title: Stockton Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Over 16 Years in Prison

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Miguel Castellanos Huitron, (aka Efrain Tavarez Lopez) 52, of Stockton, was sentenced today to 16 years and six months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Huitron operated a drug trafficking organization in the Stockton-Tracy area. At Huitron’s direction, members of the conspiracy distributed more than 4 kilograms of methamphetamine to confidential sources between April 2009 and December 2009. Huitron employed at least five people to deliver methamphetamine on his behalf. In late 2009, Huitron left the United States to spend the Christmas holiday in Mexico and remained there until 2017. Huitron continued directing and receiving money from the organization while in Mexico, until his drug trafficking organization was ultimately dismantled in 2010. He was arrested in September 2017. This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heiko P. Coppola prosecuted the case.


title: Essex County Felon Convicted of Drug Trafficking, Firearm Possession, and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was convicted on drug and weapon charges, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Ricky Hubbard, 45, of Newark, was convicted on March 13, 2023, following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty on one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to documents in this case and evidence at trial: On Nov. 6, 2019, law enforcement officers pulled over Hubbard’s car in Union, New Jersey. Inside a secret compartment, Hubbard possessed 369 doses of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl packaged for distribution; drug-packaging materials; and a 9mm Taurus handgun loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber. The firearm possession charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The drug trafficking charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Union Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Chris Donnelly; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Union County Sheriff Peter D. Corvelli Jr., with the investigation leading to the conviction. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olta Bejleri and Emma Spiro of the Criminal Division in Newark.


title: Missouri Doctor Admits Defrauding Medicare, Medicaid

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A doctor from Moberly, Missouri pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges and admitted falsely using his father’s name to bill Medicare and Medicaid for medical services. Dr. Justin G. LaMonda, 41, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of making false statements related to health care matters. Dr. LaMonda admitted as part of his plea that he and his father agreed to bill Medicare and Missouri Medicaid for services performed by Dr. LaMonda as if they had actually been performed by Dr. LaMonda’s father, who was also a doctor. The Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts suspended Dr. LaMonda’s medical license for 30 days effective Aug. 10, 2017 after he was accused of engaging in sexual activity with his office manager and prescribing her controlled substances “without sufficient examination and outside of the usual course of professional practice,” the plea says. On Dec. 20, 2018, a Medicare administrative contractor revoked his Medicare Part B privileges after determining that he submitted reimbursement claims for services performed when he was suspended. Then, on Sept. 12, 2019, the Missouri Medicaid Audit and Compliance Unit terminated his Medicare provider number. Dr. LaMonda admitted that as early as Dec. 20, 2018, he and his father agreed to bill Medicare for services performed by Dr. LaMonda as if they had been performed by his father. After Dr. LaMonda’s Missouri Medicaid billing privileges were terminated, the pair expanded their scheme to include Medicaid claims, the plea says. Dr. LaMonda instructed his billing personnel to use his father’s unique billing provider number on claims for payment, on referrals to other health care providers and on orders for durable medical equipment, falsely claiming that the father had performed the medical services or ordered additional equipment or treatment, the plea says. When payments were received for services performed by Dr. LaMonda, his father would transfer the funds to Dr. LaMonda, the plea agreement says. Dr. LaMonda admitted causing total losses of $537,322 to Medicare and Missouri Medicaid. At sentencing, Dr. LaMonda could face up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI and the Missouri’s Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Sestric is prosecuting the case.


title: Thibodaux Man Pleads Guilty to  Failing to Account for and Pay Taxes

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that CORNEL MARTIN, SR. (“ MARTIN ”), age 63, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, pled guilty today to failing to account for and pay over federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) taxes, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7202. According to court documents, MARTIN operated several businesses in Terrebonne Parish that provided temporary labor to shipyards and offshore oil rigs. MARTIN was the sole owner of each of the companies and controlled the companies’ finances. From 2012 to 2021, MARTIN’s various businesses withheld taxes from its employees’ paychecks, but MARTIN failed to pay over the withheld taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as required. All told, MARTIN’s willful failure to account for and pay trust fund and other taxes associated with his businesses between 2012 and 2021 resulted in a loss amount to the IRS between $1,500,000 and $3,500,000. MARTIN faces a maximum prison sentence of five (5) years. Upon release from prison, MARTIN faces a term of supervised release up to (3) three years, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. MARTIN also faces payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan set his sentencing for June 15, 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the work of the IRS on this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long of the Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Heart Butte man admits murdering woman on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Heart Butte man today admitted to murdering a woman after an argument on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Terrance Travis Aimsback, 34, pleaded guilty to second degree murder as indicted. Aimsback faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 26. Aimsback was detained pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Aimsback unlawfully killed the victim, identified as Jane Doe, with malice aforethought. On Nov. 24, 2022, Aimsback called 911, claiming Jane Doe would not wake up, although she was still breathing. Law enforcement officers arrived and immediately noticed Jane Doe was cold and had died hours earlier. When interviewed, Aimsback admitted he killed Jane Doe. Aimsback and Jane Doe began arguing, and Aimsback beat Jane Doe with a stick. Jane Doe died from the injuries. Aimsback and Jane Doe were in a romantic relationship at the time of the murder. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan G. Weldon are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services. XXX


title: Essex County Corrections Officer and Girlfriend Arrested for Conspiring to Smuggle Contraband into Essex County Correctional Facility

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County corrections officer and his girlfriend were arrested today for conspiring to smuggle contraband into the prison facility at which he was employed to be resold to prisoners, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced. Efrin Wade, 34, and Yairisa Lizardo, 29, both of Jersey City, are charged by complaint with extortion under color of official right. The defendants appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and were released on $100,000 each unsecured bond. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In January 2023, Wade, who had served as a corrections officer at Essex County Correctional Facility (ECCF) since February 2020, began communicating with an individual whom he believed was seeking to smuggle contraband to inmates at ECCF for sale to other inmates. Unbeknownst to Wade, this individual was in reality an undercover FBI agent. Wade agreed to smuggle tobacco and cell phones, both of which inmates at ECCF are forbidden to possess. On Feb. 1, 2023, Wade sent Lizardo to meet with the undercover agent in a parking lot in Bayonne, New Jersey, where she accepted $10,000 in cash and a substantial quantity of tobacco for Wade to smuggle into ECCF. Over the subsequent weeks, Wade left this tobacco in concealed locations within ECCF believing it would be retrieved by inmates. However, law enforcement recovered these items after Wade relayed the concealed locations to the undercover agent. On Feb. 8, 2023, Wade met the undercover agent in a parking lot in Jersey City, where Wade took possession of a cell phone concealed within tobacco. After smuggling this contraband into ECCF, law enforcement recovered it in a concealed location where Wade had left it for inmates to retrieve. On Feb. 15, 2023, Wade met with the undercover agent in the same parking lot in Jersey City and accepted an additional $4,000 for his smuggling activities. Wade also explained his plans to smuggle in an additional 15 contraband cell phones, which were to be supplied to him by the undercover agent. Wade expected to be paid at least $30,000 for smuggling these cell phones into ECCF in late March. Wade expected that the cell phones would then be resold to inmates for approximately $5,000 per phone. When approached by agents during his shift at ECCF during the early morning hours of March 14, 2023, Wade was found to be in possession of multiple packs of contraband cigarettes as well as tobacco packs and cigars. The extortion charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and investigators of the Internal Affairs Unit of the Essex County Department of Corrections, under the direction of Ronald Charles, with the investigation leading to today’s arrests. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. wadelizardo.complaint.pdf


title: Tacoma man pleads guilty to producing images of child sexual abuse

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – A 37-year-old Tacoma man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to production of child pornography and possession of child pornography announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. William Alexander Crisolo was arrested October 1, 2021, after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Crisolo admitted today that he made sexually explicit images of two young children. One set of images was traded via the internet application KIK for other images of child sexual abuse. Crisolo faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison when sentenced on July 16. 2023. According to records filed in the case, Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Center received a tip from a foreign law enforcement agency that Crisolo was claiming, via internet chats, that he was abusing two different minor children and filming the abuse. Law enforcement moved to search Crisolo’s residence and electronic devices. On his custom-built computer, investigators found more than 4,000 child sexual abuse images and 100 child sexual abuse videos. On Crisolo’s phone, law enforcement identified sexually explicit images of the two young child victims. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense will recommend a 16-and-a-half-year sentence. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence allowed by law. The plea in federal court also resolves state court charges for child molestation. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Tacoma Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Dillon and Matthew Hampton. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc


title: LONG-TIME SURENO GANG MEMBER PLEADS TO ASSAULTING A FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Randy Coy James Holmes, age 25, of Spokane, Washington, pled guilty today in federal court in Spokane, Washington to Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Federal Law Enforcement Officer in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1), (b), as well as to Discharge of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). The charges stem from Holmes’s attempted robbery and shooting of an undercover law enforcement officer in November 2021. United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice, who presided at today’s hearing, set sentencing for June 21, 2023. According to court documents and information disclosed at court proceedings, in early November 2021, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) Confidential Informant reported that Holmes, who is a documented Sureno gang member and uses the alias “Whispers,” was looking to obtain a firearm to conduct future strong-arm robberies. The informant arranged for Holmes to contact an undercover ATF agent so Holmes could purchase a firearm from the agent. ATF intended to sell Holmes an in operable firearm and then arrest him. The same day, a second ATF confidential informant advised ATF that Holmes contacted the second informant to obtain a firearm. On November 5, 2021, Holmes agreed to meet the undercover ATF agent at the Motel 6 parking lot in Spokane to purchase the firearm. Holmes had offered to pay the undercover agent approximately one ounce of methamphetamine in exchange for the firearm, instead of U.S. Currency. Holmes arrived at the Motel 6 as scheduled, driving a Dodge Charger. Holmes’s co-defendants, Vincent Petrushkin and William Huntington Burns, who are also Sureno gang members, were inside the Dodge Charger with Holmes. Before Holmes’s got out of the car, Burns provided Holmes with a firearm, which later was identified as a Glock Model 17 9mm semi-automatic handgun, as “protection” during the transaction with the undercover agent. Holmes then exited the Charger and got into the front passenger seat of the undercover ATF agent’s vehicle. During the transaction, the undercover agent expressed concerns to Holmes about conducting the transaction at that location given that Holmes arrived with two additional individuals in his car. The undercover agent then asked to move the transaction to a nearby parking lot, away from the two men in the Dodge Charger. Holmes responded that he would “tell the homies” and started to get out of the undercover agent’s vehicle. Holmes, however, stopped short of fully exiting the vehicle. Instead, Holmes re-entered the vehicle, pulled out the Glock Model 17 9mm semi-automatic handgun, pointed the gun at the undercover agent’s head, and demanded the firearm the undercover agent was going to sell him. The undercover agent, who was in reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm, advised Holmes the firearm was in the back of the car. Holmes then fully exited the undercover agent’s vehicle and ran around to the back of the car to obtain the firearm. When Holmes did so, the undercover agent exited the vehicle and directed Holmes to drop the gun. Rather than drop his firearm, Holmes repeatedly discharged the Glock Model 17 9mm semi-automatic handgun at the undercover agent, striking the agent multiple times, and causing the agent serious and permanent bodily injury. The undercover agent returned fire, striking Holmes a number of times. ATF surveillance agents quickly arrived at the scene and rendered life-saving aid to Holmes before he and the undercover agent were transported to the hospital. At the hospital, emergency room personnel located approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine in Holmes’s jacket pocket. Codefendants Petrushkin and Burns have both previously pled guilty to federal offenses related to this incident and are pending sentencing. Petrushkin pled guilty on April 1, 2022 to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2). Burns, who was not a felon at the time of this incident, pled guilty to Transfer of a Firearm to a Prohibited Person, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(d), 924(a)(2) on March 1, 2023. Both codefendants are pending sentencing. At the time of this incident, Holmes was on federal supervised release stemming from a 2019 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2). Holmes also was on Washington State Department of Corrections community custody supervision from an unrelated state felony conviction. At today’s hearing, as part of his plea agreement, Holmes admitted to all pending violations of his federal supervised release. Holmes will be sentenced for that conduct on June 21, 2023 as well. “This tragic case demonstrates the danger and violence that too frequently occurs when convicted felons possess firearms and engage in illegal drug trafficking,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I am grateful for the exceptional courage and bravery of law enforcement officers, who put their personal safety at risk to protect our community, and I commend the ATF agents involved for their exceptional professionalism in rendering life-saving aid to Mr. Holmes before he could be treated at a hospital. Our community is stronger as a result of these agents’ tremendous service.” ATF Resident Agent in Charge Sterling Nixon stated, “Our agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe. When one of our agents was tragically shot in November 2021, the law enforcement community, including state, local, and federal agencies came together to investigate and prosecute this case. We’re grateful for the combined efforts to seek justice on behalf of our colleague and friend.” “Mr. Holmes shot and seriously injured a federal law enforcement agent in an attempted robbery,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field Office. “Every day, the brave law enforcement officers in Washington state and across the country face dangerous situations to keep our communities safe. This case demonstrates the consequences of attacking law enforcement personnel. An attack on a law enforcement officer is an attack on the rule of law, and an attack on our community.” This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Spokane Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin Baunsgard and Patrick Cashman. Case No.: 2:21-CR-164-TOR


title: Minneapolis Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm after engaging in a shootout in North Minneapolis, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on December 20, 2021, Dominique Marquise McCaskel, 25, was in possession of a loaded Sig Sauer, model P365, 9mm semiautomatic pistol. According to the defendant’s plea agreement, surveillance footage from a nearby business showed a vehicle drive slowly past McCaskel, stopping momentarily in an alleyway. Upon seeing the vehicle, McCaskel pulled his Sig Sauer firearm from his pocket, ran towards the vehicle, and exchanged gunfire with individuals in the vehicle. McCaskel was shot and fell to the sidewalk, and the vehicle fled the area. Officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to the scene and recovered two 9mm discharged cartridge casings near McCaskel on the ground, and later recovered McCaskel’s firearm. The Minneapolis Police Forensics Division determined that the two recovered discharged cartridge casings were shot from McCaskel’s Sig Sauer firearm. The Forensics Division also found McCaskel’s thumbprint on the loaded magazine that was inserted into the firearm. Because McCaskel has several prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. McCaskel pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal felon. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 19, 2023. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Hillary A. Taylor are prosecuting the case.


title: Drug Smuggler Sentenced to 78 Months for Smuggling Fentanyl

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Jose Antonio Cota, 33, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Cota pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in April 2022. In August 2020, Cota was a passenger in a commercial shuttle van when it stopped for a routine immigration inspection at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Amado, Arizona. During an inspection of the vehicle and its passengers, Border Patrol agents discovered Cota was hiding several small bundles of fentanyl pills taped to his body. United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-20-1699-TUC-JAS-JR RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-034_Cota # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Two Individuals Charged in Federal Criminal Complaint for Violent Carjacking

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Two individuals have been charged in a federal criminal complaint for carjacking involving a robbery and holding a victim at gunpoint, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on February 14, 2023, in Anoka County, Jamel Timothy Funchess, 18, and T’Shawn Teon Palton, 21, took a motor vehicle from the vehicle’s owner, by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm. According to a law enforcement affidavit, the victim had made arrangements over Facebook Marketplace to buy a cell phone. The victim and the purported seller arranged to meet at a location in Columbia Heights. When the victim arrived at the location and was still in the car, two men approached and one pointed a firearm at the victim. The men ordered the victim to the backseat of the car. The men then got into the victim’s car, drove a few blocks, and picked up a third male. The three individuals held the victim at gunpoint for the next several hours. During this time, the men demanded that the victim surrender their cell phone, wallet, and credit cards, and provide banking information. They drove to several gas stations around the Twin Cities in an attempt to use the victim’s cards to withdraw money. Each of the three men held the firearm during this time and pointed it at the victim. At one point, one of the men struck the victim in the face with the firearm. Toward the end of the ordeal, the three men discussed what to do with the victim and openly talked about murdering the victim. Eventually, they dropped the victim on a road in St. Paul and drove away in the victim’s car. The victim ran to a nearby gas station and borrowed an employee’s cell phone to call 911. Officers were able to use the victim’s cell phone location to find Palton, Funchess, and the third kidnapper, along with the victim’s stolen car and items. Both defendants are charged with one count of carjacking. They made their initial appearances today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Sarah Hudleston are prosecuting the case. A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Nonimmigrant visa holder convicted of violating US gun laws

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A federal jury in Houston has convicted a 25-year-old citizen of Niger on firearms charges related to his status in the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The jury deliberated for approximately one hour following a one-day trial before returning guilty verdicts on all four counts as charged against Moctar Ahmadou Gouroudja Ahmadou. Even though Ahmadou was lawfully present in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, he violated the terms of that status by illegally using a firearm and ammunition. “Thousands of people enter this country each year and honor and appreciate the terms of their presence in the United States,” said Hamdani. “This individual disrespected that privilege not once or twice, but four times by illegally possessing and using firearms and ammunition. We cannot allow non-citizens to violate our gun laws, and we thank the jury for returning the verdicts as they did today.” Ahmadou entered the United States on March 24, 2016, from Niger. At the time, he had a nonimmigrant F1 visa, or student visa, to study at the North American University in Stafford. Under that status, he was not permitted to possess or use firearms or ammunition. However, the jury heard that on or around May 17, 2021, Ahmadou participated in handling and firing a handgun at a Texas-based gun range. He purchased a course called “First Shot” which provided training on pistol shooting and range time. Immediately after completing the course, Ahmadou rented and later purchased a Glock 45. He was seen at the firing line at the gun range holding a pistol and shooting down range towards a target. On May 18, 2021, Ahmadou returned to the same gun range to participate in handling and firing a rifle. The course consisted of firearms safety, manipulation and shooting a rifle. He also possessed and shot a Smith & Wesson, model MP15, .223 caliber rifle and purchased and possessed four boxes of Fiocchi .223 caliber ammunition which he used with the rifle. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett presided over the trial and has set sentencing for June 22. At that time, Ahmadou faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Ahmadou has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. The FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Customs and Immigration Service; and Texas Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Schammel and Richard Bennett prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the Justice Department’s Counter Terrorism Section.


title: Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 14 Years for Conspiracy to Import Cocaine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Miguel Ángel Agosto-Pacheco, a.k.a. “Chino,” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Francisco A. Besosa to 14 years in prison for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow. Agosto-Pacheco pleaded guilty on December 6, 2022. According to admissions made in connection with his plea, between approximately February 2017 and February 2018, Agosto-Pacheco served as the manager of the Puerto Rican branch of an international drug trafficking organization. During that timeframe, the organization coordinated the shipment of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Venezuela and into Puerto Rico. As part of his plea agreement, Agosto-Pacheco admitted to conspiring to import millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine into Puerto Rico on two specific occasions. First, in November 2017, Agosto-Pacheco conspired to import approximately 417 kilograms of cocaine. Second, in December 2017, Agosto-Pacheco conspired to import approximately 285 kilograms of cocaine. In late 2022, Agosto-Pacheco’s five co-defendants all pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine and were sentenced as follows: Jerry Omar Hernández-Peña—120 months Luis A. Vázquez-Rodriguez—120 months Anthony Jael Abreu-Matos—120 months Luis Ángel Ramos-Cordero—120 months Juan Tapia-Soto—96 months U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Denise Foster made the announcement. The DEA was in charge of the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Pérez-Bouret and Carlos R. Cardona, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson, prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Panama City Physician Pays $225,000 To Settle Allegations That He Overprescribed Controlled Substances

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Dr. George Barrio, a pain management physician who formerly practiced medicine at the NeuroMedical Institute in Panama City, agreed to pay $225,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to patients. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “We are holding physicians accountable for disregarding patient safety and violating federal law when they write prescriptions that lack a legitimate medical purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Their actions not only violate the Controlled Substance Act but contribute to the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities. With our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to combating this epidemic at all levels. This settlement and the associated surrender of the physician’s DEA controlled substance registration are evidence of our resolve.” The government alleged that Dr. Barrio wrote prescriptions that lacked a legitimate purpose and were issued outside the usual course of professional practice, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. In addition to payment of the $225,000 monetary fine, Dr. Barrio also agreed to surrender his DEA registration for Schedule II and IIN controlled substances. “One of DEA’s most important missions is to ensure physicians comply with the federal laws and regulations set forth in the Controlled Substance Act. Failing to comply with these laws increases the potential for the diversion of controlled substances, which puts the safety and health of our communities at risk,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “The DEA remains committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure DEA registrants follow these laws and regulations.” This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dr. Barrio, nor a concession by the United States that its potential claims were not well-founded. Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch, Kathryn Drey, and Marie Moyle represented the United States in this matter, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (Diversion Control Program), Bay County Sherriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United States Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Former New Orleans Police Officer Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a 15-Year-Old Girl

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A former police officer with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) was sentenced in federal court to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old crime victim in violation of her constitutional rights. According to the court documents, in May 2020, Rodney Vicknair, 55, while working in his capacity as an NOPD officer, escorted a then-14-year-old girl, who had been sexually assaulted by another man, to the hospital to undergo a forensic exam, also known as a rape kit. Vicknair gave the victim his cell phone number and offered to be her friend and mentor. In the months and weeks thereafter, Vicknair and the victim spoke on the phone and exchanged messages on Snapchat. Vicknair, while in uniform, often stopped by unannounced at the victim’s residence. Over time, Vicknair made comments to the victim that were sexual in nature. On the night of Sept. 23, 2020, Vicknair arrived at the victim’s house. By that time, she had turned 15 years old. He told her to come outside and get into his vehicle. She got into the passenger’s seat while Vicknair remained in the driver’s seat. Then, he locked the doors so that the victim could not leave. Vicknair leaned over toward the victim, and she feared for her physical safety. He then sexually assaulted the victim when he intentionally touched her genitals under her clothing without her consent. Vicknair admitted in court that he acted without a legitimate law enforcement purpose and that he knew his actions were wrong and against the law but that he engaged in such conduct anyway. “We are grateful to this young survivor for coming forward, even though she thought no one would believe her,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Had she not been willing to do so, we would not have been able to hold the defendant accountable for his heinous crime. This case should send a strong message to law enforcement officers who sexually abuse victims, particularly children, that they are not above the law and will be held accountable.” “The public must be able to trust that law enforcement will faithfully execute their sworn duties or face the consequences for failing to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Our office, along with the Department of Justice, the FBI and state and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to investigate and prosecute any violations of constitutional rights.” “The FBI is dedicated to doing the work to restore public faith in law enforcement when individuals attempt to use the badge to hide their illegal behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “We also thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and the New Orleans Police Department Public Integrity Unit for their efforts in this case.” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. made the announcement. The FBI New Orleans Field Office and the New Orleans Police Department Public Integrity Bureau investigated the case. Criminal Chief Tracey Knight for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Former Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.


title: UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE DIRECTED TO WITHDRAW DEATH PENALTY NOTICE IN RODRIGUEZ CASE

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: FARGO – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced today that the United States Attorney General has directed him to withdraw the notice of intent to seek a sentence of death in the case of the United States of America v Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr. This morning, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota followed that directive by filing a withdrawal notice indicating that the United States will no longer seek the death penalty in that case. “My thoughts today are with Dru Sjodin’s family, particularly her parents, Linda Walker and Allan Sjodin,” said Mac Schneider. “They are genuinely good people and loving parents who in the wake of an unimaginable loss have worked closely with our office for nearly twenty years. We continue to wish them the greatest measure of peace possible.” “I also want to commend the trial team, including former United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, as well as our office’s appellate attorneys and support staff. Over the last two decades, they have continuously upheld the high standards of the Department of Justice through their work on this tragic case. As a result of their efforts, Mr. Rodriguez is – and will remain – a convicted murderer.” “The directive to withdraw the death notice has changed how the United States Attorney’s Office will proceed with this case. What will not change is that Mr. Rodriguez will draw his last breath in a federal prison.” # # #


title: Jelly Bean Communications Design and its Manager Settle False Claims Act Liability for Cybersecurity Failures on Florida Medicaid Enrollment Website

component: Civil Division

body_text: Jelly Bean Communications Design LLC (Jelly Bean) and Jeremy Spinks have agreed to pay $293,771 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they failed to secure personal information on a federally funded Florida children’s health insurance website, which Jelly Bean created, hosted, and maintained. “Government contractors responsible for handling personal information must ensure that such information is appropriately protected,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will use the False Claims Act to hold accountable companies and their management when they knowingly fail to comply with their cybersecurity obligations and put sensitive information at risk.” The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation (FHKC) is a state-created entity that offers health and dental insurance for Florida children ages five through 18. FHKC receives federal Medicaid funds as well as state funds to provide children’s health insurance programs. On Oct. 31, 2013, FHKC contracted with Jelly Bean for “website design, programming and hosting services.” The agreement required that Jelly Bean provide a fully functional hosting environment that complied with the protections for personal information imposed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and Jelly Bean agreed to adapt, modify, and create the necessary code on the webserver to support the secure communication of data. Jeremy Spinks, the company’s manager, 50% owner, and sole employee, signed the agreement. Under its contracts with FHKC, between 2013 and 2020, Jelly Bean created, hosted, and maintained the website HealthyKids.org for FHKC, including the online application into which parents and others entered data to apply for state Medicaid insurance coverage for children. The settlement announced today resolves allegations that from January 1, 2014, through Dec. 14, 2020, contrary to its representations in agreements and invoices, Jelly Bean did not provide secure hosting of applicants’ personal information and instead knowingly failed to properly maintain, patch, and update the software systems underlying HealthyKids.org and its related websites, leaving the site and the data Jelly Bean collected from applicants vulnerable to attack. In or around early December 2020, more than 500,000 applications submitted on HealthyKids.org were revealed to have been hacked, potentially exposing the applicants’ personal identifying information and other data. The United States alleged that Jelly Bean was running multiple outdated and vulnerable applications, including some software that Jelly Bean had not updated or patched since November 2013. In response to this data breach and Jelly Bean’s cybersecurity failures, FHKC shut down the website’s application portal in December 2020. “Safeguarding patients’ medical and other personal information is paramount,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This settlement demonstrates the commitment by my office and our partners to use every available tool to protect Americans’ health care data.” “Companies have a fundamental responsibility to protect the personal information of their website users. It is unacceptable for an organization to fail to do the due diligence to keep software applications updated and secure and thereby compromise the data of thousands of children,” said Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our federal and state partners to ensure that enrollees can rely on their health care providers to safeguard their personal information.” On Oct. 6, 2021, the Deputy Attorney General announced the Department’s Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative , which aims to hold accountable entities or individuals that put U.S information or systems at risk by knowingly providing deficient cybersecurity products or services, knowingly misrepresenting their cybersecurity practices or protocols, or knowingly violating obligations to monitor and report cybersecurity incidents and breaches. Information on how to report cyber fraud can be found here . The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, with assistance from HHS-OIG. The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Michael Hoffman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Bloor. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.


title: 2 Cincinnati-area men plead guilty to illegally flying drones over professional sporting events

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – Two Cincinnati-area men have pleaded guilty to illegally flying drones over professional sporting events in Cincinnati. “It is not worth risking federal criminal charges to illegally fly a drone over events like Reds and Bengals games. Even if there is no intent to harm, this conduct poses a direct risk to the players and the individuals in the stands,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “As we kickoff FC Cincinnati and Reds seasons this month, and look to summer concert season, we ask the public to refrain from using drones illegally over events.” “Flying a drone over a stadium full of fans is dangerous and illegal without the proper FAA training, licensing, and approved flight plan," stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “We will continue to work with the FAA and local police to investigate these incidents when proper FAA protocols and procedures are not followed.” It is illegal to fly drones over stadiums that are designated as a Temporary Flight Restriction zone during sporting events. The two defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2022 for separate incidents involving Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds events. NFL The Cincinnati Bengals hosted an NFL playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on Jan. 15, 2022. During the game, Dailon Dabney, 24, of Cincinnati, illegally flew his drone into the stadium and hovered over the players and portions of the stadium crowd. Dabney recorded his drone flight and posted the video to social media sites and YouTube. Dabney pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. MLB April 12, 2022, was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds’ 2022 season and featured the first game of the season at Great American Ballpark. Travis Lenhoff, 38, of Northern Kentucky, flew a drone into the restricted flight area of Great American Ballpark during the Opening Day festivities. Lenhoff pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of violating a Temporary Flight Restriction, a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. Any drone that weighs more than .55 pounds and less than 55 pounds must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dabney’s and Lenhoff’s drones were not registered with the FAA, and they do not have a remote pilot certification. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge and Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey announced the guilty pleas entered today. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Federal Jury Finds Kentucky Woman Guilty of Mailing  Threatening Communications to Neighbors Because of Their Race

body_text: A federal jury convicted a local woman on Friday of mailing communications containing threats to injure others in November and December 2020. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Suzanne Craft, 54, of Louisville, sent multiple threating communications via the United States Postal Service to a family that lived in her Lake Forrest neighborhood. Many of these communications contained threats of violence and racial slurs. The jury convicted Craft of five counts of mailing threatening communications. “Holding people accountable for threats and intimidation based on race is a top priority of the Department,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their professional and diligent pursuit of this case.” “I commend the outstanding work of the FBI’s Louisville Public Corruption Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the assigned prosecutors during the investigation and trial of this case,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “This office, working together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute threats of violence and raced based intimidation throughout the Western District.” “Receiving violent, hate-filled threats can have a devastating and lifelong impact on the victim. These senseless acts violate the law, run contrary to our values as Americans and defy the principles of tolerance that define our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Through the great work of the Public Corruption/Civil Rights Task Force, and that of our federal prosecutive partners, we were able to hold Kraft accountable for her actions. Our hearts are with the victims of these crimes, we appreciate their strength to come forward, and we hope this brings some semblance of closure to this ordeal.” “Keeping the U.S. mailstream safe for all Americans is a priority for the USPIS,” said Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the USPIS Pittsburgh Division. “Threats of violence in the mail, especially those which are racially motivated, will not be tolerated. We work diligently with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice anyone who mails such threats.” The jury further found that for each of these five counts, Craft sent the threatening communications to her neighbors because of their actual or perceived race or color. Sentencing is scheduled for June 21, before a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky. Craft remains in federal custody pending sentencing and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office and USPIS in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division made the announcement. The FBI Louisville Public Corruption Civil Rights Task Force and the USPIS are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tieke and Stephanie Zimdahl for the Western District of Kentucky are prosecuting the case, with assistance from paralegal Carissa Moss, and with assistance in the investigation from Trial Attorney Mary Hahn of the Civil Rights Division.


title: Former Kentucky Federal Prison Lieutenant Convicted of Covering Up the Assaults of Two Federal Inmates by Corrections Officers

body_text: After a six-day trial, a federal jury convicted former Bureau of Prisons Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, 38, on two counts of obstruction for writing false reports about the assaults of two federal inmates by corrections officers under Pearce’s command. The defendant is a former supervisor at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Inez, Kentucky. Two former officers, Samuel Patrick and Clinton Pauley previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the two assaults and testified for the government at trial. The evidence at trial established that the defendant was the supervising lieutenant responding to an incident at Big Sandy in which his co-defendants, former officers Patrick and Pauley, assaulted an inmate by pepper spraying him in the face and kicking him in the head. Witnesses, including those who assaulted the inmates, testified that the inmate was not a threat and was compliant, and was assaulted for walking too slowly to his cell, rather than for any legitimate penological purpose. The defendant attempted to cover up the assault by writing a false report which untruthfully described the inmate as violent and omitted that the inmate had been kicked in the head while he was prone and unresisting. The evidence further established that, one month later, the defendant again covered up an unrelated assault also initiated by officers Patrick and Pauley. The victim of that assault was taken to the defendant’s office in order to request protection from other inmates. When the victim, who is white, revealed that he used to affiliate with Black gangs, the defendant’s fellow officers repeatedly struck him in the head and body while one of the officers referred to him as a “race traitor.” The defendant wrote a false report about the assault in which he claimed that the inmate agreed to go to his housing unit “without incident,” and, as the cover-up expanded, he supervised efforts to discredit the inmate by recruiting another officer who was not present to write a report which falsely corroborated the agreed-upon cover story. “This defendant abused the trust given to him as a federal correctional officer and supervisor when he attempted to cover up the assaults of two inmates in his custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute correctional officers who abuse inmates, and this mission includes the prosecution of supervisory officials who enable civil rights violations by protecting abusive officers. We are committed to using our civil rights laws to ensure that the rights of all people, including those detained inside jails and prisons, are fully protected.” “The defendant betrayed the public trust placed in him, abused his authority, enabled the violation of other’s rights, and did a grave disservice to all law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Instead of enforcing the law and protecting those in his care, he chose to cover up disgraceful abuses and to discredit those who faithfully discharge their public service. His conviction is the next step in the process of restoring the public’s trust.” “Pearce lied in an attempt to cover up an egregious assault of an inmate by his fellow officers,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. Hannah of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Chicago Field Office. “This verdict sends a message that there is no room in the federal corrections system for civil rights violations nor any corrupt attempt to conceal such acts. Today, Pearce will be held accountable. I would like to thank the jury for their time, attention and careful consideration in this case.” “While serving their sentence, inmates are entitled to equal protections under the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “When a few correctional officers choose to violate those protections, either by physical abuse or by orchestrating a cover-up, the integrity of all officers is questioned. The FBI stands ready to bare all of its resources in order to bring to justice law enforcement officials who take advantage of their position of power.” The maximum penalties for the false report offenses are 20 years of imprisonment. The sentencing is scheduled for July 5. Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Shier, Special Agent in Charge Hannah and Special Agent in Charge Cohen made the announcement. DOJ-OIG and the FBI the investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Michigan Rental Property Owner

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit under the Fair Housing Act against the owner and manager of rental properties in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleges that Mohamad Hussein, who owns or manages over two dozen rental properties in Dearborn Heights, has subjected actual and prospective female tenants to sexual harassment on multiple occasions since at least 2017. The complaint alleges that Hussein made unwelcome sexual comments and advances, and offered actual and prospective female tenants housing-related benefits in exchange for engaging in sex acts with him or sending him sexually explicit images. According to the complaint, many of these instances took place in the spring of 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was difficult to secure housing in Michigan. The complaint also alleges that Hussein sent sexually explicit images of himself to prospective female tenants. “No one should be denied the right to housing because they refuse to submit to a landlord’s sexual demands,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously enforcing the Fair Housing Act and seeking justice for those sexually harassed by landlords and other housing providers.” “Every resident of our district should be able to find and secure housing without facing discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan. “Any feeling of safety and security is ripped away when individuals face sexual harassment in their own home. Our Civil Rights Unit works closely with the Civil Rights Division to hold those who violate the Fair Housing Act accountable.” Today’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination. The complaint contains allegations of unlawful conduct; the allegations must be proven in federal court. The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the Initiative, the department has filed 29 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $9.8 million for victims of such harassment. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt . Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Mohamad Hussein, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, can contact the Housing Discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291, select a language, and select option number 2, then option number 6 to leave a message. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan at 313-226-9151, or by email at usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov . Individuals may also submit a report online . Reports also may be made by contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online .


title: Rhode Island Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Falsifying Military Service; False Use of Military Medals; Identity Theft; and Fraudulently Collecting More Than $250,000 In Veteran Benefits and Charitable Contributions

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island woman who never served in the U.S. Military but perpetrated a massive fraud scheme by falsely masquerading as a Purple Heart and Bronze Star-decorated United States Marine who claimed to have been wounded by an IED in Iraq and to have developed service-related cancer was sentenced today to nearly six years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Sarah Jane Cavanaugh, 32, whose near-daily criminal conduct over a period of five years is described in court documents as being “among the more reprehensible seen in this District from a fraud defendant,” defrauded veterans, veterans’ organizations, veterans’ charities, friends, and co-workers in a “methodical and calculated manner.” Cavanaugh previously admitted to a federal judge that, while employed as a civilian by the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Rhode Island Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a role in which she was supposed to help and support military veterans, she used her position to misappropriate veterans’ identities, their combat experiences, their diagnoses of illnesses, and their valor to devise schemes to enrich herself by using the stolen information to obtain more than $250,000 in cash, charitable donations, and services reserved for injured veterans. “Sarah Cavanaugh’s conduct in the course of her scheme is nothing short of appalling,” remarked U.S. Attorney Cunha. “By brazenly laying claim to the honor, service, and sacrifice of real veterans, this defendant preyed on the charity and decency of others for her own shameless financial gain. I am grateful that, with today’s sentence, she has been brought to justice and will face the consequences of her actions.” “Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to those who would represent themselves as something they’re not in order to profit from the kindness and respect shown to our nation’s deserving veterans,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in bringing this defendant to justice.” "Individuals who falsely represent themselves as decorated veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces degrades the service of the men and women who selflessly serve our country," said Patrick J. Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, the law enforcement component of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. "Profiting from such an egregious scheme is an affront to the U.S. military's long-standing tradition of honoring and awarding its brave service members. Today's sentencing demonstrates our commitment to work with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate allegations of stolen valor." “Ms. Cavanaugh deserves to be held fully accountable for falsely claiming to be wounded Marine veteran as part of a reprehensible scheme to collect more than $250,000 in veterans benefits and charitable contributions that should have been directed to real veterans in need,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Wiest of the NCIS Northeast Field Office. “NCIS and our partners remain committed to investigating all allegations of fraud that harms Department of the Navy service members and their families.” “Sarah Cavanagh feigned having cancer, and falsely claimed valor where there was none, to gain hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits and charitable donations. Her actions are an insult to every veteran who has served our country, and today she learned her fate for her criminal conduct,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Make no mistake, the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to seeking justice for anyone who lies about serving our country and illegally takes money from federal programs that help veterans who rightfully deserve it.” Court documents detail Ms. Cavanaugh’s “repugnant” criminal activity: falsely purporting to be a combat-injured veteran allowed her to gain introduction to, and acceptance by, friends, charities, businesses, and organizations whom she then exploited and/or defrauded. Nine veterans’ charities combined to fund Cavanaugh’s travel to retreats, in-home care, gym memberships, physical therapy, paying electric bills, and provided donated gift cards for use in obtaining groceries and other essentials. Cavanaugh also used false documentation to fraudulently obtain months of paid leave from two federal employee benefit programs based on her cancer claims. Even more brazenly, Cavanaugh exploited her purported experiences to assume leadership roles in the veteran community, including as commander of a VFW Post in North Kingstown, RI; gave public speeches while dressed in full U.S. Marine uniform, complete with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star that she purchased on the internet; and secured a spot in an arts program at the University of Southern California, a program she described to a U.S. Army veteran she met through the Wounded Warrior Program who was later accepted into the program. In a letter to the court, the Army veteran faulted Cavanaugh for taking “a spot [in the program] from another veteran who could have participated in the program and, ultimately, may not have committed suicide.” Sarah Cavanaugh pleaded guilty on August 9, 2022, to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, forged military discharge certificate, and fraudulent use of military medals. She was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 70 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered Cavanaugh to pay restitution to all victims perpetrated by her fraud totaling $284,796.82. The court also issued an order that the federal government reinstate a total of 261 hours of federal employee paid leave time they donated to Cavanaugh. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Ronald R. Gendron. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service; U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service; FBI; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations. ###


title: D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Charge In Child Exploitation Case

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Raymond Glover, 42, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Matthew Graves and Acting Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon, of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 21, 2023. According to court documents, on or about September 21, 2021, HSI agents searched Glover’s home. During the search, a child pornography video was playing, in plain sight, on Glover’s laptop in the living room via an application that allowed sharing of the video screen. Agents observed adult men, on another screen, who appeared to be watching the video via the sharing application. Glover stated that some of the child pornography videos posted in the application chat groups depicted children as young as 5 or 6 years of age. Glover stated individuals also posted links to cloud storage sites which allowed him to gain access to child pornography. During the search warrant execution, agents seized 13 electronic devices, to include two phones, the laptop, and a number of others. Glover’s devices contained over 60 videos and 60 images that meet the federal definition of child pornography. These videos and images were downloaded between the dates of September 27, 2019 and September 21, 2021. The charge of receiving child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, plus mandatory restitution, a period of supervised release, and a possible fine. The court will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the relevant factors including the advisory Sentencing Guidelines. This case is being investigated by the Washington, D.C. office of Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Larson and Jocelyn Bond with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia with assistance provided by the paralegal Alexis Spencer-Anderson.


title: Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping and Carjacking in Alabama’s Wiregrass Region

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that Iziquel Pasheng Vang, 23, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, received a sentence of 30-years in prison for kidnapping and carjacking. The federal judge also ordered that Vang serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. According to the plea agreement and other court records, in 2021, Vang was living in Alabama’s Wiregrass area. During that time, he became friends with a 16-year-old girl from Slocomb, Alabama. The friendship eventually ended when Vang became aggressive. In early May of 2021, Vang began watching the girl’s house. On May 9, 2021, Vang entered the home and threatened the girl and her mother with a gun. Vang forced the girl to drive him in her family’s car to Georgia. They later left Georgia and headed south to Florida. Law enforcement in southern Georgia spotted Vang and the victim in the stolen vehicle and attempted to pull them over. Vang refused to stop. Instead, Vang led law enforcement on a chase into Florida at excessive speeds, shooting at the pursuing officers multiple times. Vang ultimately wrecked the vehicle and was apprehended. The girl suffered minor injuries during the crash. On November 30, 2022, Vang pleaded guilty to kidnapping and carjacking. Vang’s sentencing hearing occurred on March 10, 2023. There is no parole in the federal system. “The defendant in this case inflicted unimaginable terror upon a minor and her parents,” stated United States Attorney Stewart. “No family should be forced to endure events like those caused by Vang. Moreover, by trying to run from law enforcement, Vang placed at risk the lives of countless individuals. Given the disturbing facts of this case, the 30-year sentence is certainly appropriate.” The FBI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case, with assistance from: the Geneva County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; the Slocomb, Alabama Police Department; the Dale County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Police Department; the Brooks County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; the Georgia Highway Patrol; the Lowndes County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; the Morven, Georgia Police Department; the Florida Highway Patrol; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission; and the Madison County, Florida Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin P. Davidson prosecuted this case.


title: Former Detroit Police Officer Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Taking Bribes Connected to Towing

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT– A former Detroit police officer was sentenced to 27 months in prison for accepting bribes in a conspiracy with a Detroit police lieutenant in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today. Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Daniel Vickers, 54, of Livonia, Michigan, spent his career as a police officer in Detroit. Vickers conspired with former Detroit police lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Kennedy at one point commanded the department’s Public Integrity Unit, a division of the Internal Affairs Division responsible for investigating reports of law violations and professional misconduct by police officers and other city employees. The two agreed to commit bribery by accepting money and other items of value in exchange for Kennedy using and promising to use his influence as a supervisor to persuade other officers to make tow referrals to a towing company in violation of the city’s ordinance and Detroit Police Department policy. Kennedy pleaded guilty to the bribery conspiracy in August 2022, and he will be sentenced on April 18, 2023. In recorded conversations during the investigation, Vickers admitted to soliciting bribe payments from at least three towing companies in the Detroit area. In addition to the cash payments Vickers solicited, he and Kennedy also agreed to accept bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cars, car parts, car repairs, and new carpeting for Vickers’ home. Besides making illegal tow referrals in exchange for the bribes, Vickers and Kennedy also agreed to provide the towing company that Kennedy was investigating with confidential information about the status of the Public Integrity Unit’s case. In total, between February 2018, and June 2018, Vickers accepted over $3,400 in bribe payments from the towing company. In addition, Kennedy accepted bribes amounting to $14,950 during the course of the conspiracy. Vickers and Kennedy were charged as part of the government’s investigation known as “Operation Northern Hook.” Northern Hook is an investigation of corruption within the government and the Police Department of the City of Detroit relating to the towing industry and other matters. Thus far, six defendants have been charged in the probe. United States Attorney Ison said, “Any police officer who chooses the path of corruption should understand that we will not tolerate unethical conduct from our public officials at any level. We commend Detroit Chief of Police James White and the Detroit Police Department for their cooperation assistance in this investigation.” “Police officers take an oath to protect and serve their communities. Today, Daniel Vickers is being held responsible for violating that oath by using his official position to benefit himself personally. His actions were not in keeping with the integrity and professionalism exhibited by the Detroit Police Department every day,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI appreciates the partnership and cooperation of Police Chief James White as we continue to address public corruption in the City of Detroit." “This former officer’s actions are completely unacceptable for anyone who is sworn to protect and serve our city as a Detroit Police officer,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. White. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Ison’s work to hold those engaging in corruption accountable and will continue to collaborate with her office in any investigation of alleged wrongdoing by our officers. It is a top priority of my administration to guarantee that Detroiters can depend on our officers to act ethically.” The case was investigated by the Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department, Michigan Attorney General's Office, Michigan State Police, Customs & Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.


title: Two charged with stealing $650,000 from Morgantown medical practice

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The former chief operating officer of a Morgantown medical practice and one of its physicians have been charged with stealing more than $650,000 from their employer. Francisco Ortiz, age 48, of Vacaville, California, and James Brooks Mersing, 35, of Morgantown, have been indicted on charges of defrauding Wedgewood Physicians, Inc. According to the indictment, Ortiz used his position as COO to divert funds over a three-year period for his personal benefit and for the benefit of Mersing, a physician formerly employed by Wedgewood. Ortiz is alleged to have used the funds to pay for personal travel, home improvements, and various items from Amazon, among other things. Ortiz is also alleged to have caused unauthorized bonuses to be paid to Mersing, who then returned a portion of the money to Ortiz as a kickback. “White-collar crime costs the United States hundreds of billions of dollars each year,” said United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “The Department of Justice will continue to pursue white-collar wrongdoers and hold them accountable for their misconduct.” Ortiz faces thirty-one counts of bank fraud and Mersing faces eleven counts. Each count carries a penalty of up to thirty years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wagner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated. An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.


title: Anchorage Man Charged with Approximately  $25 Million Dollar Wire Fraud Scheme Involving Over 130 Victims

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – An information was filed yesterday charging Garrett Elder, owner of Tycoon Trading LLC, The Daily Bread Fund LLC, and other entities with executing an investment scheme that resulted in approximately $25 million in losses to over 130 victims. According to the information, from about 2016 through October 2022, defendant Garrett Elder executed a scheme to raise between $30 and $34 million in investments from approximately 130 victims. The scheme began about early 2016 when defendant’s parents provided to defendant between $10,000 and $20,000 to invest in stocks and foreign currencies. Defendant deposited those funds into an entity he had created called Tycoon Trading, LLC (“Tycoon Trading”). Defendant lost all of those funds. Despite the losses, defendant told his family and friends about his trading business, and some expressed an interest in investing. Defendant did not tell the potential investors that he had lost the money provided by his parents. Instead, defendant gave these victims the false impression that he was a successful trader. Based on these omissions and false impressions, between 2016 and March 2018, investors transferred approximately $500,000 to Tycoon Trading for defendant to invest. Defendant again began losing money, but created false quarterly performance reports for his victim investors stating that the investments were earning positive returns. By March 2018, defendant had lost almost all the victims’ money while trading and only had approximately $10,000 to $15,000 left in his trading account. In March 2018, defendant disclosed to the victims that their investments had failed, but he did not disclose that he falsified the quarterly performance reports he had sent them. Meanwhile, notwithstanding the near total losses, defendant continued to seek new investors, claiming to be a successful trader. By the end of 2018, defendant had approximately 30 new investors who were investing substantially more money than the original group of investors. In 2019, defendant created an entity called The Daily Bread Fund, LLC. From 2019 through 2022, defendant continued to solicit new investors through Tycoon Trading and the Daily Bread Fund by claiming to be a successful trader and paying a limited amount of distributions to select investors to provide the appearance of investment successes. Defendant successfully solicited significant new investments; however, in reality, defendant continued to steadily lose money. Despite continued mounting losses, defendant again created and emailed to investors false reports indicating positive returns. Defendant also used some of the victims’ money on personal expenditures, including real estate investments, vehicles, a boat, a camper, bicycles, tools, and jewelry. In total, the amount of funds transferred to defendant via Tycoon Trading, The Daily Bread Fund, and related entities is presently estimated to be approximately $30 million to $34 million from 138 victim investors. By October 2022, although some money was distributed back to certain investors, defendant had lost the majority of investments while trading, resulting in approximately $25 million in losses to victims. Garrett Elder agreed to the government filing an information charging him with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The you believe you are a victim of Garrett Elder’s investment scheme, please contact the FBI at: (907) 276-4441. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Heyman and Seth Beausang of the Alaska United States Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case. An information is merely an allegation and defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Lead defendant in Scioto County child sex trafficking operation sentenced to 40 years in prison

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The lead of 11 defendants charged in a Scioto County child sex trafficking operation was sentenced in federal court here today to 480 months in prison. “Larry Dean Porter is a predator who manipulated and abused children and drug-addicted women in southern Ohio for many years. He used force, violence, and threats to coerce these vulnerable victims to engage in sex acts with him,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Though no sentence can undo the indescribable, despicable harm he caused, it is fitting that he will spend the rest of his life where he belongs – in a federal prison.” A federal grand jury originally indicted Larry Dean Porter, 72, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and several of his family members and associates in June 2020. All 11 defendants have since been convicted. Porter’s physical and sexual abuse of women and children in Scioto County spanned numerous decades and involved additional victims other than those identified in the charged offenses in this case. Porter exchanged drugs obtained in Columbus and elsewhere for sexual access to the children of drug-addicted parents and guardians. Agents with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force began investigating Porter in April 2019 following reports from several sources that Porter was involved in sexually abusing male and female minors with the consent of the minors’ parents in exchange for illegal drugs from Porter. Porter sexually abused multiple children and produced child pornography that he kept on flash drives and used extreme methods to conceal, including by burying the flash drives in the yard surrounding his house. In addition to sexually assaulting the children himself, Porter also instructed drug-addicted parents to sexually abuse children and recorded it to use as blackmail. Porter also used other methods of force, such as duct taping and tying women to chairs, burning them with cigarettes and firing guns by their ears, to ensure they continued to comply with his various sexual demands and remained silent about his crimes. Porter’s manipulation and sexual assaults of women and children took place several times a week for years. For example, several of Porter’s co-conspirators took three children under the age of 10 to Porter’s residence on a regular basis to traffic the children sexually in exchange for pills. The abuse occurred a few times per week for up to five years. Porter was arrested in March 2020 on local charges during a human trafficking sting operation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. After Porter was arrested locally, his friends and relatives – including two of his daughters and one of his cousins – attempted to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses on Porter’s behalf. For example, family and friends dug holes in the ground on Porter’s property to retrieve and attempt to conceal or destroy SD cards containing child pornography that had been buried in Porter’s yard. Agents also found eight DVDs containing child pornography linked to Porter’s home computer at the house of one of Porter’s friends. Porter’s cousin discussed in jail calls with Porter their plans to assault and potentially kill a witness they believed was a source for law enforcement. Porter pleaded guilty on Aug. 10, 2022, to conspiring to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, child sex trafficking, and participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Porter was also ordered today to pay more than $300,000 in restitution to the victims. Co-defendants sentenced to date include, Joshua D. Aldridge (324 months in prison), Charity Rawlins (210 months in prison), Frank E. Andrews (121 months in prison), Ronnie L. Rawlins (63 months in prison), Jonathan David Flagg (60 months in prison), Ralph Albert Aldridge (48 months in prison), Crystal D. Porter (30 months in prison), Denna Sue Porter (three months in prison), and Erroll Wayne Porter (six months of home detention). Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Jackson County Sheriff Tedd E. Frazier; Jackson County Prosecutor Justin Lovett; Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane A. Tieman announced today’s sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Rausch and Jessica W. Knight are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Maryland MS-13 Gang Members Plead Guilty to Participating in a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including Murder

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – Hernan Yanes-Rivera, a/k/a “Recio,” age 22, of Adelphi, Maryland, and Agustin Eugenio Rivas Rodriguez, a/k/a “Terrible,” age 25, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to their participation in a racketeering conspiracy, including murder, related to their activities as part of the MS-13 gang. The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department. According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha gang, also known as “MS-13,” is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States. In Maryland and elsewhere, MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position. As detailed in the plea agreement, from at least August 2018 through July 2021, Rivas Rodriguez and Yanes-Rivera were members and associates of Weedams Locos Salvatrucha, (WLS), an MS-13 clique operating primarily in Adelphi, Maryland. Rivas Rodriguez was the clique’s second in command. On February 23, 2020, at the direction of Rivas Rodriquez and another MS-13 leader, Yanes-Rivera and co-defendant MS-13 member Franklyn Sanchez, shot and killed Victim 1, a former WLS member, in retaliation for the victim’s suspected cooperation with law enforcement. According to the plea agreement, Victim 1 sat for interviews with local police following a robbery he committed with a fellow WLS member. Victim 1’s co-defendant pleaded guilty prior to Victim 1’s murder. In the weeks prior to the murder, Victim 1 had been in touch with WLS members over social media, text messages and voice calls. Records show that WLS members told Victim 1 that if he met with gang members to make amends, his cooperation would be forgiven. Victim 1 was instructed to wait on the side of a road at a location in or near Adelphi, Maryland, on February 23, 2020. A junior WLS member drove Yanes-Rivera and Sanchez to the location, where they picked up Victim 1. They drove to a location in or near Hyattsville, Maryland. Yanes-Rivera, Sanchez and Victim 1 got out of the car and walked into a wooded area, where Yanes-Rivera and Sanchez shot Victim 1. Victim 1 died from his gunshot wounds. As a result of his participation in the murder, Yanes-Rivera was promoted within the hierarchy of MS-13. On August 8, 2020, WLS members, including Franklyn Sanchez, were gathered at a park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Sanchez and several of the WLS members agreed to the murder of Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez and another MS-13 member murdered Victim 4, then WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there. As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez was concerned that his DNA may have been left on the body. To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, Rivas Rodriguez and other WLS members were called and ordered to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body. Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head. Rivas Rodriguez also conspired with other MS-13 members to kill a female member of the rival 18 th Street gang. Rivas Rodriguez and the WLS leader ordered subordinate members of the gang to track the female to a house and kill her. The group of MS-13 subordinates gathered with guns and were preparing to follow their orders, when police arrived on scene and stopped the plan from coming to fruition. Rivas Rodriguez and Yanes-Rivera were also responsible for collecting extortion payments, or “rents,” from at least two extortion victims on behalf of WLS. Rivas Rodriguez and Yanes-Rivera knew that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of death or bodily injury by members of WLS. For example, when WLS imposed rent on Victim-2, an MS-13 member told Victim-2 that “people who don’t pay go down.” Finally, Yanes-Rivera also participated in money laundering by transferring gang funds obtained through its extortion activities to MS-13 members and associates in El Salvador. The government and the defendant have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea, Yanes-Rivera will be sentenced to 22 years in federal prison and Rivas Rodriguez will be sentenced to 16 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Rivas-Rodriguez and Yanes-Rivera on July 21, 2023 and July 28, 2023, respectively. Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, a/k/a “Delinquente,” age 26, of Adelphi, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the same charges on March 7, 2023. Judge Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Sanchez on May 19, 2023. Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. United States Attorney Barron and Assistant Attorney General Polite commended the FBI, HSI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Montgomery County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo, and Trial Attorneys Brendan Woods and Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Convicted Felon Sent to Prison for Terrorizing Women with a Firearm

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – In a U.S. District courtroom on Tuesday, a Belleville man was sentenced to six years in federal prison for a gun charge stemming from a 2021 incident in East St. Louis. Ladarius Roberts, 30, pled guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the federal prison sentence, he received three years of supervised release. Roberts will also pay a $200 fine and $100 in special assessments. “Physically abusing and recklessly firing a weapon at women is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and I’m relieved the defendant will be sent back to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the collaborative effort by the East St. Louis Police Department and the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group to apprehend this dangerous and violent offender.” “When we receive a call about a crime, the Public Safety Enforcement Group is ready to take action,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “This case is an example of what law enforcement, the justice system, and community members can do by working together.” According to court documents, Roberts and Kievonte J. Beasley met two women in East St. Louis in January 2021. When the women tried to leave, Roberts became angry, physically assaulted one of the women and threw an item shattering the woman’s car’s back windshield. He drove off in a vehicle with Beasley, and the women followed in another vehicle while on the phone with law enforcement. Numerous gun shots were heard on the 911 call, and a woman reported Roberts was firing the gun from his car. Police located the suspected car with Roberts in the driver seat. Beasley fled from the passenger seat and discarded the firearm, but police recovered it nearby and identified it as a Glock 22, .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine containing 11 live rounds of ammunition with one round in the chamber. Roberts was on probation for drug charges at the time he committed crime. Beasley is facing a gun charge in state court for the incident. The charge against Beasley is only an accusation, and he’s presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The East St. Louis Police Department and the ISP PSEG unit worked together to contribute to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns led the prosecution.