title: Westbank Resident Pleaded  Guilty to Theft of Stolen Mail

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TYREN TYRONE SHENALL (“SHENALL”) , age 19, pleaded guilty on August 31, 2023 to one count of for theft or receipt of stolen mail matter, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1708. According to court documents, on November 15, 2022, SHENALL along with his co-conspirators Eric Williams and Kelan Gennings, stole U.S. Mail from post office mailboxes located at the Covington Post Office using a postal arrow key to access said mailbox. At sentencing, which was scheduled by Judge Eldon Fallon for November 30, 2023, SHENALL faces a maximum prison term of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: New Orleans Woman Federally Charged for Making a False Oath in a Bankruptcy Matter

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JEANNINE DUKES (“DUKES”) , age 41, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by a bill of information on August 30, 2023 for making a false oath in a bankruptcy matter in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 152(2), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. If convicted, DUKES faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. In addition, DUKES faces a term of supervised release of no less than three (3) years after her release from prison. According to the bill of information , on November 19, 2021, DUKES did knowingly and fraudulently make a false oath or account in or in relation to any case under Title 11 in a bankruptcy ca se . Specifically, DUKES failed to disclose she had applied for a COVID-19 PPP Loan on May 18, 2021, and received approximately $20,527.00 in PPP funds on June 8, 2021. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General and the Office of the U.S. Trustee, Region 5, in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of Financial Crimes Unit.


title: New Orleans Man Indicted  for Violations of the  Federal Controlled Substances and  Federal Gun Control Acts

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TYRONE SMOTHERS , age 41, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by a Federal Grand Jury on August 4, 2023, in a previously sealed three-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts. The court unsealed the matter on September 1, 2023. Specifically, he is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, SMOTHERS was previously convicted of felony offenses in Orleans Parish. Due to his criminal history, he is prohibited from having a firearm. He is now charged with possessing multiple firearms on May 17, 2023. He is further alleged to have possessed fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana with the intent to distribute and possessed the firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute, SMOTHERS faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least three (3) years of supervised release. If convicted of possession a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, he faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five (5) years of supervised release. If convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, he faces a maximum of fifteen (15) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release. For each count of conviction, SMOTHERS faces a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. 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. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Rayburn of the Violent Crime Unit.


body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TYRONE SMOTHERS , age 41, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by a Federal Grand Jury on August 4, 2023, in a previously sealed three-count indictment for violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts. The court unsealed the matter on September 1, 2023. Specifically, he is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court documents, SMOTHERS was previously convicted of felony offenses in Orleans Parish. Due to his criminal history, he is prohibited from having a firearm. He is now charged with possessing multiple firearms on May 17, 2023. He is further alleged to have possessed fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana with the intent to distribute and possessed the firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking offense. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute, SMOTHERS faces a maximum of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least three (3) years of supervised release. If convicted of possession a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, he faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five (5) years of supervised release. If convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, he faces a maximum of fifteen (15) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release. For each count of conviction, SMOTHERS faces a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. 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. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Rayburn of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Notice to Victims in United States v. Alexander Pakhtusov

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Alexander Pakhtusov is charged in United States District Court for the District of Columbia in case number 19-cr-310. Mr. Pakhtusov was a seller on both Slilpp and Paysell (now called Blackpass) using the moniker “Mrtikov.” His overall involvement spanned from at least April 2016 through September 2019 and included listing for sale over 17 million economically valuable accounts of individuals held at various companies and banks. He actually sold over 14,000 sets of login credentials. The people who purchased those login credentials used those credentials to steal money from victim accounts. On September 17, 2019, Mr. Pakhtusov was indicted. He was subsequently extradited to the United States and, on March 12, 2021, Mr. Pakhtusov pled guilty to one count of access device fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for September 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. EST, before U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden. If you believe you were a victim of Mr. Pakhtusov’s fraud, please find more information here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/united-states-v-alexander-pakhtusov .


title: Colorado Man Sentenced To 24 Months For Drug Smuggling And Money Laundering Offenses

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN —U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced that Colorado resident Brendon Gagne, 27, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison for conspiring to smuggle unapproved, misbranded prescription drugs into the United States and conspiring to launder the proceeds of that smuggling. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker also ordered Gagne to pay a money judgment of $219,793.98, representing the monies traceable to the smuggling conspiracy, and a fine of $2,000. Upon release from prison, Gagne will be on supervised release for a period of three years. “Smuggling illegal prescription drugs into the United States and distributing them to customers without a prescription is dangerous and potentially deadly,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “There is a reason these drugs should only be prescribed by a licensed medical professional. Here, the conspirators operated a vast network distributing these drugs throughout the country, including here in West Michigan. My office is committed to bringing the people who peddle drugs to justice. Today’s sentence of Mr. Gagne is a vital step in ensuring the continued safety of the communities we serve.” The facts presented to the court during the case were that, in 2018, Gagne established www.ExpressPCT.com, a public website that sold unapproved, misbranded prescription drugs and controlled substances to customers without a prescription. The drugs, marketed largely to individuals in the body-building community, were targeted to counteract the side effect of anabolic steroid use. For years, Gagne recruited and worked with others to import the drugs into the United States illegally. The drug packages did not declare their illicit contents and instead took steps to conceal their true nature. For example, conspirators frequently concealed the drugs inside cosmetic boxes and declared on customs forms that the drugs were, instead, “cosmetics” or “gifts.” Customers paid for the drugs either in cryptocurrency or, later, through a payment processing system designed to conceal the amount of money generated by the website and the amount of income earned by Gagne and others. Gagne and the website’s other owners ultimately earned millions of dollars from the scheme, most of which they received in cryptocurrency and then shipped to accounts overseas to avoid law enforcement detection. “Today’s sentencing of Mr. Gagne is another example of the commitment the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners have to identifying, disrupting, and arresting those individuals who attempt to distribute illicit drugs, and in this case foreign unapproved drugs, through the U.S. Mail,” said Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division . “We will continue to pursue those drug traffickers who distribute potentially dangerous, foreign unapproved prescription drugs and attempt to exploit the distribution channels of the United States Postal Service. I’d like to thank the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, the Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan for their persistence and dedication in this investigation.” "Prescription drugs that are smuggled from overseas and are outside the secure supply chain can present a serious health risk to those who use them. The drugs may contain unknown or dangerous ingredients and are manufactured under unknown or unregulated conditions,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne G. Malham, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Chicago Field Office . “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who traffic in illegal prescription drugs.” In sentencing Gagne, Judge Jonker noted the serious nature of the crime and the sophisticated nature of the smuggling conspiracy, commenting that he had no doubt that Gagne was a driving force behind the website. Gagne is one of ten defendants who were involved in the scheme to import illegal drugs into the United States. As the creator of the website, Gagne served as a leader in the conspiracy, which Judge Jonker cited as a basis to increase Gagne’s prison sentence. Other defendants sentenced in the scheme include the following: Name Hometown Sentence James Funaro Atlanta, GA 15 months in prison Jeremy Walenty Tampa, FL 3 years of probation Taylor McLaren Colorado Springs, CO 2 years of probation Joshua Ford Troy, MI 2 years of probation Phillip Leonowens Boulder, CO 2 years of probation Ross Lucien Longmont, CO 2 years of probation Taylor McLaughlin Muskegon, MI 2 years of probation Mikaela Hall Muskegon, MI 2 years of probation The final defendant in the scheme, Jennifer Garrett of Miami, Florida, is scheduled to plead guilty in the coming weeks. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Michigan State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie M. Carowan prosecuted the case for the government. ###


title: Former Church Pastor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Committing Pandemic Loan Fraud

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Rooldy Alexandre, 54, of Willingboro, NJ, was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $662,454 by United States District Judge Gerald J. Pappert for committing pandemic loan fraud in the name of the church for which he served as a pastor and on behalf of other members of the church. The defendant was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, two counts of wire fraud in connection with his submission of false applications for U.S. Small Business Administration pandemic loans that are also known as Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. While he served as the pastor and only employee of a Philadelphia church, the defendant was responsible for the church’s finances and controlled the church’s bank accounts. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, he first applied for a PPP loan using accurate information for the church but was not satisfied with the amount of the loan offered. He then reached out to a person in Florida who had prepared false PPP applications for others and asked that person to help him prepare a new PPP application for the church. The Florida consultant submitted false information about the church in the new application, and based on that false information, the church received an inflated loan of over $260,000. The defendant took a significant portion of the fraudulent loan proceeds for himself. He later submitted a false second-draw PPP loan application on behalf of the church and worked with his sister, Christella Dorval, charged elsewhere, to divert proceeds of the $250,000 loan to himself for personal use. The defendant also offered to help other members of the church to apply for PPP loans. On behalf of two other members, he submitted loan applications, but he falsified information about the applicants. The defendant lied to the applicants and claimed that a fake Florida consultant had prepared their applications, and that they owed him 25% of any loan proceeds. When the applicants received the inflated loan proceeds based on the information falsely submitted by the defendant, they paid the 25% “consultant” fee, but unbeknownst to them the defendant again worked with his sister, Dorval, to divert their payments to himself for his own personal use. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.


title: Second Texas men pleads guilty in case involving faulty military parts

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Texas men are convicted of crimes related to providing faulty parts to the U.S. military. Philip R. Huddleston, 58, of Ft. Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today. Since 2013, Huddleston was a civilian employed as a quality assurance specialist at the Defense Contract Management Agency. Since 2018, Huddleston also co-owned WM Industries, a DoD contractor in Beaumont, Texas, who sold and supplied a variety of military parts to the DoD. Huddleston co-owned the DoD parts business with Gregory Gotreaux, 56, of Beaumont, Texas, who is also convicted in this scheme. According to court documents, Huddleston and Gotreaux conspired to supply the United States with unapproved and substituted parts on 41 orders totaling at least $704,000. Specifically, from November 2019 through September 2021, Huddleston and Gotreaux provided nonconforming parts used in various U.S. military defense and weapons systems. The defendants were paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) located in Columbus. The two men pleaded guilty to wire fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Parties involved with Huddleston’s plea agreement have recommended a sentence of 24 to 37 months in prison. The defendants have agreed to pay $706,000 in restitution, which includes approximately $2,100 for testing costs to the Department of Defense. Sentencing of the defendants take place at future hearings and will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); Bryant Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); announced the guilty pleas. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica W. Knight and Special Assistant United States Attorney J. Michael Marous are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: FORMER HIGH SCHOOL COACH PLEADS GUILTY TO 20-COUNT CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION INDICTMENT

component: USAO - Virgin Islands

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Alfredo Bruce Smith, 53, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to all counts of a federal indictment charging both federal and territorial child sexual exploitation offenses. At sentencing, Smith faces a maximum sentence of 35 years imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 30 years imprisonment. Smith also faces a maximum fine of $250,000.00, and a lifetime of supervised release. According to court documents, Smith was employed as a Hall Monitor and Track and Field Coach at the Charlotte Amalie High School (“CAHS”) from 2006 to 2021. During his tenure, Smith sexually abused and exploited numerous minor male students that were attending CAHS. The sexual abuse was revealed in March 2019 after a minor male student reported that Smith sexual assaulted him while he attended a track and field competition in Puerto Rico. Also revealed in the report were names of other minor male students sexually assaulted by Smith. Thereafter, several of the minor male victims confirmed that Smith sexually assaulted them while they were students attending CAHS. The minor male victims stated that Smith engaged them in sexual intercourse and sodomy both on and off CAHS’ campus. Smith also showed the minor male victims pornographic images and videos of other minor male students which were stored in Smith’s cellular phone. On August 11, 2021, federal agents executed a search warrant on Smith’s Google and Facebook accounts which revealed a large quantity of sexually explicit materials depicting numerous identifiable minors engaged in sexual activities with Smith. On September 1, 2021, Smith was arrested, and additional search warrants were executed on his home and on areas of the CAHS campus that were identified from images stored in Smith’s cell phone. From the search, federal agents seized Smith’s laptop, a camcorder and five cellular phones which contained an even larger quantity of pornographic images of minor male victims. The investigation further revealed that Smith engaged in a myriad of sexual acts with each male minor victim. Smith used his position as Hall Monitor and Track Coach to entice minor male students to engage in anal and oral sexual intercourse in classrooms and offices on CAHS’ campus during and after school hours. Smith also used CAHS’ school van to transport minor male students to various beaches in St. Thomas where Smith engaged in anal and oral sexual intercourse with the minor male students. Smith used his cellular phones and a CAHS camcorder to record his sexual abuse of the minor male victims. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everard E. Potter and Natasha Baker.


title: BVI MAN CHARGED WITH ALIEN SMUGGLING

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Shamoy Frett, 22, of Tortola, BVI, was charged with bringing aliens to the United States for private financial gain. According to court documents, on August 28, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents were patrolling United States when they observed a vessel operated by Frett crossing the international border from the British Virgin Islands into the United States Territory. The vessel did not display any navigational lights as required by law. Agents later observed the vessel travel to Haulover Bay where four individuals exited the vessel and headed up the Haulover Bay trailhead. The vessel then departed Haulover Bay and headed back towards Tortola, BVI. Agents attempted to stop the vessel by activating their blue lights and sirens, but Frett accelerated the vessel and failed to comply. Agents then disabled the vessel forcing it to come to a stop. Frett then jumped overboard and attempted to escape but was arrested a short time later. When questioned by agents, Frett admitted that he was paid $1,000.00 by a man in Tortola to smuggle the four illegal aliens to St. John. This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, and U.S. Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne. United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that a complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: SECOND BVI MAN CHARGED IN THE SAME WEEK WITH ALIEN SMUGGLING

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Kamoy King, 26, of Tortola, BVI, was charged on August 31, 2023, with bringing illegal aliens to the United States for private financial gain. King is the second BVI man charged this week with alien smuggling. According to court documents, on August 30, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents were patrolling United States waters when they observed a vessel operated by King enter Haulover Bay, St. John. The vessel did not display any navigational lights as required by law. Agents attempted to stop the vessel by activating their blue police lights and sirens, but King refused to stop the vessel. King eventually complied after agents fired flare warning shots and was taken into custody. U.S. Border Patrol agents stationed at the Haulover Bay trail later discovered four illegal aliens hiding on the beach. Neither King nor the four individuals found on the beach could produce any legal documentation that authorized their presence in the United States. This case is being investigated by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operation, and U.S. Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne. United States Attorney Delia L. Smith reminds the public that a complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former MBTA Transit Police Officer Indicted for False Reports Related to Assault at MBTA Station

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former Sergeant with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Transit Police Department (Transit Police) was arrested today in connection with the alleged filing of false reports regarding another Transit Police Officer’s assault on a man at the Ashmont MBTA Station. David S. Finnerty, 47, of Rutland, was indicted on two counts of false reports. Finnerty was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later today. “Our office holds the men and women who wear police uniforms and serve our communities in the highest regard. Instances of police misconduct are rare, but they need to be investigated and prosecuted when they do happen, especially when supervisors are involved as alleged here. For the good of the community and all the honorable officers and supervisors in the police ranks, misconduct of this nature cannot be tolerated. I commend the leadership of the MBTA Transit Police for their sustained cooperation in this investigation,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Today, the FBI arrested former Transit Police Sgt. David Finnerty for violating his oath by filing false reports to try and obstruct an investigation into another officer’s assault on a man at the MBTA’s Ashmont station. We believe Sgt. Finnerty not only failed to lead by example, but betrayed the trust placed in him by his fellow officers, and the public,” said Jodi Cohen Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Make no mistake, the FBI will do everything we can to help our law enforcement partners bring to justice anyone who violates their oath by trying to cover up civil rights violations, overshadowing the majority of officers who are dedicated, honest, and fully committed to enforcing our laws and building trust within their communities.” According to the indictment, Finnerty was the Transit Police Officer in Charge and the supervisor of Transit Police Officer D.B. It is alleged that at or around 1:47 a.m. on July 27, 2018 at the Ashmont MBTA station, Officer D.B., while acting in his role as an officer, physically assaulted a man without legal justification. It is alleged that Finnerty falsified an arrest report and a Duty Supervisor/OIC Command Staff shift briefing regarding the incident involving Officer D.B. – specifically, by including false and misleading statements and by omitting material information. The charge of false reports provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julien Mundele are prosecuting the case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: President of Beaver Falls Mineral Processing Company Sentenced for Filing False Income Tax Return

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - The president of a Pittsburgh-area mineral company has been sentenced in federal court to 3 years of probation and ordered to pay $222,255.35 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and a fine of $55,000 on his conviction for filing a false income tax return, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Arthur Schwab imposed the sentence on Paul J. Austin, age 60, of Pittsburgh, PA as the sole defendant. Previously, in connection with his guilty plea, the court was advised that from 2012 through 2017, the defendant was the President of J.P. Austin Associates, Inc., a mineral processing company in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. For calendar years 2012 through 2017, the defendant and his spouse, who served as the company’s Treasurer, jointly filed annual Form 1040 federal income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. The defendant admitted in Court that during the relevant time period, payments were made from company accounts for college expenses, which were falsely categorized as business expenses using fictitious vendor names. The return preparer for Mr. Austin and his spouse was not informed about these college expense payments, and the payments were not included as taxable income on Form 1040 returns that were ultimately filed with the IRS. Thus, the defendant willfully made and subscribed Form 1040 returns for calendar years 2012 through 2017 that materially underreported his taxable income. Prior to sentencing, the defendant paid the $222,255.35 in restitution owed to the IRS. Assistant United States Attorney David Lew prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Austin.


title: Pearl River Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Pearl River man pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Garald Benson Johnson, 42, pled guilty on August 29, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Jackson. According to court documents, Johnson engaged in sexual activity with a minor and used a cellphone to make recordings of the encounter. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 7, 2023, and faces not less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin J. Payne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Burns prosecuted the case.


title: New York Man Sentenced in Connection with the Illegal Export of Weapons

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A New York man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that was used to export weapons to Pakistan, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Muhammad Mohsin Raja, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 24 months in prison and 1 year of supervised release. On May 25, 2022, Raja pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. “The defendant facilitated the export of weapons, and weapon components, to foreign national organizations that threaten U.S. security interests abroad,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “This case underscores the importance of our banking laws and regulations in protecting our national security interests.” “Raja over multiple years engaged in money facilitation in order to evade export restrictions and ultimately enabled the shipment of weapons overseas,” said James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office. “This case highlights the important role that enforcement of financial laws plays in our national security. The FBI is committed to ensuring that anyone who engages in criminal activity in order to elude laws and regulations is held accountable in the criminal justice system.” “Preventing parties on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Entity List from acquiring items that contribute to programs of national security concern, such as components for use in cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), is a shared U.S. Government priority,” said Rashel D. Assouri, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Boston Field Office, Office of Export Enforcement. “The Office of Export Enforcement, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously pursue, dismantle, and disrupt illicit networks that violate U.S. law.” For several years, Raja operated a “hawala” based out of New York and worked with individuals in Pakistan to coordinate the transfer of money between parties in the United States and Pakistan. A hawala is a type of informal money transfer system that uses a network of agents to transfer money across international borders without using the banking system, typically to circumvent banking laws and regulations. The defendant transmitted approximately $4.7 million to Pakistan in 2021 alone. As part of the hawala, he made multiple payments for products intended for an organization on the Commerce Department’s Entity List, Pakistan’s Advanced Engineering Research Organization (AERO). AERO was added to the Entity List, which imposes export restrictions for organizations whose activities threaten U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, for procuring items for use in Pakistan’s cruise missile and strategic UAV programs. For example, the defendant made payments for a blade antenna manufactured by a New Hampshire defense contractor. Those antennas are typically used in UAVs, tactical missiles, helicopters, and aircraft. The defendant also made payments to a Florida defense contractor for rotary pumps and a solenoid valve. The rotary pumps were designed for use in M110 self-propelled howitzers, and the solenoid valve was designed for use in an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile or an AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile. The defendant also made payments to a Florida firearms manufacturer on behalf of a Pakistani company called Al-Akbar Arms. The payments were for two shipments of assault weapons. The defendant messaged another individual suggesting they disguise the purpose of the payments as “purchasing watches as sports equipment.” However, law enforcement successfully intercepted the assault weapons. In operating the hawala, the defendant used multiple cell phones to coordinate with other individuals, used multiple bank accounts, and enlisted the assistance of at least 10 friends and family members to visit banks and check cashing businesses to help cash checks, place money orders, and deposit funds. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case. ###


title: Mexican Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Illegally Re-Entering the United States and Trafficking Fentanyl

body_text: BOSTON – A Mexican man residing in Lawrence was sentenced yesterday for possessing one kilogram of fentanyl intended for distribution and to illegally re-entering the United States after deportation. Jesus Gracielo Garcia-Vega a/k/a Jonathan Ivan Badillo-Hernandez, 35, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor to 75 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On March 20, 2023, Garcia-Vega pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of unlawful re-entry of a deported alien. On March 23, 2022, Garcia-Vega gave a sample of fentanyl to a confidential source working with law enforcement. During that transaction, Garcia-Vega agreed to sell fentanyl the next day to the confidential source. On March 24, 2022, Garcia-Vega drove to the Premium Outlets in Wrentham with a kilogram of fentanyl inside a laundry bag, intending to sell it to the confidential source. Garcia-Vega was later stopped by police on I-495 in Westford and arrested. A Subsequent investigation determined that Garcia-Vega had been deported on several occasions from the United States, including most recently on March 23, 2016, after which he unlawfully re-entered the country. “Fentanyl is an incredibly serious threat to public safety as it can have fatal consequences even in very small amounts. Mr. Garcia-Vega tried to pump a kilogram of this poison into our communities. It’s particularly disturbing that he engaged in this criminal behavior after entering this country unlawfully following several deportations,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to relentlessly pursue fentanyl distributors and ensure the safety and well-being of Massachusetts residents. “Fentanyl distribution is destroying people’s lives and wreaking havoc in our communities,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “DEA and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice individuals like Mr. Garcia-Vega who distribute this deadly drug. This sentence not only holds Mr. Garcia-Vega accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that we will do everything in our power to keep this poison off the streets of Massachusetts.” Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and DEA SAC Boyle made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Georgia Owner of Long-Term Care Facilities Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Obstruct IRS

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Georgia man pleaded guilty today to seeking to obstruct the IRS in its efforts to collect employment taxes and related penalties. According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2003, Douglas K. Mittleider of Adairsville, Georgia, operated long-term care facilities throughout the United States and was responsible for paying to the IRS the federal income and Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from employees’ wages. In June 2004, the IRS assessed against him personally the employment taxes Mittleider had not paid – also known as the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. Beginning in at least November 2011, Mittleider took multiple steps to conceal business funds and impede the IRS’s ability to collect his outstanding tax liability. Among other things, Mittleider directed the commingling of funds among businesses he controlled and used funds for purposes other than to pay the IRS. Mittleider also caused the creation of new operating companies and bank accounts to make it more difficult for the IRS to locate assets and levy accounts. In total, Mittleider’s conduct caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $9.5 million. Mittleider is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 4. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a term of supervised release, monetary penalties, and restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Ashley Stein and Andres Chinchilla of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.


title: Luzerne County Man Indicted On Sexual Assault Charges

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Salem Christopher Diop, age 22, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a sexual assault charge. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on July 8, 2023, Diop was on a cruise when he engaged in sexual assault with a victim incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARIUS LAMONT MAYE, also known as “Pee Wee,” 49, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and heroin. According to court documents and statements made in court, in January and February 2019, law enforcement made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Maye, and in September 2019, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Maye. On October 3, 2019, a court-authorized search of Maye’s Bridgeport residence revealed two handguns, gun magazines, and ammunition. Maye was arrested on October 16, 2020. On May 3, 2022, he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances. Maye’s criminal history includes seven prior drug-related convictions and a manslaughter conviction. In 2008, he was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 72 months of imprisonment and eight years of supervised release for a narcotics distribution offense. Maye, who is released on $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 30. This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, which includes personnel from the Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck and Brendan J. Keefe.


title: Justice Department Proposes New Regulation to Update Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Firearms Dealer

body_text: The Justice Department today announced it has submitted to the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking that would clarify the circumstances in which a person is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms and thus required to obtain a license and run background checks. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), enacted June 25, 2022, expanded the definition of engaging in the business of firearms dealing to cover all persons who devote time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business to predominately earn a profit through the repetitive purchase and sale of firearms. On March 14, President Biden issued Executive Order 14092, which, among other things, directs the Attorney General to develop and implement a plan to clarify the definition of who is engaged in the business of dealing in firearms and thus required to obtain a federal firearms license. Today’s proposed rule would amend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulations by, among other things, conforming ATF’s regulations to the new BSCA definition and further clarifying the conduct that presumptively requires a license under that revised definition. “The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed by Congress to reduce gun violence, including by expanding the background checks that keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This proposed rule implements Congress’s mandate to expand the definition of who must obtain a license and conduct a background check before selling firearms.” “An increasing number of individuals engaged in the business of selling firearms for profit have chosen not to register as federal firearms licensees, as required by law,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “Instead, they have sought to make money through the off-book, illicit sale of firearms. These activities undermine the law, endanger public safety, create significant burdens on law enforcement, and are unfair to the many licensed dealers who make considerable efforts to follow the law. The Gun Control Act’s exceptions to the license requirement exist to allow all law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights – not to facilitate the intentional evasion of the background-check system. This new proposed rule would clarify the circumstances in which a person is ‘engaged in the business’ of dealing in firearms, and thus required to obtain a license and follow the laws Congress has established for firearms dealers.” Federally licensed firearms dealers are critical partners to federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement in our shared goal of promoting public safety. They help keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited persons by running background checks on potential purchasers; ensure that crime guns can be traced back to their first retail purchaser by keeping records of transactions; and facilitate safe storage of firearms by providing child-safety locks with every transferred handgun and offering customers other secure gun storage options. Unlicensed dealing, however, undermines these public-safety features – which is why Congress has long prohibited engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without the required license. To increase compliance with the statutes Congress has enacted, the proposed rule identifies examples of conduct that would, in certain circumstances, be presumed to qualify as engaging in the business of dealing in firearms and thus to require a federal firearms license. And, in addition to implementing the revised statutory definition discussed above, the proposed rule would help to clarify the circumstances in which a license is (or is not) required by, among other things, adding a definition of “personal firearms collection” to ensure that genuine hobbyists and collectors may enhance and liquidate their collections without fear of violating the law. The proposed rule would also provide valuable guidance to the community of federal firearms licensees by addressing the lawful ways in which former licensees may liquidate business inventory upon termination of their license and clarifying how a licensee can lawfully transfer a firearm to another licensee. Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, the public will have 90 days to submit comments. The notice of proposed rulemaking submitted by the Department can be viewed here . Learn more about the rulemaking process here .


title: Nashua Man Indicted for Firearm Straw Purchasing

body_text: CONCORD – A Nashua man was indicted for making false statements during the acquisition of firearms, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Charles Stone, age 23, was indicted on five (5) counts of making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers during the purchase of firearms. Stone will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date. According to the charging document, between September and November of 2021, Stone purchased a total of six firearms on five separate occasions from federally licensed firearms dealers in New Hampshire. When he completed the firearm purchase forms, he stated that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the gun, when in fact he was buying the guns for someone else. The charges provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes, which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Nicholson, Mississippi Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison  for Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Gulfport, Miss. – A Nicholson, Mississippi man was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Eric Andrew Slaydon, 35, was sentenced on August 30, 2023, in U.S. District Court in Gulfport. According to court records, in 2015, an investigation began into a large-scale drug trafficking organization located largely in Picayune, MS (Pearl River County). In 2019, Eric Andrew Slaydon and Damon Stafford were identified as being part of the conspiracy. Federal agents used a confidential source to begin making purchases of methamphetamine and heroin. On June 5, 2019, a DEA confidential source purchased heroin from Eric Andrew Slaydon and Damon Andrew Stafford at Stafford’s residence in Picayune, Mississippi. Slaydon and Stafford were indicted by a federal grand jury on September 7, 2022. Both defendants pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin. Stafford will be sentenced later this year. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor- led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Pascagoula Man Sentenced to Over 22 Years in Prison  for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl

body_text: Gulfport, Miss. – A Pascagoula man was sentenced to 272 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Willie Ray Washington III, 46, was sentenced on August 30, 2023 in U.S. District Court in Gulfport. According to court records, in September 2021, agents began investigating Washington for distributing fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine from an automotive shop in Moss Point, Mississippi. That location was previously leased by a large-scale distributor of methamphetamine who was no longer distributing narcotics at that location because he had been arrested by DEA agents in an unrelated case. Between April 2022 and May 2022, DEA agents received new information that drugs were again being distributed at that location. On June 20, 2022, agents executed a search warrant for the property. Agents breached the door to the shop and located Washington standing by a billiards table with a large bag of a white powdery substance in his hand. During the search of the business, agents located approximately 786 grams of methamphetamine; 223 grams of heroin; 172 grams of fentanyl; 64 grams of cocaine hydrochloride; 30 grams of cocaine base; and other smaller quantities of suspected narcotics. Additionally, agents located multiple ledgers on binders indicating a substantial history of narcotics distribution, along with digital scales and other paraphernalia used to package and distribute narcotics. Washington was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 6, 2022. He pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on April 11, 2023. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team (SMMET). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.


title: Jackson Man Sentenced to over Four Years in Prison  for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson man was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to court documents, Theophilus Smith, 23, was found to be in possession of a firearm after the Byram and Clinton Police Departments executed a search warrant at a residence in Jackson. While executing the search warrant, three firearms belonging to Smith were located inside the residence. Smith has a prior felony conviction and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Smith was indicted by a federal grand jury and he pled guilty on May 31, 2023 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica S. Terrill and Matt Allen. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime .


title: Salt Lake City Man Indicted for Allegedly Attempting to Rob America United Federal Credit Union

component: USAO - Utah

body_text: Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment yesterday charging a man after he allegedly attempted to rob a credit union in Salt Lake City this month. According to court documents, Jason Michael Ludwig, 49, of Salt Lake City allegedly demanded money from the bank teller at America United Federal Credit Union located at 208 East 800 South. When the teller refused, Ludwig announced he was robbing them of money and began threatening to blow up the credit union and the vault with a bomb in his backpack. Ludwig further stated he possessed a firearm and threatened to shoot and kill the employees and responding police officers. Upon responding officers’ arrival, they took Ludwig into custody. No firearms or explosive device was found on Ludwig or inside his backpack. Ludwig is charged with one count of attempted credit union robbery. The defendant is scheduled for his initial court appearance on Friday, September 1, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case is being investigated by a Salt Lake City Police Detective with the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin L. Sundwall for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce 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. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Armed Speedway Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Charles Marshall, 45, of Speedway, Indiana, has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, on August 11, 2022, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration executed federal search warrants at Marshall’s Speedway apartment as a part of an investigation into his drug trafficking activities. In the home, agents located approximately 57.6 grams of fentanyl, a loaded .44 caliber revolver under the bed, a digital scale with drug residue in the bedroom closet, and a blender with drug residue under the kitchen sink. Agents also located 24.9 grams of fentanyl in the headliner of the Chevrolet Equinox Marshall drove just prior to execution of the warrants. United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office, and IMPD Chief Randal Taylor made the announcement. “Fentanyl dealers value their profits far more than the lives of our families and neighbors,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We must fight to save lives by investigating and prosecuting criminals who exploit the epidemic of substance use disorder to satisfy their own greed. Our office, the DEA, and IMPD are committed to holding fentanyl traffickers accountable for pushing deadly poison on our streets.” The Drug Enforcement Administration and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Marshall be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $500 fine. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corbin Houston and Patrick Gibson, who prosecuted this case. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug. One Pill Can Kill : Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill . Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late. ###


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison  for Firearms Possession

component: USAO - Arkansas, Western

body_text: HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 90 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs. According to court documents, on or about July 11, 2021, officers with the Hot Springs Police Department were dispatched to a residential neighborhood after receiving a report of a drive-by shooting on a residence. Shortly after arrival to the area, Steven D. Young, age 41, arrived at the residence demanding to know who shot up his house. As Young excited his vehicle, officers observed a .45 caliber handgun in the driver’s side floorboard. Young was subsequently arrested. The firearm was seized and determined to be loaded with live rounds of ammunition and to have previously been reported stolen. Investigating officers determined Young was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. A Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) confirmed that the firearm was manufactured outside the State of Arkansas and, thus, had traveled in interstate commerce. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Hot Springs Police Department and the ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov


title: Tadano Group to Pay $40 Million to Settle Clean Air Act Violations After Selling Noncompliant Diesel Engines

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department today announced that Japan-based Tadano Ltd. and its subsidiaries – collectively known as the Tadano Group – will pay a $40 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated Title II of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Justice Department worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to broker the settlement, which resolves allegations in a complaint filed with the settlement that Tadano Group imported and sold heavy, nonroad cranes with diesel engines not certified to applicable CAA emission standards, and that Tadano Group violated related CAA and regulatory requirements. As part of the proposed consent decree, Tadano Group will also contribute $3.2 million towards a project to mitigate harm caused by excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from its noncompliant crane engines. The project will retire a 1975 tugboat and christen a new, cleaner tugboat to service ships in the Port of Port Arthur, Texas. The old tugboat has outdated diesel engines while the new tugboat will have up-to-date, Tier 4 engines, preventing the release of an estimated 2,075 tons of NOx emissions and more than 22 tons of PM emissions over 20 years. The Port of Port Arthur is near low-income communities with environmental justice concerns and near the Tadano America Corp. facility in Houston. “Tadano Group imported and sold giant cranes with engines that didn’t carry valid EPA certificates of conformity, flouting federal law that protects the public from harmful emissions,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This settlement holds Tadano accountable for its violations and requires completion of a project that will improve the quality of life for those living in the Port Arthur, Texas, area.” “Diesel exhaust is one of the dirtiest forms of pollution,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Exposure to diesel exhaust is linked to serious health conditions, including asthma and respiratory illness, and those health risks are increased by engines that fail to meet emission standards. This settlement should send a clear message that EPA will continue to vigorously enforce against companies that sell illegal diesel engines, including nonroad engines.” The complaint against Tadano Group alleges that between 2011 and 2017, it sold nonroad cranes with at least 269 diesel engines that violated the CAA because the engines were not covered by current EPA-issued certificates of conformity nor did the engines qualify for a limited exemption under EPA’s Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers. The Tadano Group also did not comply with CAA reporting, bonding and fuel inlet labelling requirements. The Tadano Group includes Germany-based Tadano Faun GmbH, Tennessee-based Tadano Mantis Corp. and Texas-based Tadano America Corp. The Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Enforcement Section filed the complaint and lodged the proposed consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The settlement is subject to a public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees .


title: Hope Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

body_text: HOT SPRINGS – A Hope, Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on one count of Possession of More Than Five (5) Grams of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs. According to court documents, Kaiven Wesley, age 42, was identified by law enforcement to be part of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) distributing methamphetamine in the Malvern, Arkansas, geographical area. The Drug Trafficking Organization was led by Jedadire Leshawn Nellums, age 46, who was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison in May of 2023. On August 17, 2020, searches were conducted at multiple properties associated with the Nellums’ DTO , resulting in investigators locating and seizing over 1,400 grams of pure methamphetamine. Additionally, Wesley was arrested on that same date and found to be in possession of an additional 49.04 grams of pure methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov .


title: Rockville Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Transportation of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland - U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Gregory Thomas Clement, age 53, of Rockville, Maryland, yesterday to nine years in federal prison, followed by 15 years supervised release, for transportation of child pornography. Judge Chuang also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Clement must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”). The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Baltimore. According to his guilty plea, on May 20, 2022, HSI received information from an international law enforcement agency about an individual who was using an encrypted chat application discussing a sexual interest in children. Investigation revealed that the individual was Clement and on August 12, 2022, CBP Officers in Chicago conducted an outbound border search of Clement as he was boarding a plane to Japan. After being advised of his rights, Clement provided agents with his phone, which revealed several images documenting his sexual abuse of a minor victim. Law enforcement also conducted a search of Clement’s residence and a subsequent forensic analysis of several seized electronic devices recovered child pornography images and videos. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI for its work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection for its assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah B. Grossi and Darren S. Gardner, who prosecuted the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Justice Department Sues Ohio  Landlord for Sexually Harassing Tenants

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against Joseph Earl Lucas of Amesville, Ohio, for sexually harassing female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Lucas has owned and managed more than 70 residential rental properties in and around Athens County, Ohio. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, alleges that since at least 2004, Lucas requested sex acts from female tenants and applicants; subjected female tenants to unwelcome sexual touching; made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants and their female guests; repeatedly drove by and entered female tenants’ homes without their permission; demanded that female tenants engage in sex acts with him in order not to lose housing; and offered to reduce rent or excuse late or unpaid rent in exchange for sex acts. The lawsuit also alleges that Lucas initiated evictions or threatened to evict female tenants who refused his sexual advances. “No one should have to experience sexual harassment in their home or their community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will vigorously enforce fair housing laws to hold accountable landlords who prey on vulnerable tenants and housing applicants.” “This lawsuit sends a message that this deplorable behavior has no place in our communities and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will vigorously enforce federal civil rights laws to stop this conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “No one should be forced to endure any form of sexual harassment, let alone in their efforts to maintain housing.” The lawsuit, which is the result of a joint investigative effort with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination. “Every person deserves to feel safe in housing without facing the threat of being sexually harassed or abused by a landlord,” said HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis. “Victims should not hesitate to report such harassment and abuse to law enforcement authorities. HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold housing providers accountable for this type of horrible conduct.” The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. It also prohibits sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Joseph Lucas, or who have information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department by calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Tipline 513 684-2055, emailing usaohs.civilrights@usdoj.gov or completing a Civil Rights referral form at www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/file/1513341/download . The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 35 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $10.8 million for victims of such harassment.


title: Former Utah Movie Producer Charged with Tax Evasion and Obstructing IRS

body_text: A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment, unsealed today, charging a Utah man with tax evasion, obstructing the IRS and forcibly retaking property that had been seized by the government to pay his outstanding tax debt. According to the indictment, Paul Kenneth Cromar owned a home in Cedar Hills, Utah, and operated Blue Moon Productions, LLC, a freelance film and media production company. From 1999 through 2005, Cromar allegedly did not file any federal income tax returns or pay any tax and in 2005, the IRS conducted an audit and assessed him with $703,266.96 in taxes, interest and penalties. After Cromar allegedly failed to make any payments towards his outstanding debt, a federal judge ordered that his home be sold at auction to satisfy his tax obligations. The indictment alleges that Cromar then attempted to stop the sale by filing bogus documents, including a false promissory note, with the IRS, intimidating potential purchasers or investors of the home and attempted to harass IRS personnel by filing frivolous lawsuits against them personally. The indictment further charges that shortly before the sale closed, Cromar allegedly broke into the home and attempted to reclaim it. With the help of others, he allegedly occupied the home unlawfully for several months, fortifying it with weapons, sandbags and wooden boards tactically placed throughout the house. Through his criminal conduct, Cromar is alleged to have caused a total tax loss to the IRS of $1,174,201.91. If convicted, Cromar faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years in prison for corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the IRS and two years in prison for forcibly retaking seized property. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) are investigating the case. The FBI assisted in locating and apprehending Cromar, who had been a fugitive from justice in a related Utah state court criminal matter since August 2022. Trial Attorneys Peter J. Anthony and Meredith M. Havekost of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Woolf for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: (Title VI) إبرام وزارة العدل مذكرة تفاھم مع محاكم أوكلاھوما لتسویة أحد التحقیقات بموجب الباب السادس

body_text: ھذا اﻟﺑﯾﺎن اﻟﺻﺣﻔﻲ إﻟﻰ ﻟﻐﺎت ﻣﺧﺗﻠﻔﺔ . وإﻟﯾﻛم اﻟﺗرﺟﻣﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻟﻌرﺑﯾﺔ . ﻣﻠﺣوظﺔ : ﺗُرﺟم واﺷﻨﻄﻦ - أﻋﻠﻨﺖ وزارة اﻟﻌﺪل اﻟﯿﻮم ﻋﻦ إﺑﺮام ﻣﺬﻛﺮة ﺗﻔﺎھﻢ MOU) Understanding, of (Memorandum ﻣﻊ اﻟﻤﻜﺘﺐ اﻹداري AOC) Courts, the of Office (Administrative ﻟﻠﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ اﻟﻌﻠﯿﺎ ﻓﻲ أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ ﻟﺘﺴﻮﯾﺔ أﺣﺪ اﻟﺘﺤﻘﯿﻘﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ وﺗﺤﺴﯿﻦ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﺮ اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ ﻟﻤﺤﺪودي إﺟﺎدة اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰﯾﺔ LEP) Proficiency, English (Limited ﻓﻲ ﻣﺤﺎﻛﻢ وﻻﯾﺔ أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ. ﺗﻠﻘﺖ اﻟﻮزارة ﺷﻜﻮى ﺗﺰﻋﻢ ﻓﺸﻞ ﻣﺤﻜﻤﺔ ﻣﻘﺎطﻌﺔ ﻣﺎﯾﺰ ﻓﻲ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﺮ ﺧﺪﻣﺎت ﻟﻐﻮﯾﺔ ﻣﺠﺪﯾﺔ ﻟﺸﺨﺺ ﯾﻨﺘﻤﻲ إﻟﻰ LEP ﻓﻲ ﻗﻀﯿﺘﮫ اﻟﺨﺎﺻﺔ ﺑﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ اﻷﺳﺮة. ﺑﺪأت وزارة اﻟﻌﺪل ﻓﻲ إﺟﺮاء ﺗﺤﻘﯿﻖ ﺑﻤﻮﺟﺐ اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺴﺎدس ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎﻧﻮن اﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ ﻟﻌﺎم 1964 1964) of Act Rights (Civil )اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺴﺎدس( اﻟﺬي ﯾﺤﻈﺮ اﻟﺘﻤﯿﯿﺰ ﺑﯿﻦ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﻔﯿﺪﯾﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪات اﻟﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ اﻟﻔﯿﺪراﻟﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ أﺳﺎس اﻟﻌﺮق أو اﻟﻠﻮن أو اﻷﺻﻞ اﻟﻘﻮﻣﻲ. أوﻗﻔﺖ وزارة اﻟﻌﺪل اﻟﺘﺤﻘﯿﻖ ﻣﺆﻗﺘًﺎ ﺑﻌﺪ ذﻟﻚ ﻧﺘﯿﺠﺔ ﻟﻠﺨﻄﻮات اﻹﯾﺠﺎﺑﯿﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ اﺗﺨﺬھﺎ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ AOC ﻣﻦ أﺟﻞ ﺗﻮﻓﯿﺮ ﺧﺪﻣﺎت ﻟﻐﻮﯾﺔ ﻣﺠﺪﯾﺔ ﻟﺠﻤﯿﻊ ﻋﻤﻼء اﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ ﻣﻤﻦ ﯾﻨﺘﻤﻮن إﻟﻰ .LEP اﺗﺨﺬ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ AOC إﺟﺮاءات أﺧﺮى ﻣﻦ ﺑﯿﻨﮭﺎ ﺗﻘﺪﯾﻢ ﺧﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ اﻟﻔﻮرﯾﺔ ﻣﺠﺎﻧًﺎ إﻟﻰ ﺷﺨﺺ ﯾﻨﺘﻤﻲ إﻟﻰ LEP وﻣﺬﻛﻮر اﺳﻤﮫ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺸﻜﻮى، وﺗﻌﯿﯿﻦ ﻣﻨﺴﻖ ﻟﺘﻮﻓﯿﺮ اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ، وإﺻﺪار ﺗﺸﺮﯾﻊ أﺻﺒﺢ ﺑﻌﺪ ذﻟﻚ أﺣﺪ ﻗﻮاﻧﯿﻦ اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ. وﺑﻤﻮﺟﺐ ھﺬا اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮن، ﯾُﻌﻔﻰ LEP ﻣﻦ رﺳﻮم اﻟﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ اﻟﻔﻮرﯾﺔ. ﻛﻤﺎ أﺟﺎز اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮن إﻧﺸﺎء ﺻﻨﺪوق ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ ﻟﺪﻋﻢ ﺧﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ اﻟﺘﺤﺮﯾﺮﯾﺔ واﻟﻔﻮرﯾﺔ ﻟﻠﻐﺎت اﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ. ﺻ ﱠﺮﺣﺖ ﻛﺮﯾﺴﺘﯿﻦ ﻛﻼرك، ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪة اﻟﻨﺎﺋﺐ اﻟﻌﺎم ﻟﺪاﺋﺮة اﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ ﻓﻲ وزارة اﻟﻌﺪل ﻗﺎﺋﻠﺔً: "ﯾﻨﺒﻐﻲ ﻋﺪم ﻣﻌﺎﻗﺒﺔ اﻷﺷﺨﺎص ﻋﻠﻰ إﺟﺎدﺗﮭﻢ اﻟﻤﺤﺪودة ﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰﯾﺔ، وﯾﺠﺐ أﻻ ﯾﻮاﺟﮭﻮا ﺻﻌﻮﺑﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺤﺼﻮل ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪة اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﯾﺤﺘﺎﺟﻮن إﻟﯿﮭﺎ ﻟﻠﻤﺸﺎرﻛﺔ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ ﻋﺎدل ﻓﻲ ﺟﻠﺴﺎت اﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ وإﺟﺮاءاﺗﮭﺎ." وأﺿﺎﻓﺖ أﯾ ًﻀﺎ "ﺗﻤﺜﻞ ھﺬه اﻻﺗﻔﺎﻗﯿﺔ ﻧﻤﻮذﺟﺎ ﯾﺠﺐ اﻻﺣﺘﺬاء ﺑﮫ ﻟﻀﻤﺎن ﺗﻮﻓﯿﺮ اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻛﻢ ﻟﻠﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ ﻟﺠﻤﯿﻊ اﻷﺷﺨﺎص ﺑﻐﺾ اﻟﻨﻈﺮ ﻋﻦ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى إﺟﺎدﺗﮭﻢ اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰﯾﺔ، ﻛﻤﺎ ﺗﺤﺪد اﻹﺟﺮاءات اﻟﻼزﻣﺔ ﻹزاﻟﺔ اﻟﺤﻮاﺟﺰ أﻣﺎم ﻋﻤﻼء اﻟﻤﺤﺎﻛﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺤﺪودي إﺟﺎدة اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰﯾﺔ ﻓﻲ أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ." ﻗﺎل ﻛﻠﯿﻨﺘﻮن ﺟﯿﮫ ﺟﻮﻧﺴﻮن، اﻟﻨﺎﺋﺐ اﻟﻌﺎم ﻟﻠﻮﻻﯾﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪة ﻟﻠﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﺸﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ Oklahoma) of District :(Northern "أظﮭﺮت أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ اﻟﺘﺰاﻣﮭﺎ ﺑﺘﺤﺴﯿﻦ ﺗﺤﻘﯿﻖ اﻟﻌﺪاﻟﺔ ﻓﻲ وﻻﯾﺘﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼل ﺗﺸﺮﯾﻊ ﻗﺎﻧﻮن اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ اﻟﺠﺪﯾﺪ وإﺑﺮام ﻣﺬﻛﺮة MOU ھﺬه." وأﺿﺎف ﻗﺎﺋﻼً: "ﻧﻠﺘﺰم ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻤﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻣﺤﺎﻛﻢ وﻻﯾﺘﻨﺎ ﻟﻀﻤﺎن اﻻﻣﺘﺜﺎل ﻟﻤﺘﻄﻠﺒﺎت اﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺴﺎدس وﻗﻮاﻧﯿﻦ اﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ ذات اﻟﺼﻠﺔ." ﺳﯿﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ AOC، ﺑﻤﻮﺟﺐ ﻣﺬﻛﺮة MOU ھﺬه، ﺧﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪة اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ اﻟﺸﻔﮭﯿﺔ واﻟﺘﺤﺮﯾﺮﯾﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﯿﻊ ﺟﻠﺴﺎت اﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ وإﺟﺮاءاﺗﮭﺎ اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ واﻟﺠﻨﺎﺋﯿﺔ ﻣﺠﺎﻧًﺎ ﻟـ LEP، وﺳﯿﻀﻊ ﺧﻄﺔ ﻟﺘﻮﻓﯿﺮ اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﻮﻻﯾﺔ، وﺳﯿﻀﯿﻒ ﺗﺮﺟﻤﺎت ﻟﻠﻮﺛﺎﺋﻖ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺔ اﻷھﻤﯿﺔ. ﺳﯿﺤﺴﻦ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ AOC أﯾ ًﻀﺎ ﻧﻈﺎم إدارة اﻟﻘﻀﺎﯾﺎ اﻟﺨﺎص ﺑﮫ ﻟﺘﺘﺒﻊ اﻻﺣﺘﯿﺎﺟﺎت اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ ﺑﺸﻜﻞ أﻓﻀﻞ، وإﻋﺪاد إﺟﺮاءات ﺗﻘﺪﯾﻢ اﻟﺸﻜﺎوى ﺑﺸﺄن ﺗﻮﻓﯿﺮ اﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﻠﻐﻮﯾﺔ، وﺻﯿﺎﻏﺔ إﺷﻌﺎر ﻣﺘﺮﺟﻢ ﻟﺨﺪﻣﺎت اﻟﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ اﻟﻔﻮرﯾﺔ ﻟﻠﻤﺤﺎﻛﻢ وﺗﻮزﯾﻌﮫ، وإﻧﺸﺎء دﻟﯿﻞ وإﺻﺪاره ﻟﻤﻮظﻔﻲ اﻟﻤﺤﻜﻤﺔ ﯾﺨﺺ اﻟﺘﺮﺟﻤﺔ اﻟﻔﻮرﯾﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻔﯿﺪﯾﻮ ﻋﻦ ﺑُﻌﺪ. ﺗﻌﺎون ﻧ ﱠﻮاب ﻣﻦ داﺋﺮة اﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ وﻣﻜﺘﺐ اﻟﻨﺎﺋﺐ اﻟﻌﺎم ﻟﻠﻮﻻﯾﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪة ﻟﻠﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﺸﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ ﻟﺒﺤﺚ ھﺬه اﻟﻤﺴﺄﻟﺔ. ﺗﺘﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت إﺿﺎﻓﯿﺔ ﻋﻦ "داﺋﺮة اﻟﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ" ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻮﻗﻌﮭﺎ اﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮوﻧﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ھﺬا اﻟﺮاﺑﻂ www.justice.gov/crt ، ﻛﻤﺎ ﺗﺘﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎت ﻋﻦ ﻣﺤﺪودي إﺟﺎدة اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻹﻧﺠﻠﯿﺰﯾﺔ واﻟﺒﺎب اﻟﺴﺎدس ﻣﻦ اﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮن ﻋﻠﻰ . www.lep.gov ﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﻟﻠﻌﺎﻣﺔ اﻹﺑﻼغ ﻋﻦ أي اﻧﺘﮭﺎﻛﺎت ﻣﺤﺘﻤﻠﺔ ﻟﻠﺤﻘﻮق اﻟﻤﺪﻧﯿﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ: www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ أو ﻋﻦ طﺮﯾﻖ اﻟﺘﻮاﺻﻞ ﻣﻊ ﻣﻜﺘﺐ اﻟﻨﺎﺋﺐ اﻟﻌﺎم ﻟﻠﻮﻻﯾﺎت اﻟﻤﺘﺤﺪة ﻟﻠﻤﻨﻄﻘﺔ اﻟﺸﻤﺎﻟﯿﺔ ﻣﻦ أوﻛﻼھﻮﻣﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ . www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/contact-us


title: US-Justizministerium schließt eine Vereinbarung mit den Gerichten des Bundesstaats Oklahoma zur Beilegung der Untersuchung nach Titel VI (Title VI) ab

body_text: Anmerkung: Diese Pressemitteilung wurde in verschiedene Sprachen übersetzt. Übersetzungen finden Sie unten. Das US-Justizministerium kündigte heute eine Absichtserklärung (Memorandum of Understanding, MOU) zusammen mit dem Verwaltungsamt der Gerichte (Administrative Office of the Courts, AOC) am Obersten Gerichtshof von Oklahoma an, um eine Untersuchung möglicher Bürgerrechtsverletzungen zu beenden und den Zugang zu den Gerichten des Staates Oklahoma für Menschen mit begrenzten Englischkenntnissen (Limited English Proficiency, LEP) zu verbessern. Dem Ministerium wurde eine Beschwerde übermittelt, in der behauptet wird, dass das Bezirksgericht (District Court) des Landkreises (County) Mayes es versäumt hat, einer Person mit LEP in einem Familiengerichtsprozess sinnvollen Rechtsschutz zu gewähren. Das Justizministerium leitete eine Untersuchung gemäß Titel VI des Bürgerrechtsgesetzes von 1964 (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) ein, der die Diskriminierung auf Grundlage von Ethnie, Hautfarbe und nationaler Herkunft durch Empfänger von Bundesfinanzhilfen verbietet. Das Justizministerium stellte schließlich die Titel-VI-Untersuchung als Reaktion auf die positiven Schritte des AOC ein, allen Personen mit LEP, die die Dienstleistungen des Gerichts in Anspruch nehmen, sinnvollen Rechtsschutz zu ermöglichen. Neben anderen Maßnahmen stellte das AOC der in der Beschwerde genannten Person mit LEP kostenlos einen Dolmetscher zur Verfügung, stellte einen Koordinator für den sprachbezogenen Zugang ein und schlug einen Rechtsakt vor, der auf bundesstaatlicher Ebene umgesetzt wurde. Dieses Gesetz beseitigt die Gebühren für Dolmetscher, die Parteien mit LEP in Rechnung gestellt werden. Außerdem wurdeein landesweiter Fonds zur Unterstützung von Dolmetsch- und Übersetzungsdiensten bei Gericht eingerichtet. „Menschen sollten nicht für ihre begrenzten Englischkenntnisse bestraft werden und sollten keine Schwierigkeiten haben, die Sprachassistenzdienste zu erhalten, die sie benötigen, um fair an Gerichtsverfahren und -vorgängen teilzunehmen“, erklärte die stellvertretende Generalstaatsanwältin Kristen Clarke von der Abteilung für Bürgerrechte (Civil Rights Division) des US-Justizministeriums. „Diese Vereinbarung ist ein Modell dafür, wie der Zugang zu den Gerichten für alle Menschen unabhängig von ihren Englischkenntnissen gewährleistet werden kann. Sie beschreibt die Maßnahmen, die erforderlich sind, um die Hindernisse für Gerichtsnutzer mit begrenzten Englischkenntnissen in Oklahoma zu beseitigen.“ „Mit dem neuen Gesetz und dem MOU hat Oklahoma sein Engagement für einen besseren Zugang zur Justiz in unserem Bundesstaat unter Beweis gestellt“, erklärte der US-Staatsanwalt für den nördlichen Bezirk von Oklahoma (Northern District of Oklahoma), Clinton J. Johnson. „Wir sind entschlossen, mit unseren Gerichten auf bundesstaatlicher Ebene zusammenzuarbeiten, um die Einhaltung des Titels VI und der damit verbundenen Bürgerrechtsgesetze sicherzustellen.“ Im Rahmen des MOU wird das AOC in allen Zivil-und Strafverfahren und im Gerichtsbetrieb Sprachassistenzdienste in Wort und Schrift für Personen LEP kostenlos anbieten, einen landesweiten Plan für den Zugang zu Sprachen entwickeln und Übersetzungen wichtiger Dokumente hinzufügen. Das AOC wird außerdem sein Aktenverwaltungssystem verbessern, um den Sprachbedarf besser verfolgen zu können, ein Beschwerdeverfahren für den Zugang in sprachlicher Hinsicht entwickeln, einen Aushang mit übersetzten Dolmetscherdiensten für die Gerichtsgebäude erstellen und bereitstellen sowie eine Videoanleitung für Gerichtsdiener erstellen und herausgeben. Dieser Sachverhalt wurde gemeinsam von Staatsanwälten der Abteilung für Bürgerrechte und der US-Staatsanwaltschaft für den nördlichen Bezirk von Oklahoma bearbeitet. Weitere Informationen über die Abteilung für Bürgerrechte finden Sie auf der Website der Abteilung unter www.justice.gov/crt. Informationen über begrenzte Englischkenntnisse und Titel VI finden Sie unter www.lep.gov. Angehörige der Öffentlichkeit können mögliche Bürgerrechtsverletzungen unter www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ oder bei der US-Staatsanwaltschaft für den nördlichen Bezirk von Oklahoma unter www.justice.gov/usaondok/contact-us melden.


title: Justice Department Enters Into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oklahoma Courts to Resolve Title VI Investigation

body_text: The Justice Department announced today a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to resolve a civil rights investigation and improve access to Oklahoma state courts for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). The department received a complaint alleging the Mayes County District Court failed to provide meaningful access for a person with LEP in a family court case. The Justice Department initiated an investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin by recipients of federal financial assistance. The Justice Department subsequently paused the Title VI investigation in response to the AOC’s affirmative steps to provide meaningful access for all court users with LEP. Among other actions, the AOC provided interpreter services at no cost to the person with LEP identified in the complaint, hired a language access coordinator, and proposed legislation, which became state law. That law eliminates interpreter fees charged to LEP parties. It also authorized a statewide fund to support court language interpretation and translation services. “People should not be penalized for their limited English proficiency and should not encounter difficulty in obtaining the language assistance services they need to fairly participate in court proceedings and operations,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement stands as a model for ensuring access to the courts for all people regardless of English proficiency and outlines the actions needed to eliminate barriers for court users with limited English proficiency in Oklahoma.” “With the new state law and the MOU, Oklahoma has demonstrated a commitment to improving access to justice in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma. “We are committed to working with our state courts to ensure compliance with Title VI and related civil rights laws.” Under the MOU, the AOC will provide oral and written language assistance services in all civil and criminal proceedings and operations court operations at no cost to individuals with LEP, will develop a statewide language access plan, and will add translations of vital documents. The AOC will also improve its case management system to better track language needs, develop a language access complaint process, create and distribute a translated interpreter services notice for courthouses, and create and issue a video remote interpreter guidance for court staff. This matter was conducted jointly by attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and information about limited English proficiency and Title VI is available at www.lep.gov . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma at www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/contact-us .


title: El Departamento de Justicia firma un Memorando de Entendimiento con los tribunales de Oklahoma para resolver una investigación en virtud del Título VI

body_text: Nota: Este comunicado de prensa ha sido traducido a varios idiomas. Vea las traducciones a continuación. El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy un Memorando de Entendimiento (MOU, por sus siglas en inglés) con la Oficina Administrativa de los Tribunales (AOC, por sus siglas en inglés) del Tribunal Supremo de Oklahoma para resolver una investigación de derechos civiles y mejorar el acceso a los tribunales estatales de Oklahoma para las personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés). El departamento recibió una queja alegando que el Tribunal de Distrito del Condado de Mayes no le proporcionó un acceso significativo a una persona con LEP en un caso de tribunal de familia. El Departamento de Justicia emprendió una investigación en virtud del Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 (Título VI), que prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color de piel y nacionalidad de origen por parte de los beneficiarios de asistencia financiera federal. Posteriormente, el Departamento de Justicia puso en pausa la investigación en virtud del Título VI en respuesta a las medidas positivas adoptadas por la AOC para proporcionar un acceso significativo a todos los usuarios de los tribunales con LEP. Entre otras medidas, la AOC proporcionó servicios de interpretación gratuitos a la persona con LEP identificada en la queja, contrató a un coordinador de acceso lingüístico y propuso legislación, que se convirtió en ley estatal. Dicha ley elimina los honorarios de intérprete cobrados a las partes con LEP. También autorizó la creación de un fondo estatal para financiar los servicios de traducción e interpretación de los tribunales. «Las personas no deben ser penalizadas por su limitado dominio del inglés y no deben encontrar dificultades para obtener los servicios de asistencia lingüística que necesitan para participar equitativamente en los procedimientos y operaciones judiciales», declaró Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Este acuerdo se erige como un modelo para garantizarles acceso a los tribunales a todas las personas, independientemente de su dominio del inglés, y esboza las acciones necesarias para eliminar las barreras para los usuarios de los tribunales con un dominio limitado del inglés en Oklahoma». «Con la nueva ley estatal y el Memorando de Entendimiento, Oklahoma ha demostrado su compromiso con mejorar el acceso a la justicia en nuestro estado», afirmó Clinton J. Johnson, el Fiscal Federal del Distrito Norte de Oklahoma. «Estamos comprometidos a trabajar con nuestros tribunales estatales para garantizar el cumplimiento del Título VI y las leyes de derechos civiles afines». En virtud del Memorando de Entendimiento, la AOC prestará servicios de asistencia lingüística oral y escrita en todos los procedimientos civiles y penales, y en las operaciones de los tribunales sin costo alguno para las personas con LEP, elaborará un plan de acceso lingüístico a escala estatal y añadirá traducciones de documentos vitales. La AOC también mejorará su sistema de gestión de casos para hacer un mejor seguimiento de las necesidades lingüísticas, desarrollará un proceso de quejas sobre acceso lingüístico, creará y distribuirá un aviso de servicios de interpretación traducido para los juzgados, y creará y publicará un vídeo de orientación sobre interpretación a distancia para el personal de los tribunales. Este asunto fue llevado a cabo conjuntamente por abogados de la División de Derechos Civiles y de la Oficina de la Fiscalía del Distrito Norte de Oklahoma. Hay información adicional disponible sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt, y hay información disponible sobre el dominio limitado del inglés y el Título VI en www.lep.gov. El público en general puede denunciar posibles violaciones de los derechos civiles en www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ o ante la Oficina de la Fiscalía del Distrito Norte de Oklahoma en www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/contact-us.


title: 표제 VI (Title VI) 수사 해결을 위해 법무부와 오클라호마 법원 양해 각서 체결

body_text: 참고: 본 언론 보도는 다양한 언어로 번역되었습니다. 아래 번역을 참고하십시오. 워싱튼 -법무부가 오늘 민권 수사를 해결하고 영어 능력 제한(Limited English Proficiency, LEP)이 있는 모든 사람들을 위한 향상된 주 법원 접근성을 개선하기 위해 오클라호마 대법원 행정처(Administrative Office of the Courts, AOC) 와의 양해 각서(Memorandum of Understanding, MOU) 를 발표했습니다. 법무부는 Mayes 카운티 지방 법원이 가정 법원 사건 당사자 중 LEP가 있는 이에게 유의미한 접근성을 제공하지 않았다는 주장의 민원을 받았습니다. 법무부는 연방 재정 보조 수혜자의 인종, 피부색, 출신 국가에 의한 차별을 금지하는 1964년도 민권법의(Civil Rights Act of 1964) 표제 VI 하 수사를 개시하였습니다. LEP가 있는 모든 법원 사용자들에게 유의미한 접근성을 제공하도록 AOC가 취한 긍정적 단계에 대응하여 법무부는 추후 표제 VI 수사를 중단하였습니다. 이러한 조치 중, AOC 는 소장에서 확인된 LEP가 있는 사람에게 무상으로 통역 서비스를 제공하였으며, 언어 접근 조정관을 채용하고 주정부 법이 된 법안을 제안하였습니다. 해당 법은 LEP 당사자에게 통역인 비용이 부과되지 않도록 합니다. 또한 법원 언어 통역과 번역 서비스를 지원하도록 전주 자금을 승인하였습니다. “사람들은 제한된 영어 능력으로 인해 불이익을 당해서는 안 되며 절차 및 운영에 공정하게 참여하는 데 필요한 언어 지원 서비스를 받는 데 어려움을 겪어서는 안 됩니다”라고 법무부 민권부의 Kristen Clarke 법무차관보가 말했습니다. “본 합의서는 영어 능력과 무관하게 모든 사람이 법원에 접근할 수 있도록 보장하는 모범 사례이며 오클라호마에서 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 법원 사용자의 장벽을 허무는 데 필요한 조치를 설명합니다.” “새로운 주법과 MOU를 통해 오클라호마는 우리 주의 사법 접근성을 개선하겠다는 의지를 보여주었습니다”라고 오클라호마 북부 지역(Northern District of Oklahoma) 의 Clinton J. Johnson 검사가 말했습니다. “우리는 표제 VI 및 관련 민권법 준수를 위해 주 법원과의 협력에 최선을 다할 것입니다.” 양해각서에 따라 AOC는 모든 민사 및 형사 소송 절차와 법원 운영에서 LEP가 있는 개인에게 구두 및 서면 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 제공하고, 주 전체 언어 접근성 계획을 세우고 중요 문서의 번역을 추가할 예정입니다. AOC 는 또한 사례 관리 체계를 개선하여 언어 요구 사항 추적을 향상시키고, 언어 접근 민원 처리 절차 개발, 법원에 게시될 번역된 통역 서비스 통지 작성 및 배포, 법원 직원들을 위한 영상 원격 통역 안내를 작성 및 발행할 예정입니다. 이 사안은 미국 민권부의 검사들과 미국 오클라호마 북부 지방 검사실이 공동으로 진행했습니다. 민권부에 대한 추가 정보는 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt 에서 볼 수 있으며 제한된 영어 능력과 표제 VI에 대한 정보는 www.lep.gov 에서 볼 수 있습니다. www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ 또는 미국 오클라호마 북부 지방 검사실에 www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/contact-us로 신고할 수 있습니다.


title: Beehaz’áanii Bee Nahwiidiit’aají éí Halgai Hahozojí Aadahwiinít’ı̨́ bił haz’ą́ ą́ dóó Naaltsoos Bee Ahidiníłnáo Ak’i’diit’įį niiltsoozígíí éí Beehaz’áánii Hast’ą́ ą́ Na’alkaagi Bee K’ééhodoodǫǫłgi choodoo’įįł

body_text: Jíídą́ą́ Beehaz’áanii Bee Nahwiidiit’aají bits’ą́ą́dóó ha’oozíí’Naaltsoos Bee Ahidiníłnáo Ak’i’diit’įįhígíí (Memorandum of Understanding, MOU) éí Halgai Hahozojí Aadahwiinít’ı̨́, Aadahwiinít’ı̨́įgi Naanish Bik’ił Adéestįį’jí (Administrative Office of the Courts, AOC) bit’a’gi niiltsooz éí beego Dine’ Bilagáana bizaad t’áá bánantł’ahgo (Limited English Proficiency, LEP) dóó t’áábí bibeehaz’áanii bąąh siláhígíí hazhó’ó nidoolkah dóó Halgai Hahozojí aadahwiinít’ı̨́ bee bá’ahóót’i’ dooleeł. Áánahwiit’aahjí da’íínísh éí bee niiltsooz díí Mayes Ałtsíísígo Hahoozo Aadahwinít’ı̨́ doo hééshı̨́ı̨́ Bilagáana bizaad t’áá bánintł’ahígíí doo t’áá’áníít’éejį bił na’azhnish da. Beehaz’áanii Bee Nahwiidiit’aajį’ hayiłwod Beehaz’áanii Hastąąh góne’ Beehaz’áanii T’ááhó Hąąh Siláhígíí 1964 (Civil Rights of 1964) (Title VI) éí ání doo éí beehaz’áada diné yits’ą́ą́dóó yigháłígíí, bikági ánoolin, dóó aláago áká’aná’awo’ choyoł’ı̨́įgo doo bik’ijį’ ni’t’oonish da. Áánahwiit’aahjí da’íínísh dę́ę́’ átsé díí Beehaz’áanii Hastąąh góne’ (Title VI) na’alkaah ne’ kóyiilaah AOC éiyá hayitáo lá bohónéezą́ogo Diné Bilagáana bizaad t’áá bánanitł’ahiígíí (LEP) adahwiinít’ı̨́ı̨́ góne’ bił na’anish dooleełgi yik’eh áyiilaahjį’. AOC hast’eyiilaaígíí éí at’a’halne’é Diné Bilagáana bizaad t’áá bánanitł’ah (LEP) bá hólǫ́ǫgo áyiilaah, saad bee yá’át’i’gi yik’idées’ı̨́ı̨́’ígíí ła’ naanish baadeet’ą́, dóó beehaz’áanii ályaah. Díí beehaz’áanii éí at’a’halne’é bich’į siláhígíí éí Diné Bilagáana bizaad t’áá bánanitł’aaígíí éí doo yik’éh needoolééłgóó áyiilaah. Áádóó ałdó’ nitsaahohozojí béeso ła’ básinilgo at’a’halne’é dóó saad neezo dooígíí bich’į silá biniyé. “Diné t’áá Bilagáana bizaad binanitł’ahgo doo éí haiyit’áo doo bik’ijį’ doozo da dóó bá at’a’halne’dooígíí t’áádoo bantł’aaí adazosiní áko aadahwinít’ı̨́ góne’ at’ah binaanish íidooliił” ní Agha’diit’aahii At’isgo Dasidáhígíí bikéédóó danánásdáhígíí General Kristen Clarke díí Aadahwiinit’ı̨́ Da’íníísh T’ááho Beehaz’áanii Hąąh Siláhígíí Bee Há’ahóót’i’gi Bik’i’adéest’ı̨́ı̨́jí. “Díí bee ałha’deet’ánígíí éí binajį’ t’áá ałtsoh bila’ashdla’ii adahwinít’ı̨́ góne’ bá adahast’i’ dooleeł azhą́ Bilagáana bizaad bił nanitł’ah ndi dóó Halgai Hahozojí adahwiinít’ı̨́ choyooł’ı̨́įdoo.” “Díí Nitsaahahozojí beehaz’áanii ályaaígíí dóó Naaltsoos Bee Ahidiníłnáo Ak’idiit’įįhígíí, Halgai Hahozojí éí aadahwiinít’ı̨́ t’áá’ałtsoh bá’ahót’i’go yideeshnish,” ní U.S. ji’ Agha’diit’aahii Tsoh Clinton J. Johnson kojí bá Halgai Hahozo Náhokosjí bił Hahozo Da'ínííshjí (Northern District of Oklahoma). “Nihí éí nitsaago hahozojí bił nideelnishgo t’áá’ałtsoh bee Haz’áanii Hastą́ą́ dóó bíla’ashdła’ii ’óhóólnííh bąąh siláhígíí adahwiinít’ı̨́ yik’ehósin dooleeł biniyé.” Naaltsoos Bee Ahidiníłnáo Ak’idiit’įįhígíí biyaadóó, AOC éí ha’oozíí’ dóó bee ak’e’ashchı̨́įgo áyiilaago saad bee háká at’oowoł díí adadahozistą́ǫ hahwiinít’ǫ́o dóó aadahwiint’ı̨́ góne’ báá’ílínígíí doo Diné Bilagáana bizaad bił nanitł’ahígíí doo yik’é ni t’oolééł da, nitsaahgo hahozojí saad bee háká at’oowołígíí bik’eh áhoolyaah, dóó naaltsoos bee ’éédahóziníí saad bik’it’iitįįhgo ádoolnííł. AOC éí bahwiinít’ínígíí binaaltsoos nidandeehígíí hazhó’ó bikéé’ adéest’ı̨́ı̨́go bá at’a’hane’ hólǫ́ǫgo íidoolííł, at’a’hane’ wókaad biniyé naaltsoos nehe’nííłígíí, adahwiinít’ı̨́įgi at’a’hane’ holǫ́ níigo hane’ íł’ı̨́į dooleeł, dóó naalkidí biyi’jı̨́’ adahwiinít’ı̨́įgi nidaalnishígíí hayit’áo ách’iił’įį. Díí bahwiinít’ínígíí éí T’ááhó Beehaz’áanii Hą́ą́h Silá bił da’ííníshjí be’agha’diit’aahii danilínígíí dóó Halgai Hahozo Náhokosjí bił Hahozo Da’ínííshjí ahił nidaashnish. Náásgóó díí hane’ biniyé T’ááhó Beehaz’áanii Hą́ą́h Silá bił da’ííníshjí béésh nitsíkees biyi’jį www.justice.gov/crt dídíí’įįł, dóó Bilagáana bizaad bee hach’į’ anáhóót’i’go dóó Beehaz’áanii Hast’ą́ą́ si’áníí éí www.lep.gov gi daaszo. T’áá hééshı̨́ı̨́ óhólnííh hąąsiláhígíí bił asz iigo éí www.civilrights.justice.gov/report biyi’jį’ baahoshdoolne’ doodai’ U.S. Agha’diit’aahii Tsoh Halgai Hahozo Náhokosjí bił Hahozo Da’ínííshjí jį’ www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/contact-us .