Newark Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking

NEWARK, NJ—A Newark man today admitted his role in a carjacking in Newark on March 14, 2012, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Anthony Reynolds, 18, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation before U.S. District Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh in Newark federal court.

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

Reynolds admitted that on March 14, 2012, he was a passenger in a BMW that had stopped at an intersection in Newark. Reynolds exited the vehicle and approached the driver’s side of a Porsche 911 Turbo that was stopped behind the BMW. Reynolds brandished a .38-cal. revolver at the driver of the Porsche 911 Turbo and ordered the driver out of the car. Once the driver got out of the car, Reynolds attempted to drive away in the Porsche 911 Turbo, but was unable to operate its manual transmission. A police chase ensued on foot and the police apprehended Reynolds.

The carjacking charge to which Reynolds pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss from the offense.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

Sentencing before Judge Cavanaugh is scheduled for January 22, 2013.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan of the Organized Crimes/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Joseph Ferrante Esq., Newark

Third Defendant Pleads Guilty to Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicles

Conspiracy Involved Approximately 60 ATVs with a Value in Excess of $360,000

LAKE CHARLES, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Luis B. Calixto, Sr., 46, of Houston, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Lake Charles before U.S. District Judge Patricia Minaldi to one count of interstate transportation of stolen vehicles.

Calixto and two co-defendants, Shaun Cody Gauthreaux, 28, and Allen Joseph Morehead, Jr., 26, both of Kinder, Louisiana, were all charged in December 2011 with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. According to court documents, FBI agents began investigating an organized theft ring involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that were stolen and transported to the home of Calixto in Houston. The stolen ATVs were linked to cases in Calcasieu, Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Jefferson, Vernon, and Sabine Parishes in Louisiana, and Harris, Newton, and Hardin Counties in Texas. Law enforcement identified a total theft of approximately 60 stolen ATVs/outdoor vehicles valued at approximately $363,000. The thefts occurred between March 2010 and August 2010.

Calixto’s two co-defendants previously pled guilty in federal court. Shaun Cody Gauthreaux pled guilty on March 19, 2012, and Allen Joseph Morehead, Jr., plead guilty on April 10, 2012, both to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles.

At sentencing, Calixto faces a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years; Gauthreaux and Morehead face a term of imprisonment of not more than five years. All defendants face a fine of not more than $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. The sentencing date for Calixto is scheduled for December 13, 2012; Allen Morehead on October 18, 2012 and Shaun Gauthreaux on October 25, 2012.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lake Charles Resident Agency; Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Vehicle Crimes Unit; Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office; Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office; Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office; Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office; Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office; Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Newton County Sheriff’s Office; Hardin County Sheriff’s Office; and the Houston Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

Newark Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Carjacking and Related Crimes

NEWARK—A Newark man was sentenced today to 181 months in prison for his role in the gunpoint carjacking of an SUV in the city, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Jerome Conover, 21, previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count each of conspiracy to commit carjacking; theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation; and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The defendant entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, who also imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

Conover conspired with others to carjack vehicles at gunpoint. He admitted that on Jan. 12, 2011, he and his co-conspirators were carrying a loaded 12-gauge shotgun while riding around in a car and decided to steal a Dodge Durango in Newark. They tailgated the Durango, forcing it to pull over, and then used their car to box it in. Conover and the co-conspirators got out of the car and pointed the gun at the driver to force the driver out of the Durango. They took the Durango and a police chase ensued. Conover and the co-conspirators crashed the Durango into multiple vehicles in a Newark intersection.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas sentenced Conover to serve five years of supervised release.

This case was brought as part of a cooperative effort between federal, state, county, and local law enforcement to address a spike in carjacking and related crimes in and around Essex County.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Violent Crimes/Fugitive Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark; the Newark Police Department, under the leadership of Director Samuel A. DeMaio and Chief Sheilah A. Coley; and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane H. Yoon of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Joseph R. Rubino Esq., West Orange, N.J.

Arrest of Bank Robbery, Carjacking Suspect Pedro Luis Valdes

The FBI announces the arrest of Pedro Luis Valdes, 48, of Miami, Florida, for his alleged involvement in two recent bank robberies and a carjacking involving a 3-year-old child (the child was returned safely).

The arrest was made without incident by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Miami-Dade PD, Hialeah PD, City of Miami PD, Miami Beach PD, and the South Florida Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force (SFVCFTF) around 9:45 p.m. last night at 3141 SW 8th Street in Miami, Florida.

Valdes is in federal custody and is expected to face federal charges. It is anticipated that his initial appearance will be today (Friday) in federal court in Miami.

The FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, Miami-Dade PD, Hialeah PD, City of Miami PD, and all members of the SFVCFTF continue their investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

FBI Seeks Information Leading to Arrest of Bank Robbery, Carjacking Suspect

There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Pedro Luis Valdes, 48, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in two recent bank robberies and a carjacking involving a 3-year-old child (the child was returned safely) today.

The robberies are:

Bank: Regions Bank

Location: 8373 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida

Date/Time: Friday, July 13, 2012, at approximately 11:50 a.m.

Bank: Bank of America

Location: 7760 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at approximately 2:15 p.m.

Valdes was last seen this afternoon (July 18, 2012) in Dade County, Florida, driving a silver 2001 Mitsubishi with tinted windows and handicap decal. The Florida tag is T306JD.

He is also associated with a black 2001 Ford four-door Escort with the Florida tag 869 JDP.

Valdes should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information should call the FBI in Miami at (305) 944-9101 or Crimestoppers.

Douglas CBP Officers Seize Stolen Vehicle

Douglas, Ariz. — A pair of Sierra Vista, Ariz. women, Charlotte Shumsky and an unnamed passenger, were arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on June 28, for driving a stolen vehicle through the Douglas port of entry.

Douglas CBP officers conducting outbound inspections referred the 22-year old Sierra Vista, Ariz., resident and her passenger for inspection of the Chevy SUV she was driving. When a routine records check determined the vehicle had been stolen on June 26, officers arrested both women and Douglas Police were contacted. The subjects were arrested and turned over to DPD along with the vehicle, without further incident.

The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within CBP tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports of entry. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. This mission also includes border-related duties including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.