title: Grandview Man Sentenced to Prison for Starting Destructive Fires  Causing Millions in Property Damage

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Yakima, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Christopher Vaughn Schlax, age 48, of Grandview, Washington has been sentenced after pleading guilty to three counts of Damage by Fire to a Building or Personal Property Used in Interstate and Foreign Commerce. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 60 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, Schlax was involved in a series of burglaries on June 27, 2022. A short time later, Schlax and an alleged accomplice traveled to the Lineage Logistics warehouse in Grandview, Washington. To distract first responders from the burglaries, Schlax set fire to a pallet storage area at the warehouse. The fire caused $423,654 in property damage to the warehouse and presented a significant danger to firefighters called to fight the fire. Early in the morning of July 4, 2022, Schlax and the alleged accomplice made plans to burglarize the Dollar Tree store in Grandview. To distract from the burglary, Schlax and the alleged accomplice first drove to the fruit bin lot of River Valley Fruit. Schlax got out of the vehicle and lit a fire. The fire caused more than $1.5 million in damage to River Valley Fruit’s property. A short time later, Schlax and the alleged accomplice attempted to carry out their plan to burglarize the Dollar Tree. Schlax used a cutting torch to cut into a safe in the office of the Dollar Tree store. As a result, Schlax started a fire inside the Dollar Tree. The arson caused more than $1.8 million in damage to the Dollar Tree building and property. “Mr. Schlax not only committed burglaries, but then, to cover up his crimes, he started fires that endangered firefighters, law enforcement and members of the community. The fires started by Mr. Schlax also caused millions of dollars in property damage,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I am grateful for our first responders who keep our community safe. I also want to commend the excellent work of our law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors involved in this case.” “ATF is the only U.S. Government agency with fire and arson investigation as part of its core mission,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “For Mr. Schlax to intentionally start fires to distract first responders from his burglaries is especially cruel. Because of the destruction and danger he caused to the community, this sentence is clearly warranted.” This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Pratten and former AUSA Frances Walker, who indicted the case. The alleged accomplice has been indicted on charges of Damage by Fire to a Building or Personal Property Used in Interstate and Foreign Commerce. The accomplice, who has entered a not guilty plea, was arraigned on November 14, 2022, and is currently awaiting trial. The indictment against the accomplice contains mere allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Youth Sports Coach Admits Seeking Sex with Teen

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A former youth sports coach on Wednesday admitted arranging to have sex with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl. The “girl” was really an undercover St. Louis County police detective. Trevor White, 41, of Fenton, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. He admitted as part of his plea agreement that at 10:33 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2023, he initiated a text message conversation with a 13-year-old girl. White was friends with the girl’s parents. White asked for her photo, and in a series of messages about her clothing and their past interactions, sought a “positive response” from the victim. He ended by sending her a photo of himself shirtless. The victim reported the suspicious conversation to her parents, who then contacted St. Louis County police detectives. The teen’s parents allowed a detective to use her phone, assume her identity and continue the conversation. Over several days, White became increasingly sexually explicit and sought to arrange a meeting so they could engage in sex. He also sent two explicit photos. On September 29, St. Louis County detectives arrived at White’s home to interview him. White admitted participating in the text conversations, admitted asking the teen for a photo of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct and admitted arranging to pick her up and take her to a park to have sex with her. White is scheduled to be sentenced July 16. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. The case was investigated by the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Florida Attorney Sentenced to 8 years in Prison in Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Tax Scheme

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Florida attorney was sentenced today to eight years in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and tax evasion arising out of his promotion of an illegal tax shelter scheme involving false charitable deductions. According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2013 through 2021, Michael L. Meyer, of Davie, Florida, used his skills as an attorney and certified public accountant to promote his fraudulent tax shelter called “The Ultimate Tax Plan.” Meyer and his co-conspirators, Rao Garuda and Cullen Fischel, marketed the scheme as a way for high-income clients to reduce their taxes by claiming deductions for charitable donations that Meyer knew were fraudulent. Meyer prepared boilerplate transaction paperwork for his clients that made it appear they had donated valuable property to charities Meyer controlled. In fact, the clients retained complete control and use over the donated assets. Meyer wrongfully advised clients they could legally access their donated assets for their own personal use through tax-free loans and execute an “exit strategy” to buy back their donations at a significantly discounted rate. In some instances, Meyer backdated documents so that clients could claim purported donations on their prior years’ tax returns. Over the years, Meyer ignored a chorus of people who advised him that his plan was illegal, including the IRS. Indeed, the IRS conducted several audits of Meyer’s charities, and found that the Ultimate Tax Plan was an economic sham. Meyer signed documents acknowledging that finding, and agreeing to close the bogus charities. However, Meyer simply created new “charities” and continued to promote his illegal shelter to wealthy taxpayers. In April 2018, the Justice Department filed a civil suit against Meyer seeking to enjoin him from continuing to promote the Ultimate Tax Plan. As part of that litigation, the Justice Department issued civil subpoenas to Meyer’s clients requesting records related to the Ultimate Tax Plan. In response, Meyer created false, backdated documents, and directed clients to submit them to the Justice Department. Meyer also provided false, backdated documents in response to document demands he directly received from the Justice Department. In April 2019, a federal district court permanently enjoined Meyer from organizing, promoting, marketing or selling the Ultimate Tax Plan. Meyer earned more than $10 million from selling the Ultimate Tax Plan. He used that income to purchase a multi-million-dollar estate and a luxury vehicle collection that included Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Mercedes Benzes, a Bentley and a Ferrari. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore for the Southern District of Florida ordered Meyer to serve three years of supervised release. The court will determine restitution at a later date. Rao Garuda and Cullen Fishel both pleaded guilty in the Northern District of Ohio to conspiracy to defraud the United States and are scheduled to be sentenced on April 16. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. The Tax Division thanks U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida for his office’s assistance. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant Chief Michael Boteler and Trial Attorneys Andrew Ascencio and Michael Jones of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case. Note, an earlier version of the release incorrectly listed Judge Moore as serving in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. The release has been corrected to show that Judge Moore serves in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.


title: U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina, Department of Housing & Urban Development Office of Inspector General Host Community Conversation on Combatting Sexual Harassment in Housing

component: Civil Rights - Housing and Civil Enforcement Section

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorneys Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Sandra Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina, and Dena King for the Western District of North Carolina joined the Civil Rights Division and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) in hosting a community conversation today focused on the use of the Fair Housing Act to prevent and address complaints of sexual harassment in HUD-assisted housing. “In our ongoing commitment to ensure justice and safety for all, we are proud to co-host a community conversation with a focus on combating sexual harassment in housing,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This event represents a crucial step in our collaborative efforts to create a safe living environment for all people.” “Abusing power and control over housing by committing acts of sexual harassment violates a person’s right to equal housing opportunities,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office remains steadfast in our commitment to enforce federal civil rights laws to combat sexual harassment in housing, protect vulnerable tenants and housing applicants, and hold accountable landlords, property managers, and owners who violate these statutes.” “Sexual harassment of citizens who are pursuing safe and affordable housing will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Hairston. “This reprehensible conduct is often inflicted on people who feel they do not have an avenue to seek help. We hope today’s seminar has provided our partner agencies and organizations with information that can be shared with citizens who may have fallen prey to this illegal activity.” “Sexual harassment and sexual assault in HUD-assisted housing are discriminatory actions that violate a tenants’ rights to safe and fair housing,” said Inspector General Oliver Davis. “We are proud to work closely with our partners at the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice and will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act by pursuing bad actors who take advantage of tenants and prospective tenants in violation of the law.” The virtual engagement signified the partnership between the federal agencies to promote the health and safety of tenants residing in HUD-assisted housing by working together to bring justice to victims of predatory landlords and other housing providers who sexually harass or sexually assault tenants in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act. The topics included discussions about the Fair Housing Act and tenant rights under the law, how to recognize and report sexual misconduct in housing, and case studies. Participants included representatives from legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, and other community organizations who assist underserved and underrepresented communities with housing. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences, concerns, and expertise to forge future partnerships and provide resource assistance to beneficiaries when reporting allegations of sexual misconduct in housing. If you or someone you know has information about or has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation—even if the events occurred years ago—report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline . You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint . You may also contact the U.S. Department of Justice at 1-844-380-6178 or visit www.civilrights.justice.gov . Individuals who believe they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other housing discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at: Eastern District of North Carolina: (919) 856-4530 Middle District of North Carolina: (336) 333-5351 Western District of North Carolina: Charlotte (704) 344-6222 or Asheville (828) 271-4661 For more information on the three North Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Offices, priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit: Eastern District of North Carolina: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc Middle District of North Carolina: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdnc Western District of North Carolina: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc


title: Brockton Man Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.5 Million in COVID-Relief Funds

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for a scheme to submit false applications to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) funds through the Small Business Administration (SBA) that were made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Joao Mendes, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 27 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Mendes was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,542,759 and the forfeiture of assets totaling $1,751,694. In December 2023, Mendes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Beginning in or around June 2020 and continuing until at least in or around September 2020, Mendes submitted fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan applications on behalf of several companies, many of which were defunct. Mendes submitted multiple applications for a single entity to successive lenders until a loan was ultimately approved. Those applications contained conflicting information. The fraudulent PPP loan applications misrepresented the number of employees and the average monthly payroll expenses of Mendes’s various fictious businesses. Mendes also submitted false tax records in support of his loan applications. In his EIDL applications, Mendes misrepresented the number of employees, gross revenues and costs of goods sold for each business. Based on the fraudulent applications, Mendes and two of his relatives received over $1.5 million in PPP and EIDL funds. Once Mendes received the funds, he spent them for his own personal benefit—including for the purchase of cryptocurrency. The United States seized cryptocurrency and fiat currency from over 20 accounts that, with additional funds turned over by Mendes, resulted in the recovery of $1.545 million in cryptocurrency and more than $206,000 in U.S. currency, which will be criminally forfeited. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses, through the PPP. Another is the EIDL, through which the SBA offers loans that can only be used on certain permissible business expenses, which can include payment of fixed business debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other business-related expenses that could have been paid had the COVID-19 disaster not occurred. The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open through forgivable loans for eligible uses. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Robert Manchak, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Mehtab Syed, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office; Weston King, Special Agent in Charge of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Western Region; Patricia Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, New York Regional Office; Tyler Hatcher, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office; Christopher J. Gust, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Northeast Field Division; and Brian Tucker, Special Agent in Charge, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Eastern Region, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division, and Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit, and Trial Attorney Jennifer Bilinkas of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Attorney Advisor Scott J. Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section provided significant assistance. On May 17, 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, among other methods, 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 https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . 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 (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Janesville Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kyle Richards, 35, Janesville, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. This prison term will be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Richards pleaded guilty to this charge on January 18, 2024. On May 4, 2023, officers with the Janesville Police Department executed a search warrant at Richard’s apartment in Janesville, as part of an on-going drug investigation. In the living room, officers found cocaine, drug scales, and tools for cooking crack cocaine. Inside a bathroom closet, officers located four firearms and ammunition. In addition, on Richards’s phone, officers found a video showing Richards with several firearms inside of that same bathroom. Richards is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm as a result of several felony convictions, including a 2015 conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon. Richards was on state supervision for that conviction at the time of the conduct in this case. The sentence imposed in this case will run concurrently with a five-year prison sentence Richards received for violating that supervision. At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that Richards’s drug distribution undercut any suggestion that he was merely an addict supporting an addiction. Judge Peterson also noted how the combination of drugs and firearms created a risk of violence. The charge against Richards was the result of an investigation conducted by the Janesville Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl, Fluorofentanyl and Cocaine Charges

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Andre Nunley, 50, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of fluorofentanyl, and 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as attempting to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between June 2022 and December 2023, Nunley was the subject of a joint investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County. As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized over 500 grams of cocaine from a mid-level drug dealer as he left a brief meeting with Nunley. In January 2023, law enforcement executed federal search warrants upon both of Nunley’s known stash houses, resulting in the seizure of approximately 15,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, 4,200 stamp bags, 40 boxes containing empty glassine bags, and bulk U.S. currency. A laboratory confirmed that the seized substances contained about 1,352 grams of fentanyl, 797 grams of a fluorofentanyl and fentanyl mixture, and 199 grams of fluorofentanyl. Fluorofentanyl and fentanyl are Schedule I and II controlled substances, respectively. Following that seizure, law enforcement continued to investigate Nunley’s drug trafficking operation and identified a third residence used by Nunley. In December 2023, law enforcement intercepted a parcel addressed to that residence, which contained about two kilograms of fentanyl. During a controlled delivery operation of the seized parcel to the third residence, law enforcement encountered Nunley, who confessed to expecting a parcel containing drugs. Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for August 7, 2024. The maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. The maximum penalty for the attempt charge is a term of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Pending sentencing, Judge Stickman ordered Nunley remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Nunley.


title: Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Prison for  Possessing Gun as a Felon

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A Cedar Rapids man who assaulted a woman and young child was sentenced April 9, 2024, to two years in prison. Ryan Thomas Beattie, age 31, from Cedar Rapids, received the prison term after an October 30, 2023, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. Information disclosed during the plea and sentencing hearings revealed that on December 14, 2022, Beattie was arrested after an incident where he assaulted a female and toddler. Beattie was arrested and later convicted of child endangerment, assault causing bodily injury, and interference with official acts. Officers located two loaded firearms near where the assault took place. Beattie admitted that the firearms were his and that he had his girlfriend at the time buy them for him since he could not buy firearms. In total, Beattie’s girlfriend bought four firearms, only two of which were recovered with Beattie. The third firearm was recovered during an incident in Iowa City. The fourth firearm has not been recovered. At the time of the December incident, Beattie was a convicted felon. He has a lengthy criminal history and has previously been to prison for child endangerment resulting in bodily injury. Beattie was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by Chief United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Beattie was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-52. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Vermont Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Firearm and Drug Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Vermont man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition and possessing methamphetamine intended for distribution. Jeffrey Baird, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to four years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee. In January 2024, Baird pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. In December 2021, law enforcement stopped Baird’s vehicle travelling north on Route 91 in Northampton. Baird had a fake paper license plate taped to his back window and had been driving without a valid driver’s license. Baird was taken into custody. During a subsequent search of Baird’s vehicle, a revolver and five rounds of ammunition were found along with 207 grams of methamphetamine in a Ziplock bag – which carried a street value of between $6,000 and $10,000. Additionally, three more rounds of ammunition were found on Baird’s person inside his Hell’s Angels vest. Baird is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior convictions for firearms offenses. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla, Chief of the Springfield Branch Office, prosecuted the case.


title: Former Owner Of Latitude 360 Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Failing To Pay Over Payroll Taxes To The IRS

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Brent Brown to 30 months in federal prison for willfully failing to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employment taxes that were withheld from employees’ paychecks. Brown was further ordered to pay more than $3.8 million in restitution to the IRS. Brown entered a guilty plea on January 11, 2024. According to court documents, Brown established the initial version of the Latitude entities in June 2010 with a location in Jacksonville, doing business under the name Latitude 360. The Latitude entities operated restaurant and entertainment complexes and expanded to include locations in Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Albany, New York – although this location never opened to the public. As part of its business operations, the Latitude entities withheld payroll taxes from employees in trust, which taxes were legally required to be paid over to the IRS. Instead of paying these amounts over to the IRS, for multiple years Brown instead directed the monies be paid elsewhere. Additionally, the Latitude entities – at Brown’s direction – failed to pay over to the IRS the employer’s portion of the payroll taxes. Between tax years 2013 and 2016, Brown willfully failed to pay over to the IRS more than $5.3 million in payroll taxes. During the same time period, Brown diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Latitude entities to pay personal expenses – including rent on a luxury Manhattan apartment and tuition at a Manhattan preparatory school. “With this sentencing, Brent Brown was reminded that the responsibility to pay federal taxes is a legal obligation and not a game,” said IRS–Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Lani I. Rosado-Espinal. “We will continue to investigate payroll tax fraud to ensure cheats are not rewarded for their actions and other law-abiding employers are not placed at a competitive disadvantage.” This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Cofer Taylor and Arnold B. Corsmeier.


title: Rutland Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Access Protected Computer Network of Medical Treatment Facility

body_text: BOSTON – A Rutland man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester to conspiring to access a protected computer of his former employer – a non-profit substance use and mental health treatment provider that operates recovery centers throughout Massachusetts. Nathan Howe, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to time served (one day in prison) and three years of supervised released, with the first year to be served in home detention. Howe was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,565. The government argued for a sentence of 21 months in prison and restitution in the amount of $136,233. In October 2023, Howe pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to access a protected computer to obtain information and cause damage and one count of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer and impairing medical treatment. Howe and co-conspirator Patrick Edmonds-Morin were employed by the non-profit until April 2021 and October 2020, respectively. Between September and December of 2021, Howe conspired with Edmonds-Morin to access records of the non-profit’s employees, listen to and view conversations between the employees, and create and deploy a computer program designed to impede the non-profit’s use of the network. In November 2021, Howe accessed the computer network and transmitted a command that shut down the network for the non-profit’s Westborough campus where individuals were receiving in-patient treatment. By shutting down the network, Howe made the non-profit’s electronic medical records system inaccessible at its sites across Massachusetts, impairing or potentially impairing the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients. Additionally, between July 2018 and November 2020, Howe and Edmonds-Morin conspired to commit wire fraud by obtaining cell phones from a cell phone provider which were intended for the non-profit’s staff and, instead, selling the cell phones to third parties for personal profit, typically in the amounts of hundreds of dollars per phone. Edmonds-Morin pleaded guilty in June 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced May 15, 2024. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.


title: McKees Rocks Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking Charge

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Devon Lamont Johnson, 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States Chief District Judge Mark R. Hornak. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, after a controlled purchase of fentanyl was made from Johnson, Allegheny County detectives executed a search warrant for a McKees Rocks residence from which Johnson was selling fentanyl. The search revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl consistent with the drugs Johnson had sold during the controlled purchase. According to court documents filed by the government, Johnson has two prior drug trafficking convictions, including one for distribution of heroin in the federal court in the Northern District of Western Virginia. Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $2 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Allegheny County Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Johnson.


title: Plymouth Man Arrested for Paycheck Protection Program Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Plymouth man has been arrested and charged with wire fraud in connection with fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of business entities he owned and controlled. Joseph Kerrissey, III, 46, was charged with three counts of wire fraud. Kerrissey was released following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Kelley. According to the charging documents, Kerrissey submitted three fraudulent loan applications seeking loans for business entities pursuant to the PPP. The loan applications inaccurately stated that Kerrissey was not on probation during the relevant time period. The loan applications also included fraudulent tax forms that were not filed with the IRS and reported inconsistent income. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Plymouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. On May 17, 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 https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud . 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 (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Youngwood Resident Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft Charges

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Youngwood, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Jackie Lynn Neubauer, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Neubauer, as the manager of a car rental location, accepted credit card numbers of individuals obtained fraudulently from various conspirators, and knowingly processed car rental transactions as if they were legitimate. In total, Neubauer rented more than 140 vehicles in this manner, causing losses of more than $500,000. Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than two years and up to 12 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Neubauer.


title: Pasco Man Sentenced To Nearly 20 Years For Conspiring To Distribute Over 100 Kilograms Of Cocaine In The Tampa Bay Area

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Jonathan Rivera-Roman (35, Hudson) to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison for conspiring to traffic cocaine and for distribution of cocaine. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $108,000, which was seized from a co-conspirator. Rivera-Roman was arrested on March 29, 2023, and detained. He entered a guilty plea on November 8, 2023. Rivera-Roman’s co-defendant, Angel Martinez-Pantoja, was sentenced on February 23, 2024, to 10 years in prison. A third co-defendant, Oscar Borelli-Ortiz, is a fugitive from justice. According to court documents, Rivera-Roman operated a drug trafficking organization in Pasco County that received cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico. Following several controlled purchases of cocaine from Martinez-Pantoja, authorities learned on August 28, 2021, of an imminent plan for the organization to be resupplied via Borelli-Ortiz in Orlando. Authorities conducted three traffic stops that evening and executed several search warrants the next day, resulting in the seizures of bulk cash, firearms, and several kilograms of cocaine. According to testimony presented at sentencing, the Rivera-Roman organization was responsible for obtaining at least 100 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in the Tampa Bay area. Rivera-Roman also used a beauty product supply business to launder his drug proceeds. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pasco Sheriff's Office, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF . It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.


title: Former Lame Deer pastor sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children on Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BILLINGS — A former Lame Deer pastor, who was convicted in a jury trial of sexually abusing children on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. A federal jury on Dec. 11, 2023 found the defendant, Dean Alan Smith, 67, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact by force and two counts of abusive sexual contact by force and of a child. The jury acquitted Smith of one count of abusive sexual contact of a child. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. “Pastor Smith’s prison sentence, while significant, does not come close to the lifetime of trauma his victims will have to endure. But I hope knowing that Smith will likely spend the rest of his life in federal prison gives them some peace of mind that he won’t be able to abuse others. Far too often, and unacceptably so, we are unable to obtain justice for children sexually abused in Indian Country. But justice was achieved here, and it would not have occurred without the bravery of our victims or the tenacity of our federal partners and prosecutors, for which I am grateful,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. The government alleged in court documents and at trial that Smith was the pastor of a local church in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, and that during his time on the reservation, he and his wife housed several foster children and temporarily hosted other children from the community. In approximately 2021 and 2022, four girls, identified as Jane Does 1, 2, 3 and 4, disclosed being sexually abused by Smith between 2017 and 2020 when they were staying or living at Smith’s home. The government alleged that Smith abused each of them, separately and in private, on multiple occasions. All of the victims were under the age of 12 at the time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Licensed firearms dealer arrested for selling gun to five-time felon

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – The owner of Rick’s Armory LLC has been taken into custody for allegedly selling a firearm to a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Ricardo Estevis Jr., 31, Laredo, is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga April 11 at 9:30 a.m. According to the criminal complaint unsealed upon his arrest, Estevis had applied for a federal position. As part of the employment process, the investigation allegedly revealed he had sold a Sig P365 handgun to someone be knew to be a felon. The charges also indicate Estevis further attempted to circumvent the appropriate procedures by conducting the purchase as a private sale. The complaint alleges the buyer had five felony convictions and has been prohibited per federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition since 2004. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Laredo Police Department and other federal, state and local agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez is prosecuting the case. This case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions. A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: South Portland Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A South Portland man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. According to court records, in August 2023, Scarborough Police officers encountered Ethan Bubier , 41, in a parked vehicle and observed drug paraphernalia and a knife on the seat. Officers searched the vehicle and found a backpack with several containers of suspected controlled substances, including 20 individual packets of fentanyl powder, a scale, and empty plastic bags. Officers also found six additional packets of fentanyl as well as $1662 in cash. In total, investigators recovered more than 264 grams of fentanyl. A later search of Bubier’s phone revealed messages documenting what appeared to be his large purchase of narcotics days before the seizure as well as messages from potential buyers. Bubier faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million followed by three years to life of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance from the Scarborough Police Department. The Maine Attorney General’s Office also assisted with the case. ###


title: Boynton Beach Man Indicted For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material Over The Internet

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Timothy Burch Morris (45, Boynton Beach) with distributing child sexual abuse material over the internet. If convicted, Morris faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison, and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Morris was arrested near his home by FBI agents on April 1, 2024. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, with assistance from the Boynton Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Metro Attorney and Metro Real Estate Broker Charged in "Ghost Licensing" Scheme to Facilitate Black-Market Marijuana Operations

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, an eight-count Indictment was unsealed, charging MATTHEW ALAN STACY , 44, of Blanchard, CHONG IU PHU , 47, and CHANH IU PHU , 41, both of Edmond, for their roles in facilitating the black-market marijuana industry in Oklahoma, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On April 2, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an eight-count Indictment, charging Matthew Alan Stacy, Chong Iu Phu (Phu), and Chanh Iu Phu (Chanh) with drug conspiracies. Additionally, the Indictment charges Stacy with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, Phu with four counts of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and Chanh with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The Indictment alleges that Phu, a real estate broker, and Stacy, an attorney, conspired to aid and abet marijuana traffickers in Oklahoma by making false and fraudulent representations on applications for state licenses to operate marijuana farms—all on behalf of their black-market marijuana trafficker clients. Under Oklahoma law, to own and operate a medical marijuana grow, applicants must obtain a license through the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and register with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN). Oklahoma law also currently requires that any commercial marijuana grow is at least 75% owned by Oklahoma residents. The Indictment alleges that Phu and Stacy helped their clients evade these residency requirements and establish black-market marijuana farms. Court documents allege specific instances where Phu and Stacy either purchased, or facilitated the purchase of, Oklahoma residents’ personal identifying information—which Phu and Stacy then used on applications for OMMA licenses and OBN registrations that they submitted on behalf of persons who did not qualify to serve as majority owners and operators of commercial marijuana grows. The Indictment specifically alleges that straw owners listed by Phu included an employee, as well as Phu’s parents. The Indictment further alleges that Phu, along with his brother Chanh, served as a one-stop-shop for marijuana traffickers from other states seeking to set up marijuana grows, many of which operated on the black market. In addition to carrying out the alleged ghost-licensing scheme, Phu is charged with using his brokerage firm and network of property-management and property-investment companies to service the housing and/or real estate needs of black-market marijuana traffickers by brokering land sales for them across Oklahoma, renting them land on which to operate their black-market marijuana grows, and renting them residences which served as marijuana stash houses and personal residences of the owners of black-market grows. The Indictment also alleges that Phu and Chanh themselves were directly involved in the operation of black-market grows, and that Stacy rented land to individuals he knew were not licensed to grow, and allowed the black-market operation to operate on his land. If found guilty, Stacy, Phu, and Chanh all face up to life in federal prison. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The charges are the result of more than two years of statewide investigations led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Oklahoma City District Office, the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, and OBN. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nick Coffey and Elizabeth M. Bagwell are prosecuting the case. The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to the attached Indictment and public filings for more information.


title: Green Bay Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl Resulting in Death and Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, U.S. Senior District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced a Green Bay man, Keenan J. Denruyter (age: 32), to 25 years in prison after he pled guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, and Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a convicted felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 922. Court records indicate that in June and July 2023, Denruyter repeatedly distributed counterfeit Percocet® “M30” pills containing fentanyl, resulting in the overdose deaths of two Green Bay females aged 17 and 18. Denruyter was on extended supervision at the time, having been released from state prison for felony cocaine delivery. As part of an ongoing investigation, the Brown County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) made controlled buys during which Denruyter sold fentanyl pills to an informant. BCDTF arrested Denruyter, finding hundreds of additional M30 pills and a loaded pistol. BCDTF’s investigation continued, leading to evidence connecting Denruyter to the two overdose deaths. In sentencing Denruyter, Judge Griesbach emphasized that trafficking fentanyl is distributing “poison.” The judge considered nationwide data that 7 in 10 counterfeit pills tested at DEA Crime Labs contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds, and that synthetic opiates like fentanyl cause over 73,000 deaths annually in the U.S.—equal to 200 deaths per day. “Fentanyl continues to cut a devastating swath through families and communities across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Individuals who distribute this deadly poison choose to gamble with the lives of others simply to put a few extra dollars in their own pockets. I commend the hard work of the Brown County Drug Task Force and all of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners who remain committed to working together to hold individuals like Mr. Denruyter accountable for their deadly and callous actions.” “This long federal prison sentence sends a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate firearm violence or drug trafficking in our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christpher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the DEA and the Brown County Drug Task Force for their commitment in investigating and prosecuting this important case.” Brown County Sheriff Todd J. Delain said, “The Brown County Drug Task Force is grateful for our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to hold those who distribute dangerous drugs accountable for their actions. The distribution of dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, has led to an overall decay of society and all too often death of people who are addicted or using these dangerous drugs. We will continue to work hard for the people of Northeast Wisconsin by relentlessly pursuing and arresting those that present a serious threat to our community!” According to the DEA, illicit fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl—the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil—is considered a potentially deadly dose. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for most of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States. This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. ### For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov (414) 297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Jury Convicts Fentanyl Supplier Of Conspiracies, Distribution, And Causing A Near-Fatal Overdose

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Joseph Marion (41, St. Petersburg) guilty of two counts of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine; one count of distributing fentanyl; and one count of distributing a mixture of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in serious bodily injury. Marion previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine with the intent to distribute. Marion faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 16, 2024. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Marion was a second-tier supplier of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine. He imported fentanyl and fentanyl analogues from China via the U.S. mail, blended and packaged the controlled substances himself, and then sold the drugs from his home to street dealers who further distributed them to users. During the trial, one of the street dealers testified that she bought 40 - 100 bags of fentanyl from Marion each day, every day, for several years. In November 2019, a woman who was with Marion in his apartment snorted Marion’s fentanyl, thinking it was heroin, and nearly died. Paramedics were able to save her, though she was hospitalized for days afterward. In November 2019, agents executed a search warrant for Marion’s apartment and seized large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, as well as thousands of branded wrappers used to package fentanyl and heroin. Marion was known by the nickname “Backpage Jay” because his other source of illicit income was advertising and “managing” prostitutes on the now-defunct website Backpage.com. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Orlando Convicted Felon Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison For Unlawful Possession Of Firearms

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Robert Lee Pringle (35, Orlando) to 10 years in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Pringle to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used in the offense. Pringle entered a guilty plea on January 16, 2024. According to court documents, on May 3, 2022, an officer with the Orlando Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle driven by Pringle. Pringle fled at a high rate of speed and later crashed into another vehicle, after which Pringle attempted to flee on foot before being detained. A search of the stolen vehicle Pringle was driving revealed two pistols and ammunition on the front passenger floorboard. Also on the front passenger floorboard was a backpack containing paperwork with Pringle’s name, prescription bottles with Pringle’s name, suspected narcotics, digital scales, sandwich baggies, and additional ammunition. At the time, Pringle had multiple prior felony convictions, including carrying a concealed firearm, robbery, burglary of a conveyance, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft third degree, and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed or with wanton disregard. As a previously convicted felon, Pringle is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Missoula woman sentenced to more than two years in prison for stealing two U.S. Forest Service pickup trucks

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA — A Missoula woman who admitted to stealing property from the U.S. Forest Service was sentenced today to two years and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Kasey Nichol Hugs, 39, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to theft of government property. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The judge also ordered $11,836 restitution for the damage caused to the property Hugs stole. The government alleged in court documents that on Dec. 26, 2020, a white Dodge Ram 2500 crew cab pickup truck, valued at approximately $40,000, and two government cell phones were stolen from the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula. Five days later, Hugs stole a second truck, a 2017 Ford crew cab, valued at more than $28,000, from the same facility. In the weeks that followed, Hugs drove the trucks to various businesses in Missoula. In January 2021, the Ford was located on the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Dodge was recovered from the side of Highway 200 in Lincoln. Both vehicles sustained property damage and were missing their truck bed toppers. Hugs was identified through surveillance videos and other evidence as having stolen the property. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The U.S. Forest Service and Missoula Police Department conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Federal Jury Convicts South Portland Man of Possessing a Firearm After Conviction for Assaulting His Wife

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

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A South Portland man was found guilty yesterday of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence following a two-day trial in U.S. District Court in Portland. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in June 2010, Willie Richard Minor , 63, formerly of Auburn, was convicted in Maine Superior Court of assaulting his then-wife. As a result of that conviction, Minor was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition. In November 2016, Minor admitted to having a gun in an interview with the Auburn Police Department. The police recovered the gun from his apartment in Auburn. Minor was originally convicted and sentenced on the federal charge after a trial in December 2017. While the case was pending on appeal, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision, Rehaif v. United States, that changed what the government is required to prove in certain federal firearm possession cases. As a result, the parties agreed to have the original conviction vacated, and the case was remanded for a new trial. Minor was again convicted after a trial in February 2020, and in September 2020, he was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release. In March 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit found that the jury had been incorrectly instructed in Minor’s second trial. The Court of Appeals clarified what the government is required to prove under the Supreme Court’s Rehaif decision. The case then proceeded to trial for a third time. “This case was particularly important because the new jury instructions given here provide clarity for our future pursuit of such prosecutions against former domestic abusers who illegally possess firearms across Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee . “Those convicted of abusing their loved ones should understand that illegal gun possession will not be tolerated in Maine.” Minor will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Auburn Police Department; the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the FBI investigated the case. The Mechanic Falls Police Department investigated Minor’s earlier assault case. ###


title: Keystone Heights Multi-Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing Ammunition

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Allen Tereal Grimes (33, Keystone Heights) has pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Grimes faces up to 15 years in federal prison and forfeiture of the ammunition, which is alleged to be traceable to his offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Grimes made his initial appearance in federal court on March 4, 2024, and was ordered detained. According to court records, on August 11, 2023, Grimes was in possession of Winchester 9mm ammunition, among other ammunition. At the time of the incident, Grimes had seven prior felony convictions, including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, fleeing and eluding a police officer, felony battery, and assault with intent to commit to a felony. As a previously convicted felon, Grimes is prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Jacksonville Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Boise Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

body_text: BOISE – Michael McClain, 37, of Boise, was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, in March 2023, McClain and his co-defendant, Sonya Trujillo, sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to another person. Firearms were also present during McClain’s course of drug trafficking. At the time of his arrest, McClain was on probation for a felony drug crime. Although McClain admitted to joining a gang in his youth, he contends he dropped out of the gang during his previous prison sentence. “This case reflects the public safety results generated by the strong partnerships between our office and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will continue to leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those who bring dangerous and deadly illicit drugs into Idaho.” “It takes a strong collaborative approach to try and rid our communities of the dangerous drugs that endanger Idahoans’ lives every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “McClain’s sentencing highlights the dedication and tenacity of our Task Force and what can be achieved when we work together to dismantle drug trafficking organizations in our state." “The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office remains firm in our commitment to hold those accountable who commit crimes in our communities,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “More, we affirm our commitment to the collaborative partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the FBI Metro Violent Crime and Gang Task Force team who work so hard to bring these cases to adjudication.” “These investigations require teamwork, patience and a tremendous amount of time,” said Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram. “This is yet another victory for Idahoans in our relentless pursuit of justice in the Gem state. Caldwell is proud to be part of the team that continues to fight the war on drugs.” U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered McClain to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. McClain was indicted as part of a 25-defendant investigation in August 2023 and he was convicted by a federal jury in January 2024. Co-defendant Trujillo pleaded guilty, on November 16, 2023, to distributing fentanyl and was sentenced, on March 14, 2024, to 46 months in federal prison. Judge Brailsford ordered Trujillo to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force for its efforts in this case. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Caldwell Police Department, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction. McClain was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Nafzger and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kelsey Manweiler. The Special Assistant U.S. Attorney was hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. This case was also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Previously Convicted Maryland Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: WASHINGTON –Raymon Edward Dandridge, 39, of Harwood, Maryland, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to distributing more than 20 videos depicting adult men sexually abusing toddlers and infants. The plea agreement was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Dandridge already is serving a sentence for possession of child pornography on a 2022 conviction out of Ann Arundel County, MD. Today, Dandridge pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth in Washington D.C. to a federal count of distribution of child pornography. Judge Lamberth scheduled sentencing for September 18, 2024. According to court documents, Dandridge, aka “D4ALL” and “Ray Gozeinu,” communicated with an undercover FBI agent on April 26, 2023, over an encrypted messaging service. During the chat, Dandridge sent the undercover agent 20 videos depicting the sexual assaults of prepubescent children. Later, Dandridge agreed to meet the undercover agent and the undercover agent’s purported 8-year-old daughter “to play with her” on the afternoon of Friday, April 28, 2023. Law enforcement arrested Dandridge when he arrived at the Washington D.C. location for the meet-up. When he is sentenced, Dandridge will face a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison on the distribution of child pornography charge, due to his prior conviction. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Shinskie and Caroline Burrell and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Larson. This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Wisconsin Man Sentenced to Prison for 2022 Firebombing of Madison Building

body_text: Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury, 29, of Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today to 90 months in federal prison for attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive to a building in Madison. Roychowdhury attacked the building with a Molotov cocktail in the wake of the leak of the draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , overruling Roe v. Wade . He targeted the building because it was occupied by an organization that opposed abortion. Roychowdhury pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2023. “The sentence imposed today is the result of innovative work by the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors who tirelessly investigated this case,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “It is also a reminder that the Justice Department will hold accountable those who turn to violence as a means of intimidation.” “The FBI will not stand for the use of violence or criminal activity to express personal views on any matter,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Today’s sentencing is the result of the FBI’s commitment to use all of our resources to aggressively pursue anyone who uses violent tactics in an attempt to impose their views on others.” “Engaging in an act of terror – in this case, firebombing a business because of their beliefs – is criminal and unamerican. As today’s sentencing demonstrates, it won’t be tolerated,” said Director Stephen Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). “I commend the collaborative efforts by all the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, and I commend the expertise of ATF’s forensic laboratory, and the assistance from the ATF Boston Field Division, for their dedication. In this case, the DNA testing led to the swift arrest of this defendant and made the community safer.” “Roychowdhury’s arson was an act of domestic terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “Domestic terrorism is cowardly and profoundly undemocratic. It is not speech; it is not an exchange of ideas; instead, it is an attempt to harm or frighten one’s fellow citizens, thus driving Americans apart and weakening the fabric of our democratic society. The U.S. Department of Justice, and this U.S. Attorney’s Office, with our local and federal law enforcement partners will never flinch from holding domestic terrorists accountable.” On May 8, 2022, at approximately 6:06 a.m., law enforcement responded to an active fire at an office building located in Madison. Once inside the building, police observed a mason jar under a broken window; the jar was broken and the lid and screw top were burned black. The police also saw a purple disposable lighter near the mason jar. On the opposite wall from the window, the police saw another mason jar with the lid on and a blue cloth tucked into the top; the cloth was singed. The jar was about half full of a clear fluid that smelled like an accelerant. Outside of the building, someone spray painted on one wall, “If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either” and, on another wall, a large “A” with a circle around it and the number “1312.” During the investigation, law enforcement collected DNA from the scene of the attack. In January 2023, after reviewing surveillance video of an individual spray painting “We will get revenge” on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol, law enforcement observed visual similarities to the graffiti that had been spray painted at the scene of the firebombing the year before. In March 2023, law enforcement identified Roychowdhury as a possible suspect. Local police officers observed Roychowdhury dispose of food in a public trash can; the officers recovered the leftover food and related items and law enforcement collected DNA from the food. The contents of the bag included a quarter portion of a partially eaten burrito. Law enforcement swabbed the burrito for DNA and sent the swab to an ATF lab. On March 17, 2023, law enforcement advised that a forensic biologist examined the DNA evidence recovered from the attack scene and compared it to the DNA collected from the food contents. The forensic biologist found the two samples matched and likely were the same individual. In March 2023, Roychowdhury travelled from Madison to Portland, Maine, and he purchased a one-way ticket from Boston to Guatemala City, departing March 28, 2023. Law enforcement arrested Roychowdhury at Boston Logan International Airport that day. The Madison Police Department, Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department, ATF, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and Dane County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with the assistance of the FBI Boston Field Office, Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Air Marshal Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman for the Western District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Beck for the District of Massachusetts handled the defendant’s appearance in Boston following his arrest.


title: Madison Man Sentenced to 7 ½ Years in Prison for Attempted Firebombing of Madison Building in 2022

component: National Security Division (NSD)


title: Superseding Indictment Charges Two District Brothers in Fentanyl Conspiracy, Distribution, and Firearms Offenses

body_text: WASHINGTON – Jevaughn “Ledo” Mark, 32, and his brother Angelo Mark, 30, were charged yesterday in a 17-count superseding indictment for participating in a conspiracy that distributed large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in the metropolitan area. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Jevaughn Mark is currently being held on charges that include eight counts of unlawful distribution (of fentanyl, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin) and distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl between January 10, 2024, and March 13, 2024. The charges stem from six controlled purchases in which undercover DEA and MPD taskforce officers (UC-DEA/MPD) contacted Jevaughn Mark and purchased narcotics. In each instance, the UC-DEA/MPD agents requested to buy “Special K” or ketamine from Jevaughn Mark. In every instance, Jevaughn Mark supplied a mixture of fentanyl and other substances, including heroin, but not ketamine. After obtaining an indictment against Jevaughn Mark, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in connection with his arrest. From his residence, agents recovered two firearms, cocaine, fentanyl, approximately $38,000 in U.S. currency, body armor vests, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. The same day, law enforcement also executed a search warrant at another residence tied to Jevaughn Mark, in which they located his brother, Angelo Mark. From Angelo Mark’s bedroom, law enforcement recovered seven firearms, 900 rounds of ammunition, dozens of pills, cocaine, fentanyl, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and approximately $50,000 in U.S. currency. Based on the evidence, both brothers were indicted in the current superseding indictment. Both brothers are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine in the superseding indictment. Separately, Angelo Mark is charged in the superseding indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm after having previously been convicted of an offense punishable by a term exceeding one year. Jevaughn Mark’s additional charges in the superseding indictment include possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm having previously been convicted of an offense punishable by a term exceeding one year. The case is being investigated by the DEA’s Washington Division and the Metropolitan Police Department with the collaboration on the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Iris McCranie and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Coley, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses section. This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting Detainee

component: Civil Rights - Criminal Section

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – A former DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy, Javarrea Pouncy , 30, pleaded guilty to depriving a detainee of his civil rights under color of law by willfully using unreasonable force against the detainee. “Like any law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect people in his custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Instead of fulfilling his duty, the defendant abused his authority by beating a detainee who posed no threat to him, leaving the victim broken, bloodied and bruised. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting officers who violate the civil and constitutional rights of those in their care.” “This defendant was an officer of the law who took an oath to serve and protect others, but he did the exact opposite of that,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “This incident was unnecessary and a result of this defendant’s abuse of the law. We take these violations of civil rights of others very seriously and will continue to prosecute those who violate these laws in the Western District of Louisiana.” “There is never any excuse for a man or woman who takes the oath to serve and protect to do what Pouncy did in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI is committed to uncovering cowards who attempt to hide their acts of violence behind the badge. Justice is finally served in this case.” According to court documents, on September 27, 2019, Pouncy was working as a deputy at the DeSoto Parish jail when he and another deputy strip searched a detainee as part of the booking process. During the search, Pouncy and the other deputy, DeMarkes Grant , repeatedly punched the detainee, even though the detainee did not pose a threat to either officer. The officers threw approximately 50 punches at the detainee, including in the head and face. As a result of the assault, the detainee was hospitalized and diagnosed with a broken eye socket and broken nose, among other injuries. Grant previously pleaded guilty to an obstruction offense for filing a false report about the assault, which he did knowingly and purposefully in order to prevent authorities from learning about the unreasonable use of force. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 7, 2024. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Pouncy faces a penalty of 30 to 37 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. # # #


body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, U.S. Senior District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced a Green Bay man, Keenan J. Denruyter (age: 32), to 25 years in prison after he pled guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Possessing Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute, and Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a convicted felon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 922. Court records indicate that in June and July 2023, Denruyter repeatedly distributed counterfeit Percocet® “M30” pills containing fentanyl, resulting in the overdose deaths of two Green Bay females aged 17 and 18. Denruyter was on extended supervision at the time, having been released from state prison for felony cocaine delivery. As part of an ongoing investigation, the Brown County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) made controlled buys during which Denruyter sold fentanyl pills to an informant. BCDTF arrested Denruyter, finding hundreds of additional M30 pills and a loaded pistol. BCDTF’s investigation continued, leading to evidence connecting Denruyter to the two overdose deaths. In sentencing Denruyter, Judge Griesbach emphasized that trafficking fentanyl is distributing “poison.” The judge considered nationwide data that 7 in 10 counterfeit pills tested at Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Crime Labs contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for 18- to 45-year-olds, and that synthetic opiates like fentanyl cause over 73,000 deaths annually in the U.S.—equal to 200 deaths per day. “Fentanyl continues to cut a devastating swath through families and communities across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “Individuals who distribute this deadly poison choose to gamble with the lives of others simply to put a few extra dollars in their own pockets. I commend the hard work of the Brown County Drug Task Force and all of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners who remain committed to working together to hold individuals like Mr. Denruyter accountable for their deadly and callous actions.” “This long federal prison sentence sends a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate firearm violence or drug trafficking in our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I commend the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the DEA and the Brown County Drug Task Force for their commitment in investigating and prosecuting this important case.” “Far too many lives have been lost across Wisconsin from fentanyl poisonings, and the DEA will continue working with our state, local and federal partners to hold drug traffickers accountable for the harm they inflict upon our communities,” said DEA Special Agent, Sheila Lyons Chicago Field Office. Brown County Sheriff Todd J. Delain said, “The Brown County Drug Task Force is grateful for our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to hold those who distribute dangerous drugs accountable for their actions. The distribution of dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, has led to an overall decay of society and all too often death of people who are addicted or using these dangerous drugs. We will continue to work hard for the people of Northeast Wisconsin by relentlessly pursuing and arresting those that present a serious threat to our community!” According to the DEA, illicit fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. It is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl—the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil—is considered a potentially deadly dose. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for most of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States. This case was investigated by the Brown County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. ### For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov (414) 297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Lane County Diesel Repair Shop and Shop Owner Plead Guilty to Clean Air Act Violations

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A Lane County, Oregon, diesel repair shop and its owner pleaded guilty today in federal court to knowingly and intentionally tampering with pollution monitoring devices on at least 184 vehicles in violation of the Clean Air Act. Diesel & Offroad Authority, LLC, located in Veneta, Oregon, and its owner and operator, Christopher Paul Kaufman, 38, a resident of Veneta, pleaded guilty to tampering with pollution monitoring devices. As part of their plea agreements, Diesel & Offroad Authority and Kaufman have agreed to pay $150,000 each in criminal fines and serve three years terms of probation. “Diesel & Offroad Authority and its owner put profits over our community’s health and safety by amplifying diesel engines’ noxious fumes,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “We will continue working closely with our partners at EPA to hold accountable businesses that violate our nation’s environmental protection laws.” “The defendants in this case illegally tampered with the onboard diagnostics systems and removed the emissions control components from hundreds of diesel trucks,” said Special Agent in Charge Lance Ehrig of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA CID) in Oregon. “The pollution that results from vehicle emissions can lead to serious health conditions and has been linked to increased respiratory disease and childhood asthma. This guilty plea demonstrates that EPA will vigorously prosecute those who violate laws designed to protect our communities from harmful air pollution.” According to court documents, beginning in at least 2018 and continuing through 2022, Diesel & Offroad authority tampered with and disabled emissions control systems of at least 184 diesel vehicles in violation of the Clean Air Act. Diesel & Offroad Authority charged its customers approximately $2,300 each for the emissions modifications and collected more than $378,000 for the unlawful services over an approximately four-year period. As owner of Diesel & Offroad Authority, Kaufman oversaw and participated in the illegal modification of vehicles, including by procuring various automotive parts used in the process and engaging in and directing employees in the removal of emissions control equipment. On March 12, 2024, Diesel & Offroad Authority and Kaufman were charged by federal criminal information with violating the Clean Air Act by tampering with pollution monitoring devices. Diesel & Offroad Authority and Kaufman will be sentenced on July 17, 2024. This case was investigated by EPA CID. It is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. If you witness an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, please call 9-1-1. After alerting local emergency authorities, please also report incidents to the EPA’s Report a Violation website ( https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations ) or by calling the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.


title: Oshkosh Sex Offender Indicted on Federal Child Pornography Charges.

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Dakota J. DeGroot (age: 27) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for possessing child pornography as a repeat offender in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(5)(B) and 2252A(b)(2). The indictment alleges that DeGroot possessed electronic files containing child pornography on or about January 18, 2024 . DeGroot was previously convicted of possessing child pornography in Winnebago County Circuit Court in 2016. As a repeat offender, upon conviction of the offense alleged in the federal indictment, DeGroot would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in federal prison. He also could be fined up to $250,000 and would continue to be obligated to register as a sex offender under state and federal law. This case was investigated by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections – Division of Community Corrections. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ### For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov (414) 297-1700 Follow us on Twitter