title: Clay County Man With History Of Domestic Violence  Sentenced On Firearm Charge

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Paul Steven Hulbert (28, Middleburg) to three years in federal prison for the unlawful possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act firearm (sawed-off shotgun). Hulbert made his initial appearance in federal court on November 18, 2022, and was ordered detained. He entered a guilty plea on June 20, 2023. According to court documents and public records, in May 2021, a court in Clay County issued a “Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence with Minor Children” against Hulbert. The court extended the injunction until September 2022. The injunction specifically prohibited Hulbert from possessing firearms and directed him to surrender any firearms in his possession to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). In October 2021, Hulbert was convicted in Clay County of the misdemeanor crime of domestic battery. After the domestic battery conviction and issuance of the domestic violence injunction, both of which prohibited him from possessing firearms, Hulbert obtained seven firearms, including rifles, pistols and a shotgun. On May 16, 2022, members of the CCSO went to Hulbert’s home to serve an arrest warrant for violating the terms of the injunction. Upon arriving at the home, the CCSO arrested him and searched the house. They located four rifles, a revolver, a pistol and a 12-guage shotgun. Follow up investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that the 12-gauge shotgun was illegally modified, as both barrels had been sawed off. ATF determined that the 12-gauge shotgun was not registered to Hulbert in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Jacksonville Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Two More Defendants Plead Guilty to Roles in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Today, Charles Clinton Cordle, 65, of Ashland, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and Josie Irene Copley, 58, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl. Both admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia. According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 23, 2023, Cordle received approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine and 9 grams of fentanyl in the area of the 2700 block of Highlawn Avenue in Huntington after arranging to receive the controlled substances during a phone call with another person. A law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Cordle following the transaction, and the officer located and seized the methamphetamine and fentanyl during the traffic stop. Cordle admitted that he intended to distribute the controlled substances. On October 25, 2023, Copley purchased approximately 13.98 grams of fentanyl in Huntington from co-defendant Kyla Smith after calling Smith and arranging the transaction. After Copley purchased the fentanyl, a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Copley was a passenger. Copley told the officer she had drugs in her possession and surrendered the fentanyl she had obtained from Smith. Copley admitted that the officer also seized approximately 2.11 grams of methamphetamine during the traffic stop that she possessed and intended to sell. On November 15, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Copley’s residence in Flatwoods, Kentucky. Officers seized quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl and a New England Firearms .410-gauge shotgun. Cordle and Copley are scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2024. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Smith, also known as “Flaca,” 29, of Huntington, pleaded guilty on April 3, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and awaits sentencing. Cordle, Copley and Smith are among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia. Cordle, Copley and Smith are also among 19 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the main case. One other of the 27 indicted individuals pleaded guilty to a related offense in a separate case. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor are prosecuting the case.. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180. ###


title: On Tax Day , U.S. Attorney's Office Heeds Warning About IRS Imposter Scams And Other Financial Schemes Targeting Older Adults

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Tax Day, the U.S. Attorney’s Office heeds a warning against IRS imposter scams and other emerging and existing financial fraud schemes that target unsuspecting Americans, especially older adults. These scams often result in substantial monetary losses, causing financial hardship and emotional distress to individuals impacted by the fraud. As part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s ongoing efforts to warn the public about financial fraud, and specifically fraud targeting older adults, federal prosecutors hosted a game of “Fraud Bingo” today at the Tyvola Senior Center in Charlotte, to educate older adults, caregivers, and individuals who regularly work or interface with older populations about financial predators and scams targeting the elderly. “On Tax Day, and as we head into the summer months, we want everyone to be vigilant about online scams and cyberthreats, particularly those that target older adults,” said U.S. Attorney King. “From scammers posing as IRS agents to fake timeshare schemes, our best defense against fraud is education. Fraud Bingo is an interactive tool we use to alert older adults of the means and methods scammers employ to perpetrate fraud, and what steps they can take to protect themselves. Through our outreach efforts, we also want to remove the stigma and embarrassment often associated with financial fraud and encourage the reporting of fraud. Alerting the authorities that you have been the victim of a scam can assist with initiating investigations, bringing criminals to justice, and recovering stolen funds. It also helps us keep track of trends, identify emerging schemes, and warn others.” According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crimes Report , the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received a record number of complaints from the American public with potential financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, a 22% increase compared to 2022. The report also indicates that North Carolina is ranked 13th both in the number of complaints filed with the FBI and in financial losses sustained due to online schemes and financial fraud. Individuals 60 and above filed the most complaints (101,068) and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, the highest among all groups. The report further indicates that tech support scams continue to impact older adults disproportionately, accounting for half of all the financial losses of online schemes. In addition, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes continue to cost millions in losses for the 60+ population. Scams Targeting Older Adults Last month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a warning indicating alarming reports of fraudsters impersonating SSA OIG agents. In this latest iteration of government imposter scams, fraudsters request victims to meet them in person to hand off cash. Variations of the scam include fraudsters posing as IRS agents demanding money for unpaid taxes, as sheriff’s office deputies threatening arrest for purported outstanding fines, and as prosecutors or court personnel threatening with prosecution or jail time for failing to comply with jury duty service. Additional examples of financial fraud targeting older Americans are: Tech Support Scams – Convince victims to pay for non-existent problems with their computers. Non - Delivery Scams – Induce victims to pay for goods or services online, but never receive them. A variation of this scheme is victims receiving emails or texts messages that appear to be from legitimate shipping companies (e.g., UPS, FedEx) with fake non-delivery notifications, claiming that payment or additional personal information is required to complete a package delivery. Romance Scams – Lull victims into believing they are in an online romantic relationship and their paramour needs money to pay for a visit to the U.S. or for some other purpose. Grandparent Scams – Dupe victims into thinking that their grandchildren or other relatives are in trouble and need money right away for bail or another emergency. Charity Scams – Solicit donations for fake charities, or by altering or “spoofing” caller IDs to show the name of a real charity on the phone. Lottery Scams – Scammers use phone calls, letters, or emails to convince victims that a large fee or taxes must be paid before they can receive lottery winnings. Debt Collection Scams – Victims are threatened with arrest and jail time if payment for a fake debt is not made immediately. Money Mule/Money Laundering Scams – Convince victims to use their existing or new bank accounts to quickly move funds in and out of those accounts. Generally, the transferred funds are proceeds of other criminal schemes (such as romance schemes) and victims are unwittingly being used to launder the ill-gotten funds. Timeshare Scams – Fraudsters target timeshare owners with false promises of resale and exit from their timeshares for a fee. Sham Business Opportunities – Convince victims to invest in lucrative business opportunities or fake investments. Here are some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam: Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone you don’t know. If the person asking the information claims to be a relative, a friend, someone you know, or a representative of a financial institution or government agency do not respond right away. Instead, contact the person/entity independently or ask a trusted family member or friend for help. Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning. Don’t click on pop-up ads, messages, or virus warnings. Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls. Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger or someone who claims to be a relative without verifying the person’s identity. Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or lucrative business deals. If you suspect fraud, take the time to talk to a trusted friend or family member. It’s not rude to say, “NO.” Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life. A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam. And remember, there is no shame in falling prey to an online scammer. These are professional criminals that use tried-and-true tactics to perpetrate fraud. To report elder fraud please call the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). If you believe you are the victim of a scam or have been contacted by a scammer, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or contact local law enforcement.


title: Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Eric Malik Smith, also known as “Star,” 24, of Hyattsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting false statements related to the purchase of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 1, 2022, Smith traveled with another person to a Barboursville, West Virginia, business where Smith instructed the person to purchase a Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol on Smith’s behalf. Smith admitted that the person falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473 that he was the purchaser of the firearm when he knew Smith was the actual buyer of the firearm. Smith further admitted that he took possession of the firearm following the purchase and eventually took it back with him to Maryland. Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19. 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Owen Reynolds is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-156. ###


title: Man Charged for Over $70M Medicare Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: An indictment was unsealed in Tampa last week charging a Mississippi man for his alleged role in an over $70 million fraud scheme involving the payment of kickbacks and bribes to obtain doctors’ orders for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME). Joel Rufus French, 46, of Amory, made his initial appearance on April 11 in Oxford, Mississippi. According to court documents, French allegedly managed multiple DME companies without disclosing his role to Medicare. He and his co-conspirators allegedly used the DME companies to bill Medicare for orthotic braces that were obtained using doctors’ orders that were procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes, medically unnecessary, not provided as billed, and ineligible for Medicare reimbursement. French also allegedly obtained Medicare beneficiary information and paid kickbacks and bribes for doctors’ orders for DME. French allegedly generated and sold doctors’ orders for orthotic braces to suppliers and brokers in exchange for millions in kickbacks and bribes. Finally, French is alleged to have participated in a scheme to launder certain proceeds of his schemes. French is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive illegal health care kickbacks, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, French faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud count, as well as on the conspiracy to commit money laundering count. French faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive illegal health care kickbacks count. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida; Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI Tampa Field Office and HHS-OIG are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Catherine Wagner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Peresie for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit . An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Twin Cities Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Twin Cities man has pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to his plea agreement and court documents, on October 7, 2022, a Minnesota State Patrol officer stopped Salvador Anthony Pacheco, 45, for multiple traffic violations. During the interaction, the officer smelled marijuana in the car and requested a drug-sniffing dog, which alerted officers to additional drugs in Pacheco’s vehicle. A search of the car and its contents revealed a Kahr .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol inside the defendant’s backpack. Because Pacheco has prior felony convictions, including murder, assault, and weapons violations, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Pacheco pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon in U.S. District Court. He will be sentenced at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota State Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.


title: Former President And Head Bookkeeper Of Moving Company Convicted Of Multimillion-Dollar Payroll Tax Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that a jury returned a guilty verdict against JOSEPH EUGENE LEMAY, a/k/a “Gene Lemay,” and JOEL LINGAT for criminal tax conspiracy. LEMAY is the former president of a company that provides moving and storage services (“Company-1”), and LINGAT is Company-1’s head bookkeeper. LEMAY and LINGAT conspired to perpetrate a long-running scheme to evade more than approximately $7.7 million in federal payroll taxes owed by Company-1 and affiliated companies to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The defendants were found guilty following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vysckocil. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Gene Lemay and Joel Lingat cheated the systems that are in place to protect hardworking Americans at the end of their careers. As a result, Social Security and Medicare were deprived of millions in payroll taxes. This Office will not stand by when employers violate the public trust by refusing to pay taxes meant to support their workers.” According to the allegations in the Indictment, the criminal Complaint previously filed against LINGAT (where LEMAY is identified as CC-1), and the evidence at trial: From in or about 2010 through in or about December 2016, LEMAY, LINGAT, and other co-conspirators perpetrated a scheme to defraud the U.S. government of payroll and income taxes due and owing to the IRS by Company-1 and affiliated companies. As part of the criminal scheme, LEMAY, LINGAT, and their co-conspirators created front companies, nominally owned by close associates or family members of LEMAY or others at Company-1; assigned (on paper only) foremen and movers working for Company-1 to the sham companies; and fraudulently made it appear that the sham companies were independent contractors, including by creating fake invoices by which the sham companies purportedly billed Company-1 for labor. Because the conspirators fraudulently made it appear that the labor was performed by independent contractors, Company-1 was able to deduct the cost of the labor as an expense on its tax returns, without withholding or paying over any payroll taxes to the IRS. Through the criminal scheme, Company-1 and affiliated companies evaded in excess of approximately $7.7 million in payroll taxes, including FICA and Medicare contributions, during the charged period. * * * LEMAY, 63, of Delray Beach, Florida, and LINGAT, 62, of Jersey City, New Jersey, were convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the IRS-Criminal Investigation. This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy V. Capozzi, Jilan Kamal, and Steven Kochevar are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Geoffrey Mearns and Julia Gutierrez.


title: Canadian Man Sentenced for Operating $175M Psychic Mass-Mailing Fraud Scheme

component: Civil Division

body_text: A Canadian man was sentenced to 10 years in prison today in the Eastern District of New York for perpetrating a massive psychic mass-mailing fraud scheme that stole more than $175 million from more than 1.3 million victims in the United States. Following a two-week trial, a federal jury convicted Patrice Runner, 57, a Canadian and French citizen, in June 2023 of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud. Runner operated a mass-mailing fraud scheme from 1994 through November 2014. As part of the scheme, Runner sent letters to millions of U.S. consumers, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable. The letters falsely purported to be individualized, personal communications from well-known so-called “psychics” Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin and promised that the recipient had the opportunity to achieve great wealth and happiness with the assistance of the “psychics” in exchange for payment of a fee. Once a victim made a single payment in response to one of the letters, the victim was bombarded with dozens of additional letters, all purporting to be personalized communications from the “psychics” and offering additional services and items for a fee. Although the scheme’s letters frequently stated that a “psychic” had seen a personalized vision regarding the recipient of the letter, in fact, the scheme sent nearly identical form letters to tens of thousands of victims each week. Runner and his co-conspirators obtained the names of elderly and vulnerable victims by renting and trading mailing lists with other mail fraud schemes. In reality, Duval and Guerin had no role in sending the letters, did not receive responses from the victims, and did not send the additional letters after victims paid money. In fact, no “psychics” played any role in Runner’s operation. Some victims made dozens of payments in response to the fraudulent letters, losing thousands of dollars. Runner directed the scheme for the entirety of its twenty-year operation, directing co-conspirators, who ran the day-to-day operations of the scheme through a Canadian company. Runner used a series of shell companies registered in Canada and Hong Kong to hide his involvement in the scheme while living in multiple foreign countries, including Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Costa Rica and Spain. Spanish authorities extradited Runner to the United States to face federal charges in December 2020. “This case demonstrates that the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and its partners in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are committed to investigating and prosecuting transnational fraud schemes targeting Americans consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The global nature of this scheme meant that we had to rely on law enforcement from around the globe to provide evidence of criminality. We want to thank officials from France, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Canada, and in particular the Canadian Competition Bureau, for providing assistance in securing evidence in this matter, as well as Spain for arresting and extraditing Runner, ensuring that justice could be done.” “Patrice Runner’s extravagant lifestyle, born on the backs of millions of older and vulnerable Americans, has come to an end,” said Inspector in Charge Chris Nielsen of the USPIS Philadelphia Division. “The conviction and federal sentencing of Patrice Runner is the appropriate punishment for someone who routinely preyed on vulnerable and elderly Americans. Postal Inspectors will continue to work tirelessly to ensure you can trust that the US Mail is free of these types of predatory schemes.” Four other co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with this mass-mailing fraud scheme: Maria Thanos, 60, of Montreal, Canada; Philip Lett, 53, of Montreal; Sherry Gore, 73, of Indiana, and Daniel Arnold, 62, of Connecticut. USPIS investigated the case. Assistant Director John W. Burke and Trial Attorneys Charles B. Dunn, Rachel Baron and Ann Entwistle of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing Runner’s extradition. The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for fraudulent “psychic,” lottery, prize notification and sweepstakes scams. If you receive a phone call, letter or email promising a large prize in exchange for a fee, do not respond. Fraudsters often will use official-sounding names or the names of real lotteries or sweepstakes, or pretend to be a government agent purportedly helping to secure a prize. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with inappropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.


title: Colombian National Extradited to Face International Narcotics-Trafficking Conspiracy Charge

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced the extradition of Gabriel Zuñiga (a/k/a “Ito,” a/k/a “Hito,” “Captain Ito,” a/k/a “Capi”) from Colombia based on a superseding indictment returned in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. On April 11, 2024, Zuñiga had his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Duffin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On April 15, 2024, Judge Duffin ordered that Zuñiga be detained pending trial. On November 8, 2022, a grand jury in the Eastern District of Wisconsin returned a superseding indictment against Zuñiga, alleging one count of international drug trafficking. According to the superseding indictment, from approximately February 2019 through March 22, 2022, Zuñiga conspired with Jean Eliobert Jasme (a/k/a “ED1,” “Eddy One,” and “Tio Loco”), Rafael Dario Gonzalez-Amparo (a/k/a “Rafa,” a/k/a “Sisi”), and others to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine intending, knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe the cocaine would be unlawfully imported into the United States. The DEA Port-au-Prince Country Office and the DEA Milwaukee Field Office investigated this case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Colombian government, including the Colombian National Police (CNP), and the U.S. Marshals Service, provided substantial assistance in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Brady, Jr. and Gail J. Hoffman of the Eastern District of Wisconsin are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ### For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov Follow us on Twitter


title: East Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Prison for Interstate Threats to Injure Others

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 16 months of imprisonment on his conviction of interstate communications containing a threat to injure another person, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Robert Notter, 35. According to information presented to the Court, Notter made threats to numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations located in the Middle District of North Carolina while he was residing in East Pittsburgh. This included Notter sending text messages and leaving voicemails pretending to be another individual and threatening to kill the recipients. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Notter.


title: Return to Nature Funeral Home Owners Charged for Defrauding Clients, Defrauding Paycheck Protection Program

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jon Hallford, age 44, and Carie Hallford, age 47, were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly defrauding their funeral home clients, and for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is part of The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Both Jon and Carie Hallford each face 13 counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the indictment, the Hallfords were the co-owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado. In October 2023, residents in the area reported an odor emanating from the Penrose facility. After obtaining a search warrant, FBI investigators found 190 dead bodies inside the building in various states of decomposition. Some of the dates on the bodies listed deaths dating back to 2019. The indictment alleges that the Hallfords defrauded their funeral home customers by not providing a cremation or burial for the deceased as promised. The indictment also alleges that the Hallfords fraudulently obtained COVID-19 Relief funds on behalf of their business. Specifically, the indictment alleges that the Hallfords provided false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration in order to obtain relief funds totaling $882,300 by misrepresenting the fact that Jon Hallford owed back child support and by claiming that their business was not engaged in criminal activity at the time they applied for COVID-19 relief funds. The Hallfords are also accused of misapplying the relief funds for personal purposes instead of using such funds for the operation of their business. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans dealing with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act created the PPP, a program administered by the SBA that provided loans to small businesses to retain workers, maintain payroll, and certain other expenses consistent with PPP rules. Additionally, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to provide EIDLs to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants made their initial appearances on Monday, April 15, 2024, before Judge Scott T. Varholak. The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This federal case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Several other state and local law enforcement agencies including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fremont County Coroner’s Office have made significant contributions to this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United Staes Attorneys Tim Neff and Craig Fansler. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . On July 11, 2023, the Attorney General selected the District of Colorado’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of five national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. The Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, as well as those who committed multiple instances of pandemic relief fraud. The Strike Force uses prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. Additional information regarding the Strike Force may be found at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-results-nationwide-covid-19-fraud-enforcement-action . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . Case # 24-CR-00113


title: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for Torture and Illegally Exporting Weapons Parts and Related Services to Iraq

body_text: A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 70 years in prison for torturing an Estonian citizen in 2015 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and for the illegal export of weapons parts and related services. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ross Roggio, 55, of Stroudsburg, arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct and detain the victim at a Kurdish military compound, where Roggio suffocated the victim with a belt, threatened to cut off one of his fingers, and directed Kurdish soldiers to repeatedly beat, choke, tase, and otherwise physically and mentally abuse the victim over a 39-day period. The victim was an employee at a weapons factory that Roggio was developing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq that was intended to manufacture automatic rifles and pistols. “Ross Roggio had his victim abducted and detained at a Kurdish military compound in Iraq, where Roggio and others physically and mentally tortured the victim over the course of 39 days,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “During that time, Roggio suffocated the victim and directed others to beat, choke, and tase him. Roggio’s victim worked at a weapons factory in Iraq, where Roggio illegally sent weapons parts and illegally provided services, in violation of export controls laws. Today’s sentence—following the second-ever conviction under the federal torture statute—shows that, no matter where such deplorable acts occur, the United States is committed to holding the perpetrators accountable.” “As proven at trial and demonstrated by today’s sentence, Mr. Roggio committed egregious human rights abuses and smuggled restricted firearm components from the United States to launch an unsanctioned weapons factory,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will not waver in bringing to justice those that violate our export controls in contravention of our national security and foreign policy priorities.” “The sentence imposed by the court demonstrates the seriousness of Ross Roggio’s crimes and brings some measure of justice for his torture victim,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Violence against the dignity and human rights of any victim cannot be tolerated and our office will continue to prioritize and pursue those who would do so in violation of federal law. Ross Roggio was also convicted of United States export laws related to illegally producing firearms in Kurdistan, Iraq. Though more technical in nature, these laws are no less important and are designed to take into account human rights considerations on a larger scale, to limit access to our most sensitive technologies and weapons, and to promote regional stability. I commend all the prosecutors and law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly to bring justice in this matter.” In connection with the weapons factory project, Roggio exported firearms parts and tools without the required approvals by the U.S. government. He also illegally trained foreign persons in the operation, assembly, and manufacturing of the M4 automatic rifle. “Torture is among the grievous crimes the FBI investigates and this is the second time we have been able to bring justice under the federal torture statute,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “Our investigation into Roggio’s abominable crimes and today’s sentencing would not be possible without the sheer courage of the victim to tell his story. The FBI and our international partners stand with victims by standing up to human rights violations wherever they occur.” “Today’s sentence highlights our commitment to stopping those who commit human rights abuses and threaten the security of the U.S. and partner nations,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Thanks to our close interagency and international cooperation, Roggio has been brought to justice.” “Export evasion is often not a standalone crime,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “Here, the same defendant who was illegally exporting weapons parts to his Iraqi weapons factory was also brutally torturing one of his employees there.” A federal jury convicted Roggio in May 2023 of 33 counts of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, exporting weapons parts and services to Iraq without the approval of the U.S. Department of State, exporting weapons tools to Iraq without the approval of the U.S. Department of Commerce, smuggling goods, wire fraud, and money laundering. Roggio was the second defendant to be convicted of torture since the federal torture statute went into effect in 1994. The FBI and HSI investigated the torture and were joined in the investigation of the arms export violations by BIS’ Office of Export Enforcement. Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley for the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. The Estonian Internal Security Service, Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and Pennsylvania State Police also provided valuable assistance. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form .


title: Florida man sentenced to 20 years in prison for producing images of child sexual abuse and traveling across the U.S. to sexually abuse a minor

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Tacoma – A 42-year-old New Port Ritchey, Florida, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 20 years in prison for production of child pornography and interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Samuel Aaron Leonard was arrested July 2, 2020, in Vancouver, Washington, just outside the home of the 14‑year-old girl he had spent months enticing online for sexual abuse. Leonard communicated with the girl on a number of social media platforms and represented to the girl that he was 20 years old. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “To damage a life as significantly as you have is far worse than any aggravated assault…. You have to understand that your victims have a life sentence.” “This case is a parent’s nightmare: a predator lurking online who preys on their child remotely and then travels thousands of miles to further harm a minor child,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “The investigation revealed that the victim in this case was not the first harmed by Mr. Leonard. This sentence is designed to protect the community from further crimes.” According to records filed in the case, Leonard contacted the girl via a social media platform around April 1, 2020. Over the next few months, Leonard communicated with the girl on various social media sites and sent her a cell phone so that they could communicate by text and telephone. Unbeknownst to the girl, Leonard had installed tracking and surveillance software in the phone so that he could monitor her location and read her texts and emails. Leonard turned the conversations with the girl to a sexual nature and convinced her to send various sexually explicit photos. The girl’s guardians became aware of the communication and contacted police in late June 2020. Law enforcement immediately seized both phones that the teen had been using to communicate and had an undercover officer take over the communication. Analyzing the communications and the cell phone information, the investigation revealed that Leonard had traveled from Florida to the Vancouver area via bus and was within a short bike ride of the girl’s home. When the officer, posing as the girl, revealed that the girl’s guardian had taken the phone Leonard had sent to her, Leonard said he would get her a new one. Police surveilled Leonard as he took a newly purchased phone, hid it in a package, and tossed the package over the fence to the girl’s backyard. Leonard was arrested shortly afterwards. A search of Leonard’s hotel room revealed that he had a number of items used to restrain someone, such as ten sets of flex cuffs and two sets of metal handcuffs, as well as duct tape and electrical tape. He also had various sex toys and lubricants. In the plea agreement Leonard admits that in 2018 he traveled to Oklahoma to sexually assault a 16-year-old. Leonard’s phone contained videos of that sexual assault. In asking for a 20-year-sentence, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Leonard has demonstrated a pattern of using minors to satiate his sexual desires. He used manipulation and hidden technology to monitor and control (the victim), violating her trust and disrupting her life. A significant sentence is required to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, and provide just punishment for the offense. Only a prolonged period of incarceration will protect the public from Mr. Leonard.” Judge Settle ordered 20 years of supervised release to follow prison, saying, “When someone violates children like you have, there will be grave consequences, long prison terms, so we can begin to curb the terrible scourge of sexual exploitation of children from our culture.” Leonard will be required to register as a sex offender. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Vancouver Police Department, and Kalama Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Sean Waite with assistance from the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.


title: Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to Over 16 years in Federal Prison for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: POCATELLO – Brett Victor Castro, 37, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for coercion and enticement of a minor, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, on June 7, 2023, Castro communicated with a 15-year-old female over the internet using the Facebook Messenger application. Castro quickly directed the conversation to one of a sexual nature. When the minor informed Castro that she was only 15 years old, Castro responded by asking her if she would like to have sex with a 37-year-old. Castro offered marijuana in exchange for sex. Castro drove to the minor, picked her up, provided her marijuana and drove her to a remote location in Idaho Falls. At the remote location Castro engaged in various sexual acts with the minor. The minor reported that during the sexual encounter she asked Castro to stop, and he did not stop, telling her he was almost finished. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Castro to be placed on supervised release for 15 years following his prison sentence. Castro pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2023. “We will spare no effort in protecting Idaho’s children from sexual predators,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “This sentence should send a message that severe consequences await anyone who would seek to sexually exploit our children.” “The online threats children face is unlike any seen by prior generations and necessitates diligence by both law enforcement and those closest to those children,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “HSI and our partners work tirelessly to protect the community from predators such as these and in this instance, take them off the streets for years to come. This requires a joint effort, however, and we ask everyone to play a part in protecting the most vulnerable amongst us.” This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Former Marine Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Molotov Cocktail Attack Against Planned Parenthood Clinic in Orange County

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa and plotted other attacks – including an attack on the Orange County power grid in furtherance of a race war, an attack at Dodger Stadium during an LGBTQ+ pride night celebration, and the home invasions of Jewish homes in Los Angeles – was sentenced today to 108 months in federal prison. Chance Brannon, 24, of San Juan Capistrano, who was an active-duty member of the United States Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the firebombing, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney, who also ordered Brannon to pay $1,000 in restitution. Brannon has been in federal custody since his arrest in June 2023. Judge Carney said Brannon “engaged in cruel and indefensible domestic terrorism.” Brannon pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of conspiracy, one count of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device, and one count of intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. “This defendant’s deep-seated hatred led him to commit a firebombing and plan many other acts of violence, including starting a race war,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This prosecution sends a message that we will act decisively to protect all members of our community from acts of violence, and that we will remain united against hate.” “The Justice Department does not tolerate the use of violence to intimidate and endanger,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This prosecution and today’s sentence hold the defendant accountable for placing lives at risk by launching a brazen attack with an explosive device against a health care facility.” “The defendant violently attacked a reproductive healthcare facility and plotted multiple, potentially deadly assaults to advance his hate-fueled agenda,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant’s assault on the Costa Mesa Clinic was designed to terrorize patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it. Such violence has no place in the national discourse on reproductive health. The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those who seek to use threats of violence, force, and destruction of property to target vulnerable communities.” “Mr. Brannon’s deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people,” said Mehtab Syed, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “I’m proud of the hard work and collaboration by the JTTF whose members built this case and apprehended Brannon before additional acts of domestic terrorism could be carried out, as well as the hard work by prosecutors and agents leading to today’s sentencing.” “This case represents the successful interagency coordination between NCIS, Costa Mesa first responders, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Payne of the NCIS Marine West Field Office. “Such acts of terror in an attempt to preventing access to reproductive health services is intolerable.” In February and March of 2022, Brannon and his co-defendants – Tibet Ergul, 22, of Irvine, and Xavier Batten, 21, of Brooksville, Florida – conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to destroy a commercial property. Brannon considered various targets, including the Anti-Defamation League office in San Diego, but ultimately chose to target a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa to scare pregnant women, deter doctors and staff from providing abortion services, and encourage similar violent acts. During the early morning hours of March 13, 2022, Brannon and Ergul ignited and threw the Molotov cocktail at the clinic, striking the clinic entrance and starting a fire before fleeing. Brannon and Ergul returned hours later to surveil their work. In its sentencing memorandum, the government argued that “rather than allow the judicial and legislative systems to unfold, [Brannon] took matters into his own hands, weaponizing fear and intimidation to achieve his political ends.” In May 2022, Brannon counseled Batten on how to “get away with” committing a similar attack to the Costa Mesa one. In June 2022, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade , its 1973 ruling that recognized a constitutional right to abortion, Brannon and Ergul planned to use a second Molotov cocktail to damage or destroy a second Planned Parenthood clinic. Ultimately, Brannon and Ergul abandoned their plan because they saw law enforcement near the clinic they planned to target. Beginning sometime in 2022 and continuing through the time of their arrests, Ergul and Brannon discussed starting a race war by attacking an electrical substation with the goal of disrupting the functioning of the power grid in Orange County. On a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace bearing the motto for the Marine Corps, Brannon kept a file containing an operation plan and a gear list for targeting a Southern California Edison substation. Brannon possessed several items on the gear list, including a rifle with “Total [N-word] Death” written in Cyrillic and a recording of the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a white supremacist murdered 51 people and injured 40 others. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Brannon used racial slurs for various minority groups, “made hateful comments towards all non-white individuals,” and discussed “cleans[ing]” the United States of particular ethnic groups. In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Brannon texted a friend, “Can we just be done with elections and have the race war already” and complained that “[p]eople will never do anything if everyone keeps waiting for [a race war] to start on its own.” Throughout the early summer of 2023, Brannon and Ergul also discussed and researched how to attack Dodger Stadium on a night celebrating LGBTQ pride, including by using a remote-detonated device. As part of those conversations, Brannon shared a “WW2 sabotage manual” with Ergul, discussed doing “dry runs” to “case” the stadium, and conducted research on Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. Brannon and Ergul were arrested two days before the event, according to court documents. Brannon was motivated by an extremist neo-nazi ideology, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. Brannon frequently greeted his friends using “88,” which is coded language for “Heil Hitler,” and he called Adolf Hitler “a great man who loved his people and tried to save us all from the jews,” According to the sentencing memorandum. Brannon possessed antisemitic writings, drawings and literature in his bedroom at the time of his arrest and made comments to his fellow Marines including “All jews deserve to die.” Just days before his arrest, Brannon began planning with a friend to rob Jewish residents of the Hollywood Hills. As prosecutors argued in court documents, Brannon’s “use of racial and homophobic slurs, casual expressions of misogyny, and persistent expressions of violent intent went far beyond empty words; rather, defendant intended – and in many instances planned – to take overt action that would at the very least scare and intimidate women, racial minorities, and the Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities, and would at worst harm or even kill real victims.” At the time of his arrest, Brannon possessed a short-barreled rifle and two silencers, which he had not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, in 2022, Brannon placed calls to two foreign adversaries, hoping to offer himself up as a “mole” by providing U.S. intelligence. Batten and Ergul pleaded guilty earlier this year to criminal charges in this case and have sentencing hearings scheduled, respectively, for May 13 and May 30. The FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the Costa Mesa Police Department and the Costa Mesa Fire Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kathrynne N. Seiden of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Gang Member Admits Racketeering Charge

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang today admitted his role in a racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Elijah Williams, aka “Lil Smith,” 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to a superseding indictment that charged him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy. “The defendant in this case today admitted to his role in a criminal enterprise involved in violent crime and drug trafficking. Williams murdered and injured rival gang members and left a trail of blood. He now faces spending the rest of his life behind bars. This result was achieved through the hard work of many law enforcement partners, and we will continue this cooperative effort as we battle the scourge of drugs and violence on our streets.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “The guilty plea from a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang is a result of the collaborative effort DEA New Jersey has with our law enforcement partners effectively targeting those organizations and individuals poisoning and destroying our communities,” Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the DEA New Jersey Field Division said. “Removing these individuals and their illicit narcotics saves lives and prevents deaths.” “This investigation is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our state, local and federal partners in identifying, targeting, and investigating violent criminals who prey upon our citizens and lessen the quality of life of our communities,” Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller said. “We will continue to work with our partners to impact the violence of gangs, drug-related activity, and criminal organizations. Our neighborhoods deserve to exist without fear and intimidation inflicted by these violent offenders.” According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Williams was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere. On Sept. 25, 2018, in Newark, Williams attempted to murder rival gang members and associates by shooting at four individuals, one of whom was paralyzed. On March 20, 2019, in Irvington, New Jersey, Williams fatally shot another person, in retaliation for the murder of a member and associate of the Rollin’ 60s. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller; investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé; the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves; the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, with the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips investigation. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division. williams.sindictment.pdf


title: Three Former St. Louis Area Residents Accused of Obtaining 11 Fraudulent Pandemic Loans

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – Three former residents of the St. Louis area accused of fraudulently obtaining $229,000 in pandemic loans in 2021 turned themselves in to authorities Monday in Fresno, California, where they now live. Brianna L. Bell-Maple, 23, Jemyla A. Bell, 38, and Leiah A. Vaughn, 22, were each indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis March 27 on two felony counts of wire fraud. The indictment accuses them of submitting 11 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were intended to aid small businesses in paying and retaining employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three falsely claimed in applications that the PPP loans were for women’s clothing businesses located at addresses in St. Louis and on Scott Air Force Base in Illinois when no such businesses existed, the indictment says. They also submitted false tax documents to support the loan applications, which yielded a total of $229,163 in PPP loans, the indictment says. The indictment says they spent the money on their rent, shopping, dining, bills, travel, loan payments, pet store purchases and vehicles. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. Each wire fraud charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Clow is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Marine Sentenced for Molotov Cocktail Attack Against Planned Parenthood Clinic in Orange County, California

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A California man who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, California, and plotted other attacks, including an attack on the Orange County, California, power grid in furtherance of a race war, an attack at Dodger Stadium during an LGBTQI+ pride night celebration, and the home invasions of Jewish homes in Los Angeles was sentenced today to nine years in prison and ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution. Chance Brannon, 24, of San Juan Capistrano, who was an active-duty member of the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time of the firebombing, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney. Brannon has been in federal custody since his arrest in June 2023. Brannon pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of conspiracy, one count of malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device, and one count of intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. “The Justice Department does not tolerate the use of violence to intimidate and endanger,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “This prosecution and today’s sentence hold the defendant accountable for placing lives at risk by launching a brazen attack with an explosive device against a health care facility.” “The defendant violently attacked a reproductive healthcare facility and plotted multiple, potentially deadly assaults to advance his hate-fueled agenda,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant’s assault on the Costa Mesa Clinic was designed to terrorize patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it. Such violence has no place in the national discourse on reproductive health. The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute those who seek to use threats of violence, force, and destruction of property to target vulnerable communities.” “This defendant’s deep-seated hatred led him to commit a firebombing and plan many other acts of violence, including starting a race war,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “This prosecution sends a message that we will act decisively to protect all members of our community from acts of violence, and that we will remain united against hate.” “Brannon’s deep-rooted hatred and extremist views inspired him to target individuals or groups who did not conform to his neo-Nazi worldview and, in one case, led him to carry out a violent attack which could have killed innocent people,” said Acting Assistant Director in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “I’m proud of the hard work and collaboration by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, whose members built this case and apprehended Brannon before additional acts of domestic terrorism could be carried out, as well as the hard work by prosecutors and agents leading to today's sentencing.” “This case represents the successful interagency coordination between Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Costa Mesa first responders, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Payne of the NCIS Marine West Field Office. “Such acts of terror in an attempt to preventing access to reproductive health services is intolerable.” In February and March 2022, Brannon and his co-defendants, Tibet Ergul, 22, of Irvine, California, and Xavier Batten, 21, of Brooksville, Florida, conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to destroy a commercial property. Brannon considered various targets, including the Anti-Defamation League office in San Diego, but ultimately chose to target a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa to scare pregnant women, deter doctors and staff from providing abortion services, and encourage similar violent acts. During the early morning hours of March 13, 2022, Brannon and Ergul ignited and threw the Molotov cocktail at the clinic, striking the clinic entrance and starting a fire before fleeing. Brannon and Ergul returned hours later to surveil their work. In its sentencing memorandum, the government argued that “rather than allow the judicial and legislative systems to unfold, [Brannon] took matters into his own hands, weaponizing fear and intimidation to achieve his political ends.” In May 2022, Brannon counseled Batten on how to “get away with” committing a similar attack to the Costa Mesa one. In June 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade , its 1973 ruling that recognized a constitutional right to abortion, Brannon and Ergul planned to use a second Molotov cocktail to damage or destroy a second Planned Parenthood clinic. Ultimately, Brannon and Ergul abandoned their plan because they saw law enforcement near the clinic they planned to target. Beginning sometime in 2022 and continuing through the time of their arrests, Ergul and Brannon discussed starting a race war by attacking an electrical substation with the goal of disrupting the functioning of the power grid in Orange County. On a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace bearing the motto for the Marine Corps, Brannon kept a file containing an operation plan and a gear list for targeting a Southern California Edison substation. Brannon possessed several items on the gear list, including a rifle with “Total [N-word] Death” written in Cyrillic and a recording of the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a white supremacist murdered 51 people and injured 40 others. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Brannon used racial slurs for various minority groups, “made hateful comments towards all non-white individuals,” and discussed “cleans[ing]” the United States of particular ethnic groups. In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Brannon texted a friend, “Can we just be done with elections and have the race war already” and complained that “[p]eople will never do anything if everyone keeps waiting for [a race war] to start on its own.” Throughout the early summer of 2023, Brannon and Ergul also discussed and researched how to attack Dodger Stadium on a night celebrating LGBTQI+ pride, including by using a remote-detonated device. As part of those conversations, Brannon shared a “WW2 sabotage manual” with Ergul, discussed doing “dry runs” to “case” the stadium, and conducted research on Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. Brannon and Ergul were arrested two days before the event, according to court documents. Brannon was motivated by an extremist neo-Nazi ideology, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. Brannon frequently greeted his friends using “88,” which is coded language for “Heil Hitler,” and he called Adolf Hitler “a great man who loved his people and tried to save us all from the jews,” according to the sentencing memorandum. Brannon possessed antisemitic writings, drawings, and literature in his bedroom at the time of his arrest and made comments to his fellow Marines, including “All jews deserve to die.” Just days before his arrest, Brannon began planning with a friend to rob Jewish residents of the Hollywood Hills. As prosecutors argued in court documents, Brannon’s “use of racial and homophobic slurs, casual expressions of misogyny, and persistent expressions of violent intent went far beyond empty words; rather, defendant intended — and in many instances planned — to take overt action that would at the very least scare and intimidate women, racial minorities, and the Jewish and LGBTQI+ communities, and would at worst harm or even kill real victims.” At the time of his arrest, Brannon possessed a short-barreled rifle and two silencers, which he had not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, in 2022, Brannon placed calls to two foreign adversaries, hoping to offer himself up as a “mole” by providing U.S. intelligence. Batten and Ergul pleaded guilty earlier this year to criminal charges in this case and have sentencing hearings scheduled, respectively, for May 15 and May 30. The FBI and the NCIS investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the Costa Mesa Police Department and the Costa Mesa Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathrynne N. Seiden for the Central District of California’s Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.


title: Three Waterbury Residents Face Federal Carjacking Charges

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging EMILY RODRIGUEZ , also known as “Emy,” 28; RICARDO VERDEJO , also known as “Risk” and “Ricky,” 26; and LUIS CRUZ , also known as “Goldo,” 26, all of Waterbury, with offenses stemming from a violent carjacking last year. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of June 18, 2023, two all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) were stolen from Rodriguez’s Waterbury residence. After the theft, Rodriguez, Verdejo, Cruz, and others identified an individual (“Victim 1”) who they believed was involved in the theft. Later that night, Victim 1’s friend, (“Victim 2”), picked up Victim 1 from work and drove him home. As they arrived at Victim 1’s residence, three vehicles followed them and surrounded the victims. Verdejo, Cruz, and others exited the vehicles. Verdejo carried an assault-style rifle. Verdejo, Cruz, and others demanded the return of the stolen ATVs, threatened both victims, and physically assaulted them. They then stole Victim’s 2 vehicle, which was owned by Victim 2’s relative, and other items and cash belonging to the victims. It is further alleged that Rodriguez and others continued to threaten and harass the victims, and their friends and relatives, after the carjacking. There is no indication that Victim 1 was, in fact, involved in the theft of the ATVs. The indictment, which was returned on April 10, 2024, charges Rodriguez, Verdejo, and Cruz, with carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years, and with conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. The indictment also charges Verdejo with carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years. Rodriguez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 21, 2024. She appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, pleaded not guilty, and is released on a $100,000 bond. Verdejo and Cruz are currently detained in federal custody on unrelated charges . U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Nathan J. Guevremont. Individuals with information that may be helpful to the investigation and prosecution of this matter are encouraged to contact the FBI’s New Haven Division at 203-777-6311.


title: Former North Korean Official Indicted on Sanctions Evasion, Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, and Money Laundering Charges

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: An indictment was unsealed today charging a former North Korean official serving in Thailand, Myong Ho Ri, with conspiracy to violate U.S. economic sanctions bank fraud, and international money laundering. According to the indictment, Ri arranged for shipments of goods to North Korea using U.S. dollar wire transfers without receiving a license from the U.S. Treasury Department. Ri is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and 18 counts of international money laundering relating to a scheme to smuggle goods into North Korea from Thailand via Dalian, China. “As alleged, this defendant deliberately circumvented U.S. sanctions by using front companies to deceive American banks as he smuggled goods into North Korea,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will be relentless in pursuing those who violate sanctions and advance North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.” “This defendant allegedly skirted the sanctions put in place by the U.S. government in order to protect our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. “He is also alleged to have thwarted U.S. banking laws, so that he could conduct business for North Korea, a foreign government that is determined to unlawfully expand its nuclear program. Working with our partners, we will make every effort to bring to justice the people who put this country at risk, no matter where in the world they operate.” On March 15, 2016, the President issued Executive Order 13,722 to address the Government of North Korea’s continuing pursuit of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. That and subsequent regulations prohibit the export of financial services from the United States or by any U.S. person to North Korea, including the processing of U.S. dollar wires for transactions conducted overseas. According to the indictment, beginning around February 2015, Ri used his position as Third Economic and Commercial Secretary in the Embassy of North Korea in Thailand to negotiate contracts on behalf of a North Korean company to ship goods into North Korea from Thailand, utilizing multiple front companies and co-conspirators in Thailand and Malaysia. Ri and his co-conspirators deliberately concealed the intended destination of the goods from banking institutions located in the United States and directed shipments through Dalian, China in order to obscure the true nature of their business. As a result, U.S. financial institutions unknowingly processed multiple U.S. dollar transactions for the benefit of North Korea. The Department of Homeland Security Investigation’s Washington D.C. Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Tortorice and Maeghan Mikorski for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorneys Stephen Marzen and Tracy Varghese of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance was provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Grady. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Houston man and woman sentenced for federal firearm and drug violations

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

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Houston man and woman have been sentenced for federal firearm and drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Christopher Jay Johnson, Jr., 35, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2023 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Lissette Elvira Guevara, 37, also of Houston, pleaded guilty the same day to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced by Judge Crone last month to serve 113 months in prison. According to information presented in court, on March 6, 2022, Bridge City police officers investigated a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at a business on Texas Avenue and found Johnson in the passenger seat with a fully loaded pistol on his lap. The strong odor of marijuana led to a search of the vehicle resulting in the discovery of 40 grams of methamphetamine in Guevara’s belongings. Further investigation revealed Johnson was previously convicted of aggravated robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and controlled substance offenses in Montgomery County, and prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. A federal grand jury indicted Johnson and Guevara on April 5, 2023. “Guns and drugs are a bad combination,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “We will always support our local law enforcement partners in the investigation and prosecution of cases like this one that involve guns and dangerous repeat offenders. This is also a good reminder to the citizens in our district that if you ‘see something, say something.’ Here, a concerned citizen’s call pointed law enforcement to a threat they might have otherwise missed.” This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Bridge City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross. ###


title: Federal jury convicts three members of interstate drug trafficking organization

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted three Virginia men today for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy and an incident that led to the deaths of two victims. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Cortney Allen Conley, aka KO and Allen Conley, 35, of Virginia Beach, managed a large-scale, interstate drug trafficking organization principally based in the Hampton Roads area between January 2020 and November 2022. The organization frequently sold drugs at “popup” shops, which regularly popped up in new locations. In addition to other duties, Javaid Akhtar Reed, 27, of Chesapeake, and Kyron Speller, 29, of Norfolk, provided security for the organization’s popup shops. In 2021, Conley was robbed at gunpoint at a “popup” located on Providence Road in Chesapeake, after which Conley and his co-conspirators were regularly armed. On May 13, 2022, two armed subjects attempted to rob the organization’s popup shop on Wintercress Way in Chesapeake. Conley and one of his workers discharged firearms during a gun battle resulting in the deaths of the two subjects. During the gun battle, another worker pistol-whipped one of the subjects. Immediately afterward, Conley and the two workers removed controlled substances, drug proceeds, and firearms from the popup shop. Conley was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, psilocybin, and psilocyn; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn; possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and continuing a criminal enterprise. He faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced on Oct. 25. Reed was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, psilocybin, and psilocyn; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn; and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 15. Speller was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, psilocybin, and psilocyn; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and possession with intent to distribute psilocybin and psilocyn. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when sentenced on Oct. 25. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Mark G. Solesky, Chief of Chesapeake Police; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen accepted the verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan M. Montoya, Joe DePadilla, and Luke Bresnahan are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-147.


title: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced To Prison For Torture And Illegally Exporting Weapons Parts And Related Services To Iraq

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 70 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for torturing an Estonian citizen in 2015 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and for the illegal export of weapons parts and related services. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Ross Roggio, 55, of Stroudsburg, arranged for Kurdish soldiers to abduct and detain the victim at a Kurdish military compound, where Roggio suffocated the victim with a belt, threatened to cut off one of his fingers, and directed Kurdish soldiers to repeatedly beat, choke, tase, and otherwise physically and mentally abuse the victim over a 39-day period. The victim was an employee at a weapons factory that Roggio was developing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq that was intended to manufacture automatic rifles and pistols. “Ross Roggio had his victim abducted and detained at a Kurdish military compound in Iraq, where Roggio and others physically and mentally tortured the victim over the course of 39 days,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “During that time, Roggio suffocated the victim and directed others to beat, choke, and tase him. Roggio’s victim worked at a weapons factory in Iraq, where Roggio illegally sent weapons parts and illegally provided services, in violation of export controls laws. Today’s sentence—following the second-ever conviction under the federal torture statute—shows that, no matter where such deplorable acts occur, the United States is committed to holding the perpetrators accountable.” “The sentence imposed by the Court demonstrates the seriousness of Ross Roggio’s crimes and brings some measure of justice for his torture victim,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “Violence against the dignity and human rights of any victim cannot be tolerated and our office will continue to prioritize and pursue those who would do so in violation of federal law. Ross Roggio was also convicted of United States export laws related to illegally producing firearms in Kurdistan, Iraq. Though more technical in nature, these laws are no less important and are designed to take into account human rights considerations on a larger scale, to limit access to our most sensitive technologies and weapons, and to promote regional stability. I commend all the prosecutors and law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly to bring justice in this matter.” In connection with the weapons factory project, Roggio exported firearms parts and tools without the required approvals by the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce. He also illegally trained foreign persons in the operation, assembly, and manufacturing of the M4 automatic rifle. “The sentencing today is a testament to not only the diligent work done by law enforcement, both here and overseas, but most importantly, the courage of the victim and witnesses in coming forward,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Torture is among the most egregious crimes the FBI investigates. The FBI along with our law enforcement partners will continue to purse justice for victims of these horrendous crimes.” “The extensive cooperation, information sharing, and dedication shown by the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation has been extraordinary,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Sara C. Bay. “Roggio’s sentence stands as proof that the United States will investigate and prosecute those that break our laws and violate human rights regardless of where they are committed.” “The illegal export of firearms parts and tools from the United States often goes hand in hand with other criminal activities, such as the charge of torture on which the jury voted to convict the defendant,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office. “This sentence sends a strong message to those who wish to illegally traffic in firearms. I commend our law enforcement colleagues for their dedication to bringing justice in this case.” A federal jury convicted Roggio in May 2023 of 33 counts of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, exporting weapons parts and services to Iraq without the approval of the State Department, exporting weapons tools to Iraq without the approval of the Commerce Department, smuggling goods, wire fraud, and money laundering. Roggio was the second defendant to be convicted of torture since the federal torture statute went into effect in 1994. The FBI and HSI investigated the torture and were joined in the investigation of the arms export violations by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement. Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley for the Middle District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. The Estonian Internal Security Service, Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and Pennsylvania State Police also provided valuable assistance. Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or complete the FBI online tip form or the ICE online tip form . ###


title: Port Arthur man sentenced for federal firearms violation

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. DeShawn Ranard Willis, 42, pleaded guilty on May 18, 2023, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on April 15, 2024. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 29, 2021, Willis was arrested after a Port Arthur Police Department officer stopped the vehicle he was driving for a defective headlight on Gulfway Drive. Willis admitted to possessing a firearm underneath the driver’s seat. Officers recovered the pistol, which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. Further investigation revealed Willis was a six-time convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Willis was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 8, 2022 and charged with firearms violations. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Batte. ###


title: Liberty woman sentenced for preparing false tax return

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Liberty woman has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally preparing a tax return in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Teletshia Elice Randolph, 48, pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 15, 2024. According to information presented in court, in 2019, special agents with the Internal Revenue Service began noticing a pattern of questionable tax forms filed in previous years associated with an IP address which was registered to Randolph. In order to receive payment for preparing or assisting in the preparation of a federal tax return, a person is legally required to have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), and paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return. Not signing a return, commonly known as “ghost preparation,” is often a red flag that a preparer is attempting to avoid detection by the IRS. Randolph did not have a registered PTIN and was suspected of being a “ghost preparer.” Further investigation revealed Randolph was operating an illegal tax preparation business from her residence. Randolph would meet and communicate with clients and obtain the necessary information from them to file their taxes. Randolph would then create fraudulent tax documents indicating the tax filer owned farm equipment and animals and were entitled to deductions they were not. Randolph would then file the tax documents in a way that appeared they were prepared by the actual tax filer. Randolph would keep approximately fifteen percent of each fraudulent tax return. IRS records revealed Randolph filed a total of 542 tax returns on behalf of 282 tax-payer clients for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018. The IRS estimates the total tax loss for these returns had approached six million dollars. “Today, many Americans are fulfilling their duties as citizens of our great country and filing their taxes, said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Sadly though, many individuals use the tax filing system to their advantage and unjustly enrich themselves. Teletshia Randolph did just that, by defrauding the government for many years and fraudulently filed taxes for taxpayers for her own benefit. My office is committed to protecting the integrity of the tax filing process and bringing to justice those that manipulate it to their advantage.” “Randolph is a ghost preparer, someone who is willing to take your money and let you go to prison for filing a fraudulent tax return. She doesn’t sign the tax return because she is not a legitimate tax preparer and she knows the information she used was fraudulent,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston Field Office. “Our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office work closely with us to identify and prosecute tax and other financial crimes. April 15 might be the last day of this tax season, but it’s not the last time financial criminals like her will be sentenced for their crimes.” This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James. ###