title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing and Using a Firearm to Shoot His Domestic Partner

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Bay Minette man was sentenced to 87 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm that he used to shoot his domestic partner. According to court documents, Quadarius Demetrous Russell, 25, was previously convicted of a felony offense in Florida in 2022 and a misdemeanor domestic-violence offense in Alabama in 2021. Those convictions each rendered Russell’s possession of firearms illegal under federal law. On the morning of May 17, 2023, however, Russell illegally possessed and used a .45 caliber pistol to shoot his domestic partner in the chest during a violent confrontation at an apartment complex in Bay Minette. Following the shooting, Russell transported the victim to a hospital, where the victim received life saving treatment. Russell initially lied to police about the nature of the victim’s gunshot wound, claiming that the victim had been shot during a drive-by shooting in Atmore. Later, on May 19, 2023, Russell admitted that he had accidentally shot the victim during the confrontation. Russell further admitted that he knew he was “not supposed to be around guns” due to his prior convictions. He allowed officers to retrieve the pistol from his apartment. A forensic expert at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia located blood on the pistol, as well as Russell’s DNA on its grip, trigger, remaining textured areas, and the base of the pistol’s magazine. In addition to the 87-month prison sentence, Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock ordered Russell to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will receive mental health evaluation and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Chief Judge Beaverstock ordered Russell to pay $100 in special assessments and $4,140.52 in victim restitution. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay Minette Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Gulf Shores Attorney Sentenced to Four Months in Prison for Smuggling Spice to a Federal Inmate at the Monroe County Detention Center

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Gulf Shores man was sentenced to four months in prison for illegally smuggling paper soaked in “spice,” a synthetic cannabinoid, to a federal inmate at the Monroe County Detention Center. According to court documents, Michael Leonides Santos, 36, was arrested on February 18, 2022, after corrections officers seized papers from a federal inmate that were soaked with spice. The inmate had just met with Santos, a practicing attorney, in a visiting room at the jail. As reflected on surveillance video, Santos handed the soaked papers to the inmate, who then leaned down and placed them in his socks. Following the incident, federal agents arrived at the jail and searched Santos’s vehicle, finding prepackaged baggies containing tobacco, phones, charging cables, and other items consistent with contraband smuggling. Agents also seized a contraband cell phone from the inmate. On the phone, agents recovered numerous text messages linking Santos to contraband smuggling. Between November 2021 and February 2022, the inmate also exchanged several monitored “Chirp” text messages with Santos and others. In those messages, the inmate discussed smuggling spice into the jail, how to package the contraband and give it to Santos, and how much profit the inmate could make by distributing spice inside the jail. In a December 2021 message, the inmate asked Santos to visit the jail and offered assurances that “they don’t look into that.” In addition to the four-month prison sentence, United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose ordered Santos to serve a one-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will receive substance abuse testing and treatment. The court imposed a $200 fine and ordered Santos to pay $25 in special assessments. As part of his plea agreement in this case, Santos is barred from any further representation of criminal defendants in any United States jurisdiction, including but not limited to any federal, state, local, or municipal courts. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Lyon County Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in Scheme to Defraud Midwest Livestock Producers

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Lyon County man who defrauded pork producers while working as the regional manager of an Iowa livestock dealer pled guilty on December 1, 2023, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Robert Harry Bickerstaff, age 52, from Rock Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of wire fraud. At the plea hearing and in his plea agreement, Bickerstaff admitted that he had worked as a regional manager for an Iowa livestock dealer between 2018 and 2021. As regional manager, Bickerstaff oversaw livestock buying stations in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. From time to time, Bickerstaff also personally counted, classified, and weighed swine at these stations. Bickerstaff admitted he participated in a scheme to defraud livestock producers personally and by directing others to (1) falsely and fraudulently lower the weights and reduce the numbers and classifications of swine that producers and sellers had delivered to the dealer at its buying stations; (2) manipulate the weights of swine either manually or using a crowbar, paddle, or other similar object, and thus defeat the electronic scales on which livestock producers’ swine was weighed at his buying stations; and (3) create fraudulent “sort sheets” and scale tickets containing false numbers, classifications, and weights of producers’ swine for transmission to the dealer’s headquarters in Waucoma, Iowa. Finally, concerned about a potential investigation into his conduct in early 2021, Bickerstaff instructed others to destroy anything with his name on it. In addition to working for the livestock dealer, Bickerstaff was a pork producer himself. In February 2022, Bickerstaff won a “Hog Wild” award from a statewide pork producers’ association for his role in promoting pork in Lyon County, Iowa. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Bickerstaff remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Bickerstaff faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-2026. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Nebraska Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

body_text: Brian Raff, 44, from Orchard, Nebraska, pled guilty in federal court on November 29, 2023, to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. At the plea hearing, Raff admitted that he knowingly conspired with co-defendants Douglas Kelley and Kenneth Hurd, to distribute his minor child’s prescription ADHD medication, Vyvanse (amphetamine), a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Raff remains free on bond pending sentencing. Raff faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Iowa Division of Inspections & Appeals, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Sioux City Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-4022. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and State and Local Law Enforcement Officials Announce “Don’t Click December” Consumer Protection Campaign

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BOISE – During the holiday season, online criminals increasingly target Idahoans through online scams and fraud schemes. Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, along with the FBI, the Idaho State Police, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, and the Garden City Police Department, announced their joint “Don’t Click December” Consumer Protection Campaign. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, AARP Idaho, and the Better Business Bureau also participated in the announcement. The campaign advises members of the public to exercise skepticism and caution when receiving unsolicited online, email, pop-up, or text communications from unknown or unverified sources. If there is any doubt about a link, message, or attachment, law enforcement cautions: “don’t click it.” As part of the campaign, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and their partners will release a public service announcement each week in December leading up to Christmas. In the first PSA, available here , Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts, Idaho State Police Director Colonel Kedrick Wills, and U.S. Attorney Hurwit introduce “Don’t Click December” and explain some of the ways in which individuals can be targeted. Three additional PSAs will alert the public to common online fraud schemes that Idaho law enforcement has seen affect Idahoans. These schemes are: “Package can’t be delivered” scam : This scam targets individuals through text messages or emails, claiming a package cannot be delivered unless they click the provided link and enter personal information or pay a redelivery fee. Often the scammer wants you to click a link to steal your money and information. Don’t click it . Instead, contact the delivery service or seller directly using a verified number or website. “Account subscription” scam : In this scam, you could receive an email or text message indicating a subscription has been renewed for another year. The message encourages you to click a link to verify or to receive a receipt for the subscription. The criminals on the other end could be posing as a subscription service you participate in or as one you do not actively have. If you receive an unsolicited message asking you to click a subscription link, don’t click it . Report as spam and delete any messages about auto-renewals claiming to be from a company where you don’t have a subscription. If the message appears to be from a subscription you actually have, check the email address to verify it is from the service you signed up for. “Phantom hacker” scam : In this scam, criminals send unsolicited messages by phone, email, text, or pop-up pretending to be “tech support” and asking you to provide access to your computer so software can be updated to “thwart hackers.” But those reaching out are actually the hackers, and once they gain access to your computer, they can install software to steal your financial information. Sometimes the scammers even pretend to be the government or law enforcement and send messages that your money is still unsafe and needs to be moved to a new “alias” account. If you get such a request, don’t click it . Government entities and legitimate businesses won’t send unsolicited messages to ask for access to your computer. Unfortunately, these are not the only schemes affecting the public, and new schemes arise all the time. Law enforcement hopes that the “Don’t Click December” Consumer Protection Campaign will raise public awareness and encourage individuals to talk to their friends and relatives about not clicking suspicious links, texts, messages, pop-ups, or attachments. “We have witnessed many Idahoans lose their hard-earned money or their entire retirement savings to online scams. And, sadly, this type of crime tends to spike during the holiday season,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “But, together, we can reduce the risks by talking with each other about how to avoid such scams, and I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners and the AARP for joining us in the Don’t Click December campaign. We also encourage Idahoans to report any scams as soon as possible so that law enforcement can investigate and we can bring these vicious online criminals to justice.” “Last year, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 800,944 complaints about suspected internet crimes. That’s more than 2,000 complaints every single day,” said David Bodily, Supervisory Special Agent of the Salt Lake City FBI’s Boise Resident Agency. “As cyber scams continue to increase in scope and sophistication, it’s important that law enforcement and the public work together to stay ahead of the risks.” “Online vigilance is crucial in this era of digital interconnectedness,” said Idaho State Police Colonel Kedrick Wills. “Recognizing our shared vulnerability, let's come together to combat online scams and cultivate a cyber threat-free environment. In this endeavor, awareness is our greatest ally.” “We can all play a part in preventing scammers from targeting their next victim in our communities,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “If you do find yourself the victim of a scam, contact local law enforcement. My office works closely with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable for victimizing people through scams.” “Scammers use secrecy, urgency, and fear to manipulate victims. If at any time you are being pressured, told to keep transactions secret, or even lie to loved ones and authorities to complete a transaction, it's very likely a scam. We encourage all scam victims to know they are not alone, and they should call police for help,” said Boise Police Detective Brad Thorne. “Sophisticated criminal organizations know how to separate consumers from their hard-earned money and they are relentless in their pursuit,” said AARP Idaho state director Lupe Wissel. “Older Idahoans are a prime target for scammers because they have accumulated resources over their lifetime. This new initiative will give Idahoans the tips and resources they need to help protect their assets.” "At BBB, we've found a simple truth: Investing just a few minutes in choosing a trustworthy business isn't just wise, it's a powerful shield against today's cunning scams. 'Don’t Click December' isn't just a campaign; it's a wake-up call. By being selective and informed, consumers can turn the tables on fraudsters. Remember, a few minutes of smart research today can save you from the headache of a scam tomorrow,” said Dale Dixon, Chief Innovation Officer, Better Business Bureau Great West+Pacific. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners recognize that we all must work to eliminate the stigma individuals may experience if they are victimized. There is no shame to falling victim to an online scheme, which are often designed by professional criminals, sophisticated, and tested repeatedly across the country. For this reason, the “Don’t Click December” Consumer Protection Campaign also publicizes ways to report scams and incidents of fraud to the FBI and local law enforcement. To learn more about these and other scams targeting Americans visit FBI.gov , and if you believe you are the victim of a scam, take-action by reporting it to FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or by contacting your local law enforcement agency. ###


title: Luzerne Man Convicted Of Production Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Vincent Watson, age 47, of Luzerne, Pennsylvania, was convicted after a jury trial of production of child pornography. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the evidence at trial proved that between October 23 and 24, 2021, Watson produced four videos and one still image of child pornography in Wilkes-Barre. The videos and image showed Watson having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, posing her in the nude for the camera, and giving her alcohol. Following two days of testimony, the jury found Watson guilty on all counts after a deliberation of less than 30 minutes. “One of HSI’s primary missions is to protect children from dangerous predators who seek to exploit them for their own greed or self-gratification,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “Watson’s conviction sends a clear message that HSI and our partner agencies will devote every resource available to investigating, prosecuting and convicting those who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens.” United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani has tentatively set sentencing for April 2024. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Plains Township Police Department, Kingston Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Lab, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Sean A. Camoni are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 15 to 150 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. # # #


title: Man Charged in $148M Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: A federal grand jury in Baton Rouge returned an indictment today charging a Louisiana man for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid of over $148 million in medically unnecessary definitive urine drug testing services. According to court documents, Brad Paul Schaeffer, 48, of Zachary, was a co-owner and chief executive officer of MedComp Sciences, LLC (MedComp), a diagnostic laboratory located in Zachary. From approximately January 2013 through approximately August 2022, MedComp, at the direction of Schaeffer, allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for definitive testing of at least 15 substances in urine specimens it received, regardless of the patient’s treatment plan and history, or the request of the referring provider. To perpetuate the fraud, Schaeffer, through MedComp, allegedly took several actions, among them, writing off patient co-pays, directing MedComp staff to fill out and submit order forms on providers’ “behalf,” concealing the true nature, permissibility, and extent of testing from providers, orchestrating a pass-through billing scheme using hospitals, and paying kickbacks to physicians disguised as laboratory ownership interests. Schaeffer then allegedly used the fraudulent proceeds for his own benefit, including spending thousands of dollars to renovate a pool and on a pool house in his backyard, and to restore a truck. Schaeffer is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, five counts of health care fraud, and three counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Gathe Jr. for the Middle District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry made the announcement. HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Louisiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Kelly Z. Walters and Samantha E. Usher of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth E. White for the Middle District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: CEO of Charity for Veterans Charged with Federal Fraud Crimes

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment earlier this month charging a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina man with devising and executing a scheme to defraud the public through his registration and operation of a charity that purported to provide services and support to homeless and destitute veterans. According to the indictment, James W. Arehart, 45, was a Virginia resident, and employed full-time as a government contractor, when he registered a 501(c)(3) organization in April 2018 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) named “Providing Hope VA.” Arehart also registered this entity in South Carolina as a charitable organization, and thereafter established a social media and online presence for the charity—including a Facebook page and website. Arehart allegedly described Providing Hope to the public as a charity whose “direct mission” was to help homeless and destitute veterans by establishing the “Providing Hope Center,” which was to be a freestanding facility that offered housing, job training, and other support to veterans. Providing Hope’s fundraising method is alleged to have involved the advertisement and sale of raffle tickets for high-end vehicles. Arehart allegedly purchased these vehicles, then raffled them off in livestreamed videos on Facebook. Between 2018 and August of 2021, it is alleged that Arehart’s raffle sales generated more than $9 million in proceeds—all of which flowed into and through Providing Hope’s bank account, over which Arehart had complete and sole control. Arehart was Providing Hope’s president and sole board member during this time period. In seeking to induce the public to financially support Providing Hope, Arehart allegedly made numerous and repeated false statements to the public promoting his charity. These included alleged misrepresentations regarding Arehart’s compensation and salary from Providing Hope, misrepresentations about Providing Hope’s purportedly segregated and steadily growing “Building Fund”—it is alleged that no such fund exists— and alleged misrepresentations about the purportedly tax-deductible nature of Providing Hope’s raffle ticket purchases. Arehart also allegedly used the charity’s funds for his own benefit on numerous occasions, including paying for his pet’s veterinary bills, and miscategorized those and other expenditures in Providing Hope’s tax filing in 2019 with the IRS. When confronted by federal agents investigating his activities, Arehart is alleged to have made false statements consistent with the false claims he had advanced to the public in the months and years prior. Arehart made his initial appearance in court on Wednesday. Arehart is charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements to federal agents investigating his conduct. If convicted, Arehart faces a maximum penalty of 20 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 taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Daniel Brubaker, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s New York Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Garnett and Kashan K. Pathan are prosecuting 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. 3:23cr154. An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


title: York County Man Charged With Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Carbaugh, age 37, of York County, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 29, 2023, by a federal grand jury with child pornography offenses. According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Carbaugh distributed child pornography from November 3-7, 2023, in York County. The indictment further alleges that Carbaugh was in possession of child pornography on November 15, 2023. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Varley is prosecuting the case. The total maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a term of up to lifetime supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. ###


title: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced To 10 Years For Possession Of Child Sex Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Jeffrey Grant Cruikshank (43, Orlando) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing child sex abuse material after a prior conviction for possession of child sex abuse material. The court also ordered Cruikshank to forfeit a cellphone and GoPro camera that he had used to commit the offense. Cruikshank pleaded guilty on September 7, 2023. According to court documents, the investigation began with CyberTips from multiple platforms. Ultimately agents found depictions of child sex abuse material on electronic devices that belonged to Cruikshank. They also found evidence of Cruikshank searching for child chat rooms. Cruikshank was previously convicted for similar behavior and is a registered sex offender. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office announces over $12.2 million in federal grant awards

component: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

body_text: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming today announced grant funding totaling $12,273,612 for Wyoming from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. “I’m pleased to announce these grants supporting law enforcement and victim services in Wyoming,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Vassallo. “This funding demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to ﬁghting violent crime and making sure crime victims can access support, safety, and justice in their communities.” The grants include the following: Albany County: $900,000 Community Courts Initiative, Albany County Court Supervised Treatment Program City of Casper: $44,295 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program City of Riverton: $296,311 Rural and Small Department Violent Crime Reduction Program, Community Service Officer Program Laramie County: $77,820 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Northern Arapahoe Tribe: $623,934 U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance, Reentry Services University of Wyoming: $224,316 State Justice Statistics Program for Statistical Analysis Centers, Data on Domestic-Related Homicides University of Wyoming: $649,464 Research and Evaluation on Policing Practices, Accountability Mechanisms and Alternatives Wyoming Attorney General’s Office: $2,783,406 Ofﬁce for Victims of Crime/Victims of Crime Act, Victim Assistance Wyoming Attorney General’s Office: $686,000 Ofﬁce for Victims of Crime/Victims of Crime Act, Victim Compensation Wyoming Attorney General’s Office: $769,661 Ofﬁce for Victims of Crime, Victim Sexual Assault Services Wyoming Attorney General’s Office: $360,714 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces Wyoming Attorney General’s Office: $15,661 Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program Wyoming Attorney General’s Office: $312,708 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: $600,000 Office on Violence Against Women, Legal Assistance for Victims Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: $950,000 Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: $350,000 Grants to Engage Men and Boys as Allies in the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: $1,123,934 Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: $340,618 Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program Wyoming State Crime Laboratory: $650,000 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction Youth Emergency Services: $494,674 Mentoring Programs for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice, assist victims and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov .


title: Naturalized U.S. Citizen Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining Citizenship by Failing to Disclose Role in Abuse of Prisoners

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A naturalized U.S. citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina was arrested yesterday in Morgantown, West Virginia, on criminal charges related to allegations that she lied to obtain U.S. citizenship. According to the indictment, Nada Radovan Tomanic, 51, of West Virginia, allegedly served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the armed conflict in that country in the 1990s. Along with other Zulfikar Special Unit soldiers, Tomanic allegedly participated in the physical and mental abuse of Bosnian Serb prisoners targeted on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, and membership in a particular social group. The indictment alleges that, when applying for naturalization, Tomanic falsely represented that she had not persecuted anyone because of their religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and had never committed a crime for which she had not been arrested. “Nada Tomanic has enjoyed the privileges of U.S. citizenship for more than 10 years – privileges she allegedly obtained by lying to cover up human rights abuses she committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce our nation’s immigration laws to ensure that the United States does not serve as a safe haven for persecutors.” “It is alleged that this defendant shielded her past abuse of human rights and repeatedly lied during the immigration and citizenship processes to gain entry into this country and become a U.S. citizen,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “I thank our investigative partners both here and in Bosnia and Herzegovina for ignoring the passage of time to ensure that justice is done.” “Nada Tomanic allegedly participated in the abuse of Bosnian Serb prisoners and lied about it to the U.S. government decades later,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI, our international partners, and the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center are fervently committed to investigating human rights abuses no matter where or how long ago the atrocity occurred.” Tomanic is charged with two counts of unlawful procurement of naturalization. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A conviction would also result in the automatic revocation of Tomanic’s U.S. citizenship. The FBI is investigating the case, with coordination provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), along with the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit. The Justice Department thanks the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia, and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which were instrumental in furthering the investigation. Trial Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Krull for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP historians. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s online tip form at www.tips.fbi.gov/ , or Homeland Security Investigations at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or through ICE’s online tip form at www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Readout from United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez’s Listening Session with New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Aja N. Brooks, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, met with representatives from the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (NMCSAP). Alexandria Taylor, Executive Director, Virginia Pérez-Ortega, Director of Community Collaborations, Kim Benally, Director of Tribal Sexual Assault Services, and Rachel Cox, Director of Technical Assistance, presented statements. The listening session focused on building a partnership between NMCSAP and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) and how that partnership could benefit tribal and rural communities in New Mexico. NMCSAP is a network of 15 sexual assault programs and 11 sexual assault nurse examiner programs which provide education, support, and advocacy to survivors, service providers, the media, non-profit and governmental organizations that prevent and respond to sexual violence in New Mexico. In October, NMCSAP received a $950,000 grant from the Department Of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. Alexandria Taylor opened the session by speaking about NMCSAP’s recent accomplishments, including advocating for increased funding for sexual assault programs, tribal research, and a statewide sexual assault hotline. Taylor also highlighted expanded services to Alamogordo, Hobbs, Carlsbad and Grants, and the integration of the New Mexico Children’s Alliance, which supports eleven children’s advocacy centers around New Mexico, into the coalition. Speaking to his office’s priorities, USA Uballez explained that the USAO had developed a Tribal Liaison Program. Under the program, an Assistant United States Attorney from the Indian County Crimes Section is assigned as a liaison to each of the 23 Tribes in New Mexico and tasked with building and maintaining government-to-government relations. USA Uballez hopes that building relationships with tribal communities will decrease instances of domestic violence and sexual assault. USA Uballez also expressed that he hoped a partnership with NMCSAP would expand the USAO’s outreach, prevention, training and coordination efforts, specifically in relation to crimes against children, sexual assault and domestic violence in tribal communities. Taylor and Benally shared that prior to 2021, there was no funding for sexual assault services available to tribal communities. Over the course of one year, NMCSAP is supporting 6 different tribal communities that received Federal funding for sexual assault services and are now focused on mobilizing the systems around these services and also helping to secure funding for the 17 remaining tribes in New Mexico. Taylor and Kim expressed a need for training on the investigation and legal process and how to facilitate communication between the agencies and the victims and their families. Pérez-Ortega and Cox brought attention to the lack of services available to human trafficking victims and shared that New Mexico’s unique position on the border makes our state a promising national leader in developing programs. NMCSAP offered to use their expertise and relationships to help the USAO build initiatives and projects that support victims and connect them to expert witnesses who have insight into both the trauma experienced by human trafficking victims and the unique perspectives of New Mexican communities. Taylor explained that Victim of Crime Act Awards (VOCA) funding is currently at the lowest level since 2006 and may face more reductions in FY2025. VOCA funds programs that provide an array of services to victims of crimes, and reductions in funding would result in fewer direct services, and possibly a closure of multiple programs. Taylor requested assistance from USA Uballez to ensure funds are being directed to VOCA, explaining that statewide coalitions across the country are also asking the United States Attorneys in their district to do the same. USA Uballez responded he would be willing to fight for more funding and seek other funding resources. USA Uballez closed the session by expressing that he was excited to partner with NMCSAP and that his office looks forward to working with them to facilitate connections, relationships and training. # # # 23-275


title: Former School Bus Driver Sentenced To Prison For Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven has sentenced Stephen Donald Kearney (61, St. Petersburg) to 7 years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for receiving child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Kearney to pay $13,000 in restitution to victims of the offenses. Kearney is also required to register as a sex offender. Kearney had pleaded guilty on August 14, 2023. According to court documents, Kearney used a file sharing platform on his computer to download videos that depicted young children being sexually abused. In February 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Kearney’s residence and seized his computer. A forensic search of the computer revealed thousands of images and various videos of child sexual abuse material, to include depictions of children under the age of 12. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Ross Roberts. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: High-Ranking Honduran Drug Cartel Member Sentenced to 21 Years

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Honduran national was sentenced today to 21 years in prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. According to court documents, Mario Rojel Urbina Miranda, 41, was one of the highest-ranking members of an international drug trafficking organization based in Honduras known as the “Los Valles” Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which imported multi-ton quantities of cocaine from to the United States. For years, Urbina was responsible for coordinating the trafficking of tons of cocaine through Honduras, en route to the United States from South America, and for the collection of millions of dollars of drug proceeds. For example, during just a two-month period in 2014, the defendant was personally involved in trafficking over 2,000 kilograms of cocaine through Honduras. More broadly, the DTO bribed public officials in Honduras and relied on violence and the threat of violence to protect its extensive trafficking activity. Urbina is the thirteenth related defendant to plead guilty in this investigation. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division; and David Geist, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Alito and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bibeane Metsch prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia expresses its appreciation to the Virginia State Police, FBI Sacramento Field Office, the Sacramento OCDETF Strike Force, DEA and FBI Tegucigalpa Country Offices, and the Honduran National Police for their significant assistance in this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance. 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. 1:14-cr-135.


component: Criminal - Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section

body_text: A naturalized U.S. citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and former resident of Connecticut, was arrested yesterday in Morgantown, West Virginia, on criminal charges related to allegations that she lied to obtain U.S. citizenship. According to the indictment, Nada Radovan Tomanic, 51, of West Virginia, allegedly served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the armed conflict in that country in the 1990s. Along with other Zulfikar Special Unit soldiers, Tomanic allegedly participated in the physical and mental abuse of Bosnian Serb prisoners targeted on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, and membership in a particular social group. The indictment alleges that, when applying for naturalization, Tomanic falsely represented that she had not persecuted anyone because of their religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and had never committed a crime for which she had not been arrested. “Nada Tomanic has enjoyed the privileges of U.S. citizenship for more than 10 years – privileges she allegedly obtained by lying to cover up human rights abuses she committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce our nation’s immigration laws to ensure that the United States does not serve as a safe haven for persecutors.” “It is alleged that this defendant shielded her past abuse of human rights and repeatedly lied during the immigration and citizenship processes to gain entry into this country and become a U.S. citizen,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “I thank our investigative partners both here and in Bosnia and Herzegovina for ignoring the passage of time to ensure that justice is done.” “Nada Tomanic allegedly participated in the abuse of Bosnian Serb prisoners and lied about it to the U.S. government decades later,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI, our international partners, and the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center are fervently committed to investigating human rights abuses no matter where or how long ago the atrocity occurred.” Tomanic is charged with two counts of unlawful procurement of naturalization. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A conviction would also result in the automatic revocation of Tomanic’s U.S. citizenship. The FBI is investigating the case, with coordination provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), along with the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit. The Justice Department thanks the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia, and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which were instrumental in furthering the investigation. Trial Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Krull for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP historians. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s online tip form at www.tips.fbi.gov/ , or Homeland Security Investigations at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or through ICE’s online tip form at www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Multiple Individuals Charged For Armed Robberies Of Postal Letter Carriers

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the filing of two federal complaints charging five individuals with armed robberies of United States Postal Letter Carriers. According to the first criminal complaint, on September 5, 2023, Jordan Michelle Brown (20, Tampa), Jordan Murray (19, Tampa), and Darine Underwood (18, Tampa) robbed a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier at gunpoint as the carrier was delivering mail at a Temple Terrace apartment complex. Brown, Murray, and Underwood held the mail carrier at gunpoint while demanding his keys and attempting to remove the keys that were hooked to the mail carrier’s pants. The individuals then grabbed the mail carrier’s cellphone and smashed it on the ground, before running to their getaway vehicle. Brown, Murray, and Underwood have been charged with armed robbery and aiding and abetting the armed robbery of a United States Postal Mail Carrier. According to the second criminal complaint, on September 21, 2023, Christopher Raymond (20, Miramar) and Andre Hylton (19, Miramar) robbed two Postal Letter Carriers as the carriers were delivering mail on their routes in South Tampa. Raymond and Hylton pointed a firearm at one of the carriers and demanded his serialized keys. Raymond and Hylton were ultimately identified through GPS data from their vehicle which revealed that they had traveled from Miramar to Tampa for the purpose of committing the armed robberies. Raymond and Hylton have been charged with armed robbery and aiding and abetting the armed robbery of a United States Postal Mail Carrier and brandishing a firearm and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. In another separate case, last month, Jahiem Faison (19, Tampa) was sentenced to nine years and three months in federal prison for armed robbery of a United States Postal Mail Carrier and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. According to court documents, on July 23, 2022, Faison and a juvenile co-conspirator approached a U.S. Postal Letter Carrier as he was delivering mail at a Riverview apartment complex. Faison brandished a firearm, pressing the firearm into the mail carrier’s chest while demanding his keys. Faison kept the firearm pressed against the mail carrier while the carrier removed his keys and handed them to Faison’s juvenile co-conspirator. These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the State Attorney’s Office for the 13 th Judicial Circuit. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa Spergel. A criminal complaint 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.


title: Northampton County Man Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For His Role In A Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyrell Donta Ravenell, a/k/a “Beast,” age 36, of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 28, 2023, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to a term of 14 years’ imprisonment for his role in a fentanyl drug trafficking conspiracy. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ravenell previously pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy on August 9, 2023, and admitted that beginning in 2018 and continuing to the time of indictment in June 2023, he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 400 grams but less than 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl throughout Northampton and Monroe Counties. Ravenell’s sentence was also enhanced because he unlawfully possessed firearms in relation to his drug trafficking. Judge Mannion also ordered Ravenell to serve a term of five years of supervised release following release from custody. This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses. This case is also 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: Monroe County Man Sentenced To 7 Years’ Imprisonment For His Role In A Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathyn White, a/k/a “Jay,” age 28, of Tobyhanna, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to a term of 7 years’ imprisonment for his role in a fentanyl drug trafficking conspiracy. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, White pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy on May 30, 2023, and admitted that beginning in 2019 and continuing to July of 2021, he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 40 grams but less than 160 grams of fentanyl throughout Monroe County. His sentence was also enhanced because he maintained a premise for the purpose of storing and distributing fentanyl. Judge Mannion also ordered White to serve a term of 8 years of supervised release following release from custody. This case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Scranton and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses. This case is also 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: Lab Owner Pleads Guilty to $1.7 Million COVID-19 Test Fraud Scheme

body_text: A Plano man pleaded guilty Thursday to orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $1.7 million from Medicare, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Damon Heath Roberts, 55, was charged via criminal information in September 2023 and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit or receive kickbacks for referrals to a federal health care program. He will be sentenced March 28, 2024 and faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. According to court documents, Roberts, owner of JDS Labs, admitted that he and others, including medical providers and others with access to patient information, began sharing Medicare beneficiary information so that JDS Labs could bill Medicare for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. Roberts, in exchange for the patient information, would pay a kickback based on the reimbursement from Medicare to the medical providers or other individuals. Roberts tried to conceal the kickback payments through the use of passthrough arrangements and cash payments. Roberts submitted nearly $4 million in claims for the over-the-counter COVID-19 tests and received approximately $1.7 million in reimbursement for the claims. In addition, Roberts paid approximately $149,066 in bribes and kickbacks. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Dallas Field Office, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit – DFW are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Hunter is prosecuting the case.


title: Lodge Grass man admits meth trafficking in large-scale operation on Crow Indian Reservation and assaulting a woman

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BILLINGS — A Lodge Grass man suspected of being a leader in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation based on the Crow Indian Reservation and of beating a woman with a weapon admitted to charges on Nov. 30 in two separate cases, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. Wendell Monroe Lefthand, 54, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Lefthand faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. In a separate case, Lefthand pleaded guilty to assault of a spouse resulting in substantial bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon. Lefthand faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Lefthand was detained pending further proceedings. In court documents in the drug trafficking case, the government alleged that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, conducted a large-scale investigation centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. Lefthand is one of the individuals affiliated with the investigation. The government further alleged that Lefthand and other family members occupied the Spear Siding property. The investigation determined that Lefthand was the source of supply for others until his arrest in June 2022. The investigation also determined that Lefthand was a leader of the operation at the property and had amassed a significant drug debt. After his arrest on an unrelated matter, Lefthand continued to influence the operation by directing individuals to provide others with marijuana and meth. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the drug trafficking case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the investigation. In the assault case, the government alleged that on April 4, 2021, Lefthand and his wife, along three of his wife’s relatives, were staying in a camper near Lodge Grass. Lefthand and his wife verbally argued throughout the day and the argument turned physical. Lefthand’s wife grabbed an item to defend herself because Lefthand had abused her before. Lefthand’s wife ended up on the ground, and Lefthand hit her with a metal bar or piece of wood. Lefthand’s wife and the relatives fled on foot and hid in a ditch by the highway before flagging down a ride. Lefthand’s wife was treated for injuries a few days later. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Harper Suek is prosecuting the assault case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Former Nashua Man Sentenced for Transporting Stolen Apple Products Worth $2 Million

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A former Nashua man was sentenced in federal court for transporting stolen Apple products worth $2 million, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Guangwei “William” Wu, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to one year and one day in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine. Wu was also ordered to pay $2 million in restitution, which he has already repaid. On June 22, 2023, Wu pleaded guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property. “The defendant engaged in a sophisticated fraud scheme where he accepted a bribe of significant value, diverted shipments of stolen Apple products worth approximately $2 million, and then forged a federal agent’s signature to cover his tracks. These are serious offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The Court’s imposed sentence of incarceration in federal prison and full restitution are just consequences for his bold crimes.” “Guangwei Wu accepted a bribe, shipped $2 million worth of stolen Apple products to Hong Kong, and then lied about it. Actions like his hurt hard-working business owners trying to make an earnest living, and today’s sentence holds Mr. Wu accountable for his crimes,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service continuously seeks to identify and stop complex fraud schemes. Guangwei Wu’s reshipping scheme of stolen Apple products resulted in millions of dollars in losses,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “We will continue our work with our law enforcement partners to stop those who are engaged in these types of criminal activities.” The defendant owned and operated a transshipping company in Manchester called Hai Xing Qiao. In fall 2022, the victim company purchased Apple products, including iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, and Macbooks, and then hired Hai Xing Qiao to forward the products onto Hong Kong. However, Yongfu Huo, another Hong Kong-based company, paid a bribe of over $700,000 to the defendant to have the products shipped to Yongfu Huo instead. To cover up his tracks, the defendant claimed that law enforcement had seized the Apple products and sent the victim company a false document titled “Disclaimer of Ownership” purportedly issued by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The defendant also forged the signature of a federal agent on the document. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case. ###


title: Felon Indicted and Arrested for the Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

body_text: CONCORD – A Manchester man was indicted and arrested in connection with his possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Eric Edmondson, 45, was indicted with one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon on November 15, 2023. Edmondson appeared in federal court on November 28, 2023, and was detained. On September 11, 2023, Edmondson was found in possession of a privately manufactured 9mm firearm (also known as a ghost gun) and 5 rounds of commercially available ammunition after a motor vehicle stop. As a previously convicted felon, Edmondson is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. The charge provides for a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The New Hampshire State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Nicholasville Man Convicted of Armed Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Nicholasville, Ky., man, Billy J. Wilkins, 43, was convicted late Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in Frankfort, after a three-day trial, of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. According to evidence at trial, on November 4, 2021, officers with the Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence occupied by Wilkins. During the search of the residence, officers located significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as two loaded firearms, one of which had an extended magazine attached. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Kevin Grime, Jessamine County Sheriff’s Department, announced the conviction. The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Wilkins is scheduled to appear for sentencing on March 6, 2024, and he faces not less than 10 years, up to life, in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence. This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.


title: Cambria County Area Agency on Aging Agrees to Pay Over $122,000 to Resolve False Claims

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that Cambria County Area Agency on Aging (CCAAA) has agreed to pay $122,461.53 to resolve claims arising from CCAAA’s administration of community service grants funded through AmeriCorps. In 2016 and 2017, CCAAA administered an AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) grant, which places seniors in school and community settings to serve alongside youth with exceptional needs. This program provides a small hourly stipend, based on the hours served, to the volunteers providing valuable community services to underserved children. AmeriCorps awards CCAAA grant funds to pay the stipends as well as some or all of the grantee’s administrative costs to operate the program. From 2016 to 2017, CCAAA allegedly failed to properly administer the AmeriCorps grant by directing its FGP staff to double or triple volunteer hours on timesheets and thus pay inflated, unearned stipends to volunteers. Volunteers were also allegedly awarded “bonus” hours for service activities that they did not perform. In addition, CCAAA allegedly charged unrelated, unsupported, and misallocated costs to the grant and inflated travel (mileage) costs attributable to grant funds. After receiving a complaint, CCAAA engaged its auditors to review the expenditures, and that review identified some of the above improper practices that diverted AmeriCorps funds. Nevertheless, CCAAA failed to timely notify AmeriCorps of the findings or return the misspent funds, as required. “It is important for participants in federally funded programs to be transparent and honest about how those funds are used. When a grant recipient misuses funds, the beneficiaries in need, such as underserved youth here, are deprived of the opportunities those funds are meant to provide,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “CCAAA’s decision to use its grant to pay Foster Grandparent volunteers for hours that they did not serve deprived the community of services intended for its benefit. The non-profit’s inability to account for federal funds violated the trust that the public places in AmeriCorps Seniors grantees,” said Stephen Ravas, AmeriCorps’ Acting Inspector General. “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its partnership in protecting the integrity of national service.” This investigation was conducted jointly by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and AmeriCorps’ Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony St. Joseph and Paul W. Kaufman handled the investigation and settlement. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Man Pleads Guilty to Firebombing Building

body_text: A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty today to the May 2022 firebombing of a Madison office building. According to court documents, Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, 29, of Madison, pleaded guilty to attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive. On Sunday, May 8, 2022, at approximately 6:06 a.m., law enforcement responded to an active fire at an office building located in Madison. Once inside the building, police observed a mason jar under a broken window; the jar was broken, and the lid and screw top were burned black. The police also saw a purple disposable lighter near the mason jar. On the opposite wall from the window, the police saw another mason jar with the lid on and a blue cloth tucked into the top; the cloth was singed. The jar was about half full of a clear fluid that smelled like an accelerant. Outside of the building, someone spray painted on one wall, “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either” and, on another wall, a large “A” with a circle around it and the number “1312.” During the investigation, law enforcement collected DNA from the scene of the attack. In March 2023, law enforcement identified Roychowdhury as a possible suspect. Local police officers observed Roychowdhury dispose of food in a public trash can; the officers recovered the leftover food and related items, and law enforcement collected DNA from the food. On March 17, law enforcement advised that a forensic biologist examined the DNA evidence recovered from the attack scene and compared it to the DNA collected from the food contents. The forensic biologist found the two samples matched and likely were the same individual. In March, Roychowdhury travelled from Madison to Portland, Maine, and he purchased a one-way ticket from Boston to Guatemala City, departing March 28. Law enforcement arrested Roychowdhury at Boston Logan International Airport that day. Roychowdhury faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The charge against Roychowdhury is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Dane County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the FBI Boston Field Office, Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Air Marshal Service and Transportation Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman for the Western District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Beck for the District of Massachusetts handled the defendant’s appearance in Boston following his arrest.


title: Justice Department Finds that Enforcement of Tennessee State Law Discriminates Against People with HIV

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today its finding that the State of Tennessee, including its Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO), violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by enforcing the state’s aggravated prostitution statute against people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Today’s announcement comes on World AIDS Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic. The department’s comprehensive investigation found that the state and the SCDAO subject people living with HIV to harsher criminal penalties solely because of their HIV status, violating Title II of the ADA. “Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law is outdated, has no basis in science, discourages testing and further marginalizes people living with HIV,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “People living with HIV should not be treated as violent sex offenders for the rest of their lives solely because of their HIV status. The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are protected from discrimination.” Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution statute elevates what would otherwise be misdemeanor conduct to a felony because the individual has HIV, regardless of any actual risk of harm. A person convicted of aggravated prostitution faces three to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, while a person convicted of a misdemeanor charge based on the same conduct is subject to a sentence of no more than six months and up to a $500 fine. While the aggravated prostitution statute applies statewide, it has been enforced most frequently in Shelby County. Aggravated prostitution is also categorized as a “violent sexual offense” mandating registration by those convicted on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, in most cases for life. The state maintains the registry through the TBI. Individuals placed on the registry due to convictions for aggravated prostitution are restricted in where they may live, work and go in public, and have experienced increased homelessness and unemployment. These individuals also face public disclosure of information about their HIV status, which can lead to harassment and discrimination. The department opened this investigation in response to complaints about enforcement of the statute. The department’s letter provides Tennessee, TBI and the SCDAO, with written notice of its findings and details the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the ADA’s goals of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov . 2023.11.30_tn_hiv_lof_final.pdf


title: Five People Charged for Their Roles in Drug Trafficking Organization Controlled by Sex, Money, Murder Street Gang

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Five people have been charged for their respective roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Essex County, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced today. The original complaint was filed on Nov. 1, 2023, and on Nov. 9, 2023, a superseding complaint was filed charging certain defendants with gun offenses based on the recovery of multiple firearms during searches that occurred when the defendants were arrested. Fuquan Williams, 33; Dwight Dixon, 52; Nafee Patterson, 41; Jabriel Mason, 20; and Daqwuan Barkley, 29, all of Essex County, New Jersey, are charged by superseding complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Williams, Patterson, Mason, Barkley and Dixon made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court. Mason, Patterson, and Barkley have been ordered released on bail, while Williams, and Dixon remain detained pending trial. Patterson is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and Williams is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: The defendants are members of a drug trafficking organization that operated an open-air narcotics market in the area of Kent and Brenner streets in Newark. The drug trafficking organization is affiliated with, and the defendants are members and associates of, the Sex, Money, Murder subset of the Bloods street gang. When the defendants were arrested, law enforcement officers recovered multiple loaded firearms and additional quantities of narcotics. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked detectives of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Theodore N. Stephens, II; officers of the New Jersey State Department of Corrections; detectives of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; officers of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé; and police officers and detectives of the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief William C. Robinson, for their assistance with the investigation. The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, Union County Jail, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, New Jersey Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha C. Fasanello and Jason Goldberg of the Criminal Division in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. williamsetal.scomplaint.pdf


title: Former LIRR Employee Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Inspection Report

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, Stuart Conklin, a former employee of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), pleaded guilty to making a false entry in a report required to be kept by the LIRR under federal laws governing rail road safety and operations. Conklin was charged with the offense in a criminal complaint in March 2021 and subsequently indicted in April 2022. Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. When sentenced, the defendant faces up to two years in prison. Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Transportation; and Daniel G. Cort, Inspector General for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, announced the guilty plea. “As dramatically evidenced by the derailment, the rail bond Conklin falsely claimed to have inspected was a critical piece of rail road equipment, essential to ensuring the safety of passengers,” said United States Attorney Peace. “While thankfully no one was seriously hurt in this accident, it is a stark reminder of the importance federal oversight plays in the safety and integrity of our transportation system.” “Anyone choosing to intentionally ignore Federal laws and requirements put in place to ensure the safety of the traveling public will be pursed to the fullest extent of the law,” stated DOT-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher A. Scharf. “Today’s guilty plea is the result of an unwavering commitment to safety demonstrated together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.” “Falsifying inspection reports puts the safety of the public and MTA employees and property at risk.” said MTA Inspector General Daniel G. Cort. “Individuals, like Conklin, who shirk their responsibilities and endanger others should be held accountable and I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their partnership in doing just that.” As set forth in the complaint and indictment, Conklin was employed by LIRR as a signalman and his responsibilities included performing regular inspections of rail bonds. Rail bonds are electronic jumpers around joints in the rails of a railroad track to ensure continuity of conductivity for signal currents. On April 26, 2019, Conklin falsely indicated in an inspection report that he had inspected a particular rail bond in Speonk, New York and that the bond had passed inspection. Video footage from a LIRR camera showed that Conklin in fact did not inspect the bond during his shift that day. Approximately one month later, on May 23, 2019, a westbound LIRR train collided with the rear of an eastbound train in Speonk, New York. The rear of the westbound train did not register in the LIRR signal system as occupying a section of side track, causing the eastbound train to be cleared to pass on the main track when there was not enough space to do so. A subsequent LIRR investigation determined that the rail bond that Conklin had falsely indicated he had inspected on April 26, 2019, was broken and that the broken rail bond was the cause of the signal malfunction and the derailment. The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Turner Buford and Sara K. Winik are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Special Agent Rebecca Sidhu and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Bennett. The Defendant : STUART CONKLIN Age: 66 Magnolia, TX E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-171 (JS)


title: Baton Rouge Woman Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding the PPP and EIDL Loan Programs and Laundering the Fraudulent Proceeds


title: Lafayette Firearms Store Owner and Wife Found Guilty on Federal Firearms Charges

body_text: LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that two individuals from Broussard, Louisiana, have been found guilty on all counts after a jury trial that began in federal court on Monday, November 27, 2023, and ended Thursday evening, November 30, 2023. The couple was originally indicted for conspiring to deal firearms without a license, making false statements in records required to be kept by a licensed firearms dealer, and failing to file sales reports in connection with their firearms business located in Lafayette. Jeremiah Micah Deare , 37, Sarah Elaine Fogle , 30, were found guilty of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, after the jury heard from over 20 witnesses and numerous trial exhibits demonstrating the illegal sale and attempted illegal sale of hundreds of firearms out of their residence and at gun shows as an unlicensed business. The couple was found to have engaged in the business of dealing firearms without following applicable laws, including the required background checks on their customers. The 246 firearms seized from the couple’s home, many with price tags, were brought into court for the jury to inspect, and the indictment also seeks forfeiture of a total of 619 firearms which were involved in the commission of these offenses. Trial testimony and evidence revealed that Deare was the owner of Dave’s Gunshop, LLC (Dave’s) and the responsible party for Dave’s Federal Firearms License, which was located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Deare and Fogle did not hold a Federal Firearms License in their individual capacities. On or about August 13, 2019, a compliance inspection was conducted at Dave’s by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). At a warning conference on September 19, 2019, in Baton Rouge, Deare and Fogle were warned for numerous violations, including failing to complete a background check form ATF-4473 (one time), failing to accurately keep acquisition and disposition records for dispositions (67 times), failing to accurately keep acquisition and disposition records for acquisitions (62 times), transferring firearms without having a final response from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (two times), inaccurate completion of ATF-4473 forms (111 times), and for missing firearms. Trial evidence confirmed that, on that same day, the ATF investigator provided an Acknowledgement of Federal Firearms Regulations to inform Deare of their responsibilities as a Federal Firearms License holder, and about laws relating to engaging in the business of selling firearms at gun shows. Trial documents further proved the acknowledgment was signed by Deare acknowledging that he understood he was responsible for familiarizing himself with the laws and regulations. During trial, testimony and evidence showed that Deare and Fogle, after being warned, willfully engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license by buying and selling firearms without complying with the recordkeeping and background check requirements required by federal law. Deare and Fogle acquired large quantities of firearms and ammunition from estate sales and other means but would not document the firearms in Dave’s Acquisition & Disposition Book as required by federal law. In addition, firearms brought to Dave’s to be sold on consignment were not logged into Dave’s Acquisition & Disposition Book and were not placed for sale at Dave’s, but rather were brough to gun shows to sell off of Dave’s A&D book and without background checks. The jury trial revealed that Deare and Fogle kept firearms at their residence without logging them out of Dave’s store inventory and would travel with the firearms to gun shows conducted at various locations in Louisiana and several other states. Deare and Fogle sold firearms at gun shows to non-Louisiana residents for which no ATF-4473 or background checks were ever completed. Their failure to conduct background checks resulted in the sales of firearms to persons prohibited by law from possessing or purchasing firearms. Additionally, the sales of firearms at gun shows outside the State of Louisiana were not done through a dealer licensed in the state where the gun show was conducted as required by law. The proceeds from the out-of-state gun sales of firearms were not included as revenue for Dave’s, but instead, evidence and testimony revealed Deare and Fogle used it for their own personal gain to avoid any record of these profits with Dave’s, which at the time was in litigation with the previous owner. Following the trial, a detention hearing was held and Deare was remanded into custody, where he will remain until the sentencing on April 2, 2024. Fogle will remain out on bond, with a restriction prohibiting her from traveling outside the State of Louisiana. Deare faces a sentence of not more than 5 years in prison on Counts 1 and 2, and not more than 1 year on Count 3 of the Indictment. Fogle faces a sentence of not more than 5 years in prison on Count 1 of the Indictment. Each defendant also faces up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. The ATF conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren L. Gardner and Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case. # # #


title: New York Woman Sentenced to 12 Months and One Day in Prison for Bribing Mail Carriers to Steal Postal Arrow Keys

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A New York woman was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for her role in a scheme to bribe mail carriers to steal postal arrow keys in order to unlock mail receptacles and to use stolen items from the mail to obtain funds fraudulently from banks, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Halimatou Ndiaye, 28, of the Bronx, New York, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging her with one count of bribery of U.S. Postal Service mail carriers and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence on Nov. 28, 2023, in Newark federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Ndiaye schemed to bribe mail carriers in East Orange and Newark by offering them cash, typically $5,000, in exchange for the mail carriers giving her and another individual a postal arrow key, which could be used to access a variety of postal service mail receptacles. Ndiaye and others sought USPS arrow keys so that they could steal mail. For example, from June to July 2021, Ndiaye and the other individual drove to various locations in East Orange and Newark, where they stopped mail carriers and handed them a note indicating they would give $5,000 to the mail carrier in exchange for an arrow key. In addition, from January 2021 to July 2021, Ndiaye conspired with others to obtain funds fraudulently from banks by using stolen checks and bank cards to draw funds from bank accounts linked to the stolen items and using the identification of others to fraudulently obtain funds. In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Ndiaye to three years of supervised release and ordered her to pay restitution of $6,361. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jihee G. Suh of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.


title: Essex County Convicted Felon Admits Involvement in Two Shootings, Possessing Firearm with Extended Magazine, and Possessing Heroin with Intent to Distribute

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted his involvement in two shootings, as well as illegally possessing a handgun and possessing heroin he intended to distribute, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Antoine Hawkins, 31, of Newark, pleaded guilty on Nov. 28, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an indictment charging him with two counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On Aug. 18, 2020, video surveillance footage depicted Hawkins as he fired a gun on a Newark street, striking a victim, who survived the shooting. Hawkins was also identified as the perpetrator of another shooting in Newark on Aug. 13, 2020, and cartridge casings from the locations of both shootings were a ballistics match. On Sept. 16, 2020, law enforcement encountered Hawkins and observed what appeared to be a firearm in Hawkins’s jacket. A subsequent search of Hawkins revealed a 9-millimeter pistol, which was loaded in an extended magazine containing 19 rounds of ammunition. A search warrant executed at Hawkins’s residence revealed, among other items, 626 glassine envelopes containing heroin and three 9-millimeter magazines. The firearm and ammunition offenses carry maximum potential penalties of 10 years in prison, and fines of $250,000. The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison – which must run consecutively to any other sentence Hawkins receives – and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison. The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; members of the Newark Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Director Fritz G. Fragé; members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, with the investigation leading to the charges. This investigation is part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark. The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around the Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole Board, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, and New Jersey Department of Corrections. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark. hawkins.indictment.pdf