title: MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy

body_text: A Maryland man was sentenced today to 26 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, including murder, connected to his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13. According to court documents, Kevin Alexander Castillo Calderon, also known as Fantasma, Ghost, Eterno, and Josue Argueta Gonzalez, 25, of Adelphi, and his co-defendants were members and associates of the Weedams Locos Salvatrucha (WLS) clique of MS-13. MS-13 is one of the largest street gangs in the United States and is composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador and other Central American countries. Members of MS-13 are expected to protect the name, reputation, and status of the gang from rival gang members and other persons, at all times, using any means necessary to force respect from those who showed disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position. On Aug. 8, 2020, WLS members, including Castillo Calderon and co-defendants WLS leader Brayan Alexander Torres, 30, of Adelphi, and Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, 26, also of Adelphi, were gathered at a park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Castillo Calderon, Torres, Sanchez, and other WLS members agreed to murder Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez and another MS-13 member murdered Victim 4, then other WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there. Once in the stream, Castillo Calderon picked up a large rock and dropped it on Victim 4’s head. As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez was concerned that his DNA may have been left on the body. To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, other WLS members were called and ordered to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body. In addition, at Torres’ direction, Castillo Calderon took the guns used to shoot Victim 4 and Victim 4’s cell phone, put them in a bag he was carrying, and disposed of the evidence. Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head. Castillo Calderon was also responsible for collecting extortion payments, or “rents,” from extortion victims on behalf of WLS, knowing that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of physical violence by members of WLS. For example, gang members used baseball bats to impose rents and sometimes collected rent while displaying firearms or otherwise making it known that they were carrying weapons. Castillo Calderon pleaded guilty in August 2023 to RICO conspiracy. Torres and Sanchez were each previously sentenced to 28 years in prison upon their prior guilty pleas. The court also ordered each to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland, Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore, and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department made the announcement. The FBI, HSI, and the Prince George’s County Police Department investigated the case, with substantial assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Montgomery County Police Department. Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. Call the FBI tipline at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or the HSI tipline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.


title: MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to 26 Years in Federal Prison for a Racketeering Conspiracy, Including a Murder in Maryland

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced MS-13 member Kevin Alexander Castillo Calderon, a/k/a “Fantasma,” “Ghost,” “Eterno,” and “Josue Argueta Gonzalez,” age 25, of Adelphi, Maryland, to 26 years in federal prison for a racketeering conspiracy, including a murder, connected to his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department. MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador and other central American countries. Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, operate throughout the United States, including in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Castillo Calderon and his co-defendants were members and associates of the Weedams Locos Salvatruchs (“WLS”) clique of MS-13. Members of MS-13 were expected to protect the name, reputation, and status of the gang from rival gang members and other persons, at all times, using any means necessary to force respect from those who showed disrespect, including acts of intimidation and violence. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, often referred to as “chavalas,” whenever possible. Participation in criminal activity by a member, particularly in violent acts directed at rival gangs or as directed by gang leadership, increases the respect accorded to that member, resulting in that member maintaining or increasing his position in the gang, and opens the door to promotion to a leadership position. As detailed in court documents, on August 8, 2020, WLS members, including Castillo Calderon, WLS leader Brayan Alexander Torres and Franklyn Sanchez, were gathered at a park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Castillo Calderon, Torres, Sanchez and other WLS members agreed to murder Victim 4, who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement and to whom Sanchez owed a debt. Sanchez and another MS-13 member murdered Victim 4, then WLS members dragged Victim 4’s body to a stream and left it there. Castillo Calderon then picked up a large rock and dropped it on Victim 4’s head. As he was leaving the woods, Sanchez was concerned that his DNA may have been left on the body. To prevent the discovery of DNA or other evidence and to hinder the investigation and prosecution of Victim 4’s murder, other WLS members were called and ordered to bring shovels to the wooded area, where they dug a hole and buried Victim 4’s body. In addition, at Torres’ direction, Castillo Calderon took the guns used to shoot Victim 4 and Victim 4’s cell phone, put them in a bag he was carrying and disposed of the evidence. Victim 4’s body was later recovered with a bullet wound to the head. Castillo Calderon was also responsible for collecting extortion payments, or “rents,” from extortion victims on behalf of WLS, knowing that the victims making extortion payments did so under the threat of death or bodily injury by members of WLS. For example, gang members used baseball bats to impose rents and sometimes collected rent while flashing firearms or otherwise making it known that they were carrying weapons. Brayan Alexander Torres a/k/a “Spooky,” age 29, and Franklyn Edgardo Sanchez, a/k/a “Freddy,” “Magic,” “Miclo,” and “Delinquente,” age 26, both of Adelphi, Maryland, were each previously sentenced to 28 years in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the victims’ losses, including any funeral costs. Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE. These cases are 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. These cases are also Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. United States Attorney Barron and Acting Assistant Attorney General Argentieri commended the FBI, HSI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the Montgomery County Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo and Trial Attorney Christopher Taylor of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn . # # #


title: Vanderwagon Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced that a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Sheldon Carlton Daye with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Daye, 30, of Vanderwagon, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain on conditions of release pending trial. According to the indictment, on or about Oct. 2, 2022, Daye killed John and Jane Doe by operating a motor vehicle without due caution and circumspection and with a wanton and reckless disregard for human life. An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Daye faces a maximum of 16 years in prison. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Probasco is prosecuting the case. View the Superseding Indictment # # # 24-10


title: Three More Plead Guilty to Roles in Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Today, Talon Aaron McIntosh, also known as “Trey” and “T,” 28, and Mario Alonzo Pettway III, also known as “Mike,” 23, both of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to distribution of a quantity of mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and Ladonna Rae Abner, 49, of Nitro, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl. All three admitted to their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Southern District of West Virginia. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 3, 2023, McIntosh sold a half-pound of methamphetamine for $1,000 to a confidential in Huntington. McIntosh admitted to that transaction and to selling approximately 439 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $2,000 in Huntington on September 7, 2023. On October 3, 2023, Pettway sold approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant for $200 in Nitro. Pettway admitted to that transaction and to selling a total of approximately 8 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant in St. Albans on three occasions between April 13, 2023, and May 2, 2023. Pettway further admitted to selling approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine to the confidential informant in St. Albans on June 26, 2023. McIntosh and Pettway admitted that they participated in the DTO from at least February 2023 through November 2023. McIntosh and Pettway also admitted that on August 14, 2023, McIntosh arranged for Pettway to distribute approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine and 3.5 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Huntington. On October 4, 2023, Abner sold approximately 1 gram of fentanyl for $120 to a confidential informant in Nitro. Abner admitted to that transaction and to selling a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential informant on October 17, 2023. On November 15, 2023, law enforcement officers arrested McIntosh, Pettway and Abner. Officers also searched Abner’s residence and two other residences in Nitro. Officers seized approximately 3.5 grams of suspected fentanyl at Abner’s residence. Officers found additional amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl and 11 firearms and ammunition at the second Nitro residence. Pettway admitted to possessing the firearms and to intending to sell the methamphetamine and fentanyl seized at that residence. Officers seized approximately 206 grams of methamphetamine and a Ruger LCP .380-caliber pistol and ammunition at the third Nitro residence. McIntosh admitted that he and others used that residence to store and distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. McIntosh and Pettway are scheduled to be sentenced on June 3, 2024, and Abner is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2024. Each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. McIntosh, Pettway and Abner are among 27 individuals indicted in a 53-count indictment that charges the defendants with distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl transported from Detroit, Michigan, in Huntington and other locations within the Southern District of West Virginia. Three other defendants have pleaded guilty. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph F. Adams and Stephanie Taylor are prosecuting the case. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-180. ###


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 10 years for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City , South Dakota, has sentenced a Rapid City man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on January 24, 2024. Ike Sowder, 41 was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sowder was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 6, 2023. Beginning around June of 2022, Sowder became involved with co-conspirators in obtaining counterfeit fentanyl pills. Co-conspirators brought the fentanyl to western South Dakota and Sowder actively distributed the fentanyl to others for use and distribution. It was reasonably foreseeable to Sowder that between 400 grams and 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl would be distributed during the course of the conspiracy. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Sowder was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Bowling Green Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green, Kentucky, man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and the illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Director Tommy Loving of the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force made the announcement. According to court documents, Steven Phelps, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and the illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On August 3, 2022, in Warren County, Kentucky, Steven Phelps possessed with the intent to distribute 2,433 grams of methamphetamine and provided 8.734 grams of methamphetamine to another person for resale. On that same day Phelps also possessed a nine-millimeter handgun. Phelps was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On April 24, 2015, in Edmonson Circuit Court, Phelps was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, first offense. On August 15, 2011, in Edmonson Circuit Court, Phelps was convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense. On November 15, 2004, in Warren Circuit Court, Phelps was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by the ATF Bowling Green Field Office and the Bowling Green/Warren County Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. ###


title: Missouri Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A registered sex offender on Monday admitted being caught with child pornography. David Earl Dey, 38, of Randolph County, Missouri near Moberly, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The investigation began in August of 2022, when the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Dey was in possession of child sexual abuse material that he stored on flash drives. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office also received a tip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Dey had uploaded child pornography. Dey is a registered sex offender, having been convicted in 2008 of first-degree statutory sodomy, first-degree child molestation and sexual misconduct involving a child. Dey denied owning flash drives or computers, but a court-approved search of his home found a cell phone and two hidden laptops. The electronic devices contained 102 videos and 764 images containing child pornography, many showing the sexual abuse of toddlers, Dey’s plea agreement says. About 4,000 more files containing “child erotica” were also found. Dey is scheduled to be sentenced May 1. Both sides have agreed to recommend 15 years in prison. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Chapman is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Manderson Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on January 23, 2024. Sequoyah Mark West, Jr., 30, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. West was indicted for Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty to an amended charge of Voluntary Manslaughter on November 17, 2023. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The conviction stems from West killing a man by beating and asphyxiation in April of 2023, at Manderson. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. West was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Kyle Man Sentenced to Over 22 Years in Federal Prison for Domestic Assault

body_text: Rapid City - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on January 24, 2024. Lloyd S. Yankton Jr., 43, was sentenced to a total of 22 years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Judge Kobes imposed a 90-month sentence on each of the three counts and ordered the sentences to run consecutively. Yankton was indicted for Kidnapping, Assault with Intent to Commit Murder, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 2, 2023. The conviction stems from Yankton assaulting his significant other with a blow torch and a metal bar in July of 2023, which caused serious bodily injury. Yankton also beat the same woman in July of 2022 with a metal pole, which was a dangerous weapon. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Yankton was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Former Owner of Austin Dental Practices Sentenced to Federal Prison for Wire Fraud

body_text: AUSTIN, Texas – A Pearland man was sentenced in federal court in Austin to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution after being convicted of wire fraud. According to court documents, Clinton Finch Herzog, 49, defrauded investors in his dental practices of hundreds of thousands of dollars between 2016 and 2018. Herzog’s investors agreed to make capital investments in limited liability companies created by Herzog to manage dental practices. Herzog promised, among other things, that the relevant limited liability companies would not commingle investor funds with assets of any other person. Herzog routinely violated the limited liability company agreements by commingling investor funds with his own personal funds and by diverting investors’ money for his own personal use, including to pay for expensive meals, airline tickets and travel expenses, liquor, and jewelry. In addition to imposing the 36-month prison sentence, the court sentenced Herzog to a supervised release term of three years and ordered him to pay $2,182,760.63 in restitution. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case. *The mention of “Austin Dental Practices” in the headline of this press release does not infer that Mr. Herzog was the owner of the business named Austin Dental, and the two are not implied to be associated with each other. ###


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The sentencing took place on January 24, 2024. Nathan David Hankins, 31, was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Ten years of Hankins’ federal custody time will run consecutively with previously imposed state and federal custody sentences. Hankins was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Hankins was indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He was convicted at a court trial on October 26, 2023. The conviction stems from Hankins exploiting a 14-year-old female with whom he had a relationship in March of 2014. Hankins was 21 years old at the time. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Hankins was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 12 1/2 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. The sentencing took place on January 25, 2024. Ismael Hernandez, 30, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Hernandez was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and two counts of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. He pleaded guilty on October 6, 2023. Starting around July of 2022, and continuing until June 6, 2024, Hernandez traveled to Colorado to obtain fentanyl. He then brought fentanyl back to South Dakota and sold it to other people. Overall, he was responsible for between 400 grams and 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl. Also, during this time law enforcement recovered firearms from him on two separate occasions. Hernandez is prohibited from having firearms due to a previous felony conviction. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime . Hernandez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: New Underwood Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a New Underwood, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography with a Prior Child Pornography Conviction. The sentencing took place on January 23, 2024. Kent Joy, 48, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised. Joy was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Joy will be also required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Joy was indicted for Receipt of Child Pornography with a Prior Child Pornography Conviction and Possession of Child Pornography with a Prior Child Pornography Conviction by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 1, 2023. The conviction stems from Joy, a person previously convicted for a child pornography offense, knowingly receiving child pornography between April 18, 2018, and September 19, 2022. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Joy was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 6 1/2 Years for Firearm Possession

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a Rapid City man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 23, 2024. Richard Neiss, 52, was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He was also ordered to forfeit his interests in several firearms. Neiss was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in October of 2022. He pleaded guilty on October 6, 2023. On June 29, 2022, Neiss was driving a vehicle in Rapid City, when he was stopped by law enforcement. Neiss was the sole occupant. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of six firearms, which Neiss is not allowed to possess due to having a felony conviction. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is local drug task force comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime . Neiss was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on January 22, 2024. Philip Lamar Nordvold, age 45, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Nordvold was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 2, 2023. In 2015, Nordvold was convicted in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Within three months prior to May 16, 2022, near Eagle Butte, Nordvold unlawfully possessed another firearm, a Heritage Manufacturing Incorporated brand revolver with an obliterated serial number. This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case. Nordvold was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 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. Nordvold was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Mission Man Convicted of Commission of a Crime of Violence while Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Louis Andrew Rabbitt, Jr., age 42, of Mission, South Dakota, of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon, and Commission of a Crime of Violence while Failing to Register as a Sex Offender following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Pierre, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on January 25, 2024. The charge of Commission of a Crime of Violence while Failing to Register as a Sex Offender carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in custody and a mandatory minimum of five years consecutive to any sentence for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and/or a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum of five years up to life of supervised release. The charge of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The charge of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum of five years up to life of supervised release. A $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund applies to each count, totaling $300. Rabbitt was indicted by a federal grand jury in October and December of 2023. According to evidence presented at trial, Rabbitt failed to update his sex offender registration after moving from his registered address in July of 2023. Rabbitt had continued to fail to update his sex offender registration when the U.S. Marshals Service arrived to arrest Rabbitt pursuant to an arrest warrant on September 20, 2023. In an effort to avoid arrest, Rabbitt threatened Deputy U.S. Marshals with a baseball bat before being apprehended. This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service with the assistance of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wayne Venhuizen and Meghan Dilges 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. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for April 22, 2024. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Three Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Found with Over 400 Pounds of Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: NASHVILLE – A joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of three individuals for conspiring to distribute over 400 pounds of methamphetamine in Nashville, Tennessee, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. The complaint charges Zachery Manier, 49, Danny Ray Jones, Jr., 48, and Reginald Levon Cooper, 40, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. During the investigation, agents learned that a target Drug Trafficking Organization (“DTO”) was using the U.S. Postal Service to ship drugs to various residences in the Middle District of Tennessee. As part of the investigation, on January 24, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a Nashville residence believed to be a stash house for the DTO, where agents recovered over 400 pounds of methamphetamine. Manier, Jones, and Cooper were arrested at the residence. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office with substantial assistance provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke Farzad and Mitchell Galloway are prosecuting the case. A Criminal Complaint is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. #####


title: U.S. Attorney Announces Enhanced White-Collar Enforcement Through Increased Staffing and Investigative Coordination

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, Michael Easley, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC), announced its expansion of its Economic Crimes Section of the office, and that section’s enhanced enforcement in the prosecution of White-Collar Crime through increased partnerships with federal and state law enforcement agencies. “Our nation is facing ever-increasing frauds and scams, fleecing innocent people of their well-earned savings and taxpayers of their investment in our Nation,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We have strengthened our relationships with over 20 agencies investigating white-collar crime in the region. We’ve launched multi-agency working groups on critical issues such as Investment Fraud, Public Health, COVID Fraud, Health Care Fraud, Public Corruption, Elder Fraud, Environmental Crimes, and Money Laundering. These efforts have spurred a surge in the number of investigations opened, and defendants prosecuted in this office.” Just in 2023, significant white-collar cases brought or prosecuted by the Eastern District of North Carolina included, but were not limited to, the following: Raleigh ENT Doctor Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Adulterating Surgical Devices, for Defrauding Medicare, and for Stealing Patient Identities . Following a lengthy trial, Anita Louise Jackson of Raleigh was sentenced to 300 months in prison for adulterating surgical devices used in more than 1,400 sinus surgeries performed on Medicare patients between 2011 and 2018. Jackson was also ordered to forfeit 4.7 million dollars. ( Case No. 5:21-CR-00259-D). Whiteville Business Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Ponzi Scheme . Joseph Floyd, age 76, of Whiteville, NC, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for conspiring to sell and deliver unregistered securities in connection with a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme operated for nearly a decade under the guise of a purported investment program. Floyd was also ordered to pay over 10 million dollars in restitution to the victims of the offense. (Case No. 7:23-CR-1-B). Raleigh man sentenced to 17 years for healthcare fraud . Furman Ford, 54, of Wake County, convicted at a federal trial, was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment. Ford conspired to defraud the Medicare Program by submitting false claims for never provided services. (Case No. 5:20-CR-448-D-1) NCDOC Officer pleads guilty to Covid-19 Fraud Scheme . Sean Dillard, 55, of Hertford County, pled guilty and sentenced to a year in prison for the theft of government property for fraudulently submitting North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (NC HOPE) loan applications for emergency rental assistance. (Case No. 2:23-CR-11-FL) Raleigh Man Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft Conspiracy Involving Fraudulent Financing of Vehicles in Excess of $1 Million . Basilio Rafael Garcia, of Raleigh, NC, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. As part of the scheme, the personal identifying information of a Puerto Rico resident was stolen, transferred, and used to fraudulently finance and purchase more than 1 million dollars’ worth of vehicles and watercraft from dealerships in the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina. (Case No. 5:22-CR-48-D). Former Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Executing a Multimillion Dollar Ponzi Scheme . Shaun Good of Wilmington was sentenced to 87 months in prison for carrying out a 7-million-dollar investment fraud scheme while employed as an investment advisor for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC in Wilmington. From 2012 to February 2022, Good solicited investments from business clients and others for purported real estate projects and tax-free municipal bonds, touting these opportunities as low-risk investments that would pay returns of between 6% and 10% over three- or six-month terms. (Case No. 7:22-CR-00096-D). NC Man Sentenced to 7 Years Imprisonment for Leasing Fraud Scheme . Dan Raymond, the owner of several computer equipment and small business financial consulting companies, was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment for orchestrating more than 20 million dollars in fraudulent lease deals. As part of his plea, Raymond agreed to forfeit 4.7 million dollars in fraud proceeds, along with nearly $170,000 in proceeds from the sale of a residence, $11,650 in cash, and various jewelry, two Rolex watches, gold and silver bars, collectible coins, and apparel from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. (Case No. 5:23-CR-96-BO). Sixteen Plead Guilty in COVID Fraud Scheme . A Texas couple, Edward Whitaker and Schunda Coleman pleaded guilty in January 2023 to conspiracy to commit money laundering for helping dozens of North Carolina residents fraudulently obtain more than 15 million dollars in Paycheck Protection Act (PPP) COVID-19 loans. To date, 14 other defendants have pled guilty for the scheme . (Case No. 5:22-cr-00257-D). Pharmacy Owner and Technician Both Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud . James Craig Belland Melisha Oxendine West were each sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for their roles in a 4-million-dollar health care fraud scheme run through a pharmacy in Robeson County owned by Bell that had operated under the name Townsend’s Pharmacy. The pharmacy billed Medicare, Medicaid, and various private health plans for prescription drugs that were never actually dispensed by the pharmacy. (Case Nos. 7:22-cr-00107-FL and 7:21-cr-00129-FL) . Raleigh Man Sentenced to Two Years Prison for Mail Theft Scheme . Anthony Messiah Brooks, 21, of Wake County, was sentenced to 2 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Possession of Stolen Mail and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Mail. Brooks was found with 500 pieces of checks, U.S. currency, money orders, gift certificates, and personal identifying information for unknown individuals, all of which came from various blue collection boxes through the Raleigh area. ( Case No. 7:22-CR-00068-D) Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for the case number.


title: Bridgeport Man Previously Convicted of Murder Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Gun

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ORTEXIS RAMOS, 34, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon. According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 16, 2022, Bridgeport Police encountered Ramos, who was a passenger in an unregistered car that was stopped at the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Walnut Street in Bridgeport. When officers ordered Ramos to exit the vehicle, he attempted to flee. Ramos was apprehended a short distance away, and a search of his person revealed a Taurus G2C 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine that was loaded with 9mm ammunition. In 2005, Ramos was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment, and he was on state parole at the time of his arrest in September 2022. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Ramos has been detained since his arrest. On November 1, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen L. Peck through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: District Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison  For Felon in Possession Charges

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – John Michael Wilcox, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for illegally possessing a Ruger Archangel rifle and a .32 caliber pistol when his SUV was stopped by police near Nationals Park, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Jessica M.E. Taylor of the United States Park Police. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich ordered Wilcox to serve three years of supervised release. Wilcox pleaded guilty September 26, 2023, to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. According to the government’s evidence, when Wilcox was stopped by U.S. Park Police officers on July 12, 2022, he was operating a black SUV with an illegally covered Florida dealer tag. As officers approached the vehicle, he held a military identification card out of the driver’s side window that did not belong to him. While interacting with Wilcox, an officer observed a clear plastic bag containing multiple-colored zip lock bags partially bulging from the defendant’s front shorts pocket. The officer directed Wilcox out of the vehicle and toward the rear of the car. Wilcox was forcibly placed in handcuffs following his initial refusal to comply. Officers recovered 19 small plastic bags which each contained fentanyl. Officers also recovered a clear plastic bag containing cocaine base. Officers then removed a female passenger and child from the vehicle. Police searched the SUV and discovered a .32 caliber pistol in the glove compartment with three rounds. They found a Ruger Archangel, 5.56 caliber rifle with the serial number obliterated, located in the trunk. During the search, Wilcox stated multiple times that everything in the car belonged to him. Federal law prohibits Wilcox from possessing a firearm because he has multiple convictions from the Commonwealth of Virginia for which he was sentenced to terms of imprisonment exceeding one year. On May 17, 2023, following his indictment by a federal grand jury, Wilcox was arrested pursuant to a warrant issued by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He has remained in custody ever since. This case was investigated by the United States Park Police. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Kelley and Alexander Schneider and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul V. Courtney. ##


title: San Fernando Valley Man Sentenced to 2½ Years in Prison for Selling Used and Counterfeit Medical Devices Used for Skin Treatment

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Tarzana man was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for running a nearly $6 million scheme in which he knowingly sold used skin-tightening medical devices that were deliberately misbranded as new, as well as counterfeit devices that he claimed were to be used with fat-reducing laser machines. Kambiz Youabian, 50, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who also ordered him to pay $5,937,049 in restitution and ordered the forfeiture of $1,685,396 in seized assets. Youabian pleaded guilty in January 2023 to one count of mail fraud and one count of introducing a misbranded medical device into interstate commerce. Youabian owned and operated MSY Technologies Inc., a West Los Angeles-based company that did business under the names “Thermagen” and “Global Electronic Supplies” (GES). From March 2016 to June 2022, Youabian purchased used transducers, which are medical devices used to tighten the skin of dermatology patients by delivering ultrasound energy to a patient’s skin. Used properly, transducers are designed to provide no more than 2,400 treatments. After this number is reached, the devices are considered depleted and should be disposed of in accordance with health code regulations. Through GES, Youabian purchased depleted transducers for nominal sums, typically $50. Youabian then remanufactured the depleted transducers and added fabricated serial numbers to make the transducers appear to be new. Then, through his Thermagen company, Youabian fraudulently marketed and sold – for many times more than he paid for them – the remanufactured transducers to health care providers and customers as “new” transducers with 2,400 remaining treatments. To conceal his connection to Thermagen, Youabian used names of fabricated Thermagen employees on correspondences with victim providers and used out-of-state commercial mailboxes for Thermagen’s return of address on shipments, which he sent through the U.S mail. For example, in February 2020, Youabian, through Thermagen’s website, sold a device falsely advertised as “new” and “containing 2,400 lines” – and with a retail price of $1,695 – to a buyer. Youabian then shipped the device – which contained a fake serial number – from Los Angeles to Florida via the United States Postal Service. Youabian also shipped counterfeit PAC keys, medical devices used to operate laser machines designed to reduce fat on patients, through the mail. He then transferred his ill-gotten gains to bank account his controlled, including accounts he opened in the names of MSY Technologies, himself, and his au pair. In June 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants at Youabian’s home and the GES-Thermagen office in West Los Angeles. In the GES-Thermagen office, law enforcement seized 75 transducers in various states of refurbishment, a manufacturing workstation containing tools and transducer parts, and detailed records of GES and Thermagen’s expenses. Youabian unlawfully sold thousands of medical devices, including transducers and PAC keys, and receiving at least $5,821,474 in fraudulent proceeds that should have been paid to the companies that are the sole U.S. distributors for these devices. Youabian also caused reputational harm to the device manufacturers and distributors of these medical devices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel G. Boyle of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section prosecuted this case.


title: Federal Drug Trafficking Complaint Follows Seizure of Thirty-two Kilograms of Cocaine

body_text: NASHVILLE – A joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of three individuals for possessing with intent to distribute approximately 32 kilograms of cocaine in Spring Hill, Tennessee, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. The complaint charges Karla Lissette Hernandez, 41, Karla L. Ayala Hernandez, 18, and Ronald Giovanni Flores, 37, all from Houston, Texas, with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On January 17, 2024, the three were travelling in a truck which a Williamson County Sheriff’s Deputy determined was speeding and following another vehicle too closely in snowy and icy conditions. None of the occupants had a valid driver’s license. A K9 indicated the possible presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 32 kilograms of cocaine wrapped in black electrical tape, 30 of which were concealed inside the door panels of the truck. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case. A Criminal Complaint is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # # # #


title: U.S. Citizen Charged with Federal Offenses Related to Millions Stolen from Victims of Online Scams

component: Criminal - Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section

body_text: United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge David Meisenheimer of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington D.C. Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Gust of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), today announced that RICHARD FASANELLA , 54, a U.S. citizen last residing in Venezuela, has been charged with conspiracy, fraud, and monetary offenses related to his alleged role in receiving, moving, and converting money stolen from victims of online scams. As alleged in the indictment, Fasanella’s associates used various online scams, including romance scams, to defraud dozens of primarily elderly victims of millions of dollars. Fasanella is a registered agent for multiple business entities that were registered in Connecticut and elsewhere in the U.S. Fasanella applied for an Employer Identification Number (“EIN”), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, for these various businesses, and he and his associates used the EINs to open business bank accounts in the names of those businesses. Fasanella and his associates then used these bank accounts to deposit cash, money orders, and checks that fraud victims mailed to specified addresses and recipients. Victims also wired money directly from their bank accounts to the bank accounts controlled by Fasanella and his associates. Fasanella and others retained a portion of the fraudulently obtained money and passed the rest of the money to others, primarily through cryptocurrency. On July 25, 2023, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a 19-count indictment charging Fasanella. The indictment was unsealed after Fasanella was deported from Bogota, Colombia, on January 22, 2024. On January 26, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently detained. The indictment charges Fasanella with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; four count of mail fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; five counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and illegal monetary transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; five counts of money laundering, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment 20 years on each count; and three counts of illegal monetary transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count. U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out and prosecuting online scammers and their criminal associates who prey upon vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “I thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-CI and TIGTA for unraveling this complex scheme and identifying this defendant, and the U.S. Marshals and Migración Colombia for their invaluable assistance in tracking him down and bringing him to justice in the U.S.” “This investigation, which uncovered a large-scale, complex web of money laundering through the U.S. Mail, reflects the U.S. Postal Inspections Services’ commitment to dismantle schemes by criminals who seek to profit by exploiting victims through fraud,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This alleged scheme included the victimization of many elderly Americans as well as many international victims. I commend our fellow law enforcement partners, domestic and international, for their assistance with this case. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to be relentless in fighting crime that impacts the people we serve wherever, and however it occurs.” “It is alleged that Mr. Fasanella orchestrated brazen schemes of staggering proportions,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Meisenheimer. “His arrest is another example of IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners commitment to investigate and prosecute those who take advantage of taxpayers for their personal financial gain.” “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates individuals who use the IRS’s programs and tax collecting authority to scam others, especially seniors and other vulnerable populations,” said Christopher Gust, acting Special Agent in Charge. “The defendant in this case is alleged to have done just that by targeting and victimizing the most vulnerable in our society. Our mission at TIGTA is to protect the integrity of our nation’s system of tax administration. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who endeavor to corrupt federal tax administration are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” This investigation is being conducted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-CI, and TIGTA, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and Migración Colombia. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché’s office at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry. The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers. Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller. The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). To read more about the Justice Department’s efforts to combat elder fraud and abuse click here .


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Aggravated Identity Theft

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: JACKSON, MS – A Mexican National who was living in Richland, Mississippi, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, Ivonne Elena Cortez-Acosta, 51, was first apprehended by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) in 2000, when she attempted to smuggle 23.84 kilograms of marijuana in the backseat of her vehicle. As a result, she was booked, placed in removal proceedings, and subsequently removed from the United States and returned to Mexico as a Mexican national. At some point, Cortez-Acosta reentered the United States without inspection and assumed the name and identity of a United States citizen. After assuming the identity, Cortez-Acosta fraudulently applied for Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC). This document can be used to gain access to critical infrastructure areas or sites. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Transportation Security Administration Office were able to intervein and apprehend Cortez-Acosta prior to her receiving a TWIC card. U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations, and Special Agent in Charge Phil Spampinato of the Transportation Security Administration made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations and the Transportation Security Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam T. Stuart prosecuted the case.


title: Georgia Methamphetamine And Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced John David Horton (38, Georgia) to 10 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl. Horton had pleaded guilty on September 11, 2023. According to court documents, on December 20, 2022, agents with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit were conducting surveillance when they observed Horton exit a vehicle carrying a black bag. After Horton returned to the vehicle with the bag, agents continued to conduct surveillance and observed multiple traffic violations, resulting in a traffic stop. A police canine then provided a positive alert to the odor of illegal narcotics, leading to a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers located a black bag matching the bag Horton was observed carrying, which contained 283.8 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine and 167.4 grams of fentanyl. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.


title: Former Lawton Hotel Manager Sentenced to Serve 18 Months in Federal Prison for $103,000 Bribery Scheme with Former Army Training Center Manager

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: Former Army Manager also sentenced to federal prison for accepting bribes to favor hotel OKLAHOMA CITY – This month, ALFRED PALMA , 65, of Duncan, and CANDY HANZA , 51, of Medicine Park, were each sentenced to serve time in federal prison for bribery, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On May 3, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a twelve-count Indictment against Palma and Hanza. According to the Indictment, Palma, a United States Army employee and public official, was the manager of the Institutional Training Directed Lodging and Meals (ITDLM) program at Fort Sill, through which he booked hotel rooms for soldiers who attended off-post trainings. Hanza worked as the general manager of a local hotel in Lawton. The Indictment alleges that Hanza paid Palma bribes to direct soldiers to Hanza’s hotel. In July 2023, Palma and Hanza pleaded guilty to the bribery scheme. Palma pleaded guilty to receiving bribes totaling $103,200.00 from Hanza in return for favoring the hotel at which Hanza worked as general manager. Palma further admitted that he used the cash bribes to purchase money orders from Walmart, which he later deposited into his personal checking account, along with the checks that Hanza gave him. Hanza pleaded guilty to paying a bribe to Palma as a public official. At a sentencing hearing on January 19, 2024, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Hanza to serve 18 months in federal prison. At a sentencing hearing on January 25, 2024, Judge Wyrick sentenced Palma to serve 29 days in federal prison, followed by eleven months in home confinement. In announcing Palma’s sentence, Judge Wyrick emphasized the importance of general deterrence in public corruption cases, noting that when people in positions of public trust accept bribes then there is a cost to the government and to society. A restitution hearing for both defendants will be held at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Department of Defense Contract Audit Agency, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry is prosecuting the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: New Castle Resident Sentenced to Five and a Half Years in Prison and Six Years of Supervised Release for Repeat Cocaine Offenses

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and for distributing cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school, while on federal supervised release for a prior cocaine base trafficking conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Forrest Gilmore, 28, also ordering Gilmore to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence. In pleading guilty in this case, Gilmore admitted responsibility for distributing 450 grams of cocaine and 25 grams of cocaine base/crack between June 2020 and June 2021 in the New Castle area. In a prior case, he previously was convicted and sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine base in the New Castle area. He was released from his prior federal prison sentence to supervised release in April 2020 and, within two months, started trafficking cocaine and cocaine base again in New Castle in violation of his release conditions and the United States Code. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gilmore. This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: East St. Louis Convenience Store Armed Robbery Suspect Indicted

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A man is facing federal charges in southern Illinois for allegedly using a firearm to rob an East St. Louis convenience store. Vernelle E. Hines, 30, arrested in Houston, Texas, is facing one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of carry and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. “Store employees should be able to show up for work and not fear for their lives due to weapons and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Our partners in the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group work tirelessly to bring justice to victims of crime and to protect businesses in the community.” Court documents allege Hines brandished and discharged a firearm and took items and U.S. currency by force from the Mega Supermarket in East St. Louis on Oct. 31, 2023. “This indictment does not happen without ISP’s commitment to bringing violent criminals to justice,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP Public Safety Enforcement Group special agents are dedicated to conducting extensive investigations in order to track down violent criminals and make communities safer." An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury. If convicted, Hines could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the robbery charge and a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment for the use of a firearm. ISP’s Public Safety Enforcement Group led the investigation with assistance in apprehending the suspect from the U.S. Marshals Service in the Southern District of Illinois and Homeland Security Investigations in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns is prosecuting the case.


title: U.S. Citizen Arrested for Traveling to Haiti with Intent to Sexually Abuse Minors

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A U.S. citizen made his initial appearance in Colorado last week to face a charge for traveling to Haiti with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18. According to court documents and information disclosed in open court, between 2006 and 2010, Michael Geilenfeld, 71, originally of Iowa, is alleged to have traveled from Miami International Airport to Haiti multiple times to engage in sexual acts with minors. While in Haiti, Geilenfeld operated the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, a residence which served economically disadvantaged children in and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Multiple individuals who lived at the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys reported that Geilenfeld sexually abused them when they were under the age of 18. Geilenfeld was arrested on Jan. 20 in Colorado. He is charged with one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Geilenfeld’s detention hearing is scheduled to resume on Feb. 1. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement. HSI and the FBI are investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacee Monk for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Anyone with related information or who may have been a victim or witness should contact HSI at 877-4-HSI TIP (877-447-4847). Photo of Geilenfeld in 2024. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Ciudadano estadounidense aprehendido por viajar a Haití con la intención de abusar sexualmente de menores

body_text: La semana pasada, un ciudadano estadounidense compareció inicialmente en Colorado para responder a un cargo de viajar a Haití con la intención de participar en conducta sexual ilícita con una persona menor de 18 años. Según los documentos del tribunal e información revelada en la audiencia pública, se alega que entre 2006 y 2010, Michael Geilenfeld, 71, oriundo de Iowa, viajó múltiples veces del Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami a Haití a fin de participar en actos sexuales con menores de edad. Mientras estaba en Haití, Geilenfeld operaba el hogar de niños St. Joseph's Home for Boys [Maison Saint-Joseph], una residencia que prestaba servicios a niños económicamente desventajados en y alrededor de la ciudad capital de Puerto Príncipe. Varias personas que vivían en el St. Joseph's Home for Boys informaron que Geilenfeld abusó sexualmente de ellos cuando eran menores de 18 años. El 20 de enero, Geilenfeld fue aprehendido en Colorado. Se le imputa un cargo de viajar con la intención de participar en conducta sexual ilícita. De ser declarado culpable, enfrenta una pena máxima de 30 años en prisión. La audiencia de detención de Geilenfeld está programada para reanudar el 1 de febrero. La Fiscal General Auxiliar en Funciones Nicole M. Argentieri de la División Penal del Departamento de Justicia, el Fiscal de los EE. UU. Markenzy Lapointe del Distrito Sur de Florida, el Agente Especial a Cargo Anthony Salisbury de la oficina de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) de Miami y el Agente Especial a Cargo Jeffrey B. Veltri de la oficina de campo del FBI en Miami hicieron el anuncio. HSI y el FBI investigan el caso. Los abogados litigantes Jessica Urban y Eduardo Palomo de la Sección de Explotación Infantil y Obscenidad de la División Penal y la Fiscal Auxiliar de los EE. UU. Lacee Monk del Distrito Sur de Florida procesan el caso. Este caso fue entablado como parte del Proyecto Niñez Segura, una iniciativa nacional para combatir la epidemia de explotación y abuso sexual de menores, iniciada en mayo de 2006 por el Departamento de Justicia. Encabezado por las fiscalías de los EE. UU. y la Sección de Explotación Infantil y Obscenidad, el Proyecto Niñez Segura potencia los recursos federales, estatales y locales para ubicar, aprehender y procesar de mejor manera a las personas que explotan a menores por internet, así como para identificar y rescatar a las víctimas. Para obtener más información sobre el Proyecto Niñez Segura, visite www.justice.gov/psc . Cualquiera que tenga información relacionada o pueda haber sido víctima o testigo debe comunicarse con HSI al 877-4-HSI TIP (877-447-4847). Foto de Geilenfeld en 2024. Una acusación formal es meramente una alegación. Se presume que todos los acusados son inocentes hasta tanto se pruebe su culpabilidad más allá de una duda razonable en un tribunal de ley.


title: Un citoyen américain arrêté pour avoir voyagé en Haïti avec l'intention d'abuser sexuellement des mineurs

body_text: Un citoyen américain a fait sa première comparution au Colorado la semaine écoulée pour répondre à l’accusation d’avoir voyagé en Haïti dans le but d’avoir des relations sexuelles illicites avec une personne de moins de 18 ans. Selon les documents de la Cour et les informations communiquées en audience publique, entre 2006 et 2010, Michael Geilenfeld, 71 ans, originaire d’Iowa, aurait effectué de multiples voyages partant de l’aéroport international de Miami à destination d’Haïti dans le but d’accomplir des actes sexuels sur des mineurs. Pendant ses séjours en Haïti, Geilenfeld gérait le St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, une résidence desservant les enfants économiquement défavorisés de la capitale, Port-au-Prince, et ses environs. Des anciens résidents du St. Joseph’s Home for Boys ont signalé que Geilenfeld avait abusé d’eux sexuellement a lors qu’ils étaient âgés de moins de 18 ans. Geilenfeld a été arrêté au Colorado le 20 janvier. Il est accusé d’avoir voyagé avec l’intention d’accomplir des actes sexuels illicites. S’il est reconnu coupable, il encourt une peine maximale de 30 ans d’emprisonnement. L'audience préalable au placement en détention de Geilenfeld est prévue pour le 1 er février prochain. L'annonce a été faite par Nicole M. Argentieri, procureure adjointe par intérim de la division pénale du département de la Justice ; Markenzy Lapointe, procureur fédéral du district sud de Floride ; Anthony Salisbury, agent spécial responsable des enquêtes du département de la Sécurité intérieure (HSI) à Miami ; et Jeffrey B. Veltri, agent spécial responsable de l’antenne du FBI. Le HSI et le FBI mènent l’enquête. Les substituts du procureur Jessica Urban et Eduardo Palomo de la Section chargée des affaires d'exploitation des enfants et d’obscénités de la division pénale et la procureure fédérale adjointe Lacee Monk du district sud de la Floride sont chargés de la poursuite de cette affaire. Le dossier est porté en justice dans le cadre du projet Safe Childhood, une initiative nationale de lutte contre l’épidémie d’exploitation et d’abus sexuels contre des enfants lancée en mai 2006 par le département de la Justice. Dirigée par les bureaux des procureurs des États-Unis et la Section chargée des affaires d'exploitation des enfants et d’obscénités, le projet Safe Childhood canalise les ressources fédérales, étatiques et locales pour mieux localiser, appréhender et poursuivre les personnes qui exploitent les enfants via l’Internet, ainsi que pour mieux identifier et secourir les victimes. Pour de plus amples informations sur le projet Safe Childhood, veuillez consulter le site www.justice.gov/psc . Toute personne disposant d’informations sur le sujet ou qui aurait été une victime ou un témoin est priée de contacter le HSI au numéro de téléphone suivant : 877-4-HSI TIP (877-447-4847). Photo de Geilenfeld en 2024. Un acte d’accusation est simplement une allégation. Tous les accusés sont présumés innocents jusqu'à ce que leur culpabilité soit prouvée au-delà de tout doute raisonnable devant une cour de justice.


title: YO ARETE YON SITWAYEN AMERIKEN PASKE LI TE VWAYAJE ALE AN AYITI AK ENTANSYON POU LI TE FÈ ABI SEKSYÈL SOU MINÈ

body_text: Yon sitwayen ameriken te fè premye aparisyon li nan Kolorado semèn pase a pou l fè fas ak yon akizasyon poutèt li te vwayaje ale an Ayiti ak entansyon pou l komèt zak seksyèl ilegal ak yon moun ki poko gen 18 tan. Dapre dokiman tribinal yo ak enfòmasyon ki devwale piblikman nan tribinal la, ant 2006 ak 2010, Michael Geilenfeld, ki gen 71 zan, ki soti orijinèlman nan Iowa, te swadizan vwayaje soti nan Ayewopò Entènasyonal Miami pou ale Ayiti plizyè fwa pou li angaje nan rapò seksyèl ak minè. Pandan ke li te an Ayiti, Geilenfeld te jere St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, yon rezidans ki te desèvi timoun ki ekonomikman defavorize nan anviwon ak nan kapital la, Pòtoprens. Plizyè moun ki te rete nan St. Joseph's Home for Boys rapòte ke Geilenfeld te abize yo seksyèlman lè yo pat ko gen 18 tan. Geilenfeld te jwenn arestasyon li 20 janvye nan Kolorado. Yo akize li pou vwayaj ak entansyon pou li angaje nan kondwit seksyèl ilegal. Si yo kondane li, li ap gen yon pèn maksimòm pou l pase 30 lane nan prizon. Odyans detansyon Geilenfeld la pwograme pou rekòmanse nan dat premye fevriye. Asistan Pwokirè Jeneral Enterimè Nicole M. Argentieri nan Divizyon Kriminèl Depatman Jistis la, Avoka Ameriken Markenzy Lapointe pou Distrik Sid Florid, Ajan Espesyal an chaj Anthony Salisbury nan Envestigasyon Sekirite Enteryè (HSI) Miami, ak Ajan Espesyal an chaj Jeffrey B. Veltri nan Biwo FBI Miami Field te fè anons la. HSI ak FBI ap mennen ankèt sou ka a. Avoka Jijman Jessica Urban ak Eduardo Palomo nan Seksyon Eksplwatasyon Timoun ak Obsenite nan Divizyon Kriminèl la ak Asistan Avoka Ameriken Lacee Monk pou Distrik Sid Florid la ap pouswiv ka a. Ka sa a te prezante nan kad Project Safe Childhood, yon inisyativ nan tout peyi a pou konbat epidemi eksplwatasyon ak abi seksyèl sou timoun, Depatman Lajistis te lanse nan mwa me 2006. Project Safe Childhood, ki dirije pa Biwo Avoka Ameriken yo ak Seksyon Eksplwatasyon Timoun ak Obsenite, jere resous federal, leta ak lokal yo pou pi byen lokalize, arete, ak pouswiv moun k ap eksplwate timoun atravè entènèt, epitou pou idantifye ak sove viktim yo. Pou plis enfòmasyon sou Project Safe Childhood, tanpri vizite www.justice.gov/psc. Nenpòt moun ki gen enfòmasyon ki gen rapò ak sa yo oswa ki ka te yon viktim oswa temwen ta dwe kontakte HSI nan 877-4-HSI TIP (877-447-4847). Foto Geilenfeld nan 2024. Yon akizasyon se jis yon akizasyon. Tout akize yo sipoze inosan jiskaske yo pwouve yo koupab san okenn dout rezonab nan yon tribinal.


title: Georgia Man Admits Pandemic Loan Fraud

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Norcross, Georgia with connections to St. Louis on Monday admitted fraudulently obtaining a pandemic loan. Chad E. “JBo” Brown, 51, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of bank fraud and one count of using a false writing or document. As part of his plea, Brown admitted fraudulently applying for and receiving a $20,833 loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, which was intended to help struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 27, 2021, Brown applied for the PPP loan for Popular Music Group LLC. He listed gross income in 2020 of $178,653 and submitting a fraudulent 2020 IRS Schedule C showing the same amount of gross income for the company. On his tax returns for that year, however, Brown reported an adjusted gross income of $7,249, and the only Schedule C was for “towing services.” That Schedule C listed gross income of $8,250. Brown did not file a Schedule C for Popular Music Group in 2019 or 2020. The $20,833 was deposited into Brown’s credit union on June 29, 2021. Brown did not use the money for expenses authorized by the Small Business Administration. He wired $10,025 to a marketing and promotion company, withdrew $2,703 in cash and transferred money to his sister, his girlfriend and others, his plea agreement says. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced April 24. The bank fraud charge is punishable by a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both. The false document charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. Brown is currently being held in jail, in part because he is a self-reported member of the “Black Mafia Family” street gang. The broader investigation into the Black Mafia Family is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the St. Louis County Police Department and other members of the St. Louis Gateway Strike Force. Anyone with information about pandemic fraud should call the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or report via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Asks the Public to Turn Human Trafficking Awareness into Action Throughout the Year

body_text: Louisville, KY - As Human Trafficking Awareness month concludes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky asks the public to remain vigilant and continue to shed light on this devastating crime that too often goes undetected. Everyone can play a role in detecting and preventing human trafficking. “Join our office in this important mission by turning awareness into action,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett. “Know the red flags and when you see them, report. Your tip could be the lifeline a victim desperately needs and the first step in bringing traffickers to justice.” Look for the signs . Human trafficking is widespread, and no community is immune, including those within the Western District. Trafficking occurs all around us, in our urban cities and across our rural farm communities. Situations can be found in the shadows of the legal businesses we frequent and the service industries we rely on everyday. Trafficking also increases around major events and trade shows that attract large numbers of tourists to our towns, including the Kentucky Derby, basketball tournaments, and farm shows. Learn who is most vulnerable to trafficking and how to spot the signs around you at: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs . Report suspected activity . If you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect you know one, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733), or local law enforcement. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Call Center at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Tips can be submitted anonymously. Reporting makes a difference . Tips, no matter how small, could be the critical piece that unlocks an investigation. Recently published Bureau of Justice statistics show an increase in human trafficking suspects referred to and prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. Nationwide, a total of 2,027 persons were referred for federal prosecution for human trafficking offenses in fiscal year 2021, a 49% increase from the 1,360 persons referred in 2011. The number of persons actually prosecuted for human trafficking more than doubled from 2011 to 2021 (from 729 persons to 1,672 persons, respectively). Reporting also allows law enforcement to join forces with trauma-informed service providers and connects those being exploited to the support and resources they need to escape from their traffickers, end the cycle of exploitation, and rebuild their lives. Direct help is available to survivors by calling or texting the VictimConnect Hotline at 1-855-4VICTIM. Live chat and the VictimConnect Resource Map identifying local service providers are available at https://victimconnect.org/get-help/ . “Every individual deserves a life of freedom and human dignity, so human trafficking awareness must continue throughout the year,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. “And while raising awareness is important, we must also turn awareness into action in order to dismantle trafficking networks and support survivors. I encourage the public to join forces with us in our continuing fight to end human trafficking and empower survivors.” Additional resources and information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking . ###


title: California Man Sentenced for Defrauding Three Business in Connection with His Fake Experimental Truck Company

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A California man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for wire fraud charges, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Jesse Hernandez, a/k/a Kevin Zarbalas, 61, previously of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced by senior U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro to 30 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Hernandez was also ordered to pay restitution to three separate victims in the amount of $88,815.29. “Not only did Hernandez victimize three companies in three states, but he continued this financial scheme while he was facing charges here in New Hampshire,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “The sentence imposed today ensures that he will be prevented from harming business owners during his incarceration. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims, which is always a priority of this office.” “Jesse Hernandez’s clients thought he was a man of his word. Little did they know he would take full advantage of that trust, using tens of thousands of dollars of their money as his own,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI is fighting every day to shut down financial fraudsters like this, find justice for their victims, and protect the public. With today’s sentence, Mr. Hernandez has finally been held accountable.” In May of 2019, Hernandez executed a scheme to illegally obtain funds from a New Hampshire business (TH) in connection with a customized ice cream truck for an experimental marketing event in California. TH sought a specialty-branded truck that was wrapped in the product’s marketing art and contained multiple specifications. TH found the defendant’s company, Mobie Experiential Trucks (Mobie), to be knowledgeable about the experiential vehicle industry and that his pricing was competitive. Hernandez provided a 22-slide presentation to TH personnel and discussed the presentation over the phone. The images in the presentation were later determined to display products done by other companies and pictures taken from the internet by Hernandez to misrepresent his experience and work. Ultimately, the ice cream truck was never delivered, and the defendant used the funds from TH for other purposes. On December 1, 2021, Hernandez pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud in connection with the above. After noticing a press release announcing the guilty plea, a Minnesota based company (AA) contacted authorities to report that it too had recently been defrauded by Hernandez under similar circumstances. Later, in 2022, Hernandez attempted to defraud a New York based company in connection with another marketing truck, this time utilizing an alias of “Kevin Zarbalas.” Hernandez’s bail was subsequently revoked, and he has been in custody since his arrest in California in March 2023. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau prosecuted the case. ###


title: Maine Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking 30 Pounds of Methamphetamine

body_text: CONCORD – A Maine man pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord in connection to trafficking approximately14 kilograms (30 pounds) of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Brian Strout, 46, of Turner, Maine, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, namely methamphetamine. Chief Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2024. The defendant and his co-defendant spouse, Tara Christian, were charged by indictment on August 1, 2022. Christian pleaded guilty to similar charges on December 7, 2023. On July 7, 2022, investigators received information that Strout and Christian were obtaining a supply of methamphetamine while at a casino in Everett, Massachusetts. Investigators conducted surveillance at the casino and located Strout and Christian loading bags into their vehicle and driving north toward New Hampshire on Interstate 93. When investigators stopped the vehicle, the defendants were found with 2.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that a FedEx package containing even more methamphetamine was enroute to the defendants in Maine. Agents located and searched the package and seized an additional 11.2 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. The charging statute provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, New Hampshire State Police, Maine State Police, and Everett (Massachusetts) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes is prosecuting the case. This prosecution 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. ###