title: Coral Springs Resident Sentenced to 51 Months for Embezzlement Scheme Against Former Employer and Submission of Fraudulent CARES Act Loan Application

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI - Jennifer Pamela Izzo, 35, of Coral Springs, Florida, has been sentenced to 51 months in prison for embezzling $94,500 from her former employer, a trucking maintenance company based in Fort Lauderdale. She also exploited her position at the company when filing a COVID-19 assistance loan on its behalf, attempting to fraudulently divert government funds for her own personal benefit. Although the loan was never granted, she stood to gain as much as $150,000 in additional illicit funds. In August 2019, the auto-maintenance company hired Izzo as its financial bookkeeper, entrusting her with direct access to the vendor accounts and the company credit cards, including the cards issued in the names of individual employees. However, from October 2019 through April 2020, Izzo orchestrated a sophisticated scheme to defraud her employer by creating fictitious vendor accounts that she secretly controlled.] Throughout her employment, she carried out dozens of unauthorized transactions using the company’s credit cards, re-routing the stolen funds from the fake vendors, and ultimately into her own bank account. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Izzo also abused her position of trust when she was asked to file an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) on behalf of the company, seeking federal funds to help cover its payroll expenses. But rather than listing the company’s bank account in the unsuccessful application, Izzo listed her own personal bank account as the intended beneficiary. Izzo pled guilty on December 20, 2022, to two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. While awaiting sentencing, Izzo’s bond was revoked and she was remanded into federal custody when the district court found probable cause to believe that Izzo had stolen money from yet another company that had just recently hired her. In addition to her sentence, Izzo has been ordered to pay back in the form of restitution all of the $94,500 stolen from her previous employer. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, and Chief of Police Patrick Lynn of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Robin L. Rosenberg. USSS Miami and FLPD investigated the case, with assistance from the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Eduardo Gardea Jr. prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Stone and Sara Klco are handling asset forfeiture. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to provide Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred. EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA. 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 . On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here . 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 . 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 22-cr-60155. ###


title: Zachary Louisiana Man Indicted for Gun Offense

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TERRANCE PICKETT , age 27, a resident of Zachary, Louisiana, was charged on March 24, 2023, in a one-count indictment for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans. PICKETT is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). PICKETT faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Boston Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today for racketeering (RICO) and drug trafficking conspiracies stemming from his involvement in the Boston-based street gang, NOB. Ricky Pina, a/k/a “Blake,” 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2022, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy. Pina is one of 10 defendants indicted on various federal charges in June 2020, as part of a broader federal sweep targeting numerous NOB members and associates in which 31 total defendants were charged. All of Pina’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges and have been sentenced. “For years, the NOB gang was responsible for brutal and senseless violence that terrorized neighborhoods in and around Dorchester. At the center of it all was Mr. Pina, who personally committed, planned, and supported the gang’s vicious crimes and illegal operations,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Pina played a critical role in the brutal execution of a young man who was just getting a haircut. Mr. Pina’s conduct left behind a devastated family who lost a precious loved one. Dismantling these types of dangerous criminal enterprises – and prosecuting the individuals who run them – remains of the highest priorities of this office. This lengthy sentence should send a clear and direct message that those participate in gang violence will be identified, prosecuted and put behind bars.” “ATF is proud to work shoulder to shoulder with BPD and many other agencies to be a force multiplier in the fight against violent crime. Together we partner to focus on making our communities safer,” said James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. “Ricky Pina engaged in a ruthless campaign of gang-related violence, and trafficked deadly drugs, including fentanyl, to gain respect, reputation, and rank within this criminal enterprise. Today he learned his fate for victimizing the people of Dorchester, and beyond,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “While Mr. Pina spends the next 15 years behind bars, the FBI will continue to leverage our law enforcement partnerships to keep sustained pressure on gangs like NOB, and others who are the primary drivers of violent crime in our communities.” According to court documents, NOB – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry Streets in Dorchester – is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates are involved in numerous types of criminal activities throughout Massachusetts, including murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and illegal firearms offenses. In addition to multiple firearms and drugs being recovered during the investigation, numerous contraband items were also seized, including: 11 firearms; over one kilogram of fentanyl (including over 2,000 fentanyl pills manufactured to appear as commercial oxycodone pills); a commercial pill press; over 15 pounds of marijuana; and approximately $36,000 in cash. Pina was an active, central and violent member of the gang who personally committed, planned and supported various crimes on behalf of the NOB. At sentencing, Pina was found responsible for the Sept. 5, 2017 murder of a young man in a Boston barbershop. On that date, at approximately 10:46 a.m., a hooded and masked individual shot and killed the victim, who was getting a haircut inside the barbershop. The shooter fled with another accomplice on a scooter. At the time, Pina was subject to GPS monitoring for a state criminal case. GPS data for Pina’s location on the date of the shooting, corroborating images from various video cameras over several blocks near the shooting, witness interviews and analysis of several phones associated with NOB members/associates determined that the murder of the victim was a gang-related murder which Pina supported by providing the location of the victim to the shooter. Specifically, Pina repeatedly traveled to the barbershop in a relatively short period of time leading up to the murder, consistent with Pina gathering information about the victim. Pina’s final pass by the barbershop occurred within minutes of the victim being shot. FAUSA Levy; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; ATF SAC Ferguson; FBI SAC Bonavolonta; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan; Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III; and Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Crowley and Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.


title: 75-Year-Old South Florida Man Charged in $3 Million Check Diversion Scheme

body_text: MIAMI – A Miami federal grand jury has charged Alan Paul Brooks, of Aventura, with mail fraud and money laundering. According to the indictment, from June to December 2022, Brooks engaged in a scheme to steal funds payable to a health system in Louisiana. As alleged, Brooks caused a change of mail address to be filed for a U.S. post office box that received checks for the Louisiana health system. The address change diverted checks that were mailed to the post office box to the defendant’s home in Aventura. It is also alleged that Brooks created fictitious operating names for a Florida shell company that he controlled. These fictitious operating names matched those of the Louisiana health system’s regional medical centers. Brooks also opened bank accounts in Aventura using the fictitious operating names and deposited into those accounts over $3 million in checks that were payable to the actual regional medical centers, according to the charges. After depositing the checks, Brooks moved the funds to other accounts that he controlled. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Atlanta Region; Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office; acting Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division; Chief of Police Michael Bentolila of the Aventura Police Department, announced the charges. FDIC-OIG, USSS Miami, USPIS Miami, and Aventura Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael N. Berger is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture. An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 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-20117. ###


title: Springfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security Benefits

body_text: BOSTON – A Springfield woman pleaded guilty today to stealing Social Security benefits. Hilda Griffin, 41, pleaded guilty one count of false representations to Social Security Administration. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for June 30, 2023. Griffin served as the representative payee for three individuals who were receiving Social Security benefits. Griffin failed to disclose that the individuals stopped living with her in October 2014, and she continued to receive benefits on the individuals’ behalf through December 2014, when she stopped serving as the personal representative. In October 2016, Griffin reapplied to receive Social Security benefits on behalf of the three individuals, despite the fact that they were not in her custody. Griffin then improperly received benefits for two of the individuals through March 2017, and through May 2018 for the third individual. In total, Griffin stole more than $26,970 in benefits intended for the three individuals The charge of false representations to the Social Security Administration provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $1,000. 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. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Morgan of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.


title: Benson Man Arrested for Unlawful Possession of an Unregistered Machinegun

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Dillyn Anthony Dust, 19, of Benson, Arizona, was charged by criminal complaint last week for Unlawful Possession of an Unregistered Machinegun. The complaint alleges that, in January 2023, Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), were alerted about an individual named Dillyn Anthony Dust possessing two machinegun conversion devices. Machinegun conversion devices are designed to convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm or machinegun, with the single pull of the trigger. The devices, by themselves, are machineguns. All machineguns are required to be registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. On February 15, 2023, an undercover ATF Special Agent attempted to arrange for the purchase of two firearms from Dust. Although Dust sent the undercover agent a video of himself with numerous weapons including two Glock-type firearms with machinegun conversion devices attached, he refused to sell them to the undercover agent. On March 15, 2023, ATF executed a federal search warrant for Dust’s residence and located two machinegun conversion devices inside the residence. ATF Special Agents examined the machinegun conversion devices at the scene and determined the devices met the definition of a machinegun requiring registration. After further investigation, the agents learned that the machinegun conversion devices were not registered to anyone, and that Dust did not have firearms registered to his name. A conviction for Possession of an Unregistered Machinegun carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. ATF is conducting the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Rossi, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: MJ-23-02948-N/A-MSA RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-043_Dust # # # 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: Former U.S. Serviceman Pleads Guilty to Exporting Defense Items Such as Night Vision Goggles to Russia in Violation of Federal Law

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A former member of the United States military pleaded guilty today to conspiring to unlawfully export to Russia defense articles – including thermal imaging riflescopes and night vision goggles – without a license in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Igor Panchernikov, 41, a former Corona resident who once served in the United States Air Force Reserves, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act. He has been in federal custody since July 2022 after being extradited to the United States from Israel. According to his plea agreement, from December 2016 to May 2018, Panchernikov conspired with other individuals to knowingly export from the United States to Russia defense articles without obtaining from the State Department a valid license or other approval for such exports. Panchernikov’s accomplices purchased defense articles – including thermal riflescopes, weapons sights, monoculars, and night vision googles – from various online sellers located in the United States and directed the sellers to mail those items to Panchernikov’s residence in Corona. At his Corona residence, Panchernikov received at least 19 defense articles that his co-conspirators purchased from online sellers. After receiving these items, Panchernikov inspected the items to ensure that they were undamaged and operational. Pursuant to his co-conspirators’ instructions, Panchernikov then mailed two of the items to accomplices in Russia and mailed 17 defense articles to Elena Shifrin, 61, of Mundelein, Illinois, who then mailed these items to Russia. To conceal his unlawful activities, when Panchernikov exported the two defense articles to Russia, he listed fictitious sender names on the packages containing the items. He also falsely identified the items in the packages as non-export-controlled items, such as clothing. Finally, he concealed the defense articles in other items, including a drill press. United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. scheduled a June 23 sentencing hearing, at which time Panchernikov will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Shifrin pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act. Her sentencing hearing is expected in the coming months. Vladimir Pridacha, 57, of Volo, Illinois, has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in this case and has an August 29 trial date scheduled. Two other defendants charged in this case – Boris Polosin, of Russia, and Vladimir Gohman, of Israel – are fugitives. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The FBI’s Los Angeles and Chicago field offices investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney David T. Ryan, Chief of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Wilson Park of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.


title: California Man Indicted for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DANIEL STEPHEN WRAY , a/k/a “Danny,” a/k/a “Tubs,” a/k/a “El Gordo ,” age 34, a resident of Chula Vista, California, was charged March 24, 2023, in a one-count indictment by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. If convicted, WRAY faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Miami Man Pleads Guilty to Retaliatory Attack on Federal Cooperating Witness

body_text: MIAMI – Aurelio Luis Perez, a 55-year-old Miami resident, has pled guilty to retaliating against a witness in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1513(b)(2). Perez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 20 years. Perez assaulted a federal cooperating witness at a local club on September 4, 2021, just several days after the victim was identified as a government witness in a federal criminal trial. Specifically, Perez followed the victim into the restroom and assaulted him at the urinal while yelling, “This is for snitching” in Spanish. As a result of the assault, the witness suffered inflammation, bruising, lacerations to his lip, and a cracked front tooth. The victim did not know Perez. Court records indicate that Perez was a close associate of another individual under investigation at the time of the attack. Perez’s associate was subsequently charged for his role in allegedly distributing over $230 million of adulterated HIV medication. U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola will sentence Perez on June 5 in Miami, Florida. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region; and Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Atlanta Region, made the announcement. HHS-OIG Miami and FDIC-OIG investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Abraham of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Alexander Thor Pogozelski of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 22-cr-20253. ###


title: Healthcare Fraudster Charged With Fleeing U.S. Before Serving Sentence

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: A Flower Mound woman who allegedly absconded from the United States in order to avoid serving a 46-month prison sentence has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Florence Enerwim Onyegbu, 64, also known as Florence Oshiegbe, was charged via criminal complaint with failure to surrender for service of sentence. She made her initial appearance in federal court Friday afternoon. According to court documents, on February 14, 2011, a federal judge sentenced Ms. Onyegbu to 46 months in federal prison for her role in a healthcare fraud scheme. Ms. Onyegbu had pleaded guilty to one count of offer and payment of illegal remuneration. In plea papers, she had admitted that her home health company, De-Promise, paid kickbacks to induce Medicare beneficiaries to arrange for home health services, then billed Medicare for home health services that were not provided – knowing full well that the beneficiaries were not home-bound or confined to a hospital and did not need those services. She had admitted she submitted more than $1.8 million in fraudulent claims and received more than $1.3 million in fraudulently-obtained payments. At her 2011 sentencing, the judge ordered Ms. Onyegbu to self-surrender to a Bureau of Prisons facility on Monday, April 14, 2011 before 11 a.m. Ms. Onyegbu allegedly failed to do so. She was arrested in Lagos, Nigeria on February 22, 2022 by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the request of the United States. Following court proceedings in Nigeria, she was extradited to the United States and arrived in Texas on Thursday. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Ms. Onyegbu is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, she faces five years in prison on the failure to surrender charge. The U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation into the alleged failure to surrender. The US. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and the FBI’s Dallas Field Office investigated the healthcare fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marty Basu is prosecuting the case with the help of Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Miller, who prosecuted the original fraud case alongside Assistant U.S. Attorneys John de la Garza and Megan Fahey (fmr). The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Nigeria, as did FBI’s Dallas Field Office. The United States Attorney’s Office also thanked Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (“EFCC”), the Central Authority Unit of Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice, and the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their assistance with her arrest and extradition.


title: St. Paul Man Sentenced to Prison for Straw Purchasing Multiple Firearms

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has been sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on March 20, 2021, Clifton Earl Jiles, 31, purchased a Glock Model 27, 40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol, stating on the ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, however he was not. Jiles admitted to making false statements to purchase at least nine firearms. Jiles also admitted he gave one of the firearms to an individual who was legally unable to possess it. Jiles pleaded guilty on October 20, 2022, to one count of false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Jiles was sentenced yesterday before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.


title: Ithaca Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Odell, Tindley, age 30, of Ithaca, New York pled guilty today being a member of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Watertown, New York. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea today, Odell Tindley admitted that he distributed 83 grams (over two ounces) of cocaine in Watertown on May 25, 2021, and arranged for delivery of methamphetamine later the same day. Investigators of the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force interdicted a car driven by an associate of Tindley as it entered Watertown late in the evening of May 25, 2021. A search of this vehicle resulted in the recovery of 904 grams (just under 32 ounces) of methamphetamine and approximately a pound of marijuana. At sentencing on July 26, 2023, Tindley faces a minimum sentence of ten years and maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million dollars, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The case was investigated by the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, consisting of Special Agents from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol Agents, Detectives from the Watertown Police Department, Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and Investigators from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck are prosecuting the case.


title: Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Mailing Threat Letters to Federal Judge and Members of Congress

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dennis J. Nelson, age 51, currently incarcerated in Federal Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Facility in Devens, Massachusetts (FCI Devens) pled guilty today to mailing threat letters in 2018 and 2019, while incarcerated in State of New York correctional facilities, to a Federal Judge and to two members of Congress. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea, Nelson admitted that on August 1, 2018, while incarcerated in a New York State correctional facility, Nelson mailed a threat letter containing a bomb threat to the chambers of United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy in Binghamton, New York, threatening to kill Judge McAvoy and those at the federal courthouse with a bomb. As further part of his guilty plea, Nelson admitted that on July 15, 2019, while incarcerated in a New York State correctional facility, Nelson mailed threat letters to the offices of then United States representative Anthony Brindisi, containing a bomb threat to kill Representative Brindisi, and to United States Senator Charles Schumer, containing a bomb threat to kill Senator Schumer. At sentencing on a date yet to be determined, Nelson faces a term of imprisonment of 84 months, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. In this case, if the plea agreement is accepted by the Court, Nelson will be sentenced to an agreed upon sentence of incarceration of 84 months. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI JTTF), the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Office of Special Investigation (NYS DOCCS OIG), and the United States Capitol Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl G. Eurenius is prosecuting the case.


title: Jury Convicts Colonie Pimp of Sex Trafficking Minors

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Thomas, age 39, of Colonie, New York, was convicted today of 16 counts of sex trafficking and related offenses, following a five-day jury trial. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli made the announcement. The trial evidence established that between 2018 and 2020, Thomas trafficked and exploited victims, including minors as young as 16, whom he recruited to work in commercial sex for his financial benefit. His crimes spanned New York, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Thomas was also convicted of sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child pornography and tampering with a witness. When United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences Thomas, he faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Thomas must also register as a sex offender. In addition to the FBI and NYSP, the Colonie Police Department, Albany County Sheriff’s Office and Albany Police Department assisted in investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Kopita and Rachel Williams are prosecuting the case.


title: Two Walton County Men Sentenced To Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking Charges

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentencings of Kenneth Ingram, 62, and Kadeem Ingram, 32, both of DeFuniak Springs. Kenneth Ingram was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Kadeem Ingram was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison followed by 5 years supervised release. Ingrams’ sentences were the result of being convicted following a jury trial on August 17, 2022, for the offenses of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Kadeem Ingram was also convicted of distribution of cocaine or cocaine base which occurred on two occasions in July 2019. “This prosecution demonstrates the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, who work tirelessly to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are grateful for their dedicated public service and remain committed in our efforts to investigate and vigorously prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.” Evidence introduced at trial revealed that the Ingrams conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. In 2019, the Ingrams took monthly trips to South Florida to procure large quantities of cocaine. The cocaine purchased, which was, in part, converted to cocaine base, was then distributed by Kadeem Ingram and a co-conspirator. A months-long investigation culminated in law enforcement seizing approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle the Ingrams possessed on July 13, 2019. "Let these sentences be a warning to those who are participating in the attempted destruction of our communities by selling this poison," said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. "Our agency continues our effort not only to make drug arrests but to ensure these dangerous dealers are prosecuted and stay behind bars." “ The success of this investigation is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the DEA in collaboration with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter. “DEA remains committed to these important partnerships to keep these dangerous drugs out of our North Florida communities and hold those who bring this poison into our neighborhoods accountable for their actions.” The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Lynn Haven Police Department, the Panama City Police Department, and the Panama City Beach Police Department. First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven prosecuted the case. The prosecution, part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) OCDETF, is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach tocombat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to take down criminal organizations and seize assets. 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: Two Individuals Charged with Operating Multimillion-Dollar Pyramid Schemes

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Wisconsin returned an indictment that was unsealed yesterday charging an Illinois woman and man with running illegal multimillion-dollar pyramid schemes in at least four different states. According to court documents, Candice V. Cunningham, 35, and Joseph E. Johnson Jr., 50, both of Chicago, allegedly operated a series of pyramid schemes that were advertised to potential victim-participants under various names, including Wealth Partners Publishing, Wealth Wise, Zero to Profit, 30 Day Success Formula, Lav Label, Beckett Group, and DTR Group. Marketing materials for the pyramid schemes allegedly misrepresented that if a victim-participant invested money in one of the schemes, that victim-participant would receive payments from other participants he or she recruited. The materials also are alleged to have falsely promised that if a victim-participant did not receive payments from other participants, the victim-participant was guaranteed that his or her initial investment would be fully refunded. Most victim-participants allegedly did not receive any payments from other participants and were denied the return of their initial investment. Cunningham, Johnson, and others obtained millions of dollars as a result of their alleged scheme. Cunningham and Johnson are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and seven counts of mail fraud. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee Field Office, and Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonca of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Chicago Division made the announcement. The FBI and USPIS are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Amanda Swanson and Della Sentilles of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Farris Martini for the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case. If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov . Victims can find case updates and additional information at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-candice-v-cunningham-et-al . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Deputy U.S. Marshal Convicted of Conspiracy, Cyberstalking, Perjury, and Obstruction

body_text: A federal jury convicted a deputy U.S. Marshal yesterday for conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, cyberstalking, perjury, and obstruction of a federal matter. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ian R. Diaz, 44, of Brea, California, and his then-wife, an unindicted co-conspirator (CC-1), posed as a person with whom Diaz was formerly in a relationship (Jane Doe). In that guise, they sent themselves harassing and threatening electronic communications that contained apparent threats to harm CC-1; solicited and lured men found through Craigslist “personal” advertisements to engage in so-called “rape fantasies” in an attempt to stage a purported sexual assault on CC-1 orchestrated by Jane Doe; and staged one or more hoax sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults on Diaz’s former wife. Diaz and CC-1 then reported this conduct to local law enforcement, falsely claiming that Jane Doe posed a genuine and serious threat to Diaz and CC-1. Their actions caused local law enforcement to arrest, charge, and detain Jane Doe in jail for nearly three months for conduct for which Diaz and CC-1 framed her. “Ian Diaz abused his position as a deputy U.S. Marshal to execute an intricate cyberstalking scheme that framed an innocent person for sexual assault, leading to her unjust imprisonment for 88 days,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As this prosecution demonstrates, the Criminal Division is committed to preserving the public’s confidence in law enforcement by holding accountable any official who violates their oath of office and victimizes the community they are sworn to serve.” In addition, Diaz and CC-1 took steps to conceal their conduct, including using falsely registered email accounts, using virtual private networks to access the internet anonymously, and communicating with each other using encrypted messaging services. Diaz also deleted email accounts used to communicate in furtherance of the scheme. “Yesterday’s verdict is the culmination of unrelenting investigative work that began in 2017 when the Cyber Investigations Office initiated this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Harry A. Lidsky of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Cyber Investigations Office. “Diaz’s egregious actions and lies to law enforcement stripped a woman of her freedom and liberty. This kind of stalking, harassment, and obstruction is unconscionable, and yesterday, the jury held Diaz accountable for his crimes. I would like to thank the jury for their time, attention, and careful consideration of the facts of this case.” “The evidence presented at trial exposed a harrowing scheme concocted by Diaz to frame someone for crimes they didn’t commit,” said Special Agent in Charge Zachary Shroyer of the DOJ-OIG Los Angeles Field Office. “Our investigators worked tirelessly to reveal the truth about the conspiracy, lies, and stalking he committed, and to find justice for his victim.” Diaz was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, one count of cyberstalking, one count of perjury, and one count of obstructing a federal proceeding. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The DOJ-OIG investigated the case. Senior Litigation Counsel Marco A. Palmieri and Trial Attorney Rebecca G. Ross of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Baltimore Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Robert Hopewell, age 27, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department. According to his guilty plea, on February 8, 2022, Baltimore Police Department officers performed a traffic stop after noticing that a vehicle, later found to be driven by Hopewell, had and illegally tinted windshield. After stopping the car, officers noted a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and ordered Hopewell to exit the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed shavings of suspected marijuana on the front passenger side of the vehicle and a plastic bag of suspected cocaine on the front driver’s side floorboard. In the backseat area, the detectives noticed that the rear plastic plate cover for the center console appeared to be loose and readily removable. Once the plate cover was removed, the detectives recovered a 9mm caliber pistol loaded with approximately 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Hopewell admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition as a result of a previous felony conviction. Hopewell and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Hopewell will be sentenced to no more than 78 months in federal prison. Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for June 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. 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. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tsuei, who is prosecuting the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: District Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison In Slaying of 71-Year-Old Man

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Edward Brown, 60, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for slaying of 71-year-old man in an apartment building in Northwest Washington announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Robert J. Contee III, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Brown was found guilty of first degree-murder while armed and second-degree murder while armed arising from the same set of facts. Each charge also carried a senior citizen enhancement. The verdict followed a trial in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Rainey Brandt. Brown was arrested on February 27, 2018. He has been in custody ever since. On the morning of Feb. 5, 2018, the Metropolitan Police Department was called to an apartment in the 2300 block of 11 th Street NW for a report of an unconscious person. They discovered the victim, Michael Mahoney, inside his apartment, fatally stabbed in the neck. Brown, who was temporarily staying in the apartment, was the last person to be seen on video surveillance going into and out of the apartment before Mr. Mahoney’s body was discovered by his concerned and vigilant senior friends. Brown was arrested Feb. 27, 2018. He has been in custody ever since. In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S Attorneys John Giovannelli, Sharon Donovan, Daniel Lenerz, and Jeffrey Wojcik; former AUSA Puja Bhatia, Paralegal Specialists Grazy Rivera, Kelly Blakeney, and Stephanie Siegerist; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Litigation Technology Specialist Charlie Bruce; Katina Adams-Washington, LaJune Thames, and Nikiya Burnette of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit; former Victim/Witness Advocate Diana Lim, sand Victim/Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica Trigoso and Prava Palacharla, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: District Man Found Guilty of Murder and Related Charges for Killing Man in Apartment Building Lobby in Southeast Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON – Shaka Haltiwanger, 23, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder while armed and related charges stemming from a mid-morning shooting that took place on September 10, 2021 in an apartment building lobby in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Robert J. Contee III, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Haltiwanger was found guilty by a jury on Mar. 22, 2023, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. The Honorable Rainey Brandt scheduled sentencing for May 23, 2023. According to the government’s evidence, on Sept. 10, 2021, just before 11:30 a.m., the victim, Anthony Kelley, 39, arrived at his father’s apartment building at 1400 29 th Street SE to take his father—who had suffered a stroke and could not drive—to the grocery store. When Mr. Kelley entered his father’s apartment, he found Haltiwanger on the living room couch. Haltiwanger had been regularly selling crack cocaine to Mr. Kelley’s father. Mr. Kelley confronted Haltiwanger and physically removed him from the apartment. Haltiwanger and Mr. Kelley continued to argue in the hallway and stairwell of the apartment building until Mr. Kelley separated himself and began to walk away toward the building’s front door. Haltiwanger then removed a 9 mm “ghost gun” equipped with a 50-round magazine drum from his backpack and shot Mr. Kelley once in the back. The gun jammed after the first shot, and Haltiwanger fled the scene. Haltiwanger and others then proceeded to call multiple eyewitnesses to the shooting more than a dozen times using blocked phone numbers while the eyewitnesses were speaking to law enforcement on scene. Haltiwanger was arrested in the murder case on September 30, 2021. He has been in custody ever since. At the time of the murder, Haltiwanger was on release in a pending gun and drug case in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI CAST team. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharon Donovan, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Section, and Dan Lenerz of the Appellate Section; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen; Victim/Witness Security Specialists Robert Cephas, Marlon Hernandez, and Lesley Slade; Supervisory Victim/Witness Service Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Paralegal Specialists Meridith McGarrity and Grazy Rivera; and Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Kimak and Charles R. Jones, who investigated, indicted, and prosecuted the case.


title: Anchorage Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Role in Multistate Drug Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – A federal District Court judge sentenced an Anchorage man to 21 years imprisonment followed by six years of supervised release on March 22, 2023, for his role in a drug trafficking organization that spanned multiple states. According to court documents, Dustin Noonan pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for his role in a lucrative drug trafficking and distribution organization that stretched from Alaska to Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. From March 2018 through October 2020, the leaders of the organization regularly mailed large amounts of drugs to distributors throughout the country, including mailing parcels to Noonan in Anchorage, and deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars of drug proceeds into various bank accounts. During the nearly three-year investigation, law enforcement officers recovered about six kilograms of heroin, four kilograms of methamphetamine, and four kilograms of fentanyl. Over several months in 2020, investigators intercepted five drug parcels intended for Noonan, which together contained one kilogram of fentanyl and nearly 800 grams of heroin that Noonan planned to distribute throughout Alaska. The kilogram of fentanyl that Noonan intended to distribute was enough to kill 500,000 people. Anchorage Police arrested Noonan on June 12, 2020, after they responded to a call of a domestic disturbance. As detailed in court documents, Noonan barricaded himself inside his residence and refused officer commands to come outside. He then crawled out of a window, fled on foot, and struggled with the arresting officers. Inside his vehicle, officers found a Springfield Arms XD .45 caliber semiautomatic firearm in the center console. Noonan, who had been convicted of robbing a series of pharmacies at knifepoint in and around St. Petersburg, Florida in 2006, was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Noonan was indicted in April 2021 along with 9 other members of the conspiracy located in Anchorage, San Diego, and Tucson, Arizona. Tyler Landroche was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment on February 23, 2023. Kimberly Renee Mackey was sentenced to 48 months imprisonment on February 22, 2023. Jessica Twigg was sentenced to time served on May 16, 2022. Rene Pompa-Villa, Carlos Camacho, Christopher Pompa-Villa, Kyle Redpath, and Heydimar Marrero are awaiting sentencing. Victor Pompa-Villa remains at large. “Preventing the influx of deadly fentanyl and heroin is integral to protecting this community,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker. “We will continue to aggressively target drug trafficking organizations to disrupt the flow of these dangerous drugs into Alaska.” “The shipment of illegal narcotics has no place in the U.S. Postal Service and the State of Alaska. This should serve as a reminder of the Inspection Service’s continuous efforts to bring large scale dealers like Noonan to justice,” said Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti. “Through the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved, this sentencing will have a clear and lasting impact on the communities of Alaska. We thank our state, local and federal partners for their support and efforts in this investigation.” “The severe sentence handed down underscores the dangerousness of fentanyl and reaffirms the DEA’s commitment to tirelessly investigate and prosecute those who would traffic this poison in our communities,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Learning the metric system should be a result of a good education, not because of drug trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “Keeping the kilogram of fentanyl and additional heroin Mr. Noonan intended to distribute off of our streets is a win, but fighting the opioid crisis takes constant vigilance from all of us. IRS:CI will continue to work with our partners in the community and in law enforcement to help keep our communities safe.” U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Alaska State Troopers, and the Anchorage Police Department investigated the case. The U.S. Marshals had a significant role in making the arrests, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Tucson and San Diego played a critical role in the indictment of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Schroeder and Karen Vandergaw prosecuted the case. This investigation and prosecution are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Beware of pills bought on the street: One Pill Can Kill . Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is a highly potent opiate that can be diluted with cutting agents to create counterfeit pills that purport to mimic the effects of Oxycodone, Percocet, and other drugs, but can be obtained at a lower cost. However, very small variations in the amount or quality of fentanyl create huge effects on the potency of the counterfeit pills and can easily cause death. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills are usually shaped and colored to resemble pills that are sold legitimately at pharmacies. For example, the counterfeit pills involved in this case, known as M30s, mimic Oxycodone, but when sold on the street they routinely contain fentanyl. These tablets are round and often light blue in color, though they may be made in many colors, and have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill.


title: District Man Sentenced For Second-Degree Murder For Killing Woman in Her Apartment

body_text: WASHINGTON – Darnell Sterling, 57, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 27 years in prison on charges stemming from the murder of his girlfriend, whose body has never been recovered, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Sterling was found guilty on October 3, 2022, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of second-degree murder and a related charge of contempt. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered five years of supervised release. According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours of July 17, 2020, Sterling fatally attacked the victim, Olga Ooro, 34, inside her apartment in the 300 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW. Ms. Ooro’s body has never been found. Sterling killed Ms. Ooro while her seven-year-old son was asleep, in the apartment, in his own bedroom. He cleaned up the crime scene and left the building. He then returned the next night and used Ms. Ooro’s keys to enter the building and retrieve the body from a hidden location. He then loaded the body into his car and disposed of it. Ms. Ooro was reported missing after her son was found wandering the apartment building. At the time of the murder, Sterling was under a court order to stay away from Ms. Ooro, following his arrest for assaulting her on April 20, 2020. Sterling was arrested in the murder case on July 23, 2020. He has been in custody ever since. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the FBI, the Maryland State Police, the Ocean City, Maryland, Police Department, the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences, and Bode Technology. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Gilbert; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth; former Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Maenylie Watson, Tonya Jones, and Katina Adams-Washington, of the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Litigation Technology Specialist Maisha Treadwell, and Intern Ahna Halpern. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Liebman and Kristian Hinson, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Justice Department Announces Arrest of the Founder of One of the World’s Largest Hacker Forums and Disruption of Forum’s Operation

body_text: The founder of BreachForums made his initial appearance today in the Eastern District of Virginia on a criminal charge related to his alleged creation and administration of a major hacking forum and marketplace for cybercriminals that claimed to have more than 340,000 members as of last week. In parallel with his arrest on March 15, the FBI and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) have conducted a disruption operation that caused BreachForums to go offline. According to court documents unsealed today, Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, 20, of Peekskill, New York, allegedly operated BreachForums as a marketplace for cybercriminals to buy, sell, and trade hacked or stolen data and other contraband since March 2022. Among the stolen items commonly sold on the platform were bank account information, social security numbers, other personally identifying information (PII), means of identification, hacking tools, breached databases, services for gaining unauthorized access to victim systems, and account login information for compromised online accounts with service providers and merchants. “Today, we continue our work to dismantle key players in the cybercrime ecosystem,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Like its predecessor RaidForums, which we took down almost a year ago, BreachForums bridged the gap between hackers hawking pilfered data and buys eager to exploit it. All those operating in dark net markets should take note: Working with our law enforcement partners, we will take down illicit forums and bring administrators to justice in U.S. courtrooms.” “People expect that their online data will be protected, and the Department of Justice is committed to doing just that,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Criminal Division. “We must and will remain vigilant to the threat posed by those who attempt to undermine our digital security. We will continue to disrupt the forums that facilitate the theft and distribution of personal information and prosecute those responsible.” Fitzpatrick’s alleged victims have included millions of U.S. citizens and hundreds of U.S. and foreign companies, organizations, and government agencies. Some of the stolen datasets contained the sensitive information of customers at telecommunication, social media, investment, health care services, and internet service providers. For instance, on Jan. 4, a BreachForums user posted the names and contact information for approximately 200 million users of a major U.S.-based social networking site. Further, on Dec. 18, 2022, another BreachForums user posted details of approximately 87,760 members of InfraGard, a partnership between the FBI and private sector companies focused on the protection of critical infrastructure. “Cybercrime victimizes and steals financial and personal information from millions of innocent people,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This arrest sends a direct message to cybercriminals: your exploitative and illegal conduct will be discovered, and you will be brought to justice.” “The FBI will continue to devote all available resources to deter, disrupt, and diminish criminal enterprise activity,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “We will work alongside our federal and international partners to impose costs on malicious cyber actors around the world and continue to bring justice to those who victimize the American public.” “Following the seizure of RaidForums last year, cybercriminals turned to BreachForums to buy and sell stolen data, including breached databases, hacking tools, and the personal and financial information of millions of U.S. citizens and businesses,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will not let cybercriminals and those who enable them profit from the theft of sensitive data while hiding behind keyboards. This arrest and disruption of yet another criminal marketplace demonstrates the potency of our joint work to dismantle the digital structures that facilitate cybercrime.” As part of the scheme, Fitzpatrick allegedly supported the activities of cybercriminals by creating and operating a “Leaks Market” subsection that was dedicated to buying and selling hacked or stolen data, tools for committing cybercrime, and other illicit material. To facilitate transactions on the forum, Fitzpatrick allegedly offered to act as a trusted middleman, or escrow service, between individuals on the website who sought to conduct these types of illicit transactions. In addition, Fitzpatrick allegedly managed an “Official” databases section through which BreachForums directly sold access to verified hacked databases through a “credits” system administered by the platform. As of Jan. 11, the Official database section purported to contain 888 datasets, consisting of over 14 billion individual records. These databases belong to a wide variety of both U.S. and foreign companies, organizations, and government agencies. Fitzpatrick allegedly profited from the scheme by charging for forum credits and membership fees. “This case sends a clear message that illicitly stealing, selling, and trading the personal information of innocent members of the public will not be tolerated, and that malicious cyber actors will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Niemczak of the HHS-OIG. “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners remain dedicated to protecting the American public and the integrity of government networks and data from these egregious cyberattacks.” The BreachForums website has supported additional sections in which users discuss tools and techniques for hacking and exploiting hacked or stolen information, including in the “Cracking,” “Leaks,” and “Tutorials” sections. The BreachForums website also includes a “Staff” section that appears to be operated by the BreachForums administrators and moderators. Fitzpatrick is charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Fitzpatrick’s arrest and the disruption of BreachForums comes nearly a year after the Department of Justice announced the seizure of a predecessor hacking marketplace , Raidforums, and unsealed criminal charges against RaidForums’ founder and chief administrator, who is the subject of extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is handling the extradition. The law enforcement actions against Fitzpatrick and BreachForums are the result of an ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office, FBI San Francisco Division, and HHS-OIG, with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations New York Field Office, New York Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Peekskill Police Department. The U.S. Attorneys’ Office for the Northern District of California, the District of Maryland, and the Southern District of New York have also provided assistance in this matter. The Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Palm Beach County Man Sentenced To Twelve Years In Federal Prison For Possession Of A Firearm By A Felon

body_text: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Tzaddi Lamed D’Marcus Allen, 32, of Palm Beach County, Florida, was sentenced to twelve years in federal prison followed by five years’ supervised release for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “The collaborative efforts of our partners in the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative continue to produce impactful results, and we will continue working tirelessly to make North Florida safer,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses.” “The Men and Women of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, in concert with our local, state and federal partners, will continue to pursue violent criminals who unlawfully possess firearms, to ensure that the citizens and visitors of this great county remain safe,” said Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. On the afternoon of January 31, 2022, a traffic stop was conducted by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy, on a vehicle that Allen was operating. During the traffic stop, deputies confirmed that Allen did not have a valid driver’s license and that the vehicle’s window tint was darker than the legal limit of twenty eight percent. Deputies further detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s interior. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies located marijuana throughout the vehicle and noticed that a piece of center console paneling appeared to have been removed and put back into place. A deputy removed the piece of panel and discovered a bag containing approximately 8 grams of a powdery substance (which was later identified as a combination of fentanyl and synthetic cathinone) sitting on top of a Canik 9-millimeter pistol. The pistol had a live round in the chamber, seventeen additional rounds of ammunition in the magazine, and had previously been reported stolen. Deputies on scene determined that Allen was a multi-time convicted felon and arrested him for state charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance. Upon arrival at the Alachua County Jail, Allen alerted deputies that he had another small baggie of the powdery substance concealed on his person. Following his arrest, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms adopted the case for federal prosecution and conducted a follow-up investigation. That additional investigation included sending evidence to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s crime lab, which recovered DNA consistent with Allen from the firearm. Allen had prior felony convictions including Attempted Robbery, Aggravated Battery on Person 65 Years or Older, Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement, Sale of Cocaine, and Sale of Heroin within 1000 feet of a Convenience Business. Allen had only been out of prison for approximately one month when the traffic-stop and arrest occurred. This federal conviction resulted from the joint efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that form the Gainesville Gun Violence Initiative (GVI). The Gainesville GVI was established in April 2019, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida in an effort to stem the escalating gun violence in Gainesville and the surrounding area. As GVI partners, the State Attorney’s Office for the Eight Judicial Circuit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Alachua Police Department, the University of Florida Police Department, and the Florida Department of Corrections share this commitment to protecting public safety. 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: Florida Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Over $270,000 From Non-Profit Organization

body_text: WASHINGTON – Kristina Ann Ballard, 53, of Largo, Florida, was sentenced today to three years in prison for embezzling more than $270,000 from her former employer, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. In March 2022, Ballard pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In addition to the prison term, the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth ordered that she serve three years of supervised release and pay $271,465.86 in restitution and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment. Ballard worked for the nonprofit organization between August 2014 and December 2020, at which point she was fired for poor performance. She served as the organization’s Director of Finance. From January 2015 through December 2020, she embezzled $271,465.86. Ballard started embezzling from the D.C. non-profit just four days after she was indicted in Arlington County, Virginia, for embezzling from a previous employer. In July 2015, a Virginia court sentenced her to four years of probation. In conjunction with her sentencing in that case, Ballard said she had learned from her mistakes and would “never let [something like this] happen again.” In fact, between the time she was indicted in Virginia in January 2015 and sentenced in July 2015, she had embezzled more than $30,000 from the D.C. employer. Following the imposition of the probationary sentence, Ballard went on to steal approximately $240,000 more from the D.C. non-profit. Ballard stole from the D.C. non-profit by wiring organization funds to bank accounts that she controlled, intercepting credit card rewards checks issued to the organization and then depositing them into a bank account she controlled, and fraudulently charging personal purchases on the organization’s credit card. On Nov. 5, 2020, she used the organization’s credit card to pay $24,694 in restitution to the Virginia court for her prior embezzlement scheme. Ballard concealed her fraud from the D.C. employer by listing various beneficiary names on wire transfers and creating fake invoices, often using fake company names. She also forged the Executive Director’s signature on the credit card rewards checks before she deposited them. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Michon Tart and former Paralegal Specialist Angeline Thekkumthala.


title: Landscaping Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion After Not Filing and Paying Taxes for Nine Years

component: USAO - Arkansas, Western

body_text: HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs man and owner of a landscaping business pleaded guilty today to evading more than $507,000 in federal income taxes. U.S. District Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the plea hearing, in which Jerry Christopher Wade , age 43, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with tax evasion. According to court documents, from 2011 through 2019, Wade owned and operated Four Seasons Landscaping, located in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Wade started Four Seasons Landscaping approximately 12 years ago and is 100% owner. The landscaping business was Wade ’s only source of income. Despite earning income each year, Wade did not timely file federal income tax returns for the years 2011 through 2019. Wade admitted to federal agents he knew he was required file his tax returns. Wade told agents he did not keep business records, including records documenting income or expenses. Wade further admitted he did not issue IRS Forms W-2 or 1099 to his workers or to himself and he did not keep payroll records for the wages paid to himself or his workers. During the years under investigation, Wade received checks from customers (income) totaling $2,537,771.86 from 2011 through 2019. Wade did not deposit all of these checks into his bank accounts, and he received cash back from the bank totaling $878,983.48 when he negotiated the checks. As part of his plea, Wade admitted he intentionally attempted to evade and defeat his income tax responsibilities by taking the following actions, amount others: conducting business transactions in cash, paying employees without reporting said payments to the IRS, cashing customer checks at his financial institution, and asking customers to write multiple checks in amounts of less than $10,000 to avoid bank reporting requirements. In total, Wade did not pay federal income taxes of $507,554.00 to the IRS, and also admitted that he failed to file income taxes with the state of Arkansas. Wade agreed to pay restitution, including penalties and interest, to both the U.S. Treasury and Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Wade is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, monetary penalties, and restitution. The U.S. District Judge will determine his sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich is prosecuting the case for the United States.


title: Inmate at FCI-Berlin Charged With Assault

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today that Anniel Gomez, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution FCI-Berlin, has been charged with one count of assault in connection with an incident on December 19, 2022. According to the indictment and statements made in court, Gomez beat another inmate with a weapon consisting of two padlocks strapped together. As a result, the alleged victim lost four teeth and suffered head trauma, including lacerations above the right eyebrow and back of the head. The charges in the indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter. ###


title: Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.2 Million in COVID-19 CARES Act Loans

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Alexander Barabash, age 52, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, relating to the submission of fraudulent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act loan applications. The CARES Act was enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Ross Luciano of the United States Secret Service - Baltimore Field Office. “Barabash fraudulently obtained more than $1.2 million in CARES Act loans intended to assist struggling businesses,” said Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for Maryland. “CARES Act fraud is a continuing priority for this office and fraudsters will be held accountable for their actions.” “Investigating those who fraudulently acquired Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief funds will continue to be a focus of IRS-CI,” said Kareem A. Carter, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office. “The CARES Act was put into place to assist those struggling financially due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, not for bad actors to buy cars and houses.” Financial assistance offered through the CARES Act included forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and participating lenders. According to his plea agreement, between April 2020 and January 2021, Barabash submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of his construction company iDesignbuild LLC (“iDesignBuild”). Barabash is the sole owner and CEO of iDesignBuild and was the sole authorized signer of the company’s business bank account. As detailed in the plea agreement, on April 9, 2020, Barabash submitted a PPP loan application falsely stating that iDesignBuild had four employees and an average monthly payroll of $18,750. In fact, the company did not have any employees, but engaged independent contractors for work-related matters. Based on the representations made in the fraudulent application, on April 23, 2020, Barabash received $46,800 in PPP loan proceeds in the iDesignBuild bank account. On April 25, 2020, Barabash submitted a second fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of iDesignBuild, stating that the company had seven employees and an average monthly payroll of $38,777.60. In support of the application, Barabash submitted IRS Forms 941 for each quarter of 2019 and a 2019 IRS Form 940 for iDesignBuild, signed by Barabash and his tax preparer, knowing that they had never been filed with IRS. Barabash admitted that on January 20, 2021, he submitted a third fraudulent loan application on behalf of iDesignBuild, representing that the company had 37 employees and an average monthly payroll of $525,227. In support of the application, Barabash again submitted fraudulent IRS Forms 941 for each quarter of 2019 and a fraudulent 2019 IRS Form 940. Compared to the fraudulent forms submitted with the unsuccessful April 25, 2020 PPP loan application, the forms submitted in January 2021 reported more than six times the number of employees and nearly $1.5 million more in wages in each quarter. The forms were again signed by Barabash and his tax preparer. Barabash knew that the forms did not accurately reflect iDesignBuild’s wages or revenues, nor had they been filed with the IRS. Based on Barabash’s false representations, the bank funded a PPP loan of $1,295,000, which was credited to iDesignBuild’s bank account on February 26, 2021. Barabash used the fraudulently obtained loans to facilitate the purchase of two properties in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, and to purchase a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette. Barabash admitted that he knew those were not permissible uses of PPP funds and the transactions would not have been made Barabash faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for wire fraud. As part of his plea agreement, Barabash will be required to pay a money judgment in the amount of $1,295,000 and forfeit $504,869.54 in funds seized from the iDesignBuild business bank account. Barabash has also agreed to forfeit his interest in property located at 14044 Fox Hill Road in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland as a substitute asset, the net proceeds of which will be applied to the money judgment. Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of three strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. 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 . United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the IRS-CI and U.S. Secret Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl L. Tarver, who is prosecuting the case. He also recognized the assistance of the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber and Paralegal Specialist Juliette Frase. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao/md . # # #


title: Fraudulent Tax Return Preparer Sentenced in San Antonio

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio Thursday to 12 months and one day in prison for preparing false tax returns. According to court documents, Eden Garza, 43, prepared numerous false income tax returns for clients between tax years 2014 and 2019. IRS-Criminal Investigation agents determined that Garza aided and assisted in the preparation of 49 false income tax returns by falsifying filing statuses, itemized deductions, income and expenses, and residential energy credits. The fraudulent refunds resulted in a criminal tax loss of $255,967. The investigation also revealed that Garza had received a preparation fee from his clients, which was usually 10% of the refund received. In addition to the prison sentence, Garza was ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay restitution equal to the criminal tax loss of $255,967. “This case serves as an important reminder—especially at this time of the year—to be aware of those who commit tax fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas. “The preparers of false income tax returns do untold damage to our nation, and hopefully this sentencing will serve to deter others from preparing false returns for financial gain.” “Federal prison is a fitting home for this tax criminal who flaunted his criminal enterprise by placing advertising stickers on the false tax returns he prepared,” said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Rodrick J. Benton of IRS-CI’s Houston Field Office. “Approximately 98% of investigated tax returns he prepared were egregiously false. As we wind down tax season, know that criminals like him will go to prison for stealing from our nation.” IRS-CI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Harris and Kelly Stephenson prosecuted the case. ###


title: Two Maryland Men Each Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison on Charges Related to a Washington County Armed Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Baltimore – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Jarvis Antonio Coleman-Fuller, age 35, of Hagerstown, Maryland and Eric Tyrell Johnson, a/k/a “E,” age 39, of Owings Mills, Maryland, to 156 months and 150 months in federal prison, respectively, each followed by five years of supervised release, on charges related to a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and heroin in Washington County, Maryland. A federal jury convicted the defendants on November 17, 2022, after a two-week trial The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Washington County Sheriff Brian K. Albert; Chief Paul “Joey” Kifer of the Hagerstown Police Department; and Washington County States’ Attorney Gina Cirincion. According to the evidence presented at trial, beginning in about April 2019 and continuing to about November 2019, the defendants and their co-conspirators conspired to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Washington County area. During the investigation, law enforcement seized narcotics, including at least 1.3 kilograms of fentanyl, five firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and more than $12,534 in cash. Witnesses testified that Johnson and Coleman-Fuller distributed fentanyl and illegally possessed firearms. Johnson and Coleman-Fuller both had previous felony convictions and were prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. The trial evidence also proved that Coleman-Fuller possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. Eight co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and were sentenced to between 10 years in prison and time served. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the DEA, HSI, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution Mr. Barron also thanked the Baltimore County Police Department and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the case. Mr. Barron commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joan C. Mathias and Adeyemi Adenrele, who are prosecuting this case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn . # # #


title: CEO of Titanium Blockchain Sentenced for $21M Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme

body_text: The CEO and founder of Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services Inc. (TBIS) was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for his role in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme involving TBIS’s initial coin offering (ICO) that raised approximately $21 million from investors in the United States and overseas. According to court documents, Michael Alan Stollery, 54, of Reseda, California, touted TBIS – a purported cryptocurrency investment platform – as a cryptocurrency investment opportunity, luring investors to purchase “BARs,” the cryptocurrency token or coin offered by TBIS’s ICO, through a series of false and misleading statements. Although he was required to do so, Stollery did not register the ICO regarding TBIS’s cryptocurrency investment offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), nor did he have a valid exemption from the SEC’s registration requirements. To entice investors, Stollery falsified aspects of TBIS’s white papers, which purportedly offered investors and prospective investors an explanation of the cryptocurrency investment offering, including the purpose and technology behind the offering, how the offering was different from other cryptocurrency opportunities, and the prospects for the offering’s profitability. Stollery also planted fake client testimonials on TBIS’s website and falsely claimed that he had business relationships with the Federal Reserve and dozens of prominent companies to create the false appearance of legitimacy. Stollery did not use the invested money as promised but instead commingled the ICO investors’ funds with his personal funds, using at least a portion of the offering proceeds for expenses unrelated to TBIS, such as credit card payments and the payment of bills for his Hawaii condominium. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Cory Nootnagel of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Western Region, made the announcement. The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and the Federal Reserve Board OIG Western Region, San Francisco Office investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Tian Huang and Andrew Tyler of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.