title: Ohio Woman Sentenced for Violation of Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Violation for Damaging Pregnancy Center

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: TOLEDO – Whitney Durant, AKA Soren Monroe, age 20, of Worthington, Ohio, was sentenced to two years of probation and a $2,000 dollar fine by Magistrate Judge Darrell A. Clay, after pleading guilty to one count of intentionally damaging a reproductive health care center, a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (the “FACE Act”). Durant vandalized HerChoice, a reproductive health services clinic located in Bowling Green, Ohio, because the clinic offers pregnancy counseling, free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, but not abortion services. According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 15, 2023, Durant defaced the clinic’s building, spray painting the words, “LIARS,” “FAKE CLINIC,” “Fund Abortion,” “Abort God,” and “Jane’s Revenge.” Durant was a Bowling Green State University student at the time of this conduct. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to neutrally enforcing federal laws that protect uninterrupted access to all clinics providing reproductive health services, whether those clinics provide women with options that include abortion care or whether they solely encourage women to consider non-abortion alternatives,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “This prosecution and sentence demonstrate that we will not tolerate efforts to impede patient access to the reproductive health care of their choice by someone who intentionally defaces or otherwise damages a clinic providing such services. The First Amendment protects peaceful protests, not blatant vandalism.” “Today’s sentencing serves as a reminder that intentionally damaging or destroying the property of a facility because it provides reproductive health services is a federal violation of the FACE Act,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “The FBI and its local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners will protect access to reproductive healthcare services for every American, thoroughly investigate FACE Act violators, and continue to aggressively pursue all violations of the statute.” The FBI Cleveland Field Office, Toledo Resident Agency and Bowling Green Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angelita Cruz Bridges and Wood County Prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Dobson for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case. Anyone who has information about incidents of violence, threats and obstruction that target a patient or provider of reproductive health services or damage and destruction of reproductive health care facilities, should report that information to the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov/.


title: Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force Announces Four New National Law Enforcement Partners

component: Antitrust Division

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) is adding four new national partners for a total of 38 agencies and offices committed to deterring, detecting, investigating and prosecuting antitrust crimes and related schemes that target government procurement, grants and program funding at all levels of government. The new partners include three U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in districts with diverse government spending oversight priorities and proven PCSF and Antitrust Division relationships: U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey The PCSF is also welcoming the Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General (OIG), whose oversight of billions of dollars authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act of 2022 closely aligns with PCSF priorities. “Since 2019, the Procurement Collusion Strike Force has aggressively investigated and prosecuted crimes that undermine and distort the competitive process in taxpayer-funded procurements,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “With new investments in infrastructure, energy and hi-tech manufacturing the PCSF’ strategic expansion to include these four partners positions it to accomplish its important mandate more effectively.” “Billions in federal funds are coming into our state to improve the lives of Alaskans, making it imperative that those tax dollars are used for their intended purpose and not illegally obtained,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “The implementation of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force in Alaska showcases my office’s commitment to take action against collusive conduct and related fraudulent schemes by individuals or corporations that threaten government spending destined to progress our great state.” “We welcome the new partnership and expertise that the PCSF brings to our district,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Our office now has access to an important force multiplier, the investigatory strength and institutional knowledge of 37 fellow agencies and offices dedicated to enforcing antitrust laws and protecting the integrity of our government procurement programs. Indeed, it will become a formidable partnership laser-focused on deterring and prosecuting procurement fraud.” “A level playing field and fair competition are vitally important to ensure that taxpayers are getting the best value for their money when government contacts are awarded,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “My office is proud to join this national effort to combat price-fixing, bid rigging, and any type of collusion or fraud in government procurement. Working with our investigative partners, we will hold accountable anyone who tries to corrupt the procurement process.” “Preventing, detecting and defeating criminal activity related to federal procurement and grant programs is a high priority for Commerce OIG,” said Acting Inspector General Roderick Anderson of the Department of Commerce. “We are pleased to join this strike force and look forward to collaborating with our partners to enhance our collective efforts to combat antitrust violations, ensure integrity within government procurements and spending and maximize value for taxpayers.” In November 2019, the Justice Department created the PCSF, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force .


title: Georgia Man Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Laundering Millions In Proceeds From Fraud Schemes Perpetrated By Nigeria-Based Criminal Enterprise

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that UWEMEDIMO UMOREN was sentenced to three years in prison for his participation in an international wire fraud conspiracy based in Nigeria, involving the theft of millions of dollars from victims across the U.S., by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero. UMOREN pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on August 28, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The multimillion-dollar fraud enterprise Uwemedimo Umoren participated in preyed on the trust of elder Americans and others, using deceitful tactics to drain their hard-earned savings. The impact of this financial exploitation on the victims is devastating. With today’s sentencing, justice is served, but our fight isn’t over. This case underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in combatting complex fraud schemes and safeguarding Americans from financial fraud and exploitation.” According to allegations in the Indictment and other filings and statements made in court: From at least in or about 2016 through at least in or about December 2021, UMOREN participated in a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Nigeria that conducted a series of scams against individuals and businesses located across the U.S. UMOREN facilitated the laundering of proceeds of the Enterprise’s investment, business email compromise, and romance scams. Members of the Enterprise used electronic messages sent via email, text messaging, or online dating websites to gain the trust of the victims, many of whom were vulnerable older men and women who lived alone, and caused the victims to transfer money to bank accounts controlled by members of the Enterprise. UMOREN received fraud proceeds from victims of the Enterprise in more than a dozen business bank accounts that he controlled in Georgia. The business bank accounts were opened in the names of companies formed by the defendant that were purportedly involved in, among other things, automobile sales and health care. From in or about 2016 through at least in or about December 2021, UMOREN controlled at least 15 bank accounts held in the name of shell companies he controlled that received deposits totaling over approximately $8 million. At least 17 individual and corporate victims lost money as part of UMOREN and his co-conspirators’ schemes. The victims include vulnerable, isolated, and elderly victims who entered into relationships after the deaths of their spouses and, over a period of several years, were induced to drain their entire retirement savings. Many victims experienced severe emotional harm, including a now-deceased man whose stress from losing his life savings to the schemes contributed to his suffering a stroke. * * * In addition to the prison term, UMOREN, 62, of Hoschton, Georgia, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. UMOREN was also ordered to forfeit a money judgment in the amount of $8,230,516.04 and was ordered to pay $1,246,072 in restitution. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Secret Service (“USSS”). Mr. Williams also thanked the USSS Field Office in Atlanta, Georgia, for its assistance in the investigation of this case. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Juliana N. Murray is in charge of the prosecution.


title: St. Charles County Man Admits Child Pornography, Enticement Charges

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Charles County, Missouri faces at least 15 years in prison after admitting that he engaged in online sexual activity with three teens across the country. Tristin M. Davis, 27, pleaded guilty to all six counts that he faced: three counts of coercion and enticement of a minor and three counts of receipt of child pornography. The investigation began with multiple reports to authorities about Davis. It revealed that Davis had been communicating online with multiple minors in a sexual manner and exchanged pornographic images with them. Three juvenile victims have been identified fully by law enforcement. Davis initially lied about his age when communicating with a 14-year-old girl in New York state, a 16-year-old Connecticut girl and a 15-year-old Tennessee girl. Davis received child pornography from all three victims and induced or persuaded them into engaging in sexually explicit conduct with him via social media. Davis used the screen name “muffinman130020” with the first two victims and “bacontaxi” with the third. Davis is scheduled to be sentenced July 19. The coercion and enticement of a minor charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, and a maximum of life. The receipt of child pornography charges carries a term of five to 20 years in prison. The St. Charles County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Clayton Resident Sentenced To 20 Years For Federal Drug And Firearms Crimes

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Troy Michael Goforth, age 49, of Clayton, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 180 months for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and 60 months on one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. The terms will be served consecutively. The charges arose from a joint investigation by members of Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On May 31, 2023, Goforth pleaded guilty to the charges. On September 21, 2022, Goforth led officers on a high-speed pursuit, during which Goforth was observed tossing a green duffel bag out of the car before jumping out of the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Upon apprehending and arresting Goforth, officers discovered a loaded 9mm pistol tucked into Goforth’s waist band. During a subsequent search of the nearby ditch, officers recovered the green duffel bag, which contained syringes, baggies, digital scales, and over 500 grams of methamphetamine. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings. Goforth was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Satter represented the United States.


title: Albuquerque Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms Offenses

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. This case was adopted from state prosecution in cooperation with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. According to court documents, on December 4, 2022, deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the South Valley in reference to a domestic violence incident. The victim told dispatchers that her boyfriend, Leon Ruben Salazar , 42, pointed a firearm at her during an argument. The victim stated that she had been holding her two-year-old child at the time. Following a 12-hour standoff with law enforcement, Salazar was taken into custody and transported to BCSO’s prisoner transport center. While there, Salazar admitted to smoking fentanyl the prior day and that a rifle was under his bed. Based on that information, BCSO deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence. Inside, detectives found two handguns, a rifle and ammunition. In addition to the firearms, detectives located three bags of fentanyl pills weighing a total of approximately 20.6 grams, Xanax pills weighing approximately 12.5 grams, a baggie of methamphetamine, 14 Suboxone strips, two Fentanyl patches, and drug paraphernalia. As a previously convicted felon and an unlawful user of and addict to a controlled substance, Salazar was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition. At sentencing, federal prosecutors successfully argued that Salazar ’s conduct and criminal history warranted a sentence at the top end of his guideline sentence of 27 to 33 months. After completing his term of imprisonment, Salazar will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman made the announcement today. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case with assistance from the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Haynes prosecuted the case as part of an agreement with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Through the agreement, Assistant District Attorneys are designated Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) in the United States Attorney’s Office. The SAUSA from the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office screens every felony criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County for federal criminal offenses, prioritizing federal charges against those who drive violence in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Since 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office has reviewed almost 3,000 cases and has charged 343 criminal cases pursuant to this program. The United States Attorney’s Office has similar agreements with the New Mexico Department of Justice and the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office and plans to expand the program throughout the state. # # #


title: Florida Woman Arrested for Filing False Tax Refund Claims

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Florida woman was arrested today on an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on April 4 in Miami that charged her with filing false tax returns. According to the indictment, from 2017 through 2021, Yolanda Dewar, of Sunrise, allegedly filed four false tax returns on behalf of a trust to obtain refunds the trust was not entitled to receive. Specifically, Dewar allegedly filed returns falsely reporting that the trust earned significant income, made payments to the IRS and had federal taxes withheld on its behalf. In addition, Dewar allegedly falsely claimed that these payments to the IRS were more than the tax the trust otherwise owed, thereby entitling it to large refunds. Dewar allegedly continued this conduct even after the IRS notified her that her claims were frivolous. Dewar allegedly sought refunds totaling over $1.9 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $500,000. Dewar allegedly used some of the fraudulently-obtained proceeds to purchase a car for a family member, get plastic surgery and renovate her home. Dewar is charged with four counts of filing false tax returns. If convicted, she faces three years in prison for each count. She 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. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office made the announcement. IRS-CI is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Kavitha Bondada of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deric Zacca for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force Continues Strategic Growth, adds Four National Partners

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – The Justice Department announced today that the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) is adding four new national partners, for a total of 38 agencies and offices committed to deterring, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting antitrust crimes and related schemes that target government procurement, grants, and program funding at all levels of government. The new partners include three U.S. Attorney’s Offices in districts with diverse government spending oversight priorities and proven PCSF and Antitrust Division relationships: Philip R. Sellinger, District of New Jersey S. Lane Tucker, District of Alaska Duane A. Evans, Eastern District of Louisiana The PCSF is also welcoming Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General, whose oversight of billions of dollars authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022 closely aligns with PCSF priorities. “A level playing field and fair competition are vitally important to ensure that taxpayers are getting the best value for their money when government contacts are awarded. My office is proud to join this national effort to combat price-fixing, bid rigging, and any type of collusion or fraud in government procurement. Working with our investigative partners, we will hold accountable anyone who tries to corrupt the procurement process.” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger “Since 2019, the Procurement Collusion Strike Force has aggressively investigated and prosecuted crimes that undermine and distort the competitive process in taxpayer-funded procurements,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “With new investments in infrastructure, energy and hi-tech manufacturing the PCFS’ strategic expansion to include these four partners positions it to accomplish its important mandate more effectively.” “Billions in federal funds are coming into our state to improve the lives of Alaskans, making it imperative that those tax dollars are used for their intended purpose and not illegally obtained,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “The implementation of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force in Alaska showcases my office’s commitment to take action against collusive conduct and related fraudulent schemes by individuals or corporations that threaten government spending destined to progress our great state.” “We welcome the new partnership and expertise that the PCSF brings to our district,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Our office now has access to an important force multiplier, the investigatory strength and institutional knowledge of 37 fellow agencies and offices dedicated to enforcing antitrust laws and protecting the integrity of our government procurement programs. Indeed, it will become a formidable partnership laser-focused on deterring and prosecuting procurement fraud.” “Preventing, detecting and defeating criminal activity related to federal procurement and grant programs is a high priority for Commerce OIG,” said Acting Inspector General Roderick Anderson of the Department of Commerce. “We are pleased to join this strike force and look forward to collaborating with our partners to enhance our collective efforts to combat antitrust violations, ensure integrity within government procurements and spending and maximize value for taxpayers.” In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the PCSF, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant, and program funding at all levels of government – federal, state and local. For more information, visit https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force .


title: Lowell Man Arrested for Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Lowell man has been arrested for child pornography offenses. Steven Armando Estrada Ramirez, 21, was charged with receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Estrada Ramirez made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston yesterday. According to the charging documents, Estrada was identified as a participant in multiple groups on a mobile chat application, in which the primary purpose of the group, is for users share and view CSAM. It is alleged that multiple files located within those chat application groups depicted child pornography. During a search of his residence, Estrada was found to be in possession of a USB drive containing approximately 800 video files, many of which had filenames descriptive of child pornography, and the majority of which depicted child pornography. The files allegedly depicted children who appeared to be approximately one to eight years old. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Stanwood, Washington repeat offender sentenced to 10+ years in prison for selling heroin and fentanyl over the dark web

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 49-year-old Stanwood, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 121 months in prison for possession of heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Christerfer Frick was arrested in May 2021 following an investigation into drug dealing on the dark web. At the time of his arrest, Frick was on supervised release for a nine-year prison sentence for drug dealing. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Richard Jones said, “The fact that you immediately turned to drug dealing shortly after release from prison indicates the court needs to protect the community.” “Mr. Frick delivered potentially deadly drugs to customers across the country, with little concern for the lives he damaged or destroyed,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Indeed, he stored large amounts of deadly drugs in a home he shared with two small children, leaving them accessible to these children or their friends with potentially tragic consequences.” According to records filed in the case, Frick spent 2020 and early 2021, storing and mailing drugs to customers who ordered via the dark web. Frick sought out a drug supplier and stored as much as 50 pounds of controlled substances at a time. While he placed the drugs in a safe in the garage, he did not lock the safe, leaving it open for anyone – including his wife’s two young children – to access. At the time law enforcement searched the residence there was 2.7 kilos of heroin and fentanyl in the safe. Frick conspired with another defendant who ran the dark web sales site. Frick stored and delivered the drugs to customers, either in person or through the mail. This is Frick’s third federal felony conviction. As prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “Christerfer Frick has been on a crime spree that has lasted for over thirty years. He has dozens of convictions, including brandishing a firearm, eluding, escape, theft, harassment, forgery, counterfeiting, and drug trafficking. The only thing that has stopped Frick from committing crimes is custody…. After serving that nine-year sentence, Frick promptly sought out the dark web fentanyl and heroin network that led to the charges in this case.” Due to the amount of drugs involved in this case, Frick faced a mandatory minimum ten years in prison, with additional time for violating his supervised release for the last prison sentence. Following prison, Frick will be on five years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service (USPIS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Martin and Mike Dion.


title: Matawan Cardiologist Admits Defrauding Health Insurance Companies of More Than $1.9 Million Through Health Care Fraud Scheme

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – The owner and sole medical provider of a New Jersey medical practice admitted his role in a health care fraud scheme causing over $1.9 million in insurance reimbursements for false claims, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Dr. Fazal Panezai, 76, of Morganville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with participating in a health care fraud scheme. According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court: Panezai, who owned and operated Matawan-Aberdeen Heart & Medical Center, for years submitted false claims to at least six health insurance benefit programs for office visits that either never occurred or did not take place for the length of time that he claimed. For example, Panezai submitted claims for office visits lasting approximately 1,675 minutes – approximately 27.9 hours – for one day’s worth of office visits on May 27, 2022. Panezai also billed health insurance providers over $80,000 for office visits when he was out of the country and not conducting any office visits. Panezai also submitted claims for office visits when patients only picked up a prescription for a controlled substance from the front desk and never met with him. The false claims caused insurance plans to issue reimbursement checks to the center. Panezai kept the illicit profits, which totaled more than $1.9 million. The charge of health care fraud is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of either $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2024. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. He also thanked the Matawan Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark. panezai.information.pdf


title: Edwardsville Man Sentenced To 168 Months’ Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking Offense

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Lamar Brown, age 38, of Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 168 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for drug trafficking offense. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on July 13, 2020, in Luzerne County, Brown possessed with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances. The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Kingston Police Department, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case. 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. This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses. # # #


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on April 5, 2024. Roy Brushbreaker, III, age 29, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Brushbreaker was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 11, 2024. Brushbreaker was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in 2019. As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and to update his registration within three business days of relocation or changing employment. In August of 2023, Brushbreaker began a period of supervised release residing in Rapid City and appropriately registered as a sex offender. In October of 2023, Brushbreaker relocated to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and did not thereafter update his registration. He was arrested in Sioux Falls on November 14, 2023. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case. Brushbreaker was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects Over $1.9 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2023

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota, under the leadership of U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell, has reported the collection of $1,937,264.31 in criminal fines, restitution, loan defaults, bankruptcy, forfeiture, and affirmative civil enforcement efforts in FY 2023. Of the total collections, $1.5 million was derived from criminal cases. A significant portion of this, precisely $1,100,870.12, was returned to victims of crime, underscoring the Office’s commitment to ensuring justice and support for those victimized by crime. The remainder has been deposited into the Crime Victims Fund, a crucial federal resource that provides financial assistance to crime victims across the United States. This fund aids victims in covering various costs such as medical expenses, lost wages, mental health counseling, and funeral expenses. “Our mission extends beyond the mere prosecution of criminal offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell. “It’s about healing wounds and restoring dignity to those wronged through our dedication to facilitating the financial recovery for victims to the fullest extent possible. Seeing the tangible benefits of these collections for the victims is not just satisfying—it’s a profound reminder of the impact our office can have on the lives of victims seeking justice.” Additionally, the fiscal year saw substantial collections from civil actions related to delinquent government loans, including those related to education, small businesses, agricultural services, and housing. The enforcement of healthcare fraud and False Claims Act litigation also contributed to these achievements. Notably, in a case of wool subsidy fraud, defendant Howard Aleff was mandated to sell Iowa farmland to satisfy a $1.3 million debt. Meanwhile, the discovery of valuable religious artifacts in a storage unit belonging to former priest Marcin Garbacz led to a unique online auction, recovering over $18,000 for the church he victimized. These results were achieved through the concerted efforts of the entire team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, from attorneys who secure criminal restitution and civil judgments to the financial litigation unit responsible for enforcing payment. The use of various enforcement mechanisms, including voluntary payment plans, garnishments, and the sale of seized assets, has been instrumental in these achievements. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota remains committed to upholding the principles of justice and integrity, as demonstrated by the FY 2023 collections. These efforts not only highlight the dedication of the office to its prosecutorial and enforcement responsibilities, but also its unwavering support for the victims whose lives are impacted by violent and financial crimes.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced on Child Pornography Charge

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on April 8, 2024. Titus Amiotte, 23, was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $60,694.12 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Amiotte will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Amiotte was indicted for Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography by a federal grand jury in February of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 8, 2024. Amiotte was federally indicted following law enforcement authority’s receipt of two Cybertips from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children reporting suspected child pornography uploads to Google. The South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce executed a search warrant on Amiotte’s residence and later forensically examined a laptop and cell phone that were identified as belonging to Amiotte. The forensic examination of those devices located 86 images and 27 videos of child pornography. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Amiotte was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Cumberland County Man Charged With Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Edward Clouser, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was charged on April 10, 2024, by a federal grand jury with distributing and possessing child pornography. According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Clouser with distributing child pornography on November 28, 2022, and possessing child pornography including images involving a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age on February 7, 2023, in Cumberland County. 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. The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby prosecuted the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of up to lifetime supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. ###


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on April 8, 2024. Bert Roy Cottier, 58, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Cottier will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Cottier was indicted for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet, Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography and Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor by a federal grand jury in November of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 10, 2024. Cottier was arrested and federally indicted after attempting to entice two undercover law enforcement agents posing as 13- and 14-year-old females. Cottier sent the undercover agents multiple sexually explicit messages and obscene matter between March of 2023 and October of 2023. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. Cottier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Manderson Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Domestic Violence

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Tampering with a Witness. The sentencing took place on April 8, 2024. Cruz Gibbons, 28, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for the Tampering conviction, and five years in federal prison—the statutory maximum—for the Assault conviction, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Gibbons was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Gibbons was indicted for Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner, Distribution of a Controlled Substance to an Individual Under 21 and Tampering with a Witness by a federal grand jury in October of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 12, 2024. The convictions stem from Gibbons beating his former girlfriend in August of 2023, which caused her substantial bodily injury. After being arrested, Gibbons contacted the victim hundreds of times from the jail and persuaded her to refuse to testify. Notwithstanding Gibbons’ efforts to thwart the investigation and case, investigators successfully assembled a case against Gibbons, leading to his guilty pleas and sentencing. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Gibbons was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Ft. Thompson Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Ft. Thompson, South Dakota, man convicted of eight counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact, two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography, and Tampering with a Witness. The sentencing took place on April 8, 2024. Loren Goodlow, 34, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $1,400 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Goodlow was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He was found guilty following a three-day jury trial in December of 2023. The conviction stems from Goodlow engaging in sexual acts with two minor females on the Pine Ridge Reservation on March 18, 2023. Goodlow also enticed one of the minors in December of 2022 and engaged in sexual acts with the minor between December 26, 2022, and January 16, 2023. After the minor disclosed Goodlow’s behavior in March of 2023, Goodlow attempted to tamper with one of the witnesses. The investigation also revealed that on December 8, 2021, Goodlow enticed another minor female and attempted to receive child pornography. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case. Goodlow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion and Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on April 8, 2024. Johnny Ray Heath, 52, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison on each charge, lifetime supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution of $3,000 to each of the two victims. The prison sentences are to be served concurrently. Heath was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 15, 2023. Heath was apprehended in January of 2023, when he traveled to a Rapid City parking lot to have sex with who he believed was a 14-year-old girl, when, in reality, the girl was an undercover Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent. Forensic analysis of Heath’s cell phone and other devices also revealed that he coerced his victims into engaging in sex with him by offering and providing them with alcohol, vapes, marijuana, money, and other things of value or to which they were addicted. Heath recorded himself sexually abusing his victims while they were unconscious or highly intoxicated. “This case demonstrates the impact of undercover sex sting operations conducted by law enforcement in South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota Alison J. Ramsdell. “The publicity generated by the arrest of Johnny Heath led a local victim to come forward after she learned of his arrest through the media. A second victim disclosed Heath’s abuse of her shortly thereafter. Perpetrators like Heath pose a grave threat to young children in our community, and he has earned every single day of his 40-year sentence.” This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case. Heath was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Carlsbad Man Sentenced for Federal Drug and Firearms Offenses

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Carlsbad man was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Manuel Pineda Montoya , 44, was arrested during 2023 joint enforcement operation in Carlsbad, New Mexico which resulted in the arrest of 12 alleged drug and firearms traffickers. According to court documents, in May of 2023, Montoya was pulled over in three separate traffic stops – two in Eddy County and one in Lincoln County. During the first incident, officers located 3.8 kilograms of fentanyl pills, over $11,000 in cash, and two loaded firearms in Montoya ’s vehicle. As a previously convicted felon, Montoya knew that he was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. During the next two incidents, officers found a total of 6,710 net grams of methamphetamine in Montoya ’s vehicle. In his plea agreement, Montoya admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others. After completing his term of imprisonment, Montoya will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, made the announcement today. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, with enforcement assistance from the United States Marshal Service, Carlsbad Police Department, Eddy County Sheriff’ Department, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Drug Task Force, DEA Airwing and Customs and Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Renee L. Camacho and Devon Aragon-Martinez are prosecuting the case. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The task force initiatives are also part of the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA), a federal grant program that supports law enforcement efforts to combat the drug threat in the state. # # #


title: Jacksonville Woman Sentenced To 10 Years For Distributing Methamphetamine And Fentanyl

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Annette Jones (37, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Jones entered a guilty plea on November 16, 2023. According to court documents, Jones was part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Jacksonville between 2020 and 2023. During this time, Jones was responsible for distributing over 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 5 kilograms of fentanyl. Between December 2022 and February 2023, Jones sold over 1 kilogram of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm with an extended magazine to an undercover law enforcement officer. On March 15, 2023, federal agents and local law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Jones’s residence and recovered two loaded firearms, including one that had been reported stolen. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.


title: Pine Ridge Woman Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Janine Faye Good Lance, age 44, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota of two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 11, 2024. The charges carry a maximum penalty of eight years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. Good Lance was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. Evidence at trial established that Good Lance operated a motor vehicle on November 18, 2022, while under the influence of alcohol. She drove off the road and rolled multiple times killing the two passengers in her vehicle. Good Lance’s BAC was between .105 and .125 at the time of the crash. This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date will be scheduled.


title: Wimauma Man On Federal Supervised Release Indicted For Possession Of Ammunition By A Convicted Felon

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Alfredo Davila, Jr. (30, Wimauma) with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Davila faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on February 18, 2024, Davila, knowing that he had previously been convicted of a felony, was in possession of ammunition. At the time of the offense, Davila was serving a term of supervised release for his previous convictions. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. 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. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang. This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Federal Inmate Sentenced To 5 Years’ Imprisonment For Assaulting Correctional Officers

body_text: Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Paige Robert Davis (44, Illinois) to five years in federal prison for two counts of assaulting a federal officer. He entered a guilty plea on October 30, 2023. According to court records, Davis was an inmate in the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. On November 18, 2022, during a standard pat-down search, Davis turned and punched a correctional officer in the face. When the correctional officer fell to the ground, hit his head on the concrete, and lost consciousness, Davis got on top of the officer and continued to strike him. Davis then fought with other responding correctional officers before finally being subdued. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.


title: Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry of Removed Alien

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARLON CHAVEZ-AGUIRRE , age 50, a native of Honduras, was indicted on April 11, 2024, for illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to the indictment, CHAVEZ-AGUIRRE reentered the United States illegally after being previously deported on September 24, 2012. If convicted, CHAVEZ-AGUIRRE faces a sentence of up to 2 years imprisonment, up to 1 year of supervised release, up to a $250,00 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Former U.S. Ambassador and National Security Council Official Admits to Secretly Acting as Agent of the Cuban Government and Receives 15-Year Sentence

body_text: Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, of Miami, a former U.S. Department of State employee who served on the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995 and as U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, pleaded guilty today to secretly acting for decades as an agent of the government of the Republic of Cuba. Immediately thereafter, a federal judge sentenced Rocha to the statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. “Today’s plea and sentencing brings to an end more than four decades of betrayal and deceit by the defendant,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Rocha admitted to acting as an agent of the Cuban government at the same time he held numerous positions of trust in the U.S. government, a staggering betrayal of the American people and an acknowledgement that every oath he took to the United States was a lie." “Victor Manuel Rocha secretly acted for decades as an agent of a hostile foreign power. He thought the story of his covert mission for Cuba would never be told because he had the intelligence, knowledge, and discipline to never to be detected. Rocha underestimated those same skills in the prosecutors and law enforcement agents who worked tirelessly to bring him to justice for betraying his oath to this country,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “I am mindful that Rocha’s decades-long criminal activity on behalf of the Cuban Government is especially painful for many in South Florida. Rocha’s willingness to cooperate, as required by his plea agreement, is important, but does not change the seriousness of his misconduct or his clandestine breach of the trust placed in him. Rocha’s 15-year prison sentence, the maximum punishment for his crimes of conviction, sends a powerful message to those who are acting or seek to act unlawfully in the United States for a foreign government: we will seek you out anywhere, at any time, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom accepted Rocha’s guilty plea to counts 1 and 2 of the indictment, which charged him with conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government and conspiring to defraud the United States and acting as an agent of a foreign government without notice as required by law. The court then sentenced Rocha to the statutory maximum penalty on his counts of conviction: 15 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a special assessment. The court also imposed significant restrictions on Rocha. Under the terms of the parties’ plea agreement, Rocha must cooperate with the United States, including assisting with any damage assessment related to his work on behalf of the Republic of Cuba. Rocha must relinquish all future retirement benefits, including pension payments, owed to him by the United States based upon his former State Department employment. Rocha must also assign to the United States any profits that he may be entitled to receive in connection with any publication relating to his criminal conduct or his U.S. Government service. “Despite swearing an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, Rocha betrayed the U.S. by secretly working as a Cuban agent for decades,” said Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “After years of lying and endangering national security and U.S. citizens, he finally accepted responsibility for his actions and received the maximum prison sentence. This should serve as a notice to our adversaries that the FBI will work tirelessly to stop foreign intelligence services and any who work with them against the interests of the United States and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.” “Victor Manuel Rocha was sentenced to 15 years in prison today for deceiving our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office. “He blatantly violated the oath of office he willingly took as an employee of the State Department and disregarded the loyalty to the United States that is inherent with that oath. As this case demonstrates, the counterintelligence threat facing our nation is real, pervasive, and has the potential to cause great harm to our national security. I want to commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida for their close partnership on this highly sensitive matter. I also want to thank our Washington Field Office and our Counterintelligence Division, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for their valuable contributions to this case.” “The investigation of this crime demonstrates the sustained threat from hostile intelligence services,” said Assistant Director for Domestic Operations Andrew Wroblewski of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “Today’s guilty plea and sentencing are another example of our commitment to successfully work together with our federal law enforcement partners in the pursuit of those who compromise the security of the United States.” In pleading guilty, Rocha admitted that, beginning in 1973, and continuing to the time of his arrest, he secretly supported the Republic of Cuba and its clandestine intelligence-gathering mission against the United States by serving as a covert agent of Cuba’s General Directorate of Intelligence. By his own admission, to further that role, Rocha obtained employment at the U.S. Department of State, where he worked between 1981 and 2002, in positions that provided him access to nonpublic information, including classified information, and the ability to affect U.S. foreign policy. Aside from serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia and on the White House National Security Council, Rocha’s career included a stint as Deputy Principal Secretary of the State Department’s U.S. Interests Section in Havana, Cuba from 1995-97. After his State Department employment ended, Rocha engaged in other acts intended to support Cuba’s intelligence services. Rocha kept his status as a Cuban agent secret to protect himself and others and to allow himself the opportunity to engage in additional clandestine activity. Rocha provided false and misleading information to the United States to maintain his secret mission and traveled outside the United States to meet with Cuban intelligence operatives. In a series of meetings during 2022 and 2023, with an undercover FBI agent posing as a covert Cuban General Directorate of Intelligence representative, Rocha made repeated statements admitting his “decades” of work for Cuba, spanning “40 years.” When the undercover told Rocha he was “a covert representative here in Miami” whose mission was “to contact you, introduce myself as your new contact, and establish a new communication plan,” Rocha answered “Yes,” and proceeded to engage in lengthy conversations during which he described and celebrated his activity as a Cuban intelligence agent. Throughout the meetings, Rocha behaved as a Cuban agent, consistently referring to the United States as “the enemy,” and using the term “we” to describe himself and Cuba. Rocha additionally praised Fidel Castro as the “Comandante,” and referred to his contacts in Cuban intelligence as his “Compañeros” (comrades) and to the Cuban intelligence services as the “Dirección.” Rocha described his work as a Cuban agent as “enormous … More than a grand slam,” and asserted that what he did “strengthened the Revolution … immensely.” The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case, with valuable contributions by the FBI Washington Field Office and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan D. Stratton and John C. Shipley for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Heather M. Schmidt and Christine A. Bonomo of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov .


title: Exembajador de los Estados Unidos y funcionario del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional admite haber actuado en secreto como agente del gobierno cubano y recibe sentencia de 15 años

body_text: Víctor Manuel Rocha, de 73 años, de Miami, Florida, exempleado del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos que sirvió en el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional de 1994 a 1995 y como embajador de los Estados Unidos en Bolivia de 2000 a 2002, hoy se declaró culpable de actuar en secreto durante décadas como agente del gobierno de la República de Cuba. Inmediatamente después, un juez federal condenó a Rocha a la pena máxima legal de 15 años de prisión por sus delitos penales. “La declaración de culpabilidad y la sentencia de hoy ponen fin a más de cuatro décadas de traición y engaño por parte del acusado”, expresó el fiscal general adjunto Matthew G. Olsen de la División de Seguridad Nacional del Departamento de Justicia. “Rocha admitió haber actuado como agente del gobierno cubano al mismo tiempo que ocupaba numerosos cargos de confianza en el gobierno de los Estados Unidos, una asombrosa traición al pueblo estadounidense y un reconocimiento de que cada juramento que hizo a los Estados Unidos fue una mentira”. “Víctor Manuel Rocha actuó en secreto durante décadas como agente de una potencia extranjera hostil. Pensó que la historia de su misión encubierta a Cuba nunca sería contada porque tenía la inteligencia, el conocimiento y la disciplina para no ser detectado nunca. Rocha subestimó esas mismas habilidades en los fiscales y agentes del orden público que trabajaron incansablemente para llevarlo ante la justicia por traicionar su juramento a este país”, señaló el fiscal federal Markenzy Lapointe para el Distrito Sur de Florida. “Soy consciente de que la actividad delictiva de décadas de Rocha en nombre del gobierno cubano es especialmente dolorosa para muchos en el sur de Florida. La voluntad de Rocha de cooperar, como lo exige su acuerdo de culpabilidad, es importante, pero no cambia la gravedad de su mala conducta o su abuso clandestino de la confianza depositada en él. La sentencia de 15 años de prisión de Rocha, el castigo máximo por sus delitos penales, envía un poderoso mensaje a quienes actúan o quieren actuar ilegalmente en los Estados Unidos para un gobierno extranjero: los buscaremos en cualquier lugar, en cualquier momento y los procesaremos con todo el peso de la ley”. La jueza del Tribunal Federal de Distrito, Beth Bloom, aceptó la declaración de culpabilidad de Rocha por los cargos 1 y 2 de la acusación formal, que le atribuyen conspiración para actuar como agente de un gobierno extranjero y conspiración para defraudar a los Estados Unidos y actuar como agente de un gobierno extranjero sin notificación según lo exige la ley. A continuación, la jueza condenó a Rocha a la pena máxima legal por los cargos penales: 15 años de prisión, multa de $500,000 dólares estadounidenses, tres años de libertad supervisada y una cuota especial. La jueza también impuso importantes restricciones a Rocha. Según los términos del acuerdo de culpabilidad de las partes, Rocha tiene que cooperar con los Estados Unidos, incluido el asistir con cualquier evaluación de daños relacionados con su trabajo en nombre de la República de Cuba. Rocha debe renunciar a todos los beneficios de jubilación futuros, incluidos los pagos de pensiones, que los Estados Unidos le debe por su antiguo empleo en el Departamento de Estado. Rocha también debe ceder a los Estados Unidos cualquier ganancia que tenga derecho a recibir en relación con cualquier publicación relacionada con su conducta delictiva o su servicio al gobierno de los Estados Unidos. “A pesar de haber hecho un juramento de defender la Constitución de los Estados Unidos, Rocha traicionó a los Estados Unidos al trabajar en secreto como agente cubano durante décadas”, apunta la subdirectora ejecutiva Larissa L. Knapp de la División de Seguridad Nacional del FBI. “Después de años de mentir y poner en peligro la seguridad nacional y a los ciudadanos estadounidenses, finalmente aceptó la responsabilidad de sus acciones y recibió la pena máxima de prisión. Esto debería servir como aviso a nuestros adversarios de que el FBI trabajará incansablemente para detener a los servicios de inteligencia extranjeros y a cualquiera que trabaje con ellos en contra de los intereses de los Estados Unidos y procesarlos con todo el peso de la ley”. “Víctor Manuel Rocha fue sentenciado hoy a 15 años de prisión por engañar a nuestra nación”, señaló el agente especial a cargo Jeffrey B. Veltri de la Oficina de Campo del FBI en Miami. “Incumplió descaradamente el juramento que tomó voluntariamente como empleado del Departamento de Estado e ignoró la lealtad a los Estados Unidos que es inherente a ese juramento. Como lo demuestra este caso, la amenaza de contrainteligencia que enfrenta nuestra nación es real, generalizada y tiene el potencial de causar un gran daño a nuestra seguridad nacional. Quiero felicitar a la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Sur de Florida por su estrecha colaboración en este asunto tan delicado. También quiero agradecer a nuestra Oficina de Campo en Washington y a nuestra División de Contrainteligencia, así como a la División de Seguridad Nacional del Departamento de Justicia y al Servicio de Seguridad Diplomática del Departamento de Estado por sus valiosas contribuciones a este caso”. “La investigación de este delito demuestra la amenaza sostenida de los servicios de inteligencia hostiles”, expresó el subdirector de Operaciones Nacionales, Andrew Wroblewski, del Servicio de Seguridad Diplomática (DSS) del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos. “La declaración de culpabilidad y la sentencia de hoy son otro ejemplo de nuestro compromiso de trabajar satisfactoriamente junto con nuestros colaboradores federales del orden público en la persecución de aquellos que comprometen la seguridad de los Estados Unidos”. Al declararse culpable, Rocha admitió que, desde 1973 y hasta el momento de su arresto, apoyó secretamente a la República de Cuba y su misión clandestina de recopilación de inteligencia contra los Estados Unidos sirviendo como agente encubierto de la Dirección General de Inteligencia de Cuba. Según admitió él mismo, para promover ese papel, Rocha obtuvo empleo en el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, donde trabajó entre 1981 y 2002, en puestos que le brindaron acceso a información no pública, incluida información clasificada, y la capacidad de afectar la política exterior de los Estados Unidos. Además de servir como embajador de los Estados Unidos en Bolivia y en el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional de la Casa Blanca, la carrera de Rocha incluyó un período como vicesecretario principal de la Sección de Intereses de los Estados Unidos del Departamento de Estado en La Habana, Cuba, de 1995 a 1997. Después de que terminó su empleo en el Departamento de Estado, Rocha participó en otros actos destinados a apoyar a los servicios de inteligencia de Cuba. Rocha mantuvo en secreto su condición de agente cubano para protegerse a sí mismo y a los demás, y para permitirse la oportunidad de participar en actividades clandestinas adicionales. Rocha proporcionó información falsa y engañosa a los Estados Unidos para mantener su misión secreta y viajó fuera de los Estados Unidos para reunirse con agentes de inteligencia cubanos. En una serie de reuniones durante 2022 y 2023, con un agente encubierto del FBI haciéndose pasar por un representante encubierto de la Dirección General de Inteligencia cubana, Rocha hizo repetidas declaraciones admitiendo sus “décadas” de trabajo para Cuba, que abarcan “40 años”. Cuando el agente encubierto le dijo a Rocha que era “un representante encubierto aquí en Miami” cuya misión era “contactarle, presentarme como su nuevo contacto y establecer un nuevo plan de comunicación”, Rocha respondió: “Sí” y procedió a entablar largas conversaciones durante las cuales describió y celebró su actividad como agente de la inteligencia cubana. A lo largo de las reuniones, Rocha se comportó como un agente cubano, refiriéndose constantemente a los Estados Unidos como “el enemigo” y utilizando el término “nosotros” para describirse a sí mismo y a Cuba. Rocha también elogió a Fidel Castro como el “Comandante” y se refirió a sus contactos en la inteligencia cubana como sus “compañeros” y a los servicios de inteligencia cubanos como la “Dirección”. Rocha calificó su labor como agente cubano como “enorme… Más que un grand slam ”, y aseveró que lo que hizo “fortaleció a la Revolución… inmensamente”. La Oficina de Campo del FBI en Miami investigó el caso, con valiosas contribuciones de la Oficina de Campo del FBI en Washington y el Servicio de Seguridad Diplomática (DSS) del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos. Los fiscales federales adjuntos Jonathan D. Stratton y John C. Shipley del Distrito Sur de Florida, junto con las abogadas litigantes Heather M. Schmidt y Christine A. Bonomo de la Sección de Contrainteligencia y Control de Exportaciones de la División de Seguridad Nacional procesaron el caso. Toda persona que tenga información puede llamar al 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) o visitar tips.fbi.gov.


title: Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Global Prize Notice Fraud Scheme

component: Civil Division

body_text: A Colorado man pleaded guilty today for engaging in a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers across the United States and abroad. John Kyle Muller, 58, of Boulder, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. According to the indictment, Muller and his co-conspirators mailed millions of fraudulent prize notices that led their victims to believe that they had been individually selected to receive a large cash prize and would receive their prize if they paid a $20 to $50 fee. In reality, no victim ever received a large cash prize from Muller or his co-conspirators. Instead, victims received a “report” describing sweepstakes opportunities or a trinket of minimal value. After victims responded to one fraudulent prize notice mailing, Muller and his co-conspirators inundated them with additional fraudulent mailings. They also provided victims’ contact information to others in the fraudulent mass-mailing industry. Muller and his co-conspirators used the scheme to steal more than $15 million from victims, many of whom were elderly. The fraud scheme operated from 2012 to February 2018, when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) executed multiple search warrants and the Justice Department obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent mail operation. Muller authored, edited and approved many of the fraudulent prize notice mailings before they were mailed to victims and shared the profits from the scheme. “Through this fraud scheme, the defendant targeted and victimized the some of the most vulnerable among us,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to protecting all consumers – including the elderly and vulnerable – from predatory mass-mailing schemes.” “John Kyle Muller appeared to be a successful, upstanding member of his community, while hiding the truth that that “success” was taking advantage of older Americans across the country,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the USPIS’ Criminal Investigations Group. “Postal inspectors work hard to investigate and apprehend fraudsters, but also to prevent these scams. The best defense is to not respond to prize-notice mailings in the first place – if you have to pay money to claim a prize, you can be sure it’s a scam.” USPIS investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Carolyn Rice and Charles Dunn of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for fraudulent psychic, lottery, prize notification and sweepstakes scams. If you receive a phone call, letter or email promising a large prize in exchange for a fee, do not respond. Fraudsters often will use official-sounding names or the names of real lotteries or sweepstakes or pretend to be a government agent purportedly helping to secure a prize. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with inappropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage at www.justice.gov/elderjustice . For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch . Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov .


title: Perry County Commonwealth Attorney Arrested and Charged with Federal Honest Services Wire Fraud

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LONDON, Ky.— The Commonwealth’s Attorney, for the 33 rd Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, Scott Blair, 51, of Hazard, Ky., was charged with committing honest services wire fraud, via a federal criminal complaint on Friday. The criminal complaint alleges that, from April 2020 to March 2024, while serving as the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Perry County, Blair used his position of public trust and authority to assist various individuals who were facing criminal charges in Perry County. The complaint further alleges there are numerous instances in which Blair requested something of value, including sexual favors and methamphetamine, from multiple individuals, in exchange for taking actions in his official capacity to help those individuals. Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky; and Col. Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the charges. The investigation preceding the complaint was conducted by the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States. Blair’s initial appearance is currently scheduled for Monday at 2:45 p.m. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are accusations only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. — END —


title: Maryland man who illegally purchased 59 guns in 17 months sentenced

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Temple Hills, Maryland, man was sentenced today to a year and two months in prison for making false statements while purchasing firearms in Virginia. According to court documents, from August 2020 through December 2021, Robert Smith, 48, bought a total of 59 firearms over 24 purchases, each time affirming on the required federal firearms forms that he lived in Arlington, Virginia. At no time during that period did Smith live at the provided address in Arlington. Maryland state laws regulating firearms purchases would not have allowed Smith to purchase this many firearms during this period of time, whereas Virginia law allows it. The investigation into Smith began when four firearms he had purchased were recovered from four different individuals during traffic stops. In each case, the serial number of the firearm was obliterated. During the prosecution of this case, at least two additional firearms linked to Smith were recovered, again with obliterated serial numbers. Aside from these, two were recovered from Smith and he did not report any of the firearms stolen. The locations of the remaining firearms he purchased are unknown to law enforcement. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Durham and Ronald L. Walutes Jr. prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-90.


title: Dallas Anesthesiologist Convicted of Tampering with IV Bags  Linked to Cardiac Emergencies During Routine Surgeries

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A Dallas anesthesiologist was convicted today for injecting dangerous drugs into patient IV bags, leading to one death and numerous cardiac emergencies, the Justice Department announced. Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr., 60, was charged by criminal complaint in September 2023 and indicted the following month on charges related to tampering with IV bags used at a local surgical center. After eight days of trial and seven hours of deliberation, a jury convicted him of four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of tampering with a consumer product and five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug. “The facts brought out at trial in this case are particularly disturbing,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who puts patients’ lives at risk by tampering with critical medical products.” “Dr. Ortiz cloaked himself in the white coat of a healer, but instead of curing pain, he inflicted it,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas said in a video statement . “He assembled ticking time bombs, then sat in wait as those medical time bombs went off one by one, toxic cocktails flowing into the veins of patients who were often at their most vulnerable, lying unconscious on the operating table. We saw the patients testify. Their pain, their fear and their trauma was palpable in that courtroom.” “Patients expect that their doctors will use only safe and effective medical products during their surgeries. When illicit tampering occurs, serious harm and even death can result,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OIC). “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to monitor, investigate and bring to justice those who would risk patients’ health and safety.” According to evidence presented at trial, between May and August 2022, numerous patients at Surgicare North Dallas suffered cardiac emergencies during routine medical procedures performed by various doctors. About one month after the unexplained emergencies began, an anesthesiologist who had worked at the facility earlier that day died while treating herself for dehydration using an IV bag. In August 2022, doctors at the surgical care center began to suspect tainted IV bags had caused the repeated crises after an 18-year-old patient had to be rushed to the intensive care unit in critical condition during a routine sinus surgery. A local lab analyzed fluid from the bag used during the teenager’s surgery and found bupivacaine (a nerve-blocking agent), epinephrine (a stimulant) and lidocaine (an anesthetic) — a drug cocktail that could have caused the boy’s symptoms, which included very high blood pressure, cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary edema. The lab also observed a puncture in the bag. Ortiz surreptitiously injected IV bags of saline with epinephrine, bupivacaine and other drugs, placed them into a warming bin at the facility, and waited for them to be used in colleagues’ surgeries, knowing their patients would experience dangerous complications. Surveillance video introduced into evidence showed Ortiz repeatedly retrieving IV bags from the warming bin and replacing them shortly thereafter, not long before the bags were carried into operating rooms where patients experienced complications. Video also showed Ortiz mixing vials of medication and watching as victims were wheeled out by emergency responders. Evidence presented at trial showed that Ortiz was facing disciplinary action at the time for an alleged medical mistake made in his one of his own surgeries, and that he potentially faced losing his medical license. At trial, doctors testified about the confusion they felt when their patients’ blood pressures suddenly skyrocketed. Reviewing medical records, they all noted the emergencies occurred shortly after new IV bags had been hung. Patients recalled waking up unexpectedly intubated in intensive care units they had been transported to via emergency medical transportation services, in pain and in fear for their lives. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Ortiz faces a maximum penalty of 190 years in prison. The court will set his sentencing hearing at a later date. FDA-OCI Special Agents Chad Medaris and Daniel Allgeyer investigated the case. Assistant Director Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorney Rachel Baron of the Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney John de la Garza for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gail Hayworth for the Northern District of Texas provided appellate support. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey presided over trial.


title: Biotech CEO Sentenced for $28M COVID-19 Securities Fraud Scheme and Obstruction of Related Investigation

component: Criminal Division

body_text: The CEO of a California biotechnology company was sentenced today to seven years in prison for a securities fraud scheme that resulted in approximately $28 million in investor losses and obstruction of a related U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation. According to court documents, Keith Berman, 70, of Westlake Village, California, was the CEO and sole director of Decision Diagnostics Corp., a publicly traded medical device company. From February through December 2020, Berman engaged in a scheme to defraud investors by falsely claiming that Decision Diagnostics had developed a 15-second test to detect COVID-19 in a finger prick sample of blood when, in reality, no such test existed. Berman also falsely told investors that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was on the verge of approving Decision Diagnostics’ request for emergency use authorization of its purported COVID-19 test. In reality, Berman knew that his company was unwilling and unable to meet the clinical testing required by the FDA but concealed these material facts and misled investors. “At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith Berman gave people false hope that his biotech company had developed a rapid blood test to detect COVID-19. But there was no such test. Berman defrauded investors to profit from the pandemic,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s sentence sends a message that those who attempt to capitalize on fear and desperation to cheat unsuspecting Americans in times of national emergency will be held accountable.” As part of the scheme, Berman used a fake persona to repeat false and misleading statements to investors on internet message boards, and to lull unsuspecting investors into inaction by refuting allegations of fraud and threatening potential whistleblowers with civil or criminal sanctions. Berman also obstructed an SEC investigation into his conduct, using another false online identity to surreptitiously direct an investor to write a series of false and threatening letters to the highest levels of SEC management, including the SEC Chairman. “The defendant, Keith Berman, used the chaos of COVID-19 to not only orchestrate a fraudulent scheme that preyed on investors’ uncertainties, but he also ensnared them in a deceitful web of lies with promises of prosperity, then retaliated against his victims when confronted with his bogus claims, demonstrating his callous disregard for others facing financial ruin at his hands,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our partners, will continue to bring these predatory criminals to justice.” “Keith Berman not only misrepresented himself and lied about a phony COVID-19 diagnostic test to entice unsuspecting investors, but he also engaged in threats and obstructed a federal investigation,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to working with our partners to combat fraud and hold perpetrators accountable.” Berman pleaded guilty on Dec. 7, 2023, to securities fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of an official proceeding. USPIS and the FBI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Christopher Fenton, Kate T. McCarthy, and Matthew Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form .


title: Former Border Patrol Agent Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Drug Smuggling and Bribery

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – Carlos Victor Passapera Pinott, 56, of Buckeye, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Passapera pleaded guilty to Bribery of a Public Official and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Heroin on June 23, 2023. On August 9, 2020, while working as a United States Border Patrol Agent, Passapera drove his Border Patrol vehicle into the desert, west of the Lukeville Port of Entry, and retrieved two large duffel bags. Passapera then changed vehicles and transported the duffel bags to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where he parked and loaded the bags into the vehicle of a co-conspirator. The co-conspirator was stopped by law enforcement shortly after leaving the airport parking lot. A search of the two duffel bags revealed multiple packages of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin. Approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl, and one kilogram of heroin were seized. An additional $311,100 in U.S. currency was seized from Passapera’s safe deposit box. Passapera admitted to accepting large cash payments in exchange for using his position to smuggle drugs. “Defendant Passapera has betrayed his Border Patrol colleagues,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “The Border Patrol has earned the trust of a grateful nation for its exemplary efforts to protect the border and to humanely process the migrants who come to America for a better life. Defendant’s actions threaten that trust, and violated his oath to faithfully discharge his duties as a law enforcement officer.” “The citizens of Arizona are the true victims of this crime. Passapera was a trusted agent who took an oath to protect our border and keep drugs out. He broke that oath when he chose money over honor to transport and distribute drugs in this country,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis. “We hope this sentence demonstrates that corruption does not pay, and the FBI will continue to investigate and pursue those who abuse their positions.” “A Border Patrol agent using his position to smuggle fentanyl and heroin into the United States is unconscionable” said DHS Inspector General, Dr. Joseph V. Cuffari. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that government officials who betray the people they are meant to protect are held accountable.” Two individuals pleaded guilty in 2022 and were sentenced for Bribery of a Public Official charges related to this case. Omar Natalio Martinez Fontes pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery and Alien Smuggling. Fontes received time served after serving over two years in custody (CR-21-00792-TUC-JGZ). Luis Alfredo Quintero-Gonzalez also pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery and Alien Smuggling. Quintero-Gonzalez received time served after serving over 22 months in custody (CR-21-01529-TUC-JGZ). The investigation was conducted primarily by the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force (composed of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility, Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, and Tucson Police Department), Drug Enforcement Administration, Native Task Force, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, and Surprise Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-20-01706-TUC-JGZ RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-050_Passapera # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.