title: “Protecting Places of Worship Forum" to be held in Memphis on October 24, 2024

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN — Faith-based leaders, law enforcement, and community members will gather on Thursday, October 24, 2024 for the Protecting Places of Worship Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, this vital forum will address the growing concern over hate crimes targeting places of worship. What : Protecting Places of Worship Forum When : Thursday, October 24, 2024, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT Where : FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park - 415 Great View Dr. E. - Cordova, TN 38018 Why Attend: As the frequency of hate crimes and violent threats against religious institutions increases, this forum offers an essential opportunity for faith-based leaders, security personnel, and community members to learn how to protect places of worship. Participants will receive expert advice on federal and state hate crime laws, as well as tools and resources for assessing safety and preventing violence. Key highlights of the event include: Overview of Hate Crimes Laws: Learn about the latest federal and state protections. Active Shooter Training: Prepare for emergency situations with practical insights from law enforcement. Best Practices for Prevention: Explore strategies to safeguard your congregation from threats and ensure the safety of your community. Speakers and Partners: Experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Memphis Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and other local and federal agencies will lead sessions. This forum is also supported by the Governor’s Office, the City of Memphis, and several community organizations, including the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Alliance and the National Black Prosecutors Association. How to Register: Attendance is free, but registration is required. Visit the registration link to secure your spot. Contact Information: For more information about this forum and how you can participate, please contact Cherri Green in the U.S. Attorney's Office at Cherri.Green@usdoj.gov. ________________________________________ This forum serves as an essential platform for protecting vulnerable spaces and ensuring that places of worship remain safe, inclusive environments for all. Don't miss this important opportunity to engage with experts and strengthen the security of your faith community.


title: Leaders of Dangerous Mexican Drug Cartel Responsible for Extreme Violence Charged with International Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Note: View the fifth superseding indictment here. An indictment was unsealed in the District of Columbia charging leaders of the violent drug trafficking organization known as Los Zetas, and its successor organization, Cartel del Noreste (CDN), with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise; drug trafficking conspiracy; firearms offenses; and international money laundering conspiracy. According to the indictment, Miguel Trevino Morales, 51, also known as Z-40, and his brother, Omar Trevino Morales, 48, also known as Z-42, allegedly assumed control of Los Zetas after more than a decade as members of the violent drug trafficking organization. Los Zetas previously served as an armed militaristic wing for the Gulf Cartel to maintain control of drug trafficking routes throughout Mexico. Since becoming leaders of Los Zetas in 2012, which they later renamed the Cartel del Noreste, the defendants have allegedly continued its history and pattern of using extreme violence to control large swaths of Northern Mexico, including along the U.S. border. Based on allegations in the indictment, Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales were incarcerated in Mexico in 2013 and 2015, respectively, but continued to control the CDN through various means, including by installing various family members to run operations at their behest. Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales are alleged to be personally responsible for committing dozens of murders and for directing assassinations, kidnappings, and acts of torture by Los Zetas and CDN members to promote and protect the Cartel’s drug trafficking activities and enrich its members. “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants ran a transnational drug trafficking organization that was responsible for committing extreme violence and trafficking massive quantities of narcotics into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Justice Department is committed to holding cartel leaders like the defendants accountable for poisoning American communities and fueling violence here and abroad. We are also committed to working with our domestic and international colleagues in this effort, and we are grateful to our Mexican law enforcement partners for their ongoing collaboration in this case.” “This superseding indictment underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing the leaders of the world’s most dangerous drug cartels, no matter how long it takes,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “The defendants’ prolific crimes and extreme acts of violence have wreaked havoc in the Eastern District of New York and across the country, and we look forward to holding the defendants accountable in a U.S. court of law.” “For decades, these individuals have controlled one of the most violent drug organizations in Mexico, committing and directing the commission of horrible atrocities against our neighbors, the people of Mexico, and also in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Nothing is more important than bringing dangerous individuals like this to justice. We look forward to working with the government of Mexico in bringing these brutal Cartel leaders to justice for the numerous crimes they have committed.” “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) stands with our partners in the fight against transnational criminal organizations to protect our citizens from their unlawful actions,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger. “The harm caused by the Los Zetas cartel reaches well beyond our borders, hurting communities and ruining lives here in the United States.” “For decades, Los Zetas operated as one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations in the United States and Mexico under the direction of brothers Miguel (Zeta 40) and Omar Trevino Morales (Zeta 42),” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Field Division. “The DEA has never wavered from the global fight against this vicious, ruthless cartel which thrived on the devastation they imparted on American communities. Through countless investigations, DEA brought high-ranking members of this destructive organization to justice. These latest indictments will continue to cripple this violent organization and force them to release the stranglehold they have exerted along the southwest border of the United States.” If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The DEA Houston Division investigated the case, with assistance from the DEA Mexico City Country Office. HSI New York contributed substantially to the investigation, as did the following: DEA San Antonio Division, DEA Eagle Pass Division, DEA Del Rio Division, DEA Laredo Division, DEA New York Division, FBI Washington Field Office, FBI El Paso Field Office, FBI San Antonio Field Office, FBI Laredo Field Office, FBI Del Rio Field Office, HSI San Antonio, HSI Del Rio, HSI Laredo, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sherriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) San Antonio Field Division, ATF Laredo Field Division, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) San Antonio, IRS-CI Waco, and the U.S. Border Patrol. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations provided significant assistance in this case. Trial Attorneys Kirk Handrich and Tara Arndt of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, numerous prosecutors for the Western District of Texas, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Wang for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Líderes de un peligroso cartel de drogas mexicano, responsables de violencia extrema, acusados de delitos de tráfico internacional de drogas y uso de armas de fuego

body_text: Hoy en el Distrito de Columbia se hizo pública una acusación formal que señala a líderes de la violenta organización de narcotráfico, conocida como Los Zetas, y su organización sucesora, el Cartel del Noreste (CDN), de participar en una empresa criminal continua; asociación ilícita para traficar drogas; delitos de armas de fuego; y asociación ilícita para lavado de dinero internacional. Según la acusación, Miguel Treviño Morales, de 51 años, y su hermano, Omar Treviño Morales, de 48 años, también conocidos respectivamente como Z-40 y Z-42, presuntamente asumieron el control de Los Zetas después de más de una década de ser miembros de la violenta organización de narcotráfico. Los Zetas anteriormente sirvieron como un brazo armado militarista para el Cartel del Golfo para mantener el control de las rutas de narcotráfico en todo México. Desde que se convirtieron en líderes de Los Zetas en 2012, que luego renombraron como Cartel del Noreste, se alega que los acusados han continuado su historia y patrón de utilizar violencia extrema para controlar grandes extensiones del norte de México, incluso por la frontera con EE. UU. Según las denuncias en la acusación formal, Miguel y Omar Treviño Morales fueron encarcelados en México en 2013 y 2015, respectivamente, pero continuaron controlando el CDN por diversos medios, entre ellos la colocación de varios familiares para dirigir las operaciones en su representación. Se alega que Miguel y Omar Treviño Morales son personalmente responsables de cometer decenas de asesinatos y de dirigir asesinatos, secuestros y actos de tortura por parte de miembros de Los Zetas y CDN para promover y proteger las actividades de narcotráfico del Cartel y enriquecer a sus miembros. De ser condenados, los acusados enfrentan una pena máxima de cadena perpetua. Un juez de un tribunal de distrito federal determinará la sentencia correspondiente tras considerar las Pautas de Sentencia de EE. UU. y otros factores legales. “Como se alega en la acusación formal, los acusados dirigieron una organización de narcotráfico transnacional que fue responsable de cometer violencia extrema y de traficar enormes cantidades de narcóticos a Estados Unidos,” dijo Nicole Argentieri, vicefiscal general adjunta principal, jefa de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia. “El Departamento de Justicia se compromete a responsabilizar a los líderes de carteles, como los acusados, por envenenar comunidades estadounidenses y alimentar la violencia aquí y en el extranjero. También estamos comprometidos a colaborar con nuestros colegas nacionales e internacionales en este esfuerzo y agradecemos a nuestros colegas, las autoridades mexicanas de procuración de justicia, por su continua colaboración en este caso.” “Esta formulación complementaria de cargos reitera el compromiso del Departamento de Justicia de perseguir a los líderes de los carteles de drogas más peligrosos del mundo, sin importar el tiempo que lleve,” dijo Breon Peace, fiscal de EE. UU. para el Distrito Este de Nueva York. “Los prolíficos crímenes y actos extremos de violencia de los acusados han convulsionado al Distrito Este de Nueva York y a todo el país, y anticipamos responsabilizar a los acusados en un tribunal de justicia de EE. UU.” “Durante décadas, estas personas han controlado una de las organizaciones de drogas más violentas de México, cometiendo y dirigiendo la comisión de atrocidades horribles contra nuestros vecinos, el pueblo de México, y también en Estados Unidos,” dijo Jaime Esparza, el fiscal de EE. UU. para el Distrito Oeste de Texas. “Nada es más importante que llevar ante la justicia a individuos peligrosos como estos. Esperamos trabajar con el gobierno de México para llevar a estos brutales líderes del Cartel ante la justicia por los numerosos crímenes que han cometido.” “La Oficina de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) se une a nuestros colegas en la lucha contra organizaciones criminales transnacionales para proteger a nuestros ciudadanos de las acciones ilegales de estas,” dijo Katrina W. Berger, directora ejecutiva asociada de HSI. “El daño causado por el cartel de Los Zetas va mucho más allá de nuestras fronteras, perjudicando comunidades y arruinando vidas aquí en Estados Unidos.” “Durante décadas, Los Zetas operaron como una de las organizaciones de narcotráfico más violentas en Estados Unidos y México bajo la dirección de los hermanos Miguel (Zeta 40) y Omar (Zeta 42) Treviño Morales. La DEA no ha flaqueado nunca en la lucha global contra este brutal y despiadado cartel, que prosperó a raíz de la devastación que causaron en las comunidades estadounidenses,” dijo Daniel C. Comeaux, el agente especial a cargo de la División de Houston de la DEA. “A través de innumerables investigaciones, la DEA ha llevado ante la justicia a miembros de alto rango de esta organización destructiva. Estas últimas acusaciones formales continuarán debilitando a esta violenta organización y la forzarán a dejar el control que han ejercido a lo largo de la frontera suroeste de Estados Unidos.” La División de Houston de la DEA lideró esta investigación con la asistencia de la Oficina de la DEA en Ciudad de México. La Oficina de HSI Nueva York contribuyó sustancialmente a la investigación, al igual que las siguientes: DEA San Antonio, DEA Eagle Pass, DEA Del Río, DEA Laredo, DEA Nueva York, la Oficina Regional del FBI en Washington, FBI El Paso, FBI San Antonio, FBI Laredo, FBI Del Río, HSI San Antonio, HSI Del Río, HSI Laredo, el Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas, los Rangers de Texas, el Departamento de Policía de San Antonio, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Bexar [Texas], la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF) San Antonio, ATF Laredo, Investigación Criminal del IRS (IRS-CI) San Antonio, IRS-CI Waco y la Patrulla Fronteriza de EE. UU. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia y la Oficina de Operaciones de Cumplimiento de la División Criminal proporcionaron asistencia significativa en este caso. Los fiscales litigantes Kirk Handrich y Tara Arndt de la Unidad de Narcóticos y Drogas Peligrosas de la División Penal, numerosos fiscales del Distrito Oeste de Texas y el fiscal adjunto de EE. UU. Andrew Wang para el Distrito Este de Nueva York están procesando el caso. Este caso es parte de una operación de la Fuerza Especial de Lucha contra la Droga y la Delincuencia Organizada (OCDETF). La OCDETF identifica, interrumpe y desmantela a los narcotraficantes de más alto nivel, lavadores de dinero, pandillas y organizaciones criminales transnacionales que amenazan a Estados Unidos, utilizando un enfoque multiinstitucional, liderado por fiscales e informado por datos de inteligencia. Una acusación formal es tan solo una denuncia. Todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.


title: Connecticut Fisherman Sentenced for Tax Evasion

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Connecticut man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for evading taxes on income he earned from commercial fishing in Massachusetts. According to court documents and statements made in court, Brian Kobus, of Durham, worked as a commercial fisherman and deckhand for various fishing companies in Massachusetts. After each fishing trip, the companies paid Kobus by check. Despite receiving over $1.2 million in fishing income between 2011 through 2013, and 2017 through 2021, Kobus never filed a federal income tax return or paid the taxes that he owed. To conceal the source and disposition of his income from the IRS, Kobus regularly cashed his paychecks from the fishing companies and used the cash to fund his personal lifestyle. In total, Kobus caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $377,839.90. In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton for the District of Massachusetts ordered Kobus to serve one year of supervised release and to pay $377,839.90 in restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Wild for the District of Massachusetts prosecuted the case.


title: Indictment Charges 19-Year-Old with Shooting Another Teen in the Head

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Christ Tchakounte, 19, of Hyattsville, MD, has been charged in a seven-count indictment for shooting a 15-year-old victim three times, including once in the head, on the afternoon of January 19, 2024, in the Kingman Park neighborhood of Southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department. The indictment was returned today by a Superior Court grand jury, and charges Tchakounte with one count each of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, attempt to commit robbery while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. According to the Government’s evidence, the teenage victim was out shoveling snow in the neighborhood with friends and relatives during a snow day in January 2024 when Tchakounte and an accomplice pulled up in a car, parked in a nearby alley, flanked the victim at the intersection of 16 th Street and A Street Southeast, shot the victim three times, and then fled after the victim collapsed in the street. After several months of intensive care, the victim survived. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Cocuzza and Daniel Bromwich. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.


title: Brevard County Felon Sentenced To More Than 17 Years In Federal Prison For Drug And Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Shawndell Johnson (32, Melbourne) to 17 years and 7 months in federal prison for distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court also ordered Johnson to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used in the offenses. Johnson entered a guilty plea on June 7, 2024. According to court documents, Johnson twice distributed fentanyl to a confidential source in September 2022. Following his arrest on state fentanyl distribution charges in March 2023, a search of Johnson’s residence uncovered more than 600 grams of fentanyl, over 400 grams of pure methamphetamine, and over 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, agents located two loaded firearms. At the time of the search, Johnson had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including murder in the third-degree without design and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As a previously convicted felon, Johnson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Rockledge Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Bronx, New York Man, Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for  Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl from Two Drug Mills in the Bronx, Causing Death of 15-Month-Old Child

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man was sentenced today to 156 months in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl into New Jersey from two drug mills in the Bronx, which resulted in the death of a 15-month-old child, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 35, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to a superseding information charging him with one count of distributing heroin and fentanyl from a drug mill in the Bronx in December 2018. Capellan Maldonado admitted that his distribution of fentanyl caused the death of a 15-month-old child. Judge Salas imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. Capellan Maldonado also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl from a separate drug mill in the Bronx in February 2019. Six other individuals – Reimon Genao Rosario, 28; Dilson Vazquez Genao, 28; Eddie Urena Rodriguez, 39; Francisco Mercedes Gil, 36; Daury Contreras Ulerio, aka “Majimbou,” 39; and Jose Antonio Vazquez Pena, aka “Tono,” 51 – also of the Bronx, all have previously pleaded guilty to the same charge before Judge Salas and have been sentenced. Judge Salas imposed Capellan Maldonado’s sentence today in Newark federal court. “In December 2018, a 15-month-old child ingested fentanyl and died. The toddler was in a Bronx apartment being used by Capellan Maldonado to run his drug distribution operation, preparing and packaging heroin and fentanyl. His drug mill led directly to the death of this child. The punishment he received today will not bring the child back, but the defendant is being brought to justice for the terrible effects of his role in trafficking this poison. The fentanyl epidemic has caused enormous pain and suffering to our communities, including the death of the child in this case.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On Dec. 27, 2018, Capellan Maldonado was operating a drug mill at an apartment in the Bronx where he employed four individuals to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in quantities for distribution into New Jersey. Capellan Maldonado admitted that while the group was preparing the heroin and fentanyl, a 15-month-old child present in the apartment ingested some of the fentanyl and died as a result. The four other individuals have been charged with homicide by the District Attorney’s Office in the Bronx. In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Capellan Maldonado was again using an apartment in Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Pena stayed at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed five workers at a time – including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, and Genao – to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found seven individuals inside, including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. All seven defendants attempted to escape out a window, and all but one – Rosario – were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside. Rosario was arrested at a later date. Law enforcement recovered nearly a kilogram of fentanyl from the apartment, along with materials to grind and package fentanyl for distribution. In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas sentenced Maldonado to five years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.


title: Preliminary Injunction Entered in Justice Department Suit to Stop Alabama’s Systematic Removal of Voters from Registration Rolls

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A federal court in the Northern District of Alabama has entered an order requiring the State of Alabama and the Alabama Secretary of State to cease a recently-implemented program to remove voters from Alabama’s voting rolls between now and the Nov. 5 general election. The court further ordered the State to issue guidance to all counties in Alabama to immediately restore deactivated voters unless those voters requested removal or are subject to removal for other reasons. “This action sends a clear message that the Justice Department will work to ensure that the rights of eligible voters are protected,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The National Voter Registration Act’s 90 day Quiet Period Provision is an important safeguard to prevent erroneous eleventh-hour efforts that stand to disenfranchise eligible voters. The Justice Department remains steadfast in our resolve to protect voters from unlawful removal from the registration rolls and to ensure that states comply with the mandate of federal law.” The department filed a lawsuit against the State of Alabama and the Alabama Secretary of State on Sept. 27 alleging that the Alabama Secretary of State’s voter list maintenance program announced on Aug. 13 violated Section 8(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) by conducting a program intending to systematically remove voters within 90 days of a federal election. The court’s order requires the State of Alabama to facilitate a remedial mailing to each registrant inactivated as part of the voter removal process who has not submitted a request to be removed from the voter rolls and alert these voters that their voter status has since been reactivated. The injunction also requires the state to work with country registrars to ensure that affected voters are notified that their inclusion in the state’s wayward removal program does not establish their ineligibility to vote or subject them to criminal prosecution for registering to vote or for voting. The injunction further requires the State to facilitate a remedial mailing to each registrant inactivated as part of the voter removal process who did submit a voter removal request advising them that if they are a U.S. citizen and otherwise meet voter qualifications, they have the right to vote. Finally, the court ordered the State to inform the Alabama Attorney General in writing that voters were inaccurately referred to the Attorney General for criminal investigation. Individuals who are eligible voters and believe that they may have been wrongly removed from the voter rolls as a result of Alabama’s – or any other state’s – systematic removal process should contact the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section through the internet reporting portal at www.civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents on the NVRA and other statutes, is available at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the NVRA and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted at www.civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.


title: Marion County Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Federal Prison For Production Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Matthew Allen Gahan (25, Summerfield) to 20 years in federal prison for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. Gahan will also be required to register as a sex offender. He entered a guilty plea on June 13, 2024. According to court records, between May 13 and 25, 2023, Gahan spoke with a minor living outside of the United States. Gahan coerced the minor to participate in video calls in which the minor engaged in sexual activity at Gahan’s direction. Gahan recorded these calls without the minor’s knowledge. On September 13, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Gahan’s home and found multiple videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of young boys. Agents also discovered that Gahan had used the dark web to distribute and receive child sexual abuse material. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. 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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Macon Woman Who Assisted in Bibb County Jail Break Sentenced to Prison

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A Macon resident who assisted a convicted felon and others to escape the Bibb County LEC in 2023 was sentenced to prison today. Janecia Green, 31, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Oct. 16, three times more than the top of Green’s federal sentencing guidelines range. There is no parole in the federal system. “Janecia Green put our entire community at risk when she chose to help Johnifer Barnwell and several other dangerous convicted felons escape from the Bibb County Jail,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This sentencing illustrates the serious consequences facing those who help criminals evade justice.” “We are thankful no one was hurt when Janecia Green broke the law and helped Johnifer Barnwell and others escape,” said Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Robert Gibbs of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “The FBI hopes the sentence sends a strong message to others that those who try to aid prisoners continue to break the law will be brought to justice.” “The sentence handed down on Janecia Green illustrates the severe penalty for assisting a convicted felon and others in escaping the Bibb County Jail,” said Bibb Sheriff David Davis. “We can be grateful for the investigative work of the Bibb Investigators and our federal partners in bringing this individual to justice.” According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Barnwell was tried and convicted on Oct. 2, 2023, of armed drug trafficking and was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) to await sentencing. Barnwell 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, including Green. Green purchased a four-pound mallet and a Mayhew Guardian 2-3/4x9” Handguard Electrician Chisel from Home Depot on Oct. 13, 2023. She 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. 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 was investigated by FBI, USMS and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Sixteen Hells Angels & Red Devils Motorcycle Gang Members Face Charges Related to Violent Racketeering Enterprise

body_text: An indictment was unsealed in the Eastern District of North Carolina charging 16 members of two outlaw motorcycle gangs — the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) and the Red Devils Motorcycle Club (RDMC) — for their alleged roles in a criminal enterprise engaging in violent criminal activity in and around Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina. The RDMC is the main support club nationwide for the HAMC. Five of the defendants are charged with murder in aid of racketeering for allegedly killing a member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (PMC), a rival gang, on Jan. 1, 2023, in Raleigh. Two additional defendants are charged with accessory after the fact for their alleged actions following that murder. Eight defendants are charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering for their alleged roles in a July 22, 2023, violent assault of PMC members in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen restaurant in Wade, North Carolina. And one defendant is charged with obstruction for allegedly attempting to dissuade a witness from assisting the criminal investigation of this case. “According to the indictment, these defendants were leaders, organizers, and members of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club and committed multiple crimes to advance their positions in this violent gang,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The gang’s alleged violent acts included the murder of a rival gang member on a public street, and the assault and attempted murder of other rival gang members in a restaurant parking lot. This indictment demonstrates that, along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, the Criminal Division is committed to holding accountable those responsible for acts of violence that terrorize local communities.” “Two years ago we launched a Violent Crime Action Plan to partner with local law enforcement to identify the individuals and groups driving violence in North Carolina, especially criminal enterprises that support and encourage violence by their members,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “We’ll keep pursuing cases like this one, charging violent crimes in aid of racketeering, to expose patterns of violence and hold gang members and those who enable them accountable.” “Outlaw motorcycle gangs are notorious for lawless and violent behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte Field Division. “These criminal organizations are allegedly responsible for a long list of illegal activities, including firearms trafficking, assault, and homicide, and operate with absolutely no regard for the safety of law enforcement or the community. ATF is proud to stand with our law enforcement partners and be part of an effort to disrupt and disband such a violent and dangerous network.” “I am proud to stand with my federal, state, and local partners in investigating and disrupting violent organizations which demonstrate a blatant disregard for life and will pursue any method to advance their criminal enterprise in our great city,” said Chief Estella Patterson of the Raleigh Police Department. “The Raleigh Police Department and our community will not tolerate destructive behavior and will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to identify those responsible to ensure they are held accountable. I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Michael Easley and his team for their continued dedication and steadfast commitment to public safety. I also thank the ATF, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for their strong partnership in these cases.” “Operation Broken Halo has been an ongoing investigation with the Fayetteville Police Department and the ATF into an alleged criminal enterprise connected to an outlaw motorcycle gang,” said Chief Kemberle Braden of the Fayetteville Police Department. “Through collaboration and partnership with the ATF and other supporting agencies, we were able to successfully bring charges against numerous members of this outlaw motorcycle gang and their supporting clubs. The Fayetteville Police Department remains committed to our partnership with federal, state, and local agencies to remove violent criminals from our community.” “I want to make it clear: violent activity is not tolerated in Cumberland County,” said Sheriff Ennis W. Wright of the Cumberland County Sherriff’s Office. “The Sheriff's Office is 100% committed to maintaining a safe and peaceful community. We thoroughly investigate all tips, and it’s vital for the community to continue to report what they see because we cannot do it alone. We are grateful for our partnerships with the community, the Justice Department, and federal and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we do and will continue to make a difference.” Most of the charges are being brought under the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity (VICAR) statute, which makes it illegal to commit certain violent crimes for the purpose of joining, maintaining one’s position with, or moving up in rank within the enterprise. The violent crimes included in this statute include murder, kidnapping, maiming, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and threatening to commit a crime of violence. The indictment alleges that all 16 defendants are members or associates of the HAMC, a violent outlaw motorcycle group that allegedly uses violence, threats, and intimidation to carry out its perceived mission and enforce its rules. According to the indictment, RDMC members are subservient to the HAMC and provide support by acting as a source of recruitment for the HAMC and carrying out violent acts to further the HAMC’s interests. The indictment alleges that HAMC members are under a standing order to attack, injure, and kill members of the PMC. The indictment also alleges that HAMC members commonly commit physical assaults, including murder, threats to injure, and intimidation to keep witnesses to their criminal conduct silent. The indictment charges the following offenses: Vidaul Rashaad Reed , 31, also known as Hootie, Anthony Edward Cheever , 34, also known as Rowdy, David William Stephens , 26, also known as 007, Martinus Jermaine Starks , 43, also known as Tee, and Tyler Scott Grissom , 31, also known as Snow, are all allegedly members of the RDMC and are each charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering and one count of discharge of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and, in doing so, causing death related to the alleged murder of a member of the PMC on Jan. 1, 2023. Murder in aid of racketeering carries a mandatory life sentence, if convicted. Christopher Dylan Manor , 28, and Robert Scott Brown , 62, are both charged with accessory after the fact to the Jan. 1, 2023, murder. As alleged, Manor was a member of the RDMC at the time of the alleged offense and Brown is a member of the HAMC. Each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, if convicted. Jason Lee Hathaway , 47, Fred Joseph Prosperi , 42, also known as Freddy and Snow Boy, William Scott Gardner , 33, also known as Big Will, Terry Lewis Akins Jr. , 51, J.R. Nevarez Darr , 31, Darrell Dewayne Strickland Jr. , 26, William Franklin Beasley , 64, and David Lee Woodall , 45, are charged with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering related to the alleged attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon of members of the PMC on July 22, 2023, in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen restaurant in Wade, North Carolina. They were all allegedly members of the HAMC at the time of the offense. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty 30 years in prison. Jonathan Michael Robarge , 40, is charged with tampering with a witness, victim or informant by harassment. Robarge allegedly has ties to both the HAMC and the RDMC. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The ATF, Raleigh and Fayetteville Police Departments, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Alyssa Levey-Weinstein and Deputy Chief Kelly Pearson of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Sandling and Robert Dodson for the Eastern District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case. This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Tokio, ND Woman Indicted for  Involuntary Manslaughter and Child Neglect in Indian country

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that on October 16, 2024, Tierra Lynn Scott, age 30 from Tokio, ND, made her initial appearance and was arraigned in federal court. The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota unsealed an Indictment revealing that a federal grand jury indicted Scott for Involuntary Manslaughter and three counts of Child Neglect in Indian country. Scott was detained and trial has been scheduled for December 10, 2024. The Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. On August 17, 2024, law enforcement responded to a residence in Fort Totten, North Dakota, where an adult male was later pronounced dead. The investigation revealed the man had been struck and run over by a motor vehicle driven by Scott. The indictment alleges Scott was under the influence of intoxicating liquor and in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and Scott was backing and otherwise driving recklessly, and without due care for the rights and safety of others. The investigation further revealed Scott had three minor children in the vehicle with her at the time. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lori H. Conroy. # # #


title: Felon Convicted of Possessing Firearms and Transporting Stolen Vehicle

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man with fifteen prior felony convictions who used a stolen motorcycle to drive from Minnesota to Iowa and broke into a Winneshiek County home to steal firearms and other items pled guilty on October 15, 2024, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Steven Michael Current, age 58, from Canton, Minnesota, was convicted of one count of possession of firearms as a felon and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle. In a plea agreement, Current admitted that he had fifteen prior felony convictions, and on September 26, 2022, he broke into a rural Winneshiek County home and stole eight firearms. Current also admitted that he drove a stolen 2004 Harley Davidson Motorcycle from Canton, Minnesota, to the burglary scene in Iowa on September 26, 2022. This motorcycle was stolen from a home in Rochester, Minnesota, on June 9, 2022. Current admitted that, during the burglary, he dropped two unscratched Minnesota lottery tickets from his pocket. Current was identified by images captured on a home camera system, and by images from the Minnesota store where Current purchased the lottery tickets. 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. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Current remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Current faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and3 years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Reinert and was investigated by Winneshiek County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 23-CR-02050. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Two charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: LAREDO, Texas – A Texas man and a Mexican national have been indicted for allegedly attempting to purchase firearms in the United States to bring across the border into Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. A federal grand jury has now returned a three-count indictment against Jorge Alberto Morales-Calvo, 25, Mexico, and Homero Arteaga Jr., 45, Mission. Originally charged by criminal complaint and in custody, they are expected to appear for their arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future. In September, Morales-Calvo and Arteaga allegedly went to Zapata to purchase a .50 caliber rifle and a FN Five-Seven pistol. The charges allege they were given a bag containing $16,850 in counterfeit U.S. currency to purchase the firearms. According to the complaint, Morales-Calvo and Arteaga arrived in a black pickup truck at the predetermined meeting point, at which time Arteaga inspected the firearms. After retrieving the counterfeit money for the transaction, Arteaga allegedly grabbed the case holding the firearms and attempted to place them in the bed of the truck. The charges allege Morales-Calvo noticed authorities and attempted to flee and left Arteaga behind. Law enforcement quickly apprehended both men, according to the complaint. The firearms were intended for ultimate delivery in Mexico, according to the charges. If convicted of the conspiracy, both men face up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Arteaga and Morales-Calvo are also charges with felon in possession of a firearm and alien in possession of a firearm, respectively, and face an additional 10 years in federal prison, upon conviction. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Alleged Members of Potomac Gardens Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Arrested and Charged with Distributing Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: WASHINGTON – This morning, six people were arrested on charges connected to a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, cocaine, and methamphetamine, in the Potomac Gardens Housing Project in Southeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office. Arrested were Robert Hunt, 40, Garrett Isley, 42, Maurice Tutt, 50, Vera Jackson, 74, all of Washington, D.C., Michael Augment, 36, of Lorton, Virginia, and Lawrence Smith, 54, of Fairfax, Virginia. Each made their initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. “This is the latest federal indictment charging a D.C.-based crew with narcotics and firearms offenses” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Drug trafficking operations, like the one alleged in the indictment, not only peddle poison, but they are also magnets for gun violence. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these crews that are undermining community safety.” “Fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine have no place in our community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Geist. “Today's arrests stem from a yearslong investigation by the FBI and our law enforcement partners and mark a step forward in our efforts to reduce drug trafficking in the nation’s capital.” The multi-agency law enforcement operation included members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), District of Columbia Housing Authority Police, Virginia State Police, and Fairfax County and City police departments. According to the indictment, between January and October of 2024, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics in and around the District of Columbia. It is further alleged that Hunt unlawfully distributed fentanyl and carried a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. Isley is charged with unlawful possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine. The indictment arises from a long-term investigation by the FBI, MPD, and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) into drug and firearms trafficking in Potomac Gardens. In December 2023, MCPD learned that defendant Hunt regularly was selling fentanyl from an apartment in the housing complex. An undercover officer (UC) purchased narcotics, in particular fentanyl, from Hunt. Hunt initially used “runners” to deliver the narcotics to the UC. However, after a few buys, Hunt began to deal directly with the undercover officer. From approximately January 2024 through September 2024, the UC purchased approximately 215.87 grams of fentanyl powder and approximately 2,950 fentanyl pills from Hunt. The UC also purchased a .357 “ghost gun” from Hunt. Through a court-authorized wiretap on Hunt’s phone, agents learned of several of his co-conspirators and the roles they each played. Agents also placed a camera outside Hunt’s apartment and outside the apartment of one of his supplier’s, defendant Isley. Through a wiretap on Isley’s phone, agents learned of additional members of the conspiracy. MPD stopped Isley in a traffic stop on June 19, 2024, during which they recovered 468 blue, suspected fentanyl pills, about 37.4 grams of cocaine base, approximately 24.5 grams of cocaine, and about 60 grams of methamphetamine and other narcotics. On October 16, 2024, law enforcement executed search warrants at various stash houses and residences of the co-conspirators. Agents recovered five firearms, approximately $31,000 in cash, approximately 500 grams of suspected fentanyl and smaller amounts of other narcotics, two money counters, and additional drug paraphernalia. This operation 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. This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA Washington Field Office, District of Columbia Housing Authority Police, Virginia State Police, and Fairfax County and City police departments. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nihar Mohanty and Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Maryland and the Eastern District in Virginia in helping to coordinate search warrants and arrests. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Sentencing of Shiprock Man for 2020 Assault

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was sentenced to 46 months in prison for a 2020 assault with the intent to steal a motor vehicle within the Navajo Nation. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on May 17, 2020, Daryl Levi , 41, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, and others assaulted John Doe in Shiprock, NM, with the intent of taking his motor vehicle. As a result of the assault, John Doe was wounded. Upon his release from prison, Levi will be subject to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Probasco and Samuel A. Hurtado are prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Federal Jury Convicts Man of Exploiting Multiple Minor Victims

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On Oct. 15, a federal jury found Rafael Antonio Saldana, 39, of Miami-Dade County, guilty of three counts of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted production of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation of minors, receipt of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation of minors, and possession of visual depictions involving sexual exploitation of minors. In the summer of 2023, Saldana solicited sexually explicit images from three minor victims and attempted to meet in person for the purposes of engaging in sexual conduct. The three minor victims were aged 14-years-old, 16-years-old, and 17-years-old at the time of the communications. Ultimately, Saldana coordinated a time and location to meet with the 14-year-old victim at a local McDonald’s to then return to Saldana’s home to engage in sexual activity. On July 13, Saldana arrived across the street from the McDonald’s and directed the 14-year-old victim to meet him, as planned. He was arrested that day. The investigation revealed Saldana possessed over sixty images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian is scheduled to sentence Saldana on Jan. 7, 2025, after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office; and Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), made the announcement. HSI Miami and MDPD investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey Pence Tomanelli and Arielle Klepach are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), 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 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 the Project Safe Childhood initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-mj-03384. ###


title: Former Prince George’s County Elementary School Teacher Indicted For Coercion And Enticement Of A Child And For Possession Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 26, 2024, charging Mark Edward Cobb, age 44, of Bowie, Maryland, for coercion and enticement of a child and for possession of child pornography. The indictment was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Baltimore; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department. According to the indictment, from approximately June 19, 2024, to approximately June 25, 2024, Cobb enticed and coerced a minor victim to engage in sexual activity and possessed sexually explicit images involving a prepubescent minor and a minor victim who had not yet attained 12 years of age. The case arose when Cobb, a former Prince George’s County elementary school teacher, was accused of engaging in a texting relationship with a nine-year-old student, during which he allegedly requested and received explicit photos from the student. During a search of Cobb’s home, sexually explicit images and videos of other children and a bag with several pairs of children’s underwear were found. If convicted, Cobb faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and up to life in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a child and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendant’s initial appearance on this indictment was held in the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on October 16, 2024. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. A defendant charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 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 Attorney’s 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 “Resources” tab on the left of the page. U.S. Attorney Barron commended HSI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan S. McKoy and Ranganath Manthripragada, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Two CPAs Sentenced in Billion-Dollar Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme

body_text: Two accountants were each sentenced today to 20 months in prison for their roles in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. According to court documents and statements made in court, Victor Smith was a CPA and founding partner of an Atlanta-based accounting firm. Beginning at least in 2014 and through at least 2019, Smith promoted and sold tax deductions to his wealthy clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters organized and created by co-defendants Jack Fisher, James Sinnott and others . Smith, along with his firm, sold approximately $14 million in false tax deductions to their clients, causing a tax loss to the IRS of about $4.8 million. He earned $491,400 in commissions from Fisher and Sinnott for his role in the scheme. William Tomasello was a CPA at another accounting firm who, at least in 2015 and through at least 2019, also promoted and sold units to his wealthy clients in these same syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. Tomasello sold approximately $8.5 million in false deductions, causing a tax loss of about $2.3 million. He earned approximately $525,072 in commissions. The scheme entailed the creation of partnerships that would purchase land and land-owning companies and then donate conservation easements over that land or the land itself. Appraisers would value the land and the partnerships would then claim a charitable contribution tax deduction based on the appraised value of the conservation easement, resulting in tax deductions flowing to the wealthy clients who purchased units in the partnership. Many of these clients joined the tax shelters after the donation of the interest in land and after the close of the relevant tax year. Smith and Tomasello both knew that, contrary to law, these syndicated conservation easement tax shelters lacked economic substance and that their wealthy clients participated in these sham investments only to obtain a tax deduction and received only a tax benefit for their participation in the tax shelters. For example, a client who purchased units in a partnership had to “vote” ostensibly on what to do with the partnership’s land. However, Smith and Tomasello knew that the “vote” held by the partnerships each year was just optics and that the land invariably would be donated largely as a conservation easement. Smith and Tomasello also knowingly instructed and caused their clients to falsely backdate documents — such as subscription agreements and checks — related to the illegal tax shelters. In addition to their prison sentences, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. for the Northern District of Georgia ordered Smith to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $4,878,990.90 in restitution. Judge Batten ordered Tomasello to serve three years of supervised release, to perform 120 hours of community service and to pay $2,386,816.04 in restitution. Seven additional defendants have previously pleaded guilty to criminal conduct related to the syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme of Fisher and Sinnott (who were convicted after trial). These other defendants include appraiser Walter Douglas “Terry” Roberts, accountant Stein Agee, CPA Corey Agee, CPA Ralph Anderson, CPA James Benkoil, CPA Herbert Lewis and CPA and Attorney Randall Lenz. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia and IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco made the announcement. They also thanked U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina for her office’s assistance. IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing, Parker Tobin, Jessica Kraft and Nicholas J. Schilling Jr. of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, for the Northern District of Georgia prosecuted the case.


title: U.S. Attorney announces General Election Day Program

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: BILLINGS — United States Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) John Newman will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Newman has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Montana, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. United States Attorney Laslovich said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.” The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations. Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). United States Attorney Laslovich said, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Newman will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 406-542-8851.” In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 801-579-1400. Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931. United States Attorney Laslovich said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.” Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. XXX


title: Par Funding Principal and Former CFO Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Joseph Cole Barleta (aka “Joe Cole”), 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney on one count of racketeering conspiracy, in connection with his role in the operation of a fraudulent investment vehicle known as Complete Business Solutions Group Inc. d/b/a Par Funding (“Par Funding”), which is alleged to have generated over $100 million in illegal proceeds for Barleta and its other principals, to the detriment of Par Funding’s numerous investors, many who live in the Philadelphia region. According to a second superseding indictment filed in February, Barleta and codefendants Joseph LaForte, James LaForte, and others, were part of an association-in-fact RICO enterprise that conspired to commit a number of predicate crimes, including crimes related to the fleecing of Par Funding’s many investors. Barleta’s admitted role in the conspiracy related to the securities and wire fraud components of the enterprise. Joe LaForte and James LaForte pleaded guilty last month to racketeering conspiracy, securities fraud, and related crimes. Joe LaForte is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025. James LaForte and Joseph Cole Barleta are both scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2025. Per the terms of Barleta’s plea agreement, the government is seeking a sentence of imprisonment of up to eight years, although the Court has discretion to impose a higher or lower sentence. This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Pennsylvania State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew T. Newcomer, Samuel S. Dalke, Eric D. Gill, and Patrick J. Murray, as well as former Assistant United States Attorney Alexandra M. Lastowski. The SEC in Florida investigated and litigated the civil securities fraud charges, which formed the basis of a portion of the criminal prosecution.


title: Brighton Man Sentenced To 90 Months In Connection With Gun Incident  That Injured Bystander At Gaylord Hotel

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Sonny Perez, age 33, of Brighton, was sentenced to 90 months in prison, and four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. According to the plea agreement, on May 29, 2023, Perez was at the Gaylord Hotel in Aurora to sell methamphetamine. According to security footage, when Perez exited the hotel, he had his right hand in his pants pocket. Individuals outside the hotel reported hearing a loud sound and seeing a bystander with blood dripping down his leg. That person received medical treatment for a gunshot wound to the leg. Investigators traced Perez to his home, where they found narcotics, evidence of drug distribution, and ammunition. Perez has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing ammunition. “Felons should be on notice—they will face long sentences if they continue to arm themselves,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “I thank our partners for joining us in the fight to keep guns and ammunition out of the hands of felons and drugs off our streets.” "Violent, illegally-armed, drug-trafficking felons present a persistent and serious danger to innocent citizens everywhere,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. "ATF, in close partnership with the Aurora Police Department and the RAVEN Task Force, relentlessly pursue these violent criminals every day with the full force of local, state, and federal law enforcement resources.” "I am grateful for the swift actions of our officers and detectives that led to the arrest of the suspect just two days after the initial shooting," said Aurora Police Investigations Divisions Chief Mark Hildebrand. “This outcome reflects our agency’s commitment to public safety and our determination to hold those who endanger our community accountable." "This case exemplifies the commitment of the RAVEN Task Force, it's member agencies, and the U.S. Attorney's Office to hold those who commit gun violence accountable. RAVEN is at work every day to protect our communities,” said Lieutenant DJ Tisdale, RAVEN Task Force Commander. Judge Regina M. Rodriguez presided over the sentencing. The ATF, the RAVEN Task Force, and the Aurora Police Department handled the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Celeste Rangel and Brian Dunn handled the prosecution. 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. Case Number: 1:23-cr-00334-RMR-1


title: Ex-Mexican Secretary of Public Security Genaro Garcia Luna Sentenced to Over 38 Years' Imprisonment

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Secretary of Public Security in Mexico from 2006 to 2012, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to 460 months’ imprisonment and a $2 million fine for his decade-long assistance to the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. Following a four-week trial in February 2023, Garcia Luna was convicted by a jury of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, international cocaine distribution conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and making false statements. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Anne Milgram, Administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Katrina W. Berger, Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), announced the verdict. “Today’s sentencing of Genaro Garcia Luna is a critical step in upholding justice and the rule of law. His betrayal of the public trust and the people he was sworn to protect resulted in more than one million kilograms of lethal narcotics imported into our communities and unleashed untold violence here and in Mexico. This sentence sends a strong message that no one, regardless of their position or influence, is above the law.” stated United States Attorney Peace. “After years of destructive narcotrafficking and deceit, Garcia Luna will spend nearly 40 years where he belongs: federal prison.” “Today’s sentencing of Mexico’s former Secretary of Public Security, Genaro Garcia Luna, sends a clear message to corrupt leaders around the world who use their positions of power to help the cartels: no amount of power will shield you from justice,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Garcia Luna accepted millions of dollars in bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel to allow millions of kilograms of cocaine to flood the streets of the United States. Instead of protecting the citizens of Mexico, Garcia Luna was protecting drug cartels. The DEA will continue to relentlessly pursue drug trafficking organizations and those who protect them.” “Today’s sentencing sends a powerful message that no one is above the law,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger. “HSI continues its partnered commitment to disrupting and dismantling the criminal networks responsible for bringing deadly narcotics into the U.S.” As proven at trial, from 2006 to 2012, Garcia Luna was Mexico’s top law enforcement official, serving as Secretary of Public Security and, in that capacity, controlled Mexico’s Federal Police Force. Previously, from 2001 to 2005, the defendant was the head of Mexico’s Federal Investigative Agency (AFI). The defendant used his official positions to assist the violent Sinaloa Cartel (the Cartel) in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. Garcia Luna’s conduct included facilitating safe passage of the Cartel’s drug shipments, providing sensitive law enforcement information about investigations into the Cartel and helping the Cartel attack rival drug cartels, thereby facilitating the importation of multi‑ton quantities of cocaine and other drugs into the United States. In exchange for bribes, the defendant’s Federal Police Force acted as bodyguards and escorts for the Cartel, allowing Cartel members to wear police uniforms and badges and helping to unload shipments of cocaine from planes at Mexico City’s airport, then delivering the cocaine to the Cartel. The defendant was paid in U.S. currency, stuffed variously in suitcases, briefcases and duffel bags. The bribe amounts increased over the years as the Sinaloa Cartel grew in size and power through the assistance of the defendant. Former members of the Cartel testified that bribe money was handed off to the defendant in a variety of locations, including at a “safe house” located in Mexico City where large amounts of cash were hidden in a false wall, at a car wash in Guadalajara and at a French restaurant in Mexico City across the street from the U.S. Embassy. Further, in exchange for the millions of dollars in bribes, the defendant’s Federal Police Force leaked sensitive information that enabled the Cartel to evade detection by law enforcement or use the information in attacks on rival traffickers. Finally, after moving to the United States in 2012, Garcia Luna submitted an application for naturalization in 2018, in which he lied about his past criminal conduct on behalf of the Cartel in an attempt to become a U.S. citizen. In connection with post-trial proceedings, the Court also found that, while he was awaiting sentencing, Garcia Luna obstructed justice when he sought to bribe fellow inmates to provide false testimony in an attempt to overturn the jury’s verdict. The investigation was led by the New York Strike Force, a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The Strike Force is based at the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, United States Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force (EDTF) played an important role in this investigation. The EDTF is comprised of more than 200 law enforcement personnel representing approximately thirty-five (35) federal, state, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the DEA. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saritha Komatireddy, Erin Reid, Ryan C. Harris, Philip Pilmar and Adam Amir are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Huda Abouchaer and Melissa Bennett. The Defendant : GENARO GARCIA LUNA Age: 56 Miami, Florida E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-576 (S-1) (BMC)


title: EX SECRETARIO DE SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA MEXICANA GENARO GARCIA LUNA CONDENADO A MAS DE 38 AÑOS DE PRISIÓN

body_text: Genaro García Luna, ex secretario de Seguridad Pública de México de 2006 a 2012, ha sido condenado hoy por el juez de distrito de Estados Unidos Brian M. Cogan a 460 meses de prisión y una multa de 2 millones de dólares por su ayuda durante una década al cártel de Sinaloa a cambio de millones de dólares en sobornos. Tras un juicio de cuatro semanas en febrero de 2023, García Luna fue declarado por un jurado culpable de participar en una organización criminal continue, conspiración para la distribución internacional de cocaína, conspiración para distribuir y posesión con intención de distribuir cocaína, conspiración para importar cocaína, y hacer declaraciones falsas. Breon Peace, Fiscal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito Este de Nueva York, Anne Milgram, Administradora de la Agencia Antidroga de los Estados Unidos (DEA), y Katrina W. Berger, Directora Ejecutiva Asociada de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI), anunciaron el veredicto. "La sentencia dictada hoy contra Genaro García Luna es un paso fundamental en la defensa de la justicia y el Estado de Derecho. Su traición a la confianza pública y a las personas a las que había jurado proteger dio lugar a la importación de más de un millón de kilogramos de estupefacientes letales en nuestras comunidades y desató una violencia incalculable aquí y en México. Esta sentencia envía un mensaje contundente de que nadie, independientemente de su posición o influencia, está por encima de la ley," declaró el Fiscal de los Estados Unidos Peace. "Tras años de engaño y narcotráfico destructivo, García Luna pasará casi 40 años donde debe de estar: en una prisión federal". "La sentencia dictada hoy contra el ex Secretario de Seguridad Pública de México, Genaro García Luna, envía un mensaje claro a los líderes corruptos de todo el mundo que utilizan sus posiciones de poder para ayudar a los cárteles: ningún poder les protegerá de la justicia", declaró la administradora de la DEA, Anne Milgram. "García Luna aceptó millones de dólares en sobornos del Cártel de Sinaloa para permitir que millones de kilogramos de cocaína inundaran las calles de Estados Unidos. En lugar de proteger a los ciudadanos de México, García Luna protegía a los cárteles de la droga. La DEA seguirá persiguiendo implacablemente a las organizaciones de narcotraficantes y a quienes las protegan." "La sentencia dictada hoy envía un poderoso mensaje de que nadie está por encima de la ley", declaró Katrina W. Berger, Directora Ejecutiva Asociada de HSI. "HSI continúa con su compromiso conjunto de desarticular y desmantelar las redes delictivas responsables de introducir narcóticos mortales en Estados Unidos." Como se demostró en el juicio, de 2006 a 2012, García Luna fue el máximo responsable de la aplicación de la ley en México, ocupando el cargo de Secretario de Seguridad Pública y, como tal, controlaba la Policía Federal de México. Anteriormente, de 2001 a 2005, el acusado fue jefe de la Agencia Federal de Investigación (AFI) de México. El acusado utilizó sus cargos oficiales para ayudar al violento Cártel de Sinaloa (el Cártel) a cambio de millones de dólares en sobornos. Las actividades de García Luna incluían facilitar el paso seguro de los cargamentos de droga del Cártel, proporcionar información confidencial acerca de las fuerzas de seguridad y sus investigaciones del Cártel, y ayudar al Cártel a atacar a otros cárteles de droga rivales, facilitando así la importación de cantidades de varias toneladas de cocaína y otras drogas a Estados Unidos. A cambio de sobornos, la Policía Federal del acusado actuaba como guardaespaldas y escolta del cártel, permitiendo a los miembros del cártel llevar uniformes e insignias policiales y ayudando a descargar los cargamentos de cocaína de los aviones en el aeropuerto de Ciudad de México, para después entregar la cocaína al Cártel. Al acusado se le pagó en moneda estadounidense, metida en varias maletas, portafolios, y bolsas de lona. Las cantidades de los sobornos aumentaron a lo largo de los años a medida que el cártel de Sinaloa crecía en tamaño y poder gracias a la ayuda del acusado. Antiguos miembros del cártel testificaron que el dinero de los sobornos se le entregaba al acusado en diversos lugares, como en una "casa segura" situada en Ciudad de México, donde se ocultaban grandes cantidades de dinero en efectivo en una pared falsa, en un lavadero de coches de Guadalajara, y en un restaurante francés de Ciudad de México situado frente a la embajada de Estados Unidos. Además, a cambio de los millones de dólares en sobornos, la Policía Federal que el demandado lideraba filtró información confidencial que permitió al Cártel eludir la detección por parte de las fuerzas de seguridad, o utilizar dicha información en ataques contra traficantes rivales. Finalmente, después de mudarse a Estados Unidos en 2012, García Luna presentó una solicitud de naturalización en 2018, en la que mintió sobre su conducta criminal pasada en nombre del Cártel en un intento por convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense. En relación con los procedimientos posteriores al juicio, el Tribunal también determinó que, mientras esperaba la sentencia, García Luna obstruyó la justicia cuando intentó sobornar a otros reclusos para que prestaran falso testimonio en un intento de anular el veredicto del jurado. La investigación fue dirigida por la New York Strike Force, una unidad de lucha contra la delincuencia compuesta por organismos policiales federales, estatales y locales que cuenta con el apoyo de la Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force y la New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. La Strike Force tiene su base en la División de Nueva York de la DEA y cuenta con agentes y funcionarios de la DEA, el Departamento de Policía de la Ciudad de Nueva York, la Policía del Estado de Nueva York, Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional, la División de Investigación Criminal del Departamento de Hacienda, la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos, Aduanas y Protección de Fronteras de EE.UU., el Servicio Secreto de EE.UU., el Servicio de Alguaciles de Estados Unidos, la Guardia Nacional de Nueva York, el Departamento de Policía de Clarkstown, la Guardia Costera de EE.UU., el Departamento de Policía de Port Washington, y el Departamento de Correccionales y Supervisión Comunitaria del Estado de Nueva York. La El Dorado Task Force (EDTF) de HSI en Nueva York desempeñó un papel importante en esta investigación. La EDTF está compuesta por más de 200 miembros de las fuerzas del orden que representan a unos treinta y cinco (35) organismos policiales y reguladores federales, estatales y locales, incluida la DEA. El caso del gobierno está siendo tramitado por la Sección Internacional de Estupefacientes y Lavado de Dinero de la Oficina. Los fiscales adjuntos Saritha Komatireddy, Erin Reid, Ryan C. Harris, Philip Pilmar y Adam Amir están a cargo de la acusación, con la asistencia de las paralegales especialistas Huda Abouchaer y Melissa Bennett. El Acusado : GENARO GARCIA LUNA Edad: 56 Miami, Florida E.D.N.Y. Expediente No.: 19-CR-576 (S-1) (BMC)


title: Hartford Woman Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Gunpoint Robbery

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VALERIE MENESES, 24, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for her role in a gunpoint robbery of a victim who was selling an iPhone on Facebook Marketplace. According to court documents and statements made in court, ATF, the Hartford Police Department, and the Middletown Police Departments investigated a series of gunpoint robberies of individuals who advertised items for sale on internet marketplaces, such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. At an arranged meeting place to sell their items, which included cell phones and luxury sneakers and accessories, the purported purchaser would brandish a firearm, force the victim to hand over the luxury goods, and flee. The investigation revealed that in August and September 2022, Meneses’ brother, John Villegas, also known as “Kirby,” committed five armed robberies in Hartford with Jalen Lasalle, and one armed robbery with Meneses in Middletown. Meneses used a Facebook account to arrange the purported purchase of an iPhone from a victim who advertised its sale on Facebook Marketplace. On August 20, 2022, Meneses traveled with Villegas to meet the victim at a restaurant parking lot in Middletown. When the victim arrived at the meeting location, Villegas entered the victim’s car, inspected the iPhone, pulled out a firearm, and told the victim he was “out of luck.” Villegas also attempted to grab the victim’s personal cellphone and threatened to shoot him, before running to his waiting vehicle and fleeing with Meneses. Judge Nagala ordered Meneses to pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim. Meneses was arrested on October 5, 2023. On May 15, 2024, she pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), and carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Meneses, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 15. Villegas and Lasalle, both of Hartford, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Hartford Police Department, and the Middletown Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and A. Reed Durham. U.S. Attorney Avery encouraged those who sell and purchase items online, and need to meet an individual in person to complete the sale, to use a visible, monitored location. Contact your local police department to see if it offers a monitored meeting location, or search online for a nearby monitored location.


title: Nigerian National Sentenced to Prison for Role in Business Email Compromise Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: TOLULOPE SAMUEL BODUNDE, 33, a citizen of Nigeria residing in Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a business email compromise scheme that operated out of multiple countries, including the United States. According to court documents and statements made in court, Bodunde participated in a business email compromise scheme masterminded by his co-conspirator, Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji. Osuji and his co-conspirators targeted specific individuals and businesses by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications to obtain money. They utilized unwitting and witting “money mules” to receive fraud proceeds in their bank accounts, and then transferred those funds to accounts under the control of Osuji and his co-conspirators. Over the course of the scheme’s years-long operation, numerous victims were tricked into transferring funds into bank accounts the victims believed were under the control of legitimate recipients of the funds as part of normal business operations, when in reality, the bank accounts were controlled by Osuji and his co-conspirators. The victims included a Connecticut-based financial company, a Colorado-based lending company, an Alaska-based nonprofit performing arts organization, a New York-based food and beverage company, and others. Bodunde’s role in the scheme included the exploitation of elderly women through romance scams to serve as unwitting money mules. Judge Meyer ordered Bodunde to pay restitution totaling $494,939 to three victims of this scheme. Bodunde was arrested on August 7, 2020. On February 16, 2024, he pleaded guilty wire fraud. He is required to report to prison on November 19. On May 1, 2024, a jury found Osuji, also a citizen of Nigeria, guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, and identity theft offenses stemming from this scheme. He is detained while awaiting sentencing. A third alleged co-coconspirator is pending extradition proceedings. This case has been investigated by the FBI New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Royal Malaysia Police, and Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers have provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel and Trial Attorney Lydia Lichlyter of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case. To learn more about business email compromise scams, please visit www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise and www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2023/PSA230609 .


title: Piedmont Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Piedmont, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2024. Corbin Mudlin, age 31, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Mudlin was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 1, 2024. In January of 2024, a Rapid City Police Officer observed Mudlin walking in Rapid City and knew that Mudlin had an active warrant for his arrest. The officer contacted Mudlin and arrested him on his active warrant. At the time he was arrested, Mudlin had a SIG Sauer 9mm semi-automatic pistol in his waistband with an extended magazine containing 20 rounds of ammunition. Mudlin knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2016 felony conviction. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Mudlin was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.