title: Final Defendant Sentenced In Connection With $1.3 Million Fraud Scheme Involving U.S. Postal Employees

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that NATHANAEL FOUCAULT — a former U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) letter carrier who was charged with eight other defendants in connection with their theft and unauthorized use of credit cards to defraud several national financial institutions, credit card companies, and major retailers — was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. FOUCAULT’s co-defendants, JOHNNY DAMUS, a/k/a “Ace,” RASHAAN RICHARDS, a/k/a “Jay Dee,” a/k/a “JD,” a/k/a “Payso,” DEVON RICHARDS, a/k/a “Dev,” CONRAD HERON, a/k/a “Conny Cash,” LOUIS JEUNE VERLY, a/k/a “Luis Jesus Virola,” KAREEM SHEPHERD, a/k/a “Reem,” a/k/a “Marcus Ford,” a/k/a “Frank James,” FABIOLA MOMPOINT, a/k/a “Lady Fab,” and JOHNATHAN PERSAUD were previously sentenced by Judge Gardephe. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “These individuals participated in a years-long scheme to manipulate credit card companies and major retailers across New York and New Jersey in order to enrich themselves. The sprawling scheme was sophisticated, organized, and efficient. The USPS employees involved in this scheme abused their positions of trust in order to supercharge the fraud, which caused serious financial loss and compromised the identities of hundreds of victims. Thanks to the diligence of our law enforcement partners and the career prosecutors of this Office, the defendants have now been held accountable for their brazen criminal conduct.” According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment and statements made in public filings: The defendants were convicted and sentenced for their participation in a multi-year scheme to steal credit cards from the mail spanning from approximately December 2018 to September 2022; use those stolen credit cards at a variety of stores, including high-end retailers; and sell some of the merchandise purchased with the stolen cards online. In order to obtain credit cards for use in the scheme, beginning in December 2018, RASHAAN RICHARDS, DEVON RICHARDS, and SHEPHERD conspired with USPS letter carriers, including MOMPOINT, FOULCAULT, and PERSAUD, to steal credit cards directly from mail routes. At the direction of DAMUS, members of the conspiracy, including RASHAAN RICHARDS, DEVON RICHARDS, SHEPHERD, HERON, and VERLY used the stolen credit cards at a variety of stores, including high-end retailers in Manhattan, resulting in over $1.4 million in charges to the credit card companies. In order to use the stolen credit cards, the defendants worked together to obtain personal identification information for hundreds of victims using a variety of internet-based sources so that they could provide credit card companies with the information necessary to activate the stolen credit cards. Following their purchases, the defendants transferred some of the fraudulently obtained items to DAMUS who, working together with a close associate, sold the items on a particular website, LuxurySnob.com, which purported to be an “online consignment and personal shopping company” specializing in “pre-owned luxury items,” but, in truth and in fact, many of the items it sells were purchased using stolen credit cards. * * * FOUCAULT, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $11,803.91 in restitution and $11,803.91 in forfeiture. A chart containing the sentences of FOUCAULT’s co-defendants is below. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work and diligence of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, USPS – Office of the Inspector General, and the New York City Police Department. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley C. Nicolas, Madison Reddick Smyser, and Chelsea Scism are in charge of the prosecution. DEFENDANT SENTENCE IMPOSED RASHAAN RICHARDS* Six years in prison, forfeiture of $536,434.01 and 90 luxury goods and electronics JOHNNY DAMUS* 63 months in prison, forfeiture of $536,434.01, over 600 luxury items, and the URL www.luxurysnob.com KAREEM SHEPHERD Seven years in prison and forfeiture of $536,434.01 DEVON RICHARDS Three years in prison, forfeiture of $369,543.43 and 15 luxury goods CONRAD HERON Three years in prison and forfeiture of $536,434.01 LOUIS JEUNE VERLY Two years in prison FABIOLA MOMPOINT One year in prison and forfeiture of $91,456.39 JOHNATHAN PERSAUD Three years of probation and forfeiture of $29,104.73


title: St. Petersburg Felon Sentenced To More Than 12 Years For Possessing Firearm And Cocaine

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Oscar Freemond Fowler III (48, St. Petersburg) to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Fowler entered a guilty plea on January 4, 2024. According to court records, in October 2023, officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at Fowler’s residence. During their search, they located cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. On the floor next to Fowler’s bed, agents located a loaded 9mm pistol that contained an extended magazine and 29 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Fowler had multiple prior felony convictions including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. “This is another example of how the ongoing collaboration with our state and federal partners assisted us in removing a dangerous felon and reducing gun violence in our community,” said Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg Chief of Police. “This is a major victory for the St. Pete community,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “We’re proud to have contributed to putting this notorious and violent triggerpuller in federal prison for a long time.” This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan. 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: Columbus Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting a Federal Officer

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident with prior felony convictions was sentenced to serve more than 11 years in prison today for injuring a federal officer as he attempted to flee arrest during an investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. Christopher Upshaw aka “Trouble,” 24, was sentenced to serve 136 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on April 8. Upshaw pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon on Jan. 23. Upshaw is not eligible for parole. “Chris Upshaw acted with utter disregard for the lives and safety of others when he injured law enforcement and endangered community members during his frantic flight,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Ultimately, Upshaw couldn’t evade justice, thanks to the tireless efforts of the FBI and others to hold him accountable.” “This case shows the risk law enforcement officers face on a daily basis” said FBI Atlanta’s Columbus Resident Agency Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Rich Bilson. “Upshaw violently assaulted both our Task Force Officer and a Special Agent. The FBI stands ready to investigate any crimes against officers. More than anything, we are thankful that the injuries were not more severe, and that this incident did not result in a loss of life.” According to court documents and the plea agreement, authorities identified a suspicious package from Northern California that was addressed to Upshaw’s residence on Buxton Drive in Columbus; it was set for delivery on Aug. 4, 2023. Upshaw was wanted on outstanding warrants at the time. FBI, DEA, Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Coweta County Sheriff’s Office members conducted physical surveillance at Buxton Drive on Aug. 4. The suspicious parcel was delivered at 3:30 p.m. and left on the front porch. The defendant drove up in his Dodge Charger approximately 30 minutes later to retrieve the package, which he put inside his vehicle and then entered the driver’s side. At this time, multiple unmarked law enforcement vehicles with at least one flashing its emergency lights approached Upshaw. Law enforcement officers and federal agents—all of whom were wearing agency issued body armor equipped with law enforcement insignia—exited their vehicles and advanced towards Upshaw’s car in an attempt to arrest him. Upshaw began forcibly operating his vehicle in an effort to evade arrest. FBI Special Agent (SA) M.M. attempted to open the passenger side door. Rather than complying with law enforcement’s demands to stop, Upshaw accelerated instead. Simultaneously, as a result of the vehicle’s acceleration, FBI SA M.M. was unable to release the passenger door handle and was forcibly pulled into a nearby stationary vehicle. Upshaw also struck and damaged three occupied law enforcement vehicles. Other members of law enforcement were injured on scene. Upshaw sped away at a high rate of speed through the residential area and escaped but was captured several days later. During his flight from law enforcement, he discarded the suspicious package which was recovered by agents and contained approximately 17 pounds of marijuana divided into 14 bags. Upshaw has prior felony convictions for drug possession in Muscogee County, Georgia, Superior Court. Upshaw is charged with attempted murder in Phenix City, Alabama, and is wanted for resisting arrest in Miami, Florida. These charges in Alabama and Florida are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case was investigated by FBI, DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams prosecuted the case.


title: Former Postal Worker Charged with Theft of Mail from Elmwood Post Office

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DAVID RAYFORD , age 40, of Kenner, La., was indicted on April 5, 2024 for Mail Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709. The indictment charged RAYFORD with stealing a greeting card containing a Visa Gift Card and $100.00 cash from the United States mail on June 14, 2021. If convicted, RAYFORD faces up to five (5) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Six Defendants Charged For Corruption At Rikers Island

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today the unsealing of Complaints charging former Rikers Island correction officers CARLOS RIVERA, CHANTAL DE LOS SANTOS, and STEPHANIE DAVILA; former Rikers Island program counselor SHANEQUA WASHIGTON; former Rikers Island contractor KENNETH WEBSTER; and former Rikers Island inmate KRISTOPHER FRANCISCO with federal crimes arising from their involvement in corruption at Rikers Island. RIVERA, DE LOS SANTOS, WASHINGTON, WEBSTER, and DAVILA were arrested earlier today. RIVERA, DE LOS SANTOS, WASHINGTON, and DAVILA will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court, and WEBSTER will be presented tomorrow in Manhattan federal court. FRANCISCO is currently in state custody. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Rikers Island is less safe, for inmates and officers alike, when corrections officers and others in positions of public trust accept bribes to smuggle contraband. As alleged, the defendants in these cases engaged in corruption for their own enrichment. In our relentless pursuit of justice, we leave no stone unturned, especially within the confines of jails and prisons, where the safety and dignity of all individuals must be safeguarded. We will not tolerate any breach of trust or corruption that jeopardizes the well-being of inmates and staff.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “These defendants allegedly abused their former positions within the Department of Corrections by accepting bribes from multiple inmates - including one charged along with them - to smuggle contraband, including illicit substances, into several jail facilities on Rikers Island. This alleged conspiracy permeated Rikers Island, polluting the integrity of the Department and its institutions, while jeopardizing the trust in other officials with similar job roles. The FBI is committed to pursuing all forms of corruption, especially schemes involving those responsible for safeguarding our corrections system.” DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “As charged, former City Correction officers and employees, and a former employee of a vendor to DOC, used their positions of trust to traffic drugs and cell phones into Rikers Island jail facilities. Contraband in our City’s jails fuels disorder and violence, and DOI has issued recommendations to the Department of Correction intended to improve controls around officers’ and vendors’ entry and access to jail facilities, and to thereby limit the flow of contraband. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their continued partnership and commitment to hold accountable those who undermine the stability and security of the City’s jails.” According to the three Complaints unsealed today in Manhattan federal court: [1] RIVERA was a correction officer who was assigned to the North Infirmary Command, one of the jail facilities on Rikers Island in the Bronx, New York. From December 2021 through February 2022, RIVERA accepted bribes from an inmate and smuggled contraband, including oxycodone and marijuana, into the jail. DE LOS SANTOS, a former correction officer who was assigned to the Anna M. Kross Center (“AMKC”), another jail facility on Rikers Island, accepted bribes from multiple inmates to smuggle contraband into the jail from March through June 2022. WASHINGTON, a program counselor at the Department of Correction, also accepted bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband into AMKC, conspiring with DE LOS SANTOS from March through April 2022. In addition, WEBSTER, an employee of a contractor that provided services at Rikers Island, also accepted bribes to smuggle contraband and conspired with DE LOS SANTOS from May through June 2022. DAVILA, a former correction officer who was assigned to AMKC, and FRANCISCO, then an inmate at the facility, conspired to smuggle contraband into AMKC in exchange for bribes between approximately July and August 2021. Specifically, DAVILA and FRANCISCO bribed another correction officer to induce the officer to smuggle contraband, including fentanyl, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids commonly known as “K2,” into AMKC. * * * RIVERA, 27, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics and controlled substances, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. DE LOS SANTOS, 30, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison, and two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, each of which carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. WASHINGTON, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison, and conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. WEBSTER, 42, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. DAVILA, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, and FRANCISCO, 29, of Ossining, New York, are each charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison; conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison; and conspiracy to distribute narcotics and controlled substances, which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in these cases are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and DOI. The cases are being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Z. Margulies, Jonathan E. Rebold, and Derek Wikstrom are in charge of the prosecutions. The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaints and the descriptions of the Complaints set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Three Members of Same Family Indicted for Allegedly Kidnapping Victim in Mexico then Traveling to U.S. to Collect Ransom Payment

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury today returned a four-count indictment against a father, his sister, and his son for an alleged kidnapping scheme in which the father pretended to act as an intermediary between the victim hostage’s family and the hostage takers while his son and sister crossed the border into the United States to collect the ransom money. The following defendants – all from Rosarito, Mexico – are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking and one count of conspiracy to demand a ransom payment: Mario Alex Medina, 53, a.k.a. “Shyboy;” Jose Salud Medina, 31, a.k.a. “Gordo,” who is Mario Medina’s son; and Maria Alejandra Medina, 50, who is Mario Medina’s sister and Jose Medina’s aunt. Mario and Jose Medina also are each charged with one count of making a foreign communication with intent to extort. Maria Medina has been in federal custody since March 26 is currently jailed without bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for April 16 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Mario Medina made his initial appearance on Monday in United States District Court in Bakersfield and has a detention hearing scheduled there for April 11. Jose Medina is incarcerated in Mexico. According to the indictment, on November 5, 2022, Mario Medina directed and helped accomplices break into the house of a neighbor, identified in court documents as “R.V.,” kidnapping the victim at gunpoint, pistol whipping him and firing a gun near his head. The next day, one of the co-conspirators placed a ransom call to the victim’s family in Los Angeles County and demanded $70,000 for his release. The kidnappers, through WhatsApp, also sent a video of the victim being beaten. On November 10, 2022, Jose Medina allegedly telephoned a relative of R.V.’s and threatened to kill the victim if R.V.’s family did not pay $30,000. Later that day, Mario Medina – pretending to be an intermediary between R.V.’s family and the hostage takers – allegedly told the victim’s family to meet at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, located north of the U.S.-Mexico border, to make the ransom payment. Jose and Maria Medina allegedly met the victim’s family the next day at the McDonald’s restaurant, where they collected the $30,000 ransom payment, which they took with them back to Mexico. The hostage takers on November 11, 2022, then left R.V. tied up and alone in a small, subterranean trench, where Mexican law enforcement rescued him later that day. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted of all charges, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The FBI is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Jena A. MacCabe and Derek R. Flores of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Maryland Man Who Extorted Massachusetts Victims He Met On Online Dating Website Sentenced

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Maryland man was sentenced today for making extortionate threats toward victims in Massachusetts. Brandon D. Kane, 28, of Baltimore, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to time served (five months in prison), one year of supervised release and restitution of $4,800. In September 2023 , Kane pleaded guilty to two counts of interstate transmission of extortionate threats. Kane used an online dating website to meet victims locally in Eastern Massachusetts from at least September 2021 through May 2022. During two such meetings, Kane made unauthorized videos of his victims engaging in illicit drug use or sexual activity with him. Kane then threatened to release the videos to the victims’ families and employers unless his victims paid him. One victim ultimately paid Kane $3,500 and another paid Kane $1,300. Acting United State 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. Attorneys Jessica Soto and Benjamin Tolkoff of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Thousands of Machine Guns and Sniper Rifles and Over 500,000 Rounds of Ammunition Seized En Route from Iran to Yemen Transferred to Ukrainian Armed Forces

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: On April 4, the United States transferred over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, and RPG-7s, and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. These armaments were seized by U.S. Central Command and partner naval forces from four flagless vessels in the Arabian Sea enroute from Iran to Yemen, where sanctioned groups including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly support the Houthi movement. The Department of Justice then filed a civil forfeiture action against the seized munitions, resulting in a Dec. 1, 2023, order by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia transferring title to the United States. “With this weapons transfer, the United States government is both disrupting Iran’s destabilizing efforts and supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s brutal, unprovoked invasion,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to use our legal authorities, including forfeiture, to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.” “As we see Russia and Iran engaging in conduct to undermine global security, the Department of Justice is taking deadly weapons out of the hands of terrorists and putting them into the hands of Ukrainians defending their homeland,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. “We will continue to use the full reach of our authorities to disrupt the Iranian government’s efforts to undermine stability and to support the Ukrainian people’s stance against tyranny.” “Civil forfeiture remains an important tool in our efforts to stop or disrupt terrorist organizations like the IRGC,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Its use in this case demonstrates the power of our counter-threat financing actions to strip legal control of assets from bad actors. We are proud to have been able to work with CENTCOM in this matter, and through them to further the efforts of partners like the Ukrainian armed forces in their fight to maintain freedom.” According to court documents in the civil forfeiture action, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command seized the weapons from four interdictions of stateless dhow vessels: two from 2021 and two from 2023. These interdictions led to the discovery and seizure of four large caches of conventional weapons, including long arms and anti-tank missiles, and related munitions – all of which were determined to be primarily of either Iranian, Chinese, or Russian origin. This action followed the government’s successful March 2023 forfeiture action against over one million rounds of ammunition en route from Iran to Yemen, which were also transferred to the Ukrainian armed forces. These forfeiture actions addressed the illicit trafficking of advanced conventional weapons systems and components by sanctioned Iranian entities that directly support military action by the Houthi movement in Yemen and the Iranian regime’s campaign of terrorist activities throughout the region. The forfeiture complaints alleged sophisticated schemes by the IRGC to clandestinely ship weapons to entities that pose grave threats to U.S. national security. The HSI Washington Field Office and the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office are leading the larger investigation of the Iranian weapons-smuggling network, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in conducting the seizures. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart D. Allen, Brian P. Hudak, Rajbir S. Datta, and Anna D. Walker for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys S. Derek Shugert and Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division litigated the case, with support from Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Angela De Falco.


title: Court Enjoins Philips Respironics from Manufacturing and Distributing Adulterated and Misbranded Sleep and Respiratory Devices at or from Three Pennsylvania Facilities

component: Civil Division

body_text: A federal court today ordered Philips RS North America LLC (Philips Respironics) to stop manufacturing most sleep and respiratory devices at three Pennsylvania facilities, and to stop distributing such devices from those facilities, until the company takes specific measures designed to increase the safety of its devices and ensure compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). In a complaint filed April 4, in federal court in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the United States alleged that Philips Respironics, a subsidiary of Philips Holding USA Inc., violated the FDCA by manufacturing and distributing adulterated and misbranded medical devices. Specifically, the complaint alleged that Philips Respironics manufactured continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines, and mechanical ventilators at facilities in Murrysville and New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and remediated certain ventilators at a facility in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, under conditions and using practices that failed to comply with the FDCA and with Good Manufacturing Practice regulations designed to assure the safety and effectiveness of the devices. The complaint also alleged that Philips Respironics failed to submit to FDA written reports of manufacturer-initiated corrections or removals for its devices, and further failed to validate and approve the process the company used to perform remediation work on certain recalled ventilators according to established procedures. The complaint further alleged that these violations were similar to violations observed during previous inspections that resulted in two FDA Warning Letters to Philips Respironics (for its Murrysville facility), a Warning Letter to its subsidiary Respironics California LLC (for another facility in Carlsbad, California) and a civil lawsuit and consent decree with another subsidiary of Philips Holding USA Inc., Philips North America LLC. According to the complaint, millions of CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and mechanical ventilators manufactured at the Murrysville and New Kensington facilities were recalled in June 2021 due to potential health risks . The recalled devices contained polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam, which was used for sound abatement. According to the recall notices issued at that time, the PE-PUR sound abatement foam “may degrade into particles which may enter the device’s air pathway and be ingested or inhaled by the user,” and “the PE-PUR foam may off-gas certain chemicals.” The FDA classified the recalls as Class I, the most serious type of recall. Philips Respironics’ efforts to remediate the PE-PUR foam in those recalled devices are ongoing, and some of the remediated devices have themselves been the subject of additional recalls. Defendants Philips Respironics, its parent company Philips Holding USA Inc., and subsidiary Respironics California (collectively Philips), along with Philips executives Thomas Fallon, Daniel Leonard, and Jeff DiLullo, as well as executives Roy Jakobs and Steven B. C de Baca from Philips’s Dutch parent company, all agreed to resolve the complaint through a consent decree of permanent injunction. Under the consent decree, entered today by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville, the defendants are barred (subject to certain limited exceptions, such as for “medically necessary” devices) from manufacturing and distributing devices at or from the three Pennsylvania facilities — or resuming such activities at the other facility in Carlsbad, California — unless and until Philips meets certain conditions. Those conditions include retaining an outside expert to inspect the defendants’ facilities, methods and controls to determine whether they conform to Good Manufacturing Practice regulations; completing activities described in an FDA-approved recall remediation plan and receiving written notification from FDA that the defendants appear to be in compliance with the FDCA and the decree. “Medical device manufacturers have a responsibility to comply with requirements designed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of their products,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s action reflects our commitment to vigorously enforce federal law and prevent manufacturers from marketing adulterated and misbranded devices to vulnerable patients who need them.” “Today’s consent decree requires Philips Respironics to meet a series of stringent thresholds before restarting production and establishes safeguards against future violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This office, the FDA and our partner agencies are committed to holding manufacturers accountable when they violate the law and put the public at risk.” “The finalization of this decree is a significant milestone,” said Director Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Throughout this recall, we have provided patients with important health information by issuing numerous safety communications and have taken actions rarely used by the agency to help protect those impacted by this recall. Today’s action is a culmination of those efforts and includes novel provisions aimed at helping ensure that patients receive the relief they have long deserved. This also marks the first time a device company is providing a remediation payment option for a recalled device under a consent decree.” The consent decree also requires the defendants to retain outside experts to inspect their other Sleep and Respiratory Care facilities to evaluate whether those facilities are operating in compliance with the FDCA, to correct any identified deficiencies, and to evaluate the testing that the defendants have performed and are performing on foam being used to replace the sound abatement foam in the recalled devices. The consent decree also allows FDA to subject other facilities owned by the corporate defendants to certain provisions of the injunction if a future inspection shows that those facilities are not operated in conformity with the FDCA and applicable regulations. Trial Attorneys Natalie N. Sanders and Ryan E. Norman of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam B. Fischer for the Western District of Pennsylvania handled this matter, with the assistance of Senior Counsel Paige H. Taylor of the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel. Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, visit www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa . The claims resolved by the consent decree announced today are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. Consent Decree


title: Erie Man Indicted on Methamphetamine Charge

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The one-count Indictment named Shawn Geer, 47, as the sole defendant. According to the Indictment, on or about July 2, 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Geer possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Maryland Man Indicted for Attempting to Defraud Twenty-Eight Federal Bankruptcy Courts Out of More Than $1.8 Million in Unclaimed Funds

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On April 3, 2024, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a ten-count indictment charging Osakwe Ismael Osagbue with mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, falsification of bankruptcy records in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519, and aggravated identity theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A in connection with his scheme to defraud twenty-eight federal bankruptcy courts, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. According to court documents, from 2022 through April 2024 Osagbue devised a scheme to obtain money under the custody of various United States Bankruptcy Courts by submitting false documents impersonating unsuspecting individuals and requesting the withdrawal of unclaimed funds. Osagbue used the Federal Judiciary’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records system (PACER) to search for and identify bankruptcy cases with unclaimed funds. Osagbue would then mail the corresponding bankruptcy court a fraudulent application for payment of unclaimed funds. These fraudulent applications contained the means of identification of real people, including names and social security numbers, and signatures. The fraudulent applications sought payment to bank accounts controlled by Osagbue in the names of the individual victims. On occasion, Osagbue followed-up by sending e-mail communications to court personnel using fraudulent e-mail accounts in the names of the unsuspecting individual victims. Upon receipt of payment, Osagbue would withdraw funds from automatic teller machines (ATMs) and deposit cash into his own personal bank account in his true name. As part of his scheme, Osagbue submitted applications for more than $1.8 million in unclaimed funds. The twenty-eight United States Bankruptcy Courts involved are as follows: 1. The District of Puerto Rico; 2. The Northern District of Alabama; 3. The District of Arizona; 4. The District of Colorado; 5. The District of Connecticut; 6. The District of Delaware; 7. The Middle District of Florida; 8. The District of Hawaii; 9. The Northern District of Illinois; 10. The Southern District of Indiana; 11. The Eastern District of Kentucky; 12. The Western District of Louisiana; 13. The Eastern District of Michigan; 14. The Southern District of Mississippi; 15. The Eastern District of Missouri; 16. The District of Montana; 17. The District of Nevada; 18. The District of New Jersey; 19. The Eastern District of New York; 20. The Eastern District of North Carolina; 21. The Northern District of Ohio; 22. The Southern District of Ohio. 23. The Western District of Pennsylvania; 24. The District of Rhode Island; 25. The District of Utah; 26. The Eastern District of Washington; 27. The District of Washington D.C., and 28. The Eastern District of Wisconsin The United States Secret Service is investigating this case in furtherance of its mission to combat cutting edge and complex financial crimes that pose a threat to the federal government and the nation’s economic security. Special thanks are provided to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico (BCPR) which reported the fraudulent scheme to federal authorities. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney José Capó-Iriarte and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney José Carlos Díaz-Vega from the United States Department of Justice, Office of the United States Trustee, San Juan field office, are prosecuting the case. The United States Trustee Program, through its Office of Criminal Enforcement is providing assistance as part of their responsibilities of coordinating criminal enforcement activities in the investigation and prosecution of bankruptcy related crimes throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, with the mission to protect the nation’s bankruptcy system and to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of debtors, creditors, and the public. “The United States judicial system stands a core component of the United States government. Those that would steal from the judiciary pose a direct threat to that institution which will not be tolerated,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to actively investigate and prosecute those criminals whose actions impact the integrity of the United States courts and the integrity of the United States bankruptcy system.” “Fraudulent unclaimed funds requests undermine the integrity of the United States bankruptcy system and frustrate the important administrative work by United States Bankruptcy Courts. Such actions take money out of the pockets of creditors and debtors—and harm American taxpayers when fraudulent requests are paid,” said Tara Twomey, Director of the United States Trustee Program in Washington D.C. “Together with U.S. Attorney Muldrow in Puerto Rico, our law enforcement partners, such as the United States Secret Service, and our Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, we will continue to pursue fraud and abuse in bankruptcy cases across the country. We also appreciate the vital cooperation from the federal judiciary which helped bring this conduct to light.” The defendant is scheduled for an initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland prior to his transfer to the District of Puerto Rico for subsequent proceedings. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison for any mail fraud, wire fraud, or falsification of bankruptcy records violation, and a mandatory term of two years in prison for any aggravated identity theft violation which must run consecutively. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 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: Fort Myers Man Sentenced To Over Eighteen Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Videos

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Jesus Rojas Vera (25, Fort Myers) to 18 years and 4 months in federal prison for distribution of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. Vera was also ordered to register as a sex offender. He entered a guilty plea on October 6, 2023. According to court documents, beginning in June 2021, and continuing through July 27, 2022, several social media applications provided CyberTips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to report that Vera was involved in the possession and distribution of child sex abuse material on various social media platforms. On November 8, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Vera’s residence and seized his cellphone and laptop. In addition, agents spoke with Vera who admitted that the cellphone belonged to him and no one else used it. Vera also admitted to using the various social media accounts, and he provided his email address. On December 2, 2022, the FBI obtained a search warrant for information associated with Vera’s cloud account and email address. There were 59 images and 75 videos depicting child sexual abuse material. Further, investigators located child sexual abuse material that Vera had sent within group messages using his social media account. On August 7, 2022, Vera participated in a chat on social media with other participants. He sent a video of a child being sexually abused to the participants in the group chat. The subsequent forensic examination of Vera’s cellphone and laptop revealed child sexual abuse material. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Lee County Sheriff’s Office that assisted with this investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Fort Lawn Man Returning to Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. —Jonathan Neely, 34, of Ft. Lawn, was sentenced to 46 months of incarceration after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 3, 2023, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, United States Probation Office, and the United States Marshals’ Service (USMS) obtained an arrest warrant for Neely, for violation of his federal supervised release and a state search warrant for his residence, located in Ft. Lawn. Neely was on federal supervised release based upon convictions for knowingly possessing an unregistered firearm, knowingly possessing an unregistered firearm silencer, knowingly possessing of an unregistered firearm silencer without a serial number and possessing a firearm by an unlawful drug user. These convictions happened in federal court in Asheville, North Carolina in 2018. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of multiple rounds of ammunition, a pistol and a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine. Neely was not home during the search. Law enforcement then went to another residence in Ft. Lawn where one of Neely’s family members lived. Investigators noted a white colored trailer on the property. The police spoke to the family member who stated that the trailer belonged to Neely, that he had dropped it off on the property, and that only Neely had access to it. The family member stated that they did not have keys to the trailer or knew what was inside of it. The police obtained a search warrant for the trailer. A search of the trailer was then executed. In the trailer, the police found a large amount of ammunition and six firearms. On March 14, 2023, the USMS located Neely and placed him under arrest. Following his arrest, Neely acknowledged that he owned the firearms found in the trailer. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Neely to 46 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. 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. This case was investigated by United States Probation Office, United States Marshals’ Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Mexican National, Arrested for Illegal Re-entry, to Serve 20 Years in Federal Prison Following New Mexico State Prison Sentence for Murder Conviction

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 240 months in prison for one count of illegal re-entry into the United States. The man was previously sentenced by a New Mexico state court for murder. According to court documents, Luis Antonio Talamantes-Romero, 36, of Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, was arrested by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) agent who learned Talamantes had illegally re-entered the U.S. after being deported multiple times. Talamantes pleaded guilty to the indicted offense in May 2020. The following year, in June 2021, Talamantes was charged with murder in New Mexico state court. In the murder trial, an accomplice testified that he and Talamantes were breaking into cars in Albuquerque the night of Nov. 19, 2019, when they saw 55-year-old Jacqueline Vigil warming up her vehicle in her driveway. Talamantes said he wanted to rob her and shot Vigil in the head when she honked her car horn. The next day, Talamantes fled Albuquerque for San Antonio, where he would be arrested by ICE. The New Mexico jury found Talamantes guilty of murder and a variety of other offenses. He was sentenced to life in prison, plus 26.5 years to run consecutively. Talamantes-Romero’s 20-year federal prison sentence will run consecutively to any time he serves in New Mexico. There is no parole in the federal system. “This maximum prison sentence for Talamantes-Romero will prevent him from further violating our immigration laws and protects the public from his violent acts, which sadly included the senseless murder of an innocent woman,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I deeply appreciate the work of our partners at ICE to apprehend Talamantes and thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District New Mexico for assisting with the prosecution.” “We are one community, and the loss of one is a loss to us all,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “We will fight for justice for New Mexicans, no matter what the charge, no matter where we have to go. I thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas for their support, and the brave men and women of the FBI and APD for never relenting in their search.” “This reflects ERO’s ongoing efforts to increase public safety by removing criminals from our communities,” said Director Corey Price for the ERO San Antonio Field Office. “We will continue to identify, arrest and remove noncitizens who pose a threat to our nation.” ICE-ERO investigated the case. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office provided valuable assistance in the prosecution, along with the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Calve for the Western District of Texas prosecuted the case along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fred J. Federici, Letitia Carroll Simms, Jack E. Burkhead, and James R.W. Braun for the District of New Mexico. ###


title: Holy Health Care Services, LLC Owner Sentenced to 3 Years In Federal Prison For Health Care Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Julius Bakari, age 46, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 3 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicaid. The defendant’s conviction stems from a scheme involving services purportedly provided by Holy Health Care Services, LLC (“Holy Health”), a mental health services provider with locations in Washington, D.C. Judge Xinis also ordered Bakari to pay restitution in the amount of the loss, $3,343,781. The sentence was imposed on April 9, 2024. According to his guilty plea agreement, Holy Health Care Services, LLC (“Holy Health”) was a mental health services provider with locations on North Capitol Street NW (“North Capitol location”) and Martin Luther King Avenue SE (“MLK location”) in Washington D.C. Bakari, a resident of Maryland, owned and operated Holy Health. From 2015 to September 2021, Holy Health was an authorized Medicaid provider. On June 15, 2015, the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Services (“DBH”) certified Holy Health to provide mental health services as a Free Standing Mental Health Clinic. In 2018, DBH also certified Holy Health as a Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services (“MHRS”) provider. As a certified MHRS provider, Holy Health had authority to provide and bill for a variety of mental health services including “community support” – a service for which community support workers (“CSWs”) provide rehabilitative and educational support to mental health patients both in clinical settings and in the community. To receive payment from Medicaid for community support services, Holy Health submitted bills for each patient visit with a CSW based on visit notes entered into an electronic healthcare system called the Integrated Care Management System (“ICAMS”). As part of the conspiracy, Bakari and his co-conspirators paid bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce the beneficiaries to visit Holy Health for mental health services. Bakari and his co-conspirators caused claims to be submitted by Holy Health to Medicaid for services, including community support services, purportedly provided to Medicaid beneficiaries procured through bribes and kickbacks. In addition, at minimum, Bakari deliberately shielded himself from clear evidence that his co-conspirators entered false notes into ICAMS for services that were not rendered and were not provided as billed to Medicaid. Holy Health then billed Medicaid for visits purportedly conducted that did not, in fact, occur for beneficiaries who, in many cases, had been recruited to Holy Health through kickbacks and bribes. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the HHS OIG, and the District of Columbia Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their work in the investigation and the support provided by the District Department of Health Care Finance Division of Program Integrity during the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Sarma and Megan S. McKoy, who are prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Six Men Sentenced For Their Roles In Seven Gang-Related San Francisco Cold-Case Murders And In A Criminal Enterprise That Terrorized The Mission District For Years

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO - Six San Francisco residents have been sentenced to prison for terms ranging from 11 to 32 years for their participation in the criminal activities of the 19th Street/16th Street Sureños enterprise and their respective roles in seven cold-case murders that took place between 2006 and 2013, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. The sentences were handed down by the Honorable Richard Seeborg, Chief United States District Judge. Eddy Urbina, AKA “Rhino,” 35, Weston Venegas, AKA “Cartoon,” 34, Orlando Hernandez, AKA “Chisto,” 41, and Juan Carlos Gallardo, AKA “Huero,” 35, all of San Francisco, were sentenced yesterday, following sentencings for Jonathan Aguilar, AKA “Trompo,” 37, and Mario Reyes, AKA “Shy Boy,” 44, on April 2, 2024, and March 5, 2024, respectively. Each defendant pleaded guilty in October 2023 to offenses related to the 19th Street/16th Street Sureños enterprise and the seven cold-case murders. The sentences imposed were as follows: Defendant Date Convicted Date Sentenced Sentence Imposed Eddy Urbina October 16, 2023 April 8, 2024 32 years Jonathan Aguilar October 16, 2023 April 2, 2024 30 years Orlando Hernandez October 16, 2023 April 8, 2024 25 years (13 years consecutive to prior 12 year sentence) Weston Venegas October 16, 2023 April 8, 2024 25 years (13 years consecutive to prior 12 year sentence) Juan Carlos Gallardo October 10, 2023 April 8, 2024 22 years Mario Reyes October 16, 2023 March 5, 2024 11 years In his plea agreement, Urbina admitted to committing a shooting September 4, 2008, in which he and others killed two victims and attempted to kill a third in retaliation for the murder of a fellow Sureño earlier that day. Urbina also admitted that in 2015, he had attempted to reveal the identity of government witnesses to an incarcerated Sureño by sending a letter in coded language and that, as a member of the enterprise, he had sold narcotics in gang territory and participated in robberies. Aguilar admitted, in his plea agreement, to committing a shooting on March 14, 2006, in San Francisco, in which he and others in the enterprise killed two victims and attempted to kill two others. He also admitted to committing another shooting in September 2007 and to selling narcotics on behalf of the enterprise. In 2015, Hernandez and Venegas were each previously convicted of participating in a racketeering conspiracy and sentenced to twelve years in prison in United States v. Alvarez et al., case number 14-CR-00120 EMC. In their respective plea agreements in this case, Hernandez and Venegas each admitted to taking part in the March 30, 2013, murder of a victim in San Francisco’s Mission District, planned as a retaliation for the murder of another Sureño two years earlier. According to court filings, the victim was not a rival, but an innocent civilian mistaken for a rival. The thirteen-year prison sentences for both men imposed by Judge Seeborg yesterday will run consecutively to their earlier sentences, resulting in an aggregate twenty-five-year sentence for each man. In his plea agreement, Gallardo admitted to shooting and killing a victim on February 28, 2009, while at a house party in Richmond, California; the victim was a 16-year-old boy. Gallardo also admitted to participating in robberies with others in the enterprise. Finally, Reyes admitted in his plea agreement that he, too, was involved in the hunt for victims on March 30, 2013. He pleaded guilty to participating in various racketeering conspiracies and not in the murder itself. Reyes also admitted to selling narcotics in gang territory. “This Sureño criminal enterprise has terrorized San Francisco’s Mission District for decades through shootings, robberies, and drug dealing,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. “The sentences in this case make clear that we will pursue the perpetrators of gang violence and seek justice no matter when that violence occurred. We are pleased to bring closure to the families of these victims and to hold these defendants accountable for the tremendous harm they caused.” “This sentencing reflects efforts by law enforcement to pursue justice in a long running case that terrorized victims in the Mission District and beyond. We hope this sentence provides some solace and closure to victim families who have suffered for a significant period of time,” said Special Agent in Charge King. In addition to the custodial sentences, Judge Seeborg also ordered all six defendants to spend five years on supervised release, beginning after their respective prison terms are completed. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Scoble and Richard Ewenstein are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialist Madeline Wachs and Paralegal Specialist Sara Slattery. The prosecution is the result of a multi-year investigation by HSI, with assistance from the San Francisco Police Department’s Community Violence Reduction Team and Homicide Detail.


title: Illegal export of firearms to Mexico sends Bozeman man to prison for three years

body_text: MISSOULA — A Bozeman man who admitted to illegally exporting firearms he bought in Montana and sold to individuals in Mexico was sentenced today to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Cristyan Jose Gonzalez-Carrillo, 37, pleaded guilty to illegal export in October 2023. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. “Today’s prison sentence puts this defendant out of the illegal business of buying guns in Montana and taking them to Mexico to sell. Firearms trafficking fuels violence on both sides of the border, and we remain committed here in Montana to investigating and prosecuting those who violate federal firearms laws,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. "Illegal firearms trafficking fuels the cartels' capacity to carry out violent crimes domestically and internationally," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. "We will continue to aggressively target traffickers alongside our partners while leveraging all of our available resources." The government alleged in court documents that in July 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information that Gonzalez-Carrillo was involved in illegally trafficking firearms from Montana to Mexico. An investigation determined that from February 2020 to May 2020, Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased approximately 31 handguns. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gonzalez-Carrillo’s residence in July 2020 and recovered firearms and ammunition, including semi-automatic handguns and AR style rifles, including a firearm with an illegal foregrip. In addition, agents recovered receipts from multiple stores in Montana for the purchase of firearms from February 2020 to June 2020. Investigators also reviewed Gonzalez-Carrillo’s vehicle plate records, which showed multiple border crossings at San Ysidro, California, from April 2020 to June 2020. Investigators further learned that Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased and advertised firearms for sale on the platform WhatsApp and sold firearms to individuals in Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott prosecuted the case. The ATF conducted the investigation. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. XXX


title: Cumberland Man Convicted in Federal Court of Producing, Distributing, and Possessing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Cumberland man has admitted that he produced, distributed, and possessed child pornography, including videos he created while molesting two prepubescent girls, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Michel Rodrigues, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor/producing child pornography; and one count each of distribution of child pornography and possession of and accessing child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2024, and faces statutory penalties totaling between 15 and 100 years of incarceration. The defendant’s sentences will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. According to charging documents and information presented to the court, in July 2023, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that they had been notified by Twitter that and account belonging to Rodrigues was used to download and distribute images and videos of child sexual abuse. A review of the files by members of the ICAC Task Force and a Homeland Security Investigations agent determined that the files appeared to be self-produced, and involved six-and seven-year-old females with whom the defendant had contact. On July 22, 2023, members of the ICAC task force and a Homeland Security Investigations agent executed a court-authorized search of Rodrigues’ residence. Both images and video files of child pornography were discovered stored on a cellphone owned by Rodrigues. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan. ###


title: Men Admit St. Louis Area Mail Theft, Bank Fraud Conspiracy

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Two men have admitted stealing mail from U.S. Postal Service collection boxes in the St. Louis area to obtain checks that were then used to commit bank fraud. Dareon Graham, 23, of Ferguson, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Tuesday to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail theft, bank fraud and possession of stolen mail matter. Tyrell Hardin, 21, of Hanley Hills, pleaded guilty on March 4 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft and two counts of mail theft. Both men admitted in their guilty pleas that between roughly January 2022 and October 2022, Graham organized a conspiracy in which Graham, Hardin and other co-conspirators would steal mail from Postal Service collection boxes to obtain personal and business checks. Graham obtained a stolen key used to open collection boxes and gave that key to Hardin. Graham agreed to pay Hardin to steal mail and told him to target specific collection boxes in and around St. Louis County. Hardin then gave the stolen mail to Graham, who opened the mail and removed checks. Early on the morning of Jan. 10, 2022, Hardin stole mail from collection boxes outside U.S. Post Offices in Clayton, University City and Richmond Heights, using a stolen Dodge Challenger. Later that same morning, St. Louis County Police found the stolen car near Hardin’s home and recovered a large amount of stolen mail in the trunk. On Jan. 21, 2022, Hardin stole mail from collection boxes outside U.S. Post Offices in Ferguson, Clayton, Brentwood, Richmond Heights and the Gravois location in St. Louis. On Jan. 25, 2022, Hardin texted Graham a photo of ten checks that he had taken from stolen mail that belonged to businesses and individuals located in St. Louis. The ten checks were made out in various amounts totaling $32,792. On Oct. 7, 2022, Hardin unsuccessfully tried to steal mail from collection boxes in Wildwood and Chesterfield. In addition, Graham used the stolen checks to commit bank fraud. Graham altered the checks and deposited them into bank accounts belonging to 11 people he had recruited via Instagram and other means. The account holders provided debit cards, PINs and other banking information to Graham in exchange for a portion of the proceeds from the deposits. Graham would either deposit the fraudulent checks himself, typically in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $12,000, or give the account holders the fraudulent checks. These deposits occurred at ATMs and bank branch locations in St. Louis County, St. Louis City and St. Charles County. During the scheme, Graham deposited or caused the deposit of fraudulent checks totaling at least $103,457 and obtained at least $46,434 in proceeds, his plea agreement says. Hardin is scheduled to be sentenced June 4. Graham is scheduled to be sentenced July 3. The charges of conspiracy, mail theft and possession of stolen mail matter are each punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. The bank fraud charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Maryland Heights Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, Chesterfield Police Department, Frontenac Police Department, St. Peters Police Department and Town and Country Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.


title: Stockton Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property and Aggravated Identity Theft

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Charles Dean Good, 55, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to one count of theft of government property and one count of aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Good stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in postage stamps from the U.S. Postal Service by passing counterfeit checks in the names of identity-theft victims. He passed the bad checks at numerous post offices in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. In connection with the postage-stamp-theft scheme, Good possessed and used the name and California Driver’s License number of at least one identity-theft victim. Between Feb. 2, 2012, and Jan. 18, 2019, he passed at least 1,326 bad checks, for a total loss to the U.S. Postal Service of at least $252,631. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case. Good is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on Sept. 10, 2024. Good faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison for the theft of government property count, a mandatory consecutive two-year term in prison for the aggravated identity theft count, and up to a $250,000 fine for each count. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Man Sentenced for Selling Counterfeit U.S. Currency in the Dominican Republic

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy in which he sold over $150,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency. Ruben Dario Diaz Sanchez, 68, was sentenced on April 3, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs to time served (approximately one year in prison). In January 2024, Diaz Sanchez pleaded guilty to four counts of counterfeit acts committed outside of the United States, one count of dealing in counterfeit obligations and securities and one count of conspiracy. Diaz Sanchez was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2019 along with co-conspirator Maximo Morillo. The defendants were subsequently extradited to the United States in April 2023. Following sentencing, Diaz Sanchez was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings. In or about October 2014, Diaz Sanchez, who resided in the Dominican Republic, solicited an individual in the United States to purchase and smuggle counterfeit U.S. Currency into the United States. Morillo served as the point of contact with a printer manufacturing the counterfeit U.S. Currency in the Dominican Republic. Between May 2015 and January 2016, in the Dominican Republic, Diaz Sanchez arranged, negotiated and coordinated the sales of 1,590 counterfeit $100 bills for a total face value of $150,900. On Feb. 15, 2024, Morillo was sentenced to time served (approximately one year in prison). Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Dominican Republic law enforcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Diaz Sanchez. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Bangor Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Penobscot and Aroostook County Drug Trafficking

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

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Aaron Rodgers , 43, and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. Rodgers knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy. Twenty-one defendants have been charged in this and related cases for their part in the northern Maine drug trafficking conspiracy. To date, ten of the defendants have been sentenced and eight have pleaded guilty: Sentenced: Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months Danielle McBreairty (33, Glenburn) – 20 years Blaine Footman (37, Bangor) – 5 years Nicole Footman (41, Holden) – 3 years Dwight Gary, Jr. (53, Medway) – Time served Matthew Catalano (37, Penobscot County) – 165 months Thomas Hammond (25, Charleston) – 84 months Christopher Coty (43, Bangor) – 4 years James King (54, Caribou) – 165 months Pleaded Guilty: Sarah McBreairty (35, Dixmont) John Miller (23, Caribou) Shelby Loring (28, Bangor) Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle) Joshua Jerrell (30, Orrington) Carol Gordon (53, Bangor) Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou) Aaron Rodgers (43, Bangor) The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. ###


title: Sacramento County Sex Offender Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Christopher Campbell, 49, of Citrus Heights, was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in February 2023, Campbell engaged in an online chat with an undercover officer whom Campbell believed was a 13-year-old girl. As a result of the conversations, law enforcement search Campbell’s residence and seized his iPad and cellphone, which contained approximately 517 images and 45 videos of child pornography. Law enforcement also searched Campbell’s Mega cloud storage account, which contained approximately 169 videos of child pornography, including depictions of toddlers and other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Campbell was subject to an enhanced statutory penalty for possession of child pornography because he had a prior conviction relating to sexual abuse involving a minor. This case was the product of an investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily G. Sauvageau and Dhruv Sharma prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Previously Convicted Sex Offender Indicted for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 9, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against David J. Fuchs (age: 40) of Janesville, Wisconsin. According to a criminal complaint filed earlier in the case, Fuchs engaged in a conversation with an undercover law enforcement officer from the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, who was posing online as a 12-year-old girl. During the conversation, Fuchs repeatedly described his desire to have sex with the child, sending multiple explicit photographs of himself and requesting explicit photographs from the undercover officer. Fuchs explained to the undercover officer, in explicit terms, how he intended to “teach” the young girl how to have sexual intercourse. During many of the sexually explicit conversations, Fuchs expressed his belief that the 12-year-old girl was in school. He planned to meet the girl at a travel plaza near Madison, Wisconsin, and he promised to bring her art supplies. On March 15, 2024, Fuchs arrived at the travel plaza and was placed under arrest by U.S. Marshals. In his truck, officers located art supplies and a marijuana pipe. Fuchs is a registered sex offender, having prior convictions in Wisconsin Circuit Court for attempted second degree sexual assault of a child and sexual assault of an intoxicated victim. Court records indicate that he had been released from state prison in approximately April 2022 and was on supervision at the time of the offenses alleged in the federal indictment. In addition to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office undercover officer, Fuchs was also communicating with undercover officers from the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison Police Department, who Fuchs believed to be underage girls. Fuchs faces charges alleging that he attempted to sexually exploit a minor and persuade that minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a). He faces an additional charge of committing a felony offense involving a minor as an individual required to register as a sex offender, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2260A. If convicted of the charges, Fuchs faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office, and the Madison Police Department, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander E. Duros. 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 not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. ### For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov (414) 297-1700 Follow us on Twitter


title: Libby woman admits stealing mail while working as a contract carrier

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA — A Libby woman accused of stealing items from packages while working as a mail carrier subcontractor admitted to a theft charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Haley Rushel Hickman, 24, pleaded guilty to theft of mail as charged in an indictment. Hickman faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for Aug. 14 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hickman was released pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Hickman worked as a subcontracted mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Troy. In late August 2023, the Troy postmaster received complaints regarding several packages—including items with Veterans Affairs (VA) medication, collectors’ coins and children’s cloths—that were received without their contents. Hickman was responsible for delivering each package. In September 2023, Hickman took a VA medication parcel bearing a fake address and containing a tracking device from the post office. While on her delivery route, Hickman opened the test package and, upon discovering the tracker, resealed the package and threw it out the window of her vehicle. Agents with the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General later searched for the tracking device near a mountain side. They eventually found the device near more than 20 discarded mail items and delivery notes in what appeared to be Hickman’s writing. A special agent reviewed the tracking information for several of the letters and parcels and determined they were all handled or delivered by Hickman. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Postal Service, OIG conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Massachusetts Man Caught with Large Quantities of Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine in Anson is Sentenced to 15 Years

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Hyde Park, Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for two drug trafficking charges and one firearms charge. Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Harold Andujar-Pimentel, 25, to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Andujar-Pimentel pleaded guilty on December 21, 2023. According to court records, in November 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Anson, searching the main residence and a camper on the property. Andujar-Pimentel was located and detained in the camper, and after being detained, ran from officers who pursued him through the woods to apprehend him. Officers located a key to the camper on Andujar-Pimentel’s person. During the search of the camper, officers recovered a plastic bag containing more than $5,000 in cash; a plastic bag that contained over 2,308 grams of fentanyl powder, 492.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, 453.9 grams of cocaine base, 89 Oxycodone pills, and 50 Xanax “bars”; and six firearms, including a loaded Glock Model 43 9mm handgun. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine; just 2 mg of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Maine Drug Enforcement Administration (MDEA), Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and Winslow Police Department investigated the case. The Somerset County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the case. ###


title: Waynesburg Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Transporting Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on April 8, 2024, to 120 months of incarceration, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, on his conviction of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on James Jordan, 31. According to information presented to the Court, from January 11, 2022, until January 12, 2022, Jordan transported a minor from Pennsylvania to West Virginia with the intent that the minor engage in criminal sexual activity. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stated that Jordan’s serious crimes were an abuse of trust and that Jordan had violated the youth and naivety of his child victim to cover the tracks of his crime. Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Department of Homeland Security – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Waynesburg Police Department, and Lewisburg (WV) Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jordan. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Maryland Woman Admits to Firearms Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jacie Marie Fairall, age 31, of Cumberland, Maryland, has admitted to a federal firearms charge. Fairall pled guilty to making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. According to court documents, Fairall falsified a firearms form at a retailer in Ridgeley, West Virginia, and attempted to purchase a firearm for someone in exchange for drugs. Fairall is facing up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Salem is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.


title: Remaining Munitions Seized En Route from Iran to Yemen Transferred to Ukrainian Armed Forces

body_text: WASHINGTON – On Apr. 4, the United States transferred more than 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and more than 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. The transfer constitutes enough materiel to equip one Ukrainian brigade with small arms rifles and will help Ukraine defend against Russia’s invasion. These armaments had been seized by U.S. Central Command naval forces from four flagless vessels in the Arabian Sea enroute from Iran and destined for Yemen, where sanctioned groups including Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly support the Houthi movement. The Department of Justice then filed a civil forfeiture action against the seized munitions, resulting in a Dec. 1, 2023, order by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia transferring title to the United States. “With this weapons transfer, the United States government is both disrupting Iran’s destabilizing efforts and supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s brutal, unprovoked invasion,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to use our legal authorities, including forfeiture, to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.” “Civil forfeiture remains an important tool in our efforts to stop or disrupt terrorist organizations like the IRGC,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Its use in this case demonstrates the power of our counter-threat financing actions to strip legal control of assets from bad actors. We are proud to have been able to work with CENTCOM in this matter, and through them to further the efforts of partners like the Ukrainian armed forces in their fight to maintain freedom.” According to court documents in the civil forfeiture action, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command seized the weapons from four interdictions of stateless dhow vessels: two from 2021 and two from 2023. These interdictions led to the discovery and seizure of four large caches of conventional weapons, including long arms and anti-tank missiles, and related munitions – all of which were determined to be primarily of either Iranian, Chinese, or Russian origin. This action followed the government’s successful March 2023 forfeiture action against over one million rounds of ammunition en route from Iran to Yemen, which were also transferred to the Ukrainian armed forces. These forfeiture actions addressed the illicit trafficking of advanced conventional weapons systems and components by sanctioned Iranian entities that directly support military action by the Houthi movement in Yemen and the Iranian regime’s campaign of terrorist activities throughout the region. The forfeiture complaints alleged sophisticated schemes by the IRGC to clandestinely ship weapons to entities that pose grave threats to U.S. national security. The HSI Washington Field Office and the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office are leading the larger investigation of the Iranian weapons-smuggling network, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in conducting the seizures. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart D. Allen, Brian P. Hudak, Rajbir S. Datta, and Anna D. Walker for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys S. Derek Shugert and Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division litigated the case, with support from Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Angela De Falco.


title: Child Pornographer Sentenced To 50 Years In Prison

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Timothy Baker, age 42, of Wyoming, Michigan, was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison. Baker is a previously convicted sex offender who was convicted by a federal jury of multiple child exploitation offenses. “The crime of child exploitation is so depraved in part because its victims are so vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “My office, along with our law enforcement partners, commits to protect our kids and bring these offenders to justice.” Authorities began investigating Baker in 2023, after a minor reported to local authorities that Baker had sexually assaulted her. The report triggered an investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, which uncovered evidence of the assault as well as evidence that Baker had been conspiring with another adult to produce child pornography of a second victim. FBI agents followed these leads and identified a third child victim whom Baker had sexually assaulted. Baker was arrested and ultimately charged with three federal offenses: conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and the separate crime of committing both offenses while being required to register as a sex offender. In December of 2023, a jury convicted Baker of all three offenses after a two-day trial. “The exploitation and coercion revealed in this case was extremely disheartening,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “It is our mission to protect our youth by aggressively investigating individuals like these defendants, and we will continue this important work every day.” Baker was investigated and prosecuted as a part of Project Safe Child, the Department of Justice’s unified and comprehensive strategy to combat child exploitation. To learn more about the Department’s interagency effort, visit the Project Safe Childhood website at https://www.justice.gov/psc/about-project-safe-childhood . ###


title: Duquesne Resident Sentenced to Three Decades of Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 years of incarceration on each of three counts, to be served concurrently and then followed by lifetime supervised release, on his conviction of production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on George Cobbs, 41. According to information presented to the Court, on multiple occasions, Cobbs attempted to and did use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy noted that Cobbs had violated the minor victim’s trust for his own gratification and denounced Cobbs’ memorialization of his sexual abuse of the minor as degrading the minor’s personhood. Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, and Duquesne Police Department, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cobbs. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Durant Man Sentenced to 44 Months in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Durant man was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison for bank robbery. He was also ordered to pay $6,506.00 in restitution to the bank. According to court documents and statements made in court, Curtis Lee Williams, 22, robbed a Durant bank on July 7, 2022. The same day, one of the $50 bait bills from the bank was used to purchase three firearms from a pawn shop in Kosciusko. An arrest was made in Durant later that day following a traffic stop. Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 4, 2023, and pleaded guilty on December 21, 2023. U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Durant Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie prosecuted the case.


title: Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft and Misappropriation of COVID-19 Funds

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Louisiana woman pleaded guilty today to theft of public money in connection with a scheme to misappropriate over $780,000 from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. According to court documents, Melissa J. Watson, of Slidell, operated a primary care clinic. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Watson submitted false and fraudulent attestations on behalf of her clinic to obtain PRF funds to which she was not entitled. Watson’s attestations included falsely affirming that such funds would only be used by the clinic to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, and to reimburse health care related expenses or lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. Despite the attestations, Watson used the PRF funds for personal purposes, including making numerous cash withdrawals and purchasing, among other items, hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate, a luxury vehicle, a boat and trailer, and a time share condominium. The government seized over $500,000 in bank accounts held by Watson, along with several assets, including a boat and trailer, and a Range Rover Sport vehicle. Watson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorney Kelly Z. Walters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney and Health Care Fraud Coordinator Nicholas D. Moses for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department 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 www.justice.gov/coronavirus .