title: Guilty Pleas in Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Five of dozens of defendants charged in the Southern District of Florida for their alleged participation in a scheme that created an illegal licensing and employment shortcut for aspiring nurses have pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy. Krystal Lopez and Damian Lopez (both of Palm Beach County, Fla.); Francois Legagneur (of Nassau County, N.Y.), Reynoso Seide (of Union County, N.J.); and Yelva Saint Preux (of Suffolk County, N.Y.) will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal in federal district court in Fort Lauderdale on July 27. They each face up to 20 years in federal prison. During guilty plea hearings before U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, D. Lopez, Legagneur, Seide, and Saint Preux admitted to soliciting and recruiting people who sought nursing credentials that would allow them to work as registered, licensed practical, or vocational nurses. They also admitted to working with Palm Beach School of Nursing to create and distribute fraudulent diplomas and transcripts representing that the aspiring nursing candidates had attended the school and completed the necessary courses and clinicals to obtain their nursing diplomas. In fact, the aspiring nurses had not completed the courses and clinicals. K. Lopez admitted that, in her role as Palm Beach School of Nursing’s Finance Director, she processed applications for individuals who were issued fraudulent nursing school diplomas and transcripts and that each student paid the school $15,000 for the documents. The defendants all admitted to profiting from the scam. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region, made the announcement. FBI Miami and HHS-OIG Miami investigated, with valuable assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Field Office; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General; United States Postal Inspection Service, Miami; and Florida Attorney General-Florida Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Mid-Atlantic Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Clark is prosecuting this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture. This case is being prosecuted in conjunction with a related criminal matter in the District of Maryland. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-60007. Related cases in the Southern District of Florida are case nos. 22-cr-60111, 22-cr-60118, 23-cr-60005, 23-cr-60010, 23-cr-60012, and 23-cr-60013. ###


title: U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker recognizes National Police Week

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – In honor of this week as National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker recognizes the service and sacrifice of all law enforcement officers in the Southern District of Ohio. “I ask the public to join me in thanking the many men and women of law enforcement who nobly and honorably serve their profession and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Parker. “Our law enforcement officers are public servants, who are tasked with serving our communities knowing their commitment to do so could cost them their lives. They have taken a solemn oath to protect us with the same vigor that they would their own families.” In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Each year, hundreds of names of officers killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. These names are then read aloud during the annual Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year marked the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil. At this year’s candlelight vigil, Clark County Deputy Matthew Eugene Yates’s name was read aloud. Deputy Yates was killed in the line of duty on July 24, 2022. The schedule of National Police Week events is available on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial website . You can view U.S. Attorney Parker’s entire message to law enforcement officers on the Southern District of Ohio’s Facebook page. # # #


title: Key West Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Fraud

body_text: MIAMI – Abel Raphael, 65, of Key West, Florida has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay almost $150,000 in restitution for aiding and assisting the preparation and presentation of false tax returns. Following his guilty plea in October 2022. Raphael was a professional tax return preparer and operated Abel Income Tax Service Inc., in Monroe County. In connection with his guilty plea, Raphael admitted that he obtained an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) to submit tax returns electronically to the IRS in the names of others. Raphael prepared the returns using false deduction and tax credit figures, then electronically filed them with the IRS. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore. IRS-CI Miami and FBI Miami, Key West Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Thompson prosecuted it. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-10016. ###


title: Jury Convicts St. Lawrence County Sex Offender of Child Exploitation Offenses

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: UTICA, NEW YORK – A jury on Friday voted to convict Jerod Schaffer, age 40, of Potsdam, New York, of sexual exploitation of a minor, committing a felony offense against a minor while being required to register as a sex offender, and receipt and possession of child pornography, following a 5-day trial in Utica. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. The trial evidence established that Schaffer was convicted in 2014 in Franklin County, New York, of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree and, as a result, was required to register as a sex offender. In November 2021, Schaffer met a 14-year-old girl on a social media site and began requesting and receiving child pornography from her. In early 2022, Schaffer traveled from New York to Ohio where he had sex with the victim on multiple occasions, recorded it, and posted a sex video online. When Schaffer’s house was searched in May 2022, he had dozens of sexually explicit files depicting the victim. The jury voted to acquit Schaffer of one count of sexual exploitation of a child and failed to reach a verdict as to three other counts. At sentencing scheduled for September 21, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd, Schaffer faces at least 35 years and a maximum term of 120 years in prison, restitution to the victim, and forfeiture of the electronic device involved in the commission of his offense. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. HSI and the Potsdam Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian LaRochelle are prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Canadian Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography and Extortion Related to His “Sextortion” of Five Minor Victims

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced Muhammad Luqman Rana, age 33, of City of Vaughan, Ontario, to 32 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for producing image and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children and for extortion related to an online “sextortion” scheme. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Myron Demkiw of the Toronto Police Services (Canada). According to his guilty plea and other court documents, from June 2014 to June 2016, Rana used a free online chat website to target adult and minor victims living in the United States and Canada to produce sexually explicit images. Rana tricked five minor U.S. victims, who ranged from ages 12 to 17, into producing sexually explicit images because they believed they were chatting with a young male. Rana surreptitiously captured two of the minor victims changing in their bedrooms after they had accidentally left their webcam on after chatting with him. Once Rana had embarrassing and sensitive videos of his victims, he forced them to produce and send additional sexually explicit images and videos via both live transmission and to his email account out of fear that he would publicly post the videos he had previously obtained if they did not comply with his demands. Rana’s victims were terrorized by him almost daily for months, and some for over a year. The Canadian York Regional Police executed a search warrant on Rana’s residence and seized digital evidence which was made available to U.S. law enforcement and Canada agreed to extradite Rana to the United States. In January 2021, Rana was arrested in Canada on a provisional arrest warrant 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 and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. commended the FBI and the Toronto Police Services for their work in the investigation and recognized the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs conducted the requests for mutual legal assistance and extradition. Mr. Barron and Mr. Polite thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Michael Morgan, Jr. and Senior Trial Attorney Jennifer Leonardo of the Justice Department’s Criminal Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit, 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: Amory Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Distribution Scheme

component: Criminal - Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section

body_text: Oxford, MS – An Amory man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Michael Wright, 40, of Amory, Mississippi pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in February. Court records show that Wright received more than two pounds of methamphetamine in the mail that he intended to distribute. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson sentenced Wright to 216 months of incarceration to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. “When criminals seek to inject poison into our communities, the United States Attorney’s Office will do everything we can to hold them accountable for it,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “We hope that this sentence will serve as a deterrent to others who would consider engaging in the illegal drug trade.” “Illegal drugs have no business being a part of the mail stream,” said Scott Fix, Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Postal Inspectors work tirelessly to rid the mail of illicit and dangerous drugs and provide a safe environment for postal employees and Postal Service customers. Today’s sentencing of Michael Wright demonstrates that Postal Inspectors will never tolerate this abuse of the US Mail. We thank the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in bringing this criminal to justice.” The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D. Roberts prosecuted the case.


title: American living in Brazil admits to business email compromise scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 58-year-old U.S. citizen has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Michael Knighten aka Michael Sabatine had been living in Brazil but was extradited in June 2022. Knighten admitted he participated in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme which defrauded a number of companies including several in Houston. Using his alias, he sent fraudulent emails requesting changes to payment information on invoices due to vendors. This included where payments should be made, one of which was to a bank in Las Vegas. However, the accounts were not the vendor’s actual bank account. He had fraudulently used the name and passport of a relative to contact the owner of this bank account in Las Vegas by email. Knighten had him set up a company and accept deposits and make disbursements until he could come to Las Vegas and set up his own account. Knighten also used his alias in emails to Bennu Oil and Gas Company in Houston beginning in March 2014. He fraudulently represented himself to be the financial director of Ceona Offshore and requested payments due to Ceona from Bennu. In May 2014, he sent additional emails to Bennu and caused the company to send a wire transfer in the amount of $651,125, to a bank account in Portugal. After making this payment, Bennu uncovered the fraud and was able to freeze some of the funds, but still suffered a loss of $224,000. As part of his plea, Knighten admitted the companies he defrauded suffered total losses of over $3 million. “Knighton defrauded several companies, large and small, out of millions of dollars using business email compromise schemes,” said Hamdani. “BEC scams have become a serious problem, targeting not just companies but individuals, often from the comfort of an overseas hideaway. Despite that, we will not rest until we bring scammers, like Knighton, to justice, no matter where they reside. Note that criminals will continue to use phishing emails to try to obtain important information which can lead to serious financial losses. So, stay alert!” U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal will impose sentencing Aug. 31. At that time, Knighten faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Knighten has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Braddock is prosecuting the case.


title: Yosemite National Park Squatter Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charges

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Devin Michael Cuellar, 29, a transient, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, during the summer of 2021, Cuellar broke into a private residence on Koon Hollar Road in Wawona within Yosemite National Park and resided there for several months without permission of the owner. Cuellar possessed a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition that were found in the residence. Cuellar was previously convicted of carjacking and possessing controlled substances for sale and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Forensic Services, and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case. Cuellar is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Sept. 5, 2023. Cuellar faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: North Carolina Man Sentenced to Prison for Sex Offense Against A Minor

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Brian Mathew Wittmann, 34, of Madison, North Carolina, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for traveling in interstate commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Wittmann must also register as a sex offender. According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 11, 2022, Wittmann contacted an individual he believed to be a minor female on Instagram after finding her profile. Wittmann admitted that he asked for the minor female’s phone number and began sending her text messages that included a photo of his genitals. Wittmann further admitted that he continued to text the minor female for about a week, seeking to entice her into engaging in illicit sexual conduct with him. On May 19, 2022, Wittmann arranged by text message to meet the minor female the following day at a location in Nicholas County, West Virginia, to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Wittmann admitted to driving the next day from North Carolina to Nicholas County, where he was met by law enforcement officers. Wittmann admitted that he told the officers that he had sent sexually explicit messages to the minor female as well as to other minor females on Instagram. Officers searched Wittmann’s vehicle and found condoms, blankets, a pillow and a morning-after pill, a type of emergency birth control. Wittmann admitted to buying the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crime Against Children (VCAC) Task Force. United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White prosecuted the case. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-120. ###


title: Putnam County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – George Daren Hall, also known as “Pops,” 47, of Nitro, was sentenced today to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 10, 2022, Hall sold approximately 65 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant outside of a Cochrane Lane residence in Nitro. Hall admitted to that transaction and to the sale of approximately 59 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant outside the same residence on March 14, 2022. Hall further admitted to selling approximately 59 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant outside of a Brandy Lane residence in Nitro on June 4, 2022. On March 23, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Hall in the Poca area of Putnam County. Hall admitted to throwing approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine from his vehicle while trying to flee the traffic stop. Officers apprehended Hall and recovered the methamphetamine from the side of the road. On October 24, 2022, officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Hall in the Kanawha County section of Nitro. Hall admitted to possessing approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine found by officers in the vehicle, and further admitted that he intended to sell the methamphetamine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the West Virginia State Police and the Ona Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:22-cr-166. ###


title: Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Guatemalan man residing in Framingham has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Carmen Jimenez-Cruz, 42, was sentenced on May 11, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to one year and one day in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Jimenez-Cruz will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On Jan. 24, 2023, Jimenez-Cruz pleaded guilty to illegal reentry. In May 2013, Jimenez-Cruz was encountered by federal immigration authorities after he illegally crossed the Mexican border into Texas without being admitted by an immigration officer. He was removed from the United States in June 2013. One month after his removal, Jimenez-Cruz illegally reentered the United States and, in July 2013, he was again encountered by federal immigration authorities in Texas after having entered the United States without inspection. He was removed from the United States shortly thereafter in July 2013. On an unknown date and place, Jimenez-Cruz illegally reentered the United States again. In April 2019, federal immigration authorities located Jimenez-Cruz at the Middlesex County House of Correction where he was being held pretrial on unrelated state charges. According to court records, in May 2022, Jimenez-Cruz was convicted of strangulation/suffocation and assault and battery on a family/household member and was sentenced to an 11-month split sentence followed by probation until May 2023. Upon completion of his sentence, Jimenez-Cruz was released from state prison. Jimenez-Cruz was later located in September 2022 after being identified as a passenger during a motor vehicle stop in Framingham. Jimenez-Cruz was taken into custody and fingerprints obtained during his booking process were confirmed as an identical match to a prior removal verification document. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuted the case.


title: Court Enters $487 Million Judgment Against Precision Lens and Owner Paul Ehlen for Paying Kickbacks to Doctors in Violation of the False Claims Act

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright has entered a judgment against Defendants Cameron-Ehlen Group, Inc. dba Precision Lens and its owner Paul Ehlen in the amount of $487,048,705.13. On February 27, 2023, a federal civil jury concluded that the Defendants violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying kickbacks to ophthalmic surgeons to induce their use of the Defendants’ products in cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare. The jury found that 64,575 false claims were submitted to Medicare due to the Defendants’ conduct, which resulted in $43,694,641.71 in damages to Medicare. Under the False Claims Act (FCA), a person or entity found to have violated the FCA is liable to the United States Government for a minimum civil penalty of $5,000 per false claim and three times the amount of damages sustained by the Government. In this matter, the amount included $358,445,780 in statutory penalties and an additional $131,083,925.13 in trebled damages, resulting in a total amount of $489,529,705.13, less $2,481,000 in proceeds from a previous settlement with Sightpath Medical. As proven at trial, the Defendants provided kickbacks to physicians in various forms, including travel and entertainment. The United States identified multiple examples of trips, including high-end skiing, fishing, golfing, hunting, sporting, and entertainment vacations, often at exclusive destinations. For many of the trips, the Defendants transported physicians to luxury vacation destinations on private jets. These included trips to New York City to see a Broadway musical, the College Football National Championship Game in Miami, Florida, and the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. The Defendants also sold frequent flyer miles to their physician customers at a significant discount, enabling the physicians to take personal and business trips at well below fair market value. “This judgment affirms Congress’ intent to hold individuals and companies accountable when they use illegal kickbacks to defraud federal healthcare programs,” said Bahram Samie, Deputy Civil Chief for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. “Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to know with certainty that their physician’s decision-making has not been compromised by a private flight, expensive ski-trip, or any other unlawful inducement. This office is committed to investigating misconduct and recovering funds unlawfully obtained from federal healthcare programs.” The United States also proved that Precision Lens maintained a fund, referred to internally at Precision Lens as a secret fund or slush fund, in furtherance of its kickback scheme. Precision Lens used money from the secret fund to finance multiple physician trips. The United States previously announced a $12 million settlement of related allegations with Sightpath Medical, Inc. and TLC Vision Corporation (collectively Sightpath) and their former CEO, James Tiffany. Dr. Jitendra Swarup also resolved claims that he had accepted kickbacks in a settlement agreement of more than $2.9 million. This civil lawsuit was originally brought by a Relator, or whistleblower, under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery. The government often relies on whistleblowers to bring fraud schemes to light that might otherwise go undetected. The whistleblower in this matter, Kipp Fesenmaier, will receive a percentage of the amounts awarded at trial. The case was handled by the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, including AUSAs Chad Blumenfield, Bahram Samie, and Andy Tweeten and paralegals Darcie Boschee and Laura Kolars. The case was investigated with assistance from the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: One Detroit Won’t Stop Fighting for a Better, Safer Detroit

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: On April 19, a broad coalition of community partners announced the creation of “One Detroit,” the comprehensive violence reduction initiative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The core of the initiative is partnership. One Detroit is a formal alliance that brings together leaders of the community and those with subject matter expertise in the areas of enforcement, prevention, and reentry—the three pillars that serve as the foundation for One Detroit—to develop and execute the best strategies to reduce violent crime. Our goal is ambitious: we are setting our sights on cutting gun violence in half in the district’s largest city. But it can be done. We must do it. We will do it as One Detroit. Although the One Detroit partnership was announced in April, this was not the start of our work. For the last year, we have learned about the violent crime problems in Detroit and elsewhere; we have identified individuals and groups working hard to address it; and, we have begun to implement anti-violence practices that have worked in other cities. We learned that urban violence is often perpetrated in clusters by a small number of people and groups, and we can be most effective if we focus on these violent people. We also learned that responses to violence can be overbroad and negatively affect community relationships. Most importantly, we learned that violence is best addressed together, as one community, as One Detroit. The One Detroit partners come from all aspects of our city, and they include Bishop Edgar Vann of the Second Ebenezer Church, Kenyatta Stephens, the CEO of Black Family Development, Mayor Mike Duggan, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Detroit Police Chief James White, and Heidi Washington, Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections. The One Detroit partnership’s enforcement efforts will involve close coordination between federal and local law enforcement to identify emerging violent offenders or trends within particular neighborhoods. We will draw on the expertise of local officers, who have deep experience in the communities they serve. And we will pair that personalized knowledge with technology like the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (NIBIN), ShotSpotter, and evidence-based tools that will help us focus on the small number of people perpetrating violence. This strategy is backed by evidence and experience. It works. It is already having an impact in communities throughout the district, including Detroit. Over the course of the last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its state, local, and federal partners have focused enforcement on the drivers of violence throughout the Eastern District of Michigan. And in 2022, shootings in Saginaw were down 57%; down 70% in Pontiac; down 42% in Flint; and down 53% in Jackson. Detroit’s numbers—a 10% reduction in non-fatal shootings—were not as significant. One Detroit is committed to changing that. But One Detroit is much more than just another enforcement effort. We are focused on crime prevention in ways this community has never seen before. For instance, next week we will send out over one hundred letters warning those on probation and parole about our upcoming summer enforcement in an effort to deter those individuals from illegally possessing guns. We will turn on its head the historical paradigm of arrest first and advise later so that we can prevent crime rather than punish it. And we will assist returning citizens to transition peacefully to the community by connecting them to housing, mental health, and employment assistance. We recently hosted a “Second Chance” reentry symposium that was attended by over one hundred returning citizens and service providers. This combined approach—enforcement, prevention, and reentry—recognizes the need for prosecution of those who are the most violent, but also the collateral impacts that often accompany aggressive law enforcement efforts. We are committed to balancing our investigative and prosecutive efforts with outreach strategies designed to prevent violent crime from happening. For the past year, federal prosecutors have been assigned to five precincts in Detroit to work with federal and local law enforcement partners to identify violent offenders. But they are not just involved in enforcement. Our prosecutors also attend community meetings in those precincts where they communicate about our work and learn about things like blight and abandoned buildings where violence and crime often concentrate. This type of partnership has a direct impact on violence and the quality of life for Detroit’s citizens. For instance, last summer, a prosecutor learned from the community about an abandoned house that had become a hotspot for violence. The prosecutor shared that information with the Mayor’s office, which was able to prioritize the house for demolition. We understand that law enforcement cannot simply target communities for enforcement to reduce crime but must engage with those communities in a positive manner. Last summer, before we implemented our enhanced enforcement strategy in two precincts most affected by violent crime in Detroit, my team and I addressed the Community Relations Councils in those precincts. We explained the data we used to determine the areas in need of the enhanced enforcement. We shared our strategy. We asked the community leaders in those areas to help us deter violence by providing information about the enhanced enforcement. They welcomed the information and readily joined the effort. In addition, during the summer enforcement period, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the City of Detroit and some of our One Detroit partners, hosted community engagement events called “Peacenics” in those same areas in the city. These community gatherings included everything from cookie decorating, face painting, and basketball giveaways, to literacy programs, expungement assistance, vocational programs, employment opportunities, and other community-level services. The positive reactions from the community to these gatherings inform our belief that outreach and trust are crucial components of crime reduction. Our Peacenics will be returning to O’Hair Park and Heilmann Park this July. Reducing violent crime is my highest priority as U.S. Attorney. People in Detroit need to feel safe when they go about their business on our streets. And I recognize that we need a more mindful approach to violence reduction that acknowledges law enforcement cannot be the only solution to keeping our communities secure. We need to change hearts and minds through trust and transparency. The One Detroit partners don’t have all the answers to reduce violent crime in the City of Detroit, but we won’t stop trying to find solutions. We won’t stop trying to make Detroit safe for its residents and the people who come to Detroit to work and play. We won’t stop trying to partner with individuals and groups willing to put their efforts into making our community safe. We won’t stop trying to end the cynicism that sees violent crime in cities like Detroit as intractable. Finally, as U.S. Attorney, I won’t stop trying to bring an end to the senseless killings in my treasured hometown of Detroit and throughout the Eastern District of Michigan. I WON’T STOP!


title: Former Orange County Elementary School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A former Orange County elementary school teacher and high school wrestling coach pleaded guilty today to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including at least one video portraying masochistic sexual conduct involving a child. Richard O’Connor, 45, of Anaheim, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. O’Connor formerly was employed as a fourth-grade teacher at Crescent Elementary School in Anaheim and volunteered as a boys’ wrestling coach at Canyon High School, also located in Anaheim. He is not accused of victimizing students. According to his plea agreement, in October 2022, law enforcement served a federal search warrant on Apple Inc. for the contents of O’Connor’s Apple iCloud account. A forensic review of O’Connor’s iCloud account identified at least 81 videos and 158 images of CSAM. O’Connor admitted in his plea agreement that several of the videos and images of CSAM in his iCloud account depicted infants or toddlers as well as violent, sadistic, or masochistic conduct. O’Connor further admitted in his plea agreement that he knew that at least three of the videos that he possessed depicted minors engaged in sexual conduct. He also admitted to possessing at least one video that portrayed a child engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct, particularly bondage. United States District Judge David O. Carter scheduled a December 18 sentencing hearing, at which time O’Connor will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and will be required to register as a sex offender. Federal prosecutors have agreed to recommend to the court that O’Connor be sentenced to a term of imprisonment no higher than five years. Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Melissa S. Rabbani of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.


title: Two Fentanyl Traffickers Plead Guilty to Charges Arising from the 2022 “Operation Killer High” Investigation in Fresno

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Henry Cox, 23, and Abel Lozano, 29, both of Sanger, pleaded guilty today to trafficking over 500 grams of fentanyl. Lozano also pleaded guilty to trafficking over 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 100 grams of a fentanyl analogue, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, investigation, dubbed “Operation Killer High,” began after a series of victims overdosed on counterfeit oxycodone M30 pills laced with fentanyl in the Fresno area. The investigation aimed to search for the drug dealers believed to have supplied the toxic pills that caused the spike in fentanyl-related overdoses. The operation uncovered a large drug-trafficking ring led by co-defendant Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., 22, of Fresno, the self-proclaimed “M30 king of Fresno.” On Feb. 11, 2022, federal officers executed a search warrant at Lozano’s residence and found over a kilogram of fentanyl, 991 grams of p-flourofentanyl (an analogue more potent than fentanyl), and 907 grams of methamphetamine. According to Lozano’s plea agreement, he intended to distribute those drugs to other persons. Also in February 2022, members of the investigative team intercepted communications between Henry Cox and others in which Cox discussed his plan to obtain and sell thousands of M30 fentanyl pills. The recorded calls led investigators to conduct a traffic stop on a car on Feb. 17, 2022. Officers searched the car and found about 20,000 fentanyl pills and almost 1 kilogram of fentanyl powder. According to Cox’s plea agreement, the drugs were part of the conspiracy in which he joined. Charges are pending against Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr and the other 15 co-defendants. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is the result of an investigation by FORT (a multi-agency team composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Clovis Police Department, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Bakersfield Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Laurel J. Montoya are prosecuting the case. Sentencing for Cox and Lozano is set for Aug. 28, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Cox and Lozano face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine up to $10 million. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Conspiracy

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Juan Medina, 29, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, in July 2015, Medina, a truck driver acting at the direction of a Mexican drug source of supply, went to Garden Grove and received $9,800 for a prior delivery of heroin orchestrated by the Mexican source. Medina is the third courier in this case to enter a guilty plea. Roberto Palacios-Garcia, 37, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison. Daniel Quiroz, 41, of Los Angeles, is scheduled for sentencing on July 10, 2023. Charges are pending against a fourth defendant, Otoniel Cardenas-Torres, 33. Cardenas-Torres is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case. Medina is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Sept. 5, 2023. Medina faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: U.S. Attorney Waldref Recognizes Police Week in Eastern Washington

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington: In honor of National Police Week, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed from May 14 through May 20, 2023. At the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, which was held earlier today at the Nation’s Capital, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, “We pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country, we also honor the ongoing sacrifices by those they love the most.” The Attorney General continued, “These are individuals who answered the call to serve from a wide variety of backgrounds bringing different perspectives and different experiences to their work. . . . Each made the same promise, to serve and protect their communities. They promised that when a call for help came, they would answer. They promised that when a crisis arose in their community, they would respond. They promised that nothing, no danger, no threat, would stop them from showing up when they were needed the most. Each of the individuals we honor today kept that promise.” U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref joined the Attorney General in thanking law enforcement. “Today and throughout this week, we thank our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement officers for their unrelenting commitment to protect us all and keep the communities of Eastern Washington safe and strong,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “These courageous men and women routinely put their lives on the line for ours, and we are extremely grateful for their sacrifice. We all owe them our deepest gratitude and respect – and not just for this week alone, but each and every day that these brave individuals serve our communities.” President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation in 1962 for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 332 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2022. In the State of Washington, five officers died last year in the line of duty. In proclaiming May 14 through May 20, 2023, as Police Week, President Biden “call[ed] upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities and salute our Nation’s brave law enforcement officers and remember their peace officer brothers and sisters who have given their last full measure of devotion in the line of duty.” President Biden further “encourage[d] all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.” Additional information and resources regarding this year’s Police Week is available at: https://nleomf.org/memorial/programs/national-police-week-2023/ .


title: Two Men Sentenced for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On May 11, 2023 United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced GERARD BROWN , age 36, of New Orleans, and EDGARDO RUIZ , age 30, of Los Angeles, California, for violating the Federal Controlled Substances and the Federal Gun Control Acts, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to the court records, BROWN conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute large amounts of heroin and fentanyl. BROWN also pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms after DEA agents found several guns in his house during the execution of a search warrant. RUIZ , who was incarcerated in California at the time of the offense, pled guilty to two counts of using a communications device to further drug trafficking activity. He admitted to using a contraband cellphone in jail to arrange drug transactions with BROWN . Judge Fallon sentenced BROWN to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Fallon sentenced RUIZ to eight years imprisonment to be followed by one year of supervised release. BROWN and RUIZ were also ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $200 each. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: Spokane Resident Sentenced to 6 Months for COVID-19 Relief Fraud

component: Criminal - Criminal Fraud Section

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Natasha Ann Opsal, 41, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. United States District Judge Thomas Rice announced the sentence, the most recent obtained by the COVID-19 Relief Fraud Strike Force. On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act provided a number of programs through which eligible small businesses could request and obtain relief funding intended to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic for small and local businesses. One such program, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), provided government-backed funding to small businesses which could be forgiven so long as the proceeds were used for payroll and other eligible expenses. Another program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, provided low interest loans that could be deferred until the conclusion of the pandemic to provide “bridge” funding for small businesses to maintain their operations during shutdowns and other economic circumstances caused by the pandemic. The PPP and EIDL programs have provided billions of dollars in aid, the vast majority of which have not been paid back, including hundreds of millions of dollars disbursed within Eastern Washington. “COVID-19 relief programs were designed to lift up our community during crisis, and due to the number of people and businesses that requested funding, some deserving small businesses were not able to obtain funding to keep their businesses in operation,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “We created the Strike Force to ensure that those who misused COVID-19 relief funding are held accountable and to protect the strength and safety of our vital small business community.” In February 2022, U.S. Attorney Waldref and the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) began working with federal law enforcement agencies to create and launch a COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force that would leverage partnerships between different agencies to aggressively investigate and prosecute fraud against COVID-19 relief programs in Eastern Washington. The Strike Force consists of agency representatives from the USAO, Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs OIG, General Services Administration OIG, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) OIG, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Energy OIG, and others. According to court documents and information disclosed during court proceedings, Opsal fraudulently obtained over $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funding through three PPP loans she obtained in the spring of 2021 for a purported car detailing business. In February of 2023, Opsal pled guilty to submitting false and fraudulent claims to the United States, and admitted to making false and fraudulent representations about the purported business in order to obtain COVID-19 funding. As part of the sentence, Opsal will serve 6 months in federal prison and be supervised by the Court for three years following her release, among other conditions, and will be required to maintain employment and to make full restitution of the funds that she fraudulently obtained. “I commend the stellar investigative work on these cases performed by the Strike Force and especially in this case by SBA OIG, U.S. Secret Service, and DHS OIG” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute those who abuse and misuse COVID-19 relief funding, and to strengthen our communities by protecting our small and local businesses.” DHS Inspector General, Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari, said, “I appreciate the continued partnership between DHS OIG and the Eastern District of Washington’s COVID Fraud Strike Force. Defrauding the U.S. Government’s programs for personal gain is unconscionable. This sentencing should serve as a deterrent to individuals intent on fleecing our COVID pandemic relief programs.” “Individuals making false statements to fraudulently obtain pandemic funds will face justice,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King. “Our Office will remain relentless in the pursuit of fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.” This case was investigated by the Eastern District of Washington COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force and by the SBA OIG, U.S. Secret Service, and DHS OIG. Special Assistant United States Attorney Frieda K. Zimmerman and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. Case No. 2:22-CR-53-TOR


title: Laplace Woman Sentenced to Over Two Years for Church Embezzlement

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – ANITA WILLENE HOBDY , age 68, of LaPlace, was sentenced to 27 months in prison on May 11, 203 for wire fraud, stemming from fraudulent charges made from First Baptist Church of LaPlace, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. HOBDY previously pled guilty to a one-count bill of information for wire fraud that involved her conduct from 2015 through 2021. According to court documents, HOBDY was a bookkeeper for a church’s daycare and embezzled over $175,000 from church accounts during that period. The Honorable Eldon E. Fallon sentenced HOBDY to 27 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. She was also ordered to pay $175,124.26 in restitution to the First Baptist Church of LaPlace. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service and the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses, Health Care Fraud Coordinator, is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Inland Empire Man Sentenced to 2½ Years in Federal Prison for BB Gun Attacks on Planned Parenthood Clinic and Firearm Offense

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Bernardino County man was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for firing BB guns at a Planned Parenthood facility in Pasadena nearly a dozen times and for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. Richard Royden Chamberlin, 53, who currently resides in Ontario, but previously maintained a residence in Altadena, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, who also ordered him to pay $42,663 in restitution. At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Fitzgerald described Chamberlin’s year-long string of BB gun attacks as a “reign of terror” and that Chamberlin had acted “in a calculated and cruel way” against Planned Parenthood, its staff, and patients. Chamberlin pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Chamberlin admitted in his plea agreement to driving past the Planned Parenthood facility in Pasadena and firing his BB gun at the clinic on at least 11 occasions between June 2020 and May 2021. Chamberlin admitted that he intentionally conducted the attacks to intimidate and interfere with the clinic, its doctors, staff, and patients specifically because the clinic was providing reproductive health services, including services related to the termination of pregnancies. Beginning on June 27, 2020, Chamberlin’s attacks involved him firing BB pellets through the window of his car. The attacks caused physical damage to the clinic, including shattered windows, and served to intimidate the staff of the clinic. On March 29, 2021, an employee of the clinic heard an object hit her office window, which caused her to fear for her physical safety and interfered with the performance of her job duties. The next day, at 8:30 a.m. while the clinic was open and receiving patients, Chamberlin again drove by and fired his BB gun at the front entrance. During this attack, a patient’s support companion was seated on the front porch and was nearly hit when the BB gun pellets peppered the banners directly in front of where she was seated. No one was injured in any of the shootings. On May 7, 2021, the Pasadena Police Department stopped Chamberlin while he was driving away from the clinic following yet another BB gun attack. At this time, Chamberlin possessed eight BB guns, including BB guns designed to look like assault rifles. On the front passenger seat of his vehicle, police found a backpack containing a .22-caliber pistol, which was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. In his plea agreement, Chamberlin admitted that he possessed this firearm and ammunition after being previously convicted in Arizona in 2012 of a felony offense of attempted transportation of a narcotic drug for sale. Following his May 7, 2021, arrest, Chamberlin attempted to dispose of his remaining firearms by selling four firearms to a local consignment store and transferring ownership of eight additional firearms to a neighbor. During a subsequent search of his home, authorities recovered thousands of rounds of ammunition, gun powder, a dozen additional BB guns, a black cylinder resembling a suppressor, a Polymer 80 gun-making kit, various gun parts and multiple documents identifying and referring to Planned Parenthood. “These victims have all been deeply impacted by [Chamberlin’s] conduct,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “The clinic’s employees still experience daily anxiety and fear, and they have an overwhelming sense of being unsafe in their work environment.” The FBI and the Pasadena Police Department conducted the investigation in this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.


title: West Virginia woman convicted of methamphetamine trafficking

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Bridgeport, West Virginia, woman has admitted to possessing more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Courtney M. Oliverio, 42, pled guilty today to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. According to court documents, during a traffic stop in Harrison County Oliverio had nearly 60 grams of methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” and more than $3,000 cash. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers also found digital scales and other drug paraphernalia. Oliverio is facing at least 10 years and up to life in prison. She is being held in the Central Regional Jail pending sentencing. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Bridgeport Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Bauer is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: Phoenix Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree that Ended in High-Speed Chase in Which He Opened Fire on Law Enforcement

body_text: RIVERSIDE, California – An Arizona man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for committing armed robberies of nine stores in Southern California and Arizona during a crime spree last summer that ended in a high-speed chase in which he fired upon federal agents and, after police rammed his car, he accidentally shot himself under his chin. Samuel Sven Smith, 27, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and two counts of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. According to his plea agreement, from July 31, 2022, until his arrest on August 20, 2022, Smith went on an armed robbery spree in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties as well as in Arizona. Specifically, Smith admitted to targeting and robbing a Big Lots store in Riverside and PetSmart stores in Signal Hill, Orange, San Bernardino, Fontana, Pico Rivera, Redlands, Phoenix, and Rancho Cucamonga. In each of these robberies, Smith brandished a firearm to control the stores’ employees. After Smith robbed the Rancho Cucamonga PetSmart store, stealing $400 from a store employee, he exited the store and law enforcement, which included federal officers, confronted him. Smith then opened fire at the officers. Smith then entered his vehicle and sped off, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase, during which he fired his gun numerous times at pursuing officers. The chase ended when law enforcement rammed into Smith’s vehicle. According to court documents, when law enforcement approached Smith’s car, they determined he had suffered a gunshot wound underneath his chin. Smith told officers who were performing life saving measures, that when they rammed into his vehicle, he accidentally shot himself, according to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint in this case. United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal scheduled a January 22, 2024 sentencing hearing, at which time Smith will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The ATF Orange County Violent Crime Task Force investigated this matter. The task force, which is responsible for investigating serial robberies around Southern California, is comprised of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Brea Police Department; the Fullerton Police Department; the Santa Ana Police Department; and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky, Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime Section and Assistant United States Attorney Kevin J. Butler, also of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, are prosecuting this case.


title: Pharr man convicted of kidnapping for ransom in Mexico

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 26-year-old Pharr man has admitted to hostage taking, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Sixto Gonzalez Jr. admitted he unlawfully detained a 19-year-old Alamo man in order to force a ransom to be paid for his safe return. On June 23, 2021, Gonzalez lured the victim into Mexico by purporting to have a potential job opportunity to give him. Gonzalez picked the victim up after the victim crossed into Mexico on foot. When they arrived at a house located in Reynosa, Mexico, Gonzalez and several co-conspirators beat and restrained the victim. Between June 23 and June 25, 2021, Gonzalez and his co-conspirators demanded $5,000 and a firearm in exchange for his return. When the family could not immediately obtain the funds, conspirators sent a video to the victim’s family with footage of him being beaten with a wooden board until the board fractured. Law enforcement eventually determined the location of the house where he was being held. They conducted a search of the home and found the victim bound with zip ties, covered with a blanket and with bruises throughout his body. They also discovered Gonzalez located inside the house. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa will impose sentencing Aug. 18. At that time, Gonzalez faces up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Reynosa State police in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton Turner and Roberto Lopez is prosecuting the case.


title: Two guilty in prison contraband bribery scheme

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A local man has admitted he paid a prison guard to smuggle contraband into the La Villa Detention Center (LVDC), announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Abel Angel Solis, 24, Pharr, admitted he paid Jose Martin Espinoza, 36, Mercedes, to smuggle cellular phones into LVDC. Espinoza entered his plea April 24. On May 17, 2022, Espinoza attempted to enter the detention center for his normally scheduled duty. At that time, other prison officials conducted a search and found a cell phone wrapped in cellophane inside his work cap. Espinoza subsequently admitted Solis was paying him to bring the phones to an inmate who was being detained at LVDC pending proceedings on a hostage taking case. That inmate, Sixto Gonzalez Jr., pleaded guilty in that matter today. The investigation also revealed cash app transactions between Espinoza and Solis. The transactions totaled $1,500 for the delivery of three phones from Espinoza to Gonzalez. U.S. District Judge Marina Marmolejo accepted the pleas. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa will impose sentencing July 31 and Aug. 18, for Espinoza and Solis, respectively. At those times, Espinoza and Solis face up to 15 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Solis has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing. Espinoza was permitted to remain on bond. The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colton Turner is prosecuting the case.


title: Massachusetts Man Indicted for Acting as an Illegal Agent of the People’s Republic of China

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: A Massachusetts man was arrested on May 9 for allegedly acting as an agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General. Litang Liang, 63, of Brighton, was indicted on one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General and one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General. “We will not tolerate the PRC’s efforts to interfere with public discourse and threaten civic participation in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This case demonstrates, once again, the lengths that the PRC government, including its Ministry of Public Security, will go to target people in the U.S. who exercise their rights to speak out against the PRC.” “The Department of Justice will protect these individual rights and protect our country against those who seek to unlawfully act on behalf of foreign governments while within our borders,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “We allege that Mr. Liang engaged in a series of acts on behalf of the PRC government including providing information on Boston-area residents, organizations and dissidents to PRC government officials – potentially placing people at risk here in Massachusetts and abroad. Attempts to repress constitutionally protected rights here in the United States will never be tolerated. Anyone who infringes upon those rights on American soil will be identified and held to account.” “The United States requires agents of foreign countries to register with our government, and for good reason – in such cases, those agents often act against the interests of the United States,” said Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI Counterintelligence Division. “The FBI is not going to stand by and allow undeclared agents of the People’s Republic of China to operate in our country unchecked. We will continue to steadfastly enforce the law of the land, uncovering these efforts and holding accountable all those who work with foreign governments to violate our laws.” According to the charging documents, from in or around 2018 through at least 2022, Liang acted within the United States as an agent of the PRC government by allegedly providing PRC government officials with information on Boston-area individuals and organizations; organizing a counter-protest against pro-democracy dissidents; providing photographs of and information about dissidents to PRC government officials; and providing the names of potential recruits to the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security. At no point did Liang notify the U.S. Attorney General that he was acting as a PRC government agent. Specifically, beginning in or around 2018, Liang allegedly provided information about Chinese individuals and organizations in the Boston area to PRC government officials – including PRC officials formerly in the United States, the Ministry of Public Security, and the United Front Work Department, an entity which reports directly to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and works to further the CCP’s goals. It is alleged that Liang provided PRC government officials with information regarding members and leaders of Boston-area, Chinese family associations and community organizations with pro-Taiwan leanings. Additionally, it is alleged that Liang sent information regarding anti-PRC dissidents to PRC officials including: identification of an individual he accused of having “sabotaged” PRC flags in Boston’s Chinatown in October 2018; video of a dissident attending the “Boston Stands with Hong Kong” march in August 2019; and photographs of anti-PRC dissidents in front of the Boston Public Library in September 2019. The charge of acting as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without providing notification to the U.S. Attorney General provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Kistner for the District of Massachusetts is prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by Trial Attorney Elizabeth Abraham of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. 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: Federal Court Grants Provisional Approval of $2 Million in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Alabama Sheriff

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama has provisionally approved its $2 million settlement agreement with the Sheriff of Mobile County, Alabama. The agreement, announced by the department on April 24, resolves the department’s lawsuit alleging that female corrections officers at the Mobile County Metro Jail were regularly subjected to severe and pervasive sexual harassment in the workplace by male inmates and that the sheriff’s office failed to take prompt and effective action to remedy this harassing conduct as required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court’s provisional approval means that the parties can begin to implement the agreement, including by providing notice to the current and former employees who have a right to request a monetary award under the agreement. Those individuals will then have an opportunity to submit comments on the settlement, which the court will consider at a fairness hearing on Aug. 25, 2023, before giving final approval to the agreement. “The Justice Department brought this litigation to bring an end to the hostile work environment faced by women employed at the Mobile County Metro Jail,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The court’s action will help ensure that impacted female employees receive the relief that they rightly deserve.” Under the terms of the agreement, the sheriff will pay compensatory damages to plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. The sheriff will also establish a $1.41 million settlement fund to compensate other women harmed by the discrimination alleged by the department. All women who have worked as corrections officers or corporals at the Mobile County Metro Jail at any time between Jan. 1, 2011, and April 21, 2023 are potentially eligible to recover monetary relief under the fund. Over the next several weeks, a claims administrator retained by the department will contact women who may be eligible to notify them of the fund and provide specific instructions about next steps, including when they can apply to the fund. People with questions about the agreement and claims process can contact the Justice Department at mcso@usdoj.gov or 1-800-556-1950 (option 6). In addition to the monetary relief, the agreement also requires the sheriff to implement specific changes at the jail to reduce the instances of sexual harassment of female jail employees. These changes are based on recommendations from a corrections expert who has run jails and consulted with dozens of jails throughout the country for over three decades. None of the settlement funds will be used to implement these changes. This lawsuit is part of the Civil Rights Division’s Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Initiative. The initiative is aimed at eradicating sexual harassment in state and local government workplaces. It focuses on litigation, outreach, and development of effective remedial measures to address and prevent future sex discrimination and harassment. The full and fair enforcement of Title VII is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Employment Litigation Section is available on its websites www.justice.gov/crt and www.justice.gov/crt/employment-litigation-section .


title: Justice Department Obtains Agreement with Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Resolving Race Discrimination Complaint Filed by Delaware State University

body_text: The Justice Department announced today an agreement with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) to resolve a race discrimination civil rights complaint under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In response to the complaint, LCSO worked cooperatively with the Justice Department to reach a resolution agreement that will modernize its policing operations and further its ongoing efforts to prevent and address discriminatory law enforcement practices. In May 2022, the Justice Department received a complaint from Delaware State University (DSU), a historically Black university, alleging that LCSO discriminated against its student athletes, athletic coach, and driver when it conducted a racially discriminatory traffic stop in Georgia of a bus charted by DSU. Following the traffic stop, the University alleged that the subsequent questioning and search of the personal belongings of the primarily Black passengers, including through the use of a drug-sniffing dog, constituted unlawful race discrimination in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (Title VI). Title VI prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin. LCSO is a recipient of federal funding from the Justice Department. “Fairness and racial equity are fundamental principles for effective law enforcement, especially for those agencies that receive federal funding,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The students and staff at Delaware State University deserve policing that is racially equitable and bias-free. The agreement that we have secured with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office will help ensure that its policing practices are free from racial bias and discrimination going forward. We will continue working to ensure that federally funded law enforcement agencies comply with our federal civil rights laws.” “Law enforcement is most effective when it is supported by public confidence,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia. “The agreement announced today is a step toward ensuring that policing occurs in an evenhanded manner.” Under the agreement, LCSO will review its bias-free policing policies, make necessary updates to its policies on traffic enforcement and searches, and develop and implement data collection procedures, among other provisions. The enforcement of Title VI is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt . Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: El Departamento de Justicia llega a un acuerdo con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Liberty que resuelve una queja relacionada con discriminación racial presentada por la Universidad Estatal de Delaware

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció hoy que ha llegado a un acuerdo con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Liberty (LCSO, por sus siglas en inglés) que resuelve una queja de derechos civiles relacionada con la discriminación racial, en virtud del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964. Como respuesta a la demanda, la LCSO colaboró con el Departamento de Justicia para llegar a un acuerdo que modernizará sus operaciones policiales y fomentará sus esfuerzos continuos por prevenir y abordar prácticas discriminatorias de aplicación de la ley. En mayo del 2022, el Departamento de Justicia recibió una queja de la Universidad Estatal de Delaware (DSU, por sus siglas en inglés), una universidad tradicionalmente negra, que alegó que la LCSO discriminó a sus atletas estudiantes, entrenador y conductor cuando realizó una parada de tránsito racista en Georgia de un autobús fletado por la DSU. Después de la parada de tránsito, la Universidad alegó que la posterior interrogación y el registro de las pertenencias personales de los pasajeros, que eran principalmente negros –lo que incluyó el uso de un perro detector de drogas– constituyó discriminación racista ilícita, en contra del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles (Título VI). El Título VI prohíbe la discriminación por motivos de raza, color de piel y nacionalidad de origen por parte de beneficiarios de fondos federales. La LCSO es un beneficiario de fondos federales provenientes del Departamento de Justicia. «La justicia y la equidad racial son principios fundamentales en la aplicación eficaz de la ley, sobre todo para aquellas agencias que son beneficiarios de fondos federales». comentó Kristen Clarke, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. «Los estudiantes y personal de la Universidad Estatal de Delaware merecen una vigilancia policial que sea equitativa a nivel racial y libre de sesgos. El acuerdo que hemos alcanzado con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Liberty ayudará a garantizar que, en el futuro, sus prácticas de vigilancia policial sean libres de discriminación y sesgos raciales. Seguiremos trabajando para asegurar que las agencias de aplicación de la ley que se beneficien de fondos federales cumplan con nuestras leyes federales de derechos civiles». «La aplicación de la ley es lo más eficaz cuando viene acompañada de la confianza pública», afirmó Jill E. Steinberg, la Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Sur de Georgia. «El acuerdo que se ha anunciado hoy representa un paso hacia garantizar una vigilancia policial equitativa». Conforme el acuerdo, la LCSO revisará sus políticas de vigilancia policial libre de sesgos, actualizará sus políticas para los registros de tránsito y la aplicación de las leyes de tránsito, según sea necesario, y desarrollará e implementará procedimientos de recopilación de datos, entre otras disposiciones. La ejecución del Título VI representa una de las prioridades principales de la División de Derechos Civiles. Para más información sobre la División de Derechos Civiles, visite su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt-espanol . Miembros del público también pueden informar de posibles vulneraciones de derechos civiles en https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ . Agreement.pdf


title: Former Indianapolis Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force During Arrest

body_text: A former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an arrestee by using excessive force. According to court documents, on Sept. 24, 2021, Eric Huxley, 44, was on patrol in downtown Indianapolis when another officer requested his assistance in confronting a disorderly person on Monument Circle. After officers placed the victim, identified as J.V., under arrest for disorderly conduct, Huxley assisted other officers with conducting an inventory of J.V.’s property. When officers began to remove J.V.’s belt, he became confrontational with the officers. The primary arresting officer used a department-approved takedown maneuver to bring J.V., who had already been handcuffed, to the ground. The arresting officer held J.V. down with one hand while a second officer restrained his legs. This reasonable and appropriate use of force effectively overcame J.V.’s resistance and rendered him physically unable to move. Despite knowing that J.V. had been effectively restrained and posed no further danger to officers or the public, Huxley then intentionally raised his right foot and drove it down onto J.V.’s head and face. “This police officer violently and callously assaulted a homeless man who posed no threat,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers for violating federal civil rights laws.” “In addition to the trauma inflicted on victims, police officers who break the law and use excessive force damage the community’s trust in the law enforcement profession,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana. “Officers put themselves at risk every day doing a difficult and sometimes dangerous job to uphold the law and protect their communities. Those who instead commit crimes must be identified and prosecuted. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the FBI, Department of Justice, and our U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to seeking accountability for those who violate people’s civil rights under the color of law.” “Every day law enforcement officers in this country face dangerous situations which require the application of reasonable force to protect themselves and others. Unfortunately, some officers fail to adhere to the applicable standards of law and policy, inflicting harm instead of preventing it,” said Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. “This guilty plea reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, and I commend the work of the Special Agents and prosecutors who helped ensure the defendant was held accountable for his illegal conduct.” Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Huxley faces a maximum of 10 years in prison followed by supervised release. A federal judge will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Myers and Special Agent in Charge Stapleton made the announcement. The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.


title: Man Sentenced for Production of Child Pornography and Extortion

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Canadian man was sentenced today to 32 years in prison for producing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children and for interstate extortion based on an online “sextortion” scheme. According to court documents, from approximately 2014 to 2016, Muhammad Luqman Rana, 33, of Vaughan, Ontario, used the online messaging chat sites Omegle and Tinychat to target both adult and minor victims living in the United States and Canada to produce sexually explicit images. Rana tricked five minor U.S. victims, who ranged from ages 12 to 17, into producing sexually explicit images by posing as a minor male. Rana surreptitiously captured two of the minor victims changing in their bedrooms after they had accidentally left their webcam on after chatting with him. Once Rana had embarrassing and sensitive videos of his victims, he forced them to produce and send additional sexually explicit images and videos via both live transmission and to his email account out of fear that he would publicly post the videos he had previously obtained if they did not comply with his demands. In January 2021, Rana was arrested in Canada on a provisional arrest warrant. He was extradited to the United States on Jan. 25, 2022. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Myron Demkiw of the Toronto Police Services made the announcement. The FBI and the Toronto Police Services investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs conducted the requests for mutual legal assistance and extradition. Senior Trial Attorney Jennifer Toritto Leonardo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Michael Morgan Jr. for the District of Maryland prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Georgia Couple Charged with Labor Trafficking Conspiracy, Forced Labor and Alien Smuggling

body_text: A 16-count indictment was unsealed today charging a Georgia husband and wife with conspiring to commit labor trafficking, in addition to forced labor and alien smuggling, in connection with their operation of two Mexican restaurants, Sabor A Mexico at 805 Floy Farr Parkway, Fayetteville, Georgia, and Sabor A Mexico at 7860B Ella Lane, Fairburn, Georgia. According to the indictment, between March 2021 and October 2022, Efrain Gonzalez, 40, and Estella Gonzalez, 34, both of Peachtree City, conspired to commit labor trafficking. The indictment alleges that the couple used force, threats of force, coercion and abuse of law and legal process to compel victims to engage in forced labor. The indictment further alleges that the couple engaged in alien smuggling for commercial gain, alleging five counts of alien smuggling against Efrain Gonzalez and one count against Estella Gonzalez. The charge of forced labor carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Picknard of HSI Atlanta made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters and Trial Attorney Kate Hill of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case. Anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of this case or may have relevant information to share is asked to call the HSI tip line at 866-DHS-2423. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Maryland Man Found Guilty in Scheme that Bilked Benevolent Donors of Charitable Contributions

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: Defendant Pretended to Collect for Charities But Only Paid Himself WASHINGTON – James Trankle, 55, previously of Churchton, Maryland, was convicted today of conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud, and five additional counts of bank fraud all stemming from a scheme in which he created fake charities, solicited donations, and then stole the identities of the donors he tricked into giving funds. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Inspector-in-Charge Damon Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 29, 2023. The offenses of conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud, and the five further counts of bank fraud, each carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and financial penalties. According to evidence presented in court, from 2013 to 2018, Trankle and his co-defendant, Stephen Sibert, were charged with creating fake charities and registering those entities with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (“DCRA”) and then presenting them as legitimate charities. Examples included the “Disabled and Paralyzed Veterans Fund,” the “National Breast Cancer Awareness Fund,” and the “Children’s Leukemia of America Fund.” Trankle used a post office box address in Washington, D.C., as the claimed official mailing address for the fraudulent charities. He opened numerous bank accounts in the names of the fraudulent charities. And he sent solicitations via U.S. mail to thousands of potential donors— i.e. , victims—nationwide asking the recipients to send personal checks as donations. Through the scheme, Trankle obtained over 1,600 personal checks from victims making charitable donations, which he then deposited into bank accounts that the conspirators Trankle and Sibert controlled. In addition, Trankle and his conspirator purchased check making supplies such as stock paper and printing equipment. Using the bank account and routing information from the victims’ checks, the conspirators printed additional unauthorized counterfeit checks payable to their fraudulent charities that were drawn against the victims’ personal checking accounts. The conspirators deposited those unauthorized counterfeit checks into the bank accounts they controlled. They later withdrew and spent the funds for various personal expenses. The fraudulent charities did not perform any of the charitable work described in their solicitations, nor did the fraudulent charities provide any significant funds to other charities that did so. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Borchert and Brian Kelly, and Paralegal Specialist Gina Torres Trujillo.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Joins Federal, State and Local Agencies to Host Maryland Statewide Reentry and Justice-Involved Conference on May 18, 2023

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – On Thursday, May 18, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland will join the sponsor, My Covenant Place, and the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation, the Maryland Statewide Alliance for Returning Citizens and the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office to host the Maryland Statewide Reentry and Justice-Involved Conference, a full day conference being held at First Baptist of Glenarden-Ministry Center, 3600 Brightseat Road, Landover, MD 20706. The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required for all attendees. A free continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for all participants and parking is also free. Interactive panel topics include: best practices; juvenile justice; diversion programs; women and reentry; mental/physical health; law enforcement; stability after reentry; funding for programs; and challenges and solutions. You may register at: https://bit.ly/3LEHMSK . For more information, please call (410) 209-4976. This conference and events like it, are components of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s violent crime reduction strategy. In addition to the office’s enforcement efforts to remove violent criminals with guns from our communities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has initiated outreach, intervention and prevention efforts to support and invest in communities plagued by violence, such as this reentry and justice-involved conference. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #