title: Prisoner Who Escaped from Bloomfield Halfway House Receives Additional Time in Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS PADILLA, 39, formerly of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for escaping from a halfway house in Bloomfield. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 27, 2018, Padilla was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 78 months of imprisonment for conspiring with others to traffic narcotics from Connecticut to Maine. On March 17, 2021, Padilla was transferred from a federal prison in West Virginia to the Drapelick Center, a Residential Reentry Center (halfway house) in Bloomfield, to complete his custodial sentence. On June 1, 2022, Padilla walked out of the Drapelick Center and never returned. He was located and arrested in Bangor, Maine, on April 5, 2024. On June 10, 2024, Padilla pleaded guilty to escape from the custody of the Attorney General. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.


title: CEO Of East Bay-Based Internet Companies Sentenced To More Than Seven Years In Prison For Committing Wire Fraud

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Alan Anderson was sentenced today to 88 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for defrauding investors by lying to them about the profitability of his internet companies, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. Anderson’s sentence was imposed by the Honorable Edward M. Chen, U.S. District Judge. Anderson, 61, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty on Jan. 4, 2024, to two counts of wire fraud. In connection with pleading guilty, Anderson admitted that from Apr. 22, 2010, through May 2018, he was the majority shareholder and CEO of three companies: Imbee.com, a Delaware corporation based in Walnut Creek marketed as a child-friendly social media platform; Fanlala, a California corporation marketed as a service providing internet-based music streaming for children; and Fruit Punch, a California corporation marketed as providing music-streaming service for children. Anderson further admitted that he falsely claimed that the companies were either being acquired or were expanding existing partnerships or contracts with large, well-established companies to induce individuals to invest in his businesses. To further his falsehoods, and to create an appearance of legitimacy for his false claims, Anderson created false contracts, purchase orders, and other documentation that he sent to investors. Anderson created and sent these false documents to investors with the intent to deceive or cheat them. At sentencing, Judge Chen found that Anderson began lying to investors in September 2011, that his long-running fraud spanned years, and that over the course of the scheme Anderson defrauded investors out of approximately $8.825 million. A federal grand jury indicted Anderson on October 13, 2021, charging him with four counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud. In addition to the prison term, Judge Chen also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered that he pay restitution in an amount to be determined during a further hearing on October 10, 2024. The defendant will begin serving the prison term on January 6, 2025. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Sailaja Paidipaty are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Mark DiCenzo. The prosecution is the result of a multi-year investigation by the FBI.


title: Member of Makah Tribe convicted at trial of abusive sexual contact

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – A 46-year-old member of the Makah Tribe was convicted of abusive sexual contact yesterday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma following a three-day trial, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The jury deliberated for about an hour before finding Schyler Colfax, guilty. The Neah Bay, Washington, man faces up to two years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on October 29, 2024. Colfax will be required to register as a sex offender. According to records filed in the case, Colfax had regular access to the home of the victim on Makah Tribal lands. On October 23, 2023, Colfax was found in the bedroom of the 13-year-old victim who had stayed home from school due to illness. Adult relatives found Colfax in the victim’s bed and ordered him to leave. The victim immediately disclosed to her guardians that Colfax had touched her inappropriately. The family then reported the conduct to Neah Bay Police and Colfax was arrested that evening. The FBI joined the Neah Bay police in the investigation and an experienced forensic interviewer took a statement from the child. Because the crime occurred on tribal land and involved tribal members the case was prosecuted in federal court. Colfax was indicted in November 2023 and has been in custody at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington since his arrest on November 16, 2023. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Harder and Celia Lee, who both serve as Tribal Liaisons for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.


title: New Orleans Man Sentenced for  Firearm and Drug Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - HERBERT COOPER (“COOPER”) , age 28, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, by U.S. District Judge, Eldon E. Fallon, to 120 months’ imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to Counts 1, 2, and 3 of a superseding bill of information. The Court also ordered that COOPER be placed on supervised release for 5 years following release from imprisonment and pay a $300 mandatory special assessment fee. Count 1 charged COOPER with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D). Count 2 charged COOPER with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). Count 3 charged COOPER with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). According to court documents, COOPER was previously convicted of felony offenses in St. Tammany Parish and Orleans Parish. Due to his criminal history, he is prohibited from having a firearm. On March 13, 2022, while conducting video surveillance of the 300 block of North Gayoso Street in New Orleans, New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) officers observed COOPER conduct a suspected hand-to-hand narcotics distribution transaction. When a uniformed NOPD officer approached COOPER , he fled and discarded a loaded Glock Model 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, with an extended magazine containing twenty-five (25) live rounds of ammunition. Upon COOPER’s arrest, NOPD officers discovered approximately $2,300.00 in cash on his person. Officers also recovered 1460.5 grams of marijuana, 29.46 grams of methamphetamine, a bottle half-filled with Promethazine, a digital scale, plastic sandwich baggies, and a standard, as well as an extended magazine for a Glock Model 23, semi-automatic handgun, from COOPER’s vehicle. On March 23, 2022 after obtaining a search warrant for a residence and a safe used by COOPER , officers recovered $12,000.00 in cash, two falsified Western Union money orders for $900.00 each, a Smith and Wesson, .38 Special revolver with an obliterated serial number, a Social Security card, and birth certificate, belonging to COOPER . This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Boyfriend of missing Cody woman is sentenced to 87 months in federal prison

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

body_text: Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann announced today that the Cody man whose girlfriend disappeared while the couple and their two children were returning from Alabama in October of 2023, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson. Adam Shane Aviles, Jr., age 26, of Cody, Wyoming, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Based on evidence presented by the government at the sentencing hearing, Judge Johnson found that Aviles unlawfully possessed the ammunition in connection with the voluntary manslaughter of Katheryn Ferguson. She was reported missing in October 2023 and is presumed dead. Aviles was arrested in early November 2023, after the Park County Sheriff’s Office found bullet holes, a fully loaded .45 caliber magazine and ammunition, and numerous blood-stained items inside his vehicle. Aviles is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition. Aviles was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 15, 2023 and he pleaded guilty on Jun. 14. “Today’s sentence is a product of close cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutors. We hope the sentence provides a measure of justice, however partial, for the loss of Katheryn Ferguson to her children and her family,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann. “This case is a sad reminder that felons cannot be trusted with firearms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute gun crimes to help make the people of Wyoming safer.” This crime was investigated by the Park County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the FBI with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . Case No. 23-CR-00161


title: Rancho Cucamonga Man and Woman Found Guilty of Federal Criminal Charges in Connection with ‘Birth Tourism’ Scheme

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Two San Bernardino County residents were found guilty by a jury today of operating a “birth tourism” scheme that charged Chinese clients tens of thousands of dollars to help them give birth in the United States to obtain birthright U.S. citizenship for their children. Michael Wei Yueh Liu (刘维岳), 59, of Rancho Cucamonga, and Jing Dong, (董晶), 47, also of Rancho Cucamonga, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of international money laundering. According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, from at least January 2012 to March 2015, Liu and Dong ran a maternity house in Rancho Cucamonga. Liu and Dong rented apartment units in Southern California to provide short-term housing and provided other services to pregnant women from China who traveled to the United States to give birth so their children would acquire U.S. citizenship. Typically, within one or two months after giving birth, the women returned to China. Among the services Liu and Dong provided was assistance on how to obtain visas to enter the United States, customs entry guidance, housing, and transportation in the United States, as well as assistance applying for U.S. legal documents for the children of their customers. Liu and Dong advised their customers on how to hide their pregnancies from the immigration authorities. Liu and Dong also knew – or deliberately avoided learning – that their customers lied on their visa applications submitted to immigration authorities to enter the U.S. Generally, their customers’ visa applications falsely stated that the purpose of the trip to the United States was for tourism, when it was to give birth, and the length of the stay was days or weeks, when it was in fact months. The visas also misstated the location where the customers intended to stay, which was defendants’ maternity hotel. Liu and Dong or their agents also advised their customers to fly to ports of entry with perceived less customs scrutiny, such as Hawaii, before flying to Los Angeles, to wear loose fitting clothing, to favor certain lines at customs that they perceived to be less strict, and on how to answer the customs officials’ questions. Liu and Dong received money from overseas and used that money to promote their scheme. United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner scheduled a December 9 sentencing hearing, at which time Liu and Dong will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years in federal prison for each international money laundering charge. Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the FBI investigated this matter. The Irvine Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory W. Staples and Kevin Y. Fu of the Santa Ana Branch Office are prosecuting this case.


title: Houma Man Sentenced for Making False Statements to Federal Agents

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DONDRE MORGAN, (“ MORGAN ”), age 32, of Houma, LA, was sentenced on September 10, 2024 for Making False Statements to Federal Agents, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). According to court documents, on April 7, 2022, MORGAN made materially false statements to special agents with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division. Specifically, MORGAN lied about his involvement and participation in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud scheme. United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion sentenced MORGAN to ten months of imprisonment, followed by three (3) years of supervised release, payment of restitution in the amount of $55,945.33, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, is an active member of the PRAC Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.” Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . The United States Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General; United States Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General; United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; and the United States Secret Service’s Cyber Fraud Task Force, consisting of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Thibodeaux Police Department, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant United States Attorney Edward Rivera, COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator of the Financial Crimes Unit; and Assistant United States Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman, of the General Crimes Unit.


title: U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO WORK WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

body_text: Oxford, Miss. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi has developed community and law enforcement partnerships to ensure that we use all the tools at our disposal to keep victims safe and ensure that justice is done,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “We will leverage all available resources to prioritize the prosecution of domestic violence offenders who unlawfully possess firearms, or whose criminal conduct occurs online or crosses state lines.” Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. In the Northern District of Mississippi, Greenville, Mississippi was designated as a VAWA site. Greenville has been a Project Safe Neighborhoods site since 2002. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi will work in Greenville and towns across the District to prioritize domestic violence prosecutions. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. Complete List of Jurisdictions as of September 11, 2024: Montgomery County, Alabama Jefferson County, Alabama Little Rock, Arkansas Washington County, Arkansas Fresno, California San Diego, California Hartford, Connecticut Ward 7, District of Columbia Jacksonville, Florida Alachua County, Florida Metro Miami-Dade County, Florida Macon-Bibb County, Georgia DeKalb County, Georgia Augusta, Georgia City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Ada County, Idaho Danville, Illinois Rockford, Illinois Madison County, Illinois Gary, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana Des Moines, Iowa Linn County, Iowa Garden City, Kansas Fayette County, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Orleans Parish, Louisiana Rapides Parish, Louisiana Western Maine Region: Franklin, Oxford, and Androscoggin Counties, Maine Baltimore City, Maryland Boston, Massachusetts Saginaw, Michigan Lansing, Michigan Greenville, Mississippi Jackson, Mississippi Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Greene County, Missouri Gallatin County and Bozeman, Montana Northeast Omaha, Nebraska Las Vegas, Nevada Strafford County, New Hampshire Bernalillo County, New Mexico Borough of Brooklyn, New York Onondaga County, New York Borough and County of the Bronx, New York Monroe County, New York Fayetteville and Cumberland County, North Carolina Forsyth County, North Carolina Asheville (including Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), North Carolina Grand Forks, North Dakota Toledo, Ohio Muskogee County, Oklahoma Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma Portland, Oregon Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Allegheny County, Pennsylvania San Juan, Puerto Rico Pawtucket, Rhode Island Greenville County, South Carolina Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota City of Chattanooga, Tennessee Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee Gregg County, Texas Amarillo, Texas Houston, Texas San Antonio, Texas Salt Lake County, Utah South Hampton Roads (Chesapeake/Norfolk/Portsmouth/Virginia Beach), Virginia Oswald Harris Court Housing Community, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Chittenden County, Vermont Spokane County, Washington King County, Washington Wheeling Area (Ohio/Brooke/Hancock Counties), West Virginia Kanawha County, West Virginia Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dane County, Wisconsin Fremont County, Wyoming


title: Two Men Each Sentenced to More Than 100 Years in Prison for Killing 13-Year-Old Malachi Lukes

body_text: WASHINGTON – Tyiion Freeman, 25, and Koran Jackson, 24, both of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to 108 years and 164 years, respectively, for a nine-day shooting spree that culminated in the March 1, 2020, murder of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes. The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). A Superior Court jury on July 10, 2024, found Freeman, Jackson, and a third conspirator, Stephon Nelson, guilty of first-degree murder while armed, several counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, conspiracy to commit various firearms offenses and other firearms-related charges. Nelson, who supplied the illegal firearms, is scheduled for sentencing on September 19, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, between February 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, Freeman and Jackson, along with two other defendants who are awaiting trial, participated in a firearms conspiracy. Using the firearms from that conspiracy, the defendants engaged in four separate shooting sprees that resulted in the murder of Malachi Lukes and assaults on 10 other victims. Three of shootings stemmed from a longstanding rivalries among various District of Columbia neighborhoods. According to the evidence, on March 1, 2020, Jackson, Freeman, and two co-conspirators traveled to the Shaw neighborhood in a stolen vehicle. Malachi and his three teenage friends were walking to a basketball court. The defendants followed the teens and pulled alongside them. Two defendants exited the stolen vehicle and opened fire on the boys, killing Malachi Lukes and grazing another. Immediately thereafter, the defendants drove 10 minutes to another neighborhood where they opened fire on another victim. In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the MPD, the FBI Washington Field Office's Violent Crimes Task Force and ATF along with the Arlington County Police Department. They also thanked the Arlington County Sheriff Department; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Capitol Police; D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences; DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Montgomery County Police Department; D.C. Department of Corrections; and the Internal Revenue Service—Atlanta Branch. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Jackson, Tamara Rubb, and Nebiyu Feleke, with assistance from Lead Paralegal Sharon Newman, Supervisory Paralegal Tasha Harris, Paralegals April Urbanowski and Alyssa Schroeder, Superior Court Operations Manager Linda McDonald, and Victim Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen.


title: U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICES TO WORK WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: U.S. Justice Department Designates Communities Under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders MIAMI – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. Metro Miami-Dade County is the designated jurisdiction in the Southern District of Florida. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to combat violent crime, to include domestic violence. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. ###


title: Dominican National Pleads Guilty for Role in Human Smuggling Venture that Resulted in 11 Deaths

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Dominican national pleaded guilty today to his role in a human smuggling venture that resulted in the deaths of multiple migrants. Fermín Montilla, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of bringing aliens to the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry resulting in death. According to court documents, Montilla was involved in a maritime human smuggling venture that attempted to bring migrants illegally to the United States. On or about the evening of May 12, 2022, Montilla knowingly brought 48 persons to the United States unlawfully. Montilla’s actions caused the deaths of 11 of those people. The defendant is expected to be sentenced later this year and faces a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico; and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Juan made the announcement. HSI San Juan investigated this case, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Trial Attorney Angela Buckner of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and U.S. Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Helena Daniel for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case. The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office to Work with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic Violence

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. “Stopping gender-based violence is a priority in the District of Utah and it is critical that we work together,” said United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins. “Through our robust partnerships with state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement, and community organizations, we remain committed to addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking through prosecution and providing access to justice for victims and survivors.” “Domestic abuse was once considered a private matter to be suffered alone in the shadows”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. VAWA has steadily shone a light on this issue, resulting in significant decreases in domestic violence over the past few decades. We recognize firearms are often used by abusers to carry out acts of domestic violence. To combat this, we encourage our law enforcement partners to seek all available federal funds so we may continue to disrupt this violence, and strengthen our support of all victims.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Utah has always prioritized cases involving firearms and domestic violence offenders. Part of our office’s current strategic plan is to expand relationships with groups focusing on domestic violence prevention, such as victim advocacy groups, shelters, and resource centers. We also continue to organize training with our law enforcement partners to specifically address prosecutions involving persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence and offenders subject to a protective order. Additionally, this month in the District of Utah, a man who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend while within Indian Country will be sentenced to federal prison. Last month, a Utah woman who attempted to commit a murder for hire to kill her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment. These successful outcomes would not be possible without the tireless work of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in the pursuit of justice. Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. In the District of Utah, the following jurisdictions have been designated: Salt Lake County. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime .


title: Man Sentenced for Transporting Three Teens to San Diego for Prostitution

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – Sept 13, 2024 SAN DIEGO – Clifford Stokes Jr. of Tempe, Arizona, was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison for transporting a 19-year-old woman and two 16-year-old girls from Arizona to San Diego in January 2023 to engage in prostitution. One of the minor victims was reported as a missing juvenile from Arizona at the time Stokes drove her and the other two victims to an area in San Diego known for street-based commercial sex trafficking. On January 17, 2023, San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force officers were conducting an operation in a high-prostitution area to recover sex trafficking victims when they observed Stokes driving his vehicle with out-of-state plates into the area and letting two of the victims out of the car. Officers observed as the victims began walking the street and waving at vehicles. When Stokes returned to the area in his vehicle to pick up the two victims, task force officers initiated a traffic stop. Stokes, the driver of the vehicle, was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, and the three victims were passengers. The adult victim told investigators that Stokes used violence and threats of violence to require her to earn $1,000 a day in commercial sex acts for his financial benefit. Officers were able to quickly identify the juvenile victims and contact Child Welfare Services, helping to reunite the victims with their families back home to Arizona. “Today’s sentence underscores the gravity of human trafficking crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The road to recovery for these young girls will be long and painful, but they will walk free from fear and brutality years before this defendant is released from prison.” “This sentencing sends a clear message to potential offenders that they will be held accountable for their criminal behavior and the exploitation of the youth in California will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I’m extremely grateful to our San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, local law enforcement and our federal partners for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe. My office always stands ready to work with our partners across California to fight for public safety.” “Predatory behavior will not be tolerated by HSI,” said Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “This investigation demonstrates HSI’s unwavering commitment to protecting the victims of these crimes and bringing these predators to justice.” If you are living or working under threat of violence or extortion, or you suspect someone else may be, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center toll free, 24/7 Hotline: CALL: (888) 373-7888 or TEXT BeFree or 233733. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko and Lyndzie M. Carter. DEFENDANTS Case Number 23-cr-00258-TWR Clifford Stokes Jr. Age: 23 Tempe, AZ SUMMARY OF CHARGES Transportation for Purpose of Prostitution – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2421(a) Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force San Diego Police Department San Diego Sheriff’s Office California Highway Patrol


title: Greece woman pleads guilty for her role in fraud scheme

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nickola Ferra, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that Ferra engaged in an extensive pattern of conduct involving document fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, retail theft, and identity theft. One part of the scheme involved Ferra and others obtaining merchandise by theft or fraud from local retailers, which was then returned in exchange for gift cards and store credit or sold to third parties. In furtherance of the scheme, Ferra presented forged and/or stolen passports and other stolen identification and credit information to merchants. Fraudulent purchases also included car and hotel rentals. The stolen identity information was also used in attempts to open credit cards and obtain loans in other individuals’ names. At least 10 identity theft victims and thousands of dollars in losses have been identified. The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Wood. Sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa. .# # # #


title: Rochester man and woman charged with robbing a postal carrier, postal keys and mail

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Shyasia Kelis McCullough, 23, and Malik Shameer McCray, 24, both of Rochester, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of USPS mailbox keys, mail theft, robbery of a USPS letter carrier, and conspiracy. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on June 5, 2023, while delivering mail on Lake Avenue in Rochester, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was robbed of his keys, which included a mailbox key, vehicle key, and keys to secured buildings along the mail delivery route. Postal Inspectors reviewed video surveillance in the area and identified a suspect and a vehicle suspected of being involved in the robbery. A few days later, on June 9, 2023, a Gates Police Officer spotted the vehicle entering the Westgate Post Office and conducted a traffic stop. McCray was driving the vehicle and McCullough was a passenger. McCray was taken into custody on traffic violations. During the execution of a search warrant on the vehicle, officers located multiple filled out personal checks with multiple different names on them, as well as a USPS vehicle key and other keys similar to the ones stolen from the letter carrier. Also recovered, numerous cell phones, ski masks, blank check stock paper, invoices, and portions of what appeared to be invoice remittance slips, bank credit/debit cards and identifications in names other than the defendants. These items are indicative of mail theft, check washing, and bank fraud. A ledger was also found listing what appeared to be individuals who provided access to their financial accounts for the purposes of fraudulent check deposits. A review of McCray’s cell phone recovered a chat between McCray and McCullough, with the two discussing the robbery of the mail carrier. It also recovered a photo of the stolen mail keys. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Gates Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Long. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Former FMC Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Three Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Ward

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Jacob Salcido, 40, pleaded guilty on Friday, before Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, to three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. According to his plea agreement, from September 5, 2020, to December 21, 2020, while employed as a Correctional Officer at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Salcido knowingly engaged in sexual acts with three inmates. Salcido admitted that, based on his training and experience, he was aware that any sexual contact between FMC staff and inmates was strictly forbidden and constituted a criminal offense. “Jacob Salcido blatantly exploited his power as a correctional officer by sexually abusing three women in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Justice Department’s commitment to eradicating sexual abuse within the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Prisons continues through every case we prosecute. Today’s guilty plea is the latest but certainly not the last in our efforts to eradicate sexual abuse in federal prisons.” “Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers are responsible for fostering a safe and humane environment for inmates to serve out their sentences,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Instead, Salcido abused his authority and sexually abused three inmates that were in his custody and care. The DOJ OIG is committed to aggressively investigating these types of allegations and bringing perpetrators to justice.” “Instead of ensuring the safety and security of those in his care, the defendant chose to maliciously prey on vulnerable individuals, and betrayed an important obligation to the public,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This disgraceful conduct has done enduring damage to his victims. It has also eroded trust in faithful public servants, those who perform their civic duties honorably. We are committed to our efforts to protect individuals, and to combat abuses by those who callously betray their responsibilities to those in their care and to the public they serve.” United States Attorney Shier; William J. Hannah, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Chicago Field Office; and Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the guilty plea. The investigation was conducted by DOJ-OIG and FBI. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Dembo. Salcido is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13, 2024. This offense carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the guilty plea, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and the federal sentencing statutes. — END —


title: Former Southern Pine Credit Union Finance Officer Sentenced to Prison

body_text: VALDOSTA, Ga. – The former Controller of Southern Pine Credit Union in Valdosta was sentenced to serve five years in prison and pay back more than $1.2 million in restitution after she admitted to a long-running bank loan and aggravated identity theft scheme. Teresa Paulo, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 24 months imprisonment for aggravated identity theft and 36 months imprisonment for bank fraud to be served consecutively for a total of 60 months in prison on Sept. 12. In addition, Paulo was ordered to pay $1,238,638.29 in restitution to Southern Pine Credit Union. Paulo pleaded guilty to these charges on Nov. 2, 2023. Leah Lehman, 63, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 24 months imprisonment for aggravated identity theft and 48 months imprisonment for bank fraud to be served consecutively for a total of 72 months in prison on May 30. In addition, Lehman was ordered to pay $4,491,253.97 in restitution to Southern Pine Credit Union. Lehman pleaded guilty to these charges on Oct. 26, 2023. U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands is presiding over these cases. The defendants are not eligible for parole. “Financial fraud has a far-reaching ripple effect that negatively impacts people, businesses and the community,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “We take financial crimes seriously, and we will work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable.” “These sentencings are the direct result of a diligent investigation by hardworking FBI employees and our partners at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General,” said Rich Bilson, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Valdosta office. “The defendants’ greed driven scheme stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and damaged the financial security of innocent victims. They will now be held accountable for their blatant misuse of the power of their positions.” “The criminal behavior in these cases represent the most egregious betrayal of trust by two of this institution’s leaders, resulting in years of ill-gotten gains for the defendants, all while violating the faith that SPCU’s members placed in them,” said Kyle A. Myles, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Region. “We are grateful to our regulatory and law enforcement partners in this case and will continue to vigorously investigate allegations of financial crime at FDIC-supervised institutions and in support of our fellow financial regulators.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Paulo was Southern Pine Credit Union’s (SPCU) controller from Oct. 2011 to June 2020 and Lehman served as President of SPCU from 1990 to 2020. The Credit Union’s members are employees of the local paper mill and their families. Lehman began her fraud in June 2003, when she created a share secured loan in a SPCU account using the name and social security number of a member without that individual’s knowledge. From Feb. 2012 to May 31, 2020, Lehman paid off the loan and rebooked it multiple times with additional advances. She would take the proceeds and put them in a joint share draft account she had with the individual, using the proceeds to pay for a boat, a hunting club share, personal expenses and gifts to family members. This loan was repaid in full. However, Lehman created another share secured loan in another individual’s name without their knowledge and would also pay off the loan and rebook it multiple times for personal spending. To conceal these activities, Lehman created false credit transactions using the names and passwords of SPCU employees. These transactions would advance the due date on the loans, which prevented these loans from appearing on quarterly call reports to the NCUA and allowed Lehman to defer or not make payment on these loans. Following these transactions, Lehman created debit entries to put the loans back on the accounts, which would often include interest accrued on the outstanding loans. She made additional fraudulent loan advances simultaneously with those entries to advance the loan dates. She reflected the loans as being paid off at the end of the quarter to prevent possible detection of artificial growth in the SPCU loan portfolio. In total, the drafts needed to pay off the loan balances at each quarter grew to $4,112,870.63, excluding payments and interest, as of May 31, 2020. Paulo committed a similar fraud scheme to Lehman. In Oct. 2011, Paulo created a share secured loan in a SPCU account using the name and social security number of a member without that individual’s knowledge. From Nov. 2011 until May 29, 2020, Paulo took out additional advances on the loan as well as additional loans from the account. Paulo would transfer the loan proceeds into a joint account for personal spending purposes. She created another share secured account using the personal identity of another individual and would pay off the loan and rebook it multiple times with additional advances, using the proceeds for her own personal expenses or electronically transfer money into her family’s accounts. Paulo concealed her schemes as Lehman concealed hers: creating false credit transactions using the usernames and passwords of SPCU employees to simulate the payoff of the loans, which would advance the due date on the loans. Paulo also created debit entries using other people’s usernames and passwords to put the loans back on the accounts, which would often include interest accrued on the outstanding loans. The drafts needed to pay off the loan balances at each quarter grew to $1,233,201.77, excluding payments and interest, as of May 31, 2020. Paulo made $7,736.16 in legitimate payments to the loan balances. These cases were investigated by the FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Couch prosecuted these cases for the Government


title: Twelve Defendants Sentenced for Violent Home Invasion Robberies to Steal Cryptocurrency

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced to 47 years in prison on Wednesday for his role in a scheme involving a series of home invasion robberies targeting cryptocurrency. Between Sept. 5 and Sept. 12, a total of 12 men have been sentenced for their role in the scheme. According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial, Remy Ra St Felix, 25, of West Palm Beach, and his co-conspirators stole over $3.5 million from victims through SIM swapping and violent home invasions in which they held victims at gunpoint, assaulted them, and bound them with plastic cable ties. St Felix was convicted on June 25 by a federal jury in Greensboro, North Carolina, after a six-day trial. In addition to his sentence of incarceration, St Felix was sentenced to five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $524,153.39 in restitution. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, beginning in late 2020, St Felix’s co-conspirator, Jarod Gabriel Seemungal, 23, of West Palm Beach, and foreign co-conspirators stole cryptocurrency from victims’ accounts at exchanges. They obtained access to the accounts by gaining control of the victims’ phone numbers through SIM swapping. In 2022, Seemungal and his co-conspirators devised the home invasion scheme and recruited St Felix and others to assist with the invasions. St Felix later became the leader of the home invasion crew. In September 2022, St Felix and members of the crew committed violent home invasions in Delray Beach and Homestead, Florida. In Delray Beach, the victims were held at gunpoint in their home. In Homestead, a man and his family were held at gunpoint in their home, and then the man was abducted, held hostage, and beaten, before the man was found by law enforcement 120 miles from his home. Later in 2022, St Felix and his crew targeted a Little Elm, Texas, man and made several trips to attempt the robbery. In December 2022, Seemungal and a Houston-based crew comprised of Deangelo Lee Contreras, 21, Tristian Rene Gamez, 21, Victor Gonzalez, 27, Jesus Salazar, 24, Cristian Valdez, 21, and Jesus Gerardo Valdez, Jr., 27, all of Houston, Texas, committed the home invasion. The Little Elm man and members of his family were held at gunpoint and restrained in their home for over three hours, during which time members of the crew tortured the man and his mother. The perpetrators stole approximately $150,000.00 in cash, two Rolex watches, and a valuable necklace and pendant. In April 2023, St Felix and Elmer Ruben Castro, 23, of West Palm Beach, invaded the home of a wife and a husband in Durham, North Carolina. Prior to the invasion, St Felix’s co-conspirators obtained unauthorized access to the couple’s email account and conducted multiple days of surveillance on their home. During the invasion, the men violently assaulted the couple, threatened them with guns, and restrained them with plastic cable ties. They forced the man to provide access to his computer and cryptocurrency exchange account. Seemungal then remotely accessed the computer and stole over $150,000.00 worth of cryptocurrency. Conspirators laundered the funds through anonymity-enhanced cryptocurrencies, as well as “instant exchanges” and decentralized finance platforms that did not conduct know-your-customer checks. In July 2023, St Felix traveled from Florida to Long Island, New York, to commit a home invasion of a family of five. Before St Felix could do so, however, he was arrested. At the time of his arrest, St Felix was in possession of two firearms and plastic cable ties. Throughout the conspiracy, the conspirators communicated via an encrypted messaging application to plan their crimes. They identified targets and discussed how to gain entry to homes, the tools required to carry out the crimes, the technical aspects of cryptocurrency, and the patterns of life of their targets. They also circulated pictures of their targets and their targets’ homes. In addition to the home invasions described above, conspirators used the encrypted messaging application to plan additional home invasion robberies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Orlando, Florida; and Georgia. Seemungal and the foreign co-conspirators financed the purchase of rental cars, hotel rooms, and firearms by co-conspirators Haisel Daily, 22, of West Palm Beach, and Ruben Matias Nicolopulos Silva, 22, of Lake Worth, Florida, to use during the robberies. Seemungal was also sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $4,038,479.39 in restitution. Seemungal pleaded guilty on December 19, 2023, for his role in the scheme to steal cryptocurrency by hacking victims’ cryptocurrency accounts as well as the home invasion and robbery scheme. On Feb. 6, Castro pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1. On May 29 and 30, nine of St Felix’s and Seemungal’s co-conspirators pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and were sentenced as follows: Jose Alfredo Avila, 27, of West Palm Beach, was sentenced on Sept. 11, to 20 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay $365,100.00 in restitution. Contreras was sentenced on Sept. 5, to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,800.00 in restitution. Daily was sentenced on Sept. 5, to 25 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay $524,153.39 in restitution. Gonzalez was sentenced on Sept. 6, to 12 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,800.00 in restitution. Nathan Noel Quintana, 24, of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, was sentenced on Sept. 6, to 16 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay $365,100.00 in restitution. Silva was sentenced on Sept. 5, to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $524,153.39 in restitution. Cristian Valdez was sentenced on Sept. 6, to 12 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,800.00 in restitution. Jesus Valdez was sentenced on Sept. 6, to 12 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,800.00 in restitution. Jesus Manuel Santiago, III, 23, of West Palm Beach, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1. Also, on May 29 and 30, Salazar and Gamez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery. Salazar was sentenced on Sept. 5, to five years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,800.00 in restitution. Gamez was sentenced on Sept. 11, to eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $355,800.00 in restitution. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina; and Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt of the FBI Charlotte Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the Durham Police Department and the FBI New York, Miami, Houston, Mobile, and Newark Field Offices. The National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) is partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina in prosecuting the case. CCIPS/NCET Trial Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Iverson for the Middle District of North Carolina and CCIPS Trial Attorney Brian Mund are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of Florida, Southern District of Texas, and Eastern District of Texas provided valuable assistance. NCET was established to combat the growing illicit use of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Within CCIPS, NCET conducts and supports investigations into individuals and entities that enable the use of digital assets to commit and facilitate a variety of crimes, with a particular focus on virtual currency exchanges, obfuscation services, and infrastructure providers. NCET also sets strategic priorities regarding digital asset technologies, identifies areas for increased investigative and prosecutorial focus, and leads the department’s efforts to collaborate with domestic and foreign government agencies as well as the private sector to aggressively investigate and prosecute crimes involving cryptocurrency and digital assets. ###


title: Federal Jury Convicts Cherokee County Resident Of First Degree Murder

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Steven Dewayne Beard, age 51, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of First Degree Murder in Indian Country and two federal firearms offenses. The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, September 9, 2024, and concluded, on Friday, September 14, 2024, with the guilty verdicts. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Beard intentionally shot and killed the victim with malice aforethought. According to investigators, Beard and the victim were romantic rivals for the same woman. On March 29, 2023, Beard became angry and ordered the woman to remove her property from his residence while he was away. Knowing that the victim was the woman’s only ride and would accompany her to remove her items, Beard hid his vehicle, and waited inside for the two to return. When the woman and victim arrived, Beard shot the victim in the chest. The victim fell to the ground where Beard shot the victim in the chest again at pointblank range. The crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The guilty verdicts were the results of investigations by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee Nation Marshal’s Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Beard will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Gross and T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.


title: Defendant Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Reentry

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Basilio Antonio-Hernandez, age 40, entered a guilty plea to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien. The Indictment alleged that on May 26, 2024, Antonio-Hernandez, an alien, was found in the United States without the express consent of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security after having been previously deported and removed on three prior occasions. The charges arose from an investigation by the Heavener Police Department and the Enforcement and Removal Operations branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division. The Honorable Jason Robinson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Antonio-Hernandez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan represented the United States.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office To Work With Local Partners To Reduce Domestic Violence

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. Today, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson announced that Muskogee County, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, is included among those designated communities. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning or possessing firearms. Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. “We know that a gun in the hands of someone previously involved in intimate partner violence increases the likely deadliness of all future encounters, whether inside or outside of the home, and today’s initiative tackles this problem head-on,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “We are strongest when we partner together toward a common goal. Collaborating with our partners in the ATF and local, state, and Tribal agencies, we will build and implement plans to enhance public safety and protect abuse survivors in Muskogee County and throughout the Eastern District.” “One of ATFs top priorities has been and will continue to be to reduce domestic violence. When prohibited people and abusers unlawfully possess firearms, the probability of intimate partner homicide increases substantially,” stated ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “Far too often, abuse escalates from bruises to bloodshed and tragically, loss of life. Through our partnerships with the Eastern District of Oklahoma U. S. Attorney’s Office and state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, we will continue to dial in and aggressively charge those who commit these heinous crimes that terrorize families, shatter homes, and destroy lives.” The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime .


title: Circles and Silence Program Set to Return for a 5th Consecutive Year in Rhode Island Schools; As Kids Head Back to School, U.S. Attorney’s Office Launches Internet Safety Resource Page for Parents

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI –United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that his office is set to launch Circles and Silence programs in Rhode Island schools statewide for a 5 th consecutive school year. Additionally, U.S. Attorney Cunha today launched an Internet Safety resource page on the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office web site, providing families with important information to help protect children while on the internet. The Circles and Silence program and the Internet Safety resource page, which includes important an important public service announcement from U.S. Attorney Cunha to parents about ways to help protect kids from online threats, are part of several U.S. Attorney’s Office community outreach initiatives related to crime prevention, enforcement, protecting individuals’ civil rights, and assisting victims. “Whether it’s the risk of opioids and addiction, or the threat posed by online predators, the back-to-school season is the perfect time for parents to make sure that they talk to their kids, understand the threats they face online and in the community, and partner with us in the effort to help keep our children and communities safe,” remarked U.S. Attorney Cunha. The Circles and Silence Program, an education and outreach model that addresses opioid addition, prevention, and recovery, is built around a five-time Emmy nominated, locally produced U.S. Attorney’s Office documentary film narrated by a diverse group of Rhode Island young adults whose personal true-life stories delve deeply into their distinct journeys of drug dependency and recovery. The film documents their paths from addiction, in some instances to prison, to successful management of addiction, to working daily to lead productive and healthy lifestyles. In addition to sharing their stories, individuals who appear in the film participate in in-person conversation sessions with students. To date, more than 30,000 Rhode Island students and community members across the state have attended Circles and Silence programs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will kick-off the new school year on September 17, 2024, with a presentation to students at Cranston East High School. Later that same day, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will present a program on elder abuse and elder fraud at the Salvatore Mancini Senior Center in North Providence. Visit the U.S. Attorney’s web site to learn more about these initiatives and other outreach programs offered by the United States Attorney’s Office. To schedule a Circles and Silence presentation, or any outreach initiative program, contact United States Attorney’s Office Community Engagement & Crime Prevention Coordinator David Neill at (401) 709-5035 or at David.Neill@USDOJ.gov .


title: Washington, D.C. Man and Berkeley County Man Sentenced for Firearms Violations

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men were sentenced for firearms violations in the Eastern Panhandle. Kevin Nicholas Munroe, 32, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm and interstate violation of a protection order. According to court documents, West Virginia State Police were investigating a shooting that led to Munroe, who had an active domestic violence protective order against him filed in Los Angeles, California. Munroe, who is prohibited from having firearms, was located in Martinsburg and was in possession of a .45 caliber revolver. Following his prison sentence, Munroe will serve three years of supervised release. \ Mario Adonte Crawley, 52, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, a search of Crawley’s vehicle during a traffic stop in Kearneysville, West Virginia, uncovered a 9mm loaded handgun. Crawley is prohibited from having firearms because of prior convictions of assault, obstructing justice, and armed robbery in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Crawley will serve 3 years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Kane and Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. Investigative agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. District Court Judge Gina M. Groh presided.


title: Four Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

body_text: WEST VIRGINIA – Four people were sentenced for methamphetamine trafficking in the Northern District of West Virginia. Terry Lee Mason, Jr., 37, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 324 months for the possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of crystal methamphetamine. Robert Joseph Wilson, III, 38, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to 300 months for aiding and abetting the distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Mason, also known as “TJ,” and Wilson, also known as “Robbie,” worked with others to sell methamphetamine in Berkeley County. Brenda Sams, 44, of Petersburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Sams sold methamphetamine in Grant County. Sams has a prior drug conviction in the Northern District of West Virginia, as well as state drug and theft convictions. Melinda Kay Zirbs, 57, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 56 months in federal prison for the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Zirbs was under investigation for drug trafficking and officers seized methamphetamine and more than $20,000 in her home. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Kane and Stephen Warner prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The investigations were conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Maryland State Police; the Hagerstown Police Department; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Washington County, Maryland, Narcotics Task Force; the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Frederick County, Maryland, Sheriff’s Department; the Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the Mason and Wilson sentencings. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided over the Sams and Zirbs hearings. ###


title: United States Attorney’s Office Hosts United Against Hate Event in Marshalltown

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa will host a public outreach event focused on identifying and reporting hate crimes on Thursday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m. at the Marshalltown Public Library, located at 105 West Boone Street, Marshalltown, Iowa. United Against Hate is a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating unlawful acts of hate by educating the public about federal hate crimes and anti-discrimination statutes. The program encourages the reporting of hate crimes, hate incidents, and unlawful discrimination to a local, county, and/or state law enforcement agency and the Department of Justice. “Hate crimes and hate incidents are traumatic for not only victims and their families, but also for the communities in which they occur. These crimes are a high priority for our office. Hate can divide us. But a community that unites behind the goals of holding these individuals accountable, and providing support, understanding and active listening, can lessen both the risk and the impact of these crimes,” said United States Attorney Rich Westphal. “We are looking forward to hearing from the panel about the importance of reporting hate crimes and from the audience about how these issues impact them personally and impact their entire community.” The United Against Hate event will include an interactive panel discussion with representatives from the Marshalltown Police Department, the Marshall County Attorney’s office, and Child Adolescent and Parent Support, a Marshalltown-based nonprofit. To report a hate crime to the FBI, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit a tip at https://tips.fbi.gov/home or contact your local field office. Civil rights violations occurring in the Southern District of Iowa can be report to the U.S. Attorney’s Office using the complaint form located at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/civil-rights or the U.S. Department of Justice at https://civilrights.justice.gov .


title: City officials indicted

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – The mayor pro-tem and city manager of Edcouch have both been taken into custody on public corruption charges, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Victor Hugo De La Cruz, 40, and Rene Flores, 60, both of Edcouch, are set to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at 9 a.m. Sept. 13. A federal grand jury returned the four-count indictment under seal Sept. 2 which was unsealed upon their arrests. The indictment alleges that from June to September 2019, De La Cruz, city manager, and Flores, mayor pro-tem, solicited bribe payments from the owner of a Brownsville business that provides marketing services throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The business owner allegedly received two separate $3000 payments for marketing work he was allegedly performing for the city of Edcouch. In return, he made two $1000 kickback payments to Flores, according to the charges. De la Cruz and Flores are charged with conspiracy, bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and use of a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of bribery. If convicted, they both face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine on the bribery charge and five years for the conspiracy and use of a facility in interstate commerce. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Johnson and K. Alejandra Andrade are prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: 6 Florida Men Charged with Conspiracy, Carjacking Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour today announced that the following six Florida residents have been charged by federal criminal complaint with offenses stemming from a violent carjacking and kidnapping in Danbury: ANGEL BORRERO , aka “Chi Chi,” 23, of Miami, Florida JOSUE ALBERTO ROMERO , aka “Sway,” 26, of Miami, Florida REYNALDO DIAZ , aka “Rey,” 20, of Belle Clade, Florida ANTHONY PENA , aka “Tony,” 23, of Miami Gardens, Florida MICHAEL RIVAS , 18, of Miami, Florida RICARDO ESTRADA , aka “Ricky,” 21, of Miami, Florida The six defendants have detained since they were arrested on related state charges on August 25, 2024. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in the late afternoon of August 25, 2024, Danbury Police received multiple 911 calls from witnesses who observed several males assaulting another male and forcing him into a white work van. Responding officers encountered the van on Clapboard Ridge Road, near the intersection of East Gate Road, and attempted to stop it. The van accelerated at a high-rate of speed and crashed approximately one mile away on Cowperthwaite Street. Four men dressed in black, later identified as Borrero, Romero, Pena, and Diaz, exited the van and fled on foot. Officers arrived at the location of the disabled van and located a male and female victim, both bound with duct tape, in the back of the van. The male victim had significant injuries to his face and arm. Both victims were transported to the hospital for further evaluation. The victims reported that the Lamborghini Urus they were operating was rear-ended by a Honda Civic on Damia Drive in Danbury, and a white work van cut in front of their vehicle. The victims were then forcibly removed from their vehicle, dragged into the van, and bound with duct tape. When the male victim began to resist, he was punched in the face and hit with a baseball bat. The victims were repeatedly told that they would be killed. Borrero, Romero, Pena, and Diaz were apprehended in various locations within a quarter-mile radius from where the van crashed. Rivas and Estrada, and the Honda Civic, were located at a short-term rental home in Roxbury. The victims’ Lamborghini was found abandoned in the woods off the roadway on East King Street. It is alleged that Borrero organized, paid for, and booked flights for the six defendants to travel from Florida to commit this criminal activity. The complaint charges the six defendants with conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with carjacking, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. U.S. Attorney Avery noted that the investigation is ongoing, and stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force and the Danbury Police Department. The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police and several local police departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Weingarten. U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Danbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.


title: Des Moines Man Sentenced to 110 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced today to 110 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. According to public court documents, Antonio Dontez Hoffman, Jr., 21, burglarized a deceased woman’s house during her funeral and stole a large number of guns and ammunition. Hoffman’s phone contained messages with his co-conspirator about his desire to sell most of the guns he thought they would find at the house and those he desired to keep for himself. At the time, Hoffman was on state probation following his conviction for possession of a stolen firearm. After completing his term of imprisonment, Hoffman will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.


title: Parmelee Man Sentenced for Attempted Robbery

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Parmelee, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Robbery. The sentencing took place on September 10, 2024. Phillip Clairmont, age 25, was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Clairmont was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $25,000. Clairmont was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2024. He was found guilty following a two-day jury trial in June of 2024. On January 13, 2024, Clairmont entered a convenience store in Parmelee, which is within the boundaries of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. The victim worked at the store and was seated behind the store counter. Clairmont approached the victim and began assaulting him, by striking him in the head and face, and demanded money. The victim agreed to give Clairmont money, at which point Clairmont stopped assaulting the victim. The victim then retrieved a firearm and shot Clairmont in the abdomen. Clairmont immediately fled the store, and the victim called 911. Clairmont was located a short time later at a nearby residence and was hospitalized for his injuries. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Clairmont was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: St. Francis Man Convicted of Burglary

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a St. Francis, South Dakota, man convicted of Second-Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on September 9, 2024. Antonio Molina, 35, was sentenced to one year and five months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Molina was indicted for second-degree burglary by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on June 10, 2024. The conviction arose from an incident in St. Francis, within the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, where Molina broke into an individual’s home and attempted to steal various items, including a firearm. Molina was apprehended by law enforcement as he was leaving the scene of the burglary. This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case. Molina was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Fort Pierre Woman Convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Fort Pierre, South Dakota, woman convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on September 9, 2024. Carla Reed, 62, was sentenced to four years and seven months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Reed was indicted for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. She pleaded guilty on June 12, 2024. Reed was involved in distributing methamphetamine in the Fort Pierre area. Reed would take trips to Denver, Colorado, to pick up large amounts of methamphetamine and bring it back to Fort Pierre, where she distributed it from her home. On February 18, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Reed’s vehicle on a return trip from Denver, seizing 130 grams of pure methamphetamine. This case was investigated Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. Reed was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on September 9, 2024. Calvin Spotted Tail, 44, was sentenced to 27 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. Spotted Tail was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on June 6, 2024. On December 1, 2005, Spotted Tail pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse in federal court in South Dakota. As a result of this conviction, Spotted Tail is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Spotted Tail last registered with authorities on October 31, 2023. He left his registered address on November 2, 2023, did not return, and did not update his registration as required. Spotted Tail was arrested on October 31, 2023, in Sioux Falls. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Murphy prosecuted the case. Spotted Tail was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Brazilian Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Jose Antonio Moreira Martins Desouza, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Dec. 17, 2024. In July 2024, Desouza was indicted by a federal grand jury. Desouza was previously deported from the United States on Nov. 14, 2012. Sometime after his November 2012 removal, Desouza illegally reentered the United States. He was arrested by local police on May 22, 2023 and then detained by immigration authorities on June 26, 2024. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Child Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal  Prison for Child Pornography Offense and Violating Supervised Release

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A Louisville, Kentucky, man was sentenced yesterday to a total of 11 years and 6 months in federal prison. The sentence included 10 years for possession of child pornography and an additional 1 year and 6 months for violating a previous term of federal supervised release. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of the Homeland Security Investigations Nashville made the announcement. According to court documents, William Joseph Popp, 56, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for possessing child pornography after having been previously convicted of possessing child pornography and first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. At the time he committed this offense, Popp was on federal supervised release for a 2014 conviction in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky for possession of child pornography. During his term of supervised release, Popp was found to be in possession of prohibited cellular telephones with internet capabilities that contained searches for and images and videos of child pornography that had been downloaded from the internet. Popp was sentenced to an additional 1 year and 6 months in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by HSI Louisville. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Zimdahl prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###