title: Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Three Violent Carjackings

body_text: DETROIT – A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to committing two attempted carjackings and one completed carjacking— including one where he fired an assault rifle at a teenaged victim. United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced the plea today and was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to court records, Gregory Horsley, 20, of Detroit, Michigan, committed the carjackings on May 14, 2021, in Beverly Hills, Michigan. During each offense, Horsley targeted strangers who were inside their vehicles near the intersection of Thirteen Mile Road and Evergreen. In the first carjacking, Horsley approached the 16-year-old victim as he was seated in his car. Horsley pulled out a loaded assault rifle and pointed it at the driver. As the teenager drove off, Horsley fired his weapon, striking the vehicle. Horsley next approached a vehicle driven by a woman. Horsley brandished his firearm and ordered her out of the car. The victim fled the driver’s seat and Horsley entered her car. But he could not drive away because the victim had the key fob in her pocket. Horsley exited that vehicle and approached a third driver. Horsley pointed his firearm at the male driver and ordered him out of the car. The driver complied. Horsley then took the keys and drove off in the car. The carjacked vehicle was found a few days later. Horsley was identified by surveillance video and taken into custody at his home in Detroit. Horsley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison on the charge of brandishing a firearm while committing a carjacking. For the carjacking charges, Horsley faces a maximum of fifteen years in prison. “Carjacking is one of the most serious violations of public safety, making people feel vulnerable in their own cars and neighborhoods,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “We will seek significant federal penalties against those who prey on motorists in our communities.”,” "Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “This case was investigated by the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and serves as an example of the collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to bring violent criminals to justice. The FBI, along with the Beverly Hills Police, Southfield, and Detroit Police Departments, remains committed to rooting out those who victimize our neighborhoods with violence.” Sentencing is set for July 13, 2023. The case was investigated by the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, the Beverly Hills Police Department, the Southfield Police Department, the Detroit Police Department, and handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeanine Brunson and Michael Taylor.


title: Western North Carolina Dog Fighters Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: Two North Carolina men were sentenced today for violations of the Animal Welfare Act for engaging in dog fighting and related criminal conduct. Laddie Dwayne McMillian, 47, will serve 16 months in prison and Derrick Twitty, 48, will serve six months in prison. Both defendants will serve two years of supervised release following the completion of their sentences and are prohibited from possessing any dogs during the term of supervision, including through a third party. According to court documents, McMillian conspired to breed, train and fight dogs for nearly 15 years. He openly boasted of owning and operating “mass destruction kennels,” a fighting dog breeding operation. On Jan. 27, 2020, McMillian shared a video of his “yard,” showcasing 13 dogs. He also shared videos of his dogs engaged in fights. In one video, which lasts four minutes and 57 seconds, two dogs are seen fighting in a typical fighting pit. By the end of the video, the dogs’ faces and ears are bleeding and raw. In early 2020, Twitty joined the fighting and breeding operations, and together, the two trained and bred dogs for dog fights, scheduled “roll” fights, and tended to their dog’s injuries. A “roll” is a fight between two dogs for a short period of time, testing the dogs’ fighting abilities and is an “animal fighting venture.” “Slick Rick” was their prize fighter. Born in January 2018, McMillian trained and subjected Slick Rick to fights, over and over again. He died in January 2022, a few weeks after McMillian sponsored him in a dog fight. “The life and death of this dog reflects the defendants’ extraordinary cruelty, abuse, and mistreatment of animals for entertainment – criminal conduct that our division has and will continue to aggressively prosecute,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The defendants in this case treated dogs like a commodity, bred and trained to fight, often to death, for the amusement of spectators taking part in this cruel activity,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “Dogfighting is an illegal blood sport that subjects animals to incredible pain and suffering. It is also a federal crime and one that has the full attention of my office and our law enforcement counterparts.” “The barbaric practice of pitting animals against each other in a fight to the death has no place in this country,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Salina Walker of the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “The outstanding work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who investigated this case and the prosecutors of the Department of Justice made it possible to bring this individual of a major animal fighting venture to justice. USDA-OIG has made animal fighting a high priority in order to demonstrate that these inhumane acts of cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.” The USDA-OIG and North Carolina’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Senior Trial Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan and Trial Attorney William J. Shapiro of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Deputy Criminal Chief Don Gast for the Western District of North Carolina prosecuted the case.


title: Justice Department Files Statements of Interest in Servicemembers’ Lawsuits Asserting Their Rights Against Major Banks in Federal Court

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it filed statements of interest in Espin et al. v. Citibank, N.A. and Padao v. American Express National Bank , two lawsuits currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, to address the right of the nation’s servicemembers to bring and participate in class action litigation under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) instead of being forced into privatized arbitration proceedings on their own. The SCRA provides special legal protections to servicemembers to enable them to focus on their jobs defending the nation. For example, it allows servicemembers to reduce the interest rates on certain loans to 6% while on active duty. In Espin and Padao , the plaintiffs allege that Citibank and American Express, respectively, violated the SCRA by imposing interest rates in excess of 6% on qualified servicemembers. The plaintiffs are seeking to bring class actions against the banks on behalf of themselves and other servicemembers who may have been affected. In response, Citibank and American Express are seeking to have the cases dismissed and to require every servicemember to bring their own individual claim in private arbitration. The department’s statements of interest urge the court to deny the defendants’ motions and to allow the plaintiffs’ SCRA class claims to proceed. “The Justice Department is committed to robust enforcement of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, both through actions brought by the Attorney General and through servicemembers seeking to vindicate their own rights and the rights of others in federal court,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Our troops put their lives on the line to secure our freedom, and they should be able to effectively vindicate their rights,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “Our troops fight for our freedom abroad, and we will zealously fight for their rights here at home. Limiting the rights of members of our military is unacceptable, especially in North Carolina, one of the most military-friendly states in the nation. We stand with our troops and insist that they be treated with the respect they deserve.” The department’s statements of interest address specific language in the SCRA that permits plaintiffs in a civil action to be a representative party on behalf of members of a class or be a member of a class despite any previous agreement to the contrary. As explained in the statements of interest, this provision allows servicemembers to participate in class actions in federal court alleging SCRA violations even where, as in Espin and Padao , defendants seek to enforce an agreement requiring individual arbitration. The motions to compel arbitration in both cases are currently pending before the court. Since 2011, the department has obtained over $481 million in monetary relief for over 123,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s enforcement efforts under the SCRA and other laws that protect the rights of servicemembers, please visit www.servicemembers.gov . Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations may be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil .


title: Justice Department and European Commission Announces Resumption of U.S. and EU Negotiations on Electronic Evidence in Criminal Investigations

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission today announced the resumption of negotiations on an EU-U.S. agreement to facilitate access to electronic evidence in criminal investigations. Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of State, and European Commission plan to meet in Stockholm, Sweden, on March 15 and 16 prior to the EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Senior Officials Meeting taking place in Stockholm on March 16 and 17. Negotiation started in September 2019 but was paused while the European Union finalized the EU e-Evidence legislation.


title: Wichita Woman Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for bank fraud and tax fraud in connection to a scheme to defraud her former employers of millions of dollars. In May 2022, Nancy Martin, 78, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aid or assist filing a false tax document. Martin defrauded Mid-Kansas Wound Specialists and Emergency Services P.A. for whom she worked as a bookkeeper, business manager, and chief operating officer. Between 2012 to 2017, Martin embezzled approximately $3.1 million by fraudulently obtaining money from her employers’ banks meanwhile falsifying accounting entries to disguise the embezzlement as payments or transferred funds between entities. Martin spent the stolen funds on personal expenses, travel, and investments. From 2013 to 2016, Martin either filed tax returns or caused tax returns to be filed to the Internal Revenue Service that omitted income. In addition to the 48 months in prison, a federal judge ordered Martin to pay more than $3.2 million in restitution to the victims and approximately $670,000 in restitution to the IRS. “For years Nancy Martin abused her employment position and betrayed the trust of her employers to steal millions of dollars from them, and for that reason she is going to prison,” said U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “The role of the prosecution was to seek justice and try to help victims recover their financial losses.” “IRS Criminal Investigation was able to see through Ms. Martin’s sophisticated embezzlement scheme in order to bring justice to the victims involved,” said St. Louis Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Murdock. “Ms. Martin’s prison time sends a clear message that bank fraud and tax fraud have serious consequences.” The IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith prosecuted the case. ###


title: Woman Pleads Guilty to Threatening Election Official

component: Criminal - Appellate Section

body_text: A New Hampshire woman pleaded guilty today to sending multiple threatening communications to a Michigan election official in the wake of the 2020 election. According to court documents, Katelyn Jones, 25, of Epping, made multiple threats in November 2020 to the chair of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, which oversees elections in Wayne County, Michigan. First, on Nov. 18, 2020, Jones sent a series of text messages to the official’s personal cell phone containing threats to injure the official and the official’s minor child. Jones’s text messages to the official included graphic photographs of a bloody, deceased, nude, mutilated woman lying on the ground as well as a photograph of the official’s minor child. Second, also on Nov. 18, 2020, Jones made posts to an Instagram account associated with the official that also contained threats to injure the official and the official’s minor child. For example, Jones posted on the official’s Instagram account that the official’s minor child was “beautiful” and that it would “be a shame if something happened to her.” Jones pleaded guilty to making interstate threats. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement. The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane N. Princ for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Federal Court Bars Three Florida Tax Return Preparer and a Business From Preparing Tax Returns and Orders Them to Disgorge Ill-Gotten Gains

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal court in Miami, Florida, has entered permanent injunctions against Rudy Aly, Rhonda Hudge, Cindy Odige, and TUPS Tax, LLC, barring them from preparing federal tax returns for others and owning or operating a tax preparation business. Aly was enjoined after failing to respond to the United States’ complaint. Hudge, Odige, and TUPS Tax consented to their injunctions. The court also ordered that Aly disgorge $406,071.43, representing the proceeds that he received for preparing false or fraudulent tax returns from 2018 to 2020. The court also ordered Hudge to disgorge $15,562.75, and Odige and TUPS Tax to disgorge $48,000 based on their settlement agreements with the United States. In the complaint, the United States alleged that Aly and Hudge prepared tax returns that included fraudulent claims for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), often based on fabricated business income or expenses or bogus household help income. The complaint also alleges that Aly and Hudge prepared tax returns that falsely claimed credits for residential solar energy improvements and education expenses. Odige signed and filed fraudulent returns prepared by Aly, the complaint alleges. As part of their settlements, Hudge and Odige did not admit to the allegations in the complaint but agreed to injunctions and to pay disgorgement. Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. As the 2023 tax season continues, taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS offers tips on how to accurately file returns and how to choose a tax return preparer , as well as steps taxpayers can take to get a jumpstart on filing . Taxpayers seeking assistance can access the IRS’s free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also has programs offering free basic return preparation for qualifying seniors and individuals with low to moderate income ). In addition, IRS Free File , a public-private partnership, offers free online tax preparation and filing options on IRS partner websites for individuals whose adjusted gross income is under $72,000. For individuals whose income is over that threshold, IRS Free File offers electronical federal tax forms that can be filled out and filed online for free. In the past decade, the Department of Justice Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website . An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page . If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.


title: Two Men Sentenced in $30M Foreign Exchange Fraud Scheme

body_text: A Massachusetts man and a Florida man were sentenced for their roles in perpetrating a foreign exchange trading scheme to steal $30 million from their investor victims. Patrick Gallagher, 45, of Middleborough, Massachusetts, was sentenced to five years in prison on Feb. 21 and Michael Dion, 50, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison today. According to court documents, Gallagher and Dion devised a scheme in which they would solicit victims to invest in their foreign exchange company, Global Forex Management, by promising them large returns based on previous trading results that they had fabricated. They told the victims that their funds would be traded using an online trading platform provided by a co-conspirator’s company, IB Capital. Instead, Gallagher and Dion were working with other co-conspirators in the Netherlands to steal the victim investors’ money. In May 2012, Gallagher and Dion executed their scheme by intentionally creating losing trades for the investors and effectively stole approximately $30 million from their victims. After fabricating the massive trading loss, Gallagher and Dion routed the stolen money through shell companies they had set up all over the world. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement. The USPIS investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Vasanth Sridharan, Tian Huang, and Brittain Shaw of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. The Fraud Section uses the Victim Notification System (VNS) to provide victims with case information and updates related to this case. Individuals or entities who believe they may be a victim in this case should contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Assistance Unit by calling the Victim Assistance phone line at 1-888-549-3945 or by emailing victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov .


title: Ericsson to Plead Guilty and Pay Over $206M Following Breach of 2019 FCPA Deferred Prosecution Agreement

body_text: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Ericsson), a multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, has agreed to plead guilty and pay a criminal penalty of more than $206 million after breaching a 2019 Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA). Ericsson breached the DPA by violating the agreement’s cooperation and disclosure provisions. Based on the same underlying criminal conduct that gave rise to the DPA, Ericsson will plead guilty to engaging in a long-running scheme to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) by paying bribes, falsifying books and records, and failing to implement reasonable internal accounting controls in multiple countries around the world. “When the department afforded Ericsson the opportunity to enter into a DPA to resolve an investigation into serious FCPA violations, the company agreed to comply with all provisions of that agreement,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Instead of honoring that commitment, Ericsson repeatedly failed to fully cooperate and failed to disclose evidence and allegations of misconduct in breach of the agreement. As a result of these broken promises, Ericsson must plead guilty to two criminal offenses and pay an additional fine. Companies should be on notice that we will closely scrutinize their compliance with all terms of corporate resolution agreements and that there will be serious consequences for those that fail to honor their commitments.” According to court documents, beginning in 2000 and continuing until 2016, Ericsson used third-party agents and consultants to make bribe payments to government officials and to manage off-the-books slush funds in Djibouti, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Kuwait. These agents were often engaged through sham contracts and paid pursuant to false invoices, and the payments to them were improperly accounted for in Ericsson’s books and records. In 2019, Ericsson resolved this criminal conduct by entering a DPA with the department in connection with a two-count criminal information filed in the Southern District of New York. As part of the DPA, Ericsson paid a total criminal penalty of over $520 million and agreed to the imposition of an independent compliance monitor for three years. An Ericsson subsidiary, Ericsson Egypt Ltd, also pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information charging conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Following the 2019 resolution, Ericsson breached the DPA by failing to truthfully disclose all factual information and evidence related to the Djibouti scheme, the China scheme, and other potential violations of the FCPA’s anti-bribery or accounting provisions. Ericsson also failed to promptly report and disclose evidence and allegations of conduct related to its business activities in Iraq that may constitute a violation of the FCPA. These disclosure failures prevented the United States from bringing charges against certain individuals and taking key investigative steps. “Ericsson engaged in significant FCPA violations and made an agreement with the Department of Justice to clean up its act,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “The company’s breach of its obligations under the DPA indicate that Ericsson did not learn its lesson, and it is now facing a steep price for its continued missteps. As Ericsson’s anticipated guilty plea makes abundantly clear, the Southern District of New York will hold to account companies that fail to live up to obligations to root out and voluntarily report their misconduct to the Department of Justice.” “Today’s more than $200 million criminal penalty against Ericsson underscores the significant consequences that result when a DPA is breached,” said Chief James C. Lee of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Ericsson’s multiple cooperation and disclosure failures led to this breach, resulting in the company having to plead guilty and pay additional penalties.” Under the terms of the plea agreement, which must be accepted by the court, Ericsson agreed to plead guilty to the original charges deferred by the 2019 DPA: one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA and one count of conspiracy to violate the internal controls and books and records provisions of the FCPA. Ericsson will also be required to serve a term of probation through June 2024 and has agreed to a one-year extension of the independent compliance monitor. The plea agreement also requires Ericsson to pay an additional criminal penalty of $206,728,848 – which includes the elimination of any cooperation credit originally awarded pursuant to the DPA. The IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Michael Culhane Harper of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Abramowicz and Juliana Murray for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case. The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa .


title: Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has sentenced August Candeloro III, a/k/a “Nick,” age 35, of Catonsville, Maryland, today to 15 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for a federal charge of possession of child pornography. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr.; and Interim Chief Dennis J. Delp of the Baltimore County Police Department. According to his guilty plea, beginning in 2019 Candeloro began using a messaging application to send images depicting the sexual abuse of children. After additional investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Candeloro’s residence and seized his cellular phone from his bedroom. The phone was found to contain conversations between Candeloro and other users of the messaging application. Candeloro also joined private chat groups on the messaging application, many of which had chatroom names indicative of trading child pornography. Candeloro posted links to a secure cloud storage platform in many of the chatrooms. The secure cloud storage platform allows the user to create links containing encrypted files and chats with keys controlled by the user. Candeloro’s phone also revealed over 2000 images of suspected child pornography, including images involving prepubescent minors and depicting sadistic and masochistic conduct. Candeloro was previously convicted in two cases for a second-degree sex offense involving a 13-year-old victim in Howard County and Baltimore County Circuit Courts. As a result of those convictions, Candeloro was required to register as a sex offender. 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 Attorney’s 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.justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the HSI, Maryland State Police, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen E. McGuinn, who prosecuted the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Ericsson To Plead Guilty And Pay Over $206 Million Following Breach Of 2019 FCPA Deferred Prosecution Agreement

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and James C. Lee, the Chief of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced that TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (“ERICSSON”), a multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, has agreed to plead guilty and pay a criminal penalty of more than $206 million after breaching a 2019 Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”). ERICSSON breached the DPA by violating the agreement’s cooperation and disclosure provisions. Based on the same underlying criminal conduct that gave rise to the DPA, ERICSSON will plead guilty to engaging in a long-running scheme to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) by paying bribes, falsifying books and records, and failing to implement reasonable internal accounting controls in multiple countries around the world. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Ericsson engaged in significant FCPA violations and made an agreement with the Department of Justice to clean up its act. The company’s breach of its obligations under the DPA indicate that Ericsson did not learn its lesson, and it is now facing a steep price for its continued missteps. As Ericsson’s anticipated guilty plea makes abundantly clear, the Southern District of New York will hold to account companies that fail to live up to obligations to root out and voluntarily report their misconduct to the Department of Justice.” Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. said: “When the Department afforded Ericsson the opportunity to enter into a DPA to resolve an investigation into serious FCPA violations, the company agreed to comply with all provisions of that agreement. Instead of honoring that commitment, Ericsson repeatedly failed to fully cooperate and failed to disclose evidence and allegations of misconduct in breach of the agreement. As a result of these broken promises, Ericsson must plead guilty to two criminal offenses and pay an additional fine. Companies should be on notice that we will closely scrutinize their compliance with all terms of corporate resolution agreements and that there will be serious consequences for those that fail to honor their commitments.” IRS-CI Chief James C. Lee said: “Today’s more than $200 million criminal penalty against Ericsson underscores the significant consequences that result when a DPA is breached. Ericsson’s multiple cooperation and disclosure failures led to this breach, resulting in the company having to plead guilty and pay additional penalties.” According to court documents: Beginning in 2000 and continuing until 2016, ERICSSON used third-party agents and consultants to make bribe payments to government officials and to manage off-the-books slush funds in Djibouti, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Kuwait. These agents were often engaged through sham contracts and paid pursuant to false invoices, and the payments to the agents were improperly accounted for in ERICSSON’s books and records. In 2019, ERICSSON resolved this criminal conduct by entering a DPA with the Department in connection with a two-count criminal information filed in the Southern District of New York. As part of the DPA, ERICSSON paid a total criminal penalty of over $520 million and agreed to the imposition of an independent compliance monitor for three years. An ERICSSON subsidiary, Ericsson Egypt Ltd, also pled guilty to a one-count criminal information charging conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Following the 2019 resolution, ERICSSON breached the DPA by failing to truthfully disclose all factual information and evidence related to the Djibouti scheme, the China scheme, and other potential violations of the FCPA’s anti-bribery or accounting provisions. ERICSSON also failed to promptly report and disclose evidence and allegations of conduct related to its business activities in Iraq that may constitute a violation of the FCPA. These disclosure failures prevented the United States from bringing charges against certain individuals and taking key investigative steps. * * * Under the terms of the plea agreement, which must be accepted by the court, ERICSSON agreed to plead guilty to the original charges deferred by the 2019 DPA: one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA and one count of conspiracy to violate the internal controls and books and records provisions of the FCPA. ERICSSON will also be required to serve a term of probation through June 2024 and has agreed to a one-year extension of the independent compliance monitor. The plea agreement also requires ERICSSON to pay an additional criminal penalty of $206,728,848 – which includes the elimination of any cooperation credit originally awarded pursuant to the DPA. Mr. Williams praised the efforts of the IRS-CI, which conducted the investigation in this case. The case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit and the Justice Department’s Fraud Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Abramowicz and Juliana Murray and Trial Attorney Michael Culhane Harper are in charge of the prosecution.


title: Black-Market Medication Wholesaler, Pharmacy Owner, And Three Other Defendants Charged In $15 Million HIV Medication Fraud Scheme

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that BORIS AMINOV, CHRISTY CORVALAN, DAVID FERNANDEZ, DEZYRE BAEZ, and CRYSTAL MEDINA were charged with engaging in a years-long scheme to defraud Medicaid and other government insurance plans out of at least approximately $15 million and exploit at least hundreds of low-income individuals with HIV. The defendants were arrested this morning and are being presented today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein. The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants orchestrated a scheme to get rich by lying to Medicaid and other government insurance programs and depriving vulnerable HIV patients of legitimate and safe medications. The defendants allegedly made millions of dollars through submitting fraudulent insurance claims, paying illegal kickbacks, and buying and selling black-market HIV medications. Today’s arrests send a crystal-clear message to those that seek to line their pockets by lying to federal agencies tasked with providing healthcare for low-income individuals and preying on vulnerable members of society – you will not get away with it.” FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “The indictment today alleges the defendants operated a scheme designed not only to defraud Medicaid and other government insurance plans, but also take advantage of vulnerable low-income patients with HIV. This type of criminal activity abuses taxpayer funded healthcare programs and puts those who need help at further risk. The FBI will always do whatever is necessary to ensure the integrity of healthcare programs like Medicaid and hold those willing to exploit these programs accountable.” According to the allegations contained in the Indictment: [1] From at least in or about July 2020 through at least in or about February 2023, AMINOV, CORVALAN, FERNANDEZ, BAEZ, and MEDINA operated a scheme that defrauded Medicaid and other government insurance plans out of at least approximately $15 million and exploited at least hundreds of low-income individuals with HIV, jeopardizing the health and safety of those vulnerable patients. AMINOV was a distributor of black-market HIV medications to two pharmacies located in the Bronx, New York (the “Pharmacies”), through which the scheme was perpetrated. CORVALAN owned and operated the Pharmacies. She purchased black-market medications from AMINOV that were then dispensed to patients, funded illegal kickbacks to be paid to patients, and additionally paid patients to sell back their HIV medications to the Pharmacies, thereby inducing patients to forego using the medications they were prescribed to treat their HIV infections. FERNANDEZ, BAEZ, and MEDINA were employees of the Pharmacies who participated in the day-to-day operation of the scheme, including by paying illegal kickbacks to patients to obtain their HIV medications from the Pharmacies and buying-back medications from the patients. The scheme had two sets of victims: government insurance programs and the patients of the Pharmacies. First, Medicaid and other government insurance programs were defrauded out of at least approximately $15 million of payments that they made to the Pharmacies to purchase prescription HIV medications for patients through legitimate channels. CORVALAN, FERNANDEZ, BAEZ, and MEDINA, however, instead purchased HIV medications from black-market sources, including AMINOV. Over the duration of the scheme, CORVALAN, FERNANDEZ, BAEZ, and MEDINA used the Pharmacies to pay more than $6 million to purchase black-market HIV medications from AMINOV, which were then distributed to patients. Second, the scheme exploited low-income HIV patients of the Pharmacies and, in the process, put those vulnerable patients’ health and safety at risk by both paying patients kickbacks to fill their medications at the pharmacies, albeit with black-market drugs, and by encouraging patients to sell back their medications instead of taking them as they were prescribed to control their HIV infections. The defendants spent the proceeds of the scheme to purchase luxury cars, including a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach with an estimated fair market value of approximately $245,000, millions of dollars in waterfront real-estate, designer clothes, and jewelry. * * * AMINOV, 47, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison. CORVALAN, 41, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison. FERNANDEZ, 24, BAEZ, 22, and MEDINA, 27, all of the Bronx, New York, are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W. Coyle is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.


title: U.S. Attorney Mark Totten Joining DOJ Delegation To Commemorate “Bloody Sunday” And Passage Of Voting Rights Act Of 1965

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Attorney General Advisory Committee’s Civil Rights Subcommittee meeting in Selma and Montgomery with Civil Rights leaders at Alabama’s historic memorials and museums Grand Rapids – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten will join more than 30 other U.S. Attorneys from across the country as a delegation to commemorate the 58 th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the March over Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Totten has served as a member of the Attorney General Advisory Committee’s Civil Rights Subcommittee (AGAC) since taking office in May 2022. “I’m honored to join colleagues from across the United States on this trip to Montgomery and Selma, home to some of the most important moments in the Civil Rights Movement,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Our work protecting civil rights goes back more than 150 years. The Department of Justice was born in 1870 and tasked with dismantling the KKK, which was terrorizing African Americans across the South. That original charge of taking on hate and discrimination is still very much a part of our mission today. And my office and I are committed to using every power we have to protect these rights across the Western District of Michigan.” From March 4-7, 2023, U.S. Attorneys from across the country will meet with community and civil rights leaders while exploring some of the significant and educational civil rights institutions in Alabama. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Nick Brown is hosting the delegation’s visit. In addition to the Selma March scheduled for Sunday March 5, 2023, the U.S. Attorneys will meet with Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, as part of the subcommittee work supporting the AGAC. Other meetings and visits during the trip will focus on both historic civil rights conflicts and issues that are still fresh today. The group will meet with distinguished jurist Myron Thompson , the first Black Assistant Attorney General for Alabama and the second Black Federal Judge in the state. As the former Chief Judge in the Middle District of Alabama, Judge Thompson was instrumental in preserving the Montgomery bus station where the Freedom Riders were attacked in 1961 and the establishment of the Freedom Rides Museum. Judge Thompson is a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall award for his “personal contributions and extraordinary commitment to the advancement of civil rights.” The group will also meet with Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative , a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons. The attorneys will visit The Johnson Institute in the Montgomery federal courthouse where many key civil rights cases were decided. The Johnson Institute demonstrates through its programming the importance of the U.S. Constitution and the independent judiciary. They will go to The Legacy Museum , which provides a comprehensive history on the legacy of slavery. Lynching, codified racial segregation, and the emergence of over-incarceration in the 20th century, are examined in depth and brought to life through film, images, and first-person narratives at the museum. At the Memorial for Peace and Justice the group will reflect on America’s History of racial injustice. Set on a six-acre site, the memorial uses sculpture, art, and design to contextualize racial terror. The site includes a memorial square with 800 six-foot monuments to symbolize thousands of racial terror lynching victims in the United States. The U.S. Attorneys from the following districts are attending the Selma and Montgomery events: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Maine, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Vermont, South Dakota, Kansas, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana, Eastern Wisconsin, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Middle District of Florida, Northern and Eastern Districts of California, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, Western District of Virginia, Western District of North Carolina, Southern District of Ohio, Western District of New York, and the Southern District of West Virginia. U.S. Attorney Brown and Civil Rights Subcommittee Vice-Chair Rachel Rollins are appreciative of the work done by the Middle District of Alabama to host the delegation. The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee was established nearly 50 years ago by Attorney General Elliott Richardson. The Committee’s purpose is to give United States Attorneys a voice in Department policies and to advise the Attorney General of the United States. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney Announced Justice Department Settlement In Sexual  Harassment Lawsuit Against Michigan Landlord

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS – The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement to resolve a lawsuit alleging that Muskegon, Michigan, landlord Darrell Jones violated the Fair Housing Act by sexually harassing female tenants. The settlement also resolves claims against Fatima Jones and Jones Investing, LLC, which, along with Jones, owned the properties where the harassment occurred. “The sexual harassment of tenants is an intolerable abuse of power that violates federal civil rights laws,” said U.S. Attorney Mark A. Totten for the Western District of Michigan . “No one should have to endure harassment and discrimination, especially in their own homes. My office is committed to protecting the rights of vulnerable tenants and will continue to vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act to combat discrimination and secure justice for victims.” “The Fair Housing Act protects the rights of tenants to live in peace and security without the fear that their housing provider will sexually harass them,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to holding housing providers accountable for their unlawful behavior and seeking relief for survivors.” Under the agreement, which still must be approved by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, defendants are required to pay $155,000 to compensate individuals harmed by the harassment and pay a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order also requires the defendants to: Retain an independent property manager to manage their rental properties for the duration of the order; Obtain fair housing training; and Implement non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures to prevent sexual harassment at their properties in the future. “We admire the courageous women who spoke out to bring forth fair housing justice”, says Elizabeth Stoddard, Director of Advocacy of the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan . “In partnership with the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, we see you and we hear you. We believe you and we stand with you. A woman’s home should be her safe place.” The lawsuit, filed in June 2020, alleged that since at least 2008, Jones subjected female tenants to harassment that included making repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, touching tenants’ bodies without their consent, demanding sexual activity in exchange for rent and housing-related benefits, and taking adverse actions against tenants who resisted his sexual advances or complained about the harassment. This case was referred to the Justice Department by the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan and was litigated by attorneys in the department’s Civil Rights Division and the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the department’s initiative is to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the Department of Justice has filed 28 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered more than $9.8million for victims of such harassment. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt . Individuals may report sexual harassment or other forms of housing discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online . Individuals may also report such discrimination by contacting HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online . # # #


title: Drug Trafficking Organizer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Terrance Deandre Ellison was sentenced in federal court today to 20 years in prison for drug-trafficking crimes, including importation of methamphetamine and conspiring with others to import methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States. During a week-long jury trial in May 2022, prosecutors proved that Ellison was a drug trafficker who recruited, organized, and operated a network of drug importers in connection with his methamphetamine distribution activities in San Diego County and elsewhere between March 2020 and May 2020. The jury found that Ellison used drug-addicted people to travel to Mexico and smuggle methamphetamine across the border as “body carriers” in exchange for cash payment or drugs after delivery of the methamphetamine to Ellison in the United States. At Ellison’s behest, the “body carriers” concealed methamphetamine either inside their bodies or strapped to the outside. At trial, prosecutors proved that, on several occasions, Ellison went to Mexico, met with “body carriers” at a hotel or other location, purchased methamphetamine from drug suppliers in Mexico, packaged the methamphetamine for concealment, and directed the individuals how to conceal and cross the drugs into the United States. Once the “body carriers” crossed the border without getting caught, they would meet Ellison and travel to other locations to remove the drugs from their bodies. The “body carriers” then provided the drugs to Ellison. After several of his “body carriers” were arrested, Ellison choseto import the drugs himself. In May 2020, Ellison concealed the drugs inside a natural void behind the glove compartment of his rental car and entered the United States at the Otay Mesa, California Port of Entry. However, he was caught at the border and officers found the methamphetamine packages concealed inside. At trial, prosecutors presented incriminating evidence, including voluntary statements made by Ellison during an interview with investigators; text messages from his cellular phone; and border crossing records of Ellison with his “body carriers.” The jury deliberated and found Ellison guilty of four counts, including conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, conspiracy to import methamphetamine, and importation of methamphetamine. At today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes found that Ellison had an aggravating role in the offenses because he was a leader and organizer, and the offenses were otherwise extensive. Judge Hayes also found that Ellison had obstructed justice when he testified at trial because Ellison gave false testimony on material matters with willful intent. In balancing the aggravating and mitigating factors, Judge Hayes concluded that a sentence of 20 years was sufficient but not greater than necessary. Judge Hayes also placed Ellison on a 10-year term of supervised release, which will commence after Ellison has served his prison sentence. “This sentence sends a message to any drug trafficker operating drug importation and distribution networks in this district that you will receive a significant sentence for directing those who import dangerous narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Randy S. Grossman. Grossman thanked the prosecution team and Homeland Security Investigations for their excellent work on this case. “HSI will direct its full range of investigative authorities towards those who smuggle deadly drugs across the border and into our communities,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge of HSI San Diego. “This significant sentence demonstrates the U.S. government’s resolve with holding drug traffickers accountable for their actions.” DEFENDANT Case Number 20cr1788-WQH Terrance Deandre Ellison Age: 43 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Possess Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1) and 846 Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1) Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine - Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952, 960, and 963 Importation of Methamphetamine - Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960 Maximum penalty as to each charge: Life in prison and $10 million fine AGENCY Homeland Security Investigations


title: Federal Jury Convicts Ardmore Man Of Multiple Charges Associated With The Assault And Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor In Indian Country

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Geovanta Ty'Kearon Lee, age 21, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury on charges of (1) Cyberstalking, (2) Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, (3) Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, (4) Receipt of Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and (5) Possession of Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Indian Country. The jury trial began on Monday, February 27, 2023, and concluded on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on February 23, 2022, in Ardmore, Lee followed a vehicle driven by the victim. When the victim stopped, Lee exited his vehicle holding a firearm. Lee discharged the firearm when the victim began to drive away, striking the trunk on the driver’s side. The bullet was stopped by an amplifier in the trunk. Lee fled the scene after the shooting. In the month after the assault, Lee engaged in a course of conduct, using Facebook and phone calls, to intimidate and harass the victim. Phones recovered from the Defendant’s bedroom were searched as part of the investigation and contained evidence the Defendant received and possessed a video depicting sexual exploitation of a minor. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the Defendant is a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Carter County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The guilty verdicts were the result of investigations by the Ardmore Police Department, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Lee was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Dwight Artis represented the United States.


title: Ohio man pleads guilty to investment fraud scheme defrauding Pike County investors

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to orchestrating an investment fraud scheme in Pike County and to failing to remit more than $50,000 that had been withheld from employee paychecks to employee retirement funds. Robert W. Walton, Jr., 54, of Loveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft from an employee benefit plan. According to court documents, Walton engaged in a scheme to defraud investors of Hadsell Chemical Processing, LLC (HCP) and related entities. Walton was the president of HCP and fraudulently sought investments in the form of promissory notes from dozens of victim investors. Walton claimed the notes were personally guaranteed by a prominent local business owner when in fact they were not. Walton repeatedly forged the business owner’s signature from 2012 through 2015 without the business owner’s authority on several loan documents and promissory notes. Walton admitted to falsely representing his company’s future revenues from another business to be in the millions by creating fake invoices. The actual total legitimate business revenue HCP had with that other business was approximately $50,000. He provided the fake invoices to investors. Walton also provided investors with a falsified profit and loss statement, changing HCP’s net income during January to May 2014 from approximately –$800,000 to nearly $395,000. During part of his employment at HCP, Walton was responsible for approving the remittance of employee retirement funds to an employee benefit plan sponsored by HCP. Walton failed to remit approximately $53,000 withheld from employees’ pay, failing to transfer the funds into employee retirement funds. The United States is seeking more than $8.6 million in restitution for the victims of the fraud scheme. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and embezzling from an employee benefit plan carries a potential maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Division; and L. Joe Rivers, Regional Director, United States Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Cincinnati Regional Office announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Cincinnati man charged with sex trafficking missing teen

body_text: CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man was arrested and charged federally with sex trafficking and exploiting teenage girls from Indiana. Payton Jamar Brown, 26, is charged with sex trafficking and sexually exploiting children. According to the complaint, in October 2022, investigators received a report from the Safe Harbor/Human Trafficking Coordinator at the Hamilton County Juvenile Court regarding a potential victim. The victim and another juvenile female had been missing from separate cities in Indiana. Both of the16-year-olds were recovered from Brown’s residence on Niagara Street in Cincinnati. It is alleged that Brown met the first minor victim on an online dating app, 3Fun. Brown allegedly posted photos of the teenager to a website from June to October 2022 to advertise for sexual encounters. According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, the victim had sex with numerous men for money, which was then given to Brown. Additionally, Brown filmed sexual encounters with the teenager which they then attempted to sell to other individuals. Brown also allegedly picked up the second minor in Indianapolis and brought her to his residence in Cincinnati. Brown appeared in federal court in Cincinnati yesterday and has been ordered to remain in custody pending trial. Sex trafficking a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. Sexually exploiting children is punishable by a range of 15 to 30 years in prison. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III; and members of the Regional Electronics and Computer Investigations (RECI) task force announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case. A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Florida Man Who Victimized Underage Girls Online Going To Prison For 29 Years For Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Andrew Lynch a/k/a Gregory O’Neil, 33, of Crystal River, Florida, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 29 years in prison and 20 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Caitlin M. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that between April and May, 2018, Lynch a resident of the State of Florida, communicated with minor females located in the Western District of New York with the intent to have the victims produce child pornography for him. Specifically, Lynch communicated with five victims, ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old, via Facebook Messenger. As a result of Lynch’s threats and coercion, the victims sent Lynch numerous images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and also engaged in video chats with Lynch during which they engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During some of the communications, Lynch posted child pornographic images of the victims to Facebook in an effort to coerce them into sending more sexually explicit images and videos. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the Citrus County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Mike Prendergast. # # # #


title: Federal Jury Convicts West Monroe Man of Drug Trafficking

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MONROE, La. – A federal jury in Monroe returned a guilty verdict late yesterday afternoon convicting Paul Anthony Lewis , 50, of West Monroe, on numerous drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge David C. Joseph presided over the trial. According to evidence presented at trial, agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish began an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of Lewis. While conducting surveillance of Lewis’ stash house, agents observed large packages that were delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to that address. A subsequent search of the house revealed large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base also known as crack cocaine, and promethazine in the house. Testimony at trial revealed that Lewis used his telephone to negotiate drug trafficking transactions with unindicted co-conspirators in Texas and in the Western District of Louisiana. “This defendant was a trafficker of almost any type of illicit substance he could get his hands on, with ‘was’ being the operative word here,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This jury verdict ensures that the citizens of Ouachita Parish will not have to worry about Mr. Lewis’ drug dealing for many years. Lastly, it is a priority in this district that there will be zero tolerance here for the trafficking of fentanyl.” Lewis faces a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing will be set by the court at a later date. The case was investigated by the DEA, Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Gaskins and Alexander C. Van Hook, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney. # # #


title: Dominican Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican man pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally reentering the United States following a prior removal. Juan Nova-Nivar, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper, who scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2023. Nova-Nivar was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2017 after being arrested on unrelated state charges in Essex County. He remains in state custody. In 2012, Nova-Nivar was encountered by immigration officials in Texas, determined to be illegally present in the United States and placed into removal proceedings. He was deported to the Dominican Republic on June 6, 2012. Sometime after his 2012 removal, Nova-Nivar illegally reentered the United States. In 2015, Nova-Nivar was arrested in Lawrence under an alias on drug distribution charges. Nova-Nivar failed to appear for a number of scheduled pre-trial hearings and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Fingerprints obtained at the time of Nova-Nivar’s arrest provided a positive match with those from his 2012 removal and Nova-Nivar, leading to his March 2017 indictment for illegal reentry in this case. In May 2022, Novar Nivar — while still in warrant status for the state drug distribution charges — was arrested in Lawrence again using the same alias. He was later transferred into federal custody. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Former Employee Federally Charged with Embezzling $150,000 from Jasper Healthcare Nonprofit Over Nearly a Decade

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: EVANSVILLE- A federal grand jury indicted Michele Rose, 61, of Jasper, Indiana, on twelve counts of wire fraud and twelve counts of forging checks related to an alleged near-decade-long scheme to embezzle over $150,000 from a nonprofit healthcare organization headquartered in Jasper. The indictment was unsealed on February 28, 2023, following Rose’s arrest and initial appearance. According to court documents, Rose served as the Medical Staff Coordinator for a nonprofit for many years. During her employment, Rose would occasionally make business-related purchases with her personal funds, for which she would be reimbursed by the business upon proof of receipt. From March 2011 to December 2020, Rose allegedly used her position to embezzle $153,769.00 by writing 165 fraudulent checks to herself for reimbursement of purchases that she never made. Rose made numerous false representations to organization leadership to obtain signed, blank checks to reimburse herself for nonexistent expenses. Once the blank checks were signed, Rose wrote them to herself for various amounts and deposed the funds into her personal account. Rose then fraudulently concealed the fake reimbursements by omitting them from financial reports to organization leadership. If convicted, Rose faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine the actual sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Jeffrey R. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the USSS Indianapolis Field Office, and Nathan Schmitt, Chief of Police for the Jasper Police Department made the announcement. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who is prosecuting this case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Four co-conspirators charged with bank fraud

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – The final of four charged in connection with the theft of $200,000 from a bank in Houston and allegedly transferred to New York has turned herself in to authorities, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Janem Gibbs, 50, Missouri City, is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew M. Edison at 2 p.m. today. Arrested Friday, Feb. 24, were Munson P. Hunter III aka Paul Hunter, 48, Rosedale, New York, Gregory Thurman, 52, Richmond, and Travis Deon Wright, 51, Missouri City. Hunter was arrested in New York where he made his appearance, while Thurman and Wright appeared in Houston. Hunter, Thurman, Wright and Gibbs are charged with the theft of $200,000. The charges allege Gibbs was a former assistant branch manager at Capital One N.A. in Houston. She allegedly wire transferred money from a customer’s account at Capital One without his knowledge to an account at a New York City bank. Hunter, Thurman and Wright were also charged with wire fraud for moving the stolen money through a series of other accounts at banks in New York, Virginia and Texas. The accounts were opened using fictitious names, according to the charges. All four are charged with bank fraud. All but Gibbs are also charged with two counts of wire fraud. If convicted, each faces up to 30 years in prison and a possible $1 million maximum fine on each count. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John R. Lewis is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: 16 Defendants Charged in 112-Count Indictment Alleging Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft in Stolen Mail Scheme

component: Criminal - Criminal Fraud Section

body_text: ALBANY, Ga. – Sixteen individuals are facing federal bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges alleging their participation in a stolen mail scheme in and around the Americus, Georgia, community and Florida amounting to more than $165,000. The federal indictment was returned on Feb. 15 charging the following defendants: Jalen Tylee Hill aka “Roscoe Hill,” 24, of Americus, is charged with 68 counts of bank fraud, one count of fraud in connection with identification documents, 42 counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to possess stolen mail. On each count if convicted, Hill faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for bank fraud, a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for fraud in connection with identification documents, two years in prison and a $250,000 fine for aggravated identity theft and a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 for possession of stolen mail; Tyavia Deashia Richardson, 21, of Edison, Georgia, is charged with three counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Richardson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Quontavius Markee Hill, 31, of Americus, is charged with six counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Hill faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Laquashia Nichole French, 25, of Americus, is charged with six counts of bank fraud. If convicted, French faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Accacia Gordon, 25, of Americus, is charged with 13 counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Gordon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Dekeyvia Moasha Blackshear, 22, of Leslie, Georgia, is charged with two counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Blackshear faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Jenetta Small, 27, of Columbus, Georgia, is charged with four counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Small faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Jazmon Lace Whitehead, 29, of Oglethorpe, Georgia, is charged with seven counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Whitehead faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Chasity Lacole Wellons, 28, of Cordele, Georgia is charged with three counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Wellons faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Kelbresha Danielle Thomas, 28, of Montezuma, Georgia, is charged with four counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Kimbreyanna Andranique Peeples, 21, of Butler, Georgia, is charged with two counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Peeples faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Victoria Carter, 23, of Americus, is charged with one count of bank fraud. If convicted, Carter faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; Chelsea Ja’Nay Tullis, 26, of Americus, is charged with one count of bank fraud. If convicted, Tullis faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; Janita Bre’Shaye Terry, 22, of Columbus, is charged with four counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Terry faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; Shaneria Sharae Murray, 31, of Ellaville, Georgia, is charged with two counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Murray faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; and Mercedes Lashon Brown, 24, of Americus, is charged with three counts of bank fraud. If convicted, Brown faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. Defendant Jalen “Roscoe” Hill remains at-large; the remaining defendants were taken into custody on Feb. 23. Those defendants had initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Q. Langstaff on Feb. 23. Quontavius Hill was ordered detained today, Feb. 28. Individuals with information regarding Jalen “Roscoe” Hill’s whereabouts can contact the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office at (770) 216-3000 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov . According to the indictment, Jalen Hill and others would allegedly steal checks out of residential and commercial mailboxes around Americus, as well as other locations in Georgia and Florida. Jalen Hill is alleged to have recruited his co-defendants via social media to cash the checks at various banks and used other people’s means of identification to commit bank fraud on 14 occasions. In addition, Jalen Hill is alleged to have used the stolen identities of 28 people. The total amount of theft alleged in the indictment is $165,743.68. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the U.S Secret Service (USSS) and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Mitcham Lorence Admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers

component: USAO - Arkansas, Eastern

body_text: LITTLE ROCK—Lindsey Mitcham Lorence, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is now a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. The induction ceremony at which Lindsey became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 525 during the Spring Meeting of the College in Key Biscayne, Florida. Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. Lindsey has been practicing in Little Rock for twenty-six years. The newly inducted Fellow is an alumna of the William H. Bowen University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, where she is now an adjunct professor. Before joining the United States Attorney’s Office as an Assistant United States Attorney in the civil division, Lindsey was a law clerk for retired Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza, worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 6th Judicial District and was a Partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP. # # # This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at https://www.justice.gov/edar Twitter: @EDARNEWS


title: U.S. Attorney, Vermont Attorney General, and Rutland Area NAACP to Co-Host Hate-Free Vermont Forum in St. Albans

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney’s Office, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, and the Rutland Area NAACP will be co-hosting a Hate-Free Vermont Forum in St. Albans on March 13, 2023, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This forum will be the third held in an ongoing series; last year, Hate-Free Vermont Forums took place in Rutland and Bennington. “The Forum aims to bring policymakers, stakeholders, and community members together for productive and difficult conversations that will work to reduce animus, discord, and misunderstandings,” said co-facilitator Etan Nasreddin-Longo. “Many community members have told us they do not feel comfortable reporting bias incidents to the police or feel that is not an effective option. What additional options for reporting and addressing harm and conflict already exist in your community, and what new or improved options would you like to see?” Participants are welcome to share what they want their government officials to know about their experiences, and to ask questions of their government officials about bias and discrimination. When: Monday, March 13, 2023, 5:30pm-7:30pm Where: The Forum will be hosted in person and remotely. • Physical location: Bellows Free Academy - Cafeteria, 71 South Main Street, St. Albans, VT 05478 • Remote registration link: https://bit.ly/HateFreeFranklinCo • In-person registration link (optional): https://forms.gle/ofP9yx5vpmN2dbqT7 Who: All are welcome. For physical attendance, masks are requested. Registration is required for remote attendance.


title: Hartford Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Violent Robberies of AT&T Stores

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DESHAWN BAUGH, 20, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing violent robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, Baugh, Alex Josephs, Ronaldo Smith and Shaquille Raymond committed several violent armed robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. The perpetrators typically entered the stores shortly before closing, pointed weapons at employees, and, at times, pistol-whipped, dragged and shoved employees toward the back inventory room. They then held the employees at gunpoint while loading large bags with cell phones and other electronics. The group stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise. A fifth co-conspirator, Saviana Bourne, helped plan the robberies, served as a getaway driver, and coordinated the sale of the stolen merchandise. The investigation revealed that Baugh’s associates robbed AT&T stores in Newington on January 29, 2021, and Enfield on February 24, 2021. Baugh then joined the conspiracy and he and his associates robbed an AT&T store in Canton on April 15, 2021, and attempted to rob stores in Torrington and Glastonbury in May 2021, but were locked out of the stores. On June 6, 2021, Baugh and his associates, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, two revolvers, and a semiautomatic rifle, robbed an AT&T store in West Springfield, Massachusetts. After the robbery, they fled in a vehicle driven by Bourne, who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when their vehicle collided with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser. Baugh, Josephs, Smith, Raymond and Bourne were arrested, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than $150,000 in stolen merchandise, as well as the firearms used during the robbery. Baugh has been detained since his arrest. On November 29, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Josephs, Smith, Raymond and Bourne have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Judge Underhill ordered Baugh to pay restitution of $124,842.45, which reflects the loss from the Canton robbery. This matter has been investigated by the FBI's Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police and the Newington, Enfield, Canton, Torrington, Glastonbury, and West Springfield Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.


title: Man Who Robbed and Murdered Stamford Jeweler Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT RALLO, 59, of New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 480 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for offenses stemming from the robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford in March 2020, during which Rallo shot and killed the owner of the store. “This sentence will protect society from a dangerous individual who brutally killed a much loved and respected man and small business owner,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “I thank the FBI and the Stamford, Greenwich, Yonkers, New York and New Rochelle Police Departments for thoroughly investigating this crime and helping to bring these defendants to justice.” “The system of justice in which the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners work within everyday has just spoken,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller. “The joint efforts of the investigators and prosecutors has been recognized and justice has been served.” “We are very pleased to see these three career criminals held accountable for this senseless murder, and we want to commend the tireless, cutting edge police work that led to this outcome, said Assistant Chief Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department. “While nothing we do can restore what the Vuono family has lost, we hope that this conviction and sentence can offer some solace. We are grateful for the expertise of our officers, as well as the collaboration with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners, that contributed to bringing this painful case to a positive conclusion.” According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford. When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe. Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased. Investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras. Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, Paul Prosano drove Robert Rallo and Thomas Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers. Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store. Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases. Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe. During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver. Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver. Following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle. On March 31, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar. Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar. The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated. The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street. Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue. Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended. A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings. These items were stolen from Marco Jewelers on March 28. Liberatore was arrested on April 1. Rallo’s criminal history, which includes two prior murder convictions, spans approximately 40 years. He met Liberatore and Prosano while incarcerated within the New York State Department of Corrections, and had been released from prison in March 2019. Rallo has been detained since his arrest. On April 5, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. On December 19, 2022, a jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of Hobbs Act robbery and interstate transportation of stolen property. Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. They are detained while awaiting sentencing. This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale and Margaret Donovan. “This sentence will protect society from a dangerous individual who brutally killed a much loved and respected man and small business owner,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “I thank the FBI and the Stamford, Greenwich, Yonkers, New York and New Rochelle Police Departments for thoroughly investigating this crime and helping to bring these defendants to justice.” “The system of justice in which the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners work within everyday has just spoken,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller. “The joint efforts of the investigators and prosecutors has been recognized and justice has been served.” “We are very pleased to see these three career criminals held accountable for this senseless murder, and we want to commend the tireless, cutting edge police work that led to this outcome, said Assistant Chief Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department. “While nothing we do can restore what the Vuono family has lost, we hope that this conviction and sentence can offer some solace. We are grateful for the expertise of our officers, as well as the collaboration with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners, that contributed to bringing this painful case to a positive conclusion.” According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford. When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe. Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased. Investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras. Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, Paul Prosano drove Robert Rallo and Thomas Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers. Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store. Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases. Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe. During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver. Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver. Following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle. On March 31, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar. Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar. The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated. The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street. Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue. Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended. A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings. These items were stolen from Marco Jewelers on March 28. Liberatore was arrested on April 1. Rallo’s criminal history, which includes two prior murder convictions, spans approximately 40 years. He met Liberatore and Prosano while incarcerated within the New York State Department of Corrections, and had been released from prison in March 2019. Rallo has been detained since his arrest. On April 5, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. On December 19, 2022, a jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of Hobbs Act robbery and interstate transportation of stolen property. Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. They are detained while awaiting sentencing. This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale and Margaret Donovan.


title: Lenox Man Arrested for Child Exploitation Offenses

body_text: BOSTON – A Lenox man has been arrested and charged in connection with attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. Paul J. Bruzzi, 35, was charged with attempt to transfer obscene material to a minor. Bruzzi will make an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield today. According to the charging documents, starting in September 2022, Bruzzi used social media applications to communicate with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover federal investigator. During these conversations, it is alleged that Bruzzi sent the purported minor nine photographs and videos of himself displaying his genitalia and attempted to pressure her into sending him photos of herself. The charge of attempt to transfer obscene matter to a minor provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, three years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Salisbury and Winchester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Rollins’ Springfield Office is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Arizona man pleads guilty to extorting Georgia Tech

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Ronald Bell, who conspired to extort money from Georgia Institute of Technology, has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit extortion. “The defendant tried to extort Georgia Tech and egregiously tarnish the reputation of the university’s coach with a false claim of sexual assault,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “By his guilty plea he acknowledged the lie and his criminal conduct, and will now face the consequences for his crime.” “Bell sought to severely damage the reputation of the institution and their coach solely for his own financial gain,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI will not tolerate false allegations and will do everything in our power to seek the truth and hold individuals who commit these type of crimes accountable for their selfish actions.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Ronald Bell pleaded guilty to conspiring with his co-defendant, Jennifer Pendley, and a security guard at Georgia Tech, to falsely accuse the coach of Georgia Tech men’s basketball team of sexual assault. Bell admitted he recruited the security guard to falsely claim that the guard witnessed an assault. Bell told the security guard that the false accusation of sexual assault could be worth $20 million and promised the guard a share of the money. Bell also communicated with representatives of Georgia Tech and demanded money in exchange for not reporting the claimed sexual assault. For example, he texted a representative of Georgia Tech that: “This is going to get very ugly. GT has made no effort . . . to amicably resolve this . . . I guess this has to get ugly. I tried to resolve this without damaging GT’s reputation . . . .” After Georgia Tech refused to pay the bribe, Pendley filed a lawsuit claiming sexual battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. These claims falsely alleged that the guard witnessed the coach sexually assault Pendley. Ultimately, the security guard admitted that his statements were false and that Bell asked him to lie to support the false sexual assault claim. Pendley previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion on February 22, 2023. Sentencing for Ronald Bell, 56, of Oro Valley, Arizona, is scheduled for June 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .