title: United States Attorney's Office Releases 2024 First Quarter Immigration Enforcement Statistics

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office announced its immigration enforcement statistics for January 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the Tucson and Yuma Sectors of the Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies. In the three-month period ending March 31, 2024, the United States brought criminal charges in Arizona against 2,113 individuals who illegally entered or re-entered the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States also filed 243 cases against individuals responsible for smuggling undocumented noncitizens to and within the District of Arizona. In this time period, the United States also prosecuted 54 reactive drug cases arising out of immigration ports of entry and checkpoints. Reducing migrant smuggling and mitigating the risk to communities impacted by these offenses continue to be priorities for the Office and its law enforcement partners. Some of these prosecutions are directed against leaders and coordinators of alien smuggling organizations. Other prosecutions are aimed at deterring young adult drivers, often recruited over social media platforms, from engaging in this dangerous activity. Prosecutions against young drivers include cases brought against three juvenile smugglers during this time period. Protecting law enforcement officers is a key part of border vigilance. During this time period, federal prosecutors brought charges against two defendants accused of assaulting federal officers. These statistics represent United States Attorney’s Office prosecutions only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process. RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-054_2024 First Quarter Immigration Enforcement Statistics # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: New York Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging NICOLAS BROWN, also known as “Breezy,” 28, of New York, New York, with child exploitation offenses. As alleged in court documents, on multiple occasions in March 2024, Brown arranged Uber trips to pick up one to three teenage girls, two of whom were under the age of 18, from a state-run group home in Connecticut and deliver them to him at various Connecticut hotels and shopping malls where he engaged in explicit sexual conduct with one of the minor victims. On one occasion, an Uber trip that Brown arranged took the two minors to meet him at the Bridgeport train station. Brown and the two minors traveled to Manhattan, and then to a hotel in South Hackensack, New Jersey, where they stayed for several days. On March 20, 2024, Brown was located at a hotel in Danbury and arrested on state charges. It is alleged that an iPhone seized from Brown at the time of his arrest revealed videos depicting child sex abuse, including videos that that he took engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a minor victim. The indictment charges Brown with production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and with possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Brown has been detained in state custody since his arrest. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Hartford Police Department, and the Danbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Lembo. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Rosebud Man found Guilty of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Shane Mousseaux, age 37, of Rosebud, South Dakota, of three counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 18, 2024. The charges for Sexual Abuse of a Minor each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charges for Abusive Sexual Contact each carry a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Mousseaux was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. Between August 6, 2020, and June 21, 2022, Mousseaux lived on the Yankton Sioux Reservation with his then-girlfriend and her children. During that time period, Mousseaux engaged in multiple sexual acts with one of his then-girlfriend’s daughter, who was 14-15 years old at the time. Between May 1, 2022, and June 21, 2022, Mousseaux engaged in sexual contact with another one of his then-girlfriend’s daughter, who was 14 years old at the time. This case was investigated by the FBI and Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann M. Hoffman and Paige Petersen prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for July 19, 2024. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: District Man Sentenced to 8 1/2 Years in Prison for Manslaughter

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Eugene Williams, 18, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday for the February 8, 2022, shooting death of 16-year-old DeShaun Francis, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Williams was sentenced by the Honorable Maribeth Raffinan of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Williams previously pleaded guilty on December 6, 2023, to voluntary manslaughter while armed with a firearm. According to the D.C. Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, Williams faced a sentencing range of seven-and-a-half to 15 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office requested 15 years in prison. The Court sentenced Williams under the Youth Rehabilitation Act and ordered him to serve eight-and-a-half years of a 10 year sentence, suspending 18 months of prison time. Williams must also serve 18 months of supervised probation, upon release. According to the government’s evidence, on February 8, 2022, Williams arranged to buy marijuana from a family member of DeShaun Francis. The family member, who was also planning to visit his father after making the sale, asked Mr. Francis if he wanted to ride along. Mr. Francis agreed to come along and was seated in the front passenger seat of the car when Williams came out to inspect the marijuana. Williams initially walked to the driver’s side of the car, briefly interacted with the occupants, and then re-entered an apartment building. A short time later Williams returned to the car with his codefendant, Anthony Greene. Greene approached the driver’s side of the car and Williams then walked to the passenger side of the car, armed with a firearm, and fired one shot into the car, striking DeShaun Francis, who was unarmed, in the head. Thereafter, as Greene and Williams fled the scene, there was an exchange of gunfire between Mr. Francis’ family member and Greene and Williams. Mr. Francis was hospitalized in critical condition until February 11, 2022, when he succumbed to his injuries. In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Rickard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Antonelli, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Monroe, Washington, resident convicted for role in wide-ranging drug trafficking ring

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 42-year-old Monroe, Washington resident was convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances following a week-long jury trial, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Humberto Garcia was arrested in December 2020 with seven other defendants tied to a drug trafficking ring distributing heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl throughout the Puget Sound region. The jury deliberated about two hours before reaching the guilty verdict. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones scheduled sentencing for August 16, 2024. According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, Garcia’s car was searched on October 3, 2020, after drug ringleader Jose Luis Ibarra-Valle, 40, was pressuring Garcia to get him a firearm to kill a drug user who owed him money. No firearm was found, but Garcia had drugs hidden in a fake soda can in the car. A few weeks later, Ibarra-Valle was stopped returning from a drug run to California. In the car authorities found approximately 10,000 pills that contained fentanyl, more than eight kilograms of methamphetamine, and more than a kilogram of heroin. These drug amounts count towards Garcia’s conviction as part of the conspiracy. Ibarra-Valle and the other coconspirators entered guilty pleas. Last year, Ibarra-Valle was sentenced to nine years in prison . The remaining coconspirators have been sentenced, with a range of sentences from time served, to over six years in prison. Garcia is the final defendant in this case and the only one who went to trial. Over the course of the investigation law enforcement seized 16,000 suspected fentanyl pills, 30 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, and six pounds of suspected heroin. In his closing statement, Assistant United States Attorney Michael Harder pointed to numerous wiretapped phone conversations between Garcia and drug supplier Ibarra-Valle. “They were setting up a working relationship,” Harder said, Garcia wanted to be “his right-hand man.” This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, Washington State Patrol, Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, United States Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Stevens Police Department and Tulalip Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Vince Lombardi and Michael Harder.


title: Two North Louisiana Men Convicted by Federal Jury in Monroe of Conspiring to Commit Bank Fraud Resulting in Loss of Over $3 Million

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MONROE, La. –United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Charlie L. Simpson , 51, of Downsville, and Charles D. Gardner , 56, of West Monroe, were each found guilty today by a federal jury in Monroe of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. After two days of deliberations, the jury also found Simpson guilty of four counts of bank fraud. The court declared a mistrial as to the remaining four counts of bank fraud against Gardner. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the two week trial. Simpson worked as the Chief Operating Officer of United Home Care, Inc. (“United”) and Trinity Home Health Care, Inc. (“Trinity”) and Gardner worked as the Chief Financial Officer/Controller of United and Trinity. According to testimony during the trial, from April 2016 until March 2017, Simpson and Gardner conspired together to defraud Origin Bank, Peoples Bank, and Louisiana National Bank (“LNB”) by fraudulently obtaining money and credits from the three banks. Simpson and Gardner orchestrated and executed a check kiting scheme between accounts at Origin Bank and LNB wherein they deposited hundreds of checks between multiple accounts they controlled at both banks and took advantage of the float when they passed the checks, timing the exchanges to artificially inflate the account balances. As a result of this scheme, Simpson and Gardner caused Origin Bank and LNB to honor checks and payments drawn against accounts with insufficient funds and put the financial institutions at risk. Additional testimony revealed that on March 8, 2017, Simpson learned that accounts under his control at LNB had an overdraft and the bank would only accept a certified check to cover the deficit. To cover the overdraft and prevent the kite from collapsing, Simpson and Gardner added a third bank, Peoples Bank, into the scheme by issuing over 20 checks for approximately $4 million drawn from different accounts at that bank and deposited them into multiple accounts at Origin Bank. However, the accounts used at Peoples Bank had less than $2,000 available and did not have sufficient funds to cover the checks deposited into Origin Bank. The following day, Simpson used the artificially inflated balances to obtain four certified checks totaling $2.1 million from Origin Bank and deposited them into different accounts at LNB to cover the overdraft. Origin Bank suffered a financial loss when it discovered that they had used the inflated accounts to obtain certified funds. Simpson and Gardner each face a sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both. Sentencing is set for August 7, 2024. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Leon H. Whitten, Brian C. Flanagan, and Criminal Chief Allison L. Duncan. # # #


title: Dallas Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography from Butte County

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cameron Andrew Garcia, 30, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison, 10 years of supervised release, and $5,000 in victim restitution for two counts of receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in 2014-2015, Garcia formed an online relationship with a minor victim from Butte County and instructed the minor victim to send him sexually explicit photos and videos, which the victim did. In 2020, Garcia sent Instagram messages to the same victim, threatening to post sexually explicit images and videos of the victim to public websites unless the victim produced new sexually explicit images and videos for him and sent him money. Garcia also used the Instagram app and the internet in 2020 to communicate with a second minor victim whom he knew was under the age of sixteen and solicited and received multiple videos of that victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. When this second minor victim was not forthcoming with an additional picture, Garcia again resorted to extortion by threatening to post explicit content of the victim publicly. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall prosecuted the case. 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 the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Owner of Burbank-Based Blood Testing Laboratory Indicted for Allegedly Evading the Payment of Nearly $5.8 Million in Taxes

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury today indicted a Burbank man who allegedly evaded the payment of nearly $5.8 million in federal taxes over several years by using a shill to illegally collect Medicare reimbursement payments made to his blood-testing company. Armen Muradyan, 58, is charged via indictment with one count of tax evasion. He has been in federal custody since his April 9 arrest at Los Angeles International Airport on a criminal complaint in this matter. Muradyan, a dual citizen of the United States and Armenia, was arrested prior to boarding a one-way flight whose ultimate destination was Armenia. Muradyan’s arraignment is scheduled for April 29 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. According to court documents, Muradyan owned and operated a Burbank-based blood testing laboratory called Genex Laboratories Inc. Medicare and bank records show that Medicare paid millions of dollars in reimbursements to Genex for blood testing. The reimbursements were wired to bank accounts in the name of an individual identified in court documents as “L.S.” – Muradyan’s long-time friend to whom Muradyan had offered to pay $2,000 per month to pretend to be Genex’s owner. Muradyan allegedly told L.S. that he needed him to submit Medicare enrollment papers to Medicare on Genex’s behalf because Medicare had banned Muradyan from submitting claims. L.S. and Muradyan allegedly opened bank accounts for Genex in L.S.’s name, but which Muradyan controlled. L.S. neither owned nor operated Genex and visited the company’s Burbank office to collect his $2,000 monthly payment and to sometimes sign documents at Muradyan’s direction. For the tax years of 2015 through 2020, Muradyan allegedly instructed L.S. to report Genex’s financial activity on L.S.’s personal income tax returns using documents that L.S. provided to his own tax preparer. The documents purportedly showed that Genex had minimal net profit or was operating at a loss, meaning the company had little or no income tax liability. For the same period, Muradyan allegedly submitted income tax returns that reported none of Genex’s financial activity as his own and that he averaged an income of $40,000 per year. In fact, Muradyan allegedly personally received and used millions of dollars in Medicare reimbursements to support his own expensive lifestyle. For these tax years, Muradyan’s unreported income was approximately $16,231,046, resulting in a total federal income tax due and owing by him of approximately $5,771,567, according to court documents. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Aveis of the Major Frauds Section and Trial Attorney Mahana K. Weidler of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division are prosecuting this case.


title: Multimillion-dollar unlicensed money transmitter convicted

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against an Iraqi citizen who resided in Richmond for operating a money transmitting business without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The jury deliberated for less than one hour before finding Sameer Sami Rasheed Al Salman, 55, guilty on one count of unlicensed money remitting following a two-day trial. During the trial, the jury heard evidence about Salman’s money transmitting business, which he operated at his residence in Richmond. Since 2020, Salman transferred and wired millions of dollars from bank accounts in the United States to ones all over the world including China, Indonesia and India. The jury heard testimony about how Salman offered his services locally and performed informal hawala transactions, a method of transferring money without using the banking system. Salman conducted these transfers which amounted to thousands of dollars from his driveway and required individuals to show their identification. Many transfers originated from Iraq and some transfers were up to $40,000. Authorities identified Salman’s illegal money transmitting operation after extensive surveillance and conducted a search of his residence. At that time, they discovered over $282,000 in cash stored within the house. At the trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury Salman had lawful authority to operate a money transfer business in Iraq. The jury did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged. “Money flowed from Iraq through Houston thanks to Rasheed Al Salman’s illegal money transmitting business, a business he conducted from his home’s driveway and without a license,” said Hamdani. “Hawala operators like Salman pose a real threat to banking systems because they undermine the oversight and regulation of significant money transfers - transfers that when unregulated, often end up in the coffers of international criminal organizations.” U.S. District Judge Sim Lake presided over the trial and set sentencing for Aug. 16. At that time, Salman faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Winter and Steven Schammel are prosecuting the case.


title: Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 192 Months in Prison for Receiving, Distributing, and Accessing Child Pornography Online

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 192 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for receipt, distribution, and access with intent to view child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, beginning in August 2020, through January 2022, Michael Francis Hamer, 56, knowingly and frequently obtained, distributed, and accessed child pornography online. On multiple occasions, he used Facebook and Gmail to directly message self-identified minor victims, some as young as 11 years old, to request and distribute images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors. Hamer also joined Facebook Messenger group chats that were named “Boys sex video,” “Kids Video Sex,” and “#Good Boy?,” among others, to solicit and access child sexual abuse images. Hamer was previously convicted in Minnesota state court for solicitation of a child to engage in sexual conduct. As a result of this state conviction, Hamer was required to register as a predatory offender with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Additionally, Hamer admitted to possessing child pornography during his 2012 conviction. Hamer was convicted by a federal jury on December 7, 2023, of one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and two counts of access with intent to view child pornography. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M. Menendez, who described Hamer’s conduct as “relentless behavior,” and noted that there was long-term damage to the victims depicted in the child sexual abuse material. Judge Menendez also remarked that reviewing one of the child sexual abuse videos at trial “is something I can never unsee,” and that it was something “the jury can never unsee” as well. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with assistance from the Minneapolis Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hillary A. Taylor, Emily A. Polachek, and Chelsea A. Walcker prosecuted the case.


title: Brothers Plead Guilty to Hostage-Taking of Unauthorized Immigrants

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 23, 2024 SAN DIEGO – Virves Pablo-Francisco, a citizen of Guatemala, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he and his younger brother, Nicolas Pablo-Francisco, kidnapped three unauthorized immigrants, including a boy from Afghanistan and a father and son from Ecuador, and held them for thousands of dollars in ransom in June 2023. Nicolas Pablo-Francisco pleaded guilty to similar charges in February. In his plea agreement, Virves Pablo-Francisco admitted that on June 13, 2023, he, his brother and others abducted a 16-year-old boy from Afghanistan and held him hostage in a residence in Escondido along with two other foreign nationals—the father and son from Ecuador who were kidnapped the day before. The defendants demanded ransom payments ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 per person for their release. Additionally, Virves Pablo-Francisco admitted that he provided the Ecuadorian father and son no food and told them they were required to pay extra if they wanted to eat. Nicolas Pablo-Francisco, who pleaded guilty in February, admitted holding the boy hostage and demanding ransom from his family. He also admitted assisting his older brother Virves in the continued detention of the Ecuadorian father and son pending payment of a ransom by their family. Federal authorities first learned of the abductions late in the day on June 13, 2023, when the Pablo-Francisco brothers contacted the 16-year-old’s family member in the United States, claiming to have the boy and demanding $4,000 for his release. The family member reported the contact to law enforcement, which led to an overnight, multi-agency effort to locate the boy and identify his kidnappers. By morning, agents with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force - with support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office - had identified a residence in Escondido where they suspected the boy was being held. With assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI agents obtained and executed a federal search warrant for the residence. Upon entering the home, agents located Nicolas Pablo-Francisco and the boy, along with the Ecuadorians who agents learned were also being held for ransom. All three migrant hostages entered the United States illegally in the days leading up to their rescue. Virves Pablo-Francisco, who was not present at the Escondido house on the day of the raid, was arrested later pursuant to a warrant. “These victims are safe because a family member was brave enough to seek help from law enforcement officials,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Always report crime. We are standing by to hold those accountable who commit crimes, and to support victims and their families. Also, I urge anyone who is considering a dangerous journey into the United States: Please don’t risk your life by trusting smugglers. It could be a very costly mistake.” “These guilty pleas demonstrate the FBI’s commitment to bringing kidnapping victims home safely,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge John Kim. “Criminals involved in alien smuggling may think they will get away with taking migrants hostage because of the unique vulnerability of their victims. They are wrong.” Nicolas Pablo-Francisco is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant. Virves Pablo-Francisco’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on July 15, 2024. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Miller, Jordan Arakawa, and David Eugene Fawcett. DEFENDANTS Case Number 23cr01355-BAS Virves Pablo-Francisco Age: 22 Guatemala/Escondido, CA Nicolas Pablo-Francisco Age: 20 Guatemala/Escondido, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Hostage Taking – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1203(a) Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine Harboring Aliens – Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii) Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCY Federal Bureau of Investigation


title: Bronx Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Targeting Credit Unions

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Victor Barriera, age 63, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty yesterday to his role in a bank fraud conspiracy that targeted credit unions all over the country since at least December 2021. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Barriera admitted that between at least December 2021 and April 2023, he was a member of a bank fraud conspiracy that targeted credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Many of the credit unions were members of a shared branching network, which allowed customers of member credit unions to withdraw funds from their accounts at other member credit unions by presenting an identification with their photograph, their account number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. The network was designed to allow customers of localized credit unions easier access to their accounts when traveling throughout the country. Barriera admitted that the conspirators exploited this network by creating fake identifications in the names of real credit union customers, but with photographs of other individuals, including Barriera, who conducted fraudulent transactions at shared branch member credit unions all over the country in exchange for drugs or a small portion of the stolen funds. Barriera pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. In total, Barriera, admitted to successfully withdrawing at least $148,352 and attempting to fraudulently obtain an additional $15,000 while working as a member of the conspiracy. When Barriera is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on August 22, 2024, he faces up to 30 years in prison, a term of supervised release of up to 5 years, and a fine of up to $1 million. Barriera will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes in the amount of $148,352. Barriera has also agreed to forfeit $10,000 in U.S. currency seized by Cohoes Police Department in May 2022 when Barriera was arrested with codefendants David Daniyan and Gaysha Kennedy after being caught attempting to defraud a local credit union. The following defendants still have charges pending in this case: Oluwaseun Adekoya, age 38, of New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft; David Daniyan, age 59, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft; Gaysha Kennedy, age 45, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Danielle Cappetti, age 45, of the Bronx, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft; Lesley Lucchese, age 53, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft; Jerjuan Joyner, age 49, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Akeem Balogun, 53, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. These defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The bank fraud conspiracy charges carry a maximum term of 30 years’ incarceration and each aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years, to be imposed consecutive to any prison term imposed on the bank fraud charge. FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York and Newark, and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, the New York State Police; Cohoes Police Department; Colonie Police Department; Elmira Police Department; Corning Police Department; Plattsburgh Police Department; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire, including the Rochester Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Amherst Police Department; the Norwich, CT Police Department; law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts, including the Springfield, MA Police Department; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Delaware State Police; and law enforcement agencies in Maryland, including the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.


title: Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Intending to Distribute Cocaine

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – William De La Rosa, age 29, of New York, New York, pled guilty yesterday to possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram of cocaine. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. De La Rosa admitted to driving to a hotel in Amsterdam, New York, on January 25, 2024, where he planned to distribute one kilogram of cocaine to another person. When he arrived, law enforcement searched his vehicle and discovered the cocaine. De La Rosa faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of post-release supervision of between 4 years and life, when United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci sentences him on August 16, 2024. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The DEA and the Johnstown Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is prosecuting the case.


title: Watertown Resident Pleads Guilty to Attempted Possession of Controlled Substances with the Intent to Distribute

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Stuart Chambers, age 44, of Watertown, New York, pled guilty yesterday to attempted possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Chambers admitted that, on January 30, 2024, he travelled to Syracuse from Watertown to purchase one pound of methamphetamine and nine ounces of cocaine, which he intended to distribute. Chambers was arrested as part of a drug interdiction operation conducted by DEA and other law enforcement agencies. He further admitted that, before he committed this offense, he had previously been convicted in federal court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania of possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2024, in Syracuse, at which time Chambers faces a mandatory minimum federal prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life, a fine of up to $8,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case with assistance from Pennsylvania State Police, Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, and the New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit - Syracuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.


title: Amsterdam Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Cocaine Base, Money Laundering and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Angelo Dalmau, age 54, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to distributing cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) in the Amsterdam area between September 2021 and March 2022. Dalmau also admitted to money laundering and possessing a pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office, made the announcement. Dalmau admitted to selling a total of about 250 grams of crack cocaine to another person on five occasions between September 2021 and March 2022. Dalmau further admitted to delivering $149,500 in drug trafficking proceeds to another person in January 2022 for the purpose of laundering those funds. When investigators searched Dalmau’s residence pursuant to a warrant on April 14, 2022, they recovered approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, $191,843 in cash, and a pistol with ammunition. Dalmau was arrested on that date has remained in custody since that time. Dalmau will be sentenced on August 23, 2024, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Under the terms of Dalmau’s plea agreement, the parties have jointly recommended that Dalmau receive a prison term of 93 months. Dalmau also faces a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The DEA, IRS and Amsterdam Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Segovia and Emmet O’Hanlon are prosecuting the case.


title: Southwest Georgia Resident Sentenced to Prison for Meth Possession and Distribution

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A Pelham, Georgia, resident with a lengthy criminal history in Southwest Georgia who admitted to possessing with the intent to distribute nearly one kilogram of methamphetamine was sentenced to serve more than 15 years in federal prison today. Skeeter Eugene Weeks, 41, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on April 23. Weeks previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Sept. 8, 2023. There is no parole in the federal system. “The defendant’s high-speed attempt to evade capture endangered himself, responding law enforcement and other drivers,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Individuals with lengthy criminal histories who continue to disregard the law will be held accountable.” According to court documents and other evidence, a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to pull Weeks over for a traffic violation on I-75 on Sept. 12, 2021. Weeks, who was driving a motorcycle, didn’t stop but accelerated to speeds of more than 90 mph. Additional officers joined the pursuit, as Weeks weaved between vehicles to avoid law enforcement. Weeks exited at Rumble Road, lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. He began to run away and across the interstate but was taken into custody as he attempted to jump the center median guardrail. Weeks was driving with a suspended license and had several active warrants. He was wearing a cross-body bag, which held a semi-automatic pistol. Inside the cross-body bag and in his pockets, Weeks was carrying 993 grams of methamphetamine. Weeks has a lengthy criminal past in Southwest Georgia including convictions for burglary, harassing phone calls, manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine. The case was investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Criminal Chief Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case.


title: U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Celebrates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 21-27, 2024

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 21-27, 2024. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is commemorating this important awareness week by announcing winners of Law Enforcement Victim Services Awards. In 2022, there were nearly 20 million crime victimizations in the United States. More than 6.6 million were the result of violent crimes, including rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Of that 6.6 million, only about 42% were reported to police. This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme is “How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors.” We must create an environment in which victims and survivors feel safe talking about what happened to them. The theme aims to ensure that everyone in a community knows where and how crime victims and survivors can find help — including friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, service providers, or other trusted members of the community. We must all be prepared to offer support. “We are fortunate in the Northern District of Iowa to have excellent resources for victims of domestic and sexual violence as well as resources for survivors of homicide and other violent crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy T. Duax. “Our personnel are our greatest asset. They are trained to provide compassionate, consistent, and comprehensive services to crime victims across the state of Iowa.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is proud to join the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and communities throughout the United States during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in raising awareness of victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and their advocates. This week, U.S. Attorney Duax announced winners for the Law Enforcement Victim Services Awards in the Northern District of Iowa. This award is presented to law enforcement officers in Iowa who go beyond the call of duty to help crime victims. It is the highest federal honor in Iowa for victim services by a law enforcement officer. The following individuals won the award based on their service to victims: Detective Ian Mallory of the University of Iowa Police Department, in recognition of his outstanding investigative and advocacy work that led to the successful discovery and prosecution of Matthew Keirans, perpetrator of a sophisticated, three-decades-old, aggravated identity theft. The vulnerable victim of Mr. Keirans' scam maintained his true identity even after he was jailed, found mentally incompetent, and ordered to receive psychotropic medication. But for Detective Mallory’s open mindedness, patience, and diligence, this victim would have remained the target of a scam that fooled other law enforcement officers, courts, banks, and government officials. Detective Mallory’s persistence and commitment to finding justice for this victim is a credit to himself, the University of Iowa Police Department, and the entire Iowa law enforcement community. Detective Michael Sitzman and Detective Nate West, Sioux City Police Department, Investigator Joaquin Orduno, South Sioux City Police Department, and Special Agent Bradley Colligan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, in recognition of their outstanding investigation and advocacy that led to the successful prosecution of Kevon Spratt, perpetrator of at least five armed robberies during one month in 2022 within the Siouxland area. The danger that Spratt posed to the community cannot be overstated. This team’s compassionate, reassuring, strong, and inspirational conduct during the investigation empowered more than thirty victims and witnesses to cooperate with the investigation. To learn more about how to support all victims of crime, visit the Office for Victims of Crime’s website at ovc.ojp.gov. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Birmingham Man Convicted on Fentanyl Charge

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ANNISTON, Ala. – Today, A jury convicted a Birmingham man of a fentanyl-related drug crime, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Hofer. The jury returned a guilty verdict against Demarcus Hill, age, of 42, after one day of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Corey Maze. Hill was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl. “Removing fentanyl pills from our communities is not just a priority; it’s a duty to protect lives,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Partnerships with our federal, state, and local law enforcement are an integral part of our efforts to remove dangerous drugs from the streets and keep our communities safe.” “Evidence presented at trial showed the defendant traveled across state lines to obtain a dangerous amount of fentanyl pills with the intent of distributing them in Alabama. This reckless disregard for public safety put countless lives at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Hofer. “This sentencing sends a clear message that the DEA will continue to disrupt drug trafficking organizations, seize deadly drugs, and hold those responsible accountable.” According to evidence presented at trial, Hill and his co-defendant, JT Toombs, drove from Birmingham to Atlanta, Georgia, where they picked up over 2000 fentanyl pills to bring back to Birmingham. An Oxford Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Interstate 20. His canine detected the odor of narcotics, and after searching the vehicle, the officer found the fentanyl pills. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl is 40 years in prison. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case along with the Oxford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Blake Milner and Brittany Byrd are prosecuting the case.


title: The U.S. Attorney's Office Observes National Crime Victims' Rights Week

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina join the Justice Department, law enforcement agencies, service providers, allied professionals and communities nationwide to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 21-27, 2024. This year’s NCVRW theme is, “How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors.” The theme emphasizes the importance of creating an environment in which victims and survivors feel safe and supported to share their experience and trauma. The theme also aims to ensure that everyone in the community knows and understands where and how crime victims and survivors can find and receive help. “A crucial aspect of our justice system is supporting and advocating for crime victims and survivors. And that begins by asking an important question: ‘How can we help?’” said U.S. Attorney King. “This year’s NCVRW theme reflects our commitment to crime victims and survivors. This is a commitment that extends beyond legal proceedings and holding offenders accountable. It is a commitment that ensures crime victims’ rights are represented with diligence and sensitivity, and that victims and survivors receive the care, support, and resources they need every step of the way.” In 2022, there were nearly 20 million crime victimizations in the United States. More than 6.6 million were the result of violent crimes, including rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Of that 6.6 million, only about 42% were reported to police. This week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina will join the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina to commemorate NCVRW by hosting events that encourage everyone – including friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, service providers, and other trusted members of the community – to learn more about how they can assist, support, and empower survivors. Throughout the nation and in the Western District of North Carolina, victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local, and Tribal agencies will host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events during NCVRW, to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities in their annual observances of NCVRW. On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, a candlelight vigil will be held on the National Mall from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time, to pay tribute to victims of crime and the many dedicated professionals and volunteers who advocate on their behalf. For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at ovc.ojp.gov . Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program can be found here .


title: Iowa City Man Sentenced to 144 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms Charges

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced April 17, 2024, to 144 months in federal prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, on July 3, 2022, Chris Lee Gordon, 34, a two-time convicted felon, possessed a stolen and loaded pistol at an apartment in Iowa City, Iowa. While Gordon slept, a three-year-old child staying at the apartment, got out of bed, found Gordon’s pistol, and fatally shot himself. Gordon, heard the gun shot, got up and saw the injured child, picked up his pistol and ran out of the apartment. Several weeks later, the pistol used in this fatal shooting was found on a roof of a building, with the serial number scratched off. On July 24, 2022, Gordon was arrested with another firearm, a loaded Polymer 80 nine-millimeter handgun with an extended magazine that was capable of holding up to 32 rounds of ammunition. After completing his term of imprisonment, Gordon will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Coralville Police Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: United States Attorney’s Office Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT, MI – In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 21-27, 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, along with the Detroit Crime Victims’ Action Team, will be recognizing crime victims and those who have dedicated their lives to serve and assist victims of crime. “My office stands ready to support victims and ensure they know their rights,” stated United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “Our staff of professionals are dedicated to ensuring that victims’ rights are protected, and that their voices are heard in every case.” “Victims of crime from months old to well into their nineties and/or their families that have been left behind deserve a justice system that works for them. Whether they have been murdered, sexually assaulted, robbed, tortured, or abused, they should be treated with respect and be supported. Prosecutors, advocates, and law enforcement can often be their last line of defense. And although we cannot restore their lives to what they were before their victimization, we can stand by them, seek justice for them, advocate for them, and try to give them hope for a crime free future,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Each year in April, the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by raising awareness of victims' rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. The NCVRW theme for 2024 is How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors. This year’s theme is focused on creating safe environments for crime victims to share what happened to them and offer support, options for life-saving services, and most importantly, hope. Each year during NCVRW, the Detroit Crime Victims Action Team, which is comprised of Crime Stoppers of Michigan, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, honors an organization or individual for outstanding service to victims of crime. The 2024 honoree is SafeHouse Center, whose mission is to empower survivors of both sexual and intimate partner violence by providing advocacy, support, and promoting social change within our community. SafeHouse Center will be recognized for its tireless work to ensure that the needs of victims are met. This year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week event will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, Michigan. Lauren Sowell, a sex trafficking survivor and Anti-Trafficking Specialist at Avalon Healing Center will be the guest speaker and share her emotional story of how she is using her voice to help others. Following the event, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Michigan, will be hosting a Wellness Event featuring vendors, food trucks, resources, and more. For more information about the wellness event, contact Mechelle Donahoo and Pat Little at: VictimRightsEvent2024@waynecountymi.gov All are welcome to attend this event. This event will be livestreamed on the Facebook page for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act, commonly shortened to VOCA. This act was passed by Congress and signed into law on October 12, 1984. VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), a Federal Victim Notification System, discretionary grants for victim service organizations, victim assistance positions in the Department of Justice, financial support for the Children’s Justice Act Program, and assistance and compensation for victims and survivors of terrorism. For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.ojp.gov .


title: St. Michael, ND, Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Second-Degree Murder and Arson

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that Cody James Belgarde , age 37, from St. Michael, ND, was sentenced by Chief Judge Peter D. Welte to 327 months in prison following conviction at trial on charges of Second-Degree Murder and Arson. In January of 2021, Belgarde shot and killed a boy who was two weeks past his seventeenth birthday. Belgarde then set fire to the house where the murder took place. In November of 2023, a jury found Belgarde guilty of Second-Degree Murder and Arson within Indian country. The jury acquitted Belgarde on a charge of First-Degree Murder. “The violent murder of this young man was as utterly senseless as it was brutal,” Schneider said. “No amount of time in prison can undo the heart-rending and pointless loss of life in this case, but we hope this sentence provides a measure of justice for the victim’s family. The United States Attorney’s Office is deeply committed to increasing public safety in Indian country, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute perpetrators of violent crime in tribal communities.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation; and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Conroy and U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota. Previous Press Release for this case can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nd/pr/st-michael-nd-man-convicted-second-degree-murder-and-arson ######


title: Couple Charged with Child Neglect and Involuntary Manslaughter of a Three-Year Old Child

body_text: FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced Austin Ray Lester, 28, and Krissy Louise Hinsley, 25, both from Tokio, ND, made initial appearances on April 19, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, on charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and two counts of Child Neglect in Indian country. Lester is also charged with Assault of a Child with a Dangerous Weapon in Indian country. At Lester and Hinsley’s initial appearance, before United States Magistrate Judge Clare R. Hochhalter, both were ordered detained pending further hearings. Trial is currently scheduled for June 25, 2024. The charges against Lester and Hinsley are related to the August 2022 neglect and death of three-year-old child within the boundaries of the Spirit Lake Reservation. Lester and Hinsley pled not guilty to the charges. An Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Conroy and AUSA Samantha Schmidt. ######


title: Uintah Basin Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Extortion

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Leallen Blackhair, 47 of Utah, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and $18,000 in restitution after he admitted to extorting oil and gas businesses operating on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. He used the extortion money on trips to various amusement parks, dining, and shopping. According to court documents and statements and admissions made at the change of plea hearing, Blackhair used his coveted position as the Compliance Supervisor for the Energy and Minerals Department of the Ute Tribe, to extort $109,925 for his own personal gain over the course of three years. Blackhair’s responsibilities as a compliance supervisor, included issuing fines to oil and gas businesses working on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation that violated their access permits and business licenses. Blackhair used his position to induce and attempt to induce multiple companies to pay him personally by offering to reduce a fine that would otherwise be assessed against them. Blackhair extorted sixty-six payments totaling $109,925, between August 2010 and May 2013. In December 2022, Blackhair pleaded guilty to eight counts of extortion and one count of attempted extortion. Ninety-five percent of all revenue for the Ute Tribe comes from the oil and gas industries work on the reservation. As the gatekeeper, Blackhair determined whether businesses could return to work on the reservation. Through extortion, Blackhair more than doubled his $50,000 salary and targeted mostly small, “mom and pop” businesses. Blackhair spent the extorted funds on trips to Disneyland, Legoland, Las Vegas, Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Pictures, airfare, hotels, rental cars, dining and shopping. Blackhair was sentenced March 22, 2024, before Federal District Court Judge Jill N. Parish. The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office’s Vernal Resident Agency. Assistant United States Cy H. Castle of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.


title: Wisconsin Sex Offender Convicted Of Enticing And Coercing A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity And Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Mohammad Ali Hemmat (29, Milwaukee) guilty of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, production of child sexual abuse material, traveling on two occasions from Wisconsin to Florida for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, and committing these offenses while required to register as a sex offender. Hemmat faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 35 years, up to life, in federal prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2024. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between April 2022 and March 2023, Hemmat used his cellphone and computer to sexually groom a 12-year-old girl in the Middle District of Florida. Hemmat groomed this minor through daily video chats, text message conversations, and by sending her cash, gifts, and fast food. Hemmat shared obscene material with this child through social media applications, and used a social media platform to remotely log-in to the minor victim’s laptop—which he had purchased for her—to search online for sexually explicit topics, images, and videos. The minor victim subsequently sent explicit images of herself to Hemmat over the internet. In February 2023, Hemmat drove from Wisconsin to Florida for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the minor. In March 2023, Hemmat drove to Florida for a second time for the same purpose, but law enforcement was alerted to his presence by the minor victim. Although Hemmat attempted to return to Wisconsin without detection, law enforcement in Indiana apprehended him. Evidence presented at trial also showed that Hemmat had engaged similar tactics in grooming a13-year-old child in the United Kingdom to send sexually explicit images of herself to Hemmat. Hemmat has a prior conviction for an offense involving a minor, requiring him to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin when he committed the above offenses. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Jasper County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office, the Sussex County (United Kingdom) Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ilyssa M. Spergel and Risha Asokan. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Louisville Father Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Enticing Two Indiana Children to Obtain Sexually Explicit Material via Facebook

body_text: TERRE HAUTE- Anthony Michael Bentley, 30, of Louisville, has been sentenced to seventeen years in federal prison, followed by fifteen years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of making false statements to the FBI. Bentley must also pay $10,000 in restitution to the minor victims. According to court documents, from August 17 to August 22 of 2018, Bentley directed and coerced Minor Victim 1, who was 12 years old at the time, to send him sexually explicit images and videos via Facebook Messenger. Additionally, from January of 2018 through early 2020, Bentley directed and coerced Minor Victim 2, who was 17 years old at the time she met Bentley, to send him sexually explicit videos via Facebook Messenger. In both instances, Bentley sent messages coaching the children on how to take the explicit photos and videos. Bentley misrepresented his name, image, and age on Facebook to entice the minor victims to communicate with him. He used the alias “Chris Jones” to hide his true identity and used photos of a young man he found online, identified as Individual 1, without his consent. Bentley also sent nude images of Individual 1 to Minor Victim 1 and claimed that they were pictures of himself. Investigators later learned that Individual 1 was a minor in those photographs. On March 7, 2020, FBI investigators executed a search warrant at Bentley’s residence in Kentucky. At the time, Bentley told officials he did not have any knowledge of the Facebook account belonging to Chris Jones and claimed that he no longer had his old cell phone. However, investigators located the old cell phone under the carpet of a locked safe inside Bentley’s home. The cell phone contained the evidence and photographs of Individual 1 used on the fake Facebook account. Investigators discovered that Bentley was using the Chris Jones Facebook account to communicate with females – including the minor victims – all hours of the day, including while his newborn child was sick in the hospital and while he was on family vacations. “This supposed family man posed as an attractive teen boy on Facebook to win the trust of underage girls and entice them to send him sexually explicit material—exploiting children as young as just twelve years old for his own gratification,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Making his crimes worse, Bentley distributed nude images of the minor boy whose pictures he stole to create his alias, casting suspicion on an innocent person. He then lied to the FBI when he was discovered and confronted. Unfortunately, sexual predators know that social media platforms like Facebook are a fertile hunting ground. We urge caring adults to talk to their children about staying safe online. Thanks to the efforts of the FBI and our federal prosecutors, this criminal has been held accountable and the public will be safe from him for many years.” The FBI investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Adam J. Eakman and MaryAnn T. Mindrum, who prosecuted this case. 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. ###


title: Muscatine Man Sentenced to 210 Months in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Muscatine man was sentenced for attempting to entice a minor. According to public court documents, in December of 2022, Paul Kyle Quigley, 41, a registered sex offender engaged in a Facebook conversation with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old female. After told of the 15-year-old age of the putative victim, Quigley replied with requests for sex acts. After multiple days of continued conversations of a graphic sexual nature, Quigley formulated a plan to attempt to meet and flee the state with the 15-year-old female with the intent to engage in sexual activity. Working in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), on February 22, 2023, Quigley was arrested in Burlington, just prior to arriving in his semi-truck at the established meeting place. After completing his term of imprisonment, Quigley will be required to serve 15 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office joins in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 21 to 27. This year’s theme is: “How would you help? Options, services and hope for survivors.” Each April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), leads communities in observing NCVRW to honor victims, uphold their rights and recognize victim advocates. OVC’s 2024 theme is focused on creating safe environments for crime victims to share what happened to them, and in doing so, offer support, options for life-saving services and, most importantly, hope. “Each year, it is appropriate and necessary to recognize crime victims who suffer pain, trauma, and loss due to those who harm or prey on them. We reaffirm our commitment to upholding victims’ rights and supporting victims in their time of need. The courage of victims who come forward to report crimes is inspiring, as their bravery helps us hold offenders accountable and ensure they can’t harm others again. I also want to commend our office’s victim specialists, who work diligently every day to support victims and seek justice on their behalf,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana has a dedicated team of prosecutors and victim assistance professionals who work together to ensure victims of crime receive the services and support they need. During NCVRW, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies host gatherings, candlelight vigils and other events to raise awareness about victims’ rights and services. For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2024/overview . Also, visit www.ovc.gov for more information. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you’ve been the target or victim of a crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency or your nearest FBI field office immediately. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, which covers Montana, may be reached at (801) 579-1400 or by submitting tips online at tips.fbi.gov. XXX


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Owensboro Felon for Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green returned an indictment on February 14, 2024, charging an Owensboro man with possessing a fentanyl mixture with the intent to distribute it, possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Sheila G. Lyons of the DEA Chicago Field Division made the announcement. According to the indictment, on September 6, 2023, in Daviess County, Kentucky, Donte Monzel Washington, 31, possessed with the intent to distribute a fentanyl mixture, possessed a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessed a firearm as a convicted felon. Washington was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On April 5, 2012, in Daviess Circuit Court, Washington, was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, first offense (< 4 grams cocaine). On October 31, 2013, in Daviess Circuit Court, Washington, was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree, first offense (>= 4 grams cocaine). On January 17, 2018, in Daviess Circuit Court, Washington, was convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. The defendant made an initial court appearance last week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered the defendant detained pending trial. If convicted, Washington faces a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. The case is being investigated by the DEA Evansville Resident Office with assistance from the ATF, KSP, and Owensboro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky returned an indictment on April 10, 2024, charging an Owensboro man with possessing 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture with the intent to distribute it, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Sheriff Brad Youngman of the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. According to the indictment, on March 19, 2023, in Daviess County, Kentucky, Shai Chance Sheriff, 24, possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a fentanyl mixture, possessed a Smith & Wesson.40-calliber pistol and a Glock .45-calliber semiautomatic pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessed a firearm as a convicted felon. Sheriff was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offense. On June 28, 2019, in Daviess Circuit Court, Sheriff was convicted of robbery in the second degree. The defendant was arraigned last week before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered the defendant detained pending trial. If convicted, Sheriff faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. The case is being investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Resident Office and the FBI Owensboro Resident Office with assistance from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Nicholas Rabold, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: New Jersey Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Breaking into Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University and Destroying Property

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A New Jersey man has been charged with a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and destroying property. Jacob Beacher, 24, of Somerset County, was arrested this morning and charged by complaint with one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities. According to the criminal complaint, on April 10, during the Eid-al-Fitr holiday, Beacher broke into the CILRU around 2:41 a.m., where he damaged the CILRU’s property, including several religious artifacts, such as Turbah prayer stones, which are clay stones on which Muslims prostrate during prayer, and numerous other items that contained holy language from the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture. The complaint also alleges that Beacher stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box belonging to the CILRU. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey and New Jersey State Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin made the announcement. The FBI Newark Field Office, Branchburg Resident Agency, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Rutgers University Police Department-New Brunswick Division and New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin and Deputy Chief R. Joseph Gribko for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Louisville Pediatrician Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Murder-for-Hire and Aiding and Abetting Interstate Stalking

body_text: Louisville, KY –Stephanie M. Russell entered a plea of guilty to two counts of a federal indictment charging her with using a facility in interstate commerce, or causing another person to travel in interstate commerce, in the attempted murder-for-hire of her ex-husband, as well as aiding and abetting interstate stalking of her ex-husband. Russell entered her guilty plea this morning, on the same day her jury trial was scheduled to commence. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, and Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, made the announcement. According to court records, Stephanie M. Russell, 53, a pediatrician, owned and ran KidzLife Pediatrics in Norton Commons, in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning in July 2021, Russell caused another to travel in interstate commerce, and used a telephone, a facility of interstate commerce, with the intent that the murder of her former husband, R.C., be committed in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and offered to pay for that murder. In July 2021, during a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband, R.C., Russell began soliciting multiple KidzLife employees, asking if they knew someone who would be willing to kill R.C. In the spring of 2022, the FBI was notified of Russell’s solicitations, and began an investigation. As part of that investigation, a cooperating witness provided Russell with the telephone number of a purported hitman from the Chicago area. That hitman was an FBI Special Agent working undercover. Beginning on May 15, 2022, Russell had several recorded telephone conversations with the purported hitman. In one call, Russell and the purported hitman had the following exchange: Hitman: Obviously you want [R.C.] killed, right, . . . ? Russell: I want him to be completely gone from my life, yes . . . . Hitman: Well I mean that can be in the Bahamas, but I don’t think we’re talking a vacation away. I think we’re talking in the ground. Russell: I mean, do you like, do they disappear? Do you like shoot them on the road? Like what happens? Or should I just not know? Hitman: It really depends on, I mean, price dictates. That’s just how that goes. The more work I got to do, the more it’s going to cost you, but it could be, do you want it to look like a suicide? Do you want it to . . . Russell: Yes, that would be amazing. Russell ultimately agreed to pay the purported hitman $7,000, with half due up front. On May 18, 2022, Russell was caught on surveillance video leaving $3,500 in a specimen box outside the KidzLife building for the hitman to retrieve. The purported hitman drove to Louisville from Illinois and was videotaped as he picked up the payment. The FBI arrested Russell the next day. Further, according to court documents and evidence presented at the change of plea hearing, between December 1, 2018, and August 9, 2019, during custody litigation, Russell, aided and abetted by J.S., a person who traveled to Louisville from Michigan, engaged in conduct that caused and attempted to cause her former husband substantial emotional distress, and Russell did so with the intent to harass and intimidate him. Specifically, Russell encouraged J.S. to harass R.C., and provided J.S. with a burner phone to use while doing so. The harassing conduct included visiting R.C.’s office unannounced, pretending to be a WAVE-3 reporter and leaving R.C. accusatory voicemails from the phone provided by Russell on R.C.’s phone, entering R.C.’s garage and leaving a note inside the garage pretending to be a reporter writing a derogatory story that could involve R.C., and by leaving fliers, with R.C.’s photograph and other personal identifying information, on cars at R.C.’s office. The fliers contained defamatory allegations of misconduct and were intended to be viewed by R.C.’s co-workers, supervisors, and potentially clients. Russell is scheduled for sentencing on July 31, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Russell remains detained pending sentencing. She faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Ford and David Weiser are prosecuting the case, with assistance from paralegal specialist Adela Alic. ###


title: City Employee Pleads Guilty To Check Theft Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today that BRANDON SANTANOO, an employee of the New York City Law Department (the “Law Department”), pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with his participation in a scheme to steal checks mailed to the Law Department and then to deposit or attempt to deposit forged, altered, and fraudulently endorsed versions of those checks into bank accounts not associated with the Law Department. SANTANOO pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Brandon Santanoo abused his position of trust as a city employee. As he admitted today in federal court, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of checks made payable to the Law Department and passed them along to others to fraudulently deposit. We will not tolerate any breach of trust or corruption within city agencies.” DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “Brandon Santanoo used his position at the City Law Department to steal approximately 40 checks payable to the City – and valued at approximately $600,000 – and then handed them out to acquaintances to forge, alter, or fraudulently endorse the checks and then deposit into private bank accounts. I thank the Law Department for the referral to DOI that prompted this investigation and our law enforcement partners in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their commitment to hold accountable City employees who exploit their access to engage in criminal conduct, and to protect valuable City resources from theft.” According to the allegations in the Information and the Complaint, the plea agreement, and statements made in court: Beginning in 2017, SANTANOO worked as a clerk in the mail room at the Law Department’s office in Brooklyn. By virtue of his position, SANTANOO had access to mail that was sent to the Law Department. From at least in or about June 2021 through at least in or about May 2023, SANTANOO stole checks that had been mailed to the Law Department, including checks made payable to the Law Department’s Worker’s Compensation Division, which is responsible for administering claims of city employees who are injured on the job. SANTANOO then passed those checks onto other people, who deposited or attempted to deposit forged, altered, and fraudulently endorsed versions of those checks into third parties’ bank accounts. Approximately 40 checks, totaling approximately $600,000, were stolen and deposited or attempted to be deposited as part of the scheme. * * * SANTANOO, 27, of Queens Village, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 30 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Sentencing is scheduled for September 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOI. Mr. Williams also thanked the Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance on this matter. The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Simon is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Somerset County Man Charged with Federal Hate Crime for Breaking into Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University and Destroying Property

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man has been charged with a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and destroying property, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and New Jersey State Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. Jacob Beacher, 24, was arrested this morning and is charged by complaint with one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities. Beacher is scheduled to have his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court. According to the criminal complaint, on April 10, during the Eid-al-Fitr holiday, Beacher broke into the CILRU around 2:41 a.m., where he damaged the CILRU’s property, including several religious artifacts, such as Turbah prayer stones, which are clay stones on which Muslims prostrate during prayer, and numerous other items that contained holy language from the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture. The complaint also alleges that Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box belonging to the CILRU. U.S. Attorney Sellinger and Attorney General Platkin credited the many agencies that collaborated on this joint investigation: special agents of the FBI, Branchburg Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; prosecutors and detectives from the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, under the direction of Director J. Stephen Ferketic; detectives from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone; the Rutgers University Police Department-New Brunswick Division, under the leadership of Chief of University Police Kenneth Cop; the New Brunswick Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Vincent Sabo; the New Jersey State Police, under the leadership of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan and the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin and Deputy Chief R. Joseph Gribko for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. beacher.complaint.pdf


title: Three Robbers Plead Guilty to Stealing USPS Arrow Key

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: Three Fort Worth men pleaded guilty to robbing a U.S. letter carrier, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Cedrick Eugene Mims, Danny Yogi Oriszul Powell, and Cameron Kemond Gist, pleaded guilty to robbery of property of the United States. Mr. Powell entered his plea on March 6, Mr. Mims entered his plea on March 13, and Ms. Gist entered his plea on April 17. According to plea papers, the three men robbed a letter carrier, identified in court documents as C.S., in Fort Worth on Oct. 24, 2023. Mr. Mimms admitted he pointed a 39mm pistol at the carrier and demanded “the key” – a reference to the carrier’s “Arrow Key,” a master key used by the U.S. Postal Service to gather mail deposited in blue collection boxes that is prized by mail thieves. The men admitted that they also purloined a postal scanner and the keys to the letter carrier’s official vehicle. Mr. Powell drove the getaway car and Mr. Gist provided the firearms, plea papers indicate. Mr. Mims and Mr. Gist now face up to 25 years in federal prison due to the dangerous weapon enhancement; Mr. Powell faces up to 10 years. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes is prosecuting the case. This case is the result of Project Safe Delivery (PSD) , a joint U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiative aimed at countering postal crime and safeguarding postal employees. Announced in May 2023, in direct response to a rise in threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents, PSD seeks to protect Postal employees and the mailstream, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail stream. Since the launch of PSD, postal inspectors, working with law enforcement partners, have arrested more than 213 individuals for postal-related robberies. In the first six months of the fiscal year, the number of arrests for postal-related robberies rose 72% versus the same period the previous year, while the number of postal-related robberies dropped 21%. Meanwhile, the number of mail theft complaints received during that period decreased 35%, suggesting the PSD approach is achieving the intended result.


title: Eight people charged with distribution of  methamphetamine and cocaine

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On April 18, eight defendants were arrested on a 12-count indictment charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. The indictment alleges that Alain Romero, 33, of Hialeah Gardens, Florida, Mauricio Herrera, 40, of Hialeah, Florida, Anthony Lee Davis, 27, of Naples, Florida, David Martinez Ortega, 35, of Naples, Patricia Correa Ramirez, 28, of Miami, Andy Cabrera, 28, of Miami, and Yanker Perez-Diaz, 34, of Westland, Michigan, a member of the Latin Kings gang in Miami, were part of a drug trafficking organization that trafficked methamphetamine and cocaine in Florida. According to the allegations in the indictment, Martinez and Davis distributed the drugs from Naples to Miami, at the direction of Oscar David Cardona, 29, of Miami, another member of the Latin Kings gang. Davis and Martinez were arrested in Naples, Perez-Diaz was arrested in Westland and Herrera, Ortega, Cabrera and Ramirez were arrested in Miami. The arrests were coordinated between the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida and Eastern District of Michigan. Cardona was arrested on Aug. 31, 2023, in Miami-Dade County for a state probation violation. He is currently in state custody. On April 19, Davis and Martinez made their initial appearances in the Middle District of Florida, Perez-Diaz made his initial appearance in the Eastern District of Michigan, and Herrera, Ortega, Ramirez, and Cabrera made their initial appearances in the Southern District of Florida. If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison, criminal fines of up to $10,000,000 and a period of supervised release of up to life. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami; U.S. Marshal Gadyaces S. Serralta of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS); Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division; Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD); Sheriff Gregory Tony of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO); Chief Alexander E. Rolle Jr. of the Homestead Police Department; Chief of Police Jeffrey Devlin of the Hollywood Police Department; Chief of Police Manuel A. Morales of the Miami Police Department; Sheriff Kevin Rambosk of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), and Director Dave Kerner of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) made the announcement. The DEA Miami Field Division, HSI Miami, USMS Miami, USPIS Miami, MDPD, BSO, Homestead PD, Hollywood PD, Miami Police Department, CCSO, and FHP investigated the case with assistance from the DEA Miami Field Division, Homestead and Fort Myers Resident Offices as well as the DEA Detroit Field Division (and their local police departments). The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Florida and Eastern District of Michigan provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yara Dodin is prosecuting the case. An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . 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 24-cr-20128. ###