title: United States Attorney Sayler Fleming Announces District Election Officers Responsible for Handling Election Day Complaints

body_text: ST. LOUIS – United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Hal Goldsmith and Jennifer Roy will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Goldsmith and Roy have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Eastern District of Missouri, and are responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. United States Attorney Fleming said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.” The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). United States Attorney Fleming said, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, DEOs Goldsmith and Roy will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. They can be reached by the public at 314-539-7733.” In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. You can reach the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov or by dialing 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. United States Attorney Fleming said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.” Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.


title: Kansas Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Returns for Clients

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Kansas man pleaded guilty yesterday to preparing and filing false income tax returns on behalf of his clients. According to court documents and statements made in court, Hophine Bwosinde, of Lenexa, operated Ambroseli Professional Services, a tax preparation business. From 2018 through 2022, Bwosinde prepared and filed false tax returns on behalf of his clients by either inflating legitimate business expenses or by claiming losses related to fake businesses. In addition, Bwosinde falsely reported negative income on clients’ returns. These false items caused his clients to significantly underreport their income to the IRS, which reduced the amount of taxes the clients owed and generated refunds for many to which they were not entitled. In total, Bwosinde caused a total tax loss exceeding $1.5 million. A sentencing hearing will take place on Feb. 18, 2025. Bwosinde faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Erika V. Suhr of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.


title: Florida Woman Sentenced for Filing False Refund Claims

body_text: A Florida woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $485,290.03 in restitution to the United States for filing false tax returns with the IRS to obtain tax refunds. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2018 and 2020, Yolanda Dewar filed four false tax returns seeking a total of almost $2 million in tax refunds from the IRS on behalf of a trust she created. These returns falsely reported that the trust had earned significant income, made payments to the IRS and had federal income taxes withheld on its behalf. Dewar continued filing false returns even after the IRS notified her that her claims were frivolous and had no basis in law. In total, the IRS issued nearly $500,000 to the trust in response to Dewar’s false claims. Dewar used a portion of the funds to purchase a car for a family member, get plastic surgery and renovate her home. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Kavitha Bondada of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: Press Release by the United States Attorney Relating to the November 2024 General Election

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that two District Election Officers will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. The District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.” The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the DEOs will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. The public can reach them by calling 215-861-8200 and asking for the District Election Officers.” In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public by calling 215-418-4000. Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 1-800-253-3931. “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.” Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, call 911 immediately before then contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.


title: Member Of Multi-State Gas Pump Skimming Device And Fuel Theft Ring Pleads Guilty To Aggravated Identity Theft And Fraud Charges

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Deonelky Tabares Cid (36, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud, six counts of access device fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Cid faces a minimum penalty of 2 years in federal prison on the count of aggravated identity theft, up to 20 years in federal prison on each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years in federal prison on each count of access device fraud, up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count, and payment of restitution to the victims he and his co-defendants defrauded. No sentencing date has been set. According to court documents, Cid and his co-conspirators worked together to install skimmers on gas pumps to include gas stations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Northern Florida, including the Florida Panhandle. The conspirators used the skimmers to illegally obtain credit and debit card account numbers involved with the purchase of fuel by customers at the gas pump. Using the account numbers stolen by the skimmers, they subsequently made counterfeit credit and debit cards and then, used them to purchase large amount of diesel fuel. During the conspiracy, Cid and others drove vehicles that contained a fuel bladder system. This system allowed the conspirators to fake pumping gas into the vehicle’s gas tank when in fact the diesel fuel was being pumped into the fuel bladder system. Analysis by law enforcement of fuel purchases, vehicle tracker data, gas station video surveillance, and real time surveillance of the conspirators determined that Cid and other conspirators drove to multiple case stations throughout Northern Florida. After obtaining the gas, the conspirators offloaded the stolen fuel into 9,500-gallon tanker trucks at a fuel yard. The stolen fuel was then sold to a gas station associated with one of the co-conspirators. The co-defendants, Luis Edel Trujillo Pena (29, Miami), Deyvis Hernandez (37, Miami), Luis Ernesto Vigil Ochoa (32, Miami), and Isvaldo Guerra Perdomo (38, Jacksonville) are set for trial in January 2025. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. General Services Administration - Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.


title: Three ordered to prison for trafficking $29M in meth

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – Three Houston-area residents have been sent to prison following their convictions of possessing with intent to distribute 777 kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Eduardo Figueroa Jr., 29, Cleveland, and Cynara Lucia Sarmiento, 26, Conroe, pleaded guilty March 22, 2023. Marlon Deon Martin, 31, Conroe, pleaded guilty March 21, 2023. U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Figueroa, Sarmiento and Martin to serve 144, 60 and 37 months in federal prison, respectively. All three must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentences. In handing down the prison terms, Chief Judge Crane informed Figueroa that he would end up with the biggest sentence as he was the organizer of this offense. During his statement at sentencing, Figueroa took responsibility for getting his co-conspirators involved and stated that he was in charge. Chief Judge Crane noted that he handed down lighter sentences as the co-conspirators were young and foolish with little to no criminal history who he wanted to help get back on the right path. At the time of his plea, Figueroa admitted he hired Sarmiento as his personal assistant and tasked her with leasing warehouse space and forming Hive Logistics, a business warehouse located in Houston. Figueroa recruited Martin to help unload the narcotics. On May 12, 2021, authorities executed a search at the location and discovered 777 kilograms of meth, 10 kilograms of cocaine, ledgers, two pistols and five magazines. The meth was located inside metal barrels marked as mango puree. In furtherance of his plea, Figueroa admitted the meth was part of a larger shipment he had received, of which approximately 800 kilograms had already been delivered to several individuals. Sarmiento also admitted to creating a ledger for the drugs and delivering them on at least one occasion with Figueroa. The estimated street value of the meth is $29 million. This case is part of an exportation and straw purchasing of firearms investigation from March 2021 where Figueroa was identified as a recruiter. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to straw purchase five shotguns on Nov. 22, 2021, and was sentenced to 60 months in prison to run concurrently. Sarmiento and Martin were permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility to be determined in the near future. Figueroa will remain in custody pending transfer to a BOP facility to be determined in the near future. Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.


title: Orlando Drug Trafficker Sentenced To Federal Prison

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Matias Sanchez Cardosa, Jr. (53, Orlando) to 14 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Cardosa entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024. According to court documents, on March 4, 2024, a confidential informant (CI) working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was in contact with Javier Alejandro Anaya-Leal about purchasing cocaine. Anaya-Leal directed the CI to meet him at his residence in Ruskin. Anaya-Leal informed the CI that the courier was on his way with the cocaine from Orlando. A short while later, the courier, later identified as Cardosa, arrived at the home. The CI, Anaya-Leal, and Cardosa met inside of Anya-Leal’s residence. The CI later advised that he had observed Cardosa arrive with two bags. The CI recounted that one of the bags contained approximately three kilograms of cocaine and the other bag contained approximately one and a half kilograms of cocaine. The CI departed from the residence and informed Anaya-Leal and Cardosa that he was going to retrieve money. The pair were later arrested by DEA agents. Agents conducted a search of Cardosa’s vehicle. During the search, agents located a multi-colored bag in the trunk that contained approximately one and a half kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, on the front passenger floorboard, there was a blue bag that contained three brick-like packages of suspected cocaine. A DEA forensic chemist tested the substances recovered from Cardosa’s vehicle and opined that the substance was cocaine and weighed more than four kilograms. Anaya-Leal previously pleaded guilty for his role in this case. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 1, 2024. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.


title: Seven Members of Moscow-Based Criminal Organization Plead Guilty in Over $1.7 Billion International Telemedicine Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn , Hafizullah Ebady pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge William F. Kuntz, II. Ebady is the seventh defendant to plead guilty in connection with a sprawling international health care fraud and money laundering scheme. Ebady’s co-defendants Joshua Manuel Alegria, David Gary Bishoff, Brycen Kay Millett, Dela Saidazim, Anthony Santamaria and Hershel Tsikman previously pleaded guilty. An eighth co-defendant and the leader of the organization, Brian Sutton, a U.S. citizen residing in Russia, remains at large. The defendants participated in an international scheme to acquire pharmacies across the United States with pre-existing relationships with private health insurance companies. Using those pharmacies, in conjunction with call centers to induce individuals to accept unnecessary medications and a network of recruited physicians, the defendants generated more than $1.7 billion in fraudulent prescriptions purportedly filled by the scheme pharmacies. The charges against Sutton and others were announced on November 7, 2023 . Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty pleas. “Using aliases, shell companies and straw owners, moving their operations overseas, and laundering millions of dollars through foreign countries, the defendants conducted a sophisticated, multi-faceted scheme, employing scores in call centers and remote billing teams to line their pockets to the tune of more than a billion dollars,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Health care fraud victimizes American businesses and drives up the cost of care for all. Let these convictions serve as a message: we will work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute those who exploit American health care plans no matter where in the world they operate.” Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Office of Inspector General, for its work on the case. As alleged, between 2017 and 2022, Sutton, a U.S. citizen residing in Russia, led his co-defendants in carrying out an international scheme to bill private insurers for over $1.7 billion in fraudulent prescriptions. At Sutton’s direction, the co-conspirators oversaw call centers initially based in Utah, but later operated from Russia and other foreign nations. Call center employees telephoned beneficiaries enrolled in private insurers’ health care plans and offered prescription medications at little to no cost to the beneficiaries and without any medical exam to determine whether the medications were medically necessary. The defendants also recruited doctors purportedly to review prescriptions by nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants after telemedicine visits. Contrary to what the recruited doctors were told, in many cases there were no telemedicine visits between the beneficiaries and any medical professionals. The co-conspirators generated fraudulent prescriptions under the physicians’ names and National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers. Despite the prescriptions, many beneficiaries never received the medications. To conceal their involvement, the defendants operated under multiple aliases, funneled hundreds of millions of dollars through pass-through shell companies and straw owners, used end-to-end encrypted communications and moved operations overseas. Specifically, the defendants purchased and operated dozens of existing brick-and-mortar pharmacies through straw owners including in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan and Alabama. The co-conspirators also laundered millions of dollars in fraudulent proceeds from overseas through pass-through shell companies that they used to purchase the scheme pharmacies and conceal the defendants’ involvement. After acquiring the brick-and-mortar pharmacies, the co-conspirators oversaw the installation of pharmacy management software that allowed for the remote submission of reimbursement requests by the scheme pharmacies to private insurers; they also trained and supervised a team of “billers” that remotely submitted hundreds of thousands of reimbursement requests. Under Sutton’s direction, the defendants played various roles in the scheme, including as follows: Alegria oversaw development of custom software and forwarded fraudulent prescriptions to licensed physicians for approval; Bishoff coordinated logistics for the operations of multiple scheme pharmacies; Ebady coordinated the purchase and directed the day-to-day operations of multiple scheme pharmacies; Millett oversaw call centers in Utah, Russia and elsewhere overseas; Saidazim recruited licensed physicians and acted as Sutton’s personal assistant; Santamaria trained and managed a team of billers to input data and electronically submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement to insurers; and Tsikman coordinated the laundering of fraud proceeds through straw owners and shell entities. Ultimately, the co-conspirators submitted over $1.7 billion in reimbursement requests for over 50 pharmacies. Private insurers paid over $500 million as a result of the fraudulent billing. When sentenced, the defendants face the following sentences: Ebady faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment as well as restitution of more than $195 million and forfeiture of over $1.8 million; Alegria faces a maximum sentence of 30 years; Bishoff faces a maximum sentence of 10 years as well as forfeiture of $8 million; Millett faces a maximum sentence of 30 years as well as forfeiture of over $2.3 million; Santamaria faces a maximum sentence of 10 years as well as restitution of more than $520 million and $3.2 million in forfeiture; Tsikman faces a maximum sentence of 10 years; and Saidazim was sentenced to time served. The charges pending against Sutton in the superseding indictment are merely allegations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) . As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including health care fraud charges, such as the crimes that the defendants committed. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys John Vagelatos, Jessica K. Weigel, Tara B. McGrath and Jonathan P. Lax are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Madison Bates and Asher Martin-Rosenthal. Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters. The Defendant : HAFIZULLAH EBADY (also known as “Hafiz Ebady”) Age: 45 Parsippany, New Jersey Co-Conspirators Who Previously Pleaded Guilty (Awaiting Sentencing) : JOSHUA MANUEL ALEGRIA (also known as “Jboy,” “Jaxon Asher” and “Turk Malloy”) Age: 32 Woodland Hills, California DAVID GARY BISHOFF (also known as “Bobby Fischer”) Age: 39 Saint George, Utah BRYCEN KAY MILLETT (also known as “Brett Johnson” and “Tommy Wilkinson”) Age: 33 Saint George, Utah ANTHONY SANTAMARIA (also known as “Big Boy,” “Wade Watts,” “Pablo Rodriguez,” “Ryan Rusty” and “Bruce Peter”) Age: 31 North Hollywood, California DELA SAIDAZIM (also known as “Delila,” “Gina Payne” and “Olivia Rothstein”) Age: 34 Moscow, Russia HERSHEL TSIKMAN (also known as “Andrew Milner,” “Andrew M.,” “Linus Caldwell,” “Adam Schneider,” “Jonathan Martin” and “H”) Age: 30 Studio City, California Co-Conspirator Who Remains At Large : BRIAN MICHAEL SUTTON (also known as “Mike Summers,” “Mike Miller” and “Ryan White”) Age: 31 Moscow, Russia E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-564 (S-3) (WFK)


title: Media Advisory – U.S. Attorney to Announce Charges Related to 2023 Quintuple Murder in Sampson County

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

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton, and other state and federal law enforcement partners, will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce indictments and arrests related to the October 2023 murder of five people in Clinton. WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office – 150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2100, Raleigh, NC 27601 WHEN: Wednesday, October 23rd at 10:30 a.m. Media: please arrive by 10:00 a.m. for set up. For logistical information in advance of the media availability, please contact Katie Holcomb at USANCE.PublicInfoOfficer@usdoj.gov . No case specific information is available until the press conference.


title: Three Indicted for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Oct. 10, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Ricky Lee Ware, 41; Kimberly Ann Wallace, 28, of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Carlos Lee Sanchez Jr., 44, of Sacramento, charging them with conspiring to commit access device fraud and access device fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment also charges Sanchez with an additional count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was unsealed following the arrests of Wallace and Sanchez. According to court documents, between July 2020 and January 2021, the defendants conspired to obtain debit cards that allowed them to access unemployment benefits. The unemployment benefits were in the names of people who did not know the defendants. The defendants then used the debit cards to withdraw more than $900,000 in unemployment benefits from ATMs. According to the indictment, on March 28, 2023, Sanchez possessed a Ruger-57 handgun. Sanchez is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has been convicted of distribution of cocaine. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case. If convicted of the conspiracy, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 7.5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of the access device fraud counts, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sanchez, if convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This effort is part of a California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force operation, one of five interagency COVID-19 fraud strike force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice. The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces use prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Election Day Program for 2024 General Election

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE - United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Jeremy Peña and Sean Sullivan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Peña and Sullivan have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers for the District of New Mexico, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. “Our vote is our voice. That is why the Department of Justice will ensure every citizen can vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “Similarly, elections do not run themselves. We will protect our election officials and staff from interference and unlawful threats of violence. The Department will ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.” The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). “The vote is the cornerstone of American democracy,” continued U.S. Attorney Uballez. “And ensuring free and fair elections depends on you. If you have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud, call us.” Members of the public can reach AUSA Peña at (505) 269-2038 and AUSA Sullivan at (505) 350-3153 any time the polls are open in New Mexico. In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI can be reached by the public at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. Finally, complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. # # #


title: Sex Offender Receives 25 Years in Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Norbert Morgan, age 54, of Glens Falls, New York, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and committing those offenses while under post-release supervision for prior child exploitation offenses. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, made the announcement. According to documents filed in the case and statements made by prosecutors in court, Morgan is a registered sex offender in the State of New York, stemming from his 2006 convictions in the Northern District of New York for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. Between February 2023 and August 2023, following his release from imprisonment on his prior convictions, Morgan created and used multiple unauthorized accounts on numerous internet social networking applications to distribute hundreds of images of child pornography. During a search of Morgan’s apartment, federal agents seized a tablet that contained thousands of images of child pornography and nearly 200 videos of child pornography. Earlier this year, Morgan pled guilty before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci to one count each of distribution and possession of child pornography and also admitted to violating the terms of his supervised release by committing the new offenses. Following release, Morgan will be required to serve a term of 25 years of post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender. Morgan was also ordered to pay restitution to the 13 identified victims of his crimes. HSI investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Federal jury convicts MS-13 member for multiple murders

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Salvadoran national and member of the Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS) clique of the violent Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) gang yesterday on charges relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including six murders and additional murder conspiracies. On Aug. 25, 2018, Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, aka German Alexander Ramirez Lopez, Buky, and Desquiciado, 27, met other MS-13 members in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to murder an associate of MS-13's Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, identified in court records as K.A.C. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed K.A.C. had betrayed MS-13. That evening, they met K.A.C. at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford. After the group ate dinner together, they beat and strangled K.A.C. to death. The conspirators then dismembered K.A.C.’s body, placed his remains in trash bags, and buried the remains in a wooded area near New Bedford. Alas Candray and other conspirators were promoted in the MS-13 ranks for their participation in the murder. “This case is a stark reminder of the violence and disregard for human life inherent in MS-13’s criminal enterprise,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Their deadly activities, from flooding our streets with dangerous narcotics to the brutal murders by which they attempt to impose their presence, will not go unchecked. Their crimes will be met with the full attention and resources of this office and our law enforcement partners.” "Alas Candray committed half a dozen gruesome murders to rise in rank in MS-13, demonstrating a vile disregard for his victims' lives," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Geist. "His conviction is the result of a multiyear investigation worked by the FBI, Fairfax County Police Department, and our federal and local partners. We thank the victim's families for their patience throughout Alas Candray's prosecution and reaffirm our commitment to bringing MS-13 members to justice for terrorizing communities throughout the country." “This verdict sends a clear message that the community will not tolerate violence, and we will hold those accountable for their actions” said Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police. In June 2019, Alas Candray and others conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the clique’s perceived territory in Reston. On June 23, 2019, Alas Candray and other members and associates armed themselves with a 9mm firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and two machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. The group murdered an individual, identified as J.L.G.M., shooting him and slashing him with a machete. On Sept. 17, 2020, Alas Candray and others devised a plan to lure a young woman, identified as I.J.P.G., to Colts Neck Road in Reston under false pretenses and kill her because they believed she was associated with a rival gang and had disparaged MS-13 on social media. A co-conspirator exchanged messages with I.J.P.G. via Snapchat, pretending to be a member of MS-13’s rival gang. He and another co-conspirator later picked up I.J.P.G. and drove her to Colts Neck Road, where Alas Candray and another MS-13 member were waiting for them. The four co-conspirators killed I.J.P.G. by taking turns shooting her, primarily in the face. In March 2021, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder an individual, identified as S.A.T.L., because they believed he was a member of a rival gang. On March 11, 2021, Alas Candray and other MS-13 members and associates, surveilled S.A.T.L. in Fairfax County and waited for an opportunity to murder him. Alas Candray and his co-conspirators went to an apartment complex on Winterthur Court in Reston where Alas Candray fatally shot S.A.T.L. On May 30, 2022, Alas Candray and co-conspirators travelled to the Lerner Springs at Reston Apartment Homes and joined others on a footpath behind the complex to patrol the clique’s perceived territory. Shortly thereafter, the conspirators encountered an individual, identified as R.A.P.S., on the footpath. Alas Candray and others murdered R.A.P.S. by kicking him and dropping a large rock on his head as he lay on the footpath. On June 18, 2022, Alas Candray and a co-conspirator picked up an individual, identified as F.R.A.R., from Reston and drove him to Seneca Regional Park in Fairfax County. Alas Candray, and his co-conspirators believed that F.R.A.R. had disrespected MS-13 and violated its rules. After arriving at a pre-selected location in the park, Alas Candray and several co-conspirators murdered F.R.A.R. by beating him with a baseball bat and stabbing him. They then dismembered F.R.A.R.’s body and buried F.R.A.R.'s remains in a clandestine grave. On Aug. 17, 2022, Alas Candray instructed a relative to relay a message to other ULS members and associates. Using coded language, Alas Candray, instructed a co-conspirator to get rid of ammunition, warned ULS members and associates that law enforcement had pictures of them, and advised them to move. The relative relayed the message the following day. The jury convicted Alas Candray of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, five counts of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, five counts of murder in aid of racketeering, and three counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment on each of the five murder counts when sentenced on Jan. 30, 2025. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky are prosecuting the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-178.


title: Florida Woman Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Refund Claims

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: Defendant Fraudulently Received Almost $500,000 of $2M Sought from IRS MIAMI – A Florida woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay approximately $485,290.03 in restitution to the United States for filing false tax returns with the IRS to obtain tax refunds. According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2018 and 2020, Yolanda Dewar filed four false tax returns seeking a total of almost $2 million in tax refunds from the IRS on behalf of a trust she created. These returns falsely reported that the trust had earned significant income, made payments to the IRS, and had federal income taxes withheld on its behalf. Dewar continued filing false returns even after the IRS notified her that her claims were frivolous and had no basis in law. In total, the IRS issued nearly $500,000 to the trust in response to Dewar’s false claims. Dewar used a portion of the funds to purchase a car for a family member, get plastic surgery and renovate her home. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Kavitha Bondada of the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 24-cr-60051. ###


title: Fentanyl Trafficker and DC Rapper Sentenced for Bringing Thousands of Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills into the District

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Columbian Thomas, 26, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 160 months in federal prison for participating in a massive fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that distributed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills from Southern California to destinations throughout the United States, including the District. Thomas, aka “Cruddy Murda,” was one of more than two dozen co-defendants arrested over the course of 2023 in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, San Diego, and Los Angeles and charged in the conspiracy. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Thomas pleaded guilty on May 30 to conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In addition to the 160-month prison term, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Thomas to serve five years of supervised release. The impetus for this investigation was the overdose death of Diamond Lynch, a young mother in Southeast D.C. In addition to investigating and prosecuting the death-resulting case [1] , law enforcement followed the evidence and uncovered a vast network of traffickers who transported fentanyl from Mexico to Los Angeles to the District of Columbia. Since then, investigators have seized more than 450,000 fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms. According to court documents, Thomas entered into the conspiracy after he was introduced to a Los Angeles-based drug trafficker, who was a distributor of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills. Thomas would travel to Southern California to purchase the fake oxycodone from the L.A. supplier and return to the District with the drugs. Thomas and his co-conspirators employed two primary methods to transport the pills to the District: they smuggled them in luggage or carry-on items on airline flights, or they shipped the pills using commercial mail carriers. Thomas often bragged on social media about the lucrative business of fentanyl trafficking and proudly showcased the spoils of his drug trafficking. The below-pictured social media post shows Thomas holding a large stack of U.S. currency, exclaiming “I [love] Cali!!!!” On June 2, 2023, the date of his arrest, law enforcement found Thomas in the bedroom of his home and recovered a baggie containing about 100 blue M-30 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, along with a loaded Glock 21 Gen4 pistol that had been equipped with a “giggle switch,” which converted the firearm into a fully automatic machine gun. In addition to possessing a machine gun and conspiring to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, Thomas, whose rap stage name is “Cruddy Murda,” often boasted about firearms and acts of violence in his songs. Below is a chart outlining the status and charges of other defendants in the case: DEFENDANT AGE LOCATION CHARGES/SENTENCE Hector David Valdez, aka “Curl” 26 Santa Fe Springs, California Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; Conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Craig Eastman 20 Washington, D.C. Pleaded guilty July 25, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing: January 7, 2025. Charles Jeffrey Taylor 20 Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Raymond Nava, Jr. 20 Bell Gardens, California Sentenced Sept. 17, 2024, to 14 years for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Ulises Aldaz 28 Bell Gardens, California Sentenced June 28, 2024, to 95 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Max Alexander Carias Torres 26 Bell Gardens, California Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; Conspiracy to commit international money laundering Teron Deandre McNeil, aka “Wild Boy” 34 Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Marvin Anthony Bussie, aka “Money Marr” 21 Washington, D.C. Sentenced June 28, 2024, to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Marcus Orlando Brown 28 Washington, D.C. Sentenced on October 9, 2024, to 108 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Columbian Thomas, aka "Cruddy Murda” 26 Washington, D.C. Sentenced October 22, 2024, to 160 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Wayne Rodell Carr-Maiden 29 Washington, D.C. Sentenced April 29, 2024, to 45 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Andre Malik Edmond, aka “Draco” 23 Temple Hills, Maryland Sentenced July 22, 2024, to 130 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Treyveon James Johnson, aka “Treyski” 20 Alexandria, Virginia Sentenced Sept. 5, 2024, to 108 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Karon Olufemi Blalock, aka “Fat Bags” 30 Alexandria, Virginia Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Ronte Ricardo Greene, aka “Cardiddy” 28 Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Melvin Edward Allen, Jr., aka “21” 38 Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Darius Quincy Hodges, aka “Brick” 34 Glen Allen, Virginia Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Lamin Sesay, aka “Rock Star” 27 Alexandria, Virginia Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Paul Alejandro Felix 25 Glendale, California Pleaded guilty July 1, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Sentencing: November 6, 2024 Omar Arana, aka “Frogs” 27 Cudahy, California Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Edgar Balderas, Jr., aka “Nano” 26 San Diego, California Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Raul Pacheco Ramirez 30 Long Beach, California Pleaded guilty July 19, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Sentencing: November 26, 2024. Giovani Alejandro Briones 30 Victorville, California Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; Conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Alfredo Rodriguez Gonzalez 26 Rosarito, Mexico Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; Conspiracy to commit international money laundering. The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the DEA Washington Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional support from the DEA Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Field Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Central and Southern Districts of California, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the District of Maryland. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey, Solomon S. Eppel, and Iris McCranie of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section. 23cr73 [1] https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/brother-and-sister-sentenced-drug-conspiracy-involving-fentanyl-sales


title: Cape Girardeau Felon Admits Stealing Gun, Possessing Machine Guns

body_text: CAPE GIRARDEAU – A convicted felon on Tuesday admitted stealing a pistol from a Cape Girardeau County gun store and being caught days later with two machine guns. Dayvion Jyraud Parker, 21, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to five felonies: stealing a firearm from a licensed dealer, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of a machine gun. Parker admitted that on June 17, 2024, he and another man stole a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol from a federally licensed firearm dealer in Cape Girardeau County. Parker first hid the pistol under his jacket before placing it between his back and the back of his wheelchair. On June 25, law enforcement officers performing a court-approved search of a home in Cape Girardeau found Parker lying on a bed with two pistols between the bed frame and the wall. Both pistols were equipped with auto sears, or “switches,” that rendered them fully automatic. Parker is a felon and is barred from possession firearms. He was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant and was on probation in Illinois for aggravated discharge of a firearm. Parker is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 28, 2025. The theft charge carries a potential penalty of up to 5 years in prison. The felon in possession charges each carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and the machine gun charge carries a potential 10-year prison term. Parker’s co-defendant, Danaje Raymond Webster, 23, has not yet been arrested. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Willis 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.


title: Tulsan Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl that Killed a Minor Child

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge Gustavo A Gelpi, Jr. sentenced Hank Sallee Williams, 24, for Distribution of Fentanyl to a Minor. Judge Gelpi ordered Williams to 360 months imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release. “Williams knowingly provided deadly fentanyl to a minor child,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This lengthy sentence demonstrates that those engaging in this type of act will face significant punishment.” According to the plea agreement, Williams drove to a home in Tulsa, where he knowingly sold fentanyl to Xander Tewis. Williams was aware that Xander was a minor child. Xander died after taking the fentanyl provided by Williams. In 2024, the DEA seized more than 292 million deadly doses of fentanyl. Their laboratory testing shows that seven out of 10 pills seized contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. You can visit their website to learn more about how the DEA is trying to combat this threat. Williams will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam C. Bailey prosecuted.


title: Vermont Man Sentenced to More Than 22 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Patrick Knauss, 35, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 265 months’ imprisonment, 15 years of supervised release, $3,000 in restitution, and a $300 special assessment for child pornography offenses. Knauss was charged by indictment in February of this year with one count each of conspiracy to manufacture child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, and receipt of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to all three charges in June. Over a period of more than two years, the defendant and his co-conspirators, Andrew Wolf and Kray Strange, operated an elaborate online child exploitation catfishing scheme to entice minor boys to self-produce sexually explicit images and send them to the defendants over the internet. At the time, Wolf was in his 18th year as a middle school teacher at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia and Strange was a young adult living in Carthage, New York. Together, the three targeted boys with large social media followings, as well as dozens of Wolf’s own middle school students. Throughout their years of near-daily communications, which amount to nearly 2,000 pages, the defendant and his co-conspirators also discussed their shared sexual interest in children and traded images and videos of child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”). Wolf and Strange both pleaded guilty to the catfishing scheme in June of 2022. On February 16, 2023, Wolf was sentenced to 466 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release. On March 31, 2023, Strange was sentenced to 396 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by lifetime supervised release. They were ordered to pay a total of $324,320 in restitution to six minor victims who sought restitution. “For more than two years, Patrick Knauss took part in a scheme that victimized dozens of children,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Knauss not only encouraged his co-conspirator, teacher Andrew Wolf, to catfish his own students, he even suggested some strategies for doing so. Know that my office and the FBI will never stop working to hold predators like this accountable and protect our children from sexual exploitation.” “The online exploitation of children is one of the most egregious crimes the FBI investigates,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “This sentencing underscores that FBI and our partners are committed to safeguarding children and ensuring that those who harm them will face consequences.” 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 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 better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov . The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Harrell.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces District Election Officer for General Election in Wyoming

component: USAO - Wyoming

body_text: Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann announced today that Executive Assistant United States Attorney (EAUSA) Stephanie Sprecher will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. Executive AUSA Stephanie Sprecher has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Wyoming, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. Acting U.S. Attorney Heimann said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.” The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). Acting U.S. Attorney Heimann stated that, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, EAUSA/DEO Sprecher will be on duty in this District. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number (307) 261-5434." In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 1-800-CALLFBI. Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. Acting U.S. Attorney Heimann said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.” Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.


title: Two Romanian Nationals Sentenced for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for ATM Skimming Operation

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Two Romanian nationals have each been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of imprisonment on their convictions of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentences on Laurentiu Stroie, 35, who was residing in New York City, and Cosmin Laurentiu Burlacu, 29, who was living in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the time of the offenses. Both are originally from Brăila, Romania. According to information presented to the Court, on June 8, 2023, the Ross Township Police Department arrested Burlacu and Stroie after employees of a drug store reported the defendants loitering around an automated teller machine (ATM) located in the store. Employees recognized Burlacu and Stroie from a previous encounter involving a victim who had several unauthorized charges on their credit card at the store and who had reported the fraud to law enforcement. When first approached by law enforcement, Burlacu presented a New York State driver’s license in his own name, and Stroie presented a Quebec driver’s identification card in another name. A search incident to arrest was conducted on each suspect, with officers finding a hotel card key and numerous gift cards on both defendants. Written on the gift cards were abbreviations associated with financial institutions plus a four-digit number consistent with a personal identification number (PIN). Officers obtained a search warrant for the hotel room the suspects were sharing and discovered numerous items related to ATM skimming fraud, such as gift cards/prepaid cards, a ledger containing hundreds of bank identification numbers with corresponding bank names, fraudulent identification cards, ATM skimmers, tools for making skimming devices, fabricated ATM panels with pinhole cameras, a log appearing to show addresses and dates of installation of skimming devices, and $6,180 in cash. Almost all of the gift cards found in the hotel room had stickers on them with four-digit numbers, suspected to be PINs. The United States Secret Service obtained search warrants for the more than 200 gift cards as well as the electronic storage of various devices, including SD cards, found during the search. On the gift cards, the agents discovered Track Data from various federally insured financial institutions. The SD cards revealed video footage of Burlacu installing a pinhole camera on an ATM, as well as of various individuals entering their PIN numbers at ATMs. The SD cards also contained Track Data for approximately 78 ATM cards. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Secret Service, Ross Township Police, and Cranberry Township Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Burlacu and Stroie. ATM skimming is a fraud scheme involving the placement of electronic devices, referred to as skimmers, on ATMs to capture and electronically store the information from the magnetic strip of an ATM card, known as Track Data, without the knowledge of the customer or the financial institutions. The scheme also typically employs a small camera, often referred to as a pinhole camera, to capture the PINs of customers making the transactions. The Track Data from the ATM skimmers is then often transferred to the magnetic strips of counterfeit ATM or gift cards, which perpetrators use, along with the PINs obtained through the pinhole cameras, to make withdrawals from ATMs or point-of-sale purchases.


title: Seven Fields Man Sentenced to 106 Months in Prison for Cocaine and Firearm Violations

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 106 months of imprisonment on his convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Durrell Fortson, 45. According to information presented to the Court, on November 16, 2022, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Fortson. During the stop, a drug K-9 conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and alerted an officer to the presence of controlled substances. Law enforcement then applied for and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The subsequent search resulted in the seizure of two gallon-sized bags of cocaine, two kilogram wrappers with cocaine residue, a digital scale, and a .40 caliber handgun loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement searched the serial number located on the loaded handgun and determined that the firearm had been reported stolen. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Fortson.


title: Rochester Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Rochester, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. James Gilmore, 35, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on June 9, 2021, law enforcement identified Gilmore operating a vehicle in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Gilmore due to an active arrest warrant related to a parole violation. Gilmore fled from the traffic stop, throwing a loaded firearm from the vehicle he was driving. Gilmore subsequently abandoned the vehicle, and officers observed him flee on foot. Officers recovered a gray sweatshirt from a yard where Gilmore ran, with forensic testing of both the sweatshirt and firearm revealing Gilmore’s DNA. At the time Gilmore possessed the firearm and ammunition, he had been previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including a firearm and drug trafficking crime in the Court of Common Pleas in Beaver County. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the court remanded Gilmore to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The New Brighton Area Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gilmore.


title: Philadelphia Man Who Made Antisemitic and Islamophobic Threats Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Yaniv Gola, 51, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Kai N. Scott to 16 months’ incarceration followed by three years of supervised release for interstate communication of threats. In February of this year, Gola was charged by information with using a Voice Over Internet Protocol service to mask his phone number and make telephone calls threatening to injure, rape, and kill eight different victims between August 2, 2022, and November 5, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the eight counts against him on February 14. On one of these calls, Gola threatened, “You f***ing Jew, now I know where you are. I’m going to kill all you Jews … You all should be shoved back into ovens. I’m going down to [victim’s business location] to kill you.” On another call, Gola said to a victim, “I want to put a bullet in your head … You f***ing Muslims.” In the most recent call, Gola threatened a victim, “You’re Jewish, I’m from Hamas. You’re animals and pigs … If you don’t leave that place, we’re going to blow you up.” “Yaniv Gola made hundreds of these calls and texts, terrorizing his victims with incredibly vile, violent threats,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He learned where they lived and worked, deploying those details just to heighten their fear. My office and the FBI will continue to hold accountable anyone making such cruel and criminal threats.” “The details of this case serve as an alarming reminder of threats members of our community face because of their beliefs,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “We thank our law enforcement partners who work alongside us every day as we work to ensure the safety and security of our communities. Let today’s sentence serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to diligently pursue those who make violent threats against those we are charged to protect.” The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Jeanette Kang. The FBI was assisted by the Philadelphia Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Cinnaminson Township (N.J.) Police Department, the Newtown Township (Delaware County) Police Department, and the Haddonfield (N.J.) Police Department.


title: Former Taylor Mayor Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years in Prison  for Bribery Conspiracy

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT –Richard Sollars was sentenced to 71 months in prison for conspiring to accept bribes and engaging in wire fraud while he was the Mayor of the City of Taylor, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Between 2016 and 2018, Sollars, 50, exercised his authority and influence as Mayor and recommended to the Taylor City Council that Realty Transition, a company owned by his co-defendant, Shady Awad, be awarded the vast majority of the tax-foreclosed properties that the City had or would acquire under its Right of First Refusal (ROFR) program. This was a program designed to allow Taylor to acquire tax-foreclosed properties from Wayne County for redevelopment. Sollars recommended Realty Transition for the ROFR program, intending to be influenced and rewarded by the free home renovations and other items of value that Awad provided to Sollars for his personal residence, office, and lake house. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court found that Sollars received bribes from Awad totaling $85,011.73 as part of this bribery scheme. The bribes included items such as home renovations, a humidor, kitchen appliances, a washer and dryer, a Dyson vacuum cleaner, a camera, and cash. In addition, as part of his election efforts, Sollars established a campaign account entitled, “Committee to Elect Richard Sollars, Jr.” Sollars engaged in a scheme to defraud his donors by fraudulently using donated funds for his personal benefit rather than for his political campaign. In furtherance of the fraudulent scheme, Sollars directed his campaign treasurer to provide him with signed blank checks from his campaign account. Sollars then made those checks payable to Dominick’s Market in various amounts, each purporting to represent payment for catering services provided to the campaign. As known to Sollars, the owner of Dominick’s Market, Hadir Altoon, prepared false invoices for catering services that were not actually provided. Instead, Altoon would provide Sollars with some or all of the proceeds from the cashed fraudulent checks for Sollars’s personal use. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court found that Sollars received $70,362.98 from this, and other, wire fraud schemes related to his campaign account. “Sollars, as the Mayor of the City of Taylor, pledged to represent the best interests of the citizens he represented and the voters who supported him. Instead, he used his elected office to award city contracts and spend campaign funds for his own personal financial enrichment,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “Sollars’s conviction and sentence demonstrate my office’s commitment to ensuring that those elected officials who place their own greed above their duties to the citizens in the community will be held to answer for their breach of trust.” "The diligent work of the FBI's Detroit Area Corruption Task Force, working in collaboration with the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, resulted in the conviction of Richard Sollars, the former mayor of the City of Taylor," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Gibson. "This betrayal of public trust is a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability in public office. We remain committed to upholding the principles of justice and transparency, ensuring that such actions do not go unpunished. Today's sentencing of Mr. Sollars brings closure to a lengthy and thorough investigation of the former mayor's administration." The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frances Carlson and Robert Moran.


title: Federal Prisoner Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison for Second Degree Murder

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Romeo Santino Giovanni, 46, was sentenced last week by Senior U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 45 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Giovanni pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder on May 23, 2024. On July 5, 2016, Giovanni, who was then a federal prisoner at a United States Penitentiary, used a cloth makeshift clothesline to strangle his cellmate to death. Giovanni left pieces of paper on his cellmate’s body, including one that read “lights out.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Cassell, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-17-1428-TUC-JAS RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-143_Giovanni # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Fourth Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Member Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kenneth Caspers Jr., 57, of Vacaville, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony crime, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in October 2021, two different victims—both of whom were members of a different motorcycle club that is considered a “puppet” (or subordinate) club of the Hells Angels—were beaten by Caspers, Michael Mahoney, Jaime Alvarez, Dennis Killough, and other club members based on perceived infractions of the Hells Angels’ rules. According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Caspers’ Vacaville home and found several firearms and ammunition, including 18 rounds of .22‑caliber, .25‑caliber, and/or .38-caliber ammunition in Caspers’ master bedroom and bathroom. Caspers has previously been convicted of several felony crimes—including a previous felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm—that prevent him from possessing firearms or ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Vacaville Police Department, the Vallejo Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt, Alsytn Bennet, and Adrian T. Kinsella are prosecuting the case. Caspers is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11, 2025, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Caspers faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The three other defendants have previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced as follows: Alvarez was sentenced to 21 months in prison on March 21, 2023, Killough was sentenced to 46 months in prison on June 26, 2023, and Mahoney was sentenced to 37 months in prison on May 2, 2023. 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 U.S. Department of Justice 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: Macon Resident Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A Macon resident with a criminal history admitted to distributing fentanyl in federal court today. Gary Hollingshed, 31, of Macon, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on Oct. 22. Hollingshed faces a maximum of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system. “Fentanyl is a killer, and fentanyl dealers in Middle Georgia will face federal prosecution and stiff penalties,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Working with our law enforcement and community partners, we will continue our combined efforts to prevent fentanyl distribution and hold fentanyl traffickers accountable.” “This career criminal is a tragic example of individuals who have no regard for the safety of our community,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “DEA will continue to bring to justice drug traffickers who drive addiction and destroy communities.” “It is good that justice has been served concerning the illegal deeds of Gary Hollingshed,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “His prosecution was a result of diligence and dedication by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and our federal partners. This conviction will assure that citizens are safer from the deadly distribution of fentanyl.” According to documents and statements made public in court, federal and local agencies began investigating Hollingshed for distributing fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine in Macon. Using a confidential source and surveillance, agents conducted their first controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Hollingshed in the parking lot of a hotel in Macon on Feb. 10, 2022, purchasing approximately 83.9 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine from Hollingshed. A second similar controlled purchase occurred on Feb. 16, 2022, at a local store in Macon. While under surveillance, Hollingshed asked an undercover agent acting as the buyer if he wanted heroin or fentanyl; the undercover agent requested heroin. The substance thought to be heroin was actually a fentanyl mixture weighing 28.56 grams. Hollingshed also sold the undercover agent 140.1 grams of methamphetamine. Hollingshed was taken into custody in Monroe County on March 9, 2022, after a trip to the Atlanta area to resupply. When deputies stopped the car for a malfunctioning taillight off I-75, law enforcement smelled marijuana. Three preschool-aged children were in the car. Agents found nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine in the car and 56.30 grams of fentanyl. On March 15, 2022, agents executed a search warrant at Hollingsworth’s supplier’s residence in Woodstock, Georgia, and seized more than a half-kilogram of methamphetamine, an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, two Glock pistols, a Ruger pistol, cocaine, crack cocaine, scales and marijuana. Hollingshed has prior felony state convictions for burglary and illegal drug possession and distribution. The case was investigated by DEA, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Yuba County Caregiver Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $155,000 in Social Security Benefits Following Elderly Patient’s Death

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Roselyn Mims, 51, of Linda, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Mims was a Certified Nurse Assistant and In-Home Support Services (IHSS) home healthcare provider in the State of California, and she provided IHSS care to an elderly woman who received monthly Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. When the elderly woman passed away, her death was not reported to SSA and, as a result, SSA continued to direct deposit SSA benefits into her bank account. Following the elderly woman’s death, Mims possessed her checkbook tied to the account that received SSA benefits. From August 2016 through August 2023, Mims used those stolen checks to make out checks to herself and others. In particular, Mims forged the elderly woman’s signature, either cashed or deposited the forged checks, and then gave the money to associates or family members or used the money to pay various bills, including rent, utilities, and medical bills. When Mims ran out of checks from the checkbook, she used the elderly woman’s bank account number and routing number to pay bills electronically. Mims only stopped her theft and conversion of the SSA benefits after being interviewed by law enforcement in August 2023. Mims’ theft of government funds resulted in a total loss of $156,445 to SSA. She has agreed to pay this amount back in restitution. This case is the product of an investigation by the SSA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Moody and Denise N. Yasinow are prosecuting the case. Mims is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Feb. 11, 2025. Mims faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Former CBP IT employee pleads guilty to stealing and attempting to sell 27 government computers

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Bristow man pled guilty today to theft of government property. According to court documents, from at least Nov. 6, 2023, to Aug. 1, 2024, Xavier Mittakarin, 38, was an employee for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), assigned to a CBP facility in Lorton where 27 U.S. government laptop computers were stored. On Dec. 13, 2023, Mittakarin removed the 27 laptops, valued at a total of over $67,000, from the facility, intending to sell them. On March 22, 2024, Mittakarin sold one of the laptops via eBay to a purchaser in California, who paid $2,803.26. On May 22 and May 27, Mittakarin sold eight more laptops via eBay to another purchaser in California, who paid a total of $16,706.76. On Aug. 1, Mittakarin attempted to sell 18 laptops to another purchaser, who was actually an undercover officer, for approximately $28,000. Mittakarin brought the laptops to a prearranged meeting place and time, where he was arrested and the laptops were recovered from his vehicle. Mittakarin is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27, 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kris Cline, Director of the Federal Protective Service; Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security; and Mattew Klein, Assistant Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ryan is prosecuting the case. Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Antara Saikat Joardar provided substantial assistance in the prosecution of the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-191.


title: DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for October 26, 2024

body_text: BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in support of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 26. The biannual event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at sites across Montana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The DEA will be hosting a collection site at the Firehall in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Firehall is located at 128 2 nd Ave. NW. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs. “Getting rid of expired or unused prescription drugs, especially opioids, is an important step all Montanans can take to help fight the national epidemic of drug overdoses. I urge everyone to participate in the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day by cleaning out their medicine cabinet. It’s an easy way to help make our communities safer,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. “Prevention of drug misuse starts at home. For over a decade DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has provided our community a safe and easy way to get rid of unnecessary medications,” said DEA Montana Resident Agent in Charge Cesar Avila. “This past spring we collected more than 2,200 pounds of unneeded medications throughout Montana, and, with your help, we hope to collect even more this Saturday.” Numerous sheriff’s offices, police departments and federal agencies across Montana are participating in Take Back Day. Information about collection sites and more information about event is available here: https://takebackday.dea.gov/ During the last Take Back Day held on April 27, 2024, 4,607 law enforcement participants at 4,869 collection sites across the country brought in a total weight of 670,136 pounds, or 335 tons, of drugs. This brings the total weight collected to 18.5 million pounds, or more than 9,285 tons, of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program. Collection results may include materials other than prescription drugs. During the April 2024 event, Montanans turned in 2,270 pounds of prescription drugs at 25 collection sites. Twenty-six law enforcement agencies participated. Total all time weight collected in Montana is 56,824 pounds. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 26 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com . XXX


title: Illegal export of multiple firearms sends Mexican national to prison

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 54-year-old man has been sentenced for illegally exporting firearms from the United States into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Elmer Espinoza-Ortega pleaded guilty July 11. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Espinoza-Ortega to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. “Many guns exported from the United States into Mexico are used for criminal activity or end up in the hands of the cartels,” said Hamdani. “My office is committed to preventing transnational gun violence by stopping the export of firearms from the United States.” On May 26, Espinoza-Ortega attempted to exit the United States through the Anzalduas Port of Entry. Upon further inspection, law enforcement discovered a firearm magazine in Espinoza-Ortega’s pocket. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed four firearms and five firearm magazines concealed in the bumper of the vehicle. At the time of his plea, Espinoza-Ortega admitted he did not possess a license to export firearms or ammunition, he knew the firearms were in his vehicle and he intended to transport the firearms into Mexico. Espinoza-Ortega will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods ( PSN ) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Jacksonville Woman Indicted For Credit Scheme And COVID Relief Fraud Involving The Paycheck Protection Program

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Carnisha Maurica Rogers (30, Jacksonville) with four counts involving conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and four counts of false representation of a Social Security number involving a line of credit scheme and COVID relief fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Rogers faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count involving wire fraud and up to 5 years in federal prison on each count involving the false representation of a Social Security number, payment of restitution to the victims she defrauded and forfeiture of $20,832, which is traceable to proceeds of the wire fraud offense involving COVID relief fraud. According to the indictment, Rogers and her co-conspirators fraudulently obtained the Social Security numbers (SSNs) of others. From February 2016 through September 2019, Rogers and others recruited individuals to obtain lines of credit at various businesses using the SSNs. After fraudulently obtaining the lines of credit, they obtained jewelry and other merchandise. They also attempted to obtain at least one luxury vehicle. Rogers and her co-conspirators resold some of the merchandise and lines of credit on social media platforms. In May 2021, Rogers submitted a PPP loan application to a lender authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to lend funds for approved PPP loan applications. The PPP loan application falsely claimed that Rogers operated her own business. Throughout the loan application Rogers made multiple false statements regarding her purported gross income and expenses associated with operating her business. In support of her PPP loan application, she submitted a false IRS Form 1040 - Profit or Loss From Business. It contained false statements about operating expenses, gross income, and wage expenditures for her purported business. In truth, Rogers’s business did not exist. In reliance on the false statements in her loan application, her application was approved, and she received a PPP loan totaling $20,832. After receiving the PPP loan proceeds in her bank account, Rogers began making withdrawals and spending the funds on personal expenses. In October 2021, Rogers submitted a PPP loan forgiveness application to the SBA that included multiple false representations. In the application, she falsely claimed that she spent more than $18,000 on payroll costs and that the PPP loan proceeds were only used for eligible purposes. In reliance on her false statements the SBA forgave the entire loan, plus accrued interest. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The asset forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Harrington.