title: ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer Arrested For Identity Theft And Disseminating Confidential Government Records

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of HENRY YAU for charges in connection with a scheme to commit identity theft, convert government records, and disclose agency records containing individually identifiable information. YAU was arrested this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Henry Yau, a supervisory law enforcement officer within U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, allegedly engaged in a years-long scheme to disseminate non-public and sensitive information from law enforcement databases to friends and acquaintances. Among other things, Yau allegedly tipped off an individual who was being investigated by the FBI; disclosed sensitive and non-public information from immigration and law enforcement databases; and, most egregiously, offered to use his authority as an ICE officer to arrest specific people at the request of, and as favors to, his friends. As I have said before, public service is a privilege, not a right, and the career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners will never stop investigating those who seek to abuse that privilege.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “Henry Yau, a supervisory ICE deportation officer, allegedly disclosed confidential law enforcement information of more than two dozen individuals to unauthorized recipients for personal and financial gain. This alleged abuse of authority to satisfy unwarranted personal favors erodes the public's trust. The FBI maintains its steadfast commitment to hold accountable all government officials who engage in unscrupulous behavior infringing on the privacy and rights of others.” According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court: [1] YAU was a Supervisory Deportation Officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), which is a law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). ICE’s stated mission includes protecting the U.S. through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety. Between in or about 2015 and in or about November 2024, YAU was employed as a Deportation Officer with ICE. In or around September 2021, YAU was promoted to Supervisory Deportation Officer. YAU was assigned to the ICE New York Field Office, located in Manhattan. As an ICE Deportation Officer, YAU was given access to several password-protected law enforcement databases operated by DHS and other law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) databases containing the status of immigration-related applications filed by aliens, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) databases containing information about border crossings, criminal history databases containing people’s arrest and conviction records, and ICE databases containing records relating to arrests and removals of aliens from the U.S. From at least in or about 2017 through at least in or about 2023, YAU participated in schemes to disseminate confidential government information from law enforcement databases, including multiple databases maintained by ICE, CBP, and USCIS. YAU disseminated this confidential government information to friends and acquaintances for his own personal and financial gain. In total, YAU improperly disseminated confidential government information relating to approximately 28 individuals, at least. This information came from DHS databases, and YAU disclosed it without any apparent law enforcement purpose to at least approximately 12 non-law enforcement personnel, including, among others: Tommy Lin, a former Director of Constituent Services within the New York City Mayor’s Office [2] ; a former candidate for New York City Council and New York State Assembly (“CC-1”); a former target of a fraud investigation being conducted by the FBI in California (“CC-2”); and a former business partner (“CC-3”). Between in or about 2019 and in or about 2020, YAU agreed to and did disclose confidential information from law enforcement databases about an individual (“Victim-1”) that Lin was seeking to have arrested and deported from the U.S. because Victim-1 had conflict with members of a bank fraud conspiracy in which Lin was involved. YAU shared with Lin a copy of a Field Operations Worksheet containing personal identifying information about Victim-1. YAU then arrested Victim-1 and sent Lin photographs of Victim-1, handcuffed, following the arrest. In connection with this scheme, Lin earned approximately $20,000 in cash. Between in or about 2019 and in or about 2021, YAU agreed to and did disclose confidential information from immigration databases to CC-1 on multiple occasions, including information about the status of USCIS’s investigation of the permanent resident application of a particular individual (“Victim-2”) and the immigration status of another individual (“Victim-3”). Between in or about 2018 and in or about 2020, YAU agreed to and did disclose confidential information from law enforcement databases to CC-2 on multiple occasions, including information about whether CC-2 would be potentially arrested by law enforcement at the border when entering or leaving the U.S. In or about January 2020, YAU disclosed to CC-2 that CC-2 was being investigated by law enforcement agents in California. Between in or about 2019 and in or about 2021, YAU agreed to and did disclose confidential information from law enforcement databases to CC-3 on multiple occasions, including information about the immigration status of an individual (“Victim-3”), who YAU offered to arrest for CC-3. YAU also disclosed to CC-3 non-public information from law enforcement databases regarding the immigration status of another individual (“Victim-4”) and information about the border crossings of another individual (“Victim-5”) into and out of the U.S. * * * YAU, 41, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of identity theft conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; four counts of conspiracy to convert government records and property and disclose agency records containing individually identifiable information, each of which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison; one count of conversion of government records and property, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison; and one count of disclosure of agency records containing individually identifiable information, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked the DHS Office of Inspector General and the New York City Department of Investigation for their assistance in the investigation of this case. This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent & Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, James Ligtenberg, and Ni Qian are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. [2] As of the date of this Complaint, Lin is charged in United States v. Tommy Lin et al. , S7 23 Cr. 572 (CM), with participating in a bank fraud conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A and 2.


title: Former KC Individual Sentenced to 20 Years for Attempting to Produce Child Pornography

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Kansas City, Mo., individual who moved to Mexico and lived under another name, has been sentenced in federal court for producing and selling child pornography online. Wyatt Christopher Maxwell, also known as “Louis Whitaker,” 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Maxwell to pay a $10,000 fine. Maxwell will be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements. Maxwell, a nonbinary transgender individual, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2024, to one count of attempting to produce child pornography. Maxwell lived in Kansas City, Mo., at the time of the offense, but afterward moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they went by the name “Louis Whitaker” as a cabaret singer. Maxwell was arrested in Mexico following indictment and has remained in federal custody since arrest. The Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department received tips in February 2021, via the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers tipline, that Maxwell was producing child pornography with a 16-year-old victim in Overland Park. Maxwell reportedly uploaded the child pornography to various online accounts. The child victim told investigators that Maxwell had been recording sexually explicit videos of the two of them for several months. Some of the recordings were created at Maxwell’s residence and some were created in a nearby park. Law enforcement agents interviewed Maxwell on Feb. 3, 2021. Maxwell confirmed they uploaded videos to their accounts on OnlyFans and JustForFans, for which Maxwell estimated they made from $3,000 to $10,000 per month from subscribers. Maxwell admitted they created approximately 20 videos where they was engaged in some type of sex act with the child victim. Those videos were uploaded to Maxwell’s OnlyFans and JustForFans accounts. Investigators found 39 videos of child pornography that were downloaded on Maxwell’s cell phone, 96 videos of child pornography involving the child victim, and 24 images of child pornography involving the child victim. Investigators confirmed payments from Maxwell’s OnlyFans account totaling $49,151, and from Maxwell’s JustForFans account totaling $2,954. There were 153 videos uploaded to the JustForFans account, 16 of which depicted sexual activity involving the child victim. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by the FBI and the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Miami County man pleads guilty to possessing unregistered destructive devices

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – A Troy, Ohio, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to illegally possessing unregistered destructive devices. Steven J. Werling, 54, admitted that, in April, he knowingly possessed two improvised explosive devices. According to court documents, on April 4 and 5, law enforcement officials executed a court-authorized search warrant at Werling’s residence on Barnhart Road in Troy. Prior investigation revealed that Werling had researched and made purchases related to the construction of improvised explosive devices. Specifically, Werling possessed two plastic cylinders that had an explosive mixture of contents within. The cylinders and their contents are firearms under the National Firearms Act, specifically, destructive devices. The plea includes a sentence recommendation of up to 24 months in prison. Congress sets minimum and maximum statutory sentences, and sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas A. Dingeldein is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Texas-Based Oil-and-Gas Company Phillips 66 Indicted for Alleged Violations of Clean Water Act Stemming from Wastewater Discharge

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment charging the Houston-based energy business Phillips 66 Company with violating the Clean Water Act by illegally discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater from its Carson oil refinery into the Los Angeles County sewer system then failing to report the violations to authorities, the Justice Department announced today. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. The company is expected to be arraigned in the coming weeks in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “Protecting our environment is key to protecting our community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Just like the rest of us, corporations have a duty to follow the law, so when companies contaminate, they must be held accountable. My office will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding our natural resources for all to enjoy.” “Illegally discharging pollutants into the sewer system violates the Clean Water Act,” said Special Agent in Charge Kim Bahney of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division. “The charges today illustrate EPA’s commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring accountability for those that neglect or fail to abide by our nation’s environmental laws.” According to the indictment that a federal grand jury returned on Wednesday, for approximately two-and-a-half hours on the early morning of November 24, 2020, Phillips’ Carson refinery discharged to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) – which manages the county’s sewer system – industrial wastewater containing a concentration of oil and grease more than 300 times the concentration allowed in its permit. The company’s Carson facility failed to inform LACSD of its non-compliant industrial wastewater discharge. During this approximately two-and-a-half-hour period, LACSD roughly estimated that the Phillips 66 facility in Carson discharged approximately 310,000 gallons of non-compliant industrial wastewater, which contained approximately 64,000 lbs. of oil and grease, to LACSD’s sewer system. The energy company’s industrial wastewater pretreatment system process controls and practices were inadequate to prevent or quickly address the non-compliant discharge. In December 2020, LACSD issued Phillips multiple notice of violations for discharging the industrial wastewater containing an excessive concentration of oil and grease, and failing to notify LACSD about the discharge, which adversely affected an LACSD facility. The following month, a Phillips manager wrote to LACSD, acknowledged its non-compliant industrial wastewater discharge, and noted that the company would “retrain operations personnel” on such situations and the procedure to notify LACSD when it happens. During the evening hours of February 8, 2021, Phillips’ Carson refinery – for approximately five-and-a-half hours – discharged approximately 480,000 gallons of non-compliant industrial wastewater, which contained at least 33,700 pounds of oil and grease, to LACSD’s sewer system. In March 2021, LACSD – the month following the incident – issued notices of violations to Phillips for discharging industrial wastewater which adversely affected an LACSD facility and for its failure to notify the LACSD about said wastewater discharge. Again, a Phillips manager at its Carson facility wrote to LACSD and acknowledged the non-compliant industrial wastewater discharge and the company’s failure to notify authorities of the discharge. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court . If convicted of all charges, Phillips 66 would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years’ probation on each count and up to $2.4 million in fines. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Juan M. Rodriguez of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Dennis Mitchell of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Six Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ROME, Ga. – Adrian Robinson, Julio Martinez-Guzman, Jesse Brooks, James Carden, Reginal Dowdy, and Casanova Pritchett have been sentenced for their roles as members of a drug trafficking organization that distributed illegal narcotics in the Rome, Georgia, area, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and oxycodone. “Drug trafficking is a societal scourge that poses serious risks to the public health and safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The dedication of our federal, state, and local enforcement partners resulted in the disruption of this drug trafficking organization and led to the successful prosecution of these defendants.” “The success of this investigation and the subsequent arrests of these drug dealers demonstrates DEA’s commitment to fighting drug trafficking organizations responsible for driving addiction and destroying communities,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In 2021, Drug Enforcement Administration special agents, and Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force officers, discovered that Julio Martinez-Guzman was operating a drug distribution ring from two residential locations in Rome, Georgia. Martinez-Guzman had previously been convicted of drug trafficking in the Northern District of Georgia. During their 2021 investigation, agents identified Martinez-Guzman’s customers as well as his narcotics suppliers, who obtained and distributed quantities of illegal drugs in the North Georgia area, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and oxycodone. Each of the following defendants subsequently pleaded guilty to drug trafficking offences and received the following sentences: Adrian Robinson, 42, of Cedartown, Georgia, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Robinson was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 29, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. Julio Martinez-Guzman, 54, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Martinez-Guzman was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, and heroin on February 26, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. Jesse Willard Brooks, 41, of Rome, Georgia, was sentenced to eight years, four months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Brooks was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on February 15, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. James Carden, 42, of Villa Rica, Georgia was sentenced to five years, three months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Carden was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine on February 14, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. Reginal Eric Dowdy, 46, of Cedar Bluff, Alabama, was sentenced to three years, ten months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Dowdy was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on February 15, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. Casanova DePaul Pritchett, 53, of Calhoun, Georgia was sentenced to two years, six months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Pritchett was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and oxycodone on February 26, 2024, after he pleaded guilty. Abel Santoyo-Santana, age 26, of Mexico remains a fugitive. If you have information pertaining to his whereabouts, please contact your local law enforcement agency. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, North Georgia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with valuable assistance provided by the Rome-Floyd Metro Task Force, Floyd County Police Department, Polk County Police Department, Rome Police Department, Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, and Cedartown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy M. Palumbo prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Eleven Charged in Federal Indictment Following Takedown of Indianapolis Meth Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS— Eleven individuals have been charged in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Indianapolis and elsewhere. The charges follow a successful law enforcement operation in which 10 of the 11 individuals were arrested and federal agents and local officers seized eight firearms and quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana. The following lists the individuals indicted and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine: Matthew R.P. Fishman, 38, Bloomington Megan L. Gaskin, 29, Indianapolis Joseph A. Grubb, 37, Bloomfield Amanda N. Hornaday, 40, Indianapolis Candace L. Rich, 44, Indianapolis Ashley N. Russell, 38, Indianapolis Colton K. Shorkey, 33, Franklin James M. Sublett Jr., 39, Westfield James L. Tyus Jr., 39, Indianapolis Kelly A. Willis, 52, Indianapolis Thomas R. Winkley, 45, Indianapolis This was a multiagency operation, involving 16 agencies, who executed 22 arrest and search warrants at 11 locations in Central Indiana on the morning of November 20, 2024. Ten individuals were arrested and are in federal custody. Joseph A. Grubb still remains a fugitive. According to the indictment, from February 2024 through November 14, 2024, all eleven defendants allegedly conspired together to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. James L. Tyus Jr. allegedly acted as the leader of the operation and was supplied methamphetamine by James M. Sublett Jr. The remaining nine defendants allegedly served as dealers and distributers. The alleged meth deals took place at several locations across Indianapolis including parking lots, gas stations, apartment complexes, motels, and a gentleman’s club. If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in federal prison. The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and recent warrant execution possible: Drug Enforcement Administration Internal Revenue Service Metropolitan Drug Task Force Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department United States Marshal’s Service Federal Bureau of Investigation Lawrence Police Department Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force Franklin Police Department Indiana State Police Beech Grove Police Department Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Brownsburg Police Department Indiana National Guard Bloomington Police Department Greene County Sheriff’s Department “Getting deadly drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl off our streets is a top priority for our office,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “That is why working with our partners at DEA, IMPD, and all across federal, state, and local law enforcement is so important. We are committed to identifying drug traffickers and holding them accountable in federal court.” U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley Blackington and Jeremy Fugate, who are prosecuting this case. An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Mexican Man Sentenced for Federal Immigration Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – David Cuevas, 45, a Mexican national, was sentenced today to time served for fraud and misuse of a lawful Permanent Resident Card and remanded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings. According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 30, 2019, Cuevas fraudulently possessed and used information from a Permanent Resident Card issued in the name of another individual to apply for an individual explosives license from the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal. Cuevas admitted that he knew the information on his explosives application was false and that he submitted the other individual’s Permanent Resident Card with the application. Cuevas further admitted that he sought the explosives license to assist him in his employment laying a pipeline in Greenbrier, Nicholas and Fayette counties for a construction company. Cuevas has been in custody for this offense since May 30, 2024. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the United States Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the West Virginia Fusion Center. Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and former Assistant United States Attorney Stefan Hasselblad prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-177. ###


title: Orange County man guilty in federal kidnapping

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – An Orange, Texas, man has pleaded guilty to federal violations related to a kidnapping in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Putnam Darwin Richardson, 79, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on November 20, 2024. According to information presented in court, on July 15, 2024, a kidnapping for ransom was reported to the FBI. The victim, a local attorney, was kidnapped at gunpoint that morning after arriving at his law office in Beaumont. The victim’s wife received a call from the victim’s cell phone, during which the kidnapper indicated the victim was being held hostage in exchange for $1 million ransom. The kidnapper indicated he would kill the victim if the ransom was not met. Richardson, a former client of the victim, was identified as a suspect during the investigation. Richardson had previously been convicted of kidnapping in 1984 and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. On July 17, 2024, Richardson was arrested at a gas station and the victim was rescued by law enforcement authorities. Richardson faces up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case is being investigated by the FBI, the Beaumont Police Department, the Orange Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reynaldo P. Morin. ###


title: Middle District Of Florida Prosecutors Indict 72 Firearms And Violent Crime Defendants During Fourth Quarter Of 2024 As Part Of Project Safe Neighborhoods Strategy

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the results of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, ending on September 30, 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicted 72 defendants. These individuals face federal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime charges. Law enforcement also seized more than 100 firearms associated with these cases. ( See chart for case details ) The U.S. Attorney’s Office also engaged in community outreach efforts aimed at violent crime prevention throughout the year. Members of the Office spoke with more than four hundred people as part of outreach efforts during the fourth quarter of 2024, including hundreds of students. Prosecutors also spoke to more than 80 recently released individuals at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office DISMAS program at the Jacksonville Bridge Community Release Center. “The residents of the Middle District of Florida deserve to work and live in communities safe from violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “Over the past three fiscal years, the United States Attorney’s Office has increased its number of violent crime and firearms prosecutions by more than 75%. We are committed to working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and federally prosecute perpetrators of violent crime.” PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism. MDFL Fourth Quarter PSN Case Highlights United States v. Latrel Jackson (Ft. Myers) In August 2024, Latrel Jackson was sentenced to life in federal prison for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire. According to court records, in November 2019, Jackson, along with a co-conspirator (now deceased), traveled from Chicago to Fort Myers to commit murder in exchange for $10,000. Jackson was hired by Marvin Harris, Jr. Harris was sentenced to 45 years in prison in connection with the crime. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Myers Police Department, with assistance from the Joliet (Illinois) Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. United States v. David Wayne Riddle (Jacksonville) On September 9, 2024, David Wayne Riddle was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court documents, in January 2023, Riddle was stopped by officers from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office for a seatbelt infraction. When officers encountered Riddle, they smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search was conducted and a loaded Smith and Wesson pistol was recovered from under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Riddle had multiple prior felony convictions for serious drug-related offenses and violent crimes making him prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. United States v. Jerome Junior Swopshire (Ocala) In August 2024, Jerome Swopshire was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. According to court records, in August 2023, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested Swopshire on outstanding state warrants. A search of Swopshire’s backpack revealed a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an extended ammunition magazine, a digital scale (coated with cocaine residue), a jar of marijuana, and small plastic baggies used to distribute drugs. In Swopshire’s vehicle, law enforcement recovered fentanyl and a spent 9mm shell that matched the ammunition in Swopshire’s firearm. At the time, Swopshire had previous state felony convictions for robbery, child abuse, resisting an officer with violence, felony domestic battery, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocala Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). United States v. Angel Velazquez Delgado, Jesus Hernandez, Edgar Jimenez, Jesus Paulino, Jonathan Borja, and Jesus Andres (Orlando) Angel Velazquez Delgado, Jesus Hernandez, Edgar Jimenez, Jesus Paulino, Jonathan Borja, and Jesus Andres were charged in Orlando with a series of federal firearms laws. According to court records, in May 2023, ATF began investigating a firearms trafficking organization led by Velazquez Delgado operating in Central Florida. These individuals purchased high-caliber firearms in the United States for resale to Mexican drug cartels. It is alleged that the firearms were purchased at the request of the cartels and transported to the cartels soon after purchase. Using the eTrace Firearm Recovery Notification Program, Mexican authorities were able to confirm the presence of at least one of the trafficked firearms in Mexico. On March 22, 2023, Mexican State Police and Mexican Military Personnel were involved in a shooting with suspected cartel members in Michoacan, Mexico. Two individuals were killed during the exchange of gunfire. After the shooting, a Barrett .50 caliber rifle purchased by Jesus Hernandez on November 8, 2022, was recovered. At some point during its operation, the trafficking organization began removing the serial numbers from the firearms to avoid tracing by law enforcement. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Volusia Bureau of Investigations and the Deland Police Department. United States v. Johnny Flores (Tampa) In July 2024, Johnny Flores was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for 3 counts of Hobbs Act robbery. According to evidence presented at trial, in February 2022, Flores robbed three Tampa businesses wearing a hooded sweatshirt and facial covering. During the robberies, he brandished and threatened the victims with a weapon, removed cash from the registers, and verbally and physically assaulted the victims. Flores was initially identified through video surveillance showing him leaving two of the robberies in a vehicle that was traced back to another individual who died prior to the trial. A second individual had dropped Flores off near the robbery. Although he testified that he did not know that Flores had committed a robbery, the individual testified that he had driven Flores to a location near the robbery. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Tampa Police Department. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0 . PSN Chart


title: Members of Shreveport Street Gang and Others Receive Federal Prison Sentences for their Involvement in Defrauding the United States through the CARES Act

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announces the sentencing of 24 defendants in a case involving a scheme by these defendants to defraud the United States by fraudulently applying for and receiving relief through the Payment Protection Program (“PPP”) provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. In March 2020 Congress enacted the CARES Act which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act also provided authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). On July 18, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of 24 defendants who were all members or associates of a Shreveport street gang that refer to themselves as Step or Die or SOD. As of today, all 24 defendants have been sentenced. This case began when law enforcement agents learned that these individuals were conducting fraudulent activity causing 31 loans to be funded worth more than $600,000 and applied for an additional 41 other loans seeking over $2,200,000. These defendants purported to own businesses providing various services including, freight, trucking, towing, painting, lawn care, t-shirt printing, day care, temporary employment placement, cosmetology, beauty supplies, catering, car washing, and retail clothing, along with pig and cattle farms. In reality, these individuals either did not have such businesses or grossly overstated the amount of revenue earned so that they would qualify for PPP or EIDL loans. “We stood before you at a press conference 16 months ago announcing these charges and vowing to hold these 24 individuals accountable for defrauding and attempting to defraud the government out of over $2,000,000,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “All of these defendants, some directly and indirectly, are linked to gang activity, acts of violent crime such as murder, attempted murder, and violations of state and federal firearm law. Although the federal government generally has no jurisdiction over murder and attempted murder charges, such as drive-by shootings, we vow to use any statute that exists in the federal criminal code to eradicate violent crime. This combination of sentences is a result of varying levels of culpability in this scheme and prior criminal histories, if any, of those convicted. Investigations such as these meet 2 priorities of the Department: (1) prosecuting those who steal from the government, and (2) holding those accountable responsible for acts of violence in our community.” The names and sentences of the defendants are as follows: Defendant Name Sentencing Information Charges Loan Amount Requested Sirdell L. McCullough Age 26, Shreveport 30 months in prison $20,382 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Roderguiz Henry Age 27, Shreveport 24 months in prison $20,260 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,260 / PPP Johntrell Crutchfield Age 24, Shreveport 71 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Deanthony D. Johnson Age 24, Shreveport 46 months in prison $28,575 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,575 / PPP $8,000 / EIDL Deaaundrakous Latrea Hagger Age 25, Shreveport 16 months in prison $1,500 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,833 / PPP $20,833 / PPP Nico J. Stewart Age 36, Shreveport 5 years of probation Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $4,000 / EIDL $1,000 / EIDL Timothy D. Vasher Age 22, Shreveport 19 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Destane Glass Age 23, Shreveport 37 months in prison $104,160 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Xavien R. Beasley Age 24, Bossier City 15 months in prison $30,050 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $10,000 / EIDL Quinterrius D. Brown Age 23, Shreveport 24 months in prison Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $30,800/ EIDL Not funded Toronco Rashard Loston Age 26, Shreveport 24 months in prison Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Not funded $201,100 / EIDL Not funded Dewonnie Brown Age 55, Shreveport 5 years of probation $60,498 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP $20,800 / PPP $20,833 / PPP $20,833 / PPP Joshua Dominique Age 25, Shreveport 16 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Kardarius Jenkins Age 23, Shreveport 15 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Jasmine Glass Age 23, Shreveport 15 months in prison $29,165 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $8,332 / PPP Tramaine Taylor Age 28, Shreveport 5 years of probation $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Antoria Johnson Age 26, Shreveport 5 years of probation $40,916 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,458 / PPP $20,458 / PPP Joketa Baulkman Age 41, Shreveport 5 years of probation $38,010 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $19,005 / PPP $19,005 / PPP Tyneal Johnson Age 37, Coushatta 5 years of probation $41,633 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,833 / PPP $20,800 / PPP Cierra Fleming Age 23, Shreveport 5 years of probation $20,207 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $20,207 / PPP Tramarciea Ruffins Age 31, Shreveport 33 months in prison $20,415 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,415 / PPP Olivia Thomas Age 28, Shreveport 3 years of probation $62,496 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Samarrian Kingston Age 26, Shreveport 24 months in prison $101,360 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,272 / PPP Lakeah Gipson Age 28, Bossier City 5 years of probation $20,058 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,058 / PPP The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Treasury-Inspector General for Tax Administration, and United States Marshal’s Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford. # # #


title: Federal Jury Convicts Minnesota Man of Advertising and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material Over the Dark Web

component: Criminal Division

body_text: WASHINGTON — A federal jury convicted a Minnesota man yesterday for advertising, distributing, and possessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Craig James Myran, 47, of Bemidji, was an active participant on a website on the dark web that was dedicated to discussing and trafficking in child sexual abuse material. For years, Myran used an account with a unique username to make over a thousand posts on this site, including at least one post in which he requested specific files of child sexual abuse material from other users, and another post in which he distributed files of child sexual abuse material to other users. FBI special agents executed a search warrant on Myran’s apartment in Bemidji on Dec. 8, 2022, where they found numerous hard drives and a cell phone. A forensic examination of these devices uncovered evidence tying Myran to his unique account on the dark web site — including files of the child sexual abuse material that he shared and requested on the website, as well as a message directed to his unique alias — and thousands of other images of child sexual abuse material. A federal jury found Myran guilty after a three-day trial on two counts of advertising child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. Myran faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each count of advertising child pornography, a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the count of distributing child pornography, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the count of possessing child pornography. 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 Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota; and Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Minneapolis Field Office is investigating the case. Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Green for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: New York State Police Officer Charged With Obstructing Justice And Lying To Federal Investigators

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Steven G. James, the Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced the unsealing of a four-count Complaint charging MICHAEL O’FLAHERTY with obstructing an official proceeding and making false statements to federal investigators. O’FLAHERTY was arrested this morning and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Michael O’Flaherty, a New York State Police narcotics investigator, exploited his position of public trust in an effort to help his former confidential informant—who was responsible for distributing tens of thousands of potentially deadly fentanyl pills—evade law enforcement. O’Flaherty allegedly abused his position as a sworn member of law enforcement by tipping off the fentanyl pill dealer about a covert narcotics investigation and encouraging the dealer to destroy evidence. The defendant’s alleged conduct betrayed the oath he swore to protect New Yorkers and jeopardized the safety of fellow law enforcement officers. Today’s charges make clear that this Office will remain vigilant in rooting out and prosecuting all forms of police corruption.” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said: “Law enforcement officers hold a profound responsibility to serve and protect our communities, which requires the highest standards of accountability and integrity. Trust is the cornerstone of public safety, and maintaining that trust demands transparency, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct. The State Police will continue to work cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District regarding this criminal case, and I appreciate Governor Hochul’s ongoing support of our longstanding culture of accountable policing.” As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today: [1] In 2022, a state law enforcement agency and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration conducted an investigation of fentanyl pill distribution linked to multiple overdose deaths in Dutchess County (the “Fentanyl Investigation”). The Fentanyl Investigation identified a particular narcotics trafficker (“Individual-1”) and Individual-1’s network of runners as a prolific source of fentanyl pills in the county. The Fentanyl Investigation also learned that Individual-1 had previously served as a confidential informant for the New York State Police (“NYSP”) and had been supervised by O’FLAHERTY, a police officer with the NYSP. During conversations with members of the Fentanyl Investigation, O’FLAHERTY expressed a willingness to assist the Investigation. But unbeknownst to the Fentanyl Investigation and O’FLAHERTY’s own supervisors, O’FLAHERTY had maintained a personal relationship with Individual-1 both during and after Individual-1’s tenure as an informant. O’FLAHERTY purported to assist the Fentanyl Investigation, but in fact O’FLAHERTY promptly told Individual-1 about the Fentanyl Investigation and encouraged Individual-1 to destroy evidence of Individual-1’s narcotics trafficking. O’FLAHERTY also tried to dig for sensitive details about the Investigation, including the identity of the Investigation’s confidential source within Individual-1’s network. At the same time, O’FLAHERTY attempted to prevent the Fentanyl Investigation from discovering the nature and extent of O’FLAHERTY’s interactions with Individual-1, including telephone calls, text messages, and one-on-one meetings that O’FLAHERTY had concealed from NYSP supervisors and colleagues. When federal investigators ultimately questioned O’FLAHERTY about the nature of his interactions with Individual-1, including O’FLAHERTY’s disclosure of the Fentanyl Investigation, O’FLAHERTY lied to federal investigators. * * * O’FLAHERTY, 42, of Poughkeepsie, New York, is charged with two counts of obstructing an official proceeding, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and two counts of false statements, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the valuable assistance of the New York State Police’s Professional Standards Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Qais Ghafary and Jeffrey C. Coffman are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Complaint and the descriptions of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Kissimmee Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Meet A  13-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Pooran Ramjattan (61, Kissimmee) has pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Ramjattan faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, an undercover agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation posed online as a 13-year-old girl. Ramjattan contacted the undercover agent’s account and, after learning the child’s age, engaged in a sexually explicit conversation. Ramjattan then arranged to meet the “child” at a predetermined location in Orange County to engage in sexual activity. When Ramjattan arrived at the meeting location, he was arrested by law enforcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Casselberry Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Meet A  13-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Juan Fernandez (37, Casselberry) has pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Fernandez faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, on February 1, 2024, an undercover agent with Homeland Security Investigations posed online as a 13-year-old girl. Fernandez contacted the undercover agent’s account, and after learning the child’s age, engaged in a sexually explicit conversation. Fernandez then arranged to meet the “child” at a predetermined location in Orange County to engage in sexual activity. When he arrived at the meeting location, he was arrested by law enforcement. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Lehigh Acres Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Engage In Sexual Activity With A Minor

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Cosme Bejaran (34, Lehigh Acres) today pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor. Bejaran faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to court documents, beginning on May 17 and continuing through May 18, 2024, Bejaran communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer, who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. After learning of the girl’s age, Bejaran engaged in a sexually explicit conversation, asked the girl for explicit photographs, and sent an explicit photo of himself. Bejaran was apprehended by deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office when he arrived at a residence with the intention of engaging in sexual activity with the girl. Bejaran later admitted to deputies and the FBI that his intentions with the girl were sexual. This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Department of Justice Awards $1 Million to NEWESD 101  to Enhance School Safety in Eastern Washington

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Vanessa Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Department of Justice grant award for the NorthEast Washington Educational Service District (NEWESD) 101. The grant allocates $1,000,000 to enhance safety and support for 59 public school districts, 45 state-approved private schools, and four charter schools in a seven-county region. Funding for the grant comes from the Bureau of Justice Assistance fiscal year 2024 STOP School Violence Program. The project description for the $1,000,000 grant awarded to NEWESD 101 details that the money will be used for The Safer Schools Northeast Project. The project will include annual threat assessment training for school staff, law enforcement and community partners, as well as hosting an annual School Safety Summit to provide advanced training and the latest research on school safety. The project will also implement a bystander training program to educate students and staff on recognizing and reporting concerning behaviors. “All children deserve the right to attend school and learn in a secure environment. Teachers should be free to do the critical work of educating students without fear for their safety,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “This award will be used to ensure educators, administrators, and law enforcement in our communities have the most effective tools to recognize and respond to concerning behaviors or threats to protect our students, teachers and community.” “Thanks to the Department of Justice's STOP grant award, NEWESD 101 can sustain and expand essential school safety support for districts across northeast Washington state,” said Brittany Roetcisoender, Director of the Center for Student Support and Regional School Safety Center for the NorthEast Washington Educational Service District (NEWESD) 101. “This funding will enhance Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management, promote Bystander Awareness among students and staff, and support an annual School Safety Summit, providing educators, law enforcement, counselors and school safety personnel with the latest information, training and resources.” Additional information about grants and funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs is available at https://bja.ojp.gov/funding .


title: Federal Jury Convicts Bemidji Man of Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material Over the Dark Web

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: DULUTH, Minn. — A federal jury convicted a Minnesota man for advertising, distributing, and possessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Craig James Myran, 47, of Bemidji, Minnesota, was an active participant on a website on the dark web that was dedicated to discussing and trafficking in child sexual abuse material. For years, Myran used an account with a unique username to make over a thousand posts on this site, including at least one post in which he requested specific files of child sexual abuse material from other users, and another post in which he distributed files of child sexual abuse material to other users. FBI law enforcement agents executed a warrant to search Myran’s apartment in Bemidji on Dec. 8, 2022, where they found numerous hard drives and a cell phone. A forensic examination of these devices uncovered evidence tying Myran to his unique account on the dark web site — including files of the child sexual abuse material that he shared and requested on the website, as well as a message directed to his unique alias — and thousands of other images of child sexual abuse material. A federal jury found Myran guilty yesterday after a three-day trial on two counts of advertising child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. DOJ Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Green for the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case.


title: Department of Justice Awards Nearly $1 Million to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to Implement New Technology and Improve Deputy Training

body_text: Spokane Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Department of Justice grant award for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The grant allocates $945,520 for a project to implement new technology to integrate body-worn camera data analysis in Spokane County Sheriff’s Office’s training programs. Funding for the grant was awarded by Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 2024 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. The project description for the $945,520 grant awarded to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office says the funds will be used to implement technology called “TrustStat”. TrustStat will analyze body-worn camera video and identify key behaviors and language related to de-escalation, use of force, and other critical areas of deputy performance. The project will help the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to evaluate the effectiveness of deputies’ training during three career learning phases: basic academy training, field training, and post-probation in-service training. By using TrustStat to evaluate training outcomes and associated behavioral changes SCSO seeks to achieve increased public trust, increased frequency and effectiveness of de-escalation efforts, and a decrease in the frequency and severity of the use of force. “The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is leading the way for law enforcement across the nation with this innovative project,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I commend the Sherriff’s Office for seeking this Department of Justice grant award, and for implementing a project that uses cutting edge technology to support effective training to best serve and protect our community.” “I am excited about the body-worn camera analysis program we are implementing at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office,” said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. “The funding from the Department of Justice will provide us with new technology and expertise, positioning us at the forefront of police training in the United States. Our citizens expect professionalism from their law enforcement, and this funding and technology will enable us to meet those expectations.” Additional information about grants and funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs is available at https://www.ojp.gov.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 10-Year Sentence for Assault and Federal Firearms Offense

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a shooting incident that occurred in Shiprock in 2023. Tyrell Willie , 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on May 28, 2023, Willie contacted Jane Doe via Facebook Messenger and requested to visit her at her home. Willie arrived at Jane Doe’s residence at approximately 2:00 a.m. After a brief conversation, Willie became aggressive and attempted to forcibly remove Jane Doe from her vehicle until her son, John Doe, intervened to protect his mother. Following the altercation, Willie left the scene but later returned. When John Doe exited his home, Willie , who was lying in wait by circling the neighborhood, turned off the headlights to his vehicle, drove up to John Doe, and discharged two rounds from the driver’s seat, with one shot striking John Doe in the stomach. Navajo Nation Police officers, who were already in the area responding to reports of erratic driving, quickly pursued and apprehended Willie . Upon his release from prison, Willie will be subject to five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. FBI Farmington Agency investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McGinley prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Santa Clarita Man Who Led Organization that Trafficked Drugs to Darknet Customers Nationwide Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Santa Clarita man who led the Los Angeles-based “Drugpharmacist” drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine via darknet marketplaces was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison. Jerrell Eugene Anderson, 34, was sentenced by United States District Judge George H. Wu. Anderson pleaded guilty on June 10 to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. From at least July 2018 to March 2019, Anderson conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine that they sold on darknet marketplaces. Specifically, Anderson advertised and sold drugs to customers on the darknet marketplaces Dream and Wall Street Market, using monikers such as “Drugpharmacist” and “rickandmortyshop.” Anderson and his accomplices packaged drugs in stuffed animals for shipment to their darknet customers. Anderson and his co-conspirators then delivered from San Fernando Valley stash houses packages containing drugs to post offices throughout the Los Angeles area for shipment to their customers nationwide. For example, in August 2018, Anderson and a co-conspirator knowingly distributed heroin to a victim in Knoxville, Tennessee whose death resulted from using the heroin. Also, in March 2019, in a Glendale apartment, Anderson and other co-conspirators possessed methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine for distribution to darknet customers. At that time, Anderson knowingly possessed a semiautomatic pistol in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The other defendants in this case – Christopher Canion Von Holton, 37, of Woodland Hills; Kenneth Lashawn Hadley, 37, of Las Vegas; Adan Sepulveda, 31, of Palmdale; and Jackie Walter Burns, 26, of Lancaster, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and have been sentenced. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Fairfax County (Virginia) Police Department, the Knoxville (Tennessee) Police Department, and the Cleburne County (Arkansas) Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Khaldoun Shobaki and Lauren Restrepo of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section prosecuted this case.


title: Authorities intercept liquid meth shipment sending the trafficker to prison

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 59-year-old Mexican citizen residing in Houston has been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Abiel Gudino-Garcia pleaded guilty Aug. 26. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Gudino to serve a total of 96 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court learned that Gudino initially claimed he had purchased diesel, but when confronted with the overwhelming evidence, he realized that authorities knew about the drug deal. “This operation demonstrates the unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the scourge of meth trafficking,” said Hamdani. “By intercepting this shipment and apprehending those involved, we are taking significant steps toward dismantling dangerous drug networks and ensuring public safety.” In April 2018, Gudino arranged a meeting with drug traffickers in Houston to obtain a shipment of 80 gallons of liquid meth. Gudino was unaware that authorities had intercepted and seized the shipment in Rio Grande Valley before his planned delivery. Gudino arrived at the meeting location with empty gasoline tanks ready to transport the illegal substance and brought $15,000 for the purchase. An undercover member of law enforcement posing as a trafficker handed Gudino what he believed was the meth. After the exchange, authorities followed Gudino to his home and detained him as part of their ongoing investigation. Previously released on bond, Gudino was taken into custody following the sentencing where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia and Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case.


title: Armed Carjacker Is Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An armed carjacker was sentenced to eight years in prison today, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Johnvonta Shiquan-Alexander Dixon, 26, of Charlotte, will also be subject to two years of supervised release upon his release from prison. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. “Dixon pointed a gun and threatened an innocent victim’s life just to steal a car. That’s more than a brazen crime – it’s a ruthless display of violence. The eight-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and delivers a measure of justice to the victim,” said U.S. Attorney King. “ATF’s top priority is protecting communities against those who pose the greatest threat,” said Special Agent in Charge Mims. “In this case, we had a calculated individual determined to break the law and endanger innocent lives. We are proud of to be part of a strong collaborative effort that brought this individual to justice.” According to court documents and court proceedings, on September 12, 2022, at approximately 9:20 p.m., the victim, identified as J.W., was carjacked at gunpoint while he was in the parking lot of an AutoZone store in Charlotte. Court records show that a man later identified as Dixon approached the victim, pointed a firearm at him, and demanded the keys to his vehicle. According to the victim, the gunman said, “I will f***ing kill you if you don’t give me your keys.” The victim complied and the gunman drove away in the victim’s vehicle. Within five minutes of receiving the 911 call from the victim, a CMPD officer located the stolen vehicle abandoned near Old Pineville Road in Charlotte. The victim had reported that there were two firearms in the vehicle. When the vehicle was returned to the victim, the firearms and many other items were missing. According to filed court documents, prior to the carjacking at the AutoZone, the victim had made two stops. First, he had stopped at the Stars Arcade II in Charlotte, followed by a stop at a QT gas station on Woodlawn Road. CMPD collected and analyzed video surveillance footage from multiple locations, including the arcade, street cameras, and the gas station. The video footage shows that Dixon was inside the arcade at the same time as the victim and followed the victim when he left the arcade. After leaving the arcade, the victim and Dixon got into their respective vehicles and video footage shows Dixon following the victim to the gas station. From the gas station, the victim went to the AutoZone where he was approached in the parking lot and carjacked by Dixon. Court records show that CMPD officers identified the carjacker as Dixon and obtained state arrest warrants. On October 4, 2022, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team went to a townhome in Charlotte to arrest Dixon. Dixon attempted to get away from the police by climbing into the attic, and then crashing through the bedroom ceiling of a neighboring unit. He was arrested shortly thereafter. During the investigation, law enforcement seized Dixon’s phone. A forensic analysis of text messages revealed that, on the night of the carjacking, Dixon had communicated with another individual about the victim’s whereabouts further indicating that Dixon had tracked the victim. Law enforcement also found photographs of one of the victim’s stolen firearms on Dixon’s cell phone. On April 18, 2024, Dixon pleaded guilty to possession and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Dixon remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending placement by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Charge Man for Stabbing Incident in Shiprock

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A man is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing a man outside a Shiprock grocery store. Josiah Bodie , 22, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. According to the criminal complaint, on November 12, 2024, Navajo Nation Police Department officers responded to reports of a stabbing at a grocery store in Shiprock, New Mexico, located within the Navajo Nation. When officers arrived, they found a male victim with an apparent stab wound. Officers located Bodie nearby in possession of a knife with brass knuckles on the handle. The complaint alleges that Bodie approached the victim outside the store and initiated a physical altercation, during which he stabbed the victim with a knife. If convicted on the current charges, Bodie faces 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case. View the Criminal Complaint (Bodie).pdf A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Former Blue Springs Woman Pleads Guilty to $220,000 Covid Fraud

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Blue Springs, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy that resulted in more than $220,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Daisha Sanders, 33, who now resides in Royse, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. By pleading guilty today, Sanders admitted she participated in a conspiracy to submit false and fraudulent applications for PPP loans from February 2021 to July 2022. The conspiracy caused more than $220,000 in fraudulent PPP loans to be issued to ineligible borrowers, most of which were forgiven even though the funds were not used for the purposes specified in the PPP. Sanders created PPP loan applications for herself and for each of her co-conspirators in exchange for a payment from the loan proceeds. The applications falsely stated either the existence of a sole proprietorship prior to the pandemic or greatly inflated the revenues of any “businesses” that did exist in 2019. Sanders created fictitious bank records, IRS forms and other false financial documents to support the fraudulent PPP loan applications. Sanders prepared 14 false PPP loan applications that were funded and numerous other false applications that were rejected. Generally, she charged fees between $2,000 and $5,000 for her assistance in filing false and fraudulent PPP loans, earning a total of at least $40,832 from the scheme. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Sanders must forfeit to the government at least $40,832, representing the proceeds she personally obtained from the scheme, and must pay restitution to the Small Business Administration as determined by the court. Sanders is the eighth defendant in this case to plead guilty; each of the convicted co-defendants admitted they applied for a PPP loan of approximately $20,833. Under federal statutes, Sanders is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.


title: Former Bridgeport City Councilman Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation Related to 2017 and 2018 Primaries and Election

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL DeFILIPPO, 38, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven for a civil rights offense related to DeFilippo’s run for Bridgeport City Council in 2017 and 2018. DeFilippo was ordered to serve one year of probation, including three weekends of incarceration, and to pay a $15,000 fine. According to court documents and statements made in court, from June 2018 until July 2021, DeFilippo was a member of the Bridgeport City Council representing the 133rd District, which is near the Sacred Heart University campus. DeFilippo also owned several rental properties that he leased to students at Sacred Heart University. Although Bridgeport’s City Council elections are typically held in odd-numbered years, because of repeated absentee ballot irregularities in the Democratic primary for the 133rd District, the September 2017 primary was re-run in November 2017, and re-run again in April 2018, and the general election took place in June 2018. On April 10, 2018, DeFilippo was selected as one of the two Democratic nominees for the 133rd District and, on June 26, 2018, he was elected to the Bridgeport City Council. In the 2017 and 2018 primaries and the 2018 general election, DeFilippo stole and falsified Voter Registration Applications (“VRAs”) and absentee balloting documents, forged signatures, and submitted fraudulent election documents to election officials in the name of some of his tenants who resided in the 133rd District. DeFilippo’s conduct caused Bridgeport and Connecticut election officials acting under color of law to deprive DeFilippo’s tenants of their right to vote (by counting stolen ballots), and to deprive all 133rd District voters of their right to have their votes fully counted (by diluting election results with fraudulent registrations and ballots). On May 6, 2024, DeFilippo pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and Heather L. Cherry.


title: Convicted Felon On State Parole Caught With More Than Two Kilograms Of Methamphetamine, A Machinegun, And Three Guns Is Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison

body_text: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Scottie Alan Keith Frady, 27, of Morganton, N.C., was sentenced today to 204 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine and illegal possession of firearms, including a machinegun, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Banks Hinceman of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and court proceedings, on May 17, 2023, investigators were making an arrest of Frady for a post-release supervision warrant alleging that, among other things, Frady had absconded supervision. Law enforcement located Frady at a residence in Morganton and the defendant was taken into custody. During a search of the residence, law enforcement found more than 2.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, two loaded firearms and $1,518 in cash that belonged to the defendant. Investigators recovered from another residence in Rutherford County a machinegun and an AR type pistol that also belonged to Frady. During the investigation, law enforcement found pictures of some of the firearms that Frady had posted on social media. Law enforcement also recovered text messages between Frady and other individuals, where Frady discussed possessing some of the seized firearms. On December 20, 2023, Frady pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a machinegun, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case, and the U.S. Marshals Service’s Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force and the North Carolina Department of Public Service’s Division of Community Supervision for their invaluable assistance with Frady’s apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Former NYPD Officer Turned Forex Investment Fund Operator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Yesterday, in federal court in Brooklyn, former New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Jason Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to his role as the Chief Operating Officer of Technical Trading Team, LLC (Technical Trading Team). The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea. “With this guilty plea, the defendant has accepted responsibility for taking advantage of close friends and family members and defrauding them out of millions of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The defendant deceived retail investors into investing with his company based on false promises that he would invest their money in accordance with clear guardrails and that he had left the NYPD because of his success as a trader. In reality, there were no guardrails, he resigned from the NYPD in disgrace, and he lost most of the money, inflicting substantial harm on his victims.” According to the indictment, Rodriguez founded Technical Trading Team in April 2020. Rodriguez, who served as Chief Operating Officer, pitched the fund as focused on foreign exchange (forex) investment, and represented that he was in charge of all trading. Rodriguez promised investors that Technical Trading Team would have a “loss reserve account” that could be used to repay investors if the company lost money trading; that Rodriguez would never risk more than 1% of assets under management on any single trade; and that he would not hold positions open overnight. Each of these promises was meant to assure investors that their investments would be safe. However, Rodriguez and Technical Trading Team broke all of these promises, and as Rodriguez lost more and more money in the forex markets, he used new investor money to pay older investors the promised investment returns. In total, between April 2020 and September 2022, Rodriguez solicited approximately $4.8 million in investor funds that were wired to accounts he controlled; to date, approximately $3.5 million of those funds have not been paid back to the investors. Prior to founding Technical Trading Team, Rodriguez served as an NYPD officer for approximately seven years. During the solicitation process, Rodriguez told prospective Technical Trading Team investors that he had quit the NYPD because he had become so successful at forex trading. The Technical Trading Team presentation similarly represented that Rodriguez’s “zealous ambition for trading took precedence resulting in the end of his law enforcement career.” However, Rodriguez failed to disclose that he resigned from the NYPD after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor crime and incurring several disciplinary infractions. In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) . As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, as charged here. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Weintraub is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Special Liam McNett. The Defendant : JASON RODRIGUEZ Age: 38 Bellerose, Queens E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-079 (RER)


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Guilty Plea in Child Sexual Abuse Case

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A San Felipe man pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl on tribal lands. According to court documents, Vernon Chavez , 62, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of San Felipe, admitted that between August 1 and August 15, 2022, he intentionally touched an 11-year-old girl through her clothing with the intent to gratify his sexual desire. The abuse occurred within the exterior boundaries of the San Felipe Pueblo. In his plea agreement, Chavez acknowledged that he knew the victim was approximately 11 years old at the time of the offense. Chavez was detained pending sending, which has not been set. At sentencing, Chavez faces 10-15 years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case. View the Plea Agreement (Chavez).pdf # # #


title: Butler County man sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting infant, child

body_text: CINCINNATI – David John Frahm, 63, of Trenton, Ohio, was sentenced in federal court to 300 months in prison for sexually exploiting children. Frahm committed a hands-on offense against an infant victim and a five-year-old victim and then shared photographs of the sexual abuse via an encrypted instant message application. Frahm used the app to gain access to chat rooms where people discussed child sexual abuse and shared photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse material. In March and April 2023, Frahm shared three images of the abuse he committed. Agents arrested Frahm in April 2023. He pleaded guilty in May 2024 to two counts of sexual exploitation of children. As part of his sentence, the Court ordered Frahm to a lifetime of supervised release. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Angie Salazar, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit Field Office; and the Lebanon Police Department announced the sentence imposed on Nov. 15 by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Plea from Second Defendant in Carjacking and Assault Case

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – The second defendant pleaded guilty in federal court for her role in a violent carjacking incident that took place on the Navajo Nation in May 2022, following the earlier guilty plea of her accomplice. According to court documents, on May 9, 2022, Lindsey Yazzie and Brandon Barber attacked a woman driving her Jeep on the Navajo Nation. Yazzie threw a large rock at the vehicle's windshield, forcing the victim to stop. Yazzie and Barber then violently removed the victim from the vehicle, as Yazzie repeatedlyattempted to strike the victim in the head with a rock. After forcibly taking the victim’s Jeep, Yazzie and Barber fled the scene, nearly striking the victim with the stolen vehicle as they drove away. They later led Navajo Nation police on a high-speed chase before abandoning the vehicle. At sentencing, Yazzie faces up to fifteen years in prison. Upon her release from prison, Yazzie will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case. View the Plea Agreement (Yazzie).pdf # # #


title: Sacramento Man Sentenced to Over 19 Years in Prison for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bruce Anthony Garcia, 43, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 19 years and seven months in prison for the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor under his care, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between Aug. 2, 2017, and Sept. 1, 2019, Garcia took hidden video recordings of the victim. He recorded the victim in various stages of undress, using the toilet or shower, or changing in a bedroom or the living room of the apartment they shared. On his devices, Garcia possessed thousands of images and videos of the victim, with the victim either partially or fully nude in several hundred of these images. When confronted, Garcia admitted that he specifically intended to take these images and videos, that his intent in creating the images and videos was sexual, and that he generally has a sexual interest in children. Garcia described how he would wait until the victim would be getting ready for bed or to take a shower, and then place a cellphone in the bathroom or bedroom. The phone would be propped up so that it would record the minor, but would either appear to be inconspicuous, as if it were being charged, or be hidden altogether. Garcia would then connect to this device remotely using a second device such that he could watch the minor live. From the recordings thus created, Garcia would take screenshots, resulting in the images that were eventually found. Further, Garcia would sometimes manipulate these images to focus or zoom in on the victim’s genitals and pubic area. In a text message conversation with another person, Garcia offered to trade pictures of the victim in exchange for other child sexual abuse material. In addition to the images and videos described above, Garcia was also found to possess approximately 4,266 images and 426 videos of other child sexual abuse material, including images and videos showing the sexual abuse of toddlers. Several of these videos also depicted violence against the victims, including at least one depicting the bondage and torture of a pre-pubescent female child. Garcia’s child sexual abuse collection included 110 series of known victims of child sexual abuse. This case was the product of an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.