title: Lincoln Woman Pleads Guilty to High-Speed Flight from Immigration Checkpoint in Sherman

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Lincoln woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to fleeing and evading a U.S. immigration checkpoint in Sherman and leading U.S. Border Patrol agents on a high-speed pursuit. According to court records, in May 2023, Shania England , 24, and a passenger were traveling southbound on I-95, when England drove up to and stopped at a checkpoint being operated by the U.S. Border Patrol in Sherman. When an agent instructed England to pull over to a secondary inspection area, she instead sped away on I-95. England fled from Border Patrol agents at high speed for about eight miles and was apprehended after crashing the vehicle in a ditch. England faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine followed by up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case with assistance from the East Millinocket Police Department. ###


title: Man Involved in Raleigh Armed Robberies Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – Amir Williams, age 25, of Newark, New Jersey was sentenced to 235 months in prison for a string of armed robberies in Raleigh in March of 2022. Williams pled guilty on October 10, 2023, to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting and a single count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. “Nobody should have a gun put to their face simply for doing their job. We want to locate this brazen violence in Raleigh,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Our Violent Crime Action Plan puts dangerous felons like Williams at the top of our priority list.” According to court records and evidence presented in court, between March 4 and March 7, 2022, Williams robbed a Dollar General and a Circle K gas station in Raleigh. In each instance Williams entered the business with a co-conspirator, then he would point a firearm at an employee and demand money while counting down to zero. He and his co-conspirator would then leave the business in a stolen vehicle to escape with the proceeds from the robberies. Williams was arrested on April 1, 2022, on an unrelated matter and ultimately confessed to his participation in the robberies. The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The Raleigh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case. 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. 5:23-CR-00045-M.


title: Report to Waterville Police of ‘Large-Scale Drug Trafficker’ Leads to 17 ½-Year Sentence for Local Man

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

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville-area man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing fentanyl and cocaine with the intent to distribute. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Victor Soto Sanchez , 39, to 210 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Soto Sanchez had been found guilty on October 18, 2023, following a two-day federal jury trial. According to the evidence presented during the trial, in late November 2021, the Waterville Police Department received information about a large-scale drug trafficker selling cocaine and fentanyl out of his apartment. The resulting three-week drug investigation culminated in the execution of a search warrant at Soto Sanchez’s residence where law enforcement found approximately five pounds of fentanyl in pill and powder form, almost five pounds of cocaine, over $5,000 in cash, and several firearms. The value of the narcotics seized was over $400,000. The Waterville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine State Police; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ###


title: Law Enforcement Authorities Hold Anti-Gang Program For The Scranton School District

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office organized an anti-gang program yesterday for over 2,000 Scranton School District students grades 7-12. The event focused on educating students on the perils of gang membership. In its auditorium and broadcasted to all their classrooms, the Scranton School District hosted subject matter experts from the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Presenters focused on the myth of gang membership and the destruction that follows the “big lie” - that gangs provide protection, family, and loyalty. The presenters highlighted the tools that law enforcement have at its disposal to prosecute those who join a bad association knowing of its criminal objectives. Those tools include federal RICO and VICAR statutes which carry substantial penalties. Students were also advised about the many resources available to them to escape violence and danger, and were encouraged that if they see something – say something. The goal seeks to keep students, their family, and our communities as safe as possible and to prevent harm. “As our schools have seen an increase in gang activity and recruitment, and thus it is an important priority to educate students on the risks and consequences of joining a gang,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “Our goal is to bring that awareness to students, and we are grateful to have strong partnerships with the school district and our law enforcement partners to support this objective.” This event 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: Collegeville Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Scheme to Sell Fraudulent Canine Cancer Drugs to Pet Owners

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jonathan Nyce, 73, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 97 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $500 special assessment for carrying out a years-long scheme to defraud pet owners of money by falsely claiming to sell drugs that could cure canine cancer. A federal jury convicted Nyce of wire fraud and the interstate shipment of misbranded animal drugs in December 2022. In perpetrating the scheme, Nyce created several companies, including “Canine Care,” “ACGT,” and “CAGT,” through which he purported to develop drugs intended to treat cancer in dogs. Beginning in 2012, using various websites for these companies, the defendant marketed these “cancer-curing” medications to desperate pet owners, using the drug names “Tumexal” and “Naturasone.” The websites made numerous false and fraudulent claims regarding the safety and efficacy of these supposed drugs, including that “Tumexal is effective against a wide variety of cancers,” and, “[i]n fact, Tumexal will almost always restore a cancer-stricken dog’s appetite, spirit and energy!” In reality, these drugs were nothing more than a collection of bulk ingredients from various sources, which the defendant blended together himself at a facility on Arcola Road in Collegeville. Further, through email and telephone conversations, Nyce induced the owners of terminally ill dogs to pay him hundreds or thousands of dollars for these drugs by touting the effectiveness of his products in treating a host of canine cancers. He also told prospective customers that their pets could become part of clinical trials, but in order to do so, they had to pay him large sums of money. Evidence presented at trial showed the defendant sold nearly $1,000,000 worth of drugs to approximately 900 different victims. The defendant’s marketing, sale, and shipment of these drugs violated the Food and Drug Administration’s Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because the drugs were not approved by the FDA. The defendant even falsely claimed in promotional materials that his company’s research was “funded in part by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.” “In shopping these worthless ‘drugs’ to desperate pet owners, Jonathan Nyce’s actions were both criminal and cruel,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He deliberately exploited people’s emotions, their love for their ailing dogs, purely for his own financial gain. Many people consider dogs members of their families, so they’re especially vulnerable to such schemes. For defrauding his victims and thumbing his nose at the FDA, justice demanded that Mr. Nyce be held accountable.” “The FDA’s animal drug approval process ensures that our pets receive safe and effective products. Ignoring the FDA’s requirements and selling unapproved drugs to vulnerable U.S. consumers will not be tolerated,” said George A. Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office. “We will aggressively pursue and bring to justice those criminals who place profits above the health and safety of animal patients.” The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Consumer Protection Branch of the Department of Justice and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Parisi.


title: Doctor Convicted of $2.8M Medicare Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal jury convicted a California man yesterday for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing $2.8 million for hospice services that patients did not need. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. John Thropay, 74, of Arcadia, was the medical director of several hospice companies, including Blue Sky Hospice Inc. located in Van Nuys, California. From October 2014 to March 2016, Thropay fraudulently certified Medicare patients of Blue Sky as having terminal illnesses that the patients did not have so that Blue Sky Hospice could bill Medicare for hospice services. In 2015, Thropay was listed as attending provider for more hospice claims paid by Medicare than any other provider in the nation. The jury convicted Thropay of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and four counts of health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Acting Assistant Director in Charge Amir Ehsaei of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement. HHS-OIG and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant Deputy Chief Niall M. O’Donnell and Trial Attorney Eric C. Schmale of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, the program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 27 Months for Illegal Border Crossing

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Alberto Beltran-Martinez , 44, to 27 months in prison. Beltran-Martinez has been incarcerated since he was arrested on April 29, 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 25, 2023. According to court records, Beltran-Martinez and six other individuals were pulled over in Hamlin near the international boundary by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent from the Van Buren Border Patrol Station. Immigration records showed that Beltran-Martinez had previously been removed from the U.S. in September 2006 at Laredo, Texas and in April 2021 at Del Rio, Texas. He had not obtained the express consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case. ###


title: Jury Convicts Jefferson City Man of Armed Bank Robbery

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: JEFFRSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man has been convicted in federal court of the armed robbery of a Jefferson City credit union. Tre Joseph Connor, 29, was found guilty on Thursday, Feb. 15, of one count of bank robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Connor entered River Region Credit Union, 3608 W. Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City, on the morning of Jan. 19, 2023. Connor, wearing a black ski mask, brandished a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ordered a credit union employee to open a vault. Connor stole approximately $111,700 from the vault, filled a backpack with the cash, and left through a side door. Investigators used security cameras from various sources to identify Connor, including Walmart security camera footage that depicted Connor’s purchases of clothing and other items used in the robbery. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Connor, who has prior felony convictions for dissemination of private sexual images and harassment, was on probation at the time he committed the armed robbery. Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for approximately two and a half hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Monday, Feb. 12. Under federal statutes, Connor is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Pierce. It was investigated by the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.


title: Lexington Lab Agrees to $10.4 Million in Civil Judgments to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations; Owner and Lab Officer Sentenced to Prison

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington toxicology lab, LabTox, LLC, its owner, Ronald Coburn, 76, and its compliance officer, Erica Baker, 31, agreed to civil judgments totaling $10,458,933 in favor of the United States, holding LabTox, Coburn, and Baker liable for submitting false claims for urine drug testing services to the Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid programs. The agreed judgments, entered Thursday by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves, follow Coburn’s and Baker’s criminal convictions for health care fraud. In December 2023, Judge Reeves sentenced Coburn to 46 months in prison, and Baker to 6 months in prison, followed by 6 months of home confinement; both are required to report to Bureau of Prisons’ custody today. Coburn owned and operated LabTox, LLC, a clinical laboratory that performed urine drug tests and billed them to Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid. Baker was LabTox’s director of operations and compliance officer. Both knew that Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid only pay for urine drug tests that are medically necessary. In his plea agreement, Coburn also admitted knowing that urine drug tests ordered by courts for use in judicial proceedings are not medically necessary, and thus not payable by Medicare or Kentucky Medicaid. With Coburn’s knowledge and approval, however, Baker recruited a company called Blue Waters Assessment and Testing Services to refer court-ordered urine drug tests to LabTox. Coburn knew this was not medical testing, but caused LabTox to bill the tests to Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid anyway, resulting in fraudulently-obtained payments of $1,864,429 between June 2019 and March 2021. Submission of these false claims for court-ordered urine drug tests constituted criminal health care fraud and also violated the False Claims Act, triggering additional civil penalties. Coburn and LabTox’s agreed civil judgment holds them liable for $5,593,287, because under the False Claims Act, losses to the Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid programs are mandatorily trebled. Erica Baker’s sentence and False Claims Act judgment resulted from a similar fraud scheme. According to her plea agreement, she participated in a health care fraud conspiracy with Coburn between January 2019 and January 2021. Specifically, at Coburn’s direction, Baker solicited urine drug tests from substance abuse recovery programs that did not provide medical treatment—typically faith-based residential programs or homeless shelters. Baker knew that urine drug tests for these programs’ clients were not performed for any medical reason, as would be required before Medicare or Kentucky Medicaid would pay for the tests. As part of the scheme, Baker misled sober home directors, and induced the facilities to send LabTox more tests by putting facility staff on LabTox’s payroll and compensating them based on the number of urine drug tests sent to the lab. Despite knowing that this testing was not for medical purposes, Baker and Coburn agreed to cause LabTox to bill Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid for urine drug tests referred by these non-medical programs, resulting in fraudulently obtained payments of $1,621,882. Submission of these false claims for medically unnecessary urine drug tests constituted criminal health care fraud and violations of the False Claims Act, triggering additional civil penalties. Baker and LabTox’s agreed civil judgments hold them liable for $4,865,646, as mandatorily trebled damages. “Medicare and Medicaid are meant to fund medically necessary health care benefits to millions of eligible Americans,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When the limited resources of these programs are depleted by fraud, it defeats their purpose and diminishes their viability and effectiveness, deeply affecting us all. We will continue to do our part to prevent this destructive fraud, and to return these critical funds to their intended purpose.” “Health care providers who cause the submission of Medicare claims for medically unnecessary services pose a significant risk to the program and the patients who rely on it,” stated Special Agent in Charge Tamala Miles of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “In this case, the two health care executives and LabTox will be excluded from participating in federal health care programs for 19- and 20-years as result of the threat they posed to the integrity of those programs by their desire to enrich themselves. Our agency will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate such health care fraud schemes.” “This investigation revealed the subjects bilked American taxpayers for years by lining their pockets with millions of dollars of fraudulently obtained funds,” said FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury. “This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI, HHS-OIG, IRS, and the United States Attorney’s Office to rooting out fraud and ensuring the critical healthcare funds go where they are needed most – to the health and welfare of patients.” The agreed civil judgments resolve a lawsuit brought by a private citizen under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery. As part of this resolution, the individual who filed the qui tam complaint will receive a portion of the settlement proceeds. The civil case is captioned United States ex rel. Caitlin Secamiglio v. LabTox, LLC, et al. , Case No. 5:20-CV-00305-DCR. United States Attorney Shier; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Miles; and Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, jointly announced the sentences and agreed judgments. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, HHS-OIG, IRS, and investigators from the United States Attorney’s Office. Support was provided by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office. The United States was represented in the criminal case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Mattingly-Williams and Paul McCaffrey, and in the civil case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Corndorf. — END —


title: Federal Jury Convicts Man in Armed Robbery of Westminster Gas Station

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that a federal jury in Denver has convicted Dimas Alexander Munguia-Herrera for armed robbery of a Conoco gas station and for discharging a firearm during and in relation to that armed robbery, which is a crime of violence under federal law. According to court documents and facts presented at trial, Minguia-Herrera committed the robbery of cash and other items just before he discharged a firearm at a Conoco gas station in Westminster, Colorado, on January 12, 2023. Surveillance footage at trial showed a masked Munguia-Herrera pointing the gun before he discharged it into the wall barely missing the cashier. He left the Conoco gas station in a stolen white Bronco, which was later found with evidence inside that traced back to the Defendant. “Our office is committed to making Denver a safer place to live,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “This prosecution is another step in the right direction.” “The FBI continues to work with agencies like Westminster Police to target the violent criminals terrorizing communities across Colorado,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “We will continue to leverage our resources and partnerships to get the bad actors off the streets.” United States Chief District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer presided over the federal jury trial. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. The Westminster Police Department, the Denver Police Department, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Albert Buchman and Alison Connaughty handled the prosecution. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Case No. 23-cr-105-PAB


title: Richmond Man Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to carry out a bank fraud scheme that targeted victims whose personal and financial information the defendant and his co-conspirators had obtained by stealing mail from United States Postal Service (USPS) mailboxes. According to court documents, Olden Ellerbe III, 24, conspired with other individuals to steal or otherwise unlawfully obtain U.S. mail, sometimes using stolen or otherwise misappropriated USPS “arrow” keys, which unlock all Postal Service blue collection boxes within a given geographic area. Ellerbe and his co-conspirators obtained the personal and financial information of numerous victims through these mail thefts and misappropriations, and utilized that stolen information to fraudulently withdraw funds from those victims’ accounts at local banking institutions. Ellerbe and his co-conspirators targeted the victims’ financial accounts through a variety of means, to include creating fictitious checks drafted on the victims’ bank accounts; utilizing the victims’ stolen debit and/or credit cards to withdraw funds from the victims’ bank accounts; and applying for loans in the names of these victims (and then withdrawing the fraudulently obtained loan proceeds with the victims’ stolen debit cards). At the time of his arrest on November 15, 2023, Ellerbe and another conspirator had just completed the final transaction in a series of fraudulent withdrawals—amounting to a total of $85,000—from a victim’s bank account. Ellerbe possessed both a Glock handgun and numerous items stolen from the U.S. mail, including 83 stolen checks, $59,940 in U.S. currency, nine stolen credit or debit cards, and six stolen U.S. savings bonds. Ellerbe is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19. He faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ajay D. Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Garnett and Robert Day are prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Aber thanked Colette Wallace McEachin and the City of Richmond Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for their assistance in this matter. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:24-cr-9.


title: Temich-Ramirez Sentenced to 10 Months for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on February 16, 2024, Ciro Temich- Ramirez, 35 of Mexico, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 10 months’-imprisonment. Temich-Ramirez previously pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by an individual who is unlawfully in the United States. According to court records, on September 30, 2023, a federal agent encountered Temich-Ramirez less than one mile south of the United States and Canada border in North Troy, Vermont. Temich-Ramirez was standing next to a vehicle. Following a brief conversation, a physical altercation ensued between the agent and Temich-Ramirez. Additional federal agents responded and, after they restrained Temich-Ramirez, found a shotgun in Temich-Ramirez’s car. Law enforcement also found ammunition, methamphetamine, brass knuckles, and a knife. Temich-Ramirez, who is a Mexican national, is prohibited from possessing firearms because he is an individual unlawfully in the United States. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts and rapid response of the United States Border Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig. Temich-Ramirez was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls.


title: Former Illinois State Senator, Gubernatorial Candidate Sam McCann Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Use of Campaign Funds, Money Laundering, Tax Evasion

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – During the third day of former Illinois State Senator William Samuel McCann Jr.’s bench trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless, McCann pleaded guilty to nine counts of the indictment which charged him with seven counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of tax evasion related to his alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal expenses. Prior to the commencement of the trial, the Court revoked McCann’s pretrial release and ordered that he be detained. During the trial, the government’s evidence established, and McCann admitted during the plea hearing, that from about May 2015 to June 2020, McCann engaged in a scheme to convert more than $200,000 and potentially more than $500,000 in contributions and donations made to his campaign committees to pay himself and make personal purchases, and that he concealed his fraud from donors, the public, the Illinois State Board of Elections and law enforcement authorities. Following the plea hearing, McCann requested that he be released to home confinement pending sentencing and the Court scheduled a detention hearing for today, February 16, 2024. During the detention hearing the government presented a video that McCann recorded just prior to his detainment on Friday, February 9, 2024, in which McCann referenced the government’s conspiracy against him, among other accusations. Judge Lawless noted that the video raised her concern regarding McCann’s harming himself and his truthfulness with the Court, and ordered McCann detained pending sentencing. Following the detention hearing, United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris stated, “We want to extend our sincere thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service for their tireless efforts in the thorough investigation and prosecution of this case.” A sentencing hearing for McCann is scheduled for June 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The statutory penalty for each count of wire fraud (seven counts) and one count of money laundering is up to 20 years in prison. For tax evasion, the statutory penalty is up to 5 years in prison. William Samuel McCann, Jr., 54, of Plainview, Ill., served as a state senator for the 49 th District of Illinois from 2011 to 2013, and for the redrawn 50 th District from 2013 to January 2019. McCann formed the Conservative Party of Illinois and, in 2018, launched an unsuccessful bid for Illinois Governor. McCann previously lived in Carlinville, Ill., and owned and operated two construction related businesses. McCann organized multiple political committees that were registered with the Illinois State Board of Elections: Sam McCann for Senate; Sam McCann for Senate Committee; McCann for Illinois; and Conservative Party of Illinois. According to the indictment, from April 2011 to November 2018, McCann and his political committees received more than $5 million in campaign donations. During his plea hearing, McCann admitted that he used campaign funds to purchase personal vehicles, pay personal debts, make mortgage payments, and pay himself, including the following: McCann used more than $60,000 in campaign funds to partially fund the purchases of a 2017 Ford Expedition in April 2017 and a 2018 Ford F-250 truck in July 2018, which he titled in his own name and used for his personal travel. McCann then used campaign funds for loan payments on the F-250 and for fuel and insurance expenses for both vehicles, while at the same time using campaign funds to reimburse mileage expense claims which he did not incur. In April 2018, McCann used $18,000 in campaign funds to purchase a 2018 recreational travel trailer, and in May 2018, used $25,000 in campaign funds to buy a 2006 recreational motor home, both of which McCann titled in his personal name. McCann established an online account with a recreational vehicle rental business in Ohio and listed the vehicles for rent identifying Sam McCann as the owner. McCann then established a second account with the same rental business and identified himself as William McCann, a potential renter, with a different residential address and email than those he listed as the owner. From approximately May 2018 to June 2018, McCann, while representing himself as the renter, William, rented both the travel trailer and motor home from Sam, the owner, through the RV rental business. McCann caused a total of approximately $62,666 in campaign funds be used to pay the rental cost of the vehicles. The rental business retained approximately $9,838 for commission and paid McCann, as the owner, approximately $52,827 by direct deposit to McCann’s personal checking account. McCann reimbursed the campaign accounts $18,000, resulting in more than $77,000 in campaign funds used to buy and rent from himself. On or about Oct. 4, 2016, McCann used a $20,000 cashier’s check funded by a campaign account and issued to himself to pay off a personal loan, including legal fees, that had originally been issued to him as an equipment loan in 2011 and was in collection by the bank due to non-payment. From May 2015 to August 2020, McCann used campaign funds to pay approximately $64,750 on two separate personal mortgage loans that were secured by his former residence in Carlinville and an adjoining property used as an office for his construction business. In November 2018, after an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of Illinois, when he was no longer a candidate for office and did not financially support any other candidate, and continuing to June 2020, McCann caused the Conservative Party of Illinois to issue approximately $187,000 in payments to himself personally and an additional $52,282 in payments for payroll taxes. Using a payroll service, McCann was able to conceal himself as the payee for the expenditures from the campaign account. McCann also admitted that approximately $50,000 in campaign funds were used for personal expenses including Green Dot credit card payments related to a family vacation in Colorado and other personal expenses, charges from Apple iTunes, Amazon, a skeet and trap club, Cabela’s, Scheels, Best Buy, a gun store, and cash withdrawals. In relation to his joint return for calendar year 2018. McCann failed to report income from his 2018 rental payments to himself for the RV trailer and motor home. In addition, in March 2018, McCann used a $10,000 check issued by a campaign account to make a down payment to a Shipman, Ill., business for a motor home. When the purchase was not completed, the business issued a $10,000 refund check payable to William McCann, which he deposited to his personal checking account and failed to report as income received. The charges are the result of investigation by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass is representing the government in the prosecution.


title: Jury Finds Maryland Man Guilty of Armed Carjacking of Delivery Driver

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Hahqwon Beale, 25, of Greenbelt, MD, was found guilty yesterday of armed carjacking and related firearm offenses following a jury trial in Superior Court. The offenses were committed in Northwest DC on May 7, 2018. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Beale was convicted of armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony conviction. Judge Anthony C. Epstein ordered that Beale be held without bond pending sentencing. Beale has been detained since his arrest on May 8, 2018. The sentencing date for the armed carjacking offenses is yet to be determined. Beale is also facing charges of first-degree murder while armed and related offenses for the murder of George Johnson, Jr., which was committed the same night as the May 7, 2018 carjacking. The homicide trial is scheduled to begin on June 10, 2024. According to the government’s evidence, on May 7, 2018, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Beale and a female co-conspirator called a Pizza Boli’s restaurant to order food to be delivered to the 400 block of Farragut Street in Northwest DC. When the delivery driver arrived at the location, he walked to the trunk of his vehicle to retrieve the order. Beale approached the driver from behind, put a gun to the driver’s back, and demanded money. The driver gave Beale around $300 to $400 of cash from his pocket, which belonged to Pizza Boli’s. Beale and the co-conspirator then entered the victim’s vehicle and drove away. MPD officers located the stolen vehicle approximately 4.5 hours after the carjacking, with Beale and the co-conspirator asleep inside. Law enforcement officers took both suspects into custody. Following his arrest, Beale used a D.C. Jail phone to call an associate and arrange for a third person to retrieve and conceal the Glock 26 handgun that Beale had used to commit the carjacking. The firearm was recovered during a search warrant executed at the home of Beale’s co-conspirator. The co-conspirator previously pleaded guilty to robbery for her role in the charged crimes. This case is being investigated by MPD’s Homicide Branch. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Ganjei and Charles R. Jones.


title: Former Commodities Trader Charged with Multimillion-Dollar Wire and Commodoties Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A Chicago man was charged today in a fraud scheme that defrauding victims of over $3.7 million, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Phillip Galles, 57, is charged by indictment with one count each of wire fraud and commodities fraud. “As alleged, Phillip Galles defrauded multiple victims by falsely posing as a successful hedge fund manager who would invest their money in commodity futures through his Chicago-based investment company Tyche Asset Management,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “In reality, Galles made virtually no real investments, spent time working as a dog walker and not a fund manager, and misappropriated over $3.7 million in victims’ money. We will continue to work relentlessly to pursue those who prey on investors through lies and deception.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Galles, a former commodities trader, defrauded his victims by falsely claiming that he would invest their money in commodity futures through his purported investment company called Tyche Asset Management, based in Chicago. As part of the scheme, Galles and those working for him falsely told prospective investors that Tyche had a history of success using proprietary trading strategies, with extraordinary annual rates of return exceeding 100 percent. In reality, Tyche made virtually no legitimate investments in commodity futures or otherwise. Galles instead ran Tyche like a Ponzi scheme and used investor money to pay back other investors and for his own personal expenses. Galles met with an undercover agent in New Jersey purporting to be an investment manager looking to make a large investment. Galles repeatedly lied during those meetings about Tyche and his own personal history. He falsely claimed that Tyche had annual returns of 336 percent, raised over $2 billion within 60 days of starting the fund, and had prominent investors, including a Kuwaiti sovereign fund and a well-known owner of a professional sports team. Galles also falsely claimed that he graduated from a prominent university in the Midwest. In total, Galles defrauded more than a dozen victims of more than $3.7 million. The counts with which Galles is charged are each punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved in the offense, whichever is greatest. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney in Newark, and postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also expressed appreciation to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Silane of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. galles.indictment.pdf


title: Middleburgh Woman Sentenced to 36 Months for Drug Crimes

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Teirra Pickering, age 59, of Middleburgh, New York, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison on four counts of distributing controlled substances, including heroin-fentanyl mixtures. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement. As part of her prior guilty plea, Pickering admitted that she distributed heroin-fentanyl mixtures on four occasions between late February 2021 and early March 2021. One of the people Pickering distributed to died hours later of an overdose. United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to follow the prison term. DEA and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin C. Segovia prosecuted the case.


title: Greene County Sex Offender Sentenced to 175 Months for Possessing Child Pornography and Supervised Release Violations

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gregory Kurzajczyk, age 76, of East Durham, New York, was sentenced today to a total of 175 months in prison following trial convictions for possessing child pornography – crimes he committed while on federal supervised release. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. Kurzajczyk was convicted of four counts of child pornography possession following a 3-day jury trial in October 2023. Kurzajczyk had prior federal convictions for receiving and distributing child pornography, and was sentenced in January 2017 to 72 months in prison and a life term of supervised release. Kurzajczyk was released from prison in October 2021 and returned home to Greene County under the supervision of the United States Probation Office. The trial evidence showed that during a routine home visit on February 16, 2022, a United States Probation Officer saw an unauthorized laptop computer in plain view in Kurzajczyk’s bedroom, which led to the discovery of two more unauthorized laptops, and dozens of other unauthorized computer devices, many of them hidden under the covers of Kurzajczyk’s bed. Two laptops and two USB drives each contained a large amount of child pornography, including image and video files depicting the sexual abuse of small children. United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentenced Kurzajczyk to a total of 175 months in prison – 151 months for the trial convictions, to run consecutively to a time-served term of 24 months for Kurzajczyk’s violation of his conditions of supervised release. Judge D’Agostino also imposed a 15-year term of post-imprisonment supervision, ordered forfeiture of the devices on which Kurzajczyk possessed child pornography, and ordered Kurzajczyk to pay $39,000 to victims whose images of sexual abuse Kurzajczyk possessed. Kurzajczyk will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The United States Probation Office for the Northern District of New York initiated this investigation, and the case was also investigated by the FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Former U.S. Postal Employee Admits Stealing Mail

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAWN R. FULLER, 37, of Hamden, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a mail theft offense. According to court documents and statements made in court, Fuller, while employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in Meriden, was under investigation for stealing mail packages. On April 17, 2023, an investigator observed Fuller at the Meriden post office opening two mail packages, removing two items from the packages, and placing them in the trunk of his car. He then notified his supervisors that he had to leave work for the day. Hamden Police subsequently stopped Fuller’s car. After a police K9 alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics, a search of the trunk of the car revealed approximately four kilograms of a substance containing cocaine. Fuller was arrested at that time. Fuller pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 10. Fuller is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing. This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Hamden and West Haven Police Departments. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Brendan J. Keefe.


title: Pennsylvania Man Arrested For Stalking And Possession Of A Silencer

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On February 16, 2024, Michael Charles Hoffpowier, 46, of Middlebury, Pennsylvania, was charged via federal criminal complaint with stalking in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A, and Possession of a Silencer in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d). The complaint was issued by the Honorable Debra C. Poplin, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee. If convicted, Hoffpowier could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and other penalties. According to documents filed with the Court, it is alleged that over the course of a few months, Hoffpowier tracked the alleged victim from Pennsylvania, to Texas, and finally to Knoxville, Tennessee. On February 12, 2024, the victim disclosed to law enforcement that Hoffpowier attempted to contact him/her through his/her employer by using a false name but using his actual phone number. The victim’s employer contacted Hoffpowier and cancelled his appointment. Hoffpowier responded by saying, “I’ll see you at 9:00.” The employer contacted the police. On February 14, 2024, witnesses watched Hoffpowier drive around the Knox County business. Knox County Deputies located Hoffpowier in a nearby parking lot minutes later. Following Miranda warnings, Hoffpowier admitted to making the appointment under a false name to surprise the victim. With Hoffpowier’s consent, Deputies found text messages on his phone from the victim instructing him to cease contact with him/her. Deputies arrested Hoffpowier, searched the car he was in, and found two firearms, one with an attached silencer, two sets of binoculars, and a key to the victim’s car. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and ATF Resident Agent in Charge, Keith Jordan, made the announcement. This prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation by the ATF and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, with support from the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Miriam Johnson will represent the United States. Members of the public are reminded that a complaint constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community face. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Contact your local police department to report stalking and stalking-related incidents and/or threats. Immediate and confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by visiting thehotline.org , calling 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224), or texting “START” to 88788. You can also call the National Center for Victims of Crime hotline at 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) or the Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 844-762-8483. ###


title: Corn Milling Company Officials Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Role in Deadly Explosion that Killed Five Workers

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: U.S. District Court Judge James D. Peterson for the Western District of Wisconsin today and yesterday sentenced Didion Milling Inc. officials – including a corporate vice president and former food safety, environmental, and operations managers – for their role in a fatal explosion at a mill operated by Didion. “These defendants put Didion workers in grave danger and five people tragically lost their lives, devastating their families and their community,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Companies of all sizes should take note: failure to comply with our country’s workplace safety and environmental laws can cost workers their lives and put individual corporate managers in federal prison.” On May 31, 2017, at around 10:30 p.m., a fire originated in milling equipment at Didion’s corn mill in Cambria, Wisconsin. The fire led to a series of combustible dust explosions in the facility, killing five workers and seriously injuring others. The explosions also damaged and caused the collapse of multiple mill buildings. An investigation into Didion’s worker and food safety and environmental practices uncovered criminal violations of law attributable to both the company and senior officials. Grain milling generates grain dust, which must be effectively managed for workplace safety, environmental, and food safety and quality reasons. Mill operators must adhere to rules and requirements intended to minimize hazards. Grain dust is combustible, and mill operators need to maintain workplace safety through cleaning programs that remove dust accumulations from inside a mill. Mill operators must also capture dust before it is emitted into the environment as particulate matter, a kind of air pollutant. Investigations of the explosion at Didion’s Cambria mill uncovered long-standing inadequate safety measures and improper handling of grain dust that Didion and its employees concealed through falsified documents and other obstructive conduct. In October 2023, the Justice Department secured guilty pleas from the company, Didion, and company officials, as well as convictions against two more Didion officials. Today and yesterday, three defendants were sentenced to prison time for their crimes, and another three were sentenced to probation. Sentencing for an additional defendant is scheduled for March. The company was sentenced last month. “Workplace and environmental safety are of paramount importance,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue seeking to enforce regulations designed to prevent workplace disasters, and also to punish deceptive conduct that would undermine the administration of these important federal programs.” “Didion Milling and its senior managers put corporate profits ahead of worker safety and environmental protection, with tragic consequences,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of the Environmental Protection Agencie’s (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The sentences imposed this week demonstrate that EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to seeking justice for victims of environmental crime and their families.” “The Didion Milling dust explosion was a tragic incident resulting from a notorious industrial hazard. Individuals considering falsifying records are on notice that making false statements and attempting to obstruct our investigation are serious crimes and will be punished as such,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “The court’s sentences hold the company and these individuals accountable and send a clear message that cover-ups related to workplace safety will not be tolerated.” Didion Vice President of Operations, Derrick Clark, was sentenced to two years in prison, a year of supervised release, and a $5,000 fine. Clark was convicted in October 2023 of conspiring to falsify documents relating to dust cleaning practices in the mill and the operation of air pollution prevention equipment, and making false compliance certifications as Didion’s “responsible official” under the Clean Air Act. He was also convicted for obstructing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) investigation of the explosion at the corn mill by making false and misleading statements during a sworn deposition. Former Environmental Manager Joseph Winch was sentenced to two years in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine for conspiring to falsify Didion’s environmental compliance certifications. Winch pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge before trial, but the court’s sentencing took into consideration Winch’s effort to obstruct the trial of his co-defendants by committing perjury during his trial testimony. Former Food Safety Superintendent Shawn Mesner was sentenced to two years in prison and a year of supervised release after being convicted in October 2023 of conspiring to commit fraud and to falsify Didion’s sanitation log. Falsification of the log was part of a scheme to mislead Didion’s customers and auditors about the company’s sanitation practices. The log also related to Didion’s compliance with worker safety protections, including the required cleanup of combustible dust, like fine grain dust, to prevent fires and explosions in grain handling facilities. The log purported to be a record of those dust cleanings. Mesner also provided untruthful testimony to OSHA during a sworn statement after the explosion. Judge Peterson also sentenced three former Didion shift superintendents – Anthony Hess, Joel Niemeyer and Michael Bright – who were convicted of crimes relating to falsification of Didion’s sanitation log. All three pleaded guilty to felonies before trial and accepted responsibility for their actions. Hess was sentenced to a year of probation and a $5000 fine; Niemeyer was sentenced to a year of probation and a $1000 fine; and Bright was sentenced to a year of probation. A fourth shift superintendent who pleaded guilty to felonies, Nicholas Booker, is scheduled to be sentenced in March. Didion, the company, pleaded guilty to falsifying its environmental and sanitation logs. Judge Peterson sentenced the company last month to pay $10.25 million in restitution to the victims of the May 2017 explosion and a $1 million fine, as well as to serve five years of probation with special conditions related to oversight of Didion’s operations. Information on how to file a safety and health complaint about unsafe work conditions can be found at www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint . Information about how to file a complaint of retaliation for having engaged in workplace safety-related protected activity can be found at the same website. Information on how to report suspected environmental violations may be found at echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations Information on how to file a retaliation compliant based on protected activity under the Clean Air Act can be found at www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3784.pdf . The EPA Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Samuel Charles Lord and Joel La Bissonniere and Senior Trial Attorney Richard J. Powers of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case, with logistical and victim services support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.


title: Two Riverside County Brothers Plead Guilty to Priority Mail Insurance Scam that Defrauded U.S. Postal Service Out of More Than $2.3 Million

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Two Temecula brothers pleaded guilty today to defrauding the United States Postal Service (USPS) out of more than $2.3 million by filing thousands of fraudulent Priority Mail insurance claims. Anwer Fareed Alam, 35, and Yousofzay Fahim Alam, 31, each pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. According to their plea agreements, from October 2016 to May 2019, the Alam brothers purchased from the USPS Priority Mail packages and postages that included $100 in insurance for lost or damaged parcel contents. Anwer Alam wrapped empty packages or packages containing little or no value and then sent them via Priority Mail to fake recipients at fictitious addresses. Yousofzay Alam then submitted to USPS fraudulent insurance claims via the Postal Service’s website and falsely certified that the packages contained items of higher value than they did and lied that the packages were lost or had been damaged in transit. Yousofzay Alam also included false invoices as well as photographs of goods that were not actually inside the parcels. The Alam brothers used aliases and fake business names to hide the number of false insurance claims they submitted. Relying on the false information in the fraudulent insurance claim forms, USPS issued checks to the Alam brothers to cover their purported losses up to $100 in value plus the cost of shipping. USPS sent the insurance claim checks by mail to the Alam brothers to various addresses in Temecula, which included their home addresses, their business addresses, and approximately 15 different post office boxes at two different post offices. The brothers then deposited the fraudulently obtained funds into their bank accounts. For example, in November 2018, the Alam brothers fraudulently caused to be sent in the mail via USPS a $106.59 Priority Mail claim check, which was mailed to a business address in Temecula. The total loss caused to USPS through this scheme was at least $2,367,033. United States District Judge Wesley L. Hsu scheduled a November 1 sentencing hearing for the Alam brothers, at which time each of them will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney N. Williams of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.


title: District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft  For Theft from Ross Retail Store in Northeast

body_text: WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Terri Ross (aka Terri Rosser), 38, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on December 31, 2023, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced. Ross is to be arraigned on February 26, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge. According to the government’s evidence, on December 31, 2023, Ross took clothing items without paying from the Ross Dress for Less store in Northeast, Washington, D.C. Ross was later located and arrested after investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department. Ross has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted. Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 24 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaskin. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.


title: Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Sentenced for Concealing Information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation

body_text: WASHINGTON – Charles F. McGonigal, 55, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, was sentenced today to 28 months in prison for his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual with ties to the Albanian government while McGonigal was supervising counterintelligence investigations. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; FBI Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the Los Angeles Field Office; and FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered McGonigal to serve three years of supervised release. McGonigal pleaded guilty on September 22, 2023, to one count of concealing material facts. In imposing the sentence, the Court found that McGonigal’s conduct involved substantial interference with the administration of justice. According to papers filed with the court, McGonigal was responsible for overseeing counterintelligence and national security matters when he served as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s New York Field Office from August 2017 through his retirement from the FBI in September 2018. During this time, McGonigal concealed from the FBI the nature of his relationship with a former foreign security officer and businessperson who had ongoing business interests in foreign countries and before foreign governments. Specifically, McGonigal hid from the FBI that he received at least $225,000 in cash from the individual and traveled abroad with him and met with foreign nationals, in-part to advance their private business interests. The FBI arrested McGonigal on January 21, 2023, at J.F.K. International Airport in New York. He was simultaneously indicted on charges by DDC and Southern District of New York. In December 2023, McGonigal was sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to commit money laundering in an unrelated case being prosecuted in the Southern District of New York. Today’s sentence of 28 months will be served consecutively with McGonigal’s previous sentence of 50 months out of the Southern District of New York. This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Stuart D. Allen, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from Deputy Chief Evan N. Turgeon of the DOJ’s National Security Division Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. -30-


title: Recidivist Offender Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years in Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun While on Supervised Release

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of the East Hills area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a machinegun, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Oronde Shelton, 51, on February 13, 2024. According to information presented to the Court, on March 17, 2021, Shelton possessed a semi-automatic Glock pistol equipped with an extended magazine and an aftermarket auto-sear, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch,” which rendered the gun capable of firing in a fully automatic capacity. Under federal law, the auto-sear or switch device was itself a machinegun. At the time of this offense, Shelton was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. By his own admission at the time of his guilty plea, Shelton had used the machinegun on three occasions prior to his 2021 arrest, including during an exchange of gunfire on Frankstown Road in which an innocent bystander was struck by a bullet in his right ankle. In the incident that served as the basis for the most recent federal charges against him, Shelton admitted that he was driving in the North Side of Pittsburgh with the modified Glock pistol on the passenger seat. After occupants of another vehicle pulled up to Shelton’s vehicle and opened fire, Shelton returned fire from his weapon’s 30-round capacity magazine, shooting through his own windshield and striking a building nearby and at least one parked vehicle. Shortly after, Shelton abandoned his vehicle and walked away with his fully automatic firearm, which was found in his residence in April 2021 at the time of his arrest. Judge Wiegand rejected Shelton’s attempt to minimize his conduct by claiming that he needed to carry the firearm for protection, finding that such a defense is unavailable for a felon’s “sustained possession of a firearm for personal protection over the course of” a period of months and “based on a generalized concern that unnamed individuals might” present a threat. Moreover, the Court clarified, because the law “prohibits anyone, even law-abiding individuals, from possessing a machinegun . . . it would be nonsensical for there to be an exception for ‘justified’ possession of a machinegun.” At the time of these latest violations, Shelton was serving a term of supervised release following a prior 120-month federal prison sentence for his participation in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of heroin in 2008. As a result of his current firearms conviction, Judge Wiegand determined that Shelton had violated the terms of his federal supervision, which the Court subsequently revoked, sentencing Shelton to an additional 57 months’ incarceration to be served consecutively to the 120 months he received for the machinegun possession. “Oronde Shelton has repeatedly endangered the community, and in particular innocent bystanders, with his use of illegal firearms, in this case, a machinegun,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “This combined sentence of nearly 15 years is a recognition of how dangerous and destructive machineguns are, particularly when possessed and used by chronic violent offenders. Through coordinated efforts by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and by using federal resources to investigate and prosecute those who are driving violence, we continue to prioritize the safety of our neighborhoods.” Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara K. Doolittle and Michael R. Ball prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Shelton. 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: District Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Shooting a Man in Northeast Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON – Ryan Parker, 24, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced today to 12 years of incarceration for the March 2023 shooting of a man outside of Malcolm’s Liquors on Minnesota Avenue NE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On August 8, 2023, Parker pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges of aggravated assault while armed and carrying a pistol without a license. The Honorable Erik Christian sentenced the defendant to 10 years for the aggravated assault charge and two years for the carrying a pistol without a license charge, with those sentences to run consecutively to each other. According to the government’s evidence, with which Parker agreed, on March 6, 2023, Parker fired 14 gunshots at the victim, and hit him twice while the two were standing outside of Malcolm’s Liquors on Minnesota Avenue. At the plea hearing, Parker admitted that the underlying argument was over the victim’s refusal to give him a cigarette. As a result of the shooting, the victim sustained injuries to his hand and leg. In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department officers who investigated the case. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Latrice Washington-Williams. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Alec Levy, who investigated and prosecuted the matter.


title: Weeki Wachee Couple Sentenced For Conspiring To Sell New Opioid Variant

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Jacob Spinoza (50, Weeki Wachee) to nine years and Veronica Jo Barback (29, Weeki Wachee) to three years and four months in federal prison, respectively, for conspiring to distribute protonitazene and metonitazene. Spinoza and Barback were also ordered to forfeit several firearms and assorted ammunition traceable to the offense. Spinoza pleaded guilty on September 7, 2023, and Barback pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023. According to court records, Spinoza and Barback conspired to distribute two chemicals in the nitazene class: protonitazene and metonitazene. These are chemicals intended to have similar effects on the body as fentanyl, with varying degrees of potency stronger than fentanyl. Spinoza obtained the chemicals from China and the packages were delivered to the Middle District of Florida. On October 7, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence the two shared and recovered trafficking amounts of protonitazene and metonitazene, as well as cash, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, firearms, and ammunition. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza.


title: Russian Citizen Pleads Guilty to Selling Stolen Financial Information on Criminal Internet Marketplace, Slilpp

body_text: WASHINGTON – Georgy Kavzharadze, 27, pleaded guilty today to being a prolific vendor of stolen financial information, login credentials, and other personally identifying information (PII) on a criminal internet marketplace called Slilpp, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. Kavzharadze pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who scheduled sentencing for July 19, 2024. Kavzharadze is also known as “George” and “Georgii” and went by online monikers of “TeRorPP,” “Torqovec,” and “PlutuSS.” In Cyrillic his name is ГЕОРГИЙ КАХОВИЧ КАВЖАРАДЗЕ. According to court documents, between July 2016 and May 2021, Kavzharadze, using the name “TeRorPP,” listed for sale over 626,100 stolen login credentials on Slilpp and sold more than 297,300 of them on the illegal marketplace. Those credentials were subsequently linked to $1.2 million in fraudulent transactions, or attempted transactions. On May 27, 2021, Kavzharadze's account on Slilpp listed 240,495 login credentials for sale that would allow the buyer to use the information to steal money from the victim’s online payment and bank accounts. The credentials included access to bank accounts in New York, California, Nevada, and Georgia. Kavzharadze only accepted Bitcoin as payment for the credentials. An FBI analysis connected Kavzharadze to withdrawals of more $200,000 in Slilpp profits from his Bitcoin account. In June 2021, the FBI, in a coordinated action with international law enforcement partners, disrupted Slilpp by seizing its infrastructure and domain names. The Slilpp database contained a wealth of historical information about Slilpp vendors, customers and transactions, including subscriber and payment information for individual accounts that have been used to buy and sell login credentials over Slilpp. The database accurately reflected known Slilpp transactions and subscriber records, including FBI undercover purchases. On August 19, 2021, Kavzharadze was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, bank fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. He was subsequently extradited to the United States. He had an initial appearance in the U.S. District Court on May 18, 2022. This case was investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Macey and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph “Tony” Misher. Valuable assistance was provided by Paralegal Specialist Lisa Abbe, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Demian S. Ahn, and former Paralegal Specialist Michon Tart.


title: District Men Sentenced for April 2021 Murder in Southeast Washington

body_text: WASHINGTON – Andre Smith, 27, and Malachi McFarland, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years and 14 years of incarceration, respectively, for the April 2021 shooting death of Kerry Odoms, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). They were sentenced by the Honorable Robert Okun of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Both defendants pleaded guilty to second degree murder while armed on October 30, 2023. According to the government’s evidence, just prior to the homicide, Kerry Odoms, 29, of Washington, D.C., was socializing on Apr. 15, 2021 with a group of people that included McFarland, in the parking lot of 3319 10th Place SE, in the Congress Heights neighborhood. Smith approached the group and moments later, at 9:54 p.m., lunged toward Odoms while firing multiple gunshots. As Smith began shooting at Odoms, McFarland ran a short distance away, returned, and fired a second round of gunshots directly at Odoms. The gunfire from both defendants killed Odoms, who suffered eight gunshot wounds. - In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Antonelli, Jin Park, and former AUSA Steven Rickard, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Retired FBI Special Agent in Charge Sentenced for Concealing Information from the FBI

body_text: Charles F. McGonigal, 55, a former FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office, was sentenced today to 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his undisclosed receipt of $225,000 in cash from an individual with ties to the Albanian government while McGonigal was supervising counterintelligence investigations. McGonigal pleaded guilty on Sept. 22, 2023, to one count of concealing material facts. In imposing the sentence, the court found that McGonigal’s conduct involved substantial interference with the administration of justice. According to papers filed with the court, McGonigal was responsible for overseeing counterintelligence and national security matters when he served as Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New York Field Office from August 2017 through his retirement from the FBI in September 2018. During this time, McGonigal concealed from the FBI the nature of his relationship with a former foreign security officer and businessperson who had ongoing business interests in foreign countries and before foreign governments. Specifically, McGonigal hid from the FBI that he received at least $225,000 in cash from the individual and traveled abroad with him and met with foreign nationals, in-part to advance their private business interests. The FBI arrested McGonigal on Jan. 21, 2023, at J.F.K. International Airport in New York. He was simultaneously indicted on charges by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Columbia and the Southern District of New York. In December 2023, McGonigal was sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to commit money laundering in an unrelated case being prosecuted in the Southern District of New York. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the Los Angeles Field Office and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and Stuart D. Allen and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Friedman for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case, with assistance from Deputy Chief Evan N. Turgeon of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.


title: Former Fort Hood Texas Soldier Guilty Sentenced to 10 Years for Multiple Child Exploitation Counts

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A former Fort Hood, Texas soldier was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor on multiple counts of child exploitation. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Christopher Meza , 23, to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Meza was also ordered to pay $16,650 in restitution. Meza had been found guilty on November 1, 2023, of one count of enticement of a child, two counts of travelling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The verdict came after a two-day federal jury trial. While sentencing Meza, Judge Walker stated, “It’s hard to put one’s mind to just how deeply disturbing the conduct was,” further describing the conduct as “debased, deviant, depraved, and craven.” According to evidence presented during the trial, between February and December 2021, Meza interacted with a 13-year-old from Maine on a popular online gaming platform. The conversations included descriptions of sex as well as Meza’s acknowledgement of the victim’s age. Meza twice traveled from Texas to Maine to meet with the then 14-year-old victim, and on both occasions was successful in leaving the state with the child. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was the lead law enforcement agency. Additional investigative resources were provided by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and multiple police departments in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Texas. Reports of child sexual exploitation are increasing: In 2022, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received approximately 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. That included more than 80,500 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts and more than 31 million reports of child sexual abuse materials. Victimization can take place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. To make a CyberTipline Report, visit https://report.cybertip.org /. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741 . Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc . ###


title: Washington man sentenced to 20 years for sexually enticing, exploiting minor

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Washington man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for sexually enticing and exploiting a minor from a rural Alaskan village. According to court documents, Brian Powell, 41, of Spokane, Washington, enticed and coerced the 12-year-old juvenile victim. Powell, 40, claimed to be “Brian Gaither” and that he was 27 years old. Powell communicated with the victim through social media, text messages and calls nearly every day for roughly five months. Powell exploited the victim in order to obtain child sexual abuse material. Powell pleaded guilty to coercing a minor in August 2023. He is required to pay over $35,000 in restitution and serve 15 years’ supervised release as part of his sentence. When handing down the sentence, the Court cited concern for Powell’s actions in this case and the need to protect the public from future crimes of this nature that the defendant could potentially commit. "Mr. Powell’s exploitation of this victim in this case is abhorrent but does not define that child’s life,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “Our community is safer today thanks to those who came forward to disclose Mr. Powell’s bad acts and to the hard work done by law enforcement across the state. My office maintains our unwavering commitment to working with law enforcement to vigorously prosecute predators who exploit our children.” "HSI is dedicated to pursuing justice for children who endure abuse and exploitation online, both locally and globally," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. "This successful case was the result of seamless collaboration between HSI Anchorage, Alaska State Troopers, HSI Spokane, Spokane Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in both districts. Together, we located and apprehended the target of our investigation, while also providing support to the victims." “Your Alaska State Troopers will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to hold anyone that victimizes Alaska’s children responsible for their reprehensible actions,” stated Alaska State Troopers Colonel Maurice Hughes. “I hope that this significant prison sentence serves as a deterrent that criminally enticing youth comes with a steep penalty. Know that law enforcement will catch up to you and arrest you.” The Alaska State Troopers and Homeland Security Investigations Anchorage, Alaska, Office investigated the case. If anyone has information concerning Powell’s actions or may have encountered someone in person or online using the name “Brian Powell,” “Brian Gaither” or “Tyshawn Gaither,” please contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at (866) 347-2423. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ainsley McNerney and Adam Alexander 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc . UPDATE: This release has been amended with a different tip line phone number. ###


title: Denver Jury Convicts Former Corporate CFO and Wife of Wire Fraud

body_text: DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Michael Aaron Tew, 44, and Kimberly Ann Tew, 42, both of Denver, Colorado were found guilty for their roles in a wire fraud scheme that defrauded National Air Cargo, a logistics company and contractor for the Department of Defense. A federal jury in Denver returned guilty verdicts against the Tews on Thursday, February 15, 2024. According to the facts established at trial, beginning in 2018, Michael Tew and Kimberly Tew conspired to defraud National Air Cargo through the submission of dozens of false invoices for services and items that were never provided. Over the course of two years, with the help of a co-conspirator, the Tews defrauded the business of five million dollars. Testimony at trial demonstrated the Tews gambled away much of the money and spent $2.4 million buying Bitcoin at Bitcoin ATMs across the Denver area. Michael Tew also failed to file federal income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2019, on both his earned income and funds obtained from the fraud scheme. “Financial crimes are serious, and this verdict shows there are consequences to such actions,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We thank both IRS CI and the FBI for their exceptional work and partnership on this long-running investigation, which helps to ensure that fraudsters are held accountable for their actions.” “IRS CI special agents are the federal law enforcement’s premier financial investigators, and we will continue to lead the way in investigating tax cases and financial crimes,” said Todd Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Denver Field Office. “This verdict is an example of the impressive work of our special agents and reinforces the fact that we work diligently to investigate tax crimes. We are proud to have assisted the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in unraveling the Tew’s sophisticated scheme and holding them accountable for evading their taxes and stealing from National Air Cargo. “FBI Denver’s Complex Financial Crimes squad will continue to work with our state, local and federal partners to investigate and seek justice for when criminals cheat, lie and steal for their own personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the jury trial. Sentencing will be held at a later date. IRS CI and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Fields and Sarah Weiss, and former AUSA Hetal Doshi handled the prosecution. Case Number: 20-cr-305-DDD


title: North Carolina Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Kidnapping a Young Woman in Center City Philadelphia, Attempting to Kidnap Another

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jacob Montague, 38, of Wilson, North Carolina, was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky for attempting to kidnap a young woman in Center City Philadelphia in November of 2020, and then kidnapping another young woman the following day. On November 1, 2020, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the defendant approached a young woman in Center City, brandished a knife, and ordered his victim to come with him. The victim responded by calling 911, and the defendant proceeded to retreat to his vehicle and drive away. The next day, Montague returned to Center City. At around 5:30 p.m., he snuck up behind a young woman walking her dog near the Schuylkill River Park. The defendant rushed up to his victim, put a knife to her throat, and dragged her into his vehicle. Fortunately, nearby civilians intervened before the defendant could drive away from the scene. After a physical struggle, the civilians freed the victim from the defendant’s vehicle, and police arrived and arrested the defendant. The victim was injured during the attack and required multiple stitches following the kidnapping. Montague pleaded guilty to the attempted kidnapping and kidnapping on April 10, 2023. “Anyone who tries to snatch a stranger off the street isn’t fit to walk those streets with the rest of us,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Jacob Montague did so at knifepoint — not just once, but twice in two days. He’s a clear threat to public safety, and for the protection of everyone in Philadelphia and beyond, Mr. Montague needs to be behind bars. Today’s sentence ensures he’ll be there for a very long time.” “Mr. Montague used a weapon and attempted to forcibly kidnap strangers off the street," said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “The sentence handed out today demonstrates that brazen acts such as these are not tolerated in our city. The FBI thanks our partners, the Philadelphia Police Department and Pennsylvania State Police, for their invaluable assistance in removing violent criminals like Mr. Montague from the communities we serve.” “The sentencing of Jacob Montague to 19 years in prison sends a clear message that predatory behavior like this will not be tolerated in Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. “Montague's attempted kidnapping and subsequent kidnapping were terrifying acts of violence that left lasting physical and emotional scars on his victims. This case also highlights the bravery of the bystanders who intervened and risked their safety to free the victim and help apprehend the suspect. Their actions prevented further harm and demonstrate the power of community in keeping our streets safe. This sentence also reflects the tireless work of the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department in investigating these crimes and securing justice. While no sentence can fully undo the harm inflicted, this outcome should serve as a deterrent to anyone considering similar acts. The PPD remains committed to working with all our partners to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, or visits Philadelphia.” 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Priya DeSouza and Michael Miller.


title: Oakland Resident Charged For Series Of Bank Robberies

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: OAKLAND – Naikano Tuipulotu made his initial appearance on February 15, 2024, to face charges presented in a criminal complaint alleging he committed, and attempted to commit, a series of bank robberies in the East Bay, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. According to the complaint affidavit, from October 23, 2023, through January 13, 2024, Tuipulotu, 30, of Oakland, robbed three banks and attempted to rob two others, each in Alameda County. During the robberies and attempted robberies, Tuipulotu passed handwritten notes stating that he had a gun and demanded money from bank tellers. The criminal complaint charges Tuipulotu with bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). Tuipulotu was arrested on February 14, 2024, and made his initial appearance in federal court in Oakland the following day. Tuipulotu remains in custody pending further proceedings in the case. Tuipulotu’s next scheduled appearance is at 10:30 a.m. on February 21, 2024, for status regarding detention before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore. A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate, for a single violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonah Ross is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the San Leandro, Fremont, and Hayward Police Departments.