Federal Jury Convicts Final Member Of Drug Trafficking Organization Supplying Heroin To McAlester Area

 MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that Michael Moses George, age 41, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was found guilty by a federal jury of Drug Conspiracy, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. The jury trial began with testimony on Monday, July 26, 2021 and concluded on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 with the guilty verdict. Based on the jury’s verdict, the defendant is facing a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years nor more than life.

During the trial, the United States presented evidence that beginning in July 2019, and continuing until December 2020, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and elsewhere, George conspired with Dennis Dewayne Cantrell, Dennis Edward Cantrell, Randall Brent Cook, Jason Nathaniel Holland, Paul Casey Craig, Bree Angelica Osburn, Christina Michelle Ketchum, Stacie Renee Borrenkott, and Parker Bolin Mathiews to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Trial witnesses testified the defendant purchased heroin from co-conspirators and served as a major source of heroin for a co-conspirator in McAlester who sold to various persons in the McAlester area. DEA agents executed a search warrant of George’s Oklahoma City apartment at the time of his arrest.  In the apartment they found nearly a pound of heroin, $20,000 in bundled cash, and four firearms. A search of the George’s cellphone revealed text messages demonstrating a history of selling heroin to people in the McAlester and Oklahoma City areas.

All of the other defendants originally indicted in the case have entered guilty pleas. The guilty verdict was the result of an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, District 18 Drug Taskforce, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. George was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending the imposition of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Ryan Conway and James Montoya represented the United States.

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Methamphetamine in Cecil County, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland – Nakir Ali Kiett, age 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute approximately 211 grams of methamphetamine in Cecil County, Maryland.    

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and the members of Cecil County Drug Task Force, including Chief Carolyn Rogers of the Elkton Police Department, Cecil County Sheriff Scott Adams, Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, and Cecil County State’s Attorney James Dellmyer.

According to his guilty plea, in the fall of 2019, Cecil County Drug Task Force officers received information that an individual known as “Omar” was selling methamphetamine in Cecil County, Maryland. “Omar” was later identified as Kiett.

In August 2019, a confidential informant introduced an undercover officer to Kiett.  Between August 28 and September 30, 2019, the undercover officer then arranged and conducted five separate controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Kiett, totaling approximately 150 grams of methamphetamine.

As stated in the plea agreement, on October 9, 2019, investigators obtained a search warrant for Kiett’s vehicle.  On October 10, 2019 investigators arranged for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Kiett.  When Kiett arrived at the agreed-upon meeting location, investigators detained him and searched Kiett and his vehicle pursuant to the search warrant.  During the search of the vehicle, investigators recovered approximately 61 grams of methamphetamine located in a space behind the vehicle’s radio. 

In total, investigators purchased or seized approximately 211 grams of methamphetamine from Kiett between August 2019 and October 2019.  Kiett agrees and admits that he knowingly and intentionally possessed the above-referenced methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.

Kiett and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Kiett will be sentenced to six years in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III has scheduled sentencing for September 21, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. 

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the Department of Homeland Security and the Cecil County Drug Task Force (CCDTF) comprised of the Elkton Police Department, the Cecil County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland State Police, the Cecil County State's Attorney's Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Anatoly Smolkin who is prosecuting the case.

Retired School Teacher Arrested And Charged With Enticement Of A Minor And Possession Of Child Pornography

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Richard W. Scherer, 70, of Depew, NY, was arrested and charged by complaint with enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that according to the criminal complaint, on June 28, 2021, the FBI received information regarding the defendant from a citizens group known as Predator Poacher, which maintains a website and YouTube channel. The group maintains several online accounts that purport to be minors of various ages, using the accounts to chat with adults who later meet for sexual contact. These contacts are recorded, the individuals interviewed, and the videos then posted to the group’s platforms. A member of the group made contact with Scherer on the Instagram account richard_scherer. The defendant believed the member was a 13-year-old girl. The communications between the two were sexual in nature and culminated with a planned meeting at a retail store on Amherst Street in Buffalo. When Scherer arrived, the group confronted him outside the store and interviewed him for about 58 minutes, during which he allegedly admitted that he is a pedophile. The Buffalo Police were called following the interview.

Subsequently, investigators accessed Scherer’s communications with the purported 13-year-old girl, which occurred between April and June 2021. During those communications, which became graphic and sexual in nature, the defendant mentioned he was a teacher, who taught sexual education in the past. On June 27, 2021, Scherer arranged to meet the purported 13-year-old girl the following day, and when he showed up for that meeting, the defendant was confronted by members of Predator Poacher. The final text from Scherer was “I’m here.” According to the complaint, the defendant also communicated with a purported eight-year-old girl through Predator Poacher, during which the communications also became graphic and sexual in nature.

Scherer was a teacher for approximately 25 years in the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. A report obtained from the school system during the investigation stated, “On June 13, 2011, the parent of a 4th grade student, [redacted by MCPS], came to the school and made a report to an assistant principal about some concerns she had regarding possible inappropriate behavior by Mr. Scherer while interacting with students.” The report stated that the student related that when the defendant has lunch with a particular student, “he pulls her to him and hugs her, that he has patted her rear end and hips, and that he pressures her to each lunch with him.” The parent advised that her daughter and the daughter’s friend are often pressured to each lunch with Scherer. In September 2011, the Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools sent a letter to the State of Maryland Superintendent of Schools. The letter stated, “this is to notify you that Mr. Richard W. Scherer, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools, resigned after notice of allegations of misconduct involving a student. I recommend that Mr. Scherer’s certificate be revoked.” The defendant’s teaching certificate was subsequently revoked.

A search of the defendant’s cell phone recovered two images of child pornography.

Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-843-1680.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Stephen Belongia, Special Agent-in-Charge.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Nampa Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

BOISE – Steven L. Lantz, 43, of Nampa, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Lantz to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

According to court records, on January 21, 2020, law enforcement used a confidential informant to arrange the purchase of approximately two ounces of methamphetamine from Lantz. Lantz met the informant in Meridian and entered the informant’s vehicle. Lantz and the informant then drove to Boise, where Lantz obtained methamphetamine and sold it to the informant. Lantz pleaded guilty to the charge on May 12, 2021.

Lantz has a lengthy criminal history that includes convictions for domestic violence and robbery. At the time of this offense, Lantz was out on parole for the robbery conviction. Lantz has also been documented as a member of the Aryan Knights prison gang.

Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez applauded the efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction, Bureau of Probation and Parole.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

 

Three Plead Guilty to their Roles in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

 Jackson, Miss. – Two Mississippi men and a Louisiana man pled guilty today to their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Brad Byerley, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  

Chey Johnson, 48, of Terry, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; Alton Monroe, 43, of Jackson, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and Dwight Powell, 53, of New Orleans, pled guilty to use of a communication facility to facilitate a controlled substance offense.

According to court documents, from January 2017 to December 2017, DEA agents carried out an extensive investigation into drug traffickers in central Mississippi.  The investigation resulted in the indictment of multiple defendants and the seizure of approximately $585,000 in U.S. currency and 12 kilograms of cocaine. 

This Operation, dubbed “Deadly Dose” is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

All three defendants will be sentenced on November 9, 2021 in Jackson.  Johnson faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine; Monroe faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine; and Powell faces a maximum penalty of 48 months in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Internal Revenue Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Wansley and Keesha Middleton.

Wilkes-Barre Man Sentenced To 180 Months’ Imprisonment For Running Methamphetamine Laboratory

 SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael Laury, age 42, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for methamphetamine and false statement offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Laury was convicted at trial of one count of managing a drug premises, one count of conspiring to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, and one count of making a false statement to the FBI.  The evidence presented at trial showed that in May and June 2017, Laury assisted two drug dealers in running a methamphetamine laboratory in the basement of Laury’s Wilkes-Barre residence.  The FBI and Pennsylvania State Police shuttered the laboratory in June 2017, when executing a search warrant.  Following the search, Laury made false statements to the FBI about his knowledge of and involvement with the laboratory.

At sentencing, Laury was held accountable for between 50 grams and 200 grams of methamphetamine.  In pronouncing sentence, Judge Mannion highlighted Laury’s extensive criminal history, and his efforts to bribe two witnesses into giving false testimony at trial, and to threaten a third witness against testifying.  Laury also was held accountable for creating a substantial risk of harm to children that lived in the same residence as the methamphetamine laboratory.

Laury has remained in custody since his October 2017 arrest.  He was charged with three coconspirators, all of whom pleaded guilty and have been sentenced:

1. Mark Heath, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine conspiracy and was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment;
2. Shawn Melleski, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine conspiracy and was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment; and
3. Amy Casey, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug premises and received a time served sentence of approximately 9 months.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip J. Caraballo and Jeffrey St John prosecuted the case.

This case was 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.”

Six Southwest Missouri Residents Indicted for Kidnapping, Murder

 SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Six southwest Missouri residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a kidnapping conspiracy that resulted in the death of the victim.

Freddie Lewis Tilton, also known as “Ol’ Boy,” 48, and Carla Jo Ward, 47, both of Joplin, Mo.; Amy Kay Thomas, 38, of Webb City, Mo.; James B. Gibson, 39, of Neosho, Mo.; Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” 49, of Newton County, Mo.; and Russell Eugene Hurtt, also known as “Uncle,” 49, of Greenwood, Mo.; were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Thursday, July 29.

The federal indictment alleges that each of the six defendants participated in a conspiracy to kidnap the victim, identified as “M.H.,” in July 2020. According to the indictment, Ward picked up M.H. and took him to Vaughan’s residence. Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence in the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. They bound M.H.’s hands with handcuffs, and duct tape was placed around his mouth and other parts of his body. In Vaughan and Ward’s presence, the indictment says, Thomas cut M.H. repeatedly with a knife and Gibson beat M.H. with a club. Tilton fatally shot M.H. in the head. They wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and transported it to Hurtt’s property.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, based on information that a deceased body was located on the acreage. When officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence, the indictment says, Tilton fired multiple shots from inside the residence at the officers. Tilton was apprehended. Officers found M.H.’s body on the property.

In addition to the conspiracy, the indictment charges each of the six defendants in one count of kidnapping resulting in death and in one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, resulting in murder.

Tilton, Thomas, Gibson, and Ward are also charged together in one count of being felons in possession of a firearm on July 14, 2020.

Tilton is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms on July 28, 2020. Tilton allegedly was in possession of a Rigarmi .25-caliber pistol, an Ithaca .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .22-caliber rifle, a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun at the time of his arrest.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Neosho, Mo., Police Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, and the Cherokee County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department.

Multi-Kilogram Fentanyl Trafficker Convicted At Trial

 Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Wilis A. Santiago Rivera (60, St. Petersburg) guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Santiago faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Santiago had been indicted on September 12, 2019.

According to evidence presented at trial, Santiago Rivera was intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap coordinating payment for 2 kilograms of fentanyl that he had previously received on consignment. Other intercepted calls captured Santiago Rivera’s attempts to sell additional kilograms of fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Callan Albritton.

Repeat Offender Sentenced For Committing Two Armed Bank Robberies In April 2018

 LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Las Vegas felon was sentenced Thursday to 10 years and one month in prison for robbing two banks at gunpoint on the same day in April 2018, stealing approximately $22,000.

According to court documents, on April 17, 2018, Robert Carl Litheredge, 61, entered a bank in Henderson wearing a ski mask and carrying a semi-automatic handgun. Litheredge commanded the bank customers and employees to get down on the floor as he waved the handgun in the air. He pointed the handgun at a bank employee and demanded money. Litheredge left the bank with the stolen money.

Several hours later, Litheredge — again wearing a ski mask and carrying a semi-automatic handgun — entered a different bank in Las Vegas and demanded money. He fired one round from his handgun into the ceiling. Before fleeing the bank with the stolen money, Litheredge also fired another round into the ceiling.

Litheredge was arrested the following day in a local casino, in possession of a semi-automatic handgun and cash. During a post-arrest interview with detectives from the Henderson Police Department and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Litheredge admitted to robbing both banks.

Litheredge pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery and one count of use and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He has eight prior felony convictions, including two bank robbery convictions from 2001 and 2007. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Litheredge to five years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Henderson Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre prosecuted the case.

Valparaiso Man Sentenced to 151 Months of Imprisonment for Distribution of Child Pornography

 HAMMOND-Christopher F. Zinanni, 34, of Valparaiso was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Phillip Simon upon his plea of guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

Zinanni was sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, Zinanni drew the attention of law enforcement personnel when he distributed child pornography to an undercover agent on the Whisper social media platform. An investigation revealed Zinnani distributed disturbing images of child pornography, including a graphic image of prepubescent females, to other individuals over the internet in an effort to trade them for additional images of child pornography.

This case was the result of Investigation by Department of Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jill Koster and Molly Kelley

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition Of Two Pakistani Nationals For Attempted Heroin Importation

 Maulabaksh Gorgeech and Niamatullah Gorgeech Are Charged with Attempting to Send

Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today the extradition of Maulabaksh Gorgeech and Niamatullah Gorgeech for attempting to import heroin into the United States.  The defendants, both citizens of Pakistan, were taken into custody by Thai authorities in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 11, 2021, and extradited to the United States today from Thailand.  They will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn later today. 

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, Maulabaksh Gorgeech and Niamatullah Gorgeech trafficked in wholesale importation of heroin to the United States.  Thanks to the DEA’s global reach and the assistance of law enforcement authorities in Thailand, the defendants are in U.S. custody and facing serious federal charges.”           

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said: “At a time when the United States is facing an opioid overdose epidemic of unprecedented proportions, it is critical that DEA stop the flow of heroin into the country before it makes its way to our communities.  Directly because of DEA’s efforts, Maulabaksh Gorgeech and Niamatullah Gorgeech are now on American soil, facing significant criminal charges for their alleged crimes.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaints charging the defendants,[1] which were unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Beginning in late 2019, MAULABAKSH GORGEECH and NIAMATULLAH GORGEECH, Asia-based drug traffickers, began communicating and meeting with individuals whom they believed were heroin traffickers interested in purchasing multi-kilogram quantities of heroin for importation into the United States.  Those individuals were, in fact, confidential sources working at the DEA’s direction, and an undercover DEA agent posing as a New York-based heroin distributor.  In March 2019, NIAMATULLAH GORGEECH caused a sample of approximately seven kilograms of heroin to be delivered in Afghanistan, with the understanding that those drugs would be transported to and sold in the United States.  In July 2019, MAULABAKSH GORGEECH offered to provide as many as 100 kilograms of heroin for importation to the United States.  In September 2019, MAULABAKSH GORGEECH caused another sample of approximately seven kilograms of heroin to be delivered in Afghanistan, for importation and sale in the United States.  Following these sample shipments, MAULABAKSH GORGEECH and NIAMATULLAH GORGEECH planned to supply larger quantities of heroin for importation to and distribution within the United States.

*                *                *

MAULABAKSH GORGEECH, 43, and NIAMATULLAH GORGEECH, 37, each a citizen of Pakistan, are charged with one count of attempting to import heroin into the United States, and MAULABAKSH GORGEECH is also charged with a second count of conspiracy to import heroin into the United States.  Each count carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.  The statutory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, and the OCDETF New York Strike Force; the DEA’s Bangkok, Islamabad, Kabul, and Bucharest Country Offices, and Guam Resident Office; the United States Central Command; U.S. Embassy in Bangkok’s Consul General’s Office and Diplomatic Security Service; the Royal Thai Government’s Office of the Attorney General - International Affairs Department, Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau - Sensitive Investigative Unit, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.  Ms. Strauss also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for its ongoing assistance.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.  OCDETF funds investigations that identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly J. Ravener and Benjamin Woodside Schrier are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

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[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaints and the description of the Complaints set forth below constitute only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Buffalo Man Who Ran Cross-Country Drug Conspiracy Going To Prison For More Than 10 Years

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Antwan Hugley, a/k/a Twan; a/k/a Anthony Carter; a/k/a Juan Luis Rodriguez-Martinez; 42, of Atlanta, GA, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities, was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that between 2010 and June 29, 2016, the defendant conspired with others to sell cocaine. Hugley obtained kilogram bricks of cocaine from Georgia and Texas for distribution in the Buffalo area and elsewhere. At various times in 2013 and 2014, the FBI seized cocaine from multiple individuals who purchased their cocaine from the defendant. Also in 2014, the defendant possessed a firearm while in a vehicle with his wife. It was Hugley’s firearm, and he possessed this firearm at other times during drug transactions.

In 2015 a Greyhound bus entered Canada via the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Law enforcement officers searched a bag, which had originated in Atlanta, GA, found it to contain five kilograms of cocaine. The bag was intended for delivery in Buffalo and belonged to Hugley. A Greyhound employee in Buffalo reported that an unknown man came to pick up the luggage in Buffalo, but abruptly walked away when told “I hope your luggage wasn't the one with a lot of drugs.”

In 2016, Hugley was arrested in Orlando, Florida and found to have in his possession a driver's license with his picture in the name Juan Luis Rodriguez-Martinez. He also had a piece of paper with the social security number for Martinez and several credit/debit cards in that name. The defendant had a bank account in that name which revealed nearly $90,000 in and out of the account in about 15 months. The expenses were primarily related to hotels, planes, and rental cars in Houston, Atlanta, and Rochester, NY, which were locations associated with the Hugley’s drug-trafficking activity.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Stephen Belongia, Special Agent-in-Charge, and the Houston Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Troy Finner.

Schenectady Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

 ALBANY, NEW YORK – Chandler Whittaker, age 25, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 121 months in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography.  The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Whittaker admitted that, between July and October 2014, and in January 2016, he downloaded several images of child pornography from the Internet.  Whittaker also admitted to possessing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on multiple electronic devices between December 2018 and February 2019.  

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Whittaker to 20 years of supervised release and to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.  Whittaker will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. 

This case was investigated by the Rotterdam Police Department, the New York State Police, and the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Mineral County woman sentenced for methamphetamine distribution

 ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Samantha Jo Guinn, of Keyser, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 60 months of incarceration for methamphetamine distribution, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Guinn, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” in October 2019. Guinn admitted to having more than 50 grams of “crystal” methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” in January 2019 n Grant County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crime Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

MS-13 member who committed murder as part of racketeering conspiracy sentenced to 35 years in prison

 22 defendants convicted, 8 murders solved as part of multi-level law enforcement effort to dismantle local MS-13 clique

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A defendant responsible for murder as charged in the federal case against local members and associates of MS-13 was sentenced in U.S. District Court today.

Juan Flores-Castro, 32, of Columbus, is the ninth defendant to be convicted and sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for committing murder on behalf of the transnational criminal organization. Specifically, Flores-Castro was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The others include:

• Martin Neftali Aguilar-Rivera (“Momia”) – sentenced to life in prison without parole
• Jose Bonilla-Mejia (“Espia”) – sentenced to life in prison without parole
• Pedro Alfonso Osorio-Flores (“Smokey”) – sentenced to 40 years in prison
• Jose Manuel Romero-Parada (“Russo”) – sentenced to 40 years in prison
• Jose Salvador Gonzalez-Campos (“Danger”) – sentenced to 40 years in prison
• Juan Jose Jimenez-Montufar (“Chele Trece”) – sentenced to 35 years in prison
• Jose Daniel Gonzalez-Campos (“Flaco”) – sentenced to 30 years in prison
• Jose Mendez-Peraza (“Shadow”) – sentenced to 30 years in prison

The murders include: 1) the December 2006 murder of Jose Mendez, a suspected confidential informant, in Perry County; 2) the November 2008 murder of Ramon Ramos on Lockbourne Road in Columbus; 3) the mid-2015 murder of Carlos Serrano-Ramos, a suspected rival gang member, near Innis Road in Columbus; 4) the November 2015 murder of Wilson Villeda near Innis Road in Columbus; 5) the December 2016 murder of Salvador Martinez-Diaz,  a suspected rival gang member, on Melroy Avenue in Columbus; 6) the 2016 murder of Jose Ovillio Ayala-Alas in Virginia; 7) the 2017 murder of 15-year-old Genesis Lizbeth Cornejo-Alvarado, who was believed to have dated a rival gang member, in Texas; and 8) the 2017 murder and dismemberment of Israel Anibal Mejia-Martinez in Indianapolis.

In total, 22 defendants have been convicted. The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 23 individuals as members and associates of MS-13 in Columbus in a February 2018 second superseding indictment. Daniel Alexander Diaz-Romero (“Manchas”) remains a fugitive.

The defendants have been found guilty as part of a racketeering conspiracy, which includes eight murders as well as attempted murder, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking, assault, obstruction of justice, witness intimidation, weapons offenses and immigration-related violations.  Specifically, Flores-Castro was held responsible for his role in the murders of Wilson Villeda and Salvador Martinez-Diaz, as well as for selling drugs on behalf of the gang.

Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Rebecca Adducci, Detroit Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin; and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed this morning by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.

California-Based Narcotics Trafficker Sentenced to Nearly Five Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Other Drugs to Maryland and Other East Coast Communities

 Avalos Acted as an International Narcotics Importer; Two Firearms Found in Her Residence; Officers Recovered Approximately 866 grams of Fentanyl, Approximately 1,505 grams of Cocaine, and at least 36,897 grams of Marijuana.

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Ana Christina Avalos a/k/a “Christina Cazares-Quintero”, age 35, of Phelan, California, to 57 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.   

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to her plea agreement, between at least December 2018 and January 2020, Avalos conspired with others to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. Avalos and a co-conspirator resided in California and acted as international narcotic importers for a drug trafficking organization.

Along with a co-conspirator, Avalos supplied narcotics to fellow co-conspirators who then shipped narcotics from the west coast to the east coast of the United States. A New York based co-conspirator supplied co-conspirators in Maryland, Washington D.C., and the Northern Virginia areas.  Avalos regularly traveled to the New York area to collect money from accomplices and other narcotic customers. 

For example, on May 21, 2019, Avalos received $9,000 as partial payment for a drug transaction totaling in $22,500.  In exchange, Avalos provided the associate with cocaine.  Over the course of the next month, at Avalos’s instruction, a co-conspirator made payments to Avalos by depositing money orders into Avalos’s checking account.

Law enforcement also captured three phone calls between Avalos and co-conspirators in which they discuss the quality, logistics, and potential financial gain from trafficking-controlled substances. Additionally, there were a number of drug-laden packages shipped from the west coast to the east coast as part of the drug trafficking conspiracy. Law enforcement captured four parcels and discovered approximately 505 grams of cocaine, approximately 5.73 pounds of marijuana, approximately 9.2 grams of marijuana, and 28 pounds of marijuana inside the respective parcels.

As stated in the plea agreement, on January 8, 2020 law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at several locations important to the drug trafficking organization, including Avalos’s and a co-conspirator’s shared California residence, a Virginia residence, and another co-conspirator’s California residence. Officers recovered approximately 500 grams of marijuana, a .38 caliber revolver, and a semi-automatic handgun from Avalos’s residence. As a result of a search warrant conducted at a co-conspirator’s California residence and a co-conspirator’s Virginia residence, officers seized four cell phones, a drug ledger, drug packaging materials, two heat sealers, approximately 17 pounds of marijuana, one kilogram of cocaine, approximately 48 grams of heroin, and other drug packaging tools.

In total, officers recovered approximately 866 grams of fentanyl, approximately 1,505 grams of cocaine, and at least 36,897 grams of marijuana.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.    

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the DEA, the Maryland State Police, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin B. Pulice and Timothy F. Hagan who prosecuted the case.

Former MacDill Airman Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Federal Prison For Sexually Exploiting Children Using The Internet

 Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Trevor Mayer (24, Sheldon, Iowa) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for producing material depicting the sexual exploitation of children. Mayer was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

Mayer had pleaded guilty on December 15, 2020.

According to court documents, Mayer sought out children as young as 13 years old online and asked them to send him sexually explicit images using a popular online messaging application (app) or to engage in sexually explicit conduct and livestream the video to him. At times, Mayer attempted to coerce his victims by threatening to harm them or by bribing them with gift cards. When the victims complied, Mayer then used a separate app to surreptitiously record the sexually explicit images and videos without his victims’ knowledge. Mayer also downloaded images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as 6 years of age.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Colin McDonell.

Gilmer County man sentenced to nearly 18 years for fentanyl charge

 ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua Lee Rutherford, of Linn, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 215 months of incarceration for his role in a methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution operation, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Rutherford, 32, pled guilty in January 2021 to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute at Least Forty Grams of Fentanyl—Aiding and Abetting.” Rutherford admitted to having more than 40 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill more than 13,000 people, in Hardy County in January 2020.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. The task force is comprised of the DEA, the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff's Office, the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office, the Hardy County Sheriff's Office, the Grant County Sheriff's Office, and the Keyser Police Department.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

Martinsburg man admits to role in drug trafficking ring

 MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Sanford Fayton Venable, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his involvement in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Venable, 51, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Forty Grams or More of a Heroin and Fentanyl Mixture.” Venable admitted to selling more than 40 grams of a heroin and fentanyl mixture in November 2019 in Berkeley County. In a separate case, Venable pleaded guilty to one count of “Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base.” Venable admitted to selling more than 28 grams of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in August 2019 in Berkeley County.

Venable faces at least five years and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for each count. 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.

This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

Fayette County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County man pleaded guilty to a federal drug crime.

According to court documents, Anthony Maurice Bell, 54, of Oak Hill, possessed more than 400 grams of a substance containing fentanyl and a firearm in Oak Hill on January 26, 2021.  Bell admitted that he intended to sell the fentanyl. 

Bell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 4, 2021.

“The excellent work of the Oak Hill Police Department and the Central West Virginia Drug Task Force in this case prevented a significant amount of dangerous fentanyl from being distributed throughout our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.  “Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in our state and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with law enforcement throughout the District to identify fentanyl dealers and hold them accountable.” 

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Miller is handling the prosecution.

Citizen of Dominican Republic Sentenced to 37 Months for Distributing Fentanyl in Troy and Rensselaer

 ALBANY, NEW YORK – Junior Rafael Arias Soto, age 50, a citizen of the Dominican Republic and a resident of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for distributing fentanyl in the cities of Rensselaer and Troy.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.

As part of his guilty plea, Arias Soto admitted that between June 2019 and June 2020, he distributed at least 155 grams of a fentanyl mixture to customers in Troy and Rensselaer.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 2-year term of supervised release, to begin after Arias Soto’s release from prison.  Arias Soto has been in custody since his arrest in June 2020 and is subject to deportation following the completion of his prison sentence.

This case was investigated by the DEA, with assistance provided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rensselaer Police Department and the Troy Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet J. O’Hanlon.

Polson Man Found Guilty of Drug Possession

 Great Falls - A federal jury in Great Falls convicted Roy Allen Shostak, a 28 year-old resident of Polson, of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine after a one-day trial.  The defendant is being detained pending sentencing which U.S. District Chief Judge Brian Morris set for October 7, 2021.

Prosecutors presented evidence that in May 2020, Helena Police Department and members of the Missouri River Drug Task Force received information that Shostak was armed with a gun and selling drugs.  Additionally, law enforcement officers were aware that the defendant had absconded from probation.  Following observation of Shostak’s activities, officers arrested the defendant on outstanding warrants.  Following the arrest, officers found a marijuana pipe although the defendant was not a holder of a medical marijuana car.  The defendant’s care was seized pending a search warrant.  While conducting a search warrant of the defendant’s car, officers found three plastic baggies of  methamphetamine, a smartphone and a digital scale in a backpack that was located on the front passenger seat.  Inside the glove box, officers located a hand-written bill of sale, a smartphone, a piece of paper containing Shostak’s social security number, date of birth, email address, and physical address and credit card number, and a used syringe in the center console.

Law enforcement obtained a warrant to search the phone and uncovered text messages between Shostak and third parties where Shostak discussed his trafficking of various drugs.  The jury deliberated for 18 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Starnes prosecuted the case which was investigated by the Helena Police Department and the Missouri River Drug Task Force. 

Queens Sex Offender Sentenced to More Than 21 Years’ Imprisonment for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Distribution of Child Pornography

 Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Richard Palmer was sentenced to 262 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon, following the defendant’s guilty plea in April 2021, to coercion and enticement of a child to engage in illegal sexual conduct and distribution of child pornography.  As part of his sentence, Palmer must also serve five years’ supervised release following his imprisonment, during which time he must remain registered as a sex offender and have no unsupervised or unapproved contact with minors.

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

“Today, the defendant, a serial predator and registered sex offender, received a well-deserved, lengthy term of imprisonment for his efforts to convince a young child to engage in sexual acts by texting him thousands of obscene messages and photographs,” stated Acting United States Attorney Kasulis.  “Protecting vulnerable, underage children from sexual exploitation will always be a high priority of this Office.”  Ms. Kasulis extended her grateful appreciation to the FBI New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force for its investigative work and assistance.

According to court filings, in September 2019, an adult woman contacted the FBI and reported that Palmer had sent her unsolicited emails containing child pornography.  Law enforcement subsequently conducted searches of Palmer’s residence in Maspeth, Queens, and his electronic devices.  The searches revealed that Palmer had also sent thousands of text messages, including explicit and obscene photographs, to an 11-year-old child in an effort to convince that child to engage in sexual acts with him.  At the time, Palmer was a registered sex offender who had been convicted in 2010 in Queens of attempted promotion of a sexual performance by a child.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Assistant United States Attorney Devon Lash is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

RICHARD PALMER
Age:  40
Maspeth, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 19-CR-556 (CBA)

Fairbanks Area Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possession of Child Pornography

 FAIRBANKS – A North Pole, Alaska, man was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline to 15 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography after a prior conviction for sexual abuse of a minor.

According to court documents, Jason Patzke, 47, downloaded, accessed, and deleted pornographic videos depicting children as young as four and five years old engaged in sexual acts with adults.

In June 2018 the Federal Bureau of Investigation downloaded the videos in question from a BitTorrent account they later linked to Jason Patzke. During an interview with FBI detectives, Patzke admitted downloading child pornography images and videos. He stated that he deleted the images from his computer using a scrubber program.

Patzke was subject to increased penalties due to prior State of Alaska felony convictions for sexual abuse of an 11-year-old in 2001 and indecent exposure involving teenagers in 2004.   

“The streets and children in the Fairbanks area are safer today with Patzke in federal prison for the next 15 years,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “We are committed to aggressively prosecuting and holding accountable those who create, possess or distribute child pornography, particularly those with a history of abusing children. We can never rest as long as even one child is being robbed of their childhood in this horrific manner.”

“Sexual exploitation of children is one of the most egregious offenses against one of our most vulnerable populations,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Adam Pierce of the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office. “The defendant knowingly exploited innocent children, including toddlers, for his own indulgence. Those who engage in such conduct should expect to be held accountable.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Doty prosecuted the case.

Brackenridge Man Admits Taking $101,000 in Armed Robbery of Federal Credit Union

 PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of armed bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Thomas George, 66, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that on July 10, 2019, at approximately 2:00 PM, George entered the Allegheny-Ludlum Brackenridge Federal Credit Union, located at 1131 Brackenridge Avenue, Brackenridge, PA 15014, wearing a white “Guy Fawkes” style mask, black hooded sweatshirt, dark gray sweatpants, and gray gym shoes.  He then approached the teller counter, pointed what appeared to be a pistol at the two tellers working behind the counter, and demanded the tellers open the gate that led to the area behind the counter.  The tellers complied with George’s demand, opened the gate and George proceeded through the gate into the teller area where he then demanded the vault be opened.  George continued to point what appeared to be pistol at the teller, who was using a walker, and forced the teller to open the vault.  After the vault was opened, George took approximately $101,000.00 from the Credit Union.  

The Court was further informed that an individual saw George leaving the Credit Union and run to a vehicle, which investigators identified, from surveillance footage and license plate readers, as a dark blue Ford Escape that was registered in George’s name, and drive away from the Credit Union.

Additionally, Credit Union employees also confirmed that George was a long-time customer of the Credit Union and had been at the Credit Union on the morning of the robbery, driving the dark blue Ford Escape, to make a $50.00 deposit. 

After obtaining a federal search warrant, on July 16, 2019, investigators arrived at George’s residence, where they learned from several family members, including a teenage grandson, that George was in the basement with a pistol. 

Investigators communicated with George via telephone and four hours and 30 minutes later, he surrendered to law enforcement.  During their communications George expressed his remorse and stated that the cash was in the furnace of the basement.  After George surrendered, investigators located a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun, that was fully loaded and had a round chambered, on the basement steps, as well as the bag, containing $90,195 of stolen money, in the furnace.

Following his arrest, George waived his rights and provided a full confession to investigators, admitting that he robbed the credit union but told investigators that he used a bb gun and did not want to hurt anyone. 

Chief Judge Hornak has not yet scheduled sentencing.  The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Mr. George remains on bond, with conditions imposed by the Court, pending sentencing. 

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Brackenridge Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

Wholesale Supplier of Narcotics to East Baltimore Monument Street Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison and Co-Defendant Drug Distributor Pleads Guilty to His Role in the Drug Conspiracy

 Over the Course of the Monument Street Investigation, Law Enforcement Seized Kilo Quantities of Drugs, Loaded Guns, and More Than $535,781 in Drug Proceeds; Malik Williams is the 24th Defendant from the Monument Street Investigation to be Convicted

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Derek Crosby, age 40, of Baltimore, yesterday to 102 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in the Monument Street area of East Baltimore, and for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

Last week, co-defendant Malik Williams, a/k/a “Freaky,” age 32, of Baltimore pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, and to knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.

The sentence and guilty plea were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“There is no question that the excessive amount of violence in Baltimore stems in part from the drug trade, and getting wholesale narcotics dealers like Derek Crosby off the streets is an important component of our efforts to address the murders and shootings that steal lives and undermine our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Jonathan Lenzner.  “This Monument Street case is the kind of impactful investigation that federal, state and local partners can build through collaboration and a dedicated commitment to improving our communities.”

According to Crosby and Williams’ guilty pleas, in July of 2018, Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Strike Force Group 1 began an investigation of the Monument Street corridor in East Baltimore, which is known to support a high volume of street-level drug distribution and acts of violence associated with the drug trafficking.  During the investigation, law enforcement identified multiple street-level drug trafficking “shops,” with the two most prominent located in the 400 block of North Montford Avenue at Jefferson Street (“the Montford DTO”) and in the 2400 block of East Monument Street at Port Street (the “Out the Mud,” or “OTM DTO”). 

As detailed in their plea agreements, investigators identified Crosby as a wholesale distributor of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl and as a source of supply of the street-level Montford DTO, among others.  Williams was identified as a drug distributor for the OTM DTO who agreed with his co-conspirators to acquire and to assist in distributing controlled substances to other persons. Investigators intercepted calls between Crosby and his co-conspirators and between Williams and his co-conspirators, discussing the distribution of drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. 

Specifically, Crosby admitted that he owned a stash house in the 1700 block of Dallas Street in Baltimore, which he and his co-conspirators used to meet with customers and conduct drug transactions.  According to his plea agreement, on June 19, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Dallas Street residence owned by Crosby and recovered 677 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture, which Crosby admits he possessed with the intent to distribute for sale, and approximately 2.4 grams of crack cocaine.  On June 21, 2019, a search warrant was executed on Crosby’s vehicle and law enforcement recovered a stolen .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol from a hidden compartment in the center console area.  Crosby knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm as the result of a previous felony conviction.  Further, Crosby admitted that he possessed the firearm in connection to his drug trafficking.

Throughout the course of his involvement in the conspiracy, it was reasonably foreseeable to Crosby, and within the scope of the conspiracy that he or other members of the conspiracy would distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, and at least 400 grams of fentanyl, as well as quantities of crack cocaine and heroin, during the course of and in furtherance of the conspiracy. 

Williams admitted that on October 30, 2018, he directed an undercover detective to a co-conspirator to purchased what the undercover detective thought was heroin, but was instead ten gelatin capsules containing a mixture of tramadol and fentanyl.  On February 21, 2019, Williams sold an undercover detective four green top vials of cocaine.  On June 25, 2019, Williams was arrested in the 2400 block of Monument Street and when Williams was searched, investigators recovered 48 grey top vials containing cocaine and 16 gel caps containing fentanyl. Williams admitted that on each of these three occasions he possessed the fentanyl and the cocaine with the intent to distribute them for sale.

Throughout the course of Williams’ involvement in the conspiracy, it was reasonably foreseeable to Williams, and within the scope of the conspiracy that he or other members of the conspiracy would distribute between 500 grams and two kilograms of cocaine, as well as quantities of crack cocaine,  heroin and fentanyl, during the course of and in furtherance of the conspiracy. 

Of the 25 defendants indicted in this case, 24—including Crosby and Williams—have pleaded guilty or been found guilty at trial.  The remaining defendants have trial dates in November 2021.

Williams and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea, Williams will be sentenced to five years in federal prison.  Judge Hollander has scheduled sentencing for Williams on September 17, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.

This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.  This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks.  These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime.  The specific mission of the Baltimore OCDETF Strike Force is to reduce violent, drug-related, and gang crime in the Baltimore area and surrounding region.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaRai Everett and James T. Wallner, who are prosecuting the case.

Wood County man admits to violation against a minor

 CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Steven Lockhart, of Davisville, West Virginia, has admitted to trying to meet a minor for sex, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Lockhart, 57, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor.” Lockhart admitted to using his phone to entice a minor in Harrison County to engage in sexual activity in April 2020.

Lockhart faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Tomah Man Sentenced to Over 17 Years for Using Minors to Produce Child Pornography

 MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shannon R. Donoho, 43, Tomah, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 210 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography and using minors to produce child pornography.  This prison term is to be followed by 25 years of supervised release.  Donoho was convicted of these charges on May 13, 2021, after a three-day jury trial in federal court in Madison.

The investigation in this case began when law enforcement downloaded child pornography made available by Donoho on an online file sharing network. Following a search warrant executed at Donoho’s home, law enforcement recovered hundreds of images and videos of child pornography from the defendant’s computers and external storage devices. These images and videos included depictions of children as young as five years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Law enforcement also determined Donoho used hidden cameras to record at least two children with whom he had personal relationships between 2016 and 2018.  The defendant secretly recorded these victims, who were under the age of 12 at the time, as they showered and used the bathroom at his home and the home of a former girlfriend. The resulting videos and screenshots focused on the victims’ genitals and were also saved to Donoho’s computers and external hard drives.  He produced the images using multiple hidden GoPro cameras.

In sentencing Donoho, Judge Conley emphasized the defendant’s supervisory control over the two identified victims that he recorded.  This supervisory control included babysitting them and giving them rides to school.  Judge Conley found that Donoho’s manipulation of his position of trust was an aggravating factor, as was the subsequent traumatization of these children following the discovery of the secret recordings. 

The charges against Donoho were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Tomah Police Department.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie S. Pfluger and Taylor L. Kraus. 

Parkersburg Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Charges

 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Parkersburg man pleaded guilty today to federal firearm and drug charges.

According to court documents and statements made in court, officers with the Parkersburg Police Department arrested Jonathan Ray Sindledecker, 40, on January 17, 2020 due to outstanding warrants.   When officers approached Sindledecker at a Go-Mart store near the intersection of 16^th Street and St. Mary’s Avenue, he ran around the store into an alley.  As Sindledecker was running, he attempted to pull a pistol with an obliterated serial number from his waist area.  Upon doing so, Sindledecker lost his balance and fell to the ground.  Officers apprehended Sindledecker and located the pistol nearby.  Officers also located a quantity of methamphetamine, digital scales and a small amount of cash on Sindledecker.  Sindledecker knew he was prohibited from possessing the firearm due to prior felony convictions for unlawful entry and manufacture of a controlled substance in Wood County Circuit Court.  Sindledecker admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine to others.    

Sindledecker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 20, 2021.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is handling the prosecution.

United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.

Navajo man charged with second-degree murder in Indian Country

             ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Isaiah Augustine Bob, 36, of Montezuma Creek, Utah, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on July 27 for an initial appearance on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder in Indian Country.

            According to the indictment, on Dec. 4, 2020, Bob killed a man in McKinley County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Bob was arrested in Oklahoma and transported back to the District of New Mexico. He is currently in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 30. If convicted, Bob faces up to life in prison. 

            An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety.  Assistant United States Attorney Novaline D. Wilson is prosecuting the case.

Eleven People Arrested in Federal Drug and Firearms Case Involving Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Other Drugs

 Arrests Follow Six-Month Investigation; Drugs and Guns Seized

            WASHINGTON – Eleven people have been arrested following their indictments on federal charges stemming from an investigation into a drug trafficking network based in Southeast Washington that sold cocaine, crack cocaine, Fentanyl, PCP, and other drugs.

            The indictments were made public this week and announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division Robert Bornstein, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Most of the defendants were arrested by the FBI and MPD on Monday, July 19; all 11 remain in custody. A 12^th individual was arrested on related charges. The arrests followed an extensive investigation into a ring that was primarily based in the areas of Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue SE, Mellon Street SE, and Malcolm X Avenue SE, in the Seventh Police District.

            A total of 10 firearms have been seized during the investigation, along with PCP, crack, powder cocaine, heroin, pills, and over $2,500 in cash.

            “This investigation is part of a broader effort to target violence, drug trafficking, and the possession of illegal firearms in the District of Columbia,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Phillips. “This work is critically important to protecting those who live and work in our community. The arrests reflect the coordination taking place at the federal and local levels every day.”

            “The FBI’s Washington Field Office is engaged and working on a daily basis in partnership with MPD and other law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bornstein. “This joint partnership with MPD’s Violence Reduction Unit is producing significant results, as demonstrated by the arrests and indictment being announced today. The FBI is committed to continuing to work aggressively to seek justice for those affected by violent crime and prevent additional innocent citizens from becoming victims.”

            “Through the focused coordination and intense collaboration of MPD’s Violence Reduction Unit and our law enforcement partners, we are determined to remove the District’s most violent offenders from our streets,” stated MPD Chief Contee. “As alleged in the indictment, these individuals are responsible for many of the drug transactions in our neighborhoods and this is one step closer to making our communities safer for all.”

            Those named in the indictment include: Delonta Chappell, 34; Dezmond Cunningham, 27; Anthony Graves, 30; Nico Griffin, 31; Wesley Leake, 31; Leon Linsday, 36; Kevonte Randall, 24; Barry Tyson, 21, and Shawn Wooden, 39, all of Washington, D.C.; Deshawn Loggins, 20, of Temple Hills, Md., and Ricky Lyles, 41, of Accokeek, Md. The 12^th individual, Corenzo Mobery, 39, of Washington, D.C., was indicted on related drug and firearms charges.

            The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross Border Safe Streets Task Force in partnership with MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations (NSID) Violence Reduction Unit. This partnership targets the most egregious and violent street crews operating in the District of Columbia. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Park Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Henek of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

            The investigation had the sponsorship and support of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF specializes in the investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

10 Additional Defendants Federally Indicted for Roles in Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution Scheme

 WILMINGTON, Del. –David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that a Superseding Indictment was recently unsealed charging 14 individuals with conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl and other related offenses.  Four of those individuals, Jamar Jackson, Denise Brown, Harley Douglas, and Nicole Jackson, had been previously charged. The Superseding Indictment also charges Jamar Jackson with conspiring to launder money internationally.

The newly indicted defendants are:

• Raymond Taite, 32, of Brooklyn, New York;
• Jerry Chambers, 24, of Chester, Pennsylvania;
• Desarie Gibbs, 52, of Newark, Delaware;
• Kalone Glasper, 22, of Chester, Pennsylvania;
• DeVeughin Holloway, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
• Cariymah Hopson, 20, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
• Braheem Naylor, 26, of Chester, Pennsylvania;
• Tahria Parks, 38, of Darby, Pennsylvania;
• Dashawna Turner, 25 of Chester, Pennsylvania; and
• Antoine Watson, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In total, the investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 7.5 kilograms of heroin and/or fentanyl, 14.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 guns, and $180,000.  The street value of these drugs is easily in excess of $1 million.

The primary investigating agencies in this case are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI.  Instrumental assistance was also provided by the IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Delaware State Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Newport Police Department, the Elsmere Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, and the Chester Police Department.  The investigation was supported by the Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Area program (HIDTA), and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  Other prosecutors’ offices who assisted in the investigation include the Delaware Department of Justice, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, as well as other U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.  Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 20-CR-00075 (Castro Valenzuela) and Case No. 20-CR-00084 (Jamar Jackson et. al.).

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Previously convicted member of the Pueblo of Laguna pleads guilty to federal assault charges in Indian Country

           ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Joshua Mendez, 40, of New Laguna, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo, pleaded guilty on July 22 to two counts of an indictment charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and domestic assault by a habitual offender in Indian Country.

          A grand jury returned an indictment against Mendez for these offenses on Sept. 10, 2020. According to his plea agreement, on March 20, 2020, Mendez assaulted his girlfriend, Jane Doe, at her residence in Cibola County, New Mexico, on the Pueblo of Laguna. When John Doe attempted to intervene, Mendez stabbed John Doe several times with a knife. As a result of Mendez’s attack, John Doe suffered serious injuries that required hospital treatment.

          Mendez was previously convicted on two separate occasions in Pueblo Court in the Pueblo of Laguna for committing battery upon another victim, who was his girlfriend at the time, on Feb. 6 and Oct. 17 in 2017.

          Mendez is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

          The Laguna Division of the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Criminal Investigations Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas is prosecuting the case.

Thibodaux Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

 Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that Dillon M. Guidry, age 28, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, pled guilty before Brian A. Jackson to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  As a result of his conviction, Guidry faces a significant term of imprisonment, a fine, and a period of supervised release.

According to admissions made during his plea, on or about March 17, 2021, an FBI online covert employee (“OCE”), herein referred to as “OCE 1,” while working in an undercover capacity in the Middle District of Louisiana and posing as a 13-year-old female, posted a message on a social media mobile application (“Mobile App”).  On March 18, 2021, Guidry contacted OCE 1 on the Mobile App.  During his communication with OCE 1, Guidry indicated that he was a 28-year-old male and acknowledged the age of OCE 1 as 13 years old.  During the same conversation, Guidry and OCE 1 exchanged phone numbers.

From approximately March 18 through May 20, 2021, Guidry engaged in sexually explicit text messages with OCE 1.  During these text messages, Guidry misrepresented his identity, and claimed that his name was “James from Gonzales.”  On April 14, 2021, Guidry asked OCE 1 whether they could have sexual intercourse.  OCE 1 replied that she was not on birth control and asked Guidry to bring condoms when they met to have sexual intercourse.  Also, on April 14, 2021, Guidry sent OCE 1 a picture of his face, which law enforcement officers later used to match with Guidry’s photo on the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office sex offender registration website.  On April 22, 2021, Guidry asked OCE 1 if she has any friends that he could have sexual intercourse with.  When OCE 1 replied yes, Guidry asked for the friend’s age.  OCE 1 replied “13 like me.”

On April 27, 2021, OCE 1 provided Guidry with a telephone number utilized by a second OCE (“OCE 2”) working in an undercover capacity in the Middle District of Louisiana and posing as a 13-year-old female.  On or about April 27, 2021, Guidry texted OCE 2. OCE 2 advised Guidry that she was 13 years old.  From approximately April 27 through May 20, 2021, Guidry engaged in sexually explicit text messages with OCE 2.

On April 29, 2021, Guidry texted OCE 2 about meeting in person to have sexual intercourse.  OCE 2 asked when they would meet, and Guidry replied that they would meet on May 20, 2021.  Guidry explained that he would meet OCE 1 and OCE 2 at OCE 1’s house.  On May 20, 2021, Guidry traveled to a location designated by OCE 1, located within the Middle District of Louisiana, for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with two females who Guidry believed to be 13-year-olds. While driving to the meeting location, Guidry stopped and purchased condoms.  Guidry arrived in the area of the meeting location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at approximately 6:45 PM.  Based on the aforementioned communications, law enforcement officers arrested Guidry for various child exploitation offenses.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis stated, “Our children are among the most vulnerable in our society.  This plea demonstrates our dedication to protecting children from predators who seek to exploit them.  I want to thank our prosecutors, the FBI, and our state and local law enforcement agencies for their partnership and collaboration on this case.”

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner and Assistant United States Attorney Jamie A. Flowers Jr., who also serves as Deputy Chief for the United States Attorney’s Office.

Eden Prairie Woman Charged with Illegally Straw Purchasing Multiple Firearms

 MINNEAPOLIS – An Eden Prairie woman was charged today with illegally straw purchasing 14 firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.

According to court documents, between March 23, 2021, and July 10, 2021, Tess Fair, 21, has purchased 14 separate firearms at guns stores in the Twin Cities area. Fair illegally purchased thirteen 9-millimeter semi-automatic handguns and one .22 caliber AR style pistol. Surveillance video footage from one of the gun stores shows Fair purchasing a gun at the direction of another individual who is a documented member of the Minneapolis street gang Young and Thuggin’ (YNT). Two of the guns she purchased have been recovered at crime scenes in the Twin Cities area where one or more victims were shot.

“Buying guns on behalf of someone else who is prohibited from possessing guns is a federal crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk. “The straw buying process sets up a dangerous pipeline that too often puts firearms in the hands of criminals. Federal law enforcement is committed to interrupting that process.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen is prosecuting 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.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Receiving Child Pornography

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Joshua Sattora, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that between December 26, 2017, and August 13, 2018, the defendant and co-defendant Rebecca Woodin engaged in a series of text messages during which Woodin sent approximately 14 sexually explicit images of a minor to Sattora. During this same time, the defendant sent images of child pornography to Woodin. In total, Sattora possessed at least 923 images and 362 videos of child pornography on two cellular telephones and three computers.
Rebecca Woodin was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The plea is a result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2021, before Judge Wolford.

Fentanyl Dealer Pleads Guilty To Distributing Narcotics Resulting In Death

 Tampa, Florida – Kimberly Fleer (27, Seffner) has pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl to an individual, causing that individual’s death. Fleer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

According to the plea agreement, on November 2, 2019, in Seffner, Florida Fleer distributed narcotics to an individual who injected the narcotics and died. Family members later found the individual and immediately called 911. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded, found two syringes as well as three baggies containing fentanyl near the victim’s body, and also recovered the victim’s cell phone.  Text messages on the phone and surveillance footage confirmed Fleer had distributed narcotics to the victim that day, shortly before he died.

On November 5, 2019, Fleer sent a text message to a third party in which she stated, “a dude od on my stuff today n im extremely worried n trynna cover my tracks,” demonstrating she was aware the victim had died because of the narcotics she sold him.  Nevertheless, she continued to distribute fentanyl, including to an undercover detective the same day she sent that message, as well as again on November 8, 2019.

Later on November 8, 2019, HCSO detectives made contact with Fleer while she was attempting to distribute fentanyl to the passenger in her vehicle.  Detectives interviewed the passenger, who admitted she was there to buy narcotics from Fleer. Detectives located four plastic ring bags containing a white powder in the passenger side front door and another bag in the driver’s side front door handle. The bags tested positive for fentanyl. Law enforcement also recovered Fleer’s phone, which contained text messages she exchanged with the victim to arrange selling him drugs on the day he died.

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and determined the victim’s cause of death was intoxication from the combined effects of fentanyl and other substances. The toxicology report revealed that the level of fentanyl in the victim’s blood was 0.053 mg/L, roughly ten times a fatal dose.

This case is part of the Middle District of Florida’s anti-opioid strategy to combat opioid trafficking and abuse. This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Diego F. Novaes.

Jury Convicts Two of Drug Conspiracy

 Gulfport, Miss. – On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, a jury in federal court convicted two men of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jack P. Staton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

According to the evidence presented, Antony Daniel Abreu, 33, of Queens, New York, and Darrell Young, 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arranged to purchase 17 kilos of cocaine from an individual in Gulfport.  The defendants shipped a car from Philadelphia that contained a hidden compartment in the trunk in which they hid cash.  At the time of their arrest on April 20, 2020, the defendants were staying in an AirBnB rental in Gulfport where law enforcement found saran wrap, duct tape, dryer sheets and other materials for packing the cocaine. Overall, law enforcement seized over $200,000 as part of this operation.  Prosecutors utilized phone dumps from 8 different seized cell phones along with recorded phone calls to show the conspiracy stretched as far as the  Dominican Republic.

Abreu and Young are scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2020.  Each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Darren J. LaMarca commented, “Thanks to the efforts of the agents of Homeland Security Investigations and the officers of the Harrison County Sheriff’s office, these major drug dealers are out of circulation. They will no longer peddle poison throughout the nation.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Buckner and Annette Williams prosecuted the case.

Tiverton Man Charged with Enticement, Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A 20-year-old Tiverton man is facing charges in federal court in Providence on allegations that he allegedly enticed and transported a 13-year-old from Pennsylvania to Tiverton with the intent to engage in sexual activity.

William Stewart was arrested by Tiverton Police on July 5, 2021, one day after allegedly arriving with the minor at the home of his grandparents. It is alleged that Stewart picked up the minor late in the evening of June 30 at or near the victim’s grandparents’ home in Pennsylvania. The minor was reported missing on the morning of July 1. It is alleged that Stewart engaged in sexual contact with the minor on multiple occasions while en route to Rhode Island, and while at his grandparent’s home.

Stewart is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

According to a criminal complaint filed with the court, it is alleged that Stewart, who was living with his father in Pennsylvania, and the 13-year-old, who was living with grandparents in Pennsylvania, exchanged communications via Snapchat prior to meeting in person on June 30. In Snapchat communications obtained by court order as part of a Pennsylvania State Police missing juvenile investigation, while the two talked about traveling to Rhode Island together, the minor told Stewart that she was 13 years old.

According to court documents, while the two were en route to Rhode Island, Stewart allegedly made stops in Philadelphia and Camden, NJ, prior to arriving at a motel in New London, CT. Stewart and the minor stayed at a motel in New London for three days, in the room of an acquaintance of Stewart. While there, it is alleged that Stewart had sexual contact with the minor multiple times. Stewart purchased a wig to disguise the minor. The two then drove to Rhode Island, arriving at the home of Stewart’s grandparents on July 4.

According to the criminal complaint, on July 5, the minor contacted a friend via Snapchat and asked for help. The minor allegedly tried to leave Stewart on at least two occasions, but Stewart threatened harm with a knife.

Based on information provided by Pennsylvania law enforcement, Tiverton Police went to the home of Stewart’s grandparents where they located the missing minor and Stewart in the basement of the residence. As part of their investigation, Tiverton Police conducted a court-authorized search of the residence and seized multiple items including a black knife, a wig, and bedding. Stewart is currently detained at the Adult Correctional Institutions on state charges brought in this matter.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Michael Seaman, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

The investigation is being conducted by the Tiverton Police Department, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations.