title: Russian-German National Extradited for Illegally Exporting to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export Controls

body_text: Arthur Petrov Allegedly Participated in a Russia-Based Illicit Procurement Network That, Subsequent to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Illegally Procured Large Quantities of Sensitive Microelectronics for a Russian Company That Supplies Manufacturers for the Russian Military Arthur Petrov, 33, a dual Russian and German national, made his initial appearance in federal court today, following his extradition from the Republic of Cyprus for criminal offenses related to export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering. Petrov allegedly participated in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. Petrov was arrested on Aug. 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the United States. “Today’s extradition demonstrates the Justice Department’s enduring commitment to cutting Russia off from the western technologies that fuel President Putin’s war machine,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Together with global partners, the Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Task Force KleptoCapture will vigorously investigate and prosecute efforts to evade the global sanctions and export controls imposed to counter Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. The defendant’s extradition is a vital step towards holding Russia accountable, and I am grateful to our Cypriot partners for their assistance in this matter.” “Our charges allege that, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the defendant and his co-conspirators formed an elaborate tech-trafficking syndicate to supply microelectronics to Russia’s military-industrial complex,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Together with our international law enforcement partners, the Justice Department will now hold Petrov to account in a U.S. courtroom and continue dismantling criminal networks that threaten our collective security.” “As demonstrated by today’s extradition, just because you’re located overseas doesn’t mean we won’t find you,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “If you procure sensitive U.S. microelectronics with military applications for Russia, you risk the very real threat of facing justice in a U.S. courtroom.” “Arthur Petrov is alleged to have conspired to smuggle shipments from U.S. distributors of microelectronics with military applications through intermediary countries to Russia as part of an illicit Russian-based procurement network,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “As alleged, he concealed the ultimate destination of these sensitive materials, and he knew that these transactions and shipments were in violation of U.S. export controls relating to Russia. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, Petrov is now in U.S. custody and will face justice in a U.S. courtroom. This case demonstrates that we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect national security and disrupt and prosecute the illicit supply of U.S.-sourced military technology to Russia.” “The extradition of Arthur Petrov and the allegations laid out in a criminal complaint send a strong message about the resolve and commitment of the FBI and its partners to stop the illegal transfer of sensitive, military-use technology,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “In the hands of hostile nations, such technology presents a significant threat to U.S. national security. Today’s actions demonstrate the power and reach of law enforcement partnerships to dismantle even the most elaborate schemes while keeping Americans safe in the process.” According to court documents, Petrov worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (Electrocom), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. Petrov and two co-conspirators (CC-1 and CC-2), who are Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas. They fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom. To carry out the scheme, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia. The technology that Petrov and his co-conspirators have procured in contravention of export controls during the course of the conspiracy have significant military applications and include various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones and electronic warfare and communications devices. To perpetrate the scheme, Petrov first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (Astrafteros), which he operates. Petrov procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact, the components are destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. The microelectronics that Petrov has procured as part of the conspiracy include, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits that are on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and cannot lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department. Invoices provided to Petrov by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits are subject to U.S. export controls. To evade these controls, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 worked together to transship the controlled items procured by Petrov using pass-through entities operated by CC-1 and CC-2 in third countries. CC-1 and CC-2 then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At all times, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia. During the course of the conspiracy, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications. On Aug. 26, 2023, Petrov was arrested and detained by the Cypriot authorities at the request of the United States. The United States thereafter submitted a formal extradition request. On July 18, after extradition proceedings in the Cypriot courts concluded with extradition being approved, the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order issued the extradition order. Petrov is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; three counts of violating the ECRA, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; three counts of smuggling goods from the United States, which each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Identity Theft

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Frankfort woman, Brittany Joyce May, 35, pleaded guilty on Thursday, before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to her plea agreement, between July 2021 and May 2023, May was employed as an administrative specialist at the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). As part of her duties, May managed payments to providers who were eligible for payments under certain adoption and foster programs. In doing so, May input provider information into the computer resource directory, including their personal identifying information and banking information. To receive payments under these programs, providers submitted request paperwork to CHFS. Upon receiving those requests, May would initiate payments, via a wire transfer, to the provider’s bank account. However, when some providers did not submit the required paperwork or stopped receiving payments because their services had expired, May would instead direct funds that would have been paid to them to four bank accounts that she owned and controlled. To conceal these actions, May would submit false invoices, to make it appear as if the provider had requested payment. And knowing the system would automatically send notifications to the provider’s listed address, indicating a payment had been made, May would change the provider addresses, to forward the notices elsewhere. From July 2021 to May 2023, May used the names and/or social security numbers of 45 providers in the computer resource directory to operate her scheme, and she further opened bank accounts using the personal identifying information of two providers. In all, May misappropriated $444,663.77 in funds and initiated more than 540 fraudulent wire transfers to bank accounts she owned and controlled. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation; and Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division, jointly announced the guilty plea. The investigation was conducted by the IRS and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Mattingly-Williams prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. May is scheduled to be sentenced on November 5, 2024. She faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge, as well as a mandatory, consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes. — END —


title: Montgomery County Man Charged With Election Fraud Offenses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Philip C. Pulley, 62, of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, was charged by information with falsely registering to vote, double voting, and election fraud. The information charges that in 2018, while registered to vote in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, defendant Pulley also registered to vote in Broward County, Florida. In 2020, defendant Pulley, who was already registered to vote in Montgomery County and Broward County, allegedly registered to vote in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, using a false home address in Philadelphia and social security number. In the 2020 general election, which included the election for President and Vice President of the United States, it is alleged that Pulley requested a mail-in ballot to vote in Philadelphia, and voted in both Broward County and Montgomery County. In the 2022 general election, which included the election for United States Senator, Pulley allegedly voted in both Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. If convicted, on each count of the information the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 to $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Mark B. Dubnoff, with support from James Price, Senior Deputy Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Justice Department Releases Report Based on Critical Response Review of Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police

component: Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)

body_text: The Justice Department today announced the release of a new report , an independent review of the use of force policies, procedures, and protocols of the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police (CDP), as well as the training associated with these policies and operations. The review came at the request of the CDP and was conducted by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and Jensen Hughe, a critical response provider, following the February 2023 release of the COPS Office Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police: Roadmap to Implementation report . This is part of ongoing technical assistance to CDP. The goal of the report is to highlight areas in need of improvement through a series of findings and recommendations developed for the purpose of overall improvement of organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and performance. The report states that “[t]he overarching theme associated with almost all the recommendations is the need for enhanced technological capabilities. By upgrading technological capabilities, the CDP will be well-situated to optimize its performance and ensure accountability at a much higher level than it is currently able to achieve.” It goes on to say that “[i]ncreased data collection, analysis, and reporting is of the utmost importance at this time for the CDP to become the transparent, community-oriented policing agency the people of Columbus want and deserve.” “Whenever we support best practices in policing, it benefits both the department and the community it serves,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Ultimately, the goal of these types of reviews is twofold: to improve the delivery of policing services to the community, and, by doing so, to increase public trust and enhance community-police relationships.” “Investing in technology that facilitates data collection, analysis, and reporting, and evaluating its effectiveness underscores an agency’s commitment to the public,” said COPS Office Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. “When an agency voluntary asks for this kind of assessment and is interested in making improvements, everyone benefits.” The report is available at here . The Critical Response program is designed to provide targeted technical assistance (TA) to state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies experiencing high-profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need. Critical Response is highly customizable by providing flexible assistance to law enforcement agencies that have recently experienced a critical incident or identified an issue of significant community concern in their department’s operations. The TA generally falls into three categories: (1) immediate delivery of TA to address a pressing and acute need, (2) data analysis, and (3) after-action reviews to understand and learn from law enforcement and public safety responses to critical incidents or issues. The COPS Office is the federal component of the Justice Department responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Justice Department agency with policing in its name, The COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 138,000 officers.


title: Life Sentence Handed Down to Man Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted His Romantic Partner

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Bryant Phillips, 54, of Washington DC, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of release, in addition to 30 years in prison, for first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, and multiple assault counts, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Phillips to life in prison without the possibility of release, in addition to 30 years in prison, followed by lifetime of supervised release/probation. The defendant will also have to register as a sex offender for life. According to the court’s evidence and testimony presented at trial, between June 5-8, 2022, Phillips held his intimate partner hostage at his apartment in Northeast Washington DC. While there he physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times causing extensive injuries. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. Finally, they commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit and acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins, Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Fogle and ReShawn Johnson, Investigative Analyst Lucas Jetson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Holmes and Dana Joseph, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney Lapointe Announces $7.6 Million Settlement of Civil False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Womenswear Company for Underpaying Customs Duties on Imported Women’s Apparel

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI - Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and Bruce Murley, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) San Francisco/Portland Field Office announced that the United States has resolved a civil qui tam lawsuit in which the United States intervened for settlement purposes against Alexis, LLC, a womenswear company, for underpaying customs duties on imported apparel. In connection with the resolution, the United States filed a Complaint in Intervention against Alexis, LLC. The settlement, which is not an admission of liability by Alexis, LLC, resolves claims that between Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2022, Alexis, LLC violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by materially misreporting to CBP the value of imported apparel and thereby avoided paying the full amount of customs duties and fees owed on the imported merchandise. Alexis, LLC paid a total of $7,691,999.63 to the United States to resolve this matter. Alexis, LLC, and its senior management fully cooperated with the United States’ investigation. Among other things, Alexis, LLC voluntarily and timely submitted information and records to the United States through which Alexis, LLC disclosed facts and evidence relevant to the government’s investigation that was not in the possession of the United States. These submissions assisted the United States in determining the losses caused by the underreporting of customs duties on the imported apparel during the relevant time period. Moreover, Alexis, LLC and its senior management implemented compliance procedures and employee training to preclude future issues. The case was initiated when a whistleblower filed a complaint, Case No. 1:22-cv-21412-FAM (S.D. Fla.), in federal court in Miami. Alexis, LLC, and the settling parties disputed the whistleblower’s allegations. The Court entered, on Aug. 8, 2024, an Order of Dismissal Pursuant to the Agreed Motion to Dismiss that the United States and the Relator filed upon Alexis, LLC’s settlement payment. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and CBP are the agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. laws related to the importation of merchandise into the United States, including the collection of duties. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) provides the applicable classifications and duty rates for all merchandise imported into the United States. As part of the importation process, an importer must accurately classify imported merchandise pursuant to the HTSUS and correctly calculate its value. This and other information must be provided to CBP so that it can properly assess duties, collect accurate statistics, and determine whether all other applicable legal requirements have been met. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe said, “As this settlement demonstrates, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, along with our CBP partners, will, while continuing to hold accountable entities that engage in improper trade practices and deny our government vital revenues, work to resolve such matters in the interests of justice.” He thanked CBP and HSI for their significant assistance and support with this matter. “CBP’s Apparel, Footwear & Textile Center of Excellence and Expertise worked in collaboration with CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida to review thousands of documents, hundreds of entry summaries, and analyzed financial reports provided by Alexis, LLC as relevant to the undervaluation and underpayment of duties,” said Acting Director of Field Operations, Bruce Murley, of the CBP San Francisco Field Office. “CBP is proud of the investigative work and analysis done by its employees on this case and will continue to work collaboratively with inter-agency stakeholders to safeguard our nation’s economic security.” HSI in Miami provided significant assistance with this matter. As a part of the settlement, Alexis, LLC admitted and acknowledged errors and omissions with respect to imported women’s apparel, and occasionally accessories, during the 2015 through 2022 period. Alexis, LLC admitted and acknowledged that it: (i) failed to apportion the value of “Assists,” in the form of fabric and garment trims, to the customs value of the imported merchandise, and that the value of certain “Assists” should have been included in the customs value; (ii) found, and thereafter corrected and reported to CBP other entry documentation issues including certain discrepancies between customs forms and the associated sales-related documentation; (iii) identified instances involving classification errors relating to sections of the textile chapters of the HTSUS; and (iv) identified entries with incorrect port of entry codes. As the Importer of Record, Alexis, LLC acknowledged and accepted responsibility for these errors. Alexis, LLC’s senior management worked with their expert trade counsel to implement a robust set of internal and external procedures and corrective actions to prevent any future violations, ensure accurate reporting moving forward, and apply rigorous discipline to its import protocols. As part of the settlement, Alexis, LLC, and its senior management represented that they seek the highest level of import compliance as a corporate goal. Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Weinkle, the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, handled this case. ###


title: Men Who Stole USPS Arrow Keys Sentenced to Combined 17+ Years in Prison

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: Three Fort Worth men have been sentenced to a combined 17 years in federal prison for robbing a U.S. letter carrier, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Cedrick Eugene Mims, Danny Yogi Oriszul Powell, and Cameron Kemond Gist were indicted in February. They each pleaded guilty to robbery of property of the United States. Mr. Gist was sentenced Friday to U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to 70 months in federal prison; Mr. Mims and Mr. Powell were previously sentenced to 75 months and 70 months, respectively. “These defendants brazenly robbed a U.S.P.S. letter carrier at gunpoint in pursuit of an arrow key that would allow them to steal mail from collection boxes,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “In response to a concerning rise in arrow key robberies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has become laser-focused on prosecuting these cases. We commend our partners at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their commitment to investigating these crimes and stopping them in their tracks.” “The sentencing of these three individuals shows the utmost importance we place on the safety of U.S. Postal Service employees,” said Fort Worth Division Inspector in Charge Kai Pickens. “We will not stop pursuing those who seek to harm our employees and will bring them to justice to account for their violent crimes. Robberies of our employees are a top investigative priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and a traumatic event for our employees which we do not take lightly. The partnerships we’ve established with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Fort Worth Police Department allowed us to work jointly to pursue and hold these individuals accountable. Let this serve as reminder to those who harm and traumatize our employees: We will find you and bring you to justice.” According to plea papers, the three men robbed a letter carrier, identified in court documents as C.S., in Fort Worth on Oct. 24, 2023. Mr. Mimms admitted he pointed a 39mm pistol at the carrier and demanded “the key” – a reference to the carrier’s “Arrow Key,” a master key used by the U.S. Postal Service to gather mail deposited in blue collection boxes that is prized by mail thieves. The men admitted that they also purloined a postal scanner and the keys to the letter carrier’s official vehicle. Mr. Powell drove the getaway car and Mr. Gist provided the firearms, plea papers indicate. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes prosecuted the case. This case is the result of Project Safe Delivery (PSD) , a joint U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiative aimed at countering postal crime and safeguarding postal employees. Announced in May 2023, in direct response to a rise in threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents, PSD seeks to protect Postal employees and the mail stream, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail stream. Since the launch of PSD, postal inspectors, working with law enforcement partners, have arrested more than 287 individuals for postal-related robberies through June 30, 2024. In the first six months of the fiscal year, the number of arrests for postal-related robberies rose 72% versus the same period the previous year, while the number of postal-related robberies dropped 21%. Meanwhile, the number of mail theft complaints received during that period decreased 35%, suggesting the PSD approach is achieving the intended result.


title: Oshkosh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking While Serving a Sentence for a Prior Drug Trafficking Conviction

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that on August 7, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Sherman M. Threets (age: 39) to 15 years in federal prison after Threets was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. According to court records, Threets was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. In January 2022, Threets was released to a residential reentry center, commonly known as a halfway house, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He immediately began distributing controlled substances and recruiting partners for his newly formed drug trafficking organization. In April 2022, after several controlled buys of controlled substances, a search warrant was executed, during which law enforcement seized approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine, over one pound of cocaine, and 100 grams of fentanyl which Threets had stored at a residence. As noted during the sentencing hearing, while Threets was awaiting trial, he attempted to recruit an individual who would be willing to “take the charges” by lying to the district court about who possessed the substances seized during the investigation. In exchange for that individual lying to the court, Threets promised to provide that individual with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Threets met with an individual on three occasions to discuss the plan in detail, but unbeknownst to Threets, he was speaking to an undercover agent. This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case. # # # For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales (414) 297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Prison Sentence for District Woman Who Defrauded the STAY DC Tenant Assistance Program

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Khin Phoo Ngon, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in D.C. Superior Court to 23 months in prison for six felony counts arising from her defrauding a Covid-19 tenant assistance program of more than $245,000.00, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General. In addition to the prison term, D.C. Superior Court Judge Jason Park ordered her to pay $206,320.00 in restitution to the District government, in addition to a $600 fine paid to the victims compensation fund and three years of supervised release. According to facts admitted in her guilty plea, in 2021 Ngon submitted seven fraudulent applications to the Stronger Together by Assisting You (STAY DC) program, a DC government program established in 2021 to help cover unpaid rent and utilities for renters suffering hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time she submitted all seven applications, Ngon was the sole tenant of an apartment at 1111 New Jersey Ave SE in the District. Two of her fraudulent applications listed her actual address and stated accurate information about unpaid rent she owed, but falsely stated that her 2020 income was $17,270.00 and that her projected 2021 income was $12,000.00. In 2020, however, Ngon had actually received income well in excess of $57,650.00, the STAY DC program’s minimum qualifying threshold for a household of one, and was on pace to exceed that threshold for 2021 when she submitted both applications. Ngon also submitted two applications in which she listed her residence as 3210 ½ O Street NW, an apartment she had moved out of in the summer of 2020 with her rent paid in full. Ngon attached a fictitious lease to that application and falsely stated in her application that she was residing at the O Street address and owed 19 months of unpaid rent. Based on that fraudulent application, Ngon received $37,000.00 from the program. In her guilty plea, Ngon also admitted to submitting two STAY DC applications in her family member’s name without his knowledge or permission. Ngon falsely stated in those applications that her family member lived at 3632 N Street NW in the District and owed tens of thousands of dollars in back rent. In fact, Ngon’s family member lived in Virginia, and had never lived at that address. Ngon admitted that she attached stolen and doctored documents to both applications, including her family member’s expired driver’s license and federal and District tax return documents. Ngon fraudulently obtained $82,800.00 from these two applications. Finally, Ngon admitted to submitting a seventh STAY DC application, on behalf of an associate of hers. Ngon created a fraudulent lease document for an apartment at 450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, falsifying the lease term and monthly rent due. Based on those and other fraudulent representations, the STAY DC program issued Ngon’s associate a check for $78,200.00. Through a series of transactions involving other individuals, Ngon received at least $38,500.00 of those funds. Ngon pled guilty on April 23, 2024 to two counts of first-degree fraud (felony), two counts of first-degree theft (felony), and two counts of first-degree identity theft. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Scott, and Inspector General Lucas commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming, on detail from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General to prosecute matters involving fraud and public corruption.


title: Amtrak Employee Pleads Guilty to Lying to a Federal Agent

body_text: WASHINGTON – Maurice Driver, 35, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to one count of lying to a Federal Agent, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Mike Waters of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General Eastern Area Field Office. According to court documents, Driver was employed by Amtrak and was working as a Lead Service Attendant in the café car on an Amtrak train, which departed from Washington, D.C. in the afternoon of January 3, 2024, and ended in Chicago, Illinois, on the morning of January 4, 2024. While working on that train, Driver met a passenger. Driver spoke and texted with the passenger, and Driver allowed her to use a vacant sleeper car on the train. On January 4, in Chicago, that passenger reported to Amtrak Police that Driver sexually assaulted her in a sleeper car on the train. Amtrak-OIG then initiated an investigation of the sexual assault allegations. During an interview with an Amtrak-OIG Special Agent, Driver made multiple false and misleading statements about his communications and contacts with the passenger, denying that he gave the passenger his personal phone number, texted with the passenger, and that he showed the passenger to a sleeper car. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson scheduled sentencing for November 6, 2024. This case was investigated by the Amtrak OIG with assistance from the Amtrak Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca G. Ross and Brian P. Kelly, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.


title: Ukrainian National Extradited For Role In International "Carding" Scheme

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Ukrainian national has been extradited to the United States from Germany to face federal charges filed in the Western District of North Carolina, for his alleged involvement in an international “carding” scheme that netted over $1.8 million in fraudulent credit and debit card charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making the announcement. Viacheslav Alexandrovich Basovych, 49, of Ukraine, was arrested in Germany on December 19, 2023, and was extradited to the United States on August 8, 2024. Basovych is charged with wire fraud conspiracy, access device fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Charlotte, following Basovych’s initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf. According to allegations in the indictment, from October 2013 to February 2022, Basovych conspired with others to engage in an international “carding” scheme. The term “carding” refers to various criminal activities associated with stealing personal identifiable information (PII) and financial information of victims, including information associated with credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, or other access devices, and using that information to obtain money, goods or services without the victims’ authorization or consent. The indictment alleges that Basovych and his co-conspirators obtained the PII and payment card information of victims and used the stolen information to make unauthorized credit and debit card charges by merchant accounts associated with Basovych. The fraudulent charges ranged between $7 to $15, and were thus more likely to go unnoticed. In this manner, it is alleged that Basovych and his co-conspirators caused over 148,000 fraudulent transactions totaling over $1.8 million in unauthorized charges. It is further alleged that over 5,100 fraudulent charges were made using payment cards of victims located in Charlotte. According to allegations in the indictment, Basovych and his co-conspirators used a network of money mules to launder the criminal proceeds and to evade detection. “Greed knows no bounds, but justice has no borders,” said U.S. Attorney King. “The charges announced today are the result of a coordinated effort with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice cyber criminals that exploit victims’ stolen identities and financial information for their personal gain. Whether the perpetrators are on U.S. soil or abroad, we will pursue all investigative avenues and use all enforcement tools available to bring to justice those who engage in this type of criminal activity.” “The world today doesn’t permit us to physically lock our identities away in a safe. Unfortunately, this vulnerability has given cyber criminals the opportunity to exploit and profit from stolen identities. The FBI is committed to ensuring that international cyber criminals do not operate with impunity,” said Special Agent in Charge DeWitt. Following his initial appearance, Basovych was remanded into federal custody. The wire fraud conspiracy charge and the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charge of access device fraud carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of 10 years. The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office for the investigation that led to the charges. U.S. Attorney King also thanked the INTERPOL Offices in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Washington, D.C., for their substantial assistance, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for securing Basovych’s arrest and extradition. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.


title: Federal Indictment Charges Man With Illegally Possessing Loaded Gun During Exchange of Gunfire in Chicago

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

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has charged a man with illegally possessing a loaded handgun during an exchange of gunfire in Chicago earlier this year. The indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges MARQUIST EVANS, 30, of Chicago, with illegal possession of a machine gun and ammunition. Evans fired numerous shots from a handgun while standing in the doorway of a gas station in the 500 block of West Grenshaw Street in Chicago on May 6, 2024, according to a criminal complaint previously filed in the case. Evans fired the gun in the direction of two shooters, one of whom was armed with a rifle, who had emerged from a car and fired numerous shots at the vehicle in which Evans had arrived at the gas station, the complaint states. Evans’s handgun was equipped with a conversion device, also known as a “Glock switch,” which allow firearms to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, the complaint states. Evans is currently in law enforcement custody. Arraignment on the federal charges is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling. The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib M. Hussain. The investigation was conducted in coordination with ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Chicago . The CGIC is a centralized law enforcement hub that focuses exclusively on investigating and preventing gun violence in Chicago and throughout northern Illinois. The CGIC is an interagency collaboration that brings together - under one roof - federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and intelligence analysts to move quickly to investigate and prosecute violent crimes. Holding firearm offenders accountable through federal prosecution is the centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods , a nationwide Department of Justice initiative that brings together law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions to the most pressing violent crime problems. In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses. “Our office is using every available law enforcement tool to continue to bring impactful cases that hold firearm offenders accountable and reduce violent crime in Chicago,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Combating the unacceptable level of gun violence in Chicago will continue to be a top priority in our office.” “This defendant was charged using the resources and partnerships that the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) of Chicago created this spring,” said ATF SAC Amon. “The CGIC’s real time analysis of crime gun intelligence is a game changer in arresting and holding accountable those who are drivers of violent gun crime in our community.” The charges in the indictment are punishable by a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Evans complaint Evans indictment


title: Moscow Man Indicted for Conspiring with Son to Commit  International Kidnapping

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington - On August 7, 2024, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned a two-count indictment charging Jaimes Tin Aung with one count of Conspiracy to Commit International Parental Kidnapping, and one count of aiding and abetting International Parental Kidnapping. Aung made his first appearance in Federal Court on Friday, August 9, 2024. According to the indictment, Jaimes Aung’s son, Aaron Aung, was supposed to travel to the Pullman Police Department for a custody exchange of the victim with the victim’s mother. Aaron Aung and the victim never arrived for the custody exchange. Instead, agents with the FBI and U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained photos of a vehicle Aaron Aung was allegedly driving, which had crossed into Mexico on June 1, 2024, at the Andrade, California, Port of Entry. The vehicle was registered to Jaimes Aung. The indictment further alleges that between May 31, 2024, and June 16, 2024, Jaimes Aung assisted Aaron Aung in avoiding law enforcement. According to the indictment, Jaimes and Aaron Aung exchanged coded and encrypted messages. The messages from Jaimes Aung allegedly warned Aaron Aung about the ongoing investigation and included suggestions on how to avoid detection. “My office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable among us,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Law enforcement and my extraordinary team of dedicated prosecutors stand ready to pursue those who seek to harm children.” This case is being investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Perez and Michael J. Ellis. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Four Bridgeport Men Charged with Gunpoint Robberies of Retail Stores, Amazon Delivery Truck

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging ELIJAH RAFFINGTON, 21; RAJONNE BLAKE, also known as “Ray Ray,” 25; SHASSON DANIELS, 20; and MICKYEEM PROFIT, 21, all of Bridgeport, with robbery and firearm offenses stemming from the gunpoint robberies of multiple retail stores and an Amazon delivery truck. The indictment, which was returned under seal on July 11, 2024, alleges that: On December 15, 2022, Raffington and Profit committed a gunpoint robbery of Omega Deli, located at 999 Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport; On December 21, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, and Profit committed a gunpoint robbery of Milford Convenience & Tobacco, located at 784 Boston Post Road in Milford; On December 23, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, Blake, Profit, and another individual committed a gunpoint robbery of an Amazon delivery truck and merchandise in Bridgeport; On December 23, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, and Profit, committed a gunpoint robbery of Smoke Shop, located at 2175 Boston Avenue in Bridgeport; On January 2, 2023, Raffington, Daniels, and Blake, committed a gunpoint robbery of Cumberland Farms, located at 1290 West Broad Street in Stratford. The six-count indictment charges each defendant with multiple counts of interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count. In addition, Daniels and Profit and charged with carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and Raffington and Blake are charged with aiding and abetting in the same, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. The indictment was unsealed on August 1, 2024, after Blake was arrested. Raffington, Daniels, and Profit had been detained in state custody. Each of the defendants were arraigned in New Haven federal court, entered pleas of not guilty, and were ordered detained. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Stratford Police Department, and the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile. The case is being prosecuted through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jacarre Cortez Woodruff, 23, of Dunbar, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 25, 2023, Woodruff sold approximately 27.4 grams of a substance containing fentanyl to two confidential informants at his residence in Dunbar. Woodruff is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-99. ###


title: Beckley Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Crime

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Algie Kenya Scales, 50, of Beckley, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation for distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 23, 2023, Scales sold approximately 2.7 grams of fentanyl in Beckley for $300. Scales admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling approximately 5 grams of fentanyl for $625 on March 2, 2023, and to selling approximately 4.7 grams of fentanyl for $600 on March 8, 2023. Both of the additional transactions occurred at a predetermined location in Beckley. Scales has a long criminal history that includes two separate prior felony convictions for distribution of a controlled substance. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon and third-year law student intern Benedict Husting prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-167. ###


title: El Monte Man Charged in Connection with Attempts to Ship More Than 1,000 Kilograms of Methamphetamine to Australia

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley man has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he is connected to the attempted exportation of more than one metric ton (2,205 pounds) of methamphetamine concealed inside shipment containers and destined for Australia last year, the Justice Department announced today. Jing Tang Li, 32, of El Monte, is charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, exportation of controlled substances, and attempt and conspiracy to export controlled substances. Li was arrested Thursday near a warehouse in South El Monte. He is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “Dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine devastate our community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We see the misery brought by highly addictive drugs on our streets every day. The massive amount of methamphetamine seized in this case shows how brazen drug traffickers have become and why it is imperative that we use our resources to hold these criminals responsible.” “Being a mere three hours north of the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere has made Los Angeles a critical cog in the transnational narcotics trafficking trade,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Australian Federal Police are committed to dismantling these organizations on both sides of the Pacific.” According to an affidavit attached with the complaint, from February 2023 to December 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspected seven shipments of different purported commodities destined for Australia. The purported commodities were falsely listed as carpets and textiles, furniture, wheel hub testing equipment, and a casting machine. The listed companies that were shipping the “products” were fake businesses. Embedded in the products was methamphetamine. In total, law enforcement seized more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in these containers. Law enforcement eventually traced Li to the shipments and arrested him Thursday driving near a South El Monte warehouse where a robbery was reported during the early morning of August 8. In that warehouse, law enforcement found shipping labels, scales, and a package containing methamphetamine. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Li would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Australian Federal Police are investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the reported robbery. Assistant United States Attorney J’me K. Forrest of the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Ellington Behavioral Health to Make Changes to Ensure Effective Communication with Persons with Disabilities

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that WAIRE, LLC, the owner of the medical practice known as ELLINGTON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH in Ellington, has entered into a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). This matter was initiated by a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice by an individual who is deaf and speaks American Sign Language. The complainant alleges that Ellington Behavioral Health did not provide them with an American Sign Language interpreter for several mental health counseling appointments. Based on its investigation, the government confirmed that Ellington Behavioral Health failed to provide an American Sign Language interpreter for this individual for at least six appointments. Under the ADA, public accommodations, including health care providers, are required to provide American Sign Language interpreters if needed to facilitate effective communication with persons with disabilities. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Ellington Behavioral health has agreed not to discriminate based on disability in the future and will provide persons with disabilities with full and equal enjoyment of its services. As part of that obligation, Ellington Behavioral Health will provide auxiliary aids and services, including American Sign Language interpreters, to ensure effective communication with its patients and their companions who have disabilities. Ellington Behavioral Health has also agreed to provide reasonable modifications to policies and procedures for individuals with disabilities consistent with the ADA. Ellington Behavioral Health will also pay $5,000 to compensate the complainant. U.S. Attorney Avery noted that Ellington Behavioral Health has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to make their mental health services more accessible without litigation. The settlement agreement is effective for three years, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor compliance during that time. Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700 and ask for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov , or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt . This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing.


title: Two Western Washington Women Indicted for Unauthorized Use of  Northern Quest Resort & Casino Bank Account

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Kaydee Jean Baker and Beth Ann Hayes, both of Thurston County, Washington, for bank fraud in connection with the unauthorized use of a bank account belonging to Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino. The Indictment announced today charges Kaydee Jean Baker and Beth Ann Hayes, both of Thurston County, Washington, with ten counts of bank fraud. The Indictment alleges that Baker and Hayes ordered checks displaying a routing number and bank account number for a bank account that did not belong to them, but instead belonged to Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino. The indictment alleges that Baker and Hayes then used the checks drawing from that account, attempting to use the funds in that account for their own financial gain. According to the indictment, Baker and Hayes wrote over $30,000 in checks fraudulently drawn on the Northern Quest Resort & Casino bank account. “The integrity of our financial system is essential to keeping communities safe and strong,” said United States Attorney Waldref. “My office will continue to work closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable when they attempt to abuse the financial system in order to line their own pockets.” The fraud charges carry sentences of up to 30 years in federal prison as well as restitution for fraudulently-obtained funds. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Kalispell Tribal Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frieda K. Zimmerman . An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Case No: 2:24-CR-8-TOR


title: “Big Shades Bandit” receives lengthy prison term

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 23-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for committing numerous gunpoint robberies of Houston banks, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Malik Johnson pleaded guilty Feb. 23. U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein has now ordered Johnson to serve 78 months in federal prison for the robberies and 168 months for brandishing of a firearm which will run consecutive for a total prison sentence of 246 months. Johnson must also serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Johnson’s conduct was not an aberration but instead violent conduct one after another by a serial bank robber. On June 29, and Sept. 6, 2022, Johnson entered First Convenience Bank on Mykawa Road and First National Bank on 43 rd St., respectively. In each instance, he displayed a black pistol, handed the tellers a note demanding money and to do so in seconds. He threated harm if they did not comply. Once he received the money, he exited the bank, leaving behind the notes. The on Oct. 12, 2022, Johnson approached a teller at the Woodforest National Bank on Rice Ave. and once again handed her a similar threatening note. During this robbery, the teller froze, prompting Johnson to display a semi-automatic pistol. The teller eventually gave him cash from the drawer, but Johnson began to demand more money from the neighboring teller. After receiving additional cash, he left the bank. During the robbery, Johnson wore a black Chicago White Sox baseball cap with the nae “Leek” printed on the side. Law enforcement received information that the bank robber, who was dubbed the “Big Shades Bandit,” was Johnson. His Instagram account also indicated a connection to the name “leek.” Authorities believed Johnson strongly resembled the suspect in the bank robberies. Johnson also had a registered vehicle matching the vehicle seen in surveillance videos at the banks. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence and found the clothing worn during the robberies and a semi-automatic pistol. Johnson later admitted to all the bank robberies and using the semi-automatic pistol. At the time of his arrest, Johnson wore the black Chicago White Sox hat with “Leek” embroidered on the side. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts prosecuted the case.


title: Houston gun dealer convicted of assisting illegal firearms trafficking

body_text: HOUSTON – A 44-year-old Cypress resident has entered a guilty plea to aiding and abetting engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Nicah Anderson was a federal firearms licensee and former majority owner and operator of NE Guns. Between December 2022 and March 2023, an individual arranged the purchases of at least 41 firearms from NE Guns. However, that person never personally purchased the guns, but instead had straw purchasers actually obtain the guns. The individual then carried the guns out of NE Guns and quickly resold them. Anderson knew about the resales prior to the arrangement of the purchases. Some of the firearms included Barret .50 caliber, military-grade sniper rifles; FN SCAR 17S, .308 caliber rifles and 9 millimeter pistols. These guns are known weapons of choice for Mexican drug cartels. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at NE Guns July 19, 2023. Among other things, they seized 266 firearms, 138,940 rounds of ammunition, seven silencers and NE Guns’ business records. The investigation found that between October 2022 and August 2023, NE Guns received $115,000 from purchases suspected straw purchasers had made. “Weapons of war, including a .50 caliber gun, walked out of Nicah Anderson’s gun store in the arms of straw purchasers, and he knew it,” said Hamdani. “Investigations such as these stop illegal firearms trafficking at the source. Because of gun violence in large cities like Houston, there is absolutely no place or patience for gun dealers like Anderson who seek to profit from illegal straw purchases.” “This investigation is a clear illustration of the importance of investigating illegal firearms trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “Firearms trafficking is a direct contributor to the gun violence that we fight every day. This defendant chose profit over helping to maintain the safety of the general public and will be held accountable for those repeated decisions.” U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and set sentencing for Oct. 24. As part of his plea agreement, Anderson is expected to serve a two-year prison sentence. Anderson was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing. ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and John Ganz prosecuted the case.


title: Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty to Possessing Fraudulent Immigration and Employment Documents

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gilberto Robles Gonzalez, age 39, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to possessing fraudulent immigration and employment documents. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas P. Brophy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) Buffalo Field Office Director, made the announcement. Gonzalez admitted that on May 6, 2024, he possessed a counterfeit permanent resident card and a counterfeit social security card, both in his name, and knew that the cards were fraudulent. At sentencing scheduled for December 5, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Gonzalez faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. ICE-ERO investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.


title: Man Who Posed As 14-Year-Old Sentenced to 25 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: A 46-year-old Amarillo man who pretended to be a 14-year-old boy in order to obtain pornographic images from a child was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Willie Gonzales was indicted in December 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024 to production of child pornography. He was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to 300 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. According to plea papers, in the fall of 2022, Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety – acting off a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – conducted a search warrant at Mr. Gonzales’ home, where they found an iPhone containing sexually explicit images of a 10-year-old girl. A forensic examination of the phone revealed that Mr. Gonzales persuaded the child to send him photos and videos of herself. At sentencing, the judge noted that Mr. Gonzales had posed on Snapchat as a 14-year-old boy in order to entice his victim. Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Frausto prosecuted the case.


title: Informational: Federal Court arraignments

component: USAO - Montana

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 Aug. 8 was: Leevi Dannyle Dobson, 34, of Billings, and Joseph Marion Medina, III, 33, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dobson and Medina face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Dobson was released pending further proceedings, while Medina was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-98. Appearing on Aug. 6 was: Camille Lynn Ackaret, 42, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ackaret faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Ackaret was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-88. Appearing on Aug. 1 was: Lynda Diane Good, 59, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Good faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Good was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-88. Appearing on July 30 was: Elias Adame, 38, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and receipt of a firearm while under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Adame faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Adame was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-81. Appearing on July 29 was: Curtis William Witmer, 48, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Witmer faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Witmer was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-105. Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Aug. 6 was: Joel Hadley III, 22, of Florida, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hadley faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release on the drug possession charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Hadley was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-26. Scott Hamilton, 44, of Helena, on charges of felon in possession of firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hamilton faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hamilton was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-14. Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 9 was: Blaise Scott Nuthak, 30, of Butte, on charges of distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nuthak faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Nuthak was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-15. Appearing on July 30 was: Alecia Mae Leonetti, 49, of Kalispell, and Krista Lynn Hall, 49, of Kalispell, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Leonetti and Hall face a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charges and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release, on the identity theft charge. Leonetti and Hall were released pending further proceedings. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-36. Guy S. Cook, 59, of Dripping Springs, Texas, on charges of tax evasion. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cook faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cook was released pending further proceedings. The IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-22. Anthony Reimer Mares, 32, of Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mares faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Mares was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI; U.S. Secret Service; Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston and Laurel police departments; Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office; Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, police departments; Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho; Idaho State Police; Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming; and Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, police departments, investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-13. 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: Massachusetts Woman Charged for Attempting to Smuggle Suboxone Into Federal Detention Center Philadelphia

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Wanderis De La Cruz, 24, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was charged by indictment with one count of attempting to provide contraband in prison. The charge arises from De La Cruz’s attempt to smuggle 18 sublingual 8mg films of Suboxone to an inmate at the Federal Detention Center Philadelphia in July of 2024. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment. The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan E. Claiborne. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Four Individuals Charged with Operating Illicit Massage Parlors in New Jersey And New York

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Four individuals have been charged with operating a series of illicit massage parlors in New Jersey and New York, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Zhejun Piao, 37, a Chinese national, Miyeon Choi, 37, a South Korean national, Shangxian Cui, 36, Chinese national, and Meixiang Jin, 34, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise. All four defendants were arrested on Aug. 8, 2024 and made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court. They were all released. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From at least May 2017, the defendants owned, operated, and derived money from illicit massage parlors or spas in New Jersey and New York that, as the defendants knew, had been offering sexual services in exchange for money. The New Jersey spas include Coco Spa in Paterson, Gold Spa in Passaic, 785 Spa in Passaic, Bergen Acupressure in Fairview, Queen Spa in Edgewater, Hawaii Spa in Edgewater, Good Day Spa in East Brunswick, and Spa Wellness in Toms River. The New York spa includes New Soothing Day Spa in New Rochelle. Each of the spas allegedly advertised sexual services on various online platforms by posting images of the female sex workers and describing the sexual services offered. Law enforcement obtained evidence demonstrating each of the defendants’ personal knowledge of, and involvement in, the illegal operation. For example, emails obtained by law enforcement show that Choi received what appear to be draft advertisements for the spas, and other emails and records show Choi and Piao transferred cryptocurrency to an online advertisement company. Law enforcement also observed Cui transport supplies, including mouthwash and paper towels, to the spas, make suspected cash pickups, and deposit over $50,000 of cash with Jin to a bank account. The charge of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; the U.S. State Department, Diplomatic Security Service; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation. He also thanked HSI New York, Hudson Valley Office; Customs and Border Protection; the Passaic County Prosecutors Office; Passaic County Sheriff; Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; Bergen County Sheriff; Edgewater Police Department; Fairview Police Department; Paterson Police Department; East Brunswick Police Department; New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice; South Toms River Police Department; Edison Police Department; South Toms River Police Department; Morris County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; New Rochelle Police Department; Westchester District Attorney’s Office; Federal Air Marshals; New York State Police; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Palisades Park Police Department The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey S. Smith and Javon Henry of the General Crimes Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. piao.complaint.pdf


title: Orlando Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Over $62k In Social Security Funds

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Teresa Eve Hunt (63, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Hunt faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. As part of her plea, she agreed to forfeit the proceeds of her criminal conduct, and to make full restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Hunt is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, 2024. According to the plea agreement, M.H. received both Social Security and VA benefits, which were directly deposited into a checking account to which her daughter, Hunt, had access via a power of attorney. M.H. died on April 13, 2016, at Hunt’s home in Orlando, Florida. Hunt did not report M.H.’s death to the SSA or VA, both of which continued to deposit benefits for M.H. into the account, thinking she was still alive. Hunt took those benefits, to which she was not entitled, and spent them on her own personal expenses. In total, Hunt knowingly converted to her own use and/or the use of another $62,857 in Social Security benefits and $59,120.95 in VA benefits. This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General and Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.


title: Human Smuggling Coordinator Sentenced to Prison

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – Mauricio Andrade-Garcia, 20, of Heber City, Utah, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Andrade-Garcia pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit on March 14, 2024. Andrade-Garcia recruited drivers through social media sites, including Snapchat, to pick up undocumented noncitizens (UNCs) in Southern Arizona and to transport them further into the United States for profit. He coordinated with his co-conspirators, providing them with instructions on how and where to pick up the UNCs. He shared GPS coordinates for the UNCs’ locations and transportation routes designed to circumvent detection by law enforcement. Three of Andrade-Garcia’s co-conspirators were arrested while transporting the UNCs and convicted in separate cases in CR-23-00482-TUC-JCH and CR-23-00108-TUC-RM. Homeland Security Investigations–Casa Grande and Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol–Tucson Sector conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christine D. Keller, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01024-PHX-DLR RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-111_Andrade-Garcia # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Utah Man that Attempted to Steal a Vehicle and Assaulted the Driver is Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: Salt Lake City, Utah – A Utah man who attempted to steal a car while it was parked at a Home Depot in Salt Lake City, threw the driver into a tree, and attempted to outrun law enforcement was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. Kay Elder, 36, of Farmington, Utah, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jill Parrish today after he pleaded guilty in May 2024 to carjacking. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Elder was sentenced to three years’ supervised release. According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Elder approached the 57-year-old victim parked at Home Depot on January 3, 2024, and began yelling at the man to get out of the car and give him the key. The victim exited the car and Elder attempted to strike and kick him but missed. Elder then grabbed the victim and threw him into a tree. Elder then attempted to drive away, but the victim had the vehicle’s car key fob. Elder then ran, attempting to outrun the police. Elder was ultimately arrested. See prior press release here . The case was investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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 gun violence and other violent crime, 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Former ICE Employee Found Guilty of Illegally Directing Hundreds  of Government Vehicle Repair Contracts to His Wife’s Company

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former United States deportation officer was found guilty by a jury today of illegally using his position to send hundreds of payments to his wife’s vehicle repair company. Jacques Polzin, 40, of Norwalk, was found guilty of eight counts of conflict of interest. According to evidence presented at a four-day trial, Polzin formerly was employed as a deportation officer at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). During his employment at ICE, Polzin served as a vehicle control officer, whose job was to facilitate service and repairs for ICE vehicles. From at least November 2017 to September 2020, Polzin illegally sent service and parts orders from ICE to a Santa Fe Springs-based automotive repair company named JNJ Auto Repair LLC. This company was registered to Polzin’s wife. At all relevant times, Polzin had a financial interest in this company. He was involved in establishing and investing in the business, shared estimates from competitors with JNJ Auto so that it could beat the price and win the ICE contract, and was paid by JNJ Auto. In total, Polzin was involved in more than 250 transactions between ICE and JNJ Auto for ICE vehicles. Polzin performed these actions while hiding his connection to JNJ Auto. United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II scheduled a March 10, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Polzin will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count. ICE Office of Professional Responsibility investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys K. Afia Bondero of the Major Frauds Section and Nisha Chandran of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force are prosecuting this case.


title: Non-Custodial Mother Arrested and Accused of Taking a Utah Child to Live at a Religious Compound in Missouri

body_text: UPDATE Upon motion of the United States, the indictment described in the press release below against Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Kristine Merrill, in this case was dismissed on December 9, 2024. Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment this week charging a noncustodial mother, her sister and others with kidnapping after allegedly taking a child from Utah to live at a religious compound in Missouri. According to court documents, Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, of Murray, Utah, had a warrant issued for her arrest on December 20, 2023, after she allegedly kidnapped her non-custodial child from Utah to Springfield, Missouri, in January 2023 through June 2024. Drolet was assisted in the kidnapping by her son Jaxson Davidson 30, of Washington, Utah; Dallas Davidson, 23, of Washington, Utah; and Kristine Merrill, 53, of Murray, Utah. All of whom are now in custody. According to the complaint, Drolet used the United States Postal Service, cellular and other electronic devices, including a burner flip phone, to conceal her and the child’s whereabouts. Additionally, Drolet went through great lengths to avoid apprehension and formed an elaborate plan to take the child out of Utah with help from J. Davidson, D. Davidson and Merrill. As alleged, Drolet and J. Davison left the state of Utah, and drove to Missouri, and Merrill assisted in their departure. After fleeing the state and ignoring the order of the court regarding custody of the child, Drolet remained at large for over a year, and hid the child away from her custodial father and law enforcement. According to the indictment, Drolet planned the kidnapping for 14 months. Throughout the kidnapping, Merrill, J. Davidson, and D. Davidson continued to hide Drolet and the child’s location from law enforcement. Prior to Drolet’s arrest, she was observed with the child who was located at a religious compound led by a religious cult leader, who is also related to Drolet. Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Merrill are charged with kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Merrill's initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for August 13, 2024, at 1:45 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Jaxson Davidson, and Dallas Davidson's initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled in Salt Lake City for August 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4. Drolet has yet to be scheduled. United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST), and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Murray City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit justice.gov/psn . An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. *Court appearances updated 8/15/24 Attachments: motionforleavetodismissindictment.pdf orderdismissingindictment.pdf


title: Antioch Police Officer Convicted By Federal Jury Of Conspiracy And Wire Fraud

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: OAKLAND – A federal jury convicted police officer Morteza Amiri of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to obtain pay raises from the City of Antioch Police Department for a university degree he paid someone else to obtain in his name, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The felony verdicts follow a four-day trial before United States Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White. Amiri is the sixth officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, along with Patrick Berhan, Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash, Samantha Peterson, Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, and Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa. “We expect integrity and honesty from every police officer, every day, in the police departments across this country,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. “Amiri failed to uphold these basic responsibilities, and a federal jury has convicted him of defrauding his employer, the Antioch Police Department. He, along with the other officers he conspired with, now face the consequences of violating the rule of law that they swore to uphold.” “Amiri engaged in a calculated conspiracy to defraud his police department of taxpayer funds. His actions were a violation of the law and a grave betrayal of public trust,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Amiri and his co-conspirators’ deception has no place in law enforcement. With this conviction, he now faces the consequences of his actions.” Amiri, 33, was employed as a Police Officer with the Antioch Police Department. At trial, the evidence presented showed that the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg’s Police Departments offered reimbursements toward higher education tuition and expenses, along with pay raises and other financial incentives upon completion of a degree. However, instead of completing higher education coursework on their own, Amiri and his co-conspirators hired someone to complete entire courses on their behalf at an online university to secure a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Amiri and his co-conspirators then represented they had taken those courses and earned the degrees from the university when requesting reimbursements and financial incentives from their police department employers, the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg. They were in turn paid additional financial incentives, calculated as percentages of their salaries, while they remained employed by their police departments. In a span of two years, the conspiracy included numerous other officers and former officers, including Berhan (Pittsburg PD), Amiri (Antioch PD), Theodosy a/k/a Nash (Pittsburg PD), Peterson (Antioch PD), Mejia-Orozco (Pittsburg PD), and Rodriguez Jalapa (formerly Pittsburg PD). The evidence at trial showed that Amiri texted the person who took his classes for him, writing among other things: “can i hire you [ ] to do my … classes? ill pay you per class”; “don’t tell a soul about me hiring you for this. we can’t afford it getting leaked and me losing my job”; “if i submit my request for the degree on time by the end [ ] of the month i can coordinate my raise in a timely manner”; and “I’m gonna rush order my degree to get my pay raise jump started.” On the basis of courses taken by this person, Amiri “earned” a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Amiri applied for and thereafter received financial incentives from the City of Antioch for having completed university courses and earning a bachelor’s degree. The jury convicted Amiri of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. U.S. Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White scheduled Amiri’s sentencing for November 12, 2024. Each of the two counts of conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The Court may also order a fine, restitution, and supervision upon release from prison as part of any sentence. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. A federal grand jury in San Francisco returned multiple indictments on August 16, 2023, that collectively charged ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with federal crimes. Amiri is the last officer to be convicted in the conspiracy to commit wire fraud case. Amiri is scheduled for trial in another related case in February 2025. Here is the status of the cases: Case Number Statute(s) Defendant (Bold: multiple case numbers) Status 23-cr-00264 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud) Patrick Berhan Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24 Morteza Amiri Convicted at trial 8/8/24, sentencing set for 11/12/24 Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash Pleaded guilty 7/30/24, sentencing set for 11/5/24 Samantha Peterson Pleaded guilty 1/9/24, sentenced 4/23/24 Ernesto Mejia-Orozco Pleaded guilty 6/11/24, sentencing set for 9/17/24 Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa Pleaded guilty 6/25/24, sentencing set for 10/22/24 23-cr-00267 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Timothy Manly Williams Pending 23-cr-00268 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Daniel Harris Status set for 8/13/24 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids); 18 U.S.C. § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) Devon Wenger 23-cr-00269 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) Morteza Amiri Trial set for 2/18/25 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Eric Rombough 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Devon Wenger 24-cr-00157 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Patrick Berhan Pleaded guilty 3/26/24, sentencing set for 9/3/24 This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.