title: Bryan resident heads to prison for attempted robbery and assault of postal worker

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 26-year-old Bryan resident has been sentenced after a conviction for assaulting and attempting to rob a postal worker, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The jury deliberated for two hours before convicting Adon Bryce Clary March 22 of attempted robbery of a post office with a dangerous weapon, assault of a public official with a dangerous weapon and assault of public officials with intent to commit a felony following a four-day trial. U.S. District Judge George Hanks has now ordered Clary to serve 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered statements from postal employees and customers, including one victim that explained the harrowing experience they underwent and the effect it continues to have on their lives. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hanks noted Clary could not be trusted to not put others in harm’s way if released. On April 29, 2019, Clary entered the post office located at 2121 Wm. Bryan Parkway in Bryan. Clary proceeded to bang a Game of Thrones beer bottle while pointing an apparent firearm at the clerks. Clary demanded all of the mail while stating Clary had a gun. The “firearm” was actually an empty pack of green Paul Maul menthol cigarettes. Five postal workers, three post office customers, three Bryan police officers and two postal inspectors testified during the trial. The postal workers and civilians all explained in emotional detail the fear they had for their lives. In addition, the jury saw body camera video from the officers and a cell phone video of the incident which one of the postal workers took. Clary will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Anthony Porto and Adam Laurence Goldman prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders Of Hamas

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States, Lisa O. Monaco, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States, Christopher A. Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Sanjay Virmani, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, announced today the unsealing of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges relate to the defendants’ central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on October 7, 2023 (the “October 7 Hamas Massacres”), involving the murders and kidnappings of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens, which was the culmination of Hamas’s decades-long campaign of terrorism and violence against Israel and its allies, including American citizens. The defendants are either deceased or remain at large. [1] U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “For decades, Hamas and its leadership have dedicated themselves to the eradication of the State of Israel, and to murdering, maiming, and brutalizing anyone—including dozens of Americans—who stood in their way. The October 7 Hamas Massacres, a depraved act of savagery carried out by Hamas, has, to date, resulted in over 40 American citizens being murdered. This Office has long been dedicated to serving as a bulwark against terrorism and striking blows against its leaders. Our commitment is clear: if you hurt one member of our community, you hurt all of us—and we stand with all victims of Hamas’s reign of terror.” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “The Justice Department has charged Yahya Sinwar and other senior leaders of Hamas for financing, directing, and overseeing a decades-long campaign to murder American citizens and endanger the national security of the United States. On October 7th, Hamas terrorists, led by these defendants, murdered nearly 1200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians. This weekend, we learned that Hamas murdered an additional six people they had kidnapped and held captive for nearly a year, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23 year old Israeli American. We are investigating Hersh’s murder, and each and every one of Hamas’ brutal murders of Americans, as an act of terrorism. The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations. These actions will not be our last.” Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said: “Yahya Sinwar and the other senior leaders of Hamas are charged today with orchestrating this terrorist organization’s decades-long campaign of mass violence and terror—including on October 7th. On that horrible day, Hamas terrorists viciously massacred nearly 1,200 innocent men, women, and children, including over 40 Americans, kidnapped hundreds more, and used sexual violence as a weapon of brutality. Since that horrific day, we have worked to investigate and hold accountable those responsible, and we will not rest until all those who kidnapped or murdered Americans are brought to justice. Our thoughts continue to be with the families of all the victims of this barbaric terrorist attack.” FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said: “From the moment Hamas launched its horrific attack on October 7, the FBI has been dedicated to identifying and charging those responsible for these heinous crimes. The FBI has and will continue to relentlessly investigate these attacks on civilians, including Americans. Hamas is a Foreign Terrorist Organization with a long history of violence, and the group’s actions have resulted in increased terrorism threats in the U.S. and against American interests throughout the world. Countering terrorism remains our number one priority, and our work continues.” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “The core mission of the National Security Division is to protect Americans from violent terrorists and extremist organizations like Hamas. The atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7 are intolerable, and the Justice Department will not rest in our pursuit to hold Hamas accountable for perpetrating its campaign of terror, death, and destruction.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani said: “Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel was a violent massacre in the long history of Hamas’s brutal terrorist reign. The FBI Washington Field Office is determined to continue its work to dismantle Hamas and hold its senior leaders responsible for their conspiracy to plan and perpetrate these heinous acts of terror, including the murder and kidnapping of American citizens.” According to the allegations contained in the Complaint: [2] Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya, commonly known as Hamas, is a terrorist organization that was founded in 1987, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (“FTO”) by the United States since 1997. From its inception, Hamas’s stated purpose has been to create an Islamic Palestinian state throughout Israel by eliminating the State of Israel through violent holy war, or jihad. Hamas also promotes attacks against the United States and its citizens, and over more than two decades, Hamas has murdered and injured dozens of Americans as part of its campaign of violence and terror. The defendants charged in the Complaint are all senior leaders of Hamas who have orchestrated, overseen, and supported Hamas’s decades-long campaign of terrorism, including the October 7 Hamas Massacres. They control all aspects of the terrorist organization, including its political and military branches, known as the Politburo and the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (“al-Qassam Brigades”). ISMAIL HANIYEH, was the chairman of Hamas’s Politburo from 2017 until his reported death on or about July 31, 2024. Prior to 2017, HANIYEH was the deputy chairman of the Politburo and the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. HANIYEH was based principally in Turkey and Qatar. YAHYA SINWAR, a/k/a “Abu Ibrahim,” 61, is the leader of Hamas. Previously, beginning in approximately 2017, he was the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and is one of the founders of the al-Qassam Brigades. SINWAR is based principally in the Gaza Strip. MOHAMMAD AL-MASRI, a/k/a “Mohammed Deif,” a/k/a “al Khalid al-Deif,” was the commander in chief of the al-Qassam Brigades, a position he held from in or about 2002 until his reported death on or about July 13, 2024. AL-MASRI was based principally in the Gaza Strip. MARWAN ISSA, a/k/a “Abu Baraa,” was the deputy commander of the al-Qassam Brigades from approximately 2007 until his reported death on or about March 10, 2024. ISSA was based principally in the Gaza Strip. KHALED MESHAAL, a/k/a “Abu al-Waleed,” 68, was the chairman of Hamas’s Politburo from approximately 2004 to 2017, and is now the head of Hamas’s diaspora office—effectively responsible for Hamas’s official presence outside of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. MESHAAL is based principally in Qatar. ALI BARAKA, 57, has been Hamas’s head of National Relations Abroad since approximately 2019, and was previously Hamas’s representative in Lebanon. BARAKA is based principally in Lebanon. Hamas has pursued its objectives through innumerable acts of brutal terrorist violence, including launching thousands of rockets specifically targeting civilian populations; suicide bombings of restaurants, markets, public transportation systems, and other public spaces; and military-style attacks on towns and residential communities. Hamas’s campaign of terrorism has killed and wounded citizens of Israel, the United States, and many other countries. On October 7, 2023, Hamas committed its most violent, large-scale terrorist attack to date—the October 7 Hamas Massacres. Hamas targeted civilian populations with a barrage of rockets, before waves of Hamas terrorists breached the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, infiltrated Israel, and launched attacks on civilians, by land, sea, and air. Hamas sent thousands of armed fighters into southern Israel, where they carried out the massacres of over a thousand people and the kidnappings of more than 200 others. Hamas terrorists attacked civilians, firing handguns, assault rifles, and handheld rocket launchers, in small residential communities in Kfar Aza, Be’eri, Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, Re’im, Holit, Zikim, Kerem Shalom, Sufa, and others; the Israeli town of Sderot; and a music festival held near Re’im; among other places. Armed Hamas operatives attacked and shot civilians, including children, sometimes with machineguns and sometimes at point blank range, and weaponized sexual violence against Israeli women, including through rape and genital mutilation. Hundreds of civilians, including Americans, and Israeli soldiers, were killed and wounded; other victims, including Americans, were kidnapped, taken hostage, and brought into Gaza by Hamas. As of the date of the Complaint, over 40 American citizens were among those murdered, and at least eight American citizens were taken hostage or remain unaccounted for. [3] Most recently, Hamas executed a U.S. citizen who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 Hamas Massacres and remained in captivity until he was murdered. Hamas raises money to fund its terrorist activities through a variety of methods, including by soliciting and receiving cryptocurrency payments, advertising the ostensible anonymity of such transactions. Since 2019, Hamas’s military wing has used social media and other platforms to call for cryptocurrency contributions from supporters abroad, including in the United States, to Hamas-controlled virtual wallets, explicitly acknowledging that those payments would be used to fund Hamas’s campaign of violence. Through these mechanisms, Hamas has received tens of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency payments to fund its activities. * * * The Complaint unsealed today charges each of the defendants with: (1) conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (2) conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (3) conspiring to murder U.S. nationals outside the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; (4) conspiring to bomb a place of public use resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; (5) conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; (6) conspiring to finance terrorism, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and (7) conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be imposed by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Washington Field Office, Counterterrorism Division, and the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Tel Aviv, Israel, the FBI Victim Services Division, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section for their assistance. This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit and Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Jacob H. Gutwillig, Sarah L. Kushner, Michael D. Lockard, Ben Arad, and Samuel L. Raymond are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook and C. Alexandria Bogle of the Counterterrorism Section. The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] Since the filing of this Complaint, three of the defendants—Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammad Al-Masri, a/k/a “Mohammed Deif,” a/k/a “al Khalid al-Deif,” and Marwan Issa, a/k/a “Abu Baraa”—are reported to have been killed. [2] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. [3] Since the filing of this Complaint, two of the original ten individuals believed to have been taken hostage or who otherwise were unaccounted for have been confirmed to have been murdered.


title: Former Arkansas Judge Convicted of Making False Statements to Law Enforcement

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A former Arkansas local district court judge was convicted of making false statements to the FBI on Friday. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Thomas David Carruth, 64, of Clarendon, Arkansas, served as an elected Monroe County district court judge. In that role, Carruth presided over criminal and civil matters. In April 2022, Carruth solicited sex from the girlfriend of a defendant in a criminal case pending before him. The jury found that, when questioned by the FBI, Carruth lied to agents about the incident, including by falsely stating that he did not “request,” “ask,” “offer”, make “overture[s] about”, “insinuate,” or “even [think] about,” sex with the girlfriend. The jury convicted Carruth of one count of making false statements. Carruth was acquitted of charges of bribery, honest services fraud, and violations of the Travel Act. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Carruth faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting Assistant Director James Barnacle Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder of the FBI Little Rock Field Office made the announcement. The FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Nicholas Cannon and Madison Mumma of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Jury Finds Final Two Gang Members Guilty in the Murder of  10-year-old Makiyah Wilson and Associate Guilty of Related Obstruction of Justice

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – A Superior Court jury, today, returned guilty verdicts against two men charged in the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson and an associate who obstructed justice in the case. The verdicts were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The jury found Mark Price, 30 and Antonio Murchison, 31 guilty of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, participation in a criminal street gang, obstruction of justice, and multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and related firearms offenses. Both men are members of the “Wellington Park crew.” Additionally, the jury found Quanisha Ramsuer, 31, guilty of obstruction of justice in connection with the investigation into the murder of Makiyah Wilson. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for December 13, 2024. On July 16, 2018, defendants Mark Price, Antonio Murchison, and three other individuals, who have already been convicted, drove to the Clay Terrace neighborhood armed with guns. Price, who was driving, briefly stopped to allow the other defendants to exit the vehicle. They opened fire on the Clay Terrace courtyard, firing more than 50 shots, indiscriminately. Makiyah Wilson, who was sitting on the front stoop of her home, was killed. Several other people were wounded. Despite having witnessed the defendants preparing for the shooting, no witnesses were willing to provide information regarding the identity of the shooters. The government presented forensic evidence, statements the defendants made over social media, and motive evidence in presenting its case. Ramseur lived in or hung out in the Wellington Park neighborhood most of her life and knew most of the defendants, one of whom she identified as her cousin. She was observed on video surveillance interacting with the defendants as they loaded into the vehicles to drive to Clay Terrace to commit the shooting. Ramseur was also observed on video closely engaging with one of the defendants who orchestrated the attack, but who remained behind. Despite the obvious familiarity, Ramseur steadfastly refused to identify the individuals with whom she was interacting in the video, resulting in the charge of obstruction of justice. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Natalie Hynum.


title: Two Foreign Nationals Sentenced for Victimizing U.S. Companies Through Business Email Compromise Scheme

body_text: A Nigerian national was sentenced today in the Eastern District of Virginia to five years and three months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution for participating in a computer hacking and business email compromise scheme that caused over $5 million in losses to multiple victims in the United States and elsewhere. Franklin Ifeanyichukwu Okwonna, 34, pleaded guilty on May 20 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for his role in the scheme. Okwonna’s co-defendant, Nigerian national Ebuka Raphael Umeti, 35, was sentenced on Aug. 27 to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution. Umeti was convicted by a federal jury on June 13 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to cause intentional damage to a protected computer, and intentional damage to a protected computer. According to court documents and evidence presented at Umeti’s trial, between February 2016 and July 2021, Umeti, Okwonna, and their co-conspirators caused millions of dollars in unauthorized wire transfers by sending victim businesses phishing emails. These emails falsely appeared as though they originated from trusted sources, such as a bank or a vendor. After the victim opened an attachment, their computers would be infected with malicious software, or “malware,” that allowed the defendants and their co-conspirators to gain unauthorized access to the victim’s computer systems and email accounts. The defendants and their co-conspirators then exploited that access to obtain sensitive information, which they used to deceive individuals at the victim companies into executing wire transfers to accounts specified by the co-conspirators. As a result of this scheme, the defendants and their co-conspirators caused or attempted to cause over $5 million in losses to the victim companies. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. Senior Counsel Thomas S. Dougherty of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case. CCIPS Senior Counsel Aarash Haghighat assisted in the investigation and indictment of the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Nairobi, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Directorate of Criminal Investigation to secure the extradition of Umeti and Okwonna.


title: Marion County Woman Sentenced To Prison For $600,000 Payroll Theft From Alternative School

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Danielle Jane Liles (41, Summerfield) to one year and one day in federal prison for wire fraud. Liles was also ordered to pay $766,553.54 in restitution to the victim alternative school and forfeit $616,793.43, which represents the proceeds of her crimes. Liles entered a guilty plea on December 12, 2023. According to court records, between January 11, 2016, and April 10, 2023, Liles devised a scheme to defraud Silver River Mentoring and Instruction (SRMI), an alternative school for middle and high school students. During this time, Liles handled the school’s payroll and had 137 unauthorized paychecks issued in her name by logging false information into SRMI’s accounting software. Liles then received the fraudulent paychecks through wire transfers directly into her bank account. During a financial review with the school’s executive staff in April 2023, Liles admitted that she had been “paying [herself] extra money" and had become addicted to stealing the payroll funds. In total, Liles’s actions cost the school $766,553.54—a figure representing the fraudulent pay she received ($616,793.43) plus the associated benefits and taxes. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl and Illegally Possessing a Firearm

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –KENTRELL HUBBARD (“HUBBARD”) , age 25, of New Orleans, was sentenced on August 22, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to distributing fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) and, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, on June 9, 2023, a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, purchased fentanyl from HUBBARD after meeting him near a supermarket that was a known hotspot for drug trafficking in the Iberville housing project. The next week, special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation saw HUBBARD with a handgun as they were executing an unrelated search warrant. 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. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Two foreign nationals sentenced for victimizing U.S. companies through business email compromise scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Nigerian national was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution for participating in a computer hacking and business email compromise (BEC) scheme that caused over $5 million in losses to multiple victims in the United States and elsewhere. Franklin Ifeanyichukwu Okwonna, 34, pled guilty on May 20 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for his role in the scheme. Okwonna’s co-defendant, Nigerian national Ebuka Raphael Umeti, 35, was sentenced on Aug. 27 to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution. Umeti was convicted by a federal jury on June 13 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to cause intentional damage to a protected computer, and intentional damage to a protected computer. According to court documents and evidence presented at Umeti’s trial, between February 2016 and July 2021, Umeti, Okwonna, and their co-conspirators caused millions of dollars in unauthorized wire transfers by sending victim businesses phishing emails. These emails falsely appeared as though they originated from trusted sources, such as a bank or a vendor. After the victim opened an attachment, their computers would be infected with malicious software or “malware” that allowed the defendants and their co-conspirators to gain unauthorized access to the victim’s computer systems and email accounts. The defendants and their co-conspirators then exploited that access to obtain sensitive information, which they used to deceive individuals at the victim companies into executing wire transfers to accounts specified by the co-conspirators. As a result of this scheme, the defendants and their co-conspirators caused or attempted to cause over $5 million in losses to the victim companies. The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Withers for the Eastern District of Virginia and Senior Counsel Thomas S. Dougherty of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) prosecuted the case. CCIPS Senior Counsel Aarash Haghighat assisted in the investigation and indictment of the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Nairobi, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Directorate of Criminal Investigation to secure the extradition of Umeti and Okwonna. 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. 1:22-cr-123.


title: 13 Months in Prison for Threatening Call to Congressional Staffer and 12,000 Harassing Telephone Calls to Members of Congress

body_text: WASHINGTON - Ade Salim Lilly, 35, of Queens, NY, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 13 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release for threatening to kill a Congressional staffer and for conducting a campaign of pervasive harassing communications against members of Congress, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police. Lilly pled guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly on May 30, 2024, to two federal charges: interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, and repeated telephone calls. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kelly ordered Lilly to serve three years of supervised release. According to court documents, beginning about February 1, 2022, and continuing until his arrest in this case in Puerto Rico on November 8, 2023, Lilly made over 12,000 telephone calls to approximately 54 offices of Members of Congress across the country, both in district offices located in various U.S. States and to offices located in Washington, D.C. Of the calls to congressional offices, more than 6,526 were made by Lilly to offices within the District of Columbia. Lilly placed the calls while he was in Maryland or Puerto Rico. Most of these phone calls were answered by congressional staff members or interns. In some of these telephone calls, Lilly would become angry and use vulgar and harassing language towards the individual who answered the phone. Congressional staff repeatedly asked Lilly to refrain from calling. U.S. Capitol Police informed Lilly on multiple occasions that his phone calls were unwanted, and due to a harassing nature, were prohibited by law. To avoid detection and to trick congressional staff to answer his phone calls, Lilly masked his phone number. Lilly made at least one phone call during which he threatened to kill or injure the person who answered. On October 21, 2022, Lilly called into a congressional office in Washington D.C., threatening a staff member. “I will kill you, I am going to run you over, I will kill you with a bomb or grenade,” Lilly told the employee. In addition to the threatening phone calls, Lilly would repeatedly call Congressional offices. For example, during two-days in February 2023, Lilly called one congressional representative more than 500 times. In response, Lilly was indicted, and the U.S. Capitol Police deployed agents to arrest Lilly on November 14, 2023, in Puerto Rico. This case was investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police with valuable assistance from the United States Marshall’s Service. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander R. Schneider with valuable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Nielsen. 23cr384


title: New Orleans Woman Sentenced for Cares Act Fraud, False Statements to the IRS, and Theft of Government Funds

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TAMIKA CHAPPELL (“CHAPPELL”), age 40, of New Orleans, was sentenced on August 29, 2024 to five (5) years of probation by U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier after previously pleading guilty to making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), making false statements to the IRS, and theft of government funds. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance in connection with economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding. The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses. In addition to probation, CHAPPELL was ordered to pay $210,274 in restitution to the Small Business Administration, $155,359 to the Internal Revenue Service, $96,150 to the Social Security Administration, and $23,125 to a victim bank. She also has to pay a mandatory $300 special assessment fee. For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . This case was investigated by an agent assigned to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to serve the American public by promoting transparency and facilitating coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 21 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending. The PRAC Fraud Task Force brings together agents from 15 Inspectors General to investigate fraud involving a variety of programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program. Task force agents who are detailed to the PRAC receive expanded authority to investigate pandemic fraud as well as tools and training to support their investigations. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of PRAC member U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit was in charge of the prosecution.


title: Thompson Falls man admits illegal possession of firearms, shortened rifle

body_text: MISSOULA — A Thompson Falls man with two prior federal felony convictions today admitted to illegally possessing a firearm and to possessing a shortened rifle after law enforcement found numerous guns at his residence, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, James Vernon Day, Jr., 55, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and to possession of an unregistered firearm. Day faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 3, 2025. Day was released pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Day previously had been convicted in Montana of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and of illegal sale of outfitted mountain lion hunts and was prohibited from possessing firearms. The government further alleged that in December 2023, Sanders County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at Day’s property to serve a search warrant for solen vehicle parts. Day was present on the property and confronted deputies, but retreated into his residence as the search began. Day told deputies they could not enter his residence. During the search, Day was generally uncooperative with law enforcement’s request to exit his residence and speak with them. During the search, deputies located a .44-caliber rifle in a shop building, a building to which they determined Day had primary access. The shop also contained three gun safes that contained gun parts, including a barrel from an assault rifle and a barrel from a shotgun. Deputies also found a freshly killed deer head. Day eventually exited his residence and was arrested. In a search of Day’s residence, deputies located an additional 36 firearms, which were strewn around the house. One of those firearms, found on the kitchen floor, was a .222-caliber rifle that was determined to have a barrel of less than 16 inches. Possession of a firearm with a shortened barrel is against federal law. In Day’s vehicle, deputies found a .44-caliber revolver. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Sanders County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . XXX


title: United States Attorney Announces New Conviction Integrity Committee

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Ismail Ramsey today announced that the United States Attorney’s Office is establishing a new committee to review innocence claims brought by defendants convicted in the Northern District of California. The Conviction Integrity Committee (Committee) will review and consider claims of factual innocence brought by defendants who were convicted in the Northern District of California. The purpose of the Committee is to promote fairness and integrity at every stage of a criminal prosecution. It is designed to ensure that credible claims of factual innocence are investigated and addressed. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Bornstein, who also is a Senior Litigation Counsel for the Northern District of California, will Chair the Committee whose members will include the United States Attorney, the First Assistant United States Attorney, and the Executive Assistant United States Attorney. Additional members of the United States Attorney’s Office may participate in review of certain claims filed under the new program depending upon circumstances described in the policy. In announcing this new program, United States Attorney Ramsey said that he and his office “are committed to ensure that any person who is actually innocent is not the subject of a wrongful conviction.” The new process is partly modeled on committees that have been formed in other United States Attorney’s Offices including for the Southern District of New York, the Central District of California, and the District of Columbia. In the Northern District of California policy, decisions—including decisions on the merits and whether to reinvestigate a claim of actual innocence—are based only on an independent assessment of the facts and the law; factors such as a defendant’s choice of counsel, media coverage, or political influence play no role in the consideration of cases presented to the Committee. An application to submit actual innocence claims to the Committee has been placed on the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California’s website. The process is afforded to all convicted persons regardless of the nature of the offense, whether there was a trial or plea bargain, and whether they are represented by an attorney. Priority may be given to convicted persons who are currently incarcerated or on parole or supervised release.


title: Dual citizen arrested for unlawfully exporting U.S. technology to Iran

body_text: HOUSTON - A 76-year-old man has been taken into custody on charges of smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as other manned aircraft, from the United States to Iran. Gholam Reza Goodarzi aka Ron Goodarzi is a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Porter. Authorities arrested him Aug. 30 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport upon the filing of a federal criminal complaint. He has now made his initial appearance, at which time the complaint was unsealed, and he was ordered into custody pending a detention hearing set for Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho. “Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran's military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “This prosecution represents my office’s core commitment - in partnership with the DOJ’s National Security Division, FBI and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - to disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi’s alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation.” “For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security.” “Illegally smuggling sensitive U.S. technology to a foreign nation jeopardizes our national security and undermines the integrity of our trade laws,” said Robert Wells, FBI Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch. “The U.S. does not tolerate illegal smuggling of our advanced tech to our adversaries, and the FBI will work with our partners to vigorously pursue and hold accountable those who violate our laws and put our country at risk.” According to court documents, from Dec. 1, 2020, through July 5, 2024, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts, in addition to oil and drilling components, to Iran. Goodarzi allegedly purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran – typically through Dubai, UAE. He also traveled to and from Iran multiple times per year and concealed aircraft parts and other items in his checked luggage, according to the charges. Goodarzi also allegedly exchanged multiple emails with suppliers and customers, acknowledging that parts could not be shipped to Iran because of sanctions. The complaint alleges that on several occasions, authorities searched Goodarzi’s luggage and found numerous aircraft parts and components hidden within articles of clothing. Some of the items allegedly had characteristics consistent with parts for the production of UAVs as well as parts with electrical motor and/or generator applications. Goodarzi does not have the required licenses to export such items to sanctioned countries, including Iran, according to the complaint. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from CBP as part of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The task force is an interagency law enforcement strike force the departments of Justice and Commerce co-lead, designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states to acquire critical technology. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the strike force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. A complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: New Orleans Man Guilty of Methamphetamine Distribution and Being Felon in Possession of Firearm

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAYSHAWN BROWN (“ BROWN”) , age 40, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 29, 2024 to Counts 3 and 4 of the indictment pending against him. Count 3 charged BROWN with distribution of 50 or more grams of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). Count 4 charged BROWN with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). At sentencing as to Count 3, BROWN faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years and up to forty (40) years, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four (4) years of supervised release. As to Count 4, BROWN faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and at least three (3) years of supervised release. Each offense also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Judge Barbier scheduled sentencing for December 5, 2024. Court documents reveal that on September 13, 2023, BROWN met with an undercover special agent at a gas station located in New Orleans, to sell narcotics and a firearm. During the transaction, BROWN sold the undercover special agent a Beretta Pietro S.P.A. Model 70S, .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number, and approximately 54 grams of methamphetamine. 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. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Three Individuals Indicted in Mortgage, COVID-19 Relief Program Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – Three New Jersey residents were indicted for their role in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme and two of the three were indicted for fraudulently obtaining approximately $3 million of federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Arthur Spitzer, 37, of Toms River, New Jersey, is charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of bank and wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of making a false statement to a financial institution, and 12 counts of money laundering. Mendel Deutsch, 38, of Toms River, is charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of bank and wire fraud conspiracy, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of making a false statement to a financial institution, and two counts of money laundering. Joshua Feldberger, 42, of Howell, New Jersey, is charged with one count of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of bank and wire fraud conspiracy, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. The defendants were arraigned today before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel in Camden federal court. According to the indictment: In 2019 and 2020, Spitzer orchestrated a scheme to defraud property owners and mortgage lenders by obtaining mortgage loans for real estate properties that he did not own. Spitzer identified properties in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York, that had either no mortgages or mortgages in amounts significantly lower than the property’s market value. On six occasions, Spitzer obtained mortgage loans by misrepresenting that he had the authority to obtain mortgage loans secured by properties he did not own. Spitzer used fraudulent documents purporting to transfer control to him, which contained forged signatures of the true property owners. The mortgage loan proceeds were disbursed to bank accounts controlled by Spitzer or were used to otherwise benefit Spitzer, such as to pay off his debts. Spitzer then caused the mortgage loans to default by not making the required payments, leaving the true property owners subject to foreclosure and eviction. In June 2020, Spitzer conspired with Deutsch and Feldberger to make it appear as if Spitzer owned three properties in Brooklyn, and agreed to sell them to Deutsch, who obtained a $4 million mortgage loan in connection with the transaction. Feldberger facilitated the fraudulent transaction as the owner of the settlement company that handled the transaction. The defendants created and sent letters stating that Deutsch had deposited significant funds into escrow toward the transaction, when in reality he had not; they created fake documentation purportedly transferring control of the properties to Spitzer; they failed to disclose a short-term loan obtained shortly before the transaction’s closing; and they lied to the mortgage lender by stating that the settlement company had received more than $2 million from Deutsch at closing, which led the mortgage lender to fund the loan. The defendants then used the mortgage loan proceeds to fund Deutsch’s down payment, which he had supposedly already provided. In 2020 and 2021, Spitzer and Deutsch each fraudulently obtained millions of dollars of government loans that were intended for small businesses distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses that were experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To obtain an EIDL loan, a qualifying small business was required to apply and provide information on its operations, including the number of employees and revenues or expenses. Spitzer and Deutsch obtained EIDL loans for businesses that had little or no operations by submitting loan applications that included false statements about the applicant companies’ number of employees, revenues, cost of goods sold, or lost rents. The counts of bank fraud conspiracy, bank fraud, and making a false statement to a financial institution, are each punishable by a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The counts of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud are each punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The counts of money laundering are each punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The counts of aggravated identity theft carry a mandatory two-year prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Patricia Tarasca, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Regional Office, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden. The charges and allegations contained in the charging instrument are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. spitzeretal.indictment.pdf


title: Dual U.S. and Iranian Citizen Arrested for Unlawfully Exporting U.S. Technology to Iran

body_text: Gholam Reza Goodarzi, also known as Ron Goodarzi, 76, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Porter, Texas, made his initial appearance today in the Southern District of Texas following his arrest at the George Bush International Airport on Aug. 30. Goodarzi is charged by criminal complaint with smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as other manned aircraft, from the United States to Iran. “For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security.” “Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran's military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “This prosecution represents my office’s core commitment – in partnership with the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI and Customs and Border Protection – to disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi’s alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation.” “Illegally smuggling sensitive U.S. technology to a foreign nation jeopardizes our national security and undermines the integrity of our trade laws,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch. “The U.S. does not tolerate illegal smuggling of our advanced tech to our adversaries, and the FBI will work with our partners to vigorously pursue and hold accountable those who violate our laws and put our country at risk." According to court documents, from December 1, 2020, through July 5, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts, in addition to oil and drilling components, to Iran. As alleged, Goodarzi purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran – typically through Dubai, UAE. He also traveled to and from Iran multiple times per year and concealed aircraft parts and other items in his checked luggage. Goodarzi exchanged multiple emails with suppliers and customers, acknowledging that parts could not be shipped to Iran because of sanctions. The complaint alleges that on several occasions, authorities searched Goodarzi’s luggage and found numerous aircraft parts and components hidden within articles of clothing. Some of the items had characteristics consistent with parts for the production of UAVs, as well as parts with electrical motor and generator applications. Goodarzi does not have the required licenses to export such items to sanctioned countries, including Iran, according to the complaint. If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for the charge of smuggling goods and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI, with assistance from and Customs and Border Protection, is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Winter for the Southern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. This prosecution is being coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. A criminal complaint is m erely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Convicted felon going to prison on new child pornography charge

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Preston Herbst, 28, of Canandaigua, NY, who was convicted of transferring obscene matter, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The sentence will be served following completion of a 36-month sentence previously imposed by Judge Geraci. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in July 2023, Herbst was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison after being convicted on a federal charge of possession of child pornography. Herbst was allowed to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons and was scheduled to begin his sentence on October 12, 2023. Prior to self-surrendering, on September 3, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from Snap Inc., that a user had uploaded child pornography to the Snapchat platform. Subsequent investigation traced the user back to Herbst’s residence. In October and November 2023, search warrants were executed on Herbst’s Snapchat account and at his residence. The search of the Snapchat account determined that Herbst used the account to trade child pornography in September 2023, after he had been sentenced, but before self-surrendering to the Bureau of Prisons. Herbst was under the supervision of United States Probation when the uploads took place and had been using a prohibited device in violation of his release conditions. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. # # # #


title: Rochester man sentenced to 14 years in prison for home invasion targeting drug dealers

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Raekwon Green a/k/a Bundy a/k/a Bundles, 28, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of Hobbs Act Conspiracy and Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between February 2020 and April 1, 2020, Green conspired with Robert Forbes, Jr., and others, to commit four home invasion robberies in Rochester and Greece, NY. During some of the home invasions, individuals were restrained, pistol-whipped, and/or suffered injuries, while the defendants took controlled substances and U.S. currency from the homes. Robert Forbes, Jr. was previously convicted and sentenced to serve 19 years in prison. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith. # # # #


title: New Orleans Man Indicted for Being Felon In Possession of a Firearm

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - PHILLIP JENKINS (“JENKINS”) , age 41, a resident of New Orleans, was indicted on August 29, 2024 for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). According to court documents, JENKINS possessed a SCCY Model CPX-2, nine-millimeter caliber pistol, and ammunition. If convicted, JENKINS faces up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 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. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Honduran Native Guilty of Illegal  Re-Entry

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that VICTOR MANUEL OSORTO-LOPEZ (“OSORTO-LOPEZ”), age 40, a native of Honduras, pleaded guilty on August 29, 2024, to illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a). According to court documents, OSORTO-LOPEZ was removed from the United States on December 4, 2009 and, again on September 3, 2012. He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on March 14, 2024 and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter. OSORTO-LOPEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two (2) years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to one year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. United States District Court Judge Barry W. Ashe set sentencing for November 21, 2024. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Two Quad Cities Men Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and Multiple Armed Robbery and Firearm Charges

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – A federal jury on August 23, 2024, found two Quad Cities, Illinois, men – Emmanuel Lance Howard, 24, of Davenport, Iowa, and Evander Allen Jordan, 39, of Rock Island, Illinois – guilty of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and multiple robbery and firearms charges following a two-week trial in Peoria, Illinois, before Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow. During the trial, the government presented evidence to establish that in the summer and fall of 2020, Howard and Jordan committed ten separate armed robberies in the Quad Cities area, including five armed robberies of retail stores in Rock Island and Moline, one armed robbery and shooting of a man, and a carjacking of a woman in Rock Island, along with three armed robberies of retail stores in Davenport. During their violent crime spree, in which they stole firearms, money, jewelry, and other property, Howard and Jordan shot two men, pistol-whipped and assaulted others, and repeatedly threatened the lives of all of the more than 20 victims. One such victim repeatedly begged for her life and another was so terrified that she feared her young son at home, across the street from the robbery, would hear his mother being shot. Following an extensive investigation involving the Rock Island, Davenport, and Moline police departments, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Howard and Jordan were charged in 2021 in a fifteen-count indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, five counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of carjacking, six counts of brandishing or discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. These charges were the result of Howard and Jordan committing the following armed robberies in Rock Island, Moline, and Davenport: • July 31, 2020: Little Caesar’s on 18th Avenue Rock Island, Illinois • August 14, 2020: Little Caesar’s on West Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa • September 5, 2020: MidWest Title Loans on 11th Street, Rock Island, Illinois • September 12, 2020: Pizza Hut on Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa • September 12, 2020: Papa John’s on 19th Avenue, Moline, Illinois • September 18, 2020, Carjacking, Rock Island, Illinois • October 4, 2020: Domino’s Pizza on 14th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois • October 9, 2020: Kwik Shop on Telegraph Road, Davenport, Iowa • October 16, 2020: Pawn King on 11th Street, Rock Island, Illinois Both Howard and Jordan have been detained in federal custody since their federal arrests in 2021. The statutory penalty for the conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery offenses is up to 20 years in prison; the statutory penalty for the carjacking offense is up to 15 years in prison; the statutory penalty for the brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence offenses is a minimum consecutive sentence for each offense of seven years to life in prison; the statutory penalty for the discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence offense is a minimum consecutive sentence of 10 years to life in prison; and the statutory penalty for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon offense is up to 10 years in prison. As a result, Howard faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 45 years and up to life in prison for just the firearm offenses; because Jordan has a prior federal conviction for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, he faces a minimum of 63 years to life in prison just for the firearms offenses. U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris stated following the trial: “These two defendants terrorized the Quad Cities community in 2020 by committing ten separate armed robberies without any regard for human life or the law, needlessly leaving more than 20 victims in the wake of their violence and intimidation. The jury’s verdict appropriately holds the defendants accountable under the law for their criminal conduct. I especially want to thank the Rock Island, Davenport, and Moline police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for their outstanding, tireless, and professional work in this matter. This Office and our federal and state partners will continue to hold those persons accountable for their criminal acts of violence.” “On behalf of the Moline Police Department and the City of Moline, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to all involved in bringing this case to justice,” said Darren Gault, Chief of Police for the Moline Police Department. “Over several weeks in 2020 these dangerous individuals went on a crime spree we usually don’t see in the Quad Cities. I’d like to highlight the extraordinary cooperation and coordination across multiple agencies in both Illinois and Iowa as well as the state and federal law enforcement agencies. Without this coordinated effort, these individuals may have evaded being held accountable for their actions. The Quad Cities should be proud of the remarkable work being done by these men and women in law enforcement and at the United States Attorney’s Office. Our partnerships are strong and the message is clear: if you commit these crimes in our communities, you will be held accountable.” “This verdict of guilt will hold these two men accountable for the mayhem they created throughout the community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the partnership among our local and federal law enforcement agencies for their diligence in investigating these crimes and the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.” The case investigation was conducted by the Rock Island, Davenport, and Moline Police Departments, as well as the ATF and FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Mathew, Timothy Bass, and Jeffrey Kienstra represented the government in the prosecution.


title: US Attorney’s Offices Present Information Session on the Americans with Disabilities Act’s Protections for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO – On August 28, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Western, Eastern, and Middle Districts of North Carolina, in partnership with the Mountain Area Health Education Center (“MAHEC”), presented an information session on the Americans with Disabilities Act’s protections for individuals with opioid use disorder (“OUD”) and combatting discrimination against people in treatment and recovery. This presentation was hosted by the Assistant United States Attorneys and Civil Rights Coordinators from the Civil Division in each district who work to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Participants learned about the ADA’s coverage, the Act’s applicability to individuals with OUD, and the Department of Justice’s work to investigate alleged violations of the ADA and enforce compliance. The presentation was part of an ongoing webinar series hosted by MAHEC; later modules will include additional information about medicinal and operational for treating for OUD in geriatric care, including skilled nursing facilities. Ensuring that medical and social service providers do not discriminate on the basis of disability, including OUD, is an issue of general public importance. “Individuals who are in recovery and who have stopped illegally using drugs should not face discrimination when accessing evidence-based treatment,” said Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina (USAO-MDNC). “The ADA protects individuals who are prescribed medication for OUD under the supervision of a licensed health care provider, and we will continue to work to remove discriminatory barriers to recovery.” The Department of Justice’s 2022 guidance on how the ADA protects individuals in treatment or recovery, including individuals who take medications to treat OUD, is available at: https://archive.ada.gov/opioid_guidance.pdf . This is the USAO-MDNC’s second presentation on the ADA’s protections for individuals in recovery; in 2022, the office presented to county personnel who operate jails regarding the ADA’s protections, particularly access to medications for OUD. Individuals who believe they have been victims of discrimination may file an ADA complaint online at https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/ . Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov , or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY). ###


title: Spencer Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who was prohibited from possessing a firearm pled guilty August 29, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City. Casey Tuttle, 26, from Spencer, Iowa, was convicted of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Tuttle was previously convicted in the Iowa District Court of burglary, third degree; possession of methamphetamine, third or subsequent offense; and burglary, second degree. Each of these are felony convictions which prohibited Tuttle from possessing any firearm or ammunition. At the plea hearing, evidence showed that on April 4, 2024, Spencer Police Department officers stopped Tuttle riding his bike in the dark without taillights or reflectors. It was then determined that Tuttle had outstanding arrest warrants, so he was placed under arrest. During a search of Tuttle at arrest, law enforcement located .22 ammunition, 1 gram of marijuana, multiple knives, 1 gram of methamphetamine, a German .22 caliber revolver, a methamphetamine pipe, scale, and pills. Tuttle admitted being a drug user and possessing the firearm which he obtained in exchange for methamphetamine. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Tuttle remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Tuttle faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Spencer, Iowa Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-4032. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Mexican Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering  the United States After Being Deported Six Times

body_text: A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced today to more than two months in federal prison. Roberto Medina-Soto, age 39, a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States and residing in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, received the prison term after a July 10, 2024, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported. At the guilty plea, Medina-Soto admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Medina-Soto was previously deported in March 2020, April 2020, and four times in October 2020. On April 29, 2024, immigration officials learned Medina-Soto had illegally returned to the United States and found Medina-Soto at the Dubuque County Jail following his arrest on state charges for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). On June 20, 2024, Medina-Soto was convicted in state court of OWI and sentenced to 50 days’ imprisonment. Medina-Soto was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Medina-Soto was sentenced to 75 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Medina-Soto is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 24-CR-1015. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Lexington Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington man, Rollie Deshawn Lamar, 31, was sentenced to 220 months, by U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove, following his convictions at trial for conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, money laundering, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to evidence presented at trial, in late 2021, law enforcement began investigating Lamar and others. The investigation revealed that an individual working for Lamar would travel to Detroit, once or twice a week, bringing back approximately 50 pounds of high-quality marijuana each trip. Lamar then sold this marijuana, by the pound, in the Lexington area. In March 2022, the Kentucky State Police joined the investigation, making a vehicle stop that yielded a large quantity of high-quality marijuana. Thereafter, on April 6, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Lamar’s residence, where law enforcement seized more than $1.86 million, four expensive vehicles and approximately $220,00 in jewelry, all of which were proceeds of drug trafficking. They also seized several firearms. That same day, law enforcement stopped another vehicle, leading to the seizure of approximately $27,000 in additional drug proceeds. Additionally, after Lamar had been indicted, there was another vehicle stop, which resulted in the seizure of additional drug proceeds, including approximately $11,000 and $10,000 in jewelry. In all, law enforcement seized items totaling more than $2 million. Under federal law, Lamar must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Detroit Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department; and Chief Dustin Bowman, Frankfort Police Department, jointly announced the sentence. The case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, KSP, Lexington Police Department, and Frankfort Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. — END —


title: United States Seizes Aircraft Used by Nicolás Maduro Moros in Violation of U.S. Export Control and Sanctions Laws

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department today announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him in Venezuela. The aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. “This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.” “Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. “It doesn’t matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials – we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.” “The United States’ seizure of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft illustrates our unrelenting commitment to enforcing U.S. export control laws and imposing U.S. sanctions for any violations,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “This successful seizure was the result of planning, coordination, and execution by the United States government, with invaluable assistance by the authorities in the Dominican Republic. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to forfeit this plane and all other assets that circumvent the law.” “The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. “The efforts here highlight HSI’s global reach and our continued commitment to enforce US sanctions and stemming the flow of illicit proceeds being generated from high level foreign public corruption.” In August 2019, the President issued Executive Order 13884, which prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with persons who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, the Government of Venezuela, including as a member of the Maduro regime. To protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, the Department of Commerce has also imposed export controls for items intended, entirely or in part, for a Venezuelan military or military-intelligence end user. According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft (which at the time was valued at approximately $13 million) from a company based in the Southern District of Florida. The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, including to transport Maduro on visits to other countries. The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Dorado Task Force Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan D. Stratton and Ajay J. Alexander for the Southern District of Florida also provided assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI in Santo Domingo provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States thanks the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter. The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.


component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: The Dassault Falcon 900EX Aircraft Was Illegally Exported from the United States and Used for the Benefit of Maduro and His Representatives MIAMI - The Justice Department today announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him in Venezuela. The aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. “This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.” “The United States’ seizure of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft illustrates our unrelenting commitment to enforcing U.S. export control laws and imposing U.S. sanctions for any violations,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “This successful seizure was the result of planning, coordination, and execution by the United States government, with invaluable assistance by the authorities in the Dominican Republic. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to forfeit this plane and all other assets that circumvent the law.” “Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. “It doesn’t matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials – we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.” “The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. “The efforts here highlight HSI’s global reach and our continued commitment to enforce US sanctions and stemming the flow of illicit proceeds being generated from high level foreign public corruption.” In August 2019, the President issued Executive Order 13884, which prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with persons who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, the Government of Venezuela, including as a member of the Maduro regime. To protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, the Department of Commerce has also imposed export controls for items intended, entirely or in part, for a Venezuelan military or military-intelligence end user. According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft (which at the time was valued at approximately $13 million) from a company based in the Southern District of Florida. The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, including to transport Maduro on visits to other countries. The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Dorado Task Force Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan D. Stratton and Ajay J. Alexander for the Southern District of Florida also provided assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and HSI in Santo Domingo provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States thanks the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter. The burden to prove forfeitability in a forfeiture proceeding is upon the government. ###


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Over 33 Years for Distribution of Fentanyl

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on August 29, 2024. Cory Croyle, 37, was sentenced to 33 years and four months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Croyle was indicted for two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2024. The conviction stems from Croyle and others distributing large quantities of fentanyl and heroin in the Rapid City area between 2021 and 2023. In sentencing Croyle, Judge Schreier noted the conspiracy involved one of the larger quantities of drugs she has seen in her decades on the bench. The conspiracy led to the death of a community member. Croyle knew the deadly risks of distributing fentanyl, and yet he continued to sell the substance, even though he was on state parole at the time of the offense. The judge further found Croyle’s significant role in the conspiracy and his attempts to obstruct the investigation justified a sentence of over 33 years. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Croyle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced on Firearm Charge

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 29, 2024. Dustin Ray Richards, 31, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and forfeited a Smith & Wesson firearm and 9mm ammunition. Richards was indicted for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in March of 2024. He pleaded guilty on June 24, 2024. On January 30, 2024, law enforcement responded to an apartment complex in Rapid City after receiving a call for service. When officers arrived, they located Richards who had a knife in his hand. Officers ordered Richards to drop the knife, however, Richards was not compliant with officers, became combative, and attempted to flee before officers were able to get Richards into custody. In a bag Richards had with him, officers located a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, which Richards was prohibited from having due to a number of prior felony conviction. Richards was also on State parole for a drug offense at the time of his arrest. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Richards was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Three Men Sentenced for December 2018 Shooting of a Father and His Minor Son

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jamal Matthews, 34, Darnell Savoy, 25, and Stefon Freshley, 28, of Washington, D.C., were sentenced yesterday for their role in the December 2018 shooting of a father and his minor son in the Clay Terrace neighborhood of Northeast, Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department, and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. On August 30, 2024, Matthews was sentenced to a period of 21 years in prison; Savoy received a sentence of nine years in prison; and Freshley was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Matthews was also sentenced to an additional five years in prison for his efforts to obstruct justice in the shooting case, for a total prison sentence of 26 years. Savoy’s nine-year sentence will be served consecutively to the five-year sentence he received in his federal possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense case. All three defendants pleaded guilty on March 29, 2024, before Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe. Savoy was sentenced, on August 2, 2024, in U.S. District Court to five years in prison for federal charges for drug possession and firearms offenses related to an October 2022 stabbing investigation. According to the government’s evidence, on December 28, 2018, the victims were in their SUV standing along the curb in the 200 block of 54 th Street, Northeast, waiting for a friend to arrive so they could leave to attend a WWE wrestling event. As the victims waited, Matthews saw the SUV and mistook it for the same vehicle that shot at him and his cousin three days earlier. Matthews emerged from the Christmas Day shooting physically unharmed, but his cousin was killed. Matthews called another individual, who then called Freshley. Moments later, Freshley and Savoy, who were a few blocks away, entered Savoy’s Nissan Altima and drove to Matthews, who entered the Nissan with an assault rifle. All three defendants, while riding in Savoy’s vehicle, approached the 200 block of 54 th Street Northeast. As they drove towards and past the victims’ vehicle, Matthews fired approximately 30 shots at the SUV. The minor victim was shot nine times, including in the head, abdomen, chest, and back. The adult victim sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and hand. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Chief Smith, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberley Nielsen and Sharon Donovan, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Ohio County Man Indicted in Romance Scam

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Eugene Robert LeClear, age 52, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been indicted for allegedly defrauding a woman he met online, announced United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. Court documents indicate that LeClear began an online relationship with the victim in 2022. LeClear began requesting money from her under the guise that he needed money to pay for medical expenses and to post bond in a criminal action, among other false pretenses. LeClear promised to reimburse the victim and falsely represented he had access to millions of dollars from gambling winnings and prior criminal activity. The victim lost approximately $96,000 from the scheme. “Romance scammers are expert manipulators who develop relationships that feel very real,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “Victims are understandably reluctant to come forward because they are embarrassed, but we hope they still will so that action can be taken to prevent others from being harmed.” LeClear was charged with five counts of wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. If convicted, a federal district court judge would determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If you have any information you wish to report regarding LeClear, please contact the FBI via email at wvfraud@fbi.gov . An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.