title: Rhode Island Man Sentenced on Felony Charge  For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: Press release issued by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia WASHINGTON - A Rhode Island man was sentenced today on a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Bernard Joseph Sirr, 47, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, was sentenced to two months in prison, followed by 12 months of probation with six months of home confinement, and restitution of $2,000 for assaulting resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and obstruction of an official proceeding. He pleaded guilty on January 27, 2023 in the District of Columbia. According to court documents, on Jan. 6, Sirr was among rioters who illegally entered the Capitol grounds. He joined a line of rioters that was engaged in a confrontation with law enforcement officers in the tunnel area of the Lower West Terrace. At approximately 3:08 p.m., Sirr entering the tunnel area of the Lower West Terrace and joined rioters in assaulting officers at the front of the police line that law enforcement was using to push against the rioters who were assaulting them. Video showed Sirr pushing against the police line with his hand pressed against a police shield and participating in a struggle with a group of rioters as they moved together as a team against law enforcement. At 3:14 p.m., Sirr exited the tunnel and reappeared an hour later, at the Lower West Terrace doorway, joining with other rioters who were pushing against police officers before being ejected from the tunnel area. Sirr was arrested on June 29, 2022 in North Kingstown, RI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Boston Division and its Providence Resident Agency. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Rhode Island State Police and North Kingstown Police Department along with the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department. In the 28 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.


title: Man involved in Violent Robberies of AT&T Stores Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEX JOSEPHS, 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment for his involvement in a spree of violent robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, Josephs, Shaquille Raymond, Ronaldo Smith, and Deshawn Baugh committed several violent armed robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. The perpetrators typically entered the stores shortly before closing, pointed weapons at employees, and, at times, pistol-whipped, dragged and shoved employees toward the back inventory room. They then held the employees at gunpoint while loading large bags with cell phones and other electronics. The group stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise. Saviana Bourne, who worked at AT&T stores, helped plan the robberies, served as a getaway driver, and coordinated the sale of the stolen merchandise. The investigation revealed that Josephs, Raymond, and Smith robbed AT&T stores in Newington on January 29, 2021, and Enfield on February 24, 2021. Baugh then joined the conspiracy and together they robbed an AT&T store in Canton on April 15, 2021, and attempted to rob stores in Torrington and Glastonbury in May 2021, but were locked out of the stores. On June 6, 2021, Josephs and his associates, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, two revolvers, and a semiautomatic rifle, robbed an AT&T store in West Springfield, Massachusetts. After the robbery, they fled in a vehicle driven by Bourne, who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when their vehicle collided with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser. Josephs, Raymond, Smith, Baugh, and Bourne were arrested, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than $150,000 in stolen merchandise, as well as the firearms used during the robbery. Judge Underhill ordered Josephs to pay restitution of $298,073.86, which reflects the losses from the Newington, Enfield, and Canton robberies. The property stolen in the West Springfield robbery was recovered. Josephs has been detained since his arrest. On November 30, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Raymond, Smith, Baugh, and Bourne also pleaded guilty. On March 1, 2023, Baugh was sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution of $124,842.45, which reflects the loss from the Canton robbery. On March 29, 2023, Raymond was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment and Bourne was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment. Raymond and Bourne were also ordered to pay restitution of $298,073.86. Smith awaits sentencing. Josephs and Raymond, who are citizens of Jamaica, face immigration proceedings when they are released from prison. This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police and the Newington, Enfield, Canton, Torrington, Glastonbury, and West Springfield Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.


title: Miami Church Pastor Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Paycheck Protection Program

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Elie Floradin, 59, the self-described head pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for participating in a fraudulent scheme seeking more than $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Floradin caused an intermediary to repeatedly file false and fraudulent PPP applications, which sought federal COVID-19 assistance funds for companies that did not exist. Among these was a fake employment agency through which Floradin claimed to pay approximately $960,000 in yearly wages to dozens of employees when, in fact, no such business existed. After successfully receiving an initial PPP loan of approximately $200,000, Floradin caused the submission of three (3) more fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of his non-existent hiring agency, seeking approximately $600,000 in additional PPP loans—though these additional funds were denied. Following Floradin’s guilty plea, however, the government learned of yet another prior fraudulent PPP loan, successfully filed on behalf of yet another corporate entity under Floradin’s name, causing the disbursement of approximately $336,000 in additional PPP funds to Floradin. At sentencing, Floradin admitted that he fraudulently applied for more than $1 million, and that he received more than half that amount, in fraudulently obtained COVID-19 assistance funds. In addition to his sentence of imprisonment, Floradin was ordered to pay back $535,996 in the form of restitution to the United States. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Morini Jr. of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Southern Field Division, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez. TIGTA Southern Field Division investigated the case, along with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR), Bureau of Financial Investigations (BFI), Miami Region. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo Gardea Jr. prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annika Miranda and Peter Laserna are handling asset forfeiture. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act’s PPP program allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds had to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and used at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses. 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 . On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here. 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 . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-20361. ###


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Nelson County Man for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on May 17, 2023, charging a Nelson County man with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Kim Kraeszig of the Bardstown Police Department made the announcement. According to the indictment, Dustin Stump, 30, of Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On May 4, 2023, Stump possessed an American Tactical, 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition. Stump was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On April 5, 2019, in Nelson Circuit Court, Stump was convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, wanton endangerment in the first-degree police officer, and receiving stolen property, a firearm. On September 22, 2017, in Nelson County Circuit Court, Stump was convicted of theft by unlawful taking or disposition automobile $500 or more but under $10,000. The defendant made his initial court appearance yesterday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, Stump faces a maximum sentence of 15 years 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. This case is being investigated by the ATF and the Bardstown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Porter is prosecuting 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. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Partners With Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools To Host Summit For High School Students As Part Of “United Against Hate” Initiative

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that her Office partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to host a youth engagement summit for high school students, as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office “United Against Hate” (UAH) initiative. Approximately 150 students selected from Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schools attended the summit, which was held at Queens University Sports Complex and Conference Center. The goal of the summit was to provide instruction and information to students on identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes and other civil rights violations; encourage students to share their experiences and exchange ideas on how to promote a positive environment within their schools; and help students develop solutions for building inclusive and equitable schools for everyone. “Today, we empowered our students to think as future leaders in our communities. We challenged them to understand their role as agents for change. And we dared them to dream of building a society where hate has no place. I call upon all students to find their voice and speak out against hate wherever they see it – even when it’s not directed at them. I also urge students to reject hate and to join me in making inclusion and equality our common goal and our shared responsibility.” Dena J. King, United States Attorney Over the course of the program, students were presented information by Alex Pyun, with Mecklenburg County Community Support Services; Haeley Robinson with Time Out Youth; John Coucelman with CMS; and Daniel Cervantes with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. During the program’s interactive group sessions, students discussed their concerns about their schools’ current culture and brainstormed on ways to help support each other and their classmates in creating a better school experience. Students were also challenged to think about how they can best utilize the information they acquired to develop action plans to address the needs of their schools. Today’s summit was part of a series of planned outreach and educational events conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of the Justice Department’s UAH initiative , a nationwide program created to combat the rise in unlawful acts of hate. On May 27, 2021, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a memorandum on improving the Justice Department’s efforts to combat unlawful acts of hate, and emphasized the need to actively engage in outreach and educational efforts centered around hate crimes. In the Western District of North Carolina, the UAH initiative comprises a series of events focusing on community groups at risk of being targeted in hate crimes and incidents of hate. The goal is to give participants an opportunity to directly connect with federal prosecutors and law enforcement to increase community understanding of hate crimes and hate incidents; provide a mechanism for reporting potential hate crimes and civil rights violations; build trust between law enforcement and communities; and create and strengthen alliances with government partners and community groups to combat unlawful acts of hate. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked Queens University for hosting the summit and giving the students an opportunity to gather, and Pivotal Health Solutions for providing mental health resources for the students. U.S. Attorney King also thanked Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Time Out Youth, and Mecklenburg County Community Support Services for their participation and support of this important initiative. In the coming months, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold additional UAH events to engage with more communities throughout the Western District of North Carolina.


title: Amite Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Dogfighting Charge

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On May 17, 2023, DAVID GUIDRY , age 48, a resident of Amite, Louisiana, pled guilty to Count Three of a seven-count indictment, charging him with possession of an animal for an animal fighting venture, in violation of Title 7, United States Code, Section 2156(b), Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2 and 49(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. GUIDRY faces a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. According to court records, in 2017, federal and state law enforcement investigated narcotics-trafficking in the Eastern and Middle Districts of Louisiana. In the summer of 2017, an investigation led law enforcement to information that GUIDRY was hosting dogfights at his residence in Independence, Louisiana. On October 24, 2017, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at GUIDRY’s residence, in Independence, Louisiana. During the search, law enforcement discovered that GUIDRY possessed seven pit bull-type dogs that were restrained using heavy chains and isolated from one another, a “break stick,” a device used by dogfighters to pry open the jaw of a dog involved in a dogfight, a veterinary antibiotic intended for large farm animals, and a syringe. After being advised of his legal rights, GUIDRY consented to an interview and admitted ownership of the seven, pit bull-type dogs. GUIDRY forfeited ownership of the dogs. United States District Judge, Jane Triche Milazzo, will sentence GUIDRY on September 6, 2023. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is being prosecuted by Matthew Evans of the U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit .


title: Niles Physician Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances and Healthcare Fraud

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: CLEVELAND – Jeffrey Sutton, 65, of Niles, Ohio, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko, after he pleaded guilty to illegally prescribing patients opioids and other controlled substances, illegally distributing controlled substances and healthcare fraud. Sutton was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release, a $5,200 special assessment, a $20,000 fine, and restitution of $148,870.79. According to court documents, from January 2015 through January 2022, Sutton knowingly prescribed medically unnecessary controlled substances to patients outside of the usual course of professional practice and without legitimate medical purpose. In doing so, Sutton fraudulently billed health care benefit programs for office visits and the controlled substances illegally dispensed. Sutton also admitted to engaging in sexual acts with patients to whom he directly prescribed controlled substances, including during office visits. He also admitted to delivering dozens of oxycodone pills to the home of one of his patients with whom he was engaged in a relationship, outside the course of treatment and without a valid prescription. The investigation was conducted by the Cleveland offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison.


title: Las Vegas Resident Sentenced To Prison For Distribution of Fentanyl And Possession Of Machine Guns

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 6 ½ years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for selling machine gun conversion devices and thousands of pills laced with fentanyl. According to court documents, on or about December 16, 2021, Anthony Rivas (23) sold four machine gun conversion devices. On that same day, he sold about 100 pills containing fentanyl. In January and February of 2022, Rivas sold a multi-caliber rifle modified with a machine gun conversion device, and 3,000 pills containing fentanyl. Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 80-100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. A few milligrams of fentanyl, which is equivalent to a few grains of table salt, may be deadly. Rivas pleaded guilty in February 2023 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-fentanyl and illegal possession of a machine gun. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Las Vegas District Office, and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. This case was investigated by the DEA, ATF, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith prosecuted the case. This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States, using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . If you have information about illegal firearms activity, submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app. ###


title: Gardner Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Gardner man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 in federal court in Worcester for distributing and possessing child pornography. Michael Irons, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Jan. 27, 2023, Irons pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. During a search of Iron’s residence in July 2020, two cell phones were discovered in Iron’s bedroom – belonging to him – that a preliminary search revealed to contain approximately 500 videos and over 1,000 images of child pornography. It was determined that Irons used an application called Kik Messenger to distribute child pornography; in the application, Irons participated in a group chat where he distributed and encouraged other members to upload child pornography. Irons also had a Snapchat account, which Irons used to solicit nude photographs and videos from purported minors. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Gardner and Worcester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun and Kaitlin J. Brown of Levy’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Louisville Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine and Heroin Trafficking

body_text: Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced yesterday for methamphetamine and heroin trafficking. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge J. Todd Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents, Myron L. Daniels, 40, was sentenced to 5 years in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for possessing with the intent to distribute a methamphetamine mixture and a heroin mixture in Jefferson County Kentucky. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by the DEA and the Louisville Metro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin McKenzie and Marisa Ford prosecuted the case. ###


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to More than Eight Years in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution Offenses and Possessing a Loaded Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number

body_text: BOSTON – A Somerville man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 for distributing fentanyl and subsequently possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute while being illegally in possession of a loaded firearm. Tevon Ngomba, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 97 months in prison and four years of supervised release. In November 2022, Ngomba pleaded guilty to one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. On July 16, 2020, less than two months following his release from state prison, Ngomba distributed more than 40 grams of fentanyl to an individual in exchange for $1,800 in a recorded drug transaction. On Aug. 3, 2020, Ngomba purported to sell a loaded firearm to the same individual in exchange for $1,500 in another recorded transaction. During the deal, which occurred in the individual’s vehicle, Ngomba loaded the firearm and pretended to leave it under the driver’s seat before exiting the vehicle. Instead, Ngomba took both the $1,500 cash from the individual as well as the firearm he had pretended to sell. Ngomba did not realize, however, that he accidentally left his cellphone in the individual’s vehicle which he preceded to chase down. Law enforcement immediately apprehended Ngomba who was still clutching the $1,500 in his hand. During a subsequent search of Ngomba’s vehicle, a loaded Ruger firearm with an obliterated serial number was found in the trunk. Sixteen grams of fentanyl and a second cellphone containing drug-related communications were in the glove compartment. The cellphone Ngomba left in the individual’s car was found to contain images from the night before of Ngomba posing with what appeared to be the same firearm found in his vehicle. One image also showed Ngomba posing alongside two associates while he had a firearm in his pocket. At the sentencing hearing, the Court also found that Ngomba obstructed justice during the litigation of the case, determining that Ngomba had submitted false documents to the Court in connection with a detention reconsideration hearing. Those documents included two letters purportedly written by two acquaintances of Ngomba (the same individuals depicted in one of the cellphone images) in which they denied any gang affiliation or association. A transcript of jail recordings captured Ngomba contacting an individual requesting that she draft letters in the names of those two associates. Ngomba detailed what to write in the letters and then instructed the female to create a fake email account from which to transmit the letters onto his attorney for submission to Court in support of his pretrial release. The letters ultimately were filed with the Court in connection with Ngomba’s detention reconsideration hearing. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, New England Field Division; Somerville Police Chief Charles Femino; and Somerville Housing Authority Chief of Police Daniel Meade made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Fred M. Wyshak, III of Levy’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit 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: Statement from U.S. Attorney Shier Regarding Monday’s Incidents

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky is aware of the Scott County shooting incident involving law enforcement and the related incidents in Fayette County that occurred yesterday afternoon. As the investigation of these incidents progresses, we stand with our local and state law enforcement partners. We are offering our support and federal resources to assist in the investigation. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by these tragic events, especially the family members, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Caleb Conley and those injured during the incidents.


title: Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Catalytic Converter Thefts and Money Laundering

body_text: BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023 in federal court in Boston to charges related to the theft and transportation of stolen catalytic converters and the sale of stolen catalytic converters to core buyers in other states. Jose Torres, a/k/a “Goldy,” a/k/a “Goldy Tech,” 37, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy transport stolen property in interstate commerce, interstate transportation of stolen property, and conspiracy commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 6, 2023. Torres and six other men were arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses related to the theft, transportation, and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 470 vehicles during 2022 and 2023. Catalytic converters are a component of a vehicle’s exhaust device that reduce the toxic gas and pollutants from a vehicle's internal combustion engine into safe emissions by catalyzing a redox reaction process. They are required components on all combustion engine automobiles in the United States as regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Catalytic converters use precious metals in their center or “core” and are regularly targeted for theft due to the high value of these metals – including palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Some of these precious metals are more valuable per ounce than gold and their value has been increasing in recent years, with black-market prices being more than $1,000 each. Catalytic converter theft has become a nationwide problem across a multitude of state, local, and federal jurisdictions. Catalytic converters thieves, sometimes referred to as “cutters,” conduct searches in residential neighborhoods, parking lots, and other locations to steal the most high-value catalytic converters. Located in a vehicle’s undercarriage, the theft of a vehicle's catalytic converter results in damage that renders the vehicle inoperable – both mechanically and legally under EPA regulations – until properly replaced. According to the charging documents, law enforcement throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire identified a large number of catalytic converter thefts for which a Maroon Acura was identified as having been involved. These incidents involved at least two suspects wearing dark clothing, who would target residential and commercial vehicles. The suspects were skilled and able to locate and cut away the catalytic converter from a vehicle within a minute in most instances, using battery operated power-tools, specifically a fast-cutting reciprocating saw. Some vehicles needed to be jacked up in order to access the catalytic converters and the suspects would promptly place the jack under the vehicle, raise it, cut the catalytic converter, stow it in the rear of the Maroon Acura and move on. According to the charging documents, the investigation revealed that the Maroon Acura belonged to Rafael Davila, allegedly the theft crew leader who planned and participated in each of the thefts. It is further alleged that Rafael Davila engaged in catalytic converter thefts and burglaries on a full-time basis, committing these multiple nights per week for upwards of eight hours a night. Additionally, cell phone data allegedly revealed that Rafael Davila maintained meticulous notes accounting for the locations that he and his co-conspirators had targeted and the number of catalytic converters that had been stolen, including the makes and models, and when they were dropped off. It is alleged that Rafael Davila would undertake the thefts with a group of individuals, including his brother Nicolas Davila, Fonseca, Feliberty and Marshall. As leader of the crew, Rafael Davila was allegedly responsible for the planning of and transportation to each targeted theft – utilizing his vehicle, determining price values for stolen converters and purchasing needed materials. Specifically, it is alleged that Rafael Davila regularly purchased large quantities of bi-metal saw blades designed to be used with a reciprocating power saw as well as cut resistant gloves which, according to surveillance footage, appear identical to those worn by the thieves Surveillance footage, communications and location monitoring data obtained from the defendants’ cell phones and Davila’s vehicle identified that the defendants were allegedly involved in the theft of catalytic converters from at least 471 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. It is believed that a significant number of additional thefts have not been identified or were not ever reported to law enforcement. It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, the defendants targeted more than 10 vehicles in a single night, with one night reporting thefts from 26 vehicles. Once in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, the crew would then allegedly sell them to Torres. It is alleged that Torres who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and then in turn sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast. In particular, Torres sold stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers who have since been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering, including Alexander Kolitsas and Downpipe Depot charged in the District of Connecticut, as well as DG Auto, a New Jersey based company charged in the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma. Torres transacted approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week to these entities. Through use of digital pricing applications, and communication with the core buyers, Torres allegedly provided prices to Davila and other theft crews based of the make and model of the vehicle and by the code on the catalytic converter. Knowing the prices of the most valuable converters, Davila and his crew would seek out those makes and models to target. Torres then negotiated with the core buyer and delivered the catalytic converters to their facility. Torres is known to have sold and transported thousands of stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey areas. The charge of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transportation of stolen property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit bank theft provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of bank theft provides for a sentence of up to 10 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the proceeds, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; John E. Mawn, Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Kevin Gallagher, Director of Operations for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of California; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN). Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Levy’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to this investigation through the submission of their investigations of catalytic converter thefts in their jurisdiction. The Massachusetts Police Departments contributing to the investigation were Abington, Acton, Andover, Auburn, Bedford, Bellingham, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Bridgewater, Canton, Carver, Chelmsford, Concord, Cranston, East Hampton, Easton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Hampton, Hanover, Haverhill, Hingham, Holliston, Holyoke, Hudson, Ipswich, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Malden, Mansfield, Medford, Marlborough, Methuen, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Needham, Newton, Northborough, Norwell, Norwood, Peabody, Pembroke, Plymouth, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, West Bridgewater, Weymouth, Wilmington, Woburn and Worcester. The New Hampshire Police Departments contributing to the investigation were Bow, Concord, Derry, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and Windham. The South Windsor and Windsor Connecticut Police Departments also contributed to the investigation. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Sudbury Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Sudbury man pleaded guilty on May 17, 2023 to child pornography charges. Tyson Tu, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 9, 2023. Tu was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2021. In May 2020, Tu was identified as the subscriber of an IP address downloading child pornography from a peer-to-peer file sharing network. During a search of Tu’s residence on April 13, 2021, multiple electronic devices were seized – one of which was actively downloading and sharing child pornographic files at the time. Three of the seized devices were found to contain child pornography files. It was determined that between approximately Feb. 20, 2021 through April 13, 2021, Tu received child pornography. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Maryland Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud After Preparing and Submitting Fraudulent Applications for Cares Act Financial Assistance

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SIEDAH ELEY, age 30, a resident of Houston, Texas, and formerly a resident of Columbia, Maryland, pled guilty before United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to a one-count bill of information charging her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The charge stems from ELEY’S role in preparing and filing false applications for loans related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). According to court documents, ELEY used both word-of-mouth and text message contacts to fraudulently solicit individuals interested in obtaining money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) program with her assistance. When someone expressed interest, ELEY requested the following information from the applicant: the applicant’s name, address, social security, and phone number, a copy of the front and back of the applicant’s driver’s license, a bank statement from 2020, and the routing and account number for the applicant’s bank account. ELEY then created a false and fraudulent loan application. Among the false representations ELEY included in the pertinent forms was that the applicant had a sole proprietorship in the beauty industry and generated substantial income from those businesses. ELEY also submitted financial numbers that overstated the gross receipts, expenses, and net income for the business, which resulted in the creation of a false federal tax Form 1040, Schedule C by the online portal that accepted and processed the application. In several instances, where the applicant received minimal income from the beauty business, ELEY knowingly and falsely inflated the amount of income. Each of the above-described false representations constituted a misstatement that was material to the determination of the eligibility of the applicant and the loan amount the applicant would receive. Once the loan was paid to the applicant, ELEY charged some applicants up to $5,000.00 for preparing and submitting the fraudulent PPP application. ELEY used this scheme to file her own fraudulent application and applications for at least seven (7) co-conspirators, which resulted in a total loss to the Small Business Association of approximately $166,656. ELEY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Sentencing before Judge Lemelle has been scheduled for September 20, 2023. For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Worcester Man Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

body_text: BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced on May 17, 2023 for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Johanny Torres-Rojas, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2022, Torres-Rojas pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Between November 2019 and January 2020, Torres-Rojas distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to a confidential source in six controlled purchases, three of which formed the basis for the charges. On Nov. 20, 2019, and on Nov. 26, 2019, Torres-Rojas distributed pills containing fentanyl and heroin to a confidential source at a store in Worcester. Later, on Jan. 13, 2020, Torres-Rojas distributed pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine to the confidential source outside of the same store. Across the three charged purchases, Torres-Rojas distributed approximately 835 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, 102 grams of pills containing fentanyl and 30 grams of pills containing heroin. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Worcester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun, Samuel R. Feldman and Alathea Porter of Levy’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: United States Attorney’s Office in the District of New Hampshire Allocated 2 Additional Federal Prosecutors in FY23 Budget

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – The U.S. Attorney’s Office was allocated 2 new attorney positions in the federal budget to address civil rights, domestic terrorism, and violent crime in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. “These new positions will allow us to focus added resources on enforcing federal laws aimed at curbing violence, domestic terrorism and civil rights violations,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Furthermore, it has been a priority of our office to enhance our civil rights work in various communities throughout the state, and this dedicated position is a step forward in achieving that goal.” One attorney will be the first Assistant U.S. Attorney dedicated to promoting civil rights in the State of New Hampshire, handling both criminal and civil cases. The second hire will address domestic terrorism and other violent crimes throughout the state. Job solicitations for the two new positions will be posted on www.usajobs.gov , expected early summer 2023. ###


title: Operator of Sober Homes and Associate Arrested for Fraud Schemes Involving Sober Home Client, Mass Save Program and COVID-19 Business Loans

body_text: BOSTON – An operator of numerous sober homes in Massachusetts, who also operated insulation companies receiving funds through the Mass Save Program, was indicted along with a sober home manager, for their alleged involvement in numerous fraud schemes involving sober homes in the Greater Boston area, the Mass Save Program and a federal loan program to assist businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Daniel Cleggett, 37, of Kingston and Nicholas Espinosa, 37, of Randolph, were charged in a 37-count indictment with two counts of wire fraud conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a mortgage lending business (mortgage fraud conspiracy); 21 counts of wire fraud; six counts of unlawful monetary transactions (money laundering); and one count of making false statements to a mortgage lending business. In addition, Cleggett was separately charged with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements to a mortgage lending business. The defendants were arrested this morning and released following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson. According to the charging documents, Cleggett was the founder of the sober home business A Vision From God LLC (AVFG). Established in November 2016, AVFG owns and operates sober homes in Boston, Wakefield, Quincy and Weymouth under trade names including Brady’s Place, Lakeshore Retreat and Lambert House. Espinosa managed the day-to-day affairs of Cleggett’s sober home business. It is alleged that Cleggett, Espinosa and a sober home client entered into a conspiracy to defraud a New York-based family trust that was paying for the client’s room and board at Brady’s Place, located in Quincy. Specifically, Cleggett and Espinosa allegedly overcharged the family trust for room and board by up to $12,500 per month by submitting false and fraudulent invoices to the family trust. Cleggett and Espinosa would allegedly then issue “refund” checks to the client in furtherance of the fraud scheme. According to the charging documents, from approximately October 2019 to December 2021, Cleggett personally, and through straw purchasers including Espinosa, purchased the three residential properties in Weymouth and Boston to use as sober homes. It is alleged that Cleggett, Espinosa and others submitted false information and fraudulent documentation including falsely representing that the three properties were intended to be purchased as primary residences when, in reality, each was intended to be a sober homes. In addition to the sober home business, Cleggett operated numerous insulation contracting companies that participated in the Mass Save Program: Green Save Energy Corporation; Environmental Construction Objective Inc. (ECO); Green Giants, LLC; and Insulation Situation, LLC. Mass Save is a Massachusetts public/private partnership sponsored by gas and electric utility companies that funds energy conservation projects and improvements via energy efficiency funds charged to Massachusetts residents’ utility bills. Specifically, Green Save and ECO received millions of dollars for residential insulation work from a lead vendor company under the Mass Save program. It is alleged that, from 2018 through mid-2021, Green Save and ECO fraudulently billed the vendor company for required permits that were not actually obtained. Green Save and ECO were ultimately terminated from participating in the company’s program in June 2021, and Cleggett was banned from participating in the Mass Save program. In response to this, Cleggett, Espinosa and other co-conspirators allegedly formed Insulation Situation and Green Giants to enter as new lead vendors with the same company under straw owners. As a result, Cleggett allegedly obtained a total of $954,443 in payments from the company to Green Giants and Insulation Situation, despite him being banned from participating in the Mass Save program. Additionally, it is alleged that on April 1, 2020, Cleggett submitted three Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications to the Small Business Administration for AVFG, the Daniel Cleggett Sole Proprietorship and Green Save. Cleggett obtained a total of $794,900 in EIDL loans and advances. In the applications, it is alleged that Cleggett falsely denied involvement in illegal activity despite his alleged involvement in the sober home wire fraud scheme and the mortgage fraud scheme involving one of his Weymouth sober homes. It is also alleged that Cleggett’s Sole Proprietorship EIDL application was false because the Daniel Cleggett Sole Proprietorship did not exist. Despite certifying that EIDL proceeds would only be used for “working capital” for the entity seeking the loan, Cleggett allegedly used tens of thousands of dollars from the funds to pay for personal expenses including EZ-Pass bills, gym membership fees, pet expenses, airline tickets, car rentals, vacation trips to Yellowstone, Montana and Aruba, and thousands of dollars in hotel resort stays for Cleggett and his girlfriend – which included spa fees as well as a wine and caviar dinner, among other expenses. Cleggett also allegedly used Green Save EIDL funds for $37,997 in wedding expenses. The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making false statements to a mortgage lending business provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of unlawful monetary transactions provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Kingston, Randolph and Quincy Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and John T. Mulcahy of Levy’s Criminal Division and Dustin Chao, Chief of Levy’s Public Corruption Unit, are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Grand Jury Indicts  New Orleans Man for Violations  of the Federal Controlled Substances and Federal Gun Control Acts

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – NAIROBI DAVIS , age 33, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted on May 19, 2023 on one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Marijuana in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 and one (1) count of Conspiracy to Possess Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to the indictment, DAVIS did knowingly and intentionally conspire with other persons, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. For this charge, DAVIS could face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release. Additionally, according to the indictment, DAVIS conspired with other persons to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. For this charge, DAVIS could face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. As to each count , DAVIS faces payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. United States 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. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Rayburn of the Violent Crimes Unit. * * *


title: Grand Rapids Physician Pays Over $135,000 For Allegedly Using Foreign, Unapproved Botox to Treat Medicare Beneficiaries

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Derek Lado, D.O., and his Grand Rapids practice, Elite Medical Spine & Musculoskeletal Center PLLC (Elite), have agreed to pay $135,871.84 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by using foreign, unapproved Botox to treat Medicare beneficiaries and then billing Medicare for those services. “Patients deserve the confidence that their medical practitioners are following the rules to keep them safe,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “If you cut corners by using foreign drugs that have not been approved by the FDA as safe and effective to treat our Medicare population, there will be consequences.” The United States alleged that Dr. Lado and Elite treated patients with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), a drug administered by injection that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for a variety of treatments. However, beginning in August 2018, Dr. Lado and Elite began to purchase and use foreign, unapproved onabotulinumtoxinA for these treatments in order to cut costs. Government officials seized numerous packages of the foreign, unapproved drugs en route to Elite, and they warned the practice that it was importing adulterated and misbranded drugs. Despite these warnings and Medicare rules that the program denies coverage of drugs that have not received approval from the FDA, Dr. Lado knowingly used these foreign, unapproved drugs to treat Medicare beneficiaries and billed Medicare for those services. “Providers can place patients at risk of harm through the importation and use of unapproved drugs,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Protecting the safety of Medicare and Medicaid patients is crucial, and HHS-OIG is committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used for unapproved, potentially dangerous medical substances, that put patients at risk.” “The FDA requirements are designed to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs distributed to American consumers,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne L. Malham , FDA Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Chicago Field Office. “We commend the efforts of the Department of Justice to protect the public health and hold accountable those who place profits over patient safety.” “We will continue to work with our partners to prioritize the safety of our Michigan residents,” said Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Unregulated goods, more importantly those used in medical treatments, present a variety or dangers and risks that no patient should be subject to.” The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, HHS-OIG, FDA-OCI, and HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Hull prosecuted this matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Hudson County Man Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Steal Cryptocurrency

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for conspiring to steal more than $500,000 worth of cryptocurrency from users’ accounts with a cryptocurrency exchange platform, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Ebrahem Adeeb, 20, of Bayonne, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with conspiring to commit wire fraud. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court: From October 2020 through May 2021 Adeeb and his conspirators “swapped” the subscriber identity module (SIM) associated with a victim’s phone number for another SIM loaded into a mobile device they controlled in order to access and control the victim’s accounts. Adeeb and his conspirators then sent a password reset request to a digital currency exchange platform, which caused the company to send a password reset link to the victim’s email account. Adeeb and his conspirators then accessed the victim’s email account and account at the currency exchange company and transferred cryptocurrency from the victim’s account to a cryptocurrency wallet they controlled. Adeeb and his conspirators stole cryptocurrency valued at more than $500,000 at the time of the thefts. In additional to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Adeeb to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $504,418. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.


title: Fresno Resident Arrested for Food Stamp Trafficking Scheme at El Ranchito Bakery

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — On May 4, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment, charging Jorge Luis Rivera, 53 of Fresno, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud and attempted wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following Rivera’s arrest today. According to court documents, Rivera owned El Ranchito Bakery in Fresno. Beginning in 2005, El Ranchito was authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps. These benefits cannot be exchanged for cash. Between approximately 2011 and August 2018, Rivera directed his employees to exchange SNAP benefits for cash and to accept SNAP benefits for unauthorized items at the request of customers. The loss to the United States is estimated to be over $5 million. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case. If convicted, Rivera faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Former Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer Admits Role in Conspiracy to Make False Statements in Connection with Fraudulent Short Sale

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A former Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer admitted conspiring to make false statements to a bank in connection with an application to discharge a mortgage through a fraudulent short sale, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Osbado Hernandez, 54, of Avenel, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on May 22, 2023, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the release of a loan. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From September 2015 to Dec. 30, 2015, in order to induce a bank to discharge the mortgage he owed on his house in Keansburg, New Jersey, Hernandez agreed with others to make false statements in connection with a fraudulent short sale of the property, including that he did not have any money to apply toward his mortgage delinquency and that he did not intend to stay in the house for more than 90 days following the short sale. As a result of the fraudulent short sale, the bank discharged over $98,000 of debt against Hernandez. The false statements conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, and special agents with IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Lou, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit. hernandez.information.pdf


title: Seattle man who defrauded relief programs of more than $1 million sentenced to 8+ years in prison

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A former Seattle resident who defrauded federal COVID-19 benefit programs of more than $1 million was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Bryan Alan Sparks, 42, was indicted for the fraud scheme in November 2021 and pleaded guilty January 20,2023. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said, Sparks was “a serial thief and a fraudster – one of the more successful ones…. I am appalled by the damage Mr. Sparks has done.” “People such as Mr. Sparks took advantage of the public and our government at the height of a crisis, and I’m glad to see him held accountable for the damage he caused,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “The harm goes beyond depleting government funds – his use of other people’s identities has damaged the victims and will continue to cause problems for them into the future.” According to records filed in the case, from March 2020 until at least January 2021, Sparks and a coconspirator used stolen personal information of more than 50 Washington residents and businesses to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and unemployment benefits from the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD). Sparks and his coconspirator obtained approximately $521,900 from SBA and $519,700 from ESD. Sparks opened fraudulent bank accounts to receive the benefits and had unemployment benefit debit cards mailed to a variety of addresses in the Seattle area where he could retrieve them. In all, Sparks attempted to obtain at least $1.98 million in federally funded payments. Sparks used the identities of real people and, in some instances, actual small businesses to open bank and credit accounts. The victims suffered significant harm. One person saw his credit score drop 200 points because of the seven credit and bank accounts opened in his name. The victim’s impact statement stated that the financial toll of Sparks’ crimes included being unable to execute his plan to start a business and invest in real estate. He believes that these consequences will be lasting for “years to come.” Another victim wrote about spending hours on the phone with law enforcement reporting the identity theft. “This fraud has changed me and will always cause me to have concern for my safety and for my family’s safety . . . This is something that I would never want anyone else to have to deal with. It is not a good feeling, and this is how it will be.” In September 2020, law enforcement linked Sparks to lock boxes seized in Portland, Oregon. When the safes were searched, officers seized more than $65,000 in cash and a number of debit cards. Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang wrote in her sentencing memo, “During a nine-month period, despite multiple encounters and seizures by law enforcement in multiple states, Sparks possessed at least 46 cell phones, 14 laptops, multiple credit card skimmers, countless bank and identification cards in identities other than Sparks…, and various other sophisticated devices used for identity theft.” In all, Sparks was ordered to pay $1,041,661 in restitution to the government programs. He will be on supervised release for five years following the prison term. “Bryan Sparks caused substantial harm to individuals by stealing their identities and misusing Social Security numbers,” said Gail Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “This sentence of 100 months holds Sparks accountable for his actions. I thank our law enforcement partners for their invaluable work on this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.” The investigation of this case is led by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with partners: Colusa County Sheriff’s Office (CA); Washington State Employment Security Department; Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General; Amtrak Police Department (D.C.); FBI (Sacramento, CA office); FBI Cyber Task Force (D.C.); Washington State Department of Licensing, Driver and Vehicle Investigations; and the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy Chang and Seth Wilkinson. 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 .


title: Five Springfield, Branson Residents Sentenced for Child Exploitation Enterprise

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Four Springfield, Mo., residents and a Branson, Mo., woman were sentenced in federal court today for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise that victimized at least three children. Kevin Grant McMillan, 36, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to life in federal prison without parole. Angela Marie Brown, 39, Christine Marie Rossiter, 36, and Amber Marie Baley, 38, all of Springfield, and Casie Dee Rice, 52, of Branson, Mo., also were sentenced in separate appearances today. Brown was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole. Rossiter was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. Baley was sentenced to eight years in federal prison without parole. Rice was sentenced to four years in federal prison without parole. Baley and Rossiter were also sentenced to spend the rest of their lives on supervised release following incarceration. Each of the defendants will be required to register as a sex offender upon their release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout their life. Each of the five defendants pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise from Jan. 1, 2017, to Nov. 6, 2019. They admitted to engaging in a series of felony violations, including the sexual exploitation of minors and receiving and distributing child pornography. Those felony violations, constituting three or more separate incidents and involving more than one minor victim, comprise a child exploitation enterprise. The federal investigation began in May 2019 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified law enforcement that McMillan had uploaded three files of child pornography through his Gmail account. The Springfield Police Department was also investigating McMillan in a separate case involving an 8-year-old victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 2. Springfield investigators identified additional Google accounts that contained child pornography. On Nov. 6, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at McMillan’s residence, where they contacted a second, 15-year-old victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe 1, and a 17-year-old minor. Officers seized five laptops, two hard drives, an Apple iPad, a cell phone, and seven USB/micro SD cards. A forensic analyst found images of child pornography depicting Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, and a third victim, a toddler identified in court documents as Jane Doe 3. There were a total of 27,542 pornographic images and videos of subjects whose age is difficult to determine and child erotica. There was a total of 682 images and videos of bestiality pornography. There were 111 videos and images of child exploitive animated pornography located on the devices. Both Brown and Rossiter were living with McMillan at his Springfield residence in the spring of 2019, while the three of them were in a relationship together. McMillan was not interested in a traditional relationship, but planned on dominating several girlfriends, who would be in a submissive role. He also wanted to live the “nudist lifestyle.” Investigators found MMS messages between McMillan and Brown. McMillan told Brown he wanted to drug and sexually assault Jane Doe 1 (who was 13 years old at the time). Brown said she would be interested in assisting him in drugging and raping children and adult women. McMillan also sent Brown sexually explicit images of Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, and Jane Doe 3. They exchanged incest-related pornography, bondage pornography, bestiality pornography, child pornography, and child erotica. They also had conversations about having sexual contact with children and about having children together and impregnating them. Investigators found Facebook conversations in which McMillan and Brown extensively discussed engaging in sexual contact with other individuals, including children. Investigators found SMS and MMS messaging between McMillan and Rossiter. McMillan and Rossiter exchanged bestiality pornography, incest-related pornography, and bondage pornography. In a Facebook conversation between March 2019 and May 2019, they extensively discussed engaging in sexual contact with other individuals, including children. In April 2019, they discussed McMillan wanting to have sexual contact with a 13-year-old minor male, identified in court documents as John Doe. Rossiter admitted that she received nude images of Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3 from McMillan, and McMillan described sexual activity he wanted to engage in with Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3. Baley, who dated McMillan on and off again between 2012 and 2019, admitted to sending him nude images of Jane Doe 2. MMS conversations between Baley and McMillan repeatedly discussed getting Jane Doe 2 to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Rice, who lived with McMillan for a short time in 2019, admitted that he sent child pornography to her via Google and that she received and sent child pornography to others through Facebook. In one email, Rice talks about their interest in children and then describes a sexual encounter where Rice would hold a female minor down while McMillan had sex with her. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for the April 2020 robbery of a Santander Bank branch in Boston. Dennis C. Taylor, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 11, 2022 Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. On April 29, 2020, an individual – later determined to be Taylor – dressed in a dark hooded jacket, blue latex gloves and a facemask entered a Santander Bank branch on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston where he approached a teller and demanded money. The teller handed Taylor cash from her drawer, which he placed in a white plastic bag before exiting the bank. Included within the cash was a red dye pack. Surveillance cameras on Massachusetts Avenue captured video of Taylor exiting the area and running towards a local parking garage as the red dye pack exploded into a plume of red smoke. During a subsequent search of the parking garage, law enforcement recovered a white plastic bag containing red dye-stained money and a pair of blue latex gloves. The gloves were found to match Taylor’s DNA profile. Taylor was previously convicted of federal bank robbery in 2004 and again in 2010. In 2010, Taylor was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for the December 2009 robberies of a Rockland Trust bank and a TD Bank in Yarmouth. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Navarre Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Federal Prison For Child Exploitation Crimes

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Stephen D. Regis, Jr., 31, of Navarre, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for the production, receipt, and possession of child pornography, as well as the transfer of obscene materials to minors. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.” Regis was indicted for victimizing seven minor females in the Gulf Breeze and Navarre, Florida areas. As alleged in the indictment, Regis engaged in the production, receipt, and possession of child pornography in 2021. Regis chose a trial by jury, and a federal jury in Pensacola, Florida, found him guilty of all twenty-one counts of the indictment in late 2022. The trial evidence revealed that Regis used the social media platform Snapchat to communicate with his victims. On Snapchat, Regis requested the victims produce or send child pornography and, in return, he would meet the minor females to provide them with electronic cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. During the course of this conduct, Regis also sent the minor females graphic sexual images and videos of himself and personally requested sexual acts from them. “This arrest shows that our local agencies cooperating with the DOJ can make a substantial impact on those individuals who produce child pornography,” said Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson. “Hopefully, this will deter anyone else from even thinking about following Regis’ footsteps.” Regis’ prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of federal supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions. “We are witnessing an epidemic through social media and the internet when it comes to the sexual exploitation of our children. It’s imperative that our children are taught the dangers of online predators,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Thanks to the partnerships we have with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol, we are able to stop predators like this from victimizing our children.” This case resulted from a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jennifer H. Callahan prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Former Bosnian Combatant Charged with Passport Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Winthrop man was charged yesterday for allegedly using a fraudulently obtained passport to enter the United States from Istanbul, Turkey in 2021. Azem Gigo Zebic, 51, was charged with one count of use of a fraudulently obtained passport. According to the charging documents, Zebic first came to the United States from Croatia in 1997. It is alleged that Zebic was admitted to the United States after falsely claiming that he had been the subject of persecution by Serb forces during the Bosnian War. Specifically, Zebic allegedly claimed, among other things, that Serb forces had captured, interrogated, beaten him and forced him to pull wounded soldiers from the front lines. It is further alleged that, once in the United States, Zebic continued to make false statements about his past, including that he had never assisted anyone else enter the country illegally. Zebic allegedly used this false history to obtain lawful permanent residency, American citizenship and a United States passport. The use of a fraudulently obtained passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. McNeil and Jason A. Casey of Levy’s National Security Unit are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Jackson Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison for Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man was sentenced today to 64 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to court documents, on July 18, 2020, Tremaine Gill, 41, was found with three firearms in his possession by the Jackson Police Department during the execution of a search warrant. Gill has multiple previous felony convictions, and it is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess any firearm. Gill pled guilty on February 27, 2023, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted the case. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime .


title: Micco, Brevard County Resident Sentenced to 15 years for Trafficking Fentanyl in Indian River County

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Yesterday, Christopher Jon Bauer, 46, of Micco, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, sitting in Fort Pierce, to 15 years for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Sebastian Police Department (SPD) received a Treasure Coast Crime Stopper complaint about Bauer making fentanyl purchases on the dark web and mailing them to a codefendant. After the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) confirmed that several packages were mailed to a codefendant in Sebastian, Florida; SPD officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents set up surveillance at a U.S. Post Office (USPS), located in Sebastian. During the surveillance, they observed that Bauer had arrived in a red Cadillac SUV, with a passenger, who went into the post office and returned to Bauer’s vehicle carrying a USPS Express package. When SPD detectives attempted to stop the vehicle, Bauer fled, leading police on a lengthy high-speed pursuit, which resulted in the vehicle becoming disabled. SPD officers apprehended Bauer and the passenger of the vehicle and took both into custody. The total quantities of narcotics seized following Bauer’s arrest were about 65 grams of fentanyl, 12.53 grams of methamphetamine, and a small amount of cocaine. Bauer received at least 16 shipments of fentanyl, totaling nearly one kilogram. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, announced the sentence. HSI Fort Pierce Office and USPIS Miami investigated the case, with assistance from SPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hudock prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14068. ###


title: Illinois Man Sentenced to More Than 31 Years in Federal Prison

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

body_text: DES MOINES, IA – On Monday, May 22, 2023, a Markham, Illinois man was sentenced to 375 months in prison. During a January 2023 trial , Carl Murphy, 53, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin for his role in a large-scale heroin and fentanyl conspiracy. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, over the course of a 14-month investigation, including the use of wiretaps, law enforcement identified Murphy, also known as “P” and “C-Note,” as a heroin/fentanyl supplier for numerous street-level dealers in the Des Moines Metro from 2019 through July 2021. Murphy is a high-ranking member of the Black P Stone Nation, a criminal street gang based in Chicago. Murphy had a large distribution network consisting of lower ranking gang members, which he helped run and control. The street-level dealers traveled to and from Murphy’s Chicago suburb residence to purchase large quantities of heroin/fentanyl for redistribution in Des Moines. While awaiting trial, Murphy threatened individuals he believed to be cooperating against him, intimidated potential witnesses, and orchestrated a violent assault of an individual in his jail housing unit. Murphy was previously convicted of distribution of a controlled substance in the Northern District of Illinois in 2011. At sentencing, Chief United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose found that Murphy was an organizer or leader of the conspiracy; obstructed justice by attempting to influence witnesses, threatening others, and orchestrating an assault; and maintained a residence for drug trafficking. As a result, Murphy was sentenced to 375 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. In July 2021 , Murphy and others were arrested and charged following the execution of numerous search warrants . Twenty-three co-defendants were sentenced as part of this drug conspiracy including: • Malek Shawn Holmes, also known as “Chubbs,” 23, was sentenced to 50 months imprisonment; • Pierre Fontain Black, also known as “Rico,” “Peezy,” and “Pezzo,” 32, was sentenced to 192 months imprisonment; • Deshawn Levell Greer, also known as “Jack,” 31, was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment; • Gregory Izell Spight, also known as LoSo, 43, was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment; • Earl Clay, III, also known as “BD,” 30, was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment; • Michael Byrd, also known as “Big Mike,” 30, was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment; • Azim Abdul-Ahad, also known as “Tana,” 24, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; • Ronald Harris, 37, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; • Daeante Dewayne Neely, also known as “Black,” 30, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; • Derrick Fleming, also known as “Flock,” 29, was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment; • Dandre Cox, also known as “Dusky,” 22, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; • Patrick Staples, 30, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; • Tabaris Brown, also known as “TB,” 24, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment; • Brandon Reed, also known as “J,” 33, was sentenced to 12 months and 1-day imprisonment; • Jason Beaman, 48, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment; • Elijah Seymour, also known as “Big Josh,” 34, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment; • Felicia Olson, 31, was sentenced to 12 months and 1-day imprisonment; • Sarah Hume, 40, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment; • Andrew Price, 31, was sentenced to 3 years supervised release; • Jamisha Canada, 45, was sentenced to 5 years supervised release; • Tonie Canada, 40, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment; • Rickey’a Dee Jackon, also known as “Kia,” 23, was sentenced to 3 years probation. There is no parole in the federal system. “Let there be no doubt as to law enforcement’s continued resolve to prosecute Carl Murphy and any individuals, groups, and gangs who believe they can distribute deadly drugs such as heroin and fentanyl in our community,” United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa said. “This significant sentence is an example of the fate that awaits them. Our thanks to the tireless effort of the officers and agents involved in this complex investigation.” The investigation was conducted by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force (MINE) and the Central Iowa Gang Task Force (CIGTF), with assistance from the: Des Moines Police Department; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Iowa State Patrol; Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center; Iowa State Patrol SWAT; United States Marshals Service; Central Iowa Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Agency; Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force East; Homeland Security Investigations; Altoona Police Department; Story County Sheriff’s Office; Ames Police Department; Norwalk Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Ankeny Police Department; METRO Star; Suburban Emergency Response Team (SERT); Iowa Fifth Judicial District; Federal Bureau of Investigation Chicago; Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City; Federal Bureau of Investigation Minneapolis; Federal Bureau of Investigation Omaha; and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). Assistant United States Attorneys Mallory Weiser and Amy Jennings prosecuted the case with the assistance of Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs. This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Federal Prisoner Sentenced for Assault on a Federal Officer

component: Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A federal prisoner was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for assault on a federal officer, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca. The sentence will run consecutively to his current federal sentence. According to court documents, Jason Michael Beasley, 49, was a federal prisoner at the Federal Correctional Complex in Yazoo City and assaulted a federal officer who was in the performance of his duties. Beasley was subsequently questioned and admitted to his illegal actions. He pleaded guilty on February 16, 2023. The United States Bureau of Prisons investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Murray and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael FiggsGanter prosecuted the case.