title: Leader of Craven County Armed Drug Organization Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Sentenced To 35 Years

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – The leader an armed drug-trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for moving kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in and around the Craven County area was sentenced yesterday to 420 months in prison for drug trafficking and gun charges. On March 3, 2023, Ivan Leonardo Medina-Beltran, age 45, pled guilty to the charges. Medina-Beltran is an undocumented noncitizen from Sonora, Mexico. “Medina-Beltran supplied kilogram quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine to the New Bern area. He even tried to coordinate the shipment of nearly a kilogram of highly pure methamphetamine to Eastern North Carolina while he was held in jail. The 35-year sentence stands as a warning to would-be drug traffickers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with Craven County every day to keep deadly narcotics off our streets, and dismantling the drug-trafficking networks that supply them,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to investigate, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations that are responsible for the illicit distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl that has resulted in the death of thousands and the ruining of lives and families throughout the country,” said Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte that covers North and South Carolina. “This sentence sends a strong message to narcotic distributors that law enforcement will work aggressively with the United States Attorney’s Office to combat the poisoning of our communities with these egregious and dangerous drugs and bring those involved to justice.” “This prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office has eliminated a major source of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Craven County” said Sheriff Chip Hughes. “The Craven County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and prosecute drug traffickers.” According to court documents and other information presented in court, HSI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Craven County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners launched an investigation into a cartel-connected drug trafficking organization responsible for acquiring kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the southwest border and distributing them in and around Craven County. Through the use of confidential sources, surveillance and controlled buys, law enforcement identified several high-level operatives in the organization, including the leader, Medina-Beltran. From January to October 2022, law enforcement conducted sixteen controlled purchases of ice methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine from Medina-Beltran and other members of the conspiracy. Medina-Beltran sold narcotics directly to confidential informants working at the direction of law enforcement. On September 7, 2022, he sold over 60 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant, while on September 8, 2022, he sold over 290 grams of ice to a confidential informant. On October 31, 2022, multiple search warrants were executed at residences associated with the DTO, including the residence of Medina-Beltran. The search of his home yielded five grams of cocaine, an AR-15 style 5.56 rifle, a .45 caliber handgun, and cash. While in pretrial custody, Medina-Beltran coordinated a shipment of approximately two pounds of ice methamphetamine from California to the Eastern District of North Carolina, which was seized by law enforcement. Multiple other individuals associated with the DTO, including two other high-level operatives have been indicted. Xavier Garza (4:22-cr-00075-D-3) pled guilty to drug trafficking and firearm charges on May 16, 2023. Sentencing is pending in his case. This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; United States Postal Inspection Service; the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Bern Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Englander and Caroline Webb prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-cr-00075-D-1.


title: Fentanyl trafficking in Great Falls sends Washington man to prison for five years

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Washington man who admitted coming to Great Falls to sell fentanyl pills was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. Ryan Mark Jensen, 44, of Bremerton, Washington, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. In court documents, the government alleged that Jensen was a significant drug dealer in Great Falls and had come to Great Falls from Washington to sell fentanyl pills because the mark-up on the pills was so profitable. In September 2022, the Russell Country Drug Task Force learned that Jensen was distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl pills while staying at a local hotel. Investigators searched his hotel room and found a small backpack containing several hundred fentanyl pills and a digital scale. Law enforcement also found small baggies that appeared to have contained meth residue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley prosecuted the case. The Russell Country Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. ###


title: Justice Department Announces Indictment Against Two Men for Trafficking Protected Birds

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Dr. John Waldrop, 74, of Cataula, Georgia, and Toney Jones, 53, of Eufala, Alabama, on conspiracy, smuggling, Endangered Species Act (ESA) and money laundering charges. An arraignment in federal court is scheduled for Oct. 16. The indictment alleges that Waldrop and Jones illegally imported hundreds of taxidermy bird mounts and thousands of eggs into the United States between Jan. 1, 2016, and Dec. 10, 2020; they did not import any live birds. U.S. law and regulations require that importers declare wildlife to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Customs authorities. Permits are also required for wildlife protected by the ESA, Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). “The Endangered Species Act is a vital law in the fight against international trafficking of protected wildlife,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Rare and endangered birds have important roles in their habitats, and we are committed to preventing and deterring their unlawful removal.” “It is in our national and global interest to enforce federal laws and treaties that protect endangered birds from the harm of alleged profiteers like the defendants, and the Eastern District of New York will do so,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This investigation highlights the immense pressure illegal trade places on imperiled bird species around the world, and the Service's commitment to upholding laws and treaties that prevent the exploitation of foreign and domestic species,” said Assistant Director Edward Grace of the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement. “We hope this indictment sends a clear message that our investigators will work tirelessly to seek justice for poached wildlife.” According to the indictment, Waldrop and Jones used online sales sites such as eBay and Etsy to buy birds and eggs from around the world, including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. Waldrop and Jones imported and collected myriad species of protected birds, such as canary, dipper, duck, eagle, falcon, grouse, gull, hawk, heron, hoopoe, kestrel, kinglet, lapwing, murre, owl, parrot, pochard, rail, teal, snipe, spoonbill, vulture and woodpecker. In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges Waldrop and Jones with importing three packages containing birds and eggs in 2020 through John F. Kennedy International Airport in violation of smuggling and ESA laws. The packages contained a Levant sparrowhawk, a grasshopper buzzard-hawk, two gull eggs, two murre eggs and one unidentified bird egg. The final count of the indictment alleges that Waldrop and Jones conspired to commit money laundering by sending funds out of the United States to finance bird smuggling. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of 779 bird mounts and 2,594 eggs alleged to have been illegally imported into the United States. The maximum sentence for the smuggling and money laundering charges is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the economic gain or loss. The conspiracy charge carries a five-year maximum sentence, and the ESA is punishable by six months in prison. The CITES treaty regulates trade in endangered or threatened species through permit requirements. The United States and 183 other countries are signatories to the CITES treaty, which regulates trade in endangered or threatened species through permit requirements. The MBTA implements treaties with Canada, Japan, Mexico and Russia to protect many native U.S. bird species that also have habitats in those countries. The USFWS’s Office of Law Enforcement in Valley Stream, New York, conducted the investigation as part of Operation Final Flight. The operation focused on the trafficking of protected birds into the United States. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources assisted with the investigation. The government is represented by Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Karamigios for the Eastern District of New York. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Two Defendants Indicted for Trafficking Protected Birds

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an eight-count indictment was unsealed charging John Waldrop and Toney Jones with conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, smuggling goods into the United States, violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and money laundering conspiracy. The defendants surrendered this morning in Atlanta and will make their initial appearances this afternoon in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The defendants will be arraigned via teleconference in federal court in Brooklyn on October 16, 2023. The defendants are alleged to have illegally imported hundreds of taxidermy bird mounts and thousands of eggs into the United States between January 2016, and December 2020. U.S. law and regulations require that importers declare wildlife to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Customs authorities. Permits are also required for wildlife protected by the ESA, Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Todd Kim, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD, and Edward Grace, Assistant Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement (USFWS), announced the arrests and charges. “It is in our national and global interest to enforce federal laws and treaties that protect endangered birds from the harm of alleged profiteers like the defendants, and the Eastern District of New York will do so” stated United States Attorney Peace. Mr. Peace also thanked The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their assistance with the investigation. “The Endangered Species Act is a vital law in the fight against international trafficking of protected wildlife,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kim. “Rare and endangered birds have important roles in their habitats, and we are committed to preventing and deterring their unlawful removal.” “This investigation highlights the immense pressure illegal trade places on imperiled bird species around the world, and the Service's commitment to upholding laws and treaties that prevent the exploitation of foreign and domestic species,” stated USFWS Assistant Director Grace. “We hope this indictment sends a clear message that our investigators will work tirelessly to seek justice for poached wildlife.” According to the indictment, Waldrop and Jones used online sales sites such as eBay and Etsy to buy taxidermy birds and eggs from around the world, including Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. Waldrop and Jones imported and collected many species of protected birds, such as canary, dipper, duck, eagle, falcon, grouse, gull, hawk, heron, hoopoe, kestrel, kinglet, lapwing, murre, owl, parrot, pochard, rail, teal, snipe, spoonbill, vulture and woodpecker. In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges Waldrop and Jones with importing three packages containing taxidermy birds and eggs in 2020 through John F. Kennedy International Airport in violation of smuggling and ESA laws. The packages contained a Levant sparrowhawk, a grasshopper buzzard-hawk, two gull eggs, two murre eggs and one unidentified bird egg. The final count of the indictment alleges that Waldrop and Jones conspired to commit money laundering by sending funds out of the United States to finance bird smuggling. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of 779 bird mounts and 2,594 eggs alleged to have been illegally imported into the United States. As alleged, Waldrop and Jones made requests to wildlife dealers for particular bird species, including species that were protected under CITES and the MBTA. In turn, those dealers notified Waldrop and Jones when a bird of that species had been killed and was available for purchase. Waldrop and Jones also communicated regularly with dealers about new birds available for purchase. The estimated value of the wildlife purchased, transported, imported, and possessed by the defendants was at least $1.2 million. The CITES treaty regulates trade in endangered or threatened species through permit requirements. The United States and 183 other countries are signatories to the CITES treaty. The MBTA implements treaties with Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Russia to protect many native U.S. bird species that also have habitats in those countries. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the smuggling and money laundering charges, Waldrop and Jones face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The conspiracy charge carries a five-year maximum sentence, and the ESA is punishable by six months in prison. Assistant United States Attorney Anna Karamigios of the Eastern District of New York and Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are in charge of the prosecution. The Defendants: JOHN WALDROP Age: 74 Cataula and Columbus, Georgia TONEY JONES Age: 53 Eufala, Alabama E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 23-CR-378 (RPK)


title: US Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina introduces new Public Affairs Specialist

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs is pleased to announce the arrival of Veronica Hill as the office’s Public Affairs Specialist and media contact. A seasoned communications professional, Veronica brings with her a wealth of energy, creativity, and collaborative experience. Veronica joins the U.S. Attorney’s Office after serving as a public information officer for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Originally from Kansas, Veronica has worked in the fields of journalism, non-profit community engagement, and law enforcement. She has a passion for developing mission-driven communication strategies and public information campaigns. She has a broad media and marketing portfolio including experience coordinating national media coverage, managing TV/docuseries appearances, and social media content creation. Veronica holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and a master’s degree in theology. ###


title: Ten Individuals Charged for $950,000 COVID-19 Relief Fraud Schemes

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee returned an indictment yesterday charging 10 individuals for their roles in schemes to defraud the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), federal stimulus programs authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly obtained funds under the EIDL program and PPP by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications that collectively sought over $950,000. The defendants are alleged to have submitted applications on behalf of businesses and entities they purportedly owned, knowing that the applications contained materially false statements and misrepresentations concerning, among other things, the purported entities’ number of employees, gross revenues, costs of goods sold, average monthly payroll, and the date on which the entities were established. The defendants then allegedly used the loan funds for purposes not authorized by the EIDL program or PPP, including for personal expenses. Below are the 10 defendants and their charges: Rodrick Flowers, 47, of Memphis, Tennessee, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud. Flowers was the owner of Ezential Consulting & Management Firm LLC and Rodrick Flowers. He allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of Ezential Consulting & Management Firm LLC, for which he obtained approximately $37,000 in EIDL proceeds and approximately $74,450 in PPP loan proceeds. Flowers also submitted or caused to be submitted eight fraudulent EIDL applications and two fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of entities owned by each of his co-defendants. Stephen Brown, 44, of Memphis, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Brown was the owner and pastor of Light of Glory International Church and Stephen Brown Ministries. He allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of Light of Glory International Church and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of Stephen Brown Ministries, for which he obtained approximately $149,900 in EIDL proceeds. LaTonya Herman, 44, of Memphis, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Herman was the owner of LaTonya Herman. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of her business, for which she obtained approximately $93,800 in EIDL proceeds. Jarvys Jones, 38, of West Memphis, Arkansas, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Jones was the owner and pastor of The Temple of Refuge, also referred to as Temple of Refuge Inc, and Refuge. He allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of Refuge and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of Temple of Refuge Inc, for which he obtained approximately $20,000 in EIDL proceeds. Brian Mays, 40, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is charged with one count of wire fraud. Mays was the owner of A-Mays-in-Trucking. He allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of his business, for which he obtained approximately $107,400 in EIDL proceeds. Diane Moss, 60, of Blytheville, Arkansas, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Moss was the owner of The Station, Diane’s Boutique, and Diane Moss. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of The Station and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of Diane Moss, for which she obtained approximately $99,300 in EIDL proceeds and approximately $28,420 in PPP loan proceeds. Mary Payne, 61, of Memphis, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Payne was the owner of Right Now Staffing LLC. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of her business, for which she obtained approximately $4,000 in an EIDL advance. Krystal Sherrod, 34, of Memphis, is charged with one count of wire fraud. Sherrod was the owner of Krystal Sherrod. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of her business for which she obtained approximately $83,300 in EIDL proceeds. Frederick Smith, 54, of Cordova, Tennessee, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Smith was the owner and pastor of New Life Holiness Church. He also owned Fred Smith Ministries and Frederick Smith, and was the owner and trustee in bankruptcy for New Life Holiness BK. Smith allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of Fred Smith Ministries and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of New Life Holiness BK, for which he obtained approximately $150,275 in PPP loan proceeds. Cleveland Wells, 65, of Memphis, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. Wells was the owner and pastor of Glory to God Ministries. He also owned Don’t Worry About it Home Solutions, aka Cleveland Wells Jr. dba Don’t Worry About it Home Solutions. Wells allegedly submitted a fraudulent EIDL application on behalf of Glory to God Ministries and a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of Cleveland Wells Jr. dba Don’t Worry About it Home Solutions, for which he obtained approximately $149,900 in EIDL proceeds. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each wire fraud count. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee, Special Agent in Charge Mark H. Morini Jr. of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Special Agent in Charge Edwin Bonano of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Anand Ramlall of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) made the announcement. TIGTA, FHFA-OIG, and FDIC-OIG are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll Andre for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case. In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus . The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 200 defendants in more than 130 criminal cases and has seized over $78 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud . Anyone with information about attempted fraud concerning COVID-19 is encouraged to report it to the Department of Justice by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or filing an online complaint at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Luzerne County Woman Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Straw Purchasing Firearms

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Quinniea Gross, age 27, of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 10, 2023, to 36 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for giving false statements in connection with acquisition of firearms. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gross was convicted by a jury of conspiracy and straw purchasing firearms in July 2023. Gross accompanied a drug addict to several firearms dealers in Northeastern Pennsylvania and took possession of firearms purchased by her coconspirator. Gross did so for drug traffickers to whom the drug addict owned money for a drug debt. Gross also purchased four firearms herself, two of which were seized in an unrelated drug trafficking investigation in Philadelphia. Coconspirator Christian Barnes was sentenced to 15 months in prison on August 1, 2023, for conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the acquisition of eight firearms. In addition to the 3-year prison term, Judge Mannion ordered Gross to serve a 2-year term of supervised release, and to pay $400 in special assessments and court fees. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Gallagher and Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case. This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms. # # #


title: West Columbia Gang Member Sentenced to Over 12 Years for Federal Drug and Firearm Charges

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Darius Antonio Pugh, age 36, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 12 ½ years (151 months) in federal prison after earlier pleading guilty to two counts of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and a quantity of cocaine. Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of August 14, 2020, a Charleston County deputy conducted a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle. Pugh, the driver, was in the vehicle with a female friend. As the deputy was speaking with Pugh, he saw loose “shake” (marijuana) inside the vehicle, which gave the deputy probable cause to search the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, deputies recovered a small baggie of cocaine and a loaded 9mm handgun. Pugh, who was out on a state bond from Lexington County for a shooting, was arrested on new state charges and thereafter made another state bond. Thereafter, while out on state bond for the Charleston incident and state supervised release for discharging a firearm into a dwelling charges, Pugh, a gang member, was involved in a high speed chase with Richland County deputies. Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of April 9, 2022, Richland County deputies responded to a home invasion in progress in Northeast Columbia. Enroute, deputies received information that the suspect fled in an older model Expedition. While responding to the call, a deputy encountered an older model Expedition fitting the general description in the area. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop of the Expedition based upon improper vehicle tags. As the deputy turned on his blue lights and siren, the Expedition fled from Killian Road onto 1-77 with speeds in excess of 100mph. The chase continued for some time and ultimately stopped within the Colony apartment complex, after the Expedition struck a parked vehicle as it attempted to make a turn at a high rate of speed. Pugh ran from the vehicle and was apprehended by deputies. Inside a bag that Pugh had, deputies found a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and clear bags of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. A search of Pugh’s Expedition uncovered another loaded 9mm handgun, along with a jar of marijuana and a digital scale. Both handguns were reported stolen in Charlotte. It was determined that Pugh was not the suspect involved in the home invasion and that his Expedition was not the Expedition the home invasion victim said left the scene. Pugh is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which include possession of cocaine, possession of other controlled substance, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (two separate convictions), possession of stolen motor vehicle, distribution of heroin, distribution of fentanyl, failure to stop for blue light and siren, and discharging firearms into dwelling. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Pugh to 151 months imprisonment, which will be followed by eight years of federal supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case. ###


title: New York Auto Repair Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

component: Tax Division

body_text: A New York man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States relating to his efforts to conceal income from the IRS. According to court documents and statements made in court, Aniello Strocchia, of Maspeth, owned and operated an auto repair shop. From 2013 to 2017, Strocchia, along with others, cashed more than $1.3 million in checks payable to his auto shop at check-cashing businesses instead of depositing those funds into the business’ bank account. Strocchia concealed the check-cashing activity from his tax return preparers which resulted in the filing of false tax returns that underreported the auto repair shop’s gross receipts and ordinary business income, as well his total personal income. Strocchia used the unreported income on personal expenditures, including luxury car purchases and approximately $500,000 in extensive home renovations. If convicted, Strocchia faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Matthew Cofer and Ann M. Cherry of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Inmate Sentenced To 37 Months’ Imprisonment For Assault

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dontrace Blaine, age 36, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Canaan, in Waymart, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 10, 2023, to 37 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for assault with a dangerous weapon. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on November 8, 2020, Blaine assaulted another inmate with a combination lock wrapped in a bedsheet, causing injury. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Wilkes-Barre Woman Sentenced To 15 Months’ Imprisonment For Tax Fraud

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Madeline Nieves, age 49, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 10, 2023, to 15 months of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for conspiring to defraud the United States. Nieves also was sentenced to serve a three-year term of supervised release, following her term of imprisonment. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Nieves previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to evade taxes, for both her personal tax returns, and for a business that she operated. Specifically, Nieves pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to defraud the IRS, from 2018 to 2020, in connection with staffing company Encore Staffing Solutions LLC, leased temporary employees to manufacturing businesses throughout Pennsylvania, and received in excess of $1.2 million in revenue. Nieves failed to withhold, report, and pay Encore Staffing Solutions LLC employee wages to the IRS. Nieves also failed to report her own personal income from Encore Staffing Solutions LLC to the IRS. The crimes resulted in a tax loss of nearly $160,000, which Nieves was ordered to pay in restitution to the IRS. Five other individuals were previously prosecuted in this investigation: Mark Holmes, age 66, of Hughes Springs, Texas, pleaded guilty to accepting, as the General Manager of the Pennsylvania food services company, approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks from temporary staffing companies Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing, in exchange for hiring their employees. The two temporary staffing companies, in turn, received approximately $7,800,000 from Holmes’s employer. Holmes also pleaded guilty to failing to remit approximately $135,000 in employment taxes to the IRS that were owed by Encore Staffing Solutions LLC. Holmes awaits sentencing. Nari Lam, age 31, of Wilmington, Delaware, pleaded guilty to failing to remit employment taxes to the IRS. From 2016 through 2020, Nari Lam, as the owner of temporary staffing company Penns Independent Staffing, failed to pay approximately $300,000 in employment taxes owed by Penns Independent Staffing to the IRS. Nari Lam awaits sentencing. Danny Sing, age 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to its employees, and to failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes to the IRS. Danny Sing and his coconspirators paid Global Staffing Services, Inc. employees in cash, paid themselves in cash, and cashed all checks received from Global Staffing Services, Inc.’s clients, to conceal the income and wages from the IRS. The criminal activities occurred between 2013 and 2020. Sing also pleaded guilty to providing in excess of approximately $400,000 in bribes and kickbacks to managers and supervisors at Global Staffing Services, Inc.’s client, to obtain business for Global Staffing Services, Inc. Sing awaits sentencing. Den Lam, age 49, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged in an information alleging that he conspired with other individuals to evade federal income taxes for approximately $1,600,000 in wages paid by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to its employees. Den Lam also was charged with failing to withhold and remit approximately $1,360,000 in federal employment taxes owed, but never paid, by Global Staffing Services, Inc. to the IRS. Jason R. Bonnewell, age 41, of North Abington Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury with conspiring to commit honest services fraud, and filing false tax returns. Bonnewell, during his tenure as a supervisor at a Pennsylvania food services company from 2014 to 2019, allegedly accepted cash bribes and other things of value from the owners and operators of Global Staffing Services, Inc. and Penns Independent Staffing. In exchange for the kickbacks, Bonnewell and his coconspirators entered contracts with and hired the temporary employees of the two staffing companies. Allegedly, over $13,000,000 were paid to the two staffing companies, in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks. Bonnewell also was charged with three counts of filing false tax returns, for tax years 2017 through 2019, for allegedly failing to disclose the cash payments on his tax returns. Bonnewell awaits trial. The cases were investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo. Indictments and Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Three Middlesex County Individuals Admit COVID-19 Fraud Schemes Totaling Over $2.1 Million

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Two men and one woman of Middlesex County, New Jersey, have pleaded guilty on separate charges related to their roles in fraudulently obtaining over $2.1 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Arlen G. Encarnacion, 37, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. On Aug. 8, 2023, Jacquelyn Pena, 37, and Kent Encarnacion, 30, both of Perth Amboy, also separately pleaded guilty before Judge Castner to informations charging each of them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. “Enormous amounts of financial relief went to those Americans who were struggling with this unprecedented pandemic, but, sadly, a number of people saw this difficult time as an opportunity to enrich themselves illicitly. Our office is focused on combating all types of fraud, especially when it involves exploiting the suffering of others.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “The CARES Act was created to assist to American citizens and businesses that were impacted financially by the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Christopher A. Nielsen, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Philadelphia Division, said. “However, as alleged, Arlen Encarnacion, and his co-conspirators, manipulated this critical lifeline through a complex scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $2 million dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Postal inspectors will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners, to identify and hold accountable, those individuals who steal pandemic relief to fulfill their own greed.” “IRS Criminal Investigations and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate criminal exploitation of this national emergency for personal gain,” Tammy Tomlins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, said. “Today’s plea sends a clear message that we remain vigilant and will vigorously pursue those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means.” According to the documents filed in these cases and statements made in court: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of hundreds of billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. The CARES Act also authorized the Small Business Administration to provide EIDLs of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses that were experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To obtain a PPP or EIDL loan, a qualifying small business was required to apply and provide information on its operations, including the number of employees and expenses. In addition, businesses generally had to provide supporting documentation. Arlen Encarnacion submitted 11 fraudulent PPP loan applications and three fraudulent EIDL applications on behalf of purported businesses. Kent Encarnacion helped submit one of the fraudulent PPP applications, and Pena helped submit three of the other fraudulent PPP applications. Each application contained false representations, including bogus federal tax return documentation and fabricated information about the number of employees and wages paid. Based on these alleged misrepresentations, lenders, Federal Home Loan Bank members, and the Small Business Administration collectively provided the purported businesses with approximately $2.1 million in federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses. Arlen Encarnacion received the bulk of the fraudulent proceeds, and together with Kent Encarnacion and Pena, they misappropriated all of the funds. Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and each count of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Both the wire fraud and money laundering counts carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. Sentencing for Arlen Encarnacion is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2024. Sentencing for Kent Encarnacion is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2023, and for Pena, Dec. 13, 2023. U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited postal inspectors of U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; special agents of the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sharon MacDermott; special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert Manchak; special agents of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Tucker; special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca in New York; and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz; with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas. He also thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Perth Amboy Police Department for their assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark C. Orlowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . encarnacion.information.pdf


title: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Firearms and Methamphetamine

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New York man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking drugs and firearms. Jason Lebberes, 31, of Tuckahoe, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; one count of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident; and one count of transferring a machinegun. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 17, 2024. Lebberes was arrested and charged in March 2023. Lebberes sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a privately manufactured firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun” and a Glock switch. A Glock switch is a device that converts firearms into automatic weapons. The investigation revealed that Lebberes had sold numerous Glock switches to other customers in the past. During a search of Lebberes’ residence, numerous handguns, assault rifles and ammunition were recovered, several of which were privately manufactured. A video of Lebberes discharging a handgun out of his car window was also recovered during the investigation. The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000,000. The charge of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of transferring a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office; Ketty-Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Head of Boro Park Shomrim Society Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison for Transporting a 15-Year-Old Girl With Intent to Engage in Sexual Activity

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jacob Daskal, the former head of the Boro Park Shomrim Society (the “Shomrim”), a private, Orthodox Jewish crime-patrol group associated with the New York Police Department, was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, to 210 months in prison and a $250,000 fine for transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Daskal pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2023. As part of the sentence, Daskal is required to register as a sex offender. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence. “Daskal used his position of power to inflict serious mental, emotional and physical harm on a vulnerable underaged victim, who belonged to the same community he promised to serve and protect,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentence brings some measure of justice for the brave victim.” Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department for their assistance with the investigation. As set forth in court filings and statements at court proceedings, in the spring of 2017, as a result of his position with the Shomrim, Daskal was introduced to a 15-year-old girl who was having issues with her family and whom he took into his home and then groomed for sex. Between August and November 2017, Daskal, then 58 years-old, subjected the 15-year-old victim to sexual acts. During the summer of 2017, the sexual conduct occurred primarily at Daskal’s house in Brooklyn, New York and at his summer house in South Fallsburg, New York. Daskal frequently transported the victim between those locations by way of New Jersey. At the end of August, Daskal, his family and the victim returned full-time to his house in Brooklyn where the abuse continued. As the school year started, the defendant helped the victim find a new school in Chicago, Illinois, and, in October 2017, she moved there to attend that school and live with another family. While the victim was in Chicago, Daskal communicated with the victim via text message and over Skype video chat. On November 5, 2017, Daskal traveled to Chicago to visit the victim. Daskal booked a hotel room in Chicago, and he brought the victim to the hotel for sex. He returned to New York that evening. Throughout the abuse, Daskal instructed the victim to delete their communications and warned her not to tell anyone about their sexual relationship. Daskal also used his position as a leader in their community to quiet the victim, bragging about his connections to law enforcement and warning her that it would ruin her life if she told anyone about their relationship. In fact, the victim was expelled from her religious school after disclosing her relationship with Daskal to the school principal. The government’s case is being handled by the office’s Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Reid and Genny Ngai are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Litigation Analyst Ryan Costley. The Defendant : JACOB DASKAL Age: 64 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-110 (NGG)


title: Two Indicted in Connection with Multiple St. Louis Carjackings

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Two St. Louis area men have been indicted and accused of committing multiple carjackings and other crimes. An indictment accuses Labron Collins, 19, and Bobby Lee Jones, 24, of carjacking two vehicles and trying to take a third on Jan. 25, 2023. They men tried to steal a 2022 Dodge Charger and successfully carjacked a 2012 Honda Civic and a 2011 Infiniti G37, the indictment says. Collins also carjacked a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta on February 11 and, the next day, a 2013 Acura TL and a 2014 Honda Civic, the indictment says. Jones was also accused in the indictment of supplying fentanyl on Jan. 15, 2023, that killed the user. Both were indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis September 20. Jones was arrested September 22 and Collins was arrested October 4. Collins appeared in court Tuesday for a detention hearing. Jones, of Richmond Heights, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, three counts of carjacking, two counts of possession or brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Collins, of St. Louis, was indicted on six carjacking charges and four charges of possession or brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The fentanyl charge carries a penalty of at least 20 years in prison. The carjacking charges are punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a penalty of seven years to life in prison. A felon in possession of ammunition who has three or more prior convictions for crimes of violence faces at least 15 years in prison. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.


title: Federal Jury in Chicago Convicts Man of Sexually Exploiting Child He Met Online

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal jury in Chicago has convicted an Ohio man of enticing a 16-year-old Illinois girl into sending him sexually explicit images of herself. ANDREW BOLTZ, 25, of Kenton, Ohio, was convicted Tuesday on all five counts against him, including four counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of receipt of child pornography. Each exploitation conviction is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years. The child pornography conviction is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey did not immediately set a sentencing date. Boltz began communicating with the then-16-year-old girl in January 2020 on the social media application Omegle. Boltz continued communicating with her via text messaging and the social media application Snapchat. During these communications, Boltz enticed the victim into sending him sexually explicit images of herself. Boltz instructed the girl on what type of sexually explicit conduct should be portrayed in the images. Boltz was convicted after a six-day trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The victim bravely testified at trial about being manipulated and degraded by Boltz. The convictions were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Peru, Ill. Police Department, the LaSalle County, Ill. State’s Attorney’s Office, the Wilmington, Ill. Police Department, the Will County, Ill. State’s Attorney’s Office, the Will County, Ill. Children's Advocacy Center, the Norwalk, Ohio Police Department, and the Cleveland, Ohio Field Office of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elly M. Peirson, Edward A. Liva, Jr., and Kavitha Babu represent the government. If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to https://www.missingkids.org/ or calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


title: Jacksonville Brothers Sentenced To Federal Prison For Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses And Ordered To Pay $141,000 In Restitution To Victims

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Jonathan William Brown (26, Jacksonville) to five years in federal prison for receiving photos and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children. His brother, Joshua Thomas Brown (28, Jacksonville), was sentenced to four years and six months in federal prison for possessing similar illegal photos and videos. Jonathan Brown was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay $46,000 in restitution to child victims. The court ordered Joshua Brown to serve a 10-year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and pay $95,000 in restitution to child victims. Jonathan William Brown had pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023, and Joshua Brown had pleaded guilty on June 1, 2023. Both have been detained since their arrests on August 30, 2022. According to court documents, in January 2022, an internet service provider documented several uploads of child sexual abuse material to a particular online account with the user name “Jonathan Brown” and other identifiers that were associated with this same name. These reports were forwarded to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office for investigation. The investigation revealed that at least one contraband file had been uploaded using an internet connection that resolved to Jonathan Brown’s residence in Jacksonville. On July 8, 2022, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), together with officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at Jonathan Brown’s residence. Jonathan Brown was at the residence. During the execution of this warrant, agents seized several electronic devices, including computers, cellphones, and storage media. During an interview with law enforcement, Jonathan Brown stated that he had downloaded child sexual abuse materials, he had started engaging in this conduct “a long time ago” when he was in middle school, and since then has been in a cycle of seeking such materials on the internet, downloading it, and then deleting it. Forensic analysis of his electronic devices revealed that Jonathan Brown had downloaded more than 400 photos and 10 videos of child sexual abuse materials, including photos depicting infants and toddlers being sexually abused. Joshua Brown lived at the same residence and was present during the search on July 8, 2022. During an interview with law enforcement, Joshua Brown admitted that a particular cellphone that was seized belonged to him and that only he used it. Forensic analysis of this device revealed that it contained hundreds of image and video files of child sexual abuse material. Further investigation revealed that Joshua Brown possessed more than 2,100 videos and 600 photos depicting children being sexually abused that were recovered from his three cellphones, a gaming computer, an external hard disk drive, and his online cloud storage account. “This disturbing investigation exposed the Brown brothers, who admittedly shared child sexual abuse materials on the internet for many years. These images included vile depictions of infants and toddlers being sexually abused,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Thanks to the law enforcement partnerships forged under the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, we were able to identify these brothers and put a stop to their victimization of our most vulnerable.” These cases were investigated by the Northeast Florida INTECEPT Task Force, to include Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. They were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Tennessee Man Found Guilty of Felony Charges Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

body_text: WASHINGTON – A Tennessee man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of five felony charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Ronald Colton McAbee, 29, of Unionville, Tennessee, was found guilty of all charges against him following a jury trial in U.S. District Court. McAbee was convicted of five felonies, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. On Sept. 25, 2023, McAbee pleaded guilty to a separate felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer and a misdemeanor charge for an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds before U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras in the District of Columbia. Judge Contreras will sentence McAbee on Feb. 29, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 6, 2021, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the U.S. Capitol building to assist the U.S. Capitol Police in maintaining the security of the Capitol from ongoing riots. At approximately 4:20 p.m., MPD officers made their way to an interior tunnel of the Capitol building. Here, they assumed a post in an Archway that provided access to the building’s Lower West Terrace. As the officers arrived, hundreds of individuals gathered outside the Archway, some throwing and/or swinging various makeshift weapons at the group of officers. At about 4:27 p.m., an MPD officer positioned toward the opening of the Archway was knocked to the ground, kicked, and stripped of his baton. During this incident, McAbee was positioned on the south side of the Archway and was able to observe the assault. After the officer was knocked to the ground, McAbee stepped into the Archway, grabbed the officer’s leg, and pulled him further towards the crowd. When a second MPD officer stepped off the police line to assist the downed officer, McAbee stood up, yelled at the officer who had stepped out to assist, and then swung his arms and hands towards the officer’s head and torso. McAbee made contact with the officer and was wearing reinforced knuckle gloves at the time of the assault. McAbee then returned his attention to the downed officer and lifted him by the torso and shoulders. As a result, McAbee and the officer slid down a set of steps, with McAbee falling on top of the officer. The two landed in the crowd, where McAbee lay on top of the officer while other rioters assailed the officer for over 20 seconds before the officer was finally able to get up and work his way back to the Archway. The officer sustained physical injuries, including a head laceration, concussion, elbow injury, bruising, and bodily abrasions. The officer was transported to the hospital and treated for his injuries. McAbee was arrested on Aug. 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington, Memphis, and Knoxville Field Offices, which identified McAbee as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #134 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. #####


title: Two Defendants Convicted Of Murder For Hire In Fatal Shooting of Perceived Business Rival in Queens

body_text: Today, a federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict against Qing Ming Yu, also known as “Allen” and Zhe Zhang, also known as “Zack,” on both counts of an indictment charging them with murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire conspiracy in connection with the February 12, 2019 killing of 31-year-old Xin “Chris” Gu, outside of a karaoke bar in Queens. The verdict followed a two-week trial before United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon. When sentenced, each defendant faces a mandatory term of life in prison. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the verdict. “The victim worked long hours to start his own company only to be murdered execution-style by these treacherous defendants who thought nothing of snuffing out a human life as part of their own business plan,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Thanks to the jury, and the outstanding work of the prosecutors, NYPD detectives and FBI special agents, justice has been served and the defendants will be deservedly punished for this vicious killing.” As proven at trial, Allen Yu was the president of Amaco, a multi-million dollar construction company that renovated apartments in New York City. In 2015, Xin Gu joined Amaco as a project manager. Although Amaco’s business nearly quadrupled after he joined the company, Xin Gu became concerned about the company’s financial viability and resigned in 2018 to start his own property development company called KG Management. After Xin Gu’s departure, several clients and employees also cut ties with Qing Ming Yu’s business. Multiple companies took their lucrative projects from Amaco to KG Management, including one project valued at $1,000,000. Enraged at Xin Gu’s perceived disloyalty, Qing Ming Yu hired co-conspirator You You and Zhe Zhang to kill Xin Gu in exchange for payment. Zhang in turn hired another co-conspirator, Antony Abreu, to assist in carrying out the murder. On the evening of February 11, 2019, into the following morning, Xin Gu’s new company hosted a celebration of the Lunar New Year at Lake Pavilion restaurant in Flushing. After that dinner, Xin Gu and a smaller group went to a karaoke bar, Grand Slam KTV on Fowler Avenue. The hit team learned of the party and with You You acting as a lookout and Zhe Zhang serving as the getaway driver, Abreu allegedly shot the victim multiple times as he waited for an Uber, killing him. Over the next three months, Qing Ming Yu paid $150,000 to You You for the murder. You You pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire conspiracy in June 2023 and is awaiting sentencing. Abreu is awaiting trial. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash, Nadia E. Moore and Gabriel Park are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed. The Defendants : QING MING YU (also known as “Allen”) Age: 55 Oyster Bay, New York ZHE ZHANG (also known as “Zack”) Age: 35 Arcadia, California and Flushing, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-208 (CBA)


title: Two California Men Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Two men from Santa Ana, California, have been sentenced to multiple years in prison for trafficking narcotics to Central Illinois. Cesar Lopez Reyes, 21, and Angel Tovar, 22, were each charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents and information presented at public court hearings, the two men had been using social media to conduct a mail-order drug business, which distributed illegal narcotics via the U.S. Mail across the country to Nevada, Oregon, North Carolina, Kentucky, and to multiple places in Illinois. Tovar conducted sales and Lopez Reyes assisted in shipping the illegal substances. The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Illinois State Police West Central Illinois Task Force opened an investigation into the duo after intercepting a package containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills bound for Adams County, Illinois. The two men were arrested at their residences in Orange County, California. At Tovar’s home, law enforcement recovered an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Lopez Reyes was sentenced on August 30, 2023, to 60 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Tovar was sentenced on October 3, 2023, to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release. At both hearings, U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless noted that while neither man had any criminal convictions, each had committed a very serious offense. Lopez Reyes pleaded guilty on April 25, 2023, and Tovar pleaded guilty on May 10, 2023. “The distribution of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and counterfeit pills, via social media is happening nationwide, and young adults are particularly susceptible to this type of marketing,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger. “Our law enforcement partners’ work to stem this tide of illegal drug sales is vitally important to protect public safety. Counterfeit pills also are often not what they appear to be, exacerbating this danger of these sales and leading to potential overdoses. We are grateful for federal and local law enforcements’ combined efforts on this case.” “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to dismantling drug trafficking operations to keep USPS customers and employees safe from drug traffickers who favor profit over human lives,” stated Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonça of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Chicago Division. “This case is an example of the dedication of the Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners to prevent the shipping of illegal narcotics through the U.S. Mail, which not only endangers the public but also places USPS employees at risk. I appreciate the efforts by all of our law enforcement partners in this case.” “FBI Springfield and our law enforcement partners have one common goal – the safety of the citizens we have sworn to protect. Removing dangerous drugs and drug dealers off the streets demonstrates our commitment to that goal and holds narcotic traffickers accountable for their actions, no matter what state they reside in,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Shannon Fontenot. “As our commitment is ongoing, the FBI will remain vigilant, continuing to identify and investigate those engaged in the illegal acquisition and distribution of controlled substances.” The Illinois State Police West Central Illinois Task Force; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Quincy Police Department; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Santa Ana Police Department. Assistance was also provided by the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office. AUSA Seberger represented the government in the prosecution. The cases against Lopez Reyes and Tovar are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Penobscot Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Penobscot man was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Christopher Beaucage , 38, to 180 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. According to court records, in October 2021, Beaucage and a coconspirator were stopped by an officer from the Bucksport Police Department. After a search of the vehicle revealed approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, Beaucage admitted the fentanyl belonged to him, and he was arrested on outstanding warrants. While he was incarcerated, monitored and recorded phone calls revealed that Beaucage and others continued to engage in drug trafficking activities. Details discussed included traveling out of state to meet with a source, the prices of the narcotics and distributing fentanyl to customers in Maine. The FBI and Bucksport Police Department investigated the case. ###


title: Morris County Woman Charged wth Disability Benefits Fraud and Making False Statements

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County woman charged with fraud and making false statements will make her initial court appearance today, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Pamela VanSyckle, 60, of Oak Ridge, is charged by complaint with one count of federal employee compensation fraud and one count of making false statements. VanSyckle made her initial appearance this afternoon before U.S Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond. According to documents filed in this case: VanSyckle works for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural carrier. In September 2020, VanSyckle signed and filed a claim form alleging that she sustained an injury at work. As a result of that injury, VanSyckle claimed that she was unable to carry out her duties as a mail carrier. While she received disability benefits from September 2020 to September 2023, VanSyckle signed and filed multiple federal claim forms alleging that she had not worked or had outside employment. Based on the submission of those claims, VanSyckle received over $155,000 in disability benefits from the federal government. During the time in which she received disability benefits, however, VanSyckle was in fact working as the owner and operator of a travel agency. While claiming that she was neither self-employed nor involved in any business enterprise, VanSyckle performed a variety of services for the travel agency including handling sales, marketing and financial operations. The fraud and false statement charges each carry a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense, whichever is greater. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modaferri; special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone; and members of the Jefferson Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Paul Castimore, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. vansyckle.complaint.pdf


title: Chatham Man Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading Scheme

body_text: BOSTON – A Chatham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to securities fraud for trading on inside information about a Massachusetts semiconductor company’s planned acquisition of a California semiconductor company. Gregory Manning, 60, formerly of Needham, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 3, 2024. Manning was charged in January 2020 along with co-defendants John Younis and David Forte. In or around June 2016, Forte ¬obtained material non-public information from his brother who was a senior executive at Analog Devices, Inc. (Analog), a Norwood-based semiconductor company, about Analog’s planned acquisition of Linear Technology Corp. (Linear), a semiconductor company based in Milpitas, Calif. Forte passed the information to Manning, who purchased 3,000 shares of Linear stock in the week leading up to the public announcement of the acquisition on July 26, 2016. After the deal was announced, Manning sold all of the Linear shares he had purchased in the days leading up to the announcement for a profit and later paid Forte a kickback in appreciation for Forte’s stock tip. In June 2022, Younis was sentenced to one month of home detention and two years of probation after pleading guilty to trading in Linear securities based on the material non-public information Forte provided to him. On July 20, 2023, Forte was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24, 2023. The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Securities & Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Leslie A. Wright of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.


title: Manchester Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced in federal court for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Emilio Flores, 31, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 48 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On April 12, 2022, Flores pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances. “The defendant trafficked significant quantities of cocaine in New Hampshire,” said United States Attorney Jane E. Young. “The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court reflects that dealing drugs will not be tolerated in the Granite State, and that defendants who assault other inmates will face longer sentences.” "Today’s sentence is a reminder to those who harm our communities – your criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be held accountable,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Let this sentencing be a strong message, the Manchester Police Department does not tolerate this criminal behavior, and this agency along with our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to get these repeat offenders behind bars,” said Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg, “I am very encouraged by this outcome, and I believe it is strong proof that collaboration works.” On September 1, 2021, Flores was arrested on an outstanding violation of state parole. A search of his Manchester residence yielded approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine. After pleading guilty to the drug charge in this case and awaiting sentencing, while incarcerated at the Strafford County House of Correction, Flores assaulted another inmate. An addendum to the plea agreement increased the length of his imprisonment by 12 months to take this conduct into account. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department jointly led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the State of New Hampshire Probation and Parole Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Charles Rombeau prosecuted the case. ###


title: Ohkay Owingeh Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Second Degree Murder

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Fidel Archuleta was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Archuleta, 67, of Ohkay Owingeh, and an enrolled member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, pled guilty to second degree murder on June 5, 2023 According to court documents, on Dec. 11, 2022, Archuleta stabbed his wife to death in their home on Coral Lane in Ohkay Owingeh. When law enforcement arrived, they found that the security door had been pried open and the victim deceased on the floor. Archuleta was unconscious on a couch nearby with a knife in his hand and three shallow stab wounds to his upper body which were self-inflicted and not life threatening. Archuleta had a long-documented history of domestic violence and had been kicked out of the residence by his wife approximately one week before. Upon his release from prison, Archuleta will be subject to 5 years of supervised release. The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Ohkay Owingeh Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-244


title: Compounding pharmacy owner sentenced to 18 months and over $6 million in restitution

body_text: TULSA, Okla. - A former Jenks resident has been sentenced to 18 months for conspiracy to offer and pay health care kickbacks, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge George K. Frizzell sentenced Christopher Parks, 62, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Judge Frizzell further ordered Parks to pay $6,400,651.57 in restitution. “Christopher Parks violated the trust of patients and abused Federal Health Care programs and private insurance companies to cheat taxpayers and pad his pockets,” said U.S Attorney Clint Johnson. “This office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to prosecute insurance and medical fraud.” “This individual and his numerous co-conspirators used their medical credentials to exploit patient trust for financial gain,” said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Illegal kickback payments cloud medical judgment and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who blatantly steal taxpayer money for their benefit.” “The defendant exploited the health care industry by conspiring with others to pay and receive illegal kickbacks in order to enrich himself,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “This is not a victimless crime—health care fraud is a crime against all of us who contribute hard earned income and taxes into the system. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who willingly defraud the American people are held accountable.” On June 27, 2023, Parks admitted in his plea agreement that he was one of the owners and/or operators of OK Compounding, LLC, and One Stop RX, LLC. Parks stated that between Nov. 2012 and June 2019 he paid physicians remuneration or kickbacks to induce referrals of their patients’ compounding prescriptions to one of the two pharmacies. Parks would pay the physicians through bank accounts he controlled knowing that some of the prescriptions were being paid for by government healthcare programs including Tricare, Medicare, the Federal Employees Compensation Act program, and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Compounding prescriptions is a practice in which a pharmacist or physician combines, mixes, or alters ingredients of a drug or multiple drugs to create a medication that is tailored to the specific needs of a patient. These medications are prescribed when standard Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs are unsuitable for the patient. Compounded medications are also more expensive and reimbursed at a far higher rate by federal and private insurance companies than other forms of the same medication. Compounded drugs are not to be mixed or marketed in bulk. The physicians were provided pre-printed prescription pads that listed compounding formula choices. Participating physicians checked a box with their preferred selection and then faxed it directly to the associated pharmacies, rather than writing a prescription tailored to the patient who could then take it to a pharmacy of their choice. Parks disguised payments to physicians through various sham business arrangements. For example, physicians would enter into agreements with a pharmacy to serve as “medical directors.” However, the physicians provided no actual services as medical directors. Instead, physicians were paid kickbacks for writing prescriptions for medications whether their patients needed them or not and sending the prescriptions to Parks-affiliated pharmacies. The Health & Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Nelson prosecuted the case.


title: Arizona Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder of a Federal Task Force Officer

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Robert Benjamin Nelson was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Nelson, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, pled guilty to attempted murder of a federal task force officer and discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence on March 22, 2023, following a mistrial on January 17, 2023. According to court documents, on Sept. 12, 2020, a New Mexico State Police Officer, serving as a Task Force Officer with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), initiated a traffic enforcement stop on Nelson’s vehicle for following another vehicle too closely. As the officer approached Nelson’s vehicle from the passenger side, Nelson raised and fired a .22 caliber revolver three times at the officer through the window. The muzzle blast and initial round from the revolver shattered the passenger window, sending shards of glass into the officer’s face and eyes. The officer raised her hands to shield her face, and the second and third bullets struck her in the hands, causing serious and permanent injury to one of her eyes and both of her hands. The officer fell to the ground, but immediately got back up and returned fire as the truck sped off. The officer pursued and caught up with Nelson, still traveling west on I-40, and pulled him over again. The officer observed Nelson retrieve a rifle from the floorboard of his vehicle and waited for back up to arrive. Officers from the Laguna Pueblo arrived on scene and Nelson was arrested without further incident. “Today, bravery prevailed over cowardice and truth over irrational hate,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “Federal law enforcement officers work every day to make our lives safer. When their lives are put at risk by someone who trained himself to fear police through fantastical internet videos, we will serve decisive justice to protect our protectors. My thanks to our team of prosecutors and federal law enforcement agents who investigated this case, and to the victim whose bravery, professionalism, and calm while under fire made this result possible.” "These types of shootings are brazened, violent acts, absolutely without justification and a threat to our entire community," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda. "An attack on a federal Task Force Officer is a federal crime with serious consequences. Today’s sentencing reflects the FBI’s unwavering commitment to ensure that all those responsible for violence crimes against law enforcement officers are brought to justice." Upon his release from prison, Nelson will be subject to 4 years of supervised release. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case in conjunction with the New Mexico State Police and the Albuquerque Multiagency Officer Involved Shooting Team. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Nicholas Mote prosecuted the case. # # # 23-245


title: Former Nurse from Atlantic County Admits Possessing Child Pornography

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Anthony Barbarino, 37, of Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From April 12, 2022, to Aug. 3, 2022, Barbarino knowingly possessed 93 still photographs and 108 videos of child sexual abuse across three electronic devices, including at least one image of a prepubescent minor or a minor under 12 years of age, and at least one image that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence. Barbarino was arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint on Aug. 3, 2022, with the same offense. Prior to that arrest, Barbarino was employed as a nurse. The count of possession of child pornography that involved at least one image that involved a prepubescent minor or a minor under 12 years of age carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Kurtz, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the Criminal Division in Camden. barbarino.information.pdf


title: Former Senior Fiscal Officer for Non-Profit Organization Charged With Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

body_text: A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Marcia Joseph with wire fraud in connection with her embezzlement of approximately $2.3 million from her employer, a non-profit organization (Company-1) that provides employment and education services for those in need. Joseph was arrested earlier today and made her initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. The defendant was released on a $50,000 bond. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the arrest and charges. “As alleged, Joseph lined her pockets with millions of dollars that she stole from a charity,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Money that should have gone to support those with employment and educational needs instead was used to pay for the defendant’s personal expenses, including mortgage payments, spa treatments, home remodeling, and landscaping. Today’s charges send a message to those entrusted with positions of trust that if you abuse that trust for personal gain, you will be arrested and prosecuted.” “Depleting resources procured for those with special needs is among the most egregious of financial crimes. As we allege today, Joseph did just that by embezzling millions of dollars from the company for which she worked, diverting money away from programs for those in need and right into her pockets. We remind the public that those who engage in similar schemes will be met with a similar fate,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith. “This former senior fiscal officer at a Brooklyn-based nonprofit embezzled more than $2.3 million by submitting to the nonprofit fictitious invoices for services, some of which purportedly related to City contracts, for payment to an entity that the defendant created and controlled, according to the criminal complaint,” stated DOI Commissioner Strauber. “As charged, the defendant used her position of trust and responsibility to line her pockets at the expense of a nonprofit that receives City funding and provides critical services to vulnerable New Yorkers. I thank the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York for their partnership in this investigation and their commitment to protect important public resources from fraud and abuse.” According to the complaint, Joseph was the senior fiscal officer of Company-1, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Brooklyn, New York that provides comprehensive services to support employment opportunities for persons with emotional, developmental, and/or physical disabilities, and those who are economically disadvantaged. Joseph set up a company called Prestige Business Services (“Prestige”), which purported to provide specialized services to other companies on behalf of Company-1. In truth, Prestige performed no work, and instead was used by Joseph for the exclusive purpose of embezzling more than $2.3 million from Company-1 over a 16-year period. Joseph used the money paid by Company-1 to Prestige to pay for numerous personal expenses, including approximately $235,000 in mortgage payments; 207,000 in credit card payments; $98,000 in car payments; $45,000 in Amazon expenses; and various other personal items, such as home remodeling, spa treatment, landscaping expenses, and luxury goods. Joseph also withdrew nearly $100,000 in cash, disbursed approximately $16,000 to friends and family, and issued approximately $50,000 in Prestige checks to herself. The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Silverberg is in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Reed and Melissa Bennett. The Defendant : MARCIA JOSEPH (also known as “Marcia James,” “Marcia Lewis,” and “Marcia Peters”) Age: 57 Baldwin, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-MJ-883


title: Bozeman Man Admits Buying Firearms in Montana, Illegally Exporting Them to Mexico

body_text: MISSOULA — A Bozeman man accused of buying firearms in Montana and selling them to individuals in Mexico admitted today to illegally exporting guns, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. Cristyan Jose Gonzalez-Carrillo, 37, pleaded guilty to illegal export before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto. Gonzalez-Carrillo faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release at his sentencing set for Feb. 15, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Gonzalez-Carrillo was detained pending further proceedings. “Every day across America, the Department of Justice is fighting the twin epidemics of gun violence and drug poisoning that shatter our communities,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “To win that battle, we must root out and prosecute those who traffic illegal firearms to Mexico – where weapons end up in the hands of violent cartels that send deadly drugs back to the United States. Today’s guilty plea represents another step forward, but also a sobering reminder that the fight against cross-border firearms-trafficking is a nationwide challenge.” “Buying guns in Montana and taking them to Mexico to sell is illegal. Fighting gun violence remains a top priority for our office and as today’s hearing showed, we will investigate and prosecute anyone who violates federal firearms laws,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “Preventing unlawful firearms trafficking is a top priority of the ATF,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “Whether the unlawful trafficking is destined for a gang in the United States or a cartel in Mexico, we will work with our partners to stop it and hold accountable those who violate our nation’s firearms laws.” The government alleged in court documents that an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that from February 2020 to May 2020, Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased approximately 31 handguns. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gonzalez-Carrillo’s residence in July 2020 and recovered firearms and ammunition, including semi-automatic handguns and AR style rifles. Receipts seized during the search were from multiple stores in Montana for the purchase of firearms during that period. In addition, the investigation determined that Gonzalez-Carrillo’s vehicle plate records would demonstrate multiple border crossings at San Ysidro, California, from April 2020 to June 2020. Investigators also learned that Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased and advertised firearms for sale on the platform WhatsApp, and sold firearms to individuals in Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is prosecuting the case. ATF conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###