title: Arnold Man And Former Department Of Defense Deputy Chief Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Engage In Dogfighting And Interstate Travel In Aid Of Racketeering

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., age 63, of Arnold, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office- Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service – Mid-Atlantic Field Office; U.S. Marshal for Maryland Clinton Fuchs; and Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal E. Awad. According to the guilty plea, federal agents began investigating Moorefield’s connections to dogfighting after officers from Anne Arundel County Animal Control responded to a report of two dead dogs found in a plastic dog food bag in Annapolis, Maryland in November 2018. Investigators found mail addressed to Moorefield inside the bag, and a necropsy determined that the dogs bore wounds and scarring patterns consistent with their having been used in dogfighting. Moorefield was affiliated with a dogfighting enterprise known as the “DMV Board,” which operated in and around Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Numerous other members of the DMV Board have been convicted on dogfighting charges in the Eastern District of Virginia. Moorefield operated under the kennel name “Geehad Kennels” and used his home in Arnold, Maryland to keep, train, and breed dogs for dogfighting for over 20 years. A review of Moorefield’s phone and iCloud account showed numerous message exchanges regarding dogfighting with other members of the DMV Board. In addition to arranging fights and wagers, Moorefield and other members of the DMV Board discussed the breeding and training of fighting dogs, procuring supplies for the maintenance and feeding of fighting dogs, and criminal investigations and prosecutions of dogfighters. In some exchanges, Moorefield and others discussed the indictments of DMV Board members and speculated about the identity of a “snitch” in the group. Moorefield’s messages also contained several exchanges arranging—or “hooking”—dogfights. In these conversations, Moorefield would “call out a weight” by identifying the weight and sex of the dog he wanted to sponsor in a fight. Other dogfighters would then propose a fight against their own dogs or match Moorefield with another of their contacts who had a dog in the same weight class. The dogfighters would then agree on wagers and set a date for the fight, usually six to eight weeks after the match was made. In addition to stating the amount to be paid to the winner of the fight, dogfighters agreed on forfeit—or “fit”—payments to be made in the event that a dogfighter backed out of the fight before it was scheduled to take place. After hooking a fight, Moorefield trained his dogs in a process known as a “keep.” Moorefield’s typical keep schedule for a dog involved physical training (using treadmills, weighted collars, and other accessories), a diet plan, and the use of steroids. Moorefield obtained steroids and other veterinary drugs through various contacts in his dogfighting network, not through legitimate veterinary prescriptions. When Moorefield sponsored a dog in a fight, the fight ended only when a dog died or when the owner forfeited the match—either through the dog “quitting” the fight or the owner “picking up” the dog. In the event that one of Moorefield’s dogs lost a fight but did not die, Moorefield killed that dog. One method of killing employed by Moorefield involved the use of a device consisting of jumper cables connected directly to an ordinary plug. Moorefield plugged the device into a wall socket and attached the cables to the dog, electrocuting it. Between January 2019 and October 2023, Moorefield sent and received monetary payments through CashApp related to his participation in dogfighting. In some instances, transactions were given misleading labels in order to disguise the true nature of the transferred money, such as a transaction in which Moorefield received $1,000 labeled as a “housewarming gift” from a known dogfighter in 2022, even though Moorefield has lived at the same address for over two decades. When agents searched Moorefield’s residence on September 6, 2023, they recovered five pitbull-type dogs from large metal cages in a windowless room of Moorefield’s basement. Agents also found several containers of animal medication, dog food, and protein powder in the same room, as well as the jumper-cable device referenced above, which Moorefield used to kill dogs that were no longer fit for use in dogfighting. Agents seized a large piece of folded-up carpet from a shed on the property, and this carpet appeared to be stained in several places with blood. Moorefield used the carpet as the floor of an arena to stage dogfights or “rolls” (brief test fights between dogs to evaluate the dogs’ fighting ability). When interviewed by agents, Moorefield stated that he had only recently obtained—within the past week—four of the five dogs found on the property. The dog that Moorefield did not obtain recently was diagnosed as exhibiting calloused skin and an old injury, in addition to being infested with fleas. That dog had to be humanely euthanized after exhibiting extreme aggression toward both human caretakers and other dogs. Moorefield bred and/or trained all five dogs recovered from his property for the purposes of sponsoring them in dogfights. At the time Moorefield was charged in this case, he was the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, and Communications for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Moorefield faces a maximum of five years in prison for conspiring to engage in an animal fighting conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Animal Control, and thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Levin and Darryl Tarver, who are prosecuting the federal case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Hollywood Hills Man Who Operated Orange County Drug Treatment Facilities Found Guilty of Paying Nearly $2.9 Million in Kickbacks

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – A federal jury has found a Hollywood Hills man guilty of nearly a dozen felonies for paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals to his addiction treatment facilities located in Orange County, the Justice Department announced today. Casey Mahoney, 48, was found guilty on Wednesday of one count of conspiracy to solicit, receive, pay, or offer illegal remunerations for patient referrals, seven counts of illegal remunerations for patient referrals, and three counts of money laundering. According to evidence presented at a nine-day trial, from at least October 2018 to December 2020, Mahoney paid nearly $2.9 million in illegal kickbacks to so-called “body brokers” who referred patients to Mahoney’s addiction treatment facilities, the Huntington Beach-based Healing Path Detox LLC, and the San Juan Capistrano-based Get Real Recovery Inc. Those body brokers in turn paid thousands of dollars in cash to patients, which some patients used to purchase drugs, to induce those patients to attend treatment at Mahoney’s facilities. Mahoney concealed the illegal kickbacks by entering into sham contracts with the body brokers which purportedly required fixed payments and prohibited payments based off of the volume or value of the patient referrals. In reality, Mahoney and the brokers negotiated payments based on the patients’ insurance reimbursements and the number of days Mahoney was able to bill for treatment. Mahoney also laundered the proceeds of the conspiracy through payments to the mother of one of the body brokers, which Mahoney falsely characterized as consulting fees. The jury also found Mahoney not guilty of one count of aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax document. United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton scheduled a January 17, 2025, sentencing hearing, at which time Mahoney will face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 10 years in prison on each illegal remuneration count, and up to 20 years in prison on each money laundering count. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter. The California Department of Insurance provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Nandor Kiss of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Justice Department Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting this case. Mahoney’s conviction arose out of violations of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA). EKRA was enacted in October 2018 as part of comprehensive legislation designed to address the opioid crisis in order to target the rise in body brokering and substance abuse facility profiteering. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24.7 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit .


title: South Yarmouth Resident Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of Firearm Charge

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A South Yarmouth man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court for possessing a firearm. Defendant barricaded himself in basement following domestic disturbance. Michael Giampapa, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 18, 2024. On March 16, 2022, local police responded to a call reporting a domestic disturbance at a residence in South Yarmouth involving Giampapa and a family member. Giampapa was barricaded in the basement when police arrived. He spoke by phone with a family member and during that call, stated he has a gun. After a standoff with law enforcement, Giampapa eventually exited the residence and was arrested. Following a search of the residence where Giampapa was staying a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard loaded .380 handgun was recovered inside a cereal box that was on top of open shelving in the basement. Giampapa had previously been convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. The firearm charge provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a period of three years of supervised release as well as a $250,000 fine. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Chief Kevin Lennon of the Yarmouth Police Department made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit. 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 gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN . This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian .


title: Glynn County man sentenced to federal prison for distributing sexually exploitive photos of children

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: BRUNSWICK, GA: A Glynn County man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to distributing images of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Thomas Webster, 62, of St. Simons Island, Ga., was sentenced to 76 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Webster to pay financial penalties and restitution of $80,300, to register as a sex offender, and serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “Images of child sexual abuse are lasting reminders of the abuse suffered by each victim, and those who distribute these images perpetuate the victimization,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Thanks to the diligence of our law enforcement partners, Thomas Webster will no longer share these harmful images and is being held accountable for his crimes.” As described in court documents and testimony, in February 2021, a CyberTip reporting the distribution of child sexual abuse material was shared with the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The information identified images that were shared from a Glynn County address through Twitter, now known as X. The Glynn County Police Department and the FBI determined Webster operated the account that shared the child sexual abuse images, and during a search of his St. Simons residence investigators seized multiple electronic devices storing more than 1,000 images of child pornography. Webster was arrested shortly after his indictment on federal charges in October 2023, and pled guilty to one count of Distribution of Child Pornography in April. “Webster will spend the next six years of his life in prison, which should send a strong message to anyone who even contemplates distributing images of innocent children,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to working collectively to prosecute child predators.” The case was investigated by the FBI, the GBI, and the Glynn County Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Alexander Hamner. Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/ .


title: Philadelphia Woman Charged With Stealing Social Security Disability Benefits of Homicide Victim Found Buried Under Rowhome Basement

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Holly Sadowski, 37, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment on charges of Social Security fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, for concealing the death of a woman, referred to as E.W., to steal her Social Security Administration (“SSA”) disability benefits totaling approximately $99,447.90. The indictment alleges that the deceased woman’s remains were found buried beneath approximately six to eight feet of concrete in the basement of a Philadelphia home in which she had resided. According to the indictment, the last time E.W. was seen alive was on or about December 12, 2012. During her lifetime, E.W. received Disability Insurance Benefits from the SSA, due to an intellectual disorder. The indictment further alleges that a DNA analysis of the human remains recovered from the concrete basement concluded that the remains were those of E.W. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office and a forensic anthropologist examined E.W.’s remains and concluded that the cause of death was blunt trauma to the head and neck and the manner of death was homicide. The forensic anthropologist estimated that E.W. died at least four years and up to ten years prior to the recovery of her remains. Defendant Sadowski was indicted for accessing the deceased woman’s bank account and stealing her Social Security benefits for her own personal use. In furtherance of the scheme to defraud, Sadowski is charged with utilizing the deceased’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number to continue to access her bank account containing the Social Security benefit funds. Sadowski is charged with fraudulently obtaining and converting to her own use approximately $99,447.90 in SSA benefits payments intended for E.W. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 107 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $1,750,000 fine, and a $700 special assessment. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Curran and Laura J. Bradbury. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Charge

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that QUINTEN McKOY, also known as “Quack,” 33, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. According to court documents and statements made in court, McKoy was arrested on October 7, 2022, after a court-authorized search of his residence on Logan Street in Bridgeport revealed a stolen Glock .45 semi-automatic handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition. McKoy’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions in state court for firearm offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 5, at which time McKoy faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. McKoy has been detained since his arrest. This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Ross Weingarten through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn .


title: Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charge in Connection with Series of International Fraud Scams

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. John M. Trabert Jr., 54, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on September 12, 2024. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around January 2020 through in and around March 2022 in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Trabert knowingly and unlawfully conspired with other individuals to commit money laundering by acting as a “money mule”— a person who, at someone else’s direction, receives and moves money obtained from victims of fraud—in a variety of romance, real estate, and gold scams. The scheme consisted of a co-conspirator outside of the United States directing victims, who believed they were investing in real estate, gold, or financial support of a fictional love interest, to send funds to one of Trabert’s bank accounts. Trabert then conducted financial transactions using proceeds of the fraud scams at the direction of and in concert with his co-conspirator, with Trabert retaining a portion of each transaction as personal profit. Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Trabert.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office to Work with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic Violence

body_text: Jackson, Miss. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. In the Southern District of Mississippi, Jackson has been designated. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. “Domestic violence offenders are dangerous persons whose access to firearms can lead to tragic consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi. “We look forward to working with our law enforcement partners in the Jackson area to prosecute these offenders when they have illegal access to firearms, such as after any felony conviction or a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.” Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia to Coordinate with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic Firearm Violence

body_text: ATLANTA – The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announce its partnerships, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Division and DeKalb County, Georgia, to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders. “In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 to combat crimes against women associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our close partnerships with law enforcement agencies, local stakeholders, organizations, and others, is critical to combat the scourge of domestic violence to safeguard families and make our communities safer.” The Department of Justice utilized data to identify DeKalb County and other communities throughout the United States that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources. Our office had previously implemented a domestic violence firearm case referral program with the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. In 2018, our offices launched this partnership to identify individuals for federal prosecution who possess a firearm following a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. This referral protocol resulted from the development of an innovative framework, by the District Attorney’s Office, for identifying such cases within their office, involving the input of felony and misdemeanor prosecutors, probation officers, and victim advocates. ( See e.g. DeKalb County criminal justice partners set out to save lives with a firearm reduction initiative , https://www.preventdvgunviolence.org/community-spotlight/spotlight-dekalb-county-ga.html .) In September 2019, our partnership was highlighted in a workshop at the Georgia Commission on Family Violence’s Annual Conference. Through this strategic enforcement initiative, we expect to continue to identify and prosecute the most serious perpetrators of domestic violence – including offenders who use and possess firearms, which greatly increases the risk of serious injury or death to the victim. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Final Defendant Sentenced in 2016 Robbery Spree in Haywood County, Tennessee

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – Cordarious Baltimore , 30 , of Brownsville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 246 months in federal prison after his conviction for multiple robberies and firearm offenses. Baltimore was the final defendant to be sentenced regarding a series of 2016 business robberies which occurred in and around Brownsville. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentencing today. According to the information presented in court, over a period of five days in April 2016, three businesses in the Brownsville, Haywood County area were robbed by two masked men armed with pistols. During this time, two different shootings occurred where 9mm shell casings and a .22 LR shell casing were recovered by the Brownsville Police Department on the scenes. On April 25, 2016, after the robbery of a truck stop, deputies with the Haywood County Sheriff's Department collected clothing on a nearby road that was worn by the armed robbers. Deputies sent those items of evidence to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for DNA analysis, which in 2018 linked Baltimore’s co-conspirators, Lacey Jeter and Johnny Lee Nixon, Jr. , to the clothing. On April 26, 2016, officers with the Brownsville Police Department observed a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle seen leaving the scene of the earlier truck stop robbery and initiated a traffic stop. After a brief chase, the vehicle crashed in rural Haywood County and the occupants of the vehicle fled leaving behind two pistols similar to ones described by witnesses to the recent robberies. The Brownsville Police Department collected the firearms and TBI Agents were able to confirm that the shell casings recovered after the shootings were fired from one of the firearms recovered near the scene of the crash. In October 2022, Baltimore pled guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, commission of Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On September 12, 2024, United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen sentenced Baltimore to 246 months incarceration followed by 5 years of supervised release on September 12, 2024. There is no parole in the federal system. Jeter pled guilty and was sentenced in April 2022. Nixon was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to 160 months incarceration and 5 years supervised release in February 2020. United States Attorney Ritz said: “This defendant’s serious violent crimes justify this significant federal prison sentence. Our citizens deserve to feel safe in their communities, and that is why this office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to vigorously enforce federal firearm and robbery laws.” The Haywood County Sheriff’s Department said: “The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is glad to be involved in the resolution of this case against Cordarious Baltimore. One of the goals of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office is to make all residents and visitors to Haywood County feel safer from the criminal element and achieving a conviction in this incident falls within that goal of the agency. We appreciate the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in this investigation, and the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee in helping achieve the greatest amount of time allowable under law for those involved in violent crimes, especially gun crimes.” This case was investigated by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department, Brownsville Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. United States Attorney Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Hillary Parham who prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated this case. ### For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: 12 KC-Area Men Indicted for Fentanyl Trafficking, Illegal Firearms

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A dozen Kansas City metropolitan area men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which resulted in at least one death, and to illegally possessing firearms. Justin D. Rivera, also known as “JD,” 20, Yael Figueroa, also known as “Grit,” 23, Jose R. Lugo, Jr., also known as “El Wey,” 20, Aaron Contreras-Jaquez, also known as “Van Kleefy,” 24, Jose Lorenzo-Medina, 24, and Antonio R. Baeza-Brown, also known as “Tony,” 25, all of Kansas City, Mo.; Simon L. Figueroa, 26, and Jonathan Gonzales, 25, both citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo.; Luis Calvillo-Ortiz, also known as “Loc,” 19, of Independence, Mo.; and Marcos Favian Alvarado, also known as “Baby Face,” 20, Chad B. Green, also known as “Gso Yad,” 24, and Crencio Carbajal-Loya, 18, all of Kansas City, Kansas, were charged in a 35-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The federal indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants. Three residential search warrants also were executed today. Law enforcement officers seized 6,738 fentanyl pills, 11 firearms, including a machinegun, five stolen automobiles, and more than $75,000 in cash. The federal indictment alleges that all 12 of the defendants have participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl since Dec. 1, 2022. The indictment also alleges that all 12 of the defendants have participated in a conspiracy to use and carry firearms in relation to that drug-trafficking conspiracy. In addition to the drug-trafficking and firearms conspiracies, Rivera is charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a victim identified as “M.M.” on May 7, 2023. Rivera is also charged with eight counts of distributing fentanyl, three counts of using and carrying firearms during a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of using and carrying a machine gun during a drug-trafficking crime. Alvarado is also charged with one count of distributing fentanyl, one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Yael Figueroa is also charged with four counts of distributing fentanyl and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Medina is also charged with four counts of distributing fentanyl. Contreras-Jaquez is also charged with two counts of distributing fentanyl and two counts of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Calvillo-Ortiz, Gonzales, and Simon Figueroa each are also charged with one count of distributing fentanyl. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.


title: Walgreens Agrees to Pay $106.8M to Resolve Allegations It Billed the Government for Prescriptions Never Dispensed

component: Civil Division

body_text: Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) have agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and state statutes for billing government health care programs for prescriptions never dispensed. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country. The government alleges that, between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. As a result, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries. As part of the resolution, Walgreens received credit under the department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases. Among other actions, Walgreens implemented enhancements to its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent this from occurring in the future and self-reported certain conduct. Because Walgreens previously refunded $66,314,790 pertaining to the settled claims, Walgreens will receive a credit for this amount. “Federal health care programs provide critical health care services to millions of Americans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who abuse these programs by knowingly billing for goods or services they did not provide.” “Millions of Americans rely on the promise of federal healthcare through programs like Medicare and Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “Fraudulently billing for prescriptions which are never dispensed endangers the integrity of these critical programs. We are committed to guarding the public’s investment in our health from private corporations.” “Adopting new technology and systems can be beneficial for providers, beneficiaries, and federal payors, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “However, we will not allow companies to hide behind their implementation of ill-conceived technology and systems that result in billing federal health care programs for goods and services never provided to beneficiaries. In those situations, we will pursue the companies and ensure that the taxpayer is made whole.” “This settlement marks another major achievement in our ongoing commitment to combat healthcare fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “It is essential to hold pharmacies accountable when they knowingly fail to abide by the rules and requirements of our national health care programs.” “Medicare enrollees, and consumers at-large, rely on pharmacies for critical medications that sustain their quality of life, and providers who prey upon public health care programs to increase profit margins must be held accountable,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is unwavering in its commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and ensuring those that threaten their integrity are held liable for their actions.” The federal share of the recovery is $91,881,530, and a total of $14,933,259 will be returned to individual states, which jointly fund state Medicaid programs, through separate settlement agreements with the Medicaid participating states. The federal government’s settlement with Walgreens resolves three cases pending in the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Texas and Middle District of Florida under the qui tam , or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Steven Turck, a former Walgreens pharmacy manager, filed the qui tam suit in the Eastern District of Texas related to billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and will receive $14,918,675. Andrew Bustos, a former Walgreens district pharmacy supervisor, filed the qui tam suit in the District of New Mexico related to billing Medicare Part B and will receive $1,620,000. Trial Attorney Seth Greene of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth Keegan and Sean Cunniff and Auditor Julie Chappell for the District of New Mexico; Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Adrian Garcia for the Eastern District of Texas; and Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matters. HHS-OIG and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units assisted in the investigations. The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The civil settlements with Walgreens resolved the following captioned cases: United States ex rel. Bustos v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al. , No. 1:15-cv-781 (DNM); United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al. , No. 4:19-cv-315 (EDTX); and United States, et al. ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. , No. 8:20-cv-858-T-60TGW (MDFL). *This release has been updated to remove an allegation that is not in the settlement agreement. Turck Jacob Settlement Bustos Settlement


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office to Work with Greene County Partners to Reduce Domestic Violence

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore announced today that Greene County, Mo., has been designated by the U.S. Department of Justice to receive additional resources to focus on combating domestic gun violence. U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives field divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited from owning firearms. In Greene County, the department is providing additional resources to combat firearm violence against intimate partners and children. Two assistant prosecutors in the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will be cross-designated as special assistant U.S. attorneys to prosecute firearms cases in federal court. “We appreciate the involvement of Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson, Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams and other local agencies in our coordinated effort to protect victims of domestic violence” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “Working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Greene County authorities, we are developing strategies and prioritizing prosecutions for offenders who illegally possess a gun and engage in intimate partner violence” said U.S. Attorney Moore. Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson said, “I am excited to have the United States Attorney’s Office partner with our Domestic Violence Unit, the Springfield Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, and the Greene County Family Justice Center in the fight to reduce domestic violence in our community. Enforcing existing federal gun laws to prosecute domestic violence offenders will help ensure that those who threaten the safety of their family and household members and our community are held accountable, preventing future harm, and protecting survivors from escalating violence.” “In April, ATF hosted the first Inaugural Gun Violence Survivors’ Summit to honor those who have fallen to domestic violence and today’s announcement is an example of how ATF will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities every day,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City Field Division. “ATF’s mission is as critical as it has ever been; we will not stop working to prevent gun violence and will do everything we can to stop the cycle of domestic abuse.” Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as U.S. Attorney’s Offices continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All U.S. Attorney’s Offices, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.


component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: WASHINGTON – Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) have agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and state statutes for billing government health care programs for prescriptions never dispensed. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country. The government alleges that, between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. Walgreens instead restocked and resold the same prescription to someone else without reversing the claim submitted to the government, collecting payment twice on these prescriptions. As a result, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries. As part of the resolution, Walgreens received credit under the department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases. Among other actions, Walgreens implemented enhancements to its electronic pharmacy management system to prevent this from occurring in the future and self-reported certain conduct. Because Walgreens previously refunded $66,314,790 pertaining to the settled claims, Walgreens will receive a credit for this amount. “Federal health care programs provide critical health care services to millions of Americans,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who abuse these programs by knowingly billing for goods or services they did not provide.” “Millions of Americans rely on the promise of federal healthcare through programs like Medicare and Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “Fraudulently billing for prescriptions which are never dispensed endangers the integrity of these critical programs. We are committed to guarding the public’s investment in our health from private corporations.” “Adopting new technology and systems can be beneficial for providers, beneficiaries, and federal payors, including Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “However, we will not allow companies to hide behind their implementation of ill-conceived technology and systems that result in billing federal health care programs for goods and services never provided to beneficiaries. In those situations, we will pursue the companies and ensure that the taxpayer is made whole.” “This settlement marks another major achievement in our ongoing commitment to combat healthcare fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “It is essential to hold pharmacies accountable when they knowingly fail to abide by the rules and requirements of our national health care programs.” “Medicare enrollees, and consumers at-large, rely on pharmacies for critical medications that sustain their quality of life, and providers who prey upon public health care programs to increase profit margins must be held accountable,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is unwavering in its commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and ensuring those that threaten their integrity are held liable for their actions.” The federal share of the recovery is $91,881,530, and a total of $14,933,259 will be returned to individual states, which jointly fund state Medicaid programs, through separate settlement agreements with the Medicaid participating states. The federal government’s settlement with Walgreens resolves three cases pending in the District of New Mexico, Eastern District of Texas and Middle District of Florida under the qui tam , or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Steven Turck, a former Walgreens pharmacy manager, filed the qui tam suit in the Eastern District of Texas related to billing Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, and will receive $14,918,675. Andrew Bustos, a former Walgreens district pharmacy supervisor, filed the qui tam suit in the District of New Mexico related to billing Medicare Part B and will receive $1,620,000. Trial Attorney Seth Greene of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth Keegan and Sean Cunniff and Auditor Julie Chappell for the District of New Mexico; Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Adrian Garcia for the Eastern District of Texas; and Senior Litigation Counsel Lindsay Griffin for the Middle District of Florida handled the matters. HHS-OIG and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units assisted in the investigations. The investigation and resolution of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The civil settlements with Walgreens resolved the following captioned cases: United States ex rel. Bustos v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al. , No. 1:15-cv-781 (DNM); United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al. , No. 4:19-cv-315 (EDTX); and United States, et al. ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. , No. 8:20-cv-858-T-60TGW (MDFL). Note: View the Bustos Settlement here and the Turck-Jacob Settlement here .


title: Hueytown Man Found Guilty of Plotting to Murder a Federal Prosecutor

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Montgomery, Alabama – On September 12, 2024, a federal jury in Birmingham, Alabama convicted 32-year-old Michael Roman Black, a resident of Hueytown, Alabama, on charges of threatening to murder and soliciting the murder of a federal prosecutor, and for making false statements to a federal agent, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin P. Davidson for the Middle District of Alabama. According to court records and evidence presented during his trial, in February 2023, Black was incarcerated in Hoover, Alabama after federal charges were brought against him by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama. While in custody, Black told another inmate about his plan to have one of the federal prosecutors working on his case murdered by two associates “on the outside.” Black shared specific details of who he planned to contact and that he would have them shoot the prosecutor while in her car. Law enforcement learned of this threat, and after confirming its legitimacy and seriousness, developed an operation to successfully thwart the murder plot. When questioned by federal agents, Black made false statements in an attempt to cover up his plan. On March 28, 2023, a federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted Black for making a threat to murder a federal official, solicitation to commit murder, and making false statements to a federal agent. “A threat against a prosecutor or law enforcement professional is a serious offense and a direct attack against our system of justice,” stated Acting United States Attorney Davidson. “I am grateful for the diligent work of law enforcement in identifying and thwarting this plot to take the life of a public servant simply seeking justice for the people of the United States.” Following his conviction, Black faces a sentence in federal prison of up to 10 years for threatening to murder a federal official, up to 20 years for soliciting a murder, and up to 5 years for making a false statement to a federal agent. A sentencing hearing for Black is scheduled for December 12, 2024. At that hearing, a federal district court judge will determine Black’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Hoover Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated and assisted on this case, with Assistant United States Attorney John J. Geer, III from the Middle District of Alabama prosecuting.


title: Former Missouri Prison Employee Indicted on Drug Charges

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A former employee of a Missouri state prison appeared in U.S. District Court Friday to answer drug charges. Steven M. Reminger, 53, was indicted September 12 on three felony charges: conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, attempt to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and making a false statement. He appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty. The indictment alleges that the drug conspiracy began in November 2021. The indictment says Reminger made a false statement on Nov. 8, 2021, by providing a false name to employees of the U.S. Postal Service when applying for a Post Office Box in Farmington, Missouri. Reminger’s attempt to possess controlled substances occurred on May 24 and 25 of 2022, the indictment alleges. A forfeiture allegation says $19,000 in cash, knives and cellular phones were seized on May 25, 2022. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The drug charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine. The false statements charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Missouri Department of Corrections Office of Professional Standards, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Rebar is prosecuting the case.


title: San Angelo Man Charged With Sextorting Minors and Adults

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: A San Angelo man has been charged with sextorting minors, ranging from 11 to 17 years old, and adults across the United States, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Juelz Sincere Armstead, 21, was charged in a superseding indictment with seven counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, two counts of attempted production of child pornography, and ten counts of cyber stalking. He was arraigned on Wednesday before U. S. Magistrate John R. Parker and is currently in custody. According to the superseding indictment, beginning in August 2021, Mr. Armstead persuaded at least seven minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and produced visuals of such conduct. On February 26, 2024, Mr. Armstead attempted to do the same with two additional minors. Mr. Armstead used the images he produced to harass and intimidate the individuals and caused them substantial emotional distress. An indictment is merely an allegation, not evidence. Mr. Armstead is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Homeland Security Investigations, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, San Angelo Police Department, and several federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Texas, Indiana, Oregon, California, New Jersey, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kansas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the federal case.


title: Armed Security Guard At Manhattan Federal Building Sentenced To Five Years In Prison In Connection With Sexual Assault Of Asylum Seeker

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JIMMY SOLANO-ARIAS, a former armed security guard at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building located at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, was sentenced today to five years in prison by Judge Paul G. Gardephe in connection with SOLANO-ARIAS’s sexual assault of an asylum seeker (the “Victim”) on May 4, 2023. On April 10, 2024, SOLANO-ARIAS pled guilty to lying to federal law enforcement agents following his sexual abuse of the Victim. The sentencing today followed SOLANO-ARIAS’s guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jimmy Solano-Arias used his position as an armed security officer at a federal building to sexually assault a vulnerable asylum seeker. In so doing, Solano-Arias abused a person he was charged with protecting, and then lied to cover up his crime. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those who exploit their position of public trust will be held accountable for their conduct.” According to the Indictment, Superseding Information, other public court documents, and statements made during court proceedings: On May 4, 2023, SOLANO-ARIAS was employed as a security guard by a company that contracts with the Federal Protective Service of the Department of Homeland Security to provide armed security services at 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York. On that date, SOLANO-ARIAS was on duty, wore a black and gray security guard uniform, and carried his employer-issued firearm. Early in the morning on May 4, 2023, the Victim went to 26 Federal Plaza for the purpose of submitting an asylum application. Once there, SOLANO-ARIAS offered to assist the Victim with his asylum paperwork. Instead of providing assistance, however, SOLANO-ARIAS led the Victim through non-public areas of 26 Federal Plaza, eventually secluding the Victim in a locked office on the second floor. Inside the locked office, SOLANO-ARIAS demanded that the Victim perform oral sex on SOLANO-ARIAS. When the Victim attempted to resist SOLANO-ARIAS’s demands, SOLANO-ARIAS reached to the company-issued firearm on his person. Fearing that SOLANO-ARIAS would harm the Victim, the Victim performed oral sex on SOLANO-ARIAS, which caused physical pain and injury to the Victim. Following the assault, when the Victim was able to leave the office, the Victim immediately reported the sexual assault to law enforcement. The following morning, when SOLANO-ARIAS arrived at 26 Federal Plaza for his shift, law enforcement agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) approached SOLANO-ARIAS and asked to speak with him. SOLANO-ARIAS agreed to speak with the federal agents. During the interview that followed, SOLANO-ARIAS lied to the federal agents about his sexual abuse of the Victim, initially disclaiming entirely that he had engaged in a sexual act with the Victim and then falsely claiming that the sexual act was consensual when it was not. SOLANO-ARIAS was arrested after the interview. * * * In addition to the prison term, SOLANO-ARIAS, 45, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Espinosa and Mitzi Steiner are in charge of the prosecution.


title: U.S. Attorney's Office To Work With Local Partners To Reduce Domestic Violence

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s Offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. The designated communities in the Western District of North Carolina are the City of Asheville and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). “Our partnerships with federal, local and Tribal law enforcement, service providers, and organizations that service the designated communities are critical in our efforts to address intimate partner violence and protect survivors,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “By joining forces, we can combine and leverage our resources and expertise to combat intimate partner violence. Together, we are committed to strengthening community safety, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring that victims have access to the support they need and protection they deserve.” “ATF is proud to be part of this collaborative effort aimed at better protecting those affected by domestic violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Individuals who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are prohibited from possessing a firearm. ATF joins our law enforcement partners in efforts to make sure those individuals no longer pose a danger to their families or communities.” “Reducing intimate partner violence and seeking justice for its survivors is a top priority for the Asheville Police Department,” said Asheville Police Chief Michael Lamb. “We value our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and appreciate the willingness of the Department of Justice and the ATF to work alongside us in our efforts to reduce and eliminate domestic violence.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina, in partnership with law enforcement, service providers, and community organizations, will continue to strengthen efforts to combat domestic violence through comprehensive training, increased federal prosecutions, and the allocation of federal resources. The U.S. Attorney’s Office plans to conduct a series of specialized trainings for law enforcement and partner agencies. The goal of the trainings is to enhance the response to domestic violence incidents, improve victim safety, hold perpetrators accountable, and support local agencies that address these crimes and provide vital services to survivors. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with state prosecutors, will continue to review cases for potential federal prosecution, focusing on cases that involve individuals with misdemeanor or felony domestic violence convictions, or individuals who are subject to domestic violence restraining orders, that illegally possess firearms or ammunition. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will deploy resources through federal grants to continue to support community organizations that combat intimate partner violence and assist victims of violence, survivors, and their families. The federal funding is administered to local organizations to ensure continuity of services, expand access to legal support, and help meet the integral needs and address the unique challenges of victims and survivors of domestic violence. “Helpmate is pleased to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this important initiative to address domestic violence. For nearly 50 years, Helpmate has provided shelter, safety, and support for survivors of intimate partner domestic violence. We applaud this initiative to bring increased focus on this issue that impacts thousands of families in our community each year,” said April Burgess-Johnson, Executive Director of Helpmate in Asheville. According to the Department of Justice, communities were designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. For additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office please visit our website . Contact details and information about our Victim Witness Unit can be found here .


title: Shipment of Pounds of Meth and Cocaine Leads to 134 Months in Prison for St. Louis Man

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Friday sentenced a man who was caught by police after a shipment of 15 pounds of methamphetamine and four and one-half pounds of cocaine was intercepted to 134 months in prison. On March 24, 2022, Damon L. Pruitt was caught by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers in a home where the meth and cocaine had just been delivered. Earlier in the day, the parcel delivery company opened the package due to concerns about it, found the drugs and called police. A court-approved search of the delivery address, in the 6600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue home, also found two handguns. Pruitt is a convicted felon and told police that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms, his plea agreement says. There was about 6.8 kilograms of meth in the package and more than two kilograms of cocaine. Pruitt, 38, pleaded guilty in October in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.


title: Two Members of Kennedy Street Crew Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking, Money Laundering

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

body_text: WASHINGTON – Aaron DeAndre Mercer, 33, and Ronald Lynn Dorsey, 30, both of Washington D.C. and members of the violent Kennedy Street Crew (KDY), were sentenced today to federal prison terms for their roles in a drug trafficking organization operating open-air drug markets in Northwest Washington D.C. Mercer was sentenced to 10 years in prison for being a bulk supplier of fentanyl, marijuana, and cocaine base for the KDY organization. Dorsey was sentenced to 30 months for laundering KDY’s trafficking proceeds by establishing phony businesses and shell companies and by using local casinos. The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, ATF Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives - Washington Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office. Mercer, aka “Curby,” pleaded guilty on June 14, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, marijuana, and cocaine base before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell. Dorsey pleaded guilty on February 8, 2024, to conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to court documents, KDY members operated open-air drug markets on an 11-block stretch of Kennedy Street in Northwest Washington, D.C., as well as surrounding streets. Like many drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), KDY armed itself with fire power to facilitate the drug trade and defend its territory from rival crews. For his part, Mercer conspired with his KDY associates to traffic fentanyl in bulk in addition to cocaine base and marijuana. Dorsey concealed the proceeds of KDY’s illegal operations, helping to smuggle bulk quantities of drugs by flying 15 times to the West Coast, and conducting retail sales of crack cocaine and marijuana in the open-air markets. Dorsey and co-defendant Kenneth Olugbenga created two businesses for money laundering: Heavy Baggz LLC and HBG LLC. The later purported to be a music, entrepreneurial, and car detailing business, but tax records for both entities confirmed that neither business reported income. Dorsey, aka “HBGeezy,” also used the businesses to apply for, and receive, two forgivable loans from the Small Business Administration during the Covid pandemic. He allegedly used the EIDL and PPP loans to purchase bulk narcotics to further fuel KDY’s drug trafficking. Dorsey and his co-conspirators also concealed illicit income at D.C. area casinos by using drug trafficking proceeds to wager bets, then cash out the funds after incurring small losses to make the funds appear as if they were legitimate. This investigation was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. It was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the DEA’s Washington Division, ATF’s Washington Field Division, FBI Washington Field Office and the IRS-Criminal Investigation Washington, D.C. Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey and Sitara Witanachchi of the of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by former Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Lynch. DEFENDANTS NAME AGE CHARGES Kenneth Ademola Olugbenga 27 Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or more of Cocaine Base, and a Detectable Amount of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. Khali Ahmed Brown, aka “Migo Lee” 22 Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana and 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Aiding and Abetting; Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana; Possessing a Machine Gun During a Drug Trafficking Offense; Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun; Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number Miasiah Jamal Brown, aka “Michael Jamal Crawford” 21 Pleaded Guilty to Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense Tristan Miles Ware, aka “Greedy” 23 Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms or More of Marijuana; and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense Herman Eric-Bibmin Signou, aka “Herman Signour” 23 Sentenced 3/22/2024, to 40 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana Cameron Xavier Reid 26 Sentenced 5/31/2024, to Five Years for Conspiracy to Distribute 100 Kilograms of More of Marijuana Aaron DeAndre Mercer, aka “Curby,” 27 Sentenced 9/13/2024, to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Marijuana, and Cocaine Base David Penn, aka “Turtle” 30 Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl; and two counts of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense. Ronald Lynn Dorsey, aka “Ron G” and “HBGeezy” 29 Sentenced 9/13/2024, to 30 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering Antonio Reginald Bailey, aka “Boy Boy,” and “Fellow King” 22 Sentenced 2/8/24, to 24 Months for Receiving a Firearm While Under Indictment Anthony Trayon Bailey, aka “Fat Ant,” and “Bizzle” 27 Sentenced 4/26/24, to 15 months for Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location Angel Enrique Suncar, aka “Coqui” 29 Pleaded Guilty to Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense Warren Lawrence Fields, III, aka B-Dub 26 Sentenced 5/16/24, to 90 months for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Offense and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering Defendant Cameron Reid is from Falmouth, VA; all remaining defendants are from Washington, D.C. 23cr0202


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office to work with local partners to reduce domestic violence

component: USAO - Virginia, Eastern

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. In the Eastern District of Virginia, the South Hampton Roads (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach) jurisdiction has been designated. The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney’s offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms. Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence. The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.


title: Ohio County Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms Offense

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Mustafa A. Baker, age 55, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, Wheeling Police officers pulled over Baker’s vehicle because of an outstanding warrant and found a loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition. Baker is prohibited from having firearms because of eight prior felony convictions in Virginia, including drug possession, 3 rd offense DUI, felony domestic assault, and felony assault and battery. Baker will serve three years of supervised release after his prison sentence. Investigative agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Wheeling Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kyle, also with the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.


title: Four Miami Residents Charged with Reaping Over $1 Million From Friends and Family Insider Trading Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A federal indictment was unsealed today charging four Miami area residents with obtaining over $1 million from illegal securities trading. As described in the indictment, the defendants shared confidential information within a close circle of family members and friends, then used that information to buy stock or options at a lower price and sell at a profit after the information became public. The indictment charges Federico Nannini, 26, Mauro Nannini, 63, Alejandro Thermiotis, 26, and Francisco Tonarely, 25, all of Miami, Fla., with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, twelve counts of securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1348, and twelve counts of securities fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78ff. All four defendants were arrested, and initial hearings commenced this afternoon. According to the indictment, which includes forfeiture allegations, the scheme unfolded in this way: In approximately June 2022, Federico Nannini began advising Coral Gables based MasTec Inc. (MasTec) about the company’s proposed acquisition of Infrastructure and Energy Alternative Inc. (IEA). At the time, both MasTec and IEA traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Immediately after, Federico Nannini began sharing confidential information about the acquisition with Mauro Nannini and Thermiotis. Federico Nannini, Thermitois, and Tonarely had attended high school together in Pinecrest, Fla. Mauro Nannini bought shares the day after Federico Nannini received access to financial information about the proposed acquisition. Thermiotis also passed the confidential acquisition information to Tonarely, shortly after Tonarely texted him: “I want to make some money right now . . . What we do?” After Thermiotis passed the confidential information to Tonarely, he texted: “Not a soul okay.” According to the indictment, Tonarely responded back: “Obviously . . . You told me not to.” Days later, Tonarely’s family member signed a letter sponsoring Thermiotis’s membership at a Miami yacht club. As the acquisition progressed, Federico Nannini updated his father and close friend about the transaction. Thermiotis, in turn, continued to update Tonarely. At one point in July 2022, when Federico Nannini became worried the acquisition would not go through, Mauro Nannini sold his IEA stock, according to the indictment. When Federico Nannini received confidential financials that indicated the acquisition was going forward, he texted Thermiotis: “Its going thru . . . Holy shit bro.” Thermiotis responded: “Don’t text . . .But lfg.” At that point, Mauro Nannini began to buy back his position in IEA stock and options. When MasTec’s acquisition of IEA was reported publicly on July 25, 2022, Mauro Nannini, Thermiotis, and Tonarely all sold their shares and option contracts in IEA at a profit. Two days later, on July 27, 2022, Federico Nannini texted Thermiotis a picture of a Rolex Daytona, saying “You wanna hook it up for the boy. I know it’s a little over budget but this is the one.” Thermiotis responded: “Haahaha yeah but give it a bit . . . Prices should come down a bit on everything.” A conviction for securities fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78ff, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment; conspiracy to commit securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment; and securities fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1348, carries a penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. U.S. Attorney Lapointe commended the investigative efforts of FBI Miami. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Young, Eli Rubin, Alexandra Comolli are prosecuting this case, with assistance from Yisel Valdes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also filed civil actions today against the four defendants. 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.usdoj.gov/usao/fls . 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 24-CR-20398. ###


title: Five-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than 6 Years In Federal Prison For Firearms Offense

body_text: Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Reginald Dugger, Jr. (42, Orlando) to six years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Dugger to forfeit a Rock Island Armory revolver, a Palmetto State Armory rifle, and associated ammunition, all of which were seized from his residence on February 29, 2024. Dugger entered a guilty plea on May 21, 2024. According to court documents, on February 29, 2024, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at Dugger’s home. During the search, agents located a currency counter, drugs, and two loaded firearms within plain view and accessible to Dugger. At the time, Dugger had several prior felony convictions. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Man Sentenced to Prison for Making Bomb Threat to Scott Air Force Base

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge in southern Illinois sentenced a Florida man to 87 months’ imprisonment after he used social media to make a bomb threat to Scott Air Force Base and cyberstalked an active duty Air Force member. DeAyre M. Jones, 32, of Land O’ Lakes, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate communication with threat to injure, one count of cyberstalking and one count of threatening and conveying false information concerning use of fire or an explosive. “The defendant intentionally disrupted operations at Scott Air Force Base to make a bomb threat and send harassing messages to base officials,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Luckily, this incident was a false alarm, but our national security and the Air Force community depend on uninterrupted service at the base. I’m grateful to the investigators for their efforts to hold this offender accountable.” According to court documents, Jones used multiple fake Facebook profiles to accuse a woman, whom he previously had a personal relationship with, of having a bomb and tracker attached to her car at Scott Air Force Base in September 2022. “This successful joint investigation between our office, the FBI, and assistance by the Untied States Marshall Service sends the message that we treat any disruption to the Air Force mission very seriously. The tireless efforts of all teams involved ensured the base remained safe and fully operational at all times,” said Special Agent Joseph Straus, AFOSI Detachment 301, Commander. After detecting the threat, base officials dispatched an explosive detection canine and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team to search the suspected vehicle and surrounding lot but did not find any items of concern. The victim identified Jones as the potential suspect, and investigation revealed that he had created multiple fake Facebook profiles to harass the victim and make several bomb threats to the base. “DeAyre Jones embarked on a campaign of harassment that brought extreme distress to the victim and led to a hoax bomb threat which created chaos in the day-to-day operations of Scott Airforce Base,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “Hoax threats cause a significant drain on resources and taxpayer dollars and put innocent people at risk. Because safety is paramount to the FBI and our law enforcement partners, we will use all available resources to investigate and determine the credibility of a bomb threat.” In addition, Jones also admitted to sending threatening and harassing messages to the victim and other base officials from August through December 2022. The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI Springfield Field Office contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. Carraway prosecuted the case.


title: Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Ward

body_text: A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) correctional officer pleaded guilty today to three counts of sexual abuse of a ward. Jacob Salcido, 40, of Lexington, Kentucky, pleaded guilty today to sexual abuse of a ward. According to his plea agreement, beginning on Sept. 5, 2020, through Dec. 21, 2020, while employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Lexington, Salcido knowingly engaged in a sexual act with three inmates. Salcido admitted that he was aware that based on his training and experience that any sexual contact between FMC staff and inmates was strictly forbidden and was a federal crime. “Jacob Salcido blatantly exploited his power as a correctional officer by sexually abusing three women in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The Justice Department’s commitment to eradicating sexual abuse within the ranks of the Federal Bureau of Prisons continues through every case we prosecute. Today’s guilty plea is the latest but certainly not the last in our efforts to eradicate sexual abuse in federal prisons.” “Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officers are responsible for fostering a safe and humane environment for inmates to serve out their sentences,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Instead, Salcido abused his authority and sexually abused three inmates that were in his custody and care. The DOJ OIG is committed to aggressively investigating these types of allegations and bringing perpetrators to justice.” “Instead of ensuring the safety and security of those in his care, the defendant chose to maliciously prey on vulnerable individuals, and betrayed an important obligation to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This disgraceful conduct has done enduring damage to his victims. It has also eroded trust in faithful public servants, those who perform their civic duties honorably. We are committed to our efforts to protect individuals, and to combat abuses by those who callously betray their responsibilities to those in their care and to the public they serve.” Salcido is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 13. Salcido faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. DOJ-OIG and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky is prosecuting the case. FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the department’s reform efforts.


title: Former Luxury Homebuilder Sentenced for Defrauding the United States

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The former project manager of a now-defunct luxury home building business in West Springfield. Mass. was sentenced yesterday for conspiring to defraud the United States. Jason Pecoy, 44, of Wilbraham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to two years of probation, and a fine of $7,500. The government recommended a sentence of 21 to 27 months in prison, followed by a three-years of supervised release, and order mandatory restitution in the amount of $35,982. In June 2024, Pecoy was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Jason Pecoy was previously indicted in December 2019 along with his father, Kent Pecoy, and Kevin M. Kennedy, the former owner of a golf management company, for conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing cash payments for the construction of Kennedy’s two homes in East Longmeadow and West Dennis. The defendants were later charged in a superseding indictment in January 2020. On Dec. 11, 2023, Kennedy was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to defraud the United States and making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release on April 24, 2024 . On May 16, 2024 , Kent Pecoy pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution. Kent Pecoy was sentenced in August 2024 to time served (one day) and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $24,000 fine and $35,982 in restitution. From 2009 through 2016, Kennedy conspired with Kent Pecoy, the owner of Kent Pecoy and Sons Construction Inc. (KPSC), and his son, Jason Pecoy, a KPSC project manager, to obstruct and impede the Internal Revenue Service and the collection of taxes by concealing Kennedy’s cash payments for construction of the East Longmeadow and West Dennis homes. Kennedy paid the Pecoys in cash, all of which the Pecoys failed to deposit into business bank accounts, but rather distributed the cash directly to vendors and subcontractors. When they did deposit the cash, the Pecoys deposited funds in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid the filing of currency transaction reports. The evidence proved that when the Pecoys created and maintained separate ledgers documenting Kennedy’s cash payments, created and maintained false contracts and cover sheets and created false entries in KPSC’s accounting system to conceal the cash payments. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent in Charge, Harry T. Chavis Jr., Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorney Eric B. Powers of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.