title: Garner Man Sentenced to 16 and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl Resulting in an Overdose Death

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Reginald Webb, a 33-year-old resident of Garner, has been sentenced to 198 months in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl in the Raleigh area. On April 11, 2017, Webb was the source of the fentanyl distributed to a 22-year-old woman who overdosed and died. Webb pled guilty on January 5, 2024. Webb’s co-defendant in this case, as well as an additional individual who was indicted separately, have previously pled guilty to charges and are awaiting sentencing. “In 2023, there were more than 4,000 suspected overdose deaths in North Carolina. Drug dealers who lace fentanyl into their supply and prey on vulnerable individuals who have an addiction should know that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will use every tool available to seek justice for victims of fentanyl poisoning and their families” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Webb's actions show a complete disregard for human life motivated by sheer greed.” “The Raleigh Police Department (RPD) is proud to collaborate with U.S. Attorney Michael Easley in our joint endeavor to preserve lives and remove the offenders who sell and deliver dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, from our community,” said Chief Estella Patterson. “This investigation and prosecution underscores our commitment to identifying those who seek to destroy our communities by distributing illegal opioids. The RPD, in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, will pursue justice for the families who lose loved ones to the opioid crisis and will never concede in our efforts to prevent opioid overdoses in our city.” According to the court documents and other information presented in court, on April 11, 2017, the RPD responded to a 911 call for a suspected overdose death. The investigation that followed confirmed that a 22-year-old woman lost her life due to a fentanyl overdose. Ultimately, law enforcement learned that Webb was the source of supply for the drugs that led to the fatal overdose. Text messages found on the victim’s phone showed that she arranged to purchase heroin from Amanda McLeod (indicted separately) on the day she died. Video footage from a Food Lion showed the victim withdrawing money from an ATM and getting into a vehicle law enforcement later learned McLeod drove and that Treveris Montel Coward, Webb’s co-defendant, was the vehicle’s front seat passenger. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that the day before the overdose death, the victim suffered a non-fatal overdose after taking drugs suspected to be laced with fentanyl, also distributed by McLeod and sourced by Webb. McLeod contacted Coward when the victim began to overdose, and both Coward and Webb came to the scene and revived her. Despite the victim’s recent overdose, additional fentanyl, distributed by McLeod and sourced by Webb, was provided to the victim the following day, which caused her to overdose and die. The investigation into the overdose death led investigators to look into drug trafficking activities of Webb and uncovered another case from August of 2016 where a young man suffered a non-fatal overdose and identified Webb as his supplier. In addition, a confidential informant was utilized to purchase heroin from Webb in 2015. Webb was later arrested in March of 2017 after a traffic stop in Duplin County, which resulted in the seizure of 18 bindles of heroin found in Webb’s underwear. On February 3, 2021, McLeod (5:20-cr-533-1D) pled guilty to distributing a quantity of fentanyl and aiding and abetting. On October 4, 2022, Coward (5:21-cr-00148-D-2) pled guilty to distributing a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and aiding and abetting. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Judge James C. Dever III. The Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:21-cr-00148-D-1.


title: Former Rochester mail carrier sentenced for stealing mail

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Marlene Cruz, 40, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of theft of mail matter by officer or employee, was sentenced to serve two years’ probation by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in January 2022, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) received complaints from individuals stating that their mail had been tampered with in late 2021. Subsequent investigation determined that Cruz, a full-time Mail Carrier, worked the mail route involving the complaints. Further investigation determined that between January 2022, and November 2023, Cruz routinely opened envelopes and parcels, removing items such as ticket stubs, documents, cash, lottery tickets, and gift cards, on dozens of occasions. In May and November 2023, investigators conducted mail integrity tests, placing greeting cards containing cash and gift cards in the mail to be delivered by Cruz. On November 2, 2023, at the end of her shift, investigators detained Cruz and executed a warrant for her person and personal belongings. During the search, they recovered a gift card from one of the mail integrity test greeting cards inside Cruz’ personal duffle bag. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge Northeast Field Office. # # # #


title: CEO Convicted for $28M Long-Running Investment Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury convicted a Hawaii man yesterday for his role in a more than a decade-long scheme to defraud investors of Semisub Inc. and Semisub LLC (collectively, “Semisub”) of over $28 million. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Curtiss E. Jackson, 71, of Honolulu, was Semisub’s CEO in addition to holding other corporate positions, and fraudulently solicited investments in Semisub. Jackson and his co-conspirator falsely told investors for years that the prototype vessel, Semisub One, was “weeks” or “months” away from beginning operations. Jackson also solicited funds based on false statements that Semisub had entered into agreements or developed relationships with government agencies and a private investment firm to build and sell a fleet of “Semisubs” for tens of millions of dollars—among other misrepresentations. As a part of the scheme, Jackson and his co-conspirator used investor funds to pay for luxury residences in Hawaii and California, a Mercedes-Benz automobile, luxury vacations, psychics, and marijuana. Jackson also sent a death threat to his co-conspirator during the investigation. The text message contained a link to an online video entitled “Death of FBI Informants,” which had clips from a television series depicting the deaths of several characters who had cooperated with the FBI. Jackson further obstructed an official proceeding by attempting to flee the United States’ territorial waters aboard the Semisub One, which was subject to criminal forfeiture proceedings, on the day before his bond revocation hearing. The jury convicted Jackson of securities fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, witness tampering, and obstructing an official proceeding while on pretrial release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 23 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count and a consecutive 10 years in prison for committing an offense while on release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii; Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group; and Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Seattle Field Office made the announcement. The USPIS and IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Jennifer Bilinkas, Kate McCarthy, Christopher Fenton, and Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Nammar and Aislinn Affinito for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.


title: Doctor Convicted of $6.3M Medicare Fraud Scheme

body_text: A federal jury convicted a Michigan doctor today for causing the submission of over $6.3 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces ordered through a telemarketing scheme. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sophie Toya, M.D., 55, of Bloomfield Hills, signed thousands of prescriptions for orthotic braces for over 2,500 Medicare patients during a six-month period. Toya was not the treating physician for any of these patients and, instead, was connected with some of the patients over the telephone through a telemarketing scheme and spoke to the patients briefly before signing orthotic brace prescriptions for them. For other patients, Toya signed prescriptions without having any contact with them. In one instance, Toya prescribed a lower back brace, right and left shoulder braces, a right wrist brace, right and left knee braces, and right and left ankle braces for a single Medicare patient. Toya also prescribed multiple braces for undercover agents posing as five different Medicare patients after speaking to each agent for less than a minute over the telephone. The evidence presented at trial showed that Toya could not possibly have diagnosed the patients or determined that the braces were medically necessary for them. Nonetheless, Toya signed medical records and prescriptions for braces that falsely represented that the braces were medically necessary and that she diagnosed the beneficiaries, had a plan of care for them, and recommended that they receive certain additional treatment. Toya’s false prescriptions were used by brace supply companies to bill Medicare more than $6.3 million. Toya was paid approximately $120,000 in exchange for signing the fraudulent prescriptions. The jury convicted Toya of one count of health care fraud and five counts of false statements relating to health care matters. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 15 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years in prison on each of the false statements relating to health care matters counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. The case was charged as part of Operation Rubber Stamp , a coordinated nationwide law enforcement operation that targeted medical professionals who participated in fraudulent telemedicine schemes. Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan and Trial Attorney Christopher Wenger of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Rocky Mount Man Who Opened Fire on Police Officers Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

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

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Rocky Mount man was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 180 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and for shooting at Rocky Mount Police Department (RMPD) officers who were attempting to apprehend him. On November 8, 2023, Antonio Maurice Wilkins, Sr., pled guilty to the charge. “Law enforcement officers are being shot in the line of duty far too often. We won’t stand by and watch it happen. As federal prosecutors, we’re partnering with local DA’s to put shooters on a fast track to federal prison, often even while state charges are still pending,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant fled law enforcement and tried to shoot an officer, but his bullet miraculously struck the officer’s service weapon. Too many officers are not so lucky. Prioritizing cases like these is the least we can do for those who risk their lives every day.” “This case reminds us of the dangers our officers are faced with and how they place their lives on the line to serve our community and keep our streets safe,” said Rocky Mount Police Chief Hassell. “The quick actions of our officers allowed them to take a violent individual off our streets. We are committed to our partnerships with our federal partners. Our combined efforts will ensure we continue to prosecute those who commit crime.” “This is a prime example of the benefits of our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s office and law enforcement. We look forward to continuing to work with these agencies as we all strive to make our communities safer,” said District Attorney Jeff Marsigli. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Antonio Wilkins, Sr., age 48, a previously convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a firearm on February 9, 2023. On that date, RMPD received a report of a stolen car and were informed that Wilkins was the driver. They were also provided with the location of the vehicle. Two officers went to that location and attempted to take him into custody. When encountered, Wilkins resisted arrest and fled on foot through a parking lot. As an officer caught up to him, Wilkins pulled out a handgun and fired a shot at the officer, striking his service weapon and injuring the officer's hip. Wilkins continued to fire as the officer retreated towards a dumpster. Meanwhile, another RMPD officer fired two shots at Wilkins, hitting him twice in the upper thigh and incapacitating him. Wilkins still faces state charges related to the incident. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. RMPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-CR-26-M-RN.


title: SCDC Inmate Sentenced To Federal Prison for Laundering Funds Extorted from Enlisted Service Members

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: GREENVILLE, S.C. — Javarius G. Teague, age 31, of Greenville, was sentenced to 33 months for his role in laundering extorted funds. Evidence presented to the court showed that Teague, while incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, led a conspiracy to conceal the source of extorted funds. The extortion involved servicemen who were beguiled into sending compromising photos of themselves to women they met on dating sites. The servicemen would be confronted by an extortioner claiming to be the woman’s father and alleging she was underage. The extortioner then demanded money and threatened that if money was not paid a report would be made to law enforcement or military authorities. The service member would send money via MoneyGram or a similar service and Teague’s co-conspirators, at his instruction, would collect that money at MoneyGram locations in South Carolina. This money would be passed on to other members of the conspiracy and Teague through Green Dot and J Pay. The extortion came to light in December 2017 when a service member died from suicide rather than pay the money demanded by fraudsters. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Teague and ordered him to pay $2,210 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case. ###


title: Tangipahoa Parish Man Charged  with Violating Federal  Controlled Substance Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MICHAEL PENN , age 23, a resident of Tangipahoa Parish, was indicted on May 3, 2024, for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. PENN is charged with three counts of distributing fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. If convicted of Count 1, PENN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least 4 years of supervised release. If convicted of Counts 2 and 3, PENN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years of supervised release. PENN also faces a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count. On February 2, April 4, and April 18, 2024, PENN distributed large quantities of fentanyl pills in the Eastern District of Louisiana. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.


title: South Gate Man Pleads Guilty to Leading Drug Trafficking Ring that Used Modified ‘Trap Cars’ to Transport and Distribute Narcotics

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A South Gate man pleaded guilty today to a federal narcotics charge for leading a drug trafficking ring that imported drugs, including cocaine and heroin, from Mexico, then used modified BMWs with hidden trap compartments to distribute those drugs throughout the United States. Joel Antonio Villegas, 35, a.k.a. “Junior,” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to his plea agreement, from at least November 2017 to September 2019, Villegas led a drug trafficking organization that imported from Mexico to the United States kilogram quantities of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and hashish oil. As the conspiracy’s organizer and manager, Villegas picked up the drugs and arranged for their sale to customers or fellow conspirators. Villegas ordered other conspirators to purchase cars – including BMWs – and modify them by installing hidden trap compartments so other members of the organization could conceal and transport narcotics and drug proceeds on the organization’s behalf. Villegas delegated to other conspirators the coordination of cross-border caravans using couriers and other so-called “trap cars” to pick up drugs – including cocaine and heroin – in Mexico and transport them into the United States. He also operated a stash house containing cocaine, marijuana, and hashish oil as well as materials to manufacture and distribute drugs, including packaging materials, pill presses, drug ledgers, and money counters. Villegas also possessed firearms at his residence to protect the organization’s drug proceeds. In September 2019, when law enforcement executed a warrant at Villegas’ residence and called him on his telephone and ordered him to come outside, Villegas set fire to numerous paper journals, including drug ledgers and pay/owe sheets. He also broke several cellphones and other digital devices and attempted to break even more. Villegas admitted in his plea agreement that he willfully impeded and obstructed the administration of justice by doing so. In addition to multiple firearms Villegas possessed at his residence, law enforcement also recovered $127,307 in cash and jewelry, including three Rolex watches and one golden necklace, all of which were purchased with the organization’s drug proceeds. That same day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a Downey stash house that Villegas’ organization used and seized approximately 882 grams (1.9 pounds) of heroin, approximately 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of marijuana, and 81.3 grams of hashish oil, as well as a money counter, pill press machine, and drug paraphernalia, among other items. In total, the conspiracy involved at least approximately 3.9 kilograms (8.6 pounds) of heroin, approximately 52 kilograms (114.6 pounds) of cocaine, approximately 25 kilograms (55.1 pounds) of marijuana, and approximately 186.2 grams of hashish oil. United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled an August 30 sentencing hearing, at which time Villegas will face a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the California Highway Patrol, the Pasadena Police Department, the South Gate Police Department, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter with the support of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle W. Kahan of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section, Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, and A. Carley Palmer of the Criminal Appeals Section are prosecuting this case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Joins Department of Justice Initiative To Disrupt Transnational Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of North Carolina joined the Justice Department, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and other federal law enforcement agencies to announce the completion of the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign to identify, disrupt, and criminally prosecute networks of individuals who transmit funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters. Fraudsters rely on money mules to facilitate a range of fraud schemes, including those that predominantly impact older Americans, such as lottery fraud, romance scams and grandparent scams as well as those that target businesses or government pandemic funds. “Criminals perpetrating lucrative financial schemes that defraud unsuspecting American businesses and individual consumers are serious threats to our economic security and stability,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Through our collaboration with our law enforcement counterparts, we aim to identify and dismantle money mule networks and bring perpetrators to justice. Equally important are our efforts to increase public awareness, by educating consumers on how to avoid becoming unwitting money mules and understanding the risks and consequences of being involved in this illegal activity.” As part of this year’s initiative, law enforcement took action to stop over 3,000 money mules responsible for facilitating a range of fraud schemes. These thousands of actions ranged from criminal prosecutions designed to punish those intentionally assisting fraudsters to warning letters intended to advise those who may have been unknowingly recruited by fraudsters. Agencies are also conducting outreach to educate the public about how fraudsters use money mules and how to avoid unknowingly assisting fraud by receiving and transferring money. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged for knowingly receiving and forwarding victim funds or otherwise laundering fraud proceeds. These cases included: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina charged two men for allegedly laundering over $4.5 million in proceeds of business email compromise schemes and online romance scams targeting elderly victims. The defendants opened bank accounts to receive wires and other transfers of funds from fraud victims. The defendants then withdrew and transferred the fraud proceeds, including transfers into overseas accounts, and kept a portion of the proceeds for themselves. The Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey charged five defendants for allegedly acting as couriers who went to the homes of elderly victims of a grandparent scam to pick up cash, often using false names and providing victims with fake receipts. The couriers then brought the cash to other members of the conspiracy, who sent the victims’ money to the Dominican Republic. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri charged three men for their roles in allegedly collecting and transmitting funds from victims of a nationwide tech support fraud scam targeting the elderly. According to charges, one of the defendants recruited college students to act as couriers to collect payments from victims around the country and to fraudulently open bank accounts into which the proceeds of the scam would be deposited. The other two defendants allegedly provided the couriers with assignments, instructions, and payment. The defendants deposited about $7 million in cashier’s checks into one bank account between March 2020 and July 2023. “The Justice Department is committed to using every tool at our disposal to protect Americans from fraud,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “By working with our federal partners to disrupt money mule networks, educate consumers about scams, and prosecute criminals, we can keep money out of the hands of international fraudsters and in the pockets of hard-working Americans.” Additionally, participating agencies served approximately 2,970 letters warning individuals that their actions were facilitating fraud schemes. Many money mules begin as victims of romance or lottery scams and are unknowingly lured by fraudsters into transmitting fraud proceeds based on lies. Other money mules are recruited into what they initially believe to be legitimate work-at-home jobs. In order to educate and deter these types of unknowing money mules, the letters served by law enforcement warned individuals that their activities are facilitating fraud and outlined the potential consequences of continuing to transmit illegally acquired funds. This year’s effort was coordinated by the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, FBI, and USPIS. Other participating agencies were the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “The FBI and its partners will relentlessly pursue individuals looking to illegally move funds for illicit purposes,” said Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Our work of protecting the American people includes prosecuting individuals and networks who knowingly facilitate fraud schemes, while educating consumers and unwitting participants on the dangers of illicit money mule networks.” “The dismantling of these criminal networks should send a strong message that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our partners, is committed to taking down these criminal networks designed to inflict financial harm, oftentimes to our most vulnerable population, older Americans,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of USPIS. “The Inspection Service will continue to participate in public education efforts, while remaining committed to enforcing the laws that bring money mules and their international puppeteers to justice.” As in past years, participating agencies are also working to raise public awareness about how fraudsters recruit and use individuals to assist their fraud operations. IRS-CI implemented a public awareness campaign to warn taxpayers about the ways in which fraudsters recruit money mules. Additionally, the Justice Department and USPIS partnered with the American Banking Association Foundation to present a webinar to banks regarding money mules and the role banks can play in identifying and stopping them. The agencies involved in this effort urge consumers to be on the lookout for signs someone is trying to recruit them to receive and transmit fraud proceeds. Do not agree to receive money or checks mailed to you or sent to your bank account for someone you have met over the phone or online. Do not open a bank or cryptocurrency account at someone else’s direction. Fraudsters will lie to persuade you to help them. They may falsely tell you that they are helping you get a lottery prize, initiate a purported romantic relationship and then tell you that they need money, or pretend to offer you a job, an opportunity to invest in a business venture, or the chance to help in a charitable effort. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. The Federal Trade Commission also provides a hotline at 877-FTC-HELP and a website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov to receive consumer complaints. More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . The Justice Department provides information about a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which are available at www.ovc.gov .


title: Former Utica Mayor and School Board President Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Louis LaPolla, age 78, of Utica, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse to mail fraud for soliciting and then stealing donations intended for a scholarship fund in his late wife’s name. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the guilty plea. In pleading guilty, LaPolla admitted that he set up a scholarship fund in honor of his late wife, Andrea LaPolla, after she passed away in 2018, with the stated intention of benefitting Utica City School District students who planned to pursue post-secondary education in health-related fields. LaPolla further admitted that he received nearly $40,000 in donations intended for the scholarship fund from individuals and businesses and that he spent nearly all the donated money on himself rather than depositing it into the scholarship fund. LaPolla served as the mayor of Utica from 1984 to 1995, and he served as President of the Utica City School Board from 2018 to 2022, following 21 years of service as a member of the board. LaPolla will be sentenced on September 10, 2024, by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. The charges filed against LaPolla carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1.5 million, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The defendant will also be required to pay restitution in the amount of $38,616. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Earlier this year, LaPolla pled guilty in Oneida County Court to a misdemeanor petit larceny charge after admitting that he used envelopes, stamps, and mailing labels belonging to the Utica City School District to send out fundraising flyers relating to the scholarship. In that case, LaPolla was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest, 3 years of probation, and ordered to pay $3,100 in restitution. The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police and the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry is prosecuting the case.


title: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Fentanyl Overdose Case

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on May 6, 2024. Jason Winckler, 44, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised released. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Winckler was indicted for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 21, 2024. On or about March 17, 2022, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Winckler distributed a pill containing fentanyl to one of his drug customers, who in turn gave it to his girlfriend, who ingested the pill and experienced an overdose. The police were called and when officers arrived, the victim was unconscious, not breathing, and was turning blue. The officers were able to revive the victim after administering three doses of Narcan. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizbeth Ebert prosecuted the case. Winckler was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rensselaer County Sex Offender Convicted of Receiving Child Pornography

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Zachary Cota, age 31, of Castleton-on-Hudson, New York, pled guilty today to receiving child pornography and agreed to be sentenced to at least 262 months in prison. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Cota admitted that he used SnapChat to solicit three children to send him nude photos. After an 8-year-old and a 13-year-old provided the requested photos, Cota threatened to reveal what they had done, in an effort to obtain more child pornography from them. At the time of these crimes, Cota was on probation for a course of sexual conduct against a child. When his probation officer asked to see Cota’s phone, Cota locked himself in a bathroom and began deleting its contents. A search of Cota’s phone revealed an additional 900 images of child pornography, including screenshots of a video chat between Cota and a naked child. When United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci imposes sentence on September 6, 2024, Cota faces a term of imprisonment of at least 262 months and up to 327 months, a fine of up to $250,000, and a life term of supervised release. He has also agreed to forfeit the phone he used to commit the crimes. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Cota must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force—which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rotterdam, Troy, and Colonie Police Departments and the New York State Police—investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Herkimer County Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Edick, age 37, of Mohawk, New York, was indicted yesterday for the sexual exploitation of two minors, and for the transportation and possession of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, made the announcement. According to the indictment and documents previously filed in the case, between August and October 2022, Edick allegedly used two children, born in 2009 and 2013, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating child pornography. Edick is also charged with committing these offenses while he was required to register as a sex offender. The grand jury also indicted Edick for transportation of child pornography after he allegedly shared, via the internet, images he created of the 9-year-old victim, as well as possession of numerous images and videos of child pornography. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Edick was arrested on May 18, 2023, after a complaint was filed in federal court alleging his sexual exploitation of the 9-year-old. He has been detained since that date. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment at a future date. If convicted of all charges, Edick faces at least 35 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life. Edick may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his offenses and forfeit the device used in the offenses. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Edick would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. HSI is investigating this case with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: FBI Arrest Maryland Man Following Indictment on Charges of Distribution of Child Pornography

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Joseph Ruben Baer, 20, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was taken into custody today following an indictment charging him with distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott, of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). According to the indictment, unsealed today, on April 18, 2024, Baer distributed video files depicting the sexual exploitation of minor boys via a social media communication application. In early 2024, a member of the FBI–MPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force was monitoring an online application in an undercover capacity. Law enforcement has come to learn that the application is used by some individuals who have a sexual interest in children. The undercover agent encountered Baer, who sent a message believing he was communicating with a pedophile. Baer expressed an interest in the sexual exploitation of prepubescent boys and later sent the undercover agent two video files via a social media communication application. Those video files depicted Baer masturbating while watching child pornography on a laptop computer. On April 25, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Baer with one count of distribution of child pornography. The case is assigned to the Honorable Loren L. AliKhan. Earlier today, law enforcement executed a search warrant at two residences connected to Baer in Silver Spring, Maryland, and arrested him in the District of Columbia. Baer made his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and has been ordered held without bond pending trial. Distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The statutory sentences for federal offenses are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. Any sentence will be determined by the Court based on the advisory Sentencing Guideline and other statutory factors. The case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and MPD’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the 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 . 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: New York Man Indicted for Travelling to Louisiana to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with Fifteen-Year-Old Female

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that PETER NEALON , age 66, from Schenectady, New York, was indicted on May 9, 2024 by a federal grand jury sitting in New Orleans, Louisiana, for interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b). According to the indictment, beginning on or about July 17, 2023, and culminating on or about March 27, 2024, NEALON travelled from Albany, New York, to New Orleans, Louisiana, by plane for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with an individual NEALON believed to be a fifteen-year-old female. If convicted, NEALON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) years. NEALON also faces at least five (5) years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. NEALON may also be required to register as a sex offender. U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 United States 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.projectsafechildhood.gov. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Briana Williams of the Narcotics Unit and Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.


title: South Dakota Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – A South Dakota man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including for assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Darrell Goins, 42, of Newell, South Dakota, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with six felony offenses, including civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; and entering and remaining, disorderly or disruptive conduct, and act of physical violence in a restricted building or grounds using a dangerous weapon. In addition to the felonies, Goins is charged with two misdemeanor offenses of disorderly or disruptive conduct and act of physical violence in a Capitol building or grounds and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The FBI arrested Goins on May 9, 2024, in South Dakota, and he made his initial appearance in the District of South Dakota today. According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Goins was part of the crowd gathered on the Capitol’s West Plaza, standing directly in front of a line of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers that had formed to protect the building. While there, open-source video footage depicts Goins raising his fist in the air and cheering to the crowd of rioters. At approximately 1:50 p.m., rioters began to breach the police line protecting a staircase located at the north end of the West Plaza. Goins proceeded to join the crowd in pushing forward up the stairs and, before entering the stairway, Goins allegedly threw what appears to be a full, approximately 20-ounce plastic soft-drink bottle in the direction of a USCP officer. After throwing the bottle, Goins moved with the crowd up the northwest stairs before again confronting a police line attempting to halt the crowd’s movement. Here, Goins physically engaged with several USCP officers while attempting to break through their lines. During this confrontation with police, Goins made it to the top landing of the stairway that police were protecting. Eventually, however, USCP officers were able to wrestle Goins to the ground and bring him to a seated position on the stairs. Court documents say that the rest of the mob advanced to the top landing of the stairs, and Goins returned to his feet and remained directly in front of the police line. At some point in the subsequent minutes, Goins obtained a USCP officer’s riot shield and passed it off to another rioter. Eventually, other rioters succeeded in breaking through the police line and began surging up the remaining stairs at approximately 2:09 p.m. Less than a minute later, Goins joined the crowd and advanced up the stairs and to the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace. From the Upper West Terrace, Goins allegedly entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door at 2:14 p.m.— one minute after the initial breach of the Capitol building at this entrance. Once inside, Goins moved further into the building and arrived at the foyer just inside the Senate Carriage Door. At that time, USCP officers were working to clear the building by moving rioters out through the Senate Carriage Door. Despite efforts by the police to move the crowd out through the Senate Carriage Door, Goins remained inside the Capitol building. He positioned himself just to the side of the door’s interior while other rioters outside the door attempted to gain entry. Goins later returned to the area inside the Senate Wing Door and exited the building at approximately 2:30 p.m. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Birmingham, Minneapolis, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. In the 40 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,424 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 500 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law


title: El Salvadorian National Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry of Removed Alien

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – LORENZO ALEXANDER BENITEZ age 40, a native of El Salvador, was indicted on May 9, 2024, for illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to the indictment, BENITEZ reentered the United States illegally after being previously deported on July 27, 2018. If convicted, BENITEZ faces a sentence of up to 2 years imprisonment, up to 1 year of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul J. Hubbell and Spiro Latsis of the General Crimes Unit are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Gang Member Sentenced to  210 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ASHTON CAUSEY , age 22, a resident of Orleans Parish, was sentenced on May 7, 2024 to serve 210 months in federal prison on multiple drug and firearms violations, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. Additionally, CAUSEY was ordered to pay a mandatory $600 special assessment fee. Back on January 19, 2024, CAUSEY pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion to Counts 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 of the indictment pending against him. Count 1 charged CAUSEY with the illegal possession of a machinegun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o). Count 3 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D). Counts 4 and 7 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D). Count 5 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Count 8 charged him with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr. of the Narcotics Unit.


title: HSI, DEA, and local partners, seize more than 16 kilograms of fentanyl powder and 60,000 fentanyl pills in fast-moving investigation

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A fast moving investigation resulted in the seizure of a large amount of fentanyl and four federal arrests, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The investigation began in late March with undercover agents setting up initial drug deals. The case culminated with arrests and seizures on May 9, 2024. The four defendants appeared today in U.S. District Court in Seattle. “This quick work by federal and local law enforcement will save lives with 16 kilos of fentanyl powder and tens of thousands of pills taken off the street,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “With deadly fentanyl overdoses occurring at a rate of two a day in King County alone, we are focused at getting as much fentanyl as we can off the streets and out of circulation.” “Fentanyl traffickers threaten the lives of our community for profit, and this amount of fentanyl represented over 1.6 million potentially lethal doses,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners work tirelessly to stop those who would bring this tragedy to our communities and this case is another example of the power of teamwork to make us all safer.” According to the criminal complaint, undercover agents working with Homeland Security Investigations posed as well-funded drug customers. They set up a deal to purchase kilos of fentanyl powder and pills. Elvin Irias-Escoto, 22, of Honduras, who lived in Renton, agreed to supply the drugs. DEA Tacoma agents surveilled Irias-Escoto and his coconspirators as they packed boxes, a backpack, and a cooler into a car at a Renton apartment complex. The four conspirators drove to the Bellingham area where they had set the drug sale for a shopping center parking lot. The defendants showed law enforcement two boxes which contained 15 packages of just over 15 kilograms of fentanyl powder. Ultimately all four men were arrested. In addition to Irias-Escoto, these three defendants are charged in the case: Selvin Ponce-Maradiaga, 26, of Honduras, living in Renton, WA Sammy Maradiaga-Escoto, 20, of Honduras, living in Federal Way, WA Hector Rosales-Martinez, 24 of Honduras, Washington residence unknown In addition to the fentanyl powder, law enforcement seized a firearm that was in the car. A search of the Renton apartment by agents resulted in the seizure of an additional 60,000 fentanyl pills, another kilogram of fentanyl powder and multiple boxes of ammunition. “Today's successful operation, resulting in four arrests and the seizure of a significant quantity of fentanyl, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between HSI and our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “This joint investigation exemplifies the dedication and coordination necessary to combat the scourge of illicit drugs in our communities. We remain committed to working together to disrupt criminal networks and protect the safety and well-being of our citizens." "I cannot overstate the gravity of this fentanyl seizure and the pivotal role of our collaborative partnerships, said Tobin Meyer, Commander of the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU). “This operation epitomizes the effectiveness of pooling resources and expertise across agencies. Through unified efforts, we send a clear message to drug traffickers: we will relentlessly pursue you, disrupt your operations, and safeguard our communities from the devastating impact of illicit substances." 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. This case was the result of coordinated work between HSI, DEA, FBI, Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, and U.S Border Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Yunah Chung and Jehiel Baer.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to more than 20 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine and Gun Charge

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Leonires Perez-Gonzales, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced May 10, 2024, in federal court in Omaha after having pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Perez-Gonzales to 248 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perez-Gonzales’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. On March 30, 2023, law enforcement utilized a confidential source (CS) to purchase one pound of meth from a Mexico-based source of supply (SOS). The drug transaction was arranged through text messages with the CS and Perez-Gonzales, both coordinating with the Mexico-based SOS. The CS met the codefendant in Omaha and purchased 387 grams meth for $2,300. On April 11, 2023, a CS coordinated with the Mexico-based SOS to purchase one pound of meth. Again, the SOS coordinated with the CS and Perez-Gonzales to set up the controlled purchase. The CS and Perez-Gonzales met at a location in Omaha where he sold the CS one pound of meth for $2,500. On April 17, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant of the Perez-Gonzales’s Omaha storage unit. Inside the unit, officers located 3 plastic bags totaling 1,334 grams of meth, a digital scale, multiple venue items for the defendant, a Smith and Wesson Rifle, 2 loaded .22 caliber magazines, and 569 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. On April 18, 2023, officers executed a search warrant at co-defendant Aleah Meyer’s Omaha apartment. The search warrant revealed three 9 mm handguns, two rifles, and a safe containing 1134 grams of meth, 29 grams of fentanyl, and drug proceeds in the amount of $7,613 in United States currency. DNA records established that Perez-Gonzales’s and Meyer’s DNA were on multiple firearms seized in this case. By pleading guilty, Perez-Gonzales gave up any right or claim to the money and firearms seized in this case. Aleah Meyer is presumed innocent until proven guilty and is scheduled for trial later this month. This case was the result of an investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.


title: Fairfield Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Receipt of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 2-count indictment against Trevor Clayton Morgan, 32, of Fairfield, charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed after Morgan’s arrest on May 9, 2024, and he made his initial court appearance today. According to court documents, in April 2023 Morgan persuaded a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a video recording. In December 2023, Morgan also knowingly received one or more visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. This case was the product of an investigation by Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, United States Homeland Security Investigations, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force / Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Christina McCall is prosecuting the case. If convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, Morgan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years), a lifetime of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of Receipt of Visual Depiction of a Minor Engaging in Sexually Explicit Conduct, Morgan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years), a lifetime of supervised release, plus restitution and a fine. 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: Oahu Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Fraudulent Check Scheme

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – Senior United States District Judge Helen Gillmor sentenced Phong Duy Le, 49, of Honolulu, Hawaii to 29 months in federal prison on May 7, 2024, for bank fraud. Le had earlier appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield on April 20, 2023, and pled guilty to a 13-count Indictment. The court found that Le engaged in 19 fraudulent transactions and attempted to obtain $959,870 from the financial institutions. The court further found that Le successfully defrauded the institutions out of $262,315.15. Le told the court he committed the offenses due to a gambling addiction resulting in losses at casinos in Las Vegas. According to information produced to the court, between August 2015 and November 2015, Le defrauded nine financial institutions in Hawaii and elsewhere by depositing checks and electronic payments into accounts that he held, knowing that the deposits were not backed with sufficient funds. In one scheme, commonly known as “check kiting,” Le falsely inflated the balance on a bank account by depositing and then immediately withdrawing funds from the account, which temporarily resulted in a positive balance on the account. Le then quickly spent the funds in the account and any associated line of credit before the bank realized the initial deposit was not backed with sufficient funds. Other information provided to the court reflected that Le also perpetrated a related “credit bust-out” scheme, which involved applying for and obtaining a credit card from a financial institution and then incurring charges up to the credit limit of the card. Le then wrote bad checks to the financial institution in amounts in excess of the payment due on his credit card, knowing that these checks were not backed with sufficient funds. The financial institution then posted the amount of the bad checks to Le’s account and restored Le’s credit line, thereby giving Le access to funds above the credit limit on his credit card. Le then used the credit card to make additional purchases before the financial institution discovered Le’s payments were fraudulent and reversed the credits posted to his account. This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates handled the prosecution.


title: Grant County Man Admits to Firearms Violation

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Wesley Shane Haggerty, 35, of Cabins, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, Pendleton County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home on a report of a man waiving a gun. When officers arrived, Haggerty fled on foot with a pistol and was arrested after a short chase. Haggerty is prohibited from having firearms because of seven prior felony convictions and two misdemeanor domestic battery convictions. Haggerty is facing up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pendleton County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: Man Who Carried Out Machete Attack on NYPD Officers in Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2022 Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison

body_text: Trevor Bickford, 20, of Wells, Maine, was sentenced to 324 months in prison for attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S. Government and persons assisting them during his brazen attack using a machete-style knife against three New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in Times Square on Dec. 31, 2022. Bickford pleaded guilty to terrorism charges on Jan. 11. “Today’s sentence holds Trevor Bickford accountable for his premeditated 2022 terrorist attack in Times Square during which he attempted to kill three NYPD officers in a violent rampage,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department is deeply grateful to the NYPD for its quick actions and bravery in disrupting this New Year’s Eve attack, and for the work it does every day to keep New Yorkers safe. The Justice Department will always stand by its state and local law enforcement partners as we work together to counter the threat of terrorism, and that includes being relentless in prosecuting those who seek to harm officers.” “The defendant’s brutal ambush of three New York City police officers keeping watch over New Year’s Eve celebrations was a premeditated act of terrorism,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Police officers work tirelessly to protect the communities they serve and assaults on them are reprehensible. He planned, prepared, and travelled to conduct a savage attack in support of his violent ideology and now he is being held accountable for his actions.” “Inspired by radical Islamic extremism, Trevor Bickford brutally attacked three NYPD officers who were just doing their jobs by protecting the public during the Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “Thankfully, one officer’s quick-thinking actions stopped the defendant’s attack while minimizing risk to the innocent bystanders who easily might have become additional victims of the defendant’s heinous violence. Less than a year and a half after his attack, Bickford has been convicted and now sentenced to 27 years in prison. Bickford’s conviction and sentence demonstrate that cowardly acts of terrorism will be met with law enforcement’s unwavering resolve to protect New York City, our country, and our core values of freedom and democracy.” According to court documents, In December 2022, Bickford, a U.S. citizen and resident of Maine, traveled from Maine to New York City to, in his own words, wage jihad and kill as many targets as possible. He targeted one of the most densely populated areas in the United States at one of the most densely populated times possible: Times Square on New Year’s Eve. It was there that Bickford ambushed three NYPD officers, declared “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great” that other radical Islamic extremists have similarly proclaimed while carrying out terrorist attacks, and swung his blade at their heads, seriously injuring all three officers. Bickford also tried to grab one of the NYPD officers’ guns during his attack. One of the victims that Bickford struck managed to shoot Bickford in the shoulder, halting his brutal rampage before he could attack and possibly kill others. Bickford later proudly declared that he carried out his attack to wage jihad and proclaimed that his goal was to kill as many military-aged men who worked for the U.S. Government as he could, before himself becoming a martyr in the attack. The machete-style knife, which has a blade more than a foot long, that Bickford used to carry out his attack. Bickford’s violent rampage on Dec. 31, 2022, was premeditated. He consumed materials espousing radical Islamic ideology – including materials promoting the Taliban and reflecting the teachings of Sheikh Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, a prominent radical Islamic cleric who was a spiritual mentor of al Qaeda – and contemplated ways to wage jihad. As he immersed himself deeper into this propaganda, Bickford devoted himself to violent Islamic extremism and pursuit of the jihad that he would eventually unleash in the heart of New York City. In the months leading up to his attack, Bickford focused on traveling overseas to support the Taliban in Afghanistan or elsewhere. He planned to ally himself with the Taliban to fight against governments that, in his view, oppress Muslims and to wage jihad against officials of governments that he believes are anti-Muslim, including the U.S. government. Ultimately, Bickford decided that he would not travel overseas and instead turned his attention to an attack here in the United States. This decision resulted in Bickford perpetrating his attack in Times Square on New Year’s Eve in 2022. Near the scene of the attack, law enforcement officers recovered a book from Bickford’s backpack with the following passage highlighted: “Fight in the Name of Allah and in the Cause of Allah. Fight against those who do not believe in Allah. Wage a holy war.” In addition, Bickford had used an encrypted application and secure browser on his cellphone to conduct extensive research in advance of his attack, including research about al Qaeda (including internet searches for “Al Qaeda recruitment”); about waging jihad; about his eventual time (New Year’s Eve) and place (Times Square) of attack (including “how often do the police patrol in NYC” and “New Years Eve 2023 itinerary in New York City Times Square”); about potential weapons he could use to carry out his attack (including “[g]un buying laws for New York City” and “Do you need to pass a background check for a used gun”); and various ways to incapacitate, injure, and kill his potential targets (including “[w]hat are the terms for taking slaves in Islam” and whether Islam “permit[s] rape of female prisoners of war”). Finally, less than an hour before his attack, Bickford watched an Al Qaeda propaganda video imploring viewers to “fight” as he finalized his targets. The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J.C. Hellman, Sarah L. Kushner, and Kaylan E. Lasky for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.


title: Parcel Interdiction Operation Results in Multiple Seizures of Drugs and Guns

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA – The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia is pleased to announce the results of a coordinated multi-agency, two-week parcel interdiction operation that resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms being shipped through the district. “We are relentless in our efforts to identify, disrupt, and prosecute those who use the U.S. Mail to traffic illegal drugs and firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our continued collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners is a priority crucial to curtailing the illegal flow of drugs and weapons into our communities. Those contemplating illegal shipments of such contraband should be aware of the serious consequences of committing this crime.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that attempt to illegally utilize the mail system,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “I commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of our law enforcement partners to coordinate resources to combat illicit drug activity.” During a two-week period in March 2024, a team of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies conducted an operation targeting suspicious parcels in the mail stream. This coordinated effort, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and multiple District Attorneys’ Offices, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, resulted in the seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin (mushrooms), oxycodone, Xanax, steroids, marijuana, numerous firearms, and large amounts of currency suspected of being related to narcotics trafficking. To date, the operation has resulted in the arrests of four individuals for drug trafficking offenses. The parcel interdiction team included the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Rome/Floyd Metro Drug Task Force, Sandy Springs Police Department, and the Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA. The Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, and the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office also provided invaluable support to the operation and subsequent investigations. The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia recommends that parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following websites: www.justthinktwice.gov; www.operationprevention.com/; and www.dea.gov/onepill. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Six Men Charged with Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine Base and Fentanyl in Rutland

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on April 3, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a Second Superseding Indictment charging Eddie Melendez, 30, Reuben Melendez, 28, and Serafin Melendez, 53, of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, Mathew Ponce, 29, and Giovanny Guzman, 23, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Anthony Baker, 31 of Rutland, Vermont, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl in Vermont between August 2023 and January 12, 2024. Eddie Melendez, Reuben Melendez, Mathew Ponce, Anthony Baker, and Giovanny Guzman were also charged with additional violations of the Controlled Substances Act, including distribution of a controlled substance or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Each of the defendants has entered a not guilty plea to the charges during arraignments before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle in April and May 2024. Serafin Melendez, Eddie Melendez, Reuben Melendez, and Mathew Ponce were released on conditions pending trial. Anthony Baker and Giovanny Guzman were ordered detained pending trial. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that the above-named defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The defendants face up to twenty years of incarceration if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, Vermont State Police, Rutland City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bennington County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Turner and Jonathan Ophardt. Eddie Melendez is represented by John Claude Charbonneau, Esq. Reuben Melendez is represented by Mark Oettinger, Esq. Serafin Melendez is represented by Ian Carleton, Esq. Mathew Ponce is represented by Robert Behrens, Esq. Giovanny Guzman is represented by Robert Sussman, Esq. Anthony Baker is represented Richard Goldsborough, Esq.


title: ALERT: Federal Court Related Scams

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – United States Attorney Jane E. Young and United States Marshal William Hart are alerting the public of a rise in complaints regarding two scams. The first scam is a jury summons scam aimed at obtaining New Hampshire residents’ personal identifying information and a payment of a fine. The second scam is a cash bond scam aimed at receiving virtual currency deposits from victims. The reported phone fraudster(s) in the jury summons scam represent themselves to be a United States Marshal or a state or local law enforcement officer, claiming to be contacting New Hampshire residents that did not comply with a jury summons. They request a return call in an effort to obtain personal identifying information and/or threaten to arrest an individual if a fine is not paid. In the cash bond scam, fraudster(s) are calling individuals informing them of fake pending criminal charges and directing them to pay bail money using public virtual currency machines or kiosks. “Fraudsters are always finding new ways to exploit our fears and obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “While jury duty is one of our most fundamental civic duties, the Court does not use law enforcement officers to arrest potential jurors. Additionally, the government will never ask you to pay fines or taxes by phone or via a virtual currency machine. Please protect yourselves – be cautious when giving out your personal identifying information.” “The United States Marshals Service will never request your personal information by phone. Be on guard with your personal information if you don’t know who is calling. Don’t give it to anyone,” said United States Marshal William Hart. “Please know it is okay to ask for a phone number and complete independent research to confirm the phone number, by contacting the authorities.” If someone contacts you soliciting a return call or a payment of a fine in response to your non-compliance of a jury summons or if someone calls you to inform you of pending criminal charges that can be resolved by a bail payment, please notify the Clerk’s Office at the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire by calling 603-225-1423 or email daniel_lynch@nhd.uscourts.gov. ###


title: Brooklyn Man Charged with Drug Trafficking

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on May 2, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Christopher Williams, 42, of Brooklyn, New York, with distributing cocaine base on March 26, 2024, and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine base on April 23, 2024. Williams’ arraignment will occur this afternoon at 3 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Williams is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Williams faces up to 20 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Williams is represented by Lisa Shelkrot, Esq.


title: Habitual Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 264 Months In Federal Prison For Subsequent Drug Offense

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Ennis Alexander Andrews, 44, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone, commonly known as “alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone,” “alpha-PVP,” or “Molly.” United States Attorney Jason R. Coody, for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence. “Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentences illustrate the significant consequences of harming our citizens through their illicit drug trafficking activities.” During August through October 2022, investigators conducted a series of controlled drug purchases of “Molly” from Andrews, after which warrants for his arrest were obtained. When officers went to arrest Andrews on October 13, 2022, he attempted to flee. After being detained, several ounces of “Molly” were found on his person. “These dedicated efforts by investigators and the prosecution team highlight our shared commitment to addressing illegal drug activity in our community,” said Chief of Police Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department. “We know violent crime is often linked to drug activity, and it significantly reduces the quality of life for citizens. We will do everything we can to protect and serve those who call Tallahassee home.” At the time of the investigation, Andrews was serving a term of federal supervised release imposed after his release from prison in July 2022. Andrews prison sentence will be followed by 6 additional years of supervised release. “Collaborations between our DEA agents and local law enforcement are critical to mission success,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter, DEA Miami Field Division. “We truly value our partnerships in our efforts toward eradicating these dangerous drugs from our streets and neighborhoods.” This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin. 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 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: Man Who Carried Out Machete Attack On NYPD Officers In Times Square On New Year’s Eve 2022 Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States; Christopher A. Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, announced that TREVOR BICKFORD was sentenced today to 27 years in prison for attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S. Government and persons assisting them during his brazen attack using a machete-style knife against three New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officers in Times Square on December 31, 2022. BICKFORD pled guilty on January 11, 2024, before U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, who imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Inspired by radical Islamic extremism, Trevor Bickford brutally attacked three NYPD officers who were just doing their jobs by protecting the public during the Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities. Thankfully, one officer’s quick-thinking actions stopped the defendant’s attack while minimizing risk to the innocent bystanders who easily might have become additional victims of the defendant’s heinous violence. Less than a year and a half after his attack, Bickford has been convicted and now sentenced to 27 years in prison. Bickford’s conviction and sentence demonstrate that cowardly acts of terrorism will be met with law enforcement’s unwavering resolve to protect New York City, our country, and our core values of freedom and democracy.” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “Today’s sentence holds Trevor Bickford accountable for his premeditated 2022 terrorist attack in Times Square during which he attempted to kill three NYPD officers in a violent rampage. The Justice Department is deeply grateful to the NYPD for its quick actions and bravery in disrupting this New Year’s Eve attack, and for the work it does every day to keep New Yorkers safe. The Justice Department will always stand by its state and local law enforcement partners as we work together to counter the threat of terrorism, and that includes being relentless in prosecuting those who seek to harm officers.” FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said: “The defendant’s brutal ambush of three New York City police officers keeping watch over New Year’s Eve celebrations was a premeditated act of terrorism. Police officers work tirelessly to protect the communities they serve and assaults on them are reprehensible. He planned, prepared, and traveled to conduct a savage attack in support of his violent ideology, and now he is being held accountable for his actions.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Today, Trevor Bickford was handed a deserved punishment for intentionally committing an act of terrorism against New York City and police officers sworn to protect it. Thankfully, these brave police officers fulfilled their duty and stopped Bickford's brutal attack before he could cause more harm. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York remains determined to bring to justice anyone attempting to commit violence in the name of terrorism to ensure the safety of New York.” According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings: In December 2022, BICKFORD, a U.S. citizen and resident of Maine, traveled from Maine to New York City to, in his own words, wage jihad and kill as many of his targets as possible. He targeted one of the most densely populated areas in the U.S. at one of the most densely populated times possible: Times Square on New Year’s Eve. It was there that BICKFORD ambushed three NYPD officers, declared “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great” that other radical Islamic extremists have similarly proclaimed while carrying out terrorist attacks, and swung his blade at their heads, seriously injuring all three officers. BICKFORD also tried to grab one of the NYPD officers’ guns during his attack. One of the victims that BICKFORD struck managed to shoot BICKFORD in the shoulder, halting his brutal rampage before he could attack and possibly kill others. BICKFORD later proudly declared that he carried out his attack to wage jihad and proclaimed that his goal was to kill as many military-aged men who worked for the U.S. Government as he could, before himself becoming a martyr in the attack. The machete-style knife, which has a blade more than a foot long, that BICKFORD used to carry out his attack is shown below: BICKFORD’s violent rampage on December 31, 2022, was premeditated. He consumed materials espousing radical Islamic ideology — including materials promoting the Taliban and reflecting the teachings of Sheikh Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, a prominent radical Islamic cleric who was a spiritual mentor of al Qaeda — and contemplated ways to wage jihad. As he immersed himself deeper into this propaganda, BICKFORD devoted himself to violent Islamic extremism and pursuit of the jihad that he would eventually unleash in the heart of New York City. In the months leading up to his attack, BICKFORD focused on traveling overseas to support the Taliban in Afghanistan or elsewhere. He planned to ally himself with the Taliban to fight against governments that, in his view, oppress Muslims and to wage jihad against officials of governments that he believes are anti-Muslim, including the U.S. Government. Ultimately, BICKFORD decided that he would not travel overseas and instead turned his attention to an attack here in the United States. This decision resulted in BICKFORD perpetrating his attack in Times Square on New Year’s Eve in 2022. Near the scene of the attack, law enforcement officers recovered a book from BICKFORD’s backpack with the following passage highlighted: “Fight in the Name of Allah and in the Cause of Allah. Fight against those who do not believe in Allah. Wage a holy war.” In addition, BICKFORD had used an encrypted application and secure browser on his cellphone to conduct extensive research in advance of his attack, including research about al Qaeda (including internet searches for “Al Qaeda recruitment”); about waging jihad; about his eventual time (New Year’s Eve) and place (Times Square) of attack (including “how often do the police patrol in NYC” and “New Years Eve 2023 itinerary in New York City Times Square”); about potential weapons he could use to carry out his attack (including “[g]un buying laws for New York City” and “Do you need to pass a background check for a used gun”); and various ways to incapacitate, injure, and kill his potential targets (including “[w]hat are the terms for taking slaves in Islam” and whether Islam “permit[s] rape of female prisoners of war”). Finally, less than an hour before his attack, BICKFORD watched an Al Qaeda propaganda video imploring viewers to “fight” as he finalized his targets. * * * In addition to the prison term, BICKFORD, 20, of Wells, Maine, was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force of the FBI, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, and thanked the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance. This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J.C. Hellman, Sarah L. Kushner, and Kaylan E. Lasky are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the Counterterrorism Section.


title: Two additional men indicted for robberies of mail carriers

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On May 6, two additional men from Port St. Lucie were charged with armed postal robbery, among other charges. Bernard Jerome Davis III, 20, and Jalen Dennis Elliott, 19, both of Port St. Lucie, Florida, were charged in a 16-count superseding indictment, along with Jamal Travon Brown Weathers, 23, of Fort Pierce, with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, postal robbery, armed postal robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, illegal theft/possession of a U.S. Postal Service arrow key and use or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. Brown Weathers was previously charged by a federal criminal complaint in December 2023. U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek Mills Maynard ordered Brown Weathers, Davis and Elliott detained pending trial. According to the criminal complaint, between Nov. 19, 2022, and Oct. 21, 2023, Brown Weathers, Davis and Elliott allegedly robbed at least six U.S. Postal letter carriers in St. Lucie, Brevard, Orange and Miami-Dade Counties. Trial is scheduled to start on July 1 before U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore, in Fort Pierce. If convicted of their charges, Brown Weathers and Davis face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to the statutory maximum term of life in prison. Elliott faces up to the statutory term of 70 years in prison, if convicted. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Chief Diane Hobley-Burney of the Fort Pierce Police Department, Chief Wayne A. Jones of the Miami Beach Police Department, Sheriff John W. Mina of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Wayne Ivey of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Keith Pearson of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Richard Del Toro Jr. of the Port St. Lucie Police Department made the announcement. USPIS, the Fort Pierce Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and Port St. Lucie Police Department investigated the case. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Lineberger is prosecuting it. Customers are encouraged to report stolen mail as soon as possible by submitting an online complaint to the Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455. The Postal Inspection Service is authorized to issue monetary rewards for the forcible assault, robbery or attempted robbery of any custodian of any mail, money, or other property of the United States under the control and jurisdiction of the Postal Service. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to report allegations of Postal Service employee misconduct, including attempts to corrupt a Postal Service employee, to the USPS OIG at 1-888-877-7644 or www.uspsoig.gov . A criminal complaint and indictment contain mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 23-cr-14053. ###