title: Orlando Man Who Attempted To Destroy Evidence Sentenced To 14 Years For Distributing And Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Christian Tristan McKie (39, Orlando) to 14 years in federal prison for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse materials. The court also ordered McKie to forfeit an external hard drive, a laptop, and a thumb drive, which were used to commit the offenses McKie had pleaded guilty on June 29, 2023. According to court documents, law enforcement received a CyberTip regarding a user distributing child sexual abuse materials on a social media platform. Through investigative means, they learned that McKie was the user who had uploaded the child sexual abuse materials. While executing a search warrant at McKie’s residence, law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices belonging to McKie, including a damaged laptop located under McKie’s bed and an external hard drive broken into pieces behind a freezer. Law enforcement also found a folder that belonged to McKie containing handwritten stories portraying sexual abuse of children between the ages of five and sixteen. A forensic examination was conducted on McKie’s devices revealing several videos and images of child sexual abuse. During an interview with law enforcement, McKie admitted to viewing and trading child sexual abuse images. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Trinidad National Sentenced To Seven Years In Federal Prison For Stealing Identity And Applying For Passport In Name Of Disabled Veteran

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Lorenzo Antoni Alfred (64, New York) to seven years in federal prison for passport fraud and aggravated identity theft. Alfred had pleaded guilty on May 19, 2023. According to court documents and testimony, in 1988, Alfred, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, stole the identity of a disabled United States veteran to illegally come into the United States. Alfred obtained the victim-veteran’s birth certificate and Social Security card and used those documents to claim he was the victim for the next three decades. In 1989, Alfred was convicted in New York of second degree murder under the veteran’s identity. After his release from prison in 2014, Alfred obtained identity documents, credit cards, and government benefits in the victim’s name in New York and Florida. In June 2019, while he was residing in Tampa, Alfred attempted to apply for a passport in the victim’s name. The victim was harmed psychologically and financially by the offenses, including temporarily losing his government benefits and being unable to obtain credit in his name. “We are pleased at the outcome of this case,” said Philippe Furstenberg, Special Agent in Charge of the DSS Miami Field Office . “The Diplomatic Security Service values our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies around the world to prevent and jointly combat U.S. passport and visa fraud. Deterring, detecting, and investigating U.S. passport and visa fraud is essential to safeguarding our national security.” “Today’s sentence rightfully holds the defendant accountable for stealing the identity of a U.S. Army veteran and receiving benefits to which he was not entitled,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri, VA-OIG, Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG appreciates the hard work of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners in securing justice in this matter. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Peresie.


title: Plymouth Man Arrested for Theft of Government Benefits Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Plymouth man was arrested today in connection with his alleged involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and misuse COVID-19 relief funds from multiple assistance programs. Ferris Brooks, 41, was charged with theft of government property. Brooks was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein. According to the charging documents, from April to December 2020, Brooks submitted dozens of applications for government benefits, both in his own name and in the names of others, that contained false information. Specifically, Brooks allegedly submitted an application in the name of a fake business for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Brooks also allegedly submitted more than 15 applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in the names of others that contained false information, as well as filed approximately 10 tax returns for Economic Impact Payments in the names of others. Brooks allegedly directed payments on these fraudulent claims to bank accounts he had opened in his own name. The charge of theft of government property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Navajo Woman Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Leticia Ashley pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Ashley, 38, of Navajo, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain under supervision pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. According to court documents, on July 29, 2022, Ashley was driving with four of her minor children in the vehicle. Ashley was intoxicated and speeding when she lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the roadway and roll over several times. Ashley’s five-year-old daughter died as a result of the vehicle crash and her other children were injured. At sentencing, Ashley faces up to 8 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Crownpoint Police. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Bell is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-240


title: Drug Dealer Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Trafficking Meth While on Parole

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

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Joseph Lloyd, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) were dispatched to Joseph Lloyd’s Indianapolis residence to assist the Marion County Probation Office with an address verification and compliance check. At the time, Lloyd was on probation for dealing cocaine. Lloyd was notified of the purpose for the visit and allowed officers into the residence. Once inside the home, officers found a handgun directly underneath Lloyd’s wallet. In the bedroom, officers found another handgun inside a hidden compartment in the closet. In the same compartment, officers found controlled substances, including a total of 53.5 grams of methamphetamine, 2.43 grams of Oxycodone, and 5.81 grams of Alprazolam. Officers also found $1,960 in cash and two digital scales with white drug residue in his closet. Lloyd admitted in court that he possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to sell it. Lloyd was previously convicted of felony dealing in cocaine and possession of a narcotic drug. These felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm under federal law. “Even on parole for drug trafficking, this defendant persisted in dealing in deadly drugs while armed with deadly weapons,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Our neighborhoods deserve to be protected from these crimes and those who commit them must be held accountable. Armed drug dealers are a high priority for federal prosecution. I encourage everyone returning to our communities from prison to engage with available services to turn their lives around, rather than returning to conduct that will land you right back behind bars.” “Unfortunately, firearms and drugs are often found together,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “In this case, the defendant clearly did not reform his ways after serving time and returned to the community intent on putting poison on the streets and keeping a firearm to ‘protect’ his business. ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to break this destructive cycle.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge, Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Lloyd be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Gibson, who prosecuted this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce 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: Oldsmar Man Charged With Producing And Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Justin Ryan Culmo (39, Oldsmar) with production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. Culmo was arrested on September 26, 2023, and has been ordered detained. According to the complaint, Culmo has been linked to an online community of individuals who regularly produce, distribute, and receive child sexual abuse material via hidden service websites also known as dark web sites, that operate on an anonymity network. The websites Culmo accessed are exclusively dedicated to the sexual abuse of children. There is probable cause to believe that Culmo produced and distributed child sexual abuse material on these sites. A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris. Any person who was, or knows of someone who may have been, a possible victim of Culmo is urged to contact HSI at 1-866-347-2423 or http://www.ice.gov/webform/hsi-tip-form. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form . Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may also be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678).


title: Four Indicted For Defrauding Federal Program Intended For Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses In Connection With A Construction Contract For Cancer Treatment Center At Bay Pines VA Medical Center

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Matthew West (52, Lantana, Florida), Kevin Kutina (61, Ramona, California), Roberto Gonzalez (58, Palmetto Bay, Florida), and William Gonzalez (51, Orlando, Florida) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and substantive counts of wire fraud and major fraud against the United States for the conspirators’ alleged roles in fraudulently obtaining a multi-million dollar construction contract. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each of the conspiracy and wire fraud counts, and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment on the major fraud against the United States count. The indictment also puts the defendants on notice of the United States intends to forfeit at least $4,835,035, which represents the proceeds of the criminal conduct. According to the indictment, in July 2016, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a request for bid proposals for a contract to construct the Cancer Infusion Therapy Center (CITC) at Bay Pines VA Medical Center in Pinellas County, Florida. The construction contract, valued between $5 million and $10 million, was for the construction of a 14,909 square-foot building to augment the Bay Pines VA Medical Center’s existing radiation oncology clinic and enable VA health care providers to treat more veterans diagnosed with various types of cancer in an environment that was accessible and patient-centered. The CITC contract was set-aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs), which required only bids from qualified businesses be considered. The indictment alleges that the conspirators utilized a company owned and operated by service-disabled veteran Roberto Gonzalez and William Gonzalez, Maxon Groupe, LLC (Maxon), to submit a bid containing false statements and omissions to be awarded the contract. The conspirators falsely represented qualified employees from Kevcon, Inc. (Kevcon), owned and operated by Kevin Kutina, would serve in supervisory roles per a teaming agreement between Maxon and Kevcon. Additionally, the conspirators failed to disclose to the VA contracting officials that Maxon was a pass-through for Matthew West’s company, West Construction, Inc., which managed nearly all the work for the CITC contract and received most of the payment for the same. West Construction, Inc. was not a company eligible for the SDVOSB set-aside contract. As a result of the false statements and omissions within the bid proposal, the VA awarded the contract to Maxon. The indictment further alleges that between March 2017 and January 2019, the conspirators submitted multiple invoices for payment. As a result, the U.S. Treasury paid Maxon approximately $4.8 million. During this same period, the conspirators transferred approximately $4.2 million of those funds to West, and in turn, West transferred approximately $1.1 million to Kevcon. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany E. Fields.


title: Rochester man going to prison for possession of child pornography

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joseph Perez, 23, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that in November 2020, Twitter reported that one of its users uploaded four images of child pornography to the Twitter site. Subsequent investigation traced the images to a Twitter account belonging to Perez. On November 5, 2021, investigators seized Perez’s electronic devices, including a cellular phone, which contained approximately 125 videos of child pornography. Some of the videos included children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. At the time of his federal arrest, there was an active arrest warrant for Perez out of Potter County, Texas. As a part of his federal plea, Perez admits that he sexually abused a minor victim in the State of Texas on more than two occasions. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski. Additional assistance was provided by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. # # # #


title: 27 Defendants Charged With Federal Crimes Targeting The United States Postal Service

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Daniel B. Brubaker, the Inspector in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ROBERT DIAZ with robbing two United States Postal Service (“USPS”) carriers of postal keys and, along with Matthew Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the USPS, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), also announced that 26 additional defendants have been charged in the past six months with federal crimes targeting the USPS and involving property stolen from the USPS as part of a multi-agency initiative to increase federal enforcement against perpetrators of mail-related robberies, frauds, and thefts. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “My Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the safety of USPS employees and the integrity of the United States mail. The indictment against Robert Diaz and the many others who have been charged with mail-related crimes over the past several months should send a clear message that criminally targeting the U.S. mail is a serious federal offense and will not be tolerated.” USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said: “As Postal Inspectors our primary mission is the protection of our people, the postal employees who serve the public dutifully each day. We will bring a laser-sharp focus to any investigation of violent criminals and individuals who target our employees, and whose members by doing so seek to steal from the public. The charges against these individuals prove the resolve of Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners to pursue these organizations with every resource at our disposal, and to ultimately see that justice is served.” USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi said: “We appreciate the outstanding effort by both our Law Enforcement partners and the Department of Justice. The vast majority of Postal Service employees are honest, hardworking individuals who would not violate the public’s trust in this manner. An employee who decides otherwise, however, will be aggressively investigated by OIG Special Agents. These cases serve as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG, our federal and state law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees and their co-conspirators involved in criminal activity.” FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: "The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that the United States Postal Service is not targeted for nefarious activity by criminal actors.” NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “The charges announced today allege crimes that targeted and, in some cases, betrayed our mail delivery system to prey on innocent victims. Fortunately, our NYPD investigators and law enforcement partners worked in tandem to disrupt this conduct and bring these defendants to justice. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the USPS Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stamp out mail-related crimes and protect the integrity of a service relied upon by millions of New Yorkers.” According to the allegations in the Indictment, Complaints, and other public filings: [1] On June 28, 2022, and July 8, 2022, ROBERT DIAZ robbed postal carriers and stole arrow keys belonging to the USPS. Today, an Indictment was unsealed charging DIAZ with two counts of robbery of a postal carrier and two counts of postal key theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. From January 19, 2022, through April 19, 2023, AUBREY FRAZER, an employee of the USPS, stole mail from a USPS facility in Manhattan. He was charged on June 6, 2023, with mail theft by a postal service employee, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. From May through October 2022, ANDY ARIEL SANTANA cashed more than $100,000 of stolen and fraudulently altered postal money orders in the Bronx. He was charged on August 14, 2023, with money order fraud and receipt of stolen mail, which carry a total maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. From October 24, 2022, through April 15, 2023, SHERROD MURPHY and RAYSHAWN NIBLACK participated in a mail theft scheme targeting relay and panel boxes in the Bronx. They were charged on April 24, 2023, with conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, which carries maximum sentence of five years in prison. From January through August 2023, ERIC BROWN purchased stolen checks and other items worth more than $200,000 that had been unlawfully removed from the mail by a postal employee. He was charged on September 28, 2023, with conspiracy to commit mail theft, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. On June 15, 2023, KHAYYAM ALEXANDER, SAHEED DUPREE, and DIAMANTE PERRY used a stolen postal key to steal mail from one or more collection boxes in the vicinity of 73rd Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. They were charged that same day with one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. On June 21, 2023, JOSE MATOS possessed more than $60,000 of checks that were stolen from the United States mail and a distribution quantity of crack cocaine. He was charged the following day with receipt of stolen mail and possession with intent to distribute narcotics, which carry a total maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. On June 26, 2023, LYDELL YANCEY possessed stolen mail and a stolen postal key and was apprehended after being near a collection box in the vicinity of 79th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. He was charged that same day with conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. On July 6, 2023, DEANDRE JACKSON, QUAMEL PIERCE, and RAHEEM WALLACE possessed stolen mail and a stolen postal key and were apprehended being near a collection box in the vicinity of York Avenue and 72nd Street in Manhattan. They were charged that same day with conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. On July 10, 2023, MICHAEL EDWARDS and CARLOS MERCADO used a stolen postal key to steal mail in the vicinity of 74th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. They were charged that same day with conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and MERCADO was also charged with attempted assault of an officer engaged in official duties, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. On July 25, 2023, JONATHAN CARBUCCIA, JUAN CARBUCCIA, and MANUEL PEREZ stole mail from a collection box in the vicinity of 68th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. They were charged that same day with conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. On August 1 and 8, 2023, CHRISTIAN CEBOLLERO, an employee of the USPS, stole checks and other items from a USPS facility in Manhattan. On August 8, 2023, he was charged with two counts of mail theft by a postal service employee, which carry a total maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. On August 14, 2023, EMMANUEL HERNANDEZ stole mail from a collection box in the vicinity of 79th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. He was charged that same day with one count of mail theft, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. On August 18, 2023, JOHN BURBANO used a stolen postal key to steal mail from collection boxes in the vicinity of 68th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. He was charged that same day with postal key theft and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. On August 23, 2023, JEREMY PINALES DIAZ stole mail from a collection box in the vicinity of 33rd Street and Madison Avenue. He was charged that same day with mail theft, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. On September 18, 2023, JAYVAUGN VALENTINE and BRIAN GUTIERREZ used a stolen postal key to steal mail from a collection box in the vicinity of 68th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan. They were charged the same day with conspiracy to commit postal key theft and mail theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. On September 26, 2023, DONTE GOULBOURNE and ARMANDO KENNETH BENIQUEZ were apprehended in the Bronx after they used a stolen postal key to steal mail. They were charged that same day with conspiracy to commit mail theft and postal key theft, postal key theft, and mail theft, which carry a total maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. * * * The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS, USPS-OIG, FBI, NYPD, and the Special Agents and Task Force Officers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The cases are being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin M. Burkett, Katherine Cheng, Connie Dang, Lisa Daniels, Jackie Delligatti, Jerry J. Fang, Justin Horton, William Kinder, Henry Ross, Chelsea Scism, and Adam Sowlati are in charge of the prosecutions. The charges contained in the Complaints and Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaints and Indictment and the description of the Complaints and Indictment set forth in this release constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: New York City Correction Officer Charged With Salary and Overtime Fraud

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging New York City Department of Correction (DOC) officer James Internicola with federal program fraud. Internicola was arrested this morning and his initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry. Internicola has been a correction officer with the DOC since January 1996. In 2019, he began working at a warehouse at Rikers Island which manages supplies for the jail facility, as well as facility garbage and recycling. Currently, Internicola is primarily responsible for all recycling operations at Rikers Island. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the charges. “As alleged, the defendant defrauded the people of New York City and the New York City Department of Correction by claiming to work significant amounts of hours, including overtime, that he did not actually work,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Instead of being at work, the defendant was often at home or even on vacation. Correction officers who steal tax dollars by fraudulently obtaining compensation should take note of today’s arrest and know that this Office is working with our law enforcement partners to root out corruption at Rikers Island.” “Internicola’s alleged crime taints every law enforcement officer who takes an oath to uphold the law," stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith. “The FBI maintains a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who commit fraud and steal from law abiding taxpayers.” “This Correction Officer, as charged, stole over $171,000 from the City by falsely claiming he was at work on Rikers Island, including for overtime hours, when in fact he was vacationing in Aruba and the Jersey Shore, or at home on Staten Island. His false timesheets allegedly included 2,250 hours of time he did not work, a staggering figure. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for its commitment to protect City resources – including salaries paid to City workers – from theft and abuse,” stated DOI Commissioner Strauber. According to the complaint, Internicola fraudulently obtained more than $171,000 in salary and overtime pay by lying about the hours he worked from at least July 2021 to January 2023. During this time period, Internicola claimed to work large amounts of overtime nearly every week. In fact, based on license plate reader data, E-Z pass toll records and cell site location information, Internicola frequently showed up to work more than two hours late and left work several hours early. In many instances, Internicola claimed to be at work when he actually never showed up to Rikers Island at all, including when he was at his home on Staten Island, visiting the Jersey Shore or vacationing in Aruba. In total, Internicola claimed to have worked more than 2,250 hours in a period of approximately 18 months and he fraudulently received the equivalent of more than a year of his base salary. The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Philip Pilmar and Andrew D. Grubin are in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant : JAMES INTERNICOLA Age: 56 Staten Island, NY E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-MJ-867


title: Parsons man indicted on meth & firearms charges

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned a superseding indictment charging a man with drug trafficking crimes. According to court documents, Tremayne M. Darkis, 44, of Parsons is charged with a total of 55 counts including: • one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, • one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, • 49 counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, • one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, • one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, • one count possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and • one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in or near a school. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ola Odeyemi is prosecuting the case. OTHER INDICTMENTS Cletis Ringwald, 68, of Lyons was indicted on one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas Highway Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kari Burks is prosecuting the case. 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: Camden County man sentenced to 100 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of children

body_text: BRUNSWICK, GA: A Camden County man has been sentenced to 100 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting multiple children. Michael Williams Kersey , 45, of St. Marys, Ga., was sentenced to 1,200 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Engage in Sexual Exploitation of Children; three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children; and Possession of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. There is no parole in the federal system. “Michael Kersey and his co-defendant exploited vulnerable children for their warped gratification without regard for the lifelong trauma they inflicted on their innocent victims,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Their lengthy sentences help protect the community from such predatory behavior and reinforces the seriousness of these offenses.” As described in court documents and testimony, FBI agents in Milwaukee, Wis., infiltrated a private online messaging group in which members shared images and videos of child sexual abuse. That investigation led FBI agents to Kersey’s Camden County residence, where agents found hundreds of images depicting sexual exploitation of at least four children on Kersey’s cell phone and computers. Agents also identified Lesley Henry , 47, of St. Marys, and determined she produced sexually explicit images and sent them to Kersey. Henry is serving 420 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood has scheduled hearings to determine any restitution Henry and Kersey will be ordered to pay. “Kersey’s determination to pursue lurid desires shows his lack of fear of the law and a willingness to harm children no matter how young they are,” said FBI Senior Supervisory Special Agent Will Clarke of the FBI's Savannah office. “Although the FBI can never fully repair the damage inflicted by these predators, we can ensure that justice is served on those who commit these terrible crimes.” The case was investigated by the FBI, the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Kingsland Police Department, the St. Marys Police Department, and the Camden County Sheriff's Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tania D. Groover and Jennifer J. Kirkland. Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/ .


title: Leader of Chicago Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 12 and a Half Years in Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: CHICAGO — A leader of a drug trafficking organization that sold heroin, fentanyl-laced heroin, and fentanyl-analogue laced heroin on the Northwest Side of Chicago has been sentenced to twelve and a half years in federal prison. KELVIN FRANKLIN conspired with more than 15 others to traffic narcotics in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood in 2019. A lengthy investigation, led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Chicago Police Department, shut down an open-air drug market utilized by the conspirators in the 1000 block of North Monticello Avenue in Chicago. During the probe, agents and officers made approximately eighty undercover purchases of heroin, fentanyl-laced heroin, and fentanyl-analogue laced heroin from various members of the crew. The dealers occasionally held “pass outs” of free drugs to entice customers to buy additional drugs from them. Franklin supervised other traffickers and also personally sold some of the drugs. He and other managers coordinated with street-level dealers to ensure that they had sufficient quantities of narcotics to distribute to customers. In addition to the drug sales, Franklin also attempted to procure a loaded handgun for a member of the crew at the open-air market. Law enforcement intervened and the gun was seized. Franklin, 32, of Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal drug conspiracy charge. U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. imposed the sentence Monday after a hearing in federal court in Chicago. Franklin’s sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the DEA, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of CPD. Substantial assistance was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard M. Rothblatt and Jason A. Julien represented the government. The investigation was conducted with the support of the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force ( HIDTA ). The task force is comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who work together to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations. Franklin was one of 18 individuals charged in federal court in 2020 as part of the investigation. To date, 16 federal defendants have pleaded guilty.


title: Meth Smuggler Sentenced to Nearly Six Years

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – David Lee McCracken, II, 45, of Tucson, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 70 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. McCracken pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. On August 22, 2022, United States Border Patrol agents encountered McCracken at the SR-286 checkpoint driving a sedan. McCracken consented to a search of his vehicle’s trunk, during which an agent observed a large spare tire and rim for an off-road vehicle inside the trunk. When the agent directed McCracken to secondary inspection, McCracken abruptly fled at a high rate of speed. After an extensive search, agents located McCracken, the vehicle, and tire. The tire contained 55 packages of methamphetamine, totaling approximately 25 kilograms. Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stefani Hepford, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR 22-02028-TUC-SHR RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-146_McCracken # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Office Manager Of Senior Assisted Living Facility Charged For $1.5 Million Embezzlement Scheme

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Amy Elizabeth Curry, 46, of Waynesville, N.C., has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering, for allegedly embezzling at least $1.5 million from a senior assisted living facility, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to allegations in the indictment, from December 7, 2022, to April 4, 2023, Curry executed a scheme to defraud and embezzle at least $1.5 million from Silver Bluff, LLC (Silver Bluff), a senior living and care facility in Canton, N.C. As alleged in the indictment, Curry worked at Silver Bluff from July 2022 through April 2023, as the facility’s office manager and bookkeeper. As part of her duties, Curry had access to and control over Silver Bluff’s bank accounts and accounting records. The indictment alleges that, during a five-month period, Curry made at least 154 unauthorized bank transfers, and defrauded Silver Bluff by transferring at least $1.5 million from the facility’s bank accounts to bank accounts controlled by Curry and her then-boyfriend J.C. The indictment also alleges that in March 2023, Curry purchased a 2020 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, using funds derived from the embezzlement of Silver Bluff. In addition to the charges, the indictment also contains a notice of forfeiture, which gives notice that the defendant must forfeit to the United States all of the property, currency and monetary instruments involved in the offenses charged in the indictment. The government will pursue a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $1,518,771, which the government contends constitutes the proceeds of the violations alleged in the charging document. Also subject to forfeiture proceedings are items seized during the investigation, including four vehicles (a 2023 Polaris, a 2023 Nissan Maxima, a 2020 Ford F-150, and a 2020 Kia Optima), and $117,867.49 seized from four bank accounts. The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The money laundering offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville is in charge of Curry’s prosecution.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

body_text: BOSTON – October marks the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy joins the U.S. Department of Justice in commemorating DVAM, paying tribute to victims and survivors, and saluting the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors. “Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize. According to the CDC, one in four women and one in seven men experience severe physical violence from intimate partners during their lifetime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “We want communities to know that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is using all the tools at our disposal to ensure victims and survivors have a viable path to safety and justice. Our office will continue to leverage federal resources to prioritize the prosecution of domestic violence offenders who unlawfully possess firearms, or whose criminal conduct occurs online or crosses state lines.” Domestic violence, dating violence and intimate partner violence has long-lasting impacts and consequences. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. However, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people and people with disabilities. Domestic violence takes on many forms of abuse that are not limited to physical abuse. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, immediate services and shelter information in Massachusetts can be found by calling the statewide toll-free domestic violence SafeLink hotline at 877-785-2020 or by visiting: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/list-of-domestic-violence-services-by-massachusetts-county . National support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483. To find additional information on local support and resources by state, visit: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources .


title: Chelsea Man Arrested for Selling Fake Social Security Cards and Green Cards

body_text: BOSTON – A Chelsea man was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “Green Cards.” Wilberto Sandoval Mazariego, 40, was charged with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature. Sandoval Mazariego was arrested near his residence yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was detained pending a hearing set for Oct. 5, 2023. According to the charging documents, during an investigation into Tomas Xirum for selling fraudulent Green Cards and fraudulent Social Security cards, law enforcement allegedly identified Sandoval Mazariego as the creator of the fraudulent documents Xirum was selling. Following Xirum’s arrest in August 2022, law enforcement allegedly found a text message string between Xirum and Sandoval Mazariego that contained approximately 568 attachments. It is alleged that in the messages, Xirum would regularly text Sandoval Mazariego pictures of unknown persons along with a name, date of birth and country of birth – to which Sandoval Mazariego would later respond with pictures of Social Security cards and/or Green Cards with the person’s photo and information that Xirum provided. On Aug. 17, 2023, Sandoval Mazariego allegedly sold a fraudulent Green Card and a fraudulent Social Security card to an undercover agent. On Aug. 21, 2023 , Xirum pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and three counts of unlawful production of document or authentication feature. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2024. The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Boston Man Previously Convicted of Sex Trafficking Pleads Guilty to Witness Intimidation

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to attempting to prevent a victim, to whom he exposed himself, from testifying against him in a federal proceeding. Defendant was on federal supervised release for sex trafficking at the time of the offense. Mark Pinnock, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of witness intimidation. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 5, 2023. Pinnock was charged in July 2023. In 2014, Pinnock was sentenced to eight years in prison for a sex trafficking offense and in 2022, was released and under federal supervision while working as an Amazon driver. In July 2022, while on supervised release for the 2014 sex trafficking conviction, a victim reported to local law enforcement that Pinnock exposed his penis to her while delivering a package to the condominium complex where the victim worked as a custodian. As a result, the U.S. Probation Office sought to revoke Pinnock’s term of supervised release and the Court scheduled a hearing to adjudicate Pinnock’s alleged offense. One week before the hearing, Pinnock sent a co-conspirator to the condominium complex on his behalf. The co-conspirator told the victim not to go to Court and stood with his hand in his pocket as if he had something in it. Pinnock also used an encrypted messaging application to send an anonymous message to the security officer at the complex to “let the cleaning lady know” she would be arrested by immigration officials if she were to go to court. Finally, Pinnock placed three separate phone calls to immigration officials in an attempt to have the victim detained for being unlawfully present in the United States. In the calls to immigration officials, Pinnock falsely claimed that he had heard the victim was gang-affiliated, among other things. The charge of witness intimidation provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. The Brockton Police provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.


title: Colombian Citizen Admits Conspiring to Transport Hundreds of Kilograms of Cocaine into United States

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Colombian citizen admitted conspiring to import hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the United States from other countries including Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Raul Orlando Torres Cubides, aka “Jose Jota,” 56, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to count one of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From 2016 through Jan. 10, 2020, Cubides conspired to import hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. Cubides admitted playing a managerial role in this conspiracy, which involved more than five individuals. The count to which Cubides pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operating in New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark, as well as special agents and task force officers with the DEA operating in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. He also thanked the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section Judicial Attachés in Bogotá, Colombia; Colombian law enforcement authorities; and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Farhana C. Melo of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark. cubides.indictment.pdf


title: Former Missouri Prison Guard Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Assault on Inmate, Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A former Missouri prison guard who assaulted an inmate and also possessed child pornography was sentenced to seven years in prison Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White. On Oct. 28, 2021, after a verbal disagreement with an inmate about a poster that was damaged during a search of his cell, Carl Hart ordered the victim out of his office in the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre. Later, when the victim did not immediately return to his cell during a lockdown, two other corrections officers pepper-sprayed the victim. The victim went to the shower to wash off the spray. Hart followed the victim into the shower, struck the victim there and again after the victim had left the shower and was on the ground, handcuffed and compliant. Hart was a sergeant and had worked for the Department of Corrections for 10 years at the time. In a victim impact letter, the assault victim wrote that the attack had left him with scars in multiple places on his head, face and hand “that I have to look at everyday for the rest of my life,” as well as “the permanent blurry vision in my eye, for the separated and infected ribs I had for 10 months. For the mental trauma I still suffer from – from being beaten by those who were supposed to protect me.” In a separate investigation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip about suspected child pornography in Hart’s Dropbox account. The Missouri Highway Patrol Digital Forensics Unit found child pornography in Dropbox and on one of Hart’s phones. One of the victims depicted in the child sexual abuse material found in Hart’s possession wrote, “Knowing that some sick person is looking at me on a computer everyday in a way that no one should look at a kid makes me feel violated, it gives me the jeebers, and it makes me want to throw up.” In court Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug said, “The defendant did not protect the children being sexually abused in the photos and videos he collected and viewed, he perpetuated their victimization.” She added that Hart also “did not protect a prisoner he was charged with keeping safe.” Hart, 37, of Farmington, pleaded guilty in May to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of possession of child pornography and admitted the above conduct. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Missouri Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug prosecuted the case.


title: Gang Member Admits to Racketeering Charge

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang admitted to his role in a racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Tre Byrd, aka “Bands,” aka “G Bandz,” 22, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton on Oct. 3, 2023, to a superseding indictment that charged him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Byrd was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere. In March 2019, Byrd worked with other members and associates of the gang to murder a gang rival, who was fatally shot on March 20, 2019, in Irvington, New Jersey. On June 20, 2020, Byrd and at least one other member and associate of the gang robbed a victim at gunpoint in Newark. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins; and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller; investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under direction of Marshal Juan Mattos; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé; the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves; the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, with the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips investigation. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division. byrd.sindictment.pdf


title: Palm Beach Gardens attorney convicted of possessing child pornography

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Palm Beach Gardens attorney pleaded guilty in federal district court to possessing child pornography. As part of his guilty plea, Michael Thomas Dolce, 54, admitted to downloading child pornography to his personal laptop at his West Palm Beach apartment. According to court records, Dolce used peer-2-peer software to search for and download the illegal material, including prepubescent children. Nearly 2,000 images and videos were recovered from Dolce’s laptop. Forensic evidence confirmed that Dolce was in the process of downloading child pornography files just before law enforcement seized his laptop during the execution of a federal search warrant of his residence. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks. Dolce faces up to 20 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and payment of restitution to his victims. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the guilty plea. The West Palm Beach Resident Agency of the FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller is prosecuting it. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/project-safe-childhood . 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-cr-80063. ###


title: Weaverville, N.C. Man Indicted For Attempted Murder Of U.S. Postal Carrier And Related Charges

body_text: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A Weaverville, N.C. man has been indicted for the attempted murder of a U.S. Postal Carrier and related charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Tommy D. Coke, Inspector In Charge of the Atlanta Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which oversees Charlotte, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today's announcement. A federal grand jury sitting in Asheville returned a four-count criminal indictment against Jaden Isaiah Garay, 24, charging him with attempted murder of a United States Postal Service Rural Mail Carrier, carjacking, assault on a mail carrier, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. According to allegations in the indictment, on September 5, 2023, in Madison County, Garay unlawfully attempted to kill T.R., a United States Postal Service Rural Mail Carrier. The indictment further alleges that Garay carjacked T.R.’s vehicle, assaulted T.R. while she was performing her official duties, and put the victim’s life in jeopardy using a dangerous weapon. The indictment also alleges that Garay did carry and use a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and that the firearm discharged during and in relation to crimes of violence, that being attempted murder and carjacking. A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Garay to appear in federal court in Asheville on the federal charges. Garay is currently in the custody of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The charges against Garay are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charge of attempted murder carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum prison term for the carjacking charge and the assault on a mail carrier charge is 25 years in prison for each offense. The charge of use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and maximum penalty of life in prison. In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the USPIS, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the North Carolina Department of Correction K9 Team, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Burke County EMS, Burke County Emergency Management, and Burke County Communications Center, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, the Morganton Department of Public Safety, the Marion Police Department, and the Mars Hill Police Department for their investigation of the case and for their invaluable assistance in apprehending Garay. U.S. Attorney King also thanked Madison County District Attorney Seth Banks for his Office’s assistance and coordination with the federal investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville is prosecuting the case.


title: Oklahoma Woman Pleads Guilty to Murder Committed in the Talladega National Forest

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An Oklahoma woman pleaded guilty to crimes committed in the Talladega National Forest, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples. Yasmine Marie Hider , 21 of Edmond, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court R. David Proctor to murder, kidnapping, and robbery. Hider is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. According to the plea agreement, on August 14, 2022, college students from Florida, were driving to Cheaha State Park, in Clay County, Alabama, to hike to see the waterfalls. The couple was flagged down by Hider to help “jump start” Pinkins’ car which was broken down. Hider robbed the male and female and shot the male as he attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers found Hider seated several feet away with four gunshot wounds. The maximum penalty for murder and kidnapping is life in prison. The maximum penalty for robbery is 15 years in prison. Krystal Diane Pinkins was convicted last week in federal court. Pinkins is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The FBI and the Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigations - U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated the cases, along with assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama State Park Rangers, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, St. Clair Correctional Facility K9 Tracking Team, District Attorney of the 40 th Judicial Circuit of the State of Alabama- Joseph “Joe” D. Ficquette (which includes Clay County), Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office, Lineville Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Clay County Rescue Squad, Shinbone Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-County Children’s Advocacy Center, and Jacksonville State University Center for Applied Forensics. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Cross and John B. Felton are prosecuting the case.


title: Twice-Convicted Felon Indicted On Drug And Gun Charges

body_text: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A twice federally-convicted man is facing new federal drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Brian Mein, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Sheriff Lowell S. Griffin of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and court records, Douglas Aaron Holcomb, 31, of Brevard, N.C., was released from federal custody on June 20, 2023, after serving a term of imprisonment for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and he began to serve a term of court-ordered supervised release. The indictment alleges that, on June 27, 2023, in Henderson County, while Holcomb was on supervised release, he possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges that Holcombe illegally possessed a .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol and 51 rounds of ammunition, and that he possessed the firearm and the ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. The charges against Holcomb are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a sentence of at least five years in prison up to life in prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. In addition to the 2020 federal conviction, Holcomb was convicted in 2016 of federal firearms offenses, that being unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition while being a fugitive from justice, and possession of a firearm and ammunition while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville is prosecuting the case.


title: United States Attorney Martin Estrada Launches Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – United States Attorney Martin Estrada today announced the formation of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force, a new section that will focus on complex corporate crimes, abuses by company insiders and offenses that impact the nation’s financial system. Working with authorities at federal law enforcement agencies, the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force is designed to expand and prioritize complex corporate and securities fraud investigations, some of which will involve corporate executives and other individuals involved in criminal conduct. Members of the Strike Force will examine accounting fraud, insider trading, and other matters that can directly impact the financial system and trading markets. The Strike Force will also examine criminal violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, which is designed to combat money laundering and tax evasion. “Fraud by corporate executives, traders, and other insiders corrodes public trust in our nation’s business institutions and financial system,” said United States Attorney Estrada. “This Strike Force will help focus our efforts on uncovering and punishing corporate malfeasance. Corporate criminals are on notice that my office will not tolerate efforts to deceive and cheat others.” The Strike Force will be led by Assistant United States Attorney Brett Sagel, a veteran prosecutor with a long track record of successfully handling complex white-collar matters. AUSA Sagel will lead a new section of experienced federal prosecutors. “Greed in the corporate environment can lead to insider trading, self-dealing and other fraudulent offenses,” said Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI is proud to launch this effort with our federal partners to weed out criminal behavior and protect the investing public by leveling the playing field from Wall Street to Main Street.” “IRS Criminal Investigation is uniquely suited to be part of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles field office. “We have a proven track record of investigating the most complex financial crimes in the world and look forward to continuing our work through our participation in the new Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force.” United States Attorney Estrada today also announced the formation of the Vulnerable Communities Task Force. This Task Force will focus on prioritizing the investigation and prosecution of individuals and entities that prey on communities that typically are less likely to report crimes to law enforcement and historically have had less legal recourse to address the offenders targeting them. These groups may include immigrants and migrant workers defrauded in immigration schemes, indigent individuals reliant on public benefits, the elderly, and those who have been reluctant to seek assistance from government authorities. “We must be mindful of the greater damage scams and con schemes can have on the most vulnerable in our community,” said United States Attorney Estrada. “Our office must be at the forefront of redressing this harm. Those who prey on the most vulnerable in our communities will be held accountable.” “HSI is committed to working with our partners to investigate and hold anyone who preys on innocent victims accountable,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “This task force is yet another example of how Los Angeles law enforcement joins together to protect our vulnerable population.” The Vulnerable Communities Task Force will be comprised of federal prosecutors who will come from sections across the office. The Task Force will be led by Assistant United States Attorney Monica Tait, a veteran prosecutor who recently has been the office’s Elder Justice Program Coordinator.


title: Convicted Felon Who Led Officers on Foot Chase Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hampton man pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on February 7, 2022, individuals called 911 to report a shooting by a male in a silver vehicle in Newport News. Approximately 15 minutes later, Iziaha Tisdale, 25, was observed in a silver vehicle at the scene of the shooting being investigated. Witnesses there identified Tisdale’s vehicle as the shooter’s, but when officers attempted to stop him, he fled on foot. During his flight, he threw a loaded firearm, which officers quickly recovered. Tisdale was previously convicted in Newport News Circuit Court of attempted unlawful wounding and of maliciously shooting at a car in connection with the February shooting. Tisdale pleaded guilty to prohibited possession of a firearm and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2024. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. 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. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:21-cr-85.


title: Supplier for local meth dealers lands in federal prison

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: GALVESTON, Texas - A 28-year-old resident of Webster has been sentenced in a meth conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Omar Lopez III pleaded guilty Feb. 15 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more grams of meth or 50 or more grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of meth. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown has now ordered him to serve a total of 174 months in federal prison. The investigation focused upon a group of meth distributors and their source of drugs who operated in Galveston County. Lopez worked within the drug trafficking organization by supplying meth others had distributed. He will report to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and Galveston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case.


title: Charleston Woman Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crimes

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Keara Kilpatrick, 21, of Charleston, was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for two counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee and aiding and abetting the thefts. According to court documents and statements made in court, Kilpatrick drove co-defendant Joshua Azale Mitchell to and from two Kanawha County businesses where Mitchell broke in and stole firearms. On November 9, 2022, Mitchell broke into a Dunbar business and stole a Diamondback Firearms DB15 5.56 caliber rifle and a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 .22-caliber rifle. On November 10, 2022, Mitchell broke into a Charleston business and stole a Custom Arms & Accessories LD-15 5.56 caliber rifle and a DPMS Panther Arms A-15 5.56 caliber rifle. Also on November 9, 2022, Kilpatrick drove Mitchell to and from a third business, where Mitchell tried to break in but was unsuccessful. The store’s security cameras captured video of Kilpatrick driving away in her vehicle with Mitchell. On November 11, 2022, Kilpatrick was driving her vehicle on Washington Street in Charleston when law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop. Kilpatrick fled before crashing her vehicle in a hotel parking lot. Officers recovered three of the four stolen firearms from Kilpatrick's vehicle. Mitchell, 21, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee and aiding and abetting the thefts on September 13, 2023, and awaits sentencing. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and the Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan A. Keefe and Brian Parsons prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce 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. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-28. ###


title: Pharmacy Agrees To $60,000 Settlement Relating To Controlled Substances Act Claims

body_text: PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Rx Express of Panama City, Florida, a locally owned and operated retail pharmacy, agreed to pay $60,000 to resolve allegations that it unlawfully filled controlled substances. Laura Ann Gould, owner of Rx Express of Pharmacy of Panama City, Inc., entered into the civil settlement agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Pharmacies play a vital role in ensuring controlled substances are properly handled, accounted for, and dispensed. They are a critical component in guarding against the diversion of controlled substances,” said Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to holding every level of the distribution chain, including pharmacies, accountable for Controlled Substance Act violations. Our office will continue to work to actively combat the opioid crisis in our local communities.” Rx Express settled potential violations of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by agreeing to pay a civil fine of $60,000 and entering into a compliance monitoring agreement with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for a period of two (2) years. Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer, or sell controlled substances must comply with strict inventory, dispensing, and documentation requirements. Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, must maintain detailed and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of by the registrant. These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting, and distribution of controlled substances for those with legitimate medical needs, while simultaneously preventing the diversion and abuse of controlled substances. During its investigation of Rx Express, DEA identified at least 58 prescriptions that were filled outside the course of normal practice, including high dosage, high quantity, and combination therapeutic controlled substances issued by practitioners and providers located over 300 miles away from RX Express’s registered address, without corresponding documentation. “One of DEA’s top priorities is to ensure all DEA registrants, including pharmacies, follow the mandates of the Controlled Substances Act, including the accurate inventorying, tracking, and recordkeeping of controlled substances. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to the diversion of controlled substances, which jeopardizes the safety and health of our communities” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This settlement underscores our commitment to combat the opioid crisis by working with our regulatory partners to ensure these rules and regulations are followed.” This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Rx Express of Panama City, nor a concession by the United States that its potential claims were not well-founded. Assistant United States Attorneys Marie Moyle and Mary Ann Couch represented the United States in this matter, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Program. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Tallahassee Felon Sentenced To 120 Months In Federal Prison For Manufacturing Machineguns

body_text: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Garret D. Hodnett, 34, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, manufacturing unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) Weapons, and possessing an illegal machinegun. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Removing manufactured machineguns from the hands of felons and those who supply them directly addresses violent crime and makes our communities safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With the assistance of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners were are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who illegally manufacture and distribute firearms to prohibited persons. This sentencing represents both the severe consequences of illegal firearms trafficking and our resolve to remove these weapons from our streets.” After recovering two illegal short-barreled rifles which had been modified to function as fully automatic machineguns, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began investigating the origin of the firearms. ATF learned that those two firearms and others had been manufactured by Garrett Hodnett. ATF learned that Hodnett was a suspect in a July 27, 2022, shooting of a dog in Gadsden County, as well as an incident on July 31, 2022, in Tallahassee, in which someone was threatened with a firearm. On August 10, 2022, ATF and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at a residence where Hodnett was living. Various firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition were found, including an AK-47-style rifle which had been modified to fire as a machinegun, and an AK-47 drum-magazine. A handgun found during the search of the residence matched a shell casing recovered from the scene in Gadsden County on July 27, 2022, at which the dog had been shot. “North Florida is much safer with this violent criminal behind bars,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “This complex, year-long investigation ended in a success only because of a hardworking and talented team of agents, local partners and federal prosecutors.” Hodnett was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was a convicted felon. Hodnett had six prior felony convictions, including prior convictions involving the illegal possession of firearms, but his longest prior prison sentence had been 15 months’ incarceration. Following his 120-month prison sentence, Hodnett will be on federal supervised release for three years. This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain. 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. As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Rochester man sentenced for falsifying documents submitted to the Army

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Reginald Cannon, 55, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to two years’ probation, fined $200,000, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $315,944. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard A. Resnick and Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that Cannon is president of Burnett Process, Inc., a Rochester based company, which, in May 2015, received a five-year contract from the United States Army to produce M98 Gas Particulate Filters. These filters are used by the Department of Defense in a wide range of military systems, such as shelters, mobile hospitals, and US Navy ships, to protect military personnel from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives threats. As fresh air is coming into a system, the filters push out potentially toxic substances. If the filters are not functioning properly, contaminants can get in, putting military personnel at risk. The contract, which was signed by Cannon, required that Burnett Process submit a report certifying that the supplier of the filter paper used to manufacture the M98 Filters complied with the material specifications listed in the contract. The contract also required that Burnett Process use one of two companies located in the United States whose filter paper met strict military specifications for such filter paper, or another company if such filter paper was properly tested, passed all the military specifications included in the contract, and was approved by the Army. In September and October 2019, the Army ordered 3,650 M98 Filters at a cost of $315,944. When manufacturing these filters, Burnett Process used much cheaper filter paper from a company located in China that had not been properly tested, had not met the material specifications set forth in the contract, and had not been approved by the Army. By using the untested and unapproved cheaper filter paper, Burnett Process’ total cost to manufacture the filters was less than it should have been, which resulted in more profits for Burnett Process. Despite knowing that the proper filter paper was not used, Gannon still certified to the Army that the filter paper used was from one of the two approved filter paper suppliers in the United States. “This defendant attempted to cut costs and increase his profits by using products that were not in compliance with the contract entered into by Burnett Process Inc. with the United States Military,” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “Working with our investigative partners, this deception was uncovered before it caused harm to members of our military and this defendant, along with Burnett Process, have been held accountable for their actions.” “There must be consequences for companies and individuals who not only defraud the U.S. government and taxpayers, but potentially put our warfighters at risk,” said Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo. “HSI will continue to leverage its unique investigative authorities to further these investigations along with our partners within the Department of Defense and Department of Justice.” “Protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense procurement process and supply chain is a priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “We will continue to protect our nation's military members from unnecessary harm and work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals and companies accountable for providing substandard, substituted products to the U.S. military.” “Fraudulent activities by employees or contractors who work with the U.S. Army will not be tolerated,” said Supervisory Special Agent Michael Conner of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office, Northeast Fraud Resident Agency. “Resolutions such as this one shows our resolve in bringing to justice those who would seek to defraud the U.S. Government and put the safety of our Soldiers at risk.” The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General’s, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction Special Agent-in-Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, Northeast Field Office, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Major Procurement Fraud Field Office, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Curran. # # # #


title: Guilty plea to bank fraud sends Georgia man to federal prison

body_text: AUGUSTA, GA: An Atlanta-area man has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to siphoning money from a private individual’s bank account. Marqualdis Antwon Logan , a/k/a “Alphonso Baugh,” 38, of Stone Mountain, Ga., was sentenced to 51months in prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of Bank Fraud and one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Logan to pay restitution of $272,097 and to serve five years of supervised release after completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “Hard-working individuals sacrifice to save money for their future needs, including retirement,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Marqualdis Logan’s greed-driven scheme stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and damages the financial security of his innocent victims.” As described in court documents and testimony, a Columbia County woman and her daughter alerted their bank and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in September 2020 when they noticed suspicious activity in their money market account. The FBI determined that a fraudulent online profile had gained access to the account and was cashing and depositing online checks into other bank accounts controlled by Logan and others. The investigation determined Logan wrote checks on the account totaling more than $500,000 and succeeded in depositing or cashing checks totaling $497,136. The restitution in the case represents the outstanding unrecovered funds, which Logan used for purchases and travel. He was arrested in November 2022 while traveling in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As part of the plea agreement, Logan acknowledged his prior involvement in a scheme in which he withdrew more than $100,000 from another victim’s account by using identifying information stolen from the victim’s deceased husband. Unreimbursed funds from that case, and from Logan’s receipt of $20,832 in funds from a fraudulently obtained COVID-19 small business relief loan, are calculated as part of his restitution. “These fraud scams, although not violent, are not victimless and can be devastating to individuals and their personal livelihoods,” said Brian Ozden, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This guilty plea shows the FBI’s dedication to working with our partners to hold anyone accountable who would steal from hard working and honest individuals, rather than put in the work themselves.” The case was investigated by the FBI and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Stanley.