title: Luzerne County Man Indicted for Bank Robbery

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Scranton has indicted a Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, man for bank robbery. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on July 14, 2023, Damen Drakeford, age 29, committed a robbery of the M&T Bank located at 900 North Ninth Street in Stroud Township, Monroe County. The charges against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Under federal law, Drakeford faces a maximum sentence of up to twenty years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant. ###


title: Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Larry Chavez, age 26, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Chavez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023. Beginning in January of 2021, Chavez and co-defendant Regina Maynard conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in and around Central South Dakota and on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. Maynard was previously sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison. This case was investigated by the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. Chavez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing.


title: Cecil County Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for His Repeated Sexual Abuse of a Child

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Lawrence Aquilla Colby, IV, a/k/a “Buddy,” age 35, of Elkton, Maryland, yesterday to 50 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for his participation in a conspiracy to sexually abuse a child from the age of approximately four months to two years old, for producing and receiving images documenting the sexual abuse of the child, and for possession of child pornography. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Cecil County State’s Attorney James Dellmyer; and Cecil County Sheriff Scott Adams. At his plea hearing, Colby admitted that he and his co-conspirator, Summer McCroskey, sexually abused a child, starting at the time the victim was approximately four months of age through at least October 2021, when the victim was two years old, and produced videos and images of the abuse. Both Colby and McCroskey participated in the abuse. Additionally, Colby received files documenting the sexual abuse of the child, which were sent to him by McCroskey. On May 18, 2023, Judge Bennett sentenced co-defendant Summer McCroskey, age 25, also of Elkton, to 80 years in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Colleen E. McGuinn who prosecuted 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/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023. Gary Heckel, 71, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Heckel will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Heckel was indicted for Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 24, 2023. Heckel was federally indicted following a Cybertip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children in relation to suspected child pornography from Dropbox. The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce executed a search warrant on Heckel’s home and located multiple devices. A forensic examination of those devices found over 84,000 images of child pornography and over 46,000 videos of child pornography. 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 Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Heckel was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Pierre 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 Pierre, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023. Benjamin Loafer, age 63, was sentenced to 15 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. Loafer was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023. Loafer was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, in 2008. As a result of this conviction, Loafer is required to register biannually and within three business days of a change in residence, employment, or education status. In February of 2022, Loafer completed a registration with the Pierre Police Department. At that time, Loafer advised the registering official that he would be relocating to Kyle, South Dakota. In June of 2022, it was discovered that Loafer did not complete an updated registration. Investigation revealed that Loafer resided in Kyle for approximately two months before returning to Pierre. Loafer failed to complete an updated registration after his changes in residence. Loafer was located in Pierre on August 12, 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 Pierre Police Department, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case. Peneaux was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Aberdeen Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced an Aberdeen, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023. Tujuane Leno Lowry, age 46, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Lowry was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 24, 2023. The conviction stemmed from an incident on June 18, 2022, in Aberdeen, when Lowry was observed on video holding a handgun he had pulled from a white tube sock. He was also observed on the video using methamphetamine. Lowry is a felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The firearm was later recovered by law enforcement and determined to have been a stolen firearm. This case was investigated by the Aberdeen Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan N. Dilges and Carl Thunem prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Lowry was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Louisville Man Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced yesterday to 9 years and 7 months in prison after having been convicted by a jury in November 2022 of two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and one count of receiving a firearm while under felony indictment. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Antonio D. Williamson¸ 35, received a CZ-USA Scorpion Evo 3 9mm handgun in February 2020 from an individual. On May 22, 2021, Williamson was in possession of this handgun, and was captured on surveillance video at a local restaurant drive-thru pointing it at another person while he was driving a stolen vehicle. In September 2021 law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williamson’s residence where they located and seized additional ammunition and firearms, including a Romarm/Cugir, 7.62 caliber rifle, an American Tactical M1911, .45 caliber pistol, and an Eagle Arms, 5.56 caliber rifle. Williamson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of two felony burglary charges in Jefferson Circuit Court in December 2008. He was also under indictment beginning in 2019 in Jefferson Circuit Court on multiple felony charges, including being a persistent felony offender. Williamson was released on bond for the 2019 indictment when he received the 9mm handgun in February 2020. Following the 9-year and 7-month prison sentence, Williamson was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release. He was also fined $25,000. There is no parole in the federal system. “Strategic enforcement is a core principle of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “We will continue to execute targeted enforcement efforts in partnership with our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as we work to make communities throughout the Western District safer for all.” “Mr. Williamson is a persistent re-offender who will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “Keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons is critical to keeping our communities safe, and the FBI will stop at nothing to do so.” This case was investigated by the FBI, the ATF, and the Louisville Metro Police Department with assistance by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Judd and Christopher Tieke prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Man Sentenced for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material of Approximately 72 Victims

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Virginia man was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, Anthony Benton, 21, formerly of Manassas, came to the attention of law enforcement when he bought child sexual abuse material, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of children who appear to be as young as 5 years old, over Telegram. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and discovered that Benton had used Omegle, a live-streaming video application, to regularly produce child sexual abuse material for about three years beginning in 2020. Benton engaged in sexual conversations in live video calls with approximately 1,000 girls ranging in age from 7 to 17 years old. In some of those calls, he enticed the girls to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He screen-recorded and saved approximately 72 videos without the minor victims’ knowledge. One of the videos shows Benton texting a 10-year-old minor to deceive her into believing that he was 15 years old. When she revealed her age, Benton promised their conversation was “just between us.” Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement. HSI investigated the case. Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Mission 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 Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023. James Peneaux, age 56, was sentenced to 15 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. Peneaux was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in January of 2023. He pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023. Peneaux was convicted of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of 16 in Davison County, South Dakota, in 1989. As a result of this conviction, Peneaux is required to register quarterly and within three business days of a change in residence, employment, or education status. In March of 2020, Peneaux relocated from Sioux Falls to Mission. Peneaux initially complied with his registration requirements but failed to complete any registration after December of 2020. Investigation revealed that Peneaux was no longer residing at his registered address and his whereabouts were unknown until his arrest in December of 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 and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case. Peneaux was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Kyle Man Sentenced to Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2023. Scotty Old Horse, 28, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Old Horse was indicted for Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. He pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023. The conviction stems from Old Horse killing another man on November 2, 2022, at Kyle, when Old Horse struck him with his vehicle. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Old Horse was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Florida Man Convicted of Illegally Possessing a Gun in Valdosta PSN Case

component: USAO - Georgia, Middle

body_text: VALDOSTA, Ga. – An armed Orlando, Florida, convicted felon who was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and terroristic threats when he led Georgia deputies on a high-speed chase to evade arrest was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday afternoon of illegally possessing a firearm resulting from a Project Safe Neighborhoods case. Joshua Granger, 34, of Orlando, Florida, was found guilty of one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon at the conclusion of a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson on Aug. 15. Granger faces a maximum of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024. “Our office will hold repeat offenders accountable at the federal level when they illegally possess guns, especially when they lead law enforcement on a high-speed chase that endangers innocent civilians,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our trial team was supported by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office to help bring this defendant to justice.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, a Lowndes County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Granger for a traffic violation while he was traveling on Highway 401 on May 26, 2021. Granger attempted to evade arrest, leading law enforcement on a chase at speeds up to 130 miles per hour, crossing into Florida. Officers performed a PIT maneuver, and Granger was apprehended following a foot chase. Officers found a 9mm handgun with a 33-round magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition inside Granger’s car. At the time of his arrest, Granger was wanted on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault, burglary, terroristic threats and extortion. Granger has prior felony convictions, to include delivery of cocaine and burglary of a dwelling. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The case was investigated by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch is prosecuting the case for the Government, with support from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen.


title: Florida Real Estate Broker Agrees To Pay Over $4 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Fraudulent Cares Act Loans

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Real Estate Broker Chad Wade, 41, of Panama City, Florida, along with his companies Ideal Property Holdings, LLC; Grand Panama Resort Properties, LLC; Beach Life Properties PCB, LLC; First Texas Mortgage, LLC; PCB Limousine, LLC; South Houston Vending Company, LLC; and Emerald Oak Stables, LLC, have agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly providing false information in support of multiple Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (“EIDL”) loans. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “The theft of any amount of taxpayer funds is inexcusable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “However, the defendant’s deceptive acts of diverting millions of dollars in emergency financial assistance from small businesses during the pandemic is beyond the pale. This civil resolution and the forthcoming criminal sentence will punish the defendant’s criminal conduct and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would steal from hardworking taxpayers to unlawfully enrich themselves. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in acts of COVID-related fraud.” The United States alleged that from in or about April 2020, through June 2021, Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent applications and documents to obtain four EIDL loans and fourteen PPP loans totaling $1,506,803. Wade submitted numerous false documents, including false federal tax documents, false state tax documents, and false employee wage reports. The United States further alleged that Wade used the EIDL and PPP funds to grow his real estate businesses by purchasing and paying off properties; purchasing a vacation villa in Mexico; buying a red 1981 Ferrari (among other luxury items); paying personal expenses; and otherwise funding a lavish lifestyle, in direct violation of the terms of the EIDL and PPP programs. The United States also alleged that Wade prepared and submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent forgiveness applications wherein he falsely certified that the entire loan amounts were used to pay eligible business costs. “Falsifying information to gain access to vital federal funds intended to support American small businesses is deplorable,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “Today’s settlement sends a strong message that those responsible will be held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.” On July 7, 2023, Wade plead guilty to three criminal counts in connection with the fraudulent EIDL and PPP loans: (1) Wire Fraud; (2) Money Laundering; and (3) Bankruptcy Fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2023. Wade agreed to pay $4,027,804.69 in damages and penalties under the FCA, of which $1,579,531.25 is restitution. The civil matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle and the criminal matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Corey J. Smith from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, with assistance from the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of General Counsel and the U.S. Small Business Admission Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Florida Business Owner Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Defrauding Medicare Of More Than $11 Million

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ANTHONY CRACCHIOLO was sentenced today to five years in prison for conspiring to defraud the Medicare Program and for illegally possessing an automatic weapon as a convicted felon. CRACCCHIOLO’s fraud conviction related to his involvement in a scheme to pay and receive kickbacks in connection with illegally buying and selling signed orders for durable medical equipment (“DME”), such as leg, arm, and back braces, and then using those orders to file fraudulent Medicare claims for more than $11 million, as well as selling such orders to other DME supply companies so that those companies in turn could also file fraudulent Medicare claims. CRACCHIOLO previously pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Anthony Cracchiolo faced justice today for illegally trafficking in signed orders for durable medical equipment and thus seeking to defraud Medicare of more than $11 million. Such fraud schemes do real harm to the Medicare program — a vital, taxpayer-funded program that provides affordable health care to people over 65 or with disabilities.” According to statements made in court and publicly filed documents in this case: From at least July 2019 through October 2020, CRACCHIOLO and a partner (“Partner-1”) engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare in at least three ways. First, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 illegally paid kickbacks of more than $565,000 to purchase fraudulent DME orders, including orders purportedly “signed” by doctors who never, in fact, signed or authorized those orders and were unaware that their names and identities were being so used. These DME orders were for such equipment as braces for ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and backs. Second, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 resold some of the fraudulent orders to other DME suppliers — receiving more than $425,000 in criminal proceeds — so that those suppliers, in turn, could fraudulently bill Medicare for the DME. Finally, in May and June 2020, CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 acquired five of their own fraudulent DME supply companies and themselves used fraudulent DME orders to file more than $11 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, seeking payment to the DME suppliers that CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 controlled. Ultimately, Medicare paid out more than $5.5 million to CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1, along with a substantial sum to the DME suppliers to whom CRACCHIOLO and Partner-1 sold fraudulent DME orders. When arrested at his residence in Parkland, Florida, on March 1, 2022, CRACCHIOLO was found to be illegally in possession of a semiautomatic firearm, a Palmetto State Armory PA-15, as well as an extended ammunition clip and approximately 130 rounds of ammunition, despite being a previously convicted felon who was not allowed to possess such a firearm. * * * In addition to the prison term, CRACCHIOLO, 43, of Parkland, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $5,595,968 to the Medicare program. He was also ordered, on March 15, 2023, to pay forfeiture of $2,399,817, including forfeiting his Florida residence and the seized automatic weapon. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Raymond Lewis is in charge of the prosecution.


component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Manassas man was sentenced today to 16 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, Anthony Benton, 21, initially came to the attention of law enforcement when he bought child sexual abuse material, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of children who appear to be as young as 5 years old, over Telegram. A residential search warrant was executed at his home and law enforcement discovered that Benton had used Omegle, a live video application, to consistently produce child pornography since 2020. Benton engaged in sexual live video calls with approximately 1,000 girls ranging in age from 7 to 17 years old. He screen-recorded and saved approximately 72 of those videos without the minor victims knowing. Within these videos, Benton can be seen texting a 10-year-old minor, deceiving her by saying he was 15 years old and then, when she revealed her age, promising their sexual conversation was, “[J]ust between us.” Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney McKenzie Hightower and Trial Attorney for the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-87.


title: Muskegon Man Sentenced To 100 Months  For Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker sentenced Jemarion Trevon Flowers to 100 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl. “Disrupting drug trafficking rings and ridding our streets of illegal drugs is a priority for my office,” said U.S. Attorney Totten . “I applaud our federal, state, local, and multi-jurisdictional teams for their work investigating these types of crimes and helping keep our communities safe.” Flowers sold half-pound to pound quantities of methamphetamine and lesser quantities of fentanyl to an undercover police officer on four separate occasions between November 2022 and January 2023. The undercover officer posed as a downstream dealer that was sourcing the Traverse City and surrounding areas. In the midst of the investigation, on December 6, 2022, the Muskegon Police Department arrested Flowers while responding to a shots-fired incident. Police found Flowers in a vehicle near the shots-fired incident in possession of a loaded, stolen Glock pistol with an extended magazine and quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The court held Flowers responsible for possessing the firearm during drug trafficking when sentencing him. “The Traverse Narcotics Team (TNT) focuses on those individuals who travel to our area and deal drugs to members of our communities. These dealers prey on addicts in our community,” said TNT D/Sgt. Olivia Whetstone . “We make it a mission to seek prosecution on the dealers to keep our residents safe and to thwart the fentanyl epidemic that is ongoing in our country. This case is an excellent example of state, federal, and local agencies working together to present a case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and getting successful prosecution. TNT will continue to target dealers who come to our area and this sentencing sends a message to others who plan to do the same as Mr. Flowers did.” “Drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine have devastated communities in Michigan,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar . “This case demonstrates our steadfast commitment to work with our partners at every level to keep these drugs off our streets and hold drug traffickers accountable for the damage they have done.” The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Michigan State Police (MSP), and Muskegon Police Department participated in the investigation with critical contributions from the Strike Team Investigative Narcotics Group (STING), Traverse Narcotics Team (TNT) and the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET). Assistant United States Attorney Joel S. Fauson prosecuted the case. ###


title: Former NYPD Officer Charged With Accessory After The Fact To Murder, Obstructing A Federal Gang Investigation, And Racketeering Conspiracy

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging GINA MESTRE, a former NYPD Officer, for her participation in a racketeering conspiracy with members of the Shooting Boys gang, including her involvement in obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the Shooting Boys gang. MESTRE was arrested last night and will be arraigned before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, to whom the case is assigned, later this afternoon in Manhattan federal court. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Gina Mestre shamelessly exploited her position of public trust to assist gang members in her own NYPD precinct that were terrorizing the Bronx by committing robberies, murders, drug trafficking, and other acts of violence. The Indictment unsealed today alleges that the defendant abused her position as an NYPD police officer by, among other things, obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the gang and assisting the gang’s leader in evading capture for a cold-blooded murder committed in broad daylight. The defendant’s alleged conduct violates the oath she swore to protect the public – as well as her fellow NYPD officers – from the type of criminal activity she helped the gang commit. This Indictment makes clear that my Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in fighting all forms of police corruption.” NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “There is no place for corruption of any kind in the NYPD. The arrest today of a former police officer is built upon the steadfast work of our Internal Affairs Bureau, a team driven to root out such betrayals of public trust. I thank IAB, all of our partners, and everyone from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their sustained collaboration in this important case.” As alleged in the Indictment and other documents filed in federal court and based on statements made in public court proceedings: [1] The Shooting Boys gang is a criminal organization based in the University Heights section of the Bronx. Since at least 2017, gang members sold drugs, used guns, and committed numerous acts of violence against members of rival gangs. The gang’s territory and base of operations fell within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct. The recognized leader of the Shooting Boys was Andrew Done, a/k/a “Caballo.” MESTRE was an NYPD police officer from July 2013 to May 2022 assigned to the 52nd Precinct’s Public Safety Unit. In the summer of 2020, a major focus of the precinct and the Public Safety Unit was the reduction of gun violence, much of which was attributed to members of the Shooting Boys. In or about June 2020, MESTRE began communicating with Done through secret social media accounts and phone numbers. MESTRE and Done began an intimate relationship, during which MESTRE provided Done and other gang members with confidential non-public law enforcement information about the federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys. For example, MESTRE warned Done, and other gang members, that federal investigators were preparing to bring a federal indictment against the Shooting Boys. MESTRE also warned Done about impending law enforcement operations, enabling Done and other gang members to conceal their criminal activity. In addition, MESTRE disclosed the identity of a witness cooperating with law enforcement and providing information about the gang, which allowed Done and other Shooting Boys to assault and intimidate the witness in an effort to prevent the witness from further cooperation. On or about November 5, 2020, Done shot and killed a rival gang member (“Victim-1”) as Victim-1 sat in his car on Cromwell Avenue in the Bronx. NYPD Detectives investigating the murder recovered security camera video (the “Video”) capturing Done’s commission of the murder. Several members of the 52nd Precinct were called upon to assist in the identification of the person captured on the Video. MESTRE was one of several officers who identified Done as the perpetrator. During the manhunt to apprehend Done, of which MESTRE was a part, MESTRE sent Done a copy of the Video to his phone and secretly communicated with Done the day of the murder and in the weeks afterwards. MESTRE warned Done about law enforcement’s efforts to capture him, allowing Done to eventually flee from the United States. In March 2022, 10 members of the Shooting Boys were charged in a 15-count indictment with various federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and murder. Done was charged with the murder of Victim-1 and was apprehended in the Dominican Republic several months later. On November 17, 2022, Done pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted to his role in the murder of Victim-1. On February 22, 2023, Done was sentenced to 35 years in prison. * * * MESTRE, 33, of Mohegan Lake, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 25; HSI; and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dominic A. Gentile and James Ligtenberg are in charge of the prosecution. The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. U.S. v. Mestre Indictment


title: Browning man sentenced to more than eight years in prison for raping girl on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Browning man who was convicted by a jury of raping a girl in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, was sentenced on Aug. 15 to eight years and four months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. After a two-day trial in March, the jury found William Ronald Blackman, 31, guilty of attempted sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that Blackman sexually abused the victim, identified as Jane Doe, on three occasions when she was physically incapable of declining participating in a sexual act. Jane Doe, who was approximately 15 years old at the time, had passed out from alcohol intoxication and woke up to Blackman sexually abusing or having intercourse with her. The assaults occurred in 2019 and 2020. The victim ultimately reported the sexual abuse to a counselor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Honduran National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United States After Aggravated Felony Offense

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Honduran national, who was arrested after stabbing a man with a broken beer bottle, was sentenced in federal court on Monday, August 14, 2023, for illegally reentering the United States after committing an aggravated felony. Jose Borjas-Gutierrez, 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 30 months in federal prison without parole. On March 2, 2023, Borjas-Gutierrez pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry by an alien previously convicted of an aggravated felony. The defendant was initially arrested in 2022 after an argument resulted in Borjas-Gutierrez stabbing another man with a broken beer bottle. For that crime, Borjas-Gutierrez pled guilty to a state-level charge of assault in the second degree. Prior to his arrest in this case, Borjas-Gutierrez had been deported from the United States on three separate occasions and had been convicted of illegally carrying a weapon and aggravated robbery in the state of Texas. In his robbery case, Borjas-Gutierrez pointed a gun at a convenience store clerk and took approximately $20,000 from a cash register and safe. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


title: Wise County Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Trafficking Fentanyl Pills

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – An Exeter, Virginia man, who conspired to sell pressed pills containing fentanyl purchased from various social media platforms, was sentenced this week to 60 months in federal prison. Aaron Christopher Stidham, 22, pled guilty in August 2022 to one count of conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. According to court documents, between February 2021 and February 2022, Stidham ordered 1,000 pills every few weeks from his source in California through the social media platforms Snapchat and Instagram, had them mailed to Big Stone Gap, and then resold them to co-conspirators Paul Mason Perkins of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Austin Jeremiah Lane, of Norton, Virginia, and Cheyenne Cassie Carico, of Norton, Virginia. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Atlanta Division, made the announcement. The Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, and the Virginia State Police), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.


title: Louisville Man Sentenced to Over 8 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

body_text: Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced yesterday to 8 years and 4 months in federal prison for two counts of distributing fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents, on September 15 and 22, 2021, Johnny Williams, Jr., 33, distributed 28 grams of a fentanyl mixture. In Jefferson Circuit Court, Williams had previously been convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree cocaine on June 5, 2008, in case number 08-CR-32189; trafficking in a controlled substance in the first degree on October 12, 2009, in case number 10-CR-322; and trafficking in a controlled substance first degree cocaine on March 21, 2011, in case number 11-CR-1875. Following the 8-year and 4-month prison sentence, Williams was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the FBI and LMPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Porter prosecuted the case. ###


title: Federal Court Sentences Key Players in Large-Scale Meth Conspiracy

body_text: ABINGDON, Va. – One of the main sources of supply in Southwest Virginia for a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy, and one of the conspiracy’s dealers, were each sentenced to long federal prison terms this week. Payton Lee Farris, 26, of Castlewood, Virginia, the supplier of approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine that was sold throughout Wise County and surrounding areas, was sentenced today to 13 years in prison. Farris pled guilty in March 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine as well as distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Jamie Lynn Johnson, 46, of Coeburn, Virginia, a repeat offender with multiple felony convictions who was widely known to trade methamphetamine in exchange for firearms, regularly purchased methamphetamine from Farris. Over a period of six months, Farris purchased one pound of methamphetamine for $4,000 every two days and then sold Johnson, his primary customer, one pound of methamphetamine every three days for $5,000. Johnson was sentenced today to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty in January 2023 to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force (consisting of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Norton Police Department, the Big Stone Gap Police Department, and the Virginia State Police), the Holston River Drug Task Force, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena L. Busscher prosecuted the case.


title: South Florida Resident Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Nationwide Interstate Moving Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Yesterday, Arvaham Zano, 36, of Hollywood, Florida, was sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit $334,499.73 and pay $2,877,497.35 in restitution, joint and several with co-defendant Sofein Mlayah, 28, of North Miami Beach. The sentence comes after Zano’s guilty plea to wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and failure to give up possession of household goods, for his role in operating an interstate moving company scam that included inflating the costs of clients’ interstate moves and thereafter taking possession of client household belongings, failing to deliver the goods as promised, and abandoning them throughout the nation at undisclosed self-storage facilities, often resulting in the total loss of client property. Zano operated two companies, including Zano Moving and Storage, LLC, and acquired jobs through various moving brokers. These brokers would negotiate a moving service fee with a client, then subcontract the moving job to one of Zano’s companies. With the subcontracts in hand, Zano and his drivers, including Mlayah, traveled to the job locations – often on dates different from the ones originally scheduled and sometimes late at night – and loaded the household items to be moved into a truck. Zano or Mlayah would tell clients that they had more household items than the moving broker had originally estimated. Then, with the items already in the truck, they demanded more money to begin the move – sometimes two to three times more than the original estimate. If the clients refused, they risked losing their deposits and belongings. Zano and Mlayah often argued with the victims and coerced them into paying more for their moves, and on other occasions, Zano and Mlayah would not start loading the trucks until they received the higher fees; loaded the trucks but never delivered the items; or charged the victims bogus storage fees. Most of the victim’s household items have never been recovered. On June 6, Mlayah was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in the scheme. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Todd A. Damiani of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (“DOT-OIG”), Southern Region, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Raag Singhal. FBI Miami and DOT-OIG investigated this case with assistance from Sunny Isles Beach Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Stone is handling asset forfeiture. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-60200. ###


title: South Carolina Man Who Orchestrated Drug Deals By Phone From Prison Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Distribute Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Zachariah Ryan Luke (28, Bennettsville, South Carolina) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Luke faces minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, in November 2021, Luke was serving a prison sentence in South Carolina for various offenses, including possession of methamphetamine. Using contraband cellphones, he communicated with an associate who assisted him with acquiring and selling illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. On November 24, 2021, from his South Carolina prison cell, Luke coordinated the delivery of approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine to a Florida-based drug dealer outside of a department store in South Carolina. After receiving the drugs, the dealer returned to Florida. In St. Augustine, Florida, a deputy observed a traffic offense and signaled the dealer to pull over. The dealer initially appeared to be looking for a place to stop, but instead accelerated and raced down the streets of a residential neighborhood. A police helicopter tracked the speeding car, and the pilot observed an object being thrown from the car and directed another deputy to that specific location. Following the directions of the pilot, the deputy found a backpack on the side of the road. Inside, the deputy found approximately 985.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine that laboratory testing would later show was 100% pure. After attempting to dispose of the drugs, the dealer continued to drive, but eventually reached a dead end. He then abandoned the car to hide in a nearby wooded area but was located and arrested by deputies. After that arrest, corrections officers in South Carolina seized multiple cellphones from Luke, which he was prohibited from possessing in prison. Investigators searched those phones and recovered text communications concerning when, where, and from whom drugs were to be supplied and delivered. This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the Aiken County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Office, the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the North Augusta (South Carolina) Department of Public Safety, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.


title: Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry into the United States

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to his illegal reentry into the United States after being deported twice, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Luis Aragon-Lara, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of reentry after deportation. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2023. Lara was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 29, 2023. On October 26, 2022, the Keene Police Department arrested the defendant in connection with the passing of counterfeit currency at retail stores in the area. A subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant was again illegally in the United States, after having been previously deported on or about June 9, 2009 and April 3, 2020. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Keene Police Department and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement led the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward. ###


title: Garner Man Who Shot a Pregnant Woman in the Head in Road Rage Incident Sentenced to 10 years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. –Tyler Mack Kirby, 27, of Garner who shot a pregnant woman in the head on New Bern Avenue in August of last year was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of ammunition by a felon. Kirby pled guilty on May 11, 2023. “This felon shot a pregnant woman in the back of the head in an act of senseless violence while she simply rode in a car,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Make no mistake, this U.S. Attorney’s Office will take action against any felon who engages in gun violence in Raleigh or beyond. We are partnering with law enforcement to prioritize prosecutions against dangerous trigger-pullers who illegally use and carry guns.” “I am proud that our ongoing partnership with the VCAP initiative continues to remove dangerous offenders from our community," said Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson. "This arrest should send a message to all violent offenders that the Raleigh Police Department is working closely with our federal partners to prosecute those who inflict harm on our community. As one of my priorities, making Raleigh the safest city in the country requires constant collaboration with the community and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. This arrest is yet another example of the impact of collaboration to end violence caused by firearms.” According to documents and other information presented in court, on August 25, 2022, Kirby was traveling in a vehicle on New Bern Avenue. Occupants of Kirby’s vehicle began arguing with occupants of a second vehicle over perceived driving errors. After the argument ensued, Kirby fired a single gunshot into the back of the second vehicle where a pregnant woman was a passenger. The bullet traveled through the headrest and struck the passenger in the head. After firing the single shot, Kirby fled from law enforcement and destroyed evidence prior to being taken into custody by the Garner Police Department. The shooting victim survived the incident. State charges related to the shooting, including Discharging a Weapon Into Occupied Property, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, Fleeing or Eluding Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, are still pending. The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III . The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-CR-00341-D. ###


title: Millsboro Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Possession of Molotov Cocktail

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that a Millsboro man was sentenced yesterday to 87 months in federal prison for possessing a destructive device known as a “Molotov Cocktail.” The Honorable Richard G. Andrews pronounced the sentence. According to court documents, Job Gillette, 25, amassed seventeen Molotov Cocktails, additional raw materials, an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, ammunition, and a ballistic vest, which he was keeping in a shed outside the group home where he lived. Gillette had taken measures to maximize the harmful impact of his weapons, including adding Styrofoam to his Molotov Cocktails in an effort to “help the burning liquid adhere to the target and create clouds of thick, choking smoke,” as well as adding screws and nails to increase their destructive impact. Gillette had threatened to “blow up or burn down” the group home where he lived. He also believed in the New World Order, a conspiratorial idea that powerful entities are manipulating governments to create a one-world totalitarian government. U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “Had Mr. Gillette been able to follow through with his plot, the impact could have been devastating for the group home and its residents. I wish to commend federal, state and local law enforcement for working together to thwart Mr. Gillette’s criminal plans. This sentence should serve as a deterrent for anyone considering this similar violent conduct.” “The FBI works tirelessly every day to protect the American people and remains vigilant in our efforts to detect and assess threats of violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “We will continue to partner with our local and state law enforcement to be ready to respond to any threats that arise and keep our communities safe.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly A. Hudson and former District of Delaware Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Mandelbaum prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI Wilmington Resident Agency, with substantial assistance from HSI Wilmington and the Delaware State Police and Delaware State Fire Marshals. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER .


title: New Bedford Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Distribution

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fentanyl distribution charges. Hector Diaz, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2023, Diaz pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. On two occasions between December 2020 and January 2021, Diaz distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl in the New Bedford area. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Austin Pharmacy to Pay $200,000 in Civil Penalties for  Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: AUSTIN, Texas – People’s Pharmacy Inc. has agreed to pay $200,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it violated provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). People’s Pharmacy Inc., doing business as Peoples Rx, operates five retail pharmacies and one compounding laboratory in the Austin area. During a routine inspection of a Peoples Rx location in June 2022, DEA diversion investigators determined that the pharmacy had violated certain regulatory recordkeeping provisions, improperly dispensed controlled substances to practitioners for office use, and issued prescriptions without authorization. During their inspection, DEA diversion investigators also learned that Peoples Rx had sold pseudoephedrine products without self-certifying as required by the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA). The CMEA regulates over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine products, which are common ingredients in cough, cold, and allergy products that serve as precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine or amphetamine. Retail provisions of the CMEA include daily sales limits and 30-day purchase limits, placement of product out of direct customer access, sales logbooks, customer ID verification, employee training, and self-certification of regulated sellers. The Diversion Control Unit in DEA’s San Antonio District Office led the investigation of this matter. The primary goal of the DEA’s diversion control program is to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled substances from their lawful purpose into illicit drug traffic. In furtherance of this goal, DEA conducts inspections of pharmacies and other DEA registrants to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements relating to drug security and recordkeeping. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Seattle woman with prior murder conviction, sentenced to seven years in prison for armed drug dealing

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A Seattle-area woman, whose life has been marked by abuse and addiction, was sentenced August 15, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Seattle to seven years in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Raven Marlyne Hudson, 39, pleaded guilty in May 2023, to drug trafficking and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. She was arrested in July 2022, in Seattle’s University District, after she rammed a law enforcement vehicle while trying to avoid arrest. In her car, law enforcement found a variety of illegal drugs and two firearms – one of them stolen. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said of the offense, “It was terrible… after 16 and a half years in jail and less than six months later you are doing serious drug dealing…. And ramming the cars is just not something we can tolerate.” “Ms. Hudson’s history of childhood abuse and abandonment no doubt played a role in her drug addiction and criminal conduct,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “It is our hope that the drug treatment in federal prison and the close monitoring and supportive services while on federal supervised release will make a difference and lead to a productive future for Ms. Hudson and her family.” According to records filed in the case, in early 2022, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents and Seattle Police Narcotics Detectives began investigating Hudson as a significant drug dealer in the Seattle area. In June, a person working with law enforcement ordered fentanyl pills from Hudson. Following that drug sale, law enforcement surveilled Hudson’s activities, seeing her move around to high-frequency drug trafficking areas. On July 12, 2022, agents and officers blocked Hudson’s car as she parked in Seattle’s University District. Hudson rammed one of the HSI vehicles before ultimately being removed from her car and arrested. When investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant on Hudson’s car, they recovered more than 600 grams of methamphetamine, more than 118 grams of fentanyl powder, about 6,700 fentanyl pills, plus heroin and cocaine. Two Glock firearms were in the car. One of the Glocks was reported stolen, the other had a 25-round extended capacity magazine. Both guns were loaded with a round chambered. Hudson cannot legally possess firearms due to prior convictions. In 2006 she was convicted in Kitsap County of Second-Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Hudson was released from state custody on the murder conviction in January 2022. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Seattle Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Oklahoma Man for Role in Nationwide Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: Defendant is Last of Seven Defendants Convicted in this Drug Trafficking Conspiracy OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, a federal jury convicted KE’ANDRE DEWAYNE WILSON , 25, of Oklahoma City, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. On May 18, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a 12-count Indictment against seven defendants, including Wilson, for their roles in a drug-trafficking organization (DTO). Wilson was charged with two counts: Count 1 alleged conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and Count 2 alleged possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The trial began on August 8, 2023, and the jury returned its guilty verdict on August 10, 2023, after a few hours of deliberation. According to evidence presented at trial, in June 2020, law enforcement began investigating Wilson and several other defendants for their role in a DTO which distributed methamphetamine throughout the United States. The DTO stored methamphetamine in various locations across Oklahoma City, including approximately 133 kilograms of methamphetamine at Low Life Body Shop located in southwest Oklahoma City. On April 28, 2021, Wilson and his co-defendants planned to transport approximately 100 kilograms of methamphetamine to Chicago. As Wilson and his co-defendants were preparing for the trip, law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered the methamphetamine. The jury convicted Wilson with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to distribute methamphetamine, as alleged in Count 1 of the Indictment. The jury acquitted Wilson on Count 2. At sentencing, Wilson faces up to life in federal prison and a $10,000,000 fine. The other six defendants in the case have been previously sentenced to serve collectively more than 600 months of imprisonment: Arnulfo Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison. Juan Benigno Vazquez Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to serve 168 months in prison. Liliana Padron-Perez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison. Ramon Guadalupe Sanchez III pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison. Cesar Maximino Franco Morales pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, and was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison. Emily Rios pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises, and was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison. Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 139 kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 firearms, and $6,000.00 in cash. This case is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. It is also a part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Anderson and Nick Coffey prosecuted the case. Reference is made to court filings for further information.


title: Office on Violence Against Women Director Rosie Hidalgo Visits Oklahoma City and Palomar Family Justice Center to Discuss Local Strategies and Partnerships to Combat Domestic Violence

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – Last Friday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center, welcomed newly appointed Director of the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Rosie Hidalgo, to discuss the local strategy, partnerships, and ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence in the district. On July 11, 2023, Director Hidalgo was confirmed in a bipartisan vote by the Senate, making her the first Senate-confirmed director to lead OVW since 2012. (See DOJ Press Release ). Hidalgo’s visit to Oklahoma last week included her first site visit in her new role as Director of OVW, including to Palomar. Accompanying her on the visit from OVW were Principal Deputy Director Allison Randall, Chief of Staff Shilesha Bamberg, and Executive Assistant Erica Lee. “In my recent visit to the Western District of Oklahoma U.S. Attorney’s Office and Palomar: Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center, I was deeply moved by the stories I heard and the solutions being implemented to address domestic violence,” said Director Rosemarie Hidalgo. “The frontline workers, law enforcement officials, advocates, and community leaders are weaving a tight-knit safety net for survivors, illustrating the power and importance of a coordinated community response. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to U.S. Attorney Robert Troester for his work through Project Safe Neighborhoods in fostering these partnerships to support survivors, reduce domestic violence, and hold offenders accountable. Also, I am glad to see a robust response through the District’s Operation 922 program to address the increased risks of homicide at the intersection of domestic violence and firearms. The Office on Violence Against Women recognizes the value of such collective action, and we are eager to continue supporting these initiatives alongside the U.S. Attorney's Office and community partners.” “It is an honor to host Director Hidalgo for one of her first site visits as she leads the Department of Justice’s efforts to reduce gender-based violence, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “We were delighted to share what is happening here through our local violent crime strategy, Operation 922, and through our many partnerships with police officers, local prosecutors, and non-profit entities working each day to combat the epidemic of domestic violence in Oklahoma. We are confident that through these strategic partnerships, and with the support of the Office on Violence Against Women, we are saving lives." “Director Hidalgo’s site visit to Palomar illuminates the significance of having coordinated, collaborative services through the Family Justice Center model which provide avenues to simultaneously allow survivors and families to thrive and for partner agencies to focus on offender accountability,” said Palomar Board Chair Tricia Everest. “Palomar, and this coordinated family justice center model, provides more opportunities to break the cycles of violence and move us closer to a community where safety and security are felt by all.” Topics of discussion included Operation 922, the Western District of Oklahoma’s targeted initiative which prioritizes the prosecution of federal gun crimes connected to domestic violence. Operation 922 is the local implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Since its launch in March of 2018, Operation 922 has led to the charging of nearly 300 defendants for firearms violations in domestic violence-derived cases. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also introduced a new initiative, Project RAISE UP (Resources and Aid Initiative for Survivors by Effectively Utilizing Partnerships). Project RAISE UP aims to minimize the revictimization of survivors and foster continuity in recovery by connecting survivors with resources and aid to support their unique needs in advance of a defendant’s release from federal prison. Palomar provided a briefing on how the community came together to launch Palomar six years ago and how the collaborative has grown from 15 original partners to over 40 that are now working together to provide wraparound services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and child and elder abuse. A panel of Palomar partners shared the ways that coordinating services leads to better outcomes for survivors. Additionally, Palomar shared the plans for the new Family Justice Center building to be built as part of MAPS 4. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was proud to partner with Palomar Board Chair Tricia Everest in coordinating the event. In April 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland honored Everest with the “Volunteer of the Year Award” for her advocacy on behalf of victims in crime and for her work founding Palomar. (See DOJ Press Release ). Partners participating in the briefing included the United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, YWCA, and Oklahoma County District Court.


title: Nigerian National Convicted in Federal Court of Conspiracy to Launder Proceeds of Internet Fraud Schemes

component: Criminal - Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Olugbenga Lawal, previously of Indianapolis, Indiana, was convicted on August 10, 2023, of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering following a 4-day federal trial. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Lawal was a member of a Nigerian-based criminal organization that victimized individuals and businesses across the United States through internet-based fraud schemes, including romance fraud and business email compromises, and laundered the proceeds of those fraud schemes. The criminal organization frequently targeted elderly victims who believed they had fallen in love with people they met on the internet. Lawal opened multiple bank accounts in his own name and the name of a purported business entity for the purpose of receiving the illegal proceeds his co-conspirators generated through internet fraud. Lawal received fraud proceeds both from individuals directly victimized by the criminal organization and from other money launderers working on behalf of the criminal organization. Lawal used those fraud proceeds to buy cars that would be shipped to Nigeria to be sold. Between January 2019 and June 2020, bank accounts used by Lawal and his co-conspirators to launder money on behalf of the criminal organization received over $7 million. Most of that money was traced directly to individuals and businesses defrauded over the internet by Lawal’s co-conspirators in the criminal organization. U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “The online fraud schemes perpetrated by Mr. Lawal and his co-conspirators drained senior citizens of their retirement savings and resulted in American businesses losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and prosecute those who enrich themselves and their criminal partners through online fraud schemes at the expense of hardworking Americans.” “Lawal shamefully helped organize and execute this extensive scheme that took advantage of our senior citizens and hurt American businesses,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI urges Americans to learn how to identify romance scams as well as business email compromise schemes which have increased dramatically in recent years.” As a result of his conviction, Lawal faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; three years of supervised release; a fine of $500,000, or twice the value of the criminally derived property, whichever is greater; forfeiture; and restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence and restitution amount after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by FBI Baltimore Field Office’s Wilmington Resident Agency with assistance from the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jesse Wenger and Meredith Ruggles of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware; Trial Attorneys Mary K. Daly and Michael Grady of the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; and former Trial Attorney Madeleine Case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 22-cr-11-MN.


title: Bradenton Man Arrested For Robbing Tampa Business With Firearm

body_text: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Devon Floyd (31, Bradenton) with one count of Hobbs Act robbery. If convicted, Floyd faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the complaint, on August 10, 2023, Floyd robbed a business in Tampa. He asked the clerk for a free water, which she did not have, before walking behind the counter and lifting his jacket to show the clerk a firearm. Floyd then ordered the clerk to empty the register, took the cash, and fled the scene in a dark colored Mazda. The complaint further alleges that Floyd is suspected of committing additional robberies in the area and that those robberies are still being investigated. This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Temple Terrace Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, and the North Port Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Dade City Man Arrested For Unlicensed Possession Of A Machine Gun

body_text: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Stewart Walter Bachmann (55, Dade City) with one count of unlicensed possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). If convicted, Bachmann faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the complaint, on August 5, 2023, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office received a telephone call from Bachman who told the dispatcher that he was being held hostage and was going to be “put under” by people who were able to walk through the “5 th dimension.” As the call progressed, Bachmann also stated there was “going to be something like 9/11,” and there was currently an invisible person in the backseat of his vehicle. Deputies from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office made contact with Bachmann near the Tampa Premium Outlet Mall. Bachmann told the deputies that the CIA was planning a politically motivated mass shooting at the mall. When deputies asked Bachmann if he was going to be the one committing the shooting, he indicated he didn’t know or hadn’t been told that yet. The Pasco Sherriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a search warrant of Bachmann’s home and located several firearms that had been registered in the NFRTR. However, another firearm, an RAK15 AR-15 type rifle, was also located. This rifle had been modified to be able to house an automatic sear, making the firearm capable of being fired as a fully automatic weapon. ATF found no records for this weapon in the NFRTR, indicating Bachmann was unlawfully in possession of the device. This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Oviedo Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Rafick Gordon Gilpin (32, Oviedo) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The court also ordered Gilpin to forfeit a firearm and multiple rounds of ammunition. Gilpin had pleaded guilty on April 12, 2023. According to court documents, the FBI used a confidential human source to identify Gilpin, also known as Diesel, and his coconspirators. From November 2021 to July 2022, the FBI obtained information about Gilpin and his coconspirators during multiple meetings and transactions for drugs and guns. As a part of this investigation, authorities seized cocaine, methamphetamine, and multiple handguns. Gilpin was arrested by special agents from the FBI and officers from the Orlando Police Department during a drug deal for one kilogram of cocaine. At the time of the incident, a loaded firearm was found in his vehicle. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orlando Police Department, and the Apopka Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Gardella. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Maryland Man Sentenced to 96 Months in Federal Prison For Felon in Possession of Firearms

body_text: WILMINGTON, Del. – David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Wilbert Wilson, age 34 of Wilmington, was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in prison for one count of felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Maryellen Norieka pronounced the sentence. According to court documents, on November 31, 2021, Wilson, a previously convicted felon and Megan’s Law registrant, delivered a handgun and drum kit with 20 rounds of ammunition to a confidential human source in exchange for $600. Following the firearm transaction, Wilson attempted to arrange the delivery of methamphetamine to the confidential human source but was unsuccessful. U.S. Attorney Weiss stated, “Firearms offenses are a serious threat to our community’s safety. This office and our local and federal law enforcement partners work diligently to investigate and prosecute those who illegally sell firearms in our state. This sentence serves as a warning to anyone who unlawfully transfers firearms.” “The sentence imposed should send a clear message that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate this type of illegal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of drugs into our neighborhoods and keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from being able to possess them.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin P. Pierce prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI's Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-81.


title: Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced To 10 Years For Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images And Videos

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Patrick James Sperber (45, Apopka), a registered sex offender, to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse images and videos. Sperber had pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023. In 1999, Sperber was convicted of lewd and lascivious assault on a child. As a result, he is registered and designated as a sexual offender. According to court documents, on April 17, 2021, an Electronic Service Provider (ESP) submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). This NCMEC referral indicated that an individual with the username “P.J. Sperber” had uploaded several videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors while using a messenger application of the ESP. Further investigation traced the Internet Protocol (IP) address used to upload the videos to Sperber’s residence. On April 15, 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant for Sperber’s residence and seized his cellphone. A forensic review of Sperber’s cellphone revealed child sex abuse imagery and videos. Sperber admitted to viewing child sex abuse imagery and videos using a chat app account on his cellphone. Several of the child sex abuse videos found on Sperber’s cellphone depicted children under the age of 12 being sexually abused. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .