopher Justinboyer Ervin (43) Matthew Hoover (43) Conspiracy to transfer unregistered machineguns, transfer of unregistered machine guns, structuring withdrawals, possession of unregistered machine guns Sentenced imposed (Ervin): 5 years, 8 months Sentence imposed (Hoover): 5 years 0 Cody Mack McCormick (35) Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon Sentenced imposed: 1 year 0 Byron Jones (34) False statements to a firearms dealer Sentenced imposed: Time served plus 2 years’ supervised release 0 These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs John Cannizzaro, Michael Coolican, Kevin Frein, Laura Taylor, Kirwin Mike, Frank Talbot, and Cherie Krigsman. Ocala Division 4th Quarter David Robinson (24) Possession of an unregistered NFA weapon Sentence imposed: 18 months’ probation 1 Luis Alicea (29) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 2 years 1 Brandon Jamal Alex Grant (22) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 3 years, 1 month 2 Wayne A. Phillips, Jr. (44) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 15 years 1 Antonio Eugene Brutton (35) Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon Sentence imposed: 16 years 2 Raeqwon Emmanuel Munnerlyn (27) Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 18 years 1 Woodrow Milton Butler (40) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 7 years 1 These PSN cases from the Ocala Division were handled by AUSAs Sarah Swartzberg, William S. Hamilton, Hanna Nowalk, and Tyrie K. Boyer. Orlando Division 4th Quarter Anthony Quantarius Brooks (21) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 4 years 1 Michael Jerome Virgil (23) Armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence Sentence imposed: 10 years, 10 months 1 Robert J. Potocnack (48) Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimes Sentence imposed: 15 years 2 Alvarez Caprio Cosby (25) Desmond Nyshon Smith (18) Possession of firearm as a convicted felon Sentence imposed (Cosby): 3 years Sentence imposed (Smith): 3 years 3 Rafick Gordon Gilpin (32) Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense Sentence imposed: 10 years 1 Leo Lamar Massey, III (47) Possession of a firearm and ammunition by convicted felon Sentence imposed: 1 year 1 Jacoby Jules Colon (20) Darius Rodney Capers (19) Conspiracy to rob postal carriers, armed postal robbery, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence Sentence imposed: 10 years Conspiracy to rob postal carriers and attempted robbery of a postal carrier. Sentence imposed: 4 years, 9 months 0 DaMarris Saint-Juste (20) Marcus Ellington (22) Nelson Henderson (21) Rodreakas Deshay Smith, Jr. (19) Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence Sentence imposed (Saint-Juste): 17 years, 10 months Sentence imposed (Ellington): 16 years Sentence imposed (Henderson): 15 years, 6 months Sentence imposed (Smith): 10 years, 6 months 1 Deontrae Walden (23) Aqunis Green (24) Bank burglary and bank theft in connection with the destruction of an ATM Sentence imposed (Walden): 3 years, 6 months Sentence imposed (Green): 1 year, 6 months 0 Bengie Emannual Silva-Ramos (31) Unlawfully engaging in the business of dealing in firearms, transferring and possession of machine guns, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy Sentence imposed: 7 years, 9 months 4 These PSN cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs. Courtney Richardson-Jones, Megan Testerman, John M. Gardella, Ranganath Manthripragada, Michael P. Felicetta, and Dana Hill. Tampa Division 4th Quarter Shawn Lanier Lowman, Jr. (23) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 6 years, 6 months 1 Rafael Jose Gonzalez Alomar (39) Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute it Sentence imposed: 7 years, 3 months 1 Dartis Cobb (35) Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 4 years, 3 months 1 James John Hall (34) Unlawfully making a firearm Sentence imposed: 2 years, 3 months 1 Deion R. Brown (27) Possession of a firearm by a felon Sentence imposed: 15 years, 8 months 1 Johnathan Thuemler (32) Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 6 years, 5 months 1 Demetrius Lamar Rahmings (28) Possession of a loaded firearm by a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 10 years 1 Jerome Miller, Jr. (39) Possession of a firearm and ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal Sentence imposed: 15 years 1 Lemar Cowart (27) Armani Dilworth (28) Possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute them Sentence imposed: 12 years, 7 months Possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute them and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime Sentence imposed: 8 years, 10 months 1 Steve Jackson (41) Conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence Sentence imposed: 13 years, 6 months 1 Toney Dewayne Salter (30) Possession of a firearm by convicted felon Sentence imposed: 15 years 1 Marquvius Trevon Dixon (27) Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; conspiracy to possess a firearm as a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 10 years 1 Terrance Paul Snow (22) Possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon Sentence imposed: 1 year, 9 months 1 These PSN cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Charlie D. Connally, David W.A. Chee, Samantha Newman, Risha Asokan, Samantha Beckman, Shauna Hale, Maria Guzman, Michael Gordon, Michael Sinacore, and David P. Sullivan.


title: United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama’s Offers  Stand Against Firearm Endangerment (SAFE) Student Pledge to Schools

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA — Acting United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross announced that this week the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama is working with schools across the district to encourage students to participate in the Stand Against Firearm Endangerment (SAFE) Student Pledge. With a focus on keeping schools and communities safe, students in middle school and high school are signing a voluntary pledge promising that they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded, they will never take a gun to school, they will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and they will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes. Elementary school children are making a similar commitment—pledging that they will not play with a gun and that, if they see a gun, they will not touch it and they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult. Students are making the SAFE Student Pledge this week in conjunction with the National Day of Concern for Young People and Gun Violence, which will be observed on October 18, 2023. The SAFE Student Pledge recognizes the role young people play in reducing gun endangerment and violence by making responsible decisions. The pledge also seeks to foster discussions among students and their families about the necessity of gun safety and non-violent ways to resolve disputes. “Each year, far too many lives are lost due to accidents and poor choices,” stated Acting United States Attorney Ross. “This initiative seeks to encourage young people to make responsible decisions and, as a result, cut down on the number of needless injuries and deaths.” The United States Attorney’s Office reached out to schools in the Middle District of Alabama to make the pledges available. Schools or youth organizations may also participate in the SAFE Student Pledge throughout the year by visiting www.justice.gov/usao-mdal/safe-student-pledge and submitting a request. The SAFE Student Pledge initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national program that has been historically successful in bringing together law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Schools participating in the SAFE Student Pledge this week are located in a variety of counties within the Middle District of Alabama, including Autauga, Chambers, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, and Randolph.


title: Smyrna Detective Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – A detective with the Smyrna Police Department was arrested and charged yesterday with violations of federal child sexual exploitation laws. According to court documents, Michael Anthony Kealty, 33, distributed child pornography via his Snapchat account in August 2023. Federal agents executed a search warrant at his residence on September 22, 2023. Subsequently, they discovered additional child pornography in his Snapchat account. Kealty has been charged via Complaint with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography. If convicted of distributing child pornography, Kealty faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, with a maximum penalty of 20 years. If convicted of possession, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox is prosecuting the case. With the cooperation of the Smyrna Police Department, the case is being investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER . An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.


title: Floyd County Company Agrees to Pay $200,000 to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Billing for Respiratory Devices

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. — Oxygen Plus, Inc., a provider of durable medical equipment based in Floyd County, Kentucky, has agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid for respiratory devices that patients did not need or use, in contravention of those programs’ requirements. Oxygen Plus provided non-invasive ventilators (“NIVs”) for home use to patients in Kentucky. NIVs are a type of complex respiratory equipment designed to deliver pressurized air into the lungs of patients with serious respiratory diseases. Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid pay a monthly reimbursement for a patient’s rental of an NIV, so long as the NIV is necessary and reasonable for the patient’s treatment. Oxygen Plus entered into a settlement agreement with the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to resolve a federal False Claims Act case. According to the settlement agreement, the government alleged that between January 2017 and June 2021, Oxygen Plus submitted over 300 false claims to Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid by continuing to seek reimbursement for NIV rentals even after patients no longer needed the devices or were no longer using them. The settlement resolves allegations brought in a lawsuit filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act by two former employees of Oxygen Plus. The qui tam provisions permit private citizens with knowledge of fraud against the government to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States, and to share in any recovery. Here, the whistleblowers will receive $32,000 as their share of the settlement. The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement section and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Corndorf represented the government. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Sparkman v. Oxygen Plus, Inc., et al., No. 3:21-CV-22 (E.D. Ky.). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability. -END-


title: Former Atlanta attorney convicted of stealing millions of dollars from clients

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Matthew Allen Dickason, who was the owner of an Atlanta law firm, has pleaded guilty to federal charges arising from a scheme to defraud the firm’s clients. “It is shameful for an attorney to abuse the trust placed in him by his clients, but that is exactly what Dickason did,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “He misappropriated millions of dollars belonging to his clients for his personal benefit with no regard for how his clients would be affected.” “Wire fraud is an offense that the FBI takes very seriously, especially when innocent victims are being defrauded. In this case, it is especially troubling that the crime was orchestrated by a lawyer who swore an oath to uphold the law and represent his clients with integrity,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Dickason was in debt through his own fault and chose to steal from his clients and firm to pay back that debt and finance his business. Now he will pay back his debt to society in prison.” “We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate those who threaten HUD programs,” said HUD OIG Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle. “The criminal actions by this former attorney violated his clients trust and his oath to uphold the law. His actions put many taxpayer-insured FHA mortgages at risk of default through his scheme.” “FHFA-OIG aggressively investigates mortgage fraud schemes, and this one was especially egregious,” said Edwin Bonano, Special Agent in Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Southeast District. “The victims lost millions as a result of the scheme perpetrated by someone—an attorney, no less—who should have followed all the tenets of the law.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Matthew Allen Dickason was an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia and was the owner of Matthew A. Dickason, P.C., a law firm located in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm specialized in real estate law and was responsible for overseeing hundreds of real estate sales transactions totaling tens of millions of dollars. Dickason accepted funds on behalf of clients seeking to purchase real estate. He was not permitted to use his clients’ money to pay his own debts and expenses. Nevertheless, Dickason misappropriated millions of dollars belonging to his clients. The majority of the misappropriated funds were used to pay his law firm’s operating expenses. After misappropriating client funds, he used new client funds to complete prior real estate transactions. To hide his fraud, Dickason caused fabricated information to be uploaded into his law firm’s accounting system to make it appear the firm was paying off a seller’s mortgage when, in fact, Dickason was misappropriating client funds for his own use. Dickason continued to misappropriate client funds until it became impossible to continue. By that point, victims had suffered millions of dollars in losses. Matthew Allen Dickason, 47, formerly of Atlanta, Georgia, and now living in Wellington, Ohio, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for January 17, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Phillips is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Affirms the Significance of Supporting National Night Out Events

component: USAO - Virgin Islands

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands joins community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners in recognition of National Night Out held throughout the territory in October. For this year’s National Night Out, the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission and the Virgin Islands Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group Board have organized several events territory-wide. One event was held in Buddhoe Park, St. Croix on October 7 th and another at the Franklin Powell Bandstand on St. John on October 13 th. The following additional events are scheduled on St. Thomas: October 27 th , 2023, at 5 p.m. – Community Prayer & Praise Day – Promenade by the Waterfront October 28 th , 2023, at 4 p.m. – Emile Griffith Park to Emancipation Garden “National Night Out events are a vital opportunity to reaffirm the close partnership between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” United States Attorney Delia Smith said. National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. It is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization. In the Virgin Islands, the program is coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers and brings police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. The goal is to send a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe. To register as a provider at a local National Night Out event, please contact the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission: Jacqueline Freeman or Ana Creque at (340) 774-6500 ext. 210 or 209. For more information, please visit https://natw.org/ . # # #


title: Two Men from Mississippi and Alabama Sentenced for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

body_text: Thomas Harlen Smith, 45, of Mathiston, Mississippi, was sentenced to 108 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton. A jury convicted Smith of 11 charges, including nine felonies and two misdemeanors, on May 5, 2023. Donnie Duane Wren, 44, of Athens, Alabama, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and 24 months of supervised release by Judge Walton. A jury convicted Wren of two felonies and one misdemeanor on May 5, 2023. According to evidence presented during the trial and court documents, on Jan. 5, 2021, Smith traveled from his home in Mississippi to Washington, D.C., to attend a rally held by former President Trump the next day and picked up his cousin, defendant Wren, from his home in Alabama along the way. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Smith and Wren attended the rally and afterward made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building. Before entering Capitol grounds, Smith climbed a column near the African American History Museum with the outdated Mississippi state flag. Smith and Wren arrived on the restricted Capitol grounds and observed other rioters climbing scaffolding erected around the stage for the Presidential Inauguration. The two then climbed the structure and made their way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel. Smith pushed toward the front of a group of rioters and used a flagpole like a spear to try to break a window next to the Lower West Terrace doors. Smith thrust his flagpole at the window five times. He then surged through the doorway, where he and a mass of other rioters pushed into a line of Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) officers attempting to hold the door shut. Smith then exited the Tunnel and reunited with his cousin, Wren, who had witnessed the violence directed by other rioters against police officers in the area. The two posed for a photograph together on the Lower West Terrace. Smith and Wren then climbed up a railing to the Upper West Terrace and confronted a line of police officers using riot shields and attempting to clear the area. Smith and Wren pushed back against the police line, placing their hands on the officer’s shields and leaning back into the police. Wren leaned all his weight into the riot shield, preventing the police officer from advancing. Wren’s push against the riot shield was an early assault on the Terrace that instigated the fight between rioters and police attempting to clear the area. While this occurred, Smith witnessed an object fly past him and hit an officer. Smith yelled at the officer, “You deserve that, you piece of s—!” At 4:35 p.m., Smith kicked an MPD officer in the back—sending the officer to the ground. Smith then picked up a metal pole-like object and threw it toward the line of police, striking two MPD officers in the head. Later that day, on Facebook, Smith described the assault on the Capitol: “Patriots stood together and battled the tyrannical cops throughout the entire afternoon.” Smith was convicted of 11 charges at trial, including felony offenses of assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon; obstruction of an official proceeding; two counts of civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, impeding, or resisting officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. He was also convicted of two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct in the Capitol grounds or buildings and an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings. Wren was convicted of civil disorder and assaulting, impeding, or resisting officers, both felonies, and a single misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Mississippi, the Northern District of Alabama, and the Southern District of Florida. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Birmingham Field Offices and the Homestead, Florida and Oxford, Mississippi Resident Agencies, which listed Wren as #219 on their seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department. In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.


title: Starke Couple Sentenced To Federal Prison For Theft Of Mail

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia M. Howard has sentenced Connor Lee Austin (31, Starke) to 18 months in federal prison for theft of mail. His term of imprisonment will run consecutive to his current sentence of 36 months in Florida State Prison. Austin’s co-defendant, Maranda Ann Stewart (26, Starke), was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison for theft of mail. The court ordered the pair to pay restitution to the victims in the case. Stewart had pleaded guilty on June 27, 2023, and Austin had pleaded guilty on July 12, 2023. According to court documents and public records, in late April 2022, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received multiple reports of mail being stolen from mailboxes in the Keystone Heights area. Surveillance footage from homes in that area captured a truck containing two individuals driving down roads and stealing mail from mailboxes. Law enforcement subsequently identified the driver as Stewart and Austin as the passenger. On May 6, 2022, the Baker County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) arrested Austin and Stewart for their involvement with a fraudulent check. During the arrest, the BCSO conducted an inventory search of the truck used by Stewart and Austin and located more than 100 pieces of mail that had been stolen from various addresses in Clay County. Follow up investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service – Jacksonville Office determined that after stealing mail, Austin and Stewart used Austin’s phone in an effort to deposit stolen checks into their bank accounts through mobile deposit. They also obtained funds by forging signatures on checks stolen from the mail and subsequently cashing the fraudulent checks. Law enforcement recovered mail stolen by Austin and Stewart from Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, and Putnam Counties. Austin appeared in federal court on April 19, 2023, pursuant to a writ bringing him to Jacksonville from Florida State Prison where he is serving a prison sentence of 36 months for grand theft, grand theft from a dwelling, and burglary. The Court ordered Austin detained. After initially releasing Stewart, the court ordered her detained on August 15, 2023. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service – Jacksonville Office with valuable assistance from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.


title: Orlando Man Indicted For Possessing And Receiving Child Sex Abuse Material

body_text: Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Pietro Devine (37, Orlando) with three counts of receiving child sex abuse material and one count of possessing child sex abuse material. If convicted on all counts, Devine faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Devine that the United States intends to forfeit certain digital media devices, which are alleged to have been used by him to commit the offenses with which he is charged. According to the indictment, Devine received child sex abuse material on August 21, September 3, and September 8, 2023, and possessed child sex abuse material on September 14, 2023. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lyons. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: U.S. Attorney Hamdani to participate in discussion on national security and protecting American technologies

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – The Greater Houston Partnership and U.S. Commercial Service are hosting a forum Thursday, Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to support engagement for the Disruptive Technology Strike Force with business leaders in Houston. U.S. Attorney Hamdani will participate in a session entitled Global Trade Threats and National & Economic Security featuring leadership from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division (NSD) and Department of Commerce. Other speakers on varying topics include personnel from FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. Speakers will discuss best practices to protect U.S. companies from hidden threats that can compromise sensitive information and leave them vulnerable to a host of security attacks. Topics include global trade threats, cyber threats, theft of trade secrets, economic espionage and more. Under the leadership of the NSD and BIS, the strike force was launched to protect U.S. advanced technologies' critical technological assets that are at risk of being illegally acquired by foreign adversaries. The strike force operates in 14 metropolitan regions across the United States including Houston and Dallas with oversight from the local U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. According to the DOJ, nation-state adversaries such as the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Russia and North Korea can use advanced technology to enhance its military capabilities, improve calculations in weapons design and testing and develop algorithms to break encryptions that protect sensitive data and classified information. Registration is $40 to attend and the registration form is available online . Open to the public and media, the discussions will be held at Partnership Tower, 701 Avenida De Las Americas Houston, TX 77010. Click here for more information on the Disruptive Technology Strike Force.


title: Convicted Sex Offender In Orlando Charged With Distributing Child Sex Abuse Material

body_text: Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Sean Calvin Ellixson (30, Orlando) with distribution of child sex abuse material. If convicted, Ellixson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ellixson that the United States intends to forfeit certain digital media devices, which are alleged to have been used by him to commit the offense. According to the indictment, Ellixson distributed child sex abuse material on September 7, 2023. Ellixson is also alleged to have a prior conviction involving child sex abuse material. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with valuable assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office (New York) . It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lyons. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Brandon Man Indicted For Overdose Death

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Brandon Lewis Graham (42, Brandon) with distribution of a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl which resulted in an overdose death, and with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, Graham faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison for the distribution of cocaine and fentanyl resulting in death, and up to 20 years in federal prison for the possession with intent to distribute offense. The indictment also notifies Graham that the United States intends to forfeit any assets, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. According to the indictment, on March 30, 2022, Graham distributed a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl to an individual who died after ingesting the substance, and on August 3, 2022, Graham possessed fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman.


title: Doctor pleads guilty in dark web murder-for-hire plot

body_text: ATLANTA –James Wan, M.D., has pleaded guilty to paying a hitman he found on the dark web to murder his girlfriend. “Wan used the dark web to conceal his deadly plan,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Fortunately, his plot was discovered before anyone was killed or injured.” "Despite his cowardly concealment on the dark web, Wan’s cold hearted murderous plot was averted due to the exceptional work of our team. He will now face the full consequences of the criminal justice system,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This case shows that the FBI will not tolerate heinous acts of violence and will go to great lengths to protect our citizens.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On April 18, 2022, while in the Northern District of Georgia, Wan accessed a dark web marketplace from his cellular telephone and submitted an order to have a hitman murder his girlfriend. The order included the victim’s name, address, Facebook account, license plate, and car description. In the order, Wan stated: “Can take wallet phone and car. Shoot and go. Or take car.” Wan then electronically transferred a 50% downpayment of approximately $8,000 worth of Bitcoin to the dark web marketplace. Two days later, Wan messaged the marketplace’s administrator, stating that the transferred Bitcoin did not show up in his escrow account on the site. The next day, the marketplace administrator asked Wan for the Bitcoin address to which Wan had sent the payment. In response, Wan identified the Bitcoin wallet address and provided a screenshot of the transaction. When the administrator said that the address Wan provided was not in their system, Wan replied, “Damn. I guess I lost $8k. I’m sending $8k to escrow now.” Wan then electronically transferred an additional Bitcoin payment worth approximately $8,000 to the marketplace. The administrator confirmed the new address was correct and that the Bitcoin had arrived in the escrow account. The administrator stated that they were proceeding with Wan’s order for a hit and asked whether Wan wanted it done as an “accident or normal shooting.” Wan responded, “accident is better.” About a week later, on April 29, 2022, Wan electronically transferred another payment of approximately $8,000 worth of Bitcoin to the dark web marketplace to ensure his escrow account contained the total required to complete the order. Shortly thereafter, Wan posted the following in a forum on the dark web marketplace: “How soon should work be done? I have submitted an Order and curious how quickly it should be carried out? Is there a way I can find out any progress? If there is anyone in my location?” On May 10, 2022, after the value of Bitcoin dropped, Wan electronically transferred another payment of approximately $1,200 worth of Bitcoin to the marketplace to ensure his escrow account still contained the total required to complete the order. After learning about the threat to the victim’s life, FBI agents notified the victim, provided her protection, and questioned Wan. Wan admitted that he had placed the order, made the payments, and checked the status of the order daily on the dark web marketplace. Records from Wan’s cellular telephone and his Bitcoin wallet corroborated Wan’s confession. After speaking with FBI agents, Wan canceled the order on the dark web marketplace. James Wan, 54, of Duluth, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of using a facility of interstate commerce in the commission of murder-for-hire. The sentencing is scheduled for January 18, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Leigh Martin May. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bret R. Hobson is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey Announce Investigation of the City of Trenton and the Trenton Police Department

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey announced today that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Trenton, New Jersey, and the Trenton Police Department (TPD). The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by TPD. The investigation will focus on TPD’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training and supervision, in addition to complaint intake, internal investigation protocols, complaint reviews, complaint adjudications and disciplinary decisions. “The public must have trust and confidence that police officers will treat them fairly and with respect,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department is opening an investigation into the Trenton Police Department after an extensive review of publicly available information and other information provided to us suggesting that officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians and conducted searches of homes and cars in violation of the Constitution and federal law. Our experience has shown that policing practices that run afoul of the law and our Constitution can lead to distrust between police officers and the community. The Justice Department will conduct a full and fair investigation into these allegations, and if we substantiate those violations, the department will take appropriate action to remedy them.” “Police officers have the difficult job of keeping us safe, and most officers do this work with honor and distinction,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger. “But if police officers abuse the trust the community places in them and fail to respect the constitutional rights of those in the community, and if the community feels threatened by those who wear the badge, it undermines public safety and endangers the very citizens they swore to protect and serve. Unfortunately, we have reviewed numerous reports that Trenton police officers may have used force inappropriately and conducted stops, searches, and arrests with no good reason in violation of individuals’ constitutional rights. Today’s announcement reflects our office’s commitment to ensuring effective, constitutional policing in Trenton and throughout New Jersey. Trenton residents should be assured that we will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of the Trenton Police Department, and that we will address any unlawful conduct we find.” Before this announcement, officials from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey notified Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Director Steve Wilson of TPD and Director Wes Bridges of the Trenton Law Department, who have all pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with TPD. The Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Division will jointly conduct this investigation pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments through their law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution and federal law. If the Justice Department has reasonable cause to believe that the law enforcement officers of a state or local government have engaged in a prohibited pattern or practice, the department is authorized to bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to remedy the violations. In this investigation, the department will assess the law enforcement practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email at USANJ.Community.Trenton@usdoj.gov or by phone at 973-645-2801. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the reporting portal of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, available at www.civilrights.justice.gov or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s civil rights reporting portal, available at www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint . Additional information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt . Additional information about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey is available at www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement . The Justice Department will hold a virtual community meeting on October 23 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the investigation. Please join the meeting via this link.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office and Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Announce Investigation of City of Trenton and Trenton Police Department

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division announced today that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the City of Trenton and the Trenton Police Department (TPD). The investigation will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law by TPD. The investigation will focus on TPD’s use of force and its stops, searches and arrests. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of TPD policies, training and supervision, in addition to complaint intake, internal investigation protocols, complaint reviews, complaint adjudications and disciplinary decisions. “Police officers have the difficult job of keeping us safe, and most officers do this work with honor and distinction. But if police officers abuse the trust the community places in them and fail to respect the constitutional rights of those in the community, and if the community feels threatened by those who wear the badge, it undermines public safety and endangers the very citizens they swore to protect and serve. Unfortunately, we have reviewed numerous reports that Trenton police officers may have used force inappropriately and conducted stops, searches, and arrests with no good reason in violation of individuals’ constitutional rights. Today’s announcement reflects our office’s commitment to ensuring effective, constitutional policing in Trenton and throughout New Jersey. Trenton residents should be assured that we will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of the Trenton Police Department, and that we will address any unlawful conduct we find.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “The public must have trust and confidence that police officers will treat them fairly and with respect,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “The Justice Department is opening an investigation into the Trenton Police Department after an extensive review of publicly available information and other information provided to us suggesting that officers used force, stopped motorists and pedestrians and conducted searches of homes and cars in violation of the Constitution and federal law. Such conduct, if true, creates an environment of distrust between police officers and the community. The Justice Department will conduct a full and fair investigation into these allegations, and if we substantiate those violations, the department will take appropriate action to remedy them.” Before this announcement, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division notified Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, Director Steve Wilson of TPD and Director Wes Bridges of the Trenton Law Department, who have all pledged to cooperate with the investigation. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office will conduct outreach to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with TPD. The U.S Attorney’s Office and the Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will jointly conduct this investigation pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments through their law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution and federal law. If the Justice Department has reasonable cause to believe that the law enforcement officers of a state or local government have engaged in a prohibited pattern or practice, the department is authorized to bring a lawsuit seeking court-ordered changes to remedy the violations. In this investigation, the department will assess the law enforcement practices under the Fourth and 14 th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Justice Department via email at USANJ.Community.Trenton@usdoj.gov or by phone at 973-645-2801. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the reporting portal of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, available at www.civilrights.justice.gov or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s civil rights reporting portal, available at www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint . Additional information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt . Additional information about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, including the Office’s Civil Rights Division, is available at www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement . prs_remarks_trenton.pdf


title: Cuba, Missouri, Man Sentenced to 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug, Gun Offenses

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Cuba, Missouri, man, Raymond Toth, 65, was sentenced on October 13, 2023, to 120 months in federal prison, consisting of 60 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and 60 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug crime. United States District Judge Colleen R. Lawless further ordered Toth to serve four years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence. Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing showed that Toth brought large amounts of methamphetamine from Missouri to Taylorville, Illinois, for his coconspirators to distribute in the Central District of Illinois. In total, Toth was responsible for helping to distribute approximately eight pounds of almost pure methamphetamine. Toth also possessed a 9 mm handgun when he was arrested in a Pana, Illinois, parking lot with 756 grams of methamphetamine. Toth was indicted in June 2018 and pleaded guilty in June 2023. He has been detained and is in the custody of the United States Marshal since May 24, 2018. Toth’s co-defendants Randy Hammond, Macy Sweitzer, and Claudette Borders were previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy, and co-defendant Jesse Stoldorf is scheduled to be sentenced on October 20, 2023. The statutory penalties for conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of actual methamphetamine are not less than five and up to forty years’ imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release. The penalties for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug crime are up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Springfield Resident Office; the Illinois State Police; the Christian County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office; the Taylorville, Illinois, Police Department; and the Pana, Illinois, Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Toth is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Nevada CPA Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Nevada man pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting the filing of false tax returns for his role in a purported investment scheme to sell false tax deductions. According to court documents and statements made in court, Lance K. Bradford of Henderson, was a certified public accountant (CPA) and founder and manager of an accounting firm, LL Bradford & Company (LLB). LLB provided accounting services including tax preparation, audit and consulting services. Bradford also operated a real estate business that developed office buildings and other real property. In connection with Bradford’s real estate development activities, he operated and controlled a real estate investment partnership entity. In 2011, Bradford began offering LLB’s high-net-worth clients an “investment opportunity” through which the clients would make a payment to his partnership entity and, in exchange, receive a large tax deduction of approximately five to seven times the amount of money the client “invested.” Bradford advised that the clients’ payments would entitle them to claim the large tax deduction based on losses derived from the partnership entity even though the tax laws did not permit the sale of such deductions in exchange for an investment or money and the partnership did not incur the losses or depreciation in the amounts Bradford was selling. Bradford also did not report the purported investments as losses on the clients’ tax returns as promised. Instead, he caused the clients’ returns to report large false deductions for cost of goods sold, professional and consulting fees or nonpassive losses. In total, Bradford’s scheme caused a tax loss to the IRS of at least $8 million. As part of the investment scheme, in 2014, Bradford asked a client to make a $417,780 “investment” to his partnership entity in exchange for purported depreciation-based losses to be placed on his client’s 2013 corporate tax return (Form 1120S). But instead of reporting depreciation related to the investment, Bradford caused LLB to prepare and file a Form 1120S that falsely inflated the company’s cost of goods sold by $2,110,000, causing a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $860,627. Bradford is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 16, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation are investigating the case with the assistance of the FBI. Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to 35 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge Brian A. Jackson sentenced Shatner Lewis, age 35, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 35 months in federal prison following his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Court further sentenced Lewis to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered that the firearm involved be forfeited. According to admissions that Lewis made as a part of his guilty plea, on December 5, 2022, Lewis was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for a traffic violation by a Baton Rouge Police Department officer. During a search of the vehicle, a Taurus G3c 9mm pistol with a fully-loaded twelve-round magazine was found. Lewis admitted that the firearm belonged to him. In 2021, prior to possessing the firearm, Lewis was convicted of manslaughter and attempted armed robbery in East Baton Rouge Parish. He was still on parole for those convictions when he was found in possession of the pistol in December. This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Baton Rouge Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wallace.


title: Armed Kidnappers Waterboarded and Threatened to Kill Victim at Plantation AirBnB

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On Oct. 16, 2023, Jeffry Arista, 32, and his brother, Jonathan Arista, 29, had their initial appearances in federal court on federal kidnapping charges. According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint on October 13, 2023, Jeffry Arista, Jonathan Arista, and Raymond Gomez committed an armed kidnapping of the victim outside of the victim’s apartment. After forcefully transporting the victim to an AirBnB, a rental property located in Plantation, Florida, the kidnappers realized that they had abducted the wrong person. Rather than releasing the victim, the kidnappers waterboarded and threatened to kill the victim while pointing firearms, tasers, and an electric drill at the kidnapped victim. Upon learning that the intended target was at a business in Pompano Beach, Florida, the kidnappers forcefully brought the victim to the business and ordered the victim to go into the business and lure out the intended target. Upon entering the business, the victim called law enforcement and all three kidnappers were arrested. A criminal complaint charges all three defendants with kidnapping, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a) and conspiracy to kidnap, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c). If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Raymond Gomez has not yet had his initial appearance on the charges. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the pending criminal complaint charges. FBI Miami investigated the case, with assistance from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay Alexander is prosecuting this case. A criminal complaint contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 23-mj-6485. ###