title: Two Inland Empire Men Indicted for Alleged Marijuana Dispensary Robbery in Which Firearm Barrel Was Pressed Against Victim’s Head

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: RIVERSIDE, California – Two Inland Empire men were indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly robbing of a San Bernardino marijuana dispensary at gunpoint, a crime in which one of them pressed the barrel of his pistol to the head of a store employee lying face down on the floor. Tyrie Ravon Contreras, 32, of Barstow, and Kenyon Lamonte Watson, 19, of Perris, are charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and one count of using of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Contreras also is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. “We must send a message of zero-tolerance for violent gun crime,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Under federal law, we have powerful tools to hold accountable those who use firearms to rob businesses and my office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring gun criminals to justice.” According to the four-count indictment returned today and other court documents, on August 9, three masked suspects robbed a marijuana dispensary in San Bernardino. Contreras and an accomplice – both armed – entered the store’s main showroom and ordered three employees behind the counter to the ground. Contreras then climbed over a glass display case and pressed the barrel of his pistol to the head of one of the employees, who at that point was lying on the floor with her face down. While inside the store, Contreras, Watson, and an accomplice stole cannabis, marijuana products, and approximately $500 in cash, all belonging to the store. The robbers then fled the dispensary, loading the store’s safe and stolen merchandise into the back seat of Watson’s white BMW sports sedan. Two weeks later, police arrested Contreras following a home invasion robbery and lengthy vehicle pursuit, which ended with Contreras crashing the victim’s stolen vehicle, according to court documents. Contreras fled on foot and tossed a backpack before being apprehended. Police found a .40-caliber firearm in the backpack. Both the firearm and the backpack matched those on surveillance video in Contreras’ possession during the August 9 dispensary robbery, as did the trousers Contreras wore during the robbery. Contreras is in state custody. Contreras is not legally permitted to possess a firearm because his criminal history includes several felony convictions, including one in San Bernardino County Superior Court in June 2018 for second-degree robbery. Watson was arrested on September 12 and was ordered jailed without bond. Watson’s arraignment is scheduled for October 1 in U.S. District Court in Riverside. An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Bernardino Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Peter H. Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.


title: New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $450,000 in Veterans Disability Funds

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A New Bedford man pleaded guilty today to stealing over $450,000 in disability benefits issued by the United States Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) intended for a 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps who was suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Joseph Smith, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government benefits and one count of conspiracy to steal government benefits before U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 15, 2025. Smith was charged in June 2024. Shortly after the victim’s ALS diagnosis in August 2015, the VBA approved the victim’s application for disability benefits and awarded him approximately $8,318 in monthly payments. The VBA began issuing payments in September 2015 via monthly checks mailed to the victim’s former residence in New Bedford, where he had resided with Smith’s relative. Between approximately 2015 and 2020, while the victim was hospitalized for ALS, Smith and others received monthly VBA disability checks intended for the victim and deposited those checks into bank accounts they controlled. Smith first deposited the disability checks into a bank account in his own name and then began depositing the checks into a bank account that he and others fraudulently opened in the name of victim. Shortly after depositing the disability checks, Smith withdrew the funds in cash and used the money for personal expenses. In total, between in or around 2015 and 2020, Smith and others stole more than $450,000 in VBA disability benefits intended for the victim. “This defendant’s craven actions represent a gross betrayal of our nation’s veterans and the sacrifices they make to keep our country free and safe. Stealing from a Marine Corps veteran who bravely served for 20 years and was literally fighting for his life as he battled a devastating illness is about as low as it gets and it is a crime,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have worn the uniform. Stealing from them is simply immoral.” “Today's guilty plea underscores our commitment to investigating and holding accountable those involved in fraudulent activities, especially those who target our veterans,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Boston Division. “This investigation showcases the results that postal inspectors strive to achieve in collaboration with our law enforcement partners. We remain dedicated to our mission of identifying and prosecuting those who exploit others through fraudulent schemes.” “Today’s guilty plea sends the message that the VA Office of Inspector General will work to hold accountable those individuals who would steal benefits intended for deserving veterans with disabilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their excellent work in pursuing justice in this case.” “Misusing someone’s identity and Social Security number to steal federal disability benefits is a crime and these particular offenses are deplorable,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “My office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect taxpayers’ funds from those seeking to defraud federal programs. I thank our partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work in this case.” The charge of theft of government benefits provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to steal government benefits provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, USPIS INC Larco-Ward, VA-OIG SAC Algieri and SSA-OIG Acting INC Anderson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Prineville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Drug Treatment Fraud Scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A Prineville, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for using stolen identities to submit fraudulent health care claims resulting in over $1.5 million in misappropriated funds from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Medicaid Program and filing false tax returns that failed to report earnings she received. Darla K. Byus, 55, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $2,033,315 in restitution to OHA and the IRS. “Her crimes betrayed the trust placed in this company as a substance abuse treatment provider in Oregon. We thank the state and federal investigators for their dedication and commitment to ending this scheme,” said Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices. “Business owners who abuse the system to line their pockets at the expense of our communities will be held accountable.” “HHS-OIG is committed to protecting Oregon communities and taxpayer funds from schemes targeting Oregon’s Medicaid program, which provides necessary services to vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG values our continued partnership with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and other law enforcement partners and will continue to investigate those who threaten the integrity of federal and state health care programs and the people served by them.” “I am pleased that the joint investigation between our Medicaid Fraud Unit at Oregon DOJ and five federal agencies turned up the evidence needed for the United States Attorney to successfully prosecute this complex case. Oregon’s Medicaid program will get back over a million dollars it is rightfully owed, and those who try to defraud Oregonians and undermine our social safety net programs should be on notice— they will be caught and prosecuted,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. According to court documents, from January 2019 to August 2021, Byus used her company, Choices Recover Services (CRS), to overbill the OHA Medicaid Program for substance abuse counseling services and to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims using the stolen identities of Medicaid recipients. As an OHA Medicaid Provider for drug and alcohol related counseling services, CRS had access to a provider portal through the Medicaid Management Information System. Byus exploited this access to privileged information to determine a victim’s Medicaid eligibility. She then used their personally identifiable information to submit claims without the victim’s knowledge or authorization. Byus used the stolen identities more than 45 victims, at least a third of which were identified by searching jail roster websites for recent drug or alcohol related offenses. Using CRS, Byus submitted over $3 million in false claims to the OHA Medicaid Program and received over $1.5 million in fraudulent proceeds. She used the misappropriated funds to purchase multiple properties in Oregon and to gamble. In addition, Byus knowingly filed false tax returns for herself and CRS, failing to pay approximately $450,438 in taxes. On May 13, 2024, Byus was charged by criminal information with heath care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false tax return and, on June 20, 2024, she pleaded guilty. This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, and the Oregon Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. It was prosecuted by Joseph H. Huynh and Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Over $500,000 In Retail Theft

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN JOSE – Michael O’Brien, Jr., was sentenced to 60 months in prison for crimes related to fraud, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and United States Secret Service (USSS) Special Agent in Charge Shawn M. Bradstreet. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Beth Labson Freeman, United States District Judge. On Apr. 25, 2024, O’Brien, 32, of Worcester, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. A grand jury indicted O’Brien on Aug. 3, 2023. According to court documents, from May 22, 2018 to about Oct. 23, 2018, O’Brien conspired with others to defraud the Target Corporation (Target). O’Brien, who served as the leader of the conspiracy, purchased gift cards from Target, stole the gift card codes, and then sold the codes online. After O’Brien sold the codes, he and others returned the gift cards for a full refund. O’Brien’s scheme was far reaching, affecting Target stores in California and 35 other states. O’Brien’s scheme involved thousands of gift cards resulting in the theft of at least $508,000. Judge Freeman ordered O’Brien to repay Target $508,000 in restitution. In his plea agreement, O’Brien admitted that the scheme’s intended loss was $1,077,100. In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman ordered O’Brien to serve three years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed. Assistant United States Attorneys Neal C. Hong and E. Wistar Wilson prosecuted the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by USSS and Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and USSS appreciate the assistance of Target’s Field Investigations Team.


title: Mexican National Gets 6 Years in Prison for Leading $25 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Miguel Martinez, 39, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to six years in prison for leading a $25 million fraud against the IRS, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. “Martinez sought to steal millions in taxpayer funds meant to provide services for us all,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Today’s sentence is fitting for someone who embodies such reckless disregard for the law. This office will continue our efforts to bring to justice those who would organize and lead such schemes.” “Miguel Martinez’s involvement in this complex tax scheme ultimately earned him six years in prison. IRS-CI special agents worked extremely hard day in and day out to dismantle this group of bad actors who preyed on innocent, hardworking taxpayers, and the United States government,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Mosley. “Today’s sentencing is a true reflection of the collaborative commitment between IRS-CI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect the people in our communities, uphold a fair tax system, and bring justice to light.” According to court records, from November 2019 through June 2023, Martinez led a scheme to file hundreds of fraudulent tax returns that claimed millions of dollars in refunds. Martinez used stolen identities to create fake businesses and report phony wage and withholding information for the businesses to the IRS. He then submitted hundreds of individual income tax returns to the IRS in the names of still other individuals whose identities he had also stolen, claiming that those individuals worked for the fake businesses and were owed tax refunds based on the phony wage and withholding information that had been reported. Martinez used several people to help him carry out the scheme. This included Martinez’s co‑defendant, Victor Cruz, who was a tax return preparer in Bakersfield and is alleged to have helped to file some of the fraudulent tax returns. It also included a former IRS tax examiner who gave Martinez advice on how to avoid the IRS’ fraud detection systems. In exchange, Martinez paid them thousands of dollars and took them out to lavish dinners. As a result of the scheme, the IRS paid out $2.3 million in tax refunds. When federal agents arrested Martinez and searched his three homes, he was found with $750,000 in fraudulent tax refund checks, identification cards for more than 200 individuals, and multiple firearms that he could not lawfully possess due to his illegal status in the United States. Importantly, Martinez lied to government agents when he was first interviewed in the beginning of the investigation. Martinez initially said that he had no knowledge of, or involvement in, tax preparation for others, and that he just sold gold and ran a party rental business. He also said that he did not know others who were involved in the scheme and that he did not have any relevant text messages or other evidence. Those statements, however, were later contradicted by his conviction in this case. This case is the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton and Henry Carbajal III are prosecuting the case. Victor Cruz is awaiting trial. The charges against him are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


title: Walla Walla Man Who Attempted to Flee from Police Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Yakima, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Troy Michael Hays, age 30, was sentenced for Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 72 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on January 31, 2023, Detectives with the Walla Walla Police Department (WWPD) attempted to stop Hays, who was driving a gray Acura Integra, for reckless driving. Hays sped off and was not pursued at that time. A few hours later, WWPD Detectives spotted Hays driving the same Acura Integra. Hays sped through a stop sign and turned a corner. Detectives activated their emergency lights and followed Hays’s car. When detectives turned the corner, they saw the Acura Integra several blocks ahead, speeding through a residential neighborhood. Detectives watched the Acura drive into a dead-end street and then lost sight of the vehicle. When Detectives arrived at the dead-end, they saw the Acura Integra stopped, hanging over the edge of a canal that ran perpendicular to the dead-end street. The Integra’s engine was still running; however, Hays had bailed out and fled. A short time later, WWPD located Hays in Wildwood Park, which was close where he abandoned the Acura. Back at the Acura, Detectives noticed several rounds of loose ammunition in the car and became concerned that Hays had disposed of a firearm while running from the crash scene. The following morning, WWPD and the Walla Walla Regional Drug Gun Task Force returned to the canal. There, detectives located a 9mm Glock handgun placed between two pieces of concrete about 600 feet from where the Acura Integra crashed. Further examination of the gun revealed there was no debris or dust on it, consistent with the firearm being placed in the location recently, and Hays’s DNA was confirmed to be present on the machine gun. A distribution quantity of rainbow fentanyl-laced pills were also located in the vehicle. The firearm had a “Glock switch” on it, which is a modification that attaches to the rear of a Glock handgun to convert it from semi-auto handgun to an automatic machine gun. The firearm had been reported stolen from Oregon. “Mr. Hays recklessly attempted to run from law enforcement and dispose of a firearm with an illegal machinegun conversion device,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Gun ‘switches’ convert handguns into dangerous automatic machine guns that pose a significant danger to law enforcement and our communities. Protecting the public is our top priority, and my office is working hand in hand with federal, state, and local partners to remove these devices from our streets for everyone’s safety.” “This sentence was clearly warranted,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Mr. Hays’ reckless behavior behind the wheel of a car, compounded by his possession of a machine gun, was clearly a danger to the community. Those possessing and using these illegal adapters to turn semi-automatic firearms into machine guns put themselves and the public at risk.” This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Walla Walla Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. 4:23-cr-06013-SAB


title: 10-Count Superseding Indictment Charges DuBois City Manager and Employee with Theft and Misappropriation of More Than $1.5 Million in City Funds

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A federal grand jury in Johnstown has returned a Superseding Indictment that charges two residents of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy, federal program fraud, and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The 10-count Superseding Indictment named John “Herm” Suplizio, 64, and Roberta Shaffer, 59, both of DuBois, as the defendants. The pair was initially indicted and arrested in November 2023 on conspiracy and federal program fraud charges (read the earlier news release here ). The Superseding Indictment expands the time frame of the federal program theft conspiracy in the original indictment, with allegations of an additional approximately $700,000 in theft, and also adds money laundering charges. According to the Superseding Indictment, from in and around May 2008 to in and around March 2022, Suplizio, the City Manager for DuBois, and Shaffer, the Secretary to the City of DuBois, knowingly conspired to embezzle, steal, convert, and misapply over $1.5 million owned by the city. To accomplish this theft, Suplizio and Shaffer opened bank accounts without the knowledge of the DuBois City Council or auditors, and then funneled fees intended for the city from a waste management company and two oil and gas companies into those secret accounts. Suplizio and Shaffer used the stolen money to, among other things, make large cash withdrawals, write checks to themselves and others, obtain cashier’s checks with themselves listed as payees, and make payments to Suplizio’s personal credit card. The purchases on Suplizio’s credit card included Suplizio’s vacation expenses, utility expenses for Suplizio’s residence, department store purchases, jewelry store purchases, political dinners, and other personal expenses. The Superseding Indictment alleges that many of the transactions in which Suplizio and Shaffer engaged with the proceeds of their theft were over $10,000, which constitutes money laundering under federal law. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to either five or 10 years in prison, a fine of up to either $250,000 or $500,000, or both, on each count. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer F. Carroll are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment. A Superseding Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi

component: USAO - Mississippi, Southern

body_text: Remarks as Delivered Thanks, Todd, and thanks for the warm welcome. I am very happy to be here in Mississippi. In just a few moments, Todd and I will meet with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to talk about the work that everyone is doing to keep Mississippi safe. I am grateful that I have the chance to meet with our law enforcement partners here today. You do the work, the most dangerous work, protecting people in Mississippi. You are indispensable partners for us. I am very happy to hear that the sheriff’s investigator is okay, and that the perpetrators have been arrested. Just another piece of evidence about how dangerous the work that local law enforcement does, and we are grateful for everything that you do to protect the citizens of these communities and to work with our law enforcement and our U.S. Attorney’s Office on the same mission. Thank you. I am also grateful to have the chance to recognize the extraordinary public servants of this office for their extraordinary work and their extraordinary hard work. This U.S. Attorney’s Office is the face of the Justice Department here in the Southern District of Mississippi. When people in this District look to see what the Justice Department stands for, they look to this U.S. Attorney’s Office. I have been consistently impressed with the work that you guys do. That work, and the work of our state and local law enforcement partners, is making a difference. Three-and-a-half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime. That strategy is rooted in exactly the kinds of partnerships we see around this table. Today, we are seeing results. Just earlier this week, the FBI released a report noting an 11.6% drop in homicides last year and one of the lowest violent crime rates nationwide in 50 years. And newly released data indicates that this trend is continuing. Earlier this month, the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Reduction Steering Committee announced data from across 88 cities that indicates that violent crime has continued to decline considerably in 2024. That included a further 16.9% drop in homicides. But we know that progress in many communities is still uneven. And, of course, there is no acceptable level of violent crime. That is why the Justice Department is continuing to work with our partners here in Mississippi and across the country to combat violent crime, and drug trafficking, and gun trafficking. Last month, working with the DEA, this office secured a guilty plea from a member of a drug-trafficking organization in California that sent packages of narcotics to Mississippi. During the investigation, we seized more than 5,700 grams of methamphetamine, 236 grams of fentanyl, and 84 grams of cocaine. In July – following a joint operation with ATF, DEA, and other federal agencies – this office secured guilty pleas from five men who participated in a scheme to purchase firearms, machinegun conversion devices, and explosives for delivery to Mexico. Three of the men sought to barter the weapons in exchange for cocaine. In March – working with the ATF and the Clinton Police Department – this office secured a 10-year sentence for a man who illegally possessed a firearm and fired a weapon at a law enforcement officer during a high-speed chase in Jackson. As we work together to reduce violent crime, we know that building and maintaining public trust is essential to public safety. That is why the Justice Department has taken action when that trust has been violated. Earlier this year, the Department worked to secure [10 to 40-year] sentences against six law enforcement officers in Rankin County who violated the civil rights of Black men. The officers kicked in the door of a home where the men were residing; handcuffed and arrested them without probable cause; called them racial slurs; and punched, kicked, tased, and assaulted them. After one of the officers fired his gun in the mouth of a victim, the group went outside to come up with a cover story. Those actions were a betrayal of the community the officers were sworn to protect, a betrayal of their profession, and a betrayal of their fellow officers. To help the community rebuild trust, the Justice Department launched a civil pattern or practice investigation to examine allegations that the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department systematically violates people’s constitutional rights. We are committed to working with local officials, deputies, and the community to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The Justice Department is also committed to providing resources necessary to support public safety here in Mississippi. Earlier this year, the Justice Department added Jackson to its Violent Crime Initiative. That initiative surges law enforcement tools and resources to target gangs and other violent groups that threaten our communities. In particular, it directs prosecutors from the Justice Department’s headquarters Criminal Division to partner with our prosecutors here on the ground in Jackson to target the individuals who are most responsible for the violence. In addition to using our investigative and prosecutorial resources, we are also committed to using our grantmaking capabilities to invest in public safety. For example, today, the Justice Department awarded nearly $300,000 to enhance the City of Jackson’s forensic science capabilities. We also awarded nearly $900,000 under our Coordinated Tribal Assistance Program, which funds Tribes’ efforts to develop comprehensive and coordinated approaches to public safety. These grants are part of the more than $29 million that the Justice Department is awarding to organizations and government agencies in Mississippi this month to support law enforcement activities and community initiatives. These funds will, among other things, help law enforcement agencies in Mississippi hire more officers, prevent and combat violent crime and drug trafficking, and improve services for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other crimes. We remain committed to providing our law enforcement and community partners with the resources they need to protect their communities. The examples I have shared today are just a snapshot of the extraordinary work that this office is doing every day to protect people in the District, and to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to ensure the rule of law, to keep our communities safe, and to protect civil rights. I am very proud of the public servants who make up this office. And I am equally proud of the relationships that they have built with the law enforcement agencies around this table. Those partnerships are the essence of the way in which we combat violent crime and protect our communities. I thank you. I am looking forward to our meeting now.


title: 16 defendants guilty in narcotics, firearms conspiracies

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – The leader of a drug trafficking organization pleaded guilty in federal court. He was the final of 16 individuals who have agreed to plead guilty in a narcotics and firearms conspiracies case. Ryan Haskamp, 36, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins to conspiring to distribute controlled substances, conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. A federal grand jury indicted all 16 defendants in July 2021, charging the defendants in a firearms conspiracy and in a narcotics conspiracy involving 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine and 10 grams or more of LSD, as well as detectable amounts of MDMA, DMT, marijuana and ketamine. In total, as part of this case, law enforcement seized 11 firearms and more than one kilogram of methamphetamine, more than 200 pounds of DMT, more than five kilograms of marijuana, more than 15 kilograms of hashish and hashish oil, more than one kilogram of MDMA, more than 19,000 dose units of LSD, fentanyl, cocaine, and other synthetic and counterfeit drugs. The case originated with two individuals involved in an Aug. 7, 2020, police chase through Cincinnati that resulted in the deaths of two bystanders in Newport, Kentucky. Mason Meyer, 32, and Kirsten Johnson, 26, both of Cincinnati, were charged federally in August 2020. Ongoing investigation led to the additional 14 defendants and charges. According to court documents, officials with the ATF, Cincinnati Police and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force were surveilling Meyer in Cincinnati on Aug. 7, 2020, when Meyer drove away. Cincinnati Police officers attempted to stop Meyer when he fled, causing a police chase through Cincinnati and into Covington and Newport, Kentucky. Local court documents detail that Meyer’s vehicle struck and killed a couple dining on the patio of Press on Monmouth in Newport, Kentucky. Two other pedestrians were struck and suffered minor injuries. At the time of the chase, Meyer and Johnson possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, two loaded handguns and a loaded rifle. Additional investigation tied Meyer and Johnson to Haskamp’s drug trafficking organization. Haskamp was Meyer’s source of supply of methamphetamine. Haskamp used at least five Cincinnati residences as stash houses to store and sell drugs. He also had others rent Airbnb locations and hotel rooms to further his drug trafficking. Haskamp had packages of drugs delivered to the Airbnb rental properties. Haskamp supplied drugs for redistribution in Cincinnati and Dayton via numerous co-defendants. Haskamp faces a potential sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison. Others convicted in this case include: Name Age City of Residence William Keith Jenkins 37 Cincinnati Michael Alden Mobley 42 Ghent, Ky. Michael Tyler Boeh 35 Cincinnati Victoria Stauffer 30 Cincinnati Quincy Pemberton 33 Cincinnati Damon Gene Wade 31 California, Ky. Kelly Marie Smart 35 Cincinnati Kevin Patrick Thiery 44 Cincinnati Crystal Randall 37 Cincinnati Rory Hartmann 30 Cincinnati Julie Renae Wetzel 34 Cincinnati Ashley Long 30 Cincinnati Haley Pennington 26 Moraine, Ohio Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge and agencies with the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force and Drug Abuse Reduction Task Force (DART) announced the convictions. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Previously convicted felon sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for fentanyl, firearms

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man who illegally possessed kilograms of narcotics and multiple loaded firearms in the same residence as six young children was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 135 months in prison. Shedrick Hawkins, 33, possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and illegally possessed firearms as a previously convicted felon. According to court documents, in April and May 2023, investigators learned Hawkins was the source of supply for many undercover drug transactions they had conducted. In June 2023, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Hawkins’s residence, where six children ranging from infancy to 9 years old were present. At the residence, investigators discovered nearly one kilogram of fentanyl, more than 1.7 kilograms of cocaine and four firearms. One of the firearms had a sear installed, which makes the firearm capable of acting as a fully automatic weapon. Investigators also discovered nearly $18,000 in cash, five cell phones and multiple rounds of ammunition in the residence. Hawkins was charged federally in June 2023 and pleaded guilty in May 2024. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced the sentence imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Heidy T. Carr of the Columbus City Attorney’s Office are representing the United States in this case. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. # # #


title: Jamestown man pleads guilty to his role in drug conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Charles Lawson a/k/a Charley Marley, 34, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey E. Intravatola and Evan K. Glaberson, who are handling the case, stated that between January and March 2020, Lawson conspired with others to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. Lawson was a close associate of Rocco Beardsley and actively assisted Beardsley’s drug trafficking activities. Lawson used Facebook to advertise and sell Beardsley’s heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and he received narcotics for personal use from Beardsley as compensation for his services. On January 23, 2020, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Beardsley and Lawson participated in the purchase. Beardsley was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF . The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino, III, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. # # # #


title: Niagara Falls woman pleads guilty to fentanyl charge involving overdose death

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ranique Davis, 31, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl, was sentenced to time served and three years’ probation by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that on April 22, 2021, the Lockport Police and Fire Departments responded to a 911 call at a South Street residence and found Davis’s mother and stepfather, both unconscious and unresponsive. and suffering from fentanyl overdoses. Davis’s stepfather was revived with Narcan and survived. First responders attempted lifesaving treatment on Davis’s mother, but she could not be revived and was pronounced deceased. The cause of death was determined to be acute fentanyl intoxication. Earlier in the evening, Davis communicated with her stepfather by cell phone and agreed to provide blue Percocet pills. After exchanging messages, Davis and two co-conspirators drove to the South Street residence and sold Davis’s stepfather four fake Percocet pills from the conspirators, which were shared with Davis’s mother. The fake Percocet pills contained fentanyl. A short time later, Davis’s stepfather and mother ingested the pills and both lost consciousness. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, and the Lockport Police department, under the direction of Chief Steven Abbott.


title: North Providence Man Detained on Federal Child Pornography Production Charge

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE, RI – A North Providence man has been charged in federal court and ordered detained following an investigation by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force for the alleged production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Larry W. Albino, 50, was ordered detained following his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Monday on federal charges for production of child pornography. According to charging documents, on September 16, 2024, a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the ICAC Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an IP address, later determined by the Detective to belong to Albino’s residence, was used to upload ten files depicting the abuse of a pre-pubescent child. Further investigation revealed that that the location where the videos were recorded matched images of rooms recently displayed in an online property rental listing where Albino resides. As related in court documents and information presented to the court, on September 17, 2024, members of the ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Albino’s residence and, it is alleged, immediately recognized that some of the furnishings of rooms inside Albino’s residence matched those depicted in the videos of child sexual abuse, and that sandals worn by the defendant at the time officers arrived matched those allegedly worn by the abuser in some of the videos. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams. The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc ###


title: U.S. Attorney Thompson and Law Enforcement Partners to Announce Major Development in Operation Smoke & Mirrors Case

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson will hold a press conference with law enforcement partners today, Tuesday September 24, at 3:30 p.m. to announce a major development in the Operation Smoke and Mirrors drug trafficking case. Dubbed Operation Smoke and Mirrors, this major drug trafficking investigation resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history. WHO: U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and law enforcement partners WHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Fifth floor, Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse, Charleston A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. ###


title: Adam G. Brief Appointed as Acting U.S. Trustee for Northern Illinois and Wisconsin

component: U.S. Trustee Program

body_text: Adam G. Brief has been appointed by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland as the Acting U.S. Trustee for Northern Illinois and Wisconsin (Region 11) effective Sept. 28, the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees announced today. Brief replaces Patrick S. Layng, who is retiring after 36 years of dedicated service to the Justice Department, including the last 14 years as the U.S. Trustee in Region 11. Under 28 U.S.C. § 585(a), the Attorney General may fill U.S. Trustee vacancies by appointing an Acting U.S. Trustee. Brief has served as the Assistant U.S. Trustee in charge of the Chicago field office since joining the U.S. Trustee Program in 2015 after 14 years in private practice. Brief’s effective coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois has contributed to several successful high-profile criminal prosecutions. In addition to being a frequent speaker at legal seminars and conferences, Brief teaches a lawyering skills course at the University of Illinois Chicago Law School. He received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Rutgers University Livingston College and his law degree from Seton Hall University. After law school, Brief was a term law clerk for Judge Stephen Stripp of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. For six years before joining the USTP, while still in private practice, he served as an investigator appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to a district ethics committee. The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders – debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust.


title: Owners of Florida Labor-Staffing Companies Make Initial Appearance on Tax and Immigration Fraud and Money Laundering Charges

component: Tax Division

body_text: Two Ukrainian nationals made their initial appearance yesterday on a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Miami charging them with crimes related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida. The two men were extradited from the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States last week. According to the superseding indictment, between August 2007 and July 2021, Oleg Oliynyk, Oleksandr Yurchyk and others owned and operated a series of labor-staffing companies in South Florida, including Paradise Choice LLC, Paradise Choice Cleaning LLC, Tropical City Services LLC and Tropical City Group LLC. The indictment alleges that the defendants, through these staffing companies, facilitated the employment in the hospitality industry of non-resident aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. In addition, Oliynyk and Yurchyk allegedly conspired to defraud the IRS by, among other things, not withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from these workers paychecks, and causing false corporate tax returns for the labor-staffing companies to be filed with the IRS. Both defendants were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to harbor non-resident aliens and induce them to remain in the country and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy to defraud the United States charge, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy to harbor aliens and induce them to remain in the United States charge and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge. Each count also carries the possibility of a fine and supervised release upon completion of any sentence of incarceration. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement. The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Oliynyk and Yurchyk. The United States also thanks the Embassy of the United States in Thailand - Regional Security Office and Thai law enforcement partners including the Royal Thai Police and Office of the Attorney General for their valuable assistance. Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Matthew C. Hicks and Wilson R. Stamm of the Tax Division and Senior Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Clark of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for the Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, Machineguns and Homemade Silencers

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – A Jaffrey man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Luke Czekalski, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 40 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On June 3, 2024, Czekalski pleaded guilty to possession of firearms which were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. “The defendant lost his right to possess firearms when he was convicted of a prior felony. Undeterred, he possessed an arsenal in his basement which included firearms, ammunition, and loaded magazines. The National Firearm Act has additional specific prohibitions regarding the possession of machine guns and silencers, which the defendant also had in his residence,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Law enforcement in the District of New Hampshire will continue to use all resources available to remove illegal weapons from the streets and out of the hands of felons.” "Illegally possessed firearms continue to pose significant challenges for law enforcement, especially with the growing threat of firearms illegally modified for fully automatic fire," said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division. "Through collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying, targeting, and removing these illegal weapons to enhance the safety of our communities and protect the public." In November 2022, New Hampshire state parole officers conducted an unannounced visit at the defendant’s residence in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The defendant was on parole following his release from custody for a prior felony conviction. While the parole officers conducted their search, they encountered several bins in the basement that contained firearms, ammunition, loaded magazines, as well as body armor and other miscellaneous items. Members of the Jaffrey Police Department then provided additional assistance, leading to the seizure of eight homemade firearms and five homemade silencers in addition to assorted ammunition. After testing, three of the firearms displayed fully automatic firing capabilities during test fires, thus making them “machineguns” under federal law. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and the Jaffrey Police Department led the investigation. The New Hampshire Department of Corrections’ Division of Field Services and New Hampshire Forensic Laboratory provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. ###


component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: U.S. Department of Justice and Hartland Consolidated School District Extend Agreement to Protect Students from Racial Harassment Today, the United States Department of Justice entered into a two-year agreement with Hartland Consolidated School District to strengthen Hartland’s ongoing response to allegations of student-on-student racial harassment. In July 2022, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan entered into a letter of resolution with Hartland to resolve an investigation into student-on-student harassment. The underlying complaint alleged that Hartland failed to address pervasive race-based harassment of black students in the district. Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 authorizes the Department of Justice to address complaints that a school is depriving students of equal protection based on race, color, and other protected characteristics. Hartland cooperated fully with the investigation. Through the July 2022 letter of resolution, Hartland voluntarily agreed to take several steps to address concerns raised during the investigation. As described in that letter, the Department of Justice reviewed Hartland’s compliance at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The Department of Justice determined that the compliance period should be extended for an additional two years to continue Hartland’s efforts. Under the new agreement, Hartland will also take additional steps during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. The extension agreement builds on Hartland’s previous efforts, adding more training for staff to identify and respond to racial harassment. Hartland also agreed to conduct age-appropriate, district-wide training programs for students, focused on preventing racial harassment and improving the school environment. Hartland further agreed to enhance its logging and response to allegations of racial harassment and to provide supportive measures to any affected students. “I applaud the measures already taken by Hartland to address student-on-student racial harassment, but more needs to be done. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Hartland to strengthen their response to racial harassment,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “We commend Hartland Consolidated School District for its willingness to improve the learning environment for all students.” “Our public schools have a duty to foster a safe and welcoming learning environment for students,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “No student should have to endure racial slurs, derogatory treatment, or threats in a school. Racial harassment undermines a student’s chance to succeed and has no place in our Nation’s schools.” The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunita Doddamani of the Civil Rights Unit of the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan was established in 2010 with the mission of prioritizing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil rights efforts, including a copy of the Extension Agreement with the Hartland Consolidated School District, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/programs/civil-rights . Civil rights complaints may be emailed to usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov or by contacting the U.S. Attorney's Office’s civil rights hotline at (313) 226-9151. The Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division leads enforcement of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Additional information about the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations to the Civil Rights Division at www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/ .


title: Florida Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking Nearly a Dozen Women and Girls

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Following a nine-day trial, a federal jury in the Southern District of Florida convicted Shannima Yuantrell Session, also known as Shalamar, 47, of Lake Placid, Florida, on 13 charges for sex trafficking nearly a dozen women and girls. Session compelled some of his victims to commit commercial sex acts between July 2011 and July 2013, and he compelled other victims to commit commercial sex acts between February 2016 and February 2019. “Vindicating the rights of human trafficking victims and other vulnerable persons ranks among the highest priorities of our office,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation. We will not allow human traffickers to prey upon others for profit, as humans are not commodities but rather demand our united protection. Our office’s dedicated prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and support personnel will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat human trafficking and bring offenders to justice.” “The defendant used despicable and horrific means to terrify and coerce nearly a dozen women and girls to engage in commercial sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting vulnerable victims from such cruel exploitation. This prosecution reflects that commitment. It is a testament to the courageous young women who cooperated with law enforcement to expose, prosecute and hold accountable this defendant for the years of misery he inflicted on scores of women.” “This verdict is a step towards justice for the nearly dozen victims who were forced by Shannima Yuantrell Session into sex trafficking and endured his reign of horrendous and abusive control,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office. “It is a testament to the cooperation and commitment of several law enforcement agencies including the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. We will continue working with these and other partners to dismantle human trafficking networks that operate in the shadows and brutalize their victims.” Evidence presented during the trial established that Session made promises of legitimate work and housing assistance to women and girls struggling with unstable living accommodations, substance abuse and neglect or who otherwise led unstable lives. Session’s promises were often false and empty, designed to provide him the opportunity to learn about a victim’s vulnerabilities while misrepresenting himself as caring and empathetic. Session then exploited the victims’ vulnerabilities to compel their commercial sex acts in squalid trailers housing migrant workers or in local orange groves. At times, Session used food and housing to control and coerce the victims. For example, he would not permit one of his victims to eat if the victim did not follow his instructions. Often, Session required his victims to engage in sexual activity with him after they had spent a night having compelled sexual intercourse with up to 18 men. Further, the evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that Session resorted to extreme physical violence to compel and intimidate certain victims. He violently punched some of the victims in the back of their heads in order not to leave marks on their bodies. Once, Session dragged a victim to a shower and beat her in the back of her head with a metal nutcracker until she fell limp to the floor. Session also choked another victim to the point that she lost consciousness, beat another victim with a baseball bat and brutalized yet another so badly that her nose ring fell out due to the force of the assault. In addition, Session took multiple victims to a nearby lake, where he held their heads underwater and threatened to drown them if they did not do as he ordered. The evidence also showed that Session used a firearm to intimidate and control his victims. He consistently kept a firearm in his possession, and frequently displayed it to victims or referred to it when talking with them. Once, Session pointed a firearm at a victim while he was driving and threatened to “kill” her after she asked him how he would feel if someone treated his daughter the way he treated her. Fearing for her life when Session stopped the car and began walking to the passenger side door, the victim jumped out of the car and ran towards nearby woods. In response, Session fired a shot into the air while he called out the victim’s name. Finally, the evidence indicated that Session manipulated and took advantage of some victims’ substance abuse problems to compel their commercial sex services. For example, Session provided victims with cocaine and methamphetamine to give them sufficient energy to engage in commercial sex acts with multiple migrant men at nearby trailers. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19. Session faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison as well as mandatory restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI Miami Field Office, Ft. Pierce Resident Agency, investigated the case, with assistance from the Highlands County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Hoover for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Leah Branch and Matthew Thiman of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit are prosecuting the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking . Court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 22-cr-14074. ###


title: Indianapolis Woman Sentenced to Over Sixteen Years in Federal Prison for Selling Child Sexual Abuse Material Using Online Chatroom

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS—Anjelica Clark, 35, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 200 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to advertising and possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, between May 21, 2022, and February 4, 2023, Clark used an adults-only chatroom website to advertise and sell child sexual abuse material. Clark uploaded more than 800 advertisements selling other users access to images and videos of child sexual abuse material in exchange payments through Venmo or CashApp. Approximately 400 of these advertisements contained images of the sexual abuse of children. Clark told some buyers that the material she had for sale included images of the sexual abuse of babies as young as seven-months-old. Law enforcement officers also located a large collection of videos and photos on Clark’s cellphone, including files depicting adult men having sex prepubescent children. “A civilized society is judged in large part by how we care for our children. This defendant demonstrated her utter disregard for children’s dignity or safety, instead working to profit from spreading depictions of their vile abuse,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Criminals who pollute the internet with these horrific videos and images of abuse will be found and held accountable. Our office will continue to use every tool and partnership we can to identify, investigate, and prosecute these dangerous predators.” The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. Clark must also register as a sex offender wherever she lives, works, and goes to school upon her release from federal prison, and has been ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. ###


title: 200s Gang Member Charged With 2019 Murder Of Innocent Bystander

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging LUIS FILPO with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder through the use of a firearm. These charges relate to FILPO’s alleged membership in a street gang known as “the 200s,” operating in and around upper Manhattan. As alleged, on January 31, 2019, FILPO and other 200s members shot and killed Roberto Vasquez, an innocent bystander who was mistaken for a gang rival. FILPO, who was in New York State custody, was transferred to federal custody yesterday and made his initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Luis Filpo murdered Roberto Vasquez after mistaking him for a gang rival. Thanks to the hard work of the prosecutors in this Office and our law enforcement partners, Filpo will finally be held to account for this heinous crime. We hope that these charges bring some measure of comfort to Mr. Vasquez’s family and make clear that this Office and our law enforcement partners will never stop investigating those who commit violence on our streets.” According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed yesterday in Manhattan federal court [1] and other court documents: From at least in or about 2016 up to and including March 2022, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, FILPO was a member of the 200s street gang. In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the 200s engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking and other acts of violence, including murder. Members of the 200s sold narcotics in the gang’s territory and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership. In particular, on January 31, 2019, FILPO shot and killed Roberto Vasquez, an innocent bystander mistaken for a rival gang member, in the vicinity of 158th Street and Broadway Avenue, in Manhattan, New York. * * * FILPO, 25, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum term of life in prison or death; and one count of causing death through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum term of life in prison or death. The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and New York City Police Department. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Andrews and Patrick Moroney are in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.


title: Court Sentences Mobile Woman to 2 Years Imprisonment for Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – On September 20, 2024, United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose sentenced Elizabeth Elaine Pemberton to 24 months imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm as a Convicted Felon. Documents filed with the Court established that on August 5, 2022, the Bayou La Batre Police Department (BLBPD) was assisting the Mobile Police Department (MPD) in the arrest of two individuals in their area that had active felony warrants, to include Pemberton. BLBPD officers attempted to stop a vehicle in which Pemberton was a passenger. This resulted in a high-speed chase which ended when the vehicle being pursued attempted to make a sharp right turn and wrecked into a ditch. Officers later located a Taurus 9mm handgun in the vehicle near where Pemberton was seated. Pemberton admitted that she was in possession of the weapon. The weapon was determined to be stolen. Pemberton also had a small amount of methamphetamine in her possession. Pemberton had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses: Burglary Third Degree, on or about July 21, 2014; Felony Obstruction of Justice, on or about July 21, 2014; and Possession of a Controlled Substance, on or about July 21, 2014. All felony convictions were prosecuted in the Circuit Court of Mobile County. The Taurus handgun was not manufactured in the state of Alabama and thus affected interstate commerce by its transportation into the state of Alabama. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the City of Mobile Police Department and the City of Bayou La Batre Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Armed Felon Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison Following Struggle With Deputy

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Richard Salino Garcia (40, Pasco County) to 8 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Garcia to forfeit a Taurus 66, .357 caliber revolver, and assorted ammunition which were used in the offense. Garcia was found guilty following a bench trial on April 29, 2024. According to court documents, on December 2, 2022, a deputy from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office encountered Garcia during a loitering and prowling investigation behind a closed business. The deputy attempted to conduct a pat down for weapons after Garcia made motions towards his waistband, but Garcia fled on foot. The deputy tackled Garcia to the ground where the two began struggling as Garcia made attempts to reach into his waistband. Citizens assisted the deputy until backup deputies arrived. Once Garcia was handcuffed, deputies removed the loaded .357 Taurus revolver from a holster on Garcia’s waist. At the time, Garcia had numerous convictions for felony offenses including fleeing to elude and felony battery. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman. This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Prairieville Man of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

component: USAO - Louisiana, Middle

body_text: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., announced the conviction of Darryl Felder, age 43, of Prairieville, Louisiana. After a three-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles, the jury unanimously convicted Felder of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. As the evidence at trial demonstrated, over an 8-day period in January 2023, Felder enticed an undercover agent whom he believed to be 15 years old, to engage in sexual activity using cell phones and the internet. As a result of his conviction, Felder now faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life. This case was investigated by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation for the Office of the Attorney General and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul L. Pugliese and Stephen Vick.


title: Leader of Gorilla Stone Mafia Gang Convicted of Two Murders on Staten Island and Drug Distribution

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Today, a federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict against John Pena, leader of the Gorilla Stone Mafia (GSM), a subgroup of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (UGSN), which is a faction of the nationwide Bloods street gang. The jury convicted Pena, also known as “Tragedy,” “Don Tragg,” “Last Don” and “Money Baggz,” on all six counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with racketeering; murder in-aid-of racketeering; causing death through use of a firearm; unlawful possession, brandishing and discharge of a firearm; being a felon in possession of ammunition; and conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and crack cocaine. Pena was convicted of murdering Mark Bajandas on March 10, 2021, and Francisco Gonzalez on June 22, 2021, on behalf of GSM. The verdict followed a seven-day trial before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. When sentenced, Pena faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Thomas G. Donlon, Interim Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict. As the evidence proved, Pena was consumed by seeking revenge against rivals and maintaining his leadership position in the Gorilla Stone Mafia gang by any means necessary,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Killing a man as he slept in bed and shooting another man with a dozen bullets are shocking examples of Pena’s ruthlessness. Today’s verdict ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison for his direct role in the extreme violence and drug trafficking wreaked on a Staten Island community.” Mr. Peace thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance. “Today’s guilty verdict is a direct result of the focused and collaborative efforts of dedicated investigators from the NYPD, FBI, and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York,” stated Interim NYPD Commissioner Donlon. “Gang activity, especially the carrying and indiscriminate shooting of illegal guns on our streets, instills fear in the daily lives of New Yorkers. It is crucial that we and our law enforcement partners continue to target and dismantle these criminal groups, and work toward preventing the violence that is so often associated with their activities.” As proven at trial, Pena committed the crimes of conviction in connection with his leadership of GSM, which operated out of the Stapleton Houses, a public housing development on Staten Island. Members of GSM use intimidation, threats of violence and acts of violence to preserve and protect GSM’s power, territory and criminal activities. They also use drug trafficking as a means of obtaining money. In the early morning hours of March 10, 2021, Pena fired multiple gunshots from close range at Mark Bajandas, also known as “Drama,” a former GSM associate and perceived rival, killing him. Bajandas, a former GSM member who had defected to the rival Bugatti set of USGN, suffered at least 12 gunshot wounds. The murder occurred after Pena and Bajandas had attended a memorial earlier in the evening to commemorate the death of Avanti Brock, a former GSM member who was murdered allegedly by Bugatti approximately one year earlier. On June 22, 2021, Pena murdered Francisco Gonzalez, a former GSM member, by shooting him three times in the head while Gonzalez was asleep in bed next to Pena’s ex-girlfriend. Law enforcement recovered writings from Pena’s jail cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center that included statements in which he took responsibility for the murders of Bajandas and Gonzalez, such as: “Kuz I Turn all my opps into ghost / Francisco I mix them N / Mark / A … shhh / Gotta chill … they don’t Know / Lately how I feel / Like the reaper / If I spot em I’m snatching his soul.” Pena also wrote about killing Gonzalez, including: “left his brains on them sheets man what was he thinkin’?,” referring to the fact that he had shot Gonzalez in the head while Gonzalez was asleep in bed. Witness testimony and evidence obtained from cell phones proved that GSM members enriched themselves by selling controlled substances in and around the Stapleton Houses and also in Vermont, and that Pena was involved in the sale and distribution of marijuana, crack cocaine and heroin. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. As part of the program, U.S. Attorney’s Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Dana Rehnquist, Andrew Roddin and Elias Laris are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Galeotti. The Defendant : JOHN PENA (also known as “Tragedy,” “Don Tragg,” “Last Don” and Money Baggz”) Age: 32 Staten Island, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 21-CR-176 (S-2) (AMD)


title: Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty After Extradition To Participating In Romance Scams And Other Fraud Schemes Targeting Elderly Victims

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ISAIAH OKERE plead guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman to charges stemming from his participation in an international conspiracy to defraud at least 15 victims of romance schemes, lottery scams, and business email compromise schemes. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Isaiah Okere and his co-conspirators preyed on elderly and vulnerable victims, some of whom lost their entire life savings. Even though he operated his scams from a country halfway around the world, this Office’s global reach ensures that he will be held accountable in the United States for his crimes.” According to Count One of the Information to which OKERE pled guilty and other statements and submissions made in Court: From at least in or about 2015 up to and including November 2019, OKERE and co-conspirator Timy Hakim conspired with members of the “Black Axe” transnational criminal organization to engage in fraudulent schemes that left at least 15 people and entities with over a million dollars in losses. OKERE facilitated the laundering of proceeds of three types of fraud schemes, a “Romance Scheme,” a “Lottery Scheme,” and a “BEC Fraud Scheme.” Through the Romance Scheme, a vulnerable individual was led to believe she or he was in a romantic online relationship with a perpetrator of the Scheme when, in fact, the perpetrator merely used this as a mechanism to build the victim’s trust and solicit the victim’s money. Through the Lottery Scheme, the scheme participants informed certain victims that they had won a cash prize but first needed to make certain payments to access the funds. Through the BEC Fraud Scheme, the scheme participants induced a corporate victim located in Manhattan to release company funds under fraudulent pretenses by impersonating the founder of the company. OKERE used accounts under false identities to communicate directly with his U.S. victims. He also controlled multiple foreign bank accounts in South Africa that received funds from victims targeted by these schemes. At least 15 individual and corporate victims lost money as part of OKERE, Hakim, and their co-conspirators’ schemes. They include vulnerable, isolated, and elderly victims who entered into relationships after the deaths of their spouses and, over a period of several years, were induced to drain their entire retirement savings and take out loans from family and friends. Many victims experienced severe emotional harm, including a woman who reported becoming suicidal after losing her retirement savings to this scheme. * * * OKERE, 42, a citizen of the Republic of Nigeria, was arrested in South Africa on the basis of a provisional arrest warrant in December 2021 and was extradited on August 23, 2024. He pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. On September 27, 2023, co-defendant Timy Hakim was sentenced to two years in prison and was ordered to pay $1,414,043 in restitution and forfeit $671,452. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, and the South African Police Service. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from South Africa. The criminal case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vladislav Vainberg is in charge of the prosecution.


body_text: Ukrainian Nationals Extradited from Thailand MIAMI - Two Ukrainian nationals made their initial appearance yesterday on a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Miami charging them with crimes related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida. The two men were extradited from the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States last week. According to the superseding indictment, between August 2007 and July 2021, Oleg Oliynyk, Oleksandr Yurchyk and others owned and operated a series of labor-staffing companies in South Florida, including Paradise Choice LLC, Paradise Choice Cleaning LLC, Tropical City Services LLC and Tropical City Group LLC. The indictment alleges that the defendants, through these staffing companies, facilitated the employment in the hospitality industry of non-resident aliens who were not authorized to work in the United States. In addition, Oliynyk and Yurchyk allegedly conspired to defraud the IRS by, among other things, not withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from these workers paychecks, and causing false corporate tax returns for the labor-staffing companies to be filed with the IRS. Both defendants were charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to harbor non-resident aliens and induce them to remain in the country and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy to defraud the United States charge, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy to harbor aliens and induce them to remain in the United States charge and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the money laundering conspiracy charge. Each count also carries the possibility of a fine and supervised release upon completion of any sentence of incarceration. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Oliynyk and Yurchyk. The United States also thanks the Embassy of the United States in Thailand - Regional Security Office and Thai law enforcement partners including the Royal Thai Police and Office of the Attorney General for their valuable assistance. Senior Litigation Counsel Christopher J. Clark for the Southern District of Florida and Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Matthew C. Hicks and Wilson R. Stamm of the Tax Division and are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-cr-10009. ###


title: Labelle Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug And Firearms Offenses

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Joshua Leon Tyree (39, Labelle) has pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Tyree faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Tyree has also agreed to forfeit the firearms and ammunition used to facilitate the offenses. According to court documents, deputies from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Tyree’s residence and located, among other drugs, nearly one pound of methamphetamine for distribution, and 24 assorted rifles and handguns. Tyree told deputies that the items located in his residence belonged to him. This case was investigated by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make out neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Box Elder man admits assaulting woman with knife on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: GREAT FALLS — A Box Elder man on Monday admitted to assaulting a woman by cutting her face with a knife during an argument on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. The defendant, Colten Tyrone Small, also known as Colton Swan, 24, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Small faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on each charge. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 29, 2025. Small was detained pending further proceedings. In court documents, the government alleged that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2023, Small punched the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in the face while he held a butcher knife in a residence in Box Elder, on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. A witness to the assault told law enforcement that Small sliced Doe’s face in the residence. Small and Doe argued, and the fight got more aggressive. After Small cut Doe’s face, the witness beat up Small. There was some fentanyl and alcohol use occurring at the time. Doe was treated for facial injuries from the knife at Northern Montana Hospital. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement investigated the case. XXX


title: Missoula man sentenced to five years in prison for receiving child pornography

body_text: MISSOULA — A Missoula man who admitted to receiving and storing thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse material from the internet was sentenced today to five years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said. The defendant, Bryan Michael Balog, 31, pleaded guilty in May to receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also ordered $39,000 restitution to 13 victims. In court documents, the government alleged that in September 2022, Dropbox reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that a Dropbox user had uploaded images of child sexual abuse materials to its server. The Missoula Police Department investigated and determined that the Dropbox account belonged to Balog. Images in Balog’s account included children as young as babies engaged in sexually explicit conduct. A Missoula Police detective executed a search warrant at Balog’s home and spoke with Balog, who admitted he had been “saving” images and videos of child pornography from the internet since 2011. Electronic devices seized from Balog’s home contained thousands of images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Missoula Police Department, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and FBI conducted the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . XXX


title: “Operation Sonic Boom” Targeting Violent Crime in Oklahoma City Results In 50 Defendants Charged With Firearms And Drug Offenses

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: Law Enforcement Seize 193 Firearms, including 83 Machinegun Conversion Devices, Two 3-D Printers, and More Than 63 Kilograms of Drugs OKLAHOMA CITY – Following a two-month targeted initiative called “Operation Sonic Boom” to reduce violent crime in Oklahoma City, 50 individuals have been charged in federal and state court with various firearms and drug offenses. Today’s announcement was made by Robert J. Troester, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, and Jeff Boshek, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (ATF), who led the investigation. Other critical partners in this operation include: Vicki Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney, Ron Bacy, Chief, Oklahoma City Police Department, Johnny Kuhlman, United States Marshal, Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Field Division, Tim Tipton, Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Donnie Anderson, Director, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs, and Keith Brown, Executive Director, Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Federal Defendants : Forty-two defendants have been charged in federal court, some together, while others were charged individually. Offenses with which individuals have been charged include illegal firearms trafficking, unlawful possession and transfer of machineguns, unlawful possession of firearms, making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, using a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. The names, specific charges, and potential sentences of these federal defendants, if convicted, are in the attached chart. Reference is made to public records, including related, recently unsealed federal Indictments, for additional information. State Defendants : Eight defendants have been charged in Oklahoma County District Court. Offenses with which they have been charged include aggravated trafficking of fentanyl, trafficking of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm after juvenile adjudication. The names, specific charges, and potential sentences of these state court defendants, if convicted, are in the attached chart. Reference is made to public records for additional information. Seizures : In addition to charging 50 defendants, law enforcement recovered the following items: 193 firearms, including: 81 Pistols 4 Revolvers 10 Rifles 6 Shotguns 9 Machineguns, and 83 Machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), including 30 partially completed MCDs Two 3-D printers (used to print MCDs) More than 63 kilograms of drugs, with an approximate street value of nearly $750,000, including: 53 kilograms of methamphetamine 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl 5.2 kilograms of cocaine, and 3.8 kilograms of marijuana Please note that these numbers are the collective recoveries over the course of Operation Sonic Boom and are not attributable to each individual defendant. MCDs, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears,” unlawfully convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons (i.e., machineguns). The possession, manufacturing, and sale of MCDs violates federal law as illegal possession of a machinegun. Those charged with MCD-related offenses face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. “There is no doubt that Operation Sonic Boom has had a resounding impact to make Oklahoma City safer,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “This Operation alone removes from our streets nearly 200 dangerous firearms and machineguns, and over 63 kilos of deadly drugs. I commend ATF’s leadership with this effort and our law enforcement partners who worked together to make Operation Sonic Boom successful.” “Early mornings, late nights, time away from family, dangerous situations are all worth it for law enforcement officers when the outcome is life changing for the citizens and communities they protect. The streets of Oklahoma City are forever altered due to the excellent work by the United States Attorney’s Office, ATF, and our law enforcement partners during Operation Sonic Boom,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “Operations like this highlight the importance of authentic relationships between law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe. ATF will remain vigilant and steadfast in our fight against violent crime in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas and will continue to pursue the worst of the worst lawbreakers living amongst us.” “We appreciate the efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement officials during this months-long operation,” said Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Zemp Behenna. “The invaluable work they did to get these guns and drugs off the streets and out of hands of dangerous felons will ultimately keep our city and citizens safer.” “This operation demonstrates the positive outcomes that can occur when law enforcement agencies work together to address a specific problem,” said Oklahoma City Police Chief Ron Bacy. “The partnership we have with these agencies help dismantle the networks that fuel violence by taking dangerous criminals, drugs, and firearms off the streets making our community a safer place.” Operation Sonic Boom was funded by the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is made up of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in North Texas and Oklahoma. HIDTA fosters and supports intra-agency cooperation strategies to target the region's drug-related and violent crime threats to public safety by using funding provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, out of the Executive Office of the President of the United States. This Operation is the result of collaboration and partnership among ATF, Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs, and the Texoma HIDTA. The public is reminded these charges are merely allegations, and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendant lists attached below: Federal Defendants State Defendants