title: Former Keene Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Almost $500,000 from her Employer

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A former Keene woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court for stealing almost $500,000 from her former employer, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Stephanie Pratt, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 30 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On August 6, 2024, Pratt pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. “The defendant used her position of trust as an employee to steal nearly a half-million dollars from a small New Hampshire business. Among other items, she used the stolen money to purchase a hot tub and she spent over $5,600 on lavish tickets to watch Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant’s criminal conduct was bold, as she began her fraud only six months after serving a sentence for stealing from a previous employer. The defendant will spend the next two and a half years in federal prison for her deceit along with the financial and emotional turmoil she caused her employer.” “Stephanie Pratt is a greedy, serial fraudster who is being sent to prison for defrauding her employer and siphoning almost half-a-million dollars to live well beyond her means,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence holds Ms. Pratt responsible for her clear disdain for the law and shows how the FBI will not hesitate to go after those who victimize others for their own financial gain.” Pratt was the office administrator for a company based in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. She had full access to the company’s finances, including its bank accounts and credit cards. Over the course of six-and-a-half years, Pratt stole $492,325.34 from the company. She started stealing shortly after she was released from jail for stealing almost $10,000 from her previous employer. Pratt cashed unauthorized checks to herself and entered them as payments to legitimate vendors in the company’s accounting system. Pratt also used the company’s credit cards to make over 1,000 unauthorized personal purchases. The fraudulent purchases included over $5,600 to purchase NFL tickets for Tom Brady’s return to Gillette stadium in 2021 and over $50,000 on Amazon purchases on items including a hot tub. Pratt also used the stolen money on things like plane tickets and miscellaneous herbs and spices. When confronted about the stealing, Pratt repeatedly lied to the victim company, such as claiming that the owner had her cash the checks to funnel the money to the owner’s son. However, unbeknownst to Pratt the son had already passed away. Pratt also doctored the victim’s financial records. For example, she edited the company’s credit card statements to delete unauthorized purchases. When asked why there were missing entries in the statements, Pratt claimed that she had simply adjusted the statements to make them easier to read. She also claimed that her misuse of the company credit cards was attributable to her clicking the wrong button at checkout, despite that happening more than 1,000 times. And, when she was fired for stealing, Pratt demanded that the owner’s widow pay her a Christmas bonus. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case. ###


title: Louisiana Company Sentenced For Making False Statements

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS, LLC , a company based in Marrero, Louisiana, was sentenced on November 12, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion, to pay a $53,200 fine, after previously pleading guilty on August 27, 2024, to making false statements, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). The Court also ordered that LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS, LLC be placed on probation for 1 year, and pay a $400 mandatory special assessment fee. According to court documents, on or about February 25, 2022, LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS, LLC told investigators from the United States Coast Guard that the hull of a watercraft vessel had been repaired after being damaged in a storm when, in fact, a new hull was built for the watercraft vessel with similar materials and measurements and, the required plans were not submitted to the United States Coast Guard for approval. This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crimes Unit.


title: Alvin woman admits to death threats against public officials

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 44-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to transmission in interstate commerce containing a threat to injure the person of another, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Abigail J. Shry admitted that on Aug. 5, 2023, she placed a call to the chambers of a federal judge and made derogatory statements and threats to anyone that went after then former President Donald Trump. She also made a direct threat to a then sitting congresswoman, all democrats in Washington D.C. and all people in the LGBTQ community. At the hearing, Shry claimed that at the time she made the calls, she did not think it was illegal to do so. She said she thought it was freedom of speech and that she did not intend to act on the threats. In her calls, Shry stated, “You are in our sights, we want to kill you. If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly...” She added that “you will be targeted personally, publicly, your family, all of it.” On Aug. 8, 2023, authorities went to her residence, at which time she admitted the phone number associated with the calls was hers and that she did in fact make the call to the judge’s chambers. She noted that she had no plans to travel anywhere to carry out anything she stated. However, she told authorities that if the congresswoman ever traveled to her city, then “we need to worry.” “Shry thought the First Amendment protected her from sending a death threat to a member of congress,” said Hamdani. “She was wrong, and today’s plea demonstrates how the Southern District of Texas has no patience for those who target and threaten public servants – ignorance of the Constitution notwithstanding.” Sentencing is set for Jan. 14 before U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison. At that time, Shry faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Hanes is prosecuting the case.


title: Belcourt woman sentenced to federal prison for child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief

component: USAO - North Dakota

body_text: Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that Rhawnie Marcellais, age 42, from Belcourt, ND, appeared in federal court on November 13, 2024 before District Court Judge Peter Welte and was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, $300 in special assessment fees, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $1302 for the offenses of child abuse in Indian country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief. As noted in court documents, on or about January 1, 2021, law enforcement in Belcourt, ND was notified of a minor female at the police department requesting to speak with officers. The minor female stated she got into an argument with her mother, the defendant. The minor female departed the police department shortly thereafter after being picked up by her father. A few hours later, the same minor female went to the emergency room in Belcourt, ND indicating she had been assaulted by her mother including Defendant throwing an empty beer bottle at the minor female which struck the minor female in the neck and shoulder. Defendant then pushed a pillow into the minor female’s face. Injuries were noted on the minor female consistent with her description of the incident. In September 2022, a video emerged depicting the incident as described by the minor victim. The video was provided to Turtle Mountain Child Welfare who in turn provide the video to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During the course of the investigation of the child abuse, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was made aware of Defendant assaulting an adult female in January 2023. Defendant assaulted the adult female by kicking the adult female’s face, chest, ribs, and arms while the adult female was on the ground. Medical records indicated the adult female suffered fractured ribs and a concussion. On June 28, 2024, after a four-day jury trial, Defendant Rhawnie Marcellais was convicted of child abuse in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon, and malicious mischief. That same day, Defendant requested contact with the minor female victim, alleging that concerns of witness tampering were no longer present. District Court Judge Peter Welte denied the motion for contact. Despite, the Court’s order, Defendant contacted the minor female victim while incarcerated. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to public safety in Indian county, especially when it comes to protecting kids,” Schneider said. “As this sentence shows, child abuse is a serious crime. The career prosecutors who skillfully tried this case and our partners in the FBI and BIA who investigated it deserve credit for providing accountability and ensuring justice was served.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dawn M. Deitz and SheraLynn Ternes. # # #


title: Fifth West Virginia Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violation in Connection with Death of Inmate

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A former corrections officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Mark Holdren pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights which resulted in the death of Q.B. According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty plea, Holdren responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Holdren arrived, officers were engaged in using force to restrain Q.B. Holdren also began using force which included multiple knee-strikes to Q.B.’s body, which he acknowledged were unreasonable uses of force according to his training and experience. Holdren and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to push past officers and leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where they continued to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Specifically, officers struck Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicked, knee-struck, pulled and twisted Q.B.’s finger and sprayed Q.B. with O.C. spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Holdren further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” at the jail — meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened inside the room. Holdren was aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers brought inmates and pretrial detainees who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots” in the jail, where the officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video. Holdren admitted that he knew that it was improper for officers to use unreasonable force to punish inmates and pretrial detainees. Holdren is one of six former correctional officers indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023. Two defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B. On Aug. 8, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to violating Q.B.’s civil rights by failing to intervene when other officers used unreasonable force. Sentencing hearings for Boothe and Toney are scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025. Trial for the remaining three defendants is scheduled for Dec. 10. Prior to the indictment, on Nov. 2, 2023, former Southern Regional Jail officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each separately pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to use unreasonable force against Q.B in connection with this incident. Sentencing hearings for Wimmer and Fleshman are scheduled for Feb. 7, 2025. According to his plea agreement, Holdren faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Rojek of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, is investigating the case. Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.


component: Civil Rights - Criminal Section

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A former corrections officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Mark Holdren pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.’s civil rights which resulted in the death of Q.B. According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty plea, Holdren responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Holdren arrived, officers were engaged in using force to restrain Q.B. Holdren also began using force which included multiple knee-strikes to Q.B.’s body, which he acknowledged were unreasonable uses of force according to his training and experience. Holdren and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.’s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to push past officers and leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where they continued to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Specifically, officers struck Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicked, knee-struck, pulled and twisted Q.B.’s finger and sprayed Q.B. with O.C. spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Holdren further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a “blind spot” at the jail — meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened inside the room. Holdren was aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers brought inmates and pretrial detainees who had engaged in misconduct to “blind spots” in the jail, where the officers could use unreasonable force without being captured on video. Holdren admitted that he knew that it was improper for officers to use unreasonable force to punish inmates and pretrial detainees. Holdren is one of six former correctional officers indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023. Two defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B. On Aug. 8, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to violating Q.B.’s civil rights by failing to intervene when other officers used unreasonable force. Sentencing hearings for Boothe and Toney are scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025. Trial for the remaining three defendants is scheduled for Dec. 10. Prior to the indictment, on Nov. 2, 2023, former Southern Regional Jail officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each separately pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to use unreasonable force against Q.B in connection with this incident. Sentencing hearings for Wimmer and Fleshman are scheduled for Feb. 7, 2025. According to his plea agreement, Holdren faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Rojek of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, is investigating the case. Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Two Chicago Residents Sentenced for Sex Trafficking a Minor

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A Chicago man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor victim and distributing child sexual abuse material. His co-defendant, a Chicago woman, was sentenced previously to 19 years in prison for conspiracy to sex traffic the minor. According to court documents, in April 2022, Geremy Glass, 35, and Markita Tidwell, 25, sex trafficked a minor whom they met in Chicago. Glass posted online advertisements, set the prices, and communicated with potential commercial sex purchasers. Tidwell provided transportation and registered hotel rooms for the arranged sexual encounters. Both defendants received a portion of the proceeds. In mid-May 2022, Tidwell and Glass transported the minor victim to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the defendants forced the minor to engage in as many as 15 commercial sex encounters in a day. During the trafficking, when the victim attempted to stop or take breaks, Glass was physically violent with her, including dragging her out of the house and slamming her face into a car window. In communicating with commercial sex purchasers, Glass sent sexually explicit images of the victim more than 50 times. Law enforcement received a call from hotel staff in Tuscaloosa stating that there was a young woman who appeared to be abused, which led to the recovery of the minor victim and the arrest of Glass and Tidwell. On Sept. 26, Glass pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking a minor by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of distribution of child pornography. Glass’s term of imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. On June 27, Tidwell pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to sex traffic a minor. Tidwell’s term of imprisonment will be followed by 20 years of supervised release. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama; and Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples of the FBI Birmingham Field Office made the announcement. FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case along with FBI Chicago, FBI Milwaukee, the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, the University of Alabama Police Department, Tuscaloosa Police Department, and Northport Police Department. Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White for the Northern District of Alabama prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Hunting Guides Sentenced for Violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Memphis, TN – Two men employed as hunting guides were recently sentenced for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The men were convicted for placing “bait”—grain, feed, or salt to serve as a lure—to attract waterfowl for the purpose of hunting. Reagan Fondren, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee indicted the following individuals on March 19, 2024, with placing bait to take or attempt to take a migratory game bird, violations of Title 16, United States Code, Sections 704(b)(2) and 707: Chase Michael Courville, 27 , of Abbeville, Louisiana; and Dalton Harrison, 20 , of Shelby County, Tennessee. Violations of these statutes are punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of $100,000, or both, and forfeiture of any firearm used to hunt the waterfowl attracted by the bait. In early December 2023, Courville and Harrison placed corn and wheat on the ground next to a small pond in a field near Rosemark, Tennessee, a rural area in northern Shelby County. In the early morning hours of December 7, 2023, special agents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service went to the pond and found Courville, Harrison, and several other people hunting waterfowl there. The agents saw corn and wheat on the ground and in the pond. By the time the agents arrived, the group had killed eight mallard ducks and a Canada goose. Both Courville and Harrison had worked as waterfowl hunting guides prior to this incident. Courville and Harrison both pled guilty to the baiting charge. On September 6, 2024, Senior United States District Court Judge Jon Phipps McCalla sentenced Harrison to one year of probation and a fine of $7,500.00. On November 1, 2024, Judge McCalla sentenced Courville to one year of probation and a fine of $7,500.00. Courville and Harrison are prohibited from hunting or working as hunting guides during their probation. Courville and Harrison also agreed to forfeit the shotguns they were using on December 7 to the government. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office of Law Enforcement strives to ensure a fair and equitable hunting experience for all members of the public while protecting waterfowl populations from unsustainable methods of harvest,” said Doug Ault, the Special Agent in Charge of the Service’s Southeast Region. “We take the illegal placement of bait for the hunting of migratory birds seriously, and we will continue to work closely with the United States Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute these cases.” The case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Murphy, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners for their role in the investigation. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Coos Bay Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A Coos Bay, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for taking sexually explicit images of a minor. Willard Verdell Cowan, 61, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. According to court documents, beginning in early 2021, Cowan offered to talk with a minor who often suffered from panic attacks. Instead, he preyed on the victim’s vulnerability by providing alcohol and marijuana before sexually assaulting the victim. Cowan continued to sexually abuse the victim, at times recording the abuse and soliciting sexually explicit images from the minor, until he was arrested in March 2023. On February 16, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Cowan with sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography. On August 21, 2024, Cowan pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child. This case was investigated by the FBI and Coos County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, in coordination with the Coos County District Attorney’s Office. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov . The FBI CETF conducts sexual exploitation investigations, many of them undercover, in coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. CETF is committed to locating and arresting those who prey on children as well as recovering and assisting victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation. Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Federal Correctional Officer Charged with Assault and Falsifying Report to Obstruct an Investigation

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Sandra Munagay, 42, of Atwater, a Senior Correctional Officer at the United States Penitentiary, Atwater appeared in federal court today for arraignment on a two-count indictment charging her with assaulting an inmate and obstruction of justice, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to the indictment, on Nov. 2, 2023, Munagay allegedly struck an inmate housed at the federal prison in Atwater. The same day, she falsified a report about the incident. This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Spivak and Karen A. Escobar are prosecuting the case. Munagay is scheduled for a status conference on Dec. 11, 2024. If convicted, Munagay faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for falsifying a report to obstruct an investigation and one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the assault. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Jury Convicts Manhattan Man of Drug Conspiracy, Acquits Brooklyn Man

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Keemont Reynolds, age 25, of Manhattan, New York, was convicted yesterday of a drug conspiracy following a four-day jury trial. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement. A second man from Brooklyn, New York, was acquitted of charges. The evidence at trial established that on November 1, 2023, law enforcement stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Malone, New York, as the result of a drug trafficking investigation. Tyrece Franklin was driving the Grand Cherokee; Roddrick Ingram, of Brooklyn, was seated in the front passenger seat and Reynolds was seated in the back seat. Police located a false compartment built within the front dash of the Grand Cherokee. Within the hidden compartment, police found approximately 424 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 564.89 grams of cocaine, approximately 545.77 grams of cocaine base, and approximately 4.87 grams of heroin and fentanyl. In all, the drugs had an approximate street value of $140,000 in Malone. After three days of testimony, the jury deliberated for five hours before convicting Reynolds of the conspiracy charge but acquitting him of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The jury acquitted Ingram of both charges. Sentencing for Reynolds is scheduled for March 20, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby in Albany, at which time the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years. The defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Franklin previously pled guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 23, 2025. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a term of supervised release of at least 5 years. HSI and the New York State Police investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas Collyer and Jeffrey Stitt are prosecuting the case.


title: Brazilian Resident Pleads Guilty For Role In Fraudulent Tax Refund Scheme

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A South Carolina man currently residing in Brazil pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiracy to submit a false claim. According to court documents and statements made in court, Robert Xan Paul, 45, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, conspired with others to defraud the United States by preparing and submitting to the IRS a fraudulent income tax return that claimed a nearly $600,000 refund, which the IRS paid. Paul was a client of O.I.D. Process, a business owned by his co-conspirators that helped others prepare and file individual federal income tax returns that claimed fictitious Original Issue Discount interest income and federal tax withholdings, resulting in fraudulent claims for tax refunds. To support his refund claim, Paul created fraudulent IRS forms from financial institutions where he had accounts. Those forms falsely indicated that the financial institutions had withheld federal income tax on his behalf. In total, Paul caused a tax loss to the IRS of $595,110. Paul pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to submit false claims. He is set to be sentenced on Jan. 21, 2025. Paul faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Mosley made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pitman and Trial Attorney J. Parker Gochenour of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI.


title: Durham Man Who Fled from Law Enforcement Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO – A Durham man who pleaded guilty to a firearm charge has been sentenced, announced Sandra J. Hairston, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. MARIO DEANDRE TAYLOR, age 44, was sentenced yesterday, November 12, 2024, to 144 months of imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release. Sentencing was held in Greensboro, North Carolina, before United States District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. TAYLOR pleaded guilty in August to one count of felon in possession of a firearm, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun. According to court documents, on October 5, 2023, members of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office patrol division attempted to apprehend TAYLOR, who had outstanding state warrants for armed robberies, felony larcenies, assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and robbery with a dangerous weapon, among other alleged crimes that took place between July 28, 2023, and October 5, 2023. Around 11:00 p.m. that night, TAYLOR, who had already eluded capture twice that day, led deputies on a high-speed chase through residential and business areas in Durham, driving at high rates of speed, running through stop signs and stop lights, side-swiping a truck, and nearly hitting a city bus. Eventually, TAYLOR slowed down on South Buchanan Boulevard in a residential neighborhood, jumped out of the vehicle with a loaded weapon in his possession, and ran. After a short foot chase, TAYLOR was arrested but did not have a gun on his person. Approximately fifteen to twenty feet from the location of TAYLOR’s arrest, a K-9 found the loaded .40 caliber handgun that TAYLOR had thrown during the pursuit. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Raleigh-Durham Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) and the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. The lead investigator was an FBI Task Force Officer from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Jeanne Dildine. Since 1992, the FBI's Safe Streets Violent Crime Initiative has successfully aligned FBI Agents, state and local law enforcement investigators, and federal and state prosecutors onto SSTFs to reduce violent crime. This nationwide initiative brings resources together in a “force multiplier concept” and utilizes the expertise of each agency. SSTFs focus primarily upon street gang and drug-related violence through sustained, proactive, coordinated investigations to obtain prosecutions on violations such as racketeering, drug conspiracy, and firearms violations. ###


title: Winnebago Man Sentenced for Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender

body_text: United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Lawrence S. Bassette, age 40, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced November 13, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Bassette to 21 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bassette’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. In December 2022, Bassette assaulted an elderly male victim known to him by punching the victim multiple times with a closed fist. During the ensuing scuffle, an elderly female was also injured. Prior to his assault on the victim in December 2022, Bassette had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts. This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: North Carolina man pleads guilty to his role in scheme that defrauded hundreds of companies out of millions of dollars

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nicholas Scarantino, 30, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who is handling the case, stated that Scarantino owned Direct Chemicals in the State of California. Between July and November 2021, he and others mailed thousands of fictitious invoices in the name of Direct Chemicals to victim companies located all over the United States. Approximately 873 victim companies were tricked and defrauded into paying these fictitious invoices, totaling of approximately $861,268.66. Several companies in the Western District of New York were victimized. The companies are located in Henrietta, Lakewood, Brockport, Andover, Rochester, Avon, Tonawanda, and Niagara Falls. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso. Sentencing is scheduled for March 17, 2025, before Judge Wolford. # # # #


title: California Teenager Pleads Guilty in Florida to Making Hundreds of ‘Swatting’ Calls Across the United States

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: WASHINGTON – Alan W. Filion, 18, of Lancaster, California, pleaded guilty today to four counts of making interstate threats to injure the person of another. Filion faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each count. A sentencing date has not yet been set. “This prosecution and today’s guilty plea reaffirm the Justice Department’s commitment to using all tools to hold accountable every individual who endangers our communities through swatting and hoax threats,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “For well over a year, Alan Filion targeted religious institutions, schools, government officials, and other innocent victims with hundreds of false threats of imminent mass shootings, bombings and other violent crimes. He caused profound fear and chaos and will now face the consequences of his actions.” “Alan Filion not only intended to cause as much harm as possible, but he also attempted to profit from these criminal activities by offering swatting-for-a-fee services,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Swatting poses severe danger to first responders and victims, wastes significant time and resources, and creates fear in communities. The FBI will continue to work with partners to aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who engages in these activities." According to the plea agreement, from approximately August 2022 to January 2024, Filion made more than 375 swatting and threat calls, including calls in which he claimed to have planted bombs in the targeted locations or threatened to detonate bombs and/or conduct mass shootings at those locations. He targeted religious institutions, high schools, colleges and universities, government officials, and numerous individuals across the United States. Filion was 16 at the time he placed the majority of the calls. Filion intended for his calls to cause large-scale deployment of police and emergency-services units to the targeted locations. During these calls, he provided information to law enforcement and emergency services agencies that he knew to be false, such as false names, false claims that he and others had placed explosives in particular locations, false claims that he and others possessed dangerous weapons, including firearms and explosives, and false claims that he and/or other individuals had committed, or intended to imminently commit, violent crimes. During the time that dispatchers spent on the phone with Filion, they were unavailable to respond to other emergencies. Additionally, in response to many of his calls, armed law enforcement officers were dispatched to the targeted addresses, and likewise were made unavailable to respond to other emergencies. In some instances, armed law enforcement officers approached and entered targeted residences with their weapons drawn and detained individuals who occupied the residences. In a post on Jan. 20, 2023, Filion claimed that when he swats someone, he “usually get[s] the cops to drag the victim and their families out of the house, cuff them and search the house for dead bodies.” According to court documents, Filion became a serial swatter for both profit and recreation. He claimed in a Jan. 19, 2023, online post that his “first” swatting was like “2 to 3 years ago” and that “6-9 months ago [he] decided to turn it into a business. . .” On several occasions, Filion placed posts on social-media channels advertising his services and swatting-for-a-fee structure. On Jan. 18, Filion, then 17-years-old, was arrested in California on Florida state charges arising from a May 2023 threat he made to a religious institution in Sanford, Florida. In that threat, he claimed to have an illegally modified AR-15, a Glock 17 pistol, pipe bombs, and Molotov cocktails. He said that he was going to imminently “commit a mass shooting” and “kill everyone” he saw. Filion pleaded guilty today in federal court to making that threat. Filion’s federal charges were brought under the Federal Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act (JDA). As noted in the criminal information filed on Oct. 21, Filion was 17 when the instant charges were filed against him. Filion has remained in custody since his arrest on state charges in January. Filion also pleaded guilty to making three other threatening calls – an October 2022 call to a public high school in the Western District of Washington, in which he threatened to commit a mass shooting and claimed to have planted bombs throughout the school; a May 2023 call to a Historically Black College & University in the Northern District of Florida, in which he claimed to have placed bombs in the walls and ceilings of campus housing that would detonate in about an hour; and a July 2023 call to a local police-department dispatch number in the Western District of Texas, in which he falsely identified himself as a senior federal law enforcement officer, provided the officer’s residential address to the dispatcher, claimed to have killed his (federal officer’s) mother, and threatened to kill any responding police officers. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cherie L. Krigsman and Kara Wick for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Jacob Warren of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Western District of Washington, the Northern District of Florida, the Western District of Texas, and the District of Columbia provided valuable assistance.


title: Roseville Man Sentenced To 132 Months For Trafficking Methamphetamine To Houghton And Mackinac Counties

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Charles Lester Knuckles, Jr. led conspiracy that brought over 500 grams of methamphetamine to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula KALAMAZOO – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Charles Lester Knuckles, Jr., 31, of Roseville, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison for leading a conspiracy that trafficked over 500 grams of methamphetamine from Detroit to Houghton and Mackinac Counties in December 2022 and January 2023. “Mr. Knuckles was running a drug pipeline trafficking methamphetamine from the Detroit area to northern Michigan,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “We will continue to collaborate with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in the U.P. and across the District to hold traffickers accountable and keep illegal drugs off of our streets.” The Upper Peninsula Substances Enforcement Team (UPSET) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) introduced a confidential informant into Samantha Short, 30, of Hancock. Short was a methamphetamine user and dealer and knew Knuckles from a prior relationship. On December 14, 2022, the confidential informant and Short called Knuckles to arrange for the sale of four ounces of methamphetamine. On December 16, 2022, Knuckles dispatched Lyric Elizabeth Stevenson, 28, of Harper Woods and David Lee Chatman, Jr., 38, of Inkster to deliver the methamphetamine to Houghton County. Knuckles negotiated terms for the sale of an additional amount of methamphetamine with the government’s confidential informant. On December 22, 2022, Stevenson and Chatman couriered over eight ounces of methamphetamine from the Detroit area to Houghton County for Knuckles. A third shipment of methamphetamine was arranged on January 7, 2023. This time, Short traveled from Houghton County to Mackinac County to meet Stevenson and Chatman, who were also accompanied by Bernard Desean Harris, 24, of Detroit. Harris accompanied Short on the return trip to Houghton County and were stopped by Michigan State Police. A search of their vehicle yielded 241.6 grams of methamphetamine. On December 12, 2023, Knuckles, Short, Stevenson, Chatman, and Harris were indicted on methamphetamine conspiracy and other methamphetamine tracking charges by a federal grand jury. Knuckles, Short, Stevenson, and Harris each pled guilty to the methamphetamine conspiracy. On August 13, 2024, Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou sentenced Short to 41 months in prison and Harris to 46 months in prison. Co-defendant Lyric Elizabeth Stevenson is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney on January 21, 2025. Co-defendant David Lee Chatman, Jr. has entered into a pretrial diversion agreement in which his prosecution has been deferred for a period of 12 months provided he successfully abide by a series of conditions set forth by the government and the U.S. Probation Office. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Upper Peninsula Substances Enforcement Team, and the Michigan State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel S. Fauson is prosecuting it. The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. # # #


title: Four Nigerian Citizens Sentenced in Connection with International Romance Scams

body_text: Memphis, TN – Four Nigerian citizens residing in the United States and Canada have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy that perpetuated a series of romance and investment scams against victims across the United States, including in Western Tennessee. All four defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a scheme that used false identities and email accounts on internet dating sites to trick people into wiring or mailing money to shell companies and fictitious agents. Reagan Fondren, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today. A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee indicted the following individuals on June 29, 2023 with conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering: Patrick Edah , 40, a Nigerian citizen residing in the Toronto, Canada area, Efe Egbowawa , 41, a Nigerian citizen residing in the Atlanta area, Igocha Mac-Okor , 40, a Nigerian citizen residing in the Atlanta area, and Kay Ozegbe , 44, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Atlanta. Evidence presented in court revealed that from 2017 to approximately November 2021, members of the conspiracy assumed false identities on social media, gaming applications, dating websites, and other internet-based platforms in a scheme to trick victims into entering friendships and romantic relationships. These defendants then played various roles in exploiting those connections to convince individuals to send them money via wire, check, U.S. mail, and package delivery services. As part of the conspiracy, romance scammers or “handlers” posed as potential friends or romantic partners and entered online relationships with unwitting victims. The relationships usually developed quickly through social media contact, text messages, email, and phone calls. Once the victim was clearly engaged in the scam, the scammer would begin to ask for emergency financial assistance. If the victim sent money, the scammer would ask for increasingly larger amounts of financial assistance. There were dozens of victims who each lost amounts ranging from several thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. For example, one victim who resided in the Western District of Tennessee lost over $400,000 to this scheme over the course of several months. Edah, Egbowawa, Mac-Okor, and Ozegbe functioned as “money mules” in the conspiracy. That is, they worked in conjunction with other members of the conspiracy to move the financial proceeds of the scams through several layers of bank accounts and shell companies to hide the sources of the money and make it difficult to trace. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Egbowawa to 60 months in federal prison on April 17, 2024. Judge Parker later sentenced Ozegbe to 36 months in federal prison on September 23, 2024. On October 30, 2024, Edah and Mac-Okor were sentenced by Judge Parker to 30 months and 50 months, respectively, in federal prison. “These individuals used deception and fraud to prey on the vulnerable causing unmeasurable emotional damage and significant financial losses,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI - Nashville Field Office, Memphis Resident Agency. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target these predators and bring them to justice.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tony Arvin and Scott Smith, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners for their role in the investigation. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Federal Bureau of Prison Lieutenant Indicted for Civil Rights Violations

body_text: A Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant at U.S. Penitentiary (USP) McCreary, in Pine Knot, Kentucky, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in London, Kentucky, for federal civil rights violations, including violating an individual’s rights under the color of law, falsifying records to impede an investigation, and witness tampering. The indictment alleges that Zachary Toney, 33, while acting under color of law as a USP McCreary lieutenant, repeatedly kicked and struck a victim while the victim was on the ground and handcuffed behind his back, which caused bodily injury to the victim. The indictment further alleges that Toney then wrote a memorandum documenting a false account of his interactions with the victim intended to cover up the unlawful force that he had used against the victim, omitting that he repeatedly kicked and struck the victim and stating that there were no inmate injuries. The indictment also alleges that Toney, while acting as a lieutenant, instructed three correction officers to write reports omitting the force that they had observed Toney using against the victim. “The Justice Department’s mission is to protect the civil rights of all Americans, including those who are incarcerated,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged, Lieutenant Zachary Toney assaulted a defenseless person in his custody then tried to cover up that misconduct by falsifying records and tampering with witnesses. These charges make clear we will hold accountable Federal Bureau of Prisons personnel who abuse their positions of authority.” “Correctional officers have an obligation to respect the constitutional rights of the people in their custody and to report honestly on any misconduct,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to enforce those obligations in federal as well as state and local facilities.” “We trust Federal Bureau of Prisons employees to foster a safe and humane environment for inmates to serve out their sentences. Instead, this indictment alleges that Toney violently assaulted a defenseless inmate and lied to cover it up,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz of the Justice Department. “The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate any FBOP employee who allegedly violates the civil rights of an inmate in their custody and care.” “Ensuring the safety and security of inmates in the custody of the government is critically important,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “We remain committed to ensuring that custody and care is in accordance with the law.” If convicted, Toney faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the deprivation of rights charge and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of the falsification of records charge and witness tampering charges. Upon any conviction, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General and FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case. FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the Department’s reform efforts. Any indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. us_v_toney_indictment_v.1.pdf


title: Nashville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon

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

body_text: NASHVILLE – Demetris Octavius Parrish, 37, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced on Friday to 15 years in prison for unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee. At approximately 8:30 a.m. on February 26, 2021, Parrish entered the R&B Market located at 2600 Clarksville Pike, in Nashville. The Market’s manager recognized Parrish as a regular customer. They had a brief conversation, during which Parrish said that he wanted to exchange some goods. When the manager told Parrish that he could not return those goods because the Market did not sell them, Parrish became enraged, stated that he would return to kill the manager, and then left the Market. Approximately 30 minutes later, Parrish returned to the Market carrying a black 9mm pistol. Parrish entered the Market and pointed the pistol at the manager, who was behind the check-out counter. As the manager fled to the rear of the Market, Parrish fired multiple shots at him. Parrish then fled the Market. Parrish’s first visit to the Market, the attempted shooting and Parrish’s flight from the Market were captured by the Market’s surveillance cameras. Metro Nashville police officers responded and, upon arriving, recovered three 9mm caliber cartridge cases inside the Market from the rounds that Parrish had fired. “This prosecution demonstrates our office’s commitment to protecting the community from repeat offenders who wreak havoc with firearms,” said Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski. “The defendant was previously convicted of at least six felony offenses, including aggravated assault and aggravated robbery. Thanks to the work by our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, the community will finally be safe from the defendant’s crimes for an extended period.” This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Goldin and Rascoe Dean prosecuted the case. #####


title: Former Comptroller of Athletic Club Sentenced in $1 Million Wire Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 7, 2024, United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach sentenced Zuleika Molina-Orozco, former comptroller of a not-for-profit sports and social club located at a resort in Humacao, Puerto Rico to 37 months in prison for a wire fraud scheme. According to court documents, Molina-Orozco was the comptroller of Company A, a not-for-profit sports and social club, and had access and control over Company A’s bank account. Between October 2019 and March 2022, Molina-Orozco fraudulently made thirty-nine (39) unauthorized wire transfers from Company A’s bank account to three (3) of her credit cards and two (2) unauthorized wire transfers to another bank account, all totaling $1,100,283.36. The money the defendant obtained from the fraud scheme was used to pay the defendant’s personal credit card expenses, to purchase a 2020 Ford F-150 truck, and to transfer money to other individuals. The defendant plead guilty to all eight counts on April 4, 2024. Molina-Orozco was ordered to pay restitution of $1,100,283.36, which corresponds to the money she obtained from the fraud scheme. U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Rebecca C. González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement. HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott H. Anderson prosecuted the case. ###


title: Four defendants indicted on federal firearms charges

body_text: SAVANNAH, GA: Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. “As we continue to see the proliferation of illegal guns converted to fully automatic fire, we commend our law enforcement partners for acting to contain this threat to our neighborhoods,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Keeping firearms out of the hands of felons remains a priority for our office.” The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns. Those indicted in November include: Antonio Rodriquez Holmes III , 30, of Augusta, charged with Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun, Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; Luke Bunyun Jr., 46, of Waynesboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and, Lemar Neil Robinson , 35, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Also charged in a recently unsealed indictment was Charlie Sapp , 57, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include: Richard Bruce Salyer Jr., 49, of Forsyth, Ga., was sentenced to 170 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Chatham County police officers found a pistol in Salyer’s waistband while investigating a report of a stolen vehicle in November 2023. Salyer has two prior convictions for illegally possessing firearms, and at the time of his arrest was an escapee from the Jefferson County, Ga., Correctional Institute. David Kreiss , 49, of Twin City, Ga., was sentenced to 88 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon. Twin City police found Kreiss in possession of a rifle and four shotguns while investigating a domestic disturbance. Kavon Smalls , 29, of Savannah, was sentenced to 42 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police found a pistol after chasing Smalls when he ran away from a vehicle that crashed during an attempted traffic stop. Keyeon Demar Tykeim Smith, 23, of Augusta, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment. Richmond County deputies found a pistol in Smith’s possession while serving an arrest warrant. Maleak J. Parrish , 24, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police fund a pistol in Parrish’s possession during a traffic stop. Willie Dunbar, 45, of Villa Rica, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Machine Gun. During a January traffic stop, Wheeler County deputies found Dunbar in possession of a Polymer80 “ghost gun” fitted with a device converting it to automatic fire. Brodrick Kyle Merritt, 42 , of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon as an armed career criminal. Richmond County deputies found a pistol in Merritt’s possession during a traffic stop. Merritt was on probation on state charges when arrested, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Raquan Williams , 23, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm. Williams attempted to purchase a shotgun from a Chatham County firearms dealer in June 2023, falsely claiming he was not under indictment at the time on state charges for armed robbery and aggravated assault. Stanley Hall , 22, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police found Hall in possession of a handgun while investigating a reported attempted vehicle break-in. Corinthian Lamar Colonel , 26, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Officers from the Savannah Police Department and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision found two firearms in Colonel’s residence during a September 2023 search. Eddie Robertson , 30, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found Robertson in possession of a handgun after a December 2023 traffic stop and foot chase. Jacorey Rivers , 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Machinegun, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Rivers was on supervised release when he fled from a traffic stop and crashed. Officers found a Glock pistol in his possession that had been converted to automatic fire. Scottie Eugene Bryant , 48, of Grovetown, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Grovetown police officers searched Bryant’s residence and seized multiple firearms in April 2023. The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office. Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense. For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473


title: Jury Finds Lakeland Man Guilty Of Conspiracy To Distribute Cocaine

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Damion Clarke (33, Lakeland) guilty of conspiring to distribute cocaine. Clarke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 12, 2025. According to the evidence and testimony presented during the three-day trial, the FBI Orlando Safe Streets Task Force began an investigation into a Jamaican Criminal Enterprise engaged in the distribution of controlled substances in Central Florida. The FBI received information from a confidential source that Clarke had connections to this enterprise and was willing to connect them with Rafick Gilpin, an individual who distributed large volumes of cocaine, in exchange for a portion of the profits from the drug transactions. The FBI utilized the confidential source and an undercover agent to conduct controlled purchases of cocaine ranging from ounces to one kilogram, as well as firearms, from Gilpin and his co-conspirators from November 2021 until July 2022 in Orlando. During the course of the investigation, Clarke acted as the middleman between the confidential source and Gilpin by introducing the parties, facilitating their communications during the negotiations and lead ups to the transactions, and ensuring the transactions were successfully completed. On August 8, 2023, Gilpin was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Orlando Police Department, and the Apopka Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Sartoian. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Clay County Man Pleads Guilty To Firearm Charge

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jackson Richard Perint (27, Clay County) has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Perint faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and forfeiture of a SCCY Industries 9mm pistol and ammunition. Perint was arrested on April 3, 2024, and released on conditions. He violated the conditions of release and was ordered detained on August 15, 2024. No sentencing date has been set. According to court documents and court proceedings, on August 8, 2023, a detective with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Narcotic’s Unit, acting in an online undercover capacity, arranged a drug transaction with Perint. The next day, Perint arrived by car to a predetermined location. Based on a prior suspension of Perint’s driver license, the CCSO conducted a traffic stop of his car. During a subsequent search of the car the deputies located a 9mm pistol, loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition in between the driver’s seat and the center console. They also located cash and drugs in the car. At the time of the offense, Perint had previously been convicted in state court in Florida of nine felonies, including possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (2021, 2022). As a convicted felon, Perint is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Jacksonville Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. 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: U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing of Las Cruces Man for Federal Firearms Offenses

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 80 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms and ammunition while under felony indictment, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on November 12, 2020, Delbert Tyler Trevino , 33, was indicted in the State of Texas on felony charges of theft of property, fraud, and possession of a controlled substance. On January 31, 2022, Trevino pleaded guilty to those felony charges. Rather than entering a judgment at that time, the court placed him on deferred adjudication probation for a period of five years. Under Texas law, deferred adjudication allows a defendant to accept responsibility for a crime without an immediate conviction. If the defendant successfully completes the terms of probation, the case is dismissed without a conviction on their record. Despite being prohibited from possessing firearms while on probation, evidence showed Trevino later obtained firearms that had previously been seized by police. Trevino is also alleged to have purchased ammunition in New Mexico on July 22, 2022. On September 2, 2022, deputies from the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant related to a homicide investigation at a residence associated with Trevino in Mesilla Park, New Mexico. During the search, authorities recovered an unregistered short-barrel rifle from the bedroom Trevino was staying in. Trevino was subsequently convicted by a federal jury on April 24, 2024, of federal firearms and ammunition offenses including possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle . Upon his release from prison, Trevino will be subject to three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Ry Ellison are prosecuting the case. The homicide investigation remains pending. If you have any information relating to this matter or other crimes committed by Trevino , please contact the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office at 575-525-1911. # # #


title: Naples Man Sentenced For Possessing And Accessing With Intent To View Child Sexual Abuse Images

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Myles Edwin Huff (46, Naples) to five years in federal prison for possessing and accessing with intent to view images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Huff was also ordered to register as a sex offender. Huff entered a guilty plea on July 23, 2024. According to court documents, between July and September 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received 28 cyber tips from an electronic service provider reporting that Huff was involved in the possession of child sex abuse material. On November 16, 2023, the FBI executed a search warrant at Huff’s residence and seized his cellphone. During an interview with agents, Huff stated that he used his cellphone to search for child sexual abuse material. The subsequent forensic examination of Huff’s cellphone revealed images of child sexual abuse material. This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava. This is another case 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: Adam Champagne Pleads Not Guilty to Bank Robbery

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Adam Champagne, 42, a Burlington native who currently has no stable residence, pleaded not guilty on November 8, 2024 in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge of bank robbery. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle ordered that Champagne be held without bail pending trial, which has not been scheduled. On October 24, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Champagne with robbing a bank on Shelburne Road in South Burlington on September 25, 2024. According to court records, Champagne told the bank teller that he had a bomb in a bag he was carrying. Local law enforcement arrested Champagne on this charge on November 7. According to court records, Champagne is suspected of robbing three other banks in the Burlington area since last summer. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the indictment is merely an accusation and that Champagne is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. If convicted, Champagne faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. This case was investigated by the South Burlington, Burlington, and Essex police departments, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Champagne is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.


title: ‘Recidivist Child Sexual Predator’ Sentenced to More Than Thirty-Seven Years in Prison

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A thrice convicted sex offender described in court documents as being a “recidivist, hands-on child sexual predator” who most recently sought out, solicited, and groomed what he believed to be a thirteen-year-old Rhode Island girl was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence to more than thirty-seven years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Court documents detail that prior to his arrest in this matter, Jesus Maldonado, 61, a former resident of Waterbury, CT, was convicted and incarcerated on three separate occasions for sexually assaulting minors, one of whom he impregnated, and another of whom he transported over state lines to sexually assault. Maldonado was also separately convicted and sentenced for failing to register as a sex offender. In the current matter, Maldonado pleaded guilty on June 27, 2023, to charges of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity; attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor; and to having committed these felony offenses involving a minor while he was required to register as a sex offender. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 447 months of incarceration to be followed by lifetime federal supervised release. “This defendant’s long and sordid history reflects a repeated determination to prey on and sexually assault minor victims, inflicting lasting damage on their lives,” remarked U.S. Attorney Cunha. “That ends today. With this sentence, we have ensured that the public and future victims are safe from Mr. Maldonado’s predations for decades to come.” “Maldonado sent explicit messages to and attempted to prey on what he believed to be a child. But instead of a child, he was speaking to a detective with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, leading to his arrest and his significant sentence today,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations, New England. “It is a sad truth that every day real children are groomed and exploited online. HSI is working ceaselessly with our partners to keep children safe online and ensure predators like Maldonado are brought to justice.” According to court documents and information provided to the court, beginning in March 2019, Maldonado engaged in a series of sexually explicit online and text communications with a person known to him as “Jeni,” who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Despite being told early in their conversations that he was conversing with a 13 year old, Maldonado expressed interest in making “Jeni” his wife; repeatedly engaged in graphic sexual chat, and sent sexually explicit images, all while attempting to persuade “Jeni” to meet with him to engage in sexual activity, a. Unbeknownst to Maldonado, the person with whom he was communicating was, in fact, a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and a Task Force Officer with Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey A. Erickson and Denise M. Barton. The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force, Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit, and Homeland Security Investigations. United States Attorney Cunha thanks the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and Homeland Security Investigations in New Haven, CT., for their assistance. 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 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 ###


title: Jacksonville Sex Offender Indicted For Attempting To Meet A 13-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jeremy Wayne Leggett (36, Jacksonville) with using the internet to attempt to entice a child to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Leggett faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. Leggett is a registered child sex offender, having been previously convicted in Florida in 2020 of traveling to meet a child to commit an unlawful sexual offense and transmission of harmful materials to a child. Leggett has been ordered detained pending the outcome of his case. According to court documents, on June 16, 2023, an undercover FBI agent (the “UC”) in the Jacksonville area, posing as a minor child, was working online in a particular social media application (app) to identify individuals seeking to make contact with and engage in sexual activity with children. The UC engaged in online conversation with an app username “dAddi” who posted a notice in a public chat room that read “Lookingfor[under 18 emoji] wannaspoiladaughter.” During this online conversation, user “dAddi,” who was subsequently identified as Leggett, was advised that the “child” was 13 years old. Leggett asked if the “child” “[l]ike[d] older men,” and sent the “child” a photo of himself. After more conversation, Leggett suggested that they meet in person for sexual activity, and he sent the “child” an explicit photo of himself. During the next three days, Leggett reinitiated text messages with the UC and continued attempting to persuade the “child” to meet for sex and to send him sexually suggestive photos. On June 19, 2023, Leggett and the “child” made arrangements to meet at a shopping center in Jacksonville. Later that evening, Leggett went to the agreed-upon location and drove around the parking lot there for about 30 minutes. When law enforcement officers attempted to make contact with Leggett, he quickly reversed his vehicle and fled the scene. A short time later, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and FBI agents located Leggett at a residence in Jacksonville and arrested him. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 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 child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: KC Woman Sentenced to 45 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Two Child Victims

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for the sexual exploitation of two children. Jessica Ann Young, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 45 years in federal prison without parole. On March 11, 2024, Jessica Young pleaded guilty to two counts of the sexual exploitation of a minor. Her husband, Houston Wade Young, 37, was sentenced on July 30, 2024, to life in federal prison without parole. Houston Young pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of a minor on Jan. 30, 2024. Houston Young, while an inmate at the Vernon County jail, was found to be in possession of a cell phone that contained images of child pornography on March 5, 2020. Young was being detained pending a civil proceeding to determine whether he should be civilly committed as a sexually violent predator for his prior sex offense convictions. On March 7, 2020, law enforcement officers received information that Jessica Young had sent pornographic images of a 7-year-old child (identified in court documents as “John Doe 1”) to Houston Young’s cell phone. Investigators found text messages on the cell phone between Jessica and Houston Young that discussed sexually abusing John Doe 1. During the text messages, Jessica Young sent Houston Young two pornographic images of John Doe 1. Multiple other images of child pornography sent by Jessica Young also were found on Houston Young’s cell phone. Jessica Young admitted she had sexually abused two child victims, John Doe 1 and 13-year-old John Doe 2, on multiple occasions. Jessica Young also admitted that she had recorded video of herself sexually abusing John Doe 2. A forensic analysis of Houston Young’s cell phone determined that he sent images of child pornography to Jessica Young and a 16-year-old child victim (identified in court documents as “Jane Doe”). Houston Young sent pornographic images of himself to Jane Doe, solicited pornographic images of her that she sent to him, and engaged in sexual conversations. Jane Doe told investigators she met Houston Young on a game room chat, League of Legends, and started talking via that forum. They communicated via text, the Kik and Whatsapp applications, and video chat. Houston Young was involuntarily committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Sex Offender Rehabilitation and Treatment Services program in February 2021. He has two prior felony convictions related to the sexual exploitation of children. He was convicted of child molestation in Wright County, Mo., in 2005 and of possessing child pornography in Jackson County, Mo., in 2016. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Vernon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Investigations. Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Charge Shiprock Man with Sexual Abuse

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was charged by indictment with sexual abuse. Jasper Lee Gray , 62, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. According to court records, between December 1 and December 20, 2023, Gray engaged in a sexual act with Jane Doe without her consent. If convicted, Gray faces any term of years up to life in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case. View the Indictment (Gray).pdf An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Dover Man Who Went On Criminal Rampage Before Opening Fire On Lakeland Police Officers And ATF Agents During Highspeed Chase Sentenced To Federal Prison

body_text: Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Francisco Cabrera (29, Dover) to 38 years in federal prison for robbery, carjacking, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Cabrera entered a guilty plea on December 1, 2023. According to court documents and evidence presented during the sentencing hearing, between January 13 and 17, 2022, Cabrera engaged in a crime spree where he robbed two stores and a gas station in Plant City and Brandon. During these robberies, Cabrera held victims at gunpoint. At times, he removed the magazine from his pistol, showed bullets to the victims and stated, “this is for real” or “give me the money or I will shoot you.” On January 19, 2022, Cabrera returned to the gas station he had robbed. Cabrera approached an individual sitting inside a truck and carjacked him at gunpoint. As Cabrera was escaping in the vehicle, he brandished his firearm at others who had attempted to stop him and help the victim. Hours later, detectives from the Lakeland Police Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) located Cabrera in Plant City. The officers turned on their lights and sirens and began pursuit. Cabrera fled, tore through Plant City, eventually getting on I-4 headed east towards Lakeland. During the 11-mile chase, Cabrera traveled at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, nearly crashed into a truck, drove through red lights and into oncoming traffic causing other vehicles to take evasive actions, and nearly missed hitting other vehicles. While fleeing, Cabrera fired gunshots at numerous local and federal agents, firing approximately 8 to 15 gunshots at 7 different police officers. On one occasion, he fired at two officers who were in front of him outside their vehicles attempting to deploy stop sticks, striking the front hood of one of their vehicles. In fear that Cabrera was going to kill someone, and after determining that no other law enforcement officers or civilians would be in danger, an ATF special agent fired at Cabrera striking him twice in his lower back. Lakeland Police officers and ATF agents then surrounded Cabrera. The same law enforcement officers that Cabrera had fired upon then quickly provided him with first aid medical assistance, saving his life. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes. 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: U.S. Attorney’s Office Commitment to Protecting Patients and Consumers  from Health Care Fraud Leads to Exponential Growth in Prosecutions

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that in the last several months, the office she leads prosecuted several significant cases that protected patients, consumers, and the community from health care fraud. “Safe and affordable health care is critical for a thriving community. Healthcare is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the Inland Northwest, and fraudulent schemes divert public funds away from treating patients and drive up the cost of care for those that need it most,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Combatting health care fraud is a priority for my office because everyone deserves to have doctors and medical providers who place patient care over profits.” In August of 2023, Lincare Holdings, Inc., agreed to pay $29 million to resolve allegations that it fraudulently overbilled Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans for oxygen equipment. The settlement is the largest-ever health care fraud settlement in the Eastern District of Washington. In addition to the $29 million paid by Lincare to address claims that Lincare submitted to Medicare and Medicare Advantage, in what is believed to be a first-of-a-kind False Claims Act Settlement, as part of the settlement, Lincare agreed to identify and repay Medicare beneficiaries who were overcharged co-pays. Pursuant to this provision, as of September 2024, Lincare has refunded payments to 4,917 patients for a total of $976,137. If patients believe that they may have been overbilled for oxygen equipment and have not received a refund, they can reach out to the United States Attorney’s Office of Public Affairs. Other major health care fraud cases filed or pending in the Eastern District of Washington include: August 2024 sentencing of Thomas Andrew Webster, M.D ., age 51, of Sylvania, Ohio, for conspiring to accept kickbacks in connection with a fraudulent telemarketing and medical supply scheme throughout Washington and in other states. Dr. Webster was sentenced to two years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, restitution of more than $870,000, an additional criminal fine of $50,000, and forfeiture of hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets. In August 2024, Justin Leland agreed to pay $224,620.88 to resolve allegations he participated in a kick-back scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment. In August 2024, William O. Mize pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with a scheme to defraud insurance companies of more than $6 million by submitting fraudulent claims for health care and other injury expenses in connection with a series of vehicle collisions and other accidents staged by Mize and his co-conspirators. Mize is scheduled to be sentenced in November 2024. In March 2024, Physician Staffing Company Jackson & Coker Locums Tenens, LLC and Physician Edward William Salko, D.O. agreed to pay $700,000 to resolve allegations that they participated in a kick-back scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and diagnostic laboratory testing. In January 2024, Physician Daniel Case agreed to pay $95,000 to resolve allegations that he participated in a kick-back scheme and ordered medically unnecessary durable medical equipment that Case caused to be billed to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs In January 2024, the United States and State of Washington filed a Complaint in federal district court against MultiCare Health System, which owns and operates MultiCare Deaconess Hospital and MultiCare Rockwood Clinic in Spokane, alleging that MultiCare knowingly endangered patient safety and falsely and fraudulently billed Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs for spinal surgery procedures performed at Deaconess between 2019 and 2021 by Jason Dreyer, a former neurosurgeon. U.S. Attorney Waldref highlighted the importance of partnerships in combatting health care fraud, “We are prosecuting more cases because of our strong relationships with state and federal law enforcement partners – including Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General; and our state partners at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division, as well as many others. Our vigorous fraud practice holds individuals and corporations accountable for stealing from taxpayers. I am proud that my office is a national leader in fighting fraud and investigating cases brought by whistleblowers to report misconduct and protect our community’s resources.” “The VA Office of Inspector General is committed to safeguarding the integrity of VA’s healthcare programs and services and ensuring veterans receive the quality health care they deserve,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and support in this case.” “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of federal healthcare programs, particularly as it relates to the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program,” said Bryan D. Denny, the Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Western Field Office. “We will aggressively pursue and seek to hold accountable bad actors who defraud or attempt to defraud TRICARE, because their deceptive actions ultimately harm those defending our country and their families.” “The Drug Enforcement Administration works hard to ensure patient safety by regulating medical professionals who prescribe, produce, or dispense scheduled prescription drugs,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “DEA holds medical personnel accountable when they fail to follow Federal law and regulations for scheduled medications and risk the health and safety of patients and our community.” In addition to casework, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is engaged in community outreach to raise awareness about fraud schemes and educate members of the community on how to avoid becoming a victim of scams. U.S. Attorney Waldref has recorded this message about how we can all protect ourselves and our loved ones from scams targeting the elderly. To learn more about the Justice Department’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.