title: Top Lieutenant and Head of Security for Rafael Caro Quintero Extradited from Mexico to Face Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms Charges

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Ismael Quintero Arellanes, also known as “Fierro,” was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on an indictment charging him with participating in a large-scale narcotics distribution conspiracy and using one or more firearms in connection with narcotic offenses. The defendant, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Mexico on a provisional arrest warrant issued from the Eastern District of New York and subsequently extradited from Mexico to the United States on March 1, 2023. Quintero Arellanes was ordered detained pending trial. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), announced the extradition and arraignment. “As alleged, the defendant was a top lieutenant and head of security for Rafael Caro Quintero, an infamous drug lord whose violent organization has for decades sent thousands of kilograms of drugs to the United States,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Dismantling the leadership of drug trafficking organizations that have wreaked havoc here and abroad is a top priority for our Office.” Mr. Peace extended his appreciation to the DEA’s office in Mexico City, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Government of Mexico. “Quintero Arellanes was the executor for RCQ's narcotics empire responsible for distributing drugs, violence, and death throughout Mexico and the United States," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. "This extradition marks another victory for American rule of law in bringing to justice drug traffickers who have caused the most harm in our communities. I commend the men and women who spent tireless hours on this investigation in the pursuit of Justice.” According to the indictment and court filings, the defendant was a high-ranking member of the Caro Quintero DTO, a violent Mexican drug trafficking organization that was led by Rafael Caro Quintero. As the leader of the drug trafficking organization, Caro Quintero employed numerous individuals, each of whom played a role to ensure the success of the organization, including “sicarios” or hit men who carried out acts of violence in Mexico such as murder and kidnappings to silence potential witnesses and retaliate against anyone who provided information to law enforcement; security personnel for the leadership of the enterprise; “plaza bosses” who controlled the enterprise’s territories; transporters of narcotics; and money launderers. Quintero Arellanes served as Caro Quintero’s top lieutenant and head of security. In that role, Quintero Arellanes served as Caro Quintero’s personal bodyguard, relayed messages and orders between Caro Quintero and other members of the organization to facilitate drug trafficking activities, and protected Caro Quintero to enable him to avoid capture. For his conduct, Quintero Arellanes is charged with participating in an international heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine distribution conspiracy from February 2015 through June 2018 and an international marijuana distribution conspiracy from January 1980 through June 2018, as well as using firearms in relation to his drug trafficking organization. Caro Quintero was arrested in Mexico on July 15, 2022 and is pending extradition to the United States. The prosecution of Quintero Arellanes is the result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the DEA. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to life in prison. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy, Francisco J. Navarro, Erin M. Reid, and Andrew D. Wang are in charge of the prosecution. The investigation was led by the New York Strike Force, a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The Strike Force is based at the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, United States Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The Defendant : ISMAEL QUINTERO ARELLANES Age: 51 Mexico E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15-CR-208 (S-3) (FB)


title: Guatemalan Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jairo Leonidas Raymundo-Cua, 33, of Guatemala, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on multiple occasions in February 2022, Raymundo-Cua distributed powder fentanyl and counterfeit oxycodone M-30 pills containing fentanyl to an undercover officer on behalf of the leader of the conspiracy, Carlos Calel. When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Raymundo-Cua’s Sacramento residence in March 2022, they found over 20,000 M-30 pills containing fentanyl and over a kilogram of fentanyl-laced heroin in Raymundo-Cua’s backpack, along with a fraudulent green card in Raymundo-Cua’s name. This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer prosecuted the case. Carlos Calel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on Oct. 27, 2022. Calel is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Calel faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will 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. This effort is 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Organizer of firearms trafficking conspiracy sent to prison

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 20-year-old Pharr resident has been ordered to federal prison for organizing several individuals and having them purchase several firearms which were bound for Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Christopher Tijerina pleaded guilty July 12, 2022. Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Tijerina to serve 78 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by a three-year-term of supervised release. At the hearing, the judge noted Tijerina was a leader/organizer in the conspiracy and cited the serious nature of the conduct, the number of firearms involved and the danger they pose to the community at large. The court further stated that being a good citizen requires being good to the whole community. “We are facing an epidemic of gun violence across our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “The recent surge in gun violence is driven, in part, by individuals who are illegally trafficking firearms to countries like Mexico. When you illegally buy a gun for someone else, you are committing a federal crime and ATF will continue working with our law enforcement partners to stop firearms traffickers and straw purchasers who are contributing to gun violence in our community.” In January 2022, Tijerina coordinated an effort to obtain firearms that would then be exported to Mexico. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, 2022, co-conspirators successfully purchased 13 firearms. Six were 7.62mm AK-47 variant rifles, while there were five 7.62mm AK variant pistols, one .40 caliber pistol and one 9mm pistol. They also attempted to purchase three additional 7.62mm AK-47 variant rifles, but were unsuccessful. The purchases were made from local federal firearms licensees (FFLs) located in Hidalgo County. Tijerina, admitted he recruited individuals for the purpose of purchasing firearms for him. Those individuals were eventually charged and convicted of straw purchasing firearms as they each represented on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form they were in fact the true buyer of the firearm when they were not. Thus far, those co-conspirators range in age from 19 to 23 and have received sentences of up to 70 months in federal prison. Eduardo Guajardo, 26, a U.S. citizen believed to be residing in General Bravo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, and Jesus Alexis Martine, 20, Edinburg, are both considered fugitives in the case and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests. Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact U.S. Marshals Service Enforcement Office at 956-558-6238. Tijerina will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter I. Brostowin and Sarina DiPiazza prosecuted the case.


title: Two Louisville Men Sentenced to 32 Years and 11 Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Distribution, Drug Conspiracy, and Firearms Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – Two local men, Khalid A. Raheem, II , age 26, and Frank Trammell, Jr. , age 30, were sentenced this week on drug and firearms charges following a seven-day jury trial in October 2022. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Maynard of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement. On February 28, 2023, Raheem was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 11 years in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, for distribution of fentanyl, and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During the sentencing hearing, the court heard testimony concerning witness intimidation and applied an enhancement to Raheem’s sentence for obstruction of justice. On March 1, 2023, Trammell was sentenced to 32 years and 3 months years in prison, followed by an 8-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, for distribution of fentanyl, for possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between December 7, 2017, and July 15, 2020, Trammell and Raheem conspired to distribute fentanyl and heroin in the Louisville area. Additionally, on ten occasions, Trammell , often assisted by Raheem or others, sold fentanyl to undercover informants at various locations in eastern and southern Jefferson County as well as in the downtown area. These fentanyl sales took place in parking lots of restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores, and always involved two vehicles parking window to window while fentanyl and cash were tossed from vehicle to vehicle. Pursuant to court authorized wiretaps, over 3,000 drug related phone calls and text messages were intercepted in a thirty-day period. During these intercepted calls, dozens of drug transactions on a nearly daily basis were arranged. Drug addicted customers, when unable to come up with cash, would sometimes trade packages of socks and underwear, firearms, or assorted prescription medications in exchange for what they believed to be heroin. However, DEA laboratory testing established that Trammell was almost always selling fentanyl to those seeking heroin. During one intercepted call, a drug user called Trammell and said that she believed he had sold her fentanyl and that he should warn his other customers to “be careful.” Evidence presented at trial also included the results of several search warrants of premises and vehicles simultaneously executed on July 15, 2020. From locations related to Trammell and Raheem , law enforcement seized over 240 grams of fentanyl, $284,000 in cash, assorted ammunition, and eleven firearms, including at least one assault rifle and one stolen handgun. “The sentences imposed by the Court send a robust message to those who brazenly place the lives of Louisville area residents at risk by peddling poison,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “Individuals engaged in the drug trade should consider the consequences of their actions. Simply put, a federal prison cell is not the place to spend a significant portion of your adult life.” “Raheem and Trammell, Jr. showed zero regard for human life by deceiving and profiting off of those grappling with addiction. Faced with decades in federal prison, they will no longer contribute to the opioid epidemic terrorizing many of our neighborhoods,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Cohen. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue our collaborative efforts to identify and dismantle violent gangs found to be dealing in the deadly drug trade.” “Drug dealers with guns are criminals who pose an increased threat to the safety of our communities,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Maynard. “This investigation is another great example of the collaborative work by law enforcement to hold drug traffickers accountable for the crimes they engage in and the destruction they bring to our families and communities.” This case was investigated by the FBI, the ATF, and the Louisville Metro Police Department, with assistance from the DEA, the IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Matthews Police Department, the Jeffersontown Police Department, the Shepherdsville Police Department, the Kentucky State Police, and the Indiana State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin McKenzie and Frank E. Dahl, III prosecuted the case. This effort is 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF . ###


title: McComb Woman Found Guilty of Conspiracy and False Statements in Connection with Federal Unemployment Fraud

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A federal jury convicted a McComb woman for one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiring to commit theft of public money, one count of theft of public money, and one count of making a false statement to a federal agent. U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca of the Southern District of Mississippi and Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent in Charge for the Southeast Region of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General made the announcement. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Laketia Andrews Crossley, 51, conspired with Sedrick Pittman, Marcus Parker, Austin Bahm, and Calveshar Isaac to receive federal unemployment insurance benefits. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pittman, Parker, Bahm, and Isaac were inmates housed at the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Mississippi Department of Corrections custody. The inmates fraudulently applied for federal unemployment insurance benefits by stating on their applications that they were able and available to immediately accept employment. Due to the overwhelming number of applications for unemployment insurance, these fraudulent applications were not immediately detected, and benefits were approved for the group of prison inmates. The unemployment insurance benefits were sent by mail on debit cards to Crossley. Crossley then converted the funds on the debit cards to funds that she transmitted to Pittman, with whom she had a long-term romantic relationship, via cell phone. When questioned about her actions by special agents of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Crossley made false statements. It is contrary to federal law to fraudulently apply for or receive federal unemployment insurance benefits. It is also contrary to federal law to make false statements to a federal agent. While Pittman, Parker, Bahm, and Isaac all pled guilty to various charges, Crossley asserted her right to a jury trial. After a three-day trial at the federal courthouse in Natchez, a jury found Crossley guilty of all charges. Crossley is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge David Bramlette III on June 1, 2023, at the federal courthouse in Natchez. The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly T. Purdie and Charles W. Kirkham are prosecuting the case.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegally Entering the U.S. Three Times

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national who was arrested for driving while intoxicated has been sentenced in federal court for illegally entering the United States for the third time. Juan Antonio Tejeda-Quiroz, 42, residing in Grandview, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Wednesday, March 1, to three years and six months in federal prison without parole. On Sept. 22, 2022, Tejeda-Quiroz pleaded guilty to one count of illegally reentering the United States after having been deported following a conviction for a crime of violence. On April 30, 2022, around 2:30 a.m., a white Buick Century driven by Tejeda-Quiroz reversed out of a driveway and crashed into a marked Grandview police patrol vehicle parked on the 13000 block of 15th Street in Grandview. Tejeda-Quiroz was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Tejeda-Quiroz, a citizen and national of Mexico, illegally entered the United States in February 1994. On Sept. 6, 2001, Tejeda-Quiroz was convicted of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of arson. He threw a firebomb inside a car occupied by his wife, causing her to jump from the moving car that caught fire and exploded, and then used his car to threaten her. He was sentenced to five years of probation and received a deferred sentence. On Dec. 4, 2001, Tejeda-Quiroz was deported to Mexico. Tejeda-Quiroz illegally entered the United States a second time. He was arrested for burglary of a vehicle on Dec. 8, 2002. On March 17, 2006, he was arrested for illegally reentering the United States, which violated the terms of his probation. His probation was revoked on June 16, 2006, and he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison. On July 13, 2012, Tejeda-Quiroz was again deported to Mexico. Tejeda-Quiroz illegally reentered the United States a third time in 2018. On May 25, 2018, he was arrested in Lawrence, Kansas for driving under the influence. He was arrested in Liberty, Mo., in July 2021 for driving without a valid license and no insurance. He was arrested in Olathe, Kan., in March 2022 for driving without a license. Tejeda-Quiroz used alias names, according to court documents, presumably to avoid detection. Tejeda-Quiroz has used controlled substances, including cocaine, and heroin, snorting around one-half gram of heroin a day up until his arrest, according to court documents. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the Grandview, Mo., Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


title: St. Louis County Man Gets 8+ Years on Child Pornography Charges

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County, Missouri who served as an administrator in an online meeting room where child sex abuse material was traded was sentenced Thursday to eight years and one month in prison. U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp also ordered Michael Morales, 49, of Manchester, to pay $38,000 in restitution to victims who appeared in the pictures and videos. Morales pleaded guilty in November to two felonies: receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He admitted that he served as an administrator in a meeting room on the Kik social media app known for trading child sexual abuse material, and posted pictures and videos there in 2020. He also admitted possessing pictures and videos containing those materials on his cellphone. The FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lang 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Michigan City Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Cory Thomas, 49 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Thomas was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in May 2022, Thomas was pulled over on his motorcycle while transporting over 125 grams of cocaine. This is Thomas’s fifth felony conviction related to the distribution of controlled substances. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the LaPorte County Drug Task Force and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Molly E. Donnelly and former Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer. ###


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced To 90 Months In Prison

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

body_text: FORT WAYNE – Airon L. Mitchell, age 24, of Fort Wayne, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Mitchell was sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in this case, in August 2021, Fort Wayne Police Officers were looking for Mitchell who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Officers observed Mitchell get into a vehicle while holding a bag which he dropped in the center console. The bag contained 195 blue fentanyl pills. A search warrant for his residence resulted in the recovery of 193.8 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, a loaded 9mm handgun as well as a loaded 50 round drum magazine. Mitchell is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing the firearm or ammunition. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith. 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: Nampa Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute 15 Pounds of Fentanyl

body_text: BOISE – Wathana Insixiengmay, 34, of Nampa, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for possessing, with the intent to distribute, 15 pounds of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, Insixiengmay was a main fentanyl distributor for a large drug trafficking organization with direct ties to Mexico. Insixiengmay received between 12 and 15 pounds of fentanyl (approximately 60,000 pills) on a weekly basis for local distribution. In return she was sending between $50,000 and $100,000 back to the supplier each following week. When she was arrested on June 7, 2022, she had over 30,000 fentanyl pills (approximately seven pounds), nearly eight pounds of fentanyl powder, 180 grams of methamphetamine, and $12,435 in drug proceeds. This remains one of the largest, if not the largest, individual seizure of fentanyl in the District of Idaho’s history. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Insixiengmay to pay a $500 fine and to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence. Insixiengmay pled guilty to the charge on October 24, 2022. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force consisting of officers from the United States Marshals Service, United States Probation Office, Nampa Police Department, Boise Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Wilsonville Man Who Orchestrated Violent Robberies Targeting Southern Oregon Marijuana Growers and Dealers Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: MEDFORD, Ore.—A Wilsonville, Oregon man who orchestrated multiple violent robberies targeting Southern Oregon marijuana growers and dealers was sentenced to federal prison today. Shannon Christopher Harrop, 33, was sentenced to 162 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Harrop was also ordered to pay $26,040 in restitution. “This defendant choreographed multiple armed robberies in and around Medford that endangered dozens of lives,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Fortunately, law enforcement intervened to protect our community.” “Mr. Harrop’s sentence is well justified,” said Jonathan T. McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division. “Without the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement his brazen criminal actions would have continued, further endangering the lives of community members.” According to court documents, over a seven-month period beginning in September 2019, Harrop and multiple co-conspirators orchestrated four violent robberies targeting marijuana growers and dealers in and around Medford. The first robbery occurred on September 19, 2019, when two robbers handcuffed and robbed two victims at gunpoint in Medford, stealing $60,000 worth of a bulk narcotic individuals involved in the robbery claimed to be hemp. Law enforcement later determined that the robbery occurred during a drug deal brokered by Harrop. Harrop was contacted by investigators, but denied setting up the deal and having any knowledge of the robbery. The second robbery occurred on November 2, 2019, in Eagle Point, Oregon at a residence located on a secluded marijuana grow. The robbers entered the residence pretending to be law enforcement officers executing a search warrant, handcuffed two individuals present at gun point, and stole several dozen pounds of marijuana, various personal items, and one of the victim’s vehicles. Law enforcement stopped a second vehicle traveling with the stolen vehicle and determined it was a rental car leased by Harrop who again denied involvement in the robbery. Inside the rented vehicle, officers located ski masks, zip ties, handcuffs, tactical vests, and two firearms. The third robbery occurred on December 19, 2019, at a large marijuana grow in Applegate, Oregon. Several individuals pretended to be the U.S. Marshals Service executing a search warrant. The robbers handcuffed one individual at gun point and engaged in an armed standoff with another. This time the robbers got away with only five pounds of marijuana and $5,000 in cash. Law enforcement located several hundred plastic totes containing marijuana on the property they believed the robbers were targeting. In the fourth and final robbery, on April 25, 2020, law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired in Josephine County, Oregon. They discovered the shots were the result of another robbery of a marijuana grow where multiple victims were restrained and robbed at gun point. Despite being fired on by one of the victims, the robbers got away with 71 pounds of processed marijuana and four jars of marijuana extract. Over the next several months, through various recorded statements, investigators were able to connect Harrop and multiple associates to all four robberies. In one statement, Harrop admitted to visiting the location of the fourth robbery and seeing the processed marijuana, marijuana extract, and cash later targeted in the robbery. Beginning in June 2020, Harrop tried to convince an undercover law enforcement agent to deliver forty kilograms of cocaine to Ohio on his behalf. In addition, Harrop attempted to orchestrate a fifth robbery with the undercover agent and multiple co-conspirators. On the day the robbery was supposed to occur, in July 2020, law enforcement officers arrested Harrop and his accomplices without incident. On July 23, 2020, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an eight-count indictment charging Harrop and eight accomplices with conspiracy to interfere and interfering with commerce by robbery; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possessing firearms as convicted felons; and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On August 30, 2022, Harrop pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere and interfering with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Seven of Harrop’s accomplices have pleaded guilty. Six have been sentenced and one is pending sentencing. Harrop’s eighth accomplice is awaiting trial. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Oregon State Police, the Jackson and Josephine County Sheriff’s Offices, and Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by Marco Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.


title: Pueblo Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Perry Sean Lohnes, age 38, of Pueblo, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. According to the plea agreement, on April 11, 2022, the defendant went to a fast food restaurant located on East 8th Street in Pueblo. The defendant was wearing a camouflage style jacket and facemask. He approached the counter, ordered food and then sat down to eat it. He later came back to the counter and started taking money out of the register. An employee of the restaurant confronted the defendant and the defendant immediately pulled a handgun from his pocket and pulled back on the slide of the handgun. This caused one round of ammunition to be expelled from the handgun, and it landed in the cash register. The defendant pointed the firearm at the employee and told her to “get back.” The defendant then took cash out of the cash register and ran toward a local park. “We are taking an aggressive approach to prosecuting violent criminals in Pueblo,” said United States Attorney Cole Finegan. “This case is one example of excellent work from our law enforcement partners working together to make Pueblo a safer community. This type of violence will not be tolerated.” “This sentence represents the unwavering teamwork between FBI Denver and our law enforcement partners like the Pueblo Police Department and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office to ensure dangerous criminals are no longer a threat to the public,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Acting Special Agent in Charge Leonard Carollo. “The FBI remains committed to working with all our local, state, and federal partners to keep our communities safe.” Judge Daniel D. Domenico sentenced the defendant on March 1, 2023. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver, with assistance from the Pueblo Police Department and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by the Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 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. CASE NUMBER: 22-cr-00197


title: Peculiar Business Owner Sentenced for Tax Evasion

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The owner of a Peculiar, Mo., business was sentenced in federal court today for tax evasion. Jason Rigoli, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Rigoli to pay $138,455 in restitution. On Aug. 2, 2022, Rigoli pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. Rigoli, who has owned and operated Granite Construction Services, LLC, since 2006, admitted that he has not filed a federal personal, business, or employment tax return for eight years, from 2013 to 2020. Rigoli also failed to pay state income taxes, state employment taxes, workers’ compensation taxes and unemployment taxes. As part of his scheme, Rigoli used his business bank accounts for all his personal expenses. Rigoli used proceeds of his tax fraud to pay for travel, restaurant meals, and liquor. Rigoli falsely told IRS agents that he always paid his employees by check. Rigoli also falsely told IRS agents that he paid his employees “by 1099,” when in fact, Rigoli often paid employees with cash and filed no Forms W-2 or Forms 1099 for his employees. According to court documents, special agents with IRS-Criminal Investigation executed a search warrant at Granite Construction Services. Agents recovered false returns, which were not filed with the IRS, and were labelled with notes such as, “Fake/High,” “2015 Completed F Taxes,” and “Real 2014.” Rigoli told the agents an accountant that has an office in his same building would soon be preparing and filing all his personal and business tax returns at one time. He said if they had shown up just a month later, he would have had all his taxes filed. He said he was supposed to meet with the accountant that Friday regarding his tax returns. Agents later interviewed the accountant and she contradicted almost everything Rigoli said. The accountant said Rigoli was not a client, that she wasn’t preparing his returns, and that he had no scheduled appointment with her. According to court documents, Rigoli applied for two Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration for the same business but under two different names. He received a $150,000 loan for Granite Construction Services on Aug. 4, 2020. He applied for a second EIDL loan on Aug. 5, 2020, under the business name Patriot Construction Management, a shell company. For this second, fraudulent, loan, Rigoli used his parents’ address as the business address and the same employees as he used for his first EIDL loan. This loan was not granted by the Small Business Administration. Rigoli kept very few books and records related to his business. To calculate taxes owing, the IRS reconstructed the business’s books using bank records and documents recovered from the business. Because Rigoli often used cash, because he comingled his accounts, and because the IRS gave him the benefit of the doubt on business expenses and depreciation, the tax loss is relatively low - $110,819 total from 2016-2019. When federal employment taxes are added, the total federal tax loss is $121,007. The Missouri state tax loss of $17,448 brings the total tax loss to $138,455. In July 2022, Rigoli filed for tax years 2017 and 2018, so they were several years late. Rigoli reported taxes due and owing for those years. From 2014 to the date of sentencing, Rigoli paid just $139 in federal or state income or employment taxes. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation.


title: Boston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Physical Therapy Clinic Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud an insurance provider for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients. Raya Bagardi, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for July 11, 2023. Bagardi was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendants Gyulnara Bayryshova, Anna Barenboym and Slava Pride. Bagardi was a licensed physical therapy assistant at Brighton Physical Therapy (BPT), a Brighton-based physical therapy clinic owned by Bayryshova. According to the charging documents, from October 2018 through June 2020, Bayryshova, Bagardi and their co-defendants conspired to cause an insurance company to reimburse them for physical therapy services that were not actually provided and/or were not medically necessary and, in some cases, were provided by individuals not licensed to provide the services. Specifically, Bayryshova, Bagardi and allegedly their co-defendants falsely billed for services purportedly rendered to patients injured in automobile accidents when the services were not actually provided. It is further alleged that BPT paid patients for referrals and referred patients to attorneys to assist with patients’ insurance settlements. Bagardi was one of three defendants to plead guilty in the case. Barenboym and Pride previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced on May 10, 2023 and May 24, 2023, respectively. The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of Rollins’ Criminal Division is prosecuting the case. 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: East Boston Man Indicted for Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – An East Boston man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Cristopher Vladimir Pineda Martinez, 23, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Pineda was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in January 2023. According to the charging documents, law enforcement identified Pineda as member of several private large-scale group chats involved in the distribution of CSAM on an online chat platform. It is alleged that on Dec. 12, 2022, Pineda distributed eight videos depicting CSAM in three online chat groups. It is further alleged that an additional 54 videos of CSAM, involving children as young as six years old, were found on Pineda’s personal cell phone. 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 up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime 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. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan C. Cleary of Rollins’ 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. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Federal Judge Sentences Rockford Man to More Than Five Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm in Rockford

body_text: ROCKFORD — A federal judge has sentenced a Rockford man to five years and four months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm in Rockford, to be followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston sentenced JAVIN MASON, 32, to more than five years in prison today. Mason pleaded guilty in November 2022 to a charge of illegal firearms possession. As a previously convicted felon, Mason was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms. Mason admitted in a plea agreement to possessing firearms that he knew were stolen, and selling them to another individual. The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Christopher C. Amon, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and Carla Redd, Chief of the Rockford Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Maveus. Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) – the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy. In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.


title: Several Defendants Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crimes

body_text: MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that four defendants were sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty in four separate cases involving drug trafficking and firearms charges. Leslie Jason Fulwiler , 50, of West Monroe, Louisiana , was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On or about January 28, 2021, Fulwiler pawned two firearms in Minden, Louisiana. Just one day later, Fulwiler went back to the pawn shop to try and retrieve the firearms he had pawned but could not do so due to the fact that he is a convicted felon. Further investigation by agents with the West Monroe Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) revealed that the firearms Fulwiler had pawned were in fact stolen. Fulwiler has prior felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine and burglary and knew that he could not possess a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. The case was prosecuted by the ATF and West Monroe Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Mudrick. Dantrell Rayshon Marshall , 23, of Monroe, Louisiana , was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearms charges. On August 31, 2022, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for having an expired Louisiana temporary license tag. When deputies approached the vehicle, they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside and asked both the driver and passenger, who was later identified as Marshall, out of the vehicle. They consented to a search of the vehicle and deputies discovered approximately 42 grams of suspected marijuana and a Springfield Armory 9mm firearm loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition partially protruding from the front passenger seat. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the firearm was operational and had traveled through interstate commerce. Marshall was indicted September 28, 2022 and charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to the charge November 21, 2022. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ATF, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille Gilreath. Keith Jerome Mosley , 50, of Edwards, Mississippi , was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. On or about September 8, 2020, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped the vehicle Mosley was driving after learning that he had agreed to sell methamphetamine to an individual. Law enforcement officers found a plastic bag hidden in the vehicle which contained not less than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Mosley pleaded guilty to the charge on November 21, 2022. The case was investigated by the DEA and Louisiana State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon H. Whitten. Adrian Dion Coleman , 24, of Monroe, Louisiana , was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Coleman pleaded guilty October 31, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges stemmed from a traffic stop conducted on January 18, 2021 by officers with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in which Coleman was a passenger in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a Taurus 9mm pistol on the seat of the car where Coleman had been sitting. Coleman also had 12 individual clear bags of marijuana on his person, containing a total of 48 grams. Coleman admitted the drugs and firearm were his. The firearm was tested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and it was determined that the firearm was operational and had traveled through interstate commerce. The case was investigated by the ATF and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Weber. “The sentences handed down in each of these cases are the result of outstanding work and coordination between our federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Monroe area,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “We will continue working together with these law enforcement agencies to make the streets of Monroe safer.” # # #


title: 15 Arrested in Law Enforcement Operation Targeting Fraudulent Withdrawal of Benefits Designated for Low-Income Families

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – “Operation Urban Justice,” a large-scale law enforcement operation this week, has resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals who allegedly used information from “skimmed” electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to make unauthorized withdrawals of funds that had been disbursed to low-income individuals, the Justice Department announced today. More than 300 law enforcement officers early Wednesday morning began monitoring about 20 ATM locations across the Los Angeles area and identified individuals who were making multiple cash withdrawals with cards encoded with information that had been stolen from cards used by the California Department of Social Services to provide CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits to qualified recipients. Authorities made arrests after determining that the suspects at the ATMs were not entitled to access funds that had been deposited into beneficiary’s accounts. At this time, federal prosecutors have filed five criminal complaints charging defendants with the use of unauthorized access devices (the cards used to make the cash withdrawals) or possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices, and they are expected to file additional cases later today and tomorrow. The defendants arrested, many of them Romanian nationals, are expected to begin making initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court. The Los Angeles Police Department started the investigation into the fraudulent withdrawal of benefits in August 2022, and the United States Secret Service soon after joined “Operation Urban Justice” as a joint partner. A number of law enforcement agencies are providing significant support, which included participating in Wednesday’s takedown, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Glendale Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Social Services, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, and the Romanian Brigade for Combatting Criminal Organizations (which is part of the Romanian National Police). Documents filed in federal court outline how the California Department of Social Services has identified more than $38.9 million in funds stolen from victims’ EBT cards. This fraud has targeted CalWORKs and CalFresh (previously known as “food stamps”), both of which are intended to help low-income beneficiaries purchase food and provide for basic needs. The investigation has revealed that the fraudulent withdrawal of these benefits is done with “cloned” cards, which are debit cards, gift cards or other devices with magnetic strips that have been encoded with information from legitimate EBT cards. Court documents allege that at least some of those involved in the fraudulent withdrawals obtained stolen EBT card information from “skimming” devices that were installed on ATM machines. “By stealing public benefits using counterfeit EBT cards, the defendant in these cases plundered the accounts of some of our community’s poorest residents—people who need these benefits to survive,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “These actions are part of a larger assault on the EBT system, one which has caused tens of millions of dollars in losses. Working with our law enforcement partners who have devoted untold resources to combating this issue, my Office will continue to do everything in our power to stop criminals from victimizing people in our community, especially those who are most vulnerable.” “Today’s successful operation demonstrates how a sophisticated and extensive criminal scheme can be disrupted and dismantled by a team of law enforcement professionals who approach their investigation with an even greater degree of cooperation,” said James Huse, Special Agent in Charge with the Los Angeles Field Office of the United States Secret Service. “The results of this investigation are a testament to strong partnerships across the law enforcement community. Our efforts today serve to protect the Electronic Benefits Transfer system and ensure that public funds reach those who need them without delay or distress.” “On March 1, 2023, the Los Angeles Police Department's Commercial Crimes Division partnered with the United States Secret Service and other federal law enforcement agencies to conduct a collaborative enforcement operation targeting the State of California’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) fraud issue with losses in the tens of millions of dollars,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore. “The operation involved numerous Los Angeles Police Department personnel and resulted in the recovery of 429 cloned state issued EBT cards, $129,000 in US currency unlawfully drawn from ATM machines at several Southern California banking institutions, as well as resulting in the arrests of 11 Romanian national individuals for EBT access card fraud with losses totaling over $1000-a federal felony. All of the individual cases will be filed by the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ), United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for federal prosecution.” On February 2, as part of Operation Urban Justice, three additional defendants were arrested after they allegedly withdrew funds from ATM machines in Hollywood and Tarzana with cloned EBT cards. All three were subsequently named in federal indictments that charge them with bank fraud (which carries a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison), aggravated identity theft, unlawful use of unauthorized access devices and possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices. Criminal complaints and indictments contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The United States Secret Service and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating these matters. Assistant United States Attorneys Nisha Chandran and Joshua O. Mausner of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting these cases. Substantial assistance was provided by the following Assistant United States Attorneys, all from the General Crimes Section: Laura A. Alexander, Jeremy K. Beecher, Haoxiaohan H. Cai, Declan T. Conroy, Alexander S. Gorin, David C. Lachman, Kelly L. Larocque, Jena A. MacCabe, Angela C. Makabali, Sonya A. Nevarez, Daniel H. Weiner, and David W. Williams.


title: Pennsylvania Resident Convicted Of Conspiracy In Scheme To Defraud And Extort Crypotocurrency Executives

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Today, Anthony Francis Faulk pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy in connection with a scheme to defraud more than a dozen executives of cryptocurrency-related companies and cryptocurrency investors of money and other property, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable William H. Orrick, United States District Judge. Faulk, 26, of Latrobe, Penn., acknowledged his role in the conspiracy in a written plea agreement filed with the Court. According to his plea agreement, Faulk admitted from October 2016 through May 2018, he conspired with others to defraud and extort cryptocurrencies and other money from executives of cryptocurrency-related companies and cryptocurrency investors. Faulk acknowledged that the scheme involved extortion as well as “SIM swapping,” whereby Faulk and his co-conspirators gained access to their victims’ email, electronic storage, and other accounts to defraud the victims of their property. SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module. A SIM card is a technology used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile phone devices. According to his plea agreement, Faulk admitted that he used fraud, deception, and social engineering techniques to induce representatives of cellphone service providers to transfer or port cellphone numbers from SIM cards in the devices possessed by victims into SIM cards of devices possessed by members of the conspiracy. Once in possession of the illegally obtained information, members of the conspiracy reset passwords of their victims’ email, electronic storage, and other accounts. The co-conspirators then were able to control the accounts, access cryptocurrency accounts, and transfer cryptocurrencies from accounts owned by the victims to accounts, or wallets, controlled by Faulk and his co-conspirators. Further, Faulk admitted that in addition to transferring cryptocurrencies, the co-conspirators also contacted some of their victims by telephone and threatened to compromise further accounts unless the victims paid additional money to the fraudsters. In the plea agreement, Faulk agreed to forfeit a home in Pennsylvania valued at approximately $942,500, two bank accounts with a combined value of more than $18,500,000, luxury cars, jewelry, and other property – all constituting or is derived from proceeds traceable to the conspiracy. On December 10, 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Faulk, charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S. C. § 1349, and one count of interstate communications with intent to extort, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(d). Pursuant to his plea agreement, Faulk pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count. If Faulk complies with the terms of the agreement, the extortion count will be dismissed at sentencing. Faulk remains free on bail pending his sentencing. Judge Orrick scheduled the sentencing for June 8, 2023. Faulk faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of twice the gain or loss realized from his crimes. In addition, the court could order Faulk to serve a maximum three-year term of supervised release, restitution, and other penalties. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant United States Attorney Robert Leach is prosecuting the case. This case is the result of an investigation from FBI, along with significant assistance from the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office's REACT Task Force.


title: Lame Deer man admits sexually abusing boy on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man today admitted to allegations that he sexually abused a minor boy over several years on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Loy Matthew Bryant, 51, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. Bryant faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Bryant was detained pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that Bryant engaged in sexual relations with the victim, identified as John Doe, who was between the ages 12 years and 16 years, for several years. In September 2022, John Doe, age 17, disclosed that Bryant started sexually abusing him when he was in about the sixth grade. When interviewed by law enforcement, Bryant admitted to having sexual relations with the victim. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI. XXX


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Aaron Andrew Dement, 44, of Munroe Falls, Ohio, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor. Dement must also register as a sex offender. According to court documents and statements made in court, Dement used a dating-chat website to communicate with an individual he believed to be a minor female. Dement admitted to sending the minor female a photo of his genitals and a video of himself masturbating. Dement also asked the minor female to take and send him a photo of her genitalia. On October 2, 2021, Dement contacted the minor female again and asked her to produce and send him a sexually explicit photo of herself and a sexually explicit voice message. Dement sent the minor female another sexually explicit video of himself. Dement further admitted that from October 7, 2021 until December 13, 2021, he continued to attempt to persuade, induce, entice or coerce the minor child to produce sexually explicit images of herself while also sending her sexually explicit images of himself, through online chats and text messages. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crime Against Children (VCAC) Task Force. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rada Herrald and Kristin F. Scott prosecuted the case. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-20 and 2:22-cr-199. ###


title: Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PHILIP FROST, 33, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert M. Chatigny in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense. According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2016, Frost was convicted in state court of possessing child pornography in the second degree. On October 1, 2019, while Frost was on special parole and residing in a halfway house in Hartford, a staff member at the halfway house discovered Frost was in possession of a smartphone, which was a violation of Frost’s parole conditions. The staff member secured the phone and contacted Frost’s parole officer. That evening, before the parole officer arrived the next morning, Frost used another resident’s phone to delete the history of his various online messaging accounts. Subsequent analysis of Frost’s smartphone revealed images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children. The investigation further revealed that, between July 31, 2019 and October 1, 2019, Frost engaged in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old victim. Frost provided a cellphone to the minor victim so that they could communicate, and he enticed the minor victim to send him images of the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Frost also received these images on his smartphone. Frost was on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry at the time this criminal conduct. Frost has been detained since October 2, 2019. On October 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography. State sexual assault charges against Frost are pending. This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan. This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com .


title: Korean National Pleads Guilty to “Bust Out” Bank Fraud Scheme in Sacramento Area and Elsewhere

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Hee Soung Oh, 47, a Korean national residing in Southern California, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between January 2017 and September 2017, Oh participated in a nationwide check kiting “bust out” scheme in order to obtain cash from banks. The scheme’s participants obtained a real Republic of Korea passport that was altered to bear a new photograph and name, which they used to open bank accounts with a small amount of cash. The accounts were dormant until a time the participants believed the bank would allow the account holder to deposit a check and make withdrawals before the check actually cleared. At that time, the participants wrote checks from a different bank account with non-sufficient funds, deposited those checks into the dormant account, and then withdrew cash from the dormant account before the checks cleared. The participants would access funds by purchasing a money order and then deposit the money order into yet another bank account associated with the scheme. Oh is associated with opening source accounts or draining victim accounts. These bust-outs resulted in an actual loss of $273,800 to the banks, and a total intended loss of $466,318 based on additional, unsuccessful bust-out attempts. This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey B. Hemesath is prosecuting the case. Oh is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Oh faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years. The actual sentence, however, will 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. Korean nationals Jong Eun Lee, 48, and Kyung Min Kong, 55, were sentenced respectively to 22 months and seven years and nine months in prison. Charges are pending against Ki Jang and Bon Soke Hong, who were indicted on Oct. 21, 2021. The charges against them are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced for Fourth Failure to Register as a Sex Offender Conviction

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge, Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on February 27, 2023. Benjamen T. Flute, a/k/a Benjamin T. Flute, age 43, was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Flute was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 7, 2022. Flute was convicted of Second-Degree Rape in Caddo County, Oklahoma, in December of 2007. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. Flute was convicted in U.S. District Court of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in 2017, 2019, and 2021. In August of 2022, Flute was released from prison with instructions to begin supervised release in Rapid City. Flute thereafter did not arrive at his expected residence in Rapid City, and he failed to update his sex offender registration. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, and Flute was arrested in Rapid City on August 25, 2022. This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson 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 . Flute was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rosebud Man Sentenced for Failure to Register

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on February 28, 2023. Damon Has Horns, age 41, was sentenced to two years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Has Horns was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on November 21, 2022. Has Horns was convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse on June 20, 2001. As a result of this conviction, Has Horns is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment or student status. Has Horns last registered in June of 2022, providing an address in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Has Horns failed to pay rent in September and the locks to his apartment were changed on October 1, 2022. Has Horns’ whereabouts were unknown until he was arrested on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation on June 18, 2022. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. This case was investigated by U.S. Marshals Service and Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case. Has Horns was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Swift Bird Woman Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Swift Bird, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on February 27, 2023. Regina Maynard, age 31, was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Maynard was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2022. She pleaded guilty on October 4, 2022. The conviction stemmed from an incident on February 7, 2022, when law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Maynard and a co-defendant. They searched the vehicle and found inside Maynard’s purse a digital scale and several baggies. Five packages of methamphetamine, totaling 139 grams of pure methamphetamine, were found in a safe disguised to look like a book. Maynard admitted possessing the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in and around central South Dakota and on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. This case was investigated by the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. Maynard was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Sioux Falls Woman Sentenced in Meth Conspiracy

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on February 28, 2023. Tiffany Nicole Seidel, 31, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Seidel was indicted for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. She pleaded guilty on December 2, 2022. Seidel reached an agreement with co-conspirators to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota. On April 7, 2022, she assisted her co-conspirators in completing the sale of one pound of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. She and her co-conspirators met the confidential informant in the parking lot of a grocery store, where they completed the sale of approximately 333.8 grams of methamphetamine, at 98% purity, for $4,600. Her involvement in the conspiracy ended in June of 2022, when she was arrested for her conduct. This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen, who also serves as a prosecutor with the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Seidel was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Former Raleigh County Housing Director Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Crime

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. Laquenta Lowe, 45, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to conversion of public money exceeding $1,000. Lowe admitted to stealing at least $7,978.91 in federal funds while employed by the Raleigh County Housing Authority (RCHA). According to court documents and statements made in court, Lowe was chief financial officer and accountant for the RCHA from July 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019. Lowe was executive director of the RCHA from June 1, 2019, through April 30, 2021. During this time, RCHA administered programs that used federal funds including the Section 8 income-based rent subsidy program. RCHA kept the federal funds it received from the United States Department and Urban Development (HUD) in RCHA’s primary operating account at a West Virginia bank. Lowe used her positions at RCHA to steal at least $7,978.91 in federal funds that HUD had disbursed to RCHA and knowingly converted the funds to her personal use and without authorization. Lowe admitted to receiving at least $6,728.82 of that amount in overtime compensation that she should not have received. Lowe further admitted to receiving at least $660.68 in travel-related expenses reimbursements that she should not have received for RCHA-related travel. Lowe also admitted to using a RCHA credit card issued to her to purchase a $199.99 smart watch for her personal use and without authorization. Lowe is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU). United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Blackwell and Kristin Scott are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-7. ###


title: Syracuse Man Sentenced to More Than Ten Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Omar Fuentes, age 26, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to a total of 121 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy involving the distribution of heroin and cocaine, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of that conspiracy. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarantino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Chief of Police Joseph Cecile, Syracuse Police Department. As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Fuentes admitted that between May and September 2020, he conspired with others to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine in the Syracuse area. The defendant also admitted that on September 16, 2020, he possessed a loaded semi-automatic handgun and a quantity of heroin he intended to distribute. Fuentes was one of 13 defendants charged and convicted in connection with the investigation which revealed that these defendants were involved in bringing kilogram quantities of heroin and cocaine to Syracuse from New York and Puerto Rico and then redistributing the drugs throughout the Syracuse area. During the investigation, law enforcement seized multiple kilograms of cocaine as well as significant quantities of heroin, numerous firearms, and large sums of United States currency. United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered Fuentes to serve a four-year term of supervised release following his release from prison. The other defendants convicted in this and other related cases, and the sentences they received, are listed below: Name Prison Term Jobany Tirado 135 months Angel Negron-Collazo 120 months Joel Franco-Ortiz 85 months Rahfet Shehadeh 57 months Samuel Matos 100 months Luis Mendez 70 months Helbert Calo-Birriel 70 months Luis Resto 60 months John Resto 60 months Hector Santiago 24 months Jose Medina Time served (12 months) Jikeya McBride 27 months Jonathan Cornier 10 months These cases were investigated by the by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Syracuse Police Department, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Investigators from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Police, and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicolas Commandeur and Adrian LaRochelle, and former Assistant United States Attorney Sahar Amandolare. This effort is 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 .


title: Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Michael Griswold, age 37, of Syracuse, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. As part of his plea, Griswold admitted that, on November 9, 2022, he possessed over 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a bag in his bedroom closet. Griswold also admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others. United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby will sentence Griswold on July 12, 2023. Griswold faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department, and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Schenectady-Area Teacher Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kristin Blair Hiltunen, age 37, of Amsterdam, New York, was sentenced today to 228 months in prison for sexually exploiting a minor. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. As part of her guilty plea, Hiltunen admitted that between April 2021 and August 2021, she engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor victim who was under 16 years of age. During this period of time, Hiltunen exchanged thousands of messages with the victim over a social media application through which she persuaded, induced, and enticed the victim to take sexually explicit images of themselves and send the images to Hiltunen. Hiltunen further engaged in livestreamed video chats with the victim during which they engaged in sexual acts. United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release to begin after Hiltunen is released from prison. Hiltunen will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of this conviction. This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the Rotterdam Police Department, as well as the New York State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel L. Williams as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Former Rensselaer County Correctional Officer Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of Inmate

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean Morrissey, age 51, of Waterford, New York, a former Rensselaer County Correctional Officer, was sentenced today for sexually abusing an inmate in his custody at the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility (“RCCF”). United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby ordered Morrissey to serve 3 years of probation, to include 6 weekends in jail, and to pay a $2,000 fine. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Morrissey previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging abusive sexual contact of a ward. Morrissey admitted that during a two-week period between September 7, 2018 and September 21, 2018, while he was a correctional officer at RCCF, he knowingly rubbed the genitalia of a female federal inmate, while he was the sole corrections officer in charge of her all-female housing unit. The FBI and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted this case.


title: Saratoga Springs Woman Pleads Guilty to Misappropriating Funds as the Fiduciary to a Veteran

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – JoAnne Natalie, age 64, of Saratoga Springs, New York, pled guilty today to misappropriating the funds of a veteran as his appointed fiduciary, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Christopher F. Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General. Natalie admitted that after being appointed as fiduciary for a veteran, between September 2019 and January 2021, she stole, embezzled and misappropriated $50,174.42 of the veteran’s VA benefits by using the benefits deposited into the veteran’s bank account for her own personal ends. She also admitted to neglecting and failing to submit any required accountings to the VA, as required by law. United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby will sentence Natalie on July 27, 2023. Natalie faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to 3 years, and restitution to the estate of the veteran and any other identified victims. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The VA Office of Inspector General investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping prosecuted this case. This case is part of the Elder Justice Initiative. The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving elders can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.


title: New York City Man Indicted for Drug and Gun Offenses

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Rasheed Mingues, 43, a resident of New York City staying in the Utica, NY area, was indicted today for possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. Mingues was previously charged by a federal complaint on December 10, 2022. He has been detained without bail since he made his initial appearance on December 10 before Magistrate Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks. The indictment alleges that, on December 9, 2022, Mingues possessed hundreds of grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with the intent to distribute them. The indictment also alleges that Mingues possessed a loaded 9mm handgun in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. Federal law prohibits Mingues from possessing the firearm as a result of a prior felony conviction. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The charges filed against Mingues carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and New York State Police are investigating the case with assistance from the Utica Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.


title: Romanian Citizen Arrested and Charged in $5 Million Covid Relief Fraud

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Constantin Sandu of Romania, a suspected organized crime figure, was arrested and charged in a federal complaint today with masterminding a scheme to steal more than $5 million in California unemployment insurance benefits intended to help workers impacted by the pandemic. According to the complaint, Sandu conspired with 214 unnamed Romanian co-conspirators across California and in Romania to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in California unemployment insurance benefits by fabricating documents, creating fictitious accounts and businesses, and filing bogus claims with California’s Economic Development Department, which administers the state’s unemployment benefits. “According to the complaint, this defendant presided over a vast network of international swindlers to exploit a program meant to help struggling California workers survive the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The pandemic may be waning, but we are still aggressively investigating allegations of COVID relief fraud. The scheme alleged in this case diverted millions of dollars from those who truly needed it.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case. Sandu was arrested by FBI San Diego on March 1, 2023, at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard at 2 p.m. “FBI San Diego would like to thank our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for addressing this problem in a unified effort,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “These benefits were offered with the intention of helping struggling families stay afloat and were a critical lifeline for many. Sandu’s alleged greed diverted those funds for his own personal gain. The FBI and our partners will continue to identify those who commit pandemic-related fraud and hold them accountable for their crimes.” “The San Diego Police Department is committed to investigating and solving crimes committed by organized crime rings. The arrest of Constantin “Bobi” Sandu is the culmination of a yearlong investigation by Economic Crimes Unit detectives and multiple law enforcement partners. We will continue to collaborate with these partners to arrest the over 200 suspects involved in this investigation.” “IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate individuals and organizations who target relief programs as a way to steal funds from critical programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the Los Angeles Field Office. “It is especially egregious when criminal organizations think they can profit off of the United States and steal funds that are intended to aid citizens during times of need. IRS-CI is committed to aggressively investigating these crimes and bringing those criminal organizations to justice.” The complaint said that beginning in fall of 2020 and continuing until late summer of 2022, Sandu and hundreds of unnamed co-conspirators learned and developed a process to receive the most benefits possible by using fraudulent identifications, falsified utility bills, falsified earnings statements, falsified W2s, fraudulent Health Insurance cards and non-existent companies. Additionally, Sandu learned to “backdate” or modify the EDD applications with an earlier unemployment start date to generate even bigger pay days. Co-conspirators across California would share information, knowledge and resources with Sandu, for Sandu to file claims for regular unemployment insurance and expanded pandemic unemployment insurance benefits from California EDD. Co-conspirators communicated with Sandu via Facebook or other electronic means or met with him in person to provide their Personal Identifying Information, known as PII. According to the California Franchise Tax Board, none of the companies in the various W2’s submitted for conspirators’ EDD applications was real. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, none of the member identification numbers submitted for conspirators EDD applications was real. In total, Sandu conspired with unnamed co-conspirators to fraudulently obtain no less than $5,207,687.00 in California Unemployment Insurance benefits. *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. DEFENDANT Case Number: 23-mj-00697-AHG Constantin Sandu, aka Bobi Sandu, aka Ionut Mihai Age: 33 Transient, Romanian SUMMARY OF CHARGES Title 18, U.S.C. § 1349 and 1343 - Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C) Criminal Forfeitures; Title 28, U.S.C. § 2461(c) Civil Forfeitures Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison, $1 million fine AGENCIES Federal Bureau of Investigation San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit Internal Revenue Service California Employment Development Department Investigative Division U.S. Department of Homeland Security Department of Labor Office of Investigator General