component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: WASHINGTON – A federal court ordered an Elkin, North Carolina, pharmacy to pay a $500,000 penalty and enjoined the pharmacy and its pharmacists from dispensing controlled substances, including opioids, without taking steps to help ensure the drugs will not be abused or diverted. The consent decree resolves a complaint filed by the United States on Nov. 27, which alleged that Elk Pharmacy Inc., Larry Irwin, the pharmacy’s owner and pharmacists Susan Baker, S. Jason Couch, Beth Pence and Lori Wyble filled prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The complaint alleges that the defendants dispensed prescription opioids while disregarding numerous “red flags” — that is, obvious indications of drug abuse, drug diversion and drug-seeking behavior. For example, according to the complaint, the defendants filled dangerous combination prescriptions; filled prescriptions for long-term, high-dose opioids that exceeded known recommendations for treating pain; filled prescriptions for patients who appeared to be “shopping” for doctors or pharmacies; and filled prescriptions written by prescribers known to be suspected of illegal prescribing, including one doctor who the North Carolina Medical Board had barred from prescribing controlled substances. “Pharmacists have a duty to help protect consumers from the life-threatening dangers of controlled substance abuse,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold medical professionals accountable when they fail to fulfill that duty.” “Pharmacists are trained professionals who cannot simply rubber-stamp doctors’ prescriptions,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “They have an independent responsibility to ensure that the prescriptions they fill are for a legitimate medical purpose.” “The pharmacists at Elk Pharmacy Inc. had a corresponding responsibility, along with the prescribing practitioners, to only dispense prescriptions for a legitimate medical purpose,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The DEA will continue to pursue healthcare providers who are not in compliance with mandatory regulations.” The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The injunction entered by U.S. District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder for the Middle District of North Carolina prohibits the defendants from filling certain “red flag” prescriptions and requires the defendants to fill other orders only after receiving documentation justifying the prescriptions. The government was represented by Senior Litigation Counsel Donald R. Lorenzen of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Crawford for the Middle District of North Carolina, with substantial assistance from DEA Diversion Investigator Heidi Crater and Intelligence Analyst William J. Morris of the DEA Greensboro Resident Office’s Diversion Group. For more information about the enforcement efforts of the Consumer Protection Branch visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . The claims resolved by the consent decree announced today are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Five Current and Former Correctional Officers and One Nurse Indicted for Federal Civil Rights Violations

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY — A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City returned a two-count indictment today charging five current and former correctional officers and one correctional nurse with federal civil rights violations. The indictment alleges that, on Aug. 6, 2023, former Garvin County Jail (GCJ) Sergeant Jennifer Baxter, former GCJ Deputies Alesha Danielle Ingram and Vincent Matthews and former GCJ Nurse Lynnsee Noel, while acting in their official capacity at the GCJ, in Garvin County, Oklahoma, violated the constitutional rights of a pretrial detainee, identified in the indictment as K.T., by being deliberately indifferent to a substantial risk of serious physical harm to K.T. at the hands of other inmates. This offense resulted in K.T. suffering bodily injury. The indictment further alleges that, on Aug. 6 and 7, 2023, Baxter, Ingram, Matthews, Noel and two additional jailers, current GCJ Sergeant Melissa Melton and current GCJ Deputy Paula Kelley, while acting in their official capacity, were deliberately indifferent to K.T.’s serious medical needs, willfully failing to ensure that K.T. was provided with necessary medical care. This offense resulted in bodily injury to K.T. and, ultimately, her death. If convicted, all defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Robert Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma and Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office is investigating the case. Senior Litigation Counsel Julia Barry and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell for the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorneys Laura Gilson and Trevor Kempner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: New Hampshire Man Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison for Stalking Journalists

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New Hampshire man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to harass and intimidate two journalists employed by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). The harassment and intimidation of the victims included the vandalism – on five separate occasions – of the victims’ homes and the home of one of the victims’ parents with bricks, large rocks and red spray paint. Keenan Saniatan, 36, of Nashua, N.H., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2024, Saniatan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking using a facility of interstate commerce and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce. Saniatan was charged in June 2023 along with co-conspirators Tucker Cockerline and Michael Waselchuck. In September 2024 , Saniatan, Cockerline and Waselchuck were indicted by a federal grand jury along with a fourth New Hampshire man, Eric Labarge. In March 2022, an NHPR journalist (Victim 1) published an article detailing allegations of sexual and other misconduct by a former New Hampshire businessperson, identified in the charging document as Subject 1. Another NHPR journalist (Victim 2) also contributed to the article, which appeared on NHPR’s website during and after March 2022. In response to this reporting, Labarge – who is a close personal associate of Subject 1 – Saniatan, Cockerline and Waselchuck agreed to harass and intimidate Victims 1 and 2 and their immediate family members. Saniatan was responsible for vandalizing two homes connected to the NHPR journalists in April 2022, at Labarge’s request. On the evening of April 24, 2022, Saniatan spraypainted the word “C*NT” in large red letters on the front door of Victim 2’s home in Concord, N.H. He also threw a large rock at the exterior of the home. That same evening, Saniatan threw a softball-sized rock through an exterior window and spraypainted the word “C*NT” in large red letters on the front of Victim 1’s parents’ home in Hampstead, N.H. Separately, and at Labarge’s request, Cockerline and Waselchuck vandalized Victim 1’s home, a home where Victim 1 used to reside and Victim 1’s parents’ home using bricks and red spray paint in three separate incidents in April and May 2022. In November 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani sentenced Labarge to 46 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Earlier this year, Cockerline and Waselchuck received prison sentences of 27 months and 21 months, respectively. Each sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Concord, Hampstead and Hanover, New Hampshire Police Departments, the Melrose, Massachusetts Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Casey and Torey B. Cummings of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Three Admit to Drug Trafficking in Monongalia County

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Three individuals admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking organization that supplied large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to North Central West Virginia. Those who entered pleas are: James People, II, 28, of Pennsauken, New Jersey, who pled guilty to the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Jeffrey Marsh, 45, of Morgantown, West Virginia, who pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and William Durnall, 60, of Elkins, West Virginia, who pled guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine; Durnall also pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in a separate case. According to court documents, the three defendants were part of a drug trafficking organization, responsible for large-scale distribution in and about North Central West Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. This case was investigated by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police Department. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . U.S. Magistrate Michael John Aloi presided.


title: Nicaraguan National Indicted For Firearm Possession

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that FRANDER ULISES ESPINOZA-RUGAMA (“ESPINOZA-RUGAMA”) , age 27, a native of Nicaragua, was indicted on December 5, 2024 for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, on or about June 30, 2024, ESPINOZA-RUGAMA , an individual unlawfully present in the United States, was found in possession of a Smith & Wesson Model SW9VE, nine-millimeter handgun. He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations officers for violating immigration laws. If convicted, ESPINOZA-RUGAMA faces a maximum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Kenner Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *


title: Feds Continue to Target Gun Traffickers

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – Bishop Allen, 26, was sentenced yesterday to 2 years and 6 months in federal prison for his role in a firearm trafficking ring, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. This is the latest in a series of prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office targeting straw purchasers and gun traffickers. A straw purchaser is someone who unlawfully purchases a gun for another, typically a person who is prohibited by law from possessing one or for someone who does not want their name associated with the transaction. Since the beginning of 2022, at least 20 people have been convicted in federal court in Detroit for their involvement in the straw purchasing of firearms. Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Division. “My office is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons and will aggressively prosecute not just the leaders of these gun trafficking organizations, but also the straw purchasers who make these schemes possible. Lying when buying a gun for someone else is a serious crime that deserves just punishments like these,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “Our commitment to preventing the illegal flow of firearms is unwavering, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to ensure the safety of our citizens.” “Identifying and prosecuting illegal firearm traffickers who knowingly place illegally purchased firearms in the hands of criminals as a money-making scheme is ATF’s top priority. Cases like this represent the worst side of personal greed. Bishop Allen and his co-conspirators knowingly placed our community’s safety second to their collective greed to make a buck,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Ultimately, Mr. Allen is going to have a lot of free time to reflect on his poor decision making.” Among the cases brought in federal court are: United States v. Chauncey Williams, et al. Chauncey Williams, Antonio Jackson, and Mike Chahoua were leaders of a scheme to use stolen credit card information to buy firearms online, which were then shipped to local firearm retailers for pickup. The leaders enlisted several straw purchasers to pick up firearms. To get the firearms, the straw purchasers were directed to lie on the required ATF paperwork. In total, the group illegally obtained at least 55 firearms through the scheme. Several of the firearms have been recovered by law enforcement, including in the hands of convicted felons. The three leaders of the trafficking ring were sentenced as follows: Chauncey Williams, age 24 of Detroit: 81 months’ imprisonment Antonio Jackson, age 24 of Detroit: 94 months’ imprisonment Mike Chahoua, age 25 of Detroit: 52 months’ imprisonment The straw purchasers involved in the trafficking ring were sentenced as follows: Garcia Moses, age 26 of Detroit: 54 months’ imprisonment Emmanuel Stevens, age 23 of Detroit: 46 months’ imprisonment Donte Turner, age 27 of Mt. Clemens: 30 months’ imprisonment James Jackson, age 25 of Detroit: 30 months’ imprisonment Eshon Rose, age 24 of Redford Charter Township: 18 months’ imprisonment Bishop Allen, age 26 of Detroit: 30 months’ imprisonment United States v. Ruemondo Murray, et al. Earlier this year, Ruemondo Murray was sentenced to 52 months’ imprisonment for directing a separate conspiracy to straw purchase firearms. According to court documents, 6 women involved in that conspiracy purchased a total of 24 firearms on behalf of Murray from multiple federally licensed firearms dealers in metro Detroit. When the women made the purchases, they falsely affirmed on federal firearms purchase documents that they were the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact, they were purchasing them for Murray. Murray is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his previous felony convictions of robbery and felony firearm. In total, the group illegally obtained at least 24 firearms. All of the remaining straw purchasers involved in the trafficking ring have already pleaded guilty to felony offenses and been sentenced. United States v. Nathan Price On July 11, 2024, Nathan Price pleaded guilty to Making a False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm, in violation of federal law. Between December 2023 and February 2024, Price straw purchased 10 firearms from various federal firearms dealers in the Detroit area. For each purchase, he falsely declared that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm. He was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. United States v. Kai Edwards & Quentin Luster In November of 2022, Kai Edwards entered a gun store with a convicted felon, Quentin Luster, and purchased two firearms at his request. In 2024, Edwards pleaded guilty and was sentenced. On August 15, 2024, Luster entered a guilty plea to straw purchase of a firearm and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. United States v. Omar Shorter From 2020 to 2022, Omar Shorter purchased approximately 39 guns. On April 10, 2024, a jury found Shorter guilty of Making a False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm and Engaging in the Business of Selling Firearms without a License. Of the 39 guns Shorter purchased, 9 were recovered by police officers during felony arrests and 3 were involved in non-fatal shootings. Shorter was sentenced to 14 months in prison. These cases are a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ campaign "Don’t Lie for the Other Guy" is a part of PSN aimed at reducing firearm “straw purchases,” the illegal purchase of a firearm by one person for another, and to educate would-be straw purchasers of the penalties of knowingly participating in an illegal firearm purchase. More information about the campaign can be found at: www.dontlie.org .


title: Chinese National and U.S. Legal Permanent Resident Charged for Illegal Scheme to Export Controlled Data and Defraud the Department of Defense

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: Note : View the indictment here . A four-count indictment was unsealed today charging Hang Sun, also known as Cody Sun, with conspiracy, wire fraud, smuggling, and a violation of the Arms Export Control Act for his role in an illegal scheme to send export-controlled defense-related technical data to China and to unlawfully supply the Department of Defense (DOD) with Chinese-origin rare earth magnets for aviation systems and military items. The indictment alleges that between January 2012 and December 2018, the defendant conspired to send approximately 70 drawings containing export-controlled technical data to a company located in China without a license from the U.S. government, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The technical data drawings were the property of two U.S. companies and related to end-use items for aviation, submarine, radar, tank, mortars, missiles, infrared and thermal imaging targeting systems, and fire control systems for DOD. The indictment further alleges that Quadrant Magnetics imported rare earth magnets that were smelted and magnetized by a company in China. Quadrant then sold these magnets to two U.S. companies which included them in components sold to DOD for use in the F-16, the F-18, and other defense assets in violation of the Defense Acquisition Regulations System (DFARS). Under the DFARS specialty metal clause, rare earth magnets sold to DOD must be produced in the United States or an approved country. China is not an approved country. Quadrant Magnetics and three of its employees were separately charged in a superseding indictment filed in the Western District of Kentucky on Dec. 5, 2023. If convicted, Sun faces statutory maximum penalties of up to five years in prison for conspiracy; 20 years in prison for wire fraud; 20 years in prison for exporting technical data without a license; and 10 years in prison for smuggling goods from the United States. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Director Kelly P. Mayo of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Cincinnati Field Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud made the announcement . The DCIS, FBI, HSI, IRS-CI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Judd and Christopher Tieke for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorneys Alexander Wharton and Leslie Esbrook with the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Baltimore City Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking Baltimore Police Department Detective

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore – Today, U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Trevon Gardner, 23, of Baltimore, to 12 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in an armed carjacking of a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detective in Baltimore. Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office, and Commissioner Richard Worley, BPD. According to the plea agreement, on May 3, 2022, BPD Detective Aaron Cain was at a 7-Eleven store at 2830 South Hanover Street, located in the Cherry Hill neighborhood. Detective Cain wore his training uniform, which consisted of dark cargo-style pants; a polo shirt with an embroidered BPD badge emblem on the chest area; his BPD credentials on a lanyard around his neck; his BPD badge; radio; and service weapon in his waistband. He was also driving an unmarked BPD vehicle. Video surveillance camera footage shows Cain walking from the 7-Eleven towards his vehicle and opening the front passenger-side door. Then, the defendant and two other males approached the vehicle. One of the men brandished a handgun and struck Cain in the upper body near his head, causing Cain to fall to the ground and hit his head. While Cain was on the ground, one of the men kicked and punched him. Then the three males entered the BPD vehicle and sped away. Cain stood to his feet and discharged his service weapon at the vehicle. Additional video surveillance footage from a local business shows the BPD vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed as it exited the Hanover Street Bridge in South Baltimore. The vehicle flipped onto its roof and crashed approximately one-half mile from the 7-Eleven store. The defendant and the other two males bailed from the vehicle and attempted to flee from the scene. But the defendant and a juvenile male were quickly apprehended. The third suspect was not apprehended. A black Taurus 9mm handgun — located next to the wrecked police vehicle — was loaded with nine rounds of ammunition. At the time of the defendant’s arrest, he wore one black-and-white Nike slide. The matching Nike slide was located adjacent to the wrecked police vehicle. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in this investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who prosecuted the 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-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Bank fraud scheme involving stolen identities and stolen U.S. Treasury checks send Illinois man to prison for more than five years

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA — An Illinois man who admitted to attempting to defraud financial institutions in Bozeman in a scheme using stolen identities and stolen U.S. Treasury checks was sentenced today to five years and five months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Dyonte Scott, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in July to bank fraud, possession of stolen U.S. Treasury check and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. “Sophisticated bank fraud schemes, like the one attempted by Scott and his codefendant, Lorenzo Botello, harm multiple victims—banks, which are targeted for money; private citizens whose personal information is stolen and used; and the federal government through taxpayer-funded U.S. Treasury checks. This multi-state scheme ended in Montana due to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners and prosecution team,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “The sentencing of Scott and Botello, who possessed stolen Treasury checks and attempted to deposit the illicit funds, should serve as a resounding message to others who attempt to steal from the federal government,” said Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Denver Field Office. “IRS-CI is thankful for the great relationship we have with our local law enforcement partners in Montana and will diligently combat financial crimes that victimize the American public.” In court documents, the government alleged that on Jan. 26, law enforcement caught co-defendant Botello, of Las Vegas, Nevada, at a financial institution in Bozeman. Botello had documents that were fraudulently using the identity of a person identified as John Doe. After arresting Botello, law enforcement reviewed his phone and found text messages between Scott and Botello showing that Scott was directing Botello how to lie to the financial institutions to perpetuate a U.S. Treasury check scheme. Scott directed Botello on what to say, what documents to use, what email addresses to provide and the bank location to target. In one text message, Scott told Botello: “Lmk [how] everything goes[.] I’m right here with u the whole time.” After opening the accounts, Scott and Botello were then planning on returning to deposit a real, but stolen, U.S. Treasury check totaling almost $1 million. When caught, Scott was carrying a stolen U.S. Treasury check for almost $1 million. Scott tore up the check in front of law enforcement. While in jail, Scott also directed others to delete evidence to obstruct the investigation. The scheme involved a coordinated network of individuals who traveled throughout the United States attempting to cash million-dollar U.S. Treasury checks with banks. Botello was sentenced in October to 16 months in federal prison for his conviction in the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The IRS Criminal Investigation, Bozeman Police Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Honduran National Indicted for Misuse of a Social Security Number

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that FRANCIS OSORIO CANALES (“ OSORIO CANALES ”), age 44, of Honduras, was indicted on December 5, 2024 for misuse of a social security number in order to obtain employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B). If convicted, OSORIO CANALES faces up to five years imprisonment, up to 3 years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the ICE Enforcement Removal Office, Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit in in charge of the prosecution.


title: Nashville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison on Weapons and Drug Charges

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

body_text: NASHVILLE – Terrence Devol London, II, 34, of Nashville, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee. London was convicted by a federal jury in March 2023 of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and controlled substances offenses. In 2018, London was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, on federal drug and weapons charges. After being released from federal custody, London repeatedly violated the terms of his supervised release, including by cutting off an electronic monitoring device and leaving home confinement. When Deputy U.S. Marshals arrested London, they found him in possession of a loaded firearm, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and over $9,000 in cash. “The prosecution of those under court supervision who re-offend are among our highest priorities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski. “Offenders like London, like those we prosecute under Operation Bond Watch, need to know that if they are already on court supervision and don’t respect the law, they will be held accountable and there will be serious consequences.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Gallatin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rascoe Dean and Nicholas J. Goldin prosecuted the case. # # # # #


title: Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty to Large-Scale Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug and firearms charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Dante Webb, 43, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture containing fluorofentanyl, heroin, and fentanyl; 100 grams or more of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl; a quantity of a mixture containing cocaine base; and a quantity of a mixture containing cocaine. Webb also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute various quantities of controlled substances. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on June 3, 2022, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police responded to a residence in Pittsburgh, from which Webb fled upon law enforcement’s arrival. After learning that Webb stored both controlled substances and firearms in the residence, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the residence, resulting in the seizure of digital scales, cellular phones, firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a safe from a closet, which contained a garbage bag of packaged controlled substances. Law enforcement seized over 26,000 glassine bags (each generally considered a single dose) from Webb’s residence, which contained mixtures of fluorofentanyl, heroin, and fentanyl. Officers also seized packaged cocaine and crack. In addition to the controlled substances, law enforcement seized eight firearms from the residence, some of which were loaded with attached extended magazines. Two of the firearms were Polymer 80 pistols, which are untraceable due to the lack of a serial number. A forensic scientist examined the firearms and determined that one of these pistols only operated as a fully automatic firearm. Many of the firearms were easily accessible from a duffle bag located under a bed in the residence, and they were recovered in close proximity to the safe containing the packaged controlled substances. Prior to the seizure, Webb was twice convicted of aggravated assault related to shootings in Allegheny County. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. On June 7, 2022, law enforcement located and attempted to arrest Webb in the Bloomfield area of Pittsburgh. Webb again fled from police, running in and out of traffic. After falling while jumping a low wall, Webb was arrested, with a search incident to arrest upon Webb’s person and a bag in his possession resulting in the seizure of approximately $6,000, a digital scale, an owe sheet, a flip phone, and packaged controlled substances. The glassine bags seized from Webb bore similar markings to the bags recovered from Webb’s safe on June 3, 2022, and a search of Webb’s phone revealed numerous photographs of Webb posing with large amounts of cash and multiple firearms inside his residence. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2025. The maximum sentence for the drug trafficking crime committed on June 3, 2022, is not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. The maximum sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime is not less than five years and up to life in prison, which must be served consecutively to the sentence imposed on the drug trafficking crime, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. As to the crime of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, the maximum sentence is up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. As to the drug trafficking crime committed on June 7, 2022, the maximum sentence is up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, Judge Ranjan ordered Webb remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan J. McKenna and Justin E. Lewis are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Webb.


title: Milwaukee Man Sentenced to Prison for Smuggling over 200 Machinegun Conversion Devices and Felon in Possession of Firearm

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 5, 2024, Demario Robinson (age: 22) was sentenced to 88 months (7 years, 4 months) in prison for smuggling machinegun conversion devices (MCDs) and possession of a firearm by a felon. The court record reflects that between July 11, 2022, and June 5, 2023, Robinson bought and caused to be imported at least 202 MCDs, commonly referred to as “switches.” This quantity of MCDs, of which approximately 59 were recovered, represents one of the largest MCD distribution schemes uncovered in Wisconsin to date. MCDs convert ordinary pistols into fully automatic weapons, making the weapons more lethal, more difficult to control, and illegal. Robinson then sold these MCDs to others in the greater Milwaukee area. According to Milwaukee Police Department records, fully automatic gunfire incidents in the City of Milwaukee have substantially increased between 2020 and 2023: Robinson was arrested on June 20, 2023, after U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents intercepted a package sent from China containing 47 MCDs that Robinson arranged to have delivered to his residence in Milwaukee. A search warrant was then executed at Robinson’s residence during which law enforcement recovered a stolen Glock 19 handgun containing a fully loaded 30 round extended magazine and an MCD, thus constituting an illegal machine gun. A second package intended for delivery to Robinson which contained an additional 10 MCD’s was also intercepted by law enforcement. Additionally, Robinson’s prior felony drug conviction at the time precluded him from possessing any firearm. At sentencing, United States District Judge Joseph P. Stadtmueller noted that Robinson’s sale of MCDs in Milwaukee increased the danger posed by firearms in our community. He further advised that the sentence should serve to deter Robinson and others in the community from selling and possessing these illegal devices, including those with relatively minor criminal records. “The dangerousness and lethality of ‘switches’ and similar conversion devices in our community cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting offenders involved in the importation and distribution of these devices. Along with our federal, state, and local partners, we will dedicate whatever resources are needed to stop the spread of these deadly and illegal devices.” "Machinegun conversion devices pose a real danger to our communities. One pull of the trigger is no longer just one bullet, it could be 15 rounds in one second,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI, in collaboration with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners is unwavering in its commitment to disrupting the illegal use of these devices and holding individuals like Mr. Robinson accountable. The safety and well-being of Wisconsin residents remains our highest priority.” “The sentencing of Robinson underscores the grave consequences of smuggling machinegun conversion devices and possessing a firearm as a felon. MCDs are extremely dangerous weapons that significantly increase firearms’ lethality and potential for harm. The illegal trafficking and possession of such devices pose a severe threat to public safety and the well-being of our communities,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald. “This case serves as a stark reminder that law enforcement agencies will relentlessly pursue those who endanger our citizens through their reckless and unlawful behavior." “This investigation demonstrates the positive impact the Milwaukee Police Department can have through collaboration with our law enforcement partners. Working together allows us to effectively utilize intelligence and resources to help keep our community safe”, said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force, and the Milwaukee Police Department – Special Investigations Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bill Roach and Mike Schindhelm. ### For Additional Information Contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov 414-297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Federal Prison for Assaulting Federal Officers

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of five counts of Assault on a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on December 2, 2024. Jeremy Crow, age 31, was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on each count and ordered to pay a total of $500 in special assessments to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for the five convictions. The prison sentences and periods of supervision were ordered to be served concurrently. Crow was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in February 2024. He was found guilty following a federal jury trial in Rapid City in September of 2024. On December 22, 2023, a 911 call was placed by an unknown caller in a residential area of Pine Ridge. Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety was dispatched to the area. A lone tribal officer arrived on scene and observed Crow and an unknown female with apparent facial injuries. The officer made contact with Crow, who was observed to have uncontrollable movements and believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance. The officer attempted to detain Crow, who immediately resisted and assaulted the officer by pushing him backwards. Crow then jumped into the police vehicle and was going to drive off until the officer jumped in and pushed the ignition switch to off. Crow was forcibly removed from the police vehicle and actively resisted law enforcement’s efforts to detain him. After numerous commands, Crow was eventually tased, but the tasing did not entirely subdue Crow. A bystander noticed the officer was struggling to detain Crow and called for backup for the officer. Additional officers arrived on scene and during the process of handcuffing Crow, the original officer was bit on his right bicep. After securing Crow into the backseat of the patrol car, Crow spat on a female officer. Crow was eventually taken to jail. Two days later, on December 24, 2023, a corrections officer attempted to provide food and a drink to Crow. When the cell door opened, Crow rushed through the door forcing his way out. Crow resisted attempts by the corrections officers to capture him and bit two corrections officers on their hands. This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Crow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Mahto Man Found Not Guilty of Assault

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Mahto, South Dakota, man was acquitted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury following a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on December 4, 2024. Raymond Webb, age 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2023. The charges related to an alleged incident that occurred on September 17, 2023, in rural Mahto, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain serious crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.


title: Honduran National Indicted for Reentry of Deported Alien

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ALEX SAUL HERNANDEZ-PEREZ (“HERNANDEZ- PEREZ”) , age 33, a native of Honduras, was indicted on December 5, 2024 for reentry of removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). According to court documents, HERNANDEZ- PEREZ , an illegal alien, was found in St. Bernard Parish on or around October 21, 2024. He had previously been deported to Honduras on June 13, 2019. If convicted, HERNANDEZ-PEREZ faces up to two years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.


title: New Orleans Man Indicted for Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DARNELL DOUCET (“DOUCET”) , age 26, was charged on December 5, 2024, in a four-count indictment, with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts. DOUCET is charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, tapentadol, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. He is charged in Count 2 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, tapentadol, and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D). He is charged in Count 3 with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). He is charged in Count 4 with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). According to court documents, on September 24, 2024, DOUCET possessed cocaine, tapentadol, and marijuana with the intent to distribute those substances, and possessed four firearms in furtherance of that drug-trafficking crime: a Zastava Model ZPAP92, 7.62 caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Palmetto State Armory Model PA-15, multi-caliber semi-automatic pistol; a Glock Model 27, 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol; and a Glock Model 48, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol. As to each of the drug trafficking charges in Counts 1 and 2, DOUCET faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. As to the charge of possessing a firearm, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in Count 3, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, which is to run consecutively to all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release. As to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm in Count 4, he faces up to 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: U.S. Attorney Simonton Statement on Methamphetamine Sentencing

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: United States Attorney Leigha Simonton today released the following statement in response to The Dallas Morning News' December 2024 methamphetamine series: Federal judges, prosecutors, and agents work each day to do justice, which includes protecting our North Texas communities from defendants who seek to spread methamphetamine throughout our region. As they tackle headline-grabbing drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine – a drug disproportionally trafficked by armed white supremacist gang and cartel members – continues to wreck lives. Research shows the methamphetamine mortality rate has increased 50-fold over the past decade as more traffickers mix meth with other drugs, and that Texas has the second-highest number of meth users in the United States. North Texas in particular has a plethora of interstate highways running north-to-south and east-to-west, and for decades we have seen meth and other deadly substances come to and through our cities at an alarming rate not seen in most of the rest of America. Understanding the toll of methamphetamine, federal officials work doggedly to hold traffickers accountable, exhibiting leniency where appropriate. But importantly, each case – and each defendant – is different. The high sentences specifically cited by The News were impacted by various circumstances not mentioned in the articles: At least one defendant outright admitted to membership in the white supremacist gang Aryan Circle, while others worked with Mexican drug cartels like Los Zetas and others. Several lied on the stand, not only about their involvement in methamphetamine trafficking, but about where certain cash came from, the purpose of certain drug paraphernalia, their general knowledge of the drug, and even conversations they’d had with attorneys. One defendant even placed online advertisements for “ice skating,” common parlance for traffickers exchanging meth for sex during drug binges. Calculating average methamphetamine sentences in North Texas, comparing them to meth sentences nationwide, exploring certain evidentiary standards, and even probing the fairness of the sentencing guidelines promulgated by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, are well within the bounds of objective journalism. But labeling federal judges and prosecutors “accomplices,” as if they are involved in something nefarious when in fact they are sincerely committed to justly applying the law and taking account of all the facts involved in a particular case, is misleading and offensive. While the press certainly retains the freedom to critique our system of justice, it remains the best system the world has ever known. That system, and our rights, crumble without the noble efforts of our federal Judges and Assistant United States Attorneys. I am proud to stand with them.


title: St. Louis County Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison After Girlfriend’s Violent Assault

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Friday sentenced a man who was caught with a gun after a violent attack on his girlfriend to 12 years in prison. On July 11, 2022, Justin L. Collins took his then-girlfriend’s phone and cash and refused to let her out of the car during an argument. When she tried to get out, Collins threatened her at gunpoint, his plea agreement says. He punched her in the face and pistol-whipped her before driving her to a park where his sister and another woman assaulted her. During the resulting investigation, when St. Louis County Police Department officers found Collins and approached the car he was driving, Collins attempted to run away, but was caught and arrested. Police found a 9mm handgun in plain view between the driver's seat and center console in the vehicle. Collins is a felon and is thus barred from possessing a firearm. Collins, now 31, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in January to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Hoag prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Portsmouth sailor pleads guilty to receiving child sexual abuse material

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A former U.S. Navy sailor pled guilty today to receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to court documents, from January 11, 2023, to March 23, 2023, Gabriel Benjamin Hester, 27, who at the time was an active-duty service member stationed in Portsmouth, uploaded seven files of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). On Aug. 22, 2023, investigators with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) executed a Command Authorized Search and Seizure for Hester’s cellphone aboard the USS John Warner Barge. On Aug. 25, 2023, NCIS executed a search warrant for Hester's phone. NCIS recovered 206 pictures and 62 videos of CSAM and 71 images of child erotica. An additional 60 files of CSAM were recovered from the Snapchat folder "my eyes only." The search of Hester's phone revealed that Hester received, purchased, traded, and distributed CSAM using the Telegram messaging app. For example, on April 27, 2023, Hester asked another Telegram user, "You have cp?" and requested to exchange files. Hester then sent two videos of CSAM and asked, "Bueno?" Hester then received three CSAM videos and thanked the sender. Hester followed by asking the user in Spanish if he had more CSAM videos. Hester sent two more CSAM videos and asked the user to trade. Hester received four more CSAM video files. Hester is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Mack Hickman, Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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 . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-127.


title: Telemarketer Sentenced for $67M Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Florida man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for his role in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud Medicare by billing over $67 million for medically unnecessary genetic testing. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jose Goyos, 38, of West Palm Beach, was employed at a call center that engaged in deceptive telemarketing calls targeting thousands of Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians. Goyos managed the so-called “doctor chase” division of the call center, which contacted the primary care physicians of targeted Medicare beneficiaries and tricked these medical providers into ordering medically unnecessary genetic tests based on medical paperwork that the call center created. For example, Goyos directed call center employees to falsely represent to providers that the Medicare beneficiaries were “mutual patients” who had requested these genetic tests and that the beneficiaries had medical conditions justifying genetic testing, when neither statement was true. Goyos and his co-conspirators then used those doctors’ orders to submit claims to Medicare for expensive and medically unnecessary genetic tests. The results of these tests often were not sent to the Medicare beneficiaries’ primary care physicians and were not used in the treatment of the beneficiaries. In total, between May 2020 and July 2021, Goyos and his co-conspirators submitted over $67 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, of which Medicare paid over $53 million. In October 2023, a jury convicted Goyos of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Nine additional Florida residents were previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy: Daniel M. Carver, 38, of Boca Raton, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. Thomas Dougherty, 42, of Palm Beach, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. John Paul Gosney Jr., 42, of Parkland, was sentenced to seven years and 11 months in prison. Galina Rozenberg, 42, of Hollywood, was sentenced to four years in prison. Michael Rozenberg, 61, of Hollywood, was sentenced to four years in prison. Ethan Macier, 25, of Boynton Beach, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Louis “Gino” Carver, 33, of Boca Raton, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Ashley Cigarroa, 32, of North Lauderdale, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Timothy Richardson, 31, of Lantana, was sentenced to two years in prison. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen Mahmood of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Reginald Cuyler Jr. and Andrew Tamayo, along with former Trial Attorney Patrick J. Queenan, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Klco, Marx Calderon, and Sandra Dermici for the Southern District of Florida are handling asset forfeiture. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. HHS-OIG and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services work collaboratively as Strike Force partners to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Informational: Federal Court arraignments

body_text: The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt: Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Dec. 5 was: Artemus Lavelle Brock, 35, of Bozeman, on charges of coercion and enticement to travel to engage in prostitution and transportation for prostitution. If convicted of the most serious crime, Brock faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Brock was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-35. Appearing on Dec. 3 was: John Doe AKA Jose Alfredo Collazo Nadal, of Billings, on charges of false statement in application of a passport. If convicted of the most serious crime, Doe faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Doe was detained pending further proceedings. The Diplomatic Secret Service conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-156. Appearing on Nov. 26 was: Cody Lloyd Smith, 41, of Billings, on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Smith faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Smith was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-165. The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html . To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl . XXX


title: Colorado Dentist Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Solicit a Minor Online and Transporting Child Pornography

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Jason James Atha, 51, a dentist from Broomfield, Colo., pleaded guilty yesterday in the Southern District of Florida to charges of attempted enticement of a minor and transportation of child pornography. According to the court record, beginning on Oct. 3, 2023, Atha, who lived in Colorado, used a social networking application on his phone to solicit sex with an 8-year-old child through conversations with the child’s mother in the Southern District of Florida. The child’s purported “mother” was in fact an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent. Atha’s communications detailed the sexual acts he wanted to engage in with the child. On Aug. 9, Atha flew to Palm Beach International Airport, in the Southern District of Florida, to consummate the sexual act and was arrested at the airport. A search of Atha’s devices revealed child pornography videos. At sentencing, currently scheduled for March 11, 2025, in Ft. Pierce, Fla., before U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, Atha faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison for attempted enticement of a minor and 20 years in prison for transportation of child pornography. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of HSI Miami made the announcement. HSI West Palm Beach investigated the case. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller is prosecuting it. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.projectsafechildhood.gov or https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/project-safe-childhood . Anyone with information regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse is encouraged to call (877) 4-HSI-TIP [(877) 447-4847]. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-80102. ###


title: Romanian National Involved in 2007 Connecticut Home Invasion Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEFAN ALEXANDRU BARABAS, 38, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment for his involvement in a 2007 Connecticut home invasion. According to court documents and statements made in court in this case and related cases, shortly before midnight on April 15, 2007, Barabas, Emanuel Nicolescu, and Alexandru Lucian Nicolescu, wearing masks and brandishing knives and facsimile firearms, entered a home in South Kent, Connecticut. The intruders bound and blindfolded two adult victims and injected each with a substance the intruders claimed was a deadly virus. The intruders ordered the victims to pay $8.5 million or else they would be left to die from the lethal injection. When it became clear that the victims were not in position to meet the intruders’ demands, the intruders drugged the two residents with a sleeping aid and fled in the homeowner’s Jeep Cherokee. The stolen Jeep Cherokee was abandoned the next morning at a Home Depot in New Rochelle, New York. On April 21, 2007, an accordion case washed ashore in Jamaica Bay. The content of the case included a stun gun, a 12-inch knife, a black plastic Airsoft gun, a crowbar, syringes, sleeping pills, latex gloves, and a laminated telephone card with the South Kent address of the victims. In 2010, an investigator from the Connecticut State Police connected a partial Pennsylvania license plate, seen by a witness near the victims’ estate on the night of the crime, to a car owned by Michael N. Kennedy. Kennedy had formerly shared an address with Emmanuel Nicolescu, who had been employed by the victim. The investigator then discovered that the data for the cell tower near the New Rochelle Home Depot contained a call by a phone number registered to Emmanuel Nicolescu, minutes after the Jeep was abandoned. Shortly after that, investigators from the State Police and FBI gathered Emanuel Nicolescu’s DNA and found that it partially matched a sample from the Jeep’s steering wheel. As to the accordion case, investigators learned that Kennedy’s father was a professional accordion player, and witnesses later identified the knife in the accordion case as a gift given to Emanuel Nicolescu by his father-in-law. The investigation revealed that Emanuel Nicolescu and Kennedy worked with Barabas and Alexandru Nicolescu to commit the crime. Barabas’ co-conspirators planned the home invasion, which included the research and purchase of implements necessary for the crime, such as two-way radios, stun guns and imitation pistols. On the night of April 15, 2007, Kennedy drove Barabas, Emanuel Nicolescu, and Alexandru Nicolescu to a location near the South Kent home, and then picked them up the following morning in New Rochelle at the location where the intruders abandoned the stolen Jeep. Barabas, Emanuel Nicolescu, Alexandru Nicolescu, and Kennedy fled the U.S. during the investigation. Emanuel Nicolescu returned to the U.S. and was arrested in Illinois in January 2011. Emanuel Nicolescu and Kennedy were charged by indictment in February 2011, and Barabas and Alexandru Nicolescu were charged by indictment in November 2012. Barabas was a fugitive until his arrest in Hungary on August 16, 2022. On June 18, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion. Barabas has been detained since his arrest. On March 22, 2012, a jury in New Haven found Emanuel Nicolescu guilty of attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, and possession of a stolen vehicle. On August 17, 2012, he was sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment. Alexandru Nicolescu was arrested on November 14, 2013, in the United Kingdom. On January 8, 2016, he pleaded guilty to attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion. On May 15, 2019, he was sentenced to 121 months of imprisonment. Kennedy, also known as Nicolae Helerea, a dual citizen of Romania and the U.S., voluntarily returned to the U.S. from Romania and, on November 5, 2012, pleaded guilty to attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion. On May 4, 2016, he was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment. This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and New York City Police Department. U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and law enforcement authorities in Hungary and the United Kingdom for their assistance in this case. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.


title: Convicted Felon and Methamphetamine Dealer from Idaho Falls Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Federal Prison

component: U.S. Attorneys (USAO)

body_text: POCATELLO – Kenneth Dwayne Daly, 46, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, in January and February 2024, Daly sold methamphetamine to another person on four occasions in East Idaho. During the first sale he sold the individual 27.79 grams of methamphetamine, during the second sale he sold 112.26 grams of methamphetamine, the third sale consisted of 226.13 grams of methamphetamine, and in the fourth sale the individual purchased 13.96 grams of methamphetamine. In April 2024, Daly agreed to sell the individual a half pound of methamphetamine. The Idaho State Police subsequently arrested him. During his arrest he was found in possession of 237.1 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence that same day and seized an additional 313.7 grams of methamphetamine. Daly was held accountable for a total of 930.44 grams of methamphetamine that he sold to the person. Daly’s criminal history includes four prior state felony convictions for possession of methamphetamine and criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. He also has nine misdemeanor convictions that relate to violence. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Daly to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Daly pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2024. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Idaho State Police for their investigation which led to the charges in this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoie Laggis prosecuted this case. This case was handled by the U.S. Attorney Office’s specially deputized Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA), funded by the Eastern Idaho Partnership (EIP) and the State of Idaho. The EIP is a coalition of local city and county officials in eastern Idaho as well as the Idaho Department of Correction. The EIP SAUSA program allows law enforcement to utilize the federal criminal justice system – through the EIP SAUSA – to prosecute, convict, and sentence violent, armed criminals and drug traffickers. These criminals often receive stiffer penalties than they might in state courts. This program was created in January 2016. Since that time, approximately 175 defendants have been indicted by the EIP SAUSA. Of these defendants, 152 have been indicted on drug trafficking charges. The defendants indicted under the program have been sentenced to 10,769 months (approximately 897.42 years) in federal prison, representing an average prison sentence of 74.79 months (6.23 years). Defendants indicted for drug trafficking offenses serve, on average, approximately 61.59 months (5.13 years) in federal prison. ###


title: Kent, Washington man sentenced to three years in prison for illegally purchasing and trafficking more than 130 firearms

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A South King County man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to three years in prison for his purchase of more than 130 firearms in a “straw purchaser” scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Dion Jamar Cooper, 33, of Kent, Washington was arrested in April 2023, following an investigation by Seattle Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez asked Cooper, “Do you understand the damage that has been done in the community?... If people engage in straw purchasing and distribute the firearms in our community, or any community, there will be a serious consequence that follows.” “Even as Mr. Cooper has awaited sentencing, we are finding additional crime guns linked to his straw purchasing activity,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Fifty-four of the guns Mr. Cooper purchased have been recovered and connected to crimes such as armed robberies; two bank robberies; several carjackings and assaults; numerous drive-by shootings; numerous other shots-fired incidents; and at least one homicide.” According to records in the case, the investigation began in late January 2023, with the assault and attempted robbery of a woman in Rainier Valley. The victim was able to flee in her car. Police found a firearm in her vehicle that had been dropped by one of the assailants. A check of the firearm revealed it had been purchased by Dion Jamar Cooper on December 10, 2022. That recovery led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) to check Cooper’s purchase history. Cooper had purchased 107 firearms since June 2021. Further investigation put the number of guns purchased at 133. Meaning more than 70 guns are still out in the community likely possessed by those who are legally prohibited from having firearms. During March and April 2023, agents surveilled Cooper as he made arrangements to purchase additional firearms. Agents identified De’ondre Lamontia Phillips, 33 of Federal Way, Washington, as the person who drove Cooper to the gun shops where he purchased the firearms. Phillips is prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms due to convictions for distribution of heroin (2014) and convictions for illegal firearms possession and two counts of assault (2009). Surveillance of the two revealed Cooper turning the firearms over to Phillips who stored them in his residence. Last month Phillips was sentenced to seven years in prison. In February 2024, Cooper pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms, one count of straw purchasing firearms and one count of trafficking in firearms. In asking for a sentence at the top of the guidelines range, Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg noted that Cooper was the “largest known straw purchaser of firearms in the history of the Western District of Washington…. According to the ATF analysis, all of the… crime guns were recovered from persons who were legally prohibited from possessing firearms, either because they were convicted felons and/or were underage juveniles. This is not surprising, given the nature of straw purchasing offenses…. Notably, several of the recovered crime guns had very short “time-to-crime” periods (the amount of time between the firearm purchase and its recovery at a crime scene). These recovery periods included some as short as two days and others of six days, seven days, and eight days. This reflects that Cooper was purchasing firearms and turning them over to people who nearly immediately used them to commit violent crimes.” The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.


title: Miami Jury Finds Federal Detention Center Inmate Guilty of Assaulting Bureau of Prisons Guard

body_text: MIAMI – On Nov. 26, a federal jury found Orel Valdespino Fernandez, 41, guilty of assaulting a corrections officer working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and causing bodily injury. On May 5, Valdespino was an inmate at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Miami, being held pre-trial for a crime he ultimately pled guilty to committing. That afternoon, the victim, who was a BOP lieutenant, was doing rounds in Valdespino’s unit to ensure rule compliance. The victim noticed that Valdespino was not complying with a rule, so he instructed Valdespino to follow the rule from outside Valdespino’s cell. When Valdespino refused to do so, the victim entered Valdespino’s cell to verbally counsel him about the rule. While inside Valdespino’s cell, the victim held out his arm to establish a safe distance from Valdespino while turning his head to have a prison orderly standing behind him translate the reason for the instruction to Valdespino. As the victim did so, Valdespino struck the victim’s arm and then repeatedly struck the victim in the face. A struggle ensued that only ended after one officer pepper sprayed Valdespino and another officer entered the cell to help the victim secure Valdespino. As a result of this assault, the victim sustained a facial injury that left his jaw misaligned as well as a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery and has prevented him from working since. U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman is scheduled to sentence Valdespino on Feb. 14, 2025, after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case with assistance from BOP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Keller and Ilana Malkin prosecuted the case. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 24-cr-20318. ###


title: Carson Woman and South L.A. Man Found Guilty of Participating in Armed Robberies of Local Businesses Last Year

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Harbor-area woman and a South Los Angeles man were found guilty by a jury today of participating in armed robberies of businesses in which local businesses in Los Angeles County were targeted in August and September of last year. Diavion Deshawna Mouton, 23, of Carson, and Rodney Darrin Maxwell Evans, 23, of the Vermont Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, were each found guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. “Violent gun crime leaves emotional scars that last for years,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Through the Operation Safe Cities initiative, my office is partnering with local law enforcement to prosecute more and more cases that hold accountable those who choose to harm our communities.” According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, Evans participated in two armed robberies that occurred on August 14, 2023, respectively, at Rite Aid stores in Bellflower and in the Vermont Square neighborhood of South Los Angeles. During the robberies, multiple firearms were brandished, and store employees were forced to open the store safe. In total, Evans and his co-conspirators – ringleaders Makai Yusef Sanders, 23, and Kenyatta Kamar Jones, 23, both of Hawthorne – stole a total of $12,410 from the robberies. Mouton participated in two armed robberies on September 19, 2023, at a Walgreens store in Glendale and a Wingstop restaurant in Lynwood. She was the getaway driver for both robberies, in which Sanders and Jones brandished firearms and stole a total of $1,776 from the businesses. During the Walgreens robbery, Sanders and Jones robbed a customer who was at a register attempting to purchase some items, held the victim at gunpoint, and stole the victim’s iPhone. A store employee, a handgun pointed at her back, was ordered to the store’s safe with the barrel of the gun used to push her to get her to move faster. In fear for her life, the employee began walking to the back of the store where the safe was located. Once at the back of the store, the employee noticed the robber was distracted talking to the other robber. The employee then locked herself inside the store’s staffing office and called 911. In addition to the cash, Sanders and Jones stole four iPhones belonging to victims at the Walgreens store. The suspects then exited the store and drove away in a white Honda Civic, which law enforcement later discovered had been booked via a peer-to-peer carsharing company and was driven by Mouton. Using phone records and GPS data, law enforcement tracked the defendants down and arrested Sanders, Jones, and Mouton on September 26, 2023. At the time of their arrests, Jones and Sanders possessed handguns consistent with the firearms used in the Walgreens robbery. Law enforcement also found clothing – including the black mask with a red logo – consistent with what one of the suspects wore during that robbery. United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner scheduled a March 31, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Evans and Mouton will face a mandatory minimum sentence of fourteen years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sanders and Jones pleaded guilty on November 26 to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. In their plea agreements, Sanders and Jones admitted to committing 12 armed robberies of local businesses – mostly chain-store pharmacies – in August and September of 2023. Both defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment at their sentencing hearings, which are scheduled for March 17, 2025. Sanders and Jones have agreed to be sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Co-defendant Adrian Timothy Bedran, 24, of Rosemead, pleaded guilty on September 9 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. He is free on $50,000 bond and awaits sentencing on January 13, 2025. Co-defendants DeAngel Daryl Alvarez, 24, a.k.a. “Macc,” of the Athens area of South Los Angeles, is believed to be a fugitive, and Kevin Antwon Gadley, 20, a.k.a. “One Shot,” of San Fernando, is in state custody on unrelated charges. Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments. The FBI; the Glendale Police Department; the Los Angeles Police Department; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Inglewood Police Department; the Long Beach Police Department; the Pasadena Police Department; the Monterey Park Police Department; the Whittier Police Department; and the Burbank Police Department investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Juan M. Rodriguez of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.


body_text: MIAMI — A Florida man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for his role in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud Medicare by billing over $67 million for medically unnecessary genetic testing. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jose Goyos, 38, of West Palm Beach, was employed at a call center that engaged in deceptive telemarketing calls targeting thousands of Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians. Goyos managed the so-called “doctor chase” division of the call center, which contacted the primary care physicians of targeted Medicare beneficiaries and tricked these medical providers into ordering medically unnecessary genetic tests based on medical paperwork that the call center created. For example, Goyos directed call center employees to falsely represent to providers that the Medicare beneficiaries were “mutual patients” who had requested these genetic tests and that the beneficiaries had medical conditions justifying genetic testing, when neither statement was true. Goyos and his co-conspirators then used those doctors’ orders to submit claims to Medicare for expensive and medically unnecessary genetic tests. The results of these tests often were not sent to the Medicare beneficiaries’ primary care physicians and were not used in the treatment of the beneficiaries. In total, between May 2020 and July 2021, Goyos and his co-conspirators submitted over $67 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, of which Medicare paid over $53 million. In October 2023, a jury convicted Goyos of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Nine additional Florida residents were previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy: Daniel M. Carver, 38, of Boca Raton, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison. Thomas Dougherty, 42, of Palm Beach, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. John Paul Gosney Jr., 42, of Parkland, was sentenced to seven years and 11 months in prison. Galina Rozenberg, 42, of Hollywood, was sentenced to four years in prison. Michael Rozenberg, 61, of Hollywood, was sentenced to four years in prison. Ethan Macier, 25, of Boynton Beach, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. Louis “Gino” Carver, 33, of Boca Raton, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Ashley Cigarroa, 32, of North Lauderdale, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Timothy Richardson, 31, of Lantana, was sentenced to two years in prison. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen Mahmood of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Klco, Marx Calderon, and Sandra Dermici for the Southern District of Florida are handling asset forfeiture. Trial Attorneys Reginald Cuyler Jr. and Andrew Tamayo, along with former Trial Attorney Patrick J. Queenan, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. HHS-OIG and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services work collaboratively as Strike Force partners to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit . ###


title: Buffalo man going to prison for possession of child pornography

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Patrick Malloy, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. He was also ordered to pay $48,000 in restitution and must register as sex offender. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who handled the case, stated that on June 24, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Malloy’s residence and several electronic devices were seized. The devices contained approximately 28,000 images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. # # # #


title: Rochester man arrested, charged for having sexual relations with 12-and 14-year-old sisters

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ahmed Yaqoob, 24, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum of 30 years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on October 18, 2024, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the Town of North Collins, to follow up on a report concerning the rape of a minor. The investigation determined that a 12-year-old (victim 1) began communicating with Yaqoob on October 17, 2024, through the dating application “Pure.” Yaqoob and victim 1 made arrangements to meet at the victim’s residence in North Collins. When Yaqoob arrived, the victim and her 14-year-old sister (victim 2) got into Yaqoob’s vehicle. The complaint states that Yaqoob drove both girls to the area of Zoar Valley Road in the Town of Concord, where Yaqoob had sexual relations with victim 1 and victim 2. Investigators believe Yaqoob recorded the sexual activity on his cell phone. On October 24, 2024, investigators searched Yaqoob’s cell phone and recovered two videos that had been recorded and deleted from the device on their respective dates and times. The videos included the victims engaged in sexual relations with Yaqoob. Members of the public who have specific information related to this case are urged to contact the FBI Buffalo Office at 716-856-7800. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Salamanca man arrested, charged with attempted production of child pornography and attempting to have sex with a 12-year-old girl

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jack Sherlock, 55, of Salamanca, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted production of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Franz M. Wright, who are handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on November 7, 2024, the Salamanca Police Department contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and advised that a Pennsylvania-based citizens group engaged in undercover chats with Sherlock, who had initiated sexual communications with a Facebook account controlled by the citizens group purporting to belong to a 12-year-old female living in Salamanca. During these communications, Sherlock stated that he wanted the 12-year-old to send him nude images and had expressed a desire to meet in person to engage in sexual activity. On November 20, 2024, investigators took over the Facebook account from the citizens group and engaged in conversation with Sherlock. During the conversation, an investigator, posing as the 12-year-old girl, stated that a “cousin,” also a 12-year-old girl, was with her. The investigator then sent Sherlock a link to a Facebook account for the “cousin.” Sherlock accepted and soon began a sexually oriented conversation with the “cousin.” He asked for sexually explicit images and planned to meet in person to have sex. On December 4, 2024, Sherlock was arrested as he attempted to meet up with the 12-year-old girl. Members of the public who have specific information related to this case are urged to contact the HSI Buffalo Office at 716-945-2330. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Salamanca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jamie Deck, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Federal Jury Convicts Wilsonville Man for Possessing and Transporting Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found a Wilsonville, Oregon man guilty today for possessing and transporting photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse. Joshan Rohani, 40, was convicted of one count each of accessing with the intent to view and possessing child pornography, and three counts of transporting child pornography. According to court documents, in July 2021, Rohani created a user account on Mega, a New Zealand-based cloud storage and file hosting service that enables users to create private chatrooms that can be used to share links to files stored on the service and elsewhere. In November 2021, as part of a child pornography investigation in North Carolina, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents discovered a hyperlink to a Mega chatroom titled “Trade links,” where members posted files, folders, and links to files containing child pornography. As part of their investigation, agents learned that between July and December 2021, Rohani participated in at least 34 chats, some of which child pornography was shared within. He also posted numerous links containing images and videos of child pornography, providing other members with access to view and download the files. Additionally, agents discovered that Rohani had a previous account that had been suspended by Mega in 2019 due to suspected child pornography activity. On May 24, 2022, HSI agents executed a search warrant at Rohani’s residence. They seized numerous electronic devices and storage media, including an iPad, several computers and iPhones, and multiple external hard drives, USB thumb drives, and SD memory cards. Investigators found child pornography on several of the devices seized from Rohani’s residence. On October 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Rohani with distributing, transporting, accessing to view, and possessing child pornography. Rohani faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release for each count. He will be sentenced on June 2, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut. This case was investigated by HSI with assistance from the Newberg-Dundee Police Department and New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs. It was prosecuted by Gary Y. Sussman and Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org . Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .