title: California Man Arrested for Money Laundering Conspiracy in Connection with Online Pharmacy Websites

body_text: BOSTON – A California man has been arrested and charged in federal court in Boston in connection with a money laundering conspiracy. Jimmy Fu, 63, of West Hills, Calif., was charged by a criminal complaint with one count of a money laundering conspiracy. Fu was arrested on Oct. 30, 2024, and appeared initially in the Central District of California where he resides. Following an initial appearance today in federal court in Boston, Fu was allowed to remain on conditions of release. According to the charging documents, since in or around November 2022, law enforcement has been investigating two online pharmacies believed to be operated out of India that advertised controlled substances for sale and distributing misbranded and counterfeit drugs, including drugs that contain controlled substances. The investigation revealed that online orders placed by customers in the United States were filled in several ways, including by illicit pill press locations operating in the United States as well as via shipments from overseas locations, with several illicit pill manufacturing locations identified as being involved in the shipment and fulfillment of orders. During the investigation, a variety of counterfeit prescription drugs, some of which contained controlled substances, were obtained via 18 undercover purchases. One undercover purchase of 60 Adderall pills was found to contain methamphetamine and caffeine. Another undercover purchase of 90 Adderall pills contained no active pharmaceutical ingredient. It is alleged that Fu was identified as the operator of Axson Engineering, Inc., doing business in Canoga Park, Calif. as “Axson Data.” The business allegedly processed customer payments for controlled substances from the online pharmacies and wired the proceeds of these illegal purchases to various businesses located overseas. It is alleged that the wires were directed to a number of different businesses that identify as information technology consulting businesses, among other things. It is further alleged that all 18 undercover purchases for prescription drugs were processed by Fu’s business, Axson Data, with each of the payments deposited into an Axson bank account. A review of all of Axson’s bank accounts allegedly revealed thousands of checks deposited from individuals across the United States, including Massachusetts, for various amounts of money ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. At least some of these payments allegedly correspond to purchases from the network of online pharmacy websites. It is alleged that, between January 2021 and August 2024, Axson accounts appeared to have received approximately $11.5 million from individuals across the United States. A search warrant executed for an Apple account associated with Axson allegedly revealed, among other things, a photo of a cell phone displaying an image of a drug test showing a positive indicator for methamphetamine, followed by a text message that read: “I ordered Adderall . . . I got this . . . it’s pressed meth. I said if they don’t have real Adderall I would take 20mg Ritalin to replace. They refused unless I sent these back (which is highly illegal).” The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the funds laundered, whichever is greater. 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; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New England; and Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in West Palm Beach, Fla., Northridge, Calif., and Las Vegas; Drug Enforcement Administration; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Customs & Border Protection; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Federal Air Marshal; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California; Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office; and the Quincy, Framingham and Henderson, Nev. Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Mackenzie Duane of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit, Alexandra Amrhein of the Asset Recovery Unit and Leslie Wright of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf . 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: Federal Jury Convicts Montgomery Man on Drug Distribution Charges

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Montgomery, Ala. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the conviction of a Montgomery, Alabama man on federal drug charges. On November 19, 2024, a jury found 41-year-old Corey Jermaine Burroughs guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and for maintaining a drug premises. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in 2020, law enforcement began an investigation relating to contraband being brought into an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) facility. Agents eventually developed Burroughs, a former ADOC inmate, as a suspect. On April 19, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence associated with Burroughs. The search resulted in the discovery of various illegal controlled substances, including a box with marijuana and methamphetamine on the kitchen counter, as well as vacuum sealed bags of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The total amount of methamphetamine found on the premises was approximately half a kilogram. Investigators also discovered vacuum sealer equipment and a digital scale used to package and weigh the illegal drugs. Other contraband, such as wireless headphones and cell phones, were seized as well. These items are in high demand inside prison facilities. The residence appeared to be uninhabited and, on the date of the search, was only being used to package drugs for distribution. Following these convictions, Burroughs faces a sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison with no parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming months. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division, and Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, with Assistant United States Attorneys J. Patrick Lamb and Mark E. Andreu prosecuting.


title: United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis Host Safe Housing Summits

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Dawn N. Ison and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis hosted two summits yesterday focused on promoting the health, safety, and civil rights of tenants living in HUD-assisted housing. The program focused on combatting sexual misconduct and eliminating environmental hazards in HUD-assisted housing. The summits, which took place at Anderson Enrichment Center in Saginaw and Kemeny Recreation Center in Detroit, were part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s and Inspector General’s complementary initiatives to promote safe housing related to eliminating environmental hazards such as lead-based paint and how to recognize and report sexual harassment and misconduct. “Everyone should be able to live safely in their homes, free from exposure to environmental hazards, and free from being subjected to harassment from their landlord,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We convened these summits today to raise awareness that residents have protections under federal law and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our partners at HUD OIG, will continue to work every day to eradicate sexual harassment and environmental hazards in housing throughout the Eastern District of Michigan.” “In partnership with U.S. Attorney Ison and her colleagues across the Nation, we remain dedicated to combatting sexual misconduct by housing providers and ensuring HUD-assisted tenants live in units free from lead and other environmental hazards,” said Inspector General Oliver Davis. “Opportunities like those we held today engaging community stakeholders in safe housing summits demonstrate HUD OIG’s commitment to holding accountable housing providers for putting the health and safety of HUD-assisted families at risk, and bringing to justice those who victimize vulnerable tenants.” Participants included representatives from organizations that routinely work with vulnerable populations most likely to be impacted by environmental hazards, such as lead-based paint in their homes, or subjected to sexual harassment in housing by their landlords, property managers, or others with control over housing. The organizations represented included legal services offices, fair housing organizations, civil rights groups, shelters, and social service organizations. If you or someone you know has information about environmental hazards and unsafe conditions in HUD-assisted housing or has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation – even if the events occurred years ago – report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www. https://hudoig.gov/hotline. You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint . Individuals who believe they have been victims of sexual harassment in housing, or discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 1-313-226-9151 or email us at usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov .


title: Dallas Anesthesiologist Convicted of Tampering with IV Bags Sentenced to 190 Years in Prison

component: Civil Division

body_text: A Dallas anesthesiologist who injected dangerous drugs into patient IV bags, leading to one death and numerous cardiac emergencies, was sentenced today to 190 years in prison. Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr., 60, was charged by criminal complaint in September 2022 and indicted the following month on charges related to tampering with IV bags used at a local surgical center. In April, following an eight-day trial, 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. He was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge David Godbey for the Northern District of Texas, who found that Dr. Ortiz caused the death of his colleague and called his other conduct “tantamount to attempted murder.” “The defendant betrayed the trust of patients by tampering with critical medical supplies, and the result was serious bodily injury,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of these offenses and should make clear that the department will work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute anyone who endangers patients by tampering with drugs.” “This disgraced doctor acted no better than an armed assailant spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd. Dr. Ortiz tampered with random IV bags, apparently unconcerned with who he hurt. But he wielded an invisible weapon, a cocktail of heart-stopping drugs, concealed inside an IV bag designed to help patients heal,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton for the Northern District of Texas. “On at least nine separate occasions, he essentially attacked unconscious patients lying on an operating table, and even killed a colleague. I am so proud of our office’s work in bringing Dr. Ortiz to justice and bringing a measure of solace to his victims and their families.” “Patients expect that their doctors will use only safe and effective medical products during their surgeries. The illicit tampering in this case demonstrated a gross disregard for patient safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI). “This investigation uncovered that adulterating the IV bags caused serious adverse health consequences. This sentencing is a clear demonstration that FDA will not stop pursuing and bringing to justice those who risk patients’ health and safety through their criminal actions.” 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 plastic shell that had been around the IV bag. Evidence presented at trial showed that 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 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. FDA-OCI investigated the case with support from the Dallas Police Department. Assistant Director Patrick Runkle 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.


title: Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Hosts “15 Years of Progress: Honoring the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act”

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia Law School, hosted an event yesterday commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Several hundred attended the event in-person and online. The Shepard-Byrd Act is a landmark federal statute passed in 2009 that allows federal criminal prosecution of hate crimes motivated by actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Yesterday’s event paid tribute to the lives of James Byrd Jr. and Matthew Shepard, uplifted the voices of hate crime survivors, recognized ongoing efforts to combat hate crimes and hate incidents and called for the continued expansion of victim services to address the needs of survivors and their communities. “Fifteen years ago, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act gave the Justice Department critical tools that have made us more effective as we work to counter hate,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “We know that there is more work to be done, and the Department will keep working tirelessly to ensure that every person feels safe in their communities.” In her opening remarks, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed immense gratitude to those whose years of advocacy and activism made the passage of the Shepard-Byrd Act possible 15 years ago. She underscored the work that still needs to be done in prosecuting and preventing hate crimes, as recent statistics from the FBI indicate that the incidence of hate crimes is rising. Racial bias remained the most significant motivator for hate crimes in 2023, and anti-Black hate crimes continued to represent the largest portion of race-motivated hate crimes. “The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act is one of our most powerful tools in efforts to combat violent bias-motivated hate crimes in America today,” said Assistant Attorney General Clarke. “We know that prosecutions alone will not eliminate hate, root and branch, and that public education, training and prevention efforts are just as necessary. Hate mongers fueled with racist, antisemitic, Islamophobic, anti-LGBTQI or xenophobic motivations have no place in America today. Rest assured, we will keep moving towards an inclusive and more peaceful America while holding accountable those responsible for senseless, vile, and hate-filled crimes.” Dennis and Judy Shepard, the parents of Matthew Shepard, joined Assistant Attorney General Clarke for a fireside chat, and Louvon Byrd Harris, sister of James Byrd Jr., provided recorded remarks. The Shepards spoke about their son’s tragic death and his legacy—the work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Ms. Harris spoke of her brother’s brutal murder and the family’s continued work to promote healing through the Byrd Foundation. Also on the program, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia highlighted the district’s hate crimes enforcement work and his office’s longstanding commitment to working with local community organizations through the district’s Hate/Bias Crime Task Force. “The murders of James Byrd and Matthew Sheppard rocked our collective conscience,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “When victims are targeted because of their identities, it can put those with identities like the victims on edge, wondering if they will be next. As we mark the anniversary of the Shepard-Byrd Act, our Office reaffirms its commitment to hold accountable those who commit hate- and bias-related crimes.” The trial team that prosecuted U.S. v. Daqua Ritter explained how they secured the first guilty verdict in trial under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act for violence against a transgender person — the brutal murder of Dime Doe, a Black transgender woman in South Carolina. Ritter was sentenced to life in prison. Taylor Dumpson-Lippincott, an attorney and former student government body president at American University, shared her experience as the target of racially- and gender-motivated hate and cyber-harassment. She explained how her experience as a survivor fueled her passion to combat hate-based violence and threats, especially on school campuses. The program also featured voices of survivors and their families. In 2017, 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III was murdered in an unprovoked attack on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park, by a follower of a white nationalist hate-group. Parents Dawn and Richard Collins described how in the years since their son’s murder, they have led efforts at HBCUs and beyond to educate the public about the proliferation of hate groups targeting majority-white colleges and universities for recruitment. On the panel with the Collins family, Daphne Felten-Green shared examples of her work with the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service educating colleges and universities in conjunction with the Divided Communities Project at the Ohio State Moritz College of Law. Benny Del Castillo of Network for Victim Recovery DC spoke of local efforts at survivor-centered responses to hate crimes. For more information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat hate and hate crimes, see the updated Hate Crimes Fact Sheet . Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Mizer delivers remarks. Assistant Attorney General Clarke delivers remarks. Assistant Attorney General Clarke sits with Judy and Dennis Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s parents. Assistant Attorney General Clarke stands with attendees of the event.


title: Two New Jersey Residents Charged with Sex Trafficking of Minor

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey residents have been charged for child sex trafficking and related offenses, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Daquan McCallum, 30, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Destiny Tamarato, 26, of Brick, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor. McCallum made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge on Stacey D. Adams on Nov. 19, 2024, and was detained. Tamarato made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa on Nov. 15, 2024, and was detained. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In April 2020, Tamarato was arrested at a motel in Elizabeth with two minor victims after law enforcement located an online advertisement for sexual services and communicated with Tamarato, who agreed to provide sexual services for an agreed-upon price. Following this arrest and after being advised that one of the victims was underage, Tamarato continued to advertise that victim’s sexual services online. Tamarato was again arrested for engaging in prostitution with the same victim in April 2021. Tamarato also introduced the victim to McCallum, who then arranged for the victim to engage in additional commercial sex work, despite knowing that the victim was a minor. The charges of sex trafficking of a minor each carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kober of the General Crimes Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. mccallumtamarato.complaint_.pdf


title: Harrison County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jack F. Gibbins, III, age 47, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 210 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, officers attempted a traffic stop on Gibbins’s motorcycle. After a pursuit, Gibbins was arrested and officers found methamphetamine in his pocket. He has a criminal history of domestic battery, escape from custody, violation of a protective order, and drug trafficking. Gibbins will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office; and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Jose De Jesus Rosales-Gamez, 44 years old, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to illegal re-entry of a deported alien, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Rosales-Gamez was sentenced to 16 months in prison. According to documents in the case, Rosales-Gamez illegally entered or attempted to enter the United States and was removed four times from the mid-1990s through 2016. Rosales-Gamez yet again illegally returned to the United States in 2016 or 2017 following two prior felony convictions. This case was investigated by United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Falvey.


title: Two Former Airforce Airmen Indicted for a Scheme to Obtain $300,000 in  COVID-19 Relief Funds

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Spokane, Washington – United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref announced that on November 7, 2024, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned an indictment charging Taylor Jashaun Kendall, age 26, of Spokane, Washington, and Michael Tyriq Allen, age 26, of Gainesville, Georgia, with a dozen counts of fraud as part of a scheme to obtain COVID-19 relief funding. On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provided a number of programs through which eligible small businesses could request and obtain relief funding intended to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic for small and local businesses. One program, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) program, offered forgivable loans to eligible small businesses in order to retain or rehire employees who lost their jobs, or were in danger of doing so, due to the pandemic. Another program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, provided low interest loans that could be deferred until the conclusion of the pandemic to provide “bridge” funding for small businesses to maintain their operations during shutdowns and other economic circumstances caused by the pandemic. The PPP and EIDL programs have provided billions of dollars in aid, the vast majority of which has not been paid back, including hundreds of millions of dollars disbursed within Eastern Washington. According to the indictment, between June 2020 and May 2021, Kendall and Allen fraudulently obtained at least $300,000 in CARES act funding through the EIDL and PPP programs. Both Kendall and Allen are former U.S. Airforce Airmen. Kendall was an Airman stationed at Fairchild Airforce Base during the timeframe alleged in the Indictment. As alleged in the indictment, between June 18, 2020, and June 24, 2020, Kendall and Allen submitted three separate applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans using false and fraudulent information. In each of the applications, Kendall and Allen claimed their business was engaged in agriculture, had 10 employees, and monthly revenue of $4,625.00. Two of the three applications were approved, and Kendall and Allen allegedly received $20,000 in EIDL funds. The indictment alleges that in March 2021, Kendall and Allen submitted two separate applications for Payroll Protection Program loans using false and fraudulent information. Then in April 2021, Kendall and Allen, submitted a Second Draw PPP application. The indictment alleges all three PPP applications were approved and Kendall and Allan received more than $61,000 in PPP funds. The indictment further alleges that Kendall and Allan also submitted false and fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications on behalf of other individuals using false information. Individuals who received these funds then sent a portion of the money back to Kendall and Allen. In total, Kendall and Allen submitted fraudulent applications resulting in the disbursement of at least $80,000 in EIDL advances and $269,900 in PPP loan funds. Three other former Airmen have entered into criminal diversion agreements with the United States in relation to their participation in the scheme: Julius Dixon (2:23-cr-00086), Roderick Smith (2:24-cr-00109), and Richard Rosales (2:23-cr-00118). “COVID-19 relief programs were designed to lift up our community during crisis. Due to the number of people and businesses that requested funding, some deserving small businesses did not receive critical funding to keep their doors open through the pandemic, which impacted their employees, their families, and our local economy.” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “We created the COVID Fraud Strike Force to ensure that those who misused COVID-19 relief funding are held accountable and to protect the strength and safety of our vital small business community.” The fraud charges against Kendall and Allen carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the Eastern District of Washington COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force, the Small Business Administration, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy J. Kelley. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 2:24-cr-00154-TOR


title: Orange County Sheriff’s Department Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Using Her Grandmother’s Bank Accounts and Credit Cards

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – An employee of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department pleaded guilty today to two felony charges for forging checks and fraudulently using credit cards in her grandmother’s name. Roxana C. Laub, 33, of Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of identity theft. In her plea agreement, Laub – whose employment has included work as a uniformed correctional officer at the Orange County jail – admitted that from December 2015 to January 2017, she forged her 75-year-old grandmother’s signature on more than 20 checks from her grandmother’s bank account – making them payable to herself – without her grandmother’s knowledge or permission. Laub then deposited these forged checks totaling approximately $45,000 into her own bank account. Laub also posed as her grandmother when calling her grandmother’s bank to request information related to her grandmother’s account. After later admitting she was the caller – instead of her grandmother, Laub put her grandmother on the phone, who informed the bank personnel that she was unaware of the checks payable to Laub. After Laub took the phone back and tried to change the subject, the bank personnel asked to speak to Laub’s grandmother again, but Laub then claimed that her grandmother was feeling ill and not available. From March 2020 to September 2022, Laub also fraudulently used her grandmother’s credit card to charge thousands of dollars for personal expenditures, including meals at restaurants in Santa Ana and West Hollywood, bars in West Hollywood, and a night club in Las Vegas. Laub then used another one of her grandmother’s bank accounts to make more than $14,000 in payments for bills Laub had run up on those cards, again without her grandmother’s knowledge or permission. Agents uncovered text messages wherein Laub had admitted to a family member that “I know what I did is unforgiveable,” according to the plea agreement. Laub, who is on administrative leave from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, has agreed to pay back all the money she unlawfully took from her grandmother. United States District Judge David O. Carter scheduled an April 9, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time, Laub will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud count and up to 15 years in federal prison for the identity theft count. The FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of the Inspector General investigated this matter. The Long Beach Police Department provided substantial assistance in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Charles E. Pell of the Orange County Office is prosecuting the case. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available via the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professional who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish and other languages are available. More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov .


title: Former Connecticut Resident Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANNY D. BEEMAN, 67, of Beverly Hills, Florida, and a former resident of Connecticut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for tax evasion. According to court documents and statements made in court, Beeman claimed to be the originator and developer of computer software technology capable of compressing electronically-stored data. In 2012, Beeman and other individuals formed a Connecticut company, identified in court documents as “Company-A,” to allow Beeman to develop the compression software. From 2013 to 2017, Company-A paid Beeman approximately $316,000 to develop the software. During this time, Beeman submitted fake invoices to Company-A seeking reimbursement for purchases of computer-related equipment that he never purchased. Beeman obtained approximately $2 million from Company-A through these fake invoices. In total, from 2013 to 2017, Beeman received approximately $2.3 million from Company-A, all of which was taxable income. Beeman also had long-term capital gains income of approximately $1.5 million resulting from the sale of shares in Company-A. However, Beeman never filed tax returns for any of those years, resulting in a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $1,054,032. Judge Bolden ordered Beeman to make full restitution. On March 14, 2024, Beeman pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Beeman was previously convicted in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for defrauding investors of a company he had formed for the purpose of promoting and selling compression software. In June 2006, he was sentenced to 46 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution. Beeman’s criminal history also includes convictions for fraud, larceny, and forgery offenses. Beeman, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on January 8. This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.


title: Two Florida Men Sentenced in Multimillion-Dollar Tax Refund Scheme

component: Tax Division

body_text: Two Florida men were sentenced today for their involvement in the “Note Program,” a tax fraud scheme. Jasen Harvey, of Tampa, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and Christopher Johnson, of Orlando, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 to 2018, Johnson and Harvey conspired to promote a scheme in which Harvey and others prepared tax returns for clients that claimed that large, nonexistent income tax withholdings had been paid to the IRS on behalf of clients and sought large refunds based on those purported withholdings. The conspirators charged clients fees and required the clients to pay a share of the fraudulently obtained refunds to them. Overall, the defendants claimed over $3 million in fraudulent refunds on their clients’ returns, of which the IRS paid about $1.5 million. In addition to the terms of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. for the Middle District of Florida ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $864,117.42 in restitution to the United States. Judge Dalton Jr. ordered Harvey to serve three years of supervised release and pay $785,858.42 in restitution. Co-defendant Arthur Grimes is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13, 2025. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind, Jeffrey McLellan and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Man of Conspiring to Murder FBI Employees

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Edward Kelley, 35, of Maryville, Tennessee, was convicted following a three-day trial in the Eastern District of Tennessee of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and influencing a federal official by threat. The evidence presented at trial established that Kelley — while awaiting trial for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach — developed a plan to murder law enforcement, including FBI agents and employees. The proof showed that Kelley developed a “kill list” of FBI agents and others who participated in the investigation into his conduct on Jan. 6 and that Kelley distributed this list — along with videos containing images of certain FBI employees identified on the list — to a co-conspirator as part of his “mission.” A cooperating defendant, who previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy, testified that he and Kelley planned attacks on the Knoxville FBI Field Office using car bombs and incendiary devices appended to drones. He also testified that the conspirators strategized about assassinating FBI employees in their homes and in public places such as movie theaters. At trial, the United States introduced recordings of the defendant calling for the development of a “course of action” related to his plan. In one such recording, the defendant gave the instructions to, among other things, “start it,” “attack,” and “take out their office” in the event of his arrest. Kelley was recorded stating: “Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt.” Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey T. Arrowood and Kyle J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Tennessee prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren, Tanya Senanayake, and David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The Knoxville Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies investigated the case. The investigation was led by the FBI and involved the assistance of FBI offices from across the country.


title: Mingo County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Terry Randall Hinkle, 55, of Delbarton, pleaded guilty today to receiving child pornography. According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 30, 2023, Hinkle received multiple images depicting child pornography via Facebook from another user. Hinkle admitted that the child pornography he received on Facebook included images depicting nude prepubescent females with their legs spread to display their genitals. Hinkle further admitted that he possessed approximately 24 videos and 46 images depicting child pornography. Hinkle also admitted that he sent an image depicting a nude minor female with her legs spread to expose her genitals via Facebook to another user on September 25, 2023. Hinkle solicited another individual online to produce and send him images of child pornography depicting minors in that individual’s custody. However, the other individual never sent the requested photos. Hinkle is scheduled to be sentenced on February 12, 2025, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Hinkle must also register as a sex offender. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is prosecuting the case. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-110. ###


title: Federal Jury Convicts Maryville Man Of Conspiring To Murder FBI Employees

body_text: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On November 20, 2024, following a three-day trial in United States District Court, a jury convicted Edward Kelley, 35, of Maryville, Tennessee, of Conspiracy to Murder Federal Employees, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1117; Solicitation to Commit a Crime of Violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 373; and Influencing a Federal Official by Threat, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 115(a)(1)(B). Kelley faces a sentence of up to life in federal prison. He will be sentenced by United States District Judge, the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, in the United States District Court at Knoxville on May 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The evidence presented at trial established that Kelley, while awaiting trial for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, developed a plan to murder law enforcement, including FBI agents and employees. The proof showed that Kelley developed a “kill list” of FBI agents and others who participated in the investigation into his conduct on January 6 and that Kelley distributed this list – along with videos containing images of certain FBI employees identified on the list – to a co-conspirator as part of his “mission.” A cooperating defendant, who previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy, testified that he and Kelley planned attacks on the Knoxville FBI office using car bombs and incendiary devices appended to drones. He also testified that the conspirators strategized about assassinating FBI employees in their homes and in public places such as movie theaters. At trial, the United States introduced recordings of the defendant calling for the development of a “course of action” related to his plan. In one such recording, the defendant gave the instructions to, among other things, “start it,” “attack,” and “take out their office” in the event of his arrest. Kelley was recorded stating: “Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt.” “The safety of our men and women in law enforcement is of paramount concern,” said United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III. “There is simply no room in society for those who would engage in this kind of reprehensible conduct and threaten to assassinate FBI agents and others who are honorably serving to uphold the law, and this office will pursue all such threats against civil servants working for the public good.” “The danger posed by the defendant in this case was very real,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “Today’s guilty verdict is a culmination of the tireless efforts of our dedicated employees and the invaluable partnership we have with our law enforcement partners. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to protect the nation from threats of violent extremism.” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey T, Arrowood and Kyle J. Wilson of the Eastern District of Tennessee prosecuted the case with the assistance of Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren, Tanya Senanayake, and David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case was investigated by the Knoxville Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. It was led by the FBI and involved the assistance of FBI offices from across the country. ###


component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, FL – Two Florida men were sentenced today for their involvement in the “Note Program,” a tax fraud scheme. Jasen Harvey, of Tampa, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and Christopher Johnson, of Orlando, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 to 2018, Johnson and Harvey conspired to promote a scheme in which Harvey and others prepared tax returns for clients that claimed that large, nonexistent income tax withholdings had been paid to the IRS on behalf of clients and sought large refunds based on those purported withholdings. The conspirators charged clients fees and required the clients to pay a share of the fraudulently obtained refunds to them. Overall, the defendants claimed over $3 million in fraudulent refunds on their clients’ returns, of which the IRS paid about $1.5 million. In addition to the terms of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. for the Middle District of Florida ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $864,117.42 in restitution to the United States. Judge Dalton Jr. ordered Harvey to serve three years of supervised release and pay $785,858.42 in restitution. Co-defendant Arthur Grimes is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 13, 2025. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind, Jeffrey McLellan and Caroline Pearson of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: Santa Maria Gang Member and Convicted Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Narcotics Crimes and Illegally Possessing Ammo

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A Santa Barbara County gang member and convicted violent felon was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine and illegally possessing dozens of rounds of ammunition, including some found inside a “ghost gun.” Rodolfo Uriarte, 41, of Santa Maria, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Uriarte pleaded guilty on February 28 to all five felony charges he faced: two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of being a felon and prohibited person in possession of ammunition. Uriarte has been in federal custody since November 2023. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, a violent felon was apprehended and has now received a lengthy prison term,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Working together, we can make our streets safer by removing repeated offenders from our communities.” According to court documents, in October 2023, as part of an investigation into Uriarte’s drug and firearms trafficking activities, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 110 grams of methamphetamine from Uriarte, who is a member of the Santa Maria Northwest street gang. On November 6, 2023, law enforcement conducted a second controlled purchase of 105 grams of methamphetamine from Uriarte, as well as a “ghost gun” – a firearm lacking a serial number – loaded with 10 rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition. Separately, in October 2023, Santa Maria Police arrested Uriarte after they made a traffic stop, a stop that revealed the gray Lexus sedan Uriarte was driving had been reported stolen. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a rifle case, three AR-15 magazines – two of which were loaded with .223-caliber ammunition containing approximately 53 rounds of ammunition in total. Law enforcement also seized 38 rounds of 9mm ammunition in a backpack in the back seat of the vehicle, four plastic baggies containing methamphetamine, and a knotted glove that contained methamphetamine. In total, Uriarte possessed approximately 86.3 grams of methamphetamine. Uriarte is not legally allowed to possess ammunition because of his criminal history, which includes felony convictions in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for second-degree robbery in 2005, assault with a deadly weapon in 2010, and a domestic violence conviction in 2014. Uriarte also possessed the ammunition knowing that he was subject to a June 2022 restraining order out of Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The FBI, the Santa Maria Police Department, and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas J. Magaña of the General Crimes Section and Stephanie L. Orrick of the Orange County Office prosecuted this case.


title: Louisville Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison  for Possessing Child Pornography and Violating Supervised Release

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A Louisville, Kentucky, man was sentenced yesterday to a total of 11 years in federal prison. The sentence included 10 years for possession of child pornography and an additional 1 year for violating a previous term of federal supervised release. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Robert Holman of the United States Secret Service made the announcement. “I appreciate the outstanding work of the Secret Service and the trial team during the investigation and prosecution of this case,” stated U.S. Attorney Bennett. “We will continue to prioritize the apprehension and prosecution of individuals in the Western District who sexually exploit the most vulnerable of victims.” According to court documents, Jason Florence, 49, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for possessing child pornography after having been previously convicted of child pornography offenses. At the time he committed this offense, Florence was on federal supervised release for a 2015 conviction in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky for attempted transportation and possession of child pornography. During his term of supervised release, Florence was found to be in possession of graphic videos and images of child pornography. Florence was sentenced to an additional 1 year in prison for violating the terms of his supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Florence was convicted following a two-day jury trial in August of this year. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Spencer McKiness and Danielle Yannelli prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###


title: Arkansas Man Sentenced to 81 Months for Traveling to Have Sex with a Minor

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Rutland, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on November 20, 2024, Nicholas Shelton, 25, of Hope, Arkansas, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joseph N. Laplante to a term of 81 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 15-year term of supervised release. Shelton previously pleaded guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. According to court records, in March 2023, while living in Hope, Arkansas, Shelton began communicating with a 15-year-old girl who resided in Vermont using two social media platforms. During their conversations, Shelton and his victim began discussing having sexual intercourse, getting married, and having children. Thereafter, on March 25, 2023, Shelton traveled to Vermont with the intent to engage in sexual activity with the minor victim, knowing she was only 15 years old. Shelton was discovered living in the garage of the 15-year-old victim’s family home, and ordered to leave by the child’s parents. Shortly thereafter, the 15-year-old ran away from home, prompting the family to call the police for assistance. Two days later, the 15-year-old child and Shelton were found camping in the woods near a park in Essex, Vermont. Shelton admitted to having intercourse with the 15-year-old child. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Essex, Vermont Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Shelton was represented by Assistant Federal Defender Steven Barth. 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 CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Florida Insurance Broker Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Peach State Federal Credit Union

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Heleonel Gonzalez has pleaded guilty to bank fraud for orchestrating a $6 million scheme to defraud Peach State Federal Credit Union. “Gonzalez devised a lucrative scheme cloaked in fraud and deception to steal loan proceeds from Peach State Federal Credit Union for his personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This office will continue to work closely with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who engage in financial crimes that jeopardize the integrity of the U.S. financial system.” “The FBI works hard to make sure greed like this doesn’t pay off and those who commit fraud are held accountable,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The fraudulent scheme in this case harmed a Georgia business, costing it millions of dollars.” According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: From approximately January 2023 through January 2024, Heleonel Gonzalez conducted a scheme to defraud Peach State Federal Credit Union. P1 Finance – a division of Peach State Federal Credit Union – loaned money to commercial borrowers, such as condominium associations, so that borrowers could use the loan proceeds to pay the premiums on their property and casualty insurance policies. Gonzalez owned and operated Sharp Insurance Agency, Inc. in Miami Lakes, Florida. On at least 20 occasions, for the purpose of influencing the actions of Peach State Federal Credit Union, Gonzalez falsely and fraudulently represented to P1 Finance that a customer of Sharp Insurance Agency authorized him to apply for a premium-financing loan on the customer’s behalf. Gonzalez fraudulently signed and submitted to P1 Finance a Premium Finance Agreement and Disclosure Statement. This document falsely represented that Sharp Insurance Agency, as the agent of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation in Jacksonville, Florida, had issued a property and casualty insurance policy to the customer, and that the policy was then in force and effect. Gonzalez fraudulently represented that the loan proceeds advanced by P1 Finance would be used to pay the premiums on the policy, and for no other purpose. But Gonzalez knew these representations were false. As a result of Gonzalez’s false and fraudulent representations, Peach State Federal Credit Union made the requested loans and transferred approximately $6 million to Gonzalez. He then used the loan proceeds to pay personal debts and expenses. Peach State Federal Credit Union would not have made the loans but for Gonzalez’s false and fraudulent representations. Sentencing for Heleonel Gonzalez, 48, of Miami Lakes, Florida, is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Russell Phillips is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Lutz Woman Indicted For International Parental Kidnapping And Passport Fraud

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Kendra Evone Johnson (37, Lutz) with international parental kidnapping and passport fraud. If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 13 years in federal prison. According to the indictment and court documents, in June 2023, Johnson completed passport applications for her two minor children. In the applications, she knowingly made false statements by detailing she had attempted to reach the children’s father more than 100 times since 2018 with no response, specifically alleging that the children’s father would not return text messages, calls, mailed letters, or social media messages. Additionally, Johnson alleged that the children’s father was absent from the children’s lives. However, text messages show Johnson and the children’s father had been in communication, and the father did not consent to the children obtaining passports. In July 2024, Johnson traveled with the two children to Panama with the children’s fraudulently obtained passports. This travel and extended stay in Panama directly impacted the father’s ability to exercise his parental rights. 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 U.S. Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) – Miami Field Office with assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Panama City. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King. Operating at more than 270 U.S. diplomatic posts and in more than 30 U.S. cities, DSS leads worldwide security and law enforcement efforts to advance U.S. foreign policy, safeguard national security interests, and investigate transnational crimes.


title: Bergen County Investment Advisor Admits Stealing Millions of Dollars From Clients

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – A former broker and investment advisor today admitted stealing more than $3 million from five clients, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Kenneth A. Welsh, 42, of River Edge, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court to and indictment charging him with four counts of wire fraud and one count of investment advisor fraud. According to documents filed in this case: From July 2017 through March 2021, Welsh, while serving in his capacity as an investment advisor employed by a large brokerage firm, misappropriated at least $3 million from five clients. Welsh, who had been entrusted to manage client funds responsibly, instead perpetrated a scheme to defraud the five clients by diverting money from their brokerage accounts to accounts under his control. Welsh then used the unlawfully obtained money to fund his gambling and to purchase high-end, luxury items for himself. Each of the wire fraud counts carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The investment advisor fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2025. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. welsh.indictment.pdf


title: Kanawha County Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Crime

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jacarre Cortez Woodruff, 23, of Dunbar, was sentenced today to three years and five months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 25, 2023, Woodruff sold approximately 28 grams of a substance containing a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and a fentanyl analogue to two confidential informants at his residence in Dunbar. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-99. ###


title: Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Charleston Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – John Wayne Harkless, 46, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Harkless admitted to a role in a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine in the Charleston area. According to court documents and statements made in court, from in or about January 2024 to in or about May 2024, Harkless conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Charleston and within the Southern District of West Virginia. Harkless sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on nine separate occasions during the investigation. Investigators were able to confirm that Harkless was obtaining his methamphetamine from co-conspirator Kirt Ray King. Harkless is scheduled to be sentenced on February 12, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Co-defendant Michael Dale Cain, 49, of Parkersburg, pleaded guilty November 6, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, admitting to a role in the drug trafficking conspiracy, and awaits sentencing. The indictment against King, 47, of Charleston, and another defendant remains pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case. The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-95. ###


title: Two Pennsylvania Men Indicted On Charges Related To Conspiracy To Produce Child Pornography, And Online Enticement, Distribution And Possession Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Eric Abbott, age 39, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Rashaad Khalid Che Taylor, age 28, of Milford, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for multiple criminal charges related to child exploitation, including an overarching conspiracy to produce child pornography, online enticement, both distribution and possession of child pornography, and, with regard to Taylor, the commission of a felony sex offense by an individual required to register as a sex offender. The Indictment in this case alleges that the two men met and conspired, over the course of at least a year and a half, to entice children to produce of child pornography at their behest. Both men engaged in the enticement and attempted enticement of children online. Abbott is alleged to have distributed child pornography on multiple occasions. Additionally, both men were in possession of images and video of pre-pubescent children engaged in sex acts when they were encountered by law enforcement. Taylor is also alleged to have committed these felony sex offenses while being a registered as a sex offender for his underlying 2016 felony sex offense convictions. The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of 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 and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Lansing Man Indicted For Drug Trafficking And Possessing Firearms

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Searches at properties used by Kevin Dunson yielded over four kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, four firearms, and over a half-million dollars GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Kevin Dunson, 43, Lansing, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 500 grams of cocaine and for being a felon in possession of firearms. Dunson was originally arrested on a federal criminal complaint on November 1, 2024, on the same charges. “The trafficking of illegal drugs is a scourge that destroys lives and harms communities,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Addressing this problem requires an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes not just enforcement, but prevention and treatment, as well. While law enforcement alone will not solve this problem, we remain committed to disrupting the supply lines that bring these poisons into our communities.” Law enforcement executed search warrants on October 29, 2024, at Dunson’s residence, his drug stash house, and two storage units, all located within Lansing. The searches were the result of months of surveillance, source information, analysis of subpoenaed records, and other investigative work that identified Dunson as a trafficker in large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. The searches yielded over four kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, four firearms, and $544,697 in cash. Dunson has multiple prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms. If convicted, Dunson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life on the drug charges and up to 15 years in prison on the firearms charges. “Illicit drug distribution erodes communities and destroys lives,” said Orville Green, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of DEA . “This indictment should serve as an example to those who distribute poisons like methamphetamine and cocaine, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners here in Michigan.” The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Tri-County Metro Narcotics Team, Michigan State Police, and the Lansing Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel S. Fauson is prosecuting it. The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney Easley Announces “Illicit Finance Task Force” to Combat Transnational Money Laundering

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr., announced efforts to combat transnational money laundering, including the creation of the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Illicit Finance Task Force (IFTF). The IFTF is a groundbreaking multiagency task force constituted to disrupt, dismantle, or render ineffective organizations involved in laundering criminal proceeds from drug trafficking and other crimes. The task force targets third-party money launderers and money transmitting businesses utilizing cryptocurrency, money services, bulk cash, banking, and brokerages to run dirty money through the American financial system. The task force is led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with partners from various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. “Money talks,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “And we will follow every lead it gives us. Cartels and corrupt regimes around the world think they can dodge American jurisdiction while using our financial system to wash criminal proceeds. Our new Illicit Finance Task Force exists to take down the most prolific ‘money movers,’ seize criminal assets, and cripple the world’s most crooked enterprises. We will vigorously protect the integrity of our banking system and deal a hard blow to any network running dirty money through our state.” Easley highlighted one of the first successful prosecutions led by his office. Wimel Isaac DaSilva, 29, of New York, NY, pled guilty for conspiring to operate an illegal money transmitting business and to making false statements and reports to financial institutions. According to information presented in court, DaSilva owned and operated a Raleigh business that purported to provide consulting and software development services to its customers, but instead served as a shell company that transmitted proceeds of drug trafficking and other criminal activity to South American accounts. From 2019 to 2022, DaSilva opened accounts with at least eight banks and virtual currency exchanges (VCEs). Using these accounts, DaSilva received more than $40 million in cryptocurrency. After converting cryptocurrency to U.S. currency, the funds were rapidly transmitted to individuals and shell companies located outside of the United States. Under the Bank Secrecy Act, financial institutions and VCEs that provide money transmission services must establish anti-money laundering (AML) programs that include, among other things, conducting due diligence on their customers, monitoring transactions for illicit activity, and reporting suspicious activity to FinCEN . DaSilva sought to obstruct the AML functions of banks and VCEs by routinely making materially false and misleading statements regarding the nature of his business and the purpose of specific financial transactions. He also provided fabricated contracts and invoices in an attempt to backstop false statements about the source of funds and relationships with counterparties. “DaSilva’s web of lies and schemes to conceal the laundering of illicit proceeds has been laid bare and he is being held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant who leads Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte, covering North and South Carolina. “HSI is committed to protecting the integrity of the U.S. banking system from criminals and will continue to prioritize these investigations.” “We continue to find and close the pathways in illicit financial crimes with the support of our partner agencies,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS Special Agents are skilled at investigating all types of tax and related financial crimes and today's plea is a testament to their hard work and commitment.” DaSilva’s prosecution results from an investigation by the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Illicit Finance Task Force (IFTF). Created in 2024 in partnership with the Treasury Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture (TEOAF), the IFTF is an interagency anti-money laundering task force comprised of prosecutors and agents. The IFTF is dedicated to combatting money laundering activities affecting North Carolina through strategic use of criminal and civil laws. Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after Chief United States District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. The investigation is being conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan is prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-252-M.


title: Billionaire Chairman of Conglomerate and Seven Other Senior Business Executives Indicted in Connection With Scheme to Pay Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Bribes and Conceal Bribery Scheme From U.S. Investors

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, executives of an Indian renewable-energy company (the Indian Energy Company), with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from U.S. investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements. The indictment also charges Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the U.S. Issuer), and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with a bribery scheme also perpetrated by Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, involving one of the world’s largest solar energy projects. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Lisa H. Miller, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the charges. “As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office is committed to rooting out corruption in the international marketplace and protecting investors from those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets.” “This indictment alleges schemes to pay over $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials, to lie to investors and banks to raise billions of dollars, and to obstruct justice,” stated Deputy Assistant Attorney General Miller. “These offenses were allegedly committed by senior executives and directors to obtain and finance massive state energy supply contracts through corruption and fraud at the expense of U.S. investors. The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively prosecute corrupt, deceptive, and obstructive conduct that violates U.S. law, no matter where in the world it occurs.” “Gautam S. Adani and seven other business executives allegedly bribed the Indian government to finance lucrative contracts designed to benefit their businesses. Adani and other defendants also defrauded investors by raising capital on the basis of false statements about bribery and corruption, while still other defendants allegedly attempted to conceal the bribery conspiracy by obstructing the government’s investigation,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “The FBI maintains its steadfast mission to expose all corrupt agreements, especially with international governments, and protect investors from related harm.” As alleged in the indictment, between approximately 2020 and 2024, the defendants agreed to pay more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain lucrative solar energy supply contracts with the Indian government, which were projected to generate more than $2 billion in profits after tax over an approximately 20-year period (the Bribery Scheme). On several occasions, Gautam S. Adani personally met with an Indian government official to advance the Bribery Scheme, and the defendants held in-person meetings with each other to discuss aspects of its execution. The defendants frequently discussed their efforts in furtherance of the Bribery Scheme, including through an electronic messaging application. The defendants also extensively documented their corrupt efforts: for example, Sagar R. Adani used his cellular phone to track specific details of the bribes offered and promised to government officials; Vneet S. Jaain used his cellular phone to photograph a document summarizing various bribe amounts the U.S. Issuer owed the Indian Energy Company for its respective portion of the bribes; and Rupesh Agarwal prepared and distributed to other defendants multiple analyses using PowerPoint and Excel that summarized various options for paying and concealing bribe payments (Bribery Analyses). During this same period, Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain allegedly conspired to misrepresent the Indian Energy Company’s anti-bribery and corruption practices and conceal the Bribery Scheme from U.S. investors and international financial institutions in order to obtain financing, including to fund those solar energy supply contracts procured through bribery. As alleged, Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain caused the Indian Energy Company and certain of its subsidiaries to raise capital on the basis of false and misleading statements in connection with (i) two U.S. dollar-denominated syndicate loans totaling more than $2 billion from lender groups comprised of international financial institutions and U.S.-based investors; and (ii) two Rule 144A bond offerings for more than $1 billion underwritten by international financial institutions, which were marketed and sold to investors in the U.S., among other places. In addition, Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain caused the Indian Energy Company to make false statements in their consolidated financial statements and to the market and investors regarding the Bribery Scheme. The indictment further alleges that Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal, Deepak Malhotra and Rupesh Agarwal conspired to obstruct the grand jury, FBI and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations into the Bribery Scheme. Among other things, those four defendants agreed to delete electronic materials related to the Bribery Scheme, including emails, electronic messages and Bribery Analyses; caused the U.S. Issuer’s Board of Directors to initiate an internal investigation into the Bribery Scheme and then withheld material information from that investigation; and falsely denied their participation in the Bribery Scheme to representatives of the FBI, DOJ and SEC at meetings in Brooklyn, New York. For this conduct, Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal, Deepak Malhotra and Rupesh Agarwal are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) . As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including bribery and fraud. The investigation was conducted by the FBI New York’s Corporate, Securities and Commodities Fraud and International Corruption Units. The government’s case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah M. Evans, Matthew R. Galeotti and Jessica K. Weigel of the Eastern District of New York, Shy Jackson of the Criminal Division, Fraud Section’s FCPA Unit and Andrew Tyler of the Fraud Section’s Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit are prosecuting the case with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Liam McNett, Angelina Tyler and Nadiya Singh. The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA and FEPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/foreign-corrupt-practices-act. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the SEC’s New York Regional and Boston Regional offices provided valuable assistance during the investigation. The Defendants : GAUTAM S. ADANI Age: 62 India SAGAR S. ADANI Age: 30 India VNEET S. JAAIN Age: 53 India RANJIT GUPTA Age: 54 India CYRIL CABANES Age: 50 France / Australia SAURABH AGARWAL Age: 48 India DEEPAK MALHOTRA Age: 45 India RUPESH AGARWAL Age: 50 India E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-433 (NGG) adani_et_al._indictment.pdf


title: U.P Man Sentenced To 135 Months In Federal  Prison For Child Pornography

body_text: MARQUETTE – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Brandon Earl Lavoy, 36, of Chatham, Michigan, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. “The sexual exploitation of children is reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Mr. Lavoy is a sexual predator whose egregious plan to ‘get a minor raped’ was thankfully thwarted by FBI agents. My office will not waver in our commitment to working with law enforcement partners to ensure that sexual predators who target our children are brought to justice.” Lavoy came to law enforcement’s attention after the FBI discovered end-to-end encrypted messages between Lavoy and another person. In those messages, Lavoy provided two minors’ identifying information and told the other person he was looking to get one of the minors “raped.” The FBI traced the messages back to Lavoy and executed a search warrant on his phone and computer, where investigators found Lavoy’s collection of child pornography. FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Michigan State Police. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation and teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials. # # #


title: West Virginia Residents Admit to Methamphetamine Charges

body_text: ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Two West Virginia men have admitted to methamphetamine trafficking in Grant and Randolph Counties. James Jerome Curtis, 41, of Petersburg, West Virginia, and Burlin Junior Howell, 59, of Elkins, West Virginia, each pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine. According to court documents, Curtis was selling methamphetamine in Grant County. Howell sold methamphetamine in Randolph County. Curtis and Howell each face up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The task force is comprised of members from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keyser Police Department. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: Gary Man Sentenced to 153 Months in Prison

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

body_text: HAMMOND- Jerron Donte Williams, 34 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to assaulting and inflicting bodily injury on a United States Postal Service Letter Carrier with a deadly weapon, and discharging a firearm during the assault, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Williams was sentenced to 153 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $121,045.62 in restitution. According to documents in the case, on April 2, 2021, a letter carrier, employed by the United States Postal Service, was delivering U.S. Mail in their official capacity in Gary, Indiana. After the letter carrier stopped to organize mail, Williams ran his vehicle into the letter carrier’s postal delivery vehicle. Williams yelled at the letter carrier, exited his vehicle, entered a residence, and emerged from the residence with a handgun. William then commenced firing at the mail carrier while the postal vehicle was in motion. The bullets struck the postal vehicle four times and shattered the right-side window, causing injuries to the letter carrier. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Gary Police Department, and the Hobart Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Young Shreveport Man Found with Machine Gun Sentenced to Federal Prison

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Pharaon L. Jackson , 21, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote for illegal possession of a machine gun. Jackson was sentenced to 40 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for the offense. On June 21, 2023, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle for speeding in Ouachita Parish. Jackson was a passenger in the vehicle. As the trooper approached the vehicle, he observed objects being thrown from the window where Jackson was sitting in the vehicle. The trooper found and identified the thrown items as being a bag of marijuana and a Glock 17 9mm firearm with a conversion device installed. The conversion device, also known as a Glock switch, altered the firearm so that it was able to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, rendering it a machine gun. Jackson and other occupants of the vehicle were arrested for possessing an automatic weapon and later bonded out of jail. Through their further investigation, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) found that Jackson posted a photo of himself on social media, just five days prior to the traffic stop, holding two handguns, one of which has a Glock switch and matches the firearm that was seized from him on June 21, 2023. In addition, in July 2023, officers with the Shreveport Police Department received complaints of 4-5 males riding around in a Dodge Charger wearing ski masks and brandishing assault rifles. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and went to the residence in Shreveport where it was parked. Upon entry to the residence, officers found four males present, including Jackson, and also found three loaded AR-15 style pistols located under a mattress in the same room where Jackson and two of the males were found. All males were taken to the Shreveport Police station for questioning. It was later determined from ballistic exams that two of the firearms that were found in the house had been used in a quadruple homicide which occurred on July 4, 2023, in Shreveport. Jackson pleaded guilty to the federal charge of illegal possession of a machine gun on July 18, 2024. “There is a zero tolerance for offenders in this district that possess firearms equipped with Glock switches,” stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “This individual found himself around modified firearms in two parishes. He is dangerous, a threat to public safety and has received a just sentence. Let this be a lesson and a deterrent for others considering installing conversion devices on Glock firearms. Offenders committing such crimes will be prosecuted and we will seek sentences of imprisonment. ” The case was investigated by the ATF, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins. # # #


title: Former Urologist At Prominent Medical Institutions Sentenced To Life In Prison For Sexual Abuse Of Patients, Including Children

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that DARIUS A. PADUCH, a former urologist at two prominent medical institutions in the New York-area, was sentenced today to life in prison by Judge Ronnie Abrams for his yearslong sexual abuse of patients, some of whom were minors. On May 8, 2024, PADUCH was convicted, following a two-week trial, of six counts of inducing a person to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Darius Paduch was a sexual predator who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues. He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires. Paduch’s abuse was perverse and pervasive, spanning over a decade and victimizing patients both inside and outside of hospital rooms. He repeatedly violated his oath to ‘Do No Harm.’ Today’s sentence demonstrates that medical providers who exploit their position of trust to commit sexual abuse will be held accountable for their conduct.” According to the Superseding Indictment and evidence at trial: From at least in or about 2007 through at least in or about 2019, PADUCH, while working as a urologist, enticed and induced multiple victims to travel to his medical offices at a prominent hospital in Manhattan (“Medical Institution-1”), so PADUCH could, among other things, sexually abuse the victims. PADUCH also induced certain victims to travel to New Jersey where he abused and assaulted the victims under the guise of medical care. In or about 2019, PADUCH began practicing at a different hospital located in Long Island, New York (“Medical Institution-2”), where he continued to sexually abuse patients. During medical appointments, PADUCH would: masturbate his patients, sometimes without wearing gloves, and sometimes to the point of the patients ejaculating on him; direct his patients to masturbate while he watched; insert his finger inside the rectums of patients, including while masturbating them; and press his own erect penis against patients’ bodies. PADUCH invited at least one victim to his boat, where PADUCH provided the patient with sedatives and masturbated the patient; PADUCH also exposed his own genitals to this patient. PADUCH used his position at prominent medical institutions in New York to make or attempt to make the victims believe that the sexual abuse he inflicted on them was medically necessary and appropriate, when, in fact, it was not. PADUCH often directed the victims to schedule follow-up visits, and he instructed victims to return to see him again. PADUCH also invited at least two patients, who were minors, to serve as high school interns. As a result of PADUCH’s actions, some victims attended many appointments with PADUCH over the course of multiple years, at which PADUCH repeatedly abused them. At trial, 11 victims testified about being sexually abused by PADUCH, and dozens more provided impact statements with the Court in connection with sentencing. * * * In addition to the prison term, PADUCH, 57, of North Bergen, New Jersey, was ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marguerite B. Colson, Elizabeth A. Espinosa, Ni Qian, and Jun Xiang are in charge of the prosecution.