title: South Thomaston Man Sentenced to 1.5 Years for Fraudulently Obtaining More than $1 Million in PPP Loans

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A South Thomaston man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for a bank fraud scheme in which he filed fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications and received over $1 million in fraud proceeds. U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Mark X. Haley II , 43, to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,010,581 in restitution. Haley pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023. According to court records, Haley filed fraudulent PPP loan applications in an attempt to obtain PPP loans. He listed false employee and payroll information on each application and submitted fraudulent documents to support the false information to the banks. These documents included false federal employment tax returns, fake timesheets and falsified bank records. Haley used some of the funds he obtained to make a down payment on a sailboat, which he then claimed was itself a functioning business with multiple employees in an attempt to steal additional PPP funds. Over an 11-month span, Haley submitted 12 fraudulent applications to three lenders, each with phony supporting documentation. In total, he attempted to steal nearly $1.5 million and succeeded in obtaining $1,010,581. The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation investigated the case. “Mark Haley exploited a worldwide epidemic to enrich himself through fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee . “This was a prolonged and opportunistic scheme motivated by sheer greed that only ended when the program meant to help businesses survive the pandemic itself ended. The Department of Justice and my office will continue to pursue those, like Mr. Haley, who attempted to capitalize on an unprecedented crisis.” Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP): The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA. ###


title: Leader Of Drug Delivery Service Responsible For Three Fentanyl Poisoning Deaths Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BILLY ORTEGA, a/k/a “Jason,” was sentenced to 30 years in prison today for running a drug delivery service that distributed dangerous drugs for over seven years, including the fentanyl that killed three New Yorkers on a single day: Julia Ghahramani, Amanda Scher, and Ross Mtangi. ORTEGA was convicted following a two-week trial in January 2023 before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Billy Ortega ran a drug delivery service that delivered fentanyl, killing three victims on a single day. Worse yet, Ortega was fully aware that a customer had previously overdosed from the deadly fentanyl Ortega laced into his product yet continued sending the drugs to his victims. Even after Ortega learned that his drugs killed three people, he told another drug dealer that they were too strong and to give them to other unsuspecting victims. Ortega’s callous and remarkably evil conduct rightly deserved a significant sentence. This sentence sends a message to the fentanyl traffickers causing the fentanyl epidemic in our communities that they will bear the most serious consequences.” According to court documents and the evidence presented at the trial of ORTEGA: BILLY ORTEGA was the leader of a major drug trafficking conspiracy, distributing dangerous drugs in New York City via a crew of workers from at least in or about 2015 to in or about February 2022. ORTEGA used his mother’s apartment in Manhattan as his stash house, employing family members and close friends to manage his drugs and cash and to deliver his drugs to customers. ORTEGA carried guns, supplied guns to his workers, and stored guns in the stash house to protect his drugs and drug money. For years, ORTEGA ran his drug delivery service by text message, acting like a dispatcher, coordinating drug deliveries by messaging his couriers and his customers. In March 2021, ORTEGA mixed fentanyl into a weak batch of cocaine and sold it to at least five customers, who had no idea that they were receiving cocaine mixed with that deadly opioid. In the course of a single day – March 17, 2021 – ORTEGA delivered, through one of his couriers, fentanyl-laced cocaine to Ghahramani, Mtangi, and Scher at three separate locations in Manhattan. All three victims died after consuming the drugs distributed by ORTEGA. On the day of the three poisonings – and prior to the fentanyl being delivered to any of the three victims – ORTEGA received a text message from a different customer warning ORTEGA that his drugs had almost killed someone else. Specifically, that other customer sent ORTEGA the following text message: “Hey man. Just on a follow up from yesterday - I gave most of my last bag to my buddy and he just called me this second to say he ended up in hospital last night. [. . .] He had to get a Narcan shot and was released in the early hours.” [1] ORTEGA read this text message prior to coordinating the three deliveries of the drugs, from the same fentanyl-tainted batch of cocaine, that killed the three victims in this case. Later that night on March 17, 2021, after the victims had stopped responding to ORTEGA’s text messages, ORTEGA offered the fentanyl-tainted batch of cocaine to another drug dealer, so he could test it out on “some girls” and see what happens. Specifically, ORTEGA texted the drug dealer: “If you[’re] going to be around [the] way let me know have some every one is saying it’s to[o] Strong . . . Give it to some girls and you let me know lol bro.” And when it became clear that ORTEGA had killed his customers, ORTEGA did not change course and stop selling dangerous drugs. ORTEGA changed his cellphone number and continued selling drugs every day until he was arrested nearly a year later. * * * BILLY ORTEGA, 37, of West Milford, New Jersey, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, acetylfentanyl, and cocaine, the use of which caused the deaths of Julia Ghahramani, Amanda Scher, and Ross Mtangi; distribution of fentanyl, acetylfentanyl, and cocaine to Ghahramani, the use of which caused her death; distribution of fentanyl and cocaine to Scher, the use of which caused her death; distribution of fentanyl and cocaine to Mtangi, the use of which caused his death; and carrying, use, and possession of a firearm in connection with, and in furtherance of, the narcotics conspiracy. In addition to his prison sentence, ORTEGA was sentenced to five years of supervised release. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) New York Strike Force, the SDNY Digital Forensic Unit, and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts for their support and assistance in this matter. The OCDETF New York Strike Force provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the New York Strike Force is to target, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering organizations, reduce the illegal drug supply in the United States, and bring criminals to justice. The Strike Force is affiliated with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA; NYPD; New York State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; New York National Guard; U.S. Coast Guard; New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; Fort Lee Police Department; Palisades Interstate Parkway Police; Teaneck Police Department; Hillsdale Police Department; Closter Police Department; Northvale Police Department; River Vale Police Department; Englewood Police Department; Saddle River Police Department; Bergen County Sheriff’s Department; Hawthorne Police Department; and Hackensack Police Department. This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micah F. Fergenson, Michael R. Herman, and Robert B. Sobelman, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Alex Frenchman and Christine Woods, are in charge of the prosecution. [1] “Narcan” is an opioid antagonist used to counteract the deadly effects of drugs like fentanyl.


title: Ida Grove Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Scott Allen Tomlinson, 49, from Ida Grove, Iowa, pled guilty in federal court in Sioux City, on October 2, 2023, to Possession of Child Pornography. At the plea hearing, Tomlinson admitted that he knowingly possessed and attempted to possess child pornography, including depictions involving prepubescent minors or minors who had not attained 12 years of age. Law enforcement recovered dozens of images from Tomlinson’s cloud-based storage systems. Tomlinson admitted he used a cellular phone to access the images on the cloud. He further admitted that some of the images included material that portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Tomlinson was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Tomlinson faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of up to $250,000, and 5 years to life of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Ida County Sheriff’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 22-CR-04094. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Kansas Man Indicted on Interstate Stalking and Firearm Charges

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, a federal grand jury returned a five-count Indictment against RIGOBERTO ALEXANDER MURILLO , 44, of Wichita, Kansas, charging him with interstate stalking, interstate violation of protection order, felon in possession of firearms, possession of unregistered firearms, and unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. According to the Indictment, on or about August 7, 2023, Murillo traveled from Sedgwick County, Kansas to McClain County, Oklahoma with the intent to harass another person. The Indictment further alleges Murillo traveled from Kansas to Oklahoma with the intent to violate a Kansas protective order that prohibited him from contacting the victim. According to the Indictment, Murillo removed a victim’s license plate and battery from their vehicle. Murillo is also charged with (1) possession of firearms after a prior felony conviction, (2) possession of unregistered firearms, and (3) unlawful possession of two machinegun conversion kits, which modify firearms to automatically shoot more than one shot by a single pull of the trigger. Murillo will be arraigned in federal court on the charges. If found guilty of interstate stalking, interstate violation of protection order, possession of an unregistered firearm, or unlawful possession of a machinegun, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison on each charge. If found guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the McClain County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan J. West is prosecuting the case. This case is also part of “Operation 922.” Operation 922 is the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. “Operation 922” prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok . The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to public records for more information.


title: Ohio Man Charged with Operating Illegal Gambling Businesses and Tax Fraud

component: Tax Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Cleveland returned a superseding indictment today charging Steven Saris of Canton, Ohio, with operating illegal gambling businesses (IGBs), tax evasion, conspiracy to defraud the United States, willful failure to collect and pay over employment taxes, money laundering and an obstruction-related offense. Saris was previously indicted and charged with one count of owning and operating an IGB. According to the superseding indictment, from 2012 through 2022, Saris owned and operated multiple IGBs in Ohio, including Café 62, Lucky’s, Winner’s World, Spin City and an IGB located in Springfield, Ohio. He allegedly concealed his involvement in these IGBs by having others serve as the nominee owners of the businesses. Saris allegedly did not file personal income tax returns with the IRS for 2016 through 2021 even though he allegedly received more than $4 million in income from the IGBs. To further conceal his involvement in and income from the IGBs, Saris allegedly destroyed and directed others to destroy business records associated with each IGB. The indictment further alleges that Saris paid IGB employees in cash and did not account for or pay over employment taxes. The indictment alleges that Saris lied to investigators about his ownership and involvement in Winner’s World and attempted to prevent investigators from finding and taking his cell phone during the execution of a search warrant at his home by allegedly concealing it inside the water tank of a toilet. If convicted, Saris faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion, illegal gambling business, conspiracy, employment tax and destruction and removal of property to prevent seizure; he faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison for each money laundering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation; the Stark County, Ohio, Prosecutor’s Office; the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Sam Bean of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Howell for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Wisconsin Contractor & Wife Plead Guilty to Home Improvement Project Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Western

body_text: MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Tyler Hansen, 52, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Madison to wire fraud and money laundering charges in connection to a contractor fraud scheme he committed throughout Wisconsin. Jennifer Hansen, 43, who is Tyler Hansen’s wife, also pleaded guilty today to money laundering in connection with her participation in the fraud scheme. Between October 2020 and September 2022, Tyler Hansen operated a home improvement business based in Dane County and Jefferson County that operated under multiple names, including Weathersealed Wisconsin and EcoView Windows of South-Central Wisconsin. At today’s hearing, Tyler Hansen pleaded guilty to engaging in a wire fraud scheme in which he entered into contracts for home improvement projects with customers throughout Wisconsin knowing he did not intend to order supplies for the jobs or otherwise start the projects. The contracts were for various home improvement projects, including windows, sunrooms, bathroom remodels, roofs, and doors. At the time the project contracts were signed, Tyler Hansen and his associates regularly required that the customers pay 50% of the total contract price as a down payment. As part of the plea agreement, Tyler Hansen admitted that he lied to his customers and told them that he used the money from the down payments to purchase building materials for their projects. Instead, Tyler Hansen used the money from the down payments to pay for personal expenses. Tyler Hansen, along with his wife Jennifer Hansen, also pleaded guilty to participating in a money laundering conspiracy in which they attempted to conceal and disguise the down payment funds by using multiple business and personal bank accounts. The Hansens admitted that they routinely deposited down payment checks from customers into multiple bank accounts at Fort Community Credit Union associated with their business. Once the down payment checks were deposited, the Hansens often transferred the funds to multiple personal accounts at Fort Community Credit Union in order to conceal and disguise the true nature of the funds and to make it more difficult for clients to receive refunds of their down payments. The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in prison. The maximum penalty for the money laundering charge is also 20 years in prison. The Court scheduled Tyler Hansen’s sentencing hearing for December 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., and Jennifer Hansen’s sentencing hearing for December 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. The charges against the Hansens were a result of an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, and with the assistance of law enforcement officers and District Attorneys’ Offices in the following counties in Wisconsin: Richland, Vernon, Grant, Dane, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Vilas, Walworth, Waukesha, Iowa, Kenosha, Adams, Columbia, Green, Monroe, Rock, Sauk, Winnebago, Sheboygan, Dodge, and Brown. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution.


title: Chesterfield Woman Sentenced for Defrauding Medicaid of More than $200,000

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Chesterfield woman was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for defrauding Virginia Medicaid of $211,176.96 in a home health care fraud scheme that lasted over seven years. According to court documents, from 2013 to 2021, Virginia Jackson-Wallace, 65, fraudulently billed Medicaid when she claimed two family members were providing home health care to her and two other Medicaid recipients when, in fact, they were not providing home health care. The defendant knowingly submitted over 200 fraudulent timesheets to Medicaid that falsely claimed an aggregate 22,938 hours of home health care that was not provided. To facilitate her scheme, the defendant opened joint bank accounts with the two purported aides but maintained exclusive control over these bank accounts, and thus exclusive control over the funds of her fraudulent scheme. The defendant had over 50 prior felony convictions, most of them related to a variety of fraud schemes. After Jackson-Wallace pleaded guilty to this scheme and while on pretrial release, she deposited two fraudulent checks and withdrew funds the bank credited to her account as a result. The Court subsequently found the defendant in violation of the terms of her pretrial release, and revoked the defendant’s bond, ordering her held in prison pending sentencing. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit provided significant assistance in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea Gibbons prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-73.


title: Owasso man pleads to killing uncle he thought was an intruder

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: TULSA, Okla. - An Owasso man who shot his uncle, after mistaking him for an intruder, pleaded guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. Bailey Warren Sparkman, 23, a Cherokee citizen of Owasso pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. Bailey admitted that although the uncle had recently been kicked out of the house, he had a room and belongings there. Bailey was unaware that his uncle had returned to the home when he went downstairs and saw someone standing inside looking out the back door. Bailey further admitted that he retrieved a gun and without trying to ascertain the identity of the person fired a single shot striking the victim in the back of the head. Bailey faces a maximum sentence of 8 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A date for sentencing has not been set. The Owasso Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Cozzoni and Valeria Luster are prosecuting the case.


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Transfer of Forfeited Munitions to Ukraine

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the transfer of approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces. The U.S. Government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, through the Justice Department’s civil forfeiture claims against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The munitions were originally seized by U.S. Central Command naval forces from the transiting stateless dhow MARWAN 1, on Dec. 9, 2022. The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. “With this weapons transfer, the Justice Department's forfeiture actions against one authoritarian regime are now directly supporting the Ukrainian people's fight against another authoritarian regime. We will continue to use every legal authority at our disposal to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”


title: Jackson Woman Sentenced to Prison for  Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – A Jackson woman was sentenced to 27 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. According to court documents, Latasha Wise, 36, conspired with others to obtain bank loans through fraudulent means. Austin used false names and social security numbers that did not belong to her to obtain bank loans. She pled guilty on June 27, 2023 to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The case was investigated by the Madison, Mississippi Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Kirkham prosecuted the case.


title: Federal Grand Jury Returns an Indictment Charging Two Anne Arundel County Men for Facilitating a Dog Fighting Ring

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment late yesterday charging Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., age 62, of Arnold, Maryland, and Mario Damon Flythe, age 49, of Glen Burnie, Maryland with conspiracy to engage in an animal fighting venture and other charges related to their alleged establishment and promotion of a dog fighting ring. Flythe and Moorefield are scheduled to have an initial appearance and arraignment on the indictment on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively, in U.S. District Court in Baltimore before U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite. The defendants are currently released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services on related charges. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for Maryland Mathew Silverman; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal E. Awad. “The mistreatment of animals for sport is among the lowest level of human conduct,” said Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “Those who engage in this cruelty will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” According to the indictment, Moorefield and Flythe used encrypted messaging applications to communicate with individuals throughout the United States to discuss dogfighting. Moorefield used the name “Geehad Kennels” and Flythe used the name “Razor Sharp Kennels” to identify their respective dogfighting operations. As alleged in the indictment, Moorefield, Flythe and their associates used the encrypted messaging applications to discuss dogfights, dogfighting, breeding fighting dogs, training techniques to maximize their chances of developing champion fighting dogs, and methods to avoid being caught by law enforcement, as well as to buy and sell veterinary supplies for use on fighting dogs, arrange and coordinate dogfights, and exchange information about wagers on dogfights. Further, the indictment alleges that between June 2022 and September 2023, the defendants unlawfully possessed, trained, delivered and received dogs to participate in an animal fighting venture and from February 2019 to September 2023 used the internet and text and instant-messaging applications to promote, manage and facilitate gambling related to the dogfights. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any proceeds derived from, or traceable to, the gambling enterprise. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each of the 10 counts charged in the indictment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General, the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Animal Control, and thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Levin and Darryl Tarver, who are prosecuting 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 and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Jury Convicts Long Island Fishing Captain of Conspiracy, Mail Fraud and Obstruction of Justice

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: A federal jury in Central Islip, New York, convicted a Long Island fisherman today for crimes associated with his captainship of the trawler New Age from 2014 to 2017. The jury unanimously convicted Christopher Winkler of Montauk, New York, of one count of federal criminal conspiracy, two counts of mail fraud and two counts of obstruction of justice. On at least 200 fishing trips, Winkler targeted summer flounder (fluke) and black sea bass and harvested those fish in excess of quotas and state trip limits. He also falsified Fishing Vessel Trip Reports (FVTRs) for those trips. His co-conspirators falsified corresponding dealer reports. Both sets of false documents were used to cover up fish that Winkler took in excess of quotas. Photo of a man and the fishing vessel New Age, taken from surveillance footage. Image was presented as exhibit 9209 during trial in U.S. v. Christopher Winkler, case no. 2:21-cr-00217 in the Eastern District of New York. “Fluke and black sea bass play a vital part in our marine ecosystem and quotas are designed to prevent overfishing and stabilize populations for the public good,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue to seek justice against those who flout laws that protect fisheries and the fishing industry.” “While most U.S. fishermen follow the law, some still feel that they are above it,” said Michael Henry, Acting Assistant Director of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, Northeast Division. “It is our job to protect honest fishermen and good actors and this verdict should serve as a reminder that those who break the rules will be held accountable.” Fishing quotas for fluke and black sea bass were designed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure a long-term, sustainable population of the fish. As part of the fisheries management plan, NOAA requires fishing captains like Winkler to accurately complete an FVTR at the end of each fishing trip. Winkler was required to declare his catch – which included fish species and weights – to NOAA and the State of New York. To cover up his illicit harvest and landings, Winkler falsified approximately 200 FVTRs that he then mailed to NOAA. Similarly, a fish dealer – which is the first company that buys fish directly from a fishing vessel –must specify what it purchases on a federal form known as a dealer report. NOAA uses this information to set policies designed to provide for biologically and economically viable fish stocks. Winkler sold illegal fish to three fish dealers. Because a mismatch between FVTRs and dealer reports would have alerted fisheries statisticians and enforcement personnel, Winkler’s co-conspirators falsified dealer reports to cover up that fish were taken in excess of quotas. The entire scam netted an overharvest of approximately 200,000 pounds of fluke and black sea bass, valued conservatively at least at $750,000 (wholesale). In a related case, Bryan Gosman and Asa Gosman of Bob Gosman Co. Inc. – a Montauk-based fish dealer – previously pleaded guilty to a charge of criminally conspiring with Christopher Winkler in November 2021. They testified at the trial against Winkler. It was revealed during the trial that Bryan Gosman had served as a lookout for Winkler on at least 16 occasions during the conspiracy, often communicating by text before the defendant arrived at the dock. Sentencing for all three defendants will be scheduled by the court. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement investigated the case as part of Operation One-Way Chandelier. Christopher L. Hale and Kenneth Nelson of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case, with logistical support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.


title: Anchorage Man Guilty on Drug Trafficking, Firearm Charges

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal jury convicted an Anchorage Man on two felony drug counts and two firearm charges after a five-day trial. Jerod Alexander, 33, was found guilty of possessing and distributing large amounts of illegal drugs and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Oct. 2, 2023. Alexander was also found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm on Oct. 4. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Alexander sold 25 grams of heroin to another person during an undercover law enforcement operation in March 2021. Agents received information that the defendant, who was on supervised release in a prior felony drug case, was using short-term vacation rentals to evade law enforcement. Roughly a month later, law enforcement found Alexander in a vacation rental with over 800 grams of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, over 60 grams of heroin, over $13,000 in cash, four firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason presided over the trial. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 26, 2024. Alexander faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years in prison. He will be held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentence. U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Anchorage Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Ivers and Carly Vosacek prosecuted the case. This case is part of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA was established in 2018 to enhance and coordinate efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of Alaska. ###


title: Imperial County Dentist and Former Office Manager Plead Guilty in Multi-Million Dollar Medicare Fraud

component: USAO - California, Southern

number: CAS23-1004-Aghaloo, et al

body_text: SAN DIEGO – Dr. Javad Aghaloo, an Imperial County dentist, and Theresa Flores, his office manager, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday, admitting that they conspired to defraud Medicare and cover it up. Aghaloo entered a guilty plea to conspiring to commit health care fraud by billing Medicare for procedures that were not covered, not performed, or otherwise not necessary. As part of his plea, Aghaloo agreed to forfeit more than $1 million in property and pay restitution to Medicare in the amount of $8,476,466.23. Flores entered a guilty plea to obstructing a Medicare audit. According to court records, Aghaloo and others recruited Medicare beneficiaries to get dental work done at one of Aghaloo’s offices. To recruit Medicare patients, Aghaloo and Flores marketed dental services to individuals in Imperial County as being covered by Medicare. Aghaloo and Flores knew this was untrue since Medicare does not cover dental services. Once a Medicare beneficiary was in one of Aghaloo’s offices, Aghaloo and others performed some type of procedure (usually a tooth extraction) and submitted false claims to Medicare using the person’s Medicare beneficiary number. Since tooth extractions are not covered by Medicare, Aghaloo’s offices instead submitted false claims for procedures like bone grafts that were never performed. Between March 1, 2016, and October 18, 2018, Aghaloo and Flores caused Aghaloo’s dental offices to submit over 7,000 false claims to Medicare, totaling over $18 million for which Aghaloo’s offices were paid $8,476,466.23 by Medicare. To conceal the fraud, between April of 2017 and October of 2018, Flores and Rosas caused false documents to be submitted to Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC. (“NHS”), a Federal auditor for the Medicare program. Sentencing is set for January 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Alexander. DEFENDANT Case Number 23cr0616-JO Javad Aghaloo Age: 50 San Diego, CA Theresa Flores Age: 45 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Obstructing a Federal Audit, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1516. Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. AGENCIES Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.


title: Corpus man gets hefty sentence after selling controlled substances via Facebook

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 38-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for drug trafficking and weapons charges, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Raul Cedillo Jr. pleaded guilty Jan. 3, 2022, to possession of meth with intent to distribute and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Cedillo to serve 154 months in prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. The investigation began after law enforcement saw several posts on his personal Facebook page appeared to be advertising various controlled substances for sale, complete with photographs of Cedillo’s “inventory.” The posts included prices for meth by quantity, such as “"$55 balls, $80 qrtrs, $ 150 half, $275 ounce." The Facebook posts led to the September 2021 search of Cedillo’s apartment where law enforcement seized approximately three kilograms of meth, 1.3 kilograms of pills, six firearms and a large amount of U.S. currency. Cedillo will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Corpus Christi Police Department conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Jensen prosecuted the case.


title: Taylorville Man Sentenced to 92 Months in Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine

component: Department of Justice

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Taylorville, Illinois, man, Jamal Shehadeh, 40, was sentenced today to 92 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a six-year term of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine. Shehadeh was previously found guilty by a federal jury following a two-day trial in October 2022. At the trial, the government presented evidence that on March 3, 2021, Shehadeh arranged to sell a confidential source methamphetamine. Shehadeh accepted payment for the methamphetamine electronically and later called 911 to report an emergency in attempt to distract law enforcement. Shehadeh then went to a residence, met with the source, and sold the source methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow found that a sentencing guideline enhancement for obstruction of justice applied due to Shehadeh’s fanciful testimony at trial, which was rejected by the jury. In imposing the 92-month sentence, Judge Darrow also noted Shehadeh’s high risk of recidivism and pattern of repeated criminal conduct, explaining in part that the instant case represented his third federal criminal conviction. At the time Shehadeh sold methamphetamine in this case, he was already serving a term of supervised release for a previous federal drug trafficking charge. Judge Darrow revoked that term of supervision and sentenced Shehadeh to a consecutive 30-month term of imprisonment for his supervised release violations. The statutory penalties for the offense of distribution of methamphetamine are up to 30 years’ imprisonment, at least six years of supervised release, and up to a $2,000,000 fine. The Taylorville Police Department investigated the case. AUSA Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Second-Degree Murder  in 2020 Shooting in Southeast D.C.

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Ravel Mills, 29, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury yesterday of second-degree murder while armed and other charges in the April 2020 fatal shooting of 28-year-old Toussaunt Tarquann Strong in Southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department. Mills was also found guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael K. O’Keefe will sentence Mills on January 12, 2024. Mills faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to 55 years in prison for both crimes. Under the Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, however, his sentencing range for the second-degree murder while armed is 12 to 24 years in prison. According to the evidence presented at trial, shortly before 7:00 pm on April 18, 2020, Toussaunt Strong was outside his father’s home in the Shipley Terrace neighborhood. Mills encountered Mr. Strong after Mills exited a nearby home and then pointed a weapon at Mr. Strong. In response, Mr. Strong fled. Mills then chased Mr. Strong up the 3400 block of 24th Street SE. As Mills got closer to Mr. Strong, Mills pulled his jacket hood over his head, pointed his gun, and shot Mr. Strong multiple times. Video cameras captured the chase, however, the shooting itself was not captured on camera nor were there any eyewitnesses to the murder. The Government presented video surveillance, circumstantial, and motive evidence in securing the conviction. In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including: Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Donovan; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Korba who investigated and indicted the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miles Janssen and Andrea Antonelli who prosecuted the case.


title: Third Defendant Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder While Armed in 2020 Shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

body_text: WASHINGTON – Niko Hall, 31, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday, in Superior Court, to second degree murder while armed in the September 2020 shooting death of Anthony Lee, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Hall is the third and final defendant in the case. Co-defendant Kyrie Wells, 21, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to the same charge on January 3, 2023, and was sentenced, on April 13, 2023, to 14 years in prison. On July 6, 2023, a second co-defendant, Darquise Montgomery, 20, of Washington, D.C., also pleaded guilty to second degree murder while armed. Montgomery and Hall will be sentenced on November 27, 2023. According to the government’s evidence, just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, Anthony Lee, 25, of Washington, D.C., was walking south on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. with a companion. The three defendants lined up across the sidewalk behind him. As Mr. Lee crossed Malcolm X Avenue, Hall, Wells, and Montgomery drew their handguns and opened fire, hitting Mr. Lee once in the back, and killing him. In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter V. Roman and Jessica Keefer and Deputy Chief Laura Bach, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Member of counterfeit savings bonds ring convicted

body_text: BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 45-year-old California woman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to make, pass and transfer counterfeit U.S. savings bonds and passing counterfeit savings bonds. Summer Marie Creech and others conspired to create counterfeit Department of the Treasury Series I savings bonds. They then passed the counterfeit bonds at financial institutions using other people’s identities and split the proceeds. As part of her plea, Creech admitted that beginning in or around 2019 she learned how to acquire genuine Series I savings bonds numbers. She then used computer software and printers to forge counterfeit bonds. She then sent the bonds to co-conspirators who would pass them at financial institutions and share the proceeds with her. During the course of the conspiracy, Creech admitted she and others passed over $1.6 million in counterfeit Series I savings bonds. U.S. District Judge Roland Olvera accepted the plea and set sentencing for Dec. 20. At that time, Creech faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Creech was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing. One of Creech’s co-conspirators, Daniel Alan Lewis, 58, California, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make, pass and transfer counterfeit U.S. securities and passing counterfeit U.S. securities. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 12. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Secret Service, Department of the Treasury - Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney David D. Hamstra of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.


title: Benton Harbor Man Indicted For  Possessing Firearms As A Felon

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS , MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Terrence Terrial Izear Turner, 28, of Benton Harbor, with two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that Turner possessed a Taurus Spectrum pistol in July and a loaded Glock handgun in August 2023. The maximum possible penalty for each count is 15 years in prison. “We are serious about stopping the proliferation of illegal firearms, especially in West Michigan communities combatting high rates of violent crime, such as Benton Harbor, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We will use all the tools at our disposal to hold the offenders disrupting local communities accountable for their illegal gun possession.” “I am extremely proud of the outstanding work by the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force for successfully investigating the alleged crimes committed by Mr. Turner,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan . “The FBI is committed to leveraging our law enforcement partnerships to ensure Michigan residents are safe in our communities.” “The MSP is proud to work with our local and federal partners to target the most violent offenders in and around Benton Harbor,” said Michigan State Police Spl/Lt. DuWayne Robinson . “We work diligently to combat violence and these indictments prove we are dedicated to making our streets safer for all Michiganders.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force, which is a joint local and federal investigative team that includes the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Michigan State Police, Benton Charter Township Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department, and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn. A copy of the indictment is attached . The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. Turner Indictment ###


title: Serial Robber Sentenced To 17 Years For Conspiracy To Commit Robbery And Armed Robberies Of Auto Parts Stores In South Tampa And Ybor City

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Antonio Brown (45, Tampa) to 17 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. His codefendant, Steven Jackson, was previously sentenced to 13 years and 6 months in prison. Brown had pleaded guilty on June 23, 2023. According to court documents, Brown and Jackson robbed two auto parts stores in the Tampa area on August 29, 2021. They first drove from Jackson’s home in the Palm River-Clair Mel neighborhood of Tampa to an auto parts store on South Dale Mabry Highway, where Brown and Jackson carried firearms and wore surgical masks when they entered the store. They brandished their firearms, demanded money from store employees, and stole approximately $300 from cash registers. Shortly after completing the first robbery, Brown and Jackson drove to an auto parts store on 50 th Street North in Tampa, where they again entered wearing masks and carrying firearms. They pointed their firearms at store clerks and demanded money from the cash registers. Brown and Jackson stole approximately $1,140 from the store during this robbery. Later that night, officers from the Tampa Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Brown was driving. During a search of the car, they found a distinctive hat that one of the robbers had worn during the armed robberies, approximately $900 in cash, and Jackson’s wallet containing his identification. Further investigation provided evidence showing Jackson in the vicinity of the auto parts stores at the times of the robberies. Officers also found the clothes Jackson had worn during the robberies in his garbage outside his residence. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee, Michael Sinacore, and Charlie Connally. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Benton Harbor Man Indicted For  Possessing A Firearm As A Felon

body_text: GRAND RAPIDS , MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Shamonte Demorquez Buchanan, 25, of Benton Harbor, with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Buchanan had a loaded Glock handgun. The maximum possible penalty for felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison. “Felons illegally possessing firearms pose a great danger to our communities in West Michigan, especially in areas where gun violence is inflicted on community members at the highest rates,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Our office and our law enforcement partners are vigilant, and we will continue these efforts to ensure that the community can feel safe.” “The gun crimes alleged to have been committed by Mr. Buchanan have no place in our community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan . “I would like to thank the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force for their outstanding work disrupting violent criminal activities and ensuring a safer Michigan." “The MSP is proud to work with our local and federal partners to target the most violent offenders in and around Benton Harbor,” said Michigan State Police Spl/Lt. DuWayne Robinson . “We work diligently to combat violence and these indictments prove we are dedicated to making our streets safer for all Michiganders.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force, which is a joint local and federal investigative team that includes the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Michigan State Police, Benton Charter Township Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department, and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren F. Biksacky as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement work closely together to identify and prosecute individuals responsible for driving violent crime in our communities in order to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Individuals with information or concerns about violent crime or firearms offenses should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit: https://www.justice.gov/psn. A copy of the indictment is attached. The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. Buchanan Indictment ###


title: Mexican National Sentenced to Prison for Meth Distribution in NE Georgia

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ATHENS, Ga. – A Mexican national who was residing in Atlanta was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution in the Athens-Clarke County region. Esteban Palacios Chamu, 30, of Atlanta and Mexico, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. Self, III on Oct. 3 after he previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The defendant is not eligible for parole. “The distribution of large quantities of the most addictive illegal drugs contributes to criminal activity that is undermining the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Local law enforcement is collaborating with our office and our partners at every level to identify and hold accountable those individuals and criminal groups participating in the distribution of this poison.” “Those who distribute methamphetamine create a serious risk to the community,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This trafficker can no longer deliver dangerous drugs on the streets and must now face the consequences of his actions.” According to court documents, a Madison County Sheriff’s deputy pulled Chamu’s vehicle over for failing to maintain its lane on Dec. 10, 2021, in Colbert, Madison County, Georgia. The defendant, who was driving, did not have a driver’s license or identification card. Chamu gave his name and date of birth; the officers discovered Chamu had arrest warrants out of Doraville, Georgia. An officer smelled marijuana coming from Chamu’s car. Chamu was placed under arrest. Inside Chamu’s car, officers found a drug ledger, a plastic bag with a large chunk of methamphetamine, a large gallon-size bag with methamphetamine, a baggie with methamphetamine, a black bag with digital scales and several cell phones, plus more digital scales, a box of Ziplock bags and other drug distribution items in the glove box. Officers discovered additional methamphetamine wrapped in duct tape hidden inside one of the seats. In all, Chamu was in possession of 1,190.21 grams of methamphetamine. The case was investigated by the DEA, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to Prison for Narcotics Trafficking

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 24 months’ imprisonment and 2 years’ supervised release on her conviction of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Monique Robinson, age 39, of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. Information presented to the court at the time of Robinson’s guilty plea revealed that on September 11, 2016, her co-defendant and sister, Marleka Robinson, obtained a large quantity of fentanyl and heroin from a distributor in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh at their brother, Jerry Coker’s request. Marleka Robinson delivered the drugs to the residence they all shared. Monique Robinson was the legal tenant of the residence and allowed Coker to store, package, and distribute fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs in that location. A search warrant executed at the residence the following day resulted in the seizure of more than 285 grams of fentanyl and small quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Drug packaging, weighing, and distributing materials were found strewn throughout the house, along with two Smith & Wesson pistols and $8,900 in cash, all of which were seized by law enforcement. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Bissoon stated that a sentence of 24 months’ imprisonment reflected the serious nature of Robinson’s conduct and her prior criminal history, as well as considered her limited role in the larger drug trafficking activity. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Agency for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Robinson.


title: Two California Residents Plead Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - Two residents of Santa Ana, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of money laundering conspiracy, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Thien Phuc Tran, age 33, and Ton Huynh Bui, age 30, both of Santa Ana, CA pleaded guilty to One Count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Tran and Bui were part of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy which had two overall elements – a fraud scheme to deprive victims of money, and then a second scheme to launder the fraudulently obtained funds. Tran and Bui were part of the money laundering scheme. Vulnerable victims all across the United States, often elderly, were convinced through nefarious means, including computer pop-ups followed by telephone calls from co-conspirators operating out of call centers in India to send their money to bank accounts created with stolen Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Typically, the pop up on their computer screen would appear to be from a tech company, such as Microsoft, urging the user to call a number. When the victim called the number, the victim was told that his or her identity had been compromised, and would be convinced to send their money to a particular bank account opened by Tran and Bui with stolen PII . Tran was involved in the laundering of $4,247,973.23 in fraud proceeds. Bui is responsible for a lesser amount: $194,278.45 Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for January 24, 2024. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the court continued bond for both Tran and Bui. Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen R. Kaufman and Robert S. Cessar are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tran and Bui.


title: Former Ellwood City Resident Sentenced to 15 Years for Violating Child Sexual Exploitation Laws

body_text: PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 180 months’ imprisonment followed by 8 years’ supervised release on his conviction of attempted production and production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. David Bates, age 64, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. According to information presented to the court, between July 2020 and October 2020, Bates and another individual attempted to and did use, persuade, induce entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the minor engaged in such conduct. Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Castle Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bates. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Bennington Man Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Chad Moseman, 37, of Bennington, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution and receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Moseman to 100 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Moseman will serve 5 years of supervised release. In July 2021, while conducting an undercover peer-to-peer child pornography investigation, an FBI task force officer in Omaha observed an IP address advertising child pornography to share. The officer confirmed the files advertised child pornography. The IP address resolved to Moseman’s residence in Bennington. The FBI executed a search warrant at Moseman’s residence and seized his electronic devices. A forensic examination showed peer-to-peer software had been utilized on Moseman’s computer. Moseman’s computer also contained images of child pornography captured in thumbnail cache as well as other digital artifacts showing child pornography had been accessed and deleted on the computer. Digital evidence, including text messages, further showed Moseman was at home at the time of the online activity. 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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.


title: California Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl

body_text: Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Rico, 26, of California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 grams or more of Fentanyl. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rico to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. On July 20, 2022, the Commercial Interdiction Unit was working the Trailways bus station at 16th and Jackson Streets in Omaha. Law enforcement observed Rico depart the bus, traveling from Los Angeles, California, to Cincinnati, Ohio. The officer asked Rico about his travel plans, which he had difficulty answering, and Rico began shaking. The officer took Rico to the back room of the bus terminal, where he read Rico his Miranda rights before searching Rico’s bag. Seven kilos of a white powdery substance were located and two packages of approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills. A forensic lab confirmed the pills and powder were both fentanyl. One of the packages contained Xylazine with fentanyl. Xylazine is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians and is not approved for use in humans. When mixed with street drugs, Xylazine can cause serious medical issues and death by overdose. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Boswell Resident Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Indian Country

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Chase Lane Rocha, age 21, of Boswell, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country. The jury trial began with testimony on October 2, 2023, and concluded on October 4, 2023, with the guilty verdict. During the trial, the United States presented evidence that on January 24, 2023, Rocha caused the death of the victim by shooting her in the chest with a single-action revolver. The crime occurred in Choctaw County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The guilty verdict was the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police Department. The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by appointment, presided over the trial in Muskogee and ordered the completion of a presentence report. The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. The defendant will remain in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Genevieve Ozark represented the United States.


title: UNITED STATES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS OVER $4.4 BILLION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SAFETY

component: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs is awarding more than $4.4 billion to support state, local, and Tribal public safety and community justice activities. The grants will help build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies. “Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.” The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at-risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders, and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges. “I am pleased to announce the U.S. Virgin Islands is receiving $6,677,128 in grants for nine awards from the Justice Department which will further assist the local government in reducing violent crime and expanding services for victims,” U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith said. “Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.” “The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.” “Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.” Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities: Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust, helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success, and address the rise in hate crimes across the country. More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion, and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders. Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime and are protected from violence and abuse. More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization. Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims. In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. More information about the awards announced today can be found by visiting www.ojp.gov/funding/fy23awards.


title: Unsealed Indictment Charges Connecticut Man with Trafficking Guns and Fentanyl in Rhode Island and Connecticut

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A Windsor, CT, resident was arrested and ordered detained on September 26, 2023, after an indictment issued by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island charged him with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. According to information presented to the court, it is alleged that, between late February through May 2023, Daniel Alexander Smith, 19, sold seven firearms and ninety grams of fentanyl while under surveillance by members of the Rhode Island FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Four of the alleged transactions occurred in RI, and included the sale of an AK-47; a Glock 26; a High Standard revolver; a Taurus 9mm handgun; two .22 caliber pistols; and approximately 40 grams of fentanyl. The fifth and final transaction allegedly occurred in the District of Connecticut, when Smith allegedly sold a Glock 19x pistol, a High Standard shotgun, and approximately 51g of fentanyl. In each instance, the firearms and fentanyl allegedly sold by Smith were quickly seized by members of the Safe Streets Task Force. Following Smith’s arrest, a court-authorized search warrant was executed on his vehicle, resulting in the seizure of a loaded automatic Glock 22 firearm with a sear switch attached, and a 22-round magazine. Smith was ordered detained following his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Providence. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. This matter is being investigated by the FBI Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The FBI Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force consists of agents and officers from the FBI, United States Marshals Service, Central Falls Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Providence Police Department, West Warwick Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, and Rhode Island State Police . ###


title: Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bribing HSI Agent

component: USAO - Texas, Western

body_text: EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national residing in Seminole was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso Monday to 12 months in prison for bribery of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent. According to court documents, Pedro Thiessen, 71, failed to declare $12,171 when entering the United States at the Ysleta Port of Entry in October 2022. Thiessen filed a petition to recover the funds and was interviewed by an HSI agent in January regarding the petition. Thiessen offered to pay the agent an unknown amount of money if the agent assisted with the recovery. The agent reported the offer to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Thiessen again proposed a monetary offer to the agent during a phone call on Feb. 6. On Feb. 15, the agent arranged a meeting with Thiessen for the following day. Thiessen presented the agent with $1,000 at that meeting and was immediately arrested. Thiessen pleaded guilty on July 7 to one count of paying a bribe to a public official. “I appreciate the integrity and dedication of the HSI agent involved to report the bribe and lead us to the arrest of this defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “We will prosecute and hold accountable anyone who offers a bribe to the honorable federal law enforcement officers serving in this district.” “Homeland Security Investigations takes all bribery attempts of its employees extremely seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola for the HSI El Paso Division. “In this case, an individual offered a monetary bribe to one of our special agents in return for assistance in recovering thousands of dollars he attempted to smuggle into the country. As a result, he is facing time in prison.” HSI and ICE OPR investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Osterberg prosecuted the case. ###


title: Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in Alaska Jurisdictions

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor the election on Oct. 3 in certain jurisdictions in the state of Alaska to ensure compliance with the minority language accessibility requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On election day, the Civil Rights Division will be monitoring in the following jurisdictions: Dillingham Census Area, Kusilvak Census Area and North Slope Borough, Alaska. The division regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with the federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. In addition, the division also deploys monitors from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order. Individuals can file complaints related to possible violations of the federal voting rights laws by a complaint form on the department’s website civilrights.justice.gov/ or by telephone toll-free at 800-253-3931. In addition, individuals may also report complaints by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov. Visit www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section for more information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting rights laws.


title: Telecommunications Consultant Pleads Guilty to Violating Sanctions on Iran

component: National Security Division (NSD)

body_text: Farhad Nafeiy, 70, of Alamo, California, was charged with and pleaded guilty yesterday to a violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in the Northern District of California. Under IEEPA, the President of the United States is granted authority to address unusual and extraordinary threats to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. Under that law, the President has issued orders prohibiting certain activities and transactions with Iran and the Government of Iran. The Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued regulations, referred to as the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), implementing those orders. These sanctions on Iran generally prohibit, among other things, exporting or facilitating the export of U.S.-origin products to Iran and providing services to Iran. According to court documents, Nafeiy obtained licenses – or approvals – from OFAC for advising non-Iranian telecommunications companies on doing business with Iran. However, those licenses did not authorize Nafeiy to provide any hardware, software or technology directly to Iran. Nafeiy exceeded his OFAC licenses, thereby violating the ITSR and IEEPA, by directly providing software upgrades to telecommunications equipment in Iran. Nafeiy admitted in his plea agreement that he knew he exceeded these licenses when he did so. In his plea agreement, Nafeiy further admitted that the total amount of sales of such software upgrades to Iran was approximately $400,000. Nafeiy separately was charged with, and admitted to, evading his federal income taxes, and specifically not paying income tax on some of the proceeds of these sales. On Aug. 10, Nafeiy was charged by information with one count of violating IEEPA and one count of tax evasion. Sentencing is set before the Honorable Aracelli Martínez-Olguín on Jan. 29, 2024. Homeland Security Investigations and the IRS-Criminal Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Kingsley for the Northern District of California and Trial Attorney David Ryan of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Kathleen Turner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Former Trial Attorney Elizabeth Abraham provided valuable assistance in prior phases of the prosecution. Nafeiy Information


title: Washington Man Sentenced for Hate Crime Targeting LGBTQI+ Community at Seattle Nightclub

body_text: A Washington man was sentenced today in federal court for committing a hate crime in connection with an arson at a nightclub and event space in Seattle, Washington. Kalvinn Garcia, 26, of Sedro Woolley, was sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his bias-motivated arson at Queer/Bar, a nightclub and event space in Seattle. According to facts admitted in his guilty plea, on Feb. 24, 2020, Garcia set fire to the contents of a dumpster in the alley directly behind Queer/Bar. Garcia was arrested only minutes after setting the fire. Garcia admitted to law enforcement that he set the fire and that he targeted Queer/Bar because it angered him to see a sign that said “queer.” Garcia also told officers, “I think it’s wrong that we have a bunch of queers in our society.” A few weeks after the incident, Garcia told a stranger that his intent in setting the fire was to trap and hurt the people inside. Garcia admitted that, through the use of fire, he willfully attempted to cause bodily injury to the occupants of Queer/Bar because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. “The defendant committed an act of violence targeting innocent victims inside Queer/Bar, a known safe space for the LGBTQI+ community,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Bias-motivated violence runs contrary to our values and violates our federal civil rights laws. This sentence should send the message that every person in our nation deserves equal protection under the law regardless of who they love or how they identify and that those carrying out similar acts of violence against the LGBTQI+ community will be brought to justice.” “Mr. Garcia endangered the lives of more than 100 people because of his hatred for members of our LGBTQI+ community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman for the Western District of Washington. “We work diligently with our federal, state and local partners to investigate and prosecute acts of hatred against people because of their sexuality or gender identity. This work is a priority because the effect of these hate crimes can linger in communities and traumatize the members of the targeted community for weeks, months or years after.” “Mr. Garcia admitted to setting the fire in an effort to hurt people based on his own bias,” said Special Agent in Charge Richard A. Collodi of the FBI Seattle Field Office. “No person in the United States should fear for their safety based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. I am proud of the continued work of the FBI and our partners in protecting the civil rights of all people.” The FBI Seattle Field Office and the Seattle Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Dreher for the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case. For more information and resources about the department’s work to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes .