title: Five Individuals Sentenced for Possession of Glock Switches and Other Gun Crimes

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

body_text: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Five individuals have been sentenced for possession of “Glock switches” and other gun crimes in the City of Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. Donterio Nickson, 23, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 57 months in prison. In April, Nickson pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun conversion device—commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Keown, Sr. prosecuted the case. Jahleo Pugh, 20, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 20 months in prison. In April, Pugh pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case. Kemontay Smith, 19, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. In April, Smith pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. McComb prosecuted the case. Markeias Thompson, 19, of Tuscaloosa, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. In April, Thompson pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. McComb prosecuted the case. Keyonte Howard, 21, of Tuscaloosa, received 36 months’ probation following his conviction in May for providing false information in connection with the purchase of a firearm. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case. These sentences are the result of collaborative efforts by the ATF, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and Tuscaloosa District Attorney’s Office to identify and focus enforcement on individuals who illegally possess “Glock switches” and firearms in the Northern District of Alabama. The cases are 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 of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Missouri Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl to Overdose Victim

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a man who sold fentanyl to someone who later suffered a fatal overdose to 10 years in prison. Dylan C. McMikle provided several lines of powdered fentanyl that the 25-year-old victim snorted early on the morning of Dec. 16, 2022. The victim left McMikle’s home at approximately 6 a.m., after buying a capsule containing fentanyl. The victim, who had been struggling with a serious addiction, died of a drug overdose that evening. After the victim’s death, investigators found messages between the victim and McMikle about obtaining fentanyl. McMikle consented to a search of his home and officers found a small baggie of fentanyl powder and several fentanyl pills. McMikle, 22, of Jackson, Missouri, pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of distribution of fentanyl. Another man pleaded guilty last year and admitted buying fentanyl from McMikle. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Koester prosecuted the case.


title: Three Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics in Prison Following the Death of USP Atwater Staff

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — An investigation into the death of a correctional officer led to the arrests of three defendants today who are charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and introducing narcotic drugs to an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between July 15, 2024, and Aug. 9, 2024, Jamar Jones, 35, an inmate at USP Atwater; Stephanie Ferreira, 35, of Evansville, Indiana; and Jermen Rudd III, 37, of Wentzville, Missouri, conspired to introduce narcotics into USP Atwater for Jones to sell. As part of that scheme, Jones and Ferreira had Rudd mail a letter laced with narcotics to Jones that was fraudulently labeled as legal mail. On Aug. 9, 2024, a correctional officer at USP Atwater opened that letter and minutes later began to feel ill. After evaluation by medical staff, he was subsequently taken to the hospital where he passed away. Another correctional officer also felt ill after coming into contact with the narcotics-laced letter but recovered. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California also received assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Missouri and the Southern District of Indiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case. Following the arrests this morning, Ferreira is set to be arraigned on the complaint in the Southern District of Indiana, while Rudd will be arraigned on the complaint in the Eastern District of Missouri. Jones will appear next week in court in Fresno for his initial appearance. If convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, Jones and Rudd face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. If Jones is convicted of being an inmate obtaining or attempting to obtain narcotic drug, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Ferreira, if convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. If convicted of providing or attempting to provide an inmate with a narcotic drug, Ferreira and Rudd face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. jones_et_al._criminal_complaint.pdf


title: Powhatan man convicted of federal healthcare fraud

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A federal judge convicted a Powhatan man today on two counts of healthcare fraud. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Richard Davis, 51, was the sole owner and CEO of Innovative Family Services LLC (IFS), which he enrolled as a Medicaid provider in Virginia in 2012. IFS provided Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT), a mental health program for children and adolescents often offered as an after-school program, and Intensive In-Home services (IIH), interventions for children at risk of being removed from their homes. To be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement, TDT and IIH services must be provided in person. From December 2015 through July 2019, Davis directed IFS employees to bill the maximum allowable service units per day by billing two or more hours per day for group planning, case documentation, excessive coordination of care with adults in the children’s lives, and transportation, even though Medicaid disallows these services from payment. By doing so, Davis and his company routinely billed Medicaid for five hours of TDT when only two or three hours of actual care were provided. Davis’ company billed excessive hours for nearly every Medicaid recipient almost every day TDT was provided for the entire time IFS operated as a company. Davis’ fraudulent billing scheme caused a loss to Medicaid of at least $218,392. Davis faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. entered the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shea Gibbons and Brian Hood are prosecuting the case. 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. 3:23-cr-135.


title: Two Columbia Men Plead Guilty to Bank Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Two Columbia, Mo., men pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a bank fraud conspiracy that used identity documents stolen from the mail to open fraudulent bank accounts. Chandelle Eugene Marteen, 39, and Jason Lee Patillo, 50, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. to participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Marteen also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft. Marteen and Patillo admitted they participated in the bank fraud conspiracy from July 2021 to March 2023. Marteen admitted that he stole mail from collection boxes and residences, from which he obtained personal and business checks. He forged signatures and altered the checks. Marteen obtained personal identification documents belonging to others and used them to cash or deposit stolen and fraudulent checks. He opened bank accounts using stolen identity documents, deposited stolen and fraudulent checks into the accounts, and withdrew money from the accounts. Patillo admitted that he opened a bank account at Marteen’s instruction and gave him the debit card and account information, which enabled him to deposit stolen, fraudulent checks and withdraw money from the account using cash withdrawals at ATMs and electronic transfers. Under federal statutes, Marteen and Patillo are each subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for the bank fraud conspiracy. Marteen is also subject to a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in federal prison without parole for aggravated identity theft. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.


title: Nationwide Home Healthcare and Hospice Provider to Pay $3.85M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

component: Civil Division

body_text: Intrepid U.S.A. Inc., headquartered in Dallas, and various wholly-owned subsidiaries (Intrepid) have agreed to pay $3,850,000 to resolve allegations that Intrepid violated the False Claims Act in connection with two lines of its business: first, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for home healthcare services for patients who did not qualify for the Medicare home healthcare benefit or where services otherwise did not qualify for Medicare reimbursement; and second, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for patients who did not qualify for the hospice benefit. The settlement is based on Intrepid’s ability to pay. The United States alleged that, between 2016 and 2021, 19 Intrepid home healthcare facilities submitted claims to Medicare for home healthcare services for patients who did not qualify or were not properly certified as eligible for the Medicare home healthcare benefit, where the services provided were not reasonable or medically necessary, where the services were provided by untrained staff, or where services were not performed. Separately, the United States alleged that, between 2016 and 2021, three Intrepid hospice facilities admitted patients to hospice care who were ineligible for the Medicare hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill or continued providing services to patients who should have been discharged because they no longer met the requirements for the Medicare hospice benefit. “Medicare’s hospice and home healthcare benefits provide critical services to vulnerable patient populations across the country,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reflects our commitment to ensuring that these benefits are used to care for those who need them and not just to enrich those who seek to provide them.” “The Medicare Program provides vital health insurance to the elderly and disabled population,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “Our office will vigorously pursue unscrupulous providers who choose to illegally and improperly bill the Medicare Program.” “Businesses who engage in improper Medicare billing practices undercut the legitimate provision of healthcare services for patients in need,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota. “This settlement reinforces the importance of holding accountable health care providers who seek financial gain above quality patient care.” “Home health is designed to increase health care access for our most vulnerable populations with mobility limitations, while hospice care aims to provide comfort and relief for the terminally ill. Exploiting these systems for financial gain is intolerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue health care providers who jeopardize the integrity of these services by prioritizing profit over medically necessary palliative care.” The civil settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act in two different lawsuits. One qui tam action was brought by Jennifer Jones, a former travel nurse, and Pamela Joffe, a former Director of Quality Assessment Performance Improvement and New Business Development, for Intrepid. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Jones v. Intrepid USA Healthcare Inc. , No. 19-sc-2973 (D. Minn.). The second qui tam action was brought by Marsha Rigney, a former Director of Clinical Excellence and Integrity, and Janet Watts, a former Regional Manager of Clinical Excellence, for Intrepid. This qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Rigney v. Intrepid U.S.A. Inc. , No. 3:20-cv-95-RGJ (WDKY). Under the provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Relators Jones and Joffe will receive $333,985 from the settlement proceeds, and Relators Rigney and Watts will receive $359,014 from the settlement proceeds. The resolution of these matters was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. HHS-OIG assisted in the investigations. The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Trial Attorney Anthony Gill of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schecter for the Western District of Kentucky and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rau for the District of Minnesota investigated the matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. Settlement


title: Laredo felon indicted for trafficking fentanyl and possessing various firearms

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A 39-year-old man has been charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal grand jury has now returned a four-count indictment against Rolando Soliz. Previously in custody upon the filing of a criminal complaint Aug. 1, he is set to appear for his arraignment on the indictment in the near future. According to the charges, over the course of two days, law enforcement conducted surveillance on Soliz. During the surveillance, authorities witnessed him allegedly perform multiple hand-to-hand narcotics transactions. Law enforcement stopped one of his customers who they searched and arrested for possession of fentanyl, according to the charges. The charges further allege the customer had previously purchased fentanyl from Soliz. On previous occasions, he had also allegedly seen large quantities of fentanyl in Soliz’s apartment. On July 31, authorities executed two search warrants for properties associated with Soliz and found 10 firearms including a short-barrel rifle with no serial number with modifications to operate as a machine gun, according to the charges. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law. In addition to the firearms, law enforcement allegedly discovered nearly 25 grams of fentanyl and seized $16,311 in U.S. currency. If convicted, Soliz faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $1 million maximum fine. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, Webb County Attorney’s Office and Webb County Constables. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Blackberry Volunteer Fire Chief Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: PIKEVILLE, Ky.— The former Fire Chief of the Blackberry Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) in Pike County, Christopher Chapman, 35, pleaded guilty, on Tuesday, before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell to theft of public funds. In 2021, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, to support communities and local governments that were struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government distributed emergency funding to local governments to maintain vital local services. In Spring 2022, Pike County local government authorized the distribution of $50,000 of these funds through grants that were allocated for the purchase of turnout gear for fire and rescue, along with equipment and building maintenance. Chapman applied for these grants on behalf of BVFD, and the local government awarded the full amount of the grants. According to his plea agreement, on April 11, 2022, Chapman created a company named Rural Public Safety Equipment, LLC. (RPSE), as the sole organizer and member, and registered it with the West Virginia Secretary of State. Chapman then informed members of the BVFD that he could obtain fire safety equipment at cost from a safety equipment company, and he failed to disclose that he was the owner of the company. The fire department pre-paid and ordered $76,854.50 worth of fire and safety equipment from RPSE. Instead of using the prepayments from BVFD to fulfill the orders, Chapman never fulfilled any fire and safety equipment orders, spent all the money on his own personal use, and withdrew $61,500 in cash from the RPSE bank account. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Bruce Roberts, Interim Executive Director, Kentucky Fire Commission, jointly announced the guilty plea. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Fire Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Dunn-Pirio is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States. Chapman is scheduled to appear for sentencing on November 25, 2024. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’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 . — END —


title: NIRP and founder to pay nearly $9M to resolve alleged kickback referral violations

body_text: HOUSTON – National Interventional Radiology Partners PLLC (NIRP) along with its founder and its CEO have agreed to pay to the United States $8,884,091 to resolve Federal False Claims Act (FCA) and Anti-Kickback Statute violation allegations, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The settlement claims NIRP and Dr. Andrew Gomes, 48, Sugar Land, illegally paid physicians for referrals to clinics established to surgically treat patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a circulatory disease which causes plaque build-up in the arteries. It most commonly affects the lower legs of elderly individuals. Beginning in 2015, Gomes established a number of clinics throughout Texas under the NIRP umbrella to surgically treat PAD. Gomes raised capital for these clinics from physicians who had medical practices that would provide a strong patient base for Medicare referrals including primary care physicians, doctors of podiatric medicine and family practitioners. Gomes’ pitch to the investor physicians was that they could ensure high returns on their investment in each surgical center from referring significant numbers of patients for treatment. Gomes told the investing physicians that more patient referrals would lead to more revascularization surgeries and higher profits – which funnels back to the investing physicians as monthly dividends. Gomes also told the physicians that once the surgical centers were up, running and profitable, they could be sold which would create additional value for investors. Surgeries such as arteriograms, angiograms, angioplasties and atherectomies that revascularize the lower limbs of patients with PAD are highly compensated procedures. “Healthcare providers that pursue patient referrals through improper financial arrangements will be held accountable,” said Hamdani. “These types of improper financial arrangements corrupt medical decision making, increase costs and undermine the integrity of federally funded health programs. Patients deserve care based upon their specific medical needs and not on an individual physician’s financial interest or gain.” “Medical providers and others who unlawfully accept kickbacks for patient referrals undermine the integrity of medical decision-making and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG). "We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to hold those who defraud Medicare accountable and restore the integrity of the Medicare trust fund.” “Dr. Gomes and NIRP clearly prioritized greed above the health and well-being of their elderly patients,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “We applaud the qui tam whistleblower who exposed this scheme and encourage others to report illegal medical practices. FBI Houston will continue to identify and investigate those who would undermine the integrity of our healthcare system for their own financial gain.” This civil settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. In this instance, the whistleblower filed his complaint in late 2018, which triggered this investigation. The whistleblower will receive 19 percent of the recovery or $1,687,977. The FCA is one of the most powerful tools that the federal government has in its arsenal combat health care fraud. The investigation and resolution of the allegations was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, DHHS-OIG and FBI. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Bobb and Julie Redlinger handled the case. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Pittsburgh Man Indicted on Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Cocaine Trafficking Charge

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The one-count Indictment named Eric Gerome Clancy, 38, of Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on or about May 15, 2024, Clancy knowingly possessed with intent to distribute crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and a mixture containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Following a stop for traffic violations by Mt. Lebanon police and subsequent search of Clancy’s vehicle, officers discovered nine “bricks” containing a mixture of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Officers also recovered from the vehicle several ounces of crack and powder cocaine, as well as a scale, in addition to finding a large amount of U.S. currency on Clancy. At the time of the offense, Clancy was on federal supervised release following a 90-month sentence in federal prison for a drug trafficking and firearms conviction. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Mt. Lebanon Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. 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. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: 92K Rounds of Ammo Found During Bridge of the Americas Bus Inspection, Drivers Arrested on Smuggling of Goods Charges

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: EL PASO, Texas – Two Mexican national bus drivers were arrested Saturday in El Paso on criminal charges related to their alleged smuggling of firearm ammunition. According to court documents, Lucio Enriquez Garcia, was the driver of a charter bus bearing a Mexico license plate when he approached the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry. Garcia told the Customs and Border Protection officer that he was carrying 16 passengers with some children from Phoenix, Arizona to Zacatecas, Mexico and there were no firearms on board. An assistant bus driver, Ramiro Antonio Barbosa Resendiz, also denied possession of firearms. Further inspection revealed 26 black totes, 11 of which contained 33,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. The remaining 15 totes contained 59,900 rounds of .223 caliber rifle ammunition for a total of 92,900 rounds of ammunition. Garcia and Resendiz made their initial appearances in court Monday and are each charged with one count of smuggling goods from the United States. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations and CBP are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg McDonald is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Shreveport Wholesale Drug Distribution Company Settles with Department of Justice for Failure to Report Suspicious Opioid Orders to DEA

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MORRIS & DICKSON (“M&D”) , a Shreveport-based pharmaceutical distribution company has agreed to a $13.75 million settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. According to the Non-Prosecution Agreement, beginning in January of 2012 and continuing until May of 2018, MORRIS & DICKSON , through its employees and agents, failed to conduct adequate order-level monitoring, and failed to file suspicious order reports with the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”), as required by DEA Regulations. In fact, M&D filed just three suspicious order reports with DEA during the relevant time period. This was the case despite M&D’s employees’ and agents’ awareness not only of the high likelihood that some of M&D’s customers were diverting controlled substances, but also of other circumstances that should have resulted in filing suspicious order reports with DEA. Former M&D customer Wilkinson Family Pharmacy (“Wilkinson”), an independent retail pharmacy in Chalmette, Louisiana, illegally dispensed quantities of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate purpose. Wilkinson filled many opioid related prescriptions, often written by “pill mill” doctors or forged by medical staff and their associates at “pill mill” clinics. Specifically, Wilkinson filled approximately twenty times more opioid prescriptions than either the national or Louisiana average for pharmacy filled opioid prescriptions. M&D was notified that Wilkinson was filling prescriptions for controlled substances far exceeding the national and state average. Although, M&D counseled Wilkinson about its questionable ordering practices, M&D never reported Wilkinson or its arguably suspicious orders to DEA. Additional conditions of the settlement require M&D to enhance its compliance program and internal controls. Finally, DOJ acknowledges the substantial enhancements M&D has made to its compliance program. This prosecution was part of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn McHugh of the Financial Crimes Unit, Nicholas Moses, Health Care Fraud Coordinator, and Narcotics Unit Supervisor, Nolan Paige.


title: Payroll Company Owner Sentenced for Employment Tax Crimes and Embezzling from Employees’ 401(k) Plans

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Maryland woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for not paying employment taxes to the IRS and embezzling from an employee benefit plan. According to court documents and statements made in court, Michelle Leach-Bard, of Lutherville-Timonium, was the owner and sole corporate officer of iProcess Online Inc., a third-party accounting company that specialized in payroll, human resources and bookkeeping. From at least October 2016 through the end of 2021, she was, as iProcess’ sole corporate officer, responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from employees’ wages and paying those taxes to the IRS. Though the taxes were withheld, Leach-Bard did not pay them to the IRS, as she was required to do. In total, Leach-Bard caused a tax loss to the IRS of $2,663,264.12. In addition, iProcess had a Section 401(k) Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan for the benefit of some of its employees. Contributions to the 401(k) Plan were deducted from participating employees’ wages. Beginning in or around 2007, Leach-Bard did not pay those employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan. In total, Leach-Bard did not pay to the 401(k) plan approximately $207,180.41 in employee withholdings. Additionally, Leach-Bard did not make approximately $18,740.37 in employer matching contributions for certain employees. In addition to the term in prison, U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher ordered Leach-Bard to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $2,663,264.12 in restitution to the United States and approximately $207,180.41 in restitution to her former employees. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Catriona Coppler and Jeffrey McLellan of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.


title: Maryland felon pleads guilty to federal firearms offense in Virginia

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Maryland man pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Nov. 8, 2023, Damontae James Garner, 24, of Silver Spring, was driving a stolen Cadillac when Virginia State Police observed him making erratic lane changes. When the trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Garner accelerated. Garner drove the stolen vehicle over stop sticks that had been deployed by another trooper, puncturing the tires and stopping the car when it collided with the rear guard of a parked tractor trailer in a weigh station. Garner and a female passenger got out of the Cadillac and briefly fled on foot before troopers detained them. While conducting an inventory search to tow the Cadillac, a trooper found a backpack containing a 7.62 caliber, semi-automatic firearm loaded with 26 rounds of ammunition. Garner admitted in today’s plea that he possessed the firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Garner cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. Garner is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Wright is prosecuting the case. 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. 3:24-cr-49.


title: Chowan County Jail Escapee Sentenced to Nine Years on Federal Firearms Charges

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – An Albemarle man, who escaped from a Chowan County Jail, was sentenced to 108 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after he was apprehended two days after his escape with a loaded .40 caliber firearm. On April 16, 2024, Russell Heath, age 48, pled guilty to the charge. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Heath escaped from the Chowan County Jail in the evening hours of October 19, 2022. He escaped by placing a correctional officer in a headlock and holding a shank to his neck while threatening to kill him if another correctional officer did not place his cell phone in a trash can. After the officers complied with his orders, Heath locked them in a jail cell and fled after changing into street clothes. On October 21, 2022, Currituck County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a citizen call in Moyock (approximately 50 miles away) regarding a suspicious man, later identified as Heath, who was seen on residential video cameras. Deputies encountered Heath walking in the area and attempted to apprehend him. Heath began backing away and then struggled with deputies. They fell into a ditch where Heath was ultimately tased as he was grabbing towards his waistband. After tasing Heath a second time, Deputies noticed a loaded .40 caliber firearm on the ground near Heath. Deputies were able to safely take Heath into custody at that point. Heath provided a false name and date of birth to deputies. Heath has a lengthy criminal history that includes a 2009 conviction for second-degree kidnapping, and a 2023 conviction for three counts of breaking and entering. Heath has pled guilty to two counts of second-degree kidnapping and one count of felony escape from a local jail in connection with his escape in October 2022. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. Currituck County Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-CR-6-BO-RN.


title: Convicted Felon Is Sentenced To Prison For Reoffending While On Federal Supervised Release

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A previously convicted felon on federal supervised release was sentenced to prison today on drug and gun charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Charles Lee Farmer, 50, of Charlotte, was ordered to serve 46 months in prison followed by three years on supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and possession of multiple firearms by a convicted felon. Additionally, Farmer was ordered to serve a consecutive six-month prison term for violating conditions of his supervised release, for a total sentence of 52 months in prison. According to court documents and court proceedings, Farmer was previously convicted in the Western District of North Carolina for a firearms offense. After serving an active prison term, Farmer was placed on court-ordered supervised release under the U.S. Probation Office. On November 20, 2021, federal probation officers conducted a warrantless search of Farmer’s residence, after they received information that Farmer was dealing narcotics. During the search, probation officers located cocaine and cocaine base, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia, and seized multiple firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition. Farmer remains in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Probation Office in the Western District of North Carolina for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Regina Pack of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Venezuelan National Pleads Guilty to Sanctions Evasion Scheme

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: George Semerene Quintero (Semerene), 60, of Venezuela, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for his role in a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), a Venezuelan state-owned oil company. “This defendant admitted to participating in an illicit scheme to procure millions in aviation equipment for the Maduro regime,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable those who seek to evade export controls and sanctions to prop up rogue authoritarians.” “By lying to U.S. suppliers, falsifying customs forms and creating fake invoices, Semerene helped PDVSA evade U.S. sanctions,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “But, as today’s guilty plea makes clear, what he couldn’t evade are the consequences of breaking U.S. law.” “Today, George Semerene Quintero admitted that he conspired to circumvent economic sanctions and export controls to aid Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela in obtaining critical aircraft parts from the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Together with the BIS and our law enforcement partners, we will continue to ensure that the integrity and intent of U.S. sanctions are preserved. Semerene’s guilty plea reflects our steadfast commitment to holding those who violate sanctions accountable and to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect our nation’s security.” According to court documents, between January 2019 and December 2021, after learning of the sanctions imposed on PDVSA, Semerene and his co-conspirators devised a scheme to illegally procure aircraft parts, including bearings, rudder parts, joint slide flexes and actuators, from the United States to service PDVSA’s aircraft fleet in Venezuela, in violation of U.S. sanctions and export controls. Semerene, who was an employee in PDVSA’s procurement department, and his co-conspirators concealed from U.S. companies that the requested parts were destined for Venezuela and PDVSA, and they utilized freight forwarders and shipping companies located in the Southern District of Florida to move the parts. Semerene and his co-conspirators carried out this scheme by (1) lying to U.S. parts suppliers; (2) making false declarations on customs forms and shipping documents; (3) fabricating supplier invoices; and (4) providing false end-user certificates. Semerene and his co-conspirators further utilized third parties in other countries, including Novax Group SA, a Costa Rican company, Aerofalcon SL, a Spanish company, to serve as the purported purchasers and end users for the aircraft parts ultimately destined for PDVSA. The indictment charging Semerene and nine co-defendants, including three other individuals associated with PDVSA, was unsealed in April, following Semerene’s arrest upon his arrival in the United States. Semerene is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. BIS is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Stratton for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) are prosecuting the case. CES Deputy Chief Matthew McKenzie provided valuable assistance during the investigation.


title: Three New Orleans Men Indicted For Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RYAN JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”) , age 21, BRYAN SPEARS (“SPEARS”) , age 19, and BRYAN TURNER (“TURNER”) , age 19, of New Orleans, were indicted on July 26, 2024 for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. The indictment was unsealed on August 7, 2024. JOHNSON and TURNER are each charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D), (b)(2), and 846, and in Count 2 with conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o). JOHNSON and SPEARS are charged in Count 3, and JOHNSON and TURNER are charged in Count 6, with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D), and (b)(2). JOHNSON and SPEARS are charged in Count 4, and JOHNSON and TURNER are charged in Count 7, with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). SPEARS is additionally charged in Count 5 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). Each of the drug trafficking charges in Counts 1, 3, and 6 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. Count 2, conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Counts 4 and 7, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, both carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. Count 5, felon in possession of a firearm, carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. According to the indictment, JOHNSON and TURNER conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute tapentadol, marijuana, and tramadol, and to possess firearms to further their drug trafficking conspiracy. On or about September 1, 2023, JOHNSON and SPEARS possessed tapentadol and marijuana with the intent to distribute those drugs, and possessed both a Glock Model 23, .40 caliber and a Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of that crime. SPEARS is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions for simple robbery, possession with intent to distribute amphetamine, and illegal carrying of a weapon. On March 28, 2024, JOHNSON and TURNER possessed tapentadol, marijuana, and tramadol with the intent to distribute those drugs, and possessed both a Smith & Wesson Model M&P 15, 5.56 x 45-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Glock Model 27, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Glock Model 48, 9-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol in furtherance of that crime. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant 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. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Drug Trafficker Who Hid Fentanyl Pills In Kid’s Stuffed Animal Sentenced to 8+ Years

body_text: A Dallas drug trafficker who stashed fentanyl pills inside his child’s stuffed bear was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Jorge Miguel Arteaga Medina, 23, was charged via criminal complaint in April 2023 and indicted later that month. He pleaded guilty in February to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ada Brown to 97 months confinement. According to court documents, Mr. Arteaga Medina acquired fentanyl pills from a source of supply in Mexico known to agents as “22” and sold them to customers in the Dallas area. In February 2023, a confidential source bought 171 grams of fentanyl pills from Mr. Arteaga Medina. During the meeting, which was recorded, the defendant advised the source to contact him if he/she needed more fentanyl pills in the future. In April 2023, the confidential source again reached out to Mr. Arteaga Medina and asked to purchase more pills. The defendant said he had roughly 3,000 pills in his possession but would need to contact his superior in Mexico – believed to be “22” – if the source needed more than that. Agents then approached Mr. Arteaga Medina and advised him of their investigation. He readily admitted to having a large quantity of pills in his apartment as well as a Smith & Wesson handgun inside the satchel strapped to his chest. He brought the agents to his apartment, where his wife and small child lived, and showed them the pills. Some were in this bedroom closet, and the remainder were concealed in his child’s stuffed bear. At Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors introduced into evidence photographs of the pills inside the stuffed animal as well as posters Mr. Arteaga Medina kept in his home glorifying “Santa Muerte” (“Our Lady of Holy Death”), the skeletal so-called patron saint of drug dealers. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Leal prosecuted the case. The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF . Additional photographs introduced into evidence at sentencing available upon request.


title: Los Angeles Man Admits Conspiring to Launder Money

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A California man today admitted conspiring to launder money obtained from internet-related fraud, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Charles Singleton, 64, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (Count One). According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From September 2018 to August 2020, Singleton worked with conspirators to launder money obtained through business email compromises, a method of wire fraud often targeting businesses or individuals working on business transactions involving high-dollar wire transactions. The fraud is carried out by compromising, hacking, or “spoofing” legitimate email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to cause employees of a target company, or other individuals involved in legitimate business transactions, to conduct unauthorized transfers of funds, most often to accounts controlled by the fraud perpetrators. Singleton opened several business bank accounts in the names of companies he controlled and received proceeds of wire fraud in those accounts. Singleton and his conspirators then withdrew and transferred money from various bank accounts and shared among themselves the account information of bank accounts. Singleton also executed at least one fraudulent contract with a conspirator for a wire of $70,000. As part of the plea, Singleton agreed to forfeit over $1.1 million constituting proceeds derived from the conspiracy. The charge of money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved in the transfer, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2025. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Woodland Park Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Farhana C. Melo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark. singleton.indictment.pdf


title: Jackson Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a man who sold fentanyl to a federal informant to 12 years in prison. Rodney G. Harris, 45, of Jackson, Missouri, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and admitted that he sold fentanyl to an individual in Cape Girardeau County twice in 2022. Unbeknownst to Harris at the time, the individual purchasing the fentanyl was working as an informant for law enforcement officials. According to court documents, Harris has multiple felony convictions, including several convictions for methamphetamine-trafficking offenses. At the time he sold the fentanyl, Harris was on parole supervision through the State of Missouri stemming from a 2013 conviction for distributing methamphetamine. After serving the 12-year sentence, Harris will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release. This case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office, the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration . Assistant United States Attorney Jack Koester handled the prosecution for the Government.


title: Ocala Man Indicted For Attempting To Entice A 15-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jhon Astudillo (45, Ocala) with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Astudillo faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. According to court documents, on July 24, 2024, an undercover detective with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging application. Astudillo contacted the undercover detective’s account, and after learning the fictitious minor was 15 years old, Astudillo responded, “I like young girls like you.” Astudillo then sent multiple sexually explicit messages to the “child.” Astudillo told her that he likes young girls because they are “perverted;” he described what he has done sexually with girls her age; he inquired about what she has done sexually with older men; and he asked to see her breasts so he could “rate” them. Astudillo arranged to meet the “child” that night at a predetermined location in Marion County. When Astudillo arrived at the location, he was arrested by law enforcement. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Hays County man sentenced to Life in federal prison for sexually exploiting children online

body_text: PLANO, Texas – A San Marcos man has been sentenced to Life in federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Christopher Scott Little, 48, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of minors and was sentenced to Life in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan on August 19, 2024. According to information presented in court, in the summer of 2021, a child living in North Texas reported being extorted by individuals online. The Texas Rangers and FBI began investigating and discovered that Little had been targeting the child in North Texas from his residence in San Marcos. At the time of his arrest, Little was found to be communicating with hundreds of individuals on social media applications, most of whom appeared to be minors. In each conversation, Little used the same strategy – identifying himself as a young girl named “Amber,” who was deaf and mute, and thus unable to engage in videochatting. Amber would then coerce and entice the children into taking pictures of their nude bodies and recording videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Amber also introduced the children to her cousin, “Brandon,” also actually Little, and encouraged the children to sexually submit to Brandon in order to please Amber. If the children refused to comply, Amber and Brandon threatened them with harm, including threatening to kill the children and their families. To date, 10 children have been identified as Little’s victims. Little has been convicted of multiple offenses against children, stretching back almost 20 years. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller. ###


component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: Defendant Conspired to Unlawfully Export Millions of Dollars’ Worth of Aircraft Parts from the United States to Venezuela’s State-Owned Oil Company Through Costa Rica and Spain MIAMI - George Semerene Quintero (Semerene), 60, of Venezuela, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to violate the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) for his role in a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), a Venezuelan state-owned oil company. “Today, George Semerene Quintero admitted that he conspired to circumvent economic sanctions and export controls to aid Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela in obtaining critical aircraft parts from the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Together with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and our law enforcement partners, we will continue to ensure that the integrity and intent of U.S. sanctions are preserved. Semerene’s guilty plea reflects our steadfast commitment to holding those who violate sanctions accountable and to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect our nation’s security.” “This defendant admitted to participating in an illicit scheme to procure millions in aviation equipment for the Maduro regime,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable those who seek to evade export controls and sanctions to prop up rogue authoritarians.” “By lying to U.S. suppliers, falsifying customs forms and creating fake invoices, Semerene helped PDVSA evade U.S. sanctions,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. “But, as today’s guilty plea makes clear, what he couldn’t evade are the consequences of breaking U.S. law.” According to court documents, between January 2019 and December 2021, after learning of the sanctions imposed on PDVSA, Semerene and his co-conspirators devised a scheme to illegally procure aircraft parts, including bearings, rudder parts, joint slide flexes and actuators, from the United States to service PDVSA’s aircraft fleet in Venezuela, in violation of U.S. sanctions and export controls. Semerene, who was an employee in PDVSA’s procurement department, and his co-conspirators concealed from U.S. companies that the requested parts were destined for Venezuela and PDVSA and utilized freight forwarders and shipping companies located in the Southern District of Florida to move the parts. Semerene and his co-conspirators carried out this scheme by (1) lying to U.S. parts suppliers; (2) making false declarations on customs forms and shipping documents; (3) fabricating supplier invoices; and (4) providing false end-user certificates. Semerene and his co-conspirators further utilized third parties in other countries, including Novax Group SA (Novax), a Costa Rican Aerofalcon SL (Aerofalcon), a Spanish company, to serve as the purported purchasers and end users for the aircraft parts ultimately destined for PDVSA. The indictment charging Semerene and nine co-defendants, including three other individuals associated with PDVSA, was unsealed in April, following Semerene’s arrest upon his arrival in the United States. Semerene is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. BIS is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Stratton for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) are prosecuting the case. CES Deputy Chief Matthew McKenzie provided valuable assistance during the investigation. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 21-CR-20589. ###


title: Nationwide Home Healthcare and Hospice Provider to Pay $3.85M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: WASHINGTON – Intrepid U.S.A. Inc., headquartered in Dallas, and various wholly-owned subsidiaries (Intrepid) have agreed to pay $3,850,000 to resolve allegations that Intrepid violated the False Claims Act in connection with two lines of its business: first, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for home healthcare services for patients who did not qualify for the Medicare home healthcare benefit or where services otherwise did not qualify for Medicare reimbursement; and second, that Intrepid knowingly submitted claims to Medicare for patients who did not qualify for the hospice benefit. The settlement is based on Intrepid's ability to pay. The United States alleged that, between 2016 and 2021, 19 Intrepid home healthcare facilities submitted claims to Medicare for home healthcare services for patients who did not qualify or were not properly certified as eligible for the Medicare home healthcare benefit, where the services provided were not reasonable or medically necessary, where the services were provided by untrained staff, or where services were not performed. Separately, the United States alleged that, between 2016 and 2021, three Intrepid hospice facilities admitted patients to hospice care who were ineligible for the Medicare hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill or continued providing services to patients who should have been discharged because they no longer met the requirements for the Medicare hospice benefit. “Medicare’s hospice and home healthcare benefits provide critical services to vulnerable patient populations across the country,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reflects our commitment to ensuring that these benefits are used to care for those who need them and not just to enrich those who seek to provide them.” “The Medicare Program provides vital health insurance to the elderly and disabled population,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “Our office will vigorously pursue unscrupulous providers who choose to illegally and improperly bill the Medicare Program.” “Businesses who engage in improper Medicare billing practices undercut the legitimate provision of healthcare services for patients in need,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota. “This settlement reinforces the importance of holding accountable health care providers who seek financial gain above quality patient care.” “Home health is designed to increase health care access for our most vulnerable populations with mobility limitations, while hospice care aims to provide comfort and relief for the terminally ill. Exploiting these systems for financial gain is intolerable,” said Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue health care providers who jeopardize the integrity of these services by prioritizing profit over medically necessary palliative care.” The civil settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act in two different lawsuits. One qui tam action was brought by Jennifer Jones, a former travel nurse, and Pamela Joffe, a former Director of Quality Assessment Performance Improvement and New Business Development, for Intrepid. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Jones v. Intrepid USA Healthcare Inc. , No. 19-sc-2973 (D. Minn.). The second qui tam action was brought by Marsha Rigney, a former Director of Clinical Excellence and Integrity, and Janet Watts, a former Regional Manager of Clinical Excellence, for Intrepid. This qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Rigney v. Intrepid U.S.A. Inc. , No. 3:20-cv-95-RGJ (WDKY). Under the provisions of the False Claims Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Relators Jones and Joffe will receive $333,985 from the settlement proceeds, and Relators Rigney and Watts will receive $359,014 from the settlement proceeds. The resolution of these matters was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. HHS-OIG assisted in the investigations. The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Trial Attorney Anthony Gill of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schecter for the Western District of Kentucky and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rau for the District of Minnesota investigated the matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. Settlement ###


title: Ponchatoula Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling from Employer

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that today, ANGELA C. MITCHELL (“MITCHELL”) , age 49, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana pled guilty to access device fraud, for embezzling from a Covington company (“Company A”) where she worked, from October 2016 to June 2018. U.S. District Judge Greg G. Guidry scheduled MITCHELL’s sentencing for November 26, 2024. According to court documents, MITCHELL diverted approximately $116,998.70 to herself from Company A by, among other things, fraudulently transferring funds from Company A’s bank accounts via electronic transfers and by drafting unauthorized checks to herself. MITCHELL committed the fraud during her employment, and continued illegally accessing Company A’s accounts after she was terminated in June 2018. If convicted, MITCHELL faces up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000.00 fine or the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Security Investigations - New Orleans Field Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne, of the Financial Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Federal Inmate Indicted For Possession With The Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Jessie Wooden (36, Miami) on a two-count indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of contraband by a federal prisoner. If convicted, Wooden faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A federal grand jury had returned the indictment on Wooden on May 28, 2024. According to the indictment, on March 10, 2024, Wooden was a federal inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex. He possessed at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. He also was in possession of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (a Schedule I controlled substance), and buprenorphine (a Schedule III controlled substance). An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being prosecuted as part of a United States Department of Justice task force aimed at rooting out contraband and misconduct in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The task force was led by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the DOJ Office of the Inspector General, with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.


title: Scrap metal dealer pleads guilty in multi-state catalytic converter theft conspiracy

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A North Carolina scrap metal dealer pled guilty today to theft and tax charges related to his participation in a multi-state catalytic converter theft conspiracy. According to court documents, Theodore Nicholas Papouloglou, 45, used his business, DG Auto South in Emporia, Virginia to purchase stolen catalytic converters from thieves. Papouloglou then transported the stolen catalytic converters to his co-conspirators in New Jersey for shipment of the catalytic metals to Japan. In 2020 and 2021, Papouloglou received over $12.2 million in wired payments from his co-conspirators in New Jersey, including for proceeds from his illicit sale of catalytic converters. Papouloglou spent the money he received from DG Auto South on personal expenses, such as purchasing real estate and a luxury motorcycle for his girlfriend and to gamble at casinos in Las Vegas. Despite realizing income from DG Auto South, Papouloglou paid no taxes in 2020 and 2021. Papouloglou separately helped his co-conspirators in New Jersey to purchase stolen catalytic converters from other sellers, including sellers in Texas and Oklahoma, by facilitating bulk cash payments. The total value of the funds that Papouloglou illicitly transferred was at least $6.6 million. Law enforcement seized and Papouloglou agreed to forfeit various vehicles associated with the offense: (1) 2021 Ford F250 (Roush) (2) 2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport (Apocalypse) (3) 2017 Lamborghini Huracan (Convertible) (4) 2020 McLaren 720s (Convertible) (5) 2021 Mercedes-AMG G63 (6) 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista (7) 2021 McLaren 765LT (8) 2021 Ford F450 (Super Duty) Catalytic converters, which reduce toxic gas and pollutants from a vehicle’s exhaust system, use precious metals in their centers, or “cores,” and are regularly targeted for theft due to the high value of these metals, especially palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Some of these are more valuable per ounce than gold, and the black-market price for catalytic converters can be above $1,000. A catalytic converter can be stolen from an automobile undercarriage in less than a minute. Papouloglou is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kareem A. Carter, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Washington D.C. Field Office; and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi Panth and Kashan K. Pathan are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section assisted with the prosecution. 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. 3:24-cr-42.


title: Assistant Pastor Convicted At Trial For $800,000 Investment Scheme Is Sentenced To Prison

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Michael Mandel Baldwin, 55, of Alexandria, Virginia, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on charges of wire fraud and securities fraud, for orchestrating an $800,000 investment scheme, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jason Byrnes, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to trial evidence, witness testimony, and filed court documents, from 2009 to 2021, Baldwin served as Assistant Pastor and Musical Director for a church in Northern Virginia, and Chief Executive Officer of the Miracle Mansion, LLC (Miracle Mansion). Trial evidence established that Baldwin used his position of trust within the church and fake promotional material to promote his investment scheme to victims that included churches, congregation members, and individual investors. To convince victims to invest in the Miracle Mansion project, Baldwin repeatedly lied about the viability, legitimacy, and success of the project, and used the names of well-known corporations and organizations to falsely claim they had endorsed the project. According to evidence presented at trial, Baldwin solicited investments from a Charlotte-area church and its congregation members, as well as other entities located throughout the United States, including in Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia. As part of the fraud, Baldwin’s promotional material falsely described Miracle Mansion as “a one-of-a-kind entertainment complex that [would] reshape the face of family entertainment in the Washington Metropolitan region,” with a mission that “promotes family-focused inspiration, entertainment and enrichment anchored by a Biblical worldview.” To promote the scheme, Baldwin held in-person and virtual meetings with potential investors, during which he falsely claimed the investors’ money would be used to develop, create, and construct Miracle Mansion, including to purchase the land on which Miracle Mansion would be built. According to witness testimony, in furtherance of the scheme, Baldwin presented to investors several investment opportunities, including “GroundSwell 73,” which he described as “73 acres = 7,300 people, investing $73 per month, for 73 months.” As court documents reflect, Baldwin lied to victims and would-be investors that The Kennedy Center and high-level executives at Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A had endorsed and supported Miracle Mansion. However, contrary to Baldwin’s claims, high-level executives with Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A testified at trial that they neither knew nor supported Baldwin and his project. Rather than using the victims’ money to create, develop, and construct Miracle Mansion as promised, Baldwin spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his personal lifestyle, including to pay for personal expenses, travel, gym memberships, and meals at restaurants. He also made large credit card payments and cash withdrawals. Baldwin also used a portion of the victims’ money to pay others involved in Miracle Mansion, and to make Ponzi style payments to some of the investors who were questioning the status and the legitimacy of the project. At today’s sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors contended that Baldwin preyed on his victims’ religious affiliations, charitable inclinations, and trust in the defendant as a friend and religious advisor and noted that Baldwin inflicted emotional and spiritual harm on his victims. Baldwin will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney King thanked the U.S. Secret Service for leading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caryn Finley and Kenneth Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.


title: Former Sutter County Church Administrator Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chanell Easton, 38, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to five years and one month in prison for a multi‑year embezzlement scheme, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. In October 2023, Easton pleaded guilty to 22 counts of wire fraud, and on March 5, 2024, and following a bench trial, she was found guilty of on two counts of aggravated identity theft. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2013 to 2018, Easton worked as the church administrator at a church in Yuba City. During her employment, Easton stole over $360,000 from the church, including from its food pantry and youth ministry, during a years-long embezzlement scheme. Easton used credit cards associated with the church to make personal purchases — at a hair salon, retail stores, online retailers, a vacation rental service, and to buy VIP concert tickets — and then paid off the resulting balance with the church’s money. One of the credit cards Easton used during her scheme belonged to the church’s youth minister, and Easton used his identity to make thousands of dollars in unauthorized personal purchases on Zappos.com. Easton’s use of the youth minister’s identity allowed her to obscure her embezzlement and to shift suspicion away from herself, thereby allowing her fraudulent scheme to continue. Easton also transferred money directly from the church’s bank accounts to her own personal account, paid down the balance of her own personal credit card, and paid her cellphone provider for her personal bills and for new phones. Easton also stole money from the church by writing checks to others for personal expenses and by writing checks to herself, on which she forged the signatures of the church’s treasurer or the head volunteer of the church’s food pantry. A hearing to determine restitution was set for Nov. 19, 2024. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong prosecuted the case.


title: Buffalo man arrested on gun and drug charges

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Raekwon Gordon, 25, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activities, and being a felon in possession of a gun. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Jacovetti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 5, 2024, Buffalo Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Bailey Avenue. The vehicle did not comply and fled. Throughout the pursuit, the vehicle was driven in a reckless manner, passing vehicles and ignoring traffic lights, and at a high rate of speed. Officers managed to follow the vehicle until it parked in the driveway of Roslyn Street residence. Officers discovered a loaded firearm in the front yard of the house next door, which they believe was likely thrown from the front passenger side of the vehicle. A second loaded machine gun was recovered on the sidewalk down the street. Gordon and two other individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Officers recovered 336 fentanyl pills from the vehicle and $5,526 in cash from Gordon. Subsequent investigation determined that Gordon’s DNA was present on the machinegun. In 2018 and 2022, Gordon was convicted of felony charges and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Gordon made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan miller, New York Field Division. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Previously Convicted Bank Robber Sentenced To 14 Years For Committing Three New Bank Robberies

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Kevin Maurice Lawson, age 55, of Baltimore Maryland, to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing three-armed bank robberies. Lawson committed all three robberies while he was in a residential reentry program serving the remainder of his federal sentence for a 2004 conviction for armed bank robbery. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department (“BPD”). According to his plea agreement, Lawson committed three-armed bank robberies in Baltimore between June 6 and July 18, 2022, utilizing a black air gun in each robbery. In the first robbery on June 6, 2022, Lawson robbed a bank in the 100 block of East Baltimore Street in Baltimore. As he did in each of the robberies, Lawson entered the bank wearing a surgical mask and gloves. He approached a bank employee seated at a desk on the banking floor, displayed what appeared to be a dark semiautomatic handgun in his waistband, and ordered the employee to the teller line. Lawson held the employee against the teller glass and demanded money from the victim teller, who passed cash to Lawson. Lawson took the money and fled the bank on foot. As further detailed in his plea agreement, on June 27, 2022, Lawson robbed a bank in the 5400 block of Harford Road in Baltimore. Lawson approached two bank employees seated at desks on the banking floor, displayed the handgun in his waistband, and ordered the employees to the teller line. Lawson ordered the first bank employee to demand cash from the victim teller who then passed cash to the first employee. Lawson again took the money and fled on foot. In the third instance, on July 18, 2022, Lawson robbed a bank in the 3200 block of West North Avenue in Baltimore. Lawson ambushed a security guard, and repeatedly struck her on her head with his weapon as he ordered bank employees to provide him with cash. Throughout the course of the assault of the security guard, Lawson attempted to disarm her. Bank employees behind the teller line, fearing for the safety of the security guard and their own safety, passed cash through the teller line barrier glass to Lawson. When Lawson went to the counter to get the money, the security guard fired rounds from her duty weapon at Lawson before the weapon jammed. Lawson was not hit and fled the scene in a gray Kia. BPD patrol units eventually located the vehicle after it crashed into the exterior wall of a vacant rowhome. A search of the Kia yielded clothing and gloves identical to that worn in the bank robberies, as well as documents linked to Lawson, including a Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate identification card. Lawson was arrested on July 22, 2022. Further investigation revealed that in 2003, Lawson had robbed banks on West North Avenue and Harford Road. U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI and BPD for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Michael Aubin, who is prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.


title: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Returns 5 Indictments  Charging 37 Defendants with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

body_text: Charges Include Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Fentanyl Louisville, KY – On August 6, 2024, a federal grand jury in Louisville charged a total of 37 defendants from across Kentucky and California in five separate indictments involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking offenses and firearms offenses. The indictments were the result of a lengthy investigation conducted as part of the Organized Crime and Drug and Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Sheila G. Lyons of the DEA Chicago Field Division and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon of the DEA Indianapolis District Office, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the Cincinnati Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Chief Art Ealum of the Owensboro Police Department made the announcement. According to the first indictment, 14 defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. The defendants charged in the first indictment are: D’Andre Williams , 40, of Adelanto, California, Djuan Truss , 42, of Louisville, Rayshawn Spearman Sr. , 39, of Louisville, Elmondo Elliott , 55, of Los Angeles, California, Desmond Knox , 50, of Menifree, California, Rayshawn Spearman Jr. , 26, of Louisville, Brandan Arnold , 42, of Louisville, Antonio Arnold , 44, of Louisville, Dwayne Evans , 35, of Louisville, Melanie Surrell , 45, of Louisville, Antionio Evan s, 42, of Louisville, Davonte Hoskins , 28, of Louisville, Gardner Webb , 31, of Louisville, and Tanaja Lee , 23, of Louisville. Williams , Truss , Spearman Sr. , and Elliott are also each charged with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. According to a federal criminal complaint filed in relation to these charges on July 7, 2024, members of the DEA Evansville Resident Office and Louisville Division Office received information from a confidential source regarding the possible distribution of large quantities of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine. Through follow up investigation, members of the surveillance team observed a transaction between Williams and Truss at a Love’s gas station in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. According to the complaint affidavit, members of the Kentucky State Police made contact with Williams and Truss and conducted further investigation. Law enforcement ultimately seized cardboard boxes containing approximately 252.9 pounds of methamphetamine and 12 kilograms of cocaine. According to the second indictment, 8 defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants charged in the second indictment are: Richard Boarman , 48, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Joshua Estap , 40, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Justin Riley , 41, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Bobby Douglas , 56, of Lexington, Kentucky, Jamie Voyles , 44, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Gregory Nuckols , 61, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Zachariah Nance , 44, of Utica, Kentucky, and Hope Warsinsky , 39, of Owensboro, Kentucky. According to the third indictment, 3 defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants charged in the third indictment are: Cameron Jackson , 24, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Damone McGuire , 29, of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Tyler Vinson , 32, of Owensboro, Kentucky. Jackson is also with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to the indictment, on May 1, 2024, Jackson possessed a Trail Blazer Arms .22 caliber pistol, a Taurus 9-millimeter pistol, a Zastava Arms .762 caliber pistol, and ammunition. Jackson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On December 16, 2019, in Daviess Circuit Court, Daviess County, Kentucky, Jackson was convicted of manslaughter in the second degree, receiving a stolen firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, first offense (methamphetamine). According to the fourth indictment, 8 defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as March 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants charged in the fourth indictment are: Jason Salyer , 50, of Louisville, Julia Parrish , 53, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Jonathan Hawkins , 43, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Jeramey Hawkins , 46, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Timothy Roach , 37, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Charles Nelson , 41, of Utica, Kentucky, and Joe Turner , 46, of Owensboro, Kentucky. According to the fifth indictment, 4 defendants are all charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Beginning as early as May 2023 and continuing through August 5, 2024, the defendants conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants charged in the fifth indictment are: Diana Miranda , 38, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Deandre Williams , 27, of Louisville, Timothy Roberts , 46, of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Shalonna Slaughters , 57, of Owensboro, Kentucky. Thirty-one of the 37 defendants have been arrested or are otherwise in custody. Twenty-six defendants have made their initial court appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky or the Central District of California. Six defendants, Jackson , Williams , Truss , Jeramey Hawkins , Hoskins , and Bermudez are currently in state custody and will make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at a future date. The following defendants have not yet been arrested: Brandan Arnold , Webb , Lee , and Williams . If convicted, each of the defendants except Jackson face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Jackson faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. All the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. The cases are being investigated by the DEA, IRS-CI, and the Owensboro Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, the Kentucky State Police, the Indiana State Police, the Louisville Metro Police Department, the Evansville Police Department, the DEA Evansville Resident Office River City Drug Task Force – Indiana HIDTA, and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Dahl and Josh Porter are prosecuting the cases. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ####