title: Sex Offender Returned to Prison for Manufacturing Ghost Guns and Possessing Methamphetamine

body_text: NEWNAN, Ga. - Richard Eric Greeson has been sentenced to federal prison for manufacturing and selling unserialized and untraceable rifles, commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” and possessing methamphetamine. “Greeson threatened the safety of our community by illegally possessing, manufacturing, and selling illegal firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This joint investigative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers helped achieve Greeson’s prosecution and conviction, which makes our community safer.” “Criminals must understand that there are serious repercussions for the illegal possession, manufacturing, and selling of firearms,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Jones. “ATF and our law enforcement partners will contribute all necessary time and effort to ensure criminals are brought to justice.” “The Carroll County Sheriff's Office is thankful for our strong partnership with the ATF and is proud that our Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Unit played a key role in assisting with the investigation and safely apprehending Mr. Greeson. This collaboration has led to the removal of dangerous drugs and illegal firearms from the streets of Carroll County, helping to make our community safer.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In 2008, Richard Eric Greeson received a state court sentence of imprisonment followed by 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated child molestation, and six counts of child molestation, involving a six-year-old girl. In September 2022, Greeson’s probation officer learned Greeson was allegedly manufacturing firearms at his home in Carroll County, Georgia. During a subsequent search of Gresson’s truck, his probation officer discovered firearm trigger components, cleaning parts, and ammunition. The probation officer also found evidence that Greeson had ordered gun parts from vendors on the internet. Law enforcement then searched Greeson’s home and discovered a firearms workshop in one of his bedrooms. The investigators recovered an industrial drill, a jig, and a partially milled firearm receiver in the home. In addition, buried in a wooded area behind Greeson’s home, the officers uncovered a gun case containing a fully assembled, unserialized semiautomatic rifle, a milled out lower AR receiver, more than 400 rounds of ammunition, and eight high-capacity magazines. On December 12, 2023, a grand jury indicted Greeson for violating federal firearms laws. Two days later, during a traffic stop, special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Greeson with the assistance of local law enforcement officers. During the arrest, officers seized a bag of methamphetamine, a small quantity of marijuana, and two glass pipes from inside Greeson’s truck. Richard Eric Greeson, 47, of Carrollton, Georgia, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr. to seven years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Greeson was convicted of engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing firearms without a license and possession of methamphetamine, after he pleaded guilty to the charges on June 11, 2024. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and Carrollton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg 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. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: U.S. Attorney's Office To Co-Host “United Against Hate” Event Featuring Film Screening And Panel Discussion

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. –The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina will present a film screening and panel discussion on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is co-hosting the event as part of the Justice Department’s “United Against Hate” Week, taking place September 23 to 27, 2024. The event will feature the documentary Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life , which documents the Pittsburgh community’s response to the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting. The documentary depicts the resilience, unity, and healing efforts of the community following the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. Through powerful storytelling and recollections shared by survivors, family members, and the community, the film explores the impact of hate crimes and the power of diverse people coming together after a devastating tragedy. Following the film screening, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI in Charlotte, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, and the Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network will lead a panel discussion on hate crimes and the importance of reporting hate incidents to law enforcement. The panel will also share information on what individuals and communities can do to prevent and respond to acts of hate. “Events like this help raise awareness about the impact of hate crimes,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “By sharing stories of loss, strength, and unity, we want to educate the public but also to facilitate a meaningful dialogue about hate crimes and taking a stand against hatred in all its forms. The United Against Hate initiative is part of my Office’s core mission to protect civil rights and increase the safety and security of individuals and communities across Western North Carolina.” The Department of Justice launched the United Against Hate initiative in 2022, in response to the rising number of hate crimes across the country. The initiative brings together law enforcement, community organizations, and the public to address hate crimes through outreach and education and build trust with those most vulnerable to acts of hate. In the Western District of North Carolina, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to actively engage with local communities since the initiative’s launch. Previous efforts have included a youth summit with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, meetings with faith-based communities, and discussions focused on protecting houses of worship. “While not all hate incidents rise to the level of a hate crime, the impact and trauma they can inflict is very real. Reporting these incidents allows law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and take appropriate action when warranted,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office is committed to partnering with all communities to address their concerns. I also invite members of the community to join us in our efforts to make Western North Carolina a safer and more inclusive place for all.” Event Details: Date : Thursday, September 26, 2024 Time : 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Location : First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte Fellowship Hall 200 West Trade Street Charlotte, North Carolina The event is free and open to the public. Register at https://fpc.tiny.us/repairingtheworld . For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office United Against Hate initiative please visit our website . For immediate assistance or to report a hate crime please call 9-1-1. To file a report with the FBI please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.FBI.gov . Also report suspected civil rights violations and hate crimes to the Civil Rights Division through the Justice Department’s toll-free line at 800-253-3931 or online at www.civilrights.justice.gov .


title: Federal Jury Convicts Kingston Man Of Attempting To Entice Minors To Engage In Unlawful Sexual Activity And Other Child Sex Crime Offenses

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On September 25, 2024, following a-three-day trial in United States District Court at Knoxville, a federal jury convicted Christopher Edward Allen, 34, of Kingston, TN, of nine counts involving child pornography and attempting to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Specifically, Allen was convicted of three counts of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, one count of producing child pornography, two counts of attempting to produce child pornography, two counts of transporting a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and one count of transferring obscene material. Sentencing is set for February 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in front of the Honorable Judge Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, United States District Court at Knoxville. Allen faces a sentence of up to life in prison. The evidence presented at trial showed that, among other things, Allen used various social media platforms to identify minors online. Once Allen identified the minors, he enticed them over social media and texting apps to engage in unlawful sexual activity and to send nude images of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In two instances, Allen paid the minors for nude images of themselves, which Allen later emailed to himself using the minor’s name as the subject line of the emails. Allen also sent sexually explicit images of himself to minors using social media. In at least one instance, Allen met a minor in person at the restaurant where Allen worked. Allen added the minor to one of his social media accounts. Later that night, Allen communicated with the minor over social media. Law enforcement learned of those messages and, with consent from the minor’s parents, assumed the minor’s identity on social media two days later. That same day, Allen was arrested at a park in Kingston, TN, after arriving with the intent to meet the minor. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement. FBI and the Tennessee’s Ninth Judicial District Attorney General’s Office investigated the case that led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Kolman and William A. Roach, Jr., represented the United States at trial. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab "resources.” ###


title: New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ERIC ADAMS, the Mayor of New York City, with bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy offenses. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Mayor Adams abused his position as this City’s highest elected official, and before that as Brooklyn Borough President, to take bribes and solicit illegal campaign contributions. By allegedly taking improper and illegal benefits from foreign nationals—including to allow a Manhattan skyscraper to open without a fire inspection—Adams put the interests of his benefactors, including a foreign official, above those of his constituents. This Office and our partners at the FBI and DOI will continue to pursue corruption anywhere in this City, especially when that corruption takes the form of illegal foreign influence on our democratic system.” FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy said: “Today’s indictment serves as a sobering moment but also sends a powerful message to every elected official in this country: public service is a profound responsibility, and it should be a noble calling. When that’s perverted by greed and dishonesty, it robs us of our trust. This is a reminder that no one is above the law or beyond reproach.” DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “The indictment unsealed today alleges that Mayor Adams abused his power and position for nearly a decade, obtaining personal benefits and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and others, giving them undue influence over him. As charged, this illegal conduct compromised his integrity as an elected official and New Yorkers expect better. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI for their commitment to partner with DOI to root out corruption in City government.” As alleged in the Indictment: [1] For nearly a decade, ADAMS has used his prominent positions in New York City government to obtain illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel. ADAMS solicited and accepted these benefits from foreign nationals, businessmen, and others. ADAMS then pressured the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of a foreign government’s Manhattan skyscraper that had not passed a fire inspection. To conceal this criminal conduct, ADAMS took steps to hide his receipt of improper benefits from the public and law enforcement. In 2014, ADAMS was elected Brooklyn Borough President. Thereafter, ADAMS sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him. By 2018, ADAMS—who had by then made known his plans to run for Mayor of New York City—not only accepted, but sought illegal campaign contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign from foreign nationals, as well as other things of value. As ADAMS’s prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash-in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when it became clear that ADAMS would become New York City’s mayor in 2021. ADAMS agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received. After his inauguration as Mayor of New York City, ADAMS soon began preparing for his next election, including by planning to solicit more illegal contributions and granting requests from those who supported his 2021 mayoral campaign with such donations. ADAMS sought and accepted illegal campaign contributions in the form of “nominee” or “straw” contributions, meaning that the true contributors conveyed their money through nominal donors, who falsely certified they were contributing their own money. By smuggling their contributions to ADAMS through U.S.-based straw donors, ADAMS’s overseas contributors defeated federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections. Wealthy individuals evaded laws designed to limit their power over elected officials by restricting the amount any one person can donate to a candidate. And businesses circumvented New York City’s ban on corporate contributions by funneling their donations through multiple employees, frustrating a law which seeks to reduce corporate power in politics. ADAMS increased his fundraising by accepting these concealed, illegal donations—at the cost of giving his secret patrons the undue influence over him that the law tries to prevent. ADAMS compounded his gains from the straw contributions by using them to defraud New York City and steal public funds. New York City has a matching funds program that matches small-dollar contributions from individual City residents with up to eight times their amount in public funds, to give New Yorkers a greater voice in elections. ADAMS’s campaigns applied for matching funds based on known straw donations, fraudulently obtaining as much as $2,000 in public funds for each illegal contribution. ADAMS and those working at his direction falsely certified compliance with applicable campaign finance regulations despite ADAMS’s repeated acceptance of straw donations, relying on the concealed nature of these illegal contributions to falsely portray his campaigns as law-abiding. As a result of those false certifications, ADAMS’s 2021 mayoral campaign received more than $10,000,000 in public funds. ADAMS also sought and received other improper benefits from some of the same co-conspirators who funneled straw donations to his campaigns. In particular, a senior official in the Turkish diplomatic establishment (the “Turkish Official”), who facilitated many straw donations to ADAMS, also arranged for ADAMS and his companions to receive free or discounted travel on Turkey’s national airline (the “Turkish Airline”), which is owned in significant part by the Turkish Government, to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey itself. The Turkish Official and other Turkish nationals further arranged for ADAMS and his companions to receive, among other things, free rooms at opulent hotels, free meals at high-end restaurants, and free luxurious entertainment—while in Turkey. ADAMS and others working at his direction repeatedly took steps to shield his solicitation and acceptance of these benefits from public scrutiny. ADAMS did not disclose the travel benefits he had obtained in annual financial disclosures he was required to file as a New York City employee. Sometimes, ADAMS agreed to pay a nominal fee, to create the appearance of having paid for travel that was heavily discounted. Other times, ADAMS created and instructed others to create fake paper trails, falsely suggesting that he had paid, or planned to pay, for travel benefits that were actually free. And ADAMS deleted messages with others involved in his misconduct, including, in one instance, assuring a co-conspirator in writing that he “always” deleted her messages. In September 2021, the Turkish Official told ADAMS that it was his turn to repay the Turkish Official, by pressuring the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”) to facilitate the opening of a new Turkish consular building—a 36-story skyscraper—without a fire inspection, in time for a high-profile visit by Turkey’s president. At the time, the building would have failed an FDNY inspection. In exchange for free travel and other travel-related bribes in 2021 and 2022 arranged by the Turkish Official, ADAMS did as instructed. Because of ADAMS’s pressure on the FDNY, the FDNY official responsible for the FDNY’s assessment of the skyscraper’s fire safety was told that he would lose his job if he failed to acquiesce, and, after ADAMS intervened, the skyscraper opened as requested by the Turkish Official. If you believe you have information related to bribery, fraud, or any other illegal conduct by ADAMS or any other New York City employees, please contact DOI at tipline@doi.nyc.gov or (212) 825-2828. If you were involved in such conduct, please consider self-disclosing through the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov . * * * ADAMS, 64, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, which each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI and DOI. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hagan Scotten, Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A link to the Indictment is here . [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center Agrees To Consent Decree And $1,000,000 Penalty For Alleged Controlled Substances Act Violations

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Chief U.S. District Court Judge Hala Y. Jarbou has entered a consent decree against Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Sacred Heart), a behavioral health and addiction treatment services network, as well as its president and chief executive officer, Paula Nelson, and medical director, Janis Romanik, D.O. The court order imposes certain monitoring and compliance obligations on the defendants as well as a $1,000,000 civil penalty and resolves the United States’ allegations that the defendants violated certain dispensing and recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). “Now more than ever, Michigan addiction treatment centers like Sacred Heart play a critical role in treating and healing communities plagued by the opioid epidemic and other forms of addiction,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “But as this resolution demonstrates, it is crucial that these organizations and their officers handle controlled substances in a way that maintains the integrity of these services and ensures patient safety. The goal of this consent decree is to provide the necessary support and oversight to ensure that Sacred Heart can continue to provide necessary addiction treatment services, but in a safe and compliant manner.” In its complaint, the United States alleged that a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) inspection discovered multiple violations of the CSA at a Sacred Heart treatment facility in Berrien Center named Serenity Hills Recovery & Wellness Center (Serenity Hills). The United States alleged that Serenity Hills staff routinely dispensed controlled substances to treat patients presenting with addiction withdrawal symptoms before a qualified healthcare practitioner evaluated or examined those patients. In many instances, patients spent days on a regimen of controlled substances without being seen by a qualified healthcare practitioner. The United States also alleged that Serenity Hills failed to maintain accurate records of the controlled substances dispensed to patients, and that the facility neglected to take a biennial inventory of controlled substances and did not file a timely report of the theft or loss of missing controlled substances. The United States alleged that these recordkeeping violations followed a history of similar violations at other Sacred Heart facilities over the last twelve years. Under the terms of the consent decree, Sacred Heart has agreed to review and revise its controlled substance policies and procedures and to hire an independent monitor to inspect Sacred Heart’s facilities for compliance with the CSA and share the findings of those inspections with Sacred Heart and the DEA. Following this monitoring period, the defendants will enter a probationary period during which future violations may result in payment of liquidated damages. “When rehabilitation and treatment centers do not live up to their obligations, our office will vigorously pursue the violations,” said Orville Green, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of DEA . “Careless behavior and failure to adhere to the provisions of the CSA, allows for substances to be diverted and sold without accountability.” The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan and DEA’s Diversion Group in the Grand Rapids District Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Hull prosecuted this case with assistance from DEA Field Counsel Stacy M. Race. The complaint and consent decree in this case can be found on the Court’s online docket under United States v. Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Inc., et al. , No. 1:24-cv-995 (W.D. Mich.). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. # # #


title: Burlington County Man Admits Receipt of Child Pornography

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man admitted receiving images of child sexual abuse over an online network, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Charles Borrelli, 62, of Burlington, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Bumb on Sept. 25, 2024, to an information charging him with receipt of child pornography. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On Jan. 3, 2022, Borrelli used an internet network to download sexually explicit images of children. Borrelli also distributed images and videos of child sexual abuse on a peer-to-peer file sharing network on Jan. 3, 2022. Borrelli possessed over 600 images and videos of child sexual abuse, which were found on a vast collection of personal electronic devices when members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in February 2022. Some of the images were of infants. The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years I prison, and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. However, because Borrelli has a prior conviction for possessing child pornography, he will face an enhanced penalty on the receipt charge of a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum term of 40 years of imprisonment. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas in Newark; and members of the New Jersey State Police, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Mount Laurel Police Department with the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey R. Harteis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden. borrelli.information.pdf


title: Arapahoe woman sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for child abuse

body_text: Kandace Sitting Eagle, 34, of Arapahoe, Wyoming, was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment for aggravated child abuse, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon. These crimes arose from abuse of Sitting Eagle’s 13-year-old child. According to trial evidence and statements made at the sentencing, Kandace Sitting Eagle and her husband, Truman Sitting Eagle, who was sentenced to 108 months in prison in August 2024, abused the child for weeks in late 2023. The abuse included beatings with a metal rod, isolation, and starvation. A school resource officer discovered the abuse during a welfare check made after the child had not been to school in over a month. During the visit, Kandace and Truman repeatedly lied to the officer regarding the whereabouts and welfare of the child. The officer eventually found the child in a crawl space under the Sitting Eagles’ trailer where his parents were hiding him. Kandace Sitting Eagle was indicted on Jan. 12, 2024, and convicted by a federal jury on June 13, after a four-day trial. In addition to the 121 months in prison, the sentence includes five years of supervised release and $33,000 in restitution to Wyoming Medicaid for medical expenses related to the victim’s care. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on Sept. 24, in Cheyenne. This crime was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wind River Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook.


title: St. Louis Nonprofit Executive Accused of More Than $2 Million Dollar Student Meal Fraud

body_text: ST. LOUIS – The owner of a nonprofit was indicted Wednesday and accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in funds intended to feed low-income Missouri children, both before and during the coronavirus pandemic. Cymone McClellan, 31, of St. Louis, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on four felony counts of wire fraud. The indictment says McClellan owned and ran a non-profit organization called Sister of Lavender Rose (S.O.L.R.). From about January 2019 to June 2022, McClellan and her nonprofit submitted false and fraudulent meal reimbursement claims to Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). S.O.L.R. submitted reimbursement claims to the Food and Nutrition Programs for Children claiming that she served 860,876 meals to children but only bought enough food and milk to serve fewer than one-quarter of those meals, the indictment says. According to the indictment, McClellan defrauded the State of Missouri out of more than $2 million through her fraudulent reimbursement claims. The indictment says McClellan attempted to cover up her crime by providing bogus sign-in sheets to DHSS falsely claiming to have taken the attendance of meal recipients at certain food distribution locations. S.O.L.R. submitted management plans to DHSS falsely asserting that state meal reimbursement dollars were spent only in connection with the provision of meals to low-income children, and that the nonprofit did not use meal money to make purchases over $5,000. The indictment says McClellan spent $60,000 on a down payment on a house in Collinsville, Illinois and also bought five vehicles and a house in Florissant, Missouri. One of the addresses where McClellan informed the State of Missouri that she was purportedly preparing food for low-income children belonged to an adults-only nightclub called Elmo’s Love Lounge, the indictment says. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the real estate, as well as a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, a 2012 Chevrolet Express G3500 van, a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris van, a 2012 Ford E350 box truck and a 2018 Lexus RX SUV. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The wire fraud charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. This case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case. For information about how to report pandemic or disaster fraud, go to justice.gov/archives/disaster-fraud .


title: Lexington Men Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kenneth J. Brown, 45, and Nicholas R. Shepard, 45, of Lexington pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud for their involvement in a business email compromise and romance scam scheme. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Brown and Shepard coordinated with others to receive checks from victims of the business email compromises and romance scams through the United States mail to their business, Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange, based in Irmo. After receiving the checks, Brown and Shepard deposited them into their business account and then converted the money into cryptocurrency. Brown and Shepard face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. They also face a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence Brown and Shepard after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Matthews and Winston Holliday are prosecuting the case. ###


title: St. Louis Postal Worker Accused of Stealing Checks from Mail, Pandemic Fraud

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A U.S. Postal Service mail handler was indicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court and accused of pandemic fraud and stealing checks from the mail. Anthony Virdure II, 29, was indicted on three counts of mail theft and one count of wire fraud. The indictment accuses Virdure of stealing checks with a face value of more than $1.5 million from the mail. Virdure worked at the Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center at 1720 Market Street in St. Louis and had access to all first-class mail routed through the center, the indictment says. The indictment also accuses Virdure of fraudulently applying for and receiving a $20,832 Pandemic Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2021 for a tobacco store called Virdure Dynamics. The loan application contained false information about the business’ income and Virdure supplied a false IRS Schedule C in support of the application, the indictment says. The purported address of the store was actually his grandmother’s house, it says. “This indictment proves the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to preserving the safety and security of the U.S. mail, and to stopping those who perpetrate mail theft and fraud schemes,” said Acting Inspector in Charge, John Jackman, who leads the United States Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Field Office. “The Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners will aggressively investigate those individuals who steal or defraud individuals or businesses of money and property.” Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The wire fraud charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine. The mail theft charges carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and the same fine. This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll is prosecuting the case.


title: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation and Falsifying Records

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer was sentenced 20 months in prison for violating the civil rights of a U.S. citizen and falsifying records in a federal investigation. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on June 18, 2019, while working as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer at the Columbus Port of Entry, Oscar Orrantia , 38, encountered John Doe, a 63-year-old U.S. citizen. When John Doe complained about the heat while at the port of entry, Orrantia became angry and unjustifiably extracted John Doe from his vehicle and performed a “take-down” where he threw John Doe into a side barrier, which resulted in John Doe hitting his head. John Doe sustained bruising to his body and head as a result. After this altercation, Orrantia placed John Doe in handcuffs and took him inside the facility. In his own words, Orrantia justified his actions to another officer by stating that he believed John Doe was “fucking being a dick.” Following the incident, Orrantia wrote an official report filled with false statements in an attempt to evade accountability for his actions. The incident came to light after John Doe sought legal counsel from the ACLU, which subsequently filed a lawsuit against Orrantia and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This lawsuit prompted the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility to review the incident and consult with the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding potential criminal charges. The investigation uncovered a troubling pattern of misconduct by Orrantia . At least two other individuals made allegations of improper behavior during inspections at the Columbus Port of Entry, occurring in August 2019 and June 2020. Additionally, Orrantia was involved in a separate incident at a Border Patrol checkpoint in August 2018, where he disregarded proper procedures and his colleagues' authority. Orrantia 's past disciplinary records indicate that he had previously faced consequences for the August 2018 incident, as well as for another incident in May 2020 involving unauthorized visitors and dishonesty during an administrative investigation. Orrantia was convicted by a federal jury of one count of deprivation of a right and one count of falsification of records in December 2023. Upon his release from prison, Orrantia will be subject to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Rosa P. Mendez-Mier, Special Agent in Charge of Customs and Border Protection, Office of Professional Responsibility in El Paso, Texas, made the announcement today. This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility (CBP OPR) with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, CBP Law Enforcement Safety & Compliance Less Lethal Training Branch, CBP Office of Assistant Chief Counsel, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Ong and Eliot Neal prosecuted this case. # # #


title: Richmond County man sentenced to federal prison for threatening to blow up Social Security office

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

body_text: AUGUSTA, GA: A Richmond County man was sentenced to federal prison for threatening to blow up Augusta’s Social Security office. Keyon Tishaye Dickens , 39, of Augusta, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to Using a Telephone to Make a Threat to Injure a Person or Damage a Building by Explosives, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Dickens to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “Threats of violence against workers and customers of any facility are completely unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We commend our law enforcement partners for ensuring the safety of those in the Social Security office and assisting in holding Keyon Dickens accountable for his actions.” As described in court documents and testimony, Dickens received a notice in September 2023 that he had been receiving overpayments to his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and that the Social Security Administration intended to recoup the funds from future SSI checks. In response, Dickens called the Social Security Administration office in Augusta and said, “I’m going to shoot the office up and I’m going to blow it up. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do.” Carrying a backpack, Dickens later visited the Social Security office and showed the security guard a note that read “I have a bomb.” The officer notified the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the building was locked down and evacuated. No bomb was found, and Richmond County deputies took Dickens into custody. “Americans should not have to fear for their lives simply for doing their jobs or going about their daily errands,” said Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Matthew Ploskunak of FBI Atlanta’s Augusta Resident Agency. “Thanks to the quick response by our local law enforcement partners, this case was investigated thoroughly and quickly brought to a successful conclusion.” “This case underscores our unwavering commitment to public safety and the serious consequences of making threats of violence,” said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “The actions taken by our local law enforcement not only prevented potential harm but also reaffirmed our collective responsibility to protect our communities from such reckless behavior.” “Keyon Dickens’ malicious actions are criminal and intolerable. This sentence demonstrates that threats to Social Security employees and offices are felonious and will not be ignored. We will continue to aggressively respond to threats, investigate the perpetrators and seek prosecution,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting SSA Inspector General. “I am thankful that there was no harm to SSA employees. I appreciate the immediate response from the security officers in the local SSA office, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in investigating this matter and I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.” The case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs III.


title: Former Social Security Administration Employee Sentenced for Fraudulent Telework, Emergency Childcare, and Medical Leave Schemes

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Christopher Markham, 40, of Westfield, Indiana, has been sentenced to two years of probation and has been ordered to pay $49,255 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud. According to court documents, Markham was employed by the Social Security Administration and assigned to an office in Anderson, Indiana. Between February 13, 2019, and June 17, 2022, Markham engaged in a scheme by which he made it appear as though he was teleworking full-time for Social Security Administration (SSA) during workdays, when in reality he was earning income working as a home inspector for his personal business. Markham was paid his full federal salary and benefits, while concealing the fact that he was working for his personal business and not for SSA. Markham routinely performed home inspections for his personal business during the workweek while purporting to “telework” on official SSA time. He concealed the fact that he was not performing SSA work during official work hours by having his wife and his mother access the SSA computer system and send emails to supervisors to make it appear as though he was online and working. Markham nevertheless sought to be paid in full during this period and submitted 53 fraudulent time reports to SSA’s online timekeeping portal, as well as falsified daily work logs to his supervisors. Additionally, Markham engaged in other fraud schemes to obtain Emergency Paid Leave by falsely claiming he was required to stay home to take care of his children. In fact, his children were in daycare, and he was again performing work for and earning income from his personal business. He allegedly performed at least 70 home inspections for his personal business while claiming to be providing emergency care for his children. Finally, on multiple occasions, Markham fraudulently claimed benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) by falsely claiming he was unable to work due to illness—when he was actually doing home inspections for his personal business. Markham even attended an F.C. Tucker retreat promoting his business while claiming he was on FMLA leave. On June 4 and 5, 2020, Markham was granted administrative leave after claiming that the internet wire to his home had been cut. Markham advised that his internet provider would not be able to send anyone to his home to repair the wire until Friday, June 5, 2020. In reality, his internet provider had no record of a damaged wire, and Markham used the administrative leave to take an unapproved, paid vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In total, Markham’s fraudulent conduct caused a loss to the SSA of approximately $49,255, which he has been court ordered to repay. Markham’s failure to perform his duties caused needy members of the public to have their social security benefits delayed, including people with autism, blindness, and end stage cancer. “Telework and emergency leave policies exist to provide needed flexibility and support to hard-working federal employees—not to supplement the incomes of no-show employees who want to double-dip on the public’s dime while working for a private business,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The defendant’s conduct was even more egregious because his failure to work harmed Americans who were depending on him to receive the much-needed benefits to which they were entitled. Public service is a public trust, and those who abuse that trust will be held accountable.” “Christopher Markham abused a position of trust and in doing so performed a disservice to SSA, its beneficiaries, and to the taxpayers. His selfish criminal acts demonstrated greed without regard for those he was employed to serve,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting SSA Inspector General. “This sentence holds him accountable for the crimes he committed by pretending to telework, neglecting his assigned work, and falsifying official leave and attendance records. We will continue to work to protect the integrity of SSA, its programs and employees. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in prosecuting this case.” As employees of the Social Security Administration, we hold ourselves to high standards of integrity and trust,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We will continue to refer matters to our OIG for investigation – as we did in this case – when we see an employee potentially violating that.” The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: U.S. Attorney And The Central Florida Pledge Announce The Release Of Hate Crimes Prevention Training Videos In Support Of United Against Hate Week

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO-MDFL) and the Central Florida Pledge joined efforts to create hate crimes prevention training videos to inform the public about hate crimes and the importance of reporting them to law enforcement. The videos, which can be viewed on the Pledge’s YouTube page , are each approximately 1-2 minutes in length and include topics how to distinguish between a hate crime and a hate incident; how to report a hate crime; what information to include when reporting a hate crime; and how to report acts of discrimination. “In recognition of United Against Hate week, we hope the community will view these videos to learn more about hate crimes and the importance of reporting hate crimes or hate incidents they personally experience or witness,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “My office is committed to using our resources to assist victims of hate crimes, to help members of the community in preventing such crimes, to encourage reporting, and to hold accountable anyone who commits a federal hate crime.” The USAO-MDFL partnered with the Central Florida Pledge to create these videos in furtherance of its United Against Hate initiative, which brings federal prosecutors and investigative partners to present at area high schools, churches, and other community locations to help educate people on identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes and other civil rights violations. Together with our local partners, the USAO-MDL’s United Against Hate campaign empowers students, residents, and communities to stand against racism and discrimination and alter the course of growing intolerance. Creating inclusion and equity are vital to building healthy and resilient communities. When cities and residents work together against hate, we can restore respect, embrace the strength of diversity and build inclusive and equitable communities for all. Anyone who feels they have been the victim of a hate crime or may have witnessed one should immediately report the crime to state or local police by dialing 9-1-1. The next step is to quickly follow up that report by notifying the FBI. You can report a hate crime to the FBI online at tips.FBI.gov. You can also call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Not every hate incident involves a crime. You can report any incident or allegations discrimination to the USAO-MDFL’s Civil Rights Unit by calling our Civil Rights Hotline at (813) 274-6095 or by sending an email to USAFLM.Civil.Rights@usdoj.gov . Request a presentation for your school or community group by sending an email to USAFLM-UnitedAgainstHate@usdoj.gov . Additional Resources: FBI’s 2023 Hate Crime Statistics: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics Facts on Florida’s Hate Crime Incidents: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/state-specific-information/Florida Hate Crime Case Examples: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crimes-case-examples


title: Raleigh Man Sentenced for Transporting and Possessing Child Pornography

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Raleigh man was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for transporting and possessing child pornography after more than 1,000 images were found on his digital devices. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Nico Aaron Lowers, 24 was investigated by the Raleigh Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security after receiving a lead from Chesapeake, Virginia. Law enforcement in Virginia received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a Google user uploading child pornography. The information in the cybertip led law enforcement to search Lowers’ parents’ residence in Virginia. Finding no contraband on any digital device, Lowers’ parents mentioned their adult son had recently moved to Raleigh. Officers from the Raleigh Police Department and agents from Homeland Security located Lowers in Raleigh and asked him about the investigation that had taken place in Virginia. Lowers denied having any knowledge of child pornography and consented to a search of his cellular device. Within the deleted files in his cell phone, law enforcement found multiple child pornography videos depicting the rape and torture of an infant. Based upon that finding, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his Raleigh residence and seized other digital devices. Once all his digital devices were forensically examined, law enforcement found over 1,000 images and 36 videos that depicted child sexual abuse material. Lowers admitted to downloading child sexual abuse material and admitted to bringing a flash drive that contained child sexual abuse material to North Carolina from Virginia. Lowers’ collection of images and videos included very young children, infants, and toddlers, as well as images depicting sadistic and masochistic conduct. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II presided over the sentencing. The Raleigh Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson 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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . 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 Case No. 5:22-CR-178-M.


title: Justice Department Finds Civil Rights Violations by the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Note : View the findings report here. Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department announced today that the City of Lexington, Mississippi (City), and Lexington Police Department (LPD) engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Lexington is a town of approximately 1,200 people, located about an hour outside of Jackson, Mississippi. Specifically, the Justice Department finds that LPD unlawfully Arrests, jails and detains people who cannot pay fines or fees, without assessing their ability to pay; Uses excessive force; Conducts stops, searches and arrests without probable cause, including jailing people on illegal “investigative holds” and arresting people solely because they owe outstanding fines; Imposes money bail without justification or assessment of ability to pay; Jails people without prompt access to court; Violates the rights of people engaged in free speech and expression, including by retaliating against people who criticize the police; Discriminates against Black people; and Operates under an unconstitutional conflict of interest because LPD’s funding depends on the money it raises through its enforcement. “Today’s findings show that the Lexington Police Department abandoned its sacred position of trust in the community by routinely violating the constitutional rights of those it was sworn to protect,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department’s investigation uncovered that Lexington police officers have engaged in a pattern or practice of discriminating against the city’s Black residents, used excessive force, and retaliated against those who criticize them. Additionally, Lexington’s approach to fines and fees — including unlawfully arresting, jailing, and detaining people based on their failure to pay money without assessing if they can afford to do so — has been devastating for its residents. Being poor is not a crime, but practices like these amount to punishing people for poverty. People in that community deserve better, and the Justice Department is committed to working with them, the City, and the Police Department to make the City safer for all its citizens.” “Public safety depends on public confidence in our justice system,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Lexington Police Department’s incarceration of individuals because they could not afford to pay fines — as detailed in today’s findings report — undermined that confidence and violated the civil rights of Lexington residents. I’m grateful to the Civil Rights Division for its thorough investigation and continued work to address these findings.” “Lexington is a small, rural community but its police department has had a heavy hand in people’s lives, wreaking havoc through use of excessive force, racially discriminatory policing, retaliation, and more. In every corner of our country, police officers must respect people’s constitutional rights and treat people with dignity,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “After an extensive review, we found that police officers in Lexington routinely make illegal arrests, use brutal and unnecessary force, and punish people for their poverty — including by jailing people who cannot afford to pay fines or money bail. For too long, the Lexington Police Department has been playing by its own rules and operating with impunity — it’s time for this to end. Our findings report furthers the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring fairness and the rule of law.” “Police have the authority to enforce the law, not to act as debt collectors for the City, extracting payments from the poor with threats of jail,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “No matter how large or small, every police department has an obligation to follow the Constitution.” Based on the department’s investigation, over the past two years, LPD has made nearly one arrest for every four people in town, primarily for low-level offenses and traffic violations. That is more than 10 times the per capita arrest rate for Mississippi as a whole. Many of these arrests were for non-criminal conduct, like owing outstanding fines and using profanity. Most of those arrested are Black people. In 2023, Black people were 17.6 times more likely to be arrested by LPD than white people were. When making low-level arrests, LPD uses tactics normally reserved for serious offenses. For example, LPD officers broke down a Black man’s door to arrest him for swearing at a public official. In another case, while attempting to arrest a man for having a tinted windshield, officers followed the man’s car to his house, forced their way into his home, and tased him for 15 seconds. On the same day the Justice Department opened the investigation, LPD officers chased a man accused only of disturbing a business and tased him nine times. LPD’s enforcement strategy has put hundreds of people in debt to the police department. In a town of about 1,200 people, the total sum of outstanding fines owed to LPD is more than $1.7 million. The department also found that LPD lacks any meaningful accountability system and that people experiencing poverty who are accused of crimes in Lexington regularly lack access to counsel, both of which allow LPD’s misconduct to continue unchecked. The Justice Department opened its investigation on Nov. 8, 2023. Career attorneys and staff in the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi conducted the investigation. The team was assisted in this investigation by experts in law enforcement practices. The team conducted an extensive review of LPD’s records, including hundreds of arrest reports and municipal court records and hundreds of hours of body-worn camera footage. The team also interviewed City and LPD leadership and line officers, accompanied officers on ride-alongs, observed the Lexington Municipal Court, and met with dozens of community members. In February, while the investigation was ongoing, the department issued a letter to the City of Lexington raising significant concerns regarding their practice of jailing people for unpaid fines without first assessing whether they can afford to pay them. The City and LPD cooperated fully with the investigation. The City and LPD have committed to working cooperatively with the department to address the violations identified in the department’s findings. The department conducted this investigation pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (Section 12601), which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. Section 12601 authorizes the Attorney General to file a lawsuit in federal court seeking court-ordered remedies to eliminate a pattern or practice of unlawful conduct. This investigation reflects the Justice Department’s efforts to ensure constitutional policing and to combat unlawful practices with respect to fines and fees. The department previously addressed policing for profit in its findings on the Ferguson Police Department in Missouri in 2015. The consent decree that followed has resulted in the dismissal of about 63,000 citations and a reduction of over $1 million in fines and fees. In July 2022, the department filed a Statement of Interest in Coleman v. Brookside , explaining that judges, prosecutors, and police violate the Constitution when they are motivated by profit rather than justice. And in April 2023, the department issued a Dear Colleague Letter containing updated guidance on fines and fees for state and local courts. The department will be conducting outreach to members of the Lexington community for input on remedies to address the department’s findings. Individuals may submit recommendations to Community.LexingtonMS@usdoj.gov . The Justice Department will hold a public community meeting on Sept. 26 at 6:00 p.m. CT at St. Paul C.O.G.I.C. Fellowship Hall, 17214 Highway 17 South, Lexington, MS 39095. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Additional information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt . Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is available at www.justice.gov/usao-sdms. Information specific to the Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download.


title: Plymouth Man Indicted for His Role in International Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Computer Network Devices

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Plymouth man has been indicted for engaging in an international counterfeit access device fraud scheme, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. According to court documents, Benjamin Paley, 75,who co-owned and operated GEN8 Services, Inc., an information technology business based in Plymouth, and his co-conspirators Wade Huber, 59, and David Rosenblatt, 68, engaged in an international counterfeiting scheme spanning Minnesota, North Carolina, and Ukraine, among other locations, to use and traffic in counterfeit access devices. According to court documents, Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a global technology company headquartered in San Jose, California, manufactured and sold computer networking products, including equipment commonly known in the technology sector as a “Brocade switch.” Brocade switches are networking hardware that allow multiple devices to connect to a computer network. Switches are used to maintain computer networks across a wide variety of industries and sectors, including businesses, universities, hospitals, and government agencies. To use a Brocade switch, customers are required to purchase a license and pay a licensing fee to Brocade, which range between $1,400 to over $100,000. Counterfeiters use programs that create counterfeit software license keys to “crack the code” and generate illegitimate license key strings that are indistinguishable from Brocade’s legitimate licensing tools. Counterfeit license keys are illicitly sold on the black market for a fraction of the price of a legitimate license transaction. According to court documents, from 2014 through April 2022, Paley, Huber, Rosenblatt, and others used and trafficked in counterfeit license keys obtained with the intent to defraud Brocade and others to make money for themselves by fraudulently selling license keys at a heavily discounted rate. As part of the scheme, Rosenblatt and Huber routinely communicated with and obtained information from clients and prospective customers who wanted to purchase switches and license keys. Paley used that information to procure counterfeit license keys that enabled additional ports or functionality on the switches to be accessible to their clients. In total, Paley possessed and sold at least 3,637 counterfeit license keys for switches at amounts substantially below the market rate for legitimate license key sales, resulting in millions of dollars in financial losses to Brocade. Paley is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and three counts of access device fraud. He is scheduled to make his initial appearances in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko on October 10, 2024. On November 30, 2023, and January 5, 2024, Huber and Rosenblatt, respectively, pleaded guilty before Judge John R. Tunheim to one count each of conspiracy to commit access device fraud. They will be sentenced at a later date. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert for the District of Minnesota, Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Rose, and Trial Attorney Bryce Rosenbower of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Victoria contractor admits to defrauding investors of millions in material scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 61-year-old man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Michael Wayne Galvan, operating as a high-end contractor under MWG Ventures LLC dba MGB Builders, fraudulently obtained over $2.8 million from at least six private investors. In some cases, Galvan found future victims when he worked as a vice president of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Organization. From February 2016 to March 2018, Galvan used his position with the rodeo to find victims, many of whom were in leadership positions. He solicited short-term loans by offering opportunities to earn 10 to 12 percent interest through his contracting business. Galvan falsely represented he would use the money to purchase exotic tiles and granite from China and other overseas countries for his construction business. As part of his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rick Bennett, Galvan admitted he did not use the money for its intended purpose. The scheme unraveled when he ran out of victims and money. In total, he defrauded multiple victims of approximately $2.8 million. U. S. District Judge Charles Eskridge will impose sentencing Dec. 5. At that time, Galvan faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine as well as full restitution to his victims. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christian Latham and Thomas Carter are prosecuting the case.


title: Former Tuscaloosa Wealth Manager Charged in Connection with Theft of Client Funds

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former Tuscaloosa wealth manager has been charged in connection with his theft of more than $500,000 in client funds, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. A one-count information filed in U.S. District Court charges Jason Brooks Head, 46, of Tuscaloosa, with bank embezzlement. A plea agreement was filed with the information, indicating that Head has agreed to plead guilty to the charge. According to the information and plea agreement, Head was a registered stockbroker who worked for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management throughout the relevant period. Beginning in July 2020 and continuing through November 2023, Head withdrew approximately $500,114.81 from the accounts of two of his Morgan Stanley clients without their authorization. Head transferred the funds to accounts he controlled and used for his personal benefit. The Court will set a date for Head to enter his guilty plea. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brett A. Janich and Ryan S. Rummage are prosecuting the case. An information contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Justice Department Announces New Resources to Improve Firearm Background Checks and Reduce Gun Violence

body_text: The Justice Department today announced several actions to improve firearm background checks and reduce gun violence. The Department is releasing model legislation and information that would help states permit the sharing of juvenile criminal history and mental health records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), solely for the purpose of conducting firearm background checks. In addition, the Department is announcing significant new grant funding for gun violence prevention, totaling over $200 million. Finally, the Department is unveiling new resources for law enforcement across the country, including training and funding guidance. “The Department of Justice is committed to doing everything in its power to combat gun violence and save lives,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today’s actions are a continuation of our efforts to fully implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, to provide critical funding to community violence intervention programs, and to assist our state and local partners as they work day in and day out to drive down gun crime.” Under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 (BSCA), NICS is required to contact state and local law enforcement entities to determine if a purchaser under 21 years of age is prohibited from purchasing a firearm. However, as part of established juvenile justice and mental health systems, some states and territories have important laws in place which restrict the sharing of juvenile mental health and/or criminal history records, so that youthful mistakes do not follow young people into adulthood. At the same time, these protections may prevent jurisdictions from providing the FBI with potentially disqualifying juvenile records when an enhanced background check is conducted. The model legislation released today, following in the example of several states that have appropriately and narrowly amended their record-sharing laws, provides a template for states that wish to permit greater information-sharing with NICS for the sole purpose of responding to a federal enhanced background check, thereby advancing public safety. In addition, the Justice Department is also releasing today information on state laws around the country, including whether they permit information-sharing with regard to juvenile records for enhanced background checks. Additionally, the Justice Department is also announcing two major rounds of grant funding designed to reduce and prevent gun violence. First, the Department is announcing an additional $85 million in funding through the Office of Justice Programs Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI). This funding will help 30 agencies and organizations develop and expand their community violence intervention work, including hospital-based violence intervention, street outreach, and cognitive behavioral therapy, and will support training and technical assistance plus rigorous research to help grow the evidence base for violence intervention models. Second, the Department is announcing over $135 million in formula awards to 48 states under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (Byrne SCIP), which provides funding for the implementation of extreme risk protection order programs, state crisis intervention court proceedings, and related programs/initiatives. Moreover, the Justice Department is committed to supporting implementation of the recommendations from the Critical Incident Report (CIR) on the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas . These implementation efforts include a suite of resources to not only support the local community of Uvalde, but also to serve as a resource across the country, particularly for local, rural, and regional agencies serving their communities. Today, the Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office is releasing a Tenets of Training Checklist to assist law enforcement executives and training personnel in enhancing relevant training and a Resource Webpage tailored to the needs of Small and Rural agencies. This fall, DOJ will release a Self-Assessment Tool to help communities assess how well they are implementing the recommendations in the CIR and an Implementation and Resource Guide to identify resources and generally accepted practices and standards in the CIR. Additional resources will be released on a continual basis to continue to support law enforcement agencies and their communities. The COPS Office Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) is also launching a renewed focus on assisting small and rural law enforcement agencies. Small and rural agencies will continue to have access to the no-cost training and technical assistance that CRI-TAC is known for, but now CRI-TAC will provide training and technical assistance opportunities geared for the unique challenges confronting small and rural policing agencies. Through the Small and Rural Agency Initiative, agencies will be able to participate in training programs addressing areas such as active assailant response, multi-jurisdictional coordination, community partnerships, resource allocation, addressing hate crimes, report writing, duty to intervene, and crash re-construction. Model Legislation to Remove Barriers to Completing Enhanced Background Checks (PDF) States’ Legal Ability to Provide Juvenile Information


title: Baltimore City Man Sentenced To Fourteen Years In Federal Prison For Committing Several Armed Robberies And Carjackings

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore – On September 25, 2024, United States District Judge George L. Russell, III, sentenced Tavon Reid-El, age 25, of Baltimore City, Maryland, to fourteen (14) years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing two armed commercial robberies and three armed carjackings in Baltimore City, Maryland. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and, Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore City Police Department. According to his plea agreement, on December 28, 2019, Reid-El robbed an employee of Safeway Lock & Key. According to the employee, he was dispatched to the 1500 block of Fernley Road in Baltimore City to provide assistance with a vehicle lockout. When the employee arrived at the location, he was met by Reid-El, who indicated that he was locked-out of his vehicle, a white Nissan Sentra. The Safeway employee then programmed a new key fob and requested payment from Reid-El. Reid-El provided partial payment, and the employee informed Reid-El that he owed a balance. An unidentified co-conspirator, armed with a handgun, then approached the employee. Reid-El demanded the employee empty his pockets and return the money that Reid-El had given to him. Reid-El and the unknown suspect then took the employee’s wallet and cellphone, as well as work tools from the employee’s work van. The men also attempted to abduct the employee but were unsuccessful. On January 11, 2020, Reid-El committed three armed carjackings in Baltimore City. During all three carjackings, Reid-El arrived at the scene in a white sedan and then approached the victims, brandishing a handgun. Reid-El then stole the vehicles and personal items of the victims. Co-defendant Tyree Bethel operated the white sedan during some of the carjackings. At approximately 12:00 p.m. on January 11, 2020, Reid-El robbed at gunpoint a locksmith for Jet Locksmith in the 1700 block of East 32 nd Street in Baltimore City. At the location, the victim met with Reid-El, who informed the locksmith that he had locked his keys inside his white 2016 Honda Accord. The locksmith then unlocked the Honda and Reid-El retrieved the keys. As the locksmith prepared a work order and asked Reid-El how he was paying for the service, Reid-El replied that he was paying with cash. The locksmith then walked to his work vehicle and noticed Reid-El following him. Reid-El then lifted the hemline of his sweatshirt and revealed a brown-handled revolver firearm and asked the locksmith for his money, wallet and cellphone. Reid-El also demanded that the locksmith open the safe contained in the locksmith’s work vehicle. The locksmith complied and provided Reid-El with his wallet, cellphone, and cash from the vehicle’s safe. Reid-El then entered the white Honda Accord and departed the area. A cellular telephone tracking order was authorized for two cellular phone numbers. Utilizing the tracking order, BPD officers were able to track one of the phones to a silver Honda Accord. BPD officers stopped the vehicle and located inside were Reid-El, co-defendant Tyree Bethel and another individual. The cellphone that was being tracked was recovered from Reid-El. Officers also recovered from Reid-El the cellphone of one of the victims. The other cellphone was tracked to the home address of co-defendant Bethel. In mid-January 2020, several victims from the commercial armed robberies and carjackings responded to the BPD Citywide Robbery section and were each shown photograph arrays. The victims each positively identified Reid-El as the perpetrator of the crimes. On January 16, 2020, a search warrant was authorized for the residence of co-defendant Tyree Bethel. During the search of the residence, law enforcement officers recovered, among other items, the Auto Pad Pro stolen from the employee of Safeway Lock & Key on December 28, 2019. 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. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr., who prosecuted the 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/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach .


title: Two Nigerian Nationals Charged in Connection with Business Email Compromise Scheme

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Two Nigerian nationals have been indicted for engaging in a fraudulent business email compromise scheme targeting several Minnesota-based health care companies, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, from October 2020 through 2024, Shodiya Babatunde, 43, and Jamui Ahmed, 31, devised and carried out a fraudulent business email compromise scheme that targeted and deceived employees of several Minnesota-based health care companies into making payments to bank accounts controlled by Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators, rather than to the intended beneficiaries of the payments. As part of the scheme, Babatunde and Ahmed created a fake “spoofed” internet domain designed to appear as though it was controlled by Fairview Health. Babatunde and Ahmed also created fake email accounts designed to look as though they belonged to Fairview Health executives, including the CEO, the Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and a business analyst. Babatunde and Ahmed used the fake emails to carry out a “phishing” scheme to fraudulently obtain names, passwords, and access to payment accounts. The defendants also used their spoofed accounts to email several other Minnesota-based health insurance companies and provide new accounts into which such payments intended for Fairview Health should be wired. Unbeknownst to the vendor companies, the new accounts were actually controlled by Babatunde and Ahmed and their co-conspirators, not Fairview Health. In total, Babatunde and Ahmed fraudulently directed more than $13 million in payments intended for Fairview Health from Minnesota-based health care companies to accounts controlled by Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators. Babatunde and Ahmed are citizens and residents of Nigeria. They remain fugitives from justice. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Bowling Green Felon Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal Prison  for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Illegally Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Bowling Green, KY – A Bowling Green man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and illegally possessing 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 Chief Michael Delaney of the Bowling Green Police Department made the announcement. “I appreciate the excellent work of ATF and the Bowling Green Police Department in this case,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “It showcases the ongoing collaboration between our federal and local law enforcement partners. And the result of the combined effort - sending a defendant with a lengthy criminal history to federal prison for 15 years - makes the community safer for all who live, work, and visit here.” According to court documents, Jedidiah Martin, 44, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute 221.4 grams of methamphetamine, and illegally possessing a Springfield Armory XDS .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol by a convicted felon. Martin had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses. On February 13, 2017, in Warren Circuit Court, Martin was convicted of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. On February 13, 2017, in Warren Circuit Court, Martin was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school. On May 5, 2003, in Warren Circuit Court, Martin was convicted of trafficking in a controlled substance, first-degree, first offense, and 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 Police Department. 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: ‘Clay Terrace Hitsquad’ Member Sentenced for Weapons and Trafficking of a Controlled Substance

body_text: WASHINGTON— Tamonie Chambliss, 28, of Capitol Heights, Maryland was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 46 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a handgun and for distributing marijuana that he mass-marketed using social media and packaged with a label that included a photo of his face. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Chambliss, aka “moneyman biggs,” pleaded guilty on June 20, 2024, before the Honorable Timothy J. Kelly to unlawful possession of a firearm by an individual previously convicted of a crime of violence and to unlawful possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kelly ordered Chambliss to serve three years of supervised release. According to court documents, the MPD and FBI were investigating sales of controlled substances and crimes of violence involving firearms between July 2022 and the summer of 2023 on the 5300 block of Clay Terrace, in Northeast Washington, D.C. During the investigation, law enforcement identified a crew believed to be involved in the sales of PCP, crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and other controlled substances, as well as the transfer and possession of illegal firearms. Law enforcement identified Chambliss as a member of the crew known as the “Clay Terrace Hitsquad” or the “Double Back Gang.” Investigators determined that Chambliss specialized in selling marijuana in the neighborhood and marketed the drug through social media using packaging illustrated with an image of his face. On March 7, 2023, the Sixth District Crime Suppression Team observed a gray Lexus sedan parked in front of 260 54th St. Northeast, Washington, D.C., one block from Clay Terrace, surrounded by individuals who quickly departed as the police cruiser approached. A VIN search determined that the vehicle was unregistered and that the tag on the Lexus was reported stolen. Although several individuals claimed ownership of the vehicle, all refused to provide officers with identifying documents. One of these individuals presented officers with a fictitious insurance card that listed Chambliss as the operator of the vehicle. A history check of the vehicle’s VIN found that Chambliss previously had been stopped driving the Lexus in Laurel. Officers executed a search of the vehicle and found a baggie containing 10 stamped M30 pills (oxycodone). Officers also found a backpack that contained nearly a kilogram of marijuana, a scale, and a 30-round extended magazine containing 21 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. The vehicle also contained credit cards, identification cards, and a Maryland vehicle registration assigned to Chambliss. As part of the same investigation, law enforcement executed search warrants at two addresses linked to Chambliss. On July 26, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Chambliss’ residence on the 5000 block of Clay Terrace in Northeast, Washington, D.C., where they recovered a Glock 30S .45 caliber handgun loaded with 2 rounds of ammunition, as well as an inside-the-waistband handgun holster. Chambliss later admitted to owning the gun, despite knowing he was prohibited from possessing firearms based on his felony conviction in 2017 for a gun-point robbery. On March 15, 2024, U.S. Marshals executed a warrant at an address in Laurel, Maryland, where they arrested Chambliss. During a search, Marshals observed in plain view about 3.4 kilograms of marijuana in Chambliss’ bedroom and on a kitchen counter. On February 15, 2024, Chambliss was indicted on six counts related to unlawful possession with intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, and possession of unregistered ammunition. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), in conjunction with the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ernesto J. Alvarado and Adam Stempel with the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. ## 24cr82 Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube


title: Remarks of United States Attorney Todd Gee Announcing the  Justice Department’s Findings of Civil Rights Violations by the Lexington, Mississippi, Police Department and City of Lexington

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Thank you, Assistant Attorney General Clarke. The findings we announce today are a result of an extremely productive partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi and the Civil Rights Division that has made a real difference in Mississippi over many years, going back to that successful effort in 1964 to prevent a voting rights activist in Holmes County from being imprisoned for false charges. Lexington, Mississippi, is a small town of about 1200 residents located in Holmes County, Mississippi, one of the poorest counties in the state and in the nation. With a median household income of roughly $39,000—about half the national average—many residents are barely getting by. Despite this poverty, our investigation found that Lexington’s police department funds its very existence by imposing and collecting fines for petty offenses allegedly committed by the City’s low-income residents and the few people passing through this small town about 15 miles from the nearest interstate. The City and its police department raise these funds by first imposing fines at nearly every available opportunity, sometimes for minor violations. For example, one man was fined $224.25 for public profanity and had to pay $140 before the Lexington police department would release him from custody. Then the City collects those fines through unlawful means. Specifically, without making the required assessment of whether a person has the ability to pay, Lexington police unlawfully arrest, jail, and continue to detain people until they come up with the money to pay the fines they owe. Our investigation found one woman who came to the police station to give a statement in a murder investigation was arrested for her old fines. Another man was arrested for trespassing. He spent five days in jail until he could pay $200 toward an old fine. That wasn’t good enough. Lexington jailed him for five more days until he paid a $50 processing fee. In effect, Lexington has turned the jail into the kind of debtors’ prisons Charles Dickens described in his novels written in the 1800s. Only this is happening in Mississippi in 2024. This scheme bears fruit for the City and its police force, and a bitter harvest for its residents. The police department takes up a large percentage of the City’s expenditures—almost 40% in 2022—but that is still not enough to pay for the approximately 10 officers. The police used this unconstitutional scheme to collect fines that funded almost a quarter of the department’s budget. Yet people still owe Lexington over $1.7 million in fines. That’s about $1,400 for every man, woman, and child in town. And the Lexington police department’s unconstitutional policing does not just end with how it collects fines. Our investigation found that Lexington police use excessive force and conduct unlawful stops, searches, and arrests. The City also arrested and fined people for using profanity, which the Supreme Court clearly held unconstitutional over 50 years ago. In one instance, Lexington police arrested a young man for profanity even after he reminded the officers that he had freedom of speech. Adding insult to injury, the arresting officer used the same profanity while making the arrest. We even found occasions when residents were held in custody for unlawful “investigative holds” without being charged with any crime. Detaining innocent people for “investigation” is common in authoritarian regimes, but it is not legal in the United States. In one such unconstitutional “investigative hold,” two Lexington police officers—one of them in a leadership position—held an African-American woman in jail for almost two days without filing any charge and tried to coerce her into sex in exchange for her freedom. Worse yet, we found that unconstitutional abuses happen disproportionately to African-Americans, who make up about 75 percent of Lexington’s population. And this trend has only gotten worse in recent years. For example, our investigation found that in 2019, Black people were 2.5 times more likely to be arrested by Lexington police than white people. But by 2022, Black people were 12 times more likely to be arrested. In 2023, Black people were 17.6 times more likely to be arrested than white people. These findings are troubling. As I said when this investigation was first launched, all of us in Mississippi and throughout the nation want to feel safe in our homes and in public. But we want that safety to be obtained fairly and legally, not through illegal force or abuse of power. It is no excuse that Lexington is a small town and has limited funds. The Constitution applies in every place in America, no matter how small or poor. Lexington’s police force must be funded legally, and its officers must follow the law and treat people fairly. Let me add that as the Department has conducted this investigation, we have heard troubling accounts that many of the unlawful policing practices used in Lexington may also be applied in other small towns in Mississippi. I urge every police chief, mayor, sheriff, and public official involved in law enforcement in Mississippi—and indeed in this nation—to read the Department’s report. Gone are the days when rural isolation and remoteness could conceal the injustice of unconstitutional policing. Make changes now if your agency is policing in these same unlawful ways. The City of Lexington cooperated in the Department’s investigation, and we hope that same cooperation continues as we move to the next step of negotiating ways the City can bring its policing practices into compliance with the law. Good police work is done legally and fairly every day in many places in America and in Mississippi. The residents of small towns in Mississippi, like Lexington, deserve the same. Thank you.