Justice Department Opens Application Period for Program to Enhance Tribal Access to National Crime Information Databases

The Department of Justice is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for federally recognized Tribes to participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP) for National Crime Information, which provides federally recognized Tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for authorized criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes. 

“The Department of Justice is committed to improving public safety in Tribal communities and the Tribal Access Program (TAP) is a key component in achieving this goal,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “TAP provides a means for federally recognized Tribes to effectively access critical criminal justice information to improve public safety and protect Tribal communities. This program has helped improve police officer safety, apprehend fugitives, register convicted sex offenders, enforce domestic violence protection orders, and protect children. With this opening of the application period, more Tribes will be able to protect their communities by participating in this successful program.”

The program provides training as well as software and biometric/biographic kiosk workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems. There are currently 99 federally recognized Tribes participating in TAP. The department will accept TAP applications from July 1 through Aug. 31, 2021. Tribes selected to participate will be notified in September.

“TAP is a positive resource for criminal and non-criminal justice organizations of our tribal nation,” said Program Supervisor Orlando Bowman of the Navajo Nation Police Department, Information Management Section. “We continue to coordinate and communicate on potential uses and applications.”

“The Tribal Access Program (TAP) has become an indispensable tool in providing vital law enforcement information to our officers in the field as well as providing 21st century policing techniques for our community,” said Chief of Police Dana Norton of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria. “The TAP has allowed our nation to flourish and succeed every day since launching with our department.”  

For Tribes that are considering applying, TAP staff will be conducting informational webinars describing the program and its capabilities throughout July and August, beginning on July 1. Webinars will be offered on the following dates: July 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 23, 26 & 29, and Aug. 2, 6, 12, 13, 17 & 19.

Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; registered convicted sex offenders; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; run criminal histories; identified and arrested fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children. 

The department offers TAP services through one of the following two methods:

• TAP-LIGHT: Provides software that enables full access (both query and entry capabilities) to national crime information databases such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Interstate Identification Index (III), and the International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets) for criminal justice purposes.
• TAP-FULL: In addition to the basic access capabilities of TAP-LIGHT, provides a kiosk workstation that enables the ability to submit and query fingerprint-based transactions via FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system for both criminal justice and non-criminal justice purposes.

Because of the program’s funding sources, eligible Tribes must have — and agree to use TAP for — at least one of the following:

• A Tribal sex offender registry authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act;
• A Tribal law enforcement agency that has arrest powers;
• A Tribal court that issues orders of protection; or
• A Tribal government agency that screens individuals for foster care placement or that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.

TAP is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART); the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS); the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC); and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). TAP is co-managed by the department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ). 

For more information about TAP, including our webinar dates, time and access information, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.

Rochester Resident Who Posted Molotov Cocktail Recipe On Social Media During Protests Pleads Guilty To Civil Disorder

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ryan Howe a/k/a Rylea Autumn, 27, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to civil disorder. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that in September 2020, there were violent protests and riots in Rochester over the deaths of George Floyd and Daniel Prude. In addition, on September 23, 2020, the Kentucky Attorney General announced that a grand jury had declined to indict police officers in relation to the death of Breonna Taylor. In the wake of the Kentucky Attorney General’s announcement, several members of the public – including people and groups in Rochester – expressed their disagreement with the decision not to charge the officers and declared their intention to protest in the evening on September 24, 2020. Through social media, several of these individuals expressed, in sum and substance, a desire to burn down the City of Rochester. A group of approximately 250 people protested in the streets of Rochester in the evening on September 24, 2020. Rochester Police Department officers were present at the protest for the purposes of, among other things, ensuring the safety of protesters and the public, and protecting property from damage.

On September 23, 2020, the defendant posted a message to Facebook, which included a link to an article about the grand jury’s decision not to indict certain officers in the Breonna Taylor case and the statement, “Burn this shit to the (expletive) ground.” The next day, on September 24, 2020, Howe posted a message to Facebook, which read, “Good morning to everyone ready to burn this whole (expletive) country to the ground!” That same day, at approximately 8:32 a.m., the defendant also posted a message on his Facebook account that included a recipe for a Molotov cocktail and guidance on how to use one against police officers.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2021, at 10:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.

Pittsburgh man admits to drug charge

 CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Raimonte Gordon Gaston, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has admitted to a drug charge, Acting United States Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Gaston, also known as “Boog,” “Barkley Boo,” “Barkley,” and “Ray,” 28, pleaded guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.” Gaston admitted to working with another to distribute heroin and fentanyl from September 2018 to January 2019 in Harrison County and elsewhere.

Gaston faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn M. Adkins is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Houlton Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking

 BANGOR, Maine: A Houlton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Bangor to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.

According to court records, between approximately May 2018 and July 2018, Hayden Fogg, 34, was part of a drug distribution operation based out of Florida and operating in northern Maine. A co-conspirator obtained large quantities of methamphetamine from Florida and had it transported to Maine. Fogg sold the drug in the Houlton area while other members of the conspiracy sold it in Bangor and Howland.

Fogg faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case.

Denison Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzlement of Nearly 1.5 Million From a Local Credit Union

 Jensen’s scheme led to the credit union’s insolvency

A Denison woman who was involved in a scheme resulting in nearly 1.5 million being embezzled from a local credit union was sentenced today, June 25, 2021, to three years in federal prison.

Brenda Jensen, age 53, from Denison, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to credit union embezzlement. 

In a plea agreement, Jensen admitted that from at least May 2012 to March 2018, she embezzled money from Consumer Credit Union (CCU) in Denison, Iowa while working there as an employee.  CCU serviced the following counties: Crawford, Carrol, Shelby, Ida, Monona, Sac, and Harrison. 

Jensen and at least one other employee, including Jensen’s sister, Janine Keim, embezzled a total of nearly $1.5 million.  Jensen, at times the credit union’s head teller, was responsible for all cash and cash counts at CCU during the relevant timeframe.  Jensen successfully concealed her crime from auditors and CCU for years by overstating the change fund in the credit union’s general ledger balance and creating fictitious deposits into her personal accounts at CCU.  This aspect of the scheme resulted in $922,480.29 in losses.  After years of embezzling, the employees developed an internal kiting scheme.  The kiting scheme caused CCU an additional $539,000 in losses.  CCU’s total cash loss caused the institution to become insolvent, resulting in a forced merger with SAC Federal Credit Union.  CCU’s assets had decreased by over a million dollars.  This million-dollar decrease was a direct result of Jensen’s criminal activity.

Former board members from CCU submitted letters/victim impact statements to Chief Judge Strand setting forth the substantial harm Jensen’s crime caused the small community of Crawford County, Iowa.  For some, CCU was the only institution willing to extend emergency credit. A former CCU board member recalled a story of a single mother with three children who could not get approval elsewhere to obtain an emergency loan, but who was helped by CCU. Jensen’s theft caused the insolvency of CCU and deprived the community of such financial services. 

Jensen was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Jensen was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $1,461,480.29 in restitution.  She must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Jensen was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal; Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

New York Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Role in Defrauding Banks in $9 Million Shotgun Loan Scheme

 NEWARK, N.J. – A Freeport, New York, man was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for participating in a conspiracy to carry out a $9 million scheme to use bogus information and simultaneous loan applications at multiple banks to fraudulently obtain home equity lines of credit, a scheme known as “shotgunning,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Yorce Yotagri, 54, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Vazquez imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Yotagri was a business partner of Jorge Flores of Oakdale, New York, and Jose Piedrahita of Freeport, two conspirators also charged in the indictment. From 2010 through February 2018, Yotagri, Flores, Piedrahita, and others conspired to fraudulently obtain multiple home equity lines of credit (HELOC) from banks on residential properties in New Jersey and New York.

In August 2016, Yotagri lived at a property in Freeport. A quitclaim deed was prepared that facilitated the transfer of ownership of the property to Yotagri and Piedrahita even though Piedrahita did not own the property.

In September 2016, with the Freeport property now in the names of Yotagri and Piedrahita, the conspirators applied for a $290,000 HELOC from a victim bank in Yotagri’s and Piedrahita’s names using the property as collateral. Piedrahita’s contact information appeared on the HELOC application on the Freeport property, which also contained inflated income and assets for Piedrahita. On Dec. 2, 2016, based on the false representations contained in the application, the victim bank issued a HELOC to Piedrahita for $290,000. Piedrahita then disbursed the $290,000 to himself, Yotagri, and Flores. The HELOC funds were never repaid.

In January 2017, Flores called another victim bank and applied for a second HELOC in Piedrahita’s name for $250,000 – again using the Freeport property as collateral. This time Flores’ email address and phone number appeared on the HELOC application on the Freeport property. To demonstrate to the second victim bank that the property was unencumbered by any senior mortgages, Flores and Piedrahita sent several fraudulent documents to the victim bank to conceal the existence of or amounts owed on senior mortgages. The false documents the defendants submitted included a series of false payoff letters and fake checks from other banks, all submitted to deceive the victim bank into believing that the remaining value of the senior mortgages on the Freeport property was far less than what was actually owed.

On March 22, 2017, the second victim bank issued a HELOC to Piedrahita for $250,000.  Piedrahita then disbursed nearly the entirety of the HELOC funds to himself and Yotagri. The funds obtained by Piedrahita and Yotagri from the HELOC were not repaid and were overdrawn, causing losses to the second victim bank totaling approximately $290,000.

At the time the applications for the two HELOCS were made, there was not sufficient equity in the Freeport property to support the $540,000 in HELOC applications made by Flores, Piedrahita, and Yotagri.

The overall scheme, which included HELOC loans for approximately 17 different properties, resulted in over $9 million in losses to the victim banks.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Vazquez sentenced Yotagri to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $580,048.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG), Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert W. Manchak; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin DiGregory of the FHFA-OIG.

The charges and allegations against Yotagri’s co-defendants contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Muscatine Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Conspiracy Charge

 DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Muscatine woman, Kayla Jean Crabtree, was sentenced on June 22, 2021, by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey to 180 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Following her prison term, Crabtree was ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

According to court documents, Crabtree, age 34, was identified as a drug trafficking suspect in approximately January of 2019. When attempting a traffic stop on Crabtree for an outstanding arrest warrant based on a parole violation, Crabtree fled by striking into police squad cars that were blocking her path. When apprehended, a glass methamphetamine pipe and functioning compact digital scale were found on her. A search warrant was executed on Crabtree’s vehicle and officers found approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine, drug packaging materials, and $3,389.25 cash. As part of the investigation, law enforcement learned Crabtree was involved with the distribution of over 1.5kg of ice methamphetamine. Crabtree pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on January 28, 2021 and admitted to being involved in an ice methamphetamine distribution conspiracy beginning by as early as January 1, 2019, and continuing until April 23, 2019, when Crabtree was arrested.

The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa prosecuted this matter.

St. Louis man pleads guilty to drug and weapon charges

 ST. LOUIS – Landon Whitfield, 26, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Ronnie L. White on today’s date and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On November 6, 2019, members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, while in the Mark Twain Neighborhood, observed Whitfield driving a vehicle with heavily tinted windows. Knowing that this vehicle had previously fled from the officers on several occasions, the officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Whitfield fled from the officers and committed numerous traffic violations in the process. In an effort to disable the vehicle, the officers successfully deployed spike strips, deflating two of its tires.  Undeterred and causing a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, Whitfield continued to flee in the vehicle and almost struck a police car in the process.  Whitfield eventually abandoned his vehicle and fled from officers on foot while armed with an AR-15-type firearm.   

Several officers confronted Whitfield in an alley. Whitfield raised his firearm.  An officer, fearing for his safety, fired one shot in response. Whitfield then dropped his firearm and a green bag he had over his shoulder. Whitfield tried to continue his escape by climbing a nearby fence. Officers deployed a department-issued Taser. allowing them to take Whitfield into custody. The firearm Whitfield possessed was a Matrix Aerospace M556-SC semi-automatic pistol. It was loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition in an extended magazine. Inside Whitfield’s green bag were 345 capsules of fentanyl weighing approximately 37 grams.

Judge White has set sentencing for September 21, 2021.  

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Owner of Two Pharmacies Pays $300,000 to Resolve Controlled Substances Act Violations

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today that Jawed Ali Khan Sherwani, Beckley Pharmacy and Bee Well Pharmacy have agreed to pay $300,000 in civil monetary penalties to resolve allegations that the pharmacies violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by filling illegitimate prescriptions.  Beckley Pharmacy has two locations in the Beckley, West Virginia area.  Bee Well Pharmacy is located in South Charleston, West Virginia. Sherwani is a pharmacist who owns and operates the pharmacies. The settlement provides that from on or about March 1, 2015 to in or about March 2020, both Beckley Pharmacy locations and Bee Well Pharmacy violated the CSA by filling prescriptions the pharmacies knew or should have known were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose. Bee Well Pharmacy also agreed to surrender its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration which will result in the pharmacy being unable to fill prescriptions for controlled substances. As part of the settlement, Beckley Pharmacy has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with DEA which imposes heightened regulatory and reporting obligations but will allow both Beckley Pharmacy locations to retain their respective DEA registrations. The CSA prohibits the distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance without a valid prescription.  A valid prescription for a controlled substance must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his or her practice. Based on the investigation, the United States maintains that the pharmacists at the Beckley Pharmacy locations and Bee Well Pharmacy knew or had reason to know that patients had presented illegitimate prescriptions that should not have been filled. 

“There has been a tremendous amount of damage caused by prescription drug abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “In response, we have made it a priority to target different components of the opioid supply chain for their contributing roles to the crisis. Pharmacies must keep accurate records and maintain strong controls when handling controlled substances.  Those that fail to do so open the door to the potential diversion of drugs, the illegal distribution, and abuse of these drugs.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Alan G. McGonigal and Gregory P. Neil handled the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diversion Group and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) investigated the case. 

Congress passed the CSA to combat the illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications.  Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer or sell controlled substances must comply with strict inventory and documentation requirements. Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, maintain complete and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed or otherwise disposed of by the registrant for two years.  These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting and distribution of controlled substances.

The settlement is a result of the United States Attorney’s Healthcare Fraud Abuse, Recovery and Response Team (ARREST), an innovative approach linking civil and criminal enforcement efforts together in a comprehensive attack on the opioid epidemic and healthcare fraud. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Man caught attempting to pass counterfeit currency sentenced to federal prison

 Threatened to put a bullet in his victim and kill the victim’s family after caught

A man who purchased printers and counterfeiting materials at Wal-Mart in in an attempt to create and pass off counterfeit notes in order to defraud a victim was sentenced today to two years in federal prison.

Peter Hobart, age 23, from Lisbon, Iowa, received the prison term after a guilty plea to dealing in counterfeit currency.

In a plea agreement, Hobart admitted he intended to defraud a victim by attempting to pass counterfeit currency in exchange for the victim’s Dodge Charger in addition to other vehicles, including a Jeep and water skis.  At sentencing, the victim testified that he abandoned the transaction.  Shortly thereafter, while on the phone, Hobart threatened to put a bullet in the victim if the victim did not return to complete the transaction.  Hobart stated he knew all about the victim and could kill his family.

Hobart was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hobart was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and fined $100.  He was ordered to make $650.16 in restitution to the victim.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Hobart being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Dupuich and investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Pocahontas Police Department, and the Emmetsburg Police Department.

Guatemalan Woman Sentenced for Document Fraud

 Illegally Worked Using Someone Else’s Name and Social Security Number

A woman who used a false identification document and someone else’s name and social security number was sentenced today to five years of probation.

Xiomara Lopez-Martinez, age 26, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Decorah, Iowa, received the sentence after an April 21, 2021 guilty plea to one count of unlawful use of an identification document.

In a plea agreement, Lopez-Martinez admitted she used someone else’s name and Social Security number, and also a fraudulent Social Security card, when she completed employment and tax forms in October 2017 and October 2018 at a business in Decorah.  In September 2020, the victim of the identity theft from Texas contacted the Winneshiek County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office and informed them that someone was using her name and Social Security number to work in Decorah and that the IRS had contacted her about paying back taxes on this employment.  On December 2, 2020, immigration agents arrested Lopez-Martinez at her place of employment in Decorah where she initially identified herself to immigration agents using the victim’s name.

Lopez-Martinez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Lopez-Martinez was sentenced to five years of probation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Distribution

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston woman pleaded guilty today to distributing methamphetamine while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction. 

According to court documents, Tiffany Shaffer, 32, admitted that on October 5, 2020, she distributed 53.88 grams of pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant in return for $1500 in United States currency. Shaffer also admitted, as part of her relevant conduct of ongoing drug dealing, that she distributed methamphetamine several other times in September, October, and December 2020, in and around the Dunbar area. Shaffer conducted the recent drug sales while on supervised release for a 2017 federal conviction on a firearms charge for which she was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release. 

Shaffer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison when she is sentenced on September 22, 2021. She also faces consecutive prison time as a result of violating her supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott is handling the prosecution.

St. Albans Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Antoine Louis, 37, of St. Albans, was sentenced today to 100 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and eight months in prison, to run consecutively, for violating his supervised release from a previous federal drug conviction. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Louis was stopped by law enforcement in St. Albans on October 19, 2020. A police K-9 alerted to the presence of controlled substances and Louis admitted to officers that he had hidden controlled substances on his person.  Louis also gave his consent for law enforcement officers to search his residence. During the search of Louis’ home, law enforcement officers located two firearms, six rounds of ammunition, approximately 27.1 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 47.3 grams of heroin.  At that time, Louis was on supervised release for a previous federal drug conviction.   Louis also admitted that on October 6, 2020, he sold over five grams of heroin to a confidential informant that was working with law enforcement.  

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner handled the prosecution.

Huntington Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Crime

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for a federal drug crime. Aaron Howell, 46, previously pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Howell previously admitted that on November 12, 2020, he was being transported to the Huntington Police Department and removed heroin and methamphetamine from his person and left it in the back of the police cruiser.  

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

DEA Finalizes Measures to Expand Medication-Assisted Treatment

 WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration today announced an important step to improve access to medications for opioid use disorder, especially in rural areas where those suffering with opioid use disorder may have limited treatment options.

Under the final rule published today, DEA registrants who are authorized to dispense methadone for opioid use disorder would be authorized to add a “mobile component” to their existing registration – eliminating the separate registration requirement for these mobile narcotic treatment programs (NTPs). This will streamline the registration process and make it easier for registrants to provide needed services in remote or underserved areas. The rule also outlines the reports and records that shall be maintained for NTPs that wish to expand the reach of their treatment programs by use of mobile components.

“In the United States, we have been facing an opioid epidemic for more than a decade,” said DEA Assistant Administrator for Diversion Control Tim McDermott. “We are losing tens of thousands of Americans per year to opioid-involved overdoses. The Administration, DOJ, DEA, HHS, among many others, are squarely focused on efforts to improve the use of medication-assisted treatment in order to reduce overdose deaths and help those with opioid-addictions recover. Today’s action sends a very important message that we support the use of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and are using all the tools at our disposal to make treatment options available to anyone in need of them, anywhere in the country.”

“Today’s action by the DEA will improve access to life-saving medication for opioid use disorder, especially for those in underserved communities who face barriers to treatment,” said Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy Regina LaBelle. “This new rule is a significant step forward that supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s drug policy priorities, including expanding access to evidence-based treatment and advancing racial equity in our approach to drug policy.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, provisional data indicate that there were more than 67,500 reported overdose deaths attributed to opioids during the 12-month period ending in November 2020. This accounts for approximately three quarters of all drug overdose deaths in the United States.

The demand for evidence-based medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder, has increased over the years, especially for services provided by NTPs. In certain areas of the country – particularly rural, urban, and Tribal communities – this has resulted in long waiting lists and high services fees. In addition, the distance to the nearest NTP or the lack of consistent access to transportation in rural and underserved communities may prevent or substantially impede access to these critical services.

Methadone is one of three FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder.  There are more than 1,900 narcotic treatment program locations across the country, including opioid treatment programs, withdrawal management services that utilize methadone, and compounders.

This final rule builds on existing experience and provides additional flexibility for NTPs in operating mobile components, subject to the regulatory restrictions put into place to prevent the diversion of controlled substances.

For more information, the final rule is available here.

ATF Offers Reward in Gun Store Burglary

 ATF, Chattanooga Police Department and the firearms industry seek public’s help in firearms theft from Big Bucks Pawn FFL

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in conjunction with the Chattanooga Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction for those responsible for the theft of firearms from Big Bucks Pawn, a federal firearm licensee (FFL).

On June 21, 2021, Big Bucks Pawn FFL, 5019 Hixon Pike, Chattanooga, Tennessee, was burglarized where approximately 25 firearms were reported stolen to the Chattanooga Police Department.  ATF Industry Operations Investigators responded to the FFL and are in the process of conducting an inventory to determine the exact number of firearms stolen.  

ATF is offering the reward for the amount of up to $2,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $ 5,000. This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF’s reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.

“ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. ATF Special Agent in Charge, Mickey French said, “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence in conjunction with Project Guardian will leverage investigative resources combined with community partnerships to recover the stolen firearms.”

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), or the Chattanooga Police Department (423) 698-2525.

Information can also be sent to crimetips@knoxsheriff.org or  ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes, and regulates the firearm industry.  More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

St. Louis man pleads guilty to cocaine, fentanyl, and weapon charges

 ST. LOUIS – Richard Lawrence Davis, 38, of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge Stephen R. Clark on today’s date and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

In September of 2019, investigators identified Davis as a distributor of narcotics, including cocaine and fentanyl.  Investigators then initiated a surveillance of Davis’s activities in and around the 700 block of Greenway Manor Drive in Florissant, Missouri.

While conducting surveillance on September 25, investigators observed a narcotics transaction conducted by Davis, and subsequently seized over a half-kilogram of cocaine from Davis’s customer.

Investigators resumed their surveillance of Davis, where they observed other transactions. Investigators approached Davis, who fled and tried to discard approximately 80 grams of cocaine.  Davis was ultimately apprehended.  Investigators searched the apartment where Davis was storing his narcotics. Law enforcement officers seized over two kilograms of cocaine belonging to Davis, along with approximately one-half kilogram of fentanyl.  Investigators also located and seized a Glock, .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun and a Hi-Point, .45 caliber, semi-automatic handgun belonging to Davis, as well as a digital scale and wrappings for kilogram-amounts or “bricks” of cocaine.

Judge Clark has set sentencing for September 30, 2021.  Davis faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Davis was also on federal supervised release for previous federal drug and weapon offenses at the time of his above-described arrest. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Florissant Police Department, the Bridgeton Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Charles Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa Yemm and Ricardo Dixon are handling the case.

Dallas Men Sentenced for Hate Crimes After Targeting Gay Men on Grindr

 Three Texas men were sentenced yesterday for violent crimes against users of the gay dating app Grindr, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Michael Atkinson, 28, Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, 21, and Daryl Henry, 24, were sentenced to federal prison terms for their involvement in a scheme to target gay men for violent crimes. Atkinson was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison, Ceniceros-Deleon was sentenced to 22 years in prison, and Henry was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

“These defendants brutalized multiple victims, singling them out due to their sexual orientation. We cannot allow this sort of violence to fester unchecked,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting hate crimes. In the meantime, we urge dating app users to remain vigilant. Unfortunately, predators often lurk online.”  

“These three men participated in and committed acts of violence against innocent victims because they believed the victims were gay men,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. “This type of bias-motivated violence runs contrary to our values and violates our federal civil rights laws. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who target members of the LGBTQI community.”

“One of the FBI’s top priorities is to defend the civil rights of the communities we serve. We actively work with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and achieve justice for the victims impacted by these violent crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno of the FBI Dallas Field Office. “The victims in this case were specifically targeted because of their sexual orientation. The FBI wants to reassure the public that we will pursue individuals who commit violent hate acts against any member of our community.”

According to documents filed in connection with this case, these three defendants admitted that they conspired to and then targeted as many as nine men in and around Dallas, Texas for violent crimes including kidnapping, carjacking, and hate crimes. Beginning on or around Dec. 6, 2017, members of this conspiracy used Grindr, a social media dating platform used primarily by gay men, to lure men to an apartment complex in Dallas. When the men arrived, the conspirators held the men at gunpoint and forced them to drive to local ATMs to withdraw cash from their accounts.

Atkinson and Henry admitted to joining this conspiracy to target gay men for violent crimes. On Dec. 11, 2017, the conspirators used Grindr to lure five men to a vacant apartment in Dallas where they held the men at gunpoint, kidnapped, carjacked, and assaulted them. As part of his plea agreement, Henry admitted that he used violence and threats of violence to hold the victims in the backroom and closet of the vacant apartment while other conspirators used the victims’ vehicles to drive to local ATMs to steal cash from the victims’ accounts. Atkinson and Ceniceros-Deleon admitted that they traveled in the carjacked vehicles to take cash from the victims’ accounts. While the victims were held at gunpoint, some were physically assaulted, at least one victim was sexually assaulted, and all of the victims were taunted with gay slurs.

In 2019, Atkinson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping and carjacking and one count of kidnapping. 

Ceniceros-Deleon pleaded guilty in 2019 to one hate crime count, one count of carjacking, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

Henry pleaded guilty in 2019 to one hate crime count and one count of conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping and carjacking. 

A final member of the conspiracy will be sentenced on Oct. 6, 2021. This final conspirator, Daniel Jenkins, pleaded guilty on June 3 to a hate crime violation; conspiracy to commit hate crimes, kidnapping and carjacking; and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Under the plea agreement, Jenkins faces a maximum sentence of 26 years in prison.

The FBI’s Dallas Field Office conducted the federal investigation; a separate criminal investigation is being conducted by the Dallas Police Department. Special Litigation Counsel Rose E. Gibson and Trial Attorney Kathryn Gilbert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, along with Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Dana, are prosecuting the case.

Clearwater Drug Distributor Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Prison

 Tampa, Florida – United States District Judge Charlene Honeywell has sentenced Jorge Ramirez (41, Clearwater) to 15 years and 8 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. Ramirez had pleaded guilty on August 25, 2020.

According to information presented during Ramirez’s sentencing hearing, in 2011, Ramirez was convicted in state court (Pasco County) for trafficking cocaine. After serving more than three years in state prison, Ramirez—also known as “Dientes,” “Cha-Ching,” and “Ching”—resumed selling large amounts of drugs, distributing kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, as well as smaller amounts of heroin and cocaine for years before he was ultimately arrested in this case. By the time Ramirez’s Spring Hill, Florida-based, Mexican cartel-affiliated suppliers were arrested in April 2019, Ramirez had sold at least 40 kilograms of highly pure methamphetamine over the previous five months.

In December 2020, United States District Judge Susan C. Bucklew sentenced each of Ramirez’s suppliers, Adan Barajas Maldonado and Juan Carlos Arias Castillo, to 25 years in prison.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.

Harrisburg Man Indicted For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

 HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Reginald Hopkins, age 44, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 23, 2021, for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on January 15, 2021, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Hopkins sold  a detectable amount of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”  Additionally, the indictment alleges that on February 11, 2021, Hopkins was in possession of three firearms (an Astra Constable 9mm handgun, a Hi-Point CF380 .380 handgun and a S&W M&P 9 Shield 9mm handgun) after previously having been convicted of a felony offense.  Hopkins was also in possession of 9 mm and .380 caliber ammunition.

The matter was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and the Community Policing Unit, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.   

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty for the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the distribution of a controlled substance offense is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of at least 6 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $2,000,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

Resident Legal Advisor, Colombia

 Criminal Division (CRM)

Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training

Attorney

Bogota

Colombia

21-CRM-DET-048

About the Office: 

Although this vacancy announcement expires on July 22, 2021, the announcement may be closed at any time if a selection is made. This assignment is for a detail of 14 months, beginning in or about September 2021, with the possibility of an extension, contingent on funding. Appointment to this position will be through a reimbursable detail.

The mission of the Criminal Division's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) is to develop and administer technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and their law enforcement personnel. This assistance is administered in order to enable those institutions and their personnel to more effectively combat terrorism, transnational organized crime, corruption, financial crimes and other types of crime in a manner consistent with the rule of law. The assistance is also administered to enable those institutions and their personnel to cooperate regionally more effectively and with the United States in combating such crime. http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/opdat.

Job Description: 

The Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) will represent the U.S. Department of Justice through OPDAT’s field office in Bogota, Colombia. The RLA will work closely with local law enforcement and government officials, including prosecutors, judges, investigators, parliamentarians, and others to develop, implement, and strengthen OPDAT capacity building programs.

The RLA will be responsible for the implementation of programs that focus on justice sector technical assistance, institutional development in the host nation, including further implementation of the accusatorial system, assessment of the legal system, prosecutorial capacity building, investigation and prosecution of complex transnational cases, trial advocacy skills development, evidence collection and preservation, pretrial alternatives, and increasing the ability of the Attorney General’s Office to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations. The RLA will also focus strengthening the capacity of justice sector partners in key Colombian rural municipalities to investigate and prosecute transnational organizations, cartels, and gangs through specialized training, case-based mentoring, and technical assistance.

Qualifications: 

Required: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess ALL of the requirements below:

1. A J.D. degree, duly licensed, and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.
2. Specific grade level requirements:
   • GS-15: At least four (4) years of post J.D. legal experience, to include four (4) years of prosecutorial experience in Article III courts or comparable state level courts.
   • GS-14: At least three (3) years of post J.D. legal experience, to include three (3) years of prosecutorial experience in Article III courts or comparable state level courts.
3. The applicant must be a fluent Spanish speaker, as well as proficient in reading and writing Spanish.

Applicants must have, or be able to obtain through their Component/Agency, and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred: Applicants should have a thorough understanding and practical knowledge of Department of Justice and other U.S. Government approaches and policies involving transnational crimes and security and justice sector development issues, including training and institution-building. Experience living, working, and/or training in an overseas environment is desirable. Experience with corruption-related investigations and prosecutions is highly desirable.

The successful applicant should also have:

• Ability to function effectively in an international, multi-cultural environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills;
• The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Extensive prosecution experience;
• Experience in bar activities, teaching, designing course curricula, and/or work with international development projects;
• Experience in developing and litigating federal criminal cases;
• Familiarity with international and cross border investigations and prosecutions; and
• Experience working with and/or establishing task forces.

Salary: 

Under a detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee’s base pay. If applicable, the selectee will also receive appropriate post and overseas salary differentials.

Travel: 

Extensive travel to/from and within the host nation will be required.

Application Process: 

Although this vacancy announcement expires on July 22, 2021, the announcement may be closed at any time if a selection is made. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

All interested attorneys meeting these qualifications should submit a cover letter and resume to opdatdetails.whp@usdoj.gov.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Relocation expenses are authorized. This is an accompanied position.

Number of Positions: 

1

Updated June 24, 2021

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Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor.  The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.  Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans:  There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his  or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

 

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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Former Richmond City Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Diverting Social Services Benefits

 RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond woman pleaded guilty yesterday to mail fraud for abusing her authority as a case worker at the Richmond Department of Social Services to divert income and food-related benefits to herself.

According to court documents, De’Nisha Juanita Wilson, 47, was a case worker for the Richmond Department of Social Services, where she assisted with and oversaw needy individuals’ receipt of financial benefits and had access to state and city systems containing beneficiaries’ personal information. In May 2019, one of Wilson’s clients, a young woman who was receiving benefits on behalf of five children, tragically died in a car accident. Following the woman’s death, Wilson accessed the deceased woman’s personal identifying information, caused the issuance of new prepaid benefits cards, and directed those cards to herself. Wilson then used the prepaid benefits cards issued under the deceased woman’s name for her own purposes. In total, Wilson diverted more than $13,000, spending approximately $8,000 on food, entertainment, and other personal expenses. The scheme was halted in January 2020.

Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 18. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and James Osuna, Inspector General, City of Richmond Office of the Inspector General, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney, Jr. accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Elliker is prosecuting the case.

Saratoga County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

 ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Porrazzo, a/k/a “lickndipinu,” age 51, of Stillwater, New York, pled guilty today to two counts of possession of child pornography.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As part of his guilty plea, Porrazzo admitted that on June 2, 2016, he possessed multiple images of child pornography on two laptop computers, and that the child pornography he possessed included depictions of children under age 12 being sexually abused. 

Porrazzo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a mandatory term of supervised release of 5 years and up to life, and a maximum $250,000 fine, when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on October 13, 2021.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Porrazzo will also have to register as a sex offender.

Porrazzo has been in custody since his arrest on October 2, 2020.

This case was investigated by HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.

Assistant United States Attorney USAO Western District of Washington

 Criminal Division

Attorney

700 Stewart Street

Suite 5220

Seattle, WA 98101

United States

21-WDWA-AUSA-04 (Criminal - Seattle/Tacoma)

About the Office: 

United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Western District of Washington is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation in the Western District of Washington (WDWA) that involves the United States in some way. A large portion of the work involves criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law. The office also handles civil lawsuits by or against a Department or agency of the United States, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.  The USAO is divided into two litigating Divisions (Criminal and Civil). The main office is located in Seattle, Washington and a branch office is located in Tacoma, Washington.  The office has an authorized strength of approximately 74 Assistant United States Attorneys.

Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Job Description: 

The Assistant United States Attorneys in the Criminal Division pursue prosecutions for violations of federal law that occur within the District. Criminal Division Assistant United States Attorneys advise federal law enforcement agents on criminal investigations, present criminal cases to the grand jury, try criminal cases before the United States District Court, and at times represent the United States in criminal appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The attorneys hired for these positions will be assigned to criminal matters involving various areas of federal criminal law.  These positions may be located in either the Seattle or Tacoma Offices.  Applicants should state their preference of office location in the cover letter. Further, any applicant hired for a position to be located in the Tacoma Office should anticipate spending the first several months in the position working at the Seattle office for training.  Work in the Tacoma office also requires periodic travel to Seattle as needed for casework and additional training.

Qualifications: 

The applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least three years post-J.D. experience. Ideal qualifications include at least five years of post-J.D. litigation experience, with some experience in criminal law.

Applicants must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and an ability to synthesize a wide range of data, help direct an investigation and have the ability accurately and precisely to articulate the critical issues in a case. Applicants must demonstrate superior oral and writing skills, strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment.  Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom skills, and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies. Applicants must have a demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment and in the highest ethical manner.

Applicants will be expected to do their own legal research and writing, and will be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings.  Applicants also must demonstrate excellent computer literacy skills to include experience with Internet research, electronic court filing, electronic mail, data management, word processing, and video-conferencing systems.

Salary: 

Assistant United States Attorneys' pay is administratively determined based primarily on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of pay, including locality, is $70,821 to $172,400.

Travel: 

Occasional travel within and outside the District will be required.

Application Process: 

Interested persons must email the following items in pdf format to the email address listed below:

1.   A cover letter referencing Vacancy Announcement: 21-WDWA-AUSA-04 (Criminal- Seattle/Tacoma);

2.   A detailed resume that includes the month/year start and end dates for each position held;

3.   A law school transcript for any applicant with less than five years of experience as an attorney;

4.   A writing sample meeting the criteria set forth below; and

5.   Current Department of Justice employees are encouraged to include a copy of their most recent annual performance evaluation (optional).

Writing Sample:  Include a sample of your legal writing, such as a portion or all of an appellate brief,    motion and memorandum of points and authorities, or opinion letter. The writing sample should be a recent example of your work and demonstrate your ability to analyze legal issues and present that analysis in   written form.

The sample should be predominantly your own work. If the document was edited by others, include a cover memo that briefly describes the level of editing that occurred.

 

USAWAW.Hiring@usdoj.gov

Tessa M. Gorman

Acting United States Attorney

700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220

Seattle, Washington 98101

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Number of Positions: 

1+

Updated June 23, 2021

*         *         *

Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, pregnancy, status as a parent, or any other nonmerit-based factor.  The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.  Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans:  There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his  or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

 

*         *         *

 

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Pike County Man Sentenced To Prison For Possession Of A Sawed-Off Shotgun

 SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Walter Valdivia, Jr., age 38, of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 21, 2021, to 33 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for possession of a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Valdivia was encountered by law enforcement officers when they served a search warrant in Matamoras, Pennsylvania on April 29, 2020, in an unrelated investigation.  Valdivia was sitting on a couch in the living room of the residence and reached behind the couch.  Agents located a sawed-off shotgun and a bag that contained shotgun shells behind the couch.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in cooperation with the Pike County (Pennsylvania) Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Four Oaks Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

 RALEIGH, N.C. – A Four Oaks man was sentenced yesterday to 420 months in prison and a life term of supervised release for sex trafficking of a minor and using the internet to operate a prostitution enterprise. On December 17, 2020, Marvarlus Cortel Snead was convicted of the charges after a four-day jury trial.  Snead was also ordered to pay more than $200,000 in restitution to the minor victim.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Snead, 34, prostituted an adult female and a minor victim in various locations throughout the Eastern District of North Carolina in December 2017 and January 2018. Snead targeted extremely vulnerable victims and enticed them with promises of money and romance. Snead also engaged in a sexual relationship with both women and, after convincing them to join him, manipulated them and took their money for himself. Snead was arrested following a January 24, 2018 prostitution sting operation at a hotel in Wilmington, NC, where Snead was prostituting the minor after posting ads online. Following his arrest, Snead sought to continue his manipulation of the minor victim by coercing the victim into signing false affidavits aimed at exonerating Snead but which were actually written by others at Snead’s direction.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. Mr. Acker commented: “This case is about the victims, who suffered at the hands of a greedy trafficker. Our community will not tolerate perpetrators like this defendant targeting our most vulnerable children and citizens for their profit.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Stephany and Erin C. Blondel  prosecuted the case.

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Trafficking Guilty Plea

 WICHITA, KAN. – Richard H. Adams, IV, 29, was sentenced to 144 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, a Class A felony. 

According to court documents, in 2019, Adams was pulled over in Nebraska by a state trooper for speeding. A search of the vehicle yielded the discovery of what was later determined to be at least 2,200 grams of methamphetamine. Two loaded firearms belonging to Adams and $11,300 in U.S. currency were also found. Adams admitted he planned to transport the methamphetamine to Wichita, Kansas, for distribution. 

“The arrest, prosecution, and resolution of this case demonstrates an effective collaboration between law enforcement and federal prosecutors. Their efforts prevented a dangerous, illicit substance from reaching our communities and caused the perpetrator to have to pay for his crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Dunston Slinkard.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nebraska Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Treaster and Katie Andrusak prosecuted the case.

New York Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Threatening to Kill a United States Senator

 ALBANY, NEW YORK – Carlo Di Padova, age 61, was sentenced last week to 18 months in prison for mailing a threatening communication and impeding, intimidating, and interfering with a federal official by threat.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Jodi Cohen, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Di Padova admitted to sending a letter to a United States Senator that contained a white powdery substance and stated that Di Padova planned to have someone shoot the Senator in the head. The powder in the letter was harmless. 

The 18-month term of imprisonment, imposed on June 16, 2021, will run consecutive to a 16-year-to-life sentence that Di Padova was serving in New York State custody at the time of his indictment.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision, Office of Special Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily C. Powers.

San Joaquin County Skydiver Arrested for Running Unauthorized Tandem Instructor Courses

 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An indictment was unsealed following the arrest of an Acampo man Monday, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On June 10, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against Robert Allen Pooley, 46, of Acampo, charging him with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to tandem parachuting courses.

According to court documents, in 2010, Pooley obtained ratings as a “tandem examiner” with the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA) and as a “tandem examiner” with Uninsured United Parachute Technologies LLC (UPT), a manufacturer of tandem parachute systems. He then began conducting training courses for candidates seeking to obtain their USPA Tandem Instructor rating and/or their certification to use UPT tandem parachute systems. He charged for these courses and conducted them at a skydiving business located in Acampo.

In August 2015, USPA and UPT suspended Pooley’s tandem examiner ratings and could no longer conduct the tandem instructor courses on his own. Nevertheless, he continued running USPA and UPT tandem instructor rating courses without authorization, and he concealed his suspensions from tandem instructor candidates. Pooley led students to believe they could obtain USPA and UPT tandem ratings through his courses, concealed the fact that he had been suspended, and helped students fill out USPA and UPT rating paperwork to further the impression that the students would legitimately get their tandem ratings through his courses.

As part of the scheme, Pooley used a digital image of the signature of another properly rated USPA and UPT tandem examiner to sign off on training that Pooley himself had conducted when the other tandem examiner was not even in the country. Pooley accepted numerous students in this manner in 2016 from around the world, including the Republic of Korea, Chile, New Zealand, and Mexico. Each student typically paid $1,000 to $1,600 total for these courses. On Aug. 6, 2016, one such student fell to his death in a tandem diving accident with a customer who also perished. After those deaths, numerous victims of Pooley’s scheme asked for their money back, but he did not repay them, and several students had to pay for entirely new tandem instructor courses at other locations.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher S. Hales and Katherine T. Lydon are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Pooley faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of wire fraud, and a mandatory two year sentence on each count of aggravated identity theft. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Juneau Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

 JUNEAU – A Juneau man was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

According to court documents, Kevin Leonard-Kinney, 45, pleaded guilty in May 2019 to trafficking methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine to Alaska and distributed in the Juneau area between May and August 2018. Records indicate that in addition to personally carrying illegal drugs on multiple flights between California and Alaska, Leonard-Kinney conspired with Jennifer Greenberg, 45, of California, and Chantal Epstein, 31, of Alaska to use the United States Postal Service to transport drugs.  

Epstein accepted parcels of illegal drugs at her residence in Juneau for Leonard-Kinney which were sent from California by Greenberg. In August 2018, U.S. Postal Inspectors identified a suspicious package and a drug detection canine positively identified the scent of controlled substances in the package. A search of the package revealed a speaker containing 1,351 gross grams of methamphetamine, 159.43 gross grams of heroin and 28.8 gross grams of cocaine. Law enforcement removed the original narcotics and inserted representative samples into the parcel along with two tracking and monitoring devices. Surveillance teams followed and observed the package being picked up by Epstein and given to Leonard-Kinney who in turn drove around town and then left it in his parked vehicle. Hours later Epstein removed the package and took it to Leonard-Kinney’s hotel room. Law enforcement entered the room and placed Leonard-Kinney and Epstein into custody. During a search of the hotel room, officers found methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and more than $40,000 in cash. They also found multiple firearms including five pistols, an AR-15 rifle, numerous rounds of ammunition and magazines. After obtaining a search warrant for Epstein’s residence, officers found additional drugs and cash.

In separate hearings on related charges, Epstein was sentenced to five years in federal prison and five years of supervised release; and Greenberg was sentenced to two years in federal prison and five years of supervised release.

“Illicit narcotics are a cancer in our society and many Southeast communities have suffered at the hands of this epidemic for years,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska. “The trail of destruction caused by the distribution and use of methamphetamine and heroin in communities like Juneau has been particularly devastating. We take drug trafficking crimes very seriously and will continue to vigorously prosecute traffickers for their illegal actions.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service remains steadfast in our commitment to investigate any criminal use of the U.S. Mail, and the shipment of illegal narcotics remains one of our highest priorities,” said Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti, “the actions of these defendants have untold harm on the Alaskan community, and now they will be held accountable.  We thank the USAO and our local partners for their assistance in bringing these defendants to justice.”

The Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task Force (SEACAD) investigated the case. SEACAD is a proactive task force comprised of law enforcement officers from the Juneau, Petersburg, Sitka, Haines, Craig, Wrangell, Cordova, Hoonah, Ketchikan, Skagway and Yukutat  police departments, Alaska State Troopers, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service whose primary goal is to reduce illegal drug trafficking in Southeast Alaska. It is a cooperative agreement in which all Southeast cities, the Alaska State Troopers and Federal Law Enforcement partners have agreed to pool resources and collaborate to combat drug trafficking and distribution anywhere in Southeast Alaska. Tips can be submitted  online at http://juneaucrimeline.com/

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt prosecuted the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.