title: Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona Participates in Multiple Events Across the State for Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “Missing Indigenous Persons cases require more from us as prosecutors,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “The uncertainty caused in a missing persons case can exacerbate trauma for family and friends. We need to rethink how and what we can share with next of kin so that we can promote better outcomes, support greater sensitivity to Tribal customs and culture, and instill greater confidence in the results of investigations.” “The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. In the Southwest, the District of Arizona is currently in the process of hiring the region’s Coordinator, and the District of New Mexico has already hired a lawyer to assist in regional efforts. To commemorate MMIP Awareness Day and honor victims, U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino, AUSA Kiyoko Patterson, and victim advocates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will participate in an MMIP Awareness event at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on May 4. On May 2, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in the 3 rd Annual National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day of Awareness Symposium at the University of Arizona. The MMIP regional outreach program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, issued in July 2022. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s (NIAC) recommendations on how to combat the MMIP and human trafficking crises. The response to the NIAC, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons. Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate. Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which expose already vulnerable communities to greater harm. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Arizona has conducted several collaborative training sessions with Tribal law enforcement partners on fentanyl interdiction and prosecution strategies, and has undertaken fentanyl prosecution initiatives in several Tribal Nations in Arizona. Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons. RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-058_ Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Day # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: 18-Year Prison Sentence Handed Down for District Man for Second-Degree Murder of Ex-Girlfriend in Northwest Washington

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON - Carson Posey, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for second degree murder while armed related to the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Shantal Hill, on April 15, 2020, in front of the Tyler House Apartments on the south side of 1200 North Capitol Street, Northwest. The sentencing was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Posey pleaded guilty, on September 29, 2023, to one count of second-degree murder while armed. Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe also ordered Posey to serve five years of supervised release. According to court documents, on April 15, 2020, Posey and Hill walked out of the front of the apartment building following what appeared to be a heated argument involving a third person. Posey shot Hill, his ex-girlfriend, nine times in the legs, buttocks, and chest and fled the area. Hill identified her assailant to responding police officers while aid was being provided on the scene. Hill also stated, “I [am] a single mother and I can’t die.” She died shortly after midnight on April 16, 2020. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Criminal Investigations Division, Homicide Branch, of the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante, who prosecuted the case.


component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “The Department of Justice has been working hard to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and other law enforcement partners in order to better address violent crime, the fentanyl crisis, and other public safety issues in Tribal communities,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi. “The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.” “The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is pleased with the dedicated coordinated efforts between Tribal law enforcement and federal and state partners who respond to missing or murdered indigenous person cases,” said Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. “These partnerships are critical when a tribal member goes missing or is murdered, as these types of cases may cross jurisdictional boundaries and often require the involvement of neighboring departments.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program , which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. In the Southern District of Mississippi, the United States Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted a training event on March 19, 2024, with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (M.B.C.I.), the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, the Leake County Sheriff’s Department, and the Carthage Police Department regarding the implementation of the FBI’s Safe Trails Task Force, which brings together federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement officers to focus on violent crime in Tribal communities and surrounding areas. “The recent implementation of the FBI Safe Trails Task Force has enhanced these public safety partnerships and brought additional tools and resources to our law enforcement agency and those local law enforcement agencies participating,” said Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. “The Tribe will continue to support and promote collaboration with all of our law enforcement partners to enhance our collective capabilities to respond to incidences of crime. I commend the efforts of our federal, local, and state partners who assist the Tribe in responding to our MMIP cases.” In recognition of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, the United States Attorney’s Office has joined forces with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to raise awareness for MMIW by asking everyone to wear red on Friday, May 3, 2024, to make visible those indigenous women that have disappeared and/or been murdered. The United States Attorney’s Office works closely with the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit and the Choctaw Police Department regarding cases concerning reports of missing or murdered indigenous persons. The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons. Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate. Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm. For instance, on April 4, 2024, U.S. Attorney Todd Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi, and AUSA Kevin J. Payne, Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Mississippi, met with Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, Choctaw Attorney General Dianne Maxwell, and M.B.C.I. Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Burns to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi regarding the duties and responsibilities of the M.B.C.I. Special Assistant United States Attorney and how the United States Attorney’s Office can assist with the prosecution of violent crime, sexual assaults, domestic violence, missing persons and narcotics offenses on the Choctaw Indian Reservation. The Department of Justice has successfully prosecuted several violent crimes against Tribal members this year. For example, on April 30, 2024, a sentence was imposed in the case of United States v. Tyreese Smith, a non-Indian male who committed an act of domestic violence against a tribal female in the Bok Homa Community of the Choctaw Indian Reservation. Smith was sentenced to 24 months after pleading guilty to assault with intent to commit a felony. This case was a collaborative effort between the Choctaw Police Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of the FBI’s Safe Trails Task Force. Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice's efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety ad Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.


title: BTC-e Operator Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Russian national pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering related to his role in operating the cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e from 2011 to 2017. According to court documents, Alexander Vinnik, 44, was one of the operators of BTC-e, which was one of the world’s largest virtual currency exchanges. From its inception in or around 2011 until it was shut down by law enforcement in or around July 2017 contemporaneous with Vinnik’s arrest, BTC-e processed over $9 billion-worth of transactions and served over one million users worldwide, including numerous customers in the United States. “Today’s result shows how the Justice Department, working with international partners, reaches across the globe to combat cryptocrime,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This guilty plea reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to use all tools to fight money laundering, police crypto markets, and recover restitution for victims.” BTC-e was one of the primary ways by which cyber criminals around the world transferred, laundered, and stored the criminal proceeds of their illegal activities. BTC-e received criminal proceeds of numerous computer intrusions and hacking incidents, ransomware attacks, identity theft schemes, corrupt public officials, and narcotics distribution rings. Vinnik operated BTC-e with the intent to promote these unlawful activities and was responsible for a loss amount of at least $121 million. Despite doing substantial business in the United States, BTC-e was not registered as a money services business with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as federal law requires. BTC-e had no anti-money laundering (AML) and/or “know-your-customer” (KYC) processes and policies in place, as federal law also requires. BTC-e collected virtually no customer data at all, which made the exchange attractive to those who desired to conceal criminal proceeds from law enforcement. BTC-e relied on shell companies and affiliate entities that were similarly unregistered with FinCEN and lacked basic anti-money laundering and KYC policies to electronically transfer fiat currency in and out of BTC-e. Vinnik set up numerous such shell companies and financial accounts across the globe to allow BTC-e to conduct its business. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In 2017, FinCEN announced that it assessed an approximately $110 million civil money penalty against BTC-e for willfully violating U.S. AML laws, and a $12 million civil penalty against Vinnik for his role in the violations. The FBI; IRS Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Unit and Oakland Field Office; U.S. Secret Service Criminal Investigative Division; and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case. The lengthy investigation was supported by numerous former prosecutors and investigators from multiple agencies. Trial Attorney C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia Quiroz and Katie Lloyd-Lovett for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case. Pelker and Quiroz are members of the Department’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing the extradition of Vinnik. The Justice Department thanks the Government of Greece for its cooperation in securing Vinnik’s transfer to the United States.


title: Two Men Sentenced for Defrauding JetBlue

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Julien Levy and Keily Nunez were sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen to 20 and 40 months in prison, respectively, for defrauding JetBlue Airways of approximately $10 million. Levy and Nunez pleaded guilty to committing honest services wire fraud in June and July 2023, respectively. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, announced the sentence. “These defendants shamelessly lined their own pockets by diverting millions of dollars in airline part contracts to entities they controlled,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who betray the trust of their employers by disrupting marketplaces for their own personal gain will be held to account.” Mr. Peace thanked Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation for their assistance with the investigation. “The defendants abused their positions of power to orchestrate a scheme that defrauded JetBlue Airways out of millions of dollars. Levy and Nunez went as far as manipulating the identity of a deceased airline employee to circumvent the company’s policies and procedures with the sole intention of enriching themselves. Today they face the consequences of their unbound greed," said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. "I commend HSI New York and our law enforcement and private sector partners for stemming this corruption before it ultimately impacted well-meaning customers.” Between approximately July 2017 and June 2021, Nunez and another JetBlue employee accepted bribes from Levy in exchange for approving more than $1.5 million in aircraft part invoices between JetBlue and Levy’s company, Summit Aviation Supply LLC. Nunez also accepted bribes in connection with his approval of more than $8.5 million in aircraft part invoices between JetBlue and Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC, a Florida-based aircraft parts seller a co-conspirator controlled. Nunez was previously sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in connection with this role in a separate scheme to defraud the United States Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program of approximately $1.5 million through the submission of false loan applications. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell and Assistant United States Attorney Nick Axelrod are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Liam McNett. The Defendants : KEILY NUNEZ Age: 44 Jamaica, New York JULIEN LEVY Age: 39 Englewood, New Jersey E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-281 (PKC)


component: Office of Tribal Justice

body_text: BOISE – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “The crisis of missing and murdered indigenous persons continues to impact Idaho’s tribal communities, causing generational pain,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. “We are committed to enhancing our partnerships with Idaho’s tribes to address this unacceptable problem. The new Regional MMIP Prosecutor position in Eastern Washington is an important part of this effort. We look forward to continuing to serve Idaho’s tribes and to seek justice for victims.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program , which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. In Idaho, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will benefit from the Northwest Regional MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorney, Bree Black Horse, who will work out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and assist on community engagement and prosecutions in Idaho. The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons. Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate. Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm. In Idaho, for instance: In April 2022, Travis Dewayne Ellenwood, 44, of Kamiah, was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for second degree murder. According to court records, Ellenwood beat and strangled his girlfriend, Bessie Blackeagle, killing her on October 31, 2020. Ellenwood maintained he was too intoxicated to remember what happened. Ellenwood is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, as was Ms. Blackeagle. Ms. Blackeagle was 28 at the time of her murder. She was a Nez Perce language speaker and well versed in Nez Perce traditions and customs. Her death has affected many in the tribal community. In October 2021, Justin Beasley, 27, of Fort Hall, was sentenced to 327 months in federal prison for second degree murder. According to court records, and evidence presented at trial, on February 3, 2018, Austin Pevo, 23, was dropped off by his mother at a residence on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation for work cutting firewood. Testimony at trial showed that Beasley and others were at the residence at that time. Beasley and Pevo had an argument and Beasley stabbed Pevo twice in the chest with a knife. Beasley and two other men took Pevo’s body to an isolated area in Arbon Valley. Pevo’s family reported him missing and the Fort Hall Police Department investigated but was unable to locate any information on Pevo’s whereabouts. A witness to the events of February 3, 2018, came forward to the Fort Hall Police in August 2019, and reported that Pevo had died on that date and three men who had been at the house removed his body. The FBI executed a search warrant at the residence and found evidence that Pevo had died there. One of the men who helped hide the body admitted to his involvement and took FBI agents to the location of Pevo’s remains in Arbon Valley. The agents recovered Pevo’s remains along with clothing and other personal items. DNA testing showed that the remains were those of Pevo. Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons. ###


title: Miami man sentenced to life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Miami man was sentenced to life in prison for murdering a man in aid of racketeering, assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, as well as of multiple counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. His sentence is followed by five years of supervised release. On April 28, 2020, Geno St. Flerose, of Miami, Florida, a member of the “Everybody Eats,” “EBE” gang shot and killed a victim, who was driving by St. Flerose’s house after he chased him for over four blocks, and fired thirteen rounds into the victim’s car, striking him three times. The paramedics transported the victim to the hospital, but he did not survive. The victim was 22 years old at the time of his murder. Then, on June 17, 2020, while a federal special agent was conducting surveillance in St. Flerose’s neighborhood, St. Flerose saw the agent’s car. He ran into the street and fired multiple rounds at the agent’s car, penetrating it, but not striking the agent. Later, law enforcement officers found hundreds of people’s personal information on St. Flerose’s cell phone. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of FBI, Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Miami Field Office, announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom. FBI Miami and USSS Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yara Dodin prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Hyman handled asset forfeiture. 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 21-cr-20149. ###


title: BTC-e Operator Pleads Guilty To Money Laundering Conspiracy

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A Russian national pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering related to his role in operating the cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e from 2011 to 2017. According to court documents, Alexander Vinnik, 44, was one of the operators of BTC-e, which was one of the world’s largest virtual currency exchanges. From its inception in or around 2011 until it was shut down by law enforcement in or around July 2017 contemporaneous with Vinnik’s arrest, BTC-e processed over $9 billion-worth of transactions and served over one million users worldwide, including numerous customers in the United States and the Northern District of California. “Today’s result shows how the Justice Department, working with international partners, reaches across the globe to combat cryptocrime,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This guilty plea reflects the Department’s ongoing commitment to use all tools to fight money laundering, police crypto markets, and recover restitution for victims.” BTC-e was one of the primary ways by which cyber criminals around the world transferred, laundered, and stored the criminal proceeds of their illegal activities. BTC-e received criminal proceeds of numerous computer intrusions and hacking incidents, ransomware attacks, identity theft schemes, corrupt public officials, and narcotics distribution rings. Vinnik operated BTC-e with the intent to promote these unlawful activities and was responsible for a loss amount of at least $121 million. Despite doing substantial business in the United States, BTC-e was not registered as a money services business with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), as federal law requires. BTC-e had no anti-money laundering (AML) and/or “know-your-customer” (KYC) processes and policies in place, as federal law also requires. BTC-e collected virtually no customer data at all, which made the exchange attractive to those who desired to conceal criminal proceeds from law enforcement. BTC-e relied on shell companies and affiliate entities that were similarly unregistered with FinCEN and lacked basic AML and KYC policies to electronically transfer fiat currency in and out of BTC-e. Vinnik set up numerous such shell companies and financial accounts across the globe to allow BTC-e to conduct its business. Vinnik faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In 2017, FinCEN announced that it assessed an approximately $110 million civil money penalty against BTC-e for willfully violating U.S. AML laws, and a $12 million civil penalty against Vinnik for his role in the violations. U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Special Agent in Charge William Mancino of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Tatum King of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco made the announcement. The FBI; IRS-CI Cyber Crime Unit and Oakland Field Office; USSS Criminal Investigative Division; and HSI are investigating the case. The lengthy investigation was supported by numerous former prosecutors and investigators from multiple agencies, including IRS-CI Special Agent James Hade (1980-2019) and former IRS-CI Special Agent Tigran Gambaryan. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claudia Quiroz and Katie Lloyd-Lovett for the Northern District of California and Trial Attorney C. Alden Pelker of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section are prosecuting the case. Pelker and Quiroz are members of the Justice Department’s National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing the extradition of Vinnik. The Justice Department thanks the Greek government for its cooperation in securing Vinnik’s transfer to the United States.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office Joins Nationwide Effort to Strengthen and Build Partnerships to Address the Issue of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout Indian country, along with American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (“MMIP”) Awareness Day. In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, United States Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced increased efforts to tackle Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons cases and human trafficking in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Additionally, plans were announced to address other pressing public safety challenges, like the distribution of fentanyl into Indian country, which exacerbates violence and addiction in already vulnerable rural Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “Addressing crime in Indian country requires a continued, efficient, coordinated law enforcement effort from all levels,” said United States Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Our office is also working closely with tribal governments and local grassroots advocacy groups to make sure law enforcement has access to critical information regarding missing loved ones. We remain committed to work with our local, state, tribal, and federal partners to bring justice to Indian country victims and hold criminal offenders accountable.” “The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping tribal communities safe.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach Program , which permanently places ten attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. U.S. Attorney’s Office MMIP Initiative The United States Attorneys in Oklahoma last year issued MMIP Guidelines for Oklahoma, pursuant to Savanna’s Act, which include important provisions for improving law enforcement and justice protocols and enhancing cooperation between agencies, with the goal of having a comprehensive law enforcement strategy to respond to these cases. Additionally, the Guidelines provide suggested procedures to all law enforcement for investigating missing persons cases, addressing jurisdictional concerns, registering victim protection orders into the National Crime Information Center (“NCIC”), and issuing Amber Alert, Kacey Alert, and Silver Alert notifications through the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Efforts to utilize and update the database of missing or murdered Indigenous people, through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (“NamUs”), which has included active consultation with the 21 federally recognized tribal nations in the District, has been ongoing and is an important part of the overall strategy. The MMIP Initiative in the Western District of Oklahoma prioritizes identifying and tracking MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorney’s Offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate personnel to address MMIP issues consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons promulgated in July 2022. In the Western District of Oklahoma, the District’s Senior Counsel for Tribal Relations, Arvo Mikkanen, and Law Enforcement Coordinator, Jim Mogren, have been working with Tribes and law enforcement to identify and track cases involving missing persons and cold-case murder investigations of tribal citizens. Most recently, on April 27, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also participated in the “Missing in Oklahoma 2024” public event at the University of Central Oklahoma (“UCO”) Forensic Science Institute in Edmond, Oklahoma. Families and friends of missing persons attended, along with numerous law enforcement agencies from across Oklahoma. Participants were able to receive information from providers, complete a missing person report, provide additional investigative leads, enter missing persons into the NamUs database, and provide dental records, photos, and family DNA samples to compare to potential remains recovered during investigations. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Justice Department’s work to respond to issues involving MMIP is a Department-wide effort. Additionally, in March, the U.S. Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s (“NIAC”) recommendations on how to combat cases involving missing or murdered indigenous persons and human trafficking. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation in Montana, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve these complicated issues and support prompt and coordinated investigative efforts. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of persons going missing from Indian country. Furthermore, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian country and tribal communities, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceed the national rate. As a result, federal law enforcement agencies are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to address violent crime and the distribution of fentanyl into Indian country, which expose already vulnerable communities to greater harm. A few recent examples of violent-crime and fentanyl-related prosecutions stemming from Indian country within the Western District of Oklahoma include: Kevin Bruce McGuire , 61, of Ardmore, was sentenced to serve life in federal prison for second degree murder in Indian country after he drove while intoxicated and caused the death of another driver in a collision. In determining the sentence, the court considered that since 1990 McGuire has had six previous felony DUI convictions. Dustin Ellis , 32, Pamela Payne , 40, Sierra Mandrell , 30, and Nicholas Sweeten , 27, all of Grady County, pleaded guilty for their roles in conspiring to distribute fentanyl that resulted in the death of another person within Indian country, Tevin Terrell Semien , 29, and Nicole Leigh Logsdon , 24, of Lawton, pleaded guilty to murder and accessory to murder, after a Native American woman’s body was found in a wildlife refuge, Phillip Keith Ray , 45, of Chickasha, was sentenced to serve 25 years in federal prison for killing a man with a cinder block within Indian country, Evander Dayle Yanito , 33, of Grady County, was sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison for child abuse. Yanito admitted to willfully harming an infant, who was transported to a hospital after having trouble breathing. Caitlyn Cheyenne Downs , 24, of Stephens County, was sentenced to serve 15 years in federal prison for child abuse. Public record shows Downs failed to protect two children from physical abuse, one of whom died as a result of injuries sustained during the abuse. Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address MMIP issues, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the DOJ Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.


title: Former CEO, CFO, And CCO Of Cred LLC Charged With Alleged Multi-Million-Dollar Cryptocurrency-Related Wire Fraud Conspiracy

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has charged Daniel Schatt, Joseph Podulka, and James Alexander with wire fraud conspiracy and related crimes in connection with their respective roles in an alleged scheme to defraud customers and investors in Cred, LLC (Cred) allegedly causing losses of customer cryptocurrency assets with a market value that may have exceeded $780 million. Cred, a San Francisco-based financial services firm that specialized in making investments in cryptocurrencies, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 7, 2020. The charges against the defendants are set out in two separate indictments handed down by the grand jury earlier this week. “The Northern District of California is home to many of the nation’s most innovative businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey. “Maintaining a market for continued prosperity requires rooting out those who use fraud as a substitute for success. This prosecution demonstrates our determination to keep our markets free of fraudsters and safe for investors.” “The allegations against the defendants associated with Cred, LLC highlight a predatory, deceptive scheme defrauding potential victims of hundreds of millions of dollars of cryptocurrency at market value,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Mosley. “The indictments levied demonstrate the investigative capabilities of IRS Criminal Investigation and our commitment to pursuing justice against financial criminals.” The announcement was made by United States Attorney Ismail Ramsey, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, and IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Mosley of the Oakland Field Office. The first indictment (Schatt Indictment) charges Schatt, 53, of San Mateo, and Podulka, 51, of Palo Alto, with conspiracy, thirteen counts of wire fraud and money laundering. The second indictment (Alexander Indictment) recites many of the same allegations and charges Alexander, 54, of Sherman Oaks, with conspiracy, four counts of wire fraud and money laundering. According to the indictments, Schatt was Cred’s co-owner and Chief Executive Officer, Podulka was Cred’s Chief Financial Officer, and Alexander was Cred’s Chief Capitol Officer. Cred was founded in 2018 by Schatt and another individual and provided financial services to holders of cryptocurrency and other assets. By late 2018, Cred’s business included two principal businesses: (1) offering loans in U.S. dollars to customers using customers’ cryptocurrency as collateral and (2) accepting deposits of cryptocurrency in exchange for a promise for a yield (interest payments) for that cryptocurrency. The indictments allege that no later than March of 2020, the defendants began making false and fraudulent statements to customers and investors about Cred’s lending and investing practices. For example, the defendants represented to Cred’s customers and investors that Cred engaged only in “collateralized or guaranteed lending,” that Cred’s cryptocurrency investments were “hedged,” and that Cred maintained an “all weather approach” to investment to protect against volatility. Cred’s marketing materials asserted that the company was a “licensed lender with comprehensive insurance.” Further, after the “flash crash” in March of 2020, during which many cryptocurrencies were significantly devalued, defendants allegedly continued to represent to Cred’s customers and investors that Cred remained solvent and that the company maintained comprehensive insurance that assured Cred’s customers would be made whole. The indictments allege all these assurances and statements were false. The indictments describe how the defendants lured customers to make investments by promising to return a significant yield on cryptocurrency investments—the defendants did not disclose, however, that virtually all the assets to pay the yield were generated by a single company whose business was to make unsecured micro-loans to Chinese gamers. Contrary to the defendants’ assurances, Cred engaged in lending that was neither collateralized nor guaranteed. Moreover, Cred’s hedging strategy did not protect the company’s investments against volatility. Indeed, shortly after the flash crash in March of 2020, Cred had lost its hedging partner, had learned that a significant creditor to whom Cred had loaned $40 million would be unable fulfill its promise to repay the loan, was being threatened with a lawsuit, and was effectively insolvent. The indictments describe the striking contrast between the reality of Cred’s financial situation by the end of March 2020 and the statements the defendants made to customers and investors at that time. On the one hand, on March 16, 2020, Cred’s General Counsel informed the defendants that “Cred may not be financially solvent and that defendants “must be careful at all times to be accurate in its statements to its creditors and to all stakeholders.” Nevertheless, rather than disclose to Cred’s customers and investors the reality of Cred’s finances, defendants allegedly attempted to keep the business afloat by bringing in new customer funds and by discouraging existing customers from seeking and obtaining redemptions from their investments. According to the indictment, at the time Cred collapsed and filed for bankruptcy, its customers suffered losses of cryptocurrency assets with a market value of $150 million at the time of the bankruptcy, and a “maximum market value of over $783 million since the date of the bankruptcy.” The indictments describe how the defendants assured numerous victims to make or renew financial commitments to Cred even after the company’s effective insolvency. With respect to Schatt and Podulka, the Schatt Indictment lists 13 transactions that occurred between April 14, 2020, and October 15, 2020, as the defendants continued to make repeated false and fraudulent assurances that Cred’s financial situation was sound. The indictment further describes how Schatt and Podulka failed to inform customers about significant losses sustained by the company until October of 2020, when a cryptocurrency exchange, then a customer of Cred, contacted Cred to inquire about its finances. During the two-hour call, the cryptocurrency exchange learned for the first time that Cred had no hedges, that its asset to liabilities ratio was off by tens of millions of dollars, and that Cred discovered it had lost over $8 million in February 2020 after Alexander was scammed by a fake customer earlier that year. According to the Schatt Indictment, Cred filed bankruptcy on November 7, 2020, and in a bankruptcy-related filing, Schatt misleadingly claimed that Cred’s financial difficulties were “primarily due to James Alexander’s “malfeasance,” including his appropriation of approximately 255 bitcoin on June 24, 2020,” and his alleged failure to do proper due diligence with respect to the February 2020 scam. With respect to Alexander, the Alexander Indictment alleges that between May 15, 2020, and June 24, 2020, Alexander reassured a victim that the flash crash was “a good thing” for Cred and failed to disclose to another customer that Cred was having a solvency crisis. In addition, the Alexander Indictment lists two transactions in which victims transferred funds to Cred after receiving reassurances from Alexander that Cred’s financial situation was sound. The Alexander Indictment further describes how on or about June 24, 2020, the day Schatt fired him from his position in Cred, Alexander instructed a Cred employee to transfer approximately 225 bitcoin from a Cred account to one controlled by Alexander. The indictment alleges that in the months following his ouster, Alexander appropriated the bitcoin to his own use, including converting some of it to U.S. dollars, depositing the assets in his private bank account, and making personal expenditures. In sum, the defendants are charged with the following crimes: Defendant Violation Maximum Sentence (per count), if Convicted All Defendants (1 count, each) 18 U.S.C. § 1349 Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud 20 years’ imprisonment $250,000 fine 3 years’ supervised release SCHATT (13 counts) PODULKA (13 counts) ALEXANDER (4 counts) 18 U.S.C. § 1343 Wire Fraud 20 years’ imprisonment $250,000 fine 3 years’ supervised release SCHATT (1 count) PODULKA (1 count) ALEXANDER (8 counts) 18 U.S.C. § 1957 Engaging in Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity (Money Laundering) 10 years’ imprisonment $250,000 fine 3 years’ supervised release SCHATT (1 count) PODULKA (1 count) 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A) Engaging in a Financial Transaction to Promote Unlawful Activity 20 years’ imprisonment $500,000 fine An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Schatt and Podulka made their initial federal court appearance on May 2, 2024. They have been ordered to return to court on May 8, 2024, for further proceedings including the entry of a plea. Alexander’s initial federal court appearance has not yet been scheduled. Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara J. Valliere and Adam A. Reeves are prosecuting these cases with the assistance of Beth Margen and Kathy Tat. These prosecutions are the result of an investigation by the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation.


title: District Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Armed Robbery

body_text: WASHINGTON –Isaiah Green, 19, of Washington D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of robbery while armed, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On May 2, 2024, Isaiah Green pleaded guilty before the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Judge Leibovitz scheduled sentencing for July 5, 2024. According to the evidence, with which the defendant agreed, he robbed two victims, D.H. on August 19, 2023, and E.C. on December 3, 2023 at gunpoint. In the days leading up to the August 19, 2023, robbery, D.H. had seen a Stihl brand saw advertised for sale on Facebook Marketplace. D.H. contacted the purported seller and arranged to meet him in the 5100 block of B Street SE to buy the saw. When D.H. arrived, Green and an accomplice immediately grabbed D.H. and robbed him at gunpoint, taking his cell phone, wallet, credit and debit cards, and checks totaling $1500. A citizen came to D.H.’s aide after the robbery and called 911. In the days leading up to the December 3, 2023, robbery, E.C. had also seen an item advertised on Facebook Marketplace, a Hilti Laser, and contacted the purported seller to arrange to buy it. E.C. agreed to meet the seller in the 3600 block of Highwood Drive SE. E.C. drove with his wife to that location, where a man then got out of his car with a box E.C. believed contained the laser. As E.C. got of his car to inspect the laser, two assailants approached him, held him at gunpoint, and robbed him of his wallet, containing cash and bank cards, and an iPhone 13. The gunmen then pointed their guns at E.C.’s wife and rifled through the center console of the car, taking additional cash and a card. All three men then drove off together. Working in tandem with Prince George’s County Police, MPD Detectives obtained evidence from Facebook about the accounts used to set up these and other crimes, and used that information to identify Green. Police obtained a search warrant for his residence, which they executed on December 21, 2023. During that search, police found a phone on Green’s bed that was linked to the Facebook account used in the robbery of D.H, E.C.’s wallet, credit cards and identification card on a dresser in the same room, and the Hilti laser and box used to lure E.C. from his car. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and has been prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Iris McCranie and Elizabeth Van Haasteren.


title: South Lake Tahoe Man Indicted for Impersonating a Federal Officer

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment on Thursday against Anton Andreyevich Iagounov, 38, of South Lake Tahoe, charging him with falsely impersonating a federal officer, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Iagounov pretended to be a federal law enforcement agent by creating false investigative documents, which purported to be sent by a federal agent, in an attempt to obtain government documents and other sensitive information. On July 5, 2022, Iagounov sent a search warrant that he created to the U.S. Capitol Police, falsely claiming it was signed by a Special Agent of the NASA Office of the Inspector General (NASA-OIG) and appearing to be authorized by the Chief District Judge for the District of Columbia. On July 11, 2022, Iagounov again pretended to be a NASA-OIG agent, created a fake search warrant, and emailed it to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He sent it from an email address with an internet domain that he owned and had named to look like a government agency’s internet domain. On July 18, 2022, Iagounov again sent the fake search warrant, purporting to be signed by the same fictitious NASA-OIG agent, and sent it to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Finally, on July 24, 2022, Iagounov faxed a letter, under the name of a real NASA employee, to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, claiming that an exigent circumstance required a judge’s signature on a non-existent search warrant immediately. The letter included an email address for the agent that belonged to Iagounov. All these documents were identified as suspicious by the courts and federal agencies to which they were sent. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the NASA Office of the Inspector General, with assistance by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Iagounov faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, per count of conviction. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships To Address The Crisis Of Missing Or Murdered Indigenous Persons

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day . In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “We know that government-to-government partnerships are critical to improving the safety and well-being of Tribal communities. This is why, throughout the year, our office meets with Tribal leadership, Tribal law enforcement, and community groups to hear challenges, share resources and information, and strengthen our relationships,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We remain dedicated in our commitment to address violence against indigenous women, fentanyl overdoses, human trafficking, and other public safety issues in Tribal communities. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to help ensure that all people in Indian Country are safe in their communities.” “The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program , which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian Country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. Nevada is home to 28 federally recognized tribes, bands and communities located on 31 Indian reservations and colonies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has resources, including a Tribal Liaison, dedicated to promoting safety and security on tribal lands and in tribal communities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Penelope Brady serves as the MMIP Coordinator for the District of Nevada. Information about resources may be found at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/tribal-matters-indian-country-public-lands . Last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada obtained a conviction after a jury trial: U.S. v. Michael Burciaga – In September 2023, Burciaga was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to life in prison, plus 20 years in prison, for murdering his pregnant girlfriend, a registered member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation in December 2020. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons. Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian County, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate. Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm. Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons. # # #


title: District Man Sentenced to Seven-Year Prison Term For Armed Robbery and Shooting in Northwest Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON – Lawrance Arnold, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for shooting a civilian in the Logan Circle Area of Northwest Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Mr. Arnold pleaded guilty to Armed Robbery in January 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Michael Ryan. According to the government’s evidence, on the morning of November 25, 2023, Arnold broke into the victim’s apartment in the 14th & U Street area of Northwest Washington DC. The victim woke at approximately 7:20 am and found Arnold in his apartment, taking his clothing. The victim confronted Arnold and tried to take back his property. During that altercation, which spilled into the hallway outside the apartment, Arnold pulled a gun, shot the victim in the neck, and ran. Bleeding from the neck, the victim walked to the corner of 14 th an V Street Northwest, and flagged down a police officer. Arnold was able to provide a detailed description of his assailant, which police used to apprehend Arnold several blocks away. The victim subsequently identified Arnold as his assailant. Investigators also linked the firearm used in this case to another case, in which Arnold was captured by surveillance footage after discharging a firearm. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel Hampton, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Fresno Man Indicted for Receiving Child Pornography

body_text: FRESNO , Calif. — On May 2, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Timothy Austin Panuco, 34, of Fresno, charging him with receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following his arrest today. According to court documents, between Feb. 1, 2023, and March 22, 2024, Panuco received material depicting at least one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Panuco faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, and a fine up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Jamestown felon pleads guilty to gun charge

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Glover, Sr., 39, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on the morning of December 14, 2022, a Jamestown Police officer observed Glover in a vehicle. The officer knew that Glover was suspended from driving. The officer stopped the vehicle and made contact with Glover, who immediately advised that he had a pipe on his person. Glover then handed over a glass pipe that contained what appeared to be methamphetamine residue inside. Glover was detained and a search of the vehicle recovered a digital scale with white crystal residue and a pistol. Glover was charged in New York State Court and released on bail. In 2019, Glover was convicted of a felony in Chautauqua County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division. Sentencing is scheduled for August 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra. # # # #


component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “The loss of any one is a loss to us all,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing justice and answers to grieving Tribal communities. By listening to the needs of our Indigenous neighbors and taking concrete steps to address this crisis, from investigations and prosecutions to enhancing training and outreach, we will meet the case of each missing and murdered indigenous person with urgency, transparency, and coordination.” “The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program , which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. In the Southwest Region, MMIP AUSA Eliot Neal from District of New Mexico will join District of Arizona U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino, AUSA Kiyoko Patterson, and victim advocates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona at MMIP Awareness events at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix. The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons. Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate. Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm. For instance: Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons. # # #


title: Bloods Gang member going to prison for 12 years

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Mario Cain-Henry, 31, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who handled the case, stated that Cain-Henry is an associate of the nationally recognized Bloods Gang, and a member of a local subset known as the Immortal Stone Gorilla Gang. In December 2022, Cain-Henry and others were arrested after a lengthy investigation into narcotics trafficking, weapons possession, and associated violence by several members of the group. On December 14, 2022, several search warrants were executed at locations associated with Cain-Henry, including his residence. During the searches, investigators recovered quantities of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, cash, loaded firearms, and ammunition. The investigation began in the aftermath of the murder of Rochester Police Investigator Anthony Mazurkewicz and the assault of Investigator Sino Seng in July 2022. It’s alleged that individuals associated with Cain-Henry were engaged in a violent feud with another group led by Brandon “B-Mack” Washington. Washington and several associates have also been charged with federal drug and weapons offenses. The sentencing is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Rochester Police Department Special Investigation Section, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino, III, New York Field Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division. # # # #


title: Convicted felon pleads guilty to new child pornography charge

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joshua Zak, 46, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of 20 years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in May 2018, Zak was convicted of receipt of child pornography and sentenced to serve 72 months in prison and 20 years supervised release, which began in May 2022. In March 2023, a United States Probation Officer interviewed Zak during a home visit, during which he admitted to using a smart phone that he found at his mother's residence to view pornography. Zak also admitted that he found an old SD card that was not located by law enforcement when he was previously arrested. A few days later, U.S. Probation met Zak at his mother's residence, where he led officers to a trash bag that contained several electronic devices, as well as an SD card. A review of the SD card recovered more than 600 images and videos of child pornography, some of which included depictions of violence against children. The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Timothy Englert, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Sentencing scheduled for September 9, 2024, before Judge Vilardo. # # # #


title: New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Receiving Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Isaiah Lafoe, age 26, of Lancaster, New Hampshire, was sentenced today to 180 months (15 years) in prison for receiving child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Lafoe previously pled guilty and admitted that on September 30, 2020, and between October 5, 2020, and February 15, 2021, he communicated with a girl in Troy, New York, and coerced her into sending him, via social media applications over the internet, images and videos depicting the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Lafoe received these images and videos on his cell phone. United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 25-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release and ordered Lafoe to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim. Lafoe will also be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison. This case was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police and the Colonie Police Department. The Troy Police Department also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the 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: Montgomery County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy and Firearms Offense

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Samuel Payano, age 24, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to engaging in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine, to distributing fentanyl pills, and to using a firearm during or in relation to a drug trafficking crime. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement. Payano admitted that from May 2022 to December 2022, he conspired with Bernardo Tovar to distribute counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. Payano also admitted distributing fentanyl pills and a firearm to another person on October 12, 2022. He also admitted that he and his Tovar possessed fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well two firearms in their apartment, on December 7, 2022, when their apartment was searched. Payano will be sentenced in Syracuse on September 6, 2024, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Payano faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Payano’s co-conspirator, Tovar, previously pled guilty and was sentenced to 181 months in prison. The DEA and ATF investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.


component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities. “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.” “Every missing person, every victim, is a son or a daughter, and their absence is a tragedy that tears at the fabric of families, tribes, and communities," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. "This office is proud to join with our partners in the Tribal Nations within Eastern Oklahoma to recognize MMIP Awareness Day and shine an important light on what it means to seek justice for victims and their families." “The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.” “DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.” Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program , which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions. The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. Not Invisible Act Commission Response The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States. Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons. Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate. Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm. Accessing Department of Justice Resources Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website . Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Former Durant Middle School Employee Of Sex Crimes

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Ryan John Capps, age 25, of Calera, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Coercion and Enticement, one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce a Visual Depiction, and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country. The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, April 29, 2024, and concluded on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, with the guilty verdicts on all charges. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that in the autumn of 2022, while employed as a teacher and coach at Durant Middle School, Capps enticed a minor to produce child sexual abuse material and engage in illegal sexual activity. The crimes occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Durant Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Capps was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Jessica Bove represented the United States.