title: February 2023 Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 26 unsealed Indictments charging 28 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. * Sergio Ambriz , age 37, of Paramount, California, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Ambriz with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 29, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Ambriz with possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime on or about December 29, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Juan Andres-Pedro , age 29, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony conviction on or about January 24, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Justin Wayne Burney , age 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about August 15, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than eight years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Taft Burtton , age 50, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue on or about February 15, 2023. The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Jesus Camarillo-Soria , age 44, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Camarillo-Soria with possession with intent to distribute cocaine on or about August 14, 2022. The penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Camarillo-Soria with possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime on or about August 14, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to life imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Baudilio Coronado-Ramirez , of Columbus, Nebraska, is charged with knowingly possessing with the intent to use unlawfully or transfer unlawfully five or more false identification documents beginning on or about September 28, 2022 and continuing to on or about November 14, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Amy Duncan , age 51, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of fentanyl analogue on or about February 15, 2023. The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Dragen Flores Cortes , age 28, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony conviction on or about January 25, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * David Garcia , age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with escape from custody on or about October 15, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . Alejandro Garcia Perez a/k/a Alejandro Garcia , age 36, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after a felony conviction on or about December 2, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * William L Gienger , age 57, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about February 27, 2021. The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Amy Michelle Holmdohl , age 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about December 2, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, not less than ten years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Archollis Larmor Johnson , age 36, of Monrovia, California, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), 500 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) and 500 grams or more of cocaine on or about August 4, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Gregory Scott Jones , age 49, of Roseland, Nebraska, is charged in a nine-count Indictment. Counts I-IX charge Jones with theft of a mail matter on or about April 14, 2021, and continuing to on or about December 17, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count. Contact Criminal Chief Mike Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information. * Robert E. Kaczmarek , age 54, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Kaczmarek with sexual exploitation of a minor beginning on or about July 6, 2021 and continuing to on or about August 22, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, $55,000 additional special assessment. Count II charges Kaczmarek with sex trafficking of a minor by force beginning on or about July 6, 2021 and continuing to on or about August 22, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, $5,000 additional special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Lucas J. Lacy , age 37, is charged with accessing with intent to view visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct under the age of 12 beginning on or about November 15, 2021 and continuing to on or about November 22, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment, $17,000 additional special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Charees Loftin , age 18, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance in possession of a firearm on or about January 5, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Jose Mendes Hernandez a/k/a Jose F. Mejia-Guiterrez , age 27, is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien after an aggravated conviction on or about February 1, 2023. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Richard Gedion Parent a/k/a Richard Gideon Parent , age 54, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jon Gregory Hillman, Jr. , age 48, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (mixture) on or about August 5, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency and property seized on or about August 5, 2022. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Tony Torres Perez , age 34, of Hastings, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about May 17, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $8,000,000 fine, not less than eight years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Carey Dean Phillips, Jr. , age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender on or about October 1, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than five years’ and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information. * Christopher Ramos-Rivas , age 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about December 30, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. There is also an allegation to forfeit $9,159.00 in United States currency and property seized on or about December 30, 2022. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Juan Rodriguez-Rios , age 37, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about September 6, 2022. The penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Susan Lehr at 402-661-3700 for further information . * Kenneth M. Sedlak , age 55, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with theft of mail matter from a post office or other authorized depository on or about June 1, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Mike Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information. * Taliaferro Thompson , age 26, and Andrew Kincaid, age 28, both of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged in a two count Indictment. Count I charges Thompson and Kincaid with bank robbery on or about January 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Thompson and Kincaid with brandishing/using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence on or about January 26, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 7 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information. * Anthony Unocic , age 53, is charged with influencing and retaliating against a federal official by threat on or about January 1, 2022 and continuing through on or about April 12, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Contact Criminal Chief Michael Norris at 402-661-3700 for further information.


title: Alburgh Man Charged with Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Materials

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Kenneth C. Bishop, 38, of Alburgh, Vermont appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle after his indictment and arrest for possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Bishop was ordered temporarily detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, 2023. According to court records, on September 29, 2022, Bishop’s cellphone was confiscated after he violated the conditions of his furlough from the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections. A search of that cellphone subsequently revealed that Bishop had saved CSAM videos and images in an encrypted vault application on the cellphone. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Bishop remains presumed innocent until and unless he is convicted of a crime. Bishop faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the detectives of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office’s Criminal Division, agents of Homeland Security Investigations, and members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Bishop is represented by Jordana Levine, Esq. 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 Child Exploitation Obscenity Section, Criminal Division (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Chicago Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Chicago man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for threatening and coercing a Massachusetts minor to engage in sexual conduct. Ernesto Herrera, 33, of Chicago, Ill., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In August 2022, Herrera pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. “Mr. Herrera preyed on the vulnerability of a young, innocent child to manipulate and exploit her for his own sexual gratification. He threatened and blackmailed the victim into sending and giving him access to abusive sexual imagery of herself. Like many others, Mr. Herrera was wrong to think he could hide behind the anonymity of the internet. This case is another example that online predators will be identified and held accountable,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “I commend the victim for her bravery in providing information to law enforcement – her courage ensured that Mr. Herrera was held accountable and likely spared countless other minors from being victimized. My office remains unwavering in our commitment to protecting the safety, innocence and wellbeing of our children and removing individuals who seek them harm from our communities.” “Ernesto Herrera is a sexual predator who went to great lengths to conceal his identity when he manipulated a 16-year-old girl into providing him with sexually explicit images of herself. No sentence can undo the devastating harm he inflicted on his victim, but this courageous teen stood up, came forward, and ensured this man will no longer be in a position to harm others for quite some time,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “We commend her for exhibiting great courage throughout our investigation and prosecution of this case, and rest assured, we will continue our aggressive pursuit to hold others like him accountable.” In June 2020, Herrera reached out to the minor victim from an anonymous phone number using a messaging application. Herrera demanded that the victim send images and videos of herself engaged in sexual conduct, among other things. Herrera threatened the victim that if she did not comply with his requests, videos of the victim would be leaked to her friends and the internet. Herrera also accessed the victim’s Snapchat account and, from June 2020 through January 2021, sent over one thousand images and videos of the victim to his Snapchat account. Several of these files depicted child sexual abuse material. In June 2021, during a search of Herrera’s residence in Chicago, he admitted to contacting the minor using a text messaging service and acknowledged that he knew the victim was being blackmailed by other people at the time that he communicated with her. Herrera confirmed that he received images of the victim engaged in sexual conduct, among other things. Herrera also admitted to creating various Snapchat usernames and email addresses to communicate with and request nude images from other minor females, and that he had threatened at least two other minors via Snapchat to send him explicit images. U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chicago Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Dominican Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Felix Bienvenido Gonzalez-Arias, a/k/a “Victor Manuel Trinidad-Lugo,” 38, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for May 17, 2023. Gonzalez-Arias was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2022. At an unknown time, Gonzales-Arias illegally entered the United States. In November 2014, he was arrested in Essex County on state charges of heroin trafficking. Gonzales-Arias was convicted of the offense, sentenced to three and a half to five years in state prison and upon completion of his sentence, he was removed from the United States in April 2018. Some point thereafter, Gonzales-Arias illegally reentered the United States. On Sept. 1, 2022, Gonzalez-Arias was arrested in Lawrence on drug trafficking charges. . Gonzalez-Arias’ fingerprints produced a positive match from those from his 2014 arrest and 2018 removal and he was identified as being illegally present in the United States after deportation. The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Tampa Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison For Attempted Coercion And Enticement Of A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Demetrius Reddick (36, Tampa) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. The court also ordered Reddick to serve a 15-year term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. He also forfeited a cellphone that was used in the commission of the offense. Reddick had pleaded guilty on September 13, 2022. According to court documents, Reddick spent approximately two months communicating with an undercover detective, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, over a social media platform. During these conversations, Reddick engaged the fictious child in sexual conversations, and ultimately traveled to a hotel in Orlando to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activities with the child. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Laurie. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Lake County Man Convicted Of Distributing Fentanyl Resulting In Death

body_text: Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Jermaine Lamar Harvard (41, Lake County) guilty of distributing fentanyl resulting in the death of another. Harvard faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2023. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, in October 2019, Harvard distributed a quantity of fentanyl to the victim, M.R. An analysis of the victim’s cellphone revealed that Harvard had set up multiple drug transactions with the victim. These drugs led directly to the victim’s death. Harvard represented that the substance was heroin. A medical examiner subsequently determined that the victim had died of acute fentanyl toxicity. Harvard has prior state convictions for the sale of cocaine in 2013. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton and Hannah J. Nowalk.


title: Armed Waterbury Gang Member Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution Offense

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JERRELL JAMISON, also known as “Rell” and “Big Bro,” 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics. According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an ongoing investigation into gangs, drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms in Waterbury. On April 16, 2019, the Waterbury Police Department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit conducted a court-authorized search of Jamison’s residence and seized more than 1,400 individual dose bags of fentanyl/heroin; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; a loaded .40 caliber pistol, and more than 40 rounds of ammunition. Jamison fled his residence when investigators entered, but was apprehended in the rear yard. Jamison has been identified as a member of the Paybacc Crips street gang. Subsequent analysis of the seized firearm via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) connected it to shell casings recovered from five prior events, including an assault in December 2016. After it was determined that Jamison was continuing to engage in criminal activity while released on bond in his state case, his case was adopted for federal prosecution. Jamison has been detained since his federal arrest on March 10, 2022. On September 22, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and John T. Pierpont, Jr. U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Waterbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Las Vegas Woman Pleads Guilty To Committing COVID Relief Fraud While On Federal Probation

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva to filing fraudulent applications seeking thousands of dollars in loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. According to court documents, Mikaela Marie Cuevas (24) — while on probation for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer — submitted at least two fraudulent loan applications and received thousands of dollars of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding she was not eligible to receive. As part of the scheme, Cuevas submitted PPP loan applications in the name of a fake management consulting business, falsely claiming gross annual revenues of $106,000 from the non-existent business. Shortly after receiving the PPP funds, she filed fraudulent loan forgiveness applications, seeking to have her responsibility to re-pay the stolen loans absolved. In total, Cuevas caused a loss of about $47,000. Cuevas pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25, 2023, and faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison. In addition to time in prison, Cuevas faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI; Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General’s (SBA OIG) Western Region Office; Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI); Acting Special Agent in Charge Cory Nootnagel for the Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (FRB-OIG) made the announcement. The FBI, SBA OIG, IRS CI, FRB-OIG, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case. In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus . Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form . ###


title: Alleged Drug Trafficking Members Indicted On Multiple Drug Charges

body_text: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Marcus Jamar Fowler (32, Tarpon Springs) a/k/a “Drastic,” and Abelardo Torres (36, Tampa) with conspiracy to distribute narcotics and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. Pierre Marquise Fowler (34, Port Richey), a/k/a “Durk,” and Cyion Craig Kerr (45, New York), a/k/a “Bling,” are charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit nine pieces of real property, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. According to the indictment, Marcus Jamar Fowler and Pierre Marquise Fowler conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount fentanyl, and 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. The indictment further alleges that Kerr conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Torres is alleged to have conspired to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. 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 Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Operators Of Jacksonville Roofing Business Indicted For Scheme To Evade Payment Of Payroll Taxes And Workers’ Compensation Premiums And Tax Fraud

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit tax fraud related to a roofing business that they operated. Travis Slaughter is also charged with failing to account for and pay over payroll taxes to the IRS and evading personal income taxes for the years 2017 through 2019. Tripp Slaughter is also charged with filing false personal income tax returns for the years 2016 through 2019. The wire fraud conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and the tax fraud conspiracy and evasion of taxes counts each carry a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. The filing false tax return counts each carry a maximum penalty of 3 years’ imprisonment. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to seek forfeiture of a total of approximately $3 million, the estimated amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the wire fraud conspiracy. According to the indictment, Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter operated a roofing business in Jacksonville under the name Great White Construction, Inc. (a/k/a Florida Roofing Experts, Inc., a/k/a 5 Star Roofing Services LLC). The company contracted with professional employer organizations ("PEOs") to prepare payroll checks for the company's employees, after making deductions for payroll taxes, and to file payroll tax returns and forward tax payments to the governmental authorities. However, the company did not provide the PEOs with information about all of the hours worked by or all of the wages due to its employees. Instead, the company also paid the employees directly, with separate checks drawn on company bank accounts, and did not deduct payroll taxes from these checks. By paying employees with “split checks”—one from the PEO and one from the company—the company avoided paying the full amount of payroll taxes due to the IRS. On many occasions, the company issued checks from its checking account in lump sum amounts to work crew leaders for work performed by the crews. Many of the workers on these crews were citizens of other countries who were living and working in the United States illegally. The work crew leaders obtained cash for the checks and paid the workers on the crews in cash. Paying the workers in cash helped these undocumented non-citizens to continue to live and work in the United States illegally. During the period of January 2017 through July 2020, the PEOs issued payroll checks to the employees totaling approximately $4,930,613, after deducting and paying over to the IRS the payroll taxes due. During that same period, the company issued checks to the employees totaling approximately $18,545,845, with no payroll taxes being deducted or paid. The unpaid payroll taxes on that amount—including only the Social Security and Medicare taxes and income tax that should have been withheld from the employees’ pay—was $2,768,377. The PEOs also secured workers’ compensation insurance coverage for the company. The premiums charged by the workers’ compensation insurers were based on the total amount of payroll that the company reported to the PEOs. If the company had reported the actual amount of payroll, the insurers would have charged additional premiums totaling millions of dollars. Travis Slaughter evaded the payment of income taxes for the years 2017 through 2019 by, among other things, failing to file a tax return for 2017 and not filing returns for 2018 and 2019 until 2021, which returns significantly underreported his income from the business. He also withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars from business bank accounts, fraudulently transferred two properties to his children, and purchased four properties that he fraudulently titled in the names of his children. Tripp Slaughter filed false tax returns for the years 2016 through 2019 by failing to include the income he was paid directly by the company that totaled approximately $121,492 and failing to report business income that totaled approximately $847,597. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.


title: Chatsworth Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Prison for Cyberstalking Campaigns Against Victims in California and Georgia

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced today to 85 months in federal prison for stalking two sisters in California by sending them text messages that threatened them with rape and murder and for threatening and harassing a teenage girl in Georgia. Alex Scott Roberts, 27, of Chatsworth, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr., who at today’s hearing called Roberts’ conduct “egregious.” Roberts pleaded guilty in August 2022 to two counts of stalking. He has been in federal custody since December 2020. In the California case, in July and August 2020, Roberts used text messages and internet communications to place the two victims “in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury,” and that he intended to cause “substantial emotional distress,” according to court documents. After being told by an individual identified in court papers as “Victim 1” and her family that the woman did not want to communicate with Roberts, he created a listing on Craigslist that offered a room for rent at Victim 1’s home and invited prospective renters to “Stop by anytime,” court papers state. Roberts then sent anonymous text messages to a friend of Victim 1 that demanded Victim 1’s phone number, threatened to publish nude photographs of Victim 1, and threatened to send someone to rape Victim 1. He also sent numerous anonymous messages to Victim 1, Victim 1’s sister, and at least one friend of Victim 1, demanding Victim 1’s telephone number, threatening to send nude photographs of Victim 1, threatening to send someone to rape Victim 1 and her sister, and threatening to kill Victim 1 and her family. In the Georgia case, in June 2020, Roberts sent a series of threatening and harassing messages to a 15-year-old girl, identified in court papers as “Minor 1.” Roberts claimed to possess nude images of Minor 1 and threatened to send the images to her parents as “payback” if she did not send Roberts additional nude images. He then sent harassing and threatening messages to Minor 1 via both text message and Instagram. In response to his threats to send nude images of Minor 1 to her family, Minor 1 sent Roberts “selfie” photographs of herself. Roberts responded by continuing to send Minor 1 harassing messages, including several messages containing edited versions of the “selfie” photographs Minor 1 had sent to Roberts in response to his threats. “Only a few months after being paroled on state prison sentences related to stalking and extorting young women online…Roberts…began tormenting new victims,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum. “His messages traumatized the victims, putting them in fear for their lives and the lives of their family.” The FBI investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Restrepo of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section prosecuted this case.


title: Former San Quentin Prison Guard Sentenced To 20 Months In Prison For Accepting Bribes To Smuggle Contraband Into Death Row

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Former Corrections Officer Keith Christopher was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into San Quentin State Prison (SQP), announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Susan Illston, United States Senior District Judge. Christopher, 38, of Pittsburg, Calif., pleaded guilty to crimes related to the conspiracy on September 16, 2022. Christopher was employed as a Correctional Officer at SQP and, as described in the indictment, worked in SQP’s East Block, known as Death Row. He admitted in his plea agreement that he accepted payments as bribes in exchange for smuggling at least 25 contraband cell phones into SQP. Cell phones are deemed contraband for prisoners in all parts of the prison as they create safety and security risks for prison employees, other inmates, and the public at large when used by inmates to direct criminal activity outside the prison. The California Code of Regulations accordingly prohibits prisoners from possessing cell phones. Christopher admitted in his plea agreement that he delivered cell phones and accessories, such as chargers, to a condemned inmate who then sold many of the phones to other inmates. Christopher acknowledged that as early as 2019, he orchestrated a conspiracy involving an inmate; co-conspirators Isaiah Wells, 32, of Tracy, Calif., Tanisa Smith-Symes, 46, of Las Vegas, NV, and Dustin Albini, 37, of Pittsburg, CA; and others. Christopher’s plea agreement includes descriptions of two instances in which he arranged to receive bribes in exchange for smuggling cell phones into the prison. In the first instance, the prison inmate working with Christopher arranged for 10 cell phones to be shipped to the Nevada residence of an associate. That associate was Smith-Symes. According to Christopher, in December 2019, the inmate arranged for a package containing 10 cell phones to be delivered to Smith-Symes’ residence in Nevada. Christopher acknowledged that he directed Smith-Symes to send the phones to Albini who delivered the phones to Christopher. Christopher further admitted that he sent a text message to Smith-Symes establishing that he would smuggle the cell phones into the prison for $5,000 and that the money should be sent using Venmo and Walmart money transfers—some of the money through Albini and some through Wells. The second incident described in Christopher’s plea agreement involves an agreement in May of 2020, in which Christopher arranged to smuggle an additional 15 cell phones into SQP for a payment of $7,500. The cell phones again were delivered first to Smith-Symes, but this time were routed through Wells who then delivered them to Christopher. Christopher agreed with the inmate to reduce his fee for this second smuggling transaction and, ultimately, Christopher delivered the phones to the inmate for a $6,500, a small portion of which went to Wells in exchange for his participation in the conspiracy. On September 29, 2021, federal grand jury indicted Christopher, Wells, Albini, and Smith-Symes charging each with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud (bribery), in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1346, and 1349, and various other crimes in accordance with their particular role in the scheme. Christopher pleaded guilty to the count alleging conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and to two counts of accepting bribes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(B). In addition to Christopher’s prison term, Judge Illston ordered Christopher to serve three years of supervised release that will begin after the conclusion of his prison term. Judge Illston ordered Christopher to surrender on or before May 25, 2023, to begin serving his prison term. The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Internal Affairs.


title: Navajo woman arraigned for involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Mariah Chapo was arraigned in federal court on February 23, 2023, on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Chapo, 26, an enrolled member of Navajo Nation, will remain on conditions of release pending trial. A grand jury indicted Chapo on January 25, 2023. According to the indictment and other records, on February 11, 2022, Chapo crashed her vehicle after driving at a high rate of speed while intoxicated, ultimately killing an unsecured eight-month-old John Doe. The alleged homicide occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation. An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Chapo faces up to eight years in prison. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-35


title: Albuquerque man pleads guilty in armed robberies of letter carriers

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Melisa Llosa, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division of U.S. Postal Inspection Service, announced that Cisco Casaus-Alires was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Casaus-Alires, 21, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on June 29 to robbery of mail, money and other property of the United States and brandishing a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence. On Nov. 7, 2020, Casaus-Alires robbed a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier at gunpoint in southeast Albuquerque, demanding the letter carrier’s cell phone, USPS keys and mail. On Dec. 26, 2020, in southwest Albuquerque, Casaus-Alires robbed another letter carrier at gunpoint. Casaus-Alires demanded the letter carrier’s wallet, phone and USPS keys, and then demanded that the letter carrier load parcels into Casaus-Alires’ vehicle. On Dec. 28, 2020, in south Albuquerque, Casaus-Alires robbed a third letter carrier at gunpoint, demanding the letter carrier’s wallet, phone and USPS keys. As Casaus-Alires took mail and parcels from the USPS vehicle, he asked the letter carrier where “the good stuff” is delivered, then fled the area. “USPS Letter Carriers walk our streets on a daily basis to bring us everything from checks to medicine to gifts,” said United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “Delivering mail should not be a dangerous job. We will hold accountable anyone who threatens the safety of those who work tirelessly to serve our community.” “The highest priority of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating acts of violence against USPS employees,” stated Melisa Llosa, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division. “Through collaboration with our law enforcement partners, Casuas-Alires is no longer a threat to USPS Letter Carriers or the public. This substantial sentence is a message to all criminals. If you rob a USPS employee, Postal Inspectors will not stop until you are brought to justice. We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department for their support on this investigation.” The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-36


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on the Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department today issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Anniversary of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: “For the past year, the United States and the world have seen the horrific images and heard the heart-wrenching accounts of brutality and death resulting from Russia’s unjust and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. “Today, the Department of Justice reiterates its resolute commitment to standing with our Ukrainian partners in pursuit of justice. “Prosecutors with the Department’s War Crimes Accountability Team are working closer than ever before with our Ukrainian counterparts to investigate specific crimes committed by Russian forces, including attacks on civilian targets. At the same time, Congress has expanded our authority to prosecute alleged war criminals who are found in the United States. “Our Task Force KleptoCapture — a group of prosecutors, agents, analysts, translators, and other Department personnel and law enforcement partners — continues to bring prosecutions and effect seizures against sanctioned enablers of the Kremlin and Russian military. “And we are also exercising new authority granted by Congress to transfer certain assets we have seized from Russian oligarchs for the rebuilding of Ukraine. Earlier this month, I authorized the first-ever transfer of such assets to the State Department to support the people of Ukraine. More will follow. “I am proud of this work and of the many Department personnel supporting it. “Over the past year, the Ukrainian people have shown the world what courage looks like. And for as long as it takes, the Department of Justice will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Ukrainian and international partners in defense of justice and the rule of law.” Ukrainian


title: Заява Генерального Прокурора Мерріка Б. Гарланда у зв’язку з Річницею Нападу Росії на Україну

body_text: Сьогодні Міністерство юстиції опублікувало наступну заяву Генерального Прокурора Мерріка Б. Гарланда у зв’язку з Річницею Нападу Росії на Україну: Протягом минулого року США і світ спостерігали жахливі картини й чули трагічні історії про жорстокість і смерть, спричинені несправедливим і неспровокованим нападом Росії на Україну. Сьогодні Міністерство юстиції підтверджує свою рішучу підтримку українським партнерам у боротьбі за правосуддя. Прокурори Міністерства юстиції з команди із притягнення до відповідальності за воєнні злочини як ніколи тісно співпрацюють з українськими колегами у справах розслідування конкретних злочинів, скоєних російськими силами, зокрема нападів на цивільних. Водночас Конгрес розширив наші повноваження щодо притягнення до відповідальності за скоєні воєнні злочини ймовірних виконавців, виявлених у Сполучених Штатах. Наша оперативна група «KleptoCapture», до складу якої входять прокурори, агенти, аналітики, перекладачі, інші працівники Міністерства та партнери з правоохоронних органів, продовжує притягати до відповідальності та конфіскувати активи осіб, санкціонованих за підтримку Кремля і російських військ. Ми також застосовуємо надані Конгресом нові законні повноваження для передачі певних активів, конфіскованих у російських олігархів, для відновлення України. На початку цього місяця я схвалив першу передачу таких коштів Державному департаменту для підтримки народу України. На черзі інші. Я відчуваю гордість за виконання такої важливої роботи й за численних працівників Міністерства, які підтримують цю роботу. Протягом минулого року український народ показав світові, що таке мужність. Міністерство юстиції продовжуватиме стояти пліч-о-пліч з нашими українськими й міжнародними партнерами стільки, скільки буде потрібно для захисту правосуддя і верховенства права. English


title: Civil Forfeiture Complaint Filed Against Six Luxury Real Estate Properties Involved In Sanctions Evasion And Money Laundering

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Andrew C. Adams, the Director of Task Force KleptoCapture, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Maged Behnam, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the filing of a civil forfeiture complaint against six real properties located in New York, New York, Southampton, New York, and Fisher Island, Florida, worth approximately $75 million. The Complaint alleges that the properties, which are beneficially owned by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, are the proceeds of sanctions violations and were involved in international money laundering in promotion of sanctions violations committed by, among others, Vladimir Voronchenko, a/k/a “Vladimir Vorontchenko,” who was indicted on February 7, 2023. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Today’s action, filed on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, seeks forfeiture of six luxury properties owned by Viktor Vekselberg that his associate Vladimir Voronchenko maintained by funneling millions of dollars into the United States. With the filing of this complaint, the United States sends a strong message to those who violate sanctions and engage in money laundering that the United States will use every available tool to forfeit criminal proceeds and will use that money to help our allies in Ukraine under the newly enacted law.” Director of Task Force KleptoCapture Andrew C. Adams said: “Strawmen, corrupt professionals, and shell companies may be the hallmarks of money laundering and sanctions evasion, but they are obstacles that diligent, dedicated investigators and prosecutors will surmount. Today’s filing marks yet another step that the Department of Justice and our partners at HSI and FBI have taken toward dislodging ill-gotten gains from those who would attempt to evade U.S. sanctions, and toward making the value of these properties available for aid to Ukraine.” HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: “For years, Russia’s weaponization of corruption has relied on opaque legal structures – and Western enablers – to move, hide, and spend stolen wealth, enriching its oligarchs and ultimately resourcing the war in the Ukraine. Since the invasion, HSI New York and our partners have worked tirelessly to cut Russia’s corruptocrats and their assets out of the American financial system. Today we continue our active measures and remove jewels from the crown of yet another oligarch, stripping him of the luxury assets he so cherishes.” FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Maged Behnam said: “The mission of the interagency Task Force KleptoCapture is to enforce sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures imposed by the United States in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine one year ago. This civil forfeiture complaint is an example of the Task Force’s ongoing work to fulfill this mission. I commend the hard work, dedication, and cooperation of this team of professionals.” According to the allegations in the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court today: [1] On April 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated Vekselberg as a Specially Designated National (“SDN”) in connection with its finding that the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation in Ukraine constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. On or about March 11, 2022, OFAC redesignated Vekselberg as an SDN and blocked Vekselberg’s yacht and private airplane. Prior to his designation by OFAC, between in or about 2008 and in or about 2017, Vekselberg, through a series of shell companies, acquired six real properties in the United States, specifically, (i) two apartments on Park Avenue in New York, New York, (ii) an estate in Southampton, New York, (iii) two apartments on Fisher Island, Florida, and (iv) a penthouse apartment also on Fisher Island, Florida (collectively, “the Properties” or the “Defendants- in-rem ”). As of the date of the Complaint, the Properties were worth approximately $75 million. Voronchenko, Vekselberg’s close friend and business associate, retained an attorney (the “Attorney”), who practiced in New York, New York, in connection with the acquisition of the Properties. The Attorney also managed the finances of the Properties, including by paying common charges, property taxes, insurance premiums, and other fees associated with the Properties in U.S. dollar transactions from the Attorney’s interest on lawyer’s trust account (“IOLTA account”). Prior to Vekselberg’s designation as an SDN, between approximately February 2009 and March 2018, companies owned by Vekselberg sent approximately 90 wire transfers totaling approximately $18.5 million to the IOLTA account. At the direction of Voronchenko and his family member who lived in Russia, the Attorney used these funds to make various U.S. dollar payments to maintain and service the Properties. Immediately after Vekselberg’s designation as an SDN, the source of the funds used to maintain and service the Properties changed. The IOLTA Account began to receive wires from a bank account in the Bahamas held in the name of a shell company controlled by Voronchenko, Smile Holding Ltd., and from a Russian bank account held in the name of a Russian national who was related to Voronchenko. Between approximately June 2018 and March 2022, approximately 25 wire transfers totaling approximately $4 million were sent to the IOLTA account. Although the source of the payments changed, the management of the payments remained the same as before: Voronchenko and his family member directed the Attorney to use these funds to make various U.S. dollar payments to maintain and service the Properties. Additionally, after Vekselberg was sanctioned in 2018, Voronchenko and others tried to sell both the Park Avenue apartment and the Southampton estate. No licenses from OFAC were applied for or issued for any of these payments or attempted transfers. On or about May 13, 2022, federal agents served Voronchenko on Fisher Island with a Grand Jury subpoena, which called for his personal appearance for testimony and his production of documents, including documents relating to the Properties. Approximately nine days later, on or about May 22, 2022, Voronchenko took a flight from Miami, Florida, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and then went to Moscow, Russia. Voronchenko failed to appear before the Grand Jury and has not returned to the United States. * * * The Properties subject to the forfeiture action are as follows: 19 Duck Pond Lane, Southampton, New York 11968; 515 Park Avenue, Units 21 and 2I, New York, New York 10022; 7002 Fisher Island Drive, Unit 7002 PH2, Miami Beach, Florida 33109; and 7183 Fisher Island Drive, Units 7182 and 7183, Miami Beach, Florida 33109. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the New York and Miami field offices of HSI and the FBI. Mr. Williams further thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs and OFAC for their assistance and cooperation in this investigation. On March 2, 2022, the Attorney General announced the launch of Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Task Force will leverage all the Department’s tools and authorities against efforts to evade or undermine the economic actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression. This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Greenwood, Joshua A. Naftalis, and Sheb Swett are in charge of this action. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Russian National Charged with Supplying U.S. Technology to the Russian and North Korean Governments

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A five-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York charging Ilya Balakaev with various charges related to smuggling devices commonly used in counterintelligence operations out of the U.S. to Russia for the benefit of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”). As alleged, between 2017 and the present, the defendant Ilya Balakaev entered into multiple contracts through his company Radiotester LLC with the FSB—the principal intelligence and security agency of the Russian government—to repair spectrum analyzers and signal generators. The devices that the defendant was tasked to repair were frequently used as part of counterintelligence operations to sweep for surveillance bugs and to transmit covert communications. Because the devices were not readily available in Russia, the defendant created a network of individuals in the U.S. to assist him in purchasing the equipment in the U.S. which he used to repair the FSB devices, in violation of U.S. sanctions. The defendant worked closely with Russian government officials from FSB Center 8’s Military Unit 43753, the agency responsible for Russia’s communication security and cryptology. In furtherance of his scheme, the defendant entered into at least 10 contracts with FSB Military Unit 43753, purchased approximately 43 devices in the U.S., and traveled to the U.S. approximately 14 times in the span of approximately four years. In addition to his scheme to evade Russian sanctions, the defendant also provided U.S. technology to a North Korean government official, in violation of U.S. sanctions against North Korea. The defendant contracted with the First Secretary of the North Korean Embassy to the Russian Federation, based in Moscow, to obtain hazardous gas detectors and software from the U.S. for the benefit of the North Korean government. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson., US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office, Ivan Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), Francis J. Russo, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office (CBP) and Andrew Adams, Director, Task Force KleptoCapture, announced the charges. “As alleged, the defendant violated U.S. law by procuring, smuggling, and repairing counterintelligence operation devices for the benefit of Russia’s secret police and the North Korean government,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s indictment demonstrates our Office’s commitment to vigorously prosecute those who evade sanctions for a profit, both for their wallet and for Russia as they continue their aggression against Ukraine.” “The defendant allegedly operated schemes to smuggle software and devices from the United States and provide them to hostile foreign government services in violation of U.S. sanctions. FBI New York and our partners will continue to protect the national security of the United States by disrupting the procurement of sanctioned equipment and technology,” stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll. “To prevent the continuance of violations identified in the indictment, the defendant is now subject to a Commerce temporary denial order, which restricts his ability to access U.S. technologies,” said Jonathan Carson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office, Office of Export Enforcement. “These coordinated actions highlight our vigilance and ability to leverage our unique combination of criminal and administrative enforcement authorities to address evasions of U.S. export controls.” “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is uniquely positioned to enhance the safety of our country. We will continue to work with our partners to be exceptionally focused on addressing the threats posed by counterintelligence activities, terrorism, transnational criminal organizations, and others who wish to do us harm,” said Francis J. Russo, Director New York Field Office. “CBP’s combined efforts with our law enforcement partners in this case serve as a reminder that we will continue to combat and prosecute modern transnational criminal organizations.” “From the outset of the Task Force, the Department has prioritized the investigation and prosecution of case involving criminal violations of our export controls pertaining to Russia. As today’s case demonstrates, facilitators like this defendant provide smuggling services for all manner of dangerous actors and regimes – it is not possible to disentangle the FSB’s smuggling networks from those servicing other sanctioned state actors, and we must support and applaud comprehensive charges like those set forth in the Eastern District’s indictment,” stated Task Force KleptoCapture Director Adams. “As alleged, Balakaev and his network actively schemed to circumvent OFAC sanctions in support of enhancing the counterintelligence operations of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Today’s indictment, on the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is a credit to the collaboration of the American law enforcement community to investigate and prosecute those who seek to support oppressive regimes worldwide,” said Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York. “HSI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue criminal charges against those who engage in actions aimed at compromising our national security.” If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of 75 years’ imprisonment. The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorney Sara K. Winik is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Defendant : ILYA BALAKAEV AGE: 47 MOSCOW, RUSSIA E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-79


title: Task Force KleptoCapture Unseals Two Cases Charging Evasion of Russian Economic Countermeasures

component: Criminal Division

body_text: From the outset of Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine, one year ago today, the Department of Justice has prioritized enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed alongside our global partners. Today, the Department continues that work by actions in two separate federal cases to disrupt sanctions evasion and smuggling networks supporting the Russian regime. “Over the past year, the Ukrainian people have shown the world what courage looks like,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “For as long as it takes, the Department of Justice will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Ukrainian and international partners in defense of justice and the rule of law.” “It has been one year since Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of its neighbor, but the FBI has been working with our Ukrainian partners for years to battle Russian aggression there — and we aren’t going anywhere,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI's commitment to Ukraine remains unwavering, and we will continue to stand against Russia at home and abroad.” The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against six real properties located in New York, New York; Southampton, New York; and Fisher Island, Florida, worth approximately $75 million. The complaint alleges that the properties beneficially owned by Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg are the proceeds of sanctions violations and were involved in international money laundering transactions. The case arises in the wake of the indictment of Vekselberg’s alleged strawman, Vladimir Voronchenko, a fugitive previously charged in the Southern District of New York. In the Eastern District of New York, a five-count indictment was unsealed today charging Ilya Balakaev, 47, of Moscow, with various offenses related to a years-long scheme to illegally smuggle sensitive devices used in counterintelligence operations from the United States to Russia for the benefit of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB), the principal intelligence and security agency of the Russian government. Balakaev is further charged with illegally exporting a gas detector and related software from the United States to Russia for the benefit of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea). Concurrent with today’s action in the Eastern District of New York, the Department of Commerce separately issued a Temporary Denial Order denying the export privileges of Balakaev and his company, Radiotester OOO (aka Radiotester LLC), for 180 days with the possibility of renewal. Today’s actions coincide with the one-year mark of Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. Read more about the Justice Department’s efforts to hold Russia accountable here . The Vekselberg Properties According to court documents, on April 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Vekselberg as a Specially Designated National (SDN) in connection with its finding that the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation in Ukraine constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Prior to his designation by OFAC, between in or about 2008 and in or about 2017, Vekselberg, through a series of shell companies, acquired six real properties in the United States, today worth approximately $75 million: 19 Duck Pond Lane, Southampton, New York 11968. 515 Park Avenue, Units Units 21 and 2I, New York, New York 10022. 7002 Fisher Island Drive, Unit 7002 PH2, Miami Beach, Florida 33109. 7183 Fisher Island Drive, Units 7182 and 7183, Miami Beach, Florida 33109. The FBI and HSI are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s National Security Division and Office of International Affairs, and OFAC provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Greenwood, Joshua A. Naftalis, and Sheb Swett for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case. United States v. Ilya Balakaev As alleged in the indictment, between 2017 and the present, Balakaev contracted with a part of the FSB that is responsible for the Russian government’s communication security and cryptology, to repair spectrum analyzers and signal generators, devices used to detect surveillance equipment and to transmit covert communications. Because the devices were not readily available in Russia, the defendant established a network of individuals in the United States to assist him in purchasing the equipment, which the defendant then smuggled out of the United States, in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. In addition to his scheme to evade Russian sanctions, the defendant also illegally exported U.S. technology on behalf of a North Korean government official, in violation of U.S. export laws. As alleged, the defendant contracted with the First Secretary of the North Korean Embassy to the Russian Federation, based in Moscow, to obtain hazardous gas detectors and software from the United States for the benefit of the North Korean government. If convicted on all counts, Balakaev, currently a fugitive, faces a maximum of 75 years in prison. The FBI, HSI, Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), and CBP are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara K. Winik for the Eastern District of New York is prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. * * * These cases were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.


title: Former Insurance Executive Indicted for $2B Fraud Scheme

body_text: A federal grand jury in Charlotte returned an indictment yesterday charging a North Carolina man with masterminding and directing a massive scheme to deceive state insurance regulators and defraud thousands of policyholders and others in connection with insurance companies he controlled. According to court documents, from no later than 2016 through at least 2019, Greg E. Lindberg, 53, of Durham, and others allegedly agreed to defraud various insurance companies, other third parties, and ultimately, thousands of insurance policyholders. Lindberg allegedly deceived the North Carolina Department of Insurance and other regulators, evaded regulatory requirements meant to protect policyholders, concealed the true financial condition of his insurance companies, and improperly used insurance company funds for his personal benefit. In particular, the indictment alleges that Lindberg personally benefitted from the fraud in part by using insurance company funds to finance his lavish lifestyle, including the purchase and refinancing of personal real estate and “forgiving” more than $125 million in loans from his affiliated companies to himself. “Policyholders rely on insurance company owners to follow the rules so that the benefits they deserve and depend on will be available when needed,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In this alleged $2 billion scheme, the defendant defrauded regulators and policyholders alike, causing substantial financial harm to thousands of victims. As this prosecution demonstrates, no matter how complex the scheme, the department will hold accountable corporate executives whose crimes leave policyholders holding the bag while lining their own pockets.” The charged conduct allegedly caused substantial financial hardship to the victims. Lindberg allegedly caused the insurance companies to engage in investments of nearly $2 billion as part of his scheme, most of which remained outstanding as of September 2022. Since 2019, multiple insurance companies controlled by Lindberg have been placed into rehabilitation or liquidation. “The indictment reveals a carefully orchestrated scheme that relied on a web of complex financial investments and transactions designed to evade regulators, disguise the financial health of Lindberg’s insurance companies, and conceal the alleged purpose of the scheme: Lindberg’s personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute financial wrongdoing and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.” “People buy insurance products to provide comfort and security. However, this indictment alleges this was a sophisticated and intricate scheme designed for one reason, to benefit Lindberg,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Scherck of the FBI Charlotte Field Office. “The FBI is unwavering in our efforts to hold those accountable who commit federal financial crimes.” Lindberg is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit crimes in connection with insurance business, wire fraud, and investment adviser fraud; one count of wire fraud; four counts of false insurance business statements presented to regulators; six counts of false entries about the financial condition or solvency of an insurance business; and one count of money laundering conspiracy. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the top counts. In December 2022, one of Lindberg’s top executives, Christopher Herwig, pleaded guilty in a related case to conspiring with Lindberg and others to commit wire fraud, investment advisor fraud, and money laundering, as well as to the making of false statements in the business of insurance. Separately, Lindberg remains under indictment and is awaiting retrial in a case in which he faces several charges stemming from alleged attempts to bribe the Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Insurance. The FBI Charlotte Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ryan for the Western District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov . You are also encouraged to visit our webpage for this case at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/united-states-v-greg-e-lindberg .


title: D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services Employee Charged with Sexual Abuse

body_text: Kelvin Powell Arrested WASHINGTON – Kelvin Powell, 61, an employee of the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, is charged by indictment, unsealed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, with sexual abuse of and abusive sexual contact with a minor in his care. FBI agents arrested Powell this morning. The indictment and arrest were announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office David Sundberg. The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) is the government agency in the District of Columbia responsible for the supervision, custody, and care of young people detained while pending charges for a delinquent act. According to the eight-count indictment, between December 2021 and February 2022, while employed as a Youth Development Representative at DYRS, Kelvin Powell sexually abused a minor (“Person A”) who was detained and residing at the facility where Powell worked. Powell is charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a ward and four counts of abusive sexual contact. Each count of sexual abuse of a ward carries a maximum possible penalty of 15 years in prison; each count of abusive sexual contact carries a maximum possible penalty of two years in prison. Powell was first arrested in March of 2022 on charges of sexual abuse of a minor filed in D.C. Superior Court. This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information about similar conduct involving Kelvin Powell or others is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5342). This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Visser and Cara Gardner of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – Cassius Sinclair Jordan, 38, of Huntingdon, Tennessee has been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today. According to the information presented in court, on May 28, 2020, at approximately 12:30 a.m., an officer with the Huntingdon Police Department observed a vehicle parked with the rear of the vehicle in the roadway. As the officer approached the vehicle, he observed the driver laying across the steering wheel as if he was asleep. The officer awakened the driver and identified him as the defendant, Cassius Sinclair Jordan. The officer observed a glass pipe and a cigarette lighter in Jordan’s hands and directed him to exit the vehicle, at which time he was detained. A search of the vehicle revealed the following: • A Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun, which was loaded with nine rounds • An additional 12 .40 caliber rounds of ammunition • A bag containing approximately 93 grams of methamphetamine • A bag containing 41 Xanax tablets • A bag containing 14.2 grams of marijuana • $7,285.75 in cash • A box of baggies • Digital scales According to the laboratory report issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the methamphetamine seized from Jordan's vehicle tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride with a net weight of 93.89 grams and a purity level of 97%. A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) examined Jordan's firearm and ammunition and determined that the firearm and ammunition were manufactured outside the state of Tennessee. On February 17, 2023, the Honorable S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Jordan to a total of 140 months' imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Anderson also ordered Jordan's federal sentence run consecutive to a state sentence that Jordan is presently serving following his convictions for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a weapon in Carroll County in 2019. While Jordan could be paroled from his current state sentence, there is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the Huntingdon Police Department, the ATF and DEA. United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case. ### For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or cherri.green@usdoj.gov. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.


title: KC Man Sentenced to 45 Years for Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robberies of Local Businesses

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a conspiracy to commit nine armed robberies of local businesses in the summer of 2018, as well as an armed robbery in which a convenience store employee was beaten and then fatally shot. Joe Lee Nichols, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Thursday, Feb. 22, to 45 years in federal prison without parole. On March 11, 2022, Nichols pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, three counts of robbery, and three counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Additionally, federal prosecutors used evidence of Nichols’s involvement in a tenth, uncharged armed robbery in which a person was killed as relevant conduct for determining his sentence. Nichols admitted that he was part of a conspiracy to rob nine businesses at gunpoint between June 1 and July 18, 2018. Nichols also admitted that he was directly involved in the armed robbery of Boost Mobile, 5218 E. Truman Road, on June 12, 2018; the armed robbery of Arrowhead Inn, 6006 E. 31 st Street, on July 2, 2018; and the armed robbery of Wood Springs Suites, 11301 Colorado Avenue, on July 14, 2018. The government presented evidence at Nichols’s sentencing hearing that he was also involved in a tenth, uncharged, armed robbery of Inner-City Oil convenience store, 5901 Swope Parkway, on July 16, 2018. The court determined there was sufficient evidence of Nichols’s involvement to consider the robbery as relevant conduct, which impacted the court’s sentencing decision. Video surveillance evidence introduced during yesterday’s sentencing hearing indicated that Nichols pointed a handgun at an employee of Inner-City Oil, who resisted and engaged in a struggle for Nichols’s firearm. Nichols fired his gun multiple times before the employee fell to the floor. The employee then retrieved a handgun and began to fire back at Nichols. Nichols began to stomp and kick at the head and body of the employee, who was still lying on the floor. The employee lost his firearm, which was recovered by Nichols’s accomplice, who then used it to also shoot the store clerk. When they were unable to access the cash register, Nichols and his accomplice left the store. The employee can be seen on the surveillance video, still moving while lying on the floor, until eventually becoming motionless when he died from his injuries. A witness who saw their car leaving the area and discovered the body of the employee immediately called 911. The surveillance video depicts Nichols leaning on an ice cream freezer with his left hand while assaulting the employee on the floor. Investigators determined that a palm print found on the ice cream freezer belonged to Nichols. Nichols was also identified by his appearance in other robbery videos and by several witnesses who viewed the Inner-City Oil video. Nichols is the third defendant to be sentenced in this case. One additional co-defendant has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing and two other defendants remain set for trial in May 2023. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades and Maureen Brackett. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and agents and task force officers of the FBI.


title: Two Individuals Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud Scheme

component: Tax Division

body_text: A North Carolina woman and a Maryland man were each sentenced today to 30 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States, aiding in the preparation of false tax returns and stealing government funds. According to court documents, between 2013 and 2016, Sandra Denise Curl of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Percy Leroy Jacobs of Prince Frederick, Maryland, filed estate and trust tax returns (Forms 1041) on behalf of multiple fraudulent trusts they owned, seeking refunds to which they were not entitled. Curl and Jacobs also filed false personal returns, claiming fictitious tax withholdings in order to generate refunds. In total, the defendants attempted to defraud the IRS of more than $2.2 million. In addition to the terms of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel ordered both defendants to serve three years of supervised release and to each pay $959,044 in restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Jeffrey McLellan and George Meggali of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Morgan for the District of Maryland prosecuted the case.


title: Former Detroit Resident Sentenced to Prison for $27 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – A former Detroit resident was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison for a tax fraud scheme where she sought to cheat the Internal Revenue Service and the state treasuries of six states of over $27 million in fraudulent tax refunds, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today. Ison was joined in the announcement by Charles Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigations. Sameerah Marrell, aka “Sameerah Anderson,” aka “Sameerah Pickett,” aka “Crème,” aka “Loren Boyd,” age 42, received the sentence from the Honorable Linda V. Parker, United States District Judge, in Detroit, Michigan. Judge Parker also ordered that the defendant serve three years on supervised release after her release from federal custody and pay the remaining restitution owed totaling $7,979,041.71. During the course of the scheme, Marrell had successfully stolen $8.5 million, and the amount owed in restitution has been reduced by money, cars, and jewelry seized by the federal government and the states from Marrell during the course of this investigation. Marrell pleaded guilty on January 11, 2023 to Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Committing an Offense While On Bond. According to court records, the scheme began in 2014 and continued through April 2022. During that time, Marrell and other accomplices defrauded the Internal Revenue Service and the State Treasury Departments of Minnesota, Georgia, Maryland, Arizona, Connecticut, and Colorado, by filing 122 false and fictitious Income Tax Returns for Estates and Trusts and numerous state income tax returns, seeking over $13,690,341 from the IRS and $14,730,365 from the six states, by claiming bogus “refunds,” to which neither she nor her accomplices were entitled. These federal and state income tax returns contained various false and material assertions of fact, most notably that the IRS and state taxing agencies had withheld large amounts of income tax from the trusts purportedly filing the returns, and that those trusts were therefore entitled to large refunds. In truth, however, the IRS and the state taxing agencies had withheld nothing from these trusts, and Marrell and her accomplices were entitled to no refund of any kind. Before discovering the fraud, the IRS paid out over $5,539,049 and the state agencies paid out a total of $2,972,588.93, all based on Marrell’s spurious claims. Altogether, Marrell and her accomplices successfully caused the issuance of approximately $8,511,637.93 in fraudulent tax refunds. Marrell committed some of these offenses after she was arrested on a criminal complaint charging her with, among other things, making false claims to the IRS based on some of the conduct described above. Thus, even while Marrell was on bond, she continued to execute her scheme to defraud. “Ms. Marrell committed an astonishing amount of fraud against federal and state agencies. She also proved herself incorrigible, continuing her scams even after her initial arrest. We hope that today’s sentence will deter both Ms. Marrell and anyone else who seeks to steal public funds for private gain.” "Today's sentencing again emphasizes that the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our nation's tax system," said Charles Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office. "Honest taxpayers have been reassured today that no one is above the law, especially when the integrity of tax administration is at stake.” This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by AUSAs Craig Weier and Adriana Dydell of the United States Attorney’s Office.


title: Former City of Atlanta Official Sentenced for Accepting Bribes

body_text: A former City of Atlanta Commissioner of Watershed Management was sentenced today to four and a half years in prison for accepting bribes from an Atlanta contractor in exchange for steering city business worth millions of dollars to the contractor’s company. According to court documents, Jo Ann Macrina, 66, of Daytona Beach, Florida, served as the Commissioner of Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management from 2011 through May 2016. During Macrina’s tenure, the City of Atlanta awarded millions of dollars in contracts to an architectural, design, and construction management and services firm based in Atlanta. Macrina took multiple steps to steer lucrative contracts toward the firm’s joint venture. Those actions included casting aside prior final scores ranking potential vendors where the joint venture ranked near the bottom, replacing two evaluators who previously represented the Department of Watershed Management with herself and Macrina’s employee, and scoring the joint venture higher than all other evaluators during a reevaluation. In exchange for providing the firm’s executive vice president with access to confidential information and preferential treatment on City of Atlanta projects, Macrina was offered a job and accepted things of value. For instance, Macrina accepted $10,000 in cash, a diamond ring, a room at a luxury hotel in Dubai, and landscaping work at her home from the firm’s executive vice president either directly or through another employee of the firm. Shortly after Macrina’s employment with the City of Atlanta ended, she began working for the firm. Between June 2016 and September 2016, the firm and its executive vice president paid Macrina $30,000 in four separate payments. In October 2022, Macrina was convicted at trial of conspiracy and federal program bribery. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge James Dorsey of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Atlanta Field Office and IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorney Jolee Porter of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan P. Kitchens for the Northern District of Georgia prosecuted the case.


title: Defendant in Case that Led to the One of the Largest Fentanyl Seizures In the Northern District of Oklahoma Pleads Guilty

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: A man whose illicit drug operation resulted in one of the largest fentanyl seizures in the Northern District of Oklahoma pleaded guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. Raul Plata-Cibrian, 25, a Mexican National illegally residing in United States, pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute . “In the last year, the illicit sale of deadly fentanyl has dramatically increased in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Drug traffickers are pushing this poison in our communities without regard to the human toll it exacts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to target individuals, from high-level fentanyl traffickers to street level dealers, and hold them accountable for spreading addiction and causing death throughout northeastern Oklahoma.” “Fentanyl and other illicit drugs are not victimless crimes,” said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin. “They have always been an overwhelming contributor to today’s problems to include homelessness, property crimes, and violent crimes. Drugs are the one constant present in crime, and it is overlooked and accepted by many. The Tulsa Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office, and the DEA will continue to focus our efforts on the root cause of crime.” “This guilty plea sends a message to drug traffickers that those who endanger innocent lives by pushing fentanyl will not be tolerated,” said Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division, who oversees operations in Oklahoma. “Drugs and those who distribute these poisons have no place in our neighborhoods. The DEA will never waver in our resolve to identify and hold those responsible for their actions.” Investigators with the Tula Police Department began tracking Plata-Cibrian in July 2022. They noted that Plata-Cibrain would drive to various parking lots throughout Tulsa in a matter of hours and that he would repeat the driving behavior daily. Investigators knew the defendant’s behavior to be indicative of drug trafficking and eventually executed a search warrant of the trafficker’s residence on Aug. 2, 2022. During the search, officers located approximately 3,530 grams of fentanyl powder, 1,343 grams of fentanyl pills, 2,732 grams of methamphetamine, 498 grams of cocaine, and 146 grams of black tar heroin. They further located six cellphones, digital scales, a .380 caliber pistol, associated ammunition, and almost $7,000 in cash. Plata-Cibrian is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and will be sentenced at a later date. The Tulsa Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick is prosecuting the case.


title: Former New Jersey Resident Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl Analogue

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: A former New Jersey resident was sentenced on Feb. 23, 2023, to two years in prison for conspiring to distribute a fentanyl analogue. Darryl Hinkson, 47, formerly of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi on July 20, 2021, to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue.