title: Omaha Man Sentenced to 235 Months in $1 Million Dollar Bank Robbery Conspiracy

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Demitrius Alston, age 34, of Omaha, Nebraska was sentenced on August 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for bank robbery, attempted bank robbery, and conspiracy to commit interference with interstate commerce by way of robbery. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Alston to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Alston will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release. The amount of restitution to be ordered will be determined at a future hearing. Alston was indicted in three criminal cases in 2020. He is the last defendant to be sentenced in a conspiracy to rob federally insured banks across Nebraska, South Dakota, North Carolina, and Iowa between 2015 and 2020. The first indictment returned by the grand jury charged him with conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery involving four other defendants and fifteen banks. The defendants, who wore disguises and masks, would generally initiate “takeover” style robberies, establishing control of the employees and customers in the banks by brandishing firearms, enabling them to gain access to the vaults. In the conspiracy case, the defendants robbed federally insured banks of $959,147.68 between June 1, 2015, and June 22, 2018. Next, Alston was indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of North Carolina. The indictment charged him with robbing a Wells Fargo Bank on July 29, 2019, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The North Carolina case was later transferred from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska for disposition. During that robbery, Alston and another suspect robbed the bank of over $77,000.00 in a similar “takeover” style manner, fleeing in a 1993 Chevy Lumina. On the same day, Alston entered the Fayetteville Regional Airport and approached a TSA security checkpoint. As he was being screened, TSA agents flagged his bag for inspection. The TSA agent searching the backpack located large sums of U.S. currency. Alston snatched the bag and took off running. As he ran, he dropped a large sum of currency inside the terminal and his backpack. Investigators recovered $38,110.00 in new, crisp bills (approximately half of the amount stolen from the bank). Alston also left his Nebraska identification, cellphone, and boarding pass in the security bin. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later searched Alston’s home in Nebraska and recovered the title to a 1993 Chevrolet that was used as the getaway car and seized by the Fayetteville Police Department. The final indictment returned by the grand jury in the District of Nebraska charged Alston and a codefendant with attempted robbery of a Metro Credit Union and a robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank in Nebraska. On September 25, 2018, Alston and codefendant Brealon Goodwin attempted to rob a Metro Credit Union located on North 72nd Street in Omaha. Alston and Goodwin wore disguises and used a stolen red Jeep to flee. On September 28, 2018, Alston and Goodwin robbed the Wells Fargo Bank of over $16,000.00. During the Wells Fargo robbery, Alston and Goodwin wore disguises and demanded money, and one of the defendants had his hand in his pocket in a manner suggesting to the teller that he was carrying a concealed firearm. Alston was able to avoid arrest until September 27, 2021. During an interview with investigators, he admitted he participated in nearly two dozen robberies, including those charged. All the banks were federally insured. Among the related defendants, Brealon Goodwin was sentenced to concurrent sentences of imprisonment for 69 months on each of three counts of conviction in two of the cases involving Alston. Kevin Brown was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment on two counts of conviction, totaling 128 months, Tristen Coleman was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment on two counts of conviction, totaling 100 months. Charles Ware was sentenced to consecutive sentences of imprisonment on each of two counts of conviction, totaling 170 months. The related defendants were sentenced in 2022 and 2023. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Omaha Police Department, and the Lincoln Police Department.


title: New Haven Resident Who Made False Statements During Citizenship Process is Sentenced

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MOHAMED NAJM KAMASH, also known as Mohamed Najm Mohamed Ali Kamash, 33, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to approximately two months of imprisonment, time already served, and two years of supervised release, for making false statements during his citizenship process. According to court documents and statements made in court, Kamash is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., having immigrated to the U.S. from Iraq in 2014. On August 17, 2021, Kamash appeared in Hartford for a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) interview about his pending Application of Naturalization (Form N-400), and was placed under oath. During the interview with a USCIS agent, Kamash knowingly and falsely stated that he did not know anyone involved with a terrorist organization and that no member of his family was involved with a terrorist organization. Kamash was arrested on a criminal complaint on May 5, 2022, and was released on bond on June 30, 2022. On March 25, 2024, he pleaded guilty to making a false statement in a naturalization proceeding. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Doherty and Konstantin Lantsman.


title: Member of Violent New Haven Gang Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison

body_text: SAMUEL DOUGLAS, also known as “Blamm,” 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a violent New Haven street gang. Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson. According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city. The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven. Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020. The investigation revealed that Douglas and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, from 2018 to 2023, committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders. Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. On April 22, 2024, Douglas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that on June 16, 2018, he and fellow Exit 8 member Kiveon Hyman shot at and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang in the area of Fountain Street, Davis Street, and Lakeview Terrace in New Haven. In the shooting, the intended victim’s associate suffered seven gunshot wounds, but survived the attack. Investigators found 15 spent ammunition casings at the scene. Investigators subsequently recovered two handguns that fired the ammunition casings that were collected at the scene. One handgun was seized in March 2019 from a now-deceased Exit 8 member. National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) analysis of the second handgun, which was recovered during a New Haven Police investigation in January 2020, linked it to eight other shooting incidents in New Haven in 2018. Douglas has been detained since November 10, 2022. Hyman pleaded guilty and, on April 1, 2024, was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment. This investigation has been conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis. This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Oklahoma Man Convicted of Illegal Firearms Possession after Fleeing from Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal jury has convicted THOMAS LAMAR BROWN , 46, of Oklahoma City, of illegal possession of firearms after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. On March 5, 2024, a federal grand jury charged Brown with being a felon in possession of firearms. On August 14, 2024, a federal jury convicted Brown on the charge. According to trial testimony, on April 15, 2023, a trooper with Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) stopped Brown for a traffic violation on Interstate 40. The trooper spotted a sheathed knife in the passenger seat then asked Brown, the driver, to exit the vehicle. Brown began to act erratically, and the trooper noticed a firearm holster on Brown’s hip. After the trooper drew his service pistol, Brown fled on foot. Brown was arrested following a brief chase. Inside his vehicle, OHP located four firearms, 29 loaded magazines, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Public record shows Brown has multiple previous felony convictions, including three counts of infliction of corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant in cases filed in California State Court. At sentencing, Brown faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and up to life under the Armed Career Criminal Act. This conviction is the result of an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Travis Leverett and Danielle London are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. In October 2017, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop crime-reduction strategies that incorporate lessons federal law enforcement has learned since the program’s launch in 2001. This case is also part of “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN, which prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok . Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Extradited Canadian Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Orchestrating Massive Telemarketing Scheme Targeting Senior Citizens in United States

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Eastern

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Ari Tietolman, 50, of Montréal, Canada, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, $7,042.898.22 in restitution, and a $700 special assessment by United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh, all arising from Tietolman’s operation of a massive scheme from Canada that targeted American senior citizens with deceptive telemarketing calls for nearly a decade. Tietolman was charged in 2017 by superseding indictment with three counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. He was extradited from Canada to the United States in 2023 and pleaded guilty to all seven counts against him in January of this year. From 2005 to 2014, Tietolman directed his fraud scheme from Montréal, Canada. In this scheme, Tietolman’s network of telemarketers sold worthless or non-existent services and then debited the victims’ bank accounts without their informed consent. Through this scheme, Tietolman and his co-schemers, including codefendants Marc Roy Ferry and Adam Harper, took millions of dollars from tens of thousands of senior citizens in the United States. Tietolman created a number of fraudulent companies that sold purported fraud protection services, a purported prescription drug discount card, and a purported discounted legal service. The products and services offered by the fraudulent companies were worthless or non-existent. After Tietolman obtained names and telephone numbers of elderly Americans, he and Harper hired and instructed telemarketers to call these elderly Americans to sell the worthless or non-existent products and services offered by the fraud companies. Most of Tietolman’s telemarketers were based in “boiler rooms” in and around Montréal. In addition, there was at least one “boiler room” in India. Tietolman and Harper called these rooms “fulfillment rooms.” During their calls, Tietolman’s telemarketers made various misrepresentations, such as stating that they were calling on behalf of, or were affiliated with, the victim’s bank, the victim’s insurance company, or the United States government. In addition, Tietolman’s telemarketers often misled the consumers about the need for these products and services. In addition to misrepresenting the value of the products being marketed, Tietolman’s telemarketers also misrepresented the cost of these products, sometimes telling consumers the products were free, or less expensive than the amount that was ultimately debited from the consumers’ bank accounts. In other instances, the telemarketers assured consumers they would not debit the consumers’ bank accounts and then did just that after the consumer provided their bank account information. As part of his fraud, Tietolman took extensive efforts to conceal his involvement, using front companies, nominees, remotely created checks (“RCCs”), and structured deposits. Furthermore, when the fraud was detected but before a bank account was closed, Tietolman would sometimes instruct his co-schemer Ferry to “hammer” the account, that is, deposit as many checks as possible before the account was closed. Finally, knowing that banks would close accounts used to facilitate fraud, Tietolman caused his co-schemers to open accounts at several banks in the United States simultaneously, to make sure that the scheme kept running even when one or more accounts were frozen or closed. Codefendants Marc Roy Ferry and Adam Harper previously entered their guilty pleas in the case and are also awaiting sentencing. Both Ferry and Harper have been released on bail conditions. “Ari Tietolman directed an almost decade-long scheme that scammed seniors out of millions of their hard-earned dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Specifically targeting the elderly because you consider them easy prey is deplorable. My office and our partners at the FBI and IRS-CI are determined to hold criminals like Tietolman accountable and protect older folks from these callous crooks seeking to take advantage of them.” “For nearly a decade, Ari Tietolman scammed senior citizens across the country out of their life’s savings, even stooping so low as to sell his victims purported services that would protect them from fraud,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “As this sentencing shows, we at the FBI and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and IRS – Criminal Investigation will pursue justice no matter where or when federal crimes occur.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Vineet Gauri and Eric D. Gill. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Canada to secure the arrest and extradition of Tietolman to the United States.


title: SCDC Inmate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking 350 Kilograms of Meth with Contraband Phones

component: USAO - South Carolina

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Benjamin Johnathan Newman, 38, an inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), was sentenced to more than 26 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. Newman has been incarcerated in the state prison system since 2012, serving a 25-year sentence for drug trafficking. SCDC has seized 16 illegal contraband cellphones from Newman during his time in SCDC, according to evidence presented in court. Newman used those contraband phones to lead a large-scale drug distribution operation since at least January 2018. Newman used the phones to order the importation of large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, including directly from sources in Mexico. Newman recruited drivers to pick up the drugs in Georgia, Texas, and Florida and to deliver the drugs to stash houses in the Lexington County area, where the conspiracy would then supply drug dealers in South Carolina. The conspiracy also used threats of violence to protect against cooperation with law enforcement and to protect its drug supply. More than 350 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of heroin, nearly one kilogram of cocaine, 18 kilograms of marijuana, and 250 grams of crack cocaine were distributed in South Carolina by Newman and the conspiracy. Newman and each of his seven co-defendants have been convicted in federal court. Four have been sentenced by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon: Benjamin Johnathan Newman, 38, of Lexington, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. Chelsea Grace Wynn, 32, of Lexington, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervision. Nehemiah Jimmy Mayes, III, 29, of Lexington, was sentenced to 170 months to be followed by five years of supervision. Josiah Daniel Dailey, 38, of Aynor, was sentenced to 63 months to be followed by five years of supervision. “Some of our highest volume drug traffickers are working from a prison cell,” said Adair Ford Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “We thank Director Stirling and the investigators at the South Carolina Department of Corrections for their work to put an end to their continued criminal conduct.” “This man is a very large-scale drug dealer in South Carolina, and he was able to continue his crimes from behind bars using illegal cellphones,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. “His conviction highlights the urgent need for state prisons to be able to jam illegal contraband cell phones. I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney and everyone involved for helping us bring this criminal to justice.” There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and E. Elizabeth Major are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Man Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Defraud Insurance Company

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Dwayne Davis has been indicted by a federal grand jury for wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud his business partner, Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO), of more than $5 million. “Davis occupied a position of trust in his relationship with his business partner and allegedly abused that trust to facilitate and conceal his fraudulent conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “His alleged diversion of his business partner’s funds to pay personal expenses has resulted in Davis potentially facing decades in federal prison.” “This defendant allegedly took advantage of his business partners, violating their trust and deceiving them for his own personal gain,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “Actions like these ultimately impact customers through higher insurance costs. The FBI will continue to partner with law enforcement partners to pursue those who commit financial crimes and steal from trusting individuals. According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment, and other information presented in court: GEICO was the majority owner, and Davis was the minority owner, of a limited partnership called PIS QOZ Fund 2018-A, LP. In November 2018, GEICO contributed $26 million to the Partnership as an investment in Riverside Village, a commercial development in North Augusta, South Carolina. In April 2021, GEICO agreed to contribute another $5.91 million to the Partnership to resolve a multiparty dispute involving unpaid taxes, a construction lawsuit, and foreclosure proceedings. GEICO wire transferred the $5.91 million to the Partnership’s account—an account that Davis controlled—with the understanding that Davis would use the money solely to pay the taxes, settle the lawsuit, and stop the foreclosure proceedings. GEICO did not authorize Davis to use the money for any other purpose. But almost immediately after taking control of the $5.91 million, Davis allegedly began siphoning off money from the Partnership’s account and secretly transferring it to accounts that he controlled at other banks—accounts that were not related to the Partnership. In all, Davis surreptitiously transferred $5,898,000 out of the Partnership's account. Those transfers served no legitimate Partnership purpose and were allegedly made with the intent to defraud GEICO and the Partnership. Davis eventually used some of the diverted money to pay taxes owed by the Partnership, but he never made the payments to settle the lawsuit or stop the foreclosure proceedings. Instead, Davis used the remaining money to pay his personal debts and expenses and to pay expenses related to business ventures that did not involve the Partnership or GEICO. Dwayne Peterson Davis, 54, of Atlanta, Georgia, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 13, 2024. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Russell Phillips is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Three Cruise Line Employees Indicted for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on August 8, 2024, ABDHUL ROUVOOF SHAIK (“SHAIK”) , age 29, and PANKAJ SINGH BOHRA (“ BOHRA”) , age 34, both foreign nationals of the Republic of India, and REZA HETA PRATAMA (“PRATAMA”) , age 28, a foreign national of the Republic of Indonesia, were each charged in separate indictments with Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). If convicted, SHAIK , BOHRA , and PRATAMA each face a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release of up to life, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. According to court documents, SHAIK, BOHRA, and PRATAMA were all previously employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and were arrested in July 2024 after special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, found all three in possession of child pornography at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The prosecution of these cases is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with North Carolina Department of Adult Correction to Expand Religious Opportunities in State Prisons

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) expanding opportunities for group religious practice throughout the state prison system and allowing access to kosher-for-Passover meals and Seders. The agreement resolves the Justice Department’s investigation of NCDAC pursuant to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). “The Constitution and federal law guarantee all Americans the freedom to practice their religion, including people who are incarcerated in jails and prisons,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will protect the religious practices of incarcerated people across North Carolina by allowing members of minority faiths to gather, worship and study. Whether at home with their families, in houses of worship, or behind bars, every person should be able to celebrate religious holidays and gather with their communities of faith.” “Federal law guarantees all Americans the right to freely exercise their religion, and institutionalized persons have the right to practice their faith and worship together,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “We are committed to protecting this fundamental right and are grateful to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction for its willingness to work with us and revise its policies to protect the religious rights of individuals in its custody.” “The settlement agreement reaffirms that all individuals in custody retain the right to practice their religion fully and openly during their incarceration,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina. “It is our duty to ensure that incarcerated persons are afforded the same religious rights, freedoms and protections as any other citizen. My office is committed to enforcing these rights and ensuring that they are upheld within all correctional facilities in North Carolina.” “Our Constitution protects the religious liberty of all people to exercise their faith,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “In America, that means even those who are incarcerated can continue to worship and pray. NCDAC’s new policies ensure that believers can maintain their faith and religious practices, even after they enter the jailhouse door.” Under the agreement, NCDAC has adopted a policy that reduces the minimum number of people for group worship to two and no longer requires the presence of a faith helper for religious gathering. Under the prior policy, NCDAC had minimum participant and faith helper requirements for congregate religious practices by “minority faith groups” that often prevented these groups from gathering for worship, celebration and study. Minority faith groups were defined as non-Christian faiths, including adherents of Islam or Judaism. In addition, when the department began the investigation, NCDAC did not provide certified kosher-for-Passover food to incarcerated people who wished to observe the Passover holiday. The agreement requires that NCDAC provide certified kosher-for-Passover meals every year for the eight days of Passover. In addition, NCDAC will provide the opportunity for people who observe Passover to participate in two Seder ritual observances, which will include a Seder plate of ceremonial foods. For additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section . The Justice Department issued a report on the 20th Anniversary of RLUIPA in 2020 and a statement and on the Institutionalized Persons Provisions of RLUIPA in 2017. Those interested in finding out more about RLUIPA can visit www.justice.gov/crt/religious-land-use-and-institutionalized-persons-act-0 . ###


title: U.S. Trustee Program Obtains $105,000 Judgment and Permanent Injunction Against Bankruptcy Petition Preparers After Debtor Loses Home to Foreclosure

component: U.S. Trustee Program

body_text: The Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) recently obtained a judgment of nearly $105,000 and a permanent injunction against bankruptcy petition preparers whose unfair and deceptive conduct caused a consumer to lose his home of over 20 years to foreclosure. On July 2, the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas entered a stipulated judgment against CA Enterprises, doing business as Premier Services and Premier Legal Services, and the company’s chief executive, Jescar Denno. Under the stipulated judgment, Premier and Denno paid the debtor almost $95,000 – including $84,032 in actual damages, $6,800 in statutory damages and $3,400 in returned fees – and paid the U.S. Trustee statutory fines of $10,500. Premier and Denno also consented to a permanent injunction in the district prohibiting them from, among other things, acting as bankruptcy petition preparers, soliciting and advertising bankruptcy assistance and providing legal advice. The debtor paid $3,400 for assistance with a loan modification to save his home from foreclosure. After preparing a skeletal chapter 13 petition for the debtor to file, Premier and Denno provided no meaningful services to the debtor. The bankruptcy case was dismissed with a bar against refiling without court permission, and the debtor lost his home – along with substantial equity – in a foreclosure sale. “This case is an example of the devastation that dishonest bankruptcy petition preparers can wreak on the lives of consumers afraid of losing their homes to foreclosure,” said Director Tara Twomey of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees. “The debtor can’t get his home back, but the stipulated judgment is a significant step toward making him whole again.” The USTP’s San Antonio office filed a complaint alleging multiple violations of the Bankruptcy Code. Premier and Denno initially denied liability, but after discovery conducted by the San Antonio office, they agreed to the entry of a stipulated judgment on all 11 counts alleged in the complaint. Premier has also been barred from providing bankruptcy petition preparer services in at least three other jurisdictions: the District of Kansas, Eastern District of Pennsylvania and District of Maryland. (The USTP issued a press release about the Maryland matter in April 2024.) The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders – debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust .


title: N.C. Man Sentenced To More Than 12 Years For Traveling  to Virginia to Have Sex with Minor

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A North Carolina man, who lied about his age to a 14-year-old-girl he met on Instagram before traveling to Virginia to have sex with her, was sentenced yesterday to 150 months in federal prison. Rayvon Birden, 29, of Raleigh, North Carolina, pled guilty in March to one count of traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexually illicit conduct. According to court documents, Birden contacted the 14-year-old victim through Instagram direct messaging and represented himself as a 16-year-old named “Nolan.” Birden and the victim exchanged phone numbers and began communicating via text messages and Facetime regularly. Over the course of their conversations, Birden received nude images of the minor and suggested they meet up and expressed a wish to have sexual intercourse with the minor. Birden then drove from his home in North Carolina to meet the victim at a hotel near her Virginia home where they had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions, at least one of which Birden filmed. United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. made the announcement. Homeland Security Investigations - Harrisonburg, Virginia, in conjunction with the Albemarle County Police Department and the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan E. McKay is prosecuting the case.


title: Violent Career Criminal Sentenced to a Decade in Federal Prison for Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun

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

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Glenn Taylor Tenbarge, 35, of Evansville, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, on December 30, 2023, an Evansville Police Department officer stopped Tenbarge for committing traffic violations while driving a truck. When the officer approached the driver’s side, Tenbarge began acting nervously and leaning forward in his seat, attempting to block the officer’s view of the right side of his body. The officer asked Tenbarge if he had a weapon, to which Tenbarge responded, “it’s not mine but yes.” When the officer asked Tenbarge to step out of the truck, a short barrel shotgun with a wooden grip could be seen in the seat of the vehicle. The barrel appeared to be modified and possibly cut. Tenbarge has sustained multiple prior felony convictions in Vanderburgh County, including two counts of attempted robbery, dealing in methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Under federal law, these felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm. Under federal law, it is also unlawful to possess a short-barreled “sawed off” shotgun like the one possessed by Tenbarge. “Illegally armed, repeat felons drive the gun violence plaguing our state,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I commend the response by EPD and the work of ATF to protect the public from this dangerous criminal. The sentence imposed by the court demonstrates that those who illegally possess firearms risk serious federal time. Returning to prison isn’t worth it—put down the guns, or we will hold you accountable.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Ohio Man Sentenced for Dumping 7,000 Gallons of Hazardous Substance into Scioto River that Killed Thousands of Fish

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: TOLEDO, Ohio - Mark Shepherd, age 72, of Kenton, Ohio, has been sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $5,000 fine, and 150 hours of community service by U.S. Magistrate Judge Darrell A. Clay, after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Water Act by dumping pollutants and hazardous substances into waterways that killed thousands of fish in the Scioto River. He was also ordered to pay $22,508.60 to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. According to court documents, on April 17, 2021, Shepherd discharged approximately 7,000 gallons of a hazardous, ammonia-containing substance into the Scioto River near Kenton, Ohio. The substance originated from Shepherd’s business facilities—Cessna Transport Inc. and A.G. Bradley Inc.—which he owned and operated in the Northern District of Ohio. Local fisherman in Hardin County originally reported the fish kill in the area which is routinely used for recreational fishing. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources determined that the discharge killed 43,094 fish, including black bass, flathead catfish, sunfish, and minnows, valued at more than $22,000. The contaminants flowed approximately 18 miles downstream from where Shepherd illegally dumped it. The fish kill led to concerns from wildlife officials who noted that bald eagles use the river as a food source. Eagle breeding pairs are known to build nests near the river to feed on fish. The concern has roots in history which showed that fish from contaminated waterways can poison animals who consume it. In the 1940s, the DDT insecticide used to control mosquitos and other insects, washed into waterways and contaminated fish. Bald eagles who fed on the fish were poisoned. The resulting decline in their numbers threatened the species with extinction. Bald eagles are no longer listed as an endangered species but remain protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act which prohibits killing, selling, or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs. Officials continue to monitor the affected river area for harm to wildlife. The case was investigated by wildlife officers with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources , the Ohio Attorney General’s Office-Environmental Enforcement Unit , the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency , the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation , and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Simko for the Northern District of Ohio. If you have information or see activity that you believe is a potential or immediate environmental problem, please call the Ohio EPA 24-hour Hotline at 800-282-9378 or the U.S. EPA Emergency Number at 800-424-8802.


title: Co-Owner of Westfield Transport Pleads Guilty to Charges Stemming From 2019 Crash That Killed Seven Motorcyclists

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A former owner of the now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc., pleaded guilty today to federal charges related to a June 2019 collision involving one of the company’s vehicles that caused the deaths of seven motorcyclists in New Hampshire. Dunyadar Gasanov, a/k/a Damien Gasanov, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to federal investigators. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 21, 2024. Dunyadar Gasanov was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendant Dartanayan Gasanov. “Keeping communities safe takes all forms. In this case, it is about making sure that operators of commercial vehicles adhere to all required safety procedures and regulations. We will not forget the lives lost in June 2019 that relate to this conviction. This defendant flouted those laws that are critical to public safety, and he jeopardized everyone on the road, with tragic consequences here,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Today’s guilty plea is a somber reminder of the lives lost on June 21, 2019, and the devastating impact this tragic accident had on loved ones and the community,” said Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “Together with our prosecutorial partners, we will engage the full force of our collective resources to pursue companies and individuals who intentionally ignore federal regulations and, in so do doing, compromise the safety of the traveling public on our Nation’s roadways.” According to court filings, the defendant owned now-defunct Westfield Transport, Inc. – a for-hire interstate motor carrier that transported vehicles primarily in the northeastern United States. From May 3, 2019 to June 23, 2019, Dunyadar Gasanov and, allegedly, Dartanayan Gasanov falsified driving logs in order to evade federal regulations designed to ensure the safety of roadways and drivers. Dunyadar Gasanov instructed at least one Westfield Transport employee to falsify records, thereby exceeding the number of permissible driving hours, and then made false statements to federal inspectors regarding the manipulation of recording devices that track drivers’ on and off duty hours in order to evade regulations. Dunyadar Gasanov also admitted that he falsely stated to inspectors that he met a driver for Westfield Transport, who was involved in a crash in New Hampshire that resulted in the death of seven motorcyclists, on the day he hired him. In fact, Dunyadar Gasanov had known the driver for years prior and knew that the driver had been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol years before. Dartanayan Gasanov has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Each charge of making a false statement to a federal investigator provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and DOT OIG SAC Scharf made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Tulsa Man Convicted by Jury after Robbing  Dominican Nationals at Gunpoint

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Yesterday afternoon, a federal jury returned a verdict convicting Bobbe Gene Taylor, 25, of Obstructing, Delaying, and Affecting Commerce by Robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery) and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. The jury found Taylor’s co-defendant, Walter Jay Johnson, 26, of Tulsa, not guilty. Three other co-defendants, Kemareay Ki’sean Green, 25, Lerontez Sherod Hill, 39, and Jeremiah Hamlin, 40, all from Tulsa, pled guilty to Conspiracy before the trial. One other co-defendant is still awaiting trial. “During this trial, both victims, with the aid of a translator, courageously testified and described the horrible events that took place,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This verdict is a direct result of their cooperation and excellent police work.” “The victims in this case were just trying to earn a living working for a contracted cleaning service when they were physically assaulted and robbed at gun point,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “Our community deserves to see that callous acts of violence will be met with serious consequences, and the verdict handed down today is the result of our commitment to that goal. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the FBI, the Jenks Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, these defendants will now face justice for their crimes.” In August 2021, the FBI was investigating an unrelated case and executed a warrant on a home in Bixby. The renter returned home, believing she had been burglarized, and contacted the defendants. The renter contacted the landlord and discovered that the FBI had executed a search warrant at the home and that a third-party vendor had removed items from the home, believing it was abandoned. The victims worked for the third-party vendor and were asked to return to the home. Both employees are Dominican Nationals and testified at trial with the aid of a translator. They described that after they arrived, they were greeted by a defendant and told to back their truck into the driveway. After they put the items back, they were confronted by the armed defendants. The first employee testified that he was struck in the face twice, which broke his nose and orbital socket. The second employee testified that he attempted to take the gun of one of the defendants, but the defendant was stronger than him. They testified about being held at gunpoint while their pockets and truck were searched. The defendants took a debit card, identifications, cellphones, an Apple Watch, a business-related iPad, and several other items from the victim's vehicle. Both victims were released and immediately drove to a local store, where law enforcement and medical personnel were contacted. Further investigation revealed that Taylor was seen with Hill, who used the stolen credit card. Video surveillance from the store led law enforcement to Hill and Taylor’s home. After a search warrant was conducted on their home, items belonging to the victims and firearms were recovered in the home. The recorded interview between Taylor and law enforcement was shown to the jury. Taylor contacted and requested to meet with law enforcement to discuss the search warrant on his home. During the interview, Taylor admitted that the individuals were robbed and that he should have done more to stop the entire incident. Further investigation by law enforcement led to Green, Hamlin, and Johnson’s involvement. After Johnson was arrested, he met with law enforcement. The recorded interview was played for the jury. After being read mirandized, Johnson explained that the renter contacted him. He told law enforcement that the victims did not speak English and were trying to say that the house was vacant. He further admitted that he pushed one of the victims and witnessed the assault of the other victim. Court documents show that Green admitted to conspiring with the defendants to confront the victims. He further admitted to carrying a firearm and witnessed the co-defendants carrying firearms. Additionally, Green knew that carrying a firearm was a substantial step and that it was foreseeable that someone would get hurt. In Hill’s plea agreement, he admitted to conspiring with the defendants to confront the victims. Hill further admitted to striking the victim in the face and using the victim’s credit card without permission. Hill also agreed to forfeit three pistols, one rifle, several magazines, and more than 50 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, Hamlin admitted to conspiring with the defendants to confront the victims. Before the victims arrived, Hamlin saw the defendants carry firearms into the house. When he met one of the victims in the driveway, Hamlin admittedly had his firearm on him. Inside the home, Hamlin held one of the victims against the wall while the other defendants searched the victims. By carrying a firearm, Hamlin also knew this was taking the confrontation to another level and that someone could get hurt. Taylor, Green, Hill, and Hamlin will be sentenced separately at a later date. The FBI and the Jenks Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Elmore and John Brasher prosecuted the case. 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. For more information about PSN, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Postal Worker Sentenced For Mail Theft

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Former letter carrier stole rebate cards from her delivery route KALAMAZOO – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Jacqueline M. Garrow, 50, of Lansing, was sentenced to two years of probation for theft of mail by a U.S. Postal Service employee. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney said, “general deterrence is important because people have a right to expect their mail will get where they send it without any tampering.” In imposing a probationary sentence, he noted that “the loss of her job has already brought home to Ms. Garrow the seriousness of her offense.” “Offenses like this undermine public confidence in the U.S. Postal System,” said U.S. Attorney Totten . “The felony conviction in this case sends a strong deterrent message to anyone who may unlawfully interfere with the mail system.” In 2022, Garrow was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, whose route included parts of the city of Lansing. Home goods retailer Menards contacted the Postal Service after receiving a complaint from a customer that he never received an expected rebate card. Agents determined that the card was redeemed for merchandise at Menards’ Lansing South store, and found the customer redeemed two other rebate cards at the same time. All three cards were addressed to recipients along Garrow’s assigned delivery route. Video footage from Menards showed she was the one who redeemed the rebates. Because Garrow immediately confessed when confronted, the government concurred in her request for a probationary sentence. Ms. Garrow will be required to pay back the customers whose cards were stolen. “This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS-OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office . “The majority of postal employees are hard-working public servants dedicated to moving mail to its proper destination. The USPS-OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.” The U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General investigated this case. ###


title: Fentanyl Distributor Pleads Guilty To Gun Offense in Federal Court

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Charlotte fentanyl distributor appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Demetrius Lamar Mattox, 39, will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentencing hearing, which has not been scheduled. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to plea documents and the plea hearing, over the course of an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Charlotte, law enforcement identified Mattox as a local fentanyl distributor. The investigation determined that Mattox sold fentanyl and firearms to a confidential source on multiple occasions between September and October 2023. Mattox is currently in federal custody. The statutory maximum for the charged offense is a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison. A sentencing date has not been sent. The ATF led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Florida Medical Equipment Manufacturer Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

component: Tax Division

body_text: A Florida man pleaded guilty today to evading nearly $2.4 million in taxes on income he earned from his business. According to court documents and statements made in court, Roger Whitman, 76, manufactured and sold medical equipment. Between 2002 and 2018, Whitman generated millions of dollars in gross receipts from the sale of such equipment. Whitman has not filed an individual income tax return or made any tax payments since 2000. In 2012, the IRS assessed nearly $800,0000 in taxes against Whitman for tax years 2002 through 2009. In response, to conceal his income and assets, Whitman formed a trust with his girlfriend serving as the trustee. Whitman caused his girlfriend to open two bank accounts in the trust’s name, over which Whitman’s girlfriend had sole signatory authority. Thereafter, Whitman directed his income from the business into the trust’s bank accounts and used the funds from these accounts to pay personal expenses. In approximately July 2019, to further thwart IRS collection efforts, Whitman formed a new entity to operate his business. Through his actions, Whitman caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $2.4 million. Whitman is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, as well as supervised release and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Melissa Siskind and Andres Chinchilla of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case, with assistance and support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.


title: Milford Resident Pleads Guilty In  “Fbi Arrest Warrant” Scam

body_text: Co-Conspirator Unwittingly Set Up an Exchange of Fake Documents for $60,000 with an Undercover Federal Agent GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Kari Melissa Morales, 51, of Milford, Michigan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Morales faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing date will be scheduled after Morales’s guilty plea is accepted by the District Court. “Everyone with a cell phone must be vigilant to avoid schemes to defraud that target victims through text messages,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten . “Make no mistake: The federal government does not send text messages asking for money, advising you to move money to another account, requesting that you convert cash to cryptocurrency, or proposing an exchange of money for a “get out of jail free” letter.” According to court documents, Morales admitted agreeing with at least one other person to attempt to unlawfully obtain $60,000 from an individual located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Morales admitted that the conspiracy involved the use of fake documents—an “FBI WARRANT OF ARREST” and “IRS RECEIPT”—that she printed out to provide to the victim. Morales also admitted traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan to exchange the fake documents for the victim’s money knowing that she was helping commit a fraud. For her part, Morales was told she could keep $2,500 of the victim’s money. Morales and her co-conspirator did not know that the person they were communicating with was a federal law enforcement agent because the intended victim’s phone number had been reassigned to a law enforcement cell phone. As a result, the intended victim lost no money in the scheme. “Today's guilty plea underscores our commitment to investigating and holding accountable those involved in fraudulent activities, especially those who target vulnerable individuals,” stated Acting Inspector in Charge Felicia B. George of the Detroit Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service . “This investigation showcases the results that Postal Inspectors, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, strive to achieve. We remain dedicated to our mission of identifying and prosecuting those who exploit others through fraudulent schemes.” The United States Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Michigan State Police, is investigating this case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris O’Connor. For more information on preventing elder fraud and help for victims, visit the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website , which includes a list of Michigan-specific resources . The FBI Elder Fraud website also provides several resources and tips. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Announce Second-Degree Murder Charges in Taos County Stabbing Case

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Penasco man has been charged by federal prosecutors with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing in Taos County in 2022, with the case being prosecuted under a Department of Justice initiative focused on Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP). Byron Sanchez , 47, an enrolled member of the Picuris Pueblo, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. The indictment alleges that on or about December 25, 2022, Sanchez killed John Doe with malice aforethought by stabbing Doe with a sharp object. Sanchez will remain in custody pending a detention hearing and trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Sanchez faces any term of years up to life in prison for the murder charge. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney R. Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case. This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of Indigenous victims and their families. View the Indictment An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Shreveport Woman Charged with Aiming Laser Pointer at Aircraft Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

component: USAO - Louisiana, Western

body_text: SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the entry of a guilty plea today by April Nicole Poitras , 45, of Shreveport, Louisiana. Poitras appeared before United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. and entered her guilty plea to two counts of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. According to information presented in court, on August 15, 2023, a Cessna 172L flying at approximately 3,500 feet over Caddo Parish, Louisiana was illuminated by a green laser from the ground. Law enforcement officers responded to the area by vehicle and by helicopter. While responding to the scene, the police helicopter, an Airbus H125, was also illuminated by a green laser from the ground. With the assistance of the police helicopter, a deputy with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office went to the location where the laser originated and found Poitras standing in a yard, holding a laser pointer. Poitras admitted to knowingly aiming the laser pointer at both aircraft and their flight paths. She purchased the laser pointer and admitted to aiming at several aircraft that night. Poitras faces a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Blanchard Police Department and Baltimore Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg. # # #


title: U.S. Attorney's Office and ATF Charge Convicted Felon for Illegal Firearms and Explosives Possession

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Chaparral man was charged by criminal complaint for illegally stockpiling firearms and explosives in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Frederick Urban , 76, appeared before a federal judge on August 12, 2024, and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. According to the criminal complaint, on August 8, 2024, the ATF received a tip from a concerned citizen who provided evidence indicating that Urban , a previously convicted felon, was in possession of firearms. Following an investigation, which included reviewing photographs and videos provided by the concerned citizen, ATF agents confirmed the presence of numerous firearms at Urban 's residence. On August 10, 2024, ATF agents, supported by the New Mexico State Police and El Paso Police Department, executed a federal search warrant at Urban 's residence. The search resulted in the recovery of numerous firearms, approximately 100,000 rounds of ammunition, large capacity magazines, and gunpowder. Additionally, triacetone triperoxide, an extremely volatile explosive, homemade detonators, blasting caps and gun powder, and other components of homemade bombs were found. If convicted of the current charges, Urban faces 15 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, El Paso Police Department and FBI’s El Paso Field Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Ry Ellison and Mark Saltman are prosecuting the case. Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms or explosives can submit an anonymous tip to the ATF by texting the code ATFPHO to 63975 and then following the link to create a report or by calling (602) 776-5400. View the Criminal Complaint A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. # # #


title: Federal Jury Convicts High-Level Operative in Craven County Drug Trafficking Organization

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Lucio Camargo Garcia, an armed New Bern drug trafficker and leader in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for moving kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in and around the Craven County area. Garcia, age 45, was convicted on one count of conspiracy, six counts of drug distribution and possession with intent to distribute, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Garcia faces between 15 years and life imprisonment at sentencing, which is scheduled for later this year. “We are partnering with local law enforcement across Eastern North Carolina to dismantle the drug trafficking networks fueling the fentanyl crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Our Task Force approach brings federal tools alongside local intelligence to prioritize kilogram-level traffickers like Lucio Camagro Garcia and other members of the Medina-Beltran Organization.” “This investigation, and Garcia's conviction, along with the prosecutions of his co-conspirators has substantially disrupted the flow of methamphetamine and fentanyl coming into our area from the southwestern border. We appreciate the work of the U.S Attorney's Office, and the Craven County Sheriff's Office will continue to partner with Task Force members to identify, arrest, and prosecute major drug traffickers,” stated Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, the New Bern Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation, and other state and local agencies launched an investigation into a large-scale DTO responsible for acquiring kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from the southwest border and distributing them in and around Craven County. Through the use of confidential sources, surveillance, and controlled purchases, Garcia was identified as a methamphetamine and fentanyl distributor responsible for distributing ounce-level quantities to other dealers, and smaller quantities to drug users. From January to October 2022, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Garcia. On October 31, 2022, search warrants were executed at residences associated with the DTO, including Garcia’s residence. Law enforcement seized approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, 900 grams of fentanyl (powder and pill form), and a loaded firearm from Garcia’s residence. Most of the drugs were found in a secret compartment in the ceiling of Garcia’s bedroom closet. Multiple other individuals associated with the DTO, including its leader, Ivan Leonardo Medina-Beltran (4:22-cr-00075-D-1), and one other high-level operative have been indicted. Medina-Beltran pled guilty and was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2023. Xavier Garza (4:22-cr-00075-D-3) pled guilty to drug trafficking and firearm charges on May 16, 2023. Sentencing is pending in his case. This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, 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. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III accepted the verdict. The DEA, HSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Bern Police Department, are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Englander and Caroline Webb are prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . 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. 4:22-CR-00075-D-RJ-2.


title: Final federal defendant from “Operation New Day” sentenced to five years in prison

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 56-year-old Seattle man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 5 years in prison for dealing drugs in downtown Seattle while armed with a handgun, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Cuong Quoc Cao, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Art the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge James L. Robart said, “At 56 you should know better… We have someone who has absolutely no respect for the law…. We are not effectively dealing with these open-air drug situations.” According to records filed in the case, in late January and February 2022, the Seattle Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration targeted open air drug dealing at 12 th and Jackson as part of “Operation New Day.” Cao was photographed and observed making hand-to-hand drug sales. Cao left the area when a woman nearby was being treated for an overdose. Police approached Cao and placed him under arrest. A 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a loaded magazine was found in his backpack. Cao also had crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl pills. Cao was indicted in March 2022, and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on the eve of trial in April 2024. In asking for the five-year sentence with three years of supervised release, Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson wrote to the court, “While the amount of fentanyl the defendant possessed with the intent to distribute is not substantial, the fact that he brazenly sold drugs and illegally packed a firearm to protect himself, however, are cause for great concern. A sentence of sixty months imprisonment provides a reasonable punishment for the defendant’s decision to traffic fentanyl – a drug which is poisoning our community - and provides a modicum of safety to the community through incapacitation. Following release from custody, the defendant should avail himself to the services coordinated by United States Probation, most importantly substance abuse treatment.” The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and DEA. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson and Carolyn Forstein.


title: Tennessee Man Sentenced for Passing Fake $100 Bills in St. Louis Area

component: USAO - Missouri, Eastern

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Tuesday sentenced a man who passed $3,300 in counterfeit money in Missouri stores in 2023 to 20 months in prison. Barry Young, 45, of Memphis, Tenn., traveled to the St. Louis area in February and March of 2023, using between one and four fake $100 bills at a time at various stores to purchase merchandise. Young targeted stores in Arnold, Fenton, Brentwood, St. Louis County and Crestwood. He also victimized a store in Perryville, in southeastern Missouri. Young pleaded guilty in April to one felony count of passing counterfeit obligations. The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Arnold Police Department, the Fenton Police Department, the Brentwood Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Crestwood Police Department and the Perryville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy prosecuted the case.


title: Rosebud Man Sentenced for Several Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor  and Abusive Sexual Contact

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of three counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on August 9, 2024. Shane Mousseaux, age 37, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $500. Mousseaux was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2022. Mousseaux was convicted at trial on April 18, 2024. The conviction stemmed from incidents between August 6, 2020, and June 21, 2022, when Mousseaux, who lived on the Yankton Sioux Reservation with his then-girlfriend and her children, engaged in multiple sexual acts with one of his then-girlfriend’s daughters, who was 14-15 years old at the time. Between May 1, 2022, and June 21, 2022, Mousseaux engaged in sexual contact with another one of his then-girlfriend’s daughters, who was 14 years old at the time. This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI and Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann M. Hoffman and Paige Petersen prosecuted the case. Mousseaux was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Couple Sentenced to Over 37 Years in Federal Prison for Murder, Failing to Report Murder, and Illegal Firearms Possession

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Second-Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. The sentencing took place on August 1, 2024. Jerel Running Bear, age 34, was convicted of Second-Degree Murder, and was sentenced to 27 years and three months in federal prison consecutive to 10 years in federal prison for Discharging a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. Running Bear was also ordered to complete five years of supervised release on each charge with the time to be run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each charge. On August 9, 2024, U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, woman for her role in failing to report the murder of the 21-year-old female victim to law enforcement. Serena Fast Horse, age 39, was convicted of Misprision of a Felony and was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison, followed by one-year supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Running Bear and Fast Horse were indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in November of 2023. Running Bear pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, and Fast Horse pleaded guilty on May 10, 2024. On the evening of November 8, 2023, Running Bear and two other individuals, including the 21-year-old female victim, went to Wounded Knee to obtain fentanyl pills from a source. When the source did not show up, Running Bear, who was under the influence of controlled substances, grabbed a rifle from the trunk of the vehicle and shot the female who was seated in the backseat. The other female took off running and alerted law enforcement. Running Bear then picked up Fast Horse, his girlfriend at the time. Running Bear removed the victim from the vehicle and left her on the side of the road, while Fast Horse watched. The next day, the two fled to Nebraska after being spotted by law enforcement. Fast Horse threw out items from the vehicle, including controlled substances. The two were eventually apprehended. After Running Bear was placed into custody, Fast Horse did not tell law enforcement about watching Running Bear dispose of the victim’s body on the side of the road. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case. Running Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and Fast Horse was ordered to self-surrender on August 30, 2024.


title: TWO MEN CONVICTED OF FEDERAL KIDNAPPING

component: USAO - Michigan, Eastern

body_text: DETROIT – Cortez Blake, 23, and Nasir Lewis, 24, both from Detroit, were convicted of kidnapping by a federal jury yesterday, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. Ison was joined in the announced by Special Agent in Charge James M. Deir of the ATF in Michigan. The convictions followed an eight-day jury trial before United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson. During the trial, the jury heard evidence that the defendants worked with others to kidnap and beat their victim. The kidnappers wrongly believed the victim took part in a carjacking and the kidnapping was to retaliate and extract information from the victim. According to the testimony, a group of armed men took the victim from Sinai-Grace Hospital. The kidnappers first drove the victim to an empty lot in Detroit where the victim was beaten. The kidnappers then took the victim to a residence controlled by Blake, where the victim was held at gunpoint and beaten intermittently for hours. Finally, the victim was abandoned miles away on the roadside. Seven people were charged with conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping from this incident. With today’s verdicts, five people have been convicted. In addition to Blake and Lewis, Maijah Greene, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap; Shatonnia Kimbrough, 21, pleaded guilty to kidnapping; and Armond Williams, 22, pleaded guilty to kidnapping. The trial of a sixth individual, Semaj Ayers, remains pending. The final defendant, Karamoh Turner, was acquitted at trial. Turner still faces charges of aggravated identity theft and wire fraud in federal court. Two additional people were convicted of the carjacking that precipitated the kidnapping. Jamar Lee-Stinson pleaded guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 141 months in prison in May 2024. Amiaya Bryant also pleaded guilty to carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 120 months in prison in June 2024 All of the defendants remain in custody. Each of the defendants convicted of kidnapping or conspiracy to kidnap face up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and not more than 5 years of supervised release. “So often, one terrible crime spins into a cycle of violence and retribution. And too often, those cycles end tragically—with death, injury, and incarceration. We will continue to try to prevent violent crime in the first place, and my office is also committed to trying to interrupt cycles of violence before they spin out of control. So let me say clearly, if you are victimized, let us do our job and settle it in the courtroom. Because if you retaliate, these verdicts should make clear that we will use every tool we have to seek justice,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “Cortez Blake and Nasir Lewis represent the “worst of the worst” offenders calling Detroit home. There is no excuse for what they did. They kidnapped and beat a citizen of Detroit with an illegal firearm. They are common-day thugs who put their gang membership and loyalty above everything else, including their humanity. In my experience, these folks represent the most deserving candidates for federal prosecution. ATF and our law enforcement partners remain resolute in holding violent gang members who terrorize our community members accountable for gun violence,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir. The United States Attorney’s Office and the ATF are focused on prosecuting those individuals who are using firearms to commit violent acts against people in the Eastern District of Michigan. The strategy is a part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN continues to be the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is an evidence-based program that focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs to pursue lasting reductions in crime. These charges are just some of the tangible results of this joint effort. The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to reduce violence in our communities. Along with ATF, this case has been investigated with the assistance of the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, the United States Marshals Service, the Detroit Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit, and the Michigan Department of Corrections.


title: Two Rapid City Women Sentenced to 20 Years Each in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced two Rapid City, South Dakota, women convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. Christina Sanchez, age 25, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Katey McGruder, age 35, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Christina Sanchez and Katey McGruder were indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. Sanchez pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024. McGruder pleaded guilty on May 3, 2024. Both women were sentenced on August 9, 2024. These convictions arose from a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl operating in Rapid City. McGruder and her husband, Curtis Cummings, obtained large amounts of fentanyl from a source in Colorado. They would bring the fentanyl back to Rapid City, where it was further distributed by Sanchez and others. On April 26, 2022, McGruder and Cummings provided the fentanyl to Sanchez, who provided the fentanyl to Wyatt Nygaard. Nygaard then provided the fentanyl to the victim who overdosed and died in the parking lot of a convenience store within minutes of obtaining the fentanyl. Nygaard was previously sentenced to 23 years and three months in federal prison. Cummings is set for trial on November 5, 2024. This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET). UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan Dilges and Edward Tarbay prosecuted the case. Sanchez and McGruder were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following their respective sentencing.


title: Commercial Trucker Who Transported Narcotics from Texas to Ohio Pleads Guilty

body_text: YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Javier Eduardo Gutierrez-Quintana, 47, of El Paso, Texas, has pleaded guilty to possession of 20 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute. According to court documents, on May 31, 2024, Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) officers encountered the defendant who was driving a commercial vehicle bearing a Texas license plate and registration. A second OSHP officer deployed a K-9 near the defendant’s vehicle, and it subsequently gave a positive signal for the odor of narcotics. The defendant consented to a search of the vehicle. Three black duffle bags containing 20 blue-taped packages were found during the search. Upon the discovery, Gutierrez-Quintana admitted to investigators that he knowingly transported 20 kilograms of narcotics from El Paso, Texas to the Youngstown, Ohio area, where he was scheduled to meet with an unknown person (or persons) and deliver the packages. Laboratory testing confirmed that the packages contained cocaine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2024. Gutierrez-Quintana faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for possessing narcotics with intent to distribute. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Ohio State Highway Patrol . Assistant U.S. Attorney David Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case. If you have information about the drug-related manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances, submit an anonymous tip at dea.gov/submit-tip.


title: Watauga Man Convicted by Federal Jury for Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Simple Assault on a Federal Officer

body_text: ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Justin James Schneider, age 39, of Watauga, South Dakota, was found guilty on August 8, 2024, of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Simple Assault on a Federal Officer following a two-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The jury also found Schneider committed these offenses on pretrial release and that his revolver was subject to forfeiture. The charge of Prohibited Person carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The charge of Simple Assault on a Federal Officer carries a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and/or a $100,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. Because Schneider committed these offenses on pretrial release, the Court may impose up to an additional 10 years in federal prison. Schneider was indicted by a federal grand jury in July of 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office received credible information that Schneider had discharged a revolver earlier that day and was armed and dangerous. The Corson County Sheriff requested and received assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services to detain and arrest Schneider. A BIA officer found Schneider in Bullhead, South Dakota, which lies within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. When the officer attempted to arrest him, Schneider fled in his pickup to a nearby pasture and engaged in an armed stand-off with Corson County deputies and BIA police officers. Schneider eventually hopped back into his pickup and fled to the Bullhead Community Center, striking a squad car enroute. Schneider then dismounted from his pickup, brandishing a revolver, gesturing wildly towards nearby civilians and disregarding repeated police commands to drop his gun. As Schneider moved quickly towards unarmed children, a police officer shot him to protect the public. Schneider was taken into custody without further incident. Schneider has nine prior felony convictions, including convictions for Aggravated Assault, Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Ingestion of Methamphetamine. 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. This case was prosecuted by the federal government because Schneider is a dangerous felon prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law, federal law enforcement involvement in his arrest, and because the offense occurred within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation report was ordered and a sentencing date of November 4, 2024, was set. Schneider remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.


title: U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst Pleads Guilty to Charges of Conspiracy to Obtain and Disclose National Defense Information, Export Control Violations and Bribery

body_text: Korbein Schultz, a U.S. Army soldier and intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty today to all charges against him in the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in March 2024 charging him with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, exporting technical data related to defense articles without a license, conspiracy to export defense articles without a license, and bribery of a public official. “The defendant abused his access to restricted government systems to sell sensitive military information to a person he knew to be a foreign national,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “By conspiring to transmit national defense information to a person living outside the United States, this defendant callously put our national security at risk to cash in on the trust our military placed in him. Today’s guilty plea is a stark reminder that those who would betray their sworn oath for personal gain will be identified and brought to justice.” “This defendant sold national defense information to a foreign actor and conspired to corrupt other members of our military,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “In doing so, he violated his training and his oath as a member of the armed services and he compromised our national security. Today’s guilty plea to all of the charges in the indictment ensures that he will be held fully accountable for his crimes.” “The defendant has admitted guilt in a case that should send a strong message to any U.S. service members thinking about betraying their country,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “The U.S. is governed by the rule of law and when persons placed in a position of trust violate that trust, the FBI and our partners will hold them accountable. Governments like China are aggressively targeting our military personnel and national security information and we will do everything in our power to ensure that information is safeguarded from hostile foreign governments.” “This Soldier swore an oath to faithfully discharge his duties, to include protecting national defense information. Not only did he fail in his sworn duty, but he placed personal gain above his duty to our country and disclosed information that could give advantage to a foreign nation, putting his fellow Soldiers in jeopardy,” said Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General of the Army Counterintelligence Command. “Army Counterintelligence Command, with our partners at the FBI, Department of Justice, and the greater intelligence community will ruthlessly pursue those who commit acts such as these. Let this case serve as a warning: if any member of the Army, past or present, is asked for classified or sensitive information, they should report it to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours or be held fully accountable for their inaction.” According to charging and plea documents, Schultz – an enlisted intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army who held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance – conspired with an individual who lived in Hong Kong and whom Schultz suspected of being associated with the Chinese Government (Conspirator A) to collect national defense information, including classified information and export-controlled technical data related to U.S. military weapons systems, and to transmit that information to Conspirator A in exchange for money. Schultz entered into this conspiracy even though, as part of his official duties in the Army, he was required (1) to protect national defense information, classified information, and controlled unclassified information (CUI); (2) to train other members of his unit on the proper handling, storage and dissemination of classified information and information marked CUI; and (3) to report suspicious incidents, including attempts by anyone without authorization to receive classified or sensitive information about U.S. military operations, organizations, equipment, or personnel. During the conspiracy, Conspirator A told Schultz the specific information that Conspirator A wanted Schultz to gather and send to him, including sensitive information related to missile defense and mobile artillery systems. Before he was arrested, Schultz sent Conspirator A dozens of sensitive and restricted (but unclassified) U.S. military documents regarding a variety of U.S. military weapons systems and U.S. military tactics and strategy, including documents containing export-controlled technical data. Among the items that Schultz collected and transmitted to Conspirator A were: (1) a document discussing the lessons learned by the U.S. Army from the Ukraine/Russia war that it would apply in a defense of Taiwan; (2) an operations order outlining the deployment of the defendant’s unit to Eastern Europe in support of NATO operations; (3) an Air Force Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (AFTTP) document relating to the HH-60 helicopter, which included a banner warning that the document contained technical data subject to export controls; (4) an AFTTP manual relating to the F-22A fighter aircraft, which included a banner warning that the document contained technical data subject to export controls; (5) an AFTTP manual relating to the operation of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems, which included a banner warning that the document contained technical data subject to export controls; (6) a publication related to the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft; (7) a document describing modifications of the B-52 aircraft; (8) documents describing tactics to counter unmanned aircraft systems and the use of unmanned aircraft systems in large-scale combat operations; (9) documents relating to Chinese military tactics, the Chinese military’s preparedness, and the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force; (10) documents relating to rocket, missile, and artillery weapons systems, including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system; (11) documents relating to military exercises and U.S. military forces in the Republic of Korea and the Philippines; and (12) a document relating to U.S. military satellites. In exchange for all of this information, Schultz was paid approximately $42,000 by Conspirator A. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025. Schultz faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for conspiracy to obtain and transmit national defense information; 20 years in prison for exporting technical data related to defense articles to the People’s Republic of China without a license; 20 years in prison for conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR); and 15 years in prison for bribery of a public official. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Adam Barry and Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.