title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con la ciudad de Pawtucket, Rhode Island, para resolver demanda sobre el derecho al voto

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo con la ciudad de Pawtucket, Rhode Island y los oficiales electorales de la ciudad para resolver alegaciones de que Pawtucket no proporcionó asistencia en español a los votantes en violación a la Ley de Derechos Electorales y no permitió a votantes calificados a emitir votos provisionales en violación a la Ley de Ayudemos a Estados Unidos a Votar (“HAVA,” por sus siglas en inglés). El decreto por consentimiento propuesto fue radicado junto con la demanda del Departamento de Justicia. La demanda del Departamento alega que Pawtucket no proporcionó asistencia electoral ni materiales en español a los votantes hispanoparlantes con dominio limitado del inglés en violación a la sección 203 de la Ley de Derechos Electorales. La sección 203 exige que ciertas jurisdicciones, incluyendo Pawtucket, proporcionen materiales electorales y asistencia en otros idiomas, además del inglés. La demanda también alega que Pawtucket y los oficiales electorales de la ciudad se negaron a permitir a personas que estaban calificadas para emitir un voto provisional lo hicieran, y no capacitaron ni instruyeron a los trabajadores electorales de manera precisa y adecuada sobre los requisitos del voto provisional, en violación de la sección 302 de la Ley de Ayudemos a los Estados Unidos a Votar. Si las personas no aparecen en la lista oficial de inscripción, HAVA exige que un trabajador electoral notifique a las personas de que podrían emitir un voto provisional si declaran que son votantes registrados en la jurisdicción y elegibles para votar en la elección. “Las barreras idiomáticas jamás deben privar a un votante elegible de participar plenamente en el proceso democrático”, dijo Kristen Clarke, Fiscal GeneralAuxiliar a cargo de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “Proporcionar materiales bilingües y asistencia para aquellas personas con conocimientos limitados del inglés asegurará que dichos ciudadanos tendrán la oportunidad de participar en nuestra democracia. Nosotros seguiremos enfrentando a las barreras que se interponen entre los votantes y sus oportunidades de emitir sus votos”. “El derecho a votar es el derecho del que dependen todos los demás”, dijo el Fiscal Federal Zachary A. Cunha, “y esta oficina permanecerá alerta para hacer cumplir nuestras leyes de derechos civiles para garantizar que las barreras ilegales de acceso no impidan que los estadounidenses emitan sus votos. Agradezco nuestra continua asociación con la División de Derechos Civiles en este caso, y felicito a la ciudad de Pawtucket por tomar medidas para asegurar que se solucionen estos problemas”. El decreto por consentimiento, que aún requiere la aprobación del tribunal, exige el establecimiento de un programa de asistencia idiomática integral en español bajo la sección 203. La ciudad de Pawtucket proporcionará toda la información relacionada con las elecciones en inglés y español, incluyendo en los lugares de votación y en línea. La ciudad de Pawtucket también garantizará la presencia de oficiales electorales bilingües en los lugares de votación anticipada y en los lugares de votación el Día de las elecciones. Además, el decreto por consentimiento provee que todos los votantes inscritos tengan el derecho de emitir un voto provisional si sus nombres no aparecen en el registro de votantes. El decreto por consentimiento también dispone que observadores federales pueden monitorear las actividades el día de elecciones en los lugares de votación de la ciudad de Pawtucket. Más información sobre el derecho al voto y las elecciones está disponible en www.justice.gov/voting y Vote.gov en Español . Para obtener más información sobre la Ley de Derechos Electorales y otras leyes federales electorales, visite el portal del Departamento de Justicia en www.justice.gov/crt/voting/ . Para reportar una posible vulneración de las leyes federales de derecho al voto a la División de Derechos Civiles puede hacerlo en línea en www.civilrights.justice.gov o llamar al (800) 253-3931. Puede también ponerse en contacto con la Oficina del Fiscal Federal del Distrito de Rhode Island por correo electrónico a usari.civilrightscomplaint@usdoj.gov o llamar al (401) 709-5010.


title: Four Men Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charge for Allegedly Murdering Man To Increase Position in Chicago Street Gang

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — Four men have been indicted on a federal racketeering charge for allegedly murdering a man to maintain and increase their positions in a violent Chicago street gang. JOSHUA BROUGHTON, 34, of Chicago, CHRISTOPHER SINGLETON, 24, of Chicago, JARON DAVIS, 22, of Lansing, Ill., and GRIEG MACON, 27, of Chicago, are charged with racketeering and firearm offenses in an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The indictment accuses the four defendants of murdering Ogonnia Okeke on June 1, 2021, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the Rack City street gang. Okeke, 25, was fatally shot in the Princeton Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. The indictment alleges that the Rack City gang is a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed acts of violence to preserve and protect the gang’s perceived territory. Members of the gang intimidated rivals, victims, and witnesses through acts and threats of violence, boasted about their gang on social media, and took steps designed to prevent law enforcement from detecting their criminal activities, according to the indictment. Eight other alleged members or associates of the Rack City gang were charged last year with firearm or drug offenses as part of the federal investigation. Davis was arrested on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Chicago. The three other defendants were previously arrested and remain in federal custody. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will seek to keep all four defendants detained pending trial. The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Illinois State Police Firearm Investigation Unit, IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office, Rosemont, Ill. Police Department, and Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jimmy L. Arce, Margaret A. Steindorf, and Elly M. Peirson. The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers and other criminal offenders that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement against criminal networks. Murder in aid of racketeering is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and the death penalty is also possible. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Broughton et al indictment


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms Charge

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on May 15, 2024. Justin Bradford, 46, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for the Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person charge. He was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for the Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance charge. He was also ordered to pay a total of $200 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The prison sentences and periods of supervision are to be served concurrently. Bradford was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on March 10, 2024. In September of 2022, law enforcement searched Bradford’s residence in connection with a homicide that occurred. Bradford was not involved in the death of the individual, but the shooter intended on purchasing methamphetamine from Bradford when the shooting took place. During the search, law enforcement seized three firearms and several different kinds of ammunition. Bradford was a convicted felon and was not lawfully allowed to possess firearms or ammunition. Bradford was also charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine from 2019 through 2022. Bradford managed and organized at least three individuals involved in the conspiracy. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Bradford was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gregory D’Arquaes Zander, 35, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 11, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Zander was a passenger and a second vehicle, a blue truck, on Interstate 77 North near the Kanawha County-Jackson County line. Officers found a rifle case in the blue truck containing six firearms: a Smith & Wesson model M&P 10mm M2.0 10mm pistol, a Springfield Armory model DS Prodigy 9mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson model M&P 9 9mm pistol, a Kimber model Rose Gold Ultra II .45-caliber ACP pistol, a Glock model 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol, and a CMMG model MK4, 5.78x28mm pistol. Officers also found a wallet in the blue truck containing Zander’s state identification card and birth certificate and receipts for the purchase of two of the firearms. The receipts listed the driver of the blue truck as the purchaser. The driver told investigators that Zander paid him to drive the blue truck to Michigan and directed him to place the rifle case in that vehicle earlier that day while it was parked outside two adjacent apartments maintained by Zander in Charleston. The driver also admitted that he purchased several firearms for Zander at Zander’s direction and with money provided by Zander, and transported the firearms to one of Zander’s Charleston apartments after each purchase. Investigators established that Zander had accompanied the driver during the purchase of the four other seized firearms and wore one of the firearms on his ankle during a purchase. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Zander knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in Kanawha County Circuit Court on September 22, 2021. Zander is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 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. 2:24-cr-55. ###


title: McLaughlin Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024. Benjamin Eagle, age 62, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 20, 2023. Around August 9, 2022, Eagle was visiting a residence in McLaughlin, within the Standing Rock Reservation. He was at the residence because he was consuming alcohol, was not getting along with his significant other, and could not be at his own residence. Eagle used force to engage in sexual contact with a nine-year-old child. The child later disclosed the abuse at a child advocacy center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Eagle admitted he had no excuse nor justification for abusing the child and knew the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the offense. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case. Eagle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Porcupine Man Sentenced to Forty Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on May 16, 2024. Wilbur Morrison, age 36, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release on each count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor, and 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for the charge of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. He was also ordered to pay a total of $300 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for the three convictions. The prison sentences and periods of supervision shall be served concurrently. Morrison was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in May of 2023. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, in February of 2024. On the evening of January 12, 2023, Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety was dispatched to Morrison’s residence for a report of a physical assault between Morrison and his adult brother. Law enforcement learned from a neighbor that Morrison was intoxicated and sexually abusing the victim in the living room of the home. The victim, including other children in the home, ran to the neighbor’s house where the incident was reported to law enforcement. All children were forensically interviewed by the Child Advocacy Center in Rapid City. The victim disclosed sexual abuse occurring on the evening of January 12, 2023, and on at least one other occasion. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Morrison was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Man Charged in Scams Targeting Seniors

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 22, 2024 SAN DIEGO – Jiaci Liu appeared in federal court today following his arrest for engaging in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old man from Poway. According to a federal complaint, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force (ETJF) learned of the fraud scheme after the victim reported to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department that he been duped as part of a layered tech support, bank impersonation and government impersonation scam. Specifically, while on his personal computer, a pop-up window appeared indicating there was a possible virus on his computer and instructing him to contact a phone number. When he contacted the number, he was transferred through a series of co-conspirators pretending to work in tech support. The victim was informed that his computer had viruses. The victim was then transferred to another conspirator who claimed to be from the victim’s bank. During that interaction, the victim was told there were unauthorized transfers from his bank. The victim was instructed to go immediately to his bank and to withdraw all his money for safekeeping. At the direction of the conspirators, the victim went to his bank and withdrew $28,000. The victim was then instructed by the conspirators that someone from the U.S. Marshals Service would come to his house to pick up the money. After the interaction, the victim became suspicious and contacted the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, which informed the victim to contact them if anyone showed up to pick up the money. According to the complaint, on June 9, 2023, defendant Jiaci Liu arrived at the victim’s residence. The victim called the police, who arrived and found Liu outside the victim’s home. Liu’s cellphone was seized and later searched. Investigators located evidence indicating that in just one week in June 2023, Liu had picked up over $348,000 dollars from multiple victims located in Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona. “Everyone with a computer is vulnerable to sophisticated scams like the one alleged in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “If you think you’ve been targeted, report it quickly. The faster the report comes in, the more likely we are to catch the scammers and recover any swindled money.” “Individuals committing tech scams are getting more and more innovative with the methods they use to con innocent people,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners continually adapt our strategies so that we can stay ahead of those who scheme and collude to defraud the American public. We are committed to ensuring each of these individuals is brought to justice.” A detention hearing is scheduled for May 24, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Leshner. This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force and its member agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari. DEFENDANT Case Number 24MJ1929-MSB Jiaci Liu Age: 34 Monterey Park, California SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349 Criminal Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(2)(A), and Title 28, U.S.C., Section 2461(c) Maximum Penalties: Thirty years in prison; $1 million fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Federal Bureau of Investigation San Diego County District Attorney’s Office San Diego County Sheriff’s Department San Diego Police Department San Diego Elder Justice Task Force *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Mobridge Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Mobridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024. Charles Evyn Russell, age 36, was sentenced to nine years and one month in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Upon his release from federal prison, Russell will be required to register as a sex offender. Russell was indicted by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023. The conviction stems from incidents between July 31, 2021, and April 1, 2022, when Russell possessed over 600 images of child pornography on various computer and electronic devices at his residence in Mobridge. Russell used the application KIK to obtain child pornography from other users. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the FBI, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Mobridge Police Department, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. Russell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. Chief District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on May 16, 2024. T Jay Joseph Sullivan, 29, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sullivan will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Sullivan was indicted for Receipt of Child Pornography and Transportation of Obscene Matters by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on February 14, 2024. The investigation originated from a CyberTip which reported child pornography associated with Sullivan’s Facebook account. Investigators learned Sullivan messaged a thirteen-year-old girl over Facebook, sent the girl images of his penis, and requested the girl send him images of some of her specific body parts. The thirteen-year-old girl sent Sullivan images that constituted child pornography. During the investigation, detectives learned Sullivan also requested nude images from a different thirteen-year-old girl by using Facebook Messenger and sent that girl images of his penis. All the messages and images were located in Sullivan’s Facebook account. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Sullivan was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: YOUTH GYMNASTICS PHOTOGRAPHER PLEADS GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT — David Eric Yellen, 59, of Royal Oak, Michigan pleaded guilty in federal district court to distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division. Yellen’s involvement with child pornography came to light after the FBI discovered that he was distributing images of child pornography over the internet, using peer-to-peer file-sharing software. The FBI determined that Yellen had worked as a photographer and videographer at multiple youth female gymnastics events in the past several years. When the FBI searched Yellen’s house, they found that Yellen possessed hundreds of files of child pornography on his electronic devices, and that Yellen had taken at least 200 photographs of the bare feet of the children who attended the gyms and gymnastic events where Yellen worked. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Yellen will face a sentence of between five and 20 years in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. Yellen entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sean F. Cox. “Yellen’s child pornography conduct was aggravated because of his position of trust in the gymnastics community with youth gymnasts and their parents,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office will continue to make the prosecution of child pornography crimes a top priority in order to keep our community and our children safe.” "Yellen, a well-known figure in the Michigan gymnastic community, was found to be distributing child sex abuse material and to have other questionable photos on his devices directly involving some of the gymnasts he worked alongside," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Adults who work with and around our children are entrusted with the highest level of trust, and Yellen's conduct demonstrated his disregard for their protection. The FBI will continue to dedicate our resources to removing these individuals who lurk in the shadows and bringing them to justice." This investigation was conducted by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Rawsthorne, Ann Nee, and Sarah Alsaden.


title: Colorado Man Sentenced for Distributing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Conspiracy

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced an Aurora, Colorado, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Anthony Ward, age 39, was sentenced on May 17, 2024, to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. A co-conspirator, Darnell Young, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in federal prison on October 24, 2023. Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in the spring of 2023. Anthony Ward was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in serious bodily injury and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance following a four-day federal jury trial in Rapid City, South Dakota, that concluded on February 26, 2024. The convictions stem from an investigation into Ward that started in the spring of 2022. Investigators eventually stopped a vehicle that Ward was traveling in and found approximately 150 fentanyl pills, $2,859.00 in cash, and a handgun in a bag in the trunk of the vehicle. Through the investigation, law enforcement learned that Ward was responsible for sourcing thousands of fentanyl pills from Denver to Rapid City. They also learned that he sourced a fentanyl pill that was eventually distributed to someone in Rapid City who smoked the pill and overdosed. Another person present at the scene was able to revive the victim with Narcan. Ward also received a sentencing enhancement for lying under oath during his trial. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case. Ward was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Justice Department and Department of Labor Secure Agreements with Tech Company to Resolve Discriminatory “Whites Only” Job Posting

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department and the Department of Labor announced today separate agreements with Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. (Arthur Grand), an information technology services firm based in Virginia. The Justice Department’s agreement resolves the department’s determination that Arthur Grand violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by posting a discriminatory job advertisement in March 2023 that restricted eligible candidates to “only US Born Citizens [white] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].” (brackets in original). The Labor Department’s agreement resolves its determination that Arthur Grand violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. “It is shameful that in the 21st century, we continue to see employers using ‘whites only’ and ‘only US born’ job postings to lock out otherwise eligible job candidates of color. I share the public’s outrage at Arthur Grand’s appalling and discriminatory ban on job candidates based on citizenship status, national origin, color and race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department, working with other government agencies, will continue to hold employers accountable when they violate our nation’s federal civil rights laws.” “Over the past 58 years, OFCCP has protected workers and job seekers from workplace discrimination. We are committed to holding federal contractors accountable for outrageous discriminatory practices like this advertisement,” said Acting Director Michele Hodge of the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). “Companies like Arthur Grand, that accept federal contracts cannot have a ‘whites only’ hiring process.” In May 2023, the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) opened an investigation and determined that Arthur Grand discriminated based on citizenship status and national origin after a recruiter working for Arthur Grand’s subsidiary in India posted the advertisement on the job website Indeed. The advertisement was widely circulated on social media and generated several news articles. Arthur Grand’s actions harmed individuals with permission to work in the U.S., including U.S. citizens born outside the United States and certain non-U.S. citizens, by unlawfully deterring them from applying to the job advertisement. An investigation by OFCCP determined that, in April 2023, Arthur Grand Technologies advertised an opening for a business analyst position with its sales and insurance claims team in Dallas on a public online hiring website. The advertisement includes a bolded note that read “Only Born US Citizens [White] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].” The position, the announcement stated, would serve two clients, HTC Global an information technology company based in Troy, Michigan, and Berkshire Hathaway, the multinational holding company based in Omaha, Nebraska. As part of the Justice Department settlement, Arthur Grand will pay a civil penalty to the United States. The agreement also requires Arthur Grand to train its personnel on the INA’s requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring. Under the Labor Department conciliation agreement, Arthur Grand will pay compensation to individuals who filed complaints with its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). In addition, Arthur Grand has committed to providing workplace specific training for all company employees involved in recruiting, selecting candidates or tracking expressions of interest for open positions. IER is responsible for enforcing the INA’s anti-discrimination provision. This law prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices and retaliation and intimidation . Find more information on how employers can avoid discrimination in recruitment and hiring on IER’s website . Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video . Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify), or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge . The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email IER@usdoj.gov ; sign up for a live webinar; watch an on-demand presentation or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER. The Labor Department’s OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246 , Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 . Learn more about OFCCP here.


title: El Departamento de Justicia y el Departamento de Trabajo llegan a acuerdos con una compañía de tecnología para resolver una publicación de empleo discriminatoria dirigida a «blancos solamente»

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU. y el Departamento de Trabajo de los EE. UU. anunciaron hoy acuerdos independientes con Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. (Arthur Grand), una empresa de servicios de tecnología de la información con sede en Virginia. El acuerdo del Departamento de Justicia resuelve la determinación del Departamento que Arthur Grand infringió la ley de Inmigración y Nacionalidad (INA, por sus siglas en inglés) mediante la publicación de un anuncio discriminatorio en marzo del 2023, que posteriormente se hizo viral en las redes sociales, que restringió a los candidatos a puestos de trabajo elegibles únicamente a «ciudadanos nacidos en los EE. UU. [blancos] que viven a menos de 60 millas de Dallas, TX [No compartir con los candidatos]». (Los corchetes aparecen en la versión original). Además, el acuerdo del Departamento de Trabajo resuelve su determinación que Arthur Grand infringió la Orden Ejecutiva 11246, que prohíbe a los contratistas federales discriminar en el empleo por motivos de raza, color de piel, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género o nacionalidad de origen. «Es vergonzoso que, en el siglo XXI, seguimos viendo a empleadores que ponen “blancos solamente” y “solamente personas nacidas en los EE. UU.” en sus publicaciones de empleo para bloquear a candidatos de empleo de color que de otra forma serían elegibles. Comparto la indignación del público ante la prohibición aterradora y discriminatoria de Arthur Grand de candidatos a un puesto de trabajo en función de su estatus de ciudadanía, nacionalidad, color de piel o raza», afirmó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «El Departamento de Justicia seguirá colaborando con otras agencias gubernamentales y responsabilizando a empleadores cuando vulneren las leyes federales de derechos civiles de nuestra nación». «A lo largo de los últimos 58 años, la OFCCP ha protegido a trabajadores y postulantes de empleo de la discriminación en el lugar de trabajo. Estamos comprometidos a hacer a los contratistas federales rendir cuentas de prácticas discriminatorias escandalosas como este anuncio», declaró Michele Hodge, la Directora en funciones de la Oficina de Programas de Cumplimiento de Contratos Federales (OFCCP, por sus siglas en inglés). «Las compañías como Arthur Grand, que aceptan contratos federales, no pueden emplear un proceso de contratación para “blancos solamente”». En mayo del 2023, la Sección de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Empleados (IER, por sus siglas en inglés), que pertenece a la División de Derechos Civiles, inició una investigación y determinó que Arthur Grand discriminó con base en el estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen después de que un reclutador, que trabajaba para la filial de Arthur Grand en la India, publicara el anuncio en el sitio web de empleo Indeed. El anuncio se difundió ampliamente en las redes sociales y generó varios artículos de noticias. Las acciones de Arthur Grand perjudicaron a las personas con permiso para trabajar en los EE. UU., incluidos los ciudadanos nacidos fuera de los Estados Unidos y determinados no ciudadanos de los EE. UU., disuadiéndoles ilegalmente de presentar una solicitud para el anuncio de empleo. Una investigación por la OFCCP determinó que, en abril del 2023, Arthur Grand Technologies publicó un vacante para un puesto de analista empresarial con su equipo de reclamos de seguros y ventas en Dallas en un sitio web público de contratación en línea. El anuncio incluye una nota en letra negrita que ponía «Solamente ciudadanos nacidos en los EE. UU. [blancos] que viven dentro de un radio de 60 millas de Dallas, TX [No compartir con los candidatos]». Según indicaba en anuncio, el puesto serviría a dos clientes, HTC Global, una compañía de tecnología de la información con sede en Troy Michigan, y Berkshire Hathaway, la compañía matriz multinacional con sede en Omaha, Nebraska. Como parte del acuerdo del Departamento de Justicia, Arthur Grand pagará una sanción civil a los Estados Unidos. El acuerdo también requiere que Arthur Grand capacite a su personal en cuanto a los requisitos de la INA, que revise sus políticas de empleo y que se someta a la supervisión del Departamento. Según el acuerdo conciliatorio del Departamento de Trabajo, Arthur Grand pagará $31,000 en compensación a las personas que presentaron quejas a su OFCCP. Además, Arthur Grand se ha comprometido a proporcionar formación específica en el lugar de trabajo para todos los empleados de la empresa que participen en el reclutamiento, la selección de candidatos o el seguimiento de expresiones de interés para puestos vacantes. La IER es responsable de hacer cumplir la disposición antidiscriminatoria de la INA. Esta ley prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de estatus de ciudadanía y nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido o reclutamiento o recomendación por comisión, prácticas documentales injustas y represalias e intimidación. Puede obtener más información sobre cómo los empleadores pueden evitar la discriminación en la contratación y el reclutamiento en el sitio web de la IER. Aprenda más sobre el trabajo de la IER y cómo conseguir ayuda mediante este vídeo corto. Aquellos aspirantes o empleados que creen haber sido discriminados por motivos de su ciudadanía, estatus migratorio o nacionalidad de origen en los procesos de contratación, despido, reclutamiento o verificación de la elegibilidad para trabajar (Formulario I-9 e E-Verify) o sujetos a represalias pueden presentar una denuncia. El público también puede llamar a la línea directa de la IER para trabajadores al 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); llamar a la línea directa de la IER para empleadores al 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY para personas con discapacidades auditivas); enviar un correo electrónico a IER@usdoj.gov; inscribirse a un seminario en línea gratuito, visualizar una presentación a la carta o visitar los sitios web de la IER en inglés y español. Inscríbase para recibir actualizaciones por correo electrónico desde la IER. La OFCCP del Departamento de Trabajo hace cumplir la Orden Ejecutiva 11246, la Sección 503 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973 y la ley de Asistencia para la Readaptación de Veteranos de Vietnam de 1974. Aprenda más sobre la OFCCP aquí.


title: Manderson Man Sentenced for Misprison of a Felony

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Misprison of a Felony. The sentencing took place on May 14, 2024. Ivan White Plume, a/k/a Ivan White Butterfly, 33, was sentenced to time served, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. White Butterfly served a total of one year and 11 months in custody. White Butterfly was indicted for Accessory After the Fact to Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 14, 2024. In February 2022, White Butterfly was questioned by tribal law enforcement officers about the disappearance of a 17-year-old female. Despite knowing that his relative, Tyson White Plume, had confessed to shooting and killing the victim, White Butterfly concealed his knowledge of the minor’s death and the shooter’s confession. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.


title: Hot Springs Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a Hot Springs, South Dakota, man for Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on May 14, 2024. Christian Justus Willard, a/k/a “Bamalife24”, age 24, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Willard was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $3,000 in restitution to his victim. A federal grand jury indicted Willard in August of 2023 for offenses relating to sexual exploitation of a minor. On March 8, 2024, he pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. Willard used the internet-based application Snapchat and his cellular phone to entice a 13-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit activity. Despite knowing the victim’s age, Willard solicited sexually explicit photos and videos from the victim and offered her drugs. Willard saved several of the illegal photos and videos on his cellular phone. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Hot Springs Police Department, and the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case. Willard was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: One Detroit Partnership Announces the 3rd Annual Unified Summer Enforcement, Prevention, and Reentry Strategy Targeting Designated High Crime Areas in Detroit

body_text: DETROIT – Today, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, along with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym Worthy, and Detroit Police Chief James E. White, announced the third annual Summer Surge, a targeted strategy aimed at reducing gun violence in Detroit. The Surge, which is a product of the continuing collaboration of the One Detroit partnership, will focus on Detroit’s 8 th and 9 th Precincts—the precincts with the highest rates of violence in the city. And this year, the One Detroit partners will also concentrate on Detroit’s public spaces to ensure they are safe. One Detroit is an ongoing coalition of community and law enforcement partners working together to develop and execute the best strategies to reduce violent crime through enforcement, prevention, and reentry. Joining in the announcement were Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division, Beverly Smith, Assistant Deputy Director, Operations Office, Michigan Department of Corrections, Bishop Edgar Vann, II, Second Ebenezer Church, Alvin Stokes, President, Citywide Citizens Police Community Relations, Quincy Smith, Ceasefire Detroit and Kenyatta Stephens, CEO Black Family Development. As temperatures rise, so too does violent crime. With summer approaching, the One Detroit Partnership will again strategically focus resources on some of the most dangerous areas of the city. These neighborhoods in the 8 th and 9 th Precincts are among the highest in the city in fatal and non-fatal shootings, robberies, and carjackings. And because our parks should be safe to enjoy by all, One Detroit will incorporate them into our Summer Surge. One part of the Summer Surge is an enforcement strategy designed to prosecute the most violent individuals and crimes in federal court when that is possible. Under the strategy, violent felons arrested for illegally possessing firearms and those arrested with fully automatic firearms and firearms with obliterated serial numbers in Detroit’s 8 th and 9 th Precincts, or in Detroit’s parks, will be subject to immediate federal prosecution. In addition, any individual who commits an armed carjacking or robbery of a business in the targeted areas will be prosecuted federally. Finally, any individual with a meaningful connection to the targeted areas, who commits this type of crime elsewhere in the city, will be prosecuted federally. The “hot spot” strategy for federal enforcement will begin on Memorial Day and will last until Labor Day in September. The One Detroit partnership is also engaged in preventing crime in the targeted areas. In an effort to deter violence and illegal gun possession, last week, letters were sent to 351 individuals on probation, parole, or supervised release in the targeted areas, warning them of the enforcement strategy. But the letter—which was signed by the entire executive team of One Detroit—did more than warn. The letter asked the recipient to be a part of the solution and to help make their neighborhood a safer place. And it invited the recipient to participate in a Peacenic in their neighborhood. Peacenics are community events where residents can come for fun, engage with law enforcement, and obtain resources to improve the quality of their lives. This year’s Peacenics will take place on June 15, 2024, at Heilman Park (rain date June 23), and Saturday, June 29, 2024, at O’Hair Park (rain date June 30) from 3 PM to 7 PM. The events will feature vendors offering a variety of resources, including job training, literacy programs, mental health and medical screenings, utility assistance, educational and vocational opportunities, tutorial, career development programs, and more. And back by popular demand is the Peacenic Clothing Boutique where residents can shop for gently used clothing. Several law enforcement agencies will also be present to engage with the community and recruit to fill vacancies in their organizations. Finally, the One Detroit partners will invite returning citizens who live in the “hot spot” areas to participate in Community Roundtables with justice-impacted citizens who have successfully transitioned back into society along with service providers to help directly address any barriers that are preventing them from fully reintegrating in society. As part of our unified strategy, we encourage residents to join the partnership by taking a pledge to put down the guns and be an agent of change in their community. The pledge can be found by going to the U.S. Attorney’s Office web page at www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/one-detroit-peace-pledge . The web page will be a resource residents can go to learn of upcoming events related to One Detroit. “Two years ago, members of our community, government, and law enforcement, formed the One Detroit partnership with one goal: to reduce violent crime in the city. Since then, we have created direct partnerships in Detroit’s precincts, commenced reviews of non-fatal shootings, worked with returning citizens to transition peacefully back to the community, prevented violence through focused deterrence, and created a youth advisory team to learn directly from our teens what risks they face. And violent crime has dropped dramatically,” United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison said. “But let me be clear: we are not done. Detroiters—like everyone—deserve to be safe. They deserve to enjoy their public spaces. They deserve to spend their summer without fear. The Summer Surge is designed to make that a reality. We will work tirelessly to prevent violence from occurring. And when it does occur, we will hold accountable those few responsible.” “One Detroit isn’t just about partnerships to fight crime or increase enforcement, it’s about building relationships with the neighborhoods we serve,” said Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison. “Our Peacenics have been very successful in helping to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our community, letting residents know we care and we’re all in this together.” “Partnership is a powerful component of One Detroit. We have shown that by working collectively we can make an impact in violent crime. This summer we will continue our important mission,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “The Detroit Police Department looks forward to another successful One Detroit partnership to reduce violence in our neighborhoods most impacted by violent crime,” said Detroit Police Deputy Chief Franklin Hayes. “Thanks to the leadership and vision of U.S. Attorney Ison, Mayor Duggan, Chief White and all partners involved, we’re able to collaborate effectively to bring safety and resources to our community.”


title: 60 Members of a Violent Gang Charged With Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations in Ponce, Puerto Rico

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 22, 2024, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 60 gang members from the municipality of Ponce with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), Ponce Strike Force, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico National Guard Counterdrug Program, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), CBP Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda). “Too many lives have been lost because of drug trafficking and the violence it causes. This indictment demonstrates our shared commitment to protect our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “This is the third multi-defendant gang takedown this month and underscores the unyielding resolve of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico to bring violent offenders to justice.” “Guns, violence, drugs, and murders are the day to day of this organization. Ponce residents deserve peace, and our children deserve to play in a street free of drugs. HSI is committed to our community, and we will not tolerate this violent behavior in our island,” said Rebecca González Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI. “Today marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to dismantle violent drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and well-being of our communities. The arrest of approximately 60 individuals is a testament to the unwavering dedication and collaboration of federal and local law enforcement agencies,” said Denise Foster, Special Agent in Charge of DEA. “This operation not only disrupts a major criminal network, but also underscores our commitment to bringing justice and safety to the people of Ponce. We will continue to leverage our combined resources and expertise to combat drug trafficking and ensure the security of all our citizens.” The indictment alleges that from 2016, the drug trafficking organization distributed cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of the Arístides Chavier Arévalo, Ernesto Ramos Antonini, Dr. Manuel de la Pila, Ponce Housing and Hogares de Portugués Public Housing Projects (PHPs), and other areas in and nearby the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico, all for significant financial gain and profit. The object of the conspiracy was the large-scale distribution of controlled substances and to distribute the same in street quantities amounts at their drug distribution points. Some of these narcotics would be sent illegally by mail to the continental United States using the U.S. Postal Service. The investigation revealed that during the conspiracy the defendants and their co-conspirators would use force, violence, including murder and intimidation, against rival drug trafficking organizations and to discipline members of their own drug trafficking organization. Members of the organization would go to “war” with rival gangs, which included retaliatory shooting incidents that, at times, resulted in injuries and death. The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, including as leaders, owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, and facilitators. The members of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. Twenty defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The defendants charged in the indictment are: [1] Armando L. Alicea-Santiago, a.k.a. “La Mami/Ñañito” [2] José A. Custodio-Colón, a.k.a. “Gilligan/El Viejo” [3] Christopher Román-Medina, a.k.a. “Keke” [4] Armando Ortiz-Meléndez, a.k.a. “Yokain” [5] Nestor Murray-Valentino, a.k.a. “Valentino” [6] Nicky Cosme-Rivera, a.k.a. “Mellao” [7] Héctor Pacheco-Figueras, a.k.a. “La H” [8] Joshua Almodóvar, a.k.a. “Mamaito” [9] Orlando Coimbre-Echevarría, a.k.a. “Orlandito” [10] Giovanni Vargas-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Jova/La J” [11] Jon Alvarado-Hernández, a.k.a. “Jacob” [12] Raymond Torres-Zayas, a.k.a. “Macho” [13] Eduardo Aponte Torres, a.k.a. “Edu/Menor/Bubu” [14] Luis Laboy-Nadal, a.k.a. “Marlon/Mailon” [15] Juan Limardo-Meléndez, a.k.a. “Jonny” [16] José Méndez-Morales, a.k.a. “Hugo Boss/Gordo” [17] Bryant Santiago-Ramírez, a.k.a. “Bryant” [18] Edgargo Caraballo-Echevarría, a.k.a. “La J” [19] Jomar Irrizarry-Sarriera [20] Norberto Martinez-Castro, A/K/A Berto/Bertito/Enano, [21] Eduardo Negron-Perez, A/K/A Bebo, [22] Adam Maldonado-Santuche, [23] José Vázquez-Vargas, a.k.a. “Gordo Janet” [24] Kelvin Almodóvar-Toro, a.k.a. “Calvo” [25] Jaime Padilla-Gómez, a.k.a. “Jimito” [26] Rafael Alers-Ortiz, a.k.a. “Memin” [27] José A. Custodio-Flores, a.k.a. “Gele” [28] Jai López-Díaz, a.k.a. “Chai” [29] Luis J. Alvarado-De La Cruz, a.k.a. “Joel” [30] Joshua Rodríguez-Cortez, a.k.a. “Medusa/Versace” [31] Vilma J. Vázquez-Vargas, a.k.a. “Janet” [32] Jay Pages-Pacheco [33] Héctor J. Orengo-Torres, a.k.a. “Javi” [34] Ramón Echevarría-Caraballo, a.k.a. “Árabe” [35] José Rodríguez-Casiano, a.k.a. “Jon Z” [36] William González-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Casqui” [37] Miguel Ortiz-González, a.k.a. “Saca Mostro” [38] Jonathan Vázquez-Bota, a.k.a. “Mama Deo/Jona” [39] Wilson Berríos-Flores, a.k.a. “Panda” [40] Neftaly Rivera-Santiago, a.k.a. “Taly” [41] Miguel Alexander-Báez, a.k.a. “Yoyo” [42] Kevin Cosme-Rivera [43] Josué Pérez-Torres, a.k.a. “Aguja” [44] Ángel Santana-Pacheco, a.k.a. “Goldo” [45] William Ramos-Rivera, a.k.a. “Willy” [46] Alexis Aponte-Negrón [47] Coral González-Bacenet [48] Anthony Limardo-Mercado, a.k.a. “Mariachi” [49] Arturo De Lahongrais-Emmanuelli [50] Silverio Yoguez-Mercado, a.k.a. “Gringo” [51] Jovelyn Marquez-Ruiz, a.k.a. “La Flaca” [52] Manuel Alicea-Alicea, a.k.a. “Alicea” [53] Wanda Vargas-Álvarez [54] Jaime Méndez-Ortiz, a.k.a. Jimmy [55] Ángel Mercado-Acabeo, a.k.a. “Cano/Canito” [56] Ilia Martínez-Pagán, a.k.a. “Coral/Charlot” [57] Jayson Camacho-Rodríguez [58] María Mercado-Crespo, a.k.a. “Luly” [59] Jadira Báez-Flores [60] José Cambrelen-Pabón, a.k.a. “Buba” Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort; Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares; AUSAs R. Vance Eaton and Héctor Siaca Flores are in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in Count Seven, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. All defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $123,662,000. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: U.S. Attorney Announces $10.1 Million Settlement With Managed Long-Term Care Plan For Improper Receipt Of Medicaid Payments

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Naomi Gruchacz, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), announced today a settlement of a civil fraud lawsuit against RIVERSPRING LIVING HOLDING CORP. and ELDERSERVE HEALTH, INC., d/b/a RiverSpring at Home (“RIVERSPRING”), New York not-for-profit corporations that, among other things, administer a Managed Long Term Care Plan (the “RiverSpring MLTCP”) for Medicaid beneficiaries. In connection with the RiverSpring MLTCP, RIVERSPRING arranges for health and long-term care services and is reimbursed by Medicaid through per-member payments on a monthly basis (“Capitation Payments”). The settlement resolves allegations that RIVERSPRING submitted false claims to Medicaid for months during which RIVERSPRING failed to provide, or failed to adequately document, certain long-term care services to RiverSpring MLTCP members as obligated by the applicable contract between RIVERSPRING and the New York State Department of Health (“DOH”). Under the terms of the settlement approved today by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, RIVERSPRING must pay a total sum of $10,159,130.95, with $4,063,652.38 paid to the United States and the remaining amount paid to the State of New York. As part of the settlement, RIVERSPRING admits that it either did not provide RiverSpring MLTCP members with qualifying services as required by the applicable contract with DOH or did not adequately maintain documentation of the provision of such services during some or all of their enrollment in the RiverSpring MLTCP. As a result, RIVERSPRING obtained Medicaid payments to which it was not entitled. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “RiverSpring collected millions of dollars in Medicaid payments to provide long-term care services as part of its managed care plan, but in many cases either failed to deliver these services or failed to maintain adequate documentation showing that it did so. This Office is committed to holding recipients of government health care funds accountable when they fail to provide the care and services the government pays them to provide.” HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz said: “As a part of this settlement, the defendants acknowledged that they obtained funds from the Medicaid program to which they were not entitled. Individuals and entities that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients.” As alleged in the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court: RIVERSPRING administers a managed long-term care plan for Medicaid beneficiaries pursuant to applicable contracts with DOH (the “Contract”). To be eligible for enrollment into a managed long-term care plan, a Medicaid beneficiary must, among other things, be assessed as needing at least one of the community-based long-term care services listed in the Contract (“Qualifying Services”) for more than 120 days from the effective date of enrollment. These services include nursing services in the home, therapies in the home, home health aide services, personal care services in the home, and adult day health care. In order to receive Capitation Payments from Medicaid for members of the RiverSpring MLTCP, RIVERSPRING was required to ensure that RiverSpring MLTCP members received Qualifying Services during their enrollment or otherwise remained appropriately enrolled in the RiverSpring MLTCP consistent with the Contract and DOH disenrollment practices. In exchange for arranging and providing these services, RIVERSPRING received Capitation Payments averaging between $4,000 and $4,500 for each member. As part of the settlement, RIVERSPRING admits, acknowledges, and accepts responsibility for the following conduct: In many instances, RIVERSPRING either did not provide RiverSpring MLTCP members with Qualifying Services or did not adequately maintain documentation of the provision of such Qualifying Services during some or all of their enrollment in the RiverSpring MLTCP. Nonetheless, RIVERSPRING received Capitation Payments to which it was not entitled for these RiverSpring MLTCP members for the months in question. In many of these instances, RIVERSPRING collected Capitation Payments for RiverSpring MLTCP members despite the fact that RIVERSPRING either did not provide or did not maintain documentation reflecting the provision of Qualifying Services to these members for three or more consecutive months during their enrollment in the RiverSpring MLTCP. In other instances, RIVERSPRING collected Capitation Payments for RiverSpring MLTCP members despite the fact that RIVERSPRING either did not provide or did not maintain documentation reflecting the provision of Qualifying Services to these members during the entirety of their enrollment in the RiverSpring MLTCP. In connection with the filing of the lawsuit and settlement, the Government joined a private whistleblower lawsuit that had been filed under seal pursuant to the False Claims Act. * * * Mr. Williams thanked HHS-OIG for its assistance. Mr. Williams also thanked the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the New York State Attorney General’s Office for its investigative efforts and work on the case. This case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Frauds Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Dolinger and Jacob M. Bergman are in charge of the case.


title: Justice Department Releases Webinar with Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to Improve Accessibility of School Buildings

body_text: The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights today announced the release of a webinar setting out ways for school districts across the country to increase accessibility for students and teachers with disabilities in their school facilities. The webinar, “Accessible Public Schools,” was developed by the Justice Department in consultation with the Department of Education and responds to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation and report issued in 2020: School Districts Need Better Information to Help Improve Access for People with Disabilities . That report detailed significant accessibility barriers for students with disabilities across the country in the nation’s K-12 public school buildings, and recommended the federal government provide additional resources for school districts. “It is critical that students with disabilities, and family members, friends, neighbors, teachers and staff with disabilities, are able to access school buildings for learning as well as extracurricular activities and community events,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to using all available tools, including enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to increase accessibility in school buildings. It is equally important that school district personnel have ready access to tools and information, like this webinar, to understand their obligations under the law.” “Schools need to be accessible to everyone,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon of the Department of Education. “More than 50 years after the enactment of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and thirty years after the enactment of the ADA, students with disabilities should not still encounter barriers in their public schools. The Office for Civil Rights hopes resources like this webinar, in conjunction with vigorous enforcement, will ensure accessibility to school buildings for all students with disabilities and their families.” In its report, the GAO recommended that the Justice Department, in consultation with the Department of Education, create guidance on K-12 school accessibility issues. The webinar, featuring a Justice Department Architect, lays out the common accessibility problems found in schools (and identified in the GAO report) and ways to address them. The webinar can be found at https://youtu.be/M5F0IzIjYAk . The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the ADA’s goals of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the ADA, please call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov . For more information about the work of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights regarding discrimination on the basis of disability, visit www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/pro-students/issues/disability-issue.html .


title: Five Defendants in Custody in Multi-Agency Investigation Focused on Trinidad Fentanyl Trafficking

body_text: WASHINGTON – Law enforcement have five defendants in custody this morning who have been indicted in U.S. District Court in connection with a multi-agency fentanyl trafficking investigation. Three of the defendants, alleged members of a District drug trafficking crew, were charged in a 13-count indictment with participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and heroin. Two of the five in custody, who were arrested this morning, are charged in connection with a separate 13-count indictment on fentanyl distribution and firearms counts. The indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Law enforcement also executed search warrants at 14 residences in the District and in Maryland and seized 15 firearms, large amounts of ammunition, $126,000 in alleged drug proceeds as part of the operation, and significant quantities of drugs, including suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and xylazine. At least three of the defendants in custody have been indicted on firearms charges. The arrests grew out of a joint investigation into a Trinidad Street crew operating an open-air drug market around 1100 block of Raum Street, NE. From January to July 2023, there have been 59 violent crime incidents and 119 bursts of gunfire in the area. Agents conducted numerous buys of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, cocaine base, and firearms. The defendants, who reside in Washington D.C. and Maryland, include: NAME AGE AKA CHARGES Davon Cunningham 34 “Tank” “Kevin” Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl; 10 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl Analogue; a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base; and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin; Unlawful Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl x 2; Unlawful Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and Aiding and Abetting; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon Levancie Carr 41 “Locs” Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl; 10 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl Analogue; a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base; and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin Roosevelt Richardson 48 “Rose” Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl; 10 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl Analogue; a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine Base; and a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin Antonio Lucas 46 - Distribution of Fentanyl x 7; Distribution of 10 Grams or More of Fentanyl Analogue x 2; Distribution of N-Propylbutylone; Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon; Possession of a Firearm by a Felon Rex Pelote Jr 39 - Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon; Possession of a Firearm by a Felon This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. This investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, the Narcotics Enforcement Unit of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section and Trial Attorney Gerald Collins of the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Christina Taylor and Gaelin Bernstein also provided valuable assistance. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmate in His Custody

body_text: A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) Corrections Officer, Robert D. Smith, 39, was sentenced today in federal court to 24 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for sexually abusing an inmate while he was a corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution, in Aliceville, Alabama (FCI-Aliceville). Smith previously pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a ward on Jan. 11. “Robert Smith has been held to account for abusing his position of trust by sexually assaulting an adult in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s sentence marks the latest step forward in the Justice Department’s ongoing campaign to root out sexual misconduct from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Department will continue to hold accountable any BOP employee who violates their oath to protect those in their care through sexual assault.” “Beyond the view of the cameras and the eyes of potential witnesses, this defendant sexually abused and assaulted vulnerable women inmates and thought he would get away with his crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case should send an unequivocal message to officials working in correctional settings that we have zero tolerance for sexual assaults of women held inside jails and prisons. We encourage the survivors of these heinous crimes to report acts of official misconduct and violence to the FBI. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate the civil and constitutional rights of people detained in correctional facilities.” “Corrections officers have the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of those incarcerated in our nation’s prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute corrections officers who abuse inmates and violate positions of public trust.” “Today’s sentencing holds Smith accountable for the serious crimes he committed,” said Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Smith sexually abused multiple inmates and he did so by taking them to areas of the prison without camera coverage. As the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has repeatedly found, the effective use of cameras by the FBOP is critical to preventing and deterring such criminal wrongdoing at its facilities.” According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Smith worked as a corrections officer at FCI-Aliceville, which is a low-security federal prison. As part of his duties, Smith was to ensure the safety and security of inmates housed at FCI-Aliceville and to uphold the U.S. Constitution. While acting in his capacity as an officer, in or around February 2019, Smith knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a female inmate in official detention, who was under Smith’s custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority. Smith committed this criminal act when he and his victim were in his office in the facilities department, which was away from cameras and other inmates and officers. Smith also admitted to sexually abusing another inmate on a different occasion. Specifically, also while acting in his capacity as an officer, between on or about July 6, 2018, and Nov. 15, 2018, Smith knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a female inmate in official detention, who was under Smith’s custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority. Smith committed this criminal act in the mechanical room, which Smith accessed with a key, and which was also away from cameras and other inmates and officers. The Justice Department OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Royster for the Northern District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case. FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the department’s reform efforts.


title: Georgia Man Sentenced to Two Years  for Laundering Fraudulently Obtained Money

body_text: DETROIT - A Georgia resident was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for his role in helping fraudsters steal money from both individual and business victims, some of them from Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division. Christian Ogunghide, 48, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty, earlier this year, to laundering money derived from wire fraud, by United States District Judge Gershwin A. Drain. According to Court records, in 2016-2017, through various bank accounts, Ogunghide engaged in numerous financial transactions, each transaction well over $10,000, involving over $1 million in the proceeds of wire fraud, that is, funds obtained by others through business email compromise fraud schemes and romance fraud schemes. When Ogunghide engaged in these monetary transactions, he knew that the transactions involved criminally derived property. He allowed fraudsters to use bank accounts he controlled to receive monies fraudulently taken from both individuals and businesses. He then disseminated the funds, effectively eliminating any chance the victims had to get their money back. He played a vital role in enabling the fraudsters to complete their fraud. And Ogunghide benefited immensely, including by the use of nearly $300,000 in fraudulent funds to buy himself a home that he lived in for years. The Court ordered Ogunghide to pay $1,207,155.66 in restitution to the victims in this case. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of a Georgia home purchased with funds traceable to the fraud scheme, and entered a forfeiture money judgment of $1,206, 155.66. United States Attorney Ison stated: “Those who enable the victimization of others need to be held accountable. As a money launderer, Ogunghide repeatedly helped to facilitate fraud. We are committed to prosecuting those who choose to enrich themselves by enabling others to commit crimes.” "Mr. Ogunghide illicitly laundered over a million dollars obtained through fraud from victims, encompassing individuals and businesses across multiple states," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Combatting white-collar crime stands as a foremost priority for the FBI, and with the assistance of our law enforcement allies, we will persist in uncovering and dismantling financial schemes." The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick E. Corbett and Adriana Dydell. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Connecticut Man Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Windsor, CT, resident who admitted to a federal judge in Rhode Island that he conspired to deliver nearly 90 grams of fentanyl has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Daniel Alexander Smith, 20, previously admitted that between late February through May 2023, he sold seven firearms and conspired with another individual to sell a total of 89.67 grams of fentanyl in the course of five separate transactions. The transactions took place while Smith was under surveillance by members of law enforcement who quickly seized the firearms and drugs. During the investigation law enforcement seized a Century Arms AK-47 rifle; a Glock 26 semi-automatic pistol; a High Standard revolver; a Taurus PT111 9mm handgun; an FN Tactical Model 502 .22 caliber pistol; a Glock 19x 9mm pistol, and a High Standard M200 20 gauge shotgun. Additionally, at the time of Smith’s arrest, members of law enforcement seized a loaded Glock 22 firearm with a 22-round magazine and a Switch attached from Smith’s vehicle. The Switch converted the firearm to a fully automatic weapon. At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Daniel Alexander Smith to a term of 60 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White. United States Attorney Cunha thanks the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut for its assistance in this prosecution. The matter was investigated by the FBI Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the FBI Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force. The FBI Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, Rhode Island State Police, the Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, West Warwick, and Central Falls Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service. 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. In May 2021, the Justice 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: El Paso Man Arrested for Allegedly Failing to Pay Employment Taxes

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was arrested in El Paso on criminal charges related to his alleged failure to account for and pay trust fund taxes. According to an indictment, Edward Dean La Puma, 57, founder and sole proprietor of a local business called 77 Stone, allegedly failed to truthfully account for and pay the trust fund taxes due to the IRS on behalf of his employees between March 2018 and January 2023. La Puma is charged with 20 counts of failure to account for and pay over trust fund taxes. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington for the IRS Criminal Investigation Houston Field Office made the announcement. IRS CI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micaela Glass and Chris Skillern are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Armed Robbery and Burglary in 2020 Northeast Barbershop Robbery

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Elliot Jacobs, 32, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty after trial of multiple charges arising from a mid-day robbery at a Northeast barbershop, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The Superior Court jury found Jacobs guilty of two counts of armed robbery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second degree burglary while armed, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. The jury returned the verdict on May 22, 2024. The Honorable Heidi Pasichow scheduled sentencing for August 16, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, on August 8, 2020, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Jacobs went to the Benning Road Barbershop and asked for a trim. Because of the pandemic, the barbershop did not take walk-in customers, so Jacobs exchanged phone numbers with one of the barbers, who told him to call back in about fifteen minutes. Jacobs called the barber using a three-way call to disguise his number, and the barber told Jacobs that he was ready for him. Jacobs returned, sat in the barber chair, and spoke with the barber for several minutes. During their conversation, a second man appeared at the shop, and both Jacobs and that accomplice pulled handguns and pointed them at the two barbers. Jacobs then robbed both barbers before fleeing with his accomplice. MPD detectives subsequently used Jacobs’ cellphone number to develop him as a suspect. Jacobs was arrested on August 26, 2020, and he has been held in custody since. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sabena Auyeung and William Lawrence.


title: Minnesota man sentenced for airline assault, interference

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Minnesota man was sentenced today to five years’ probation for assaulting a flight attendant and interfering with a flight crew’s normal duties. According to court documents, on June 24, 2023, Christian Burch, 38, went into the bathroom while he was aboard a flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage. Flight attendants heard a scream coming from the bathroom and tried knocking on the door multiple times. The defendant slammed the door open and walked up the aisleway, appearing shaky and confused. After being questioned by another flight attendant, Burch became unresponsive. A registered nurse aboard the flight examined the defendant and suspected he was overdosing. The flight attendants and a male passenger assisted the nurse is administering a dosage of Narcan, but Burch began to violently struggle when the Narcan was inserted into his nose. The flight attendants and multiple passengers were involved in the struggle, and at one point, Burch grabbed one of the flight attendants near her throat. Burch was also bleeding from his nose and mouth during the altercation, causing multiple passengers and flight attendants to come in contact with his blood. The nurse was able to administer two doses of Narcan during the altercation and Burch was restrained in one of the cabin seats for the remainder of the flight. Due to Burch’s actions, the flight crew had to stop performing their normal duties to remedy the situation and update the pilots. Burch was arrested once the plane landed in Anchorage and served six days in federal custody before being released. Upon his return to Minnesota, he was arrested and held in state custody for 72 days for violating his state parole by leaving the state without permission. Burch pleaded guilty in December 2023 but was arrested in March 2024 for violating his pretrial release and has remained in custody since, serving 66 days total in federal custody. “Air travel is a necessity for many Alaskans and tourists, and all who use or work on this mode of transportation should feel safe while aboard an aircraft,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “This case serves as a reminder that we will prosecute anyone who chooses to commit such actions while in our district.” “Criminal conduct aboard an aircraft, such as interference with a flight crew, jeopardizes the safety of all passengers and is a federal crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI is committed to investigating federal crimes occurring on commercial aircraft, and holding accountable those that endanger the safety of passengers and flight crews.” The FBI Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the Anchorage Airport Police Department, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Schroeder prosecuted the case. ###


title: Ocala Man Sentenced To More Than Ten Years In Prison For Possession Of Child Sex Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Justin Lewis (41, Ocala) to 10 years and 7 months in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. This sentence must be served after another 5 and a half-year federal sentence Lewis is currently serving for wire fraud. A jury had previously found Lewis guilty of the child sexual abuse material offense on June 27, 2023. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, federal agents executed a search warrant at Lewis’s Ocala residence on February 7, 2018, looking for evidence in the wire fraud investigation. During the search, agents found two external hard drives on Lewis’s desk that contained video files depicting child sexual abuse material. The same hard drives also contained numerous files and documents attributed to Lewis, including his personal photographs, a copy of his high school diploma, emails, text messages, and assorted business records. One of the hard drives was also encrypted with the same password that Lewis used for many of his personal accounts. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton. 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.