title: Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Videos of Child Sexual Abuse Using Social Media

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Kenneth Woods, age 35, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing and receiving images and videos of child sexual abuse over the internet, while having been previously convicted in Florida of similar conduct. According to court documents, in 2021, Facebook and Snapchat accounts later found to be associated with Woods came to the attention of IMPD for uploading videos depicting child sexual abuse. A search of Woods’s residence in Indianapolis yielded a cell phone that contained still more videos of child sexual abuse. Still further investigation eventually uncovered an email account used by Woods to send videos of child sexual abuse to a specific individual, with whom Woods also exchanged messages about sex acts he desired to perform with that individual’s minor daughter. The child sex abuse materials distributed and possessed by Woods included depictions of the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers or other depictions of violence. Woods was previously convicted in 2021 in Citrus County, Florida, of two felony charges related to obscene communications with a minor and possessing a photograph depicting child sexual abuse. Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Randal Taylor, Chief of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the U. S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office made the announcement. “Criminals with a sexual interest in children continue to use social media platforms and other internet technologies to seek out and disseminate vile images of horrific abuses,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “Repeat offenders like this defendant demonstrate their unwillingness or inability to stop committing these crimes, exacerbating the trauma already inflicted on child victims. The sentence imposed today demonstrates the commitment of federal law enforcement and IMPD to make our children safer by ensuring that these dangerous repeat offenders are in prison where they belong.” IMPD, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Chief Judge Pratt also ordered that Marshall be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Korobov, who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: DeForest Man Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Making Threats

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael A. Yaker, 53, DeForest, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to one year and one day in federal prison for transmitting in interstate commerce a threatening communication. Yaker’s prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release. Yaker sent threatening communications on and off to various public officials and government employees since 2010. Yaker’s campaign of threats continued when he left Wisconsin in January 2022. As a result of leaving Wisconsin, Yaker’s threats—telephone calls and emails—were transmitted in interstate commerce, thus triggering federal jurisdiction. Yaker was charged in federal court and pled guilty on March 29, 2023. In imposing the sentence, Judge Peterson stated, ”You have hurt people … You injure the people you threaten.” The sentencing hearing primarily focused on protecting the public by treating Yaker’s mental health needs. Judge Peterson directed that Yaker participate in mental health counseling during his supervised release term. While making clear that mental health resources would be provided, Judge Peterson addressed Yaker directly: “You are not a child. The primary responsibility for managing mental health is yours.” Judge Peterson warned Yaker that revocation and return to custody would be swift if Yaker failed to comply with the release conditions. “I’m responsible, I get it,” Yaker replied. The charge against Yaker was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Capitol Police, and the Hamilton County, Kansas Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution of this case has been handled by U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Marie Boor.


title: Babb man admits multiple assaults of dating partner on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Babb man accused of assaulting his dating partner on three occasions within a year admitted to charges this week, U.S Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. Zachary James Cassidy, 33, pleaded guilty on June 28 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of assault of a dating partner resulting in substantial injury. Cassidy faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. In a plea agreement reached in the case, the parties agreed that a specific term of between 48 months and 72 months of imprisonment is appropriate. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 30. Cassidy was detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Cassidy and the victim, identified as Jane Doe, were in a romantic relationship between March 2022 and January 2023. During that time, Cassidy assaulted the victim on three separate occasions. In June 2022, Cassidy and the victim were at a bar in St. Mary when Cassidy became upset with Jane Doe. Cassidy physically assaulted the victim in the bar and dragged her outside using a chokehold. Cassidy continued assaulting Jane Doe in the parking lot, dragged her to a truck and drove to his residence, where he continued the assault. Jane Doe woke up on a couch, was alone and could not move. When found, she had to be carried to a car. Jane Doe sought medical attention the next day for multiple injuries and returned to the hospital a month later for follow up. In August, Cassidy assaulted Jane Doe at his residence. When a friend sought to intervene, Cassidy kicked the friend in the back and pushed her head into a truck. Cassidy told the friend she was trespassing and that he was going to shoot her. That night, a friend went to check on Jane Doe and tried to take the victim with her, but Cassidy wouldn’t let her. Eventually, Jane Doe’s family members came to get her and took her to the hospital for treatment of injuries. A third assault occurred on Jan. 9 as Cassidy and Jane Doe were traveling from Doe’s family residence toward Babb. Cassidy started getting mad at Jane Doe and his truck ultimately got stuck in the snow. Cassidy assaulted Jane Doe, who refused to get out of the truck. A neighbor witnessed the assault and called law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Federal Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County Alleges ADA Violations and Discrimination Against Voters with Disabilities

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Following a lengthy investigation that determined the County of Los Angeles discriminated against persons with disabilities at vote centers during recent elections, the United States Attorney’s Office today filed a lawsuit alleging the county has failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The investigation into the county’s voting program found that the county, acting through its registrar-recorder, excluded qualified individuals with mobility disabilities and those with vision disabilities from participating in the county’s voting programs. The complaint filed in United States District Court seeks a court order directing the county to comply with the ADA, promptly develop a plan to completely remedy the alleged violations, and not further discriminate against individuals with disabilities. “Voting is a fundamental right, and we will do everything we can to ensure that it is not limited or denied to anyone in our community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Through this lawsuit, we demand that Los Angeles County afford individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate in the county’s voting program that is equal to that provided to nondisabled individuals.” “Voting is the bedrock of our democracy, and all voters, including those with disabilities, should have an equal opportunity to participate in the voting process. This lawsuit should send a strong message to officials across the country regarding the Justice Department’s firm commitment to ensuring polling place accessibility,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The lawsuit was brought under Title II of the ADA, which prohibits public entities from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. The federal investigation has focused on physical accessibility for persons with mobility disabilities and persons with vision disabilities at county vote centers during the 2020 primary election, the 2020 general election and the 2022 general election. The United States Attorney’s Office also reviewed other aspects of the county’s voting programs, including curbside voting and ballot drop boxes. On May 16, the United States issued a Letter of Findings that advised the county of its findings about inaccessible vote centers during the March 2020, November 2020, and November 2022 elections; inaccessible ballot drop boxes from the November 2020 and 2022 elections; and the inaccessible curbside voting system. The United States advised the county that its use of physically inaccessible vote centers and its curbside voting system violated Title II of the ADA. The lawsuit filed today in Los Angeles alleges that the county is responsible for selecting and providing accessible facilities to be used as polling places or vote centers for federal, state and local elections. During elections in June 2016, March 2020 and November 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office surveyed well over 250 polling places and vote centers, finding that only a small percentage of them complied with the ADA, according to the complaint. During the November 2022 general election, the United States surveyed 52 Los Angeles County vote centers to determine if they were compliant with the ADA and applicable standards for accessibility. “Each of the surveyed vote centers had non-compliant elements or features, including, for example, a lack of van accessible parking; wide gaps, abrupt level changes, and excessive cross slopes on designated accessible routes; ramps with steep running slopes and without the required handrails; entrances and/or exits that were obstructed or too narrow, lacked level landings, or had high thresholds; interior routes that had protruding objects; and voting areas with narrow routes,” the complaint alleges. The lawsuit identifies specific vote centers in Pasadena, North Hollywood, Downey and Watts that are still in use, even though the federal government first alerted the county about accessibility deficiencies at the first three facilities in September 2016 and the Watts location in July 2020. Other accessibility problems were identified with ballot drop boxes used during the November 2020 and November 2022 general elections. The lawsuit discusses difficulties experienced during the August 2019 special election by a voter who uses a wheelchair. This voter “reported feeling dismayed and frustrated by her treatment at the polling place and that she felt as if she had lost her freedom to vote privately and independently like everyone else,” the lawsuit states. The lawsuit is part of the Justice Department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which seeks to increase accessibility for voters with disabilities across the country. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at vote centers or polling places. Through this initiative, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have surveyed more than 2,700 polling places and increased polling place accessibility in more than 50 jurisdictions, including Kenton County, Kentucky; Travis County, Texas; and Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine M. Hikida of the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section is handling this case. Information about the Civil Rights Section in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office is available on our website . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations to our office via email to USACAC.CV-CivilRights@usdoj.gov .


title: Joseph Dale Hale Sentenced To 25 Years For Possession Of A Firearm And Escape

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On June 29, 2023, Joseph Dale Hale, 31, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. During the sentencing proceeding, Judge Corker found Hale to be an Armed Career Criminal based on his prior criminal history. Following his imprisonment, Hale will be on supervised release for five years. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Hale agreed to plead guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and escape from custody while confined for a felony offense, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 751(a). According to the filed plea agreement, on July 29, 2021, an officer with the Greeneville Police Department identified Hale as the operator of a stolen vehicle. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Hale fled. Eventually, Hale stopped in the area of North Hill Street in Greeneville. When he exited the vehicle, he fired three rounds at the officers and then fled on foot into the nearby woods. Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers assisted in a search for Hale, who was located and apprehended later that day. Law enforcement recovered the firearm Hale used to shoot at the police officers, which contained ammunition that matched casings found at the scene of the shooting. Hale was indicted federally and ordered detained for the felony offense of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony offense. On October 7, 2021, while being housed in the Greene County Detention Center, Hale, assisted by another inmate, obtained a set of trustee clothes. Hale then used a ruse to be removed from his cell to a shower area, then donned the trustee clothes. He was then able to get access through two security doors and gained access to an unsecured area of the jail. Once outside, he fled the jail and stole a vehicle. He was apprehended by law enforcement later that day after crashing the vehicle. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement. The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the Greeneville Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This investigation was led by ATF Special Agent Bryan Williams. Assistant United States Attorneys B. Todd Martin and Luke McLauren represented the United States. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Change from Coin-Cashing Machines

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Las Vegas man was sentenced to federal prison Thursday for impersonating an employee of a coin-cashing company to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in change from coin-cashing machines in multiple states. Richard Anthony Pena, 34, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Pena was also ordered to pay approximately $582,000 in restitution. According to court documents, from approximately January 1, 2021, and continuing until his arrest on December 22, 2021, in Clark County, Washington, Pena engaged in an elaborate scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in change from coin-cashing machines located in grocery stores and other commercial establishments in multiple states. To carry out his scheme, Pena would disguise himself as an employee of a coin-cashing company, walk into various stores, act as if he was servicing the location’s coin-cashing machine, break into the machine, and walk out with the machine’s coin vault. Pena’s repeated this ruse dozens of times in stores en route from his home in Las Vegas to a grocery store in Vancouver, Washington where an alert employee observed Pena and notified law enforcement. After his arrest, sheriff deputies from Clark County, Washington searched Pena’s rented vehicles and local hotel room. They located clothing Pena wore to disguise himself, tools he used to break into the coin-chasing machines, and laundry baskets and bags filled with millions of coins. Investigators seized approximately 1.5 million stolen coins totaling more than $133,000. In total, Pena cost his victim coin-cashing company more than $715,000 in losses and damage to coin-cashing machines. On March 10, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Pena with conspiring with others to transport and transporting stolen money. On March 10, 2023, he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. This case was investigated by the FBI and Clark County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Quinn P. Harrington, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.


title: Susan T. Lehr to be New Acting U.S. Attorney

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: Career prosecutor Susan T. Lehr has been named the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska to take over following the retirement of Interim United States Attorney Steven A. Russell. Lehr’s appointment will be effective on July 1, 2023. Lehr, a 1988 graduate of the Denver University College of Law, has been with the United States Attorney’s Office since 1999. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lehr worked as a prosecutor in the Buffalo and Douglas County Attorneys’ Offices. Lehr is originally from Omaha. During her tenure with the Department of Justice, Lehr has handled a wide variety of criminal cases and currently serves as the District of Nebraska’s First Assistant United States Attorney. She also completed a detail assignment to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C. Lehr will serve until a new U.S. Attorney is appointed by the President.


title: Former Ohio House Speaker sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading racketeering conspiracy involving $60 million in bribes

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, 64, of Glenford, Ohio, was sentenced in federal court here today to 240 months in prison for leading a racketeering conspiracy to receive nearly $61 million in bribes to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout. The Court remanded Householder to the custody of the U.S. Marshals at the conclusion of sentencing. "Larry Householder led a criminal enterprise responsible for one of the largest public corruption conspiracies in Ohio history," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Elected officials owe a duty to provide honest services to their constituents – transparency, integrity and accountability are foundational principles of democracy. Householder once held one of the three most powerful offices in the State of Ohio. Now, because of his corruption, he will serve a substantial prison sentence.” “The people of Ohio are the true victims of Larry Householder’s corrupt scheme to increase his power and pass a billion-dollar corporate bailout,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “While we hope this sentence clearly demonstrates that corruption does not pay, the FBI will continue to investigate and pursue those who abuse their positions and take advantage of the public.” A jury found Householder and former Ohio Republican Party chair Mathew Borges, 50, of Bexley, Ohio, guilty of participating in a racketeering conspiracy. The verdict was announced in March, following a six-week trial that included more than 1,000 exhibits and 25 witnesses. The government proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that Householder and his enterprise conspired to violate the racketeering statute through honest services wire fraud, receipt of millions of dollars in bribes and money laundering. Householder and his conspirators exploited the lack of transparency in 501(c)(4) entities to bury their corrupt and complex scheme to accept nearly $61 million in bribes to pass and uphold a billion-dollar nuclear plant bailout. According to court documents and trial testimony, from March 2017 to March 2020, the enterprise traded millions of dollars in bribery campaign donations in exchange for Householder’s and the enterprise’s help in passing House Bill 6. The defendants then also worked to corruptly ensure that HB 6 went into effect by defeating a ballot initiative to overturn the legislation. In March 2017, Householder began receiving quarterly $250,000 payments from the related-energy companies into the bank account of his 501(c)(4), Generation Now. Team Householder spent millions of the company’s dollars to support Householder’s political bid to become Speaker, to support House candidates they believed would back Householder, and for their own personal benefit. The United States detailed that Householder spent more than half a million dollars of the dark money to pay off his credit card balances, repair his Florida home and settle a business lawsuit. Borges used approximately $366,000 for his personal benefit. Borges was budgeted $25,000 to bribe an Ohio Republican operative to try to save House Bill 6. Borges gave the man a $15,000 check in exchange for information on the number of signatures collected on the anti-House Bill 6 ballot referendum. Borges is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow. Householder’s longtime campaign and political strategist, Jeffrey Longstreth, and lobbyist Juan Cespedes, both of Columbus, Ohio, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the racketeering conspiracy. FirstEnergy Corp. signed a deferred prosecution settlement in July 2021, agreeing to pay a $230 million penalty for conspiring to bribe public officials and others. Longstreth and Cespedes await sentencing; their hearings have not yet been scheduled. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew C. Singer, Megan Gaffney Painter and Timothy S. Mangan represented the United States in this case. # # #


title: Pensacola Sex Offender Found Guilty Of  New Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Frank P. Knight, 59, of Pensacola, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury for receiving and possessing images and videos of child pornography. The guilty verdict returned yesterday afternoon, at the conclusion of a three-day trial, was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors who work diligently to identify these predators and bring them to justice so that they no longer have the opportunity to exploit any child again. Due to their efforts, our community is safer, and this repeat offender is exactly where he belongs – back behind bars.” Between October 1, 2018, and October 12, 2022, Knight received, and attempted to receive, material containing child pornography. Also, between September 1, 2021, and October 12, 2022, Knight possessed, and attempted to possess, material containing child pornography. Knight is a previously convicted federal sex offender for similar crimes spanning 2002 – 2009. He served over six years in federal prison for those crimes but was released in 2015. “This convicted felon once again showed no respect for the law by possessing child sexual abuse materials while on probation,” said HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “Thanks to the vigilance of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Probations Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, this repeat offender will now be behind bars, making our communities safer for our children.” On October 5, 2022, one of the United States Probation Officers who was supervising Knight conducted a random check at Knight’s place of business and discovered electronic devices that had not been reported by Knight to his supervising officer. On October 11, 2022, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the United States Probation Office seized additional electronic devices at Knight’s location that he also had not reported. At that time, a Smart TV was located in Knight’s personal living area within the business. All the accounts on the Smart TV were logged in under Knight’s name and email address, and the browser history revealed child pornography websites had been recently accessed. The electronic devices that were seized were analyzed by forensics examiners with the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous images and videos of child pornography were located on multiple seized devices. The devices all contained Knight’s log-in information, email accounts, credit card accounts, photographs, and other identifying information belonging to Knight. The devices also contained browser history searches and link files for child pornography dating back to 2018. Sentencing is currently set for September 25, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before the Honorable United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Based on his prior child pornography convictions, Knight faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 40 years. This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it 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.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: University of Oklahoma Professor and Wife Sentenced to Prison for Federal Grant Fraud

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – SHAORONG LIU , 60, and JUAN LU , 60, both of Norman, were sentenced to serve more than three years collectively in federal prison and ordered to pay $2.1 million in restitution for making false statements involving a Department of Energy grant, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. On February 18, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a 16-count Superseding Indictment against Liu and Lu. On April 21, 2021, Liu pleaded guilty to making a materially false statement regarding a matter pertaining to the United States Department of Energy. On May 24, 2021, Lu pleaded guilty to using documents containing materially false statements regarding a matter pertaining to the Department of Energy. Public records reflect that Liu served since 2008 as a professor at the University of Oklahoma in its Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In approximately 2001, Liu and his wife Lu formed and controlled a company called MicroChem Solutions (MCS). Through MCS, they applied for and received federal grant monies from the Small Business Technology Transfer Program of the Department of Energy. The mission of the grant program was to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy. However, Liu and Lu spent this grant money on matters unrelated to the purpose of the grant funding, including on personal expenses. Liu and Lu also made false statements and submitted altered documents to the Department of Energy regarding how they spent grant money. At recent sentencing hearings, United States District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced the defendants as follows: Shaorong Liu was sentenced on June 21, 2023, to 27 months in federal prison and a $10,000.00 fine. This term of imprisonment will be followed by two years of supervised release. Juan Lu was sentenced on June 28, 2023, to 14 months in federal prison and a $10,000.00 fine. This term of imprisonment will be followed by two years of supervised release. In addition to the prison sentences and fine, the Court ordered the defendants to pay $2,100,000.00 in restitution to the United States Department of Energy. In fashioning the sentences, Judge Palk found that Liu and Lu were unintended recipients of the grant due to their false statements and noted the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. This case is the result of an investigation by the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General, the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General, and the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Farrior and Matt Dillon. Reference is made to public filings for more information.


title: California County Organized Health System and Three Health Care Providers Agree to Pay $68 Million for Alleged False Claims to California’s Medicaid Program

component: Civil Division

body_text: Santa Barbara San Luis Obispo Regional Health Authority, dba CenCal Health (CenCal), a county organized health system (COHS) that contracts to arrange for the provision of health care services under California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, California; Cottage Health System (Cottage), a not-for-profit hospital network operating in Santa Barbara County; Sansum Clinic (Sansum), a non-profit outpatient clinic operating in Santa Barbara County; and Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC), a non-profit community health center operating in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, have agreed to pay a total of $68 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act and the California False Claims Act by submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medi-Cal related to Medicaid Adult Expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Pursuant to the ACA, beginning in January 2014, Medi-Cal was expanded to cover the previously uninsured “Adult Expansion” population – adults between the ages of 19 and 64 without dependent children with annual incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level. The federal government fully funded the expansion coverage for the first three years of the program. Under contracts with California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), if CenCal did not spend at least 85% of the funds it received for the Adult Expansion population on “allowed medical expenses,” CenCal was required to pay back to the state the difference between 85% and what it actually spent. California, in turn, was required to return that amount to the federal government. The four settlements resolve allegations that CenCal, Cottage, Sansum, and CHC knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims to Medi-Cal for “Enhanced Services” that were purportedly provided to Adult Expansion Medi-Cal members: by Cottage between Jan. 1, 2014 and June 30, 2016; by Sansum and CHC between Jan. 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016; and by certain other healthcare providers between Jan. 1, 2014 and June 30, 2016. The United States and California alleged that the payments were not “allowed medical expenses” permissible under the contract between DHCS and CenCal; were pre-determined amounts that did not reflect the fair market value of any Enhanced Services provided; and/or the Enhanced Services were duplicative of services already required to be rendered. The United States and California further alleged that the payments were unlawful gifts of public funds in violation of the California Constitution. As a result of the settlements, CenCal will pay $49.5 million, Cottage will pay $9 million, Sansum will pay $4.5 million, and CHC will pay $3.15 million to the United States. In addition, California will receive payments totaling $1.85 million. “Medicaid expansion funds must be used for their intended purpose of providing health care services to low-income individuals,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When health care systems and providers knowingly misuse Medicaid funds, they will be held accountable.” “These historic settlements demonstrate our steadfast efforts to eradicate fraud involving Medicaid Adult Expansion,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Health care systems and providers are on notice that the False Claims Act provides us with a powerful tool to ensure that taxpayer-funded health care programs are used for patient care, and not for furtive financial gain.” “Federal health care programs are an important resource for millions of Americans to receive medical care,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to ensure that federal health care funds are used as intended and protected from fraud, waste, and abuse.” “Medi-Cal is a lifeline that provides access to free or affordable healthcare services for millions of Californians and their families,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “When any healthcare provider or agency defrauds the program, they break the public’s trust and put their own bottom line before the patients who count on them for honest, quality care and services. I am grateful to the USDOJ for its extensive efforts throughout the course of this investigation. The California Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable those who defraud the Medi-Cal program, and protect those it serves.” The civil settlements include the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Julio Bordas, CenCal’s former medical director. Under the act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States and State of California ex rel. Bordas v. CenCal Health, Cottage Health System, Sansum Santa Barbara Clinic, Inc., Community Health Center of the Central Coast, et al . Mr. Bordas will receive approximately $12.56 million as his share of the federal recovery. The United States previously settled similar allegations against Dignity Health and Twin Cities Community Hospital and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, two subsidiaries of Tenet Healthcare Corporation, relating to payments they received from CenCal under the Adult Expansion program. The partial resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the California Department of Justice, with assistance from HHS-OIG and DHCS. The investigation of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Trial Attorneys Mary Beth Hickcox-Howard and Tiffany L. Ho of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack D. Ross for the Central District of California handled this case. The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. Cottage Settlement Sansum Settlement CHC Settlement CenCal Settlement


title: Former Sewerage and Water Board Official Pleads Guilty to Theft

body_text: NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAMES ARNOLD pleaded guilty yesterday to Theft from an Agency Receiving Federal Funds, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. ARNOLD admitted to engaging in a theft scheme while he was employed as a Utility Services Administrator for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB). Beginning in approximately 2012 and continuing until in or about November 2021, ARNOLD stole S&WB funds by causing the S&WB to issue plumbing permits when it had not received the fees required for the issuance of those permits. ARNOLD did this by instructing plumbers to provide him with payments for the fees. ARNOLD would then keep the payments for his personal use and cause the S&WB to issue the permits without the S&WB having received the required fees. By engaging in this scheme, ARNOLD caused a loss to the S&WB of approximately $108,290. The offense to which ARNOLD pled guilty is punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment followed by up to three years’ supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo scheduled ARNOLD’s sentencing for October 11, 2023. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Nicaraguan sentenced for smuggling conspiracy resulting in death

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old Nicaraguan citizen illegally in the United States has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Arling Antonio Gutierrez-Garcia pleaded guilty March 10. Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña ordered him to serve 72 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Gutierrez-Garcia is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court considered the conditions inside the trailer, law enforcement efforts in the heat and prior statements four of the aliens had made. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Gutierrez-Garcia was lucky that more persons did not die. She also added that he could have stayed and assisted the aliens not able to exit and offered assistance to those in distress, instead of running away into the brush. “Transporting dozens of human beings in a vinyl-covered all metal trailer in the South Texas summer heat demonstrates the callousness and indifference of smugglers to human life,” said Hamdani. “The sweltering heat that built up in this vehicle which was designed not for people, but for hauling sand, rock and other materials maximized the potential for injury and the eventual and tragic death of one of the victims. Gutierrez-Garcia will now pay the price for his inhumane crime.” On June 6, 2022, Gutierrez-Garcia drove a semi-tractor pulling a belly-dump trailer with 63 citizens from Mexico and Guatemala. The metal trailer was covered with a vinyl tarp, thereby eliminating air circulation and increasing temperatures which led to the aliens’ distress. Gutierrez-Garcia noticed them jumping out the trailer from a tear in the tarp they had made. He then stopped the semi-tractor in west Webb County on a private ranch road where law enforcement saw him standing by the cab. Law enforcement and medical personnel provided assistance to the individuals located in the trailer and brush. One alien was found at the bottom of the trailer’s pit and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities apprehended Gutierrez-Garcia in the brush, at which time he claimed he was being transported with the others. However, the investigation revealed he was the driver of the vehicle. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol, Sheriff’s Offices in Webb and Dimmit Counties, Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.


title: Seattle-area man arrested for string of pot shop armed robberies

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – An 18-year-old Seattle-area man, who was living at a SeaTac hotel, remains in federal custody for robbery, with a detention hearing next week, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Caiden James Charlton was arrested Tuesday June 27, 2023, in connection with three armed robberies in May and June 2023. Charlton had his initial appearance yesterday and will appear for a detention hearing on Monday, July 3, 2023. According to records filed in the case, Charlton is charged with the May 30, 2023, robbery of Herb’s House on NW 65 th Street in Seattle; the May 30, 2023, robbery of Hashtag Cannabis on Nickerson Street in Seattle; and the June 10, 2023, robbery of Oz Cannabis on Stone Way in Seattle. In each of the robberies, surveillance video shows clothing, tattoos, and jewelry that has been linked to Charlton. Victims of the robberies noted distinctive face tattoos around Charlton’s eyes that were not concealed by his mask. In each of the robberies, one of two intruders displayed a handgun and ordered the dispensary staff to open safes or empty the till. In addition to money, the suspects stole a large amount of marijuana products. In some cases, the safes at the dispensaries could not be opened due to time locks used to discourage robberies. In one case, the robbers stole the safe by detaching it from the floor. The robbery crew would run to a getaway car after the robberies – two of the cars had been reported stolen. According to the criminal complaint, on June 5, 2023, Charlton was arrested by Tacoma Police for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Photographs from the arrest indicate Charlton wearing clothing and jewelry associated with the robberies of the marijuana dispensaries. Charlton was released on bail June 9, 2023 – one day before the third robbery charged federally. Charlton may face federal firearms charges based on the Tacoma arrest, as well as eight guns found in his possession at the time of his federal arrest on June 27, 2023. Law enforcement continues to investigate other robberies potentially linked to Charlton and his accomplices. This includes robberies in West Seattle, Edmonds, and Bellevue. In all, law enforcement believes as many as ten marijuana dispensary robberies may be linked to Charlton and a juvenile arrested in Bellevue following the robbery of a dispensary there. The juvenile was located based on a currency tracker that was included in the cash he stole from the Bellevue dispensary. “Mr. Charlton’s prior arrest for similar crimes did little to dissuade his continuing criminal activities.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Fortunately, no one was killed during his violent robbery spree. Taking him off the streets may have saved lives of employees and patrons of the businesses he targeted and highlights the priority given to these types of violent crime. I applaud the efforts of our agents and partners, including the Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Department, and others on the Safe Streets Task Force, to safely take him into custody.” The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Seattle Police Department, and the Bellevue Police Department, as well as the King County and Snohomish County Sheriffs’ Offices. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin H. Becker and Elyne Vaught. charlton_complaint.pdf


title: Drug trafficker sent to prison for possession of multiple variations of weapons earmarked for cartel in Mexico

body_text: HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for drug trafficking on U.S. streets and unlawfully possessing a rocket launcher, rocket-propelled grenades, guns and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alfredo Gonzalez-Diaz pleaded guilty May 26, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute kilograms of heroin and cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm. Today, U.S. District Judge Alfred H Bennett ordered Gonzalez-Diaz to serve a total of 175 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.. “A rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades, 8.5 kilos of heroin, and lots, and lots, of cash,” said Hamdani. “These are the tools of terror of the Mexican cartels. Cartels like Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) Cartel threaten our communities and our families. This U.S. Attorney’s Office will not rest until we seize the cartel’s weapons, drugs and cash, and welcome those, like Gonzalez-Diaz, to the inside of a prison cell.” As part of the undercover investigation into individuals affiliated with the CJNG, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant and seized 8.5 kilograms of heroin and approximately two kilograms of cocaine. Authorities also seized a rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades and two guns inside a stereo speaker prepared for transport to Mexico. The investigation revealed the weapons were destined for imminent distribution to the CJNG in Mexico. Authorities also discovered additional guns, ammunition and $111,762 in drug proceeds. Gonzalez-Diaz will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Houston Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shelley J. Sullivan and Lisa Collins prosecuted this case. These such cooperative matters provide for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the DEA Strike Force is to identify and prosecute all members of narcotics trafficking organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage .


title: Texan sentenced for trafficking firearms to Mexico in ice chest

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 74-year-old San Antonio man has been sent to prison following his conviction for illegal exportation of firearms and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S Hamdani. Atanacio Espinoza-Duarte pleaded guilty Feb. 15. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Espinoza-Duarte to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how firearms illegally exported from the United States to Mexico are used in violent crime south of the border. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that it is no excuse for delivery drivers to ignore the merchandise they are transporting. At the time of his plea, Espinoza-Duarte admitted to attempting to illegally exporting firearms to Mexico. On June 14, 2021, Espinoza-Duarte attempted to enter Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, through the Laredo Port of Entry in a pickup truck. Law enforcement working the outbound inspection lane observed an ice chest in the flat bed of Espinoza-Duarte’s truck. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered five AK-47 rifles and five, 30-round AK-47 magazines that were fully loaded. Espinoza-Duarte admitted he purchased some of the seized firearms from a man in Mesquite. Espinoza-Duarte will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation with the assistance of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.


title: Woodland Hills Brothers Found Guilty of Fraudulently Obtaining Federal Tax Refunds and Laundering Proceeds Through U.K. Banks

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Two San Fernando Valley brothers have been found guilty by a jury of nearly a dozen felonies for fraudulently obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal income tax refunds, some of which they then laundered through bank accounts held in the United Kingdom, the Justice Department announced today. Victor A. Ohiri, 55, and Stephen O. Danielson-Ohiri, 54, both of Woodland Hills, were found guilty late Wednesday of one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of theft of government property. According to evidence presented at their two-day trial, from March 2014 to March 2015, Victor and Stephen Ohiri, together with others in the United Kingdom, conspired to use the Ohiris’ U.S.-based bank accounts to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars of federal income tax refunds. The co-conspirators filed nearly 20 fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS in the names of victim-taxpayers whose identities they had stolen. The co-conspirators used fake documents, such as bogus Forms W-2, to file the fraudulent returns, which requested large tax refunds, often between $8,000 and $10,000. Based on the fraudulent returns, the IRS issued tax refunds, which were electronically transmitted not to the victim-taxpayers whose identities had been stolen, but instead to bank accounts controlled by Victor and Stephen Ohiri. The Ohiris then wired the majority of those refund proceeds to co-conspirators in the United Kingdom, and they withdrew the rest in cash for themselves. During the conspiracy, approximately $340,000 in federal income tax refunds was deposited into accounts controlled by the Ohiris. During the investigation, IRS investigators seized approximately $181,000 from two of Stephen Ohiri’s bank accounts – money that came from just one of the fraudulently obtained tax refunds. United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson has scheduled an October 2 sentencing hearing, at which time Victor Ohiri and Stephen Ohiri will face statutory maximum sentences, respectively, of 115 years and 60 years in federal prison. IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Morgan J. Cohen of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Oklahoman convicted of kidnapping estranged wife by gunpoint

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old resident of Yukon, Oklahoma, has been found guilty of kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during the crime, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The federal jury sitting in Corpus Christi deliberated for approximately three hours before convicting Joshua Anthony Wallin on both counts following a four-day trial. “Joshua Wallin’s maniacal decision to kidnap and torture his estranged wife and one-year-old son and later point a gun at the baby’s head caused two days of terror from places in Oklahoma to Texas,” said Hamdani. “Thanks to the heroic efforts of first responders, the child and mother were able to survive their frightening nightmare, and now Wallin will pay the price for his actions.” In the early morning hours of June 23, 2021, Wallin confronted his estranged wife at her home in Crescent, Oklahoma, holding her at gunpoint and subjecting her to a two-day ordeal. The jury heard how he took her and their one-year-old son on an arduous journey that culminated at a Corpus Christi restaurant. The victim provided testimony describing her fear and how she was sexually assaulted before they left Oklahoma and again along the way. She also told the jury that at one point during the trip, Wallin said “at the end of the day someone is going to die.” As they traveled though Texas, Wallin was aware of law enforcement, called 911 and began a series of conversations with them. He repeatedly made threatening statements about killing his wife and child, telling authorities they should not get too close. His driving became erratic, and law enforcement was able to use a tire deflation device to flatten a rear tire. He eventually crashed into a local restaurant. They eventually arrived in Corpus Christi, at which time Wallin grabbed his son from the mother’s arms and carried him into the restaurant while pointing a gun at his son’s head. Upon entry, Wallin fired one shot into the ceiling and ordered the occupants out of the restaurant. A two-hour stand-off then ensued. Wallin did speak with negotiators, but became increasingly agitated. As authorities gained entry, Wallin shot himself. The child was unharmed. Wallin recovered from his self-inflicted wound. At trial, testimony revealed Wallin had performed internet searches on his phone the day before the kidnapping in an attempt to locate his estranged wife and to learn how people react when kidnapped. The defense attempted to convince the jury that Wallin and the victim were on a vacation when things went horribly wrong. The jury did not believe those claims and found Wallin guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 20. At that time, Wallin faces up to life in prison for the kidnapping as well as another seven years for brandishing the firearm which must be served consecutively. Wallin has been and will remain in federal custody pending that hearing. The Corpus Christi Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Hess and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.


body_text: HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for drug trafficking on U.S. streets and unlawfully possessing a rocket launcher, rocket-propelled grenades, guns and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alfredo Gonzalez-Diaz pleaded guilty May 26, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute kilograms of heroin and cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Alfred H Bennett ordered Gonzalez-Diaz to serve a total of 175 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. “A rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades, 8.5 kilos of heroin, and lots, and lots, of cash,” said Hamdani. “These are the tools of terror of the Mexican cartels. Cartels like Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) Cartel threaten our communities and our families. This U.S. Attorney’s Office will not rest until we seize the cartel’s weapons, drugs and cash, and welcome those, like Gonzalez-Diaz, to the inside of a prison cell.” As part of the undercover investigation into individuals affiliated with the CJNG, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant and seized 8.5 kilograms of heroin and approximately two kilograms of cocaine. Authorities also seized a rocket launcher, two rocket propelled grenades and two guns inside a stereo speaker prepared for transport to Mexico. The investigation revealed the weapons were destined for imminent distribution to the CJNG in Mexico. Authorities also discovered additional guns, ammunition and $111,762 in drug proceeds. Gonzalez-Diaz will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Houston Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shelley J. Sullivan and Lisa Collins prosecuted this case. These such cooperative matters provide for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the DEA Strike Force is to identify and prosecute all members of narcotics trafficking organizations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage .


title: Illinois Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison

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

body_text: HAMMOND- Darius Dudley, 30 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Dudley was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release According to documents in the case, in July 2021, law enforcement responded to shots fired call in the 4800 block of Northcote Avenue in East Chicago, Indiana. Upon arrival, Dudley was observed in possession of a semi-automatic pistol. The pistol had an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device attached to it. The machinegun conversion made the pistol capable of firing multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger. Dudley’s criminal history revealed that he has prior felony convictions for burglary, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and as such is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case. This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force and the East Chicago Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Philadelphia Business Owner Charged with Fraud and Tax Evasion

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Philadelphia returned a superseding indictment today charging a Pennsylvania man with seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and three counts of tax evasion. He was previously charged with the wire and mail fraud counts in an indictment unsealed on Jan. 3, 2023. According to the superseding indictment, John Griffin of Philadelphia was the principal and founder of Second Story Farming, Inc., doing business as Metropolis Farms, a business purportedly involved with developing and manufacturing sustainable vertical farming technologies. Between approximately 2016 to 2018, Griffin allegedly made misrepresentations, promising to provide two entities with the equipment necessary to create indoor vertical farms. In total, both entities allegedly paid Griffin $760,000 to purchase the equipment, yet Griffin allegedly used only a fraction of that money to purchase equipment. The remainder was allegedly used to operate Griffin’s own business and pay his personal expenses. The superseding indictment further alleges that from 2016 through 2018, Griffin received at least $420,000 in gross income from his work for Second Story Farming and did not report it on his federal tax returns, and allegedly did not to file a personal tax return since at least 2014. Griffin allegedly attempted to evade his income taxes by making personal withdrawals from business bank accounts and transferring funds from business bank accounts to his wife and entities he controlled. If convicted, Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire and mail fraud count and 5 years in prison for each of tax evasion count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Catriona Coppler of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ignall of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: KC Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer pleaded guilty in federal court today to filing false tax returns. Godwin Omoregie, 71, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to a federal information that charges him with one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false and fraudulent tax return and one count of filing a false tax return. Omoregie owned and operated Quality Property Management and Tax Services, an income tax return preparation business located in Raytown, from 2012 through 2022. By pleading guilty today, Omoregie admitted that he prepared federal income tax returns that contained materially false and fraudulent items for at least 10 individuals, resulting in at least 42 false income tax returns from 2017 through 2021. By including fraudulent items on his client’s tax returns, Omoregie was able to manufacture substantial refunds to his clients that they would not have been entitled to if the returns had been accurately prepared. The tax loss associated with those false returns is approximately $178,702. Omoregie also admitted that he filed a federal income tax return in March 2022, which did not include at least $20,883 from his tax preparation business. The total tax loss associated with Omoregie’s false returns from tax year 2017 through 2021 totaled $62,891. Under federal statutes, Omoregie is subject to a sentence of up to six years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.


title: Government Contractor Settles False Claims Act Allegations Based on Violations of the Trade Agreements Act

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – OMNI Business Systems, Inc., located in Alexandria, has agreed to pay $80,944.00 to settle a civil fraud case alleging that OMNI violated the Trade Agreements Act and the False Claims Act by fraudulently misrepresenting the country of origin for certain products on federal supply schedules. The settlement arises in connection with a lawsuit filed by an OMNI competitor under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act: United States ex rel. Vogel v. OMNI Business Systems, Inc., et al. The settlement resolves allegations that OMNI violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently misrepresenting the country of origin for over a dozen toner products manufactured by HP, Inc., and offering them for sale, as Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant, through a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract and an Air Force Blanket Purchase Agreement. Despite Omni being told to remove the non-TAA compliant items, the settlement resolves allegations that the products remained available for purchase—and sales were made of the items—through GSA and the Air Force. A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual, known as a “relator,” filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court, and providing a copy of the complaint and other evidence to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery. The relator here will receive a share of the False Claims Act settlement. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the GSA Office of Inspector General, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Starr. The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no determination of civil liability. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia .


title: Los Angeles Resident Indicted on Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud Charge

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Los Angeles, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of conspiring to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The one-count Indictment named Seyed Hamed Razavi Rahmani, also known as Hamed Ramni, age 39, who resides in Los Angeles, California, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment presented to the court, Rahmani was part of the Insure Nutrition enterprise that provided bariatric patients with free nutritional shakes as an inducement to get patients’ medical insurance information in order to market expensive medications that were of questionable medical value to those patients. In the process, Insure Nutrition gained access to the purchasers’ personal information and insurance coverage, thereby allowing them to bill insurance companies for these products. As a part of the scheme in which Rahmani was an active participant, Insure Nutrition did not collect co-payments on the excessively expensive medications and fabricated procedures to mislead auditors concerning the critical issue of co-payments. Pursuant to previous Indictments associated with this scheme, other defendants who have entered guilty pleas have forfeited more than $54,000,000 in fraudulent proceeds that have been sent to the victim insurance carriers as partial reimbursement for losses they sustained. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The FBI conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Indicted on Charges of Assault of a Federal Employee, Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of forcible assault of a federal employee, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The three-count Indictment named Martinel Humphries, age 28, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on January 5, 2023, Humphries used a firearm in assaulting a United States Postal Service employee. Because of his prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Humphries was not permitted to have a firearm. The law provides for a ten year minimum sentence on the charge that Humphries used a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison on the forcible assault charge and not more than 15 years in prison on the felon in possession charge, a fine of not more than $250,000 on each count, a term of supervised release of not more than five years on the forcible assault and use of a firearm counts and not more than three years on the felon in possession count, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney William B. Guappone is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case, with assistance from the Pittsburgh Police Department and Ross Township Police Department. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Participating In Business Email Compromise Scams

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CHIBUNDU JOSEPH ANUEBUNWA, a citizen of Nigeria who was previously extradited from the United Kingdom, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with his participation in fraudulent business email compromise scams that targeted thousands of victims around the world, including in the United States. In connection with the same conspiracy as ANUEBUNWA, co-defendant DAVID CHUKWUNEKE ADINDU was previously sentenced to 41 months in prison, and co-defendant ONYEKACHI EMMANUEL OPARA was previously extradited from South Africa and sentenced to 60 months in prison. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he has now admitted, Chibundu Joseph Anuebunwa participated in a conspiracy to trick thousands of business employees located all around the world into wiring millions of dollars to overseas bank accounts by sending bogus emails that appeared to be legitimate. This case should serve as a reminder to cyber criminals located around the globe that we will track them down and hold them responsible.” According to publicly filed court documents and statements made at public court proceedings: Between 2014 and 2016, ANUEBUNWA, OPARA, and ADINDU participated in business email compromise scams (“BEC scams”) targeting thousands of victims around the world, including in the United States. As part of the BEC scams, emails were sent to employees of various companies directing that funds be transferred to specified bank accounts. The emails purported to be from supervisors at those companies or third-party vendors that did business with those companies. The emails, however, were not legitimate. Rather, they were either from email accounts with a domain name that was very similar to a legitimate domain name, or the metadata in the emails had been modified so that the emails appeared as if they were from legitimate email addresses. After victims complied with the fraudulent wiring instructions, the transferred funds were quickly withdrawn or moved into different bank accounts. In total, the BEC scams attempted to defraud the victims of millions of dollars. ANUEBUNWA and others carried out BEC scams by exchanging information regarding: (i) bank accounts used for receiving funds from victims; (ii) email accounts used for communicating with victims; (iii) scripts for requesting wire transfers from victims; and (iv) lists of names and email addresses for contacting and impersonating potential victims. * * * ANUEBUNWA, 40, a citizen of Nigeria, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. ANUEBUNWA is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Crotty on October 2, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked United Kingdom authorities and the Yahoo E-Crime Investigations Team for their assistance in the investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from the United Kingdom. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew K. Chan is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Ex-employee Accused of Arson at St. Louis Airport Marriott

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A woman from St. Louis, Missouri has been indicted on an arson charge and accused of setting fires at a hotel after being fired. Ramona Cook, 25, was indicted May 10 and arrested and pleaded not guilty Wednesday. She is due in court Friday for a hearing that will determine whether she is jailed until trial. The indictment says that on Dec. 22, 2022, Cook maliciously damaged by means of fire the Marriott St. Louis Airport hotel at 10700 Pear Tree Drive. A motion seeking to have Cook held in jail says that she was fired that day for being intoxicated at work. She returned shortly after being escorted out of the hotel by police and set multiple fires in the hotel, the motion says, displacing the occupants of more than 400 rooms. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The arson charge carries a penalty of 5 years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen is prosecuting the case.


title: Boise Man Convicted of Three Attempted Sex Crimes Against Children

component: U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

body_text: POCATELLO – A federal jury convicted Mohammad Ali Alizadah Nawai, 45, of Boise for three attempted sex crimes, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced. The counts of conviction were (1) attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, (2) sexual exploitation of a child, and (3) coercion and enticement. The crimes reflect the defendant’s attempted transfer of obscene matters to a child under 16 years of age, the attempted production of child pornography, and the attempted persuasion of a child to meet for sexual intercourse. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill presided over the trial, which began on June 20, and concluded with guilty verdicts on June 23. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Nawai communicated with an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old child on an online dating program. The detective was posing as a child to detect and investigate online offenders seeking children. Nawai, after being told the apparent child’s age, requested that the child produce sexually explicit content. Nawai further sent the apparent child obscene materials, which included bestiality and images he represented as child pornography. Nawai also made arrangements to meet the child for sexual intercourse. He travelled from Boise to Rupert on June 23, 2021, where members of the Rupert Police Department promptly arrested him. Nawai is scheduled to be sentenced on September 13, 2023 and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and up to life in federal prison. Judge Winmill determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Hurwit thanked the Rupert Police Department for its efforts, which led to the charges. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Robins and John Shirts. 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 Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Pecos Gun Thieves Sentenced for Selling Stolen Firearms

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: ALPINE, Texas – Two Pecos men were sentenced in a federal court in Pecos Tuesday for crimes related to the theft and subsequent selling of firearms. According to court documents, Nathaniel Elijah Saenz, 19, and Raul Ivan Duarte, 31, were part of a local ring of criminals that were breaking into vehicles and stealing firearms from vehicles. After stealing the firearms, they would sell them to various buyers. Texas Department of Public Safety special agents and Pecos Police Department investigators conducted multiple undercover purchases throughout the investigation. On March 8, 2022, DPS and the Pecos Police Department executed search warrants and arrested Saenz and Duarte. Saenz was sentenced Tuesday to 63 months in prison for one count of sale of a stolen firearm. Duarte was sentenced to 30 months for one count of possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. “This case is a clear reminder of our commitment to collaborate with our law enforcement partners at every level to stop the illicit selling of stolen firearms and to hold firearm traffickers responsible,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. A third defendant, Juaquin Osbaldo Munoz, 20, was sentenced on May 22 to 57 months in prison for one count of sale of a stolen firearm. Munoz has been in federal custody since his arrest on April 10, 2022. The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division and Pecos Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis prosecuted the case. ###


title: 18 Firearms Seized After Domestic Violence Incident Leads to Federal Firearm Charges

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – A domestic violence shooting in Detroit has led to the recovery of 18 firearms, including a machine gun, and a federal criminal complaint against one man, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today. Ison was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Saliah Algahmi, 37, of Melvindale, Michigan, was charged in a criminal complaint with being unlawfully in possession of firearms and knowingly in receipt of counterfeit federal law enforcement badges. He was ordered detained by visiting United States Magistrate Judge R. Steven Whalen. According to court records, the charges stem from an incident on May 19, 2023, when Algahmi’s wife reported that Algahmi had fired a gun at her while she sat in her vehicle. Fortunately, she was not injured. This incident led police to search a residence in Melvindale on June 8, 2023. In the residence, police found 18 firearms, various ammunition, and two fake police badges. The ongoing investigation has preliminarily determined, through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), that the firearm used during the domestic assault on May 19, 2023, was one of the 18 firearms recovered from the residence. Several of the firearms were stolen and or unregistered, one had an obliterated serial number, and at least one firearm is classified as a machine gun. Algahmi also was in possession of a counterfeit badge of the Drug Enforcement Administration and a fake Department of Defense federal law enforcement badge. For unlawful possession of firearms, Algahmi faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment. “Through his illegal possession of an arsenal of 18 firearms, including a machine gun, and his willingness to use a firearm against a family member, this defendant represented an ongoing threat to the community,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “This threat has been stopped by the swift actions of law enforcement, and we are thankful this case did not result in someone being injured or killed.” “All people deserve to feel safe in their relationships. Alhahmi’s repeated use of firearms to commit domestic violence is unacceptable” said, ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir “ATF and our law enforcement partners remain resolute in holding violent offenders who threaten the safety of their family and our community accountable.” The United States Attorney’s Office and the ATF are focused on prosecuting those individuals who are using firearms to commit violent acts against people in the Eastern District of Michigan. The strategy is a part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN continues to be the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is an evidence-based program that focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs to pursue lasting reductions in crime. A complaint is only a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was investigated by ATF with the assistance from the Detroit Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cowen, assigned to the Violent and Organized Crime Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.


title: Former Bosnian Combatant Pleads Guilty to Passport Fraud

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Winthrop man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport, and then using it to enter the United States from Istanbul, Turkey in 2021. Azem Gigo Zebic, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of use of a fraudulently obtained passport. U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Nov. 30, 2023. Zebic was arrested by information and subsequently waived his indictment in May 2023. Zebic was admitted to the United States from Croatia in 1997 after falsely claiming that he had been the subject of persecution by Serb forces during the Bosnian War. Zebic falsely claimed, among other things, that Serb forces had captured, interrogated, beaten him and forced him to pull wounded soldiers from the front lines. Further, once in the United States, Zebic continued to make false statements about his past, including that he had never assisted anyone else enter the country illegally. However, Zebic had, in fact, assisted another alleged Bosnian combatant – Kemal Mrndzic – enter the United States unlawfully by falsely claiming that he was Mrndzic’s half-brother. Mrndzic, who was recently indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston, allegedly engaged in the persecution of Serbs while a supervisor of guards at the notorious Celebic prison camp before he fraudulently applied for refuge in the United States. Zebic used this false history and his additional false statements, to obtain lawful permanent residency, American citizenship and a United States passport. The use of a fraudulently obtained passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $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. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Jason A. Casey of Levy’s National Security Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: UNITED STATES SETTLES FALSE CLAIMS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST EVERGREEN HOSPICE, LLC FOR $48,830

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – United States Attorney Clinton J. Johnson announces that Evergreen Hospice, LLC (Evergreen), a hospice company located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has agreed to pay $48,830.70 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for hospice care provided to beneficiaries who did not qualify for the services. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability. “Unfortunately, some healthcare providers seek to defraud Medicare by billing unnecessary hospice services,” stated U.S. Attorney Clinton Johnson. “Left unchecked, this misconduct would deplete funds available for terminally ill patients desperately in need of the relief that hospice care provides. This settlement should serve as notice to others who consider similar practices that we will vigorously pursue them.” Hospice care is special end-of-life care for terminally ill patients intended to comfort the dying. Patients admitted to hospice care generally stop receiving coverage for traditional medical care intended to cure their illnesses and instead receive medical care focused on providing them with relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a terminal illness. Medicare patients are hospice eligible when they are considered terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less, if their illness runs its normal course. This settlement resolves allegations that Evergreen knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare for hospice services provided to patients who were not terminally ill and for services that were not medically necessary. According to the settlement agreement, the United States alleged that Evergreen knowingly submitted false claims from Sept. 1, 2017, to May 31, 2020, to Medicare for hospice services that were provided to beneficiaries who did not qualify under the Medicare guidelines for routine hospice care because they were improperly certified as terminally ill. The government’s action in this matter illustrates the emphasis on combating health care fraud, and one of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle prosecuted this case. The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health & Human investigated this case.


title: Placer County Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation Offenses Against a Minor

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Ryan Davidek, 39, of Lincoln, charging him with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in 2016, Davidek began a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old victim who he had met online. Over the course of several years, Davidek booked hotel rooms and traveled across state lines, as well as transported the victim from another state to the Eastern District of California, to commit the charged crimes. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Klein is prosecuting the case. If convicted of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, Davidek faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison and a $250,000 fine, and if convicted of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, he faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.


title: Atlanta man indicted for allegedly distributing fentanyl that killed one

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Antonio Milner has been arraigned on federal charges of distributing fentanyl resulting in the death of another. Milner allegedly distributed fentanyl to a person who was found dead in a vehicle alongside I-75. “Fentanyl is an extraordinarily dangerous substance and even the smallest quantity can be lethal,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting these cases to combat this scourge plaguing our communities.” “Fentanyl poisonings and other dangerous drugs are taking a terrible toll on our communities.” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division. “This drug trafficker will face the consequences of his actions.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: On December 13, 2022, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Stockbridge Police Department responded to a request for a welfare check at I-75 Southbound at mile marker 224. Upon arrival, officers located the victim deceased in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. The victim’s cause of death was determined to be fentanyl and morphine toxicity. The DEA traced the victim’s steps and established that Milner had allegedly distributed fentanyl to the victim just prior to her death. Antonio Milner, 48, of Atlanta, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand. Milner was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 27, 2023. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy M. Palumbo is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .