title: Leader of international malvertising and ransomware schemes extradited from Poland to face cybercrime charges

component: Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – WASHINGTON – A Belarussian and Ukrainian national charged in the District of New Jersey and Eastern District of Virginia with leading international computer hacking and wire fraud schemes made his initial appearance in Newark, New Jersey, today after being extradited from Poland. As alleged in court documents unsealed today, Maksim Silnikau, also known as Maksym Silnikov, 38, led two multi-year cybercrime schemes. At different points, Silnikau has been associated with the online monikers “J.P. Morgan,” “xxx,” and “lansky,” among others. In the District of New Jersey, Silnikau, along with alleged co-conspirators Volodymyr Kadariya, a Belarussian and Ukrainian national, 38, and Andrei Tarasov, a Russian national, 33, are charged with cybercrime offenses associated with a scheme to transmit the Angler Exploit Kit, other malware, and online scams to the computers of millions of unsuspecting victim Internet users through online advertisements — so-called “malvertising” — and other means from October 2013 through March 2022. In the Eastern District of Virginia, Silnikau is charged for his role as the creator and administrator of the Ransom Cartel ransomware strain and associated ransomware operations beginning in May 2021. “Today, the Justice Department takes another step forward in disrupting ransomware actors and malicious cybercriminals who prey on victims in the U.S. and around the world,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged, for over a decade, the defendant used a host of online disguises and a network of fraudulent ad campaigns to spread ransomware and scam U.S. businesses and consumers. Now, thanks to the hard work of federal agents and prosecutors, along with Polish law enforcement colleagues, Maksim Silnikau must answer these grave charges in an American courtroom.” “This case reemphasizes the importance of both cybersecurity and our crucial law enforcement partnerships worldwide,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Online threats emerge within the digital ecosystem among those who exploit the very tools that help us connect and collaborate. In turn, we must maximize our investigative collaborations globally to address those threats. This investigation demonstrates the positive results of leveraging international partnerships to combat international crimes.” “As alleged in the indictment, Silnikau and his co-conspirators distributed online advertisements to millions of internet users for the purpose of delivering malicious content,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These ads appeared legitimate but were actually designed to deliver malware that would compromise users’ devices or to deliver ‘scareware’ designed to trick users into providing their sensitive personal information. Silnikau’s arrest and extradition demonstrate that, working with its domestic and international partners, the Criminal Division is committed to bringing cyber criminals who target U.S. victims to justice, no matter where they are located.” “These conspirators are alleged to have operated a multiyear scheme to distribute malware onto the computers of millions of unsuspecting internet users around the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “To carry out the scheme, they used malicious advertising, or ‘malvertising’, to trick victims into clicking on legitimate-seeming internet ads. Instead, the victims would be redirected to malicious internet sites that delivered malware to their devices, giving the conspirators access to the victims’ personal information. The conspirators then sold that access and information to other cybercriminals on the dark net. Throughout the scheme, the conspirators attempted to hide their identities from law enforcement, including by using fraudulent aliases and online personas.” “This arrest underscores a long-term investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with foreign, domestic and private partners, of cybercrime organizations that allegedly distributed the notorious Angler Exploit Kit, conducted malvertising, and operated the Ransom Cartel ransomware organization,” said Assistant Director of Investigations Brian Lambert of the U.S. Secret Service. “Cybercriminals should know that even if they attempt to hide their criminal conduct behind the anonymity of the internet that eventually, through the dedication of international law enforcement professionals, they will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.” “Silnikau and his co-conspirators allegedly used malware and various online scams to target millions of unsuspecting internet users in the United States and around the world,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “They hid behind online aliases and engaged in complex, far-reaching cyber fraud schemes to compromise victim devices and steal sensitive personal information. The FBI will continue to work with partners to aggressively impose costs on cybercriminals and hold them accountable for their actions.” “The FBI will continue to work alongside our partners both overseas and in the states to identify and dismantle cyber threats, and to pursue those criminals who attempt to target and defraud victims in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. District of New Jersey Indictment According to the indictment unsealed in the District of New Jersey, from October 2013 through March 2022, Silnikau, Kadariya, Tarasov, and others in Ukraine and elsewhere used malvertising and other means to deliver malware, scareware, and online scams to millions of unsuspecting Internet users in the United States and elsewhere. The malvertising campaigns were designed to appear legitimate, but often redirected victim Internet users who viewed or accessed the advertisements to malicious sites and servers that sought to defraud the users or delivered malware to the users’ devices. The conspirators’ scheme caused unsuspecting Internet users to be forcibly redirected to malicious content on millions of occasions, and defrauded and attempted to defraud various U.S.-based companies involved in the sale and distribution of legitimate online advertisements. One strain of malware that Silnikau and others allegedly took a leading role in disseminating was the Angler Exploit Kit, which targeted web-based vulnerabilities in Internet browsers and associated plug-ins. At times during the scheme, the Angler Exploit Kit was a leading vehicle through which cybercriminals delivered malware onto compromised electronic devices. The conspirators also allegedly enabled the delivery of “scareware” ads that displayed false messages claiming to have identified a virus or other issue with a victim Internet user’s device. The messages then attempted to deceive the victim into buying or downloading dangerous software, providing remote access to the device, or disclosing personal identifying or financial information. For years, the conspirators tricked advertising companies into delivering their malvertising campaigns by using dozens of online personas and fictitious entities to pose as legitimate advertising companies. They also developed and used sophisticated technologies and computer code to refine their malvertisements, malware, and computer infrastructure so as to conceal the malicious nature of their advertising. As alleged, Silnikau, Kadariya, Tarasov, and conspirators used multiple strategies to profit from their widespread hacking and wire fraud scheme, including by using accounts on predominantly Russian cybercrime forums to sell to cybercriminals access to the compromised devices of victim Internet users (so-called “loads” or “bots”), as well as information stolen from victims and recorded in “logs,” such as banking information and login credentials, to enable further efforts to defraud the victim Internet users or deliver additional malware to their devices. Eastern District of Virginia Indictment According to the indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of Virginia, Silnikau was the creator and administrator of the Ransom Cartel ransomware strain, created in 2021. Silnikau allegedly had been a member of Russian-speaking cybercrime forums since at least 2005 and was a member of the notorious cybercrime website Direct Connection from 2011 to 2016, when the site was shuttered after the arrest of its administrator. Beginning in May 2021, Silnikau allegedly developed a ransomware operation and began recruiting participants from cybercrime forums. On various occasions, Silnikau allegedly distributed information and tools to Ransom Cartel participants, including information about compromised computers, such as stolen credentials, and tools such as those designed to encrypt or “lock” compromised computers. Silnikau also allegedly established and maintained a hidden website where he and his co-conspirators could monitor and control ransomware attacks; communicate with each other; communicate with victims, including sending and negotiating payment demands; and manage distribution of funds between co-conspirators. On Nov. 16, 2021, Silnikau allegedly executed a ransomware attack on a company based in New York, and on March 5, 2022, Ransom Cartel ransomware was deployed against a company based in California. The hackers removed confidential data without authorization and demanded a monetary payment to refrain from releasing the victim’s data. * * * In the District of New Jersey, Silnikau, Kadariya, and Tarasov are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and two counts of substantive wire fraud. If convicted, Silnikau, Kadariya, and Tarasov face maximum penalties of 27 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, 10 years in prison for computer fraud conspiracy, counts, and 20 years in prison on each wire fraud count. In the Eastern District of Virginia, Silnikau is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and two counts each of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The U.S. Secret Service and FBI Kansas City Field Office are investigating the charges in the District of New Jersey, and the U.S. Secret Service is investigating the charges in the Eastern District of Virginia. The Department also appreciates the extensive cooperation and coordination by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service over the course of several years, as well as significant support provided by the Security Service of Ukraine Cyber Department and Prosecutor General’s Office; Guardia Civil of Spain, Spanish Ministry of Justice, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Audiencia Nacional; Policia Judiciaria of Portugal; Germany—Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) and Landeskriminalamt (LKA) Berlin; and Polish authorities, in particular assistance provided by Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau, Border Guard, Ministry of Justice, and National Prosecutors Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Keim and Zoe Bedell are prosecuting the case in the Eastern District of Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Fasanello, Chief of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit, for the District of New Jersey and Senior Counsel Aarash A. Haghighat, Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa K. Becker, and Trial Attorney Christen Gallagher of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting Silnikau and his co-defendants in the District of New Jersey. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, Chief of the General Crimes Unit, for New Jersey, and Christopher Oakley for the District of Kansas also provided substantial assistance to the New Jersey case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance in the extradition of Silnikau and the collection of evidence. 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. 1:23-cr-108. An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.


title: Maryland felon pleads guilty to federal firearm crime in Virginia

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Feb. 27, officers with the Arlington County Police Department and a United States Marshals Service Task Force took Christian Lamont Thompson, 40, of Waldorf, into custody at a hotel in Arlington County on an outstanding warrant for a parole violation following a drug distribution conviction in the District of Columbia. As officers placed Thompson into custody, crack cocaine fell from his pants. During a search of Thompson’s room, investigators recovered a vial of PCP, plastic baggies, $680, suspected marijuana, and a loaded handgun with an affixed laser sight. As a previously convicted felon, Thompson cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 21. He faces a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Charles “Andy” Penn, Arlington County Chief of Police, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea. USMS provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-113.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office And Justice Department Secure Agreement With North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction To Expand Religious Opportunities In State Prisons

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina has joined the Justice Department in announcing today an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC), expanding opportunities for group religious practice throughout the state prison system and allowing access to kosher-for-Passover meals and Seders. The agreement resolves the Justice Department’s investigation of NCDAC pursuant to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). “The Constitution and federal law guarantee all Americans the freedom to practice their religion, including people who are incarcerated in jails and prisons,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will protect the religious practices of incarcerated people across North Carolina by allowing members of minority faiths to gather, worship and study. Whether at home with their families, in houses of worship, or behind bars, every person should be able to celebrate religious holidays and gather with their communities of faith.” “The settlement agreement reaffirms that all individuals in custody retain the right to practice their religion fully and openly during their incarceration,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “It is our duty to ensure that incarcerated persons are afforded the same religious rights, freedoms and protections as any other citizen. My office is committed to enforcing these rights and ensuring that they are upheld within all correctional facilities in North Carolina.” “Federal law guarantees all Americans the right to freely exercise their religion, and institutionalized persons have the right to practice their faith and worship together,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “We are committed to protecting this fundamental right and are grateful to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for its willingness to work with us and revise its policies to protect the religious rights of individuals in its custody.” “Our Constitution protects the religious liberty of all people to exercise their faith,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “In America, that means even those who are incarcerated can continue to worship and pray. NCDAC’s new policies ensure that believers can maintain their faith and religious practices, even after they enter the jailhouse door.” Under the agreement, NCDAC has adopted a policy that reduces the minimum number of people for group worship to two and no longer requires the presence of a faith helper for religious gathering. Under the prior policy, NCDAC had minimum participant and faith helper requirements for congregate religious practices by “minority faith groups” that often prevented these groups from gathering for worship, celebration and study. Minority faith groups were defined as non-Christian faiths, including adherents of Islam or Judaism. In addition, when the department began the investigation, NCDAC did not provide certified kosher-for-Passover food to incarcerated people who wished to observe the Passover holiday. The agreement requires that NCDAC provide certified kosher-for-Passover meals every year for the eight days of Passover. In addition, NCDAC will provide the opportunity for people who observe Passover to participate in two Seder ritual observances, which will include a Seder plate of ceremonial foods. For additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section . The Justice Department issued a report on the 20th Anniversary of RLUIPA in 2020 and a statement and on the Institutionalized Persons Provisions of RLUIPA in 2017. Those interested in finding out more about RLUIPA can visit www.justice.gov/crt/religious-land-use-and-institutionalized-persons-act-0 .


title: Tulare County Man Sentenced to over 4 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Christopher Sean Lee, 29, of Porterville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to a total of four years and one month in prison for illegal firearm possession, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Lee was sentenced to 46 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and also received an additional sentence for violating the terms of his supervised release in a prior federal case. According to court documents, on Sept. 15, 2023, while on supervised release from a 2020 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, law enforcement officers encountered Lee during a vehicle stop and found him to be in possession of a loaded firearm. As the officer approached the vehicle where Lee was the front seat passenger, he saw Lee reaching behind the driver’s seat. Officers found a 9 mm Glock 17 semi-automatic firearm on the floorboard underneath and behind the driver’s seat in the area where Lee had been reaching. Officers also found a large capacity magazine containing 24 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fairfield Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Jury convicts Cuban national for transporting non-citizens through checkpoint

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against a Cuban national residing in Odessa for unlawfully transporting undocumented individuals, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Mario Enrique Nerey-Valdivia, 50, guilty following a one-day trial. The jury heard that Nerey-Valdivia drove a tractor-trailer to the Border Patrol Checkpoint near Falfurrias. During an immigration inspection, law enforcement noticed an individual trying to hide in the bed compartment of the tractor. Upon further inspection, authorities discovered five undocumented people on the bunk beds covered with blankets. At trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury he had no knowledge of the individuals inside the cab of his truck. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Nov. 6. At that time, Nerey-Valdivia faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing. Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.


title: San Jose Man Sentenced To Nearly Three Years For Defrauding Investors Of $4.7 Million

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Joon Woo Kim was sentenced today to 33-months in prison for two fraud schemes – the first, a scheme to mislead investors to contribute millions to an electric vehicle investment fund he formed in San Francisco, and the second, a scheme to obtain multi-million dollar business loans by lying to a bank – announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge James Donato. On March 4, 2024, Kim, 58, of San Jose, Calif., pleaded guilty to two fraud charges against him, one count of committing wire fraud and the other for making false statements to a bank to obtain a loan. The first fraud scheme occurred from June 2015 through March 2022 and involved creating and running an investment fund that Kim named the M5 Doctors Fund. Kim admitted in his plea agreement that he ran the M5 Doctors Fund, along with a separate management entity M5 Management, with the intent to deceive investors. Kim represented to investors that he would invest the funds of the M5 Doctors Fund in securities of electric vehicle companies, including Tesla, and would always invest only in publicly traded securities. Instead, Kim transferred nearly all the millions invested by investors in the M5 Doctors Fund into a failing private company called CKR Enterprise, Inc. (CKR). CKR was a wholesale food distribution company operated by Kim and his wife and owned by them, among others. Kim defrauded investors out of $4,690,000 due to his transfer of the M5 Doctors Fund assets to CKR. While this was occurring, Kim continued to mislead investors by sending quarterly reports to them suggesting their money was invested in public securities such as Tesla. Kim engaged in a second fraud scheme in which he defrauded Hanmi Bank by applying for two loans for CKR, a $1,300,000 line of credit and a $3,200,000 business loan. Kim admitted the bank loan application contained materially false and fraudulent representations. Based on those representations, Kim obtained the proceeds of these loans. In a memorandum filed for the sentencing hearing, the government argued that Kim gained the trust of his investors due to his impressive profile, which included multiple Ivy League degrees and extensive investment experience. Many M5 Doctors Fund investors were non-profit institutions that could invest only in public securities and would not have invested with Kim if they knew the truth, that is, that Kim transferred their money to a private company owned by Kim and his wife. The government pointed out that while Kim drained this fund, he continued to deceive his investors into believing the fund still had money that it no longer had. A federal grand jury charged Kim on June 27, 2023, with multiple counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, and making a false statement to a bank. In his plea agreement, Kim pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of making a false statement to a bank, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014. In addition to the 33-month term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge James Donato sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervision following his release from prison and ordered Kim to pay more than $4.7 million in restitution to his victims. Kim was ordered as one condition of his supervised release to make at least three 30-minute presentations to university MBA classes to inform students about the consequences of engaging in fraudulent business practices and behaviors. Kim was ordered to surrender into custody on September 3, 2024. Chris Highsmith is the Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Tina Rosenbaum and Aarian Beti and Victim Specialist Alicia Guevara. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.


title: San Diego Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of 14-Year-Old Girl on an Airplane

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 12, 2024 SAN DIEGO – Ryan Coffey of San Diego pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he sexually abused the 14-year-old girl seated next to him on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina to San Diego, California. Coffey was indicted on March 15, 2024, for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact stemming from his actions on an evening flight on January 7, 2023. Coffey, who was 31 years old at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty, admitting that he gave the girl rum and touched her inner thigh and breasts. The defendant did not know the victim. “Thanks to the courage of a brave girl who reported what happened in the dark on a plane, and swift engagement from law enforcement, this defendant was brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the public in the air, on the ground, or at sea.” “Ryan Coffey’s conduct was abhorrent,” said Acting FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge TJ Holland. “The FBI, along with our dedicated law enforcement partners remain committed to using all tools available to follow the evidence and bring those who commit crimes against children to justice.” This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Sherwood and Katie Grammenidis. DEFENDANTS Case Number 24cr505-AJB Ryan Coffey Age: 33 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Abusive Sexual Contact Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2244(a)(3) Maximum penalty: Two years in prison INVESTIGATING AGENCY Federal Bureau of Investigation


title: ST. CROIX MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN A SCHOOL ZONE

component: USAO - Virgin Islands

body_text: St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Jimmar A. Payne, 31, of St. Croix, pleaded guilty in District Court before Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III, to Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone. The sentencing in this matter is scheduled for December 12, 2024, where Payne faces a maximum sentence of five years' incarceration. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. According to court documents, on January 29, 2023, Virgin Islands Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of Payne’s vehicle on the Melvin Evans Highway in the vicinity of the Ricardo Richards Elementary School for failure to display a visible rear license plate. Officers later observed a handgun protruding from under the driver’s seat of Payne’s vehicle. Payne did not have a license to possess the firearm. This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. For more information on the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, please see: https://www.justice.gov/psn.


title: COLOMBIAN MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL REENTRY AND ALIEN SMUGGLING

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging William Giraldo Cabanzo, 59, of Columbia, with Reentry of a Removed Alien and Unlawful Bringing of Aliens into the United States. Cabanzo, was previously removed from the United States on April 3, 2021, for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act. As a result of his removal, he was barred from reapplying for entry into the United States for five years. According to court documents, in June 2024, federal agents apprehended Cabanzo after he was observed exiting a vehicle in the Charlotte Amalie area of St. Thomas. He later admitted to having reentered the United States Virgin Islands in May 2024. In addition to the illegal reentry charge, Cabanzo was also charged with unlawfully bringing a family from Venezuela into the United States in April 2024. According to court documents, Cabanzo contacted the Venezuelan family and agreed to assist them in entering the United States illegally. He initially charged the family $4,000.00 for his services and, upon their arrival at his residence in Tortola, BVI, Cabanzo demanded an additional $4,000.00 to arrange their transportation to the United States. On May 15, 2024, after receiving the payments, Cabanzo arranged the family’s travel from Tortola, BVI to St. Thomas, where they entered the United States illegally. The charges against Cabanzo highlight the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to prevent the illegal reentry of previously removed aliens, and to combat human smuggling activities that pose a significant threat to national security. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cherrisse R. Woods. United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MAN CHARGED WITH COCAINE POSSESSION

body_text: St. Thomas, VI - United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Santos Jiminez Caraballo, 42, of the Dominican Republic, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to court documents, between November 2021 and December 2, 2021, Caraballo negotiated the sale of cocaine to an undercover federal agent. On December 2, 2021, Caraballo met the undercover agent in an undisclosed location of St. Thomas to complete the sale of 10 kilograms cocaine. Caraballo later fled the scene, first by car and then by foot, leaving behind the 10 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle. If convicted, Caraballo faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000.00 fine. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly M. Riley. United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: ST. THOMAS MAN INDICTED ON GUN AND DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES

body_text: St. Thomas, VI - United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging N’Kel Morton, 30, of St. Thomas, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal firearm possession. According to court documents, on December 7, 2023, a Drug Enforcement Administration undercover agent purchased cocaine from Morton in the Red Hook area of St. Thomas. At the time of his arrest, Morton, who was on supervised release following his prior federal firearm conviction, was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virgin Islands Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly M. Riley. United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: GEORGIA MAN CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD CONSPIRACY IN CONNECTION WITH PPP LOAN SCAM

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Raynaldo Oquendo, 38, of Georgia, was charged by indictment with wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy in connection with a fraudulent PPP loan scam. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act was a federal law enacted in or around March 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $849 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP''). In order to obtain a PPP loan, qualifying businesses were required to submit a loan application, signed by an authorized representative of the business. The loan application required the business to acknowledge the program rules and make certain affirmative certifications in order to be eligible to obtain the PPP loan. In the PPP loan application, the small business was required to state its average monthly payroll expenses and its number of employees, among other things. These figures were used to calculate the amount of money the small business was eligible to receive under the PPP. According to court documents, a loan application was submitted on behalf of a Virgin Islands business, Shama’s Specialties, in July of 2020. The owner of that business, Mashama Ferdinand, worked with Oquendo to submit an application that included material misrepresentations. Specifically, the application fraudulently claimed that Ferdinand employed 15 employees and earned a quarterly payroll of $460,079.82. Based on these fraudulent misrepresentations, a PPP loan was awarded to Shama’s Specialties in the amount of $383,397.00. For his role, Oquendo received approximately $30,000.00 after the proceeds of the loan were deposited into Shama’s Specialties’ bank account. If convicted, Oquendo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. In 2022, Ferdinand was sentenced by Chief Judge Robert Molloy to 33 months incarceration her guilty plea to wire fraud. This case is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and Small Business Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yasir Sadat. United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: FOUR JAMAICAN NATIONALS INDICTED IN MARIJUANA TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

body_text: St. Thomas, VI - United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Miguel Orr, 29, Rayvon Smith, 21, Sherland Campbell, 39 and Romaine Betty, 29, all of Jamaica, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. According to court documents, on April 30, 2024, the United States Coast Guard intercepted a vessel located approximately 14 nautical miles off the coast of Haiti. Onboard the vessel were the four defendants and approximately 3,700 pounds of marijuana which was hidden in a compartment of the vessel. This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly M. Riley. United States Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Tahlequah Resident Sentenced For Felony Assault Charge

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Eastern

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tristan Hunter Finch, age 27, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. The charges arose from an investigation by the United States Marshals Service and the Muskogee Police Department. On February 20, 2024, Finch pleaded guilty to the charge. As part of the plea, Finch admitted that on the morning of September 5, 2023, Finch threatened the victim while holding a knife. The crime occurred in Muskogee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing Muskogee. Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: Stilwell Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Crime

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lewis Reynaldi Cypress, age 39, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. The charges arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stilwell Police Department. On August 6, 2024, Cypress pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on December 3, 2023, law enforcement seized two firearms and 24 rounds of ammunition from Cypress during a traffic stop. Cypress knowingly possessed the firearms and ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment. 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. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Cypress will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.


title: Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in Hawaii

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Hawaii for the Aug. 10 primary election. The department will monitor in Honolulu County and Maui County. The Justice Department enforces the federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. In addition, the division also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Act and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.


title: Subaybayan ng Justice Department (kagawaran ng hustisya) ang Pagsunod sa Mga Pederal na Batas sa Mga Karapatang Pagboto sa Hawaii

body_text: Inihayag ngayon ng Justice Department na susubaybayan nito ang pagsunod sa mga pederal na batas sa mga karapatan sa pagboto sa Hawaii para sa Agosto 10 primary election (pangunahing halalan). Susubaybayan ng departamento ang Honolulu County at Maui County. Ipinapatupad ng Justice Department ang mga pederal na batas sa mga karapatan sa pagboto na nagpoprotekta sa mga karapatan ng lahat ng mamamayan na maabot ang balota. Regular na inilalagay ng departamento ang mga kawani nito upang subaybayan ang pagsunod sa mga pederal na batas sa karapatang pangsibil sa mga halalan sa mga komunidad sa buong bansa. Bilang karagdagan, ang dibisyon ay naglalagay din ng mga pederal na tagamasid mula sa Office of Personnel Management (opisina ng pamamahala ng tauhan), kung saan pinahintulutan ng utos ng pederal na hukuman. Ang Voting Section (seksyon ng pagboto) ng Civil Rights Division (dibisyon ng karapatang pangsibil), na nagtatrabaho kasama ang mga Opisina ng U.S. Attorney (piskal ng U.S.), ay nagpapatupad ng mga pangsibil na probisyon ng mga pederal na batas na nagpoprotekta sa karapatang bumoto, kasama ang Voting Rights Act (batas ng mga karapatang bumoto), National Voter Registration Act (batas ng pagrehistro sa pambansang botante), Help America Vote Act (batas sa pagtulong sa America na bumoto), Civil Rights Act (batas sa karapatang pangsibil) at Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (batas pangkarapatang bumoto ng mga mamamayang militar sa ibayong dagat). Mga karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa pagboto at mga halalan ay makikita sa website ng Justice Department sa www.justice.gov/voting . Matuto ng higit pa tungkol sa Voting Rights Act at iba pang pederal na batas sa pagboto sa www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Ang mga reklamo tungkol sa mga posibleng paglabag sa mga pederal na batas sa mga karapatan sa pagboto ay maaaring isumite sa pamamagitan ng website ng Civil Rights Division sa civilrights.justice.gov o sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa 1-800-253-3931.


title: 司法部将监督夏威夷州遵守联邦选举权法的情况

body_text: 司法部今天宣布，将监督夏威夷 8 月 10 日初选中对联邦投票权法的遵守情况。该部将在檀香山县和毛伊县进行监测。 司法部负责执行联邦投票权法，保护所有公民的投票权。该部定期派遣工作人员，监督全美各地社区选举是否遵守联邦民权法。此外，该部还根据联邦法院命令的授权，部署了人事管理办公室的联邦观察员。 民权司的投票科与美国检察官办公室合作，执行保护投票权的联邦法规的民事条款，包括《选举权法案》、《全国选民登记法案》、《帮助美国投票法案》、《民权法案》以及《制服公民及海外公民缺席投票法案》。 有关投票和选举的更多信息，请访问司法部网站： www.justice.gov/voting 。 详细了解《投票权法案》和其他联邦投票法，请访问 www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section 。 有关可能违反联邦投票权法律的投诉，可通过民权司网站 civilrights.justice.gov 或拨打电话 1-800-253-3931 。


title: 司法部將監督夏威夷州遵守聯邦選舉權法的情況

body_text: 司法部今天宣佈，將監督夏威夷 8 月 10 日初選中對聯邦投票權法的遵守情況。該部將在檀香山縣和毛伊縣進行監測。 司法部負責執行聯邦投票權法，保護所有公民的投票權。該部定期派遣工作人員，監督全美各地社區選舉是否遵守聯邦民權法。此外，該部還根據聯邦法院命令的授權，部署了人事管理辦公室的聯邦觀察員。 民權司的投票科與美國檢察官辦公室合作，執行保護投票權的聯邦法規的民事條款，包括《選舉權法案》、《全國選民登記法案》、《幫助美國投票法案》、《民權法案》以及《制服公民及海外公民缺席投票法案》。 有關投票和選舉的更多資訊，請訪問司法部網站： www.justice.gov/voting 。 詳細瞭解《投票權法案》和其他聯邦投票法，請訪問 www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section 。 有關可能違反聯邦投票權法律的投訴，可通過民權司網站 civilrights.justice.gov 或撥打電話 1-800-253-3931 。


title: Baltimore Man Guilty in Fentanyl Trafficking Operation

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sean Jarred Davis, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, has admitted to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization operating in Hampshire and Mineral Counties. Davis pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, Davis was the leader of the drug trafficking organization, supplying large quantities of fentanyl and heroin. Davis would deliver the drugs to others in Hampshire and Mineral Counties to sell on his behalf. Davis faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, led the investigation. The Task Force consists of members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.


title: Federal Prisoners Sentenced for Smuggling Drugs Into Prisons

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Eleven inmates in the Northern District of West Virginia have been sentenced for smuggling or attempting to smuggle drugs into various prisons. According to court documents and statements made in court, the inmates were smuggling drugs into Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Hazelton, Secure Female Facility (SFF) Hazelton, and Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Gilmer. Those receiving additional time to the sentences they were already serving include: Angela Oxendine, 44, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to three months; Angela Woolwine, 35, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to 12 months; Brittney Hays, 31, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to three months; Tina Hatterer, 44, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to six months; Arlene Combs, 39, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, sentenced to six months; Kevon Jackson, 31, an inmate at FCI Hazelton, sentenced to six months; Christopher Coffey, 55, an inmate at FCI Hazelton inmate, sentenced to six months; Joshua Jett, 40, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to six months; Dayvoughn Ervin, 31, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to six months; Joseph Sanders, 24, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to six months; Christopher Gorrell, 41, an inmate at FCI Gilmer, sentenced to three months. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Flower and Will Rhee prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Prisons investigated. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided. ###


title: Panama City Beach Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Child Pornography

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Cosme Martin Hernandez, Jr., 34, of Panama City Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.” In December of 2023, law enforcement, conducting covert operations, downloaded files of child pornography which were being actively shared over the internet from Hernandez’s residential computer in Panama City Beach. On February 6, 2024, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence. On scene, law enforcement quickly located electronic devices containing child pornography and Hernandez was arrested. Several seized devices were subsequently analyzed by an HSI computer specialist. Hernandez received and possessed over 21,000 images and videos of child pornography in approximately 4 months – said files exploited children as young as toddlers. At the time of offense, Hernandez was an active-duty military member who had served approximately fifteen years in the United States Navy; he has since been discharged under other than honorable conditions. “This sentence sends a strong message that those who exploit children will face justice,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. “Child pornography is not just about images; it’s tied to the broader fight against human trafficking. Our collaboration with federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is crucial to this fight, and we will continue to work together to protect our children and hold these dangerous criminals accountable.” Hernandez’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions. The Court also ordered forfeiture of various electronic devices that he used to commit the offenses. This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html .


title: Russian-German National Extradited For Illegally Exporting To Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics With Military Applications In Violation Of U.S. Export Controls

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Lisa Monaco, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Matthew S. Axelrod, the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement of the Commerce Department, announced today that ARTHUR PETROV, a dual Russian and German national, was extradited from the Republic of Cyprus after having been charged with export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses in connection with his alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. PETROV was arrested on August 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the U.S. He arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Arthur Petrov is charged with conspiring to smuggle microelectronics with military applications from U.S. distributors to Russia as part of an illicit Russian-based procurement network that supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. As alleged, he concealed the ultimate destination of these sensitive materials, and he knew that these transactions and shipments were in violation of U.S. export controls relating to Russia. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, Petrov is now in U.S. custody and will face justice in a U.S. courtroom. This case demonstrates that we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect national security and disrupt and prosecute the illicit supply of U.S.-sourced military technology to Russia.” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said: “Today’s extradition demonstrates the Justice Department’s enduring commitment to cutting Russia off from the western technologies that fuel President Putin’s war machine. Together with global partners, the Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Task Force KleptoCapture will vigorously investigate and prosecute efforts to evade the global sanctions and export controls imposed to counter Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. The defendant’s extradition is a vital step towards holding Russia accountable, and I am grateful to our Cypriot partners for their assistance in this matter.” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “Our charges allege that, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the defendant and his co-conspirators formed an elaborate tech-trafficking syndicate to supply microelectronics to Russia’s military-industrial complex. Together with our international law enforcement partners, the Justice Department will now hold Petrov to account in a U.S. courtroom and continue dismantling criminal networks that threaten our collective security.” Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said: “Arthur Petrov was brought to the United States to answer for allegedly participating in a global procurement scheme which secretly supplied Russia’s military industrial complex with critical U.S. technology, including the same types of microelectronics recovered from Russian weapons on Ukrainian battlefields. This extradition underscores the dedication of the FBI and our international partners to maintaining the rule of law and holding accountable anyone attempting to evade international sanctions. The FBI is committed to protecting our national security and bringing to justice anyone who attempts to undermine it, no matter where they are in the world.” Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod said: “As demonstrated by today’s extradition, just because you’re located overseas doesn’t mean we won’t find you. If you procure sensitive U.S. microelectronics with military applications for Russia, you risk the very real threat of facing justice in a U.S. courtroom.” According to the allegations contained in the Complaint and statements made during Court proceedings: [1] PETROV is a dual Russian-German national who resided in Russia and Cyprus and worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (“Electrocom”), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. PETROV and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”), who are Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas. They have fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom. To carry out the scheme, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia. The technology that PETROV and his co-conspirators have procured in contravention of export controls during the course of the conspiracy have significant military applications and include various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare and communications devices. To perpetrate the scheme, PETROV first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (“Astrafteros”), which he operates. PETROV procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact the components are destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. The microelectronics that PETROV has procured as part of the conspiracy include, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits that are on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and cannot lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department. Invoices provided to PETROV by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits are subject to U.S. export controls. To evade these controls, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 worked together to transship the controlled items procured by PETROV using pass-through entities operated by CC-1 and CC-2 in third countries. CC-1 and CC-2 then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At all times, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia. During the course of the conspiracy, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications. On August 26, 2023, PETROV was arrested and detained by the Cypriot authorities at the request of the U.S. The U.S. thereafter submitted a formal extradition request. On July 18, 2024, after extradition proceedings in the Cypriot courts concluded with extradition being approved, the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order issued the extradition order. * * * PETROV, 33, a dual Russian-German citizen who has resided in Russia and Cyprus, is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; three counts of violating the ECRA, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; three counts of smuggling goods from the U.S., which each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché offices in Poland, Germany, and Athens, Greece; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order; and the Law Office of the Republic for their assistance. The Republic of Cyprus National Police also provided critical assistance in effecting the defendant’s arrest and detention at the request of the U.S. This prosecution is coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is 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: Peoria Man Sentenced to 58 Months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm As a Felon and for Violating Federal Supervised Release

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois man, Tyruis Bramlett, 22, was sentenced on August 8, 2024, to 58 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and violating the terms of his federal supervised release. His sentence includes a three-year term of supervised release to be served upon completion of his term of confinement. At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government established that in July 2023, Bramlett was on federal supervised release and was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his 2021 conviction for stealing firearms from a gun store in Creve Coeur, Illinois. On July 6, 2023, officers from the Peoria Police Department began investigating several shots-fired incidents in Peoria involving a red SUV reported stolen out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. On July 11, 2023, police officers located the SUV and followed it to a residence on North Sherbrook Lane. Officers approached the vehicle and took three occupants into custody, including Bramlett. During a search of the SUV, police located two 9mm handguns in the front -passenger area, both loaded and equipped with high-capacity extended magazines. Both handguns had previously been reported stolen. Upon closer inspection of the exterior of the SUV, police officers located multiple bullet holes on both sides of the rear portion of the vehicle. The rear driver’s side window also appeared to have been shot out. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Bramlett charging him with possessing a firearm as a felon. He entered a guilty plea in April 2024. At his sentencing hearing, he admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised release by possessing a firearm, and also admitted to earlier incidents in April 2023 where he fled from police at a high rate of speed, drove without a license, and left the scene of an accident. His total sentence of 58 months is a combination of a term of 46 months’ imprisonment on the gun conviction to be served consecutively to a 12-month prison sentence for violations of supervised release. Bramlett was previously detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending the resolution of his case. The statutory penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon are not more than 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release. The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution. 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: Former Boston Police Officer Sentenced for Overtime Fraud

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former Boston Police Officer was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with committing over $20,000 in overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. James Carnes, 61, of Canton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to two years of supervised release, the first six months of which will be served in home detention. Carnes was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $20,106 in restitution. In April 2021, Carnes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. Between July 2016 and February 2019, Carnes submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4-8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned. For the “purge” shift, Carnes claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., or before. For the kiosk shift, Carnes submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, but he only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts. From 2016 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohan, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Russell W. Cunningham Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Former Tennis Coach Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting a Minor Across State Lines and Engaging in Sex Acts

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross announced the sentencing of a former youth tennis coach from Columbus, Georgia for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual activity. On August 8, 2024, a federal judge ordered that 51-year-old Leroy Thomas Joyner, Jr. serve 300 months in prison. The judge also ordered that Joyner remain on supervised release for life following his prison term. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole. Restitution to Joyner’s victim will be determined at a later date. According to court records and evidence presented during his January 2024 trial, Joyner previously operated a tennis association in Dale County, Alabama. The association provided lessons to underprivileged children and teens. In September of 2018, law enforcement began an investigation following reports of physical abuse carried out by Joyner against one of his 15-year-old female students. The investigation revealed that, in addition to beating the young victim with a wooden board to influence her to obey him, Joyner began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13. Trial testimony indicated that Joyner engaged in sex acts with the minor in multiple states, including Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. This sexual exploitation continued until the investigation began in 2018. “This significant sentence reflects the harm that Joyner inflicted upon his young and vulnerable victim,” said United States Attorney Ross. “I am grateful for the courage shown by the victim in coming forward and the diligence of the investigating agencies. Through the actions of all involved, a predator is off of the street and our communities are safer.” “Yesterday’s sentencing was the result of law enforcement’s collective efforts to protect the children in our communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this investigation.” The FBI Mobile Field Office and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorneys Russell T. Duraski, Tara S. Ratz, and B. Chelsea Wilson prosecuted.


title: Greenbrier County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jason Michael Tucker, 43, of Frankford, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2022, Tucker sold a Ruger model Wrangler .22LR caliber revolver to a confidential informant for $125 in the Frankford area of Greenbrier County. Tucker admitted to the transaction, and further admitted to selling a quantity of fentanyl to the confidential informant at the same location a few hours before the transaction. Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Tucker knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in Monroe County Circuit Court on August 30, 2018, and for delivery of a controlled substance-marijuana in Greenbrier County Circuit Court on April 22, 2005. Tucker has a long criminal history that spans 23 years and also includes felony convictions for forgery and entering without breaking. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is composed of members of the West Virginia State Police, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lewisburg Police Department. United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell 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. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-17. ###


title: Former Philadelphia Correctional Officer Charged With Violating the Constitutional Rights of an Inmate

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Ivory S. Cousins, 35, of West Deptford, New Jersey, was arrested and charged by indictment with violating the constitutional rights of a prison inmate by ignoring his significant injuries from an assault by other inmates, pepper spraying him, helping another inmate to steal from him, and obstructing the investigation of what happened to him. According to the indictment, the defendant was a correctional officer employed by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons in August 2019. While on duty at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the indictment alleges that the defendant became aware that an inmate had been assaulted by other inmates and had serious injuries, but she was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs, failed to get him medical attention, and prevented a superior officer from discovering the inmate’s injuries. After her partner discovered the injured inmate and called for medical attention, but before assistance arrived to escort him to the medical unit, the indictment charges that the defendant subjected the injured inmate to excessive force, that is, she unreasonably pepper sprayed him. When the injured inmate had been escorted out of the area for medical attention, the indictment alleges that the defendant further violated the injured inmate’s constitutional rights by helping one of the inmates involved in his assault to steal his personal belongings from his cell. When she later completed a report about the incident, the indictment charges that the defendant provided false information about the injured inmate being aggressive, engaging in a fight, and using a weapon. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 41 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $1 million fine, and a $400 special assessment. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Everett R. Witherell. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Tulsa Physician Pays Over $600k to Resolve Allegations of  False Claims Act Violations

component: Office of the Inspector General

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – This week, Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D. agreed to pay $619,994 to the government to resolve a pending lawsuit filed by the United States and the State of Oklahoma pursuant to their respective False Claims Act statutes. “This case resolution demonstrates holding physicians and health care providers accountable for fraudulent billing of government health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Through our coordinated efforts with law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect these programs. As a result, fraud proceeds are returned to American taxpayers and the health care programs that support our most vulnerable population.” “I appreciate the successful collaboration by multiple law enforcement agencies and the tremendous work by the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to resolve this case and return the tax dollars that were wrongfully taken from Oklahomans,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. “Healthcare providers have a responsibility to bill government healthcare programs fairly and I will always work to hold accountable anyone who tries to cheat the system.” “Federal health care programs like Medicare rely on providers billing correctly and following the rules. Taxpayers who fund these programs deserve no less," said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to ensure that those who submit false claims to Medicare are held accountable and that the Medicare trust fund is restored." Healthcare billing rules require the provider to ensure that the claims submitted reflect the services provided. According to court documents, from March 2017 through October 2023, Dr. Shakeel submitted claims for payment to several federally funded health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, ChampVA, and FEHB. Records submitted during that period alleged that Dr. Shakeel saw and rendered services to patients; however, the investigation revealed that the doctor was out of the office and traveled for more than 175 days. Dr. Shakeel owns and operates Urgent Care of Muskogee PLLC, Urgent Care of Checotah PLLC, and Muskogee Medical Care PLLC. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Offices of Inspectors General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle handled the matter for the United States. State Assistant Attorney General Jamie Bloyd, of the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, represented the State of Oklahoma. To report health care fraud, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or submit a hotline complaint online . The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Convicted McKinney Man Sentenced in Del Rio For Human Smuggling

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: DEL RIO, Texas – A McKinney man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to transport undocumented noncitizens. According to court documents, on July 26, 2022, Draivon Rashon Dixon, 33, approached a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Carrizo Springs in an SUV. Agents encountered three undocumented noncitizens attempting to conceal themselves in the vehicle. Agents also recovered a 9mm pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle. A jury found Dixon guilty at trial on Jan. 18, 2023. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement. USBP investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ekua Ayatra Assabill and Jayvee Rhoda prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio Franco is handling asset forfeiture. ###


title: Former postal worker admits to stealing from mail

body_text: HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Houston postal worker has pleaded guilty to opening mail and stealing money and gift cards, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Laura Aguirre was employed as a postal clerk responsible for processing mail for delivery from Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2023. The investigation revealed Aguirre had opened some of the mail entrusted with her and stole cash and gift cards totaling at least $2,500. She was terminated and charged with theft of mail as a postal employee. U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 1. At that time, Aguirre faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Chu is prosecuting the case.


title: Fort Lauderdale Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Assaulting a Federal Employee with a Hate Crime Enhancement

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI - Today, Kenneth Pinkney, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. was sentenced to 37 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, after having previously pled guilty for his assault on a federal employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a) and (b) which included a hate crime enhancement. The victim was employed as a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker at the time of her assault. The victim was a Muslim woman who wore a hijab, including when she delivered the mail from her postal truck. “Hate crimes represent vicious attacks on the very fabric of our diverse communities. No one should live in fear of being targeted because of their religious beliefs,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis for the Southern District of Florida. “Everyone, including federal employees, have the right to carry out their duties safely. Justice was served today, with the 3-year prison sentence imposed on Kenneth Pinkney for his brutal assault on a Muslim postal employee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and our law enforcement partners implore the public to continue to report hate crimes and assaults on federal employees to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.” "Targeting people based on their religion has no place in South Florida and America," said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office. "The defendant verbally and physically attacked the victim based on her religious beliefs as she was simply trying to fulfill her civic duty to the community. The FBI is unwavering in our efforts to protect those who are targeted based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability status. We will continue to bring those to justice who commit hate crimes. I want to thank our partners in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI's Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which also investigates civil rights violations." “One of the core missions of the Postal Inspection Service is the protection of postal employees and the result of this investigation is a testament to the dedicated work Postal Inspectors and our federal and state law enforcement partners will commit to in order to ensure that those that cause them harm will be pursued and brought to justice for their crimes,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge of the Miami Division. According to the Court record, to include a factual proffer in support of the plea, on or about Oct. 9, 2023, just two days after Hamas’ attack on Israel, the victim was wearing her hijab while delivering mail. She was visible to the public as she drove the postal vehicle along her route. On this day, the victim saw Pinkney looking at her in what she interpreted as an aggressive manner as she drove by him in her USPS vehicle. Two weeks later, on Oct. 24, 2023, the victim was on her postal route, stopped the USPS truck, and got out of the vehicle with mail to deliver. Pinkney approached on a bicycle and began to pass the victim. While still cycling, Pinkney made a hand gesture towards the victim in the shape of a firearm using two fingers to represent the barrel of a gun. Pinkney then turned his bicycle around and made the firearm gesture toward the victim more assertively. Pinkney rode his bicycle directly towards the victim, then got off the bicycle and walked toward the victim. Pinkney called the victim a “b----” and said, “If I had a gun,” and “go back to your country.” All this time, Pinkney continued to make the same menacing hand gesture, simulating a firearm. At a point, the victim turned and faced the USPS truck and heard Pinkney say, “go back to your country” multiple times while tapping the victim on the back of her head with two fingers. The victim entered the USPS truck and sat in the driver’s seat. Pinkney continued to call the victim a “b----” and say “go back to your country.” Pinkney also spit on the image of the eagle of the side of the USPS truck, and then spit on the victim. The victim was nervous and scared. Pinkney reached into the truck and pulled at the victim’s ankle and leg in an unsuccessful attempt to yank her from the USPS truck. Pinkney then entered the truck and grabbed at the victim’s neck with one hand and placed his other hand on her hijab. While in the vehicle, Pinkney tried to remove the hijab off the victim by pulling it down her face. She physically resisted. Unable to remove the hijab in this fashion, Pinkney then lifted the hijab up past the victim’s face toward the back of her head. Pinkney succeeded in removing the hijab and revealing the victim’s hair. Pinkney and the victim struggled over the hijab inside the vehicle. Pinkney eventually released the victim’s hijab, but then started pulling at her USPS apron. The victim put her hijab back on her head. The victim felt trapped, so she exited the vehicle. Pinkney followed suit. Once the victim and Pinkney were out of the vehicle, Pinkney said, “F-- Islam” and “You are a terrorist.” Pinkney and the victim continued to struggle, during which time the victim grabbed onto the collar of Pinkney’s shirt. Pinkney’s shirt ripped as they separated. Pinkney fled the scene and was later arrested. The victim sustained scratches on her face as a result of the assault. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Chief of Police William Schultz of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD), and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, made the announcement. FBI Miami, FLPD and USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gilfarb prosecuted it. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 24-cr-60014. ###


title: Ohio Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: AKRON, Ohio – David Walker, 39, of Akron, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan, after pleading guilty to receipt, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography. Walker was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence. Walker was an active participant on BitTorrent, an internet service that allows users to download content such as images and videos easily. It utilizes each user’s computer as a mini-server to facilitate computer-to-computer file sharing among users throughout the world. The technology allows thousands of people to download the same files without crashing the system which has made BitTorrent a commonly used protocol to share illegal files such as CSAM. According to court documents, Walker received and distributed nearly 400 video files known to contain CSAM and exploitation of children. A computer tablet with CSAM files was recovered during the execution of a federal search warrant of his residence. Files were described to include male and female children of various ages under 17 including infants and toddlers. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, some of the victims were identified on the video files found in Walker’s seized computer tablet. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI, the Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office, and the Brunswick Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis for the Northern District of Ohio. To report child sexual abuse, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - Alison J. Ramsdell, United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, and Mac Schneider, United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota, announced today that their offices hosted the 2024 Indian Country Conference: Offering Hope to Victims in the Spirit of Justice, on August 6-7, 2024, in Pierre, South Dakota. U.S. Attorney Ramsdell and U.S. Attorney Schneider provided opening remarks during the conference, highlighting the important work done each and every day to secure justice for victims in Indian country. “Victims of crime are at the center of our prosecutions at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell, “and victim services providers are at the very heart of that critical work. We are fortunate to have skilled victim service professionals working alongside our prosecutors to vindicate the rights of victims and help them reclaim their voices.” “Whether it’s our prosecutors, law enforcement partners, or victim service professionals, the Districts of North Dakota and South Dakota are united when it comes to pursuing justice for victims of crime,” Schneider said. “This is especially true as we work together to benefit public safety in Indian country. Inside and outside the courtroom, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to obtaining just results and bringing a victim-centered approach to our work.” The conference featured speakers on a variety of topics. For example, Leslie Hagen, National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, provided expert training on the Investigation and Prosecution of Non-Fatal Strangulation Cases, as well as the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse in Indian Country. Other speakers provided educational presentations on Sex Trafficking in Indian Country; Fentanyl Overdose Awareness; Healing Trauma with Somatic Approaches; Missing and Murdered Indigenous People; and Successful Team Coordination in Indian Country. Conference participants included law enforcement officers, victim service providers, prosecutors, social workers, physicians and other medical professionals, mental health therapists, counselors, educators, court service officers, corrections officers, childcare providers, community leaders, and other concerned individuals from the two-state region of North Dakota and South Dakota—especially those dealing with family violence issues in tribal communities. Conference attendees were provided new tools and resources to continue their commitment to securing justice for victims of crime.


title: Guilty Plea for the 2024 Fatal Shooting of a Man in Southeast DC

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Kyree Anthony Hairston, 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the February 2024 fatal shooting of David Coe in the 1200 block of Southern Ave., SE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Hairston has been in custody since his arrest on March 14, 2024. His guilty plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed upon top half of the guideline period of incarceration of 14 to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein accepted the plea today. According to the proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, at approximately 2:45 p.m., on February 3, 2024, Hairston and Mr. Coe were in the parking lot area of the Arbor View Apartment Complex located in the 1200 block of Southern Ave., SE. The two engaged in a conversation, part of which was captured on the audio portion of video surveillance footage that captured the shooting. On the surveillance, the defendant can be heard stating, “on my grandmother, you got 30 seconds. On my grandmother” and “you trippin like sh-t.” The surveillance shows Hairston pull the hood of the sweatshirt he was wearing over his head, covering part of his face. Hairston then removed a black handgun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at Mr. Coe. Mr. Coe lunged forward to try and disarm Hairston, but Hairston shot him in the chest before he could do so. Mr. Coe fell to the ground and as he laid there, Hairston shot Mr. Coe again. Mr. Coe was shot four times and died 20 minutes later. This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.