title: New York Man Indicted for Human Smuggling

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Brooklyn, New York man was indicted in connection with smuggling unauthorized immigrants across the Canadian border, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Abraham Hernandez, 27, was indicted on three counts of bringing in and harboring certain aliens. Hernandez will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date. According to the charging documents, on June 13, 2023, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police advised the U.S. Border Patrol that individuals with backpacks were walking southbound from Canada toward Halls Stream Road in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Hernandez was later stopped by law enforcement in Pittsburg, New Hampshire while transporting nine unauthorized immigrants in a white Honda SUV. The charge of bringing in and harboring certain aliens provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Border Patrol led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Health Connect America Fined Over $4.6 Million for Improper Billing Practices

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – Health Connect America, (HCA) headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee with locations in Big Stone Gap and Culpeper, Virginia, has agreed to pay $4,611,375 to resolve allegations that it billed Virginia Medicaid for services not provided. As part of the resolution, HCA further agreed to be subject to a period of 5 years of increased compliance and oversight, during which any failure to comply with its obligations may result in criminal prosecution and contempt of court proceedings that could result in additional monetary sanctions and injunctive relief. The allegations involved HCA billing Medicaid improperly for three separate behavioral health services available to children who qualify. Therapeutic Day Treatment is a school-based program designed to assist children with various mental health diagnoses who need support during the school day. HCA billed Virginia Medicaid for providing services to students who were absent from school, and when school was not open due to holiday or weather closures. Intensive In-Home Services is a home-based program designed to help children who have various mental health diagnoses and are at risk of being removed from their home. HCA billed Virginia Medicaid for intensive in-home services provided by an employee who was having a sexual relationship with a juvenile patient in Orange County, Virginia. That employee has since been prosecuted by state authorities and is serving a 10-year sentence. Behavioral Therapy Services is a specialized mental health service for children with various mental health diagnoses, including autism, and includes Applied Behavioral Analysis. Behavioral Therapy Services and Applied Behavioral Analysis must be provided by specifically-trained mental health professionals. HCA billed for Behavioral Health Services that were provided by individuals who were not properly trained or credentialed in Southwest Virginia, and used the name and National Provider Identifier (NPI) number of a properly-trained and credentialed mental health professional located in Northern Virginia who had never seen clients in Southwest Virginia. “Ensuring that healthcare providers accurately bill programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are one of the cornerstone functions of law enforcement,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “When providers fail in that mission, we must hold them accountable. I am grateful to all those who worked on this matter and brought it to a just conclusion.” “Health Connect America tried to charge Virginia Medicaid for child behavioral health services they never performed. I'm proud of the collaboration between my office and our federal partners in reaching an agreement and bringing justice,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. “Health care providers have a responsibility to submit accurate and honest claims to federal health care programs to ensure that these resources are available for eligible patients,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed to safeguarding valuable taxpayer dollars and protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program.” The agreement resolves HCA’s potential criminal liability based on the investigation. As part of the resolution, HCA has committed to various compliance measures, including, but not limited to, increased compliance and audit requirements, unannounced audits, and enhanced reporting requirements if and when there are incidents of theft, fraud, abuse, or neglect The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort among the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant United States Attorney Janine M. Myatt, Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer represented the government in this matter.


title: Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Convicted Sex Offender with Failing to Update Sex Offender Registration

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on June 21, 2023, charging a local man with failure to update his Sex Offender Registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and United States Marshal Gary B. Burman of the Western District of Kentucky made the announcement. According to the indictment, between September 8, 2017, and June 2023, Charles M. Burleson, 44, of Louisville, Kentucky, failed to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Burleson was required to register by reason of a conviction under federal law and knowingly failed to update a registration as required by the Act. The defendant made his initial court appearance this week and a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky conducted a detention hearing, after which the judge ordered that Burleson remain in federal custody. If convicted, Burleson faces a maximum sentence of 10 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 United States Marshals Service and the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jo E. Lawless is prosecuting 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources." An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Texas Man Sentenced to 90 Consecutive Life Sentences for 2019 Mass Shooting at Walmart in El Paso, Texas, Killing 23 People and Injuring 22 Others

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: A Texas man was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences in prison for carrying out a mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, 2019, killing 23 people and injuring 22 more. On Feb. 8, Patrick Wood Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to a 90-count indictment with 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and 45 counts of using a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence. The defendant was sentenced to one life sentence for each count in the indictment, including for hate crime acts that resulted in the deaths of Andre Anchondo, Jordan Anchondo, Arturo Benavides, Jorge Calvillo Garcia, Guillermo Garcia, Leonardo Campos, Angelina Englisbee, Maria Flores, Raul Flores, Adolfo Cerros Hernandez, Alexander Hoffmann, David Johnson, Luis Alfonso Juarez, Maria Legarreta Rothe, Maribel Loya Hernandez, Ivan Filiberto Manzano, Gloria Irma Marquez, Elsa Mendoza Marquez, Margie Reckard, Sara Regalado Monreal, Javier Amir Rodriguez, Teresa Sanchez, and Juan Velasquez. Crusius was also sentenced for 22 counts of hate crime acts that caused bodily injury and involved attempts to kill 22 people injured in the shooting. In addition to the hate crimes, Crusius was sentenced for 45 firearms violations, including 23 counts of using a firearm in a federal crime of violence resulting in death, and 22 counts of using a firearm in a federal crime of violence. “No one in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence – that they will be targeted because of what they look like or where they are from,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The 90 consecutive life sentences announced today guarantee that Patrick Crusius will spend the rest of his life in prison for his deadly, racist rampage in El Paso. We are grateful to the victims and their family members who have spent the last three days bravely sharing the devastation and pain they endured because of Crusius’s horrendous crimes. The Justice Department’s commitment to combating hate crimes is unwavering.” “We are hopeful today's sentence brings a sense of justice, but the memories of the victims and our support for their families and the survivors doesn't end here,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “FBI employees are members of the communities we serve, and in El Paso, we will continue to help our neighbors and friends heal for as long as it takes. When anyone in our communities is threatened with violence or hate, the FBI will work with them side by side to fight for justice and we will hold the perpetrators accountable.” “We hope this sentence will bring some small measure of justice to those impacted by this massacre of innocent people targeted for no other reason than their Hispanic identity and national origin,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “This hate crime, that extinguished the lives of 23 innocent people, stands as one of the most horrific acts of white nationalist-driven violence in modern times. We lift up the legacies of those who lost their lives and those who survived this tragedy and will ensure that they are never forgotten. Make no mistake, white nationalist hate crimes have no place in our country today and we must bring every tool at our disposal to confront this threat.” “This defendant systematically targeted and killed 23 innocent people, injured 22 more, and forever changed the lives of so many others who witnessed this horrific event, leaving a haunting scar on the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez community and beyond,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “While today’s sentence cannot possibly replace the lives lost or undo the harm done to the survivors and those otherwise impacted by this horrific event, it is our hope this sentence of 90 consecutive life terms brings some finality and peace to those effected. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas will continue to aggressively prosecute those who commit violence because of bias or hate, seeking justice in the names of the victims and their loved ones.” According to court documents, Crusius previously admitted that he killed and wounded people at the Walmart because of the actual and perceived national origin of the people he expected to be at the Walmart. He further admitted that he intended to kill everyone he shot. Crusius also admitted he wrote a manifesto, titled “An Inconvenient Truth,” and uploaded it to the internet minutes before he commenced his attack. In it, he characterized himself as a white nationalist, motivated to kill Hispanics because they were immigrating to the United States. Crusius admitted to selecting El Paso, a border city, as his target to dissuade Mexican and other Hispanic immigrants from coming to the United States. The FBI investigated the case, in partnership with the El Paso Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Texas Department of Public Safety; the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office; the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner; the Allen Police Department; and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ian Hanna, Gregory McDonald, and Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas’ El Paso Division and Trial Attorneys Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section prosecuted the case. For more information about the department’s efforts to combat and prevent hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes .


title: Sentencian a 90 cadenas perpetuas consecutivas al hombre de Texas responsable del tiroteo masivo de 2019 en el Walmart de El Paso, Texas, que dejó 23 muertos y 22 heridos

body_text: Un hombre de Texas fue sentenciado a 90 cadenas perpetuas consecutivas por llevar a cabo un tiroteo masivo en el Walmart de Cielo Vista en El Paso, Texas, el 3 de agosto de 2019, donde mató a 23 personas e hirió a otras 22. El 8 de febrero, Patrick Wood Crusius (24) se declaró culpable de los 90 cargos de la acusación, que incluían 45 cargos por violar la Ley para la Prevención de Delitos de Odio Matthew Shepard y James Byrd Jr., y 45 cargos por usar un arma de fuego durante y en relación con delitos de violencia. El acusado fue sentenciado a una cadena perpetua por cada cargo en la acusación, inclusive por los actos de delito de odio que ocasionaron la muerte de Andre Anchondo, Jordan Anchondo, Arturo Benavides, Jorge Calvillo Garcia, Guillermo Garcia, Leonardo Campos, Angelina Englisbee, Maria Flores, Raul Flores, Adolfo Cerros Hernandez, Alexander Hoffmann, David Johnson, Luis Alfonso Juarez, Maria Legarreta Rothe, Maribel Loya Hernandez, Ivan Filiberto Manzano, Gloria Irma Marquez, Elsa Mendoza Marquez, Margie Reckard, Sara Regalado Monreal, Javier Amir Rodriguez, Teresa Sanchez y Juan Velasquez. Crusius también fue sentenciado por 22 cargos de actos de delito de odio que ocasionaron lesiones personales e implicaron tentativa de asesinar a otras 22 personas en el tiroteo. Además de los delitos de odio, Crusius fue sentenciado por 45 violaciones relacionadas con el uso de armas de fuego, entre las que se incluyen 23 cargos por usar un arma de fuego en un delito federal de violencia con resultado mortal y 22 cargos por usar un arma de fuego en un delito federal de violencia. “Nadie en este país debería vivir con miedo a sufrir violencia alimentada por el odio, pensando que pueden ser atacados por la forma en que se ven o por el lugar del que provienen”, afirmó el fiscal general Merrick B. Garland. “Las 90 cadenas perpetuas consecutivas anunciadas hoy garantizan que Patrick Crusius pasará el resto de su vida en prisión por su masacre racista en El Paso. Les agradecemos a las víctimas y a sus familiares que han pasados los últimos tres días compartiendo con mucha valentía la desolación y el dolor que han atravesado debido a los atroces delitos cometidos por Crusius. El compromiso asumido por el Departamento de Justicia para combatir los delitos de odio es inquebrantable”. “Esperamos que la sentencia de hoy traiga un sentido de justicia, pero las memorias de las víctimas y nuestro apoyo a las familias y los sobrevivientes no acaban aquí”, afirmó el director del FBI Christopher Wray. “Los empleados del FBI son miembros de las comunidades para las que trabajamos y, en El Paso, seguiremos ayudando a nuestros vecinos y amigos a sanar estas heridas durante el tiempo que sea necesario. Cuando cualquier miembro de nuestra comunidad sea amenazado con violencia u odio, el FBI trabajará a su lado para luchar por la justicia y responsabilizar a los culpables”. “Esperamos que esta sentencia traiga algo de justicia a aquellos afectados por esta masacre de personas inocentes atacadas por ningún otro motivo más que su identidad y nacionalidad hispanas”, dijo la fiscal general adjunta Kristen Clarke de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Este delito de odio, que acabó con la vida de 23 personas inocentes, se destaca como uno de los actos más espantosos de violencia fundada en el nacionalismo blanco que se ha registrado en los tiempos modernos. Honraremos el legado de aquellos que perdieron la vida y aquellos que sobrevivieron a esta tragedia, y nos aseguraremos de que nunca sean olvidados. No se equivoquen: los delitos de odio de los nacionalistas blancos no tienen lugar en nuestro país actualmente y debemos usar todas las herramientas que estén a nuestro alcance para hacer frente a esta amenaza”. “Este acusado atacó sistemáticamente y asesinó a 23 personas inocentes, hirió a otras 22 y cambió para siempre la vida de muchas otras personas que presenciaron este hecho espantoso, dejando una cicatriz imborrable en la comunidad de El Paso/Ciudad Juarez y los alrededores”, dijo la primera fiscal federal adjunta del Distrito Occidental de Texas Margaret Leachman. “Si bien la sentencia de hoy no puede devolver las vidas perdidas ni reparar el daño causado a los sobrevivientes y aquellos afectados de otras formas por este espantoso hecho, esperamos que esta sentencia de 90 cadenas perpetuas consecutivas traiga algo de paz a los afectados y les permita cerrar una etapa. La Oficina del Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Occidental de Texas continuará procesando enérgicamente a todos aquellos que cometan violencia motivada por prejuicios u odio, para buscar justicia en nombre de las víctimas y sus seres queridos”. Según los documentos judiciales, Crusius había admitido que asesinó e hirió a las personas en el Walmart debido a la nacionalidad real y percibida de las personas que esperaba encontrar en el Walmart. Además, admitió que su intención era asesinar a todas las personas a las que les disparó. Crusius también admitió que escribió un manifiesto llamado “Una verdad incómoda” y lo subió a internet unos minutos antes de comenzar el ataque. En él, se describía a sí mismo como un nacionalista blanco, motivado a matar hispanos porque inmigraban a Estados Unidos. Crusius admitió que había seleccionado El Paso, una ciudad fronteriza, como su objetivo para disuadir a los mexicanos y otros inmigrantes hispanos de venir a los Estados Unidos. El FBI investigó el caso, junto con el Departamento de Policía de El Paso; la Agencia de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF); el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas; la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de El Paso; la Oficina del Médico Forense del Condado de El Paso; el Departamento de Policía de Allen; y el Departamento de Policía de Dallas. El caso fue procesado por los fiscales federales adjuntos Ian Hanna, Gregory McDonald y Patricia Acosta para la División de El Paso del Distrito Occidental de Texas, y los abogados litigantes Kyle Boynton de la Sección Penal de la División de Derechos Civiles y Michael Warbel de la Sección de Casos Capitales de la División Penal. Para obtener más información sobre los esfuerzos del Departamento para combatir y prevenir los delitos de odio, visite www.justice.gov/hatecrimes. Actualizado el 7 de julio de 2023.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 12 Months and 1 Day for Theft of Government Property

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jeffrey Bowlin, 55, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for theft of government property. The Honorable Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bowlin to 12 months and one day in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Bowlin will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Bowlin was also ordered to pay $855.37 in restitution. On multiple occasions in April and May 2022, Bowlin, who had been placed on leave from his position as Manager of Distribution Operations for the United States Postal Service, donned a mask, hood, and gloves and entered the Papillion, Nebraska, Post Office at night and rifled through packages, mail, and postal employee work areas to locate and take cash, controlled substances, and other items of value. At least 40 victims were able to be identified by the United States Postal Service. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.


title: Nebraska Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Luis Lazo-Escobar, 32, of Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Lazo-Escobar to 60 months’ imprisonment and the forfeiture of $12,100.00 in U.S. currency. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On November 20, 2020, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a 2012 Honda Civic with Luis Lazo-Escobar as the driver. In March 2021, Lexington Police conducted an interview with a subject who knew there was a gun and possibly methamphetamine inside of this vehicle. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which had been impounded and remained in police custody, and located the following contraband: a 9mm Taurus handgun, 150 rounds of ammunition, and $12,100 in United States currency. Lazo-Escobar is a convicted felon stemming from a possession of a controlled substance conviction in 2017. This case was investigated by the Kearney Police Department.


title: Baltimore Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Federal Prison for Robbery and Murder

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Joseph Williams, a/k/a “Blue,” age 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 26 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery and for using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a weapon during and in relation to a crime of violence. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Acting Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department. According to their plea agreements, on September 29, 2020, Williams and co-defendants George Felds and Deron Johnson conspired to rob a 16-year-old of drugs and drug proceeds. Specifically, at approximately 4:24 a.m., Johnson and the victim pulled into the parking lot of a hotel in the 6500 block of Frankford Avenue in Baltimore, where Williams had been staying for several months, selling drugs under a fictitious name. Johnson was working as a “hack” driver and gave the victim a ride to the hotel on the ruse that the victim would be selling drugs to Williams and Fields. As detailed in the plea agreements, Williams and Fields approached Johnson’s van and Fields held out money as though he was ready to make a purchase. Williams and Fields then began robbing the victim while Johnson walked to the rear of the van and smoked. Fields admitted that he pinned the victim down in the front passenger seat of the van and went through his pockets. The victim struggled, flailing his arms and legs. Williams admitted that he then pulled out a handgun and fired a single shot into the victim’s chest at close range. The victim stumbled away from the van and collapsed on the ground. Williams, Fields and Johnson then got into the van and drove away. A hotel surveillance camera captured the entire incident. The victim died later that day after being taken to the hospital. No drugs, money, or cell phone were recovered from the victim’s personal effects. Later that morning, the conspirators returned to the hotel in Johnson’s van, while police were still processing the scene. Williams, Fields and Johnson entered the hotel together. Police recognized the van from the hotel surveillance footage and towed the van and detained Johnson. A search warrant was executed on the van and law enforcement recovered a single bullet from the front row carpet. On October 1, 2020, Johnson’s phone was searched and was found to contain evidence of the plan to rob the victim, including: text messages between Johnson and Williams; a record of phone calls between Johnson and the victim; several calls exchanged between Johnson and phone numbers used by Williams in the hours before and after the murder; a photograph of Johnson with Williams and Fields; and Fields’ contact information was in Johnson’s contacts. A cell phone seized from Williams at the time of his arrest revealed that Williams had been staying at the hotel, where he was also dealing drugs and that he was in dire need of money. The phone also contained messages immediately following the murder in which Williams made plans to dispose of the murder weapon and directed another individual to destroy evidence. George Fields, a/k/a “Chin,” age 49, of Baltimore, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Co-defendant Deron Johnson, a/k/a “DJ,” age 52, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and to committing the robbery. Johnson is expected to be sentenced to between 15 and 20 years in federal prison at his sentencing on September 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. 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. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Y. Oldham, who is prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Texas Man Sentenced to 90 Consecutive Life Sentences for Mass Shooting in El Paso

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: EL PASO, Texas – A Texas man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso today to 90 consecutive life sentences in prison for killing 23 people and injuring 22 more in a mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart, Aug. 3, 2019. According to court documents, Patrick Wood Crusius, 24, was convicted on a guilty plea to a 90-count superseding indictment with 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and 45 counts of using a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence. Crusius admitted that his crimes were directed at Hispanics because of their perceived race and national origin and were motivated by his desire to initiate a race war. Over a period of months, the defendant meticulously planned and carefully prepared to commit his crimes, detailing the plan and its purpose in a manifesto he crafted and posted on the internet moments before initiating the attack on the victims and the El Paso community. After receiving statements from some of the victims, their family members and loved ones, the court imposed 90 consecutive life sentences. Under federal law, a sentence of life imprisonment is without the possibility of parole and ends only upon the prisoner’s death. Accordingly, this sentence ensures Crusius will spend the rest of his natural life in prison. Crusius was sentenced to one life sentence for each count in the superseding indictment for hate crime acts that resulted in the deaths of Andre Anchondo; Jordan Anchondo; Arturo Benavides; Jorge Calvillo Garcia; Guillermo Garcia; Leonardo Campos; Angelina Englisbee; Maria Flores; Raul Flores; Adolfo Cerros Hernandez; Alexander Hoffmann; David Johnson; Luis Alfonso Juarez; Maria Legarreta Rothe; Maribel Loya Hernandez; Ivan Filiberto Manzano; Gloria Irma Marquez; Elsa Mendoza Marquez; Margie Reckard; Sara Regalado Monreal; Javier Amir Rodriguez; Teresa Sanchez; and Juan Velasquez. Crusius was also sentenced for 22 counts of hate crime acts that caused bodily injury and involved attempts to kill the 22 people injured in the shooting. In addition to the hate crimes, Crusius was sentenced for 45 firearms violations, 23 counts of using a firearm in a federal crime of violence resulting in death, and 22 counts of using a firearm in a federal crime of violence. “This defendant drove hundreds of miles from his home in Allen, Texas to El Paso, traveling through the night with an assault rifle and ammunition, to undertake a planned attack against Hispanics in this binational community, contending he was defending his country from the ‘cultural and ethnic replacement’ brought on by what he called the ‘Hispanic invasion of Texas,’” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Once in El Paso, he systematically targeted and killed 23 innocent people, injured 22 more, and forever changed the lives of so many others who witnessed this horrific event, leaving a haunting scar on the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez community and beyond. While this sentence cannot possibly replace the lives lost or undo the harm done to the survivors or those otherwise impacted by this horrific event, it is our hope this sentence of 90 consecutive life terms brings some finality and peace to those effected, with the knowledge that this ensures this defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas will continue to aggressively prosecute those who commit violence because of bias or hate, seeking justice in the names of the victims and their loved ones.” “Although today’s federal sentencing cannot bring back the loved ones lost or the innocence shattered on August 3rd, 2019, it is a step closer towards obtaining justice for the victims, survivors, and our El Paso community,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffery R. Downey of the FBI El Paso Field Office. “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and our community as El Paso continues to move forward and heal from these horrendous acts that targeted El Paso’s proud multi-cultural community. We stand together in unity with our partners at El Paso Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the many other agencies who worked so hard to get closure for the victims. The FBI will continue to seek justice for all those whose civil rights and safety are threatened by hate.” “Sadly, August 3, 2019, is a date that is etched in the history of El Paso, Texas,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek, II for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division. “This date and horrendous act will forever be ingrained in the memories of the entire community of El Paso. Today’s sentencing is the reason we at ATF chose to protect and serve the public. The collaboration between local, state, and federal partners was key in our continuing effort to combat violent crime and maintain public safety. Although no sentence will ease the pain of this tremendous loss, this sentencing proves that senseless crimes like this will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.” “Today signifies a pivotal moment for those wounded and the families tormented by the August 3rd assailant,” said Interim Chief of Police Peter Pacillas for the El Paso Police Department. “May this sentence offer them a glimmer of solace and commence their journey towards healing. Let the names of those we lost and those forever marked by this tragedy be eternally etched in our community's heart and memory." The FBI investigated the case, in partnership with the El Paso Police Department; ATF; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office; the El Paso County Office of the Medical Examiner; the Allen Police Department; and the Dallas Police Department. Additionally, the United States Border Patrol, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security provided significant support in responding to this shooting and throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is very grateful to these agencies and commends their hard work and tremendous dedication to this matter. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and these law enforcement agencies offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the victims and all those impacted by these horrific crimes. We are grateful for their assistance in and their patience with these lengthy federal criminal proceedings. This defendant will now be returned to state custody to face the pending state criminal charges. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ian Hanna, Gregory McDonald and Patricia Acosta for the Western District of Texas El Paso Division prosecuted the case along with trial attorneys Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Michael Warbel of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section. ###


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced for Two Bank Robberies

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Michael McNeil, 30, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, by Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard to a term of 84 months’ imprisonment following his conviction for two counts of bank robbery. After he completes his prison sentence, McNeil will also serve six years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. He was ordered to pay $26,034 in restitution to the U.S. Bank in Lincoln, and $15,148.81 in restitution to Heartland Bank in Geneva, Nebraska. On June 3, 2022, McNeil entered the Heartland Bank in Geneva, approached the teller window, and gave a teller a demand note. The note directed her not to move and to empty the cash drawer and no one would be hurt. McNeil left the bank with $17,088.81 in U.S. currency. He got into a Jeep Cherokee without plates which drove away. Later that afternoon, a motorist on Highway 6, about a ten-minute drive from Geneva, noticed what looked like money on the shoulder of the highway. He stopped and collected $1,940 cash from the roadside. The motorist turned the money over to law enforcement. Some of the money was wrapped in a distinctive paper band that matched bands wrapped around the bills stolen from Heartland Bank. Investigators obtained fingerprints from the demand note and the teller counter. An FBI forensic examiner found that four prints on the demand note matched McNeil’s fingerprints. The examiner also identified McNeil’s print on the corner of the teller counter. Further investigation revealed that McNeil had purchased a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee through Facebook Marketplace three days before the bank robbery. Heartland Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). On July 6, 2022, McNeil entered the US Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, and handed the bank teller a note reading “Empty your drawer! I don't want anyone to get hurt. Just give me the money!!!!” The teller handed over the money in the drawer and McNeil left with $26,034.00 in U.S. currency. Three days later, McNeil was stopped by Lincoln police driving a car he had purchased a day after the bank robbery. McNeil admitted to robbing US Bank and identified the getaway vehicle as a U-Haul van. Investigators executed a search warrant at McNeil’s Lincoln residence. Investigators found clothing in the trash that matched clothing worn by the robber. Investigators also located an unfinished demand note written in similar handwriting to that passed by the bank robber to the teller. US Bank is insured by the FDIC. This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department, the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office, the York Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Norfolk, Nebraska Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine Conspiracy

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Roberto Nava, 49, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Nava to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Nava will begin a five-year term of supervised release. He will also forfeit $42,000 in drug proceeds to the United States. In August 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration agents became aware that a person by the name of Roberto Nava was distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine in the Norfolk area. Utilizing a confidential source, agents made arrangements to purchase methamphetamine on two occasions. On each buy, Nava arrived and delivered methamphetamine. On August 24, 2021, Nava delivered one pound of methamphetamine and on September 23, 2021, he delivered two pounds of methamphetamine Following the controlled buy on September 23, 2021, agents then executed a search warrant on Nava’s residence. As a result, agents recovered an additional half pound of methamphetamine and $42,000 in drug proceeds. A forensic laboratory analysis confirmed the methamphetamine as 95% pure. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Allen County Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – An Allen County man was sentenced yesterday to 11 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Sheriff Brandon Ford of the Allen County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. According to court documents, on April 3, 2022, in Allen County, Kentucky, Michael Johnson, 46, possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Johnson was sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by the DEA Bowling Green Post of Duty Office and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the United States Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case. ###


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Eduardo Ordaz, 25, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for distributing 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Ordaz to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. On September 28, 2021, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness (CW) to make a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Ordaz. The controlled buy took place in the CW's vehicle in the area of 23rd and Elm Streets in Omaha. The CW purchased 46 grams of methamphetamine with a purity of 95%, as confirmed by a forensic laboratory analysis. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Lexington Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Melecio Meza Salamanca, 29, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Salamanca to 144 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Salamanca will begin a five-year term of supervised release. On October 12, 2021, a Merrick County Nebraska deputy sheriff stopped Salamanca and the co-defendant Mark Barraza as they drove through Central City, Nebraska. Salamanca was driving and Barraza was in the passenger seat. The deputy searched the car and located a .45 caliber pistol and approximately 180 grams of actual methamphetamine. Salamanca was knowingly in possession of the pistol and intended to distribute the methamphetamine. On March 24, 2023, Barraza was sentenced to 133 months in prison for his role in the offenses. This case was investigated by the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Grand Island Man Sentenced to 60 Years for Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography and Production of Child Pornography

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Scott Matthew Simmons, 43, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of production of child pornography. Simmons was sentenced to 720 months in prison and will serve the remainder of his life on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Simmons was additionally ordered to pay $11,250 in restitution as well as a $9,000 special assessment which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of crimes. This case initiated in July of 2022 with an investigation by the FBI in an attempt to identify children in a series of child pornography images which were being shared online since 2018. Through the investigation it was determined that the files were associated with Scott Simmons and Scott Meyer. Meyer is currently scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2023, regarding the same case. On August 25, 2022, a search warrant was received to search Simmons’s and Meyer’s residence. During the search warrant, it was determined that the residence was where many of the child exploitation files were produced. Numerous electronic devices were seized from the residence. Meyer was at the residence during the execution of the search warrant. He agreed to be interviewed and admitted that he and Simmons had engaged in photographing and recording prepubescent boys in a sexually explicit manner. He admitted that these images and videos were produced at their residence and other locations to include various hotels. Four child victims were identified and interviewed by child advocate interviewers. A forensic examination and review were completed of Simmons’s and Meyer’s personal cellphones. Both the phones contained more than 400 files of child pornography. A large majority of these files found on the phones were original productions of the minor victims in this case. Simmons was previously convicted in 2007 for one count of sexual assault of a child in the 3 rd degree in Saline County District Court, Nebraska. Simmons and Meyer met while both were serving sentences for child-sex offenses in Nebraska. Simmons and Meyer distributed the images and videos they produced of the four victims in this case on the Tor network using encrypted forms of email to further hide their identities. They additionally directly shared the files they created with at least one acquaintance they made while serving their prior sentences. 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 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. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: U.S. Attorney Totten Announces Federal Charges In The Kidnapping Of 2-Year-Old Wynter Cole-Smith

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Rashad Maleek Trice, 26, has been charged by criminal complaint with Kidnapping a Minor and Kidnapping Resulting in Death. These allegations relate to the kidnapping and death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith. If convicted of the Kidnapping Resulting in Death charge, the statutory mandatory minimum is life in prison. This offense is also death penalty eligible. If convicted of Kidnapping a Minor, the statutory mandatory minimum is 20 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. “The allegations in this case are heart-wrenching,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten . "My thoughts are very much with Wynter’s family, as we were all praying for her safe return home. I would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, and the countless law enforcement agencies who worked relentlessly to find Wynter. I would also like to thank U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison of the Eastern District of Michigan and her office for all their hard work in this investigation. The media and the public played a critical role in sharing accurate information and submitting tips as well. I commend everyone in law enforcement and the community for working together to pursue justice in this case.” As alleged in the attached complaint , on July 2, 2023, a woman reported to the Lansing Police Department that she had been attacked by Trice and ultimately fled her apartment to escape him. When police responded to her apartment, Trice and the woman’s daughter, Cole-Smith, were no longer present. A white Chevrolet Impala had also allegedly been stolen. On July 3, police attempted to stop the white Chevrolet Impala in St. Clair Shores and the driver attempted to flee. Police apprehended the driver, Trice, but Cole-Smith was not in the car. Cell site information showed the approximate path Trice’s phone had recently taken, which prompted law enforcement to start conducting searches for Cole-Smith in specific areas. On July 5, 2023, law enforcement found Cole-Smith’s body in Detroit. “Please continue to keep Wynter Cole-Smith’s family in your thoughts in the days and weeks to come,” said Devin Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office . “I am proud of our brave FBI agents, analysts, and professional staff who answered the call to render aid to Wynter and her family. I would like to extend appreciation to them, along with Lansing Police Department Chief Ellery Sosebee and his entire department, and our vast network of law enforcement partners across the state and country who have been working relentlessly around-the-clock over the past week.” “It is so difficult to imagine the final moments of little Wynter’s life,” stated U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Dawn N. Ison. “I commend Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne of my office, FBI, Detroit Police, and all the other law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly for days to find Wynter in Detroit and return her home. My heart breaks for her family, and all of us mourn with them.” “Our top priority is to get justice for Wynter and her family,” said Lansing Police Department Chief Ellery Sosebee . “The men and women of the Lansing Police Department applaud U.S. Attorneys Mark Totten and Dawn Ison, their teams, the FBI, and all of our law enforcement partners for their efforts to pursue justice in this case.” This case was investigated by the FBI and Lansing Police Department, along with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Air Marshal Service, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michigan State Police, Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety, Michigan Department of Corrections, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, Eaton County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Public Schools Community District Department of Public Safety, Eastpointe Police Department, St. Clair Shores Police Department, Bloomfield Hills Police Department, Dearborn Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, West Bloomfield Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Northville Township Police Department, and Clinton Township Police Department. The charges in a complaint are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. ###


title: Mexican National Sentenced to More than Seven Years for Conspiring to Distribute Drugs and Being in the Country Illegally

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Servando Urias, 48, of Mexico, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, to 90 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard, after conviction by a jury in March 2023 of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Heroin. Urias had previously pleaded guilty to being in the country illegally. He was also ordered to serve a four-year term of supervised release as there is no parole in the federal system. The evidence presented at trial revealed that on August 28, 2019, a codefendant driving a Dodge pickup was stopped by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office after committing traffic infractions while driving on Interstate 80 in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Simultaneously, a black Jeep occupied by two other codefendants and Urias was stopped by another Lancaster County Deputy as the Jeep was believed to be travelling with the Dodge pickup. During the course of the traffic stops, deputies became suspicious that parties in both vehicles were involved in criminal activity. Deputies received permission to search both vehicles and discovered three kilos of cocaine and one kilo of heroin in the rear seat of the Dodge pickup. All were arrested after it was confirmed that the three individuals in the Jeep were in fact traveling with the Dodge pickup containing the drugs. The three codefendants had previously pleaded guilty to the Conspiracy charge and testified at trial about their and Urias’s involvement in the transportation of the drugs. Two of the three have been sentenced, one to 9 months’ imprisonment, the other to 28 months’ imprisonment. Another codefendant is pending sentencing. This case was the result of an investigation by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.


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

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Jeramie D. Watts, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for distributing methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Watts to 12 months plus 1 day imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Watts will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On April 20, 2018, an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent purchased 11 grams of methamphetamine from Watts for $500 in the parking lot of a West Omaha business. Watts entered the passenger side of the agent’s vehicle and produced the methamphetamine before leaving the area. A forensic lab confirmed the methamphetamine as weighing 11.7 grams with a purity of 95%. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.


title: Ballwin Man Who Admitted Sex with Minors Sentenced to 9+ Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Friday sentenced a man from Ballwin, Missouri who engaged in sexual contact with underage girls he’d approached on Snapchat to nine years and two months in prison for distributing images of minors. Luke Edward Nicozisin, 22, will also have to register as a sex offender and will be on supervised release for life after his release from prison. The terms of that supervised release will include severe restrictions on his use of computers and access to the internet. “The conduct in this case is abhorrent,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman during the hearing, describing Nicozisin as a “sexual predator.” Nicozisin reached out to underage girls on Snapchat, and then turned the conversations sexual with those who responded, Bateman said. In his plea agreement, Nicozisin admitted sending nude images of himself to three 15-year-old girls and one 12-year-old girl, soliciting nude pictures of a 15-year-old and having sexual contact with two 15-year-old girls. He also recorded videos of the sex acts with one of the teens. One of Nicozisin’s victims reported him to a school resource officer in July of 2021, triggering Nicozisin’s initial arrest and prompting others to come forward. Investigators would later find an iPhone with pictures and videos of Nicozisin with one of the victims as well as condoms that depicted Nicozisin’s Instagram account. Nicozisin pleaded guilty in March to one count of distribution of child pornography. The FBI, the Manchester Police Department and the Chesterfield Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case. 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 Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Loma Linda Woman Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Prison for Commodities Scheme that Defrauded Victims Out of Over $2.6 Million

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Bernardino County woman was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for her involvement in an investment fraud scheme that caused more than $2.6 million in losses to more than two dozen victims. Sharief Deona McDowell, 58, of Loma Linda, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr., who also ordered her to pay $2,446,093 in restitution. McDowell pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of wire fraud. From October 2018 to March 2022, McDowell defrauded at least 28 investors by falsely representing that she would invest their money in commodity futures and options contracts. As part of the scheme, McDowell started a purported investment company called Presidential Investments Inc. LLC. McDowell operated and controlled this company and directed others to open bank accounts in the name of Presidential Investments. In fact, McDowell did not trade with the investors’ money and instead misappropriated the funds for her personal use. McDowell also provided investors with fabricated trade confirmations and account statements to falsely indicate that their investments were generating returns. For example, from October 2020 to January 2021, McDowell caused one victim to wire $250,000 from the victim’s bank account to a McDowell-controlled account after McDowell led the victim to believe she would invest the victim’s money through Presidential Investments. In addition, McDowell used money provided by new investors to repay earlier investors – a tactic often used to conceal and prolong Ponzi and other investment fraud schemes. In total, McDowell admitted in her plea agreement to causing losses to victims of approximately $2,678,768. The victims included people inside the United States as well as in Canada and Poland. McDowell committed this fraud in violation of a prior judicial order as the result of a 2011 lawsuit filed against her and 20/20 Trading Company, a precious metals trading business that employed her as a saleswoman, by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. “From the very formation of her company, Presidential Investments, [McDowell] intended to use it to commit fraud, after having been prohibited by a court order from doing precisely that,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “Aware of the injunction, [McDowell] took steps to conceal her conduct by registering the business and opening bank accounts in the names of other people.” The FBI investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Cory L. Burleson of the Riverside Branch Office and Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted this case


title: Las Vegas Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Hector Ofelio Podio Gutierrez, age 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Podio Gutierrez used counterfeit credit cards encoded with stolen bank account information to purchase MasterCard gift cards at Sam’s Club stores in the Pittsburgh area, as well as in Florida and California. During the month of December 2017, Podio Gutierrez and his codefendant, Yoandy Pou Torres, using an encoding device, created counterfeit credit cards, and then used the cards to make fraudulent gift card purchases totaling more than $382,000 at various Sam’s Club locations, approximately $170,000 of which were purchases conducted at Pittsburgh area stores. Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for November 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Podio Gutierrez remains on bond pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Podio Gutierrez.


title: Inmate Pleads Guilty to Possessing Weapon at FCI Beckley

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Chase Higgins, 26, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Beckley, pleaded guilty today to possession of a weapon by an inmate at a federal prison. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 21, 2023, Higgins told an FCI Beckley staff member during a search of his person that he had a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank” in his pants. The staff member found the shank in a leg of Higgins’ pants. The shank was a piece of plastic about six inches long, with one end sharpened to a point. Higgins admitted to possessing the shank, and further admitted that it was designed and intended to be used as a weapon. Higgins is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-71. ###


title: Two Former Eastern Kentucky Correctional Officers Plead Guilty for Their Roles in Assault of Restrained Inmate and Subsequent Cover-Up

body_text: Two former Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC) officers pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault of a restrained inmate. According to court documents, Randall T. Dennis, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of the inmate’s civil rights and Nathan M. Cantrell, 32, pleaded guilty to four counts of obstruction of justice for attempting to cover up what happened. In their plea agreements, the defendants admitted that on July 24, 2018, EKCC correctional officers assaulted a nonviolent inmate who was lying face-down, wearing handcuffs and leg shackles, and isolated in a prison shower cell. Dennis admitted that he participated in the assault by repeatedly striking the inmate while he was restrained and unresisting. Cantrell, who stood outside of the shower while the assault occurred, admitted that he falsified records by omitting the assault from his occurrence report, and that he later lied to the supervisor assigned to investigate the incident as well as a Kentucky State Police (KSP) detective and a Kentucky Internal Investigations Branch (IIB) investigator. Four other former officers have pleaded guilty in related cases. On April 10 , former EKCC officer James Benish pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of civil rights based on his failure to intervene to protect the inmate, and former EKCC supervisor Randy Nickell pleaded guilty to three counts of obstruction based on his efforts to cover up the same assault. On Aug. 29, 2022, former EKCC officer Jeffery Havens pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of civil rights based on his assault of the inmate. On July 11, 2022, former EKCC officer Derek Mays pleaded guilty to four counts of obstruction of justice based on his efforts to cover up the assault. Dennis and Cantrell are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 11. Dennis faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Cantrell faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office; and Colonel Phillip Burnett Jr. Commissioner of the KSP made the announcement. The FBI, the KSP and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Dembo and Mary Melton for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Truesdale Man Sentenced for Carjacking in Springfield

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Truesdale, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for stealing a woman’s car at knifepoint in Springfield, Mo. Michael Brian Free, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Thursday, July 6, to seven years in federal prison without parole. On Feb. 9, 2023, Free pleaded guilty to one count of taking a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm. Free admitted that he pointed a knife at a woman who was getting gas at a Springfield convenience store on April 30, 2022. After she had paid for her gas and stepped back out to her 2011 Chevy Impala next to the fuel pumps, Free approached her, pulled out a knife and demanded her car keys. Free threatened to stab her in the neck if she didn’t give him the keys to her car. She gave him the keys then fled into the store and called the police. Video footage from the store captured Free making a purchase inside the store. Investigators were able to use the store’s financial records to help identify Free. Free was driving the stolen vehicle when he was arrested in the Des Moines, Iowa, area in May 2022. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the FBI.


title: Informational: Federal Court arraignments

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt: Appearing in Great Falls before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on July 6 was: Larry Thomas McDaniel, 45, of Great Falls, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, McDaniel faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $10 million fine and five years of supervised release. McDaniel was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-61. Kareshmaa Kaur Jagroop, 41, of Calgary, Alberta, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jagroop faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Jagroop was detained pending further proceedings. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 22-109. Jada Mulon Wells, 20, of Browning, on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a federal officer and robbery. If convicted of the most serious crime, Wells faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Wells was detained pending further proceedings.The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Cut Bank Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-34. Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on July 6 was: Heather Marie Bugni, 34, of Butte, on charges of false statement to an agency of the United States, health care fraud and theft of government money. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bugni faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Bugni was released pending further proceedings. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-09. Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on July 6 was: Yvon Lopez-Florez, 29, of Lodge Grass, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lopez-Florez faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release. Lopez-Florez was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-70. Appearing on July 5 was: Ryan William Newhart, 28, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Newhart faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Newhart was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, U.S. Postal Service and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-80. Devin Miranda American Horse, 34, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, American Horse faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. American Horse was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-73. The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html . To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl . XXX


title: Wagner Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Wagner, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on July 6, 2023. Zander Zephier, age 22, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023. The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 1, 2021, when Zephier knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contact with a child who had not attained the age of 16. Zephier will also need to register as a sex offender. This case was investigated by the Yankton Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case. Zephier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Drug-Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a drug-trafficking conspiracy. Herman G. Mercado, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole. On Jan. 24, 2023, Mercado pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. According to court documents, Mercado was the leader of a drug-trafficking conspiracy responsible for the distribution of 3.99 kilograms of cocaine, 61.57 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 2,440 kilograms of marijuana from April 19, 2017, to Oct. 2, 2019. Mercado admitted that he sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy to a law enforcement confidential informant on several occasions. In October 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Mercado’s daughter in Springfield. Officers seized 5.382 kilograms of methamphetamine that belonged to Mercado. Mercado was convicted in the Middle District of Pennsylvania for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, for which he received a 10-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. During his period of supervised release, Mercado engaged in the drug distribution activity in this case. Mercado is the fourth defendant sentenced in this case. Daniel T. Sutton, 25, of Springfield, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole. Carmine Guzmanperalta, 34, address unknown, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. William O. Evans, 54, of Springfield, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants Alex Santiago-Negron, Jr., 28, address unknown, and Colleen A. Mahon, 28, of Springfield, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force 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.


title: Cooperation Between United States and Mexican Law Enforcement Leads to Significant Actions Against Transnational Drug Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, United States and Mexican law enforcement announced significant enforcement actions against a prolific transnational drug trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.-Mexico border. After extensive bilateral cooperation between the United States and Mexico, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) – conducted a significant enforcement operation on June 23, 2023, to dismantle a prolific transnational drug trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.–Mexico border. The operation resulted in the arrest of five people and the seizure of 120,000 fentanyl pills, 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 17 pounds of heroin, 15 pounds of cocaine, 3 assault rifles, one 9mm handgun, and a vehicle. In addition, seven U.S.-based coordinators and operators with alleged ties to the same drug-trafficking organization have been arrested and indicted in the United States. Gerardo Bernal-Mazon, 29, Ashley Bernal, 31, Jessica Yesenia Valenzuela, 32, and Delyanira Lovio, 29, all of Nogales, Arizona, Juan Murillo, 48, of Rio Rico, Arizona, and Lilian Sugey Siegfried, 38, of Tucson, Arizona, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges on February 2, 2023. George Armenta-Vasquez, 45, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 25, 2023. “Transnational drug trafficking organizations pose an unprecedented public safety threat to both the United States and Mexico,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These coordinated law enforcement actions demonstrate the success our countries can have when we work together to meet that threat.” 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 . Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Nogales led the investigation in the United States, in concert with the DEA Mexico City Country Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Nogales, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Tucson. Support from DEA–Mexico City Country Office and FGR’s Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC) was critical in providing coordination between United States and Mexican law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is prosecuting the seven individuals named above. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00124-TUC-SHR (JR) RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-104_Bernal-Mazon, et al. # # # 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 Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Bryan resident sentenced for accumulating extensive collection of child pornography

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 64-year-old Texan has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Scott Thomas Provost pleaded guilty Jan. 6. U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Provost to serve 240 months for receiving child pornography and 120 months for possessing it. They will run concurrently with the exception of 22 months for a total of a 262-month-term of imprisonment. Before imposing the sentence, Judge Hittner emphasized Provost’s history of sexually deviant behavior. Provost will be ordered to pay a restitution amount determined at a later date to identified victims and must serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Provost will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. “Provost amassed one of the most extensive collections of child pornography videos and images we have seen in this district,” said Hamdani. “Each and every one of the files he had in his possession represents significant trauma and suffering to real children. Today’s sentence demonstrates our commitment to stop those who partake and assist others in viewing child pornography and the continued cycle of abuse these children endure.” “This is, by far, the largest recovery of child pornographic material by investigators in our FBI Bryan office,” said Special Agent in Charge James Smith of the FBI. “This individual is one of the worst purveyors of child porn our agents have seen - it was his daily obsession. Unfortunately, with the ever-increasing number of online images depicting sexual abuse of children and an ever-increasing amount of online activity by people seeking to contact them, Provost's arrest and sentence doesn't cure the rampant epidemic that is the sexual exploitation of our children.” Provost first came to the attention of law enforcement as an identified user of a peer-to-peer network known which uses a centralized data store to keep and deliver information without fear of censorship. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Provost’s residence in January 2022. They found approximately four terabytes of pornography consisting of many images of child pornography that Provost had downloaded and was storing on his personal hard drives. Forensic analysis revealed 6,718 videos and 313,356 images that contained child sexual assault material. Some of the content included children who were less than 12 years old as well as infants and toddlers. Many images depicted young children in bondage and other forms of violence. Provost has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Bryan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen M. Lansden prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page . For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.


title: Beard’s Ex-Fiancé Charged in Brutal Murder of 24-Year-Old Mom

body_text: The former fiancé of a Rowlett man who shot and stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in 2020 has been charged with helping to orchestrate the brutal slaying, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Holly Ann Elkins, the 32-year-old ex-fiancée of Andrew Charles Beard, was indicted last month on three charges: conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury and death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. She was arrested on Thursday in Miami and made her initial appearance in Miami on Friday afternoon. According to the indictment, Ms. Elkins allegedly helped plot the Oct. 2, 2020 killing of Andrew Beard’s ex-girlfriend, 24-year-old Alyssa Ann Burkett, with whom Mr. Beard shared a child. (Mr. Beard has already pleaded guilty to cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and has begun serving his 43-year sentence.) The indictment alleges that in the summer of 2020, Ms. Elkins and Mr. Beard purchased a GPS tracking device and surreptitiously installed it on Ms. Burkett’s vehicle. On July 25, 2020, Ms. Elkins allegedly phoned the police using a fake name and falsely reported she observed Ms. Burkett’s car driving dangerously. Less than a month later, she allegedly falsely reported that Ms. Burkett’s mother had assaulted her in Ms. Burkett’s presence. On Sept. 2, Ms. Elkins and Mr. Beard allegedly planted illegal drugs and a pistol with an obliterated serial number in the trunk of Ms. Burkett’s vehicle in order to have her arrested. Later that day, Ms. Elkins allegedly texted Mr. Beard a photo of Ms. Burkett’s license plate number so that he could provide it to police in a false report that Ms. Burkett was selling drugs out of the car. Mr. Beard then phoned police using a fake name and reported that Ms. Burkett was selling drugs to men at the apartment complex where she worked. He provided the license plate number on the photo Ms. Elkins sent. On Sept. 13, Ms. Elkins and Mr. Beard allegedly purchased a van to carry out a planned attack on Ms. Burkett. On Sept. 14, Ms. Elkins purchased makeup for Mr. Beard’s disguise. On Sept. 19, the pair allegedly purchased .410 shotgun shells and a Camillus knife. On Oct. 2, 2020, Mr. Beard, disguised as a Black man, shot Ms. Burkett in the head while she sat behind the wheel of her car in her work parking lot. As she staggered out of the car, Mr. Beard grabbed her and stabbed her 13 times . She died in the parking lot as he raced away from the scene. During the murder, Ms. Elkins allegedly remained at Mr. Beard’s home with Ms. Burkett’s child in an attempt to establish an alibi. A few days later, in an interview with law enforcement, Ms. Elkins falsely claimed Mr. Beard was home at the time of the murder. An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Ms. Elkins is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, she faces up to two consecutive life sentences in federal prison. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Carrollton Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gary Tromblay and Andrew Briggs are prosecuting the case.


title: Fitchburg Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Illegal Gun Possession

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Derrick Johnson, 27, Fitchburg, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 33 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Johnson pleaded guilty to this charge on April 4, 2023. On December 5, 2022, Fitchburg police were dispatched to an apartment complex in response to call for a man with a gun. When officers arrived, they saw Johnson place something under a bush. Officers took him into custody as he matched the description provided of the man with a gun. Under the bush officers found a loaded 9mm handgun. Officers also found small amounts of marijuana, MDMA, and cocaine in Johnson’s pockets. In 2018, Johnson was convicted in federal court of possessing hydrocodone with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. Judge Conley sentenced Johnson in April 2018 to six years in federal prison. Johnson was still on supervised release when arrested for this new offense. Judge Conley revoked his supervision based on the new criminal conduct and sentenced Johnson to an additional 9 months. At sentencing, Judge Conley said that Johnson did not take steps to address his drug use and mental health issues while on federal supervision. Instead, as an addict, Johnson got a gun and went back to the same lifestyle that he led before going to federal prison the first time. The charge against Johnson was the result of an investigation conducted by the Fitchburg Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan handled the prosecution. This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.


title: Federal Jury Finds North Miami Man Guilty of Aiming Laser Pointer at Military Service and Law Enforcement Helicopters

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Following a trial in Miami federal court, a jury has found Patrick E. Longsworth, 68, guilty of aiming a laser pointer at two United States Coast Guard helicopters and one Miami-Dade Police Department helicopter. According to the evidence at trial, the defendant aimed a green laser pointer at three government helicopters in late November last year – two U.S. Coast Guard helicopters, and one Miami-Dade Police Department helicopter. During the first incident, the laser struck a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer in the eye. Six days later, the Defendant again aimed his green laser pointer at a second U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Within a half hour of the laser strike to the second U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a Miami-Dade Police Department helicopter responded to the area and was also struck multiple times with a green laser. Miami-Dade Police Department officers caught that incident on video and were able to direct ground units to the defendant’s residence where they found the defendant in his backyard holding a green laser pointer. An indictment charged Longsworth with three counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 39A. Longsworth proceeded to trial. The jury found him guilty on all three counts. Longsworth was previously charged in a criminal complaint under case number 22-mj-04163-JG. Longsworth is scheduled to be sentenced on September 7 at 1:30 p.m. in Miami before U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Zinnia P. James, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Southeast Region, and Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Damiani, U.S. Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Miami Field Office, announced the conviction. CGIS and DOT-OIG investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra D. Comolli and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Ayer prosecuted it. The number of laser strikes reported to the Federal Aviation Administration has been increasing since 2018. Laser strikes on aircraft are a serious threat to aviation safety that can incapacitate pilots during flight and can cause eye injuries. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-20017. ###


title: Lafourche Parish Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal  Controlled Substances Act

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On Thursday, July 6, 2023, TERRANCE STEWART, age 32, a residence of Lafourche Parish, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison, four years of supervised release , as well as payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, on August 17, 2022, law enforcement seized 226.7 grams of fentanyl pills, 203 grams of methamphetamine pills, 72.9 grams of white powdery fentanyl, and approximately $181,623.00 in U.S. currency from STEWART’s residence. In addition, STEWART sold fentanyl pills to a confidential source on April 21, 2022 and June 2, 2022. STEWART also sold methamphetamine to a confidential source on June 22, 2022 and July 6, 2022. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Division and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit.


component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Today, U.S. and Mexican law enforcement announced significant enforcement actions against a prolific transnational drug trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.-Mexico border. After extensive bilateral cooperation between the United States and Mexico, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) – conducted a significant enforcement operation on June 23, 2023, to dismantle a prolific transnational drug trafficking organization operating in Nogales, Sonora, along the U.S.–Mexico border. The operation resulted in the arrest of five people and the seizure of 120,000 fentanyl pills, 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 17 pounds of heroin, 15 pounds of cocaine, three assault rifles, one 9mm handgun, and a vehicle. In addition, seven U.S.-based coordinators and operators with alleged ties to the same drug-trafficking organization have been arrested and indicted in the United States. Gerardo Bernal-Mazon, 29, Ashley Bernal, 31, Jessica Yesenia Valenzuela, 32, and Delyanira Lovio, 29, all of Nogales, Arizona, Juan Murillo, 48, of Rio Rico, Arizona, and Lilian Sugey Siegfried, 38, of Tucson, Arizona, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges on Feb. 2. George Armenta-Vasquez, 45, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 25. “Transnational drug trafficking organizations pose an unprecedented public safety threat to both the United States and Mexico,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “These coordinated law enforcement actions demonstrate the success our countries can have when we work together to meet that threat.” 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF . Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Nogales led the investigation in the United States, in concert with the DEA Mexico City Country Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Nogales, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Tucson. Support from DEA–Mexico City Country Office and FGR’s Agencia de Investigación Criminal (AIC) was critical in providing coordination between United States and Mexican law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided assistance. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is prosecuting the seven individuals named above.


title: Brevard County Drug Dealer Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine

body_text: MIAMI – Ethan Blair, 42, of Merritt Island, Florida, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for drug trafficking. On March 16, Blair pleaded guilty to distribution, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. On October 4, 2022, Blair distributed several ounces of methamphetamine and possessed over 400 additional grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in Port St. Lucie. To avoid arrest, Blair tried to flee the scene causing a high-speed chase. During the chase, Blair hit a law enforcement officer with the driver’s side mirror of his vehicle and threw several ounces of methamphetamine out the window. Law enforcement officers apprehended Blair after he crashed his vehicle. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore. DEA Miami investigated the case, with assistance from Port St. Lucie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter prosecuted it. 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 22-cr-14072. ###