title: District of Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

body_text: WASHINGTON - Germaine L. Graham, 41, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of wire fraud related to a fraud scheme against his former employer located in Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. As part of the fraud scheme, Graham made false payroll entries into the company’s payroll processing system, which directed unauthorized payments to himself. As a result of the fraudulent scheme, Graham caused approximately $250,000 in losses to his former employer. U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras accepted the guilty plea. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 2, 2024. According to the Statement of the Offense, between February 2019 and January 2022, Graham was employed as an office manager with a private architecture firm in the District of Columbia. As part of his duties, he was responsible for the firm’s book-keeping functions, including invoicing and bill paying. He was also responsible for preparing and electronically submitting the firm’s bi-monthly payroll register to an out-of-state payroll processing company. Graham also had access to the firm’s electronic checks and on-line book-keeping program. Graham used his access to the payroll processing system, company checks, and the book-keeping program to steal his employer’s money and to hide the theft. In announcing the verdict, Graves and Geist commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. They also commended the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Lisa Abbe, Victim-Witness Service Coordinator Tonya Jones, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas, who investigated and prosecuted the case.


title: Michigan Man Sentenced to Prison for Enticement of a Minor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: TOLEDO – Christopher David Smith, 31, of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced today to 135 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick, after the defendant earlier plead guilty to enticement of a minor. Judge Helmick also ordered Smith to pay a $100 special assessment, an additional $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, and be placed on supervised release for 10 years upon release from imprisonment, during which time he will be a registered sex offender. According to court documents, on April 1, 2021, Smith left his place of employment in Michigan and traveled to Ohio to engage in sex acts with whom he thought was a 10-year-old child. Smith had conversations online with an undercover agent posing as the father of the fictitious 10-yearold before arranging to meet the child. During those online conversations, Smith sent child pornography to the undercover agent, asked for nude photos of the purported 10-year-old, and made statements related to his sexual intentions toward the child. Smith was arrested after he arrived at the prearranged meeting location, a hotel in Perrysburg, Ohio. This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, Toledo Resident Agency, with the assistance of an FBI task force officer from the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, and assistance with the arrest from the Perrysburg Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracey Tangeman and Sara Al-Sorghali.


title: Cincinnati man pleads guilty to murder of convenience store owner, 5 armed robberies

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to using a firearm to commit murder and other crimes of violence. The parties involved have recommended a sentence of up to 45 years in prison for the defendant, who shot and killed the owner of Madeira Beverage in February 2021. “Gun violence is never ok, and is especially tragic when a life is lost,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “One shooting death is one too many, and my office remains committed to holding trigger pullers accountable.” “Today's guilty plea is a step in the right direction, and it will hopefully provide some small amount of closure for Mr. Gupta's family,” stated John Nokes, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “Mr. Gupta's life ended tragically at the hands of the defendant. That heinous act altered the course of many lives, and it robbed Mr. Gupta, his family, and our community of future opportunities that so many of us take for granted.” Willie James Attaway, 32, admitted to murdering Roop C. Gupta and committing or attempting four other armed robberies on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, 2021. During the two-day crime spree, Attaway brandished a firearm to rob or attempt to rob: Feb. 8 – Shell on S. Mason Montgomery Road in Deerfield Township, Feb. 8 – Shell on Dixie Highway in Hamilton, Ohio, Feb. 9 – Madeira Beverage on Kenwood Road in Madeira, Ohio, Feb. 9 – Sunoco on Kenwood Road in Blue Ash, Ohio, and Feb. 9 – Marathon on North Broadway in Lebanon, Ohio. At the first robbery, Attaway brandished a firearm at the two clerks and demanded that they empty the cash registers, which they did. Later that night, at a second Shell gas station, Attaway brandished a firearm and said he was not afraid to shoot the clerk. The clerk gave Attaway money from the cash register. The next day, Feb. 9, 2021, Attaway entered Madeira Beverage and confronted the store’s owner, Roop Gupta, who was working behind the counter. Attaway pointed a firearm at Gupta, and during the ensuing struggle he shot Gupta one time in the left abdomen. Gupta was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Later that evening, Attaway entered the Sunoco in Blue Ash, brandished a firearm, and demanded that the clerk give up the money in the cash register, which the clerk did. During the final robbery on Feb. 9, Attaway pointed a firearm at the Marathon clerk and said, “Give me what you got.” The clerk reached under the counter, pretending he had a firearm, causing Attaway to flee. A second defendant, Lamond Johnson, 37, is charged in this case. He is charged in all 14 counts of the indictment, and those charges remain pending. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and John Nokes, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie D. Garcia and Kyle J. Healey are representing the United States in this case. The investigation was jointly conducted by ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Madeira Police Department, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Cincinnati, Lebanon, Blue Ash, and Hamilton police departments, and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. # # #


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Jacksonville Shooting

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland following yesterday’s shooting in Jacksonville, Florida: “Yesterday in Jacksonville, Florida, three people were killed in a horrific act of hate. In the wake of the mass shooting, FBI and ATF agents responded to the scene and are continuing to work closely with local law enforcement on the ground. The Justice Department is investigating this attack as a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism. The entire Justice Department extends its deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims and to the Jacksonville community as they mourn an unimaginable loss. No person in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence and no family should have to grieve the loss of a loved one to bigotry and hate. One of the Justice Department’s first priorities upon its founding in 1870 was to bring to justice white supremacists who used violence to terrorize Black Americans. That remains our urgent charge today. The Justice Department will never stop working to protect everyone in our country from unlawful acts of hate.”


title: Former Federal Correctional Officer Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Abuse of an Inmate

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: WASHINGTON – A former federal correctional officer was sentenced to three months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release – the first three months of supervised release will be on home detention – for sexual abuse of an individual in federal custody. He will also pay a $1,000 fine, a $5,000 Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act assessment, a $100 special monetary assessment, and be required to register as a sex offender and be subject to all sex offender conditions. According to court documents, between October 2021, and August 2022, Lenton Jerome Hatten, 54, of Tallahassee, Florida, engaged in repeated sexual acts with an inmate while employed as a sports specialist for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee (FCI Tallahassee). Immediately after being reported, a forensic examination was conducted of the victim by a sexual assault nurse examiner. DNA evidence confirmed a likely link between Hatten and the victim. At the time of the report, Hatten was on vacation leave and when made aware, he resigned his position. As such, Hatten had no further contact with inmates. “As this prosecution demonstrates, the Department of Justice remains dedicated to rooting out sexual misconduct at the Bureau of Prisons,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Any BOP employee who abuses their position of authority and mistreats those in their custody will be held accountable.” “No inmate should ever experience sexual abuse or abuse of any kind at the hands of a Bureau of Prisons employee. My office will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of such heinous acts,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Without exception, all people, including those serving sentences in correctional facilities, are entitled to protection of their physical safety and civil rights” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “This defendant repeatedly sexually abused an inmate in his care and thanks to the victim’s bravery in coming forward, future abuse has been prevented. Today’s case shows that the FBI will investigate anyone who violates federal law, regardless of their position, and hold those responsible for enforcing it to the highest standard.” “The abuse of any inmate by correctional officers is intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “Sentences of confinement are imposed to account for the inmate’s criminal conduct and afford educational and vocational skills to aid in rehabilitation. The inmate’s dignity and safety are not surrendered at the prison door. This office will vigorously investigate and prosecute any officer who violates their oath through abuse of inmates entrusted to their care and custody.” The DOJ-OIG and FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. McCain for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.


title: West Virginia woman sentenced for drug trafficking crimes

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Keisha Rae Ogline, age 33, of Moorefield, West Virginia, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. According to court documents and statements made in court, officers conducted a search of Ogline’s home and vehicle and found methamphetamine, pills containing fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as digital scales and several firearms. The home was equipped with a video surveillance security system. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: Glen Carbon Business Owner Admits to Selling Misbranded Male Enhancement Supplements

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A Glen Carbon man who operated an online business admitted guilt in federal court of misbranding the ingredient list on a male sexual enhancement supplement product, thus deceiving his customers. William Goldsmith, 48, pleaded guilty to a felony information Thursday charging one count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce. “Protecting consumers is critical to a healthy business environment, and entrepreneurs who use deceitful tactics to sell misbranded products place profits above people,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Misbranded prescription drugs that are smuggled from overseas can present a serious health risk to those who buy and use them. The drugs can contain unknown ingredients and can be made under unknown conditions,” said Special Agent in Charge Ronne G. Malham, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations Chicago Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who traffic in misbranded prescription drugs.” According to court documents, Goldsmith owned and operated an online store called Malosi Herbs from his home in Glen Carbon from 2016 through July 31, 2019. To create inventory, he imported sildenafil citrate from China and India, personally placed a mixture of it into pill capsules, left sildenafil citrate off the bottle’s ingredient label and distributed the misbranded male sexual enhancement product to hundreds of customers across the U.S. The business was estimated to have generated more than $250,000 in gross proceeds. Goldsmith labeled the product: “Ma’Kava,” “Ma’Kava Private Stock,” and “Night Cap X.” The product’s ingredient list claimed to only include “natural” herbal ingredients, such as horny goat weed, black maca, kavalactone, tongkat ali, panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and sea cucumber extract. Goldsmith was charged because his products contained sildenafil citrate, and it was not properly listed on the ingredients’ label or any branding of the Ma’Kava products. Sildenafil citrate was an active ingredient in prescription drugs approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction due to its effect on the human body to open capillaries, increase blood flow and speed up a heart rate, according to the criminal complaint. However, the FDA most recently warned consumers of a possible adverse reaction of taking sildenafil citrate for patients using heart or blood-thinning medications—as individuals could have a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Goldsmith’s sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2023. The FDA and the St. Louis Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross is prosecuting the case. Individuals who purchased products from Malosi Herbs or Goldsmith between 2016 and July 2019 may be a victim in this case. If you believe you are a victim, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by emailing: USAILS.VW_ILS@usdoj.gov. Please provide your full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.


title: Founder And Creator Of Anti-Government Website Is Sentenced To Prison For Communicating Interstate Threats

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The founder and creator of an anti-government website was sentenced late yesterday in federal court in Asheville to 10 years in prison, for aiding and abetting threatening interstate communications, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition to the prison term imposed, Timothy Michael Dever, 57, of Naperville, Illinois, was ordered to serve three years under court supervision after he is released from prison. Dever’s co-defendant, Darris Gibson Moody, 57, of Waynesville, N.C., was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for making a threatening interstate communication. Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to filed court documents and court proceedings, Dever was the creator and administrator of a website for a fictitious entity, the “People’s Bureau of Investigation” (PBI). As the website’s administrator, Dever hosted, maintained, and provided content for PBI, including templates for court judgments, or “Writs of Execution,” issued by the “U.S. Environmental District Court,” a fictitious court that purportedly had convicted hundreds of public officials and private individuals of various bogus crimes. The website claimed that the writs gave private citizens, like Moody, the authority to conduct a “citizen’s arrest” of the individuals on the fake writs. The website also claimed that those arrested could face a punishment of monetary fines, imprisonment, and even death, and that anyone who made a “citizen’s arrest” of the persons named in the writs was eligible to receive a monetary reward of up to $20,000. According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, Dever promoted the writs as a mechanism for removing federal, state, and local officials from their positions. Dever made the template for the fake writs available for download on PBI’s website, as well as other documents and videos that explained the purpose of the writs and how to serve them. For example, one video on the website was a recorded radio talk show, where Dever and another individual discussed how private citizens could arrest “a sheriff, a judge and a governor,” who they claimed to have been convicted in the “highest court of the land.” Dever also maintained on PBI’s website a list that contained the names, home addresses, and personal information of victims who had been falsely named as convicted defendants in the fake writs. Court records show that the PBI website listed the personal identifying information of over 900 victims, located in approximately 32 different states. As Dever previously admitted in court, PBI’s website also enabled group members to use a digital app to have encrypted communications in online chatrooms and via text messages, and to share information on how to create, use, and serve the writs. Dever also used PBI’s website to raise funds by soliciting direct donations and selling PBI merchandise. Moody was a like-minded PBI group member who accused her targets of having been convicted of corruption, environmental charges, and even treason. Moody used the PBI website to generate fake arrest writs for 57 individuals, most of whom resided in the Western District of North Carolina, including sheriffs, judges, and other government officials and private individuals, and used software to fax the fake arrest notices to the recipients. "Dever's anti-government rhetoric and fake arrest writs were more than a nuisance. They put hundreds of lives at risk. Those who shared Dever's warped ideology, including Moody, became self-proclaimed bounty hunters that turned innocent victims into targets of harassment, intimidation, and death threats. But, unlike Dever and Moody's sham court proceedings, my Office has legitimate authority to hold these defendants accountable for their actions." Dena J. King, United States Attorney “At its core, the FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. While we celebrate the freedoms of our country, you cannot make up your own laws and threaten those who serve or are elected by our democracy,” said Special Agent in Charge DeWitt. Dever pleaded guilty to five counts of aiding and abetting interstate threatening communication. Moody pleaded guilty to making an interstate threating communication. They are currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI for their investigation of this case and thanked the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.


title: New Orleans Resident Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS - JOSHUA BARNES (“ BARNES ”), age 31, and a resident of New Orleans was sentenced on August 22, 2023 by Judge Susie Morgan to time served, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for failing to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, BARNES , who was convicted of a sex offense in Texas, failed to register as a sex offender with the State of Louisiana after he established residence in this state. U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.


title: Wyoming County Man Sentenced To 300 Months In Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Roger Daniel Williams, age 44, of Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani to 300 months in prison for the production of child pornography videos and images. Williams previously pleaded guilty to the crime on March 30, 2022. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Williams produced videos and images of himself and a child while Williams was engaged in the act of raping the child. The production of these videos and images occurred on various dates beginning in December 2019 and continued through May 2021. Williams also possessed thousands of child pornography videos and images at his residence. The sentence imposed by Judge Mariani was imposed to run consecutively to a state sentence Williams is currently serving. On January 13, 2022, Williams was sentenced in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania to serve a minimum of 240 months in prison and a maximum of 480 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of rape of child. Judge Mariani’s sentence ensures a minimum sentence of 45 years’ imprisonment for Williams. Williams is also required to serve a term of five years of supervised release upon release from federal custody and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $45,000 to the identified victims of the child pornography he possessed. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division and the Meshoppen Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case. Upon release from custody, Williams will also be required to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) upon release from custody. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. # # #


title: Chattanooga Man Sentenced To 54 Months In Federal Prison For Defrauding Church

component: USAO - Tennessee, Eastern

body_text: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. On August 24, 2023, David Michael Apps, 50 of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was sentenced to 54 months in prison by the Honorable Charles E. Atchley, Jr., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court in February 2023, Apps agreed to plead guilty to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud in violation of 18 USC § 1343. In addition to the 54 months’ term of imprisonment, Apps was also sentenced to 3 years’ supervised release, ordered to pay $1.08 million in restitution, and forfeited $4,200 in cash seized by the United States. According to court records, from 2014 through 2021, Apps was involved in a scheme to embezzle over $1.3 million while acting as the business manager of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Cleveland, TN. App’s scheme included the use of an official church credit card to pay for personal expenses. Some of these expenses included payment for personal travel, automobiles, medical bills for family members, boat/watercraft and marina fees, and other personal items, none of which was related to church business. Apps used his federal firearms license to funnel additional stolen money through his business account by using stolen church money to acquire a large supply of firearms. Apps also wrote checks to himself under the guise of church member donations to support supposed medical bills relating to his false claim that he had brain cancer. Apps additionally failed to pay the church’s payroll taxes over a period of years, which resulted in over a $1 million tax liability to the IRS from the church. Assistant United States Attorney Steven Neff represents the United States. The investigation was conducted by the FBI as part of the Smoky Mountains Financial Crimes Task Force. ###


title: KC Man Charged with Carjacking, Brandishing Illegal Firearm After High-Speed Chase

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Kan. man who was arrested after attacking an adult male victim, carjacking a second victim, getting into a high-speed chase with police, and crashing into a residence in Kansas City, Kansas was charged in federal court. Van Calvin Callahan, Jr., 43, was charged in a three-count criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. Callahan remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday, August 29. The federal criminal complaint charges Callahan with one count of carjacking, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. These offenses allegedly occurred on August 22, 2023. According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, on August 22, 2023, Callahan committed an unprovoked assault against a victim who was walking to the bus stop near East 3 rd Street and Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. A second victim attempted to intervene, and Callahan used a firearm to carjack that victim. The charges contained in this complaint 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 Ashleigh Ragner. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, Kansas City, Kan. Police Department.


title: Cleveland Woman Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy and Money Laundering

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

body_text: AKRON - Branea Bryant, age 30, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 290 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams. In March 2023, a jury convicted Bryant of one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and three counts of Money Laundering. The court also ordered Bryant to serve 10 years of supervised release following imprisonment and pay a $500 special assessment. The following information is based on court documents and evidence presented at trial. Based upon a long term, multi-agency investigation, the FBI determined that members of the conspiracy were selling fentanyl to customers at multiple locations in Cleveland, and that Branea Bryant was involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy. On August 31, 2021, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies executed search warrants at seven houses connected to the drug organization, and seized over a kilogram of fentanyl, numerous firearms, ammunition, high-speed money counters, drug presses, a vacuum-sealer used to package drugs and money, over $68,000 in cash, jewelry, and multiple high-end vehicles, including two Range Rovers and a Jaguar F-Type. Investigation by the IRS showed that Branea Bryant’s company, ADF3 Investments, owned several high-end vehicles connected to the drug conspiracy, including two Range Rovers that had been purchased with drug money, and a Jaguar F-Type that was used to facilitate drug deals. At trial, the lead IRS investigator testified that ADF3 did not file any state or federal tax returns, and that it did not appear to engage in any kind of legitimate business activity. The IRS investigator also testified that ADF3’s bank accounts, which had been opened by Branea Bryant, were largely funded with cash deposits and that ADF3’s accounts had been used to make large purchases at designer stores like Gucci and Prada using Branea Bryant’s debit card. Branea Bryant was one of 24 defendants indicted in the case, which was the result of a coordinated effort by the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). All 24 defendants, including Branea Bryant, were convicted. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Cartel, Gang, Narcotics, and Laundering Task Force (CGNL) and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Investigative Unit, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Cleveland Heights Police Department, the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Task Force (SEALE), the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the DEA, and the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Lewis, Joseph Dangelo, and James Morford. This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. 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.


title: Rantoul, Illinois, Man Convicted of Possession with Intent to Deliver More Than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine

component: Department of Justice

body_text: URBANA, Ill. – On August 23, 2023, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Artez L. Johnson, 38, of Rantoul, Illinois, for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Johnson was convicted following a jury trial in front of United States District Judge Colin s. Bruce. During the trial, the government presented evidence establishing that on February 20, 2023, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of Johnson’s car near the intersection of Maplewood and Grove Avenue in Rantoul. After Johnson – who was driving – got out of the car, Rantoul Police officers noticed a small bag of suspected cocaine on the driver’s seat. Officers searched the car and located approximately 330 grams of methamphetamine ice packed in three ziploc bags in the center console. Johnson said the methamphetamine belonged to him but claimed it was for personal use. The government presented additional evidence showing that Johnson had been dealing methamphetamine for several months before the traffic stop and that 330 grams is a distribution amount, not a personal use amount. The statutory penalty for possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine is not less than 10 years or more than life imprisonment. The case investigation was conducted by the Rantoul Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Sullivan and Rachel Ritzer represented the government in the prosecution.


title: Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 8+ Years in Federal Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A U.S. District judge sentenced an Arizona man to 100 months imprisonment after he admitted to trafficking more than 1,300 grams combined of fentanyl and heroin into southern Illinois. Jimmy Carrasco, 28, of Glendale, Arizona, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Following his prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release. “May this sentence serve as a warning for drug traffickers planning trips through Illinois—law enforcement is waiting for you,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Trafficking in fentanyl and heroin is trafficking in death and ISP will root out and pursue drug traffickers with everything we’ve got,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. According to court documents, officers with the Illinois State Police conducted a traffic stop on Carrasco’s vehicle on Interstate 70 in Madison County on Oct. 5, 2021. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered pills containing 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin. Co-defendant Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, 45, originally from Mexico, was a passenger in Carrasco’s vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. Gomezllanos-Martinez pleaded guilty to federal drug possession and illegal reentry charges and was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment on Jan. 18, 2023. DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Kapsak prosecuted the case.


title: Man Arrested for Charges Related to Two Victims Found Dead on Ft. Liberty in December 2020

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: GREENVILLE, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley announced charges relating to murder, drugs, firearms, and obstruction for Kenneth Maurice Quick, Jr. of Laurinburg, North Carolina. A federal grand jury indicted Quick on August 1, 2023, and that indictment was unsealed at his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Swank in Greenville. According to court documents and other information presented in court, it is alleged Quick committed first-degree murder by shooting a victim on Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) on December 1, 2020. In addition, it is alleged Quick used a firearm to murder a second victim that same day. The murder of the second victim was in relation to a separate charge for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Quick is also alleged to have been a felon at the time of these offenses and knowingly possessed ammunition. Finally, Quick is alleged to have obstructed justice by attempting to dispose of the body of one of the victims. Quick is currently serving 57 months in federal prison for an unrelated conviction. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division). U.S. Attorney Michael Easley commends the focus and dedication of the investigating agencies that allowed these charges to be brought. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad DeVoe and Caroline Webb are prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-246. The indictment is located here: An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. ###


title: All 20 Members of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization Sentenced to a Total of More Than 265 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS –Richard A. Wells, a/k/a Council, 30, of Indianapolis, Indiana has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Wells was the final of 20 defendants to be sentenced in this conspiracy. According to court documents, Wells was a member of a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking organization that operated in the Indianapolis area from February 2019 through July 14, 2021. The organization was led by Jason Betts, a resident of Indianapolis, who coordinated the receipt of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Los Angeles, California and organized the distribution of the controlled substances in Indianapolis. Betts was previously sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by Judge Hanlon following his guilty plea. In February of 2023, Rick P. Coley, 36, of Indianapolis, and David K. Duggar, 40, of Greenwood, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a two-week jury trial. Both Coley and Duggar served as upper-level drug distributors for Betts. Judge Hanlon sentenced Coley to 30 years’ imprisonment and Duggar to 23 years. The investigation resulted in the indictment and conviction of twenty total defendants for their roles in the organization’s drug trafficking activity. The organization distributed approximately 350 pounds of methamphetamine and 15 kilograms of fentanyl during its operation. Other sentences include the following: Defendant Charge Sentence Jennifer J. Black, 41, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 21 years’ imprisonment Aleshalia Boss, 43, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and Distribution of Fentanyl 22 years’ imprisonment Brittany Cocco, 33, Indianapolis Unlawful use of a cell phone Time Served Kenneth K. Fielder, 28, Bloomfield Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine 4.5 years’ imprisonment Stephen Grider, a/k/a Compton, 42, Los Angeles, California Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 14 years’ imprisonment Donta L. Hampton, 36, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 18 years’ imprisonment Justin Helms, age, Spencer, Indiana Conspiracy to distribute controlled 4.5 years’ imprisonment Colin Johnson, 30, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 5 years’ imprisonment Brian McGee, 44, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 10 years’ imprisonment. William K. Mosier, 43, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 10 years’ imprisonment. Christina Pennington, 26, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 1.5 years’ imprisonment Mar-Kel Sampson, 31, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 2 years’ imprisonment Marco Uribe, 43, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 10 years imprisonment Asa Vetters, 32, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 10 years’ imprisonment. Montez L. Wells, 32, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 20 years’ imprisonment Carl T. Wilson, a/k/a Bud, 36, Indianapolis Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances 10 years’ imprisonment “Drug trafficking organizations who push fentanyl and methamphetamine into our communities seek profits without regard for the deaths and lasting trauma they cause,” said United States Attorney for the Southern District for Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Dismantling these criminal networks through comprehensive investigations and prosecutions is a top priority for federal, state, and local law enforcement. The convictions and sentences imposed here demonstrate that trafficking in these very deadly drugs carries very serious consequences.” “Due to extraordinary investigative work by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a significant drug trafficking organization has been dismantled, and 20 of its members have been brought to justice,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “These criminals profited from peddling illegal drugs that destroy lives and families. The sentencing of the final defendant in this case closes the book on this criminal enterprise, preventing them from bringing further harm to the community.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police, National Guard of the United States, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Kelsey L. Massa, who prosecuted this case. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation . 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. ###


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 136 Months for Drug Trafficking in the Tri Cities

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Richland, Washington – On August 23, 2023, Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Amado De La Mora Cardenas, age 35, to over 11 years in in federal prison after his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. De La Mora Cardenas, who is from Colima, Mexico, also will serve 5 years of federal supervision after he is released from custody. According to information disclosed during court proceedings, in April 2020, an investigation was initiated into an organization suspected to be involved in trafficking methamphetamine into the Eastern District of Washington, specifically in the Tri-Cities, Washington, and Connell, Washington, areas. Multiple subjects were identified within the organization to include Carlos Madrigal-Deniz; Amado De La Mora Cardenas, Rafael Muniz De la Mora; and Pascual Masqueda-Salinas, and others. In September 2020, De La Mora Cardenas and Co-Defendant Madrigal-Deniz made arrangements for a ten-pound delivery of methamphetamine from Muniz-De La Mora, who brought a four-year-old child to the transaction. The child was wearing a Spider-Man backpack containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Co-Defendant Muniz-De La Mora escorted the young child, who is seen wearing the backpack, from one vehicle to another. Co-Defendant Muniz-De La Mora, the child, and De La Mora Cardenas then entered into the second vehicle – a Chevy Cruze. Shortly thereafter, DEA Tri-Cities stopped the Chevy Cruze and recovered the backpack, which was inside the car, next to the child. Inside the Spider-Man Backpack, the DEA recovered 10 pounds of methamphetamine supplied by De La Mora Cardenas and Co-Defendant Muniz-De La Mora. Below are still shots from surveillance video of the transaction. Muniz-De La Mora Cardenas appears in the blue hoodie. Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated “Drug distribution continues to harm the Tri-Cities and elsewhere. It is particularly troubling that Mr. De La Mora Cardenas participated in a drug transaction where a four-year old child was used to conceal distribution activities” U.S. Attorney Waldref continued: “I commend the collaborative efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement to identify Mr. De La Mora Cardenas’s drug trafficking activities and to prevent him from further distributing this poison in our community.” “This incident is another sad example of the depths drug traffickers will go to exploit others, even children, to continue their drug trafficking. The case illustrates to the community the steadfast resolve of DEA and our federal, state, local partners in the Tri-Cities in bringing wrongdoers to justice,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. Brigit Clary, Richland Police Department’s Chief of Police, stated “The drug trade does not recognize jurisdictional boundaries when insidiously introducing the most vulnerable of our population to life altering substances; even using children to accomplish their destruction. Law enforcement in the Tri-Cities, together with the US Attorney’s Office, remains committed to working together across local and federal lines to partner in aggressively combatting drug crimes, and keeping our communities safer.” Chris Guerrero, Kennewick Police Department’s Chief of Police, stated “This impactful sentence is yet another great example of the public safety partnerships that are in operation every single day to keep the Tri-Cities area safe. We appreciate the commitment from our Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force, the DEA, US Border Patrol, and the US Attorney’s Office in holding those who are providing illegal narcotics to our communities accountable.” This case was investigated by the DEA Tri-Cities, the METRO Drug Task Force, United States Border Patrol, Richland Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department, and West Richland Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. 4:20-CR-06028-SAB


title: Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Gun Crime in St. Louis

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Thursday found a registered sex offender guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm after he was caught by St. Louis police with a gun during a domestic dispute. Mario Long, now 52, was arrested Aug. 6, 2020, after St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called to a home in the 4600 block of Louisiana Avenue. Long’s then-girlfriend had locked him out of the house during a dispute. Long shattered the glass on the home’s front door, assaulted his girlfriend and then got a gun from a bedroom, according to testimony at trial. The girlfriend’s daughter called police and said Long was threatening them both with the gun. When police arrived, Long was shouting at his girlfriend. He walked into a bedroom and hid a Taurus 9mm handgun, witnesses said during the trial. Long is a convicted felon and is barred from possessing a firearm. His prior convictions include unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault, child molestation, statutory rape and statutory sodomy. Long is scheduled to be sentenced later this year. The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine Hoag and John Ware are prosecuting the case.


title: Houma Resident Charged with Federal Narcotics and Firearms Charges

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that CURTIS WILLIAMSON JR. , age 40, of Houma, LA, was indicted on August 10, 2023 on one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and one (1) count of Possession of Firearms during a Drug Trafficking Offense in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). The indictment was previously sealed and was unsealed on August 23, 2023. According to the indictment, following a complaint that WILLIAMSON JR. trafficked illegal narcotics, a search warrant was executed on WILLIAMSON JR.’s residence by Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office after which multiple kilograms of methamphetamine and numerous firearms were discovered. 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. United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.


title: NASHVILLE MAN SENTENCED FOR NOVEMBER 2020 VIOLENT CRIME SPREE

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NASHVILLE – Defendant Miles Priddy, 24, of Nashville, Tennessee, was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for a string of violent crimes he committed in Nashville in 2020, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. Priddy and his co-defendant, Dion Swanson, were charged with multiple crimes by a federal grand jury in 2022. On April 17, 2023, Priddy pled guilty to attempted carjacking, carjacking, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from a crime spree on the evening of November 23, 2020, involving an attempted carjacking in East Nashville where Priddy and Swanson attempted to carjack a vehicle. After the victim said his vehicle did not work, Priddy and his co-defendant beat him with weapons and their fists. They then took the victim’s cellphone, wallet, and pants before fleeing. Less than an hour later, the two men crashed into the back of a vehicle stopped at an intersection. As the driver exited his vehicle to inspect the damage, Priddy and Swanson committed an armed carjacking. When the driver hesitated to give up his keys, Priddy and Swanson beat him unconscious in front of his family and then took his vehicle. Metropolitan Nashville Police Department officers apprehended Priddy and Swanson a short time later. "As a result of today's sentence, this violent criminal will be removed from our community for almost a decade," said United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis. "I commend the outstanding work done in this case by the Metro-Nashville Police Department, the FBI, and the prosecutors in our office to protect Nashvillians from violent crime." Priddy’s co-defendant has entered a guilty plea and will be sentenced by United States District Judge William L. Campbell Jr. in September. The FBI Memphis Field Office and Metropolitan Nashville Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Herbert L. Bunton III for the Middle District of Tennessee prosecuted the case. #####


title: Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A California man pleaded guilty yesterday to fraudulently obtaining $345,108 in COVID-19 pandemic relief loans from a financial institution and the Small Business Administration (SBA). According to court documents, Artur Chanchikyan, 55, of Los Angeles, was the owner of Gentle Touch Home Health Care Inc. (Gentle Touch), a home health agency that was located in North Hollywood, California. On or about Dec. 27, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) placed Chanchikyan under Medicare payment suspension based on fraud allegations. While under suspension, around April 2020, Chanchikyan applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan seeking $160,000 on behalf of Gentle Touch. In the PPP application, Chanchikyan made false representations, including the number of employees to whom Gentle Touch paid wages and Gentle Touch’s average monthly payroll expenses at the time of the application, and false certifications that the loan would be used for permissible business purposes by Gentle Touch. As a result, Gentle Touch received approximately $45,472 in PPP loan proceeds. Around April 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program deposited approximately $139,736 into Gentle Touch’s bank account. The PRF automatically distributed funds to providers who met certain criteria to help health care providers that were financially impacted by COVID-19, as well as to provide care to patients who were suffering from COVID-19 and compensate providers for the cost of that care. On or about May 1, 2020, Chanchikyan falsely certified to HHS that he would use the funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 or to reimburse Gentle Touch for health care related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 as required. Additionally, around July 2020, Chanchikyan submitted an application to the SBA seeking a low-interest loan from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. In the EIDL application, Chanchikyan falsely represented the number of employees at Gentle Touch, and falsely certified that the loan would be used for permissible business purposes. As a result, Gentle Touch received approximately $159,900 in EIDL proceeds. Chanchikyan used the funds from the PPP, PRF, and EIDL programs for his own benefit and for purposes that were different from those he certified. Chanchikyan pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California, Special Agent in Charge Timothy B. DeFrancesca of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement. The HHS-OIG and FBI Los Angeles Field Office are investigating the case. Trial Attorney Helen H. Lee, Patrick J. Queenan, and Laura Connelly of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Ohio Electrical Engineer Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion

component: Tax Division

body_text: John Everson, of Liberty Center, Ohio, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for evading taxes by using a sham trust to conceal income he earned from his electrical engineering business. A federal jury convicted Everson in October 2022 of three counts of tax evasion. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from approximately 2009 through 2016, Everson earned more than $2.3 million in income from the business. He attempted to conceal much of this income and evade the IRS by instructing clients to make payments to a trust that he controlled. Everson used the trust money to pay personal expenses and make large cash withdrawals. He also funneled some of the trust funds to other bank accounts held in the names of non-profit organizations that he and several family members controlled, even listing his home and airplane in the name of a non-profit organization. In total, Everson’s conduct caused a loss to the IRS of $658,487. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick for the Northern District of Ohio ordered Everson to serve two years of supervised release and pay restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Sarah Ranney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.


title: Ohio Electrical Engineer Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

body_text: WASHINGTON – John Everson, of Liberty Center, Ohio, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for evading taxes by using a sham trust to conceal income he earned from his electrical engineering business. A federal jury convicted Everson in October 2022 of three counts of tax evasion. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from approximately 2009 through 2016, Everson earned more than $2.3 million in income from the business. He attempted to conceal much of this income and evade the IRS by instructing clients to make payments to a trust that he controlled. Everson used the trust money to pay personal expenses and make large cash withdrawals. He also funneled some of the trust funds to other bank accounts held in the names of non-profit organizations that he and several family members controlled, even listing his home and airplane in the name of a non-profit organization. In total, Everson’s conduct caused a loss to the IRS of $658,487. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick for the Northern District of Ohio ordered Everson to serve two years of supervised release and pay restitution to the United States. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio made the announcement. IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorney Sarah Ranney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.


title: Chelsea Man Indicted for Unlawful Trafficking of Machinegun Conversion Devices

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A Chelsea man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston with illegally selling machinegun conversion devices. Michael Williams, 49, was indicted on two counts of transferring or possessing a machinegun and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Williams was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on July 28, 2023. According to the charging documents, in January 2023, Williams agreed to sell several machinegun conversion devices and other firearm accessories to an undercover federal agent. It is alleged that, following a series of communications, Williams met the undercover agent twice at a pre-arranged location. It is further alleged that on Jan. 12, 2023, Williams sold the first machinegun conversion device, along with numerous rounds of ammunition, to the undercover agent. On the following day Williams allegedly sold two additional machinegun conversion devices to the undercover agent. Williams is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction. The charge of unlawful transferring or possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The felon in possession charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Colorado Springs Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Brandon Bourret, age 47, of Colorado Springs, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release, for production of child pornography. According to the facts contained in the plea agreement, the defendant began sexually abusing Minor #1, who was 13 years old at the time, when he lived in the Philippines in 2011. He also created photographs depicting his sexual abuse of Minor #1 during that time frame. After moving back to the United States in October 2011, the defendant continued to sexually abuse Minor #1 and memorialize the sexual abuse in photographs and videos during trips to the Philippines in 2012 and 2013. Additionally, while in Colorado, the defendant utilized the Internet to produce sexually explicit images depicting Minor #1 and a second victim, Minor #2, from April 2014 to July 2014. “The exploitation of children is a grievous and intolerable crime,” said United States Attorney Cole Finegan. “Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners, this predator has been stopped in his tracks.” “Protecting children is a top priority of every community and law enforcement agency, including the FBI. In this case, the defendant sexually abused and exploited children for years,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “His depraved conduct is deplorable. Now he is in a place where he can’t harm children anymore.” United States District Court Judge William J. Martinez presided over the sentencing on August 16, 2023. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts handled the prosecution. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page. Case number: 20-cr-00289


title: Greenville Woman Pleads Guilty to Making Fraudulent Statements to Medicaid in Connection with the Delivery of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Nina Bourret, 41, of Greenville, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false and fraudulent statements on claims submitted to Medicaid. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Bourret was an owner of Agapi Behavior Consultants, Inc., which provided Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to treat Autism Spectrum Disorder. From February 2021 to December 2022, Bourret submitted electronic claims to Medicaid on behalf of Agapi falsely and fraudulently certifying that services had been rendered and/or certifying that services had been rendered in excess of what was actually provided to the beneficiary. The investigation has revealed Bourret and Agapi submitted claims to Medicaid that contained false and fraudulent statements in excess of $900,000.00. Bourret faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and 3 years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. Senior United States District Judge Henry Michael Herlong, Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Bourret after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case. ###


title: CLARKSVILLE DOCTOR SENTENCED IN HEALTH CARE FRAUD CASE

body_text: NASHVILLE – Dr. Samson K. Orusa, 61, of Clarksville, Tennessee, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in federal prison after being convicted of over a dozen felony health care fraud charges, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. The defendant, through his medical clinic in Clarksville, billed federal health insurance programs for hundreds of medically unnecessary services, including unnecessary office visits and steroid injections. The evidence at trial showed that he required Medicare beneficiaries and other patients to visit his clinic as many as six times each month and to undergo unnecessary steroid injections in order to obtain their prescriptions. The evidence also showed that the defendant altered progress visit notes in his patients’ medical records to justify higher billing rates. “Combating health care fraud is a top priority for this office,” said United States Attorney Leventis. “As a result of the excellent work done in this case by our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, this physician will now be serving 7 years in federal prison for defrauding the Medicare program.” The defendant was charged in 2018 with 45 criminal violations, including 13 counts of health care fraud. He was convicted at trial of all charges except for nine counts of illegal distribution of oxycodone. Yesterday’s sentencing concerned only the health care fraud crimes charged in the indictment. In addition to the 84-month prison sentence, the defendant was ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release. He was also fined $195,000 and must forfeit previously seized assets worth approximately $900,000. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Clarksville Police Department; and the 19 th Judicial District Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie N. Toussaint and Miller A. Bushong prosecuted this case. # # # # #


title: Oregon Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Stalking

body_text: BOISE – Joel Waters, 44, of Wallowa, Oregon, pleaded guilty to interstate stalking, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. According to court records, between October 7 and December 24, 2020, Waters traveled between Oregon and Idaho to harass and intimidate the victim who was residing in Boise. Waters took dogs from the victim’s home and car, slashed the tires on the victim’s vehicle, set fire to the victim’s residence in Oregon on two occasions, placed a tracking device on the victim’s vehicle, set fire to the victim’s vehicle, and sent the victim numerous harassing emails. Some of Waters’ acts occurred in violation of a civil protection order that the victim had obtained against Waters in Oregon. Waters is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye on November 8, 2023, and faces a minimum of one year and up to five years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Boise Police Department, and the Oregon State Police, which led to the charge. ###


title: Glen Burnie Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 19 Years in Federal Prison

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Baltimore , Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Benjamin Lawton, age 42, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, on August 23, 2023, to 19 years in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, in connection with his sex trafficking and or transportation of eight women to work for him in his prostitution business. Judge Bennett also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Lawton will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Judge Bennett also ordered that Lawton must pay restitution to the victims in the full amount of their losses. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. According to his plea agreement, beginning in at least 2020, Lawton recruited, enticed, transported, advertised, and solicited at least eight victims by force, threats of force, or coercion into engaging in commercial sex acts. Lawton enticed and coerced the victims to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution, transporting the victims himself or paying for airline tickets to transport the victims across state lines to engage in prostitution. As detailed in the plea agreement, Lawton’s victims were expected to provide Lawton with all the money they made from commercial sex acts and Lawton threatened them with physical harm if they did not follow the rules. For example, Lawton met Victim 1 through a female friend in March 2021. Eventually, Lawton explained to Victim 1 that she belonged to him, and he took photos for commercial sex ads for both Victim 1 and her friend and taught Victim 1 how to engage in commercial sex acts. Lawton also taught Victim 1 the text codes and rules. When Victim 1 did not use the correct text code after one of her “dates,” Lawton slapped Victim 1 so hard that her eardrum burst. Lawton put Victim 1 into hotel rooms near the BWI airport, around Washington, D.C. and in Northern Virginia, where she engaged in commercial sex and provided all the money she earned to Lawton. Victim 2 met Lawton in May 2021 through her relationship with Victim 1. Lawton took Victim 2 to hotels in Washington, D.C. and near the BWI airport to engage in commercial sex acts. Victims 1 and 2 were very close, and when Victim 2 failed to perform her date and commercial sex acts in the way Lawton required, Lawton assaulted Victim 1. Lawton also punched Victim 3 in the eye when he found out that she did not give him all the money she earned; Lawton routinely threatened Victim 4, telling her that he would beat her so badly her family wouldn’t recognize her; Lawton threatened to kill Victim 5 and her family if she ever tried to leave; and Lawton assaulted Victim 6, injuring her eye, but refused to let her go to the emergency room or seek medical care for several weeks. Between 2020 and 2022, Lawton deposited almost $100,000 in cash into his bank accounts made from the exploitation and trafficking of his victims. This case was investigated by law enforcement agencies that are members of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.mdhumantrafficking.org/ . United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Maryland State Police, and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen E. McGuinn, who prosecuted the case. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/human-trafficking and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach . # # #


title: Pakistani Doctor Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

body_text: A Rochester man was sentenced today to 216 months in prison, equivalent to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. According to court documents, Muhammad Masood, 31, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan, was formerly employed as a research coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B visa. Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood used an encrypted messaging application to facilitate his travel overseas to join a terrorist organization. Masood made multiple statements about his desire to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS), and he pledged his allegiance to the designated terrorist organization and its leader. Masood also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, Masood purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois, to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria. On March 16, 2020, Masood’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. Masood then agreed to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory. On March 19, 2020, Masood traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, Masood checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Masood pleaded guilty on Aug. 16, 2022, to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Masood was sentenced today before Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.


title: Kandiyohi County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Kandiyohi County man has pleaded guilty to producing sexually explicit images of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, in November 2022, Andrew John Groen, 35, contacted a minor victim using the messaging application TextMe. Groen, who knew the victim was a minor, identified himself in messages as a 19-year-old man named “Tyler.” On multiple occasions, Groen coerced the minor to send sexually explicit images. Groen also sent the minor victim obscene images and links to pornography, and encouraged the minor victim to have sex with an adult man identified in messages. Groen pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Willmar Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.


title: Two Darknet Vendors Plead Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and Other Illegal Drugs

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Phoenix, Arizona, couple pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute multiple controlled substances including heroin, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl over the darknet. According to court documents, from approximately January 2021 through May 2023, Cheerish Noel Taylor, 36, and Robert James Fischer, 35, ran the darknet monikers “SafeServe,” “Sky_HIGH,” and others across multiple darknet markets. On these markets, the co-conspirators advertised and sold various controlled substances, including crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, Xanax, Adderall, suboxone, and counterfeit pills that the conspirators advertised as oxycodone but that instead were laced with para-fluorofentanyl, a dangerous fentanyl analogue. During the course of the conspiracy, the conspirators made over 1,100 sales of controlled substances over the darknet using these accounts. The darknet, also called the darkweb, is a portion of the Internet that hosts darknet markets, or hidden commercial websites. A darknet market operates as a black market, selling or brokering transactions involving legal products, as well as drugs, weapons, counterfeit currency, stolen credit card details, forged documents, unlicensed pharmaceuticals, steroids, and other illicit goods. Fischer and Taylor sold counterfeit oxycodone pills, which they marketed as “pressed m30s” and “blues,” knowing that they did not contain oxycodone, and instead contained fentanyl or a fentanyl analogue. Within the product description for the purported “blues,” the defendant’s darknet vendor page on the site ASAP Market stated that “These are not reg M30s they are PRESSED and are very strong…seasoned users only please.” In another listing for the purported “blues,” the defendants advertised “small fine print: these are NOT from a pharmacy they are PRESSED from Mexico. Seasoned users Only because these are strong AF not for those who are freshly using.” Fischer and Taylor sold other drugs on the darknet that they advertised as being legitimate, pharmaceutically, produced drugs. For example, the two sold what they described as “pharmaceutical Adderall’ for over $13 per pill. The two shipped controlled substances nationwide through the United States Postal Service, and attempted to disguise the controlled substances within packages amidst dollar-store goods, such as children’s stickers, beads, birthday cards, and seasonal gift items. At times, the controlled substances were hidden inside of toy packaging. Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8. She faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. Fischer is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2024. He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge T. S. Ellis III accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Call is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-112.


title: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Charges

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – REYNALDO DOMINICK , age 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on August 17, 2023, before United States District Judge Carl L. Barbier to a four-count superseding bill of information charging him in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine-base (“crack”) and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(C). DOMINICK was charged in Counts 2 and 4 with being a Felon in Possession of Firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Lastly, in Count 3, DOMINICK was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (fentanyl) in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). According to court documents, DOMINICK was previously convicted of several felony convictions out of Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish. On December 25, 2020, DOMINICK fled from Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies during a traffic stop. After DOMINICK crashed his vehicle and was apprehended, multiple small baggies of cocaine-base and cocaine were found in DOMINICK’s pants, and two firearms were recovered from DOMINICK’s vehicle . On August 12, 2021, DOMINICK was again arrested at his home and agents located two stolen firearms and fentanyl in a bag that DOMINICK threw on top of his carport roof. Agents also located DOMINICK’s cellphone that contained several messages involving narcotics trafficking activity. In pleading guilty, DOMINICK has acknowledged he possessed fentanyl, cocaine-base, and cocaine with intent to distribute and possessed firearms to further his drug trafficking. DOMINICK is also prohibited from possessing firearms due to his criminal history. DOMINICK is scheduled to be sentenced on December 7, 2023. As to Counts 1 and 3, DOMINICK faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least 3 years of supervised release. As to Counts 2 and 4, DOMINICK faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three (3) years of supervised release. As to each count, DOMINICK faces payment of a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Kalamazoo Man Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison For Federal Drug And Gun Crimes

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Case Represented the Largest Seizure of Fentanyl in the Kalamazoo Area GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney sentenced Tyrone Henderson, 51, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, to 27 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of firearms. After release from prison, Henderson will spend five years on federal supervised release. The Court also ordered Henderson to forfeit firearms and drug proceeds seized from his residence. “We’re in a fight to save lives against illegal firearms and fentanyl, which pose an extreme danger to our communities,” said U.S Attorney Totten . “Disrupting the supply lines of illegal drugs and unlawful guns is a top priority for my office. I applaud our local, state, federal, and multi-jurisdictional task force partners for their investigative work to protect our communities and hold Mr. Henderson accountable.” The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET), a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force, had an ongoing investigation of Henderson for his involvement with fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution in Kalamazoo. KVET obtained a warrant to search Henderson’s residence and executed it on November 10, 2022. A search of the residence yielded 2.3 kilograms of pure fentanyl, 1.3 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, 516 grams of heroin, and 489 grams of methamphetamine. Much of the methamphetamine seized from Henderson’s residence was in pill form, disguised to look like the party drug ecstasy. Henderson’s residence also contained four assault rifles; ten magazines, nine of which were loaded and fit the assault rifles; ammunition; a handgun; digital scales; presses; and other implements used for processing narcotics. Two of the seized firearms were reported stolen to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Henderson has multiple prior felony convictions, including a prior federal drug trafficking conviction, and is prohibited from possessing firearms. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Maloney observed that fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine are a “scourge” not only in the Western District of Michigan, but across the United States and that fentanyl is the primary catalyst for the spike in drug overdoses in the past five years. Judge Maloney noted that Henderson did not learn his lesson after spending nearly 10 years in prison on his prior federal drug trafficking conviction. He characterized Henderson as a “threat to the public” given the lethal nature of fentanyl, the quantity of drugs Henderson possessed, and the nature and number of firearms involved in the case. In handing down the 27-year sentence, Judge Maloney recognized the need to “incapacitate” Henderson from committing further crimes of this nature. “Today’s sentence of Tyrone Henderson is a testament to the hard work DEA and our outstanding law enforcement partners put into this investigation," said Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Detroit Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration . "We will continue to aggressively pursue those who deal drugs and cause death in our community.” “The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team is proud of the work accomplished to seize these lethal drugs and dangerous weapons off the street and successfully prosecute Mr. Henderson with our federal partners,” said KVET Sgt Brian Cake . “Our hope is that this lengthy prison sentence sends a clear message to deter anyone else who is currently involved in similar illegal crimes in our city.” The investigation of Henderson was handled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel S. Fauson and Austin J. Hakes prosecuted the case. ###


title: Missoula doctor settles alleged Controlled Substances Act recordkeeping violations for $85,000

body_text: HELENA—A Missoula doctor who operated clinics in Missoula and Kalispell that dispense ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects, has agreed to pay the federal government $85,000 to settle alleged Controlled Substances Act violations that he distributed the drug from an unregistered location and failed to maintain records for his controlled substances, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today. Dr. William D. Stratford Jr. entered into a civil settlement agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana on Aug. 11. The terms of the agreement require Stratford to pay a settlement amount of $85,000, attend training on the Controlled Substances Act and comply with record keeping requirements. The agreement further prohibits Stratford from prescribing controlled substances to himself or any immediate family members or office staff for five years. “Maintaining accurate records as required by the Controlled Substance Act is critical to make sure that controlled substances, such as ketamine, are not abused or misused. We expect doctors and all providers to comply with these rules, and we take any violations of the regulations seriously. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Kakuk and the DEA for their work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said. “Doctors and health care professionals are entrusted with prescribing medications responsibly and in the best interests of their patients,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge James Stroop III of the Rocky Mountain Field Division. “Failure to comply with the Controlled Substances Act can have serious public safety and health implications. The DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to keep our communities safe.” In a Complaint, the United States contended that in May 2021, DEA investigators conducted an inspection of Stratford’s Missoula clinic, Big Sky Ketamine Care, and found violations of the Controlled Substances Act that included numerous failures to maintain complete and accurate records for his controlled substances. Stratford did not maintain as required a separate registration for controlled substances stored as his residence or at his Kalispell clinic. In addition, Stratford did not maintain as required records of receipt for ketamine and failed to provide distribution records as required for ketamine that was administered or distributed from May 2019 through February 2021. The DEA identifies ketamine as a Schedule III non-narcotic substance. The drug is a short-acting anesthetic and is used for short-term sedation and for treatment of resistant depression, post-traumatic stress, and other psychological conditions. The settlement agreement is neither an admission of liability by Stratford nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well-founded. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Kakuk represented the United States in this matter. The DEA conducted the investigation. XXX


title: West Virginia man sentenced for federal drug charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Matthew Scott Mayle, age 37, of Philippi, West Virginia, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Mayle sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer on two separate occasions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided. ###


title: Major Carteret County Methamphetamine Dealer Sentenced to More than 16 Years in Prison

body_text: WILMINGTON, N.C. – Lee Trevor Kirwan, 38, of Carteret County, was sentenced to 200 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On February 21, 2023, Kirwan pled guilty to the charges. According to court documents and information presented in court, on January 30, 2022, investigators with the Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the New Bern Police Department encountered the defendant during a traffic stop in Craven County. After a narcotics dog alerted to Kirwan’s backpack, a search located approximately one pound of crystal methamphetamine, approximately 1.5 ounces of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue, and a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver. During questioning, Kirwan admitted to supplying at least 20 individuals in Carteret County with crystal methamphetamine for further distribution. Kirwan previously sustained a felony conviction in Virginia for larceny and possession of burglary tools. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office, the New Bern Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine S. Englander prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 4:22-CR-00063-M-BM.


title: Houma Man Indicted on Federal  Drug and Firearms Charges

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TREVON HARVEY , age 35, a resident of Houma, Louisiana, was charged on August 24, 2023 in a three-count indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. Count 1 of the indictment charges HARVEY with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). For this offense, he faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of five years, up to forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Count 2 charges HARVEY with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). For this offense, he faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. Count 3 charges HARVEY with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). For this offense, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment, up to life, to run consecutive with any other sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years supervised release. For each of the counts of the indictment, the defendant faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. 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. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Houma Police Department Narcotics Division. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney J. Benjamin Myers of the Narcotics Unit.


body_text: ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – James Ray Arbogast, age 57, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, Arbogast sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant from his Elkins home on several occasions. The sales were caught on video, which shows Arbogast weighing the drugs on a digital scale. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The case was investigated by the Mountain Region Drug Task Force. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: Trenton, New Jersey Man Pleads Not Guilty to Human Smuggling Charges

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Victor Francisco Lopez-Padilla, 35, of Trenton, New Jersey, will be arraigned in the District of Vermont before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on August 29, 2023. He is charged in a two-count indictment that alleges he and codefendant Simon Jacinto-Ramos conspired to commit human-smuggling offenses and brought a migrant without legal status to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain. Lopez-Padilla was arrested in Trenton on August 1, 2023, and was seen for an initial appearance in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey before being transferred to the District of Vermont for further proceedings. Jacinto-Ramos has not yet been arrested in conjunction with the indictment. An arraignment will be scheduled after his arrest. According to court records, Lopez-Padilla and Jacinto-Ramos, a resident of Montreal, worked together to bring migrants to, and smuggle them into, the United States for their personal profit, while knowing that the migrants lacked legal status to enter and remain in the United States. The defendants arranged transportation for the smuggled migrants from the Montreal area to a remote area of the border between the United States and Canada near Richford, Vermont. They provided a route for the migrants to follow on foot, and they tracked the migrants’ progress via cell phone mapping programs. The defendants then arranged transportation for the migrants in the United States in furtherance of their illegal entry. The United States Border Patrol intercepted at least four such smuggling events between April 2022 and June 2023 that appeared to agents to have been organized by the defendants based on phone data and witness interviews, and those events involved at least 23 smuggled migrants in total. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Lopez-Padilla remains presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted of a crime. Lopez-Padilla faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 3 years if convicted as charged. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to Federal Sentencing Guidelines. U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigative efforts of the United States Border Patrol and thanked Homeland Security Investigations and the New Jersey State Police for their support of Border Patrol in the apprehension of Lopez-Padilla. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher is handling the prosecution of Lopez-Padilla and Jacinto-Ramos. Lopez-Padilla is represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq.