title: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to Prison for Violations of Federal Firearms Laws

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on June 18, 2024, to 52 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to two separate violations of federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Raesean M. Wilson, 22. According to information presented to the Court, Wilson was convicted of a felony in March 2022 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Under federal law, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On or about September 21, 2022, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police observed Wilson in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood. On January 3, 2023, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Wilson for this incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On or about January 26, 2023, following his indictment for the previous incident, Wilson was stopped by Pennsylvania State Troopers in downtown Pittsburgh for a moving traffic violation and found to be in possession of a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine and 23 rounds of ammunition, which he possessed in connection with the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine. On February 28, 2023, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Wilson for this second firearms offense. Wilson pleaded guilty to both crimes in December 2023. Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Wilson. 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: Hospice Care Company Owner Sentenced on Health Care Fraud Charges

component: USAO - Louisiana, Western

body_text: LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Kristal Glover-Wing , 51, formerly a resident of Broussard, Louisiana , and now living in California, has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud. United States District Judge Robert R. Summerhays sentenced Glover-Wing to 72 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $3,675,948.42 in restitution. "As federal prosecutors, we must protect the taxpayer dollar by taking cases of Medicare fraud seriously due to the overwhelming number of Americans that rely on such programs to literally survive,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “The defendant in this case took advantage of elderly patients for the benefit of her company as opposed to her clients. We believe this is a fair sentence and we will continue to prosecute cases of fraud and corruption by those who seek to unjustly enrich themselves to the detriment of the elderly and federal government.” “The sentence imposed today is an affirmation of our commitment to protect the integrity of our nation’s health insurance programs from those who illegally profit through their fraudulent activities,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work closely with our federal law enforcement partners and bring to justice bad actors who defraud the Medicare program.” Glover-Wing was convicted by a federal jury of the charges in April 2023 following a nearly four-week trial. Glover-Wing was the owner of Angel Care Hospice (“Angel Care”), a Louisiana corporation that purported to provide hospice services in Lafayette Parish and other parishes in the Western District of Louisiana. Through evidence presented at trial, jurors learned that from approximately 2009 through 2017, over 24 patients were placed on hospice by Angel Care without meeting the criteria required by Medicare. During the time period that the patients were on hospice and under the care and supervision of Angel Care, none of them had been diagnosed with a terminal condition. In fact, many of the patients themselves, who are still alive and thriving many years later, as well as family members of other patients, testified that they never knew that they had been placed on hospice. One of the patients testified at trial that Medicare refused to cover a procedure he needed to have because unbeknownst to him, he was listed as a hospice patient. Many of these patients thought they were receiving some type of home health or free services, rather than being placed on hospice. Testimony at trial revealed that while on hospice care, many of the patients were living normal lives and although most of them did have medical conditions, none had been diagnosed as having a terminal condition. Evidence was introduced proving that there were patients who had been on hospice for more than five years and at the time of trial, were still alive. The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly P. Uebinger, Danny Siefker, and Lauren L. Gardner. # # #


title: Two Virginia prisoners sentenced for pandemic unemployment scam

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A previously incarcerated Chesapeake man and a state prisoner were sentenced for their participation in a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal unemployment benefits related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the federal government expanded and extended unemployment benefits for impacted workers. At that time, Raton J. Tharp, 37, was an inmate at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Virginia. Tharp and George Napoleon Cuffee Jr., 31, conspired to apply for benefits and use the personal identifying information of others to make applications in their names for benefits for which they did not qualify. Tharp provided the information of other Wallens Ridge inmates to Cuffee, who used that information when he was not incarcerated to apply for fraudulent unemployment benefits in those inmates’ names. Cuffee also provided false information in the applications, including, for example, false addresses, telephone numbers, email accounts, and last employers. Last employers were sometimes completely fabricated, such as “Napoleon Homes,” borrowing from Cuffee’s middle name. In addition to the scheme with Tharp, Cuffee also unlawfully obtained and used the information of six non-inmates for fraudulent unemployment claims. They did not have knowledge or agree to their information being used. From Aug. 12, 2020, to Oct. 28, 2020, Cuffee was incarcerated at the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office Correctional Center. During that time, he directed associates who were not incarcerated to continue recertifying the fraudulent claims to ensure the payments were uninterrupted. Cuffee also fraudulently filed his own unemployment claim. Cuffee falsely stated his occupation as “real estate broker,” and attested that he could not work due to COVID-19 quarantines. For his own claim, Cuffee received $18,162, of which $2,906 covered time during which Cuffee was incarcerated. Cuffee and Tharp coordinated how to split and distribute the proceeds of the fraud. Cuffee and Tharp were not truthful with the inmates about the claims’ true value, and agreed to keep a large portion of claim proceeds for themselves. The conspiracy resulted in eight successful claims for $75,960 using other inmates’ information filed by Cuffee, and six more claims for $81,362 using non-inmate information, for a total of $187,928. Tharp pled guilty on Jan. 25 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On May 28, he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. Cuffee pled guilty on Feb. 2 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced today to five years and eight months in prison. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C., and Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt prosecuted 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. 2:3-cr-103.


title: Former Oglala Sioux Tribe President Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Linda R. Reade has sentenced a Batesland, South Dakota, man convicted of six counts of Wire Fraud, one count of Larceny, and one count of Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. The sentencing took place on June, 20, 2024. Julian Bear Runner, 39, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison on each count to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $800 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $82,483.71 in restitution to the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Bear Runner was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. He was found guilty of wire fraud, larceny, and embezzlement following a three-day jury trial in April of 2024. Between January of 2019 and January of 2020, at Pine Ridge, Bear Runner, while acting in his capacity as President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, fraudulently submitted travel vouchers for official business travel and received payment for travel that he was not entitled to as he was not actually traveling. Bear Runner submitted multiple travel authorizations to different locations outside South Dakota, including New Mexico, Montana, Ohio, North Carolina, New York, and Arizona, claiming the need to travel for official business. As a result of the fraudulently submitted travel authorizations, Bear Runner received more than $80,000 in advance travel payments but did not go on the travel. Instead, Bear Runner cashed the checks at a casino, gambled, and stayed in local hotels. This case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: the FBI; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. For additional information about the Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number. This case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Patterson and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Bear Runner was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Accessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty today in federal court to a child exploitation offense, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Philip Longeway, 52, pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view child sexual abuse material (CSAM). U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for September 26, 2024. Longeway is a sex offender based on a 2006 conviction for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. While on federal supervised release in connection with that case, Longeway’s internet activity was monitored through the use of special software. That software captured chat communications between Longeway and an individual who stated that he was fifteen years old (referred to in Court documents as “John Doe”). The monitoring software also captured screenshots of John Doe engaging in a sexual act for Longeway during a Zoom video call on two separate occasions. John Doe was later identified as a fifteen-year-old child in New Jersey. Due to Longeway’s status as a repeat offender, the charging statute provides a sentence of not less than 10 years and not more than 20 years of imprisonment, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Sex Offender Sentenced for Contempt

body_text: CONCORD – A former Franklin man was sentenced today in federal court in connection with his online activities while under court supervision, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Zachary Cote, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Samantha Elliott to 18 months in federal prison for contempt based on his violation of the Court’s order setting his conditions of release, which included that he not commit any violations of state or federal law and that he refrain from possessing computers or accessing the internet. His sentenced is to be served consecutively to the 60 months he is currently serving for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). “The defendant flagrantly violated his conditions of release after his sentencing for possessing CSAM,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “While the Court’s conditions of bail did not deter the defendant’s criminal conduct, the additional 18 months in prison will.” “The fact that this sex offender continued to engage in criminal conduct while waiting to head to prison is deeply concerning, and demonstrates a blatant disrespect for the law,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “It is our hope that with today’s sentence, Zachary Cote learns his lesson.” Cote pled guilty to possession of CSAM on September 20, 2021. During a November 2020 detention hearing following his arrest in that case, a magistrate judge ordered Cote released subject to certain conditions, including the condition that he not commit any violations of state or federal law and that he refrain from possessing computers or accessing the internet. Cote was later sentenced to 60 months on the CSAM charge on January 24, 2022 and surrendered to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence on March 4, 2022. After Cote had been sentenced but before he surrendered to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, federal authorities received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which indicated that a user on the social media platform Snapchat had uploaded two images of apparent CSAM in February 2022. The IP address associated with the illicit activity resolved to Cote’s residence and Cote was ultimately identified as the user of the account. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Former Bank Senior Vice President Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – JOHN PADILLA , 44, of Lawton, has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On May 7, 2024, Padilla was charged by Information with bank fraud. According to the Information, between February 2013 and December 2019, Padilla served as senior vice president and commercial loan officer for a federally insured bank located in Lawton. During that time, Padilla executed a scheme in which he recruited borrowers to apply for loans, many of which were not creditworthy and were in fact Padilla’s friends and associates. Padilla told the borrowers he would use the loan proceeds to invest in his real estate ventures, and that he would pay the borrowers a percentage of the profit. The Information further alleges that Padilla would use most of the loan proceeds to support his gambling habit, while also using proceeds to make payments toward prior loans issued as part of the scheme. In all, Padilla’s actions cost the bank more than $1,000,000. On June 17, 2024, Padilla pleaded guilty, and admitted to recruiting an associate to apply for a loan, knowing the proceeds were for his own personal use. At sentencing, Padilla faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Brown is prosecuting the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Former U.S. Postal Service Employee Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Mail

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAWN R. FULLER, 37, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing mail while he was a U.S. Postal Service employee. According to court documents and statements made in court, Fuller, while employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in Meriden, was under investigation for stealing mail packages. On April 17, 2023, an investigator observed Fuller at the Meriden post office opening two mail packages, removing two items from the packages, and placing them in the trunk of his car. He then notified his supervisors that he had to leave work for the day. Hamden Police subsequently stopped Fuller’s car. After a police K9 alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics, a search of the trunk of the car revealed approximately four kilograms of a substance containing cocaine. Fuller was arrested at that time. On February 16, 2024, Fuller pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee. Fuller, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on August 20. This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Hamden and West Haven Police Departments. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Brendan J. Keefe.


title: Houstonian sent to prison for nearly $1M international money laundering scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: HOUSTON – A 31-year-old local man has been sentenced following his conviction of conspiracy to commit money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Baudelaire Tchouala pleaded guilty Dec. 7, 2023. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Tchouala to serve 18 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. He must also pay $168,068 in restitution. “Business email compromise (BEC) scams and the money launders that support them prey on all levels of society from corporations to people trying to buy their first homes,” said Hamdani. “Today our office along with the FBI removed a conduit for that system. Our office will continue to seek out these BEC networks and dismantle them piece by piece.” “In just a few short months, Tchouala deliberately opened numerous accounts at multiple banks with the express purpose of laundering almost $1 million dollars in fraudulent funds,” said FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams. “Working with other remorseless criminals, Mr. Tchouala ruined victims’ lives by stealing hard-earned down payments for homes and shattering their trust in our financial system. FBI Houston’s investigators will continue to relentlessly pursue brazen swindlers while also seeking to make fraud victims whole once more.” From July 2018 to November 2018, Tchouala laundered money into several bank accounts and withdrew the money to send to others. He used a business account to conceal the fraudulent activity. In BECs similar to this one, conspirators pose as business partners of corporate victims or individuals that owe money for professional services or loans and send fraudulent emails saying that the business’ bank account has changed. They then ask that payments be sent to a new bank account (an account the conspirators control). The victims think they are paying for legitimate expenses, services or invoices, with the real company unaware of the sent emails. The conspirators attempt to withdraw or wire the money to another account before it can be discovered and frozen. The victims in this case believed they paid for goods and services from legitimate individuals and companies but were tricked into sending the money to Tchouala’s accounts. On July 23, 2018, a victim wired $64,000 from their bank account to Tchouala’s account based on instructions they received via email. This account was opened May 24, 2018. The victim sent the money, believing it was for the purchase of a house. On Oct. 29, 2018, another victim directed $198,955 into Tchouala’s account for a down payment on a condominium. The receiving account was just opened Oct. 12, 2018. In addition, several companies also fell victim to the scheme. One had communicated via email with someone pretending to be from another company. On Oct. 4, 2018, that person sent an email requesting that payment be sent to an updated bank account. Based on that email, the victim company sent approximately $645,711 to Tchouala’s bank account, which was only opened Aug. 21, 2018. The victims reside in various countries including the United States, South Korea and Japan. Tchouala withdrew most of the money via cash, card purchases, checks and transfers. Tchouala’s fraudulent financial activity totaled approximately $935,000. Tchouala was permitted to remain on bond pending surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez and Shirin Hakimzadeh prosecuted the case.


title: King County, Washington, murder suspect now indicted in armed carjacking in Seattle

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 19-year-old SeaTac, Washington, man was indicted today for armed carjacking in connection with a crime spree that ended in a homicide, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Salman Subeyr Haji is believed to have fled abroad just days after he allegedly shot and killed a woman in the parking lot of the Tukwila Costco. Haji has been charged with murder in King County Superior Court. The federal indictment for armed carjacking will prompt an international “red notice” for Haji, alerting international law enforcement to take him into custody. “Our carjacking task force identified this case as meriting federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Separate and distinct from the fatal shooting in Tukwila, this defendant is alleged to have used a firearm to steal a car from a woman driving in Seattle. She made a narrow escape. This defendant needs to be held accountable.” According to the indictment and police reports, on January 26, 2024, Haji stole a Porsche Cayenne at gunpoint from a woman driving on Queen Anne Hill. Haji and another man were following the victim and rear-ended her to cause her to pull over. While attempting to retrieve insurance information from the glove box, Haji held a gun to the victim and demanded the keys to the vehicle and money. Haji then drove off in the vehicle. The indictment lists several names Salman Subeyr Haji has used: Salmon Subeyr Haji, Salman Hagi, and Markell Somo Jefferson. Carjacking is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. A second count of using a firearm in a crime of vi0lence is punishable by up to life in prison, with a mandatory minimum seven years in prison to run consecutive to any other prison sentence imposed in the case. The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department, Tukwila Police Department, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne. AUSA Wynne is working closely with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on the case.


title: Hutchinson Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling More Than $2 Million from Employer

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Hutchinson woman has been sentenced to 41 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in full for embezzling over $2 million from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, Jennifer Lee Rath, 53, worked as the financial controller at a heavy civil construction company located in Hutchinson, Minnesota. As the financial controller, Rath was responsible for managing the company’s payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, company credit cards, and corporate bank accounts. Over a six-year period, Rath used her position to embezzle funds and convert them to her own use and benefit. Rath routinely cut checks that appeared to cover the company’s liabilities, but then manipulated the checks to instead pay her own credit card debts, tax liabilities, and other personal expenses. Rath also processed electronic fund transfers from the company’s bank accounts to pay personal expenses and improperly charged personal expenses to company credit cards. Rath manipulated the company’s accounting software to conceal the money she stole, avoid detection, and prolong her fraud scheme. In total, between August 2013 and December 2019, Rath knowingly and willfully embezzled $2,061,328.67 from her employer. Because of Rath’s embezzlement, the company’s business and reputation suffered, as employees lost their jobs, it could not pay vendors on time, and its credit suffered. On September 7, 2023, Rath pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. She was sentenced on June 18, 2024, in U.S. District Court by Judge Jerry W. Blackwell. In pronouncing the sentence, Judge Blackwell commented that he was particularly troubled that Rath exploited a longtime family friend who had put her in a position of trust over a small business. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Hutchinson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Secord and Paralegal Specialist Jessica Scott handled the asset investigation and restitution enforcement.


title: United States Attorney’s Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman joined national, state, local, and Tribal leaders in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2024. Since 2006, WEAAD has been commemorated to promote awareness and increases understanding of the many forms of elder abuse as well as the resources available to those at risk. Highlighting the partnership between law enforcement and the public, U.S. Attorney Freedman recorded a message highlighting the need for continued attention to address elder abuse and the work her office has done to address financial fraud that victimizes older Americans, along with enforcement efforts to address grossly substandard care in nursing homes. United States Attorney Carla Freedman stated: “Elder abuse is rampant and, unfortunately, it comes in many forms. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to promote awareness of elder abuse and to bring criminal and civil actions against those who prey on older Americans.” Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse. The Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force marshals federal and state agencies working collaboratively to investigate and prosecute foreign-based schemes that target older Americans. In addition to aggressively investigating the individuals, organizations, and networks responsible for these crimes, this initiative provides the public with information to guard against both traditional scams, like tech support fraud, as well as trending schemes, such as romance scams. Using one scam to perpetrate or conceal another, some fraudsters rely on money mules to move the proceeds of their illegal activity. Preying on the good will or financial vulnerability of their targets, scammers recruit people, many times older victims, to participate in schemes to move money in ways that avoid notice. The Money Mule Initiative identifies and addresses money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes, and helps people to recognize and avoid participation in perpetuating fraud. To help older individuals and their families identify and avoid fraudulent activity, the Justice Department provides Senior Scam Alerts with information about the tactics used in specific schemes. For example, in Social Security Administration impostor schemes, scammers impersonate government administrators and falsely report suspicious activity to request that the victims provide their Social Security number for confirmation. In tech support scams, fraudsters contact victims, sometimes through internet pop-up messages, to warn about non-existent computer problems, ask that the victim give them remote access to their computer, and identify a non-existent problem, then demand large sums of money for unnecessary services. In lottery scams, telemarketers falsely notify victims that they have won a sweepstakes and tell them they must first pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes. To learn more about the department’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page . The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York continues to work with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute elder abuse crimes. Representative past examples include the following: In May 2024, the Secret Service seized a web domain , used in a “Pig Butchering” Scheme, which used dating applications and social media websites to direct victims to fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. In May 2024, the United States and the State of New York announced the recovery of $6.3 million in restitution , which will go to the victims of an investment advisor and attorney who defrauded their clients. In October 2023, JoAnne Natalie was sentenced to 3 months in jail for misappropriating the funds of a veteran as his appointed fiduciary. In February 2023, four individuals paid $7,168,000 , and were excluded from federal healthcare programs, for providing worthless services to nursing home residents In January 2023, Kirtankumar Dalwadi was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in a law enforcement impersonation scheme. To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.


title: Syracuse Man Sentenced to 54 Months for Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine and Money Laundering

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Gonzalski, 36, was sentenced Tuesday to serve 54 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and money laundering, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division. As part of his earlier guilty plea, Gonzalski admitted that from approximately August 2020, until March 30, 2022, he distributed cocaine to customers in Onondaga County, NY. The court determined as part of Gonzalski’s sentencing that he distributed approximately 10 kilograms of powder cocaine. Gonzalski also admitted committing money laundering by attempting to conceal the source of some of his drug proceeds through an automobile transaction. United States District Judge David N. Hurd further sentenced Gonzalski to a three-year term of supervised release to begin after Gonzalski serves his terms of imprisonment, and imposed a $333,111 money judgment, which reflected the proceeds Gonzalski obtained through drug dealing. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department (SPD), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), the New York State Police (NYSP), the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.


title: Troy Resident Sentenced for Machinegun Possession

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ahmed AlSaadi, age 19, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for possessing a machinegun. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf. During his earlier guilty plea, AlSaadi admitted that on August 2, 2023, he possessed three machinegun conversion devices and a Glock handgun that had been modified with a machinegun conversion device that allowed the Glock to shoot and function as a machinegun. AlSaadi also admitted to advertising machinegun conversion devices for sale from March to July 2023. United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced AlSaadi to serve a 3-year term of supervised release to begin after imprisonment. ATF, FBI and the Troy Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to more than 8 Years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine Charge

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Michael Mireles, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced June 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Mireles to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mireles’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. On May 19, 2022, Omaha Police officers conducted a traffic stop in South Omaha on a vehicle with Mireles identified as the front seat passenger. Mireles admitted to having just left a South Omaha residence under surveillance by gang officers. Mireles said that there were approximately 5 pounds of meth and one firearm in the residence. That same evening Officers executed a search warrant on the residence that revealed one pound of meth hidden in a bedroom belonging to codefendant, Jose Arevalo-Villalobos. An additional 4 pounds of meth were found in a storage room. A firearm was found in a lockbox hidden in the basement that investigators determined belonged to Jose Arevalo-Villalobos, who was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment on January 19, 2024. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Omaha Man Sentenced for Meth and Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Mark Smith, 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced June 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Smith to 160 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Smith’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release. On July 16, 2022, Omaha police stopped a car for a traffic violation. Smith was the backseat passenger and had a black drawstring bag in-between his feet. Probable cause was developed to search the car and its contents. Inside the drawstring bag, officers found four plastic baggies containing a total of 77 grams of meth, along with a loaded .45-caliber pistol, a digital scale, and $401 cash. The pistol had been reported stolen. This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Columbus man sentenced to prison for fraud crimes related to stealing identities for lines of credit

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in federal court here today to 30 months in prison for committing fraud crimes related to stealing identities to get more than $100,000 in fraudulent lines of credit. Siyuan Ye, 24, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in February 2024 to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, between January 2022 and August 2023, Ye stole the identities of at least 15 victims. Ye repeatedly obtained Ohio and Florida driver licenses of other individuals without their authorization and then used the licenses to fraudulently obtain credit from retailers in the victims’ names. He used the fraudulent credit to purchase a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, three motorcycles and a variety of electronics. For example, in April 2023, Ye used a stolen identity and fraudulent line of credit to purchase $8,400 worth of goods from a Micro Center in Columbus. Ye bought graphics cards, laptops and an Apple watch. That same month, Ye used the same Ohio victim’s identity to buy a Suzuki motorcycle at Iron Pony Motorsports in Westerville. Ye also used another victim’s identity to rent an apartment and obtain renter’s insurance. Ye has no legal status in the United States; he entered the country in 2017 on a student visa to attend The Ohio State University. He did not complete his degree and unlawfully remained in the United States. As part of his sentence, the defendant was ordered to pay more than $78,000 in restitution. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jared Murphy, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Kuna Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: BOISE – Justin Pedersen, 43, of Kuna, was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine in the Treasure Valley, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, between November and December 2023, Pedersen distributed methamphetamine to another person on four separate occasions, totaling 309 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also searched Pedersen’s residence as part of the investigation and located an additional pound of methamphetamine hidden in the wall of his residence. Pedersen has a lengthy criminal history, which includes felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, witness intimidation, and domestic battery with traumatic injury. “Idaho enjoys strong partnerships between federal and local law enforcement and, together, we will continue to target and remove dangerous drug dealers from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “If you deal drugs in Idaho, you will face the consequences.” “I am grateful for the hard work of our federal partners, and specifically the Boise Police Department’s narcotics detectives who work hard every day to target for investigation, those who facilitate the importation and sale of dangerous and deadly illegal substances in our community,” said Boise Chief of Police Ron Winegar. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Pedersen to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Pedersen pleaded guilty to the charge in March 2024. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the work of Drug Enforcement Administration, the Boise Police Department, and the Boise Area Narcotics and Drug Interdiction Team, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blackadar prosecuted the case. ###


title: Co-owners of Rhode Island Health Care Centers Charged With Health Care Fraud

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – The co-owners of a Warwick-based holistic health care center have been charged in federal court with allegedly defrauding federal and private health care insurance providers out of nearly $1.9 million dollars by submitting fraudulent claims for reimbursement for services that were not provided, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Brandon Nowak, 32, of Providence, and Jason Simmons, 32, of Foster, co-owners of Alternative Integrated Medicine, LLC (doing business as AIM Health), made initial appearances on Tuesday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on charges of health care fraud conspiracy, health care fraud, and filing false claims. The defendants were released on unsecured bond. AIM Health is based in Warwick, with satellite offices located in Pawtucket, North Kingstown, and East Providence. Nowak serves as President and CEO, and. Simmons acts as the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Compliance Office of the company. It is alleged in charging documents that, at Nowak’s direction, and with Simmons’ knowledge, AIM Health electronically submitted for payment claims for services that did not occur or were not covered, including such treatment as infrared therapy, hot and cold therapy, therapeutic activity, and self-care/home management training. Additionally, it is alleged that AIM Health submitted reimbursement claims for acupuncture and evaluation and management office visits when the actual services provided were massages given by licensed massage therapists (a non-covered service); that the company billed for high complexity office visits without providing that level of service; that AIM modified codes on reimbursement forms to avoid triggering automatic denials for payment for services that were either not provided nor medically necessary; and that AIM billed for covered and non-covered services rendered by uncredentialed providers under the provider numbers of credentialed providers. As a result of this conduct, it is alleged that AIM Health fraudulently obtained $1,872,330 in payments from government and private insurers to which AIM was not entitled to receive. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John P. McAdams and Rachna Vyas. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General and the FBI, with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General. ###


title: Texas Doctor Sentenced to 7 Years in Pill Mill Scheme

body_text: A Texas doctor who prescribed hydrocodone and other controlled substances to drug-seekers without legitimate medical purpose was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Dr. Leovares Mendez, 59, and his coconspirators, Dr. Cesar Pena-Rodriguez, 56, and recruiter Jorge Hernandez, 35, were indicted in February 2020. Dr Pena-Rodriguez and Mr. Hernandez pleaded guilty to trial, but Dr. Mendez elected to stand trial by jury. He was convicted in February 2024 of one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substances and six counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and sentenced Monday by Chief U.S. District Judge David Godbey. “This defendant wasn’t practicing medicine – he was dealing drugs, plain and simple,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “The vast majority of doctors prescribe opioids to ease suffering. But when medical professionals abuse their DEA registrations in ways that cause suffering, the Justice Department will bring the full force of the law to bear.” “We will continue to investigate and seek prosecution against medical professionals who break the law and simply put, deal drugs,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez. “Not only did Dr. Mendez flagrantly dismiss his professional and ethical duties, evidence showed he attempted to conceal his criminal conduct by suggesting methods to thwart law enforcement intervention. He failed. DEA will continue to hold these rouge doctors responsible for their reckless and illegal behavior.” According to evidence presented at trial, Dr. Mendez and Dr. Pena-Rodriguez, owners of Cumbre Medical Center, prescribed hydrocodone, alprazolam, and tramadol to “patients” including those brought to them by recruiter Jorge Hernandez. They wrote the prescriptions for no legitimate medical purpose, without conducting medical exams, in return for cash payments of between $200 and $250. In video and audio recordings introduced into evidence, undercover officers posing as patients requested medications by name and received prescriptions despite never having complained of pain. The undercover officers received the illegal prescriptions on multiple visits that spanned almost two years. On multiple occasions, Dr. Mendez coached the undercover officers about what to say if ever contacted law enforcement, but urged them to keep a low-profile so as not to attract the attention of any potential investigators. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donna Max, Rachael Jones, Marty Basu, and Renee Hunter prosecuted the case, with help from appellate liaisons Gail Hayworth and Amy Mitchell.


title: Former Vice President and Branch Manager of Popular Bank Convicted of Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Anuli Okeke, the former vice president and manager of a New York branch of Popular Bank was convicted yesterday afternoon by a federal jury in Brooklyn of all four counts of an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The charges arose out of a scheme the defendant led to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The verdict followed a one-week trial before United States District Judge Frederic Block. When sentenced, Okeke faces up to 30 years in prison. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA-OIG); James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation New York Field Office (FBI); Patricia Tarasca, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, New York Regional Office (FDIC OIG); Brian Tucker, Special Agent-in-Charge, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Eastern Region; and Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent-in-Charge, Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Eastern Region Office (SBA-OIG), announced the verdict. “While the global pandemic caused widespread economic and personal harm for so many, the defendant abused her trusted position at a bank to steal millions of dollars from programs designed to keep small businesses afloat and workers on payroll,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This verdict reaffirms that our Office and law enforcement partners continue to bring to justice those who took advantage of a global crisis to commit crimes.” “The jury’s verdict confirms that Anuli Okeke’s actions were not only criminal but also exploitive, damaging the integrity of programs put in place to help those suffering during a time of national crisis. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who misuse the identities of others for their selfish devices,” stated SSA Inspector General Ennis. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and holding Ms. Okeke accountable for her crimes.” “Today the defendant in this case was held accountable for abusing her position of trust as a banker to facilitate millions of dollars of fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans in exchange for kickbacks. The defendant used these stolen funds to enrich herself while small businesses were struggling during the pandemic,” stated FDIC-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Tarasca. “The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the Nation’s financial system and hold accountable those individuals, like Ms. Okeke, who steal benefits designated to help those in need.” “Anuli Okeke used her position to defraud the federal government of pandemic relief funds for her own personal gain and will now pay the price for her crimes,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Tucker, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. “We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold Ms. Okeke accountable.” “The abuse of critical resources, intended to support small businesses during a time of unprecedented need, will not be tolerated,” stated SBA-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge McCall-Braithwaite. “Today’s verdict is a testament to our unwavering dedication to protecting the integrity of SBA’s programs. Our collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners is essential to ensuring that those who defraud the government are brought to justice and the taxpayer interest are protected.” COVID-19 Relief Overview The CARES Act was enacted to provide emergency financial assistance in connection with economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the allocation of funds for the issuance of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses to receive unsecured loans on favorable terms, which they were required to use for specified expenses, including payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP provided for forgiveness of the loan if recipient businesses spent the proceeds on these specified expenses within a limited time period and used a certain percentage for payroll costs. Another source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the EIDL program, which provided low-interest financing to small businesses, renters and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. Under the program, EIDL recipients were eligible to receive advances of up to $10,000 for small businesses within three days of applying for an EIDL (EIDL Advance). The amount of an EIDL Advance was determined based on the number of employees working for the applicant. The EIDL Advance did not have to be repaid. Criminal Conduct As proven at trial, Okeke, and her co-conspirators, both from within and outside the bank fabricated loan and tax documents and stole funds from the PPP and EIDL programs. Despite knowing that the PPP and EIDL applications contained false statements, and helping applicants make those false statements, Okeke signed each PPP loan application on behalf of the bank and submitted them for approval. Once the loan proceeds were disbursed to the borrowers, Okeke and her co-conspirators took kickbacks from the loan proceeds. The defendant also submitted her own fraudulent EIDL loan that contained false information. In addition, the defendant also took unauthorized commissions from legitimate PPP recipients. As shown at trial, the defendant boasted about her earnings from the scheme. In handwritten notes found at her desk at work, the defendant wrote “I am making more than enough money,” “money comes to me easily,” “I am grateful I make $15k every month,” and “I have an extra $5000 every month.” Around the time of the scheme, the defendant’s bank accounts saw an influx of cash deposits. Prior to the defendant’s conviction at trial, seven other co-conspirators pled guilty to wire and bank fraud conspiracy in connection with the defendant’s pandemic aid fraud conspiracy at the bank. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section as well as the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Adam Amir and Trial Attorney Jennifer Bilinkas are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Samuel Ronchetti, Michaela Ausbrooks, and April Ward. The Defendant : ANULI OKEKE Age: 52 Bronx, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22 CR 20 (FB)


title: Convicted Felon Is Sentenced To Prison For Illegal Possession Of A Firearm

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced Deddrick Ray Ervin, 35, of Charlotte, to 46 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to documents filed with the court and court proceedings, on December 12, 2022, law enforcement encountered Ervin while patrolling an area in Charlotte that had received numerous complaints and calls for service relating to criminal activity. Law enforcement encountered Ervin and attempted to stop Ervin’s vehicle, but Ervin did not comply. According to court records, law enforcement later located Ervin hiding in a shed and he was arrested. Law enforcement located a backpack in the shed that contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana, and recovered a firearm from the scene. On August 8, 2023, Ervin pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ervin has a prior conviction in Georgia of felon in possession of a firearm, and a South Carolina state conviction for kidnapping, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Ervin is in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Is Sentenced To 12+ Years In Prison

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Chad Clay, 31, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 151 months in prison for distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and court proceedings, from July of 2022 through October of 2022, Clay sold fentanyl and methamphetamine on multiple occasions to an undercover officer (UC) in Charlotte. In addition to the drugs, Clay sold the UC several firearms, including a handgun that had been reported stolen and a rifle with two high capacity magazines. Court records show that Clay has multiple prior convictions, including conspiracy to commit common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Due to these criminal convictions, Clay is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. On March 16, 2023, Clay pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Clay will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated federal Bureau of Prisons’ facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Sielaff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: South Carolina Man Is Sentenced To 13 Years For String Of Armed Robberies

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Daquan Hampton, 27, of Clover, South Carolina, was sentenced on Monday to 13 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a string of armed robberies in Charlotte, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to filed court documents and the sentencing hearing, on June 8, 2022, at approximately 11:22 p.m., a Waffle House employee was in the parking lot of the restaurant in Charlotte when two masked men approached him with guns drawn. The two men forced the employee inside the restaurant and demanded money from the cash registers. The employee replied that he was not able to open the safe without a key. At one point, one of the suspects, later identified as Hampton, used his firearm to pistol-whip the victim in the side of the head and took the victim’s fanny pack. Hampton and the other individual then exited the Waffle House through the back door. Court records show that two days later, on June 10, 2022, a distraught Domino’s Pizza employee placed a call to 911 to report that two men had robbed the business at gunpoint, stealing cash. According to the victim, two masked men armed with black handguns had approached the victim, who was a delivery driver, while he was sitting in a car. The suspects forced the victims inside the restaurant at gunpoint. Upon entering, the suspects encountered another employee and held him at gunpoint as well while they demanded that the employees open the safe. One of the employees said it would take a while, and at that point Hampton started counting down from five, causing the employees to believe that they were going to be shot. Hampton then pistol‐whipped one of the employees in the back of the head. Hampton then fired three rounds at the safe, and shrapnel from the shots struck one of the employees in the hand, causing lacerations and bleeding. Hampton and his accomplice then forced both employees to the back of the business with guns pointed at their heads. Hampton and his accomplice fled with $125 in cash they had stolen from the business and $100 they took from an employee. Approximately 18 hours after the Domino’s Pizza robbery, two masked men entered through the front door of a Papa John’s Pizza restaurant located in Charlotte. One of the men demanded money and ordered all six occupants to the back room where he made them get on the floor. The second man remained with the victims at gunpoint while the other had employees access the cash registers and safe. The employee could not open one of the registers, so one of the men pistol‐whipped him, causing a laceration to the victim’s head. The men took $880 from the store’s registers and fled out of the back door on foot. On June 14, 2022, a CMPD officer conducted a traffic stop of Hampton’s vehicle for a traffic violation. Hampton was arrested after the officer recovered a firearm Hampton had attempted to discard during the traffic stop. Inside Hampton’s vehicle, law enforcement found marijuana, $1,417 in cash, and two loaded Glock 23 magazines. On August 1, 2023, Hampton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery and aiding and abetting, and possession and discharging of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Hampton is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alfredo De La Rosa and Regina Pack prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Charlotte Man Is Sentenced To 34+ Years For Armed Robbery

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Robert Lee Barringer, 49, of Charlotte, was sentenced on Monday to 412 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, for the armed robbery of a Charlotte-area business, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to court documents and court proceedings, on July 26, 2021, at approximately 10:15 p.m., CMPD officers responded to the Fish House North, a business engaged in adult arcade games, in reference to a shooting and robbery. Officers encountered three victims on the scene, an employee, his wife, and a security guard who worked for the establishment. All three victims had suffered gunshot wounds and had sustained serious and extensive injuries. According to court documents, the victims stated that an individual, later identified as Barringer, had robbed the business. The victims indicated that Barringer had approached the business and as he was trying to force his way into the business, he began to shoot at the victims striking them. After Barringer entered the business, he shot his firearm several more times at the victims. Barringer then ordered one of the victims to hand over the keys to the register and forced another victim to open the register. Barringer stole $3,500 from the business and fled the scene. After speaking with the victims, law enforcement determined that Barringer was a former employee who had been fired approximately a month prior. Crime scene investigators recovered 17 cartridge casings from the scene and observed multiple bullet holes within the business. On July 28, 2021, law enforcement located and arrested Barringer at a hotel in Charlotte. On August 5, 2022, Barringer was found guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, and use, carry, and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Barringer has a lengthy criminal history for federal and state convictions, including assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon, and he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Barringer will remain in federal custody pending designation of a federal facility by the federal Bureau of Prisons. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Hess and Timothy Sielaff prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Justice Department Files Statements of Interest in Two Voting Access Lawsuits

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department today announced that it has filed statements of interest in federal courts in Ohio and Alabama to promote the correct and uniform interpretation of voting laws guarding the rights of voters with disabilities. The statements of interest are part of the Justice Department’s continuing nationwide efforts to ensure that the voting rights of all individuals, including people with disabilities, are protected. “No voter should be denied access to the ballot based on a disability,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and the Justice Department will take action to safeguard that right for all eligible voters, including those with disabilities who need assistance casting absentee ballots.” Private plaintiffs brought lawsuits in Ohio ( League of Women Voters of Ohio v. LaRose ) and Alabama ( Alabama State Conference of the NAACP v. Marshall ) challenging state laws that restrict how voters with disabilities may receive assistance, or from whom they may receive assistance, in casting an absentee ballot. The Justice Department’s statements of interest confirm that Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act permits voters with disabilities who require assistance to receive that assistance from any person they choose, so long as that person is not an agent of the voter’s employer or union. Allowable assistance includes all action necessary to make their vote effective, including casting an absentee ballot. The department’s statement of interest in Ohio also affirms that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public entities provide equal opportunities to vote absentee and allows voters with disabilities to use an assistor of their choice as a reasonable modification. “Every Ohio resident, disabled or not, has a fundamental right to vote. Ohio residents with disabilities should have the access and assistance they need to exercise that basic right of citizenship,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable modifications to undertake their ability to vote. Our office will continue its work to secure the ADA’s protections for Ohio’s residents.” “Every citizen has the right to vote without discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. “It is important that those who have specific information about voter discrimination make that information available to my office, the FBI or the Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.” More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting . More information about the ADA and the Justice Department’s enforcement of the rights of people with disabilities is available at www.ada.gov . To learn more about the Civil Rights Division visit www.justice.gov/crt and to report possible violations of federal voting rights laws go to www.civilrights.justice.gov or call toll-free at 800-253-3931.


title: Six Individuals Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Firearms Violations, and Murder

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The last defendant prosecuted in the case for drug trafficking, firearms violations and various murders, including the murder of banker Maurice Spagnoletti, was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in prison and eight years of supervised release. Alex Burgos-Amaro pleaded guilty to Count one and two of the indictment on December 27, 2023. On June 5, the following three individuals were sentenced to life in prison: Luis Carmona-Bernacet, a.k.a. “Canito Cumbre” was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in the murder of William Castro-Vidot. Yadiel Serrano-Canales, a.k.a. “Motombo” was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in the murder of Maurice Spagnoletti. Rolando Rivera-Solis was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence resulting in the murder of Maurice Spagnoletti. On March 11, 2024, Alan Lugo-Montalvo was sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and Fabiany Almestica-Monge was sentenced to 540 months (45 years) in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. All defendants were convicted by a jury on May 11, 2023. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, since the year 2000 and continuing up to 2014, in the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto, Guaynabo, and Bayamón, the defendants were members of an enterprise engaged in murder and drug trafficking. On May 11, 2023, four defendants were found guilty of using firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes. One defendant was found guilty with counseling, commanding, inducing and procuring each other to carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and in the course of that crime, causing the death of William Castro on December 30, 2002. In regard to the murder of Maurice Spagnoletti, defendants Serrano-Canales and Rivera-Solis aided and abetted each other with counseling, commanding, inducing and procuring each other to carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and in the course of that crime, causing the death of Maurice Spagnoletti. “The successful prosecution of the defendants’ heinous crimes was the result of exhaustive investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The sentences imposed send a message that the U.S. justice system remains a powerful tool to bring perpetrators of violent crime to justice and closure to victims’ families.” “It has been a long and arduous investigative and judicial process and these sentencings serve as a testament to the undying dedication of the FBI agents, prosecutors, police officers, and all the brave citizens who worked together to ensure justice was served,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. “We continue to stand steadfastly with the victims’ loved ones and thank the US Attorney’s Office for believing in the case and fighting alongside us to bring justice to these grieving families.” The FBI investigated the case with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenón-Matos, Alberto López-Rocafort, Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández, and Gregory Conner prosecuted the case. ###


title: Justice Department Finds Alaska Discriminates Against Voters with Disabilities

body_text: The Justice Department announced today its findings that Alaska violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide an accessible ballot for in-person voting, selecting inaccessible polling places for federal, state and local elections and maintaining an inaccessible elections website. The ADA requires that states’ voting services, programs and activities be accessible to individuals with disabilities. “For too long, people with disabilities have been denied the fundamental rights and freedoms that citizens of our democracy possess, including the opportunity to fully participate in the voting process,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is fully committed to enforcing the ADA to make sure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to vote, including by voting privately and independently like everyone else.” “Voting is a fundamental right for all American citizens and ensuring they have full access to the election process is a hallmark of our democracy,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to collaborate with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to work toward accessibility in voting for all Alaskans.” The department opened its investigation in response to complaints from individuals with disabilities in Alaska alleging accessibility issues. Voters with disabilities reported that they could not vote privately and independently because accessible voting machines were unavailable or did not work, that they encountered inaccessible polling places and that they could not obtain key election information on the state’s election website. Following an investigation, in a public letter of findings issued to Alaska, the department detailed its findings and asked the state to resolve the identified civil rights violations. The findings include the state’s failure to provide functional accessible voting machines, to provide polling places without physical barriers, such as muddy parking lots or steps, that allow voters with disabilities to vote in person and to ensure the accessibility of its website where voters with disabilities can obtain election information, including voter registration forms, candidate statements and voting dates and polling place locations. The Alaska investigation is part of the department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities across the country. More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting . For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt . For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov . If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability, please submit a report online at www.civilrights.justice.gov .


title: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man pleaded guilty in federal court to voluntary manslaughter for deadly assault on the Navajo Nation Reservation. According to publicly available court documents, on June 26, 2022, Morrie Lee Begaye , 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, started a fight with John Doe at a residence in Shiprock. During the physical altercation, Begaye punched and kick John Doe in the head and body while they were on the ground. John Doe died because of the injuries Begaye inflicted with extreme disregard for human life. The Court ordered that Begaye remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Begaye faces up to 15 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Begaye will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caitlin L. Dillon and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting the case. View the Plea Agreement # # #


title: Court Orders Colorado e-Cigarette Maker to Stop Selling Unauthorized Vaping Products

component: Civil Division

body_text: A federal court on June 11 enjoined a Colorado company and its owner from manufacturing, distributing or selling unauthorized vaping products. In a complaint filed on June 6, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the government alleged that Boosted LLC, also known as Boosted E-Juice, and its owner, Cory Vigil, violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by introducing or delivering for introduction into interstate commerce adulterated and misbranded tobacco products. According to the complaint, the defendants manufactured and sold electronic finished nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products, including finished e-liquids. The complaint alleged that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the defendants that their products, including flavored e-liquids sold as “Dragon Fruit Coconut Milkshake,” “Horchata Milkshake” and “Raspberry Milkshake,” were adulterated and misbranded because they lacked the required marketing authorization order from FDA. The government also alleged that despite repeated FDA written warnings, the defendants continued to illegally sell their flavored e-liquid products online. The defendants agreed to settle the lawsuit and be bound by a consent decree of permanent injunction. The order entered by the court permanently enjoins the defendants from directly or indirectly manufacturing, distributing, selling, and/or offering for sale any new tobacco product that has not received marketing authorization from FDA. The court also ordered the defendants to destroy ENDS products in their custody, control, or possession. The injunction against Boosted is the first enforcement action finalized since the Justice Department and FDA announced the creation of a federal multi-agency task force to combat the illegal distribution and sale of e-cigarettes. To date, the FDA has authorized the sale of 23 specific tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices . These are the only e-cigarette products that currently may be lawfully marketed and sold in the United States. “The illegal distribution of unauthorized vaping products poses a serious public health threat, particularly to youth,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will use all available criminal and civil authorities to bring new enforcement actions in coordination with our task force partners.” “Those who disregard the law are responsible for the consequences, and today’s action is further demonstration of FDA working with our federal partners to hold those who break the law accountable,” said Director Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H., of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). “This latest action brought by the FDA and DOJ shows how we’re taking an ‘all government’ approach toward addressing illegal e-cigarettes in this country.” Trial Attorney Michael J. Murali of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch handled the case, with assistance from Assistant Chief Counsel Sarah Rosenberg of FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel. Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . Claims made in a complaint are allegations that, if a case were to proceed to trial, the government would be required to prove by a preponderance of the evidence.


title: Two Men Charged With Armed Carjacking And Possession Of A Machinegun

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Bryan Miller, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the arrests of JOSE RIVERA and JOMAR CRESPO for the armed carjacking of the personal vehicle used by a Sergeant for the NYPD. During the incident, both RIVERA and CRESPO brandished firearms, including a .40-caliber Glock with a “switch” that converts the semiautomatic pistol into an automatically firing machinegun and a 9-millimeter Glock with an extended magazine. The defendants were arrested on June 15, 2024, in Manhattan and presented yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, armed with a machinegun and semi-automatic handgun, both with extended magazines, the defendants committed a brazen and terrifying act of violence against a member of law enforcement when they stole his car at gunpoint. Whether cop or civilian, anyone victimized by this sort of crime can count on my Office to seek swift justice.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller said: “Carjacking is an extreme act of violence that terrorizes communities and senselessly puts innocent lives in danger. I thank the men and women of the ATF/NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force, the NYPD, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of NY for bringing these individuals swiftly to justice. We will expend all necessary resources to ensure that offenders like these defendants are quickly brought to justice and punished to the maximum extent of the law. ATF will continue to work diligently with our local, state, and federal partners to keep our streets safe.” NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said: “The NYPD’s swift apprehension of the men who allegedly committed this brazen armed carjacking should serve as a warning to others that criminal acts in New York City will never be tolerated. I thank the prosecutors in the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District for their steadfast partnership and for demonstrating that egregious affronts to public safety will always face the strictest of consequences.” According to the allegations in the Complaint and statements made in public court proceedings: 1 On the evening of June 14, 2024, in Harlem, JOSE RIVERA and JOMAR CRESPO committed a gunpoint carjacking during which they stole the personal vehicle (the “Car”) of an NYPD Sergeant (the “Victim”). Specifically, RIVERA and CRESPO approached the Victim’s Car from behind, one on the driver’s side and the other on the passenger’s side. Both RIVERA and CRESPO wore black clothing and facemasks, and both brandished handguns at the Victim. After ordering the Victim to turn over his keys, RIVERA and CRESPO drove off in the Car, traveling to the vicinity of West 138th Street and Broadway, where RIVERA and CRESPO were captured on various surveillance cameras, as seen below: NYPD officers apprehended RIVERA and CRESPO after a foot chase, during which they discarded two firearms (“Firearm-1” and “Firearm-2,” respectively). Firearm-1 was determined to be a loaded Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol equipped with what appears to be a Glock automatic switch device (the “Glock Switch”), which, if operable, would cause Firearm-1 to automatically shoot more than one shot by a single function of trigger. Firearm-2 was determined to be a loaded Glock 17 9-millimeter pistol with an extended magazine that could hold up to approximately 30 rounds of ammunition. Both Firearm-1 and Firearm-2 had flashlights mounted beneath their barrels. Photographs of Firearm-1 and Firearm-2 appear below: * * * JOSE RIVERA, 20, and JOMAR CRESPO, 21, both of Waterbury, Connecticut, are charged with carjacking, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison; using and carrying firearms, including a machinegun, during and in relation to the carjacking, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum potential sentence of life in prison; and possessing a machinegun, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison. The statutory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the ATF, the NYPD, and NYPD Task Force Officers from the Special Investigations Division assigned to the Southern District of New York. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Balsamello and Marguerite B. Colson are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 1 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Taylor Drug Store Agrees to Pay Civil Penalty to Resolve Alleged Recordkeeping Violations of the Controlled Substances Act

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – Taylor Drug Store, a pharmacy located in Pineville, Kentucky, agreed to pay $94,432.50 in civil penalties to resolve allegations that it failed to comply with recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Under the CSA, pharmacies authorized to possess controlled substances are required to maintain complete and accurate records of its inventory, including records of when the controlled substances are sold, distributed to patients, or disposed. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) has the authority to inspect the records of these pharmacies and verify that their controlled substance records are complete and accurate in compliance with the CSA. In this case, the Government alleged that Taylor Drug Store violated the CSA by failing to maintain complete and accurate records of its controlled substance inventories from August 2019 to August 2021. In an audit performed by the DEA, Taylor Drug Store’s records did not account for the dispensation or disposal of over 4,500 dosage units of highly addictive substances, including hydrocodone, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and alprazolam. The recordkeeping provisions of the CSA are designed to protect the public from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances, such as opioids, being diverted into the illicit market. The CSA creates a closed system that tracks controlled substances from manufacture through distributor, to the ultimate end-user, allowing the DEA to monitor the flow of controlled substances in the United States at every juncture. When a pharmacy fails to maintain complete and accurate records, the system is at risk for illegal diversion into the community. “These procedures are critical to public safety and pharmacies simply must keep track of these controlled substances,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Especially in areas like ours, that are acutely affected by severe drug abuse, these recordkeeping requirements play an essential role in ensuring that controlled substances maintained by pharmacies are not ultimately diverted for illegitimate purposes.” “As DEA registrants dispensing controlled substances, pharmacies have an obligation to maintain accurate recordkeeping in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act, and Taylor Drug Store fell short of their obligation,” said Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “A substantial fine, as well as the implementation of corrective measures, should ensure that Taylor Drug Store meets the CSA’s mandatory recordkeeping requirements going forward.” The DEA and Taylor Drug Store also entered into a Memorandum of Agreement as part of the settlement. Taylor Drug Store agreed to submit compliance reports to DEA and to provide employee training on the identification and reporting of suspected drug abuse or diversion. The settlement considered the penalties associated with the alleged violations, as well as Taylor Drug Store’s financial ability-to-pay. The Federal Government is committed to combating the prescription opioid crisis by enforcing the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act that prevent the illegal diversion of opioids. Anyone with concerns about prescription drug diversion can report them to the DEA, by submitting a tip at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s London Resident Office Diversion Group. Assistant United States Attorney Katie Sheridan represented the United States. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. – END –


title: Port St. Lucie Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Glock Switch

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – On June 11, Darroll C. Gilchrist, 18, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., pled guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm. Gilchrist was arrested on July 28, 2023, on an outstanding warrant. During his arrest, deputies found a Glock model 19 firearm, modified with a “Glock switch” on Gilchrist’s person. The “Glock switch” enabled the firearm to fire automatically, more than one shot, by a single function of the trigger. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 5, before U. S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon in Fort Pierce, Fla. Gilchrist faces up to 10 years in federal prison and up to three years of supervised release. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office; and Sheriff Keith Pearson of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. ATF Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hudock is prosecuting it. This prosecution is a part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through the PSN program, a broad spectrum of law enforcement and community stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs to reduce violence crime and gun violence, and to make our local neighborhoods safer for everyone. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case no. 24-cr-14005. ###


title: Corona Man Pleads Guilty to Preparing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: RIVERSIDE, California – A Riverside County man has pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for preparing and filing false tax returns for his clients, the Justice Department announced today. Salvador Gonzalez, of Corona, pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. According to court documents and statements made in court, starting in 2013, Gonzalez operated Grace’s Lighthouse Resource Center, Inc., a return-preparation business. Since then, Gonzalez has prepared or assisted in the preparation of more than 11,000 tax returns that requested refunds from the IRS totaling more than $38 million. Consistently, Gonzalez directed his clients to create a phony corporation and to title their homes, cars, and other assets in the name of the corporation. Gonzalez then referred those clients to an associate to prepare these sham corporation’s tax returns. The associate would provide the clients with a blank spreadsheet and request that they input their business expenses into that spreadsheet. At Gonzalez’s direction, the clients would include personal expenses, such as their mortgage payments, car payments, and utility bills, and then provide the spreadsheet to the associate. The associate would, in turn, use the spreadsheet to prepare the business tax returns, which inevitably would show a loss. Gonzalez then prepared the clients’ individual income tax returns, which incorporated the fraudulent business losses and offset their income. To further reduce the clients’ taxes owed to the IRS, Gonzalez also fabricated deductions on the personal returns such as unreimbursed employee expenses, cash contributions to charity, and medical and dental expenses. As a result of Gonzalez’s fraudulent return-preparation practices, his clients paid less taxes than they owed. Gonzalez profited from his return-preparation business. Before 2019, he typically charged clients a flat fee of $500 per tax return. In 2019, he started charging clients 1% of their gross income as a fee for his services. United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal scheduled an October 7 sentencing hearing in this case, at which time Gonzalez will face a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eli A. Alcaraz of the Riverside Branch Office and Trial Attorney Lauren K. Pope of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.