title: Wilson man pleads guilty to drug and gun charges

body_text: U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kevin S. Wise, Jr., 34, of Wilson, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, being a user of a controlled substance in possession of firearms, and being a felon in possession of firearms, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on September 6, 2020, Wise was arrested following a traffic stop on a domestic complaint for two counts of Aggravated Harassment. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at his two residences on Youngstown Road in Wilson, including vehicles located on the properties. During the searches, investigators recovered 23 firearms, 18,446 rounds of ammunition, ammunition, firearms parts, approximately 374 grams of marijuana, a quantity of MDA, psilocybin mushrooms, two digital scales, and $2,717.00 in U.S. currency. Law enforcement also located 11 marijuana plants and observed multiple trail cameras positioned throughout the back yard, woods, and location of the marijuana plants. Wise admits that, at the time of his possession of the firearms, he was an unlawful user of marijuana and methamphetamine. On August 1, 2022, investigators executed another search warrant at one of Wise’s Youngstown Road residences in Wilson. Wise was on federal pre-trial release at the time of the search. During the search, law enforcement recovered seven additional firearms, approximately 3,692 rounds of ammunition, numerous firearms parts and accessories, drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana and THC products. Wise was convicted of a felony in Niagara County in October 2014 and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. # # # #


title: Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO , Calif. — Gary Klopfenstein, 62, of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty today to committing wire fraud in relation to an investment scheme, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Klopfenstein served as the Chief Wealth Officer of a company called Zolla Financial, which was an investment company operated by individuals in Shasta County and Butte County. From approximately June 2019 through March 2020, Klopfenstein carried out a fraudulent scheme to steal investor funds from Zolla. Through false representations, Klopfenstein persuaded Zolla executives to invest $2.45 million of Zolla investor funds in purported short-term notes related to the purchase and sale of jet fuel, which they referred to variously as jet fuel notes, jet fuel contracts, and a gas lease investment. No such notes existed. Klopfenstein used the Zolla funds to pay personal expenses and invest in a real estate development. This case is a product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Thuesen is prosecuting the case. U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley is scheduled to sentence Klopfenstein on January 16, 2025. Klopfenstein faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the court’s discretion after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.


title: Guilford Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that MICHELLE ANN GILSON, 38, of Guilford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to a federal tax offense stemming from her failure to pay business payroll taxes. According to court documents and statements made in court, Gilson co-owned and co-operated B&M Package Solutions, Inc. and formerly owned and operated Epic Empirez, Inc., both Guilford-based package delivery companies. As co-owner, Gilson was responsible for company books, payroll, and invoices, and for collecting and paying over certain federal taxes from her employees, namely federal income taxes and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (“FICA”) taxes, which include Medicare and Social Security taxes. She was also responsible for ensuring that B&M Package Solutions and Epic Empirez, as employers, paid their own share of FICA taxes. An investigation revealed that, beginning in 2017, Gilson failed to report employees’ federal income and FICA taxes, and failed to pay over withheld amounts. Gilson pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to pay over withholding taxes. In pleading guilty, Gilson admitted that she failed to pay over the withheld employee taxes, as well as the employers’ share of FICA taxes, for multiple quarters during the 2017 through 2022 tax years. Gilson has agreed to pay approximately $1,407,831 in restitution to the IRS. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for October 9, at which time Gilson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. She is released on bond pending sentencing. This matter is being investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.


title: Rochester man already serving 30 year sentence, sentenced to an additional 20 years in prison

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Deadrick D. Fulwiley a/k/a Deucy, 31, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of a machine gun, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The sentence will be served concurrent to a 30-year sentence Fulwiley received in New York State Court for committing two homicides in July 2022 with Kelvin Vickers and Raheem Robinson. Vickers was also convicted of murdering Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz and wounding Officer Sino Seng. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who is handling the case, stated that between April and July 21, 2022, Fulwiley conspired with others to sell marijuana, utilizing drug houses on Sixth and St. Paul Streets in Rochester. In addition, marijuana was stored at Fulwiley’s Laser Street residence. On July 16 and July 21, 2022, search warrants were executed at the Sixth Street residence, during which more than 24 pounds of marijuana, drug ledgers, approximately $13,390 in cash, and several firearms and ammunition were seized, including a machine gun. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division. # # # #


title: Jamestown man arrested, charged with drug possession

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Craig Vanhook, 34, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,00,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 4, 2024, a Jamestown Police officer observed Vanhook on Allen Street. The officer had prior knowledge that Vanhook had an outstanding warrant out of Lakewood Busti, NY. Vanhook was taken into custody and arrested. At the time of his arrest, officers seized a large clear baggie containing approximately 24 grams of a crystal-like substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine, a switchblade knife, a black digital scale with white residue, and $363 from Vanhook. Officers also searched Vanhook’s backpack and discovered multiple glassine envelopes, as well as bags with white substances, brown substances, green substances, and rock like substances, which tested positive for methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. In total, Vanhook possessed approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, 18.5 grams of fentanyl, and 21 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Alleged Transnational Human Smuggler Indicted and Sanctioned in the United States and Arrested in Mexico

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – July 18, 2024 SAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed yesterday containing criminal charges against the alleged leader of a human smuggling organization responsible for unlawfully bringing thousands of migrants into the United States. Along with the organization, the defendant, who was arrested in Mexico at the request of the United States, has also been designated for financial sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These developments were made possible through extensive bilateral coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities. Abdul Karim Conteh, 42, a national of Sierra Leone, was arrested on July 11 in Tijuana, Mexico. The United States is pursuing Conteh’s extradition on federal charges stemming from his alleged actions in leading the human smuggling organization. His wife, Veronica Roblero Pivaral, 25, a national of Mexico, remains at large. “This arrest unravels a global web of coordinated human smuggling into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California. “Even the most far-reaching, prolific networks cannot evade justice.” “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, the Justice Department has worked relentlessly to target and disrupt the unlawful, transnational human smuggling operations that endanger migrants and threaten our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege Abdul Karim Conteh and his organization smuggled thousands of migrants from more than a dozen different countries through Mexico into the United States. He has been arrested for his alleged role in this prolific, exploitive smuggling operation by Mexican authorities, and the Justice Department will ensure that he is held accountable in an American courtroom.” “Human smugglers exploit the vulnerable for profit,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Along with our partners across this Administration and around the world, we are bringing the full force of the law to bear against the individuals and their organizations that perpetrate this heinous crime. We couple our unrelenting efforts with this warning to would-be migrants everywhere: do not believe the smuggler’s lies and risk your lives in their ruthless hands.” According to the indictment, Conteh’s organization allegedly smuggled thousands of migrants to the United States through Mexico. These smuggled migrants originated from countries around the world, including Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Somalia, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Egypt, and others. The migrants paid smuggling fees, often tens of thousands of dollars, to be transported through various countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, on the way to the U.S.-Mexico border. Conteh allegedly coordinated with Roblero and co-conspirators throughout Mexico and other countries to facilitate the global transportation of migrants into and through Mexico to the U.S. border. Conteh then allegedly oversaw the migrants’ unlawful entry into the United States by various surreptitious and unlawful means, including the use of ladders and tunnels. Conteh, Roblero, and others are charged with conspiracy to smuggle migrants into the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Conteh is also charged with the unlawful smuggling of migrants for financial gain, which carries a mandatory minimum of three years in prison for the first two violations. Additional violations carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added the Abdul Karim Conteh Human Smuggling Organization (HSO) and four individuals to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13851, as amended by E.O. 13863 (E.O. 13581, as amended). For additional information on actions taken by OFAC, please visit https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2470. The U.S. Border Patrol, HSI, and IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office are investigating this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Mexican authorities to secure Conteh’s arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan A. Sausedo and David E. Fawcett for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Danielle Hickman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. These actions resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). Attorney General Merrick B. Garland established JTFA in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Justice Department, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to combat the rise in prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. JTFA comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, the District of Arizona, the District of New Mexico, and the Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, with additional support by the Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training; the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Office of Enforcement Operations; the Office of International Affairs; and the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 310 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of human smuggling; more than 250 U.S. convictions; more than 185 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets. The investigation is also supported by the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities. DEFENDANTS Case Number 24cr1059-JLS (1) Abdul Karim Conteh Age: 42 Tijuana, Mexico (2) Veronica Roblero Pivaral Age: 25 Tijuana, Mexico SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Bring in Aliens at a Place Other Than Designated Port of Entry - Title 8, U.S.C., Sec. 1324(a)(l)(A)(i) and (v)(i); Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain and Aiding and Abetting - Title 8, U.S.C., Sec. 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii), and Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 2 Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison INVESTIGATING AGENCIES U.S. Border Patrol Homeland Security Investigations Internal Revenue Service *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Kansas man admits defrauding Montana rancher in hay scam during drought

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BILLINGS — A Kansas man accused of devising a scheme to steal from Montana and Wyoming ranchers who were trying to find hay to feed their livestock during a drought admitted to a fraud charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Jory D. Parks, 43, of Logan, Kansas, was arraigned on and pleaded guilty to an information charging him with wire fraud. Parks faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Parks was released pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that a drought in the summer of 2021 created a hay shortage for ranchers in Montana and Wyoming, and ranchers were struggling to find enough hay to feed their livestock. During this time, Parks intentionally devised a scheme to defraud these ranchers. Parks advertised on Facebook, claiming that he was selling large amounts of hay and was willing to deliver to Montana and Wyoming from out of state. Parks, operating as Heart Cross Ranch, LLC, received money from customers in exchange for promises to deliver hay. Instead, Parks used the money for unrelated business and personal expenses and made false promises about what he would deliver and the scale and success of his business. In September 2021, when Parks was trying to convince a prospective customer that he had a successful business selling high-quality hay, he told the victim that he had sold all his hay the previous year to a known horse racing facility in Nebraska to feed racehorses. After interviewing the CEO of the facility and analyzing Parks’ financials, the FBI determined that Parks’ statements were false. In Montana, a ranching business owned by a couple in Ingomar responded to one of Parks’ Facebook ads in which he claimed to be selling hay cheaper than they had been able to find. The couple signed a contact with Parks to buy 190 tons of hay from Parks for $43,300 and mailed half of the amount, $21,650, as a down payment to Heart Cross Ranch. Parks deposited the check into his business account in a bank in Colorado. Three weeks later, Parks delivered the couple’s first shipment of 23 tons of the 190 tons they had purchased but never delivered the additional hay or repaid the remainder of the downpayment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation. XXX


title: Cryptocurrency Firm Executive Admits Stealing $4.46 Million from Employer

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that DYLAN MEISSNER, 31, of Westport, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to a fraud offense stemming from his theft of more than $4 million from his former employer. According to court documents and statements made in court, Meissner was employed at a cryptocurrency research firm as Vice President of Finance with access to the firm’s cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts. In approximately January 2022, Meissner obtained a 50 Ethereum (approximately $170,000) loan from his employer, stating that he would use the funds in an attempt to avoid a substantial loss in certain cryptocurrency investments he had made using his personal funds. Then, from February 2022 until his termination in November 2022, in continued attempts to counteract significant personal trading losses, Meissner fraudulently diverted his employer’s funds to his own use and covered up his conduct through false entries in the firm’s books and records. Through this scheme, Meissner stole approximately $4,461,828 from his employer. Meissner pleaded guilty to wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on October 11. Meissner faces a restitution order of $4,633,424.99, which includes the money he stole from his employer and the loan he failed to repay. Meissner is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing. This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.


title: Final defendant sentenced to 12 years in prison for her role in a fentanyl and firearm trafficking conspiracy

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

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Sterling woman was sentenced yesterday to 12 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine and straw purchasing firearms and ammunition for convicted felons. From at least June 2022 through August 2023, Kaitlyn Marie Hammond, 26, her husband Carrington Hammond , 30, and co-conspirator Mohamed Amine Haddou, 29, received frequent and large shipments of drugs through USPS, UPS, and FedEx from suppliers Aaron Mitchell and Iram Leyva in Arizona, and redistributed them throughout Virginia. The drugs included cocaine, powdered fentanyl, and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl each month. Law enforcement identified at least 19 such packages mailed by Mitchell and Leyva to Carrington Hammond, Haddou, and Kaitlyn Hammond. On average, Mitchell and Leyva sent packages twice per month, with each package containing 10,000 to 20,000 fentanyl pills and one to two kilograms of cocaine. On at least one occasion in late July 2023, Kaitlyn Hammond coordinated and received a shipment containing 50,000 fentanyl pills from Mitchell. On August 10, 2023, federal authorities searched an apartment Kaitlyn Hammond shared with Haddou in Alexandria while Carrington Hammond was incarcerated. During the search, law enforcement seized 2.2 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 50,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, 1.7 kilograms of cocaine, and 2.5 kilograms of marijuana. Most of the fentanyl pills also contained xylazine. Authorities also found a loaded CZ Scorpion assault weapon that had been purchased by Kaitlyn Hammond next to the drug stash. After the August 2023 search and before her arrest, Kaitlyn Hammond attempted to intimidate another witness from speaking with law enforcement. During the drug trafficking conspiracy, Kaitlyn Hammond, who possessed a concealed carry permit that allowed her to purchase multiple firearms on the same day, purchased numerous firearms that she and Carrington Hammond possessed in furtherance of the conspiracy. Kaitlyn Hammond knew that Carrington Hammond, for whom she was purchasing the firearms, was a convicted felon and had pending drug and firearms charges in Maryland and, therefore, could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition. Kaitlyn Hammond also purchased firearms that she and Carrington Hammond resold for profit, some of which were later recovered in connection with criminal activity or from individuals prohibited from possessing them. A semi-automatic pistol was recovered from a domestic violence kidnapping incident just 10 days after it was purchased by Kaitlyn Hammond from a firearms dealer in Virginia. Another semi-automatic pistol Kaitlyn Hammond purchased from a firearms dealer in Virginia was recovered following the arrest of a drug trafficker, who was a convicted felon, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. When law enforcement seized the firearm, it was equipped with an extended magazine and 12 rounds of ammunition. Carrington Hammond pled guilty on Oct. 24, 2023, to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was sentenced on Feb. 13 to 15 years in prison. Haddou pled guilty on Oct. 31, 2023, to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on Feb. 20 to 10 years in prison. Mitchell pled guilty on Nov. 1, 2023, to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on Feb. 20 to 14 years in prison. Leyva pled guilty on March 20 to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on June 11 to 15 years in prison. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Raul Pedroso, Interim Alexandria Chief of Police ; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin S. Starr and Heather D. Call prosecuted the case. 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. Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 1:23-cr-166 (Carrington Hammond), 1:23-cr-169 (Haddou), 1:23-cr-175 (Mitchell), 1:24-cr-45 (Leyva) and 1:24-cr-86 (Kaitlyn Hammond).


title: Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Participating in LockBit Ransomware Group

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty today to participating in the LockBit ransomware group—at various times the most prolific ransomware variant in the world—and to deploying LockBit attacks against victims in the United States and worldwide. “Today’s convictions reflect the latest returns on the Department’s investment in disrupting ransomware threats, prioritizing victims, and holding cybercriminals accountable,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “In executing our all-tools cyber enforcement strategy, we’ve dealt significant blows to destructive ransomware groups like LockBit, as we did earlier this year, seizing control of LockBit infrastructure and distributing decryption keys to their victims. Today’s actions serve as a warning to ransomware actors who would attack Americans: we will find you and hold you accountable.” “The defendants committed ransomware attacks against victims in the United States and around the world through LockBit, which was one of the most destructive ransomware groups in the world,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “But thanks to the work of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, along with its domestic and international partners, LockBit no longer claims that title. Today’s convictions represent another important milestone in the Criminal Division’s ongoing effort to disrupt and dismantle ransomware groups, protect victims, and bring cybercriminals to justice.” According to court documents, Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov (АСТАМИРОВ, Руслан Магомедовичь), 21, a Russian national of the Chechen Republic, Russia, and Mikhail Vasiliev, 34, a dual Canadian and Russian national of Bradford, Ontario, were members of LockBit. In the period between January 2020 and February 2024, LockBit grew into what was, at times, the most active and destructive ransomware group in the world. LockBit attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries, including 1,800 victims in the United States. Those victims included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. LockBit’s members extorted at least approximately $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in additional losses to victims, including costs like lost revenue and for incident response and recovery. LockBit’s “affiliate” members, including Vasiliev and Astamirov, first identified and unlawfully accessed vulnerable computer systems, and then deployed LockBit ransomware on those systems to both steal and encrypt stored data. When LockBit attacks were successful, LockBit’s affiliate members then demanded ransoms from their victims in exchange for decrypting the victims’ data and then claiming to delete the affiliates’ copies of the data. When victims did not pay the demanded ransoms, LockBit’s affiliates often left the victim’s data permanently encrypted and publish the stolen data, including highly sensitive information, on a publicly accessible internet site under LockBit’s control. “Astamirov and Vasiliev thought that they could deploy LockBit from the shadows, wreaking havoc and pocketing massive ransom payments from their victims, without consequence,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “They were wrong. We, in New Jersey, along with our domestic and international law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to hold LockBit’s members and other cybercriminals accountable, disrupt and dismantle their operations, and put a spotlight on them as wanted criminals—no matter where they hide.” “Astamirov and Vasiliev were members of the LockBit ransomware group, which has caused severe harm around the globe by attacking computer systems in over a hundred countries damaging organizations ranging from government and law-enforcement agencies to hospitals and schools,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Today’s plea shows our relentless and unwavering commitment to ensuring that cyber criminals are brought to justice for their actions. The FBI is proud of the international collaboration that led to these individuals being held accountable under the law for the damage their actions have caused.” Between 2020 and 2023, Astamirov deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in Virginia, Japan, France, Scotland, and Kenya. Operating under the online aliases “BETTERPAY,” “offtitan,” and “Eastfarmer,” he extorted $1.9 million from those victims. As part of his plea agreement, Astamirov agreed to forfeit, among other assets, $350,000 in seized cryptocurrency that he extorted from one of his LockBit victims. Astamirov was first charged and arrested in this matter in June 2023. Between 2021 and 2023, Vasiliev, operating under the online aliases “Ghostrider,” “Free,” “Digitalocean90,” “Digitalocean99,” “Digitalwaters99,” and “Newwave110,” deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in New Jersey, Michigan, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. He also deployed LockBit against an educational facility in England and a school in Switzerland. Through these attacks, Vasiliev caused at least $500,000 in damage and losses to his victims. Vasiliev was first charged in this matter and arrested in Canada by Canadian authorities in November 2022, and extradited to the United States in June. Astamirov pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Vasiliev pleaded guilty to a four-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, intentional damage to a protected computer, transmission of a threat in relation to damaging a protected computer, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The LockBit Investigation Today’s guilty pleas follow a recent disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization’s infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. This disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit’s reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by documents filed in this case. Today’s guilty pleas also follow prior announcements of charges brought in the District of New Jersey against four other LockBit members, including its alleged creator, developer, and administrator, Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev. According to an indictment unsealed in May, Khoroshev allegedly acted as the group’s administrator from as early as September 2019 through 2024. In that role, Khoroshev recruited new affiliate members, spoke for the group publicly under the alias “LockBitSupp,” and developed and maintained the infrastructure used by affiliates to deploy LockBit attacks. Khoroshev also took 20% of each ransom paid by LockBit victims, allowing him to personally derive at least $100 million over that period. Khoroshev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at https://tips.fbi.gov/home. Other charges against LockBit members include the following: In February 2024, in parallel with the disruption operation, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev , also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses in the manufacturing and other industries, as well as victims around the world in the semiconductor and other industries. In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev , also known as Wazawaka, m1x, Boriselcin, and Uhodiransomwar, with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at tips.fbi.gov/ . The U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program is also offering rewards of: Up to $10 million for information leading to the identification and location of any individuals who hold a key leadership position in LockBit; and Up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of any individual participating or attempting to participate in LockBit. Information is accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov /. Khoroshev, Matveev, Sungatov, and Kondratyev have also been designated for sanctions by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for their roles in launching cyberattacks. Victim Assistance LockBit victims are encouraged to contact the FBI and submit information at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov/ . As announced by the Department in February, law enforcement, through its disruption efforts, has developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Submitting information at the IC3 site will enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted. LockBit victims are also encouraged to visit www.justice.gov/usao-nj/lockbit for case updates and information regarding their rights under U.S. law, including the right to submit victim impact statements and request restitution, in the litigation against Astamirov and Vasiliev. The FBI Newark Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant. The FBI Atlanta Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia; Ontario Provincial Police in Ontario, Canada; and Crown Attorney’s Office in Toronto, Canada, provided significant assistance in the Vasiliev matter. The United Kingdom’s NCA; France’s Gendarmerie Nationale Cyberspace Command and Cyber Division of the Paris Prosecution Office; Germany’s Landeskriminalamt Schleswig-Holstein and the Bundeskriminalamt; Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice and Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Cantonal Police; Japan’s National Policy Agency; Australian Federal Police; Sweden’s Polismyndighetens; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Politie Dienst Regionale Recherche Oost-Brabant of the Netherlands; Finland’s Poliisi; Europol; and Eurojust have provided significant assistance and coordination in both matters and in the LockBit investigation generally. Trial Attorneys Jessica C. Peck, Debra Ireland, and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the charges against Astamirov and Vasiliev. The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section also provided significant assistance. Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A.


title: Northern California Man Charged in a Complaint for Allegedly Trying to Have Sex with Multiple Minors at a Fictitious Hotel Party

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Placer County resident made his initial appearance today after he allegedly arranged to have sex with minors at a fictitious hotel party. Michael Batchelor, 30, of Placer County is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of attempted production of child pornography, one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal criminal sexual activity, and one count of distribution and possession of child pornography. Batchelor made his initial appearance today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and his detention hearing has been scheduled for July 22. According to the complaint, prior to the encounter, Batchelor allegedly planned for what kind of children he would have sex with and what he would do to them. Batchelor was allegedly looking for minors who were in the age range of “6 to 14” and had “blonde” hair. Batchelor allegedly expressed interest in producing child pornography of the encounter. Batchelor also allegedly provided pictures and videos of child pornography, including children appearing to be younger than 10 years old being molested by adult men. On July 17, Batchelor allegedly traveled to Los Angeles intending to have sex and produce child pornography with three minor girls, two of whom were under the age of 10, while he was visiting family. Batchelor had allegedly brought $200 to pay for the hotel room where the sexual activity was supposed to occur, along with a recent STD test. Shortly after arriving at a prearranged location near the site of the fictitious hotel party, Batchelor was arrested and is currently being detained by law enforcement. “It is essential that we protect our children from predators who perpetrate the sorts of despicable crimes alleged in this complaint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We will continue to leverage our resources to ferret out efforts to sexually exploit children and hold those bad actors accountable.” “Yesterday’s arrest once again sends a clear message to child predators that they are now the prey and that this abhorrent criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners will do everything in our power to protect the children of our communities.” A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted of all charges, Batchelor faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Homeland Security Investigations and New Jersey State Police investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Chris M. Brunwin of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this matter.


title: Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Participation in LockBit Ransomware Group

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. –Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty today in Newark federal court to participating in the LockBit ransomware group – at various times the most prolific ransomware variant in the world – and to deploying LockBit attacks against victims in the United States and worldwide. According to court documents: Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov (АСТАМИРОВ, Руслан Магомедовичь), 21, a Russian national of Chechen Republic, Russia, and Mikhail Vasiliev, 34, a dual Canadian and Russian national of Bradford, Ontario, were members of LockBit. The LockBit ransomware variant first appeared in January 2020. Between that time and February 2024, LockBit grew into what was at times the most active and destructive ransomware group in the world. The LockBit group attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States. Those victims ranged from individuals and small businesses to multinational corporations, and they included hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. LockBit’s members extracted at least approximately $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in broader losses, including costs like lost revenue and incident response and recovery. LockBit’s “affiliate” members, including Vasiliev and Astamirov, would first identity and unlawfully access vulnerable computer systems. They would then deploy LockBit ransomware on victim computer systems and both steal and encrypt stored data. After a successful LockBit attack, LockBit’s affiliate members would then demand a ransom from their victims in exchange for decrypting the victims’ data and deleting stolen data. When victims did not pay the demanded ransoms, LockBit’s affiliates would then leave the victim’s data permanently encrypted and publish the stolen data, including highly sensitive information, on a publicly accessible Internet site under LockBit’s control. “Astamirov and Vasiliev thought that they could deploy LockBit from the shadows, wreaking havoc and pocketing massive ransom payments from their victims, without consequence. They were wrong. We, in New Jersey, along with our domestic and international law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to hold LockBit’s members and other cybercriminals accountable, disrupt and dismantle their operations, and put a spotlight on them as wanted criminals – no matter where they hide. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “Today’s convictions reflect the latest returns on the Department’s investment in disrupting ransomware threats, prioritizing victims, and holding cybercriminals accountable,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “In executing our all-tools cyber enforcement strategy, we’ve dealt significant blows to destructive ransomware groups like LockBit, as we did earlier this year, seizing control of LockBit infrastructure and distributing decryption keys to their victims. Today’s actions serve as a warning to ransomware actors who would attack Americans: we will find you and hold you accountable.” “The defendants committed ransomware attacks against victims in the United States and around the world through LockBit, which was one of the most destructive ransomware groups in the world,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “But thanks to the work of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, along with its domestic and international partners, LockBit no longer claims that title. Today’s convictions represent another important milestone in the Criminal Division’s ongoing effort to disrupt and dismantle ransomware groups, protect victims, and bring cybercriminals to justice.” “It's a common misconception that cyber hackers won't get caught by law enforcement because they're smarter and savvier than we are,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Two members of the LockBit affiliate pleading guilty to their crimes in U.S. federal court illustrate we can stop them and bring them to justice. These malicious actors believe they can operate with impunity – and don’t fear getting caught because they sit in a country where they feel safe and protected. FBI Newark and our law enforcement partners around the globe have the technology and intelligence to go after these criminals – regardless of where they hide.” Between 2020 and 2023, Astamirov deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in Virginia, Japan, France, Scotland, and Kenya. Operating under the online aliases “BETTERPAY,” “offtitan,” and “Eastfarmer,” he derived at least $1.9 million in ransom payments from those victims. As part of his plea agreement, Astamirov agreed to forfeit, among other assets, $350,000 in seized cryptocurrency that he extorted from one of his LockBit victims. Astamirov was first charged and arrested in this matter in June 2023. Between 2021 and 2023, Vasiliev, operating under the online aliases “Ghostrider,” “Free,” “Digitalocean90,” “Digitalocean99,” “Digitalwaters99,” and “Newwave110,” deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in New Jersey, Michigan, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. He also deployed LockBit against an educational facility in England and a school in Switzerland. Through these attacks, Vasiliev caused at least $500,000 in damage and losses to his victims. Vasiliev was first charged in this matter and arrested in Canada by Canadian authorities in November 2022, and extradited to the United States in June. Astamirov pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Vasiliev pleaded guilty to a four-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, intentional damage to a protected computer, transmission of a threat in relation to damaging a protected computer, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The LockBit Investigation Today’s guilty pleas follow a recent a disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization’s infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. This disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit’s reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by documents filed in this case. Today’s guilty pleas also follow charges brought in the District of New Jersey against other LockBit members, including its alleged creator, developer, and administrator, Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev. An indictment against Khoroshev unsealed in May alleges that Khoroshev began developing LockBit as early as September 2019, continued acting as the group’s administrator through 2024, a role in which Khoroshev recruited new affiliate members, spoke for the group publicly under the alias “LockBitSupp,” and developed and maintained the infrastructure used by affiliates to deploy LockBit attacks. Khoroshev also took 20 percent of each ransom paid by LockBit victims, allowing him to personally derive at least $100 million over that period. Khoroshev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov . Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025. A total of six LockBit members, including Khoroshev, the alleged developer, and Astamirov and Vasiliev, both affiliates, have now been charged in the District of New Jersey. Other LockBit charges include: In February, in parallel with the disruption operation, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev , also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses nationwide in the manufacturing and other industries, as well as victims around the world in the semiconductor and other industries. In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev , also known as Wazawaka, m1x, Boriselcin, and Uhodiransomwar, with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov/ . The U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program is offering rewards of: Up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of Khoroshev; Up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Matveev; Up to $10 million for information leading to the identification and location of any individuals who hold a key leadership position in LockBit; and Up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of any individual participating or attempting to participate in LockBit. Information is accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov / . Khoroshev, Matveev, Sungatov, and Kondratyev have also been designated for sanctions by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for their roles in launching cyberattacks. Victim Assistance LockBit victims are encouraged to contact the FBI and submit information at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov/ . As announced by the Department in February, law enforcement, through its disruption efforts, has developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Submitting information at the ICE site will enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted. LockBit victims are also encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/lockbit for case updates and information regarding their rights under U.S. law, including the right to submit victim impact statements and request restitution, in the litigation against Astamirov and Vasiliev. The FBI Newark Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant. The FBI Atlanta Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia; Ontario Provincial Police in Ontario, Canada; and Crown Attorney’s Office in Toronto, Canada, provided significant assistance in the Vasiliev matter. The United Kingdom’s NCA; France’s Gendarmerie Nationale Cyberspace Command; Germany’s Landeskriminalamt Schleswig-Holstein and the Bundeskriminalamt; Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Cantonal Police; Japan’s National Policy Agency; Australian Federal Police; Sweden’s Polismyndighetens; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Politie Dienst Regionale Recherche Oost-Brabant of the Netherlands; Finland’s Poliisi; Europol; and Eurojust have provided significant assistance and coordination in both matters and in the LockBit investigation generally. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorneys Jessica C. Peck, Debra Ireland, and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and are prosecuting the charges against Astamirov and Vasiliev. The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division also provided significant assistance. Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A. vasiliev.information.pdf astamirov.information.pdf


title: Former Army soldier sentenced to one year in prison for abusive sexual contact on an aircraft

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle –A 42-year-old former Chief Warrant Officer in the Army, who was stationed in Alaska, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 12 months in prison for abusive sexual contact while on board an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. James Benecke was indicted in July 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024. “Preying on teenagers in the confined space of an aircraft is traumatizing, and is happening far too often,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Those convicted of this crime are required to register as a sex offender. Some have been banned from certain airlines. We need to get the message across that this conduct is unacceptable and will be prosecuted.” According to records in the case, on April 12, 2023, on an Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Seattle, Benecke intentionally touched the buttocks of a 16-year-old teen who was seated next to him. In the plea agreement, Benecke admitted that the contact was intentional for his sexual arousal. Two months later, on June 12, 2023, on an Alaska Airlines flight from Dallas to Seattle, Benecke touched the buttocks and inner thigh of the 18-year-old woman who was seated next to him. In this instance, the contact was reported to the flight crew by the teen and her boyfriend and Benecke was moved to a seat at the rear of the plane. He was interviewed by law enforcement upon arrival in Seattle. In the plea agreement, Benecke again admitted that this contact was intentional for his sexual arousal. Benecke was arrested at his duty station in Alaska last July. As noted in the government’s sentencing memorandum, the Western District of Washington “has experienced a significant increase in the number of reported airline sexual assaults over the last few years,” and these crimes “have serious consequences on the victims.” For the two victims in this case, “teenagers embarking on exciting travel opportunities, Mr. Benecke’s actions diminished their sense of personal safety, and turned what should have been joyous, meaningful trips – one to a school sporting competition, and one returning home from college orientation – into sources of trauma.” The case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Forstein and former Assistant United States Attorney Jocelyn Cooney.


title: Los Angeles Duo Found Guilty For 10-Day Liquor Store Robbery Spree Ending in Police Chase, Car Crash and Foot Pursuit

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Two Los Angeles men have been found guilty today for committing a string of robberies in a 10-day span that ended in the duo leading law enforcement in a chase in Los Angeles County before crashing a stolen car into a tree then running across six lanes of highway traffic during rush hour. At the conclusion of a three-day trial, a jury convicted the two defendants with Hobbs Act robbery. They will be sentenced by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera on October 24: Anthony Flores, a.k.a. “BabyGfar”, 28, of Los Angeles; and Ivin Kitu Sanford, 32, of Los Angeles. According to court documents, beginning in May 2023, the defendants conspired to rob and robbed two BevMo stores, stealing high-end liquor stored behind security glass and, in some instances, threatened employees with violence. Flores and Sanford would then sell the liquor to individuals on Instagram. The incidents involved the following locations: Long Beach: Flores stole approximately $2,604 worth of liquor. Lakewood: Flores stole approximately $800 worth of liquor. Additionally, Hardgraves allegedly threatened to shoot a store employee if he attempted to interfere with the robbery. Furthermore, Flores and Sanford conspired to rob two additional BevMo stores located in Pasadena and West Covina. After the robberies, Flores was surveilled and seen selling the bottles. Flores was arrested and released. On June 5, 2023, the two defendants again attempted to rob the Canyon Country BevMo store. Flores and Sanford physically subdued a store victim-employee and attempted to steal high-end bottles of liquor. The defendants fled in a stolen silver Dodge Charger with a stolen license plate and attempted to evade officers during a traffic stop. Flores and Sanford led law enforcement on a chase through Los Angeles County before crashing into a tree. After the crash, defendants ran on foot across the California State Route 14, a 65-mile-per-hour highway, during rush hour traffic. Flores and Sanford were later found in bushes in a desolate area. “Callous disregard for the law undermines our community’s sense of safety,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “These defendants’ violent robberies and attempts to evade officers put lives at risk. Our Operation Safe Cities initiative aims to ensure that violent crimes are met with serious consequences, and today’s convictions demonstrate our steadfast commitment to that goal.” Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments. The case against the third defendant, Jabco Hardgraves, a.k.a. “Jacob Hardgraves,” Baby Monster,” “Lil Turtle”, 27, of Los Angeles is still pending and is not currently set for trial. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Covina Police Department, and Long Beach Police Department investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.


title: Jury Finds Drug Dealer Guilty on All Counts

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: Salt Lake City, Utah – During a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Weber County man today with firearm and drug crimes, including drug trafficking in the District of Utah. According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Marc Allen Davis, 52, of Ogden, Utah, is a twice convicted felon restricted from possessing firearms or ammunition. On March 13, 2021, Davis was pulled over by law enforcement after committing several traffic violations in Roy, Utah. During the traffic stop, law enforcement found that Davis possessed a loaded firearm, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute, and a taser. Sentencing will take place before U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson, Jr. at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City on a date yet to be scheduled. United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated jointly by the Roy City Police Department and the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force. Special Assistant United States Attorney Branden Miles and Assistant United States Attorney Maria Mooers-Putzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.


title: Convicted Armed Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Bibb County Jail Escape

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A Macon man who broke out of the Bibb County Jail in 2023 as he was awaiting federal sentencing for armed drug trafficking pleaded guilty to escaping from custody today. Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of escape from custody before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on July 18. Barnwell faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system. “Johnifer Barnwell cannot escape justice, no matter how hard he tries or how many people he puts at risk for his own self-interest,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office will continue to support law enforcement by making every federal resource available to them in our collective effort to make our communities safer and hold the most dangerous repeat criminals accountable.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Barnwell was tried and convicted on Oct. 2, 2023, of armed drug trafficking in Case No. 5:22-CR-00009 (for more information, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/jury-convicts-macon-residents-armed-fentanyl-meth-heroin-trafficking ; a sentencing date for Case No. 5:22-CR-00009 will be determined by the Court). Barnwell was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) to await sentencing and was housed at the Bibb County LEC, a facility contracted by USMS to house federal inmates. Barnwell escaped from the Bibb County LEC on Oct. 16, with the assistance of several individuals. Co-defendant Janecia Green, 31, of Macon, purchased a four-pound mallet and a Mayhew Guardian 2-3/4x9” Handguard Electrician Chisel from Home Depot on Oct. 13, 2023. Green gave the items to Christian “Twin” Williams, an associate of Barnwell’s, who arranged to smuggle them inside the Bibb County LEC perimeter. The mallet and chisel were then used to create an opening in the jail wall, and Barnwell and three other prisoners escaped. Green pleaded guilty to one count of assisting escape of person committed to custody on May 14, and is facing a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Her sentencing date will be determined by the Court. Barnwell was captured in Augusta, Georgia, on Nov. 12, 2023, by FBI and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputies. He was alone in the house and was allegedly in possession of an AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine; a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with 14 rounds; a .45 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine; an extended capacity magazine; a drum magazine; and 40 kilograms of suspected narcotics, the results of which are pending the completion of laboratory testing. To date, the results show Barnwell was in alleged possession of more than 23,000 grams of methamphetamine and more than 3,200 grams of fentanyl. The case is being investigated by FBI, USMS and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Woman Who Threw over 13 Pounds of Methamphetamine From Car Sentenced to Over 22 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A woman who trafficked methamphetamine was sentenced today to 270 months in federal prison for possessing large quantities of methamphetamine. Victoria Kay Oestereich, age 32, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 23, 2024 guilty plea to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after a prior conviction for a serious drug felony. In 2023, Oestereich was traffic stopped by police in Waterloo, Iowa, while returning from her drug supplier in Des Moines, Iowa. When police tried to stop the car, the driver, Daniel Chisum, sped off, and Oestereich, a passenger in the car, threw over 13 pounds of methamphetamine from the car window. At the time of the traffic stop, Oestereich had over $11,000 of drug proceeds on her person and was on probation for a prior drug trafficking conviction. Oestereich sourced other large drug suppliers in the Iowa Falls and Waterloo area with methamphetamine. Oestereich was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Oestereich was sentenced to 270 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 10-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Oestereich is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole L. Nagin, and it was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tri‑County Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Black Hawk County Sherriff’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-2071. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Columbus man pleads guilty to robbing postal carrier at gunpoint

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to crimes related to armed robberies of United States postal carriers. Anthony J. “A.J.” Williams, 20, admitted to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, committing aggravated robbery of United States property and conspiring to commit an offense against the United States. Williams’s plea includes a recommended sentence of 84 to 108 months in prison. According to court documents, on Nov. 9, 2022, Williams committed an armed robbery of a USPS letter carrier who was delivering mail on Michigan Ave. in Columbus. The postal carrier was delivering mail to an apartment complex’s “cluster box” at the time. After borrowing a Glock19 from one co-conspirator and being driven by another co-conspirator, Williams approached the mail carrier and brandished the handgun directly at the victim. Williams demanded the victim’s postal keys and then yanked the postal keys off of the carrier’s belt. Williams sent photos of the stolen key to another co-conspirator who was orchestrating the robbery. The defendant also worked with that same co-conspirator to plan a postal robbery for Christmas Eve 2022 and repeatedly “fished” for stolen mail with stolen postal keys. Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested in January 2024. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Powder

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jason Viera Penalbert, 37, of Madison, Nebraska, was sentenced July 17, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Penalbert to 57 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Penalbert’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release. On May 18, 2023, DEA agents doing surveillance at a UPS facility noticed a suspicious package. After a positive canine sniff, agents obtained a search warrant to search the package. Inside the package were two bricks wrapped in silver duct tape totaling approximately 2,428 grams of powder fentanyl. Agents replaced the fentanyl with fake narcotics and conducted a controlled delivery to a residence in Norfolk, Nebraska. After the package was delivered, Penalbert arrived at the house to pick it up. After being arrested, Penalbert told agents he lived in Madison and came to Norfolk to pick up the package to deliver it to Minnesota. A search of Penalbert's cell phone revealed messages coordinating the delivery of the package. Penalbert also admitted there would be drugs at his home. A later search of Penalbert’s house uncovered approximately 195 grams of cocaine. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution dismissed a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in exchange for a guilty plea to the fentanyl charge. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Nebraska State Patrol assisted with forensic testing of the drugs seized.


title: Spencerport man pleads guilty to his role in fraud scheme

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Grimm 44, of Spencerport, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that Grimm, and at least one other person, engaged in an extensive pattern of conduct involving document fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, retail theft, and identity theft. Part of the scheme involved Grimm and others obtaining merchandise by theft or fraud from local retailers, which was then returned in exchange for gift cards and store credit or sold to third parties. In furtherance of the scheme, Grimm presented forged and/or stolen passports and other stolen identification information to merchants. Grimm also admitted his role in the theft of personal identifying information and credit information belonging to multiple individuals, which he and others used to make fraudulent purchases, including car and hotel rentals. The stolen identity information was also used in attempts to open credit cards and obtain loans. To date, at least 10 identity theft victims have been identified resulting in thousands of dollars in losses. The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Wood, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. Sentencing is scheduled for November 11, 2024, at 9:30 am before Judge Siragusa. # # # #


title: Sequoyah County Resident Sentenced For Receiving And Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation Materials

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Shawn Chandler, age 51, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 210 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for one count of Receipt of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one count of Possession of Certain Material involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The charges arose from an investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, the Muldrow Police Department, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Chandler was indicted August 9, 2023, and pleaded guilty to the charges on December 21, 2023. According to investigators, in Spring of 2023, Chandler was arrested on a warrant issued by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Court. At the time of the arrest, Chandler was in possession of multiple cell phones. A subsequent search of the phones revealed that Chandler knowingly received and stored over 40 videos and images of child sexual abuse from the internet. The Honorable William P. Johnson, Chief U.S. District Judge of the United States District Court for New Mexico, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Chandler will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Jessie Pippin represented the United States. “This case is an excellent example of the interagency cooperation taking place in the Eastern District of Oklahoma,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Thanks to the collaborative work of local, Tribal, and federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors, Chandler was identified and successfully prosecuted for his role in perpetuating the victimization of children subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse.” 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 . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources” . We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)'s website at www.cybertipline.com , call 1-800-843-5678, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or call 877-4-HSI TIP.


title: Adair County Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Crime

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announces that Ralph Gene Carloss, age 72, of Welling, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charge arose from an investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On August 11, 2023, Carloss pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. According to investigators, on April 11, 2023, after fleeing from law enforcement in his vehicle, Carloss was apprehended and found in possession of a firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The Honorable William P. Johnson, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, sitting by assignment, presided over the sentencing hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Carloss will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.


title: Marshall County Man Sentenced for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Offenses

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Daniel R. Grossi, 70, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 77 months in prison for fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking. According to court documents and statements made in court, Grossi was selling fentanyl and methamphetamine in Marshall County. The investigation revealed that Grossi obtained large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine through the mail. Grossi will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.


title: Kindred and Related Entities Agree to Pay $19.428M to Settle Federal and State False Claims Act Lawsuits Alleging Ineligible Claims for Hospice Patients

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Gentiva, successor to Kindred at Home, has agreed to pay $19.428 million to resolve allegations that Kindred at Home and related entities (Kindred) knowingly submitted false claims and knowingly retained overpayments for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible to receive hospice benefits under various federal health care programs. Gentiva’s hospice operations, headquartered in Atlanta, include entities that previously operated Kindred at Home hospice locations under the names Avalon, Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon. “The hospice benefit under Medicare and other federal health care programs provides critical services to some of the most vulnerable patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will ensure that this important benefit is used to assist those who need it, and not as an opportunity to line the pockets of those who seek to abuse it.” The settlement resolves allegations made by the United States and the State of Tennessee in a consolidated complaint filed in 2021 against certain Kindred related entities alleging that, from 2010 until February 2020, the defendants knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims for hospice services provided to Avalon hospice patients in Tennessee who were ineligible for the Medicare or Medicaid hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill. The settlement also resolves the complaint’s allegations that the defendants improperly concealed or avoided Avalon’s obligation to repay those hospice claims. In addition, the settlement resolves allegations that certain Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon hospice locations knowingly submitted, or caused to be submitted, false claims for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible for hospice benefits under Medicare and other federal health care programs because the patients were not terminally ill. Those hospice locations were Kindred’s locations in Warwick, Rhode Island; Beaumont, Texas; and Independence, Missouri; SouthernCare New Beacon’s location in Demopolis, Alabama; and SouthernCare’s locations in Daphne, Alabama; Mobile, Alabama; South Bend, Indiana; and Youngstown, Ohio. The settlement also resolves allegations that those Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon locations knowingly and improperly concealed or avoided obligations to repay the foregoing hospice claims. Further, the settlement resolves allegations that SouthernCare New Beacon allegedly violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by willfully paying renumeration to a consulting physician, between Oct. 1, 2016, and Oct. 1, 2022, to induce hospice referrals of Medicare beneficiaries to its Gadsden, Alabama, location. The settlement of those allegations stems from a voluntary self-disclosure made by New Beacon Healthcare Group LLC doing business as SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs. It is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients. “Hospice provides vital care and support for terminally ill patients and their families. Medicare’s and TennCare’s eligibility requirements ensure that federal and state health care money is properly used to support hospice programs,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We are committed to holding accountable health care companies and providers who prioritize profits over patient care by ignoring these requirements.” “This office remains committed to safeguarding public monies,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “I commend the work of all those in the department who have made this successful settlement possible and truly appreciate the strong working relationships that exist between the United States Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and our law enforcement partners.” “My office remains determined to ensure that federal funding for essential health care, like the hospice care at issue in this investigation, goes to the patients who need it, rather than to health care companies who seek to exploit those patients for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha for the District of Rhode Island. “Today’s result reflects a concerted effort by this office and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country, working alongside the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and our law enforcement partners, to help to guarantee that Medicare funds are directed where they belong and that high-quality hospice care is available for patients and their families in the future.” “Hospice care is special end-of-life care intended to provide comfort for terminally ill patients. The decision to provide hospice services should be prompted by a patient’s terminally ill medical diagnosis, not a hospice provider’s desire to increase profits,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “The continued work of the department and our law enforcement partners is critical to the integrity of these important programs. I appreciate the work of all involved in this significant case.” “Our office is committed to protecting federal healthcare programs like the Medicare hospice benefit from false claims” said U.S. Attorney Sean Costello for the Southern District of Alabama. “We will hold accountable any providers that abuse taxpayer dollars.” “The integrity of hospice care is critical to the millions of patients receiving these services,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure that providers who focus on personal financial gain rather than providing medically necessary, high-quality hospice care will be held accountable.” The Medicaid program is funded jointly by the state and federal governments. As a result of the settlement announced today, the federal government will receive $18,956,151.32, the State of Tennessee will receive $448,800 and the State of Ohio will receive $23,618.68. The settlement includes the resolution of claims in nine lawsuits brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by various current and former Kindred employees. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned: United States ex rel. Pence, et al. v. Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:13-00672 (M.D. Tenn.); United States,, et al. ex rel. Anderson et al. v. Curo Health Services, LLC d/b/a Avalon Hospice , Civil Action No. 3:20-cv-00168 (M.D. Tenn.); United States ex rel. Riar v. Kindred Healthcare, Inc., et al. , Civil Action No. 3:18-CV-52 (W.D. Ky.); United States ex rel. Didde, et al. v. Kindred Healthcare Inc. et al ., Civil Action No. 19-2321-JWB-JPO (D. Kan.); United States ex rel. Mut v. Gentiva Certified Healthcare Corp. D/B/A Kindred at Home , Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00425-JJM-PAS (D.R.I.); United States ex rel. Harris v. SouthernCare, Inc ., Civil Action No. 3:18-cv-643-HTW-LGI (S.D. Miss.); United States,, et al. ex rel. Roy v. Curo Health Services, LLC, et al., Civil Action No. 3:18-cv-643-HTA-LRA (S.D. Miss.); U.S. ex rel. Petrey v. Curo HealthCare Services, LLC, et al., Civil Action No. 1:19-CV-00617 (S.D. Ala.), and United States ex rel. Medved, et al. v. SouthernCare, Inc. D/B/A SouthernCare, et al. , Civil Action No. 2:23-cv-3345 (S.D. Ohio). The share of the settlement to be received by the whistleblowers has not yet been determined. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Kentucky, District of Kansas, District of Rhode Island, Southern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Alabama and Southern District of Ohio, with assistance from HHS-OIG, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General and the Office of the Ohio Attorney General. The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Trial Attorney William E. Olson of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wynn M. Shuford for the Middle District of Tennessee, Jessica R.C. Malloy and William F. Campbell for the Western District of Kentucky, Jon P. Fleenor for the District of Kansas, Kevin Love Hubbard for the District of Rhode Island, Deidre Lamppin Colson for the Southern District of Mississippi, Nina T. Herring for the Southern District of Alabama and W. Hunter West and Michael J. T. Downey for the Southern District of Ohio handled the matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. XXX


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 190 Months

body_text: FORT WAYNE –Late yesterday, Tywan Church, 43, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Church was sentenced to 190 months imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, on three separate occasions in September and October 2022, law enforcement purchased cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine from Church at a Fort Wayne motel where he was living. A later search of his motel room yielded additional quantities of cocaine base, methamphetamine, fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, and other drugs. Evidence of drug trafficking as well as a firearm was also found in his room. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration in coordination with the Indiana State Police and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery. 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: Floresville Man Gets 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Child at a Home Daycare

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A Floresville man was sentenced in federal court to 360 months in prison for the sexual exploitation of a seven-year-old girl. According to court documents, Rodney Allan Felux, 45, sexually assaulted and exploited the child victim while the child attended a residential daycare in December 2022. The victim advised her mother of the incident leading to an investigation. In a forensic interview, the victim said that she was sexually assaulted while blindfolded and taken to a shed where Felux took numerous sexually explicit images of her. Felux was arrested January 11, 2023 and pleaded guilty in January 2024 to one count of sexual exploitation of children. In addition to the 30-year sentence and lifetime supervised release, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ordered Felux to pay $50,000 restitution to the victim. “As the court stated during the sentencing, the penalties are severe for this offense for a reason,” U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This defendant has caused irreparable harm to this young girl based on his contemplated, planned and acted upon predatory sexual behavior.” "This sentencing sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in our community," said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. "The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners at the Wilson County Sheriff's office, will continue to vigorously pursue every lead to rescue children who are being victimized, and bring their perpetrators to justice." The FBI and Wilson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. ###


title: Jamestown, ND, Woman Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking and Felon in Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that on July 17, 2024, April Elizabeth Bergman, Jamestown, ND, appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, U.S. District Court, Fargo, ND, and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised released and a $100.00 special assessment for the offenses of firearm trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm. This case began with the burglary and theft of 35 firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensed business in Jamestown, ND. Three of the firearms stolen in that burglary ended up in the possession of April Bergman when she engaged in trading methamphetamine for the firearms. According to court documents and statements made in court, from on or about June 25, 2023 to July 9, 2023, Bergman received a Sig Sauer Model P365 9mm pistol, a Beretta Model PX4 Storm .40 caliber pistol, and a Smith and Wesson Model M&P 40 Shield .40 caliber pistol from another person in and otherwise affecting interstate and foreign commerce while knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that receipt of these firearms would constitute a felony in violation of a federal firearms trafficking statute, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 933(a)(2). Bergman pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in March of 2024. “The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gave our prosecutors valuable tools to confront firearms trafficking,” Schneider said. “As this strong sentence shows, we will aggressively use those tools to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons and those who commit violent crimes. I am grateful for the dogged determination of our law enforcement partners not only for ensuring justice in this case, but also for making sure these firearms were removed from the illicit market.” “ATF treats burglaries of our federal firearms licensees with the utmost seriousness,” says ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “It’s integral that we move swiftly in these cases as the firearms obtained during FFL burglaries often and quickly fall into the hands of dangerous criminals who cannot legally purchase firearms on their own. I’m very proud of the special agent who worked this case, and very grateful for the work of our investigative partners, the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, leading to the successful conclusion of this case.” This case was investigated by the Fargo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and the Jamestown Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Richard Lee prosecuted the case. This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms. Previous press release can be seen here . # # #