title: U.S. Attorney’s Office For The Middle District Of Pennsylvania Commends The Release Of Framework For Prosecutors To Strengthen National Response To Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence

body_text: SCRANTON - U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam of the Middle District of Pennsylvania commends the announcement of the Department of Justice’s new resource for prosecutors, “Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims.” The announcement was made on May 20, 2024, in Dallas, TX, at the Conference on Crimes Against Women by Rosemarie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The guide, written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence. “Our office remains steadfast in strengthening our commitment to support victims and pursue criminals who commit crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “The new framework released yesterday will allow our prosecutors and victim specialists to take a more trauma-informed approach and thoroughly investigate and prosecute such heinous crimes.” “The framework reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Rosie Hidalgo. “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.” Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts. This guide equips prosecutors to build provable cases by: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) meeting with victims and working with investigators and victim specialists to do so; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. More than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions were consulted in developing this guide. This guide is designed to encourage prosecutors with all levels of experience to implement its principles when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting allegations involving sexual assault and domestic violence. In conjunction with the release of the new framework, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing its principles. The framework further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias . # # # OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW funds national training and technical assistance and undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.


title: Georgia Felon Who Assaulted Clearwater Police Officer During Traffic Stop Convicted At Trial For Possession Of Firearm

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Cleveland Sanders (41, Covington, Georgia) was found guilty of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon following a bench trial before United States District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle. Sanders faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2024. According to evidence presented at trial, on January 3, 2023, an officer with the Clearwater Police Department stopped Sanders for multiple traffic infractions near North Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Grant Street in Clearwater, Florida. During the stop, the officer noticed a large handgun in the driver’s side doorjamb. After being ordered to remain in the vehicle, Sanders instead got out and punched the officer several times in the face and dislodged the officer’s body camera. Sanders then fled the scene but was later arrested. The firearm was recovered from the doorjamb of the vehicle. At the time of the offense, Sanders had a prior felony conviction and had served 15 years in a Florida prison for aggravated battery with great bodily harm. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and David Sullivan. 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: DeBary Man Pleads Guilty To Dealing In Firearms Without A License

body_text: Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Brandon Eugene Brooke (30, DeBary) has pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a license. Brooke faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. According to the plea agreement, between April 14 and October 10, 2022, Brooke purchased 69 firearms. Many of the firearms were identical and were purchased together or close in time to one another. On October 13, 2022, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) questioned Brooke regarding his repeated purchases of identical firearms from federal firearms license dealers (FFLs). A search of Brooke’s phone revealed evidence of firearms dealing. Following the interview, ATF agents served Brooke with a “Warning Notice of Unlicensed Firearms Dealing in Violation of Federal Law.” In the Notice, Brooke was advised that his firearm transfers constituted dealing in firearms without a license. Brooke signed the Notice, acknowledging receipt, and was given a copy to retain. Following his acknowledgment of the Notice, Brooke continued to purchase and sell firearms to third parties, in violation of federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Noah P. Dorman. 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: United States Reaches Over $310 Million Settlement with Norfolk Southern to Address Harms Caused by East Palestine Train Derailment

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement valued at over $310 million with Norfolk Southern Railway Company holding the company accountable to address and pay for the damage caused by the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. If the settlement is approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Norfolk Southern will be required to take measures to improve rail safety, pay for health monitoring and mental health services for the surrounding communities, fund long-term environmental monitoring, pay a $15 million civil penalty and take other actions to protect nearby waterways and drinking water resources. Together with other response costs and rail safety enhancements, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination and other harms caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations. In the hours following the derailment, EPA personnel arrived on site and they have remained there to ensure that the people of East Palestine are protected and have the most up-to-date information. In those early days, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan promised that Norfolk Southern would be held accountable for its actions. Since then, as EPA and the Justice Department pursued a strong enforcement action to deliver on that commitment, EPA has continued to stay engaged in the community, directing cleanup activities, collecting air, water and soil samples and participating in community meetings. The Administration has led a robust, multi-agency effort – including the Department of Transportation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services – to fulfill the President’s commitment to “supporting the people of East Palestine and all those affected in surrounding areas of Ohio and Pennsylvania every step of the way.” “The President issued an executive order which promised to address the disaster’s long-term effects and to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for its train derailing and the burning of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine. This settlement helps fulfill that promise,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Importantly, those who will most directly benefit from this settlement are those who were most directly affected by the disaster. And the rail safety commitments will help prevent future catastrophic railway events.” “No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner.” “The human cost from the Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster was high and continues today,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “That is why we worked to include funding in this agreement for a community health program. Notably, this settlement also secures significant resources to complete cleanup in and around East Palestine as well as measures to detect and address potential rail safety risks.” “Norfolk Southern’s train derailment and massive chemical spill onto East Palestine’s grounds and into its waterways jeopardized the safety and health of residents, damaging their homes, their lives, and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “That is why the Department of Justice diligently worked to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for this disaster by quickly filing suit and negotiating a resolution that protects residents’ interests. This settlement requires Norfolk Southern to fund a community health program that monitors and treats individual medical needs stemming from the disaster. It also requires the company to fund the clean-up efforts, to restore the region’s waterways and habitats, and to monitor the drinking water system to ensure it is safe. And it requires them to implement numerous additional safety measures throughout the United States in an effort to prevent another railway community from suffering losses like those East Palestine experienced. While these remedies cannot fully address the impact of this disaster, they are a positive step toward healing and recovery.” Today’s settlement follows a complaint filed by the United States against Norfolk Southern in March 2023 for unlawful discharges of pollutants and hazardous substances caused by the train derailment. In February 2023, EPA issued a unilateral administrative order, holding Norfolk Southern accountable for the damage done to the community. The order required cleanup of spilled substances and impacted soils, as well as payment of all costs to the U.S. government. EPA also issued an order under the Clean Water Act to clean up oil spilled into the surrounding waterways. Since then, EPA has been directing and overseeing the extensive cleanup activities. In total, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations. The amount includes this settlement with the United States valued at over $310 million, as well as around $780 million in environmental response costs incurred by Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs since the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements, including those required by this settlement. To help ensure that no community goes through what East Palestine residents have faced, the settlement also requires Norfolk Southern to improve coordination with government officials and other stakeholders during emergency responses. Specifically, Norfolk Southern will create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with first responders and government officials, where appropriate, before restoring and reopening tracks for use after a derailment involving spilled hazardous material. Norfolk Southern will also create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with government officials and other stakeholders in advance of any vent and burn proposed by the company. Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern has agreed to: Spend an estimated $235 million for all past and future cleanup costs, so that cleanup efforts can continue and the company, rather than taxpayers, covers the cost. Pay $25 million for a 20-year community health program that includes medical monitoring for qualified individuals, mental health services for individuals residing in affected counties as well as first responders who worked at the site, and a community facilitation plan to assist community members in using the benefits of the program. Spend approximately $15 million to implement long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water for a period of 10 years. Pay $15 million for a private drinking water monitoring fund that will continue the existing private drinking water well monitoring program for 10 years. Implement a “waterways remediation plan,” with an estimated budget of $6 million, for projects in Leslie Run and Sulphur Run that will prioritize addressing historical pollution, reducing non-point source pollution through infrastructure upgrades and stormwater management projects and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat. Pay a $15 million civil penalty to resolve the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act Pay $175,000 for natural resource damages, to be used by the United States to restore, rehabilitate, replace or acquire the equivalent of the natural resources injured as a result of the derailment. In addition, the consent decree requires Norfolk Southern to undertake projects to improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials by rail, which will include installation of additional devices to detect overheated wheel bearings early enough to prevent derailments like the one that happened in East Palestine. All told, Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs dating from the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements. The proposed settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio by the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. It is subject to a minimum 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The details of today’s settlement are available on the Justice Department’s website: www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees . Additional Background EPA is committed to protecting the health and safety of East Palestine and surrounding communities. EPA personnel have been on site since the initial hours of the train derailment, and the agency continues to provide residents the most up-to-date information via the website, welcome center, community meetings, newsletters and more. Immediately following the train derailment, EPA established a 24/7 air monitoring and sampling network. EPA also began coordinating with state and local officials to monitor environmental impacts on the community. Over the course of the response, EPA has collected over 115 million air monitoring data points and over 45,000 air, water and soil samples, giving the agency confidence in the safety of air, water and soil in the community. Since the evacuation was lifted, no sustained chemicals of concern have been found in the air. To date, more than 177,000 tons of contaminated soil and more than 69 million gallons of wastewater have been removed from the community and work continues to remove contamination from area creeks and soil sampling at the derailment site to ensure all contamination has been remediated.


title: Habitual Offender Sentenced for Domestic Violence

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man was sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to domestic assault by a habitual offender and assault by an intimate partner by strangling, suffocating or attempting to strangle or suffocate. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on December 26, 2021, Matthew Vicenti , 34, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, assaulted the mother of his two children over two days at his Dulce home on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Vicenti slapped, pushed, punched and strangled the victim, breaking her phone and taking her shoes to prevent her from leaving. When police arrived, Vicenti turned off lights, cut the WiFi and covered the victim's mouth, and choked her, causing bruising to her throat. Vicenti was on probation at the time and was concerned about getting in trouble. After completing his term of imprisonment, Vicenti will be required to serve three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today. The Jicarilla Apache Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Bell is prosecuting the case. # # #


title: Cavendish, Vermont Man Sentenced to 14 Months for Unlawful Receipt of a Firearm

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 23, 2024, Mitchell Horton, 37, of Cavendish, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 14 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Horton previously pleaded guilty to receiving a firearm while under indictment for a New Hampshire felony. According to court records, on April 3, 2023, Horton possessed a Smith and Wesson .380 semi-automatic pistol in his waistband. Vermont State Police seized this firearm from Horton upon his arrest for the theft of diesel fuel in Cavendish, Vermont on April 3, 2023. Following his arrest, Horton admitted to law enforcement that he purchased the pistol from another person. On or about April 3, 2023, Horton knew that he was under indictment in the State of New Hampshire for Theft by Unauthorized Taking, a Class A Felony, that carries with it a maximum penalty of fifteen years of imprisonment. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Office of the Grafton County (New Hampshire) Attorney. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory L. Waples and Zachary B. Stendig. Horton was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls, Esq. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn


title: Indianapolis Man Federally Charged for Setting Fire to IndyGo Bus and Bus Station in April Causing Injury and $2.1 Million in Damages

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

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Demarcus McCloud, 45, of Indianapolis, has been charged with arson of property and vehicle receiving federal funds after making his initial appearance in federal court. According to court documents, on April 24, 2024, around 5pm, Indianapolis Fire Department and IMPD officers responded to a report of a fire at the IndyGo bus stop at 38 th and North Meridian Streets. When first responders arrived, the inside of the bus and front half of the exterior were completely engulfed in flames. Witnesses claimed that the fire was started by a passenger, identified as Demarcus McCloud. IMPD Officers located McCloud in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant and found him holding two butane lighters in his hand. He was arrested and transported to Eskenazi hospital to be assessed for physical injuries. Surveillance cameras show McCloud boarding Bus #1993 at the Julia Carson Transit Center on Washington Street carrying a jug full of liquid and two butane lighters. After boarding, McCloud chose a seat in the back of the bus and lit a cigarette while hiding under a blanket. McCloud allegedly threw the butt of the cigarette on the floor, then lit a piece of paper before extinguishing it and moving to another section of the bus. As the bus approached the stop at Meridian and 38 th Streets, McCloud began pouring out liquid from the jug onto the floor of the center aisle. He left the open jug laying on its side and began to exit the bus as the liquid continued to flow out. As he approached the bus door, he lit another piece of paper and threw it on the floor. The puddle ignited immediately, and McCloud ran from the station. During this incident, a passenger on the bus suffered from smoke inhalation after exiting the vehicle and was transported to the hospital for treatment. IndyGo operates their public transportation buses under the Federal Transportation Administration. It is estimated that Bus #1993 sustained approximately $2.1 million in damages, and the bus stop sustained approximately $25,000 in damages. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this case. If convicted, McCloud faces up to 40 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who is prosecuting this case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Virginia Beach man pleads guilty to downloading massive amounts of child sexual abuse material

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man pled guilty today to receiving images and videos depicting sexual exploitation of children. According to court documents, in March 2021, the FBI began an investigation of hundreds of requests between October 2020 and May 2021 for suspected images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) at a specific IP address in Virginia Beach. Investigators determined the IP address belonged to Kevin Javon Taylor, 51. On June 6, 2021, the FBI executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence. During the search, a preliminary review of Taylor’s electronic devices revealed indications of possible CSAM. Agents found file names and file paths with titles synonymous with CSAM. Agents also discovered three physical binders containing printed CSAM. A review of the electronic devices seized from Taylor’s residence contained approximately 14,100 images of CSAM, 642 videos of CSAM, and over 90,000 images of child erotica. These files were stored across thirty-three different electronic devices as well as physical copies. Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty 20 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 Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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 www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-36.


body_text: Today, the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement valued at over $310 million with Norfolk Southern Railway Company holding the company accountable to address and pay for the damage caused by the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. If the settlement is approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Norfolk Southern will be required to take measures to improve rail safety, pay for health monitoring and mental health services for the surrounding communities, fund long-term environmental monitoring, pay a $15 million civil penalty and take other actions to protect nearby waterways and drinking water resources. Together with other response costs and rail safety enhancements, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination and other harms caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations. In the hours following the derailment, EPA personnel arrived on site and they have remained there to ensure that the people of East Palestine are protected and have the most up-to-date information. In those early days, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan promised that Norfolk Southern would be held accountable for its actions. Since then, as EPA and the Justice Department pursued a strong enforcement action to deliver on that commitment, EPA has continued to stay engaged in the community, directing cleanup activities, collecting air, water and soil samples and participating in community meetings. The Administration has led a robust, multi-agency effort – including the Department of Transportation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services – to fulfill the President’s commitment to “supporting the people of East Palestine and all those affected in surrounding areas of Ohio and Pennsylvania every step of the way.” “The President issued an executive order which promised to address the disaster’s long-term effects and to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for its train derailing and the burning of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine. This settlement helps fulfill that promise,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Importantly, those who will most directly benefit from this settlement are those who were most directly affected by the disaster. And the rail safety commitments will help prevent future catastrophic railway events.” “No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner.” “The human cost from the Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster was high and continues today,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “That is why we worked to include funding in this agreement for a community health program. Notably, this settlement also secures significant resources to complete cleanup in and around East Palestine as well as measures to detect and address potential rail safety risks.” “Norfolk Southern’s train derailment and massive chemical spill onto East Palestine’s grounds and into its waterways jeopardized the safety and health of residents, damaging their homes, their lives and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “That is why the Department of Justice diligently worked to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for this disaster by quickly filing suit and negotiating a resolution that protects residents’ interests. This settlement requires Norfolk Southern to fund a community health program that monitors and treats individual medical needs stemming from the disaster. It also requires the company to fund the clean-up efforts, to restore the region’s waterways and habitats, and to monitor the drinking water system to ensure it is safe. And it requires them to implement numerous additional safety measures throughout the United States in an effort to prevent another railway community from suffering losses like those East Palestine experienced. While these remedies cannot fully address the impact of this disaster, they are a positive step toward healing and recovery.” Today’s settlement follows a complaint filed by the United States against Norfolk Southern in March 2023 for unlawful discharges of pollutants and hazardous substances caused by the train derailment. In February 2023, EPA issued a unilateral administrative order, holding Norfolk Southern accountable for the damage done to the community. The order required cleanup of spilled substances and impacted soils, as well as payment of all costs to the U.S. government. EPA also issued an order under the Clean Water Act to clean up oil spilled into the surrounding waterways. Since then, EPA has been directing and overseeing the extensive cleanup activities. In total, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations. The amount includes this settlement with the United States valued at over $310 million, as well as around $780 million in environmental response costs incurred by Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs since the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements, including those required by this settlement. To help ensure that no community goes through what East Palestine residents have faced, the settlement also requires Norfolk Southern to improve coordination with government officials and other stakeholders during emergency responses. Specifically, Norfolk Southern will create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with first responders and government officials, where appropriate, before restoring and reopening tracks for use after a derailment involving spilled hazardous material. Norfolk Southern will also create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with government officials and other stakeholders in advance of any vent and burn proposed by the company. Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern has agreed to: Spend an estimated $235 million for all past and future cleanup costs, so that cleanup efforts can continue and the company, rather than taxpayers, covers the cost. Pay $25 million for a 20-year community health program that includes medical monitoring for qualified individuals, mental health services for individuals residing in affected counties as well as first responders who worked at the site and a community facilitation plan to assist community members in using the benefits of the program. Spend approximately $15 million to implement long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water for a period of 10 years. Pay $15 million for a private drinking water monitoring fund that will continue the existing private drinking water well monitoring program for 10 years. Implement a “waterways remediation plan,” with an estimated budget of $6 million, for projects in Leslie Run and Sulphur Run that will prioritize addressing historical pollution, reducing non-point source pollution through infrastructure upgrades and stormwater management projects and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat. Pay a $15 million civil penalty to resolve the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act Pay $175,000 for natural resource damages, to be used by the United States to restore, rehabilitate, replace or acquire the equivalent of the natural resources injured as a result of the derailment. In addition, the consent decree requires Norfolk Southern to undertake projects to improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials by rail, which will include installation of additional devices to detect overheated wheel bearings early enough to prevent derailments like the one that happened in East Palestine. All told, Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs dating from the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements. The proposed settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio by the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. It is subject to a minimum 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The details of today’s settlement are available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees . Additional Background EPA is committed to protecting the health and safety of East Palestine and surrounding communities. EPA personnel have been on site since the initial hours of the train derailment, and the agency continues to provide residents the most up-to-date information via the website, welcome center, community meetings, newsletters and more. Immediately following the train derailment, EPA established a 24/7 air monitoring and sampling network. EPA also began coordinating with state and local officials to monitor environmental impacts on the community. Over the course of the response, EPA has collected over 115 million air monitoring data points and over 45,000 air, water and soil samples, giving the agency confidence in the safety of air, water and soil in the community. Since the evacuation was lifted, no sustained chemicals of concern have been found in the air. To date, more than 177,000 tons of contaminated soil and more than 69 million gallons of wastewater have been removed from the community and work continues to remove contamination from area creeks and soil sampling at the derailment site to ensure all contamination has been remediated.


title: Bay Area Serial Bank Robber Sentenced To More Than Five Years In Prison

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Brandon Elder was sentenced to 63 months in prison for bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. James Donato, United States District Judge. Elder, 29, of Antioch, pleaded guilty to the charge on December 14, 2023. According to court filings, Elder walked into a bank in the Marina District of San Francisco on September 20, 2022, wearing a black hoodie, black facemask, and blue gloves. He approached the teller window, stated “this is a robbery,” and demanded “50s” and “100s.” The teller handed over $10,000 in cash to Elder, who ran out of the bank and back to his getaway car in a nearby parking garage. Elder was arrested two days later in Pleasant Hill, Calif., while shoplifting a PlayStation from a Target with $7,867 cash in his pocket. A grand jury indicted Elder on November 1, 2022, charging him with one count of bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). Elder pleaded guilty to the charge without a written plea agreement. Elder committed this bank robbery while still on post-release community supervision. He had been released from state custody only 19 days earlier after serving a custodial sentence related to the robbery of a bank he committed on January 26, 2022, in Brentwood, Calif. In addition, Elder already had been convicted of 11 other thefts in state court, including a violent incident during which he slashed a loss prevention officer with a box cutter. “Repeat offenders like Brandon Elder should not be allowed to continue terrorizing the community,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “Enough is enough. This Office will ensure that criminals like Mr. Elder face serious repercussions for their actions.” “Elder used threats and intimidation to terrorize the employees of the bank he robbed,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “His complete disregard for the law demanded justice, and justice he received with this sentence. The FBI will not waver when it comes to preserving the peace of our community by taking dangerous criminals off the streets.” In addition to sentencing Elder to prison, Judge Donato ordered the defendant to serve a year of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Hageman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lakisha Holliman. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.


title: Mobile Man Sentenced To 30 Years For Production Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – Jeremy Kinsey, a Baldwin County, Alabama man, has been sentenced to 360 months (30 years) in federal prison for production of child pornography. Kinsey pled guilty to five counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in January 2024. The sentence was imposed by Senior United States District Judge Callie V. S. Granade. According to court documents, in April and May of 2023, Kinsey produced recordings of WhatsApp video chats where he was communicating with adult women who were sexually abusing minor children, including a toddler-aged child, The victims in this case were located in the Philippines. Evidence recovered from Kinsey’s cellular device showed that he was sending money to the women in exchange for the video chats where the women sexually assaulted their children at his direction while he watched and recorded. Kinsey was also convicted of possession of child pornography. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Granade imposed a 360-month sentence of incarceration as to the production counts and a 240-month sentence as to the possession of child pornography count. The sentences will run concurrently and will be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release upon Kinsey’s discharge from prison. Kinsey will be required to undergo mental health evaluation, sex offender treatment, and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release. This case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Beth Stepan and Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources.


title: የፍትህ መምሪያ በቼሪ ክሪክ፣ ኮሎራዶ፣ የትምህርት ወረዳ  ውስጥ ላሉ ቤተሰቦች የቋንቋ እንቅፋቶችን ለመፍታት ስምምነትን አረጋግጧል

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: የፍትህ መምሪያ በኮሎራዶ ውስጥ ካሉት ትልቁ የት/ቤት ዲስትሪክቶች አንዱ ከሆነው ከቼሪ ክሪክ ትምህርት ቤት ወረዳ (CCSD) ጋር የመቋቋሚያ ስምምነት ማግኘቱን ዛሬ አስታውቋል፣ ይህም ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ላላቸው ወላጆች የቋንቋ ተደራሽነት አገልግሎትን በእጅጉ ለማሻሻል ነው። ስምምነቱ ዲስትሪክቱ ከእነዚህ ወላጆች ጋር ሊረዱት በሚችሉት ቋንቋ ግንኙነት ማድረግ አለመቻሉን፤ በዚህም የልጆቻቸውን ትምህርት ጠቃሚ መረጃ እንዳያገኙ አድርጓል የሚለውን ክስ የሚፈታ ነው። የፍትህ መምሪያ የሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ረዳት ዋና አቃቤ ህግ ክሪስቲን ክላርክ “ማንኛውም ወላጅ በልጃቸው ትምህርት እንዳያውቁ ተደርገው መተው የለበትም” ብለዋል። "በትምህርት ቤቶች እና በወላጆች መካከል ግልጽ እና ውጤታማ ግንኙነት፣ ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ያላቸው ወላጆችን ጨምሮ፣ ይህም ለተማሪዎች የእኩል የትምህርት እድሎች ተጠቃሚነት አስፈላጊ ነው። የፍትህ መምሪያ ወላጆች በልጆቻቸው ትምህርት ሙሉ በሙሉ እንዳይሳተፉ የሚከለክሏቸውን የቋንቋ እንቅፋቶችን ለመፍታት የትምህርት ወረዳዎች እርምጃዎችን እንዲወስዱ ማረጋገጡን ይቀጥላል።’’ የዩ.ኤስ የኮሎራዶ ወረዳ ጠበቃ ኮሌ ፊንጋን “ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ያላቸው ወላጆች የሕዝብ ትምህርት ቤቶች እንዴት እንደሚሠሩ ለመረዳት እንቅፋት ይገጥማቸዋል ” ብለዋል። “ይህ ስምምነት በወረዳው ውስጥ ያሉ ሁሉም ወላጆች በልጆቻቸው ትምህርት በተገቢው መልኩ እንዲሳተፉ ለማድረግ የቼሪ ክሪክ ትምህርት ቤት ወረዳ ፖሊሲዎችን እና ልምዶችን መተግበሩን ለማረጋገጥ ያለመ ነው። በኮሎራዶ የሚገኙ ሁሉም የትምህርት ቤት ወረዳዎች የተገደበ የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ላላቸው ወላጆች የቋንቋ እርዳታ አገልግሎቶችን የመስጠት ግዴታቸውን መወጣታቸውን ለማረጋገጥ ተግባሮቻቸውን እንዲገመግሙ እናሳስባለን።” CCSD ወላጆቻቸው ከ150 በላይ ቋንቋዎች የሚናገሩ ወደ 53,000 ለሚሆኑ ተማሪዎች አገልግሎት ይሰጣል። የኮሎራዶ ወረዳ የዩ.ኤስ አቃቤ ህግ ቢሮ ብዙ ቅሬታዎችን የተቀበለ ሲሆን ይህም የእንግሊዝኛ ቋንቋ ችሎታቸው ውስን የሆኑ ወላጆች በአስፈላጊ የትምህርት ቤት ፕሮግራሞች እና እንቅስቃሴዎች ላይ ትርጉም ባለው መልኩ መሳተፍ አልቻሉም ምክንያቱም ወረዳው ተገቢ እና ውጤታማ የቋንቋ እርዳታ አገልግሎቶችን አልሰጠም። ቅሬታዎቹ፣ ለምሳሌ፣ ወረዳው የእንግሊዝኛ ቋንቋ ችሎታቸው ውስን ለሆኑ ወላጆች ልጆቻቸውን በወረዳው ትምህርት ቤቶች ሲያስመዘግቡ የአስተርጓሚ እና የትርጉም አገልግሎት እንደማይሰጡ እና በማባረር ችሎቶች እና በሌሎች የዲሲፕሊን ሂደቶች ላይ እንደዚህ ያሉ አገልግሎቶችን አልሰጡም የሚል ነው። የዩ.ኤስ አቃቤ ህግ ቢሮ ከፍትህ መምሪያ የሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ጋር በመተባበር በ1974 እኩል የትምህርት እድል ህግ ስር ያሉትን ቅሬታዎች መርምሯል። የመምሪያውን ምርመራ ለመፍታት ወሳኝ በሆኑ ጉዳዮች ላይ ያለውን ግንኙነት ለማሻሻል ተስማምቷል ከነዚህም ውስጥ፡- ምዝገባ፡ ወረዳው የተገደበ የእንግሊዘኛ ችሎታ ያላቸውን እና ልጆቻቸውን በወረዳ ትምህርት ቤቶች ለማስመዝገብ የሚፈልጉ ወላጆችን ይለያል፣ የመረጡትን የመገናኛ ቋንቋ ይመዘግባል፣ እና የምዝገባ ሂደቱን እንዲረዱ የቋንቋ እገዛ አገልግሎቶችን ያቀርብላቸዋል። የተማሪ የዲሲፕሊን ሂደቶች፡ ወረዳው መታገድ እና መባረርን የሚያካትቱ ደብዳቤዎችን የተገደበ የእንግሊዘኛ ቋንቋ ችሎታ ላላቸው ወላጆች ወደ መረጡት ቋንቋዎች ይተረጉማል እና በዲሲፕሊን ሂደቶች ጊዜ ወደ መታገድ ወይም መባረር ሊያመራ የሚችል ጉዳይ ላይ የቋንቋ እገዛ አገልግሎት ይሰጣል። ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ካላቸው ወላጆች ጋር መስተጋብር ማድረግ፡ ወረዳው ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ያላቸው ወላጆችን የግንኙነት ፍላጎቶች የበለጠ ለመረዳት የዳሰሳ ጥናቶችን ያካሂዳል እና ከደርዘን በላይ በሆኑ ቋንቋዎች የማዳመጥ ክፍለ ጊዜዎችን ያካሂዳል። የ1974 እኩል የትምህርት እድሎች ህግ አፈፃፀም የሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ከፍተኛ ቅድሚያ የሚሰጠው ጉዳይ ነው። ስለ ሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ተጨማሪ መረጃ በድረ-ገፁ በ www.justice.gov/crt ላይ ይገኛል፣ እና ስለ ትምህርታዊ እድሎች ክፍል ስራ ተጨማሪ መረጃ በ www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section ላይ ይገኛል። የዜጎችን የመብት ጥሰት ለሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ሪፖርት ለማድረግ፣ እባክዎ www.civilrights.justice.gov/ ን ይጎብኙ። ስለ የዩ.ኤስ አቃቤ ህግ ቢሮ የሲቪል መብቶች ማስፈጸሚያ ፕሮግራም ተጨማሪ መረጃ በ www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement ላይ ማግኘት ይቻላል።


title: وزارة العدل تتوصل لاتفاقية لمعالجة العوائق اللغوية للعائلات في منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية في كولورادو

body_text: أعلنت وزارة العدل اليوم أنها توصلت إلى اتفاقية تسوية مع منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية، وهي إحدى أكبر المناطق التعليمية في كولورادو، لتحسين الخدمات اللغوية بشكل كبير لأولياء الأمور من ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية، تقدم الاتفاقية حلًا للادعاءات القائلة بأن المنطقة أخفقت في التواصل مع أولياء الأمور هؤلاء بلغة يمكنهم فهمها، مما يمنع حقهم في معرفة معلومات مهمة حول تعليم أطفالهم. صرحت مساعد المدعي العام كريستين كلارك من قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل: "لا ينبغي أن يبقى أي ولي أمر جاهلًا بتفاصيل تعليم أبنائه، فالتواصل المفتوح والفعال بين المدارس وأولياء الأمور، بما في ذلك أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية، يعد أمرًا ضروريًا لضمان حصول الطلاب على فرص تعليمية متساوية، وستواصل وزارة العدل التأكد من اتخاذ المناطق التعليمية خطوات عملية لمساعدة أولياء الأمور في التغلب على الحواجز اللغوية التي تمنعهم من المشاركة الكاملة في تعليم أبنائهم. صرّح المدعي العام لمقاطعة كولورادو كول فينيجان: "يواجه أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية تحديات في فهم الكيفية التي تعمل بها المدارس العامة، حيث تهدف هذه الاتفاقية إلى ضمان قيام منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية بتنفيذ سياسات وممارسات تمكّن جميع أولياء الأمور في المنطقة من المشاركة بشكل هادف في تعليم أبنائهم. ونحن نحث جميع المناطق التعليمية في كولورادو على مراجعة ممارساتها للتأكد من امتثالها للالتزام بتقديم خدمات المساعدة اللغوية لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية." تخدم منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية حوالي 53 ألف طالب يتحدث أولياء أمورهم أكثر من 150 لغة، وقد تلقى مكتب المدعي العام الأمريكي عن مقاطعة كولورادو شكاوى متعددة تزعم أن أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية لا يمكنهم المشاركة بشكل هادف في البرامج والأنشطة المدرسية المهمة لأن المنطقة لم توفر لهم خدمات المساعدة اللغوية المناسبة والفعالة؛ فقد زعمت الشكاوى، على سبيل المثال، أن المنطقة لم توفر مترجمين فوريين أو خدمات الترجمة لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية عندما قيامهم بتسجيل أبنائهم في مدارس المنطقة ولم تقدم مثل هذه الخدمات أثناء جلسات الطرد والإجراءات التأديبية الأخرى. قام مكتب المدعي العام الأمريكي، بالتنسيق مع قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل، بالتحقيق في الشكاوى بموجب قانون تكافؤ الفرص التعليمية لعام 1974. لإنهاء التحقيق الذي تجريه وزارة العدل، وافقت المنطقة التعليمية على تحسين اتصالاتها في المجالات الهامة، بما في ذلك: التسجيل: ستحدد المنطقة التعليمية أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية والذين يسعون إلى تسجيل أطفالهم في مدارس المنطقة، وتوثّق لغة التواصل المفضلة لهم، وتزوّدهم بخدمات المساعدة اللغوية لمساعدتهم على فهم عملية التسجيل. الإجراءات التأديبية للطلاب: ستقوم المنطقة بترجمة الرسائل التي تتضمن التعليق والطرد إلى اللغة المفضلة لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية وتوفير خدمات المساعدة اللغوية أثناء الإجراءات التأديبية التي قد تؤدي إلى الإيقاف أو الفصل. التعامل مع أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية: ستقوم المنطقة بعمل استطلاعات رأي وعقد جلسات استماع بأكثر من اثنتي عشرة لغة لفهم احتياجات التواصل لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية بشكل أفضل. يعد تطبيق قانون تكافؤ الفرص التعليمية لعام 1974 أولوية قصوى لقسم الحقوق المدنية. تتوفر معلومات إضافية حول قسم الحقوق المدنية على موقعه على الإنترنت على العنوان التالي: www.justice.gov/crt ، ومعلومات إضافية حول عمل قسم الفرص التعليمية متاحة على www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . للإبلاغ عن انتهاك محتمل للحقوق المدنية، يرجى زيارة الموقع www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . يمكن العثور على معلومات إضافية حول برنامج إنفاذ الحقوق المدنية التابع لمكتب المدعي العام الأمريكي على الموقع www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement to Address Language Barriers for Families in the Cherry Creek, Colorado, School District

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD), one of the largest school districts in Colorado, to significantly improve language access services for parents with limited English proficiency. The agreement resolves allegations that the district failed to communicate with these parents in a language they could understand, denying them important information about their children’s education. “No parent should be left in the dark about their child’s education,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Open and effective communication between schools and parents, including parents with limited English proficiency, is essential to safeguarding students’ equal access to educational opportunities. The Justice Department will continue to ensure school districts take steps to help parents overcome language barriers that prevent them from participating fully in their children’s education.” “Parents with limited English proficiency face barriers to understanding how public schools work,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado. “This agreement is intended to ensure that the Cherry Creek School District implements policies and practices to enable all parents in the district to participate meaningfully in their children’s education. We urge all school districts in Colorado to review their practices to ensure that they are complying with their obligations to provide language assistance services to parents with limited English proficiency.” The CCSD serves about 53,000 students whose parents speak more than 150 languages. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado received multiple complaints alleging that parents with limited English proficiency could not meaningfully participate in important school programs and activities because the district did not provide them with appropriate and effective language assistance services. The complaints alleged, for example, that the district did not provide interpreters and translation services to parents with limited English proficiency when they enrolled their children in the district’s schools and did not provide such services during expulsion hearings and other disciplinary proceedings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, investigated the complaints under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. To resolve the department’s investigation, the district has agreed to improve its communications in critical areas, including: Enrollment: The district will identify parents with limited English proficiency and who are seeking to enroll their children in district schools, document their preferred language of communication and provide them with language assistance services to help them understand the enrollment process. Student disciplinary proceedings: The district will translate letters that involve suspension and expulsion into the preferred language of parents with limited English proficiency and provide language assistance services during disciplinary proceedings that could lead to suspension or expulsion. Engagement with parents with limited English proficiency: The district will administer surveys and hold listening sessions in over a dozen languages to better understand the communications needs of parents with limited English proficiency. The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt , and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . To report a possible civil rights violation to the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil rights enforcement program can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: El Departamento de Justicia logra un acuerdo para abordar las barreras idiomáticas de las familias del distrito escolar de Cherry Creek, Colorado

body_text: El Departamento de Justicia anunció en el día de hoy que ha logrado un acuerdo de conciliación con el Distrito Escolar de Cherry Creek (CCSD, por sus siglas en inglés), uno de los distritos más grandes de Colorado, para mejorar en forma significativa los servicios de acceso idiomático para los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés. El acuerdo sale al paso de las acusaciones en torno a que el distrito no se comunicaba con estos padres en un idioma que pudieran entender y, de ese modo, les impedía acceder a información importante sobre la educación de sus hijos. “No se debe permitir que los padres desconozcan lo que sucede con la educación de sus hijos”, señaló Kristen Clarke, Fiscal General Adjunta de la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia. “La comunicación abierta y eficaz entre escuelas y padres, incluidos los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés, es fundamental para salvaguardar el acceso equitativo de los estudiantes a las oportunidades educativas. El Departamento de Justicia continuará garantizando que los distritos escolares tomen medidas para ayudar a los padres a superar las barreras idiomáticas que les impiden participar plenamente en la educación de sus hijos”. “Los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés enfrentan obstáculos para entender cómo funcionan las escuelas públicas”, afirmó Cole Finegan, Fiscal de EE. UU. para el Distrito de Colorado. “Este acuerdo tiene por objeto garantizar que el Distrito Escolar de Cherry Creek implemente las políticas y las prácticas que les permitan a todos los padres del distrito participar de manera relevante en la educación de sus hijos. Instamos a todos los distritos escolares de Colorado a revisar sus prácticas para garantizar que cumplan con sus obligaciones de proporcionar servicios de asistencia con el idioma a los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés”. El CCSD presta servicios a alrededor de 53,000 estudiantes, cuyos padres hablan más de 150 idiomas. La Oficina del Fiscal para el Distrito de Colorado recibió muchas quejas que afirmaban que los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés no podían participar de manera significativa en programas y actividades escolares importantes porque el distrito no les proporcionaba servicios de asistencia con el idioma apropiados y eficaces. Las quejas señalaban, por ejemplo, que el distrito no suministraba servicios de intérpretes y de traducción a los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés cuando inscribían a sus hijos en las escuelas del distrito, ni les ofrecían dichos servicios durante las audiencias de expulsión y otros procedimientos disciplinarios. La Oficina del Fiscal de EE. UU., en coordinación con la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia, investigó las quejas en virtud de la Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades Educativas ( Equal Educational Opportunities Act ) de 1974. Para abordar la investigación del departamento, el distrito ha acordado mejorar sus comunicaciones en áreas fundamentales, entre las que se incluyen: Inscripción: El distrito identificará a aquellos padres que tengan un dominio limitado del inglés y que intenten inscribir a sus hijos en escuelas del distrito, documentará su idioma preferido de comunicación y les ofrecerá servicios de asistencia con el idioma para ayudarlos a entender el proceso de inscripción. Procedimientos disciplinarios de los estudiantes: El distrito traducirá las cartas que involucren la suspensión y expulsión al idioma preferido de los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés, y les proporcionará servicios de asistencia con el idioma durante los procedimientos disciplinarios que podrían llevar a la suspensión o expulsión. Interacción con los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés: El distrito realizará encuestas y organizará sesiones de conversación en más de una docena de idiomas para entender mejor las necesidades de comunicaciones de los padres con un dominio limitado del inglés. La aplicación de la Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades Educativas de 1974 es una de las principales prioridades de la División de Derechos Civiles. Puede acceder a información adicional sobre la División de Derechos Civiles en su sitio web en www.justice.gov/crt , y a información adicional sobre el trabajo de la Sección de Oportunidades Educativas en www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . Para denunciar una posible violación de los derechos civiles ante la División de Derechos Civiles, visite www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . Podrá encontrar información adicional sobre el programa de aplicación de derechos civiles de la Oficina del Fiscal de EE. UU. en www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: 법무부, 콜로라도 주 체리크릭 학군 내 가족을 위한 언어 장벽 해결을 위한 합의서 확보

body_text: 미국 법무부는 오늘 콜로라도 주에서 가장 큰 학군 중 하나인 체리크릭 교육구(CCSD)와 영어가 미숙한 학부모들을 위한 언어 접근 서비스를 크게 개선하기 위한 합의에 도달했다고 발표했습니다. 이 합의는 학군이 이러한 학부모와 이해할 수 있는 언어로 소통하지 않아 자녀 교육에 관한 중요한 정보를 제공하지 않았다는 불만을 해결합니다. 미국 법무부 민권 부서의 크리스틴 클라크 법무부 차관보는 "어떤 학부모도 자녀의 교육에 대해 어둠 속에 방치되어서는 안 됩니다." 라고 말합니다. "영어가 미숙한 학부모를 포함하여 학교와 학부모 간의 개방적이고 효과적인 의사소통은 학생들의 교육 기회에 대한 평등한 접근을 보호하는 데 필수적입니다. 미국 법무부는 학부모가 자녀 교육에 온전히 참여하지 못하게 하는 언어 장벽을 극복할 수 있도록 학군을 계속 지원할 것입니다." 콜로라도 지구 콜 피네건 연방검사는 "영어가 미숙한 학부모들은 공립학교가 어떻게 운영되는지 이해하는 데 어려움을 겪습니다." 라고 말했습니다. "이 합의는 체리크릭 학군이 학군내의 모든 학부모들이 자녀 교육에 의미 있게 참여할 수 있는 정책과 관행을 시행하도록 하기 위한 것입니다. 우리는 콜로라도 주의 모든 학군들이 영어가 미숙한 학부모들에게 언어 지원 서비스를 제공해야 하는 의무를 준수하고 있는지 확인하기 위해 관행을 검토할 것을 촉구합니다." CCSD(체리크릭 학군)은 부모들이 150개 이상의 언어를 사용하는 약 53,000명의 학생들에게 서비스를 제공합니다. 콜로라도 지구 연방 검찰청은 학군이 적절하고 효과적인 언어 지원 서비스를 제공하지 않아 영어가 미숙한 학부모들이 중요한 학교 프로그램과 활동에 의미 있게 참여할 수 없었다는 여러 건의 불만을 접수했습니다. 예를 들어, 불만 사항에는 학군이 영어가 미숙한 학무모들이 자녀를 학군의 학교에 등록할 때 통역 및 번역 서비스를 제공하지 않았고 퇴학 청문회 및 기타 징계 절차 중에 그러한 서비스를 제공하지 않았다는 주장이 담겨 있습니다. 연방 검찰청은 법무부 민권 부서와 협력하여 1974년 교육 기회 균등법에 따라 불만 사항을 조사했습니다. 교육부의 조사를 해결하기 위해 학군은 다음과 같은 중요한 영역에서 의사소통을 개선하기로 합의했습니다: 등록: 교육구는 영어가 미숙한 자녀를 학군 내 학교에 등록시키려는 학부모들을 파악하여 선호하는 의사소통 언어를 문서화하고 등록 절차를 이해하는 데 도움이 되는 언어 지원 서비스를 제공할 것입니다. 학생 징계 절차: 학군은 정학 및 퇴학과 관련된 서신을 영어가 미숙한 학부모가 선호하는 언어로 번역하고 정학 또는 퇴학으로 이어질 수 있는 징계 절차 중에 언어 지원 서비스를 제공합니다. 영어가 미숙한 학부모와의 소통: 교육구에서는 영어가 미숙한 학부모의 의사소통 요구를 더 잘 이해하기 위해 12개 이상의 언어로 설문조사를 실시하고의견을 청취할 예정입니다. 1974년 제정된 교육 기회 균등법의 시행은 민권 부서의 최우선 과제입니다. 민권 부서에 대한 자세한 정보는 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt 에서 확인할 수 있으며, 교육 기회 부서의 업무에 대한 자세한 정보는 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section 에서 확인할 수 있습니다. 민권 부서에 민권 침해 가능성을 신고하려면 www.civilrights.justice.gov/ 을 방문하세요. 미국 법무부의 민권 집행 프로그램에 대한 추가 정보는 https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement 에서 확인할 수 있습니다.


title: Министерство юстиции заключило соглашение об устранении языковых барьеров для семей в школьном округе Черри-Крик, штат Колорадо

body_text: Сегодня Министерство юстиции объявило о заключении мирового соглашения со школьным округом Черри-Крик (CCSD), одним из крупнейших школьных округов штата Колорадо, с целью заметного улучшения услуг языковой поддержки для родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка. Соглашение разрешает вопрос обвинений в том, что округ не мог общаться с отдельными родителями на понятном им языке, не донося им важную информацию об образовательном процессе их детей. «Ни один родитель не должен испытывать трудности в понимании процесса получения своим ребенком образования», — отмечает помощница генерального прокурора в Отделе по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции Кристен Кларк. «Открытая и результативная коммуникация между школами и родителями — включая родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка — крайне важна для обеспечения учащимся равного доступа к образовательным возможностям. Министерство юстиции продолжит следить за принятием соответствующих мер для того, чтобы школьные округа эффективно помогали родителям преодолеть языковые барьеры, мешающие им полноценно участвовать в образовательном процессе своих детей». «Родители с ограниченным знанием английского языка сталкиваются с серьезными преградами в понимании принципов работы государственных школ», — добавляет прокурор округа Колорадо Коул Финеган. «Это соглашение гарантирует, что школьный округ Черри-Крик реализует политику и практику, позволяющую всем родителям в округе принимать значительное участие в образовании своих детей. Мы призываем все школьные округа Колорадо пересмотреть свои методы работы, чтобы достичь соблюдения своих обязательств по предоставлению языковой поддержки родителям с ограниченным знанием английского языка». В CCSD учится около 53 000 детей и подростков, чьи родители говорят более чем на 150 языках. Прокуратура США по округу Колорадо получила несколько жалоб, где утверждалось, что родители с ограниченным знанием английского языка не могут полноценно участвовать в важных школьных программах и мероприятиях, поскольку округ не предоставил им соответствующих эффективных услуг языковой поддержки. Так, в жалобах утверждалось, что округ не предоставлял услуг устной и письменной помощи родителям с ограниченным знанием английского языка, когда они оформляли своих детей в школы округа, а также не предоставлял таких услуг во время посвященных исключению собраний и других дисциплинарных разбирательств. Прокуратура США в сотрудничестве с Отделом по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции расследовала жалобы в соответствии с Законом о равных возможностях получения образования 1974 года. Для разрешения вопросов, поднятых во время расследования департамента, округ планирует улучшить процесс коммуникации в особо важных направлениях, в том числе, в следующих. Оформление Округ будет выявлять родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка, которые хотят оформить своих детей в школы округа, отмечать в документации предпочитаемый ими язык общения и предоставлять им услуги языковой помощи, чтобы они могли понять процесс зачисления. Дисциплинарные разбирательства в отношении учащихся Округ обязуется переводить письма, связанные с отстранением от занятий и исключением, на язык, предпочитаемый родителями с ограниченным знанием английского языка, а также предоставлять услуги языковой поддержки во время дисциплинарных разбирательств, которые могут привести к отстранению или исключению. Взаимодействие с родителями с ограниченным знанием английского языка Чтобы лучше понять коммуникационные потребности родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка, округ обязуется проводить опросы и собрания на более чем 12 языках. Обеспечение соблюдения Закона о равных возможностях получения образования 1974 года является основным приоритетом Отдела по гражданским правам. Дополнительная информация об Отделе по гражданским правам содержится на веб-сайте по адресу www.justice.gov/crt , а больше информации о работе Отдела образовательных возможностей изложено по адресу www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . Вы можете сообщить о случаях нарушении гражданских прав в Отдел по гражданским правам, посетив веб-сайт www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . Дополнительная информация о программе Прокуратуры США по обеспечению соблюдения гражданских прав изложена на веб-сайте по адресу www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: Bộ Tư pháp đạt thỏa thuận giải quyết rào cản ngôn ngữ cho các gia đình học khu  Cherry Creek, tiểu bang Colorado

body_text: Hôm nay, Bộ Tư pháp thông báo đã đạt được một thỏa thuận dàn xếp với Học khu Cherry Creek (CCSD), một trong những học khu lớn nhất ở Colorado, để cải thiện đáng kể các dịch vụ tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cho phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế. Thỏa thuận nhằm giải quyết các cáo buộc rằng học khu đã không giao tiếp với các phụ huynh này bằng loại ngôn ngữ mà họ có thể hiểu được, dẫn đến việc họ không nhận được thông tin quan trọng về giáo dục con cái. “Cha mẹ nào cũng cần được biết đầy đủ về việc giáo dục con cái họ,” Trợ lý Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Kristen Clarke phụ trách Vụ Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp cho biết. “Giao tiếp cởi mở và hiệu quả giữa nhà trường và phụ huynh, kể cả phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế, là điều cần thiết để học sinh nào cũng được tiếp cận cơ hội giáo dục một cách bình đẳng. Bộ Tư pháp sẽ tiếp tục hành động để đoan chắc rằng các học khu thực hiện các bước để giúp phụ huynh vượt qua rào cản ngôn ngữ đã ngăn họ tham gia đầy đủ vào việc giáo dục con cái.” “Phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế đang đối mặt với những rào cản để hiểu rõ cách thức hoạt động của các trường công lập,” Ông Cole Finegan, Biện lý Liên bang khu vực Colorado cho biết. “Thỏa thuận này nhằm biết chắc Học khu Cherry Creek thực hiện các chính sách và cách làm việc để giúp tất cả phụ huynh trong học khu tham gia một cách có ý nghĩa vào việc giáo dục con cái. Chúng tôi kêu gọi tất cả các học khu ở Colorado xem xét lại các hoạt động để đảm bảo rằng họ tuân thủ nghĩa vụ cung cấp dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ cho phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế.” CCSD phục vụ khoảng 53.000 học sinh có phụ huynh nói trên 150 thứ tiếng. Văn phòng Biện lý Liên bang khu vực Colorado đã nhận được nhiều khiếu nại cáo buộc rằng phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế không thể tham gia một cách có ý nghĩa vào các chương trình và hoạt động quan trọng của trường vì học khu không cung cấp cho họ các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ phù hợp và hiệu quả. Ví dụ, có khiếu nại cáo buộc rằng học khu đã không có thông dịch viên và dịch vụ dịch thuật cho phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế khi họ ghi danh cho con cái họ vào các trường của học khu và cũng không có các dịch vụ đó trong các buổi điều trần về đuổi học và các thủ tục áp dụng biện pháp kỷ luật khác. Văn phòng Biện lý Liên bang, phối hợp với Vụ Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp, đã điều tra các khiếu nại dựa theo Đạo luật Cơ hội Giáo dục Bình đẳng ban hành năm 1974. Nhằm giải quyết cuộc điều tra của bộ, học khu đã đồng ý cải thiện thông tin liên lạc trong các lĩnh vực quan trọng, bao gồm: Ghi danh: Học khu sẽ xác định phụ huynh nào có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế đang ghi danh cho con cái họ vào các trường trong học khu, ghi nhận ngôn ngữ giao tiếp mà họ ưa thích để cung cấp cho họ các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ, giúp họ hiểu thủ tục ghi danh. Thủ tục áp dụng biện pháp kỷ luật với học sinh: Học khu sẽ dịch các thư liên quan đến việc ngưng học và đuổi học sang ngôn ngữ ưa thích của phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế và cung cấp các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ trong quá trình kỷ luật có thể dẫn đến ngưng học hoặc đuổi học. Giao tiếp với phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế: Học khu sẽ thực hiện các cuộc khảo sát và tổ chức các buổi lắng nghe dư luận bằng hơn một chục ngôn ngữ để nắm vững hơn nhu cầu giao tiếp của phụ huynh có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế. Việc thực thi Đạo luật Cơ hội Giáo dục Bình đẳng ban hành năm 1974 là ưu tiên hàng đầu của Vụ Dân quyền. Thông tin thêm về Vụ Dân quyền có để trên trang web của vụ tại địa chỉ www.justice.gov/crt và thông tin thêm về công việc của Phòng Cơ hội Giáo dục có để tại www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . Muốn báo cáo cho Vụ Dân quyền về một hành vi có thể vi phạm dân quyền, vui lòng ghé www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . Thông tin thêm về chương trình thực thi dân quyền của Văn phòng Biện lý Liên bang có thể xem tại www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement .


title: 司法部达成协议，解决科罗拉多州樱桃溪学区家庭的语言障碍问题

body_text: 美国司法部今天宣布与科罗拉多州最大的学区之一樱桃溪学区（Cherry Creek School District，CCSD）达成和解协议，大幅改善为英语水平有限的家长提供的语言使用服务。该协议解决了关于学区未能用这些家长能听懂的语言与他们沟通，从而剥夺了他们获得子女教育重要信息的权利的指控。 司法部民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀·克拉克（Kristen Clarke）说：“任何家长都不应该被蒙在鼓里，不了解自己孩子的教育情况。学校与家长（包括英语水平有限的家长）之间开放而有效的沟通对于保障学生平等获得教育机会至关重要。”司法部将继续确保学区采取措施，帮助家长克服妨碍他们充分参与子女教育的语言障碍。” 科罗拉多州地区联邦检察官科尔·费根（Cole Finegan）说：“英语水平有限的家长在了解公立学校如何运作方面面临障碍。本协议旨在确保樱桃溪学区实施相关政策和措施，使学区的所有家长都能有意义地参与子女的教育。我们敦促科罗拉多州的所有学区审查其做法，以确保他们履行为英语能力有限的家长提供语言援助服务的义务。” 樱桃溪学区为大约 5.3 万名学生提供服务，这些学生的父母讲 150 多种语言。科罗拉多州地区联邦检察官办公室收到多起投诉，称英语水平有限的家长无法有意义地参与学校的重要项目和活动，因为校区没有为他们提供适当有效的语言援助服务。例如，投诉称学区没有为英语水平有限的家长在子女入学时提供口译和笔译服务，也没有在开除听证会和其他纪律处分程序中提供此类服务。 美国联邦检察官办公室与司法部民权司协调，根据 1974 年《平等教育机会法》对投诉进行了调查。 为解决该部门的调查问题，该学区已同意改进其在关键领域的沟通，包括: 入学：学区将识别英语水平有限且希望子女就读学区学校的家长，记录他们首选的交流语言，并为他们提供语言协助服务，帮助他们了解入学程序。 学生纪律处分程序：学区将把涉及停学和开除的信件翻译成英语水平有限的家长喜欢的语言，并在可能导致停学或开除的纪律处分程序中提供语言协助服务。 与英语水平有限的家长接触：学区将用十多种语言开展调查并举行倾听会，以更好地了解英语水平有限的家长的沟通需求。 执行 1974 年《平等教育机会法》是民权处的首要任务。有关民权处的更多信息，请访问其网站 www.justice.gov/crt ，有关教育机会科工作的更多信息，请访问 www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section 。 要向民权处报告可能存在的侵犯民权行为，请访问 www.civilrights.justice.gov/ 。有关美国联邦检察官办公室民权执法计划的更多信息，请访问 www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement 。


title: Long Island Woman Indicted for $3.28 Million Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Donna Ingram with wire fraud, disaster relief fraud, and theft of public funds relating to her scheme to submit fraudulent applications for loans under the United States Small Business Administration’s (the “SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. Ingram was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS); Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent-in-Charge, Office of the Inspector General of the SBA, Eastern Region Office (SBA-OIG); Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region (DOL-OIG), announced the arrest and charges. “As alleged, the defendant made a business out of defrauding the government by falsely claiming that she and others needed government loan benefits to pay their employees during the pandemic. This money was meant to help businesses weather the pandemic. In reality, the defendant was lining her own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will continue prosecuting those who took advantage of the COVID crisis and stole funds from vitally important government relief programs.” “Donna Ingram is accused of spearheading a scheme that defrauded the United States government of over $3.2 million in relief funds meant for the well-meaning public during a time when their lives were in unparalleled crisis. The defendant’s alleged crimes were anything but victimless, and robbed small businesses — the backbone of this country — of critical resources. HSI New York stands at the forefront of investigating financial crimes, and will pursue justice on behalf of New Yorkers regardless of how much time has passed,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. “I commend our state and local law enforcement partners for their exceptional collaboration that resulted in today’s arrest.” “Bilking a loan program that served as a lifeline to businesses experiencing distress during the pandemic is simply unconscionable," said Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS). "While our nation has moved past the pandemic, the United States Secret Service remains steadfast in its commitment to holding these alleged fraudsters accountable. I want to thank our many law enforcement partners for their seamless collaboration in this important and ongoing work.” “Abusing the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established to support struggling small businesses during the pandemic, for personal gain is inexcusable,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “Our office is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of SBA programs and ensuring that individuals who commit fraud are held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.” “This indictment underscores law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that only people and businesses truly in need used public resources earmarked for relief programs during the pandemic,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “The NYPD will continue to assist our federal partners in any of their investigations related to that grave time, with the goal of protecting taxpayer funds and holding all alleged fraudsters accountable for their actions.” “An important part of the mission of the U.S Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of pandemic-related fraud. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. As set forth in court filings, between May 2020 and May 2021, Ingram submitted at least 27 PPP loan applications (the “Subject Applications”) on behalf of her own companies as well as at least 22 other businesses (the “Subject Businesses”). The Subject Applications contained false information about the Subject Businesses, including false claims about their revenue, number of employees, payroll costs, and intended use of the loan proceeds. For example, for one business, referred to in the Indictment as Subject Business-3, Ingram submitted two separate applications for loans, one which falsely claimed that the business had earned approximately $950,950 in 2019 and another which falsely claimed that the same business had earned approximately $820,000 in 2019. Subject Business-3 received two PPP loans for $150,000 each and its owner paid Ingram approximately $50,500 in kickbacks. In total, the Subject Businesses received loans in the amount of approximately $3.28 million and Ingram received kickbacks totaling at least $430,000 for her preparation and submission of the fraudulent Subject Applications. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Ingram faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant : DONNA INGRAM Age: 50 Freeport, Long Island E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-214 (HG)


title: District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Theft from Nordstrom Rack Retail Store in Northwest

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Karim Clayton, 46, 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 April 26, 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Clayton was indicted on May 22, 2024, and will be arraigned on May 29, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge. According to the government’s evidence, on April 26, 2024, Clayton took merchandise without paying from the Nordstrom Rack store located in Northwest, Washington, D.C. Clayton was located and arrested after investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department. Clayton 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 45 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 Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Granzotto. 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: Farrell Man Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking of Fentanyl, Heroin, and Crack Cocaine

component: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Farrell, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on his conviction of trafficking fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine base, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Denzel Williams, 30. Williams also was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Williams previously pleaded guilty in this case to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine base between June 2020 and June 2021. As part of his plea agreement, Williams acknowledged responsibility for the distribution of 20 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of heroin, and 60 grams of crack cocaine. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Mercer County Drug Task Force, New Castle Police Department, Sharon Police Department, Hermitage Police Department, and Farrell Police Department for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Williams. This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: Former Venezuelan Military Official Sentenced for Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A former officer in the Venezuelan National Guard was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for participating in a money laundering scheme that involved bribes to foreign officials and defrauding foreign financial institutions. According to court documents, Nepmar Jesus Escalona Enriquez, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and formerly of Venezuela, participated in an illegal scheme to finance purported food imports to Venezuela that was facilitated by bribery and false pretenses. Escalona and his co-conspirators carried out the scheme, in part, by knowingly submitting fraudulent applications to the Venezuelan currency regulation authority, also known as CADIVI, to deceive Banesco Bank, the Central Bank of Venezuela, and Venezuelan customs authorities into releasing U.S. dollars to Escalona and his co-conspirators outside of Venezuela. The fraudulent applications were submitted to purportedly finance food imports into Venezuela, but in reality were an artifice to enrich the conspirators. This conduct resulted in the transfer of nearly $1.7 million in U.S. dollars from Banesco Bank into an account controlled by the conspirators. Escalona further admitted that, in at least one instance, the co-conspirators arranged for a series of bribes to be paid to officials in Venezuela to prevent the detection of their fraudulent scheme. Escalona also admitted in another instance to instructing a co-conspirator to wire transfer proceeds of the fraud, as well as funds constituting bribes, to four financial institutions in the United States. The five illicit wire transfers totaled approximately $420,847. Escalona pleaded guilty on March 4 to one count of money laundering conspiracy. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Miami Field Division made the announcement. The DEA’s Miami Field Division is investigating the case. Trial Attorney Emily Cohen and Deputy Chief Joseph Palazzo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Goldbarg for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: Patient Coordinator for O.C. Sober Living Home Arrested for Alleged Kickback Payments to ‘Body Brokers’ and Referred Patients

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A patient intake coordinator for an addiction treatment facility in Orange County was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment alleging he conspired to pay $37,000 in illegal kickbacks to so-called “body brokers” in exchange for finding him new patients. Luis Guerrero, 53, of Santa Ana, was arrested this morning. He is scheduled for arraignment this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. Guerrero is charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of offering or paying illegal remunerations for referrals to the clinical treatment facility that employed him. According to the indictment that a grand jury returned on May 22, Guerrero sought the services of two body brokers in referring patients to his employer’s Orange County-based addiction treatment facility, which treated patient populations that received health care benefits through health insurers. Guerrero allegedly then negotiated kickback payments to the body brokers on behalf of the facility and arranged for the body brokers to receive thousands of dollars per patient in illegal kickbacks. The indictment alleges that these kickbacks were intended as compensation to the brokers for referring patients and to induce them to continue referring patients so Guerrero could meet a monthly patient intake quota – a condition of his employment with the facility. Guerrero also assisted the body brokers in paying thousands of dollars directly to the patients, as a further kickback to compensate the patients for allowing the facility to bill their insurance providers for treatment, the indictment alleges. For example, during a call with a body broker over an encrypted messaging service, Guerrero arranged for a patient to receive a $5,000 electronic payment and agreed to assure the patient that “we’ll do something to put money in her hands before she leaves or before she arrives [home],” according to the indictment. In October 2020, Guerrero allegedly negotiated payment of $37,000 in kickbacks to the body brokers in exchange for their referral of five patients over the previous two months, leading to a $30,000 partial payment to the body brokers later that month. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted of all charges, Guerrero faces a statutory maximum sentence of 35 years in federal prison. The FBI is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin R. Barron and Nandor Kiss of the Santa Ana Branch Office are prosecuting this case.


title: Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Prison

body_text: FORT WAYNE – Payne T. Randle, 40 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after being found guilty by a jury for possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Randle was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, on February 4, 2021, the Allen County Drug Task Force was notified by a commercial carrier of a suspicious package addressed to Randle’s residence. A search warrant for the package revealed it contained approximately 368 grams of methamphetamine and 444 grams of marijuana. A subsequent search warrant and stop resulted in the recovery of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana, a loaded firearm, a 50-round drum-style magazine, and numerous boxes of ammunition as well as additional methamphetamine and four more firearms. Randle has previous felony drug convictions and a felony robbery conviction, which prohibited him from possessing the firearms. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Allen County Drug Task Force, the Allen County Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Justin C. Sheridan. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with CEFCU to Ensure Access for People with Disabilities

component: USAO - Illinois, Central

body_text: PEORIA, Ill. – The Department of Justice announced today it has entered into a settlement agreement with the Citizens Equity First Credit Union (“CEFCU”) to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The agreement requires the credit union to adopt an ADA policy, train its staff, and provide services to the complainant. The settlement resolves an ADA complaint alleging that CEFCU refused, on multiple occasions, to serve an individual with a hearing disability over the phone because the individual was using an interpreter to communicate on the calls. According to the complaint, when the individual called CEFCU using an interpreter, CEFCU refused to speak with the individual through the interpreter and said it could not proceed with a third-party present on the call. The complaint prompted an investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. The ADA requires that places of public accommodation like banks or credit unions provide equal access to their services and respond to telephone calls from individuals using sign language interpreters in the same manner they respond to other telephone calls. “Many people with disabilities communicate through interpreters and the law protects their right to equal access through such services,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant for the Central District of Illinois. “We appreciate CEFCU’s cooperation and commitment to ensuring access to its services for all of its customers. We encourage all business and places of public accommodation in the Central District of Illinois to review their policies and training, so they are prepared to facilitate or provide interpretive services when needed.” Under the agreement, the credit union will create an ADA policy and provide training to its staff about the ADA’s requirements to ensure equal access to its services for customers with disabilities. Without admitting violating the ADA, CEFCU also agreed to a monetary payment to the complainant to fully resolve the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant represented the government during the investigation and settlement process. The ADA requires that places of public accommodation like banks offer people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from their services, programs, and activities. For more information about the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov , or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint .


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement to Address Language Barriers for Families in the Cherry Creek School District

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD), one of the largest school districts in Colorado, to significantly improve language access services for parents with limited English proficiency. The agreement resolves allegations that the district failed to communicate with these parents in a language they could understand, denying them important information about their children’s education. “No parent should be left in the dark about their child’s education,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Open and effective communication between schools and parents, including parents with limited English proficiency, is essential to safeguarding students’ equal access to educational opportunities. The Justice Department will continue to ensure school districts take steps to help parents overcome language barriers that prevent them from participating fully in their children’s education.” “Parents with limited English proficiency face barriers to understanding how public schools work,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Cole Finegan. “This agreement is intended to ensure that the Cherry Creek School District implements policies and practices to enable all parents in the district to participate meaningfully in their children’s education. We urge all school districts in Colorado to review their practices to ensure that they are complying with their obligations to provide language assistance services to parents with limited English proficiency.” The CCSD serves about 53,000 students whose parents speak more than 150 languages. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado received multiple complaints alleging that parents with limited English proficiency could not meaningfully participate in important school programs and activities because the district did not provide them with appropriate and effective language assistance services. The complaints alleged, for example, that the district did not provide interpreters and translation services to parents with limited English proficiency when they enrolled their children in the district’s schools and did not provide such services during expulsion hearings and other disciplinary proceedings. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, investigated the complaints under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. To resolve the department’s investigation, the district has agreed to improve its communications in critical areas, including: Enrollment: The district will identify parents with limited English proficiency and who are seeking to enroll their children in district schools, document their preferred language of communication, and provide them with language assistance services to help them understand the enrollment process. Student disciplinary proceedings: The district will translate letters that involve suspension and expulsion into the preferred language of parents with limited English proficiency and provide language assistance services during disciplinary proceedings that could lead to suspension or expulsion. Engagement with parents with limited English proficiency: The district will administer surveys and hold listening sessions in over a dozen languages to better understand the communications needs of parents with limited English proficiency. The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt , and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section . To report a possible civil rights violation to the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.civilrights.justice.gov/ . Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil rights enforcement program can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement . Press Release Translations Министерство юстиции заключило соглашение об устранении языковых барьеров для семей в школьном округе Черри-Крик, штат Колорадо El Departamento de Justicia logra un acuerdo para abordar las barreras idiomáticas de las familias del distrito escolar de Cherry Creek, Colorado وزارة العدل تتوصل لاتفاقية لمعالجة العوائق اللغوية للعائلات في منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية في كولورادو 司法部达成协议，解决科罗拉多州樱桃溪学区家庭的语言障碍问题 Bộ Tư pháp đạt thỏa thuận giải quyết rào cản ngôn ngữ cho các gia đình học khu Cherry Creek, tiểu bang Colorado 법무부 , 콜로라도 주 체리크릭 학군 내 가족을 위한 언어 장벽 해결을 위한 합의서 확보 የፍትህ መምሪያ በቼሪ ክሪክ፣ ኮሎራዶ፣ የትምህርት ወረዳ ውስጥ ላሉ ቤተሰቦች የቋንቋ እንቅፋቶችን ለመፍታት ስምምነትን አረጋግጧል Read the agreement at the link below: Agreement


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Resolve Voting Rights Lawsuit

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement with the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and city elections officials to resolve allegations that Pawtucket failed to provide Spanish-language assistance for voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act and did not allow qualified voters to cast provisional ballots in violation of the Help America Vote Act. The proposed consent decree was filed in conjunction with the lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The department’s lawsuit alleges that Pawtucket failed to provide election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency, in violation of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions, including Pawtucket, provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. The lawsuit also alleges that Pawtucket and city elections officials refused to allow individuals who were qualified to cast a provisional ballot to do so and failed to train and instruct poll workers accurately and adequately regarding the requirements for provisional ballots, all in violation of Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act. If individuals are not listed on the official registration list, HAVA requires an election official to notify individuals that they may cast a provisional ballot if they declare that they are a registered voter in the jurisdiction and eligible to vote in the election. “Language barriers should never prevent an eligible voter from being able to fully participate in the democratic process,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Providing bilingual materials and language assistance for those who are limited English proficient will ensure that these citizens have a meaningful opportunity to participate in our democracy. We will continue to confront any barriers that stand between voters and the ability to cast their vote.” “The right to vote is the right on which all others depend,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha for the District of Rhode Island. “This office will remain vigilant in enforcing our civil rights laws to ensure that illegal barriers to access do not keep Americans from casting their ballots. I am grateful for our continued partnership with the Civil Rights Division on this case and commend the City of Pawtucket for taking action to ensure that these issues are addressed.” The proposed consent decree, which must be approved by the court, requires the implementation of a comprehensive Spanish-language elections program under Section 203. The City of Pawtucket will provide all election-related information in both English and Spanish, including information in the polling places and online. The City of Pawtucket also will ensure that in-person language assistance is available at all early voting sites and at each election precinct on Election Day. In addition, the consent decree provides that all voters who are registered to vote have a right to cast a provisional ballot if their name is not found on the registration list. The consent decree also provides that federal observers may monitor election day activities in polling places in the City of Pawtucket. More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting . Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section . Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. Individuals can also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island either by emailing usari.civilrightscomplaint@usdoj.gov or by calling (401)-709-5010.