title: U.K. Citizen Extradited And Pleads Guilty To Cyber Crime Offenses

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California, United States Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York, and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division announced today that Joseph James O’Connor, a/k/a “PlugwalkJoe,” a U.K. citizen, was extradited from Spain and entered a plea of guilty to two sets of charges involving crimes perpetrated in New York and California. O’Connor was extradited from Spain on April 26, 2023, and pleaded guilty earlier today to two sets of charges: (i) a set of charges filed in the Northern District of California, and transferred to the SDNY under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 20, relating to O’Connor’s role in the July 2020 hack of Twitter, computer intrusions related to takeovers of TikTok and Snapchat user accounts, and cyberstalking two separate victims (the “NDCA Case”) and (ii) a conspiracy to commit computer hacking and other charges pending in the Southern District of New York relating to a fraudulent scheme perpetrated by O’Connor and his co-conspirators to use a cyber intrusion technique known as a SIM swap attack to steal approximately $794,000 worth of cryptocurrency from a Manhattan-based cryptocurrency company and then to launder the proceeds of the scheme (the “SDNY Case”). Hon. Jed S. Rakoff, U.S. District Judge. accepted the guilty pleas. “O’Connor has left an impressive trail of destruction in the wake of his wave of criminality,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. “This case serves as a warning that the reach of the law is long, and criminals anywhere who use computers to commit crimes may end up facing the consequences of their actions in places they did not anticipate.” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Joseph O’Connor, a/k/a “PlugwalkJoe,” used his sophisticated technological abilities for malicious purposes – conducting a complex SIM swap attack to steal large amounts of cryptocurrency, hacking Twitter, conducting computer intrusions to take over social media accounts, and even cyberstalking two victims, including a minor victim. O’Connor’s guilty plea today is a testament to the importance of law enforcement cooperation, and I thank our law enforcement partners for helping to bring to justice those who victimize others through cyber-attacks.” “O’Connor’s criminal activities were flagrant and malicious, and his conduct impacted multiple people’s lives. He harassed, threatened, and extorted his victims, causing substantial emotional harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Like many criminal actors, O’Connor tried to stay anonymous by using a computer to hide behind stealth accounts and aliases from outside the United States. But this plea shows that our investigators and prosecutors will identify, locate, and bring to justice such criminals to ensure they face the consequences for their crimes.” "O’Connor tried to use international borders and the anonymity of the internet to keep himself safe while engaging in hacking and cyberstalking,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Francisco Division Robert K. Tripp. “He learned about the tenacity of the FBI to identify and locate cybercriminals, and the power of law enforcement partnerships here and across the world to hold those people accountable." According to the allegations in the publicly filed charging documents, court filings, and statements made in court, between 2019 and 2020, O’Connor, 23, of the United Kingdom, participated in a variety of crimes associated with exploitation of social media accounts, online extortion, and cyberstalking: The NDCA Case In July 2020, O’Connor participated in a conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to social media accounts maintained by Twitter, Inc. (“Twitter”). In early July 2020, O’Connor’s co-conspirators used social engineering techniques to obtain unauthorized access to administrative tools used by Twitter to maintain its operations. Those co-conspirators were able to use the tools to transfer control of certain Twitter accounts from their rightful owners to various unauthorized users. In some instances, the co-conspirators took control themselves and used that control to launch a scheme to defraud other Twitter users. In other instances, the co-conspirators sold access to Twitter accounts to others. O’Connor communicated with others regarding purchasing unauthorized access to a variety of Twitter accounts, including accounts associated with public figures around the world. A number of Twitter accounts targeted by O’Connor were subsequently transferred away from their rightful owners. O’Connor agreed to purchase unauthorized access to one Twitter account for $10,000. O’Connor also accessed without authorization one of the most highly visible TikTok accounts in August 2020, which was associated with a public figure with millions of followers (“Victim-1”). O’Connor and his associates obtained unauthorized access to Victim-1’s account via a SIM swap after discussing a variety of celebrities to target, and O’Connor used his unauthorized access to Victim-1’s platform to post self-promotional messages, including a video in which O’Connor’s voice is recognizable. O’Connor also stated publicly, via a post to Victim 1’s TikTok account, that he would release sensitive, personal material related to Victim-1 to individuals who joined a specified Discord server. O’Connor targeted another public figure (“Victim-2”) in June 2019. O’Connor and his associates obtained unauthorized access to Victim-2’s account on Snapchat via a SIM swap. They used that access to obtain sensitive materials, to include private images, that Victim-2 had not made publicly available. O’Connor sent copies of these sensitive materials to his associates. O’Connor and his associates also reached out to Victim-2 and threatened to publicly release the stolen sensitive materials unless Victim-2 agreed to publicly post messages related to O’Connor’s online persona, among other things. Additionally, O’Connor stalked and threatened a minor victim (“Victim-3”) in June and July 2020. In June 2020, O’Connor orchestrated a series of swatting attacks on Victim-3. A “swatting” attack occurs when an individual makes a false emergency call to a public authority in order to cause a law enforcement response that may put the victim or others in danger. On June 25, 2020, O’Connor called a local police department and falsely claimed that Victim-3 was making threats to shoot people. O’Connor provided an address that he believed was Victim-3’s address, which would have the result of causing a law enforcement response. That same day, O’Connor placed another call to the same police department and stated that he was planning to kill multiple people at the same address. In response to that call, the department dispatched every on-duty officer to that address in reference to an armed and dangerous individual. O’Connor sent other swatting messages that same day to a high school, a restaurant, and a sheriff’s department in the same area. In those messages, O’Connor represented himself as either Victim-3 or as a resident at the address he believed was Victim-3’s. The following month, O’Connor called multiple family members of Victim-3 and threatened to kill them. The NDCA Case was transferred to the Southern District of New York pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 20 and consolidated with the SDNY Case before Judge Rakoff. The SDNY Case Between approximately March 2019 and May 2019, O’Connor and his co-conspirators perpetrated a scheme to use SIM swaps to conduct cyber intrusions to steal approximately $794,000 worth of cryptocurrency from a Manhattan-based cryptocurrency company (“Company-1”), which, at all relevant times, provided wallet infrastructure and related software to cryptocurrency exchanges around the world. During a cyber intrusion known as a SIM swap attack, cyber threat actors gain control of a victim’s mobile phone number by linking that number to a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card controlled by the threat actors, resulting in the victim’s calls and messages being routed to a malicious unauthorized device controlled by the threat actors. The threat actors then typically use control of the victim’s mobile phone number to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the victim that are registered to the mobile phone number. As part of the scheme, O’Connor and his co-conspirators successfully perpetrated SIM swap attacks targeting at least three Company-1 executives. Following a successful SIM swap attack targeting one of the executives on or about April 30, 2019, O’Connor and his co-conspirators successfully gained unauthorized access to multiple Company-1 accounts and computer systems. On or about May 1, 2019, through their unauthorized access, O’Connor and his co-conspirators stole and fraudulently diverted cryptocurrency of various types (the “Stolen Cryptocurrency”) from cryptocurrency wallets maintained by Company-1 on behalf of two of its clients. The Stolen Cryptocurrency was worth at least approximately $794,000 at the time of the theft. After stealing and fraudulently diverting the Stolen Cryptocurrency, O’Connor and his co-conspirators laundered it through dozens of transfers and transactions and exchanged some of it for Bitcoin using cryptocurrency exchange services. Ultimately, a portion of the Stolen Cryptocurrency was deposited into a cryptocurrency exchange account controlled by O’Connor. * * * As part of the NDCA Case, O’Connor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and two counts of committing computer intrusions, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; making extortive communications, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison; two counts of stalking, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; and making threatening communications, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. As part of the SDNY case, O’Connor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. O’Connor also agreed to forfeit $794,012.64 and to make restitution to victims of his crimes. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the US Secret Service, San Francisco Field Office; US Secret Service, Criminal Investigations Division; IRS Criminal Investigations, Cyber Crimes Unit; Spanish National Police; and United Kingdom National Crime Agency. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are handling the NDCA case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew F. Dawson for the Northern District of California and CCIPS Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne L. Rose are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit is handling the SDNY case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olga I. Zverovich for the Southern District of New York is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing the extradition of O’Connor.


title: Oklahoma Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Possession of Contraband by Inmate

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 Sapulpa, Oklahoma, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Possession of Contraband by Inmate. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023. Charles Nathaniel Graves, age 37, was sentenced to 3.5 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Graves was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2021 for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Graves was also indicted in August of 2022 for Possession of Contraband by Inmate. He pleaded guilty on July 8, 2022, for the first charge and he pleaded guilty on March 31, 2023, on the second charge. The conviction for the Failure to Register as a Sex Offender charge stems from Graves failing to register as a sex offender as required by federal law between September 1, 2019, and July 7, 2021. Graves had previously been convicted of a sex offense in State court which requires him to register for 25 years upon his release. 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The second conviction stems from an incident on March 25, 2022, when Graves, who was in federal custody at the Yankton County Jail in Yankton, South Dakota, was granted a furlough to attend a funeral. Upon his return, Graves was told he would be submitted to a full-body scan. Before the scan could occur, Graves removed a small package that he had inserted into his rectum that contained methamphetamine. He left the package in the room, but it was found by correctional officers and seized as evidence. The package was field-tested and was positive for approximately 5.26 grams of methamphetamine. This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Yankton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case. Graves was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Husband and Wife Found Guilty in Meth and Money Laundering Conspiracy

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Salvador Madrigal Jr. (age 41) and Anahi Plascencia Cardona (age 33), both of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, following a four-day long jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls. Both defendants were convicted of one count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and one count of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. The verdicts were returned on May 5, 2023. The charge of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in custody and/or a $10,000,000 fine, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The charge of Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in custody and/or a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Madrigal Jr. and Plascencia Cardona were indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2021. Salvador Madrigal Jr., and his wife Anahi Plascencia Cardona, were leaders of a South Dakota drug cell that was responsible for trafficking hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine into South Dakota from California and Mexico. The husband-and-wife team worked with other members of the conspiracy, including some of their family members, who have previously been charged and convicted, to aid in the transportation and distribution of well over one hundred pounds of methamphetamine and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Madrigal Jr. recruited his aunt, Maria Magana Zavala, and her husband William Hartwick, to make multiple trips to and from California to transport methamphetamine, marijuana, and money, promising them that this endeavor would be prosperous. Magana Zavala and Hartwick were instead sentenced to 70 months in custody for their involvement in the conspiracy. Madrigal Jr. also recruited his younger brother, Oscar Madrigal, to aid in the organization’s activities. Oscar Madrigal was sentenced to 120 months in custody for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance in July of 2022. Madrigal Jr. also involved his mother, Rosa Madrigal, in the money laundering conspiracy by arranging to have her make multiple deposits of cash into multiple institutions, to launder the proceeds of his drug trafficking organization. Rosa Madrigal was sentenced to 60 months in custody for Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments in August of 2022. Multiple other co-conspirators who were responsible for the sub-distribution of these drugs have also been charged and sentenced in federal court. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case alongside Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert, who also serves as a prosecutor with the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Presentence investigations were ordered, and sentencing dates for each defendant will be set in the future. The defendants were both remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: St. Francis Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023. Brady Makes Room For Them, 38, was sentenced to two years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Makes Room For Them was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in June of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 2, 2023. Makes Room For Them was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact on September 20, 2005. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment or student status. Makes Room For Them last registered in November of 2021, providing an address in Rapid City, South Dakota. Investigation revealed that Makes Room For Them never resided at his registered address in Rapid City. His whereabouts were unknown until he was located by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services in Rosebud, South Dakota, on January 27, 2022. 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case. Makes Room For Them was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Nampa Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: BOISE – Benjamin Morton, 39, of Nampa, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, the investigation began when the Boise Police Department (BPD) received information that an adult male, pretending to be a juvenile online, had arranged to meet the 14-year-old victim. BPD later identified Morton as the suspect and determined that he had sexually abused the victim on two occasions and used his cellphone to record some of the abuse. BPD obtained a search warrant for one of Morton’s social media accounts and located a video that Morton had produced of himself engaging the victim in sexual contact. Within the account, BPD also located evidence that Morton had attempted to communicate with other juveniles. Morton was previously convicted in Canyon County of battery with intent to commit lewd conduct with a minor. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also sentenced Morton to a lifetime of supervised release and entered an order forfeiting the cellphone he used to commit the offense. Morton will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Boise Police Department and the Nampa Police Department, which led to charges. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: California man who allegedly trafficked women through multiple states using force, fraud, and coercion arrested and indicted in Seattle

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 30-year-old California man who allegedly forced women into prostitution using assaults, threats, and manipulation was arrested in Seattle last week on a grand jury indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Brandon Denzel Washington appeared today, in U.S. District Court in Seattle, and was ordered detained pending trial. Washington is charged with four federal felonies related to human trafficking. He has pleaded “Not Guilty,” and trial is currently scheduled for July 2023. According to the indictment, Washington is charged with two counts of Sex Trafficking through Force, Fraud, and Coercion. Count One charges the forced trafficking of an adult female in Seattle from 2014 to 2020. Count Three charges Sex Trafficking through Force, Fraud, and Coercion for a second victim in Seattle from 2017 to 2019. In each case, Washington transported the victims to engage in prostitution. The transportation is charged in Counts Two and Four. One victim was transported from California to Washington State and elsewhere to engage in commercial sex acts. The second victim was transported from Washington to Hawaii and elsewhere to engage in commercial sex acts. The sex trafficking scheme was first uncovered when a retired Bellevue Police Officer working security noticed a high number of men visiting a Bellevue luxury apartment building over a period of just a few weeks. The investigation took off from there with law enforcement investigators analyzing financial records, travel records, ads for commercial sex posted in online forums, and social media posts to identify victims of Washington’s sex trafficking activities and to gather evidence of the offenses. Washington uses the name “Bentley” online and allegedly had women under his control tattoo the emblem of the luxury car company on their bodies to show his ownership. According to records filed in the case, two different women have provided law enforcement with detailed accounts of the brutal assaults Washington used to keep the victims in his control and earning money for him through commercial sex acts. Washington is alleged to have trafficked multiple women through California, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Florida, New York, and other states. Evidence in the case reveals Washington allegedly forced one victim to sign a “contract” in blood spelling out that she had to earn $200,000 per year for him and “submit completely to him” – even asking permission to leave the house. Washington’s social media posts indicate he remains active in human trafficking bragging about his luxury residences, vehicles, and wealth. Sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion is punishable by a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison. Transporting a victim for prostitution is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin H. Becker.


title: Albany Woman and Troy Man Plead Guilty to Money Laundering and Marijuana Trafficking

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Latrice Mumphrey, age 42, of Albany, and Victor Turner, age 68, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, respectively. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Chief Daniel DeWolf of the Troy Police Department; and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. In pleading guilty, Mumphrey and Turner admitted to being members of a marijuana/THC and money laundering organization that shipped marijuana and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) from Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region. Mumphrey admitted to conspiring with Dwight A. Singletary, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and her husband, Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” to launder the proceeds of marijuana and THC sales by purchasing cashier’s checks with cash drug proceeds. Federal law requires financial institutions to complete a currency transaction report for cash transactions over $10,000. To avoid the reporting requirement and otherwise conceal the cash drug proceeds, Walker purchased four cashier’s checks in amounts slightly below the reporting threshold with $37,150 in cash drug proceeds. The cashier’s checks were payable to Dwight Singletary; a law firm used by Singletary; a company from which Dwight Singletary and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” purchased real estate; and to a person from whom Dwight Singletary and his company, DAS Empire, Inc., purchased real estate. Turner admitted to regularly receiving packages of marijuana shipped from Fresno by Dwight Singletary and McKenzie Coles at his residence in Troy. Turner was notified of the shipments by Rosemary Coles, who texted Turner tracking information and shipping receipts for the packages of marijuana. The marijuana in the packages, which were often sealed with eBay packing tape, was concealed in dog food containers and suitcases. At times, Rosemary Coles and David Singletary, aka “DB,” picked up the marijuana from Turner at his residence; at other times, Turner delivered the marijuana to Rosemary Coles at her residence in Troy. Turner was paid between $300 and $400 for each package of marijuana he received. Mumphrey faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and may also be required to serve up to 3 years of supervised release. Turner faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and will be required to serve at least 3 years of supervised release. 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. Mumphrey and Turner were charged in an indictment with Dwight and David Singletary, McKenzie and Rosemary Coles, Lawrence Mumphrey and 17 other people charging marijuana distribution and money laundering conspiracies, firearms offenses, and other crimes. Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, McKenzie Coles, Rosemary Coles, and Lawrence Mumphrey have pled not guilty and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. Two other defendants, Kristle Walker and Sammy Olague , previously pled guilty and are pending sentencing. The ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department, and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Construction Business Operator Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Failing To Pay More Than $4.4 Million Of Payroll Taxes

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CHRISTIAN VARELA, a former owner of a construction firm, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to two years in prison for failing to pay to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) more than $4.4 million of payroll taxes he collected from his employees. VARELA pled guilty to one count of failure to pay payroll taxes in September 2022. According to the Information to which VARELA pled guilty and statements made in court: VARELA owned and operated Gibraltar Contracting, Inc. (“Gibraltar”), a contracting firm with more than 55 employees that handled federal and state government construction contracts. VARELA was responsible under federal law for collecting, truthfully accounting for, and paying to the IRS federal income tax and contributions to Social Security and Medicare withheld from Gibraltar’s employees’ pay. In 10 different quarters from 2015 through 2018, VARELA failed to pay to the IRS a total of more than $4.4 million of these payroll taxes. * * * In addition to his prison term, VARELA, 48, of Staten Island, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and 12 months of home confinement. The Court also imposed restitution to the IRS of $4,404,564.60. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the IRS-Criminal Investigation in this case. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Coffman and James McMahon are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Justice Department Announces Court-Authorized Disruption of Snake Malware Network Controlled by Russia’s Federal Security Service

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: The Justice Department today announced the completion of a court-authorized operation, code-named MEDUSA, to disrupt a global peer-to-peer network of computers compromised by sophisticated malware, called “Snake”, that the U.S. Government attributes to a unit within Center 16 of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB). For nearly 20 years, this unit, referred to in court documents as “Turla,” has used versions of the Snake malware to steal sensitive documents from hundreds of computer systems in at least 50 countries, which have belonged to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member governments, journalists, and other targets of interest to the Russian Federation. After stealing these documents, Turla exfiltrated them through a covert network of unwitting Snake-compromised computers in the United States and around the world. Operation MEDUSA disabled Turla’s Snake malware on compromised computers through the use of an FBI-created tool named PERSEUS, which issued commands that caused the Snake malware to overwrite its own vital components. Within the United States, the operation was executed by the FBI pursuant to a search warrant issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak for the Eastern District of New York, which authorized remote access to the compromised computers. This morning, the court unsealed redacted versions of the affidavit submitted in support of the application for the search warrant, and of the search warrant issued by the court. For victims outside the United States, the FBI is engaging with local authorities to provide both notice of Snake infections within those authorities’ countries and remediation guidance. “The Justice Department, together with our international partners, has dismantled a global network of malware-infected computers that the Russian government has used for nearly two decades to conduct cyber-espionage, including against our NATO allies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to strengthen our collective defenses against the Russian regime’s destabilizing efforts to undermine the security of the United States and our allies.” “Through a high-tech operation that turned Russian malware against itself, U.S. law enforcement has neutralized one of Russia’s most sophisticated cyber-espionage tools, used for two decades to advance Russia’s authoritarian objectives,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “By combining this action with the release of the information victims need to protect themselves, the Justice Department continues to put victims at the center of our cybercrime work and take the fight to malicious cyber actors.” “For 20 years, the FSB has relied on the Snake malware to conduct cyberespionage against the United States and our allies – that ends today,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will use every weapon in our arsenal to combat Russia’s malicious cyber activity, including neutralizing malware through high-tech operations, making innovative use of legal authorities, and working with international allies and private sector partners to amplify our collective impact.” “Russia used sophisticated malware to steal sensitive information from our allies, laundering it through a network of infected computers in the United States in a cynical attempt to conceal their crimes. Meeting the challenge of cyberespionage requires creativity and a willingness to use all lawful means to protect our nation and our allies,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “The court-authorized remote search and remediation announced today demonstrates my office and our partners’ commitment to using all of the tools at our disposal to protect the American people.” “Today’s announcement demonstrates the FBI’s willingness and ability to pair our authorities and technical capabilities with those of our global partners to disrupt malicious cyber actors,” said Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “When it comes to combating Russia’s attempts to target the United States and our allies using complex cyber tools, we will not waver in our work to dismantle those efforts. When it comes to any nation state engaged in cyber intrusions which put our national security at risk, the FBI will leverage all tools available to impose cost on those actors and to protect the American people.” As detailed in court documents, the U.S. Government has been investigating Snake and Snake-related malware tools for nearly 20 years. The U.S. government has monitored FSB officers assigned to Turla conducting daily operations using Snake from a known FSB facility in Ryazan, Russia. Although Snake has been the subject to several cybersecurity industry reports throughout its existence, Turla has applied numerous upgrades and revisions, and selectively deployed it, all to ensure that Snake remains Turla’s most sophisticated long-term cyberespionage malware implant. Unless disrupted, the Snake implant persists on a compromised computer’s system indefinitely, typically undetected by the machine’s owner or authorized users. The FBI has observed Snake persist on particular computers despite a victim’s efforts to remediate the compromise. Snake provides its Turla operators the ability to remotely deploy selected malware tools to extend Snake’s functionality to identify and steal sensitive information and documents stored on a particular machine. Most importantly, the worldwide collection of Snake-compromised computers acts as a covert peer-to-peer network, which utilizes customized communication protocols designed to hamper detection, monitoring, and collection efforts by Western and other signals intelligence services. Turla uses the Snake network to route data exfiltrated from target systems through numerous relay nodes scattered around the world back to Turla operators in Russia. For example, the FBI, its partners in the U.S. Intelligence Community, together with allied foreign governments, have monitored the FSB’s use of the Snake network to exfiltrate data from sensitive computer systems, including those operated by NATO member governments, by routing the transmission of these stolen data through unwitting Snake-compromised computers in the United States. As described in court documents, through analysis of the Snake malware and the Snake network, the FBI developed the capability to decrypt and decode Snake communications. With information gleaned from monitoring the Snake network and analyzing Snake malware, the FBI developed a tool named PERSEUS which establishes communication sessions with the Snake malware implant on a particular computer, and issues commands that causes the Snake implant to disable itself without affecting the host computer or legitimate applications on the computer. Today, to empower network defenders worldwide, the FBI, the National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the U.S. Cyber Command Cyber National Mission Force, and six other intelligence and cybersecurity agencies from each of the Five Eyes member nations issued a joint cybersecurity advisory (the Joint Advisory) with detailed technical information about the Snake malware that will allow cybersecurity professionals to detect and remediate Snake malware infections on their networks. The FBI and U.S. Department of State are also providing additional information to local authorities in countries where computers that have been targeted by the Snake malware have been located. Although Operation MEDUSA disabled the Snake malware on compromised computers, victims should take additional steps to protect themselves from further harm. The operation to disable Snake did not patch any vulnerabilities or search for or remove any additional malware or hacking tools that hacking groups may have placed on victim. The Department of Justice strongly encourages network defenders to review the Joint Advisory for further guidance on detection and patching. Moreover, as noted in court documents, Turla frequently deploys a “keylogger” with Snake that Turla can use to steal account authentication credentials, such as usernames and passwords, from legitimate users. Victims should be aware that Turla could use these stolen credentials to fraudulently re-access compromised computers and other accounts. The FBI has provided notice of the court-authorized operation to all owners or operators of the computers remotely accessed pursuant to the search warrant. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian C. Richardson for the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The efforts to disrupt the Snake malware network were led by the FBI New York Field Office, FBI’s Cyber Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section provided valuable assistance. Those efforts would not have been successful without the partnership of numerous private-sector entities, including those victims who allowed the FBI to monitor Snake communications on their systems.


title: District Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Assault on a Member of the LGBTQ+ Community

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Anthony Duncan, 42, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release today for assaulting a pedestrian in May 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On February 27, 2023, Duncan was found guilty of Assault with Significant Bodily Injury at a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz presided over the trial. According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, on May 21, 2022, the victim was walking home on 15 th Street in Northwest, Washington, D.C. from a Bocce Ball game when he was confronted by Duncan. Duncan, who was a stranger to the victim, accused the victim of directing a sexually suggestive act towards him and took offense. The victim vehemently denied making any such advance. As Duncan confronted the victim for this perceived advanced, he pulled out his cell phone, and recorded himself physically attacking the victim. Duncan broke the victim’s nose and teeth, and the victim required numerous stitches to stop the bleeding. Duncan called the victim a derogatory gay slur numerous times as he attacked the victim. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the cases at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English and Randle Wilson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Former Coinbase Insider Sentenced In First Ever Cryptocurrency Insider Trading Case

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that ISHAN WAHI, a former product manager at Coinbase Global, Inc. (“Coinbase”), was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska to two years in prison for providing Coinbase’s confidential business information about upcoming Coinbase crypto asset listings to his brother and his friend so that they could place profitable trades in advance of Coinbase’s listing announcements. WAHI previously pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Ishan Wahi – a former Coinbase product manager – violated the trust placed in him by his employer by tipping others with valuable confidential information regarding Coinbase’s planned token listings. Today’s sentence should send a strong signal to all participants in the cryptocurrency markets that the laws decidedly do apply to them. The Southern District of New York will hold those who engage in insider trading to full account, regardless of whether their illegal conduct occurs in the equity markets or in the market for crypto assets.” According to the allegations in the Indictment and statements made in public court proceedings: At all relevant times, Coinbase was one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Coinbase users could acquire, exchange, and sell various crypto assets through online user accounts with Coinbase. Periodically, Coinbase added new crypto assets to those that could be traded through its exchange, and the market value of crypto assets typically significantly increased after Coinbase announced that it would be listing a particular crypto asset. Accordingly, Coinbase kept such information strictly confidential and prohibited its employees from sharing that information with others, including by providing a “tip” to any person who might trade based on that information. Beginning in approximately October 2020, ISHAN WAHI worked at Coinbase as a product manager assigned to a Coinbase asset listing team. In that role, WAHI was involved in the highly confidential process of listing crypto assets on Coinbase’s exchanges and had detailed and advanced knowledge of which crypto assets Coinbase was planning to list and the timing of public announcements about those crypto asset listings. On multiple occasions between June 2021 and April 2022, WAHI violated his duties of trust and confidence to Coinbase by providing confidential business information that he learned in connection with his employment at Coinbase to Nikhil Wahi and Sameer Ramani so that they could secretly engage in profitable trades around public announcements by Coinbase that it would be listing certain crypto assets on Coinbase’s exchanges. Following Coinbase’s public listing announcements, on multiple occasions, Nikhil Wahi and Ramani sold the crypto assets for a profit. On April 12, 2022, a Twitter account that is well known in the crypto community tweeted regarding an Ethereum blockchain wallet “that bought hundreds of thousands of dollars of tokens exclusively featured in the Coinbase Asset Listing post about 24 hours before it was published.” The trading activity referenced in the April 12 tweet was trading previously conducted by Ramani based on tips provided by WAHI. Coinbase thereafter publicly replied on Twitter, noting that it had already begun investigating the matter and, a few weeks later, stated in a public blog post that any Coinbase employee who leaked confidential company information would be “immediately terminated and referred to relevant authorities (potentially for criminal prosecution).” On May 11, 2022, Coinbase’s director of security operations emailed WAHI to inform him that he should appear for an in-person meeting relating to Coinbase’s asset listing process at Coinbase’s Seattle, Washington, office on May 16, 2022. WAHI confirmed he would attend the meeting. On the evening of May 15, 2022, WAHI purchased a one-way flight to India that was scheduled to depart the next day shortly before WAHI was supposed to be interviewed by Coinbase. In the hours between booking the flight and his scheduled departure, WAHI called and texted Nikhil Wahi and Ramani about Coinbase’s investigation and sent both of them a photograph of the messages he had received on May 11, 2022, from Coinbase’s director of security operations. Prior to boarding the May 16, 2022, flight to India, WAHI was stopped by law enforcement and prevented from leaving the country. * * * In addition to the prison sentence, ISHAN WAHI, 32, of Seattle, Washington, was ordered to forfeit various crypto assets that he received in connection with the scheme. Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Justice Department’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, as well as that of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which separately initiated civil proceedings against WAHI. This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Solowiejczyk and Nicolas Roos are in charge of the prosecution.


title: District Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms and Operating an Unlicensed Marijuana Dispensary

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – Terron Demise Barnes, also known as “Ali Vegaz,” 41, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 102 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Weddel, of the ATF Washington Field Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”). Barnes pleaded guilty on January 27, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, Barnes admitted to operating “Pak Religious, LLC” from his apartment in Northeast Washington, D.C., from approximately June 2019 through his arrest on July 2, 2020. Barnes advertised “Pak Religious” on the Instagram social media application, where he recruited buyers, in part, by falsely advertising himself as a “licensed D.C. marijuana dispensary.” In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered 48 months of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, federal agents and MPD officers executed a search warrant at Barnes’ apartment on July 2, 2020. During the search, agents found and seized the following items, which Barnes agreed to forfeit as part of his plea agreement: A Spikes Tactical AR-Style Pistol with an extended magazine; A Glock, Model 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun fitted with an extended magazine and laser sight; 100 total rounds of ammunition, including ammunition for 9mm and .45 caliber firearms; Approximately twenty-four pounds, or 11.328.5 grams, of marijuana and THC-infused products; 52 Oxycodone pills not prescribed to Barnes; Six bottles of Promethazine with Codeine syrup not prescribed to Barnes; Three ledger books; $18,377 in United States Currency; and A Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle which had been reported stolen in Prince George’s County, Maryland in May 2020. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Jacobs, Acting Special Agent in Charge Weddel, and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case, including FBI, ATF, and MPD. Finally, they cited the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substances and Health Care Fraud

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Tennessee woman pleaded guilty today to unlawfully distributing controlled substances and health care fraud. According to court documents, Kelly McCallum, 41, of Dyersburg, was an advance practice registered nurse who operated Convenient Care Clinic and held a registration from the DEA, which allowed her to prescribe controlled substances. From January 2017 until early 2021, McCallum had sexual relationships with two patients for whom she was their medical provider. She was aware that another patient fatally overdosed after she prescribed them controlled substances but nevertheless continued to prescribe controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. McCallum also billed Medicare and Medicaid for examinations and other services that she did not personally render, resulting in Medicare and Medicaid paying her approximately $16,234 for services she did not provide. McCallum pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and one count of health care fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 3 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each controlled substance count, and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the health care fraud count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In June 2021, the Tennessee Board of Nursing summarily suspended McCallum’s registered nurse license and advance practice registered nurse certificate and ordered her to cease and desist from practicing in the state of Tennessee. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge Chris Ramage of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division for West Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge Tamala Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Acting Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Division made the announcement. The HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant Chief Jillian Willis and Trial Attorney Kathryn Furtado of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Hopper for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case. Since its inception in late 2018, the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force has partnered with federal and state law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout Appalachia to prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids. Over the past four years, ARPO has charged over 115 defendants, collectively responsible for issuing prescriptions for over 115 million controlled substance dosage units. As a result, to date, more than 70 defendants have been convicted. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit . Information about available treatment programs is available as follows: Tennessee patients receiving care from this practice that wish to obtain information on how to find treatment for mental and substance use disorders, where to access naloxone and other harm reduction services, and information about crisis helplines can utilize these Tennessee resources: Search for substance use treatment facilities at www.findtreatment.gov/ . Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855) 274-7471 or Text “TN” to 741-741, a crisis service and suicide prevention hotline. The Tennessee REDLINE is the 24/7/365 resource for substance abuse treatment referrals. Anyone can call or text (800) 889-9789 for confidential referrals. Naloxone Public Overdose Response Programs in Tennessee supply naloxone and may be found using this list. Visit www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/rops.html to see a locator map. Naloxone may also be found in your local pharmacy and billed to insurance and Medicaid. In addition, those needing access to opioid treatment service can contact the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24/7 National Helpline for referrals to treatment services at 1-800-662-4359. Medications obtained illicitly are very dangerous as they are often not what they appear, and frequently contain contaminants and extremely potent substances such as fentanyl that greatly increase the risk of overdose and death.


title: Retired Special Education Teacher Sentenced for Traveling Overseas to Sexually Abuse Children

body_text: A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with children as young as 12 years old. According to court documents, between 2016 and 2019, Craig Alex Levin, 67, of King of Prussia, was a retired special education teacher who traveled to the Philippines nine times, each time for the purpose of engaging in sex with disadvantaged minors who, by Levin’s own words, were hungry or needed money for medicine for family members. In May 2019, the Philippine National Police arrested Levin as he was about to enter the elevator at his hotel with a 15-year-old girl. Upon search of his hotel room, police located several notebooks containing the names and ages of hundreds of girls, whom he rated based on several categories, including age. Only girls under the age of 18 received a top score of 10. There were multiple children as young as 12 listed in the notebooks. In June 2022, Levin pleaded guilty to six counts charging him with foreign travel to engage in sex with a minor, attempted sex trafficking of a minor, and distribution and transportation of child pornography. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement. The FBI and Philippine National Police investigated the case. Trial Attorney Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rotella for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with securing evidence from the Philippines, including through mutual legal assistance requests. This case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Derry Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Molotov Cocktail

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Derry man pleaded guilty today in federal court to unlawfully possessing a destructive device known as a “Molotov cocktail,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Zachary Tringali, 28, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with receipt and possession of an unregistered destructive device. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for August 22, 2023. Tringali was charged on April 11, 2022. On August 6, 2021, Derry Police Department officers were investigating a reported burglary from Tringali’s commercial storage unit. The officers uncovered 12 assembled Molotov cocktails in the storage unit. A Molotov cocktail is an incendiary weapon consisting of a flammable liquid with a wick in a breakable container. Tringali admitted to knowingly possessing these weapons and failing to register them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by federal law. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad E. Hodes is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Bronx Man Convicted Of Sex Trafficking A Minor

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL PASCHAL was found guilty of all four counts at trial, including sex trafficking a minor and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. The verdict followed a seven-day trial before U.S District Judge Vernon S. Broderick. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Michael Paschal targeted a vulnerable teenager and prostituted her with others for his own profit. He induced the minor victim with promises of food and shelter and then immediately exploited her. The jury’s guilty verdict and the Court’s immediate remand of the defendant send a clear message to the public that those who prostitute minors will be held accountable. We thank and commend the brave victim who came forward to law enforcement and testified at trial. Her testimony was critical in holding the defendant accountable and ensuring that he cannot harm other victims, including minors, again.” According to the Indictment, documents previously filed in the case, and the evidence admitted at trial: In or around July 2020, PASCHAL and a co-conspirator (“CC-1”) met a 17-year-old minor victim (“Minor Victim-1”) in another state. PASCHAL and CC-1 induced Minor Victim-1 to travel with him from another state to his house in the Bronx with promises of food and shelter and with the intent to prostitute Minor Victim-1 from his Bronx residence. PASCHAL operated a prostitution business from his residence in the Bronx. Minor Victim-1 stayed at PASCHAL’s residence for several weeks in July 2020, during which time PASCHAL prostituted Minor Victim-1. When Minor Victim-1 became sick, PASCHAL transported Minor Victim-1 to a children’s hospital for medical care. PASCHAL communicated with employees of the Administration for Children’s Services while Minor Victim-1 was in the hospital in an attempt to have Minor Victim-1 released into his custody. That effort was unsuccessful, and Minor Victim-1 was returned to her home state. However, several weeks later, PASCHAL again began prostituting Minor Victim-1 from his residence in the Bronx. PASCHAL posted prostitution ads with sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim-1 and communicated with sex buyers to facilitate commercial sex with Minor Victim-1. PASCHAL prostituted Minor Victim-1, and worked with others to prostitute Minor Victim-1, for weeks until she was recovered from PASCHAL’s residence in or about December 2020. When confronted, PASCHAL told law enforcement, in substance, “what’s the big deal, she’s about to turn 18 anyway.” * * * PASCHAL, 52, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of sex trafficking of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of transporting a minor for the purpose of prostitution, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; and one count of enticing an individual to travel interstate for the purpose of prostitution, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The defendant was remanded into custody after the guilty verdict. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge. PASCHAL is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2023. Any individuals who believe they have information that may be relevant to this case should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 1-866-874-8900 and reference this case. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mead, Jackie Delligatti, and Jane Kim are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Isabel Loftus.


title: U.K. Citizen Extradited And Pleads Guilty To Cybercrime Offenses

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and Ismail J. Ramsey, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, announced today the extradition and guilty plea of JOSEPH JAMES O’CONNOR, a/k/a “PlugwalkJoe,” a U.K. citizen. O’CONNOR was extradited from Spain on April 26, 2023, and pled guilty earlier today before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff to two sets of charges: (i) conspiracy to commit computer hacking and other charges pending in the Southern District of New York relating to a fraudulent scheme perpetrated by O’CONNOR and his co-conspirators to use a cyber intrusion technique known as a SIM swap attack to steal approximately $794,000 worth of cryptocurrency from a Manhattan-based cryptocurrency company and then to launder the proceeds of the scheme (the “SDNY Case”) and (ii) a set of charges filed in the Northern District of California, and transferred to the SDNY under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 20, relating to O’Connor’s role in the July 2020 hack of Twitter, computer intrusions related to takeovers of TikTok and Snapchat user accounts, and cyberstalking two separate victims (the “NDCA Case”). U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Joseph O’Connor, a/k/a “PlugwalkJoe,” used his sophisticated technological abilities for malicious purposes – conducting a complex SIM swap attack to steal large amounts of cryptocurrency, hacking Twitter, conducting computer intrusions to take over social media accounts, and even cyberstalking two victims, including a minor victim. O’Connor’s guilty plea today is a testament to the importance of law enforcement cooperation, and I thank our law enforcement partners for helping to bring to justice those who victimize others through cyber-attacks.” Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. said: “O’Connor’s criminal activities were flagrant and malicious, and his conduct impacted multiple people’s lives. He harassed, threatened, and extorted his victims, causing substantial emotional harm. Like many criminal actors, O’Connor tried to stay anonymous by using a computer to hide behind stealth accounts and aliases from outside the United States. But this plea shows that our investigators and prosecutors will identify, locate, and bring to justice such criminals to ensure they face the consequences for their crimes.” NDCA U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey said: “O’Connor has left an impressive trail of destruction in the wake of his wave of criminality. This case serves as a warning that the reach of the law is long, and criminals anywhere who use computers to commit crimes may end up facing the consequences of their actions in places they did not anticipate.” According to the allegations in the publicly filed charging documents against O’CONNOR, court filings, and statements made in court: The SDNY Case During a cyber intrusion known as a SIM swap attack, cyber threat actors gain control of a victim’s mobile phone number by linking that number to a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card controlled by the threat actors, resulting in the victim’s calls and messages being routed to a malicious unauthorized device controlled by the threat actors. The threat actors then typically use control of the victim’s mobile phone number to obtain unauthorized access to accounts held by the victim that are registered to the mobile phone number. Between approximately March 2019 and May 2019, JOSEPH JAMES O’CONNOR and his co-conspirators perpetrated a scheme to use SIM swaps to conduct cyber intrusions in order to steal approximately $794,000 worth of cryptocurrency from a Manhattan-based cryptocurrency company (“Company-1”), which, at all relevant times, provided wallet infrastructure and related software to cryptocurrency exchanges around the world. As part of the scheme, O’CONNOR and his co-conspirators successfully perpetrated SIM swap attacks targeting at least three Company-1 executives. Following a successful SIM swap attack targeting one of the executives on or about April 30, 2019, O’CONNOR and his co-conspirators successfully gained unauthorized access to multiple Company-1 accounts and computer systems. On or about May 1, 2019, through their unauthorized access, O’CONNOR and his co-conspirators stole and fraudulently diverted cryptocurrency of various types (the “Stolen Cryptocurrency”) from cryptocurrency wallets maintained by Company-1 on behalf of two of its clients. The Stolen Cryptocurrency was worth at least approximately $794,000 at the time of the theft. After stealing and fraudulently diverting the Stolen Cryptocurrency, O’CONNOR and his co-conspirators laundered it through dozens of transfers and transactions and exchanged some of it for Bitcoin using cryptocurrency exchange services. Ultimately, a portion of the Stolen Cryptocurrency was deposited into a cryptocurrency exchange account controlled by O’CONNOR. The NDCA Case Between 2019 and 2020, O’CONNOR participated in a variety of crimes associated with exploitation of social media accounts, online extortion, and cyberstalking. In July 2020, O’CONNOR participated in a conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to social media accounts maintained by Twitter, Inc. (“Twitter”). In early July 2020, O’CONNOR’s co-conspirators used social engineering techniques to obtain unauthorized access to administrative tools used by Twitter to maintain its operations. Those co-conspirators were able to use the tools to transfer control of certain Twitter accounts from their rightful owners to various unauthorized users. In some instances, the co-conspirators took control themselves and used that control to launch a scheme to defraud other Twitter users. In other instances, the co-conspirators sold access to Twitter accounts to others. O’CONNOR communicated with others regarding purchasing unauthorized access to a variety of Twitter accounts, including accounts associated with public figures around the world. A number of Twitter accounts targeted by O’CONNOR were subsequently transferred away from their rightful owners. O’CONNOR agreed to purchase unauthorized access to one Twitter account for $10,000. O’CONNOR also accessed without authorization one of the most highly visible TikTok accounts in August 2020, which was associated with a public figure with millions of followers (“Victim-1”). O’CONNOR and his associates obtained unauthorized access to Victim-1’s account via a SIM swap after discussing a variety of celebrities to target, and O’CONNOR used his unauthorized access to Victim-1’s platform to post self-promotional messages, including a video in which O’CONNOR’s voice is recognizable. O’CONNOR also stated publicly, via a post to Victim-1’s TikTok account, that he would release sensitive, personal material related to Victim-1 to individuals who joined a specified Discord server. O’CONNOR targeted another public figure (“Victim-2”) in June 2019. O’CONNOR and his associates obtained unauthorized access to Victim-2’s account on Snapchat via a SIM swap. They used that access to obtain sensitive materials, to include private images, that Victim-2 had not made publicly available. O’CONNOR sent copies of these sensitive materials to his associates. O’CONNOR and his associates also reached out to Victim-2 and threatened to publicly release the stolen sensitive materials unless Victim-2 agreed to publicly post messages related to O’CONNOR’s online persona, among other things. Lastly, O’CONNOR stalked and threatened a minor victim (“Victim-3”) in June and July 2020. In June 2020, O’CONNOR orchestrated a series of swatting attacks on Victim-3. A “swatting” attack occurs when an individual makes a false emergency call to a public authority in order to cause a law enforcement response that may put the victim or others in danger. On June 25, 2020, O’CONNOR called a local police department and falsely claimed that Victim-3 was making threats to shoot people. O’CONNOR provided an address that he believed was Victim-3’s address, which would have the result of causing a law enforcement response. That same day, O’CONNOR placed another call to the same police department and stated that he was planning to kill multiple people at the same address. In response to that call, the department dispatched every on-duty officer to that address in reference to an armed and dangerous individual. O’CONNOR sent other swatting messages that same day to a high school, a restaurant, and a sheriff’s department in the same area. In those messages, O’CONNOR represented himself as either Victim-3 or as a resident at the address he believed was Victim-3’s. The following month, O’CONNOR called multiple family members of Victim-3 and threatened to kill them. The NDCA Case was transferred to the Southern District of New York pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 20 and consolidated with the SDNY Case before Judge Rakoff. * * * O’CONNOR, 23, of the United Kingdom, pled guilty before Judge Rakoff to the following charges: (i) as part of the SDNY Case — conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and (ii) as part of the NDCA Case — conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and two counts of committing computer intrusions, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; making extortive communications, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison; two counts of stalking, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and making threatening communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. As part of his guilty plea, O’CONNOR agreed to forfeit a sum of money equal to $794,012.64 and to make restitution to victims of his crimes. O’CONNOR is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Rakoff on June 23, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. The maximum potential sentences set forth above are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for its assistance in the extradition. The SDNY Case is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olga I. Zverovich is in charge of the prosecution of the SDNY Case. The NDCA Case is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (“CCIPS”) of the Department of Justice. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew F. Dawson and CCIPS Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne L. Rose are in charge of the prosecution of the NDCA Case.


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Union County, New Jersey, Under the Voting Rights Act

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a proposed consent decree with Union County, New Jersey, and county elections officials to settle a voting rights lawsuit. The proposed consent decree was filed in federal court in conjunction with a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The department’s lawsuit brings claims under Section 203 and 208 of the Voting Rights Act regarding the availability of election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency. Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. These jurisdictions have been determined by the Census Bureau to have a substantial population of citizens who speak a language other than English and who have limited English proficiency. Under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, Union County is required to provide assistance and make materials available in Spanish. Section 208 provides a right for voters who need assistance with voting – due to inability to read or write, blindness or disability – to receive assistance from the person of their choice, so long as that person is not an agent of the voter’s employer or union. The consent decree would resolve the United States’ claims. “Language barriers should never prevent an eligible voter from being able to freely participate in the democratic process,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Equal access to the ballot in a modern democracy means ensuring the availability of bilingual materials for those who are limited English proficient and guaranteeing the right to receive assistance by a person of your choice. We will continue using our voting rights laws to confront the barriers that stand between voters and the ballot box.” “The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that every eligible American is able to vote free of unlawful barriers. Through the agreement entered today, we ensure that no one is denied this sacred right simply because they are a Spanish speaker.” The proposed consent decree, which must be approved by the court, requires the implementation of a comprehensive Spanish-language elections program under Section 203. The Union County Clerk and Board of Elections will provide all election-related information in both English and Spanish, including information in the polling places and online. The Union County Board of Elections will also ensure that in-person language assistance is available at all early voting sites and at each election district with at least 100 Spanish-surnamed registered voters. Spanish-language assistance will continue to be available to all voters by telephone during elections. In addition, the consent decree provides that any voter covered by Section 208 who needs assistance to vote may be assisted by the person of that voter’s choice, other than an agent of the voter’s employer or union, during any stage of the voting process. The consent decree also provides that federal observers may monitor election day activities in polling places in Union County. Individuals may file voting rights complaints with the Civil Rights Division either online here , or may call (800) 253-3931. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey either online here or may call (855) 281-3339. More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting rights laws are available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section .


title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un decreto por consentimiento con Union County, New Jersey, bajo la Ley de Derechos Electorales

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un decreto por consentimiento propuesto con Union County, New Jersey, y los oficiales electorales del condado para resolver una demanda de derechos electorales. El decreto por consentimiento propuesto fue radicado junto con la demanda del departamento en el Tribunal Federal de Distrito. La demanda alega violaciones bajo las secciones 203 y 208 de la Ley de Derechos Electorales sobre la disponibilidad de asistencia electoral y materiales en español para votantes hispanos con conocimientos limitados del idioma inglés. La sección 203 requiere que ciertas jurisdicciones provean materiales electorales y asistencia en otros idiomas, así como en inglés. Estas jurisdicciones son aquellas que el Buró de Censos ha determinado que tienen una población sustancial de ciudadanos quienes hablan un idioma que no es inglés y tienen conocimentos limitados del idioma inglés. Bajo la sección 203, Union County tiene la obligación de proveer asistencia y materiales en español. La sección 208 le brinda el derecho a los votantes que necesiten asistencia al votar – debido a inhabilidad de leer o escribir, ceguera o discapacidad – a conseguir la ayuda de una persona que ellos mismos elijan, siempre y cuando esa persona no sea un agente del empleador del votante ni tampoco un funcionario de su sindicato laboral. El decreto por consentimiento resolvería las alegaciones del departamento. “Las barreras idiomáticas jamás deben privar a un votante elegible de participar plenamente en el proceso democrático,” dijo Kristen Clarke, Secretaria de Justicia Auxiliar a cargo de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “La igualdad de acceso a las urnas en la democracia moderna significa asegurar la disponibilidad de materiales bilingües para aquellos con conocimientos limitados del idioma inglés y garantizar el derecho de recibir ayuda de una persona que el votante mismo elija. Nosotros seguiremos utilizando las leyes de derechos electorales para enfrentar las barreras que se interponen entre los votantes y las urnas.” “El derecho al voto es un pilar de nuestra democracia,” dijo el Fiscal Federal Philip S. Sellinger. “Trabajaremos sin cesar para asegurar que cada americano elegible pueda votar libre de barreras ilegales. Mediante el acuerdo al que llegamos hoy, nos aseguramos de que a nadie se le deniegue este sagrado derecho simplemente por hablar español.” El decreto por consentimiento, que aún requiere la aprobación del Tribunal de Distrito, exige el establecimiento de un programa de asistencia idiomática integral en español bajo la sección 203. El Secretario del Condado y la Junta de Elecciones proveerá toda la información electoral tanto en inglés como en español, incluyendo en los lugares de votación y en línea. La Junta de Elecciones de Union County también asegurará la presencia de oficiales electorales bilingües en los lugares de votación temprana y en los lugares de votación con al menos 100 votantes registrados con apellidos de origen hispano. La asistencia en español seguirá disponible por teléfono para todos los votantes durante las elecciones. Además, el decreto por consentimiento provee que cualquier votante cubierto bajo la sección 208 quien necesite asistencia para votar podrá recibir ayuda de una persona que el votante mismo elija, siempre y cuando no sea un agente de su empleador ni tampoco un funcionario de su sindicato laboral, durante cualquier etapa del proceso electoral. El decreto por consentimiento también dispone que observadores federales pueden monitorear las actividades el Día de Elecciones en los lugares de votación en Union County. Para denunciar una possible vulneración de las leyes federales de derecho al voto a la División de Derechos Civiles puede hacerlo en línea o llamar al (800) 253-3931. Puede también llamar a la Oficina del Fiscal Federal del Distrito de New Jersey en línea o llamar al (855) 281-3339. Para obtener más información sobre la Ley de Derechos Electorales y otras leyes federales electorales, visite el portal del Departamento de Justicia en www.justice.gov/crt/voting/ .


title: Eastern Shore Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Steal More Than $1.8 Million From a Salisbury Business

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Stephen Franklin, age 54, of Salisbury, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a wire fraud conspiracy and to aggravated identity theft in connection with the theft of more than $1.8 million from Shore Appliance Connection. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office. According to his plea agreement, Franklin was the chief operating officer of Accurate Optical, a chain of optometric shops on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and with the owners of Accurate Optical he also purchased East Coast Optometric, a chain of South Carolina optical shops. Franklin and co-defendant Duane G. Larmore met through the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce and became friendly. As detailed in the plea agreement, Larmore was an employee at Shore Appliance Connection (“Shore Appliance”), located in Salisbury, Maryland, whose duties included maintaining the books and records for the company. The company was owned and operated by Owner #1 and Owner #2. From mid-September 2016 through about March 2020, Franklin conspired with others, including Larmore, to steal more than $1.8 million from Shore Appliance. Specifically, Franklin and Larmore stole over $1 million from Shore Appliance to use for their own purposes, including to make investments and to pay business expenses for Franklin’s businesses, without the knowledge and consent of the owners of Shore Appliance. For example, Franklin introduced Larmore to an individual who offered an opportunity to invest in an oil deal that promised quick and substantial returns, for an initial investment of $100,000. Franklin did not have $100,000 but knew that Larmore could obtain the investment funds from Shore Appliance. Larmore wire transferred $100,000 of Shore Appliance’s money to an account controlled by Franklin, who wire transferred the funds to an individual in the United Kingdom to invest in the oil deal. Those funds were ultimately returned to Shore Appliance because the name on the bank account did not match the named beneficiary on the wire transfer form completed by Franklin. Prior to the funds being returned and at Franklin’s urging, Larmore transferred another $100,000 to T.H., purportedly an attorney for the oil deal. Franklin also convinced Larmore to invest in other deals, including: in 2016, a $95,000 investment with GenFinance II, PLC, London, U.K., which then required an additional $300,000, and then additional funds for additional expenses and travel abroad; in 2018, an investment through W.S. of $35,000 and an investment through Gateway Capital of $50,000; and in 2019 - 2020, investments and expenses through I.P. and E. P.-S. to recover assets in the custody of U.S. Customs, part of the Department of Homeland Security. No investment paid any return to the schemers. To conceal how much money had been removed from Shore Appliance and to obtain cash to invest, Franklin suggested that Larmore enter into factoring contracts. Franklin had experience with borrowing operating funds for his optical companies from factors and provided Larmore with the names and contact information for factoring companies. Factoring is a means by which businesses, can obtain cash quickly by leveraging accounts receivable. With Franklin’s encouragement, Larmore applied for a factoring contract for Shore Appliance without the knowledge or approval of the owners, corporate directors, or officers of Shore Appliance. As detailed in the plea agreement, the factoring contracts provided cash deposits to Shore Appliance’s bank accounts but encumbered the accounts receivable of Shore Appliance and required payments and interest of more than $725,000. To obtain contracts with factoring companies for Shore Appliance and to conceal the fact that the Shore Appliance owners were not aware of and had not approved the factoring contracts, the signatures of the owners were forged, and the fraudulent signatures were witnessed or notarized by Franklin. Further, Larmore and a female employee of Franklin’s posed as the owners in telephone conversations with representatives of the factoring companies to confirm their approval of the factoring contracts. In addition, to conceal Larmore’s embezzlements and the factoring agreements, Larmore caused Shore Appliance to draw on Shore Appliance’s lines of credit with two separate financial institutions to obtain another $200,000 in cash. As of March 2020, Shore Appliance still owed $208,394.92 in principal and interest on these lines of credit. Finally, when Franklin’s business began having financial difficulties, Franklin requested that Larmore provide funds from Shore Appliance for Franklin’s companies. Larmore provided funds to Franklin for his businesses, including to pay rent and employee salaries, as well as paying to rent a storage facility and hire trucks to move equipment and office furniture when Accurate Optical was evicted from its Salisbury, Maryland office in July 2019. All the while, Franklin continued to suggest that Larmore put money into other investment schemes, which Larmore did. In all, Larmore paid $739,295.28 of Shore Appliance’s funds, without the officers and owners’ knowledge or consent, to invest in fraudulent schemes that never paid any money back. Of that amount, $395,000 was moved through bank accounts controlled by Franklin. Franklin caused an additional loss of $171,548.67 by having Larmore transfer funds to Franklin or to Franklin’s companies. As a result of the conspiracy and efforts to conceal the losses, Shore Appliance lost an additional $731,250.07 in fees and other payments to factors and to factoring brokers. Shore appliance also paid extra interest in the amount of $208,395 from Larmore drawing on its bank lines of credit. Thus, the factoring arrangements and advances on Shore Appliance’s lines of credit in total caused Shore Appliance to lose in actual funds $939,645. However, Shore Appliance as of March 2020 still owed the factors almost $270,000. For all of Franklin’s and Larmore’s conduct, actual cash losses to Shore Appliance totaled $1,850,488.94 and intended losses totaled $2,137,674.74. Franklin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for a wire fraud conspiracy and a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for September 7, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. As stated in his plea agreement, Franklin will be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, which the parties stipulate is $1,850,488.94. Franklin’s liability is joint with co-defendant Duane G. Larmore. Duane G. Larmore, age 48, of Salisbury, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evelyn L. Cusson, Joyce K. McDonald, and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . For more information about resources available to report fraud, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Armed Carjacking and Other Charges Filed Against D.C. Man for String of Armed Robberies at Convenience Stores and Gas Stations

body_text: WASHINGTON – Shamell Joyner, 35, of the District of Columbia, has been charged by superseding criminal complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for an April 13, 2023, armed carjacking and a series of armed robberies committed between April 12 and May 2, 2023. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Robert J. Contee III, of the Metropolitan Police Department announced the charges. The superseding criminal complaint describes an armed carjacking from April 13, and eight robberies of commercial establishments from April 12 through May 2, at locations in Northeast and Northwest Washington, as well as in Alexandria, Virginia, and Hanover, Maryland. As alleged in the complaint, Joyner brandished a firearm during all of the robberies. He discharged a firearm during the April 12 armed robbery of a Northwest Washington gas station and the April 17 armed robbery of an Alexandria, Virginia convenience store. A store employee working at the time of the Alexandria robbery sustained a non–life threatening gunshot wound to his leg. Joyner is also alleged to have carjacked a man at gunpoint in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood on April 13, and to have used that car to commit subsequent armed robbery offenses. In addition, Joyner is alleged to have robbed a Hanover, Maryland gas station at gunpoint on May 2, during which he also stole a station employee’s vehicle. The Metropolitan Police Department found Joyner in the stolen vehicle’s driver’s seat later that day and arrested him. At the time of his arrest, Joyner was in possession of a firearm used in several of the robberies, as well as clothing and other evidence that tied him to numerous offenses. Joyner has been detained since his May 2, 2023, arrest pending further court proceedings. Joyner is charged with 16 counts under the United States and District of Columbia Codes. Under the U.S. Code, Joyner is charged with six counts of Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery (also known as “Hobbs Act” robbery), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; six counts of Using, Carrying, and Possessing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; two counts of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicles, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Person Convicted of a Crime Punishable by Imprisonment for a Term Exceeding One Year, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Under the D.C. Code, Joyner is charged with one count of Armed Carjacking, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and the Council of the District of Columbia and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence imposed in this case will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering applicable sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Alexandria City, Anne Arundel County, Fairfax County, and Prince George’s County Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney and Special Assistant United States Attorney Lauren E. Renaud of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The investigation into these offenses and potentially related armed robberies of commercial establishments located in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.


title: Elkins man admits to having large amount of methamphetamine

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – An Elkins, West Virginia, man has admitted to having more than 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine and a firearm. Joshua Ervin Cave, 43, pled guilty today to possession and firearms charges. According to court documents, Cave had 338 grams of methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” and a hunting rifle found during search warrants executed at his home and a storage unit. Cave is prohibited from having firearms because of two prior domestic assault convictions in Randolph County Magistrate Court. Cave is facing up to 20 years in prison for the drug charge and up to 10 years for the firearms charge. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail. He will be sentenced at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the Mountain Region Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: West Virginia man gets 15 years for role in drug conspiracy

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia, man was sentenced today to more than 15 years in prison for his role in distributing controlled substances on behalf of the region’s most prominent drug trafficker. Ronald Shaw, also known as “Fuzz,” 51, was ordered to serve 188 months in prison after having previously pled guilty to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Shaw admitted to having nearly half of a kilogram of methamphetamine near Overbrook Playground in Wheeling. Shaw also possessed almost half of a kilogram of cocaine. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey considered evidence regarding Shaw’s involvement with the trafficking network led by Personne “Rico” McGhee. McGhee, who is presently under federal indictment, is alleged to have led an organization connected to the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, as well as to drug dealers in Ohio and California. “Ronald Shaw played a key role in distributing drugs on behalf of Rico McGhee,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “The reason the McGhee organization was successful was due to individuals like Mr. Shaw, who helped to redistribute narcotics shipped here from Mexico.” The case was investigated by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, which includes officers from the Wheeling Police Department, the West Virginia State Police, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Belmont County (OH) Sheriff’s Office and the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office provided important assistance. The investigation was supported by the ATF, the Marshall County Drug Task Force, and the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, the Allegheny County (PA) Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. Read more about related cases here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/federal-indictment-cuts-major-source-west-virginia-drug-supply This press release corrected the original version, updating the drug weight amount.