NEW ORLEANS - Tony Templet, 45, of Gretna, La., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for receipt of child pornography, following an investigation conducted by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Templet was also sentenced to serve a five-year term of supervised release, during which time he will be under federal supervision and risks additional imprisonment should he violate any terms of the release. He is also required to register as a sex offender. The sentence was handed down by U. S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon of the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Templet pleaded guilty in March to having purchased access to child pornography websites. On Dec. 30, 2008, ICE HSI special agents seized Templet's computer and related electronic media from his apartment. Templet confessed to using his computer to search for, download, and save videos of children being sexually victimized. Further, Templet told ICE special agents that he had a child pornography collection that included videos of children as young as 10-years-old. Templet said that he was confident he was the only person with access to his computer because it was password protected.
Along with the assistance of Interpol and other federal law enforcement agencies, ICE HSI agents were able to determine that Templet had not only subscribed to international child pornography websites but that he also possessed and had downloaded videos of previously identified children throughout the United States. In total, ICE HSI computer forensic examiners found approximately 206 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
"All children have an absolute right to grow up free from the fear of sexual exploitation,"
said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., special agent in charge of the ICE HSI office in New Orleans. "HSI relentlessly pursues predators who sexually abuse children, whether that abuse is physical in nature or if it is accomplished by exploiting their images. The sentencing of Templet sends a strong message that ICE HSI will not tolerate such despicable crimes. Our agents will continue to police cyberspace and target those who exploit one of the most defenseless segments of our society - our children."
This case was part of Operation Predator, which is a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested almost 12,800 individuals.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U. S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was prosecuted by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba as well as Assistant U. S. Attorneys Matthew S. Chester and Jordan Ginsberg.
-- ICE --
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Sexual Assault and Armed Burglary of Four Victims He Met Through Craigslist
WASHINGTON—Edgar D. Romero, 24, of Bladensberg, Md., pled guilty today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges stemming from armed attacks on four women whom he met through their Craigslist postings, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Romero pled guilty to two counts of first degree sexual abuse while armed, one count of first degree burglary, and one count of first degree robbery while armed. Each count involves a different female victim. The sentence provided by the plea, if accepted by the Court, is 30 years of incarceration. The defendant also is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
The Honorable Judge Michael L. Rankin set sentencing for December 17, 2010.
According to the evidence presented at the plea hearing and two previously held preliminary hearings, Romero contacted numerous women—including the four identified in the plea—during the period of December 12, 2008, through February 20, 2009, through Craigslist advertisements for “erotic services.” He met each victim at a hotel in the District.
At each encounter with a victim, Romero at some point brandished a weapon, either a knife or a firearm, and threatened to kill her if she did not cooperate fully. He, along with accomplices, bound each victim with cords or duct tapes. Romero stole numerous items from these victims including money, cell phones, lap tops, identification cards, and credit cards.
He sexually assaulted the two victims identified in the plea and aided and abetted his accomplice’s sexual assault on one of the victims. After he made a final threat to find and harm the victims if they told the police, he and the accomplices left.
In announcing today’s plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the outstanding law enforcement efforts of an entire team of members of the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI’s Washington Field Office who worked on these investigations. He praised lead detective Wallace Carmichael of MPD’s Sexual Assault Unit, as well as the dedicated special agents from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. He also noted and thanked the significant effort made by Sexual Assault Unit detective Ingrid Harkins and Second District Detective Keith Tabron.
In addition, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized the assistance of MPD Sergeants Ronald Reid and Julius Hunter; detectives Kimberly Netivier, Nelson Morais, and Don Juan Monroe; Mobile Crime Lab officers Thomas Coughlin, Kevin Jeter, Ridley Durham, Loether Strong; Crime Scene Officers Tisha Lyons, Mary Wise, and Israel Ruiz, and fingerprint examiners Hayward Bennett, Barbara Evans, Murray Jones, and Clinton Hall.
He also commended the cooperation of prosecutors with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and members of the Major Crimes Homicide/Sex Section and the Fourth District Investigative Section of the Montgomery County Police Department, who provided assistance during all stages of the investigation. U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of Victim Witness Unit Advocates Tracey Hawkins, Iris Vega, and Melissa Milam, Paralegals Joyce Arthur and Tiffany Jones, and Legal Assistant Ashley Patterson, all of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also recognized the substantial assistance by U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigator John March. Finally, he recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Marcus-Kurn who is prosecuting the case.
Romero pled guilty to two counts of first degree sexual abuse while armed, one count of first degree burglary, and one count of first degree robbery while armed. Each count involves a different female victim. The sentence provided by the plea, if accepted by the Court, is 30 years of incarceration. The defendant also is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
The Honorable Judge Michael L. Rankin set sentencing for December 17, 2010.
According to the evidence presented at the plea hearing and two previously held preliminary hearings, Romero contacted numerous women—including the four identified in the plea—during the period of December 12, 2008, through February 20, 2009, through Craigslist advertisements for “erotic services.” He met each victim at a hotel in the District.
At each encounter with a victim, Romero at some point brandished a weapon, either a knife or a firearm, and threatened to kill her if she did not cooperate fully. He, along with accomplices, bound each victim with cords or duct tapes. Romero stole numerous items from these victims including money, cell phones, lap tops, identification cards, and credit cards.
He sexually assaulted the two victims identified in the plea and aided and abetted his accomplice’s sexual assault on one of the victims. After he made a final threat to find and harm the victims if they told the police, he and the accomplices left.
In announcing today’s plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the outstanding law enforcement efforts of an entire team of members of the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI’s Washington Field Office who worked on these investigations. He praised lead detective Wallace Carmichael of MPD’s Sexual Assault Unit, as well as the dedicated special agents from the FBI’s Washington Field Office. He also noted and thanked the significant effort made by Sexual Assault Unit detective Ingrid Harkins and Second District Detective Keith Tabron.
In addition, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized the assistance of MPD Sergeants Ronald Reid and Julius Hunter; detectives Kimberly Netivier, Nelson Morais, and Don Juan Monroe; Mobile Crime Lab officers Thomas Coughlin, Kevin Jeter, Ridley Durham, Loether Strong; Crime Scene Officers Tisha Lyons, Mary Wise, and Israel Ruiz, and fingerprint examiners Hayward Bennett, Barbara Evans, Murray Jones, and Clinton Hall.
He also commended the cooperation of prosecutors with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and members of the Major Crimes Homicide/Sex Section and the Fourth District Investigative Section of the Montgomery County Police Department, who provided assistance during all stages of the investigation. U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of Victim Witness Unit Advocates Tracey Hawkins, Iris Vega, and Melissa Milam, Paralegals Joyce Arthur and Tiffany Jones, and Legal Assistant Ashley Patterson, all of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also recognized the substantial assistance by U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigator John March. Finally, he recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Marcus-Kurn who is prosecuting the case.
Medina Resident Charged in Connection with Theft of Nearly $1.5 Million from Former Employer
An information has been filed against Frank J. Lomanno charging him with mail fraud in connection with the theft of almost $1.5 million from his former employer, First Communications, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today.
Lomanno, age 52, resides in Medina, Ohio.
The information alleges that Lomanno held the positions of Accounting Manager, Controller, and Chief Financial Officer and engaged in a scheme to defraud First Communications during the period from August 2003 through December 2008. Specifically, the information alleges that Lomanno fraudulently obtained $1,471,766.57 from First Communications from four sources.
First, the information charges that Lomanno converted 10 U.S. Treasury checks totaling $205,435.43 that were payable to First Communications and deposited them into a bank account he had established. Second, the information further charges that Lomanno caused First Communications to issue nine checks totaling $218,858.69, payable to FC Enterprises, which Lomanno then converted and deposited into another bank account he had opened. Third, Lomanno misappropriated 42 checks from First Communications totaling $975,959.43, that were payable to a legitimate vendor of the company. Fourth, the information alleges that Lomanno diverted a tax refund check for $71,513.02 from the State of Delaware that was intended for First Communications.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John D. Sammon, following a joint investigation by the Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Akron Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.
An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lomanno, age 52, resides in Medina, Ohio.
The information alleges that Lomanno held the positions of Accounting Manager, Controller, and Chief Financial Officer and engaged in a scheme to defraud First Communications during the period from August 2003 through December 2008. Specifically, the information alleges that Lomanno fraudulently obtained $1,471,766.57 from First Communications from four sources.
First, the information charges that Lomanno converted 10 U.S. Treasury checks totaling $205,435.43 that were payable to First Communications and deposited them into a bank account he had established. Second, the information further charges that Lomanno caused First Communications to issue nine checks totaling $218,858.69, payable to FC Enterprises, which Lomanno then converted and deposited into another bank account he had opened. Third, Lomanno misappropriated 42 checks from First Communications totaling $975,959.43, that were payable to a legitimate vendor of the company. Fourth, the information alleges that Lomanno diverted a tax refund check for $71,513.02 from the State of Delaware that was intended for First Communications.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John D. Sammon, following a joint investigation by the Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Akron Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.
An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former UW Genetics Professor Sentenced for Making False Statements in Grant Progress Report
MADISON, WI—John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Elizabeth B. Goodwin, Ph.D., Upton, Mass., was sentenced today before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Conley for fraudulently submitting a grant progress report containing falsified research data.
At her plea hearing on June 25, 2010, Goodwin, who was an Associate Professor at the UW-Madison Laboratory of Genetics from 2000 until her resignation on February 23, 2006, admitted that she manipulated data in a federal grant progress report to convince reviewers that she was making more scientific progress with her research than was actually the case.
Judge Conley sentenced Goodwin to two years of probation and directed that she pay a $500 fine and restitution as follows: $50,000 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and $50,000 to the University of Wisconsin, payable to the Chancellor’s Scholarship Program.
In addition to the sentence imposed today, Goodwin has admitted that her conduct constituted "misconduct in science" and that as a consequence, Goodwin has agreed to be voluntarily excluded for three years from any involvement in federal government research.
This charge followed an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, with the full cooperation of the University of Wisconsin. Prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O'Shea.
At her plea hearing on June 25, 2010, Goodwin, who was an Associate Professor at the UW-Madison Laboratory of Genetics from 2000 until her resignation on February 23, 2006, admitted that she manipulated data in a federal grant progress report to convince reviewers that she was making more scientific progress with her research than was actually the case.
Judge Conley sentenced Goodwin to two years of probation and directed that she pay a $500 fine and restitution as follows: $50,000 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and $50,000 to the University of Wisconsin, payable to the Chancellor’s Scholarship Program.
In addition to the sentence imposed today, Goodwin has admitted that her conduct constituted "misconduct in science" and that as a consequence, Goodwin has agreed to be voluntarily excluded for three years from any involvement in federal government research.
This charge followed an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, with the full cooperation of the University of Wisconsin. Prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O'Shea.
“Bayou Bandit” Arrested in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TX—Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division of the FBI, announced today that members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force arrested serial bank robbery suspect Douglas Edward Ford.
Ford, a 46-year-old resident of San Antonio, was arrested without incident today at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the 8000 block of Micron Street. The FBI and local authorities from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma are looking into the possibility that Ford is responsible for the robbery of 11 banks since March 2010. Due to the identical method and serial nature of the 11 robberies all occurring in a regional area, the unidentified robber was named the “Bayou Bandit.” Ford’s arrest is based upon a federal warrant issued by the United States Court, Western District of Louisiana, charging him with bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113. The identification of Ford as the “Bayou Bandit” was a direct result of public assistance generated by digital billboards made available to law enforcement by Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
Ford will have an initial appearance hearing before a United States Magistrate Judge later today, after which he will be turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service for further processing.
Ford, a 46-year-old resident of San Antonio, was arrested without incident today at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the 8000 block of Micron Street. The FBI and local authorities from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma are looking into the possibility that Ford is responsible for the robbery of 11 banks since March 2010. Due to the identical method and serial nature of the 11 robberies all occurring in a regional area, the unidentified robber was named the “Bayou Bandit.” Ford’s arrest is based upon a federal warrant issued by the United States Court, Western District of Louisiana, charging him with bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113. The identification of Ford as the “Bayou Bandit” was a direct result of public assistance generated by digital billboards made available to law enforcement by Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
Ford will have an initial appearance hearing before a United States Magistrate Judge later today, after which he will be turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service for further processing.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Armed Bank Robber Unmasked
Seeking Information
ATLANTA—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating the individual responsible for today’s armed bank robbery at Atlanta, Georgia:
On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, during the mid-morning hours, a lone black male entered the Chase Bank located at 3330 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia, and, after putting on a porcelain doll-type facemask, and brandished a semi-automatic handgun while announcing a robbery. The robber then jumped over the teller counter and forcibly obtained an undisclosed amount of money.
The robber is described as being a black male, late 30’s to late 40’s in age, 5’8” – 5’10” in height, scruffy beard/facial hair, prescription eye glasses, black wool cap, white t-shirt, blue jeans, silver semi-auto handgun, porcelain doll-type facemask.
Two very detailed photographs of the robber’s face were taken by the bank’s ATM machine just prior to the robber placing the mask over his face.
Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.
ATLANTA—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating the individual responsible for today’s armed bank robbery at Atlanta, Georgia:
On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, during the mid-morning hours, a lone black male entered the Chase Bank located at 3330 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia, and, after putting on a porcelain doll-type facemask, and brandished a semi-automatic handgun while announcing a robbery. The robber then jumped over the teller counter and forcibly obtained an undisclosed amount of money.
The robber is described as being a black male, late 30’s to late 40’s in age, 5’8” – 5’10” in height, scruffy beard/facial hair, prescription eye glasses, black wool cap, white t-shirt, blue jeans, silver semi-auto handgun, porcelain doll-type facemask.
Two very detailed photographs of the robber’s face were taken by the bank’s ATM machine just prior to the robber placing the mask over his face.
Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.
Ten-Year Sentence for Virginia Beach Gun Shop Theft Get-Away Driver
Norfolk, Va. — Roshawn D. Turner, 25, of Norfolk, Va., was sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to 10 years in prison for his role in a night-time theft of 27 firearms from the Armory Gun Shop in Virginia Beach, Va.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after United States District Judge Mark Davis sentenced Turner on his conviction for stealing, taking, and carrying away firearms. The Court also ordered Turner to pay full restitution and serve three years supervised release following his release from prison. Turner previously pled guilty on June 7, 2010.
According to court documents, two of Turner’s accomplices climbed on to the roof of the Armory and made a hole in the roof, whereupon one of them entered and took the 27 handguns. Turner acted as the get-away driver for the two accomplices. Afterwards, the handguns were sold to individuals in Norfolk and New York. One of the co-conspirators, Delvon Gray, 19, of Norfolk, pled guilty to similar charges in Virginia Beach Circuit Court and is awaiting sentencing. The other alleged co-conspirator, Tehran Townsend, 30, of Norfolk, is awaiting trial on Oct. 26, 2010 before Judge Davis.
This case was investigated by the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Police Departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin M. Comstock prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov/.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after United States District Judge Mark Davis sentenced Turner on his conviction for stealing, taking, and carrying away firearms. The Court also ordered Turner to pay full restitution and serve three years supervised release following his release from prison. Turner previously pled guilty on June 7, 2010.
According to court documents, two of Turner’s accomplices climbed on to the roof of the Armory and made a hole in the roof, whereupon one of them entered and took the 27 handguns. Turner acted as the get-away driver for the two accomplices. Afterwards, the handguns were sold to individuals in Norfolk and New York. One of the co-conspirators, Delvon Gray, 19, of Norfolk, pled guilty to similar charges in Virginia Beach Circuit Court and is awaiting sentencing. The other alleged co-conspirator, Tehran Townsend, 30, of Norfolk, is awaiting trial on Oct. 26, 2010 before Judge Davis.
This case was investigated by the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Police Departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin M. Comstock prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov/.
Statement Concerning Incident at the Miami International Airport
Special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded overnight to the Miami International Airport to an incident involving a suspicious item found in the luggage of a U.S. citizen. Today, results of lab tests on the item were returned and found no evidence of any dangerous materials.
This individual, who has been cooperative with law enforcement from the onset, is no longer with investigators and was not charged with any crime. "The cooperation by this individual led to a quick resolution in this matter, and for that we are grateful," said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) John V. Gillies of the FBI's Miami Field Office.
The FBI and its law enforcement partners remind the general public that in the world we live in today, we must remain vigilant toward any and all potential security threats. Furthermore, the systems and protocols that have been established by local, state, and federal authorities to keep travelers safe proved to be successful in this particular situation. SAC Gillies also praised the efforts of the TSA employees who discovered the item, the Miami-Dade Police Department, and ICE and FBI agents.
This individual, who has been cooperative with law enforcement from the onset, is no longer with investigators and was not charged with any crime. "The cooperation by this individual led to a quick resolution in this matter, and for that we are grateful," said Special Agent in Charge (SAC) John V. Gillies of the FBI's Miami Field Office.
The FBI and its law enforcement partners remind the general public that in the world we live in today, we must remain vigilant toward any and all potential security threats. Furthermore, the systems and protocols that have been established by local, state, and federal authorities to keep travelers safe proved to be successful in this particular situation. SAC Gillies also praised the efforts of the TSA employees who discovered the item, the Miami-Dade Police Department, and ICE and FBI agents.
Colorado Man Sentenced to 16+ Years for Salina Bank Robbery
TOPEKA, KS—Albert Lawrence Vaughan, 41, Loveland, Colorado, has been sentenced to 198 months in federal prison for bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
In March, a jury in U.S. District Court here returned a verdict of guilty on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Vaughan was carrying a firearm on Oct. 15, 2004, when he robbed the First Bank of Kansas, 1333 W. Crawford in Salina, Kan., and that he brandished it and discharged it into a file cabinet located between two tellers. Trial evidence also showed that on Oct. 2, 2004, Vaughan brandished a similar firearm while robbing the Bank of Colorado in Grand Junction, Colorado, in an identical fashion.
Grissom commended the Salina Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.
In March, a jury in U.S. District Court here returned a verdict of guilty on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Vaughan was carrying a firearm on Oct. 15, 2004, when he robbed the First Bank of Kansas, 1333 W. Crawford in Salina, Kan., and that he brandished it and discharged it into a file cabinet located between two tellers. Trial evidence also showed that on Oct. 2, 2004, Vaughan brandished a similar firearm while robbing the Bank of Colorado in Grand Junction, Colorado, in an identical fashion.
Grissom commended the Salina Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.
Pawn Shop Owner Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Launder $20 Million in Proceeds of Stolen Merchandise
Admitted Laundering Millions of Dollars in Proceeds of Stolen Over-the-Counter Medicines, Health and Beauty Aid Products, Gift Cards, DVDs, Tools, and Other Items
BALTIMORE—Louis Leitch, Sr., age 62, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering and attempting to evade taxes.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Postal Inspector in Charge Daniel S. Cortez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III; and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Sparkman of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.
“For the last six years the Ponemon Institute has ranked the Postal Service the ‘Most Trusted Government Agency’,” said Inspector in Charge Daniel S. Cortez. “The Postal Inspection Service will continue to ensure that trust by thwarting criminals that use the U.S. Mail in furtherance of their crimes.”
“The IRS-Criminal Investigation's largest enforcement program is directed at those who willfully and intentionally violate their legal duty of filing and paying their fair share of taxes,” stated Rebecca Sparkman, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Honest taxpayers pay when others swindle the government.”
According to his plea agreement, from 2007 to March 2010, Leitch conspired with others to conduct monetary transactions involving the sale of mass quantities of stolen over-the-counter medications, health and beauty aid products, gift cards, DVDs, tools and other merchandise. Shoplifters, also known as “boosters,” stole products from Target, Safeway, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, and other retailers in Maryland and other states. Pawn shops bought large amounts of stolen items from the boosters. Louis Leitch, Sr. and others were owners of E-Z Money Pawn Shop and 2Brothers Liquidators, Inc. Leitch and others would receive stolen products at E-Z Money. The stolen items were “cleaned,” meaning that the security labels and retail tags from the stolen product were removed. Sometimes a heat gun and lighter fluid would be used to peel away the plastic security labels. In addition, Leitch worked with co-defendants to purchase and transport stolen material. Leitch knew that many of his co-defendants and others participated in the scheme. Some of the defendants also had online auction sites, such as eBay and Amazon.com, where they would sell the stolen products far below normal retail value. The stolen products were then delivered to unsuspecting customers via the United States mail. The defendants received payment back by interstate wire transfers using PayPal accounts and through various financial institutions in Maryland.
On March 25, 2010, agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Baltimore County Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at E-Z Money and the other pawn shops in this case. Agents recovered well over $1 million in stolen merchandise, approximately $1 million in bank accounts and over $140,000 in cash, and 44 firearms. Although the entire conspiracy involved approximately $20 million in stolen merchandise, at least $2.5 million but less than $7 million in stolen product was reasonably foreseeable to Leitch.
In addition, Leitch failed to file income tax returns for tax years 2005 and 2006, although he received substantial income through his pawn shop and other business. During 2005 through 2006, Leitch withdrew from his bank accounts more than $2.5 million of his gross income, with each withdrawal being less than $10,000. During 2007, Leitch made cash deposits of more than $200,000 of his gross income into bank accounts, with each deposit being less than $10,000. By making deposits and withdrawals in amounts less than $10,000, Leitch was able to avoid bank reporting requirements and conceal from the Internal Revenue Service that he had substantial income and knowingly failed to pay taxes on the income. The tax loss as a result of this conduct for 2005 and 2006 is $401,600.
Leitch faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the money laundering conspiracy and a maximum of five years in prison for attempting to evade taxes. U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg has scheduled sentencing for December 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Co-defendants who have pleaded guilty to the money laundering conspiracy to date, include: Justin Noel Mayhew, age 29; Robert Anthony Reed and Daniel Filip Mimer, both age 27; Spencer Michael Garonzik, age 43; Michael Ender, age 32; and Warren Allen Culver II, age 31; and Michael B. Levy, age 51, all of Baltimore; Jared Lee Ezra, age 41, of Reisterstown, Maryland; and Nicholas Acosta, age 22, of Baltimore.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Baltimore County Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore Police Department; and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for their work in this investigation and commended Assistant United States Attorneys Kwame J. Manley and Richard Kay, who are prosecuting the case.
BALTIMORE—Louis Leitch, Sr., age 62, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering and attempting to evade taxes.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Postal Inspector in Charge Daniel S. Cortez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III; and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Sparkman of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.
“For the last six years the Ponemon Institute has ranked the Postal Service the ‘Most Trusted Government Agency’,” said Inspector in Charge Daniel S. Cortez. “The Postal Inspection Service will continue to ensure that trust by thwarting criminals that use the U.S. Mail in furtherance of their crimes.”
“The IRS-Criminal Investigation's largest enforcement program is directed at those who willfully and intentionally violate their legal duty of filing and paying their fair share of taxes,” stated Rebecca Sparkman, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Honest taxpayers pay when others swindle the government.”
According to his plea agreement, from 2007 to March 2010, Leitch conspired with others to conduct monetary transactions involving the sale of mass quantities of stolen over-the-counter medications, health and beauty aid products, gift cards, DVDs, tools and other merchandise. Shoplifters, also known as “boosters,” stole products from Target, Safeway, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, and other retailers in Maryland and other states. Pawn shops bought large amounts of stolen items from the boosters. Louis Leitch, Sr. and others were owners of E-Z Money Pawn Shop and 2Brothers Liquidators, Inc. Leitch and others would receive stolen products at E-Z Money. The stolen items were “cleaned,” meaning that the security labels and retail tags from the stolen product were removed. Sometimes a heat gun and lighter fluid would be used to peel away the plastic security labels. In addition, Leitch worked with co-defendants to purchase and transport stolen material. Leitch knew that many of his co-defendants and others participated in the scheme. Some of the defendants also had online auction sites, such as eBay and Amazon.com, where they would sell the stolen products far below normal retail value. The stolen products were then delivered to unsuspecting customers via the United States mail. The defendants received payment back by interstate wire transfers using PayPal accounts and through various financial institutions in Maryland.
On March 25, 2010, agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Baltimore County Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at E-Z Money and the other pawn shops in this case. Agents recovered well over $1 million in stolen merchandise, approximately $1 million in bank accounts and over $140,000 in cash, and 44 firearms. Although the entire conspiracy involved approximately $20 million in stolen merchandise, at least $2.5 million but less than $7 million in stolen product was reasonably foreseeable to Leitch.
In addition, Leitch failed to file income tax returns for tax years 2005 and 2006, although he received substantial income through his pawn shop and other business. During 2005 through 2006, Leitch withdrew from his bank accounts more than $2.5 million of his gross income, with each withdrawal being less than $10,000. During 2007, Leitch made cash deposits of more than $200,000 of his gross income into bank accounts, with each deposit being less than $10,000. By making deposits and withdrawals in amounts less than $10,000, Leitch was able to avoid bank reporting requirements and conceal from the Internal Revenue Service that he had substantial income and knowingly failed to pay taxes on the income. The tax loss as a result of this conduct for 2005 and 2006 is $401,600.
Leitch faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the money laundering conspiracy and a maximum of five years in prison for attempting to evade taxes. U.S. District Judge Benson E. Legg has scheduled sentencing for December 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
Co-defendants who have pleaded guilty to the money laundering conspiracy to date, include: Justin Noel Mayhew, age 29; Robert Anthony Reed and Daniel Filip Mimer, both age 27; Spencer Michael Garonzik, age 43; Michael Ender, age 32; and Warren Allen Culver II, age 31; and Michael B. Levy, age 51, all of Baltimore; Jared Lee Ezra, age 41, of Reisterstown, Maryland; and Nicholas Acosta, age 22, of Baltimore.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Baltimore County Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore Police Department; and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for their work in this investigation and commended Assistant United States Attorneys Kwame J. Manley and Richard Kay, who are prosecuting the case.
Deanna Coleman Sentenced for Her Role in the Tom Petters Ponzi Scheme
The 44-year-old woman who alerted federal officials to the largest financial crime in Minnesota history was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for her role in that $3.7 billion fraud scheme, which was orchestrated by Wayzata businessman Tom Petters. Earlier today in St. Paul, United States District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle sentenced Deanna Lynn Coleman, of Plymouth, on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Coleman was charged on October 6, 2008, and pleaded guilty on October 8, 2008. Petters, age 53, was sentenced in April to 50 years in prison. He is presently incarcerated in the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Following today’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones said, “While Deanna Coleman’s assistance in the Petters investigation was extremely valuable, she still had to pay a price for her own wrongdoing. She worked with Petters and others to dupe people out of a lot of money. However, in the end, she did the right thing by bringing this fraud into the light of day, and the sentence imposed reflects this choice of conscious over loyalty and greed.”
The investigation of this matter began on September 8, 2008, when Coleman and her attorney reported to authorities that she had been assisting Petters in executing a multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme for over 10 years. She agreed to work with law enforcement and subsequently wore a recording device to tape numerous conversations with Petters and others. Those recorded conversations chronicled the history of the scheme as well as the conspirators’ efforts to maintain the operation by obtaining new investors while lulling old ones. The recordings also detailed how the conspirators planned to avoid responsibility if the fraud was ever discovered.
“We acknowledge Coleman’s contributions to the successful outcome of the Petters investigation,” said Ralph S. Boelter, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Minneapolis office, which investigated the crime. “The FBI will continue to vigorously pursue criminals who seek to swindle our citizens out of their savings while furthering their own financial greed.”
According to the evidence gathered in this case, Petters Company, Inc. (“PCI”), which was formed in 1994 and owned solely by Tom Petters, was used for fraudulent purposes from its inception. As the fraud progressed, Coleman, who was hired by Petters as an office manager and later became an officer of PCI, admittedly began creating false documents that Petters and others used to induce investors to loan billions of dollars to PCI. For example, Coleman fabricated documents that indicated investment funds were used by PCI to purchase merchandise from two suppliers, Enchanted Family Buying Co. and Nationwide International Resources, Inc. In truth, however, no such purchases were made. Coleman also created documents highlighting the sale of PCI merchandise to big-box retailers, such as Costco and Sam’s Club. Again, those transactions were fictitious. In reality, investment funds were used to make lulling payments to previous investors, pay off those who assisted in the scheme, fund businesses owned or controlled by the co conspirators, and finance Tom Petters’ increasingly extravagant lifestyle. For her efforts, Coleman received millions of dollars.
Following today’s sentencing, Julio LaRosa, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, which also participated in the investigation, said, “Those that assist in Ponzi schemes make it easier for the orchestrator to continue bilking innocent investors out of their money. Billions of dollars were put at risk to ensure that a fictitious investment scheme continued to operate and enrich the lives of those carrying it out. This type of activity has to be stopped, and this case is a shining example of federal agencies working together to accomplish that task.”
On September 24, 2008, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed search warrants at Petters’ headquarters, Petters’ home, and other locations. They recovered numerous documents and evidence. Along with the tapes secured by Coleman, that evidence created the basis for the prosecution of Tom Petters and his co-conspirators.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS - Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph T. Dixon, John R. Marti, Timothy C. Rank, and John F. Docherty.
Following today’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones said, “While Deanna Coleman’s assistance in the Petters investigation was extremely valuable, she still had to pay a price for her own wrongdoing. She worked with Petters and others to dupe people out of a lot of money. However, in the end, she did the right thing by bringing this fraud into the light of day, and the sentence imposed reflects this choice of conscious over loyalty and greed.”
The investigation of this matter began on September 8, 2008, when Coleman and her attorney reported to authorities that she had been assisting Petters in executing a multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme for over 10 years. She agreed to work with law enforcement and subsequently wore a recording device to tape numerous conversations with Petters and others. Those recorded conversations chronicled the history of the scheme as well as the conspirators’ efforts to maintain the operation by obtaining new investors while lulling old ones. The recordings also detailed how the conspirators planned to avoid responsibility if the fraud was ever discovered.
“We acknowledge Coleman’s contributions to the successful outcome of the Petters investigation,” said Ralph S. Boelter, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Minneapolis office, which investigated the crime. “The FBI will continue to vigorously pursue criminals who seek to swindle our citizens out of their savings while furthering their own financial greed.”
According to the evidence gathered in this case, Petters Company, Inc. (“PCI”), which was formed in 1994 and owned solely by Tom Petters, was used for fraudulent purposes from its inception. As the fraud progressed, Coleman, who was hired by Petters as an office manager and later became an officer of PCI, admittedly began creating false documents that Petters and others used to induce investors to loan billions of dollars to PCI. For example, Coleman fabricated documents that indicated investment funds were used by PCI to purchase merchandise from two suppliers, Enchanted Family Buying Co. and Nationwide International Resources, Inc. In truth, however, no such purchases were made. Coleman also created documents highlighting the sale of PCI merchandise to big-box retailers, such as Costco and Sam’s Club. Again, those transactions were fictitious. In reality, investment funds were used to make lulling payments to previous investors, pay off those who assisted in the scheme, fund businesses owned or controlled by the co conspirators, and finance Tom Petters’ increasingly extravagant lifestyle. For her efforts, Coleman received millions of dollars.
Following today’s sentencing, Julio LaRosa, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, which also participated in the investigation, said, “Those that assist in Ponzi schemes make it easier for the orchestrator to continue bilking innocent investors out of their money. Billions of dollars were put at risk to ensure that a fictitious investment scheme continued to operate and enrich the lives of those carrying it out. This type of activity has to be stopped, and this case is a shining example of federal agencies working together to accomplish that task.”
On September 24, 2008, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed search warrants at Petters’ headquarters, Petters’ home, and other locations. They recovered numerous documents and evidence. Along with the tapes secured by Coleman, that evidence created the basis for the prosecution of Tom Petters and his co-conspirators.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS - Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph T. Dixon, John R. Marti, Timothy C. Rank, and John F. Docherty.
Former United Bank Employee Sentenced to 30 Months for Helping Conspirator Steal $17 Million from Bank
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Sissaye Gezachew, 32, of Springfield, Va., was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar bank fraud conspiracy.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Shawn Henry, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office; and Rebecca Sparkman, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s Washington, D.C., Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Gezachew, who worked as an assistant vice president-senior credit analyst at United Bank during the time frame of the scheme, assisted Osama El-Atari, 31, of Ashburn, Va., to defraud United Bank of more than $17 million from 2007 to 2009. Gezachew aided El-Atari in his fraudulent scheme by supplying him with fraudulent documents, including a fraudulent tax return, and setting up fake domain names and e-mail accounts for El-Atari to submit to the bank in support of the fraudulently obtained loans. As part of his sentence, Gezachew was also ordered to pay $18 million in restitution to United Bank.
On Aug. 27, 2010, El-Atari was sentenced to 144 months in prison for operating the fraud scheme that stole more than $53 million from banks throughout the United States.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Fahey and Jack Hanly are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov/.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Shawn Henry, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office; and Rebecca Sparkman, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s Washington, D.C., Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Gezachew, who worked as an assistant vice president-senior credit analyst at United Bank during the time frame of the scheme, assisted Osama El-Atari, 31, of Ashburn, Va., to defraud United Bank of more than $17 million from 2007 to 2009. Gezachew aided El-Atari in his fraudulent scheme by supplying him with fraudulent documents, including a fraudulent tax return, and setting up fake domain names and e-mail accounts for El-Atari to submit to the bank in support of the fraudulently obtained loans. As part of his sentence, Gezachew was also ordered to pay $18 million in restitution to United Bank.
On Aug. 27, 2010, El-Atari was sentenced to 144 months in prison for operating the fraud scheme that stole more than $53 million from banks throughout the United States.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Fahey and Jack Hanly are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov/.
Houston Woman Charged with Defrauding American Red Cross
NEW ORLEANS—TAMARA SHERETHA MORRIS, 29, a resident of Houston, Texas, was charged today in a two-count indictment for mail fraud relating to her applications to the American Red Cross for financial assistance during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the indictment, the American Red Cross made disaster assistance money of up to $1,565 available to those affected by the hurricanes of 2005 on a one-time only basis. It is alleged documents show that on eight separate occasions between September 2005 and October 2005, MORRIS applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross. The indictment alleges that MORRIS intentionally violated the Red Cross’ one-time only policy by continuing to apply for these funds, representing that she had not received assistance in the past. According to the indictment, MORRIS applied for and obtained approximately $10,945.00, of which approximately $9,380.00 was obtained by fraud.
If convicted, MORRIS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a $250,0000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Thomson.
According to the indictment, the American Red Cross made disaster assistance money of up to $1,565 available to those affected by the hurricanes of 2005 on a one-time only basis. It is alleged documents show that on eight separate occasions between September 2005 and October 2005, MORRIS applied for and received disaster assistance funds from the Red Cross. The indictment alleges that MORRIS intentionally violated the Red Cross’ one-time only policy by continuing to apply for these funds, representing that she had not received assistance in the past. According to the indictment, MORRIS applied for and obtained approximately $10,945.00, of which approximately $9,380.00 was obtained by fraud.
If convicted, MORRIS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a $250,0000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter M. Thomson.
Former North Providence Councilman Indicted for Extorting Gambling Payments
PROVIDENCE, RI—Former North Providence Town Councilman Raymond L. Douglas, III was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on one count of using extortion as a means to collect gambling debts owed him. The indictment alleges that Douglas operated an illegal gambling business in North Providence which accepted illegal sports wagers over the telephone on various college and professional sports, including football, basketball, and baseball, and that he used extortion to collect gambling debts owed his business.
The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha, is based on information obtained and investigated by the FBI in the ongoing investigation into public corruption in North Providence. U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha continued to urge anyone with information relating to public corruption and related criminal activity in North Providence to contact the FBI.
The indictment returned Thursday alleges that Douglas extended credit to a bettor who accumulated approximately $6,000 to $8,000 in gambling debts between the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009. The indictment alleges that Douglas made numerous attempts to collect the debt from the bettor by telephoning him, by sending approximately 16 text messages, and by sending a person to the bettor’s home to collect the debt on his behalf.
According to the indictment, a telephone voicemail left by Douglas on the bettor’s phone in early June 2009 stated, in part, “One more, one more time. I’m hoping you come to your senses. You call me by tomorrow, and, uh, we try to work something out I guess.” Douglas allegedly went on to say, “I know where you live, I know where you play golf. I mean I can find you...I guess if you don’t want to call me then it’s out of my hands and then someone else will knock on your door I guess or whatever.” The indictment alleges that later that month, Douglas sent a person to the bettor’s home on his behalf to collect the gambling debt. The person spoke with the bettor’s wife while the bettor’s children played nearby. The bettor was not home at the time.
The indictment also alleges that in August 2009, Douglas offered to damage the bettor’s vehicle which would permit him to file a fraudulent insurance claim to pay for the repairs, and allow him to use the proceeds to repay the gambling debt to Douglas.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
An arraignment date on this indictment has not been scheduled. Douglas is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bond on unrelated public corruption charges.
If convicted on the charge of collection of extensions of credit by extortionate means, Douglas faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison; five years’ supervised release; and a $250,000 fine.
The criminal cases brought against the defendant are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John P. McAdams and Terrence P. Donnelly.
The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha, is based on information obtained and investigated by the FBI in the ongoing investigation into public corruption in North Providence. U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha continued to urge anyone with information relating to public corruption and related criminal activity in North Providence to contact the FBI.
The indictment returned Thursday alleges that Douglas extended credit to a bettor who accumulated approximately $6,000 to $8,000 in gambling debts between the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009. The indictment alleges that Douglas made numerous attempts to collect the debt from the bettor by telephoning him, by sending approximately 16 text messages, and by sending a person to the bettor’s home to collect the debt on his behalf.
According to the indictment, a telephone voicemail left by Douglas on the bettor’s phone in early June 2009 stated, in part, “One more, one more time. I’m hoping you come to your senses. You call me by tomorrow, and, uh, we try to work something out I guess.” Douglas allegedly went on to say, “I know where you live, I know where you play golf. I mean I can find you...I guess if you don’t want to call me then it’s out of my hands and then someone else will knock on your door I guess or whatever.” The indictment alleges that later that month, Douglas sent a person to the bettor’s home on his behalf to collect the gambling debt. The person spoke with the bettor’s wife while the bettor’s children played nearby. The bettor was not home at the time.
The indictment also alleges that in August 2009, Douglas offered to damage the bettor’s vehicle which would permit him to file a fraudulent insurance claim to pay for the repairs, and allow him to use the proceeds to repay the gambling debt to Douglas.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
An arraignment date on this indictment has not been scheduled. Douglas is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bond on unrelated public corruption charges.
If convicted on the charge of collection of extensions of credit by extortionate means, Douglas faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison; five years’ supervised release; and a $250,000 fine.
The criminal cases brought against the defendant are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John P. McAdams and Terrence P. Donnelly.
8 arrested in South Carolina gang enforcement action
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Eight associates of the Surenos 13 gang are facing new criminal charges or removal from the United States, following a joint anti-gang enforcement action Wednesday led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Columbia, the York County Sheriff's Office and the Rock Hill Police Department.
The operation took place in and around the York County/Rock Hill area in South Carolina.
The arrests were made as part of Operation Community Shield, an ongoing initiative by ICE HSI's National Gang Unit, in which the agency uses its powerful immigration and customs enforcement authorities in a coordinated strategy to attack and dismantle criminal street gangs across the country.
"Street gangs pose a threat to public safety in South Carolina," said Brock Nicholson, acting special agent in charge of the ICE HSI office in Atlanta. "With each gang member we arrest and remove from the United States, we're making a positive impact in our communities and improving public safety."
As part of the initiative, ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational gangs.
Agents and officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also assisted in the operation.
One of the individuals arrested will face federal criminal prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina for felony re-entry after deportation, a federal violation that carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. That individual, a 32-year-old Honduran national, is also an aggravated felon with prior convictions for criminal possession of stolen property and rape.
The other seven are being processed for removal from the United States.
Since Operation Community Shield began in February 2005, ICE agents nationwide have arrested more than 18,000 gang members and gang associates. As part of the effort, ICE HSI's National Gang Unit identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations.
Transnational street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-born members and are frequently involved in human and contraband smuggling, immigration violations and other crimes with a connection to the border.
To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423 or visit www.ice.gov.
-- ICE --
The operation took place in and around the York County/Rock Hill area in South Carolina.
The arrests were made as part of Operation Community Shield, an ongoing initiative by ICE HSI's National Gang Unit, in which the agency uses its powerful immigration and customs enforcement authorities in a coordinated strategy to attack and dismantle criminal street gangs across the country.
"Street gangs pose a threat to public safety in South Carolina," said Brock Nicholson, acting special agent in charge of the ICE HSI office in Atlanta. "With each gang member we arrest and remove from the United States, we're making a positive impact in our communities and improving public safety."
As part of the initiative, ICE partners with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to target the significant public safety threat posed by transnational gangs.
Agents and officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also assisted in the operation.
One of the individuals arrested will face federal criminal prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina for felony re-entry after deportation, a federal violation that carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. That individual, a 32-year-old Honduran national, is also an aggravated felon with prior convictions for criminal possession of stolen property and rape.
The other seven are being processed for removal from the United States.
Since Operation Community Shield began in February 2005, ICE agents nationwide have arrested more than 18,000 gang members and gang associates. As part of the effort, ICE HSI's National Gang Unit identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations.
Transnational street gangs have significant numbers of foreign-born members and are frequently involved in human and contraband smuggling, immigration violations and other crimes with a connection to the border.
To report suspicious activity, call ICE's 24-hour toll-free hotline at: 1-866-347-2423 or visit www.ice.gov.
-- ICE --
Monday, September 06, 2010
"America's Most Wanted" suspect surrenders to ICE
NEW YORK - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents today took custody Wednesday of an individual recently featured on America's Most Wanted.
Agent's with the ICE Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York took custody of Un Sun Lee Brown. She was initially contacted by local police in Washington, D.C., before revealing to officers she was wanted in New York by ICE on sex slavery charges.
Brown is alleged to have operated a brothel in Washington under the guise of a massage parlor. According to the HSI investigation, Brown would recruit mostly women from Korea to staff the brothels and threaten them with violence if they made efforts to escape.
"Sex traffickers prey on the vulnerabilities of their victims to force them into lives of servitude and rob them of their human dignity," said said James T. Hayes, Jr., special agent in charge of ICE's Office of HSI in New York. "We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to bring down these ruthless operations and bring to justice those who profit from them."
-- ICE --
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Chicago Man Charged in "Belmont - Central Bandit" Investigation
An arrest was made earlier today of a suspect in the “Belmont - Central Bandit” serial bank robbery investigation announced Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Jody P. Weis, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD); and Thomas Dart, Cook County Sheriff.
GUSTAVO PABLO, age 31, of Chicago, was arrested Thursday morning, without incident, by members of the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) at his residence. Also taken into custody this morning was ULANA KOZAK, age 22, who is also from Chicago. Both PABLO and KOZAK were charged in a criminal complaint filed earlier this week in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count each of bank robbery, which is a felony offense.
According to the complaint, which only charges PABLO and KOZAK with the July 9 robbery of the Brickyard Bank branch, located at 3536 West Dempster in Skokie, the two entered the bank just before 1:00 p.m. and approached the teller counter. KOZAK is alleged to have handed a note to a bank employee, announcing a robbery and demanding cash. PABLO then is alleged to have pulled two plastic shopping bags from his pocket, handed them to bank employees and ordered them to fill the bags with money. After receiving nearly $10,000 in cash, the two fled the bank on foot, disappearing out of sight of witnesses.
The two were identified after a tip was received from a member of the public, who had seen news accounts of the robbery and bank surveillance photos of PABLO. Subsequent investigation by the VCTF identified PABLO and KOZAK as the suspected robbers and resulted in the charges announced today.
Though not charged with any additional robberies at this time, PABLO is a suspect in a string of as many as eight robberies and attempted robberies of banks in Chicago, Skokie, and Lyons, dating to March of this year. He had been dubbed the “Belmont – Central Bandit” as the first three banks he is suspected of robbing were in the vicinity of the northwest Chicago intersection.
PABLO and KOZAK appeared before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole in Chicago, earlier today, at which time they were formally charged. The two were ordered held without bond, pending their next scheduled court appearance. Until then, they will be housed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. If convicted of the charge filed against them, PABLO and KOZAK face a possible sentence of up to 20 years’ incarceration.
This case was investigated by the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) which is comprised of FBI special agents, detectives from the Chicago Police Department, and investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police.
Additional information about this and other recent Chicago area bank robberies, including downloadable photographs, is available at the Bandit Tracker website, www.bandittrackerchicago.com.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Copies of the criminal complaint filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI’s press office at (312) 829-1199.
GUSTAVO PABLO, age 31, of Chicago, was arrested Thursday morning, without incident, by members of the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) at his residence. Also taken into custody this morning was ULANA KOZAK, age 22, who is also from Chicago. Both PABLO and KOZAK were charged in a criminal complaint filed earlier this week in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count each of bank robbery, which is a felony offense.
According to the complaint, which only charges PABLO and KOZAK with the July 9 robbery of the Brickyard Bank branch, located at 3536 West Dempster in Skokie, the two entered the bank just before 1:00 p.m. and approached the teller counter. KOZAK is alleged to have handed a note to a bank employee, announcing a robbery and demanding cash. PABLO then is alleged to have pulled two plastic shopping bags from his pocket, handed them to bank employees and ordered them to fill the bags with money. After receiving nearly $10,000 in cash, the two fled the bank on foot, disappearing out of sight of witnesses.
The two were identified after a tip was received from a member of the public, who had seen news accounts of the robbery and bank surveillance photos of PABLO. Subsequent investigation by the VCTF identified PABLO and KOZAK as the suspected robbers and resulted in the charges announced today.
Though not charged with any additional robberies at this time, PABLO is a suspect in a string of as many as eight robberies and attempted robberies of banks in Chicago, Skokie, and Lyons, dating to March of this year. He had been dubbed the “Belmont – Central Bandit” as the first three banks he is suspected of robbing were in the vicinity of the northwest Chicago intersection.
PABLO and KOZAK appeared before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole in Chicago, earlier today, at which time they were formally charged. The two were ordered held without bond, pending their next scheduled court appearance. Until then, they will be housed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. If convicted of the charge filed against them, PABLO and KOZAK face a possible sentence of up to 20 years’ incarceration.
This case was investigated by the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) which is comprised of FBI special agents, detectives from the Chicago Police Department, and investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police.
Additional information about this and other recent Chicago area bank robberies, including downloadable photographs, is available at the Bandit Tracker website, www.bandittrackerchicago.com.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Copies of the criminal complaint filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI’s press office at (312) 829-1199.
Fugitive Arrested
David W. Welker, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Division of the FBI, announced that members of the FBI’s SWAT team and New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force (NOVCTF) arrested an individual wanted on rape and murder charges out of Texas.
Today at approximately 11:20 a.m., Anthony Wayne O’Neal, of New Orleans, Louisiana, age 40, was located and arrested in the 4000 block of Iris Street in New Orleans.
O’Neal was being sought for an alleged murder in Temple, Texas and sexual assault in Lorena, Texas which occurred on August 22, 2010. O’Neal then allegedly stole the sexual assault victim’s vehicle, which was recovered in Rayne, Louisiana on August 23, 2010. The FBI’s San Antonio Division obtained a federal fugitive warrant and the investigation led to today’s arrest.
The NOVCTF is comprised of members of the New Orleans Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, and the FBI.
The public is reminded that these charges are not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Today at approximately 11:20 a.m., Anthony Wayne O’Neal, of New Orleans, Louisiana, age 40, was located and arrested in the 4000 block of Iris Street in New Orleans.
O’Neal was being sought for an alleged murder in Temple, Texas and sexual assault in Lorena, Texas which occurred on August 22, 2010. O’Neal then allegedly stole the sexual assault victim’s vehicle, which was recovered in Rayne, Louisiana on August 23, 2010. The FBI’s San Antonio Division obtained a federal fugitive warrant and the investigation led to today’s arrest.
The NOVCTF is comprised of members of the New Orleans Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, and the FBI.
The public is reminded that these charges are not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Atlanta Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption and Drug Trafficking Charges
ATLANTA—LUCIUS T. SOLOMON, III, 31, of Atlanta, formerly an officer with the Atlanta Police Department, pleaded guilty today in federal district court to corruption and drug charges.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Instead of protecting and serving the people of this community from the scourge of the illegal drug trade, this former police officer took money to protect the very drug dealers he had sworn to pursue and arrest. There is no greater breach of a police officer’s oath than to actively participate in criminal conduct that so powerfully harms the community.”
Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Office, stated, “Public corruption investigations are a high priority at the FBI given that the potential for damage and discredit to law enforcement is very high. While these corruption cases are a serious breach of the public trust, it should be noted that the vast majority of those working within law enforcement fully understand their oaths and reflect often on their commitment to public service.”
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner added, “The public simply must have confidence in its police officers. While I believe this incident is not indicative of the vast majority of hardworking, honest and dedicated officers out there on the streets of Atlanta day in and day out—it does send a strong message to those who would stray from their mission to uphold and enforce the law.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On three occasions in 2009 and 2010, SOLOMON provided protection for what he believed to be multi-kilogram cocaine deals. For each deal, SOLOMON agreed to protect the people he thought were drug dealers in exchange for $2,000. On two of those occasions, SOLOMON was on duty, in uniform, and in his marked police vehicle when he provided the protection. SOLOMON’s participation in each of these three drug transactions forms the basis for both the corruption and the drug charges.
SOLOMON was indicted in March 2010; he pleaded guilty today to corruption and drug offenses and could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison on the corruption charge, and a maximum of life imprisonment on the drug charge. SOLOMON faces fines of up to $4,250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., before United States District Judge Richard W. Story.
This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division and the Atlanta Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey Brown, Elizabeth Hathaway, and Zahra Karinshak are prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following website: www.justthinktwice.com.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Instead of protecting and serving the people of this community from the scourge of the illegal drug trade, this former police officer took money to protect the very drug dealers he had sworn to pursue and arrest. There is no greater breach of a police officer’s oath than to actively participate in criminal conduct that so powerfully harms the community.”
Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Office, stated, “Public corruption investigations are a high priority at the FBI given that the potential for damage and discredit to law enforcement is very high. While these corruption cases are a serious breach of the public trust, it should be noted that the vast majority of those working within law enforcement fully understand their oaths and reflect often on their commitment to public service.”
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner added, “The public simply must have confidence in its police officers. While I believe this incident is not indicative of the vast majority of hardworking, honest and dedicated officers out there on the streets of Atlanta day in and day out—it does send a strong message to those who would stray from their mission to uphold and enforce the law.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court: On three occasions in 2009 and 2010, SOLOMON provided protection for what he believed to be multi-kilogram cocaine deals. For each deal, SOLOMON agreed to protect the people he thought were drug dealers in exchange for $2,000. On two of those occasions, SOLOMON was on duty, in uniform, and in his marked police vehicle when he provided the protection. SOLOMON’s participation in each of these three drug transactions forms the basis for both the corruption and the drug charges.
SOLOMON was indicted in March 2010; he pleaded guilty today to corruption and drug offenses and could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison on the corruption charge, and a maximum of life imprisonment on the drug charge. SOLOMON faces fines of up to $4,250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., before United States District Judge Richard W. Story.
This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Division and the Atlanta Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey Brown, Elizabeth Hathaway, and Zahra Karinshak are prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following website: www.justthinktwice.com.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.
Man Sentenced in Wyoming for Transporting Minor for Sex; Extradited to Washington to Face 1980 Statutory Rape Charge
Paul Joe Hanway, 64, of Arapahoe, Wyoming, the former Tribal Health Director for the Northern Arapaho Tribe, was sentenced on January 7, 2010, in federal district court for the District of Wyoming, for one count of interstate transportation of a minor female with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Hanway was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in the Wyoming case.
Following his conviction in the District of Wyoming, Hanway was extradited to King County, Washington on an arrest warrant which had been outstanding since 1980. On July 16, 2010, Hanway was sentenced in King County, Washington for one count of statutory rape in the second degree involving a 1980 incident with a minor female in Seattle, Washington. Hanway pled guilty as part of a plea agreement. Hanway was sentenced to not less than two years but no more than 10 years’ imprisonment, to be served following the completion of his federal prison sentence.
Following his conviction in the District of Wyoming, Hanway was extradited to King County, Washington on an arrest warrant which had been outstanding since 1980. On July 16, 2010, Hanway was sentenced in King County, Washington for one count of statutory rape in the second degree involving a 1980 incident with a minor female in Seattle, Washington. Hanway pled guilty as part of a plea agreement. Hanway was sentenced to not less than two years but no more than 10 years’ imprisonment, to be served following the completion of his federal prison sentence.
Secure Communities leads to removal of more than 5,500 convicted criminal aliens from LA County in first year
LOS ANGELES - Since its activation in Los Angeles County a year ago, the biometric information sharing capability deployed as part of the Secure Communities initiative has resulted in the identification and removal of more than 5,500 convicted criminal aliens from the United States who were encountered by local law enforcement in the county.
The information sharing capability, a key component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) comprehensive strategy to enhance efforts to identify and remove convicted criminal aliens from the country, uses biometric identification to alert ICE when potentially removable aliens are arrested by local law enforcement.
Of the 5,585 aliens removed from Los Angeles County in the last year, nearly 2,500 are considered Level 1 offenders, which includes those convicted of serious or violent crimes, such murder, sexual assault and robbery. Another 2,540 are Level 2 offenders, which includes individuals with convictions for offenses such as arson, burglary and property crimes. As part of the Secure Communities strategy, ICE is prioritizing its enforcement efforts to ensure individuals who pose the greatest threat to public safety are removed first.
Regardless of the offenses for which individuals are initially booked, the Secure Communities screening may reveal more serious criminal histories. In one Los Angeles case, a fingerprint check of an individual with multiple aliases arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court turned out to be a foreign national with a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for voluntary manslaughter and carrying a concealed weapon. In addition, the subject had been removed from the United States multiple times. The subject was convicted of illegal re-entry after removal and sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. Upon completion of his sentence, ICE will remove him from the United States.
Prior to the activation of Secure Communities, fingerprint-based biometric records taken of individuals charged with a crime and booked into custody were checked for criminal history information against the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Now, through enhanced information sharing between DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), fingerprint information submitted through the state to the FBI will be automatically checked against both the FBI criminal history records in IAFIS and the biometrics-based immigration records in DHS's Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).
If fingerprints match those of someone in DHS's biometric system, the new automated process notifies ICE. ICE evaluates each case to determine the individual's immigration status and takes appropriate immigration enforcement action. This includes aliens who are lawfully and unlawfully in the United States, but who have been arrested and booked into local law enforcement custody for a crime. Once identified through fingerprint matching, ICE prioritizes its response to focus on criminal aliens convicted of the most serious crimes first-such as those with convictions for major drug offenses, murder, rape and kidnapping. In accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE continues to take action on aliens subject to removal as resources permit.
"Last year, ICE prevented thousands of convicted criminal aliens in Los Angeles County from being released back into the community," said David Venturella, assistant director for Secure Communities. "Through the Secure Communities strategy, we're increasing community safety by enforcing federal immigration law in a smart, effective way that targets the greatest threats for removal first."
Los Angeles County is one of 28 jurisdictions in California that are currently benefiting from Secure Communities. The information sharing capability has helped ICE remove more than 12,400 criminal aliens arrested throughout the state. Nationwide, ICE is using the capability in 574 jurisdictions across 30 states, and it has helped ICE remove more than 37,900 criminal aliens from the country.
For more information, visit www.ice.gov/secure_communities.
-- ICE --
Serial Bank Robber Joseph DiFalco Strikes Again in Northeast Philadelphia
The FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department are again seeking the public's assistance to locate Joseph DiFalco, who is believed to have robbed another bank this morning. DiFalco has already been charged in Philadelphia with the robbery of the Wachovia Bank branch at 2227 South Broad Street on July 23, 2010, and is also the suspect in the following robberies: 1) the July 26, 2010 robbery of the Citizens Bank branch at 10650 Bustleton Avenue; 2) the August 2, 2010 robbery of the Conestoga Bank branch at 2444 South Broad Street; 3) the August 14, 2010 robbery of the CitiBank branch located at 2118 Cottman Avenue, and; 4) the robbery of an M&T Bank branch in Northeast Philadelphia earlier today.
At approximately 9:15 this morning, a subject believed to be DiFalco entered the M&T Bank branch at 7121 Frankford Avenue and presented a threatening demand note to a teller. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the subject fled the bank and was last seen on foot headed eastbound on Princeton from Frankford. In today’s robbery, the subject was wearing a white baseball cap with a logo or word across the front, a dark plain short-sleeved t-shirt over a long-sleeved grey shirt, long denim cargo shorts, and dark sneakers.
DiFalco is 32 years of age, 5’3” tall, 130 pounds, has a thin beard and closely cropped hair, and large tattoos on his outer forearms. Although he has no known fixed address at this time, he is originally from South Philadelphia and may be staying in the Northeast Philadelphia area.
DiFalco should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Philadelphia Police Department.
At approximately 9:15 this morning, a subject believed to be DiFalco entered the M&T Bank branch at 7121 Frankford Avenue and presented a threatening demand note to a teller. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the subject fled the bank and was last seen on foot headed eastbound on Princeton from Frankford. In today’s robbery, the subject was wearing a white baseball cap with a logo or word across the front, a dark plain short-sleeved t-shirt over a long-sleeved grey shirt, long denim cargo shorts, and dark sneakers.
DiFalco is 32 years of age, 5’3” tall, 130 pounds, has a thin beard and closely cropped hair, and large tattoos on his outer forearms. Although he has no known fixed address at this time, he is originally from South Philadelphia and may be staying in the Northeast Philadelphia area.
DiFalco should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Philadelphia Police Department.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Michigan Fraud Charge in Oil and Gas Ponzi Scheme
GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Joseph Stanley Blimline, 35, of Dallas, Texas, pled guilty to mail fraud, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today. Mr. Davis was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and by Joseph Pirone, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). By agreement with the government, Blimline pled guilty in a Texas federal court on the Western Michigan charge. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Blimline faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment as a result of his conviction.
Blimline admitted in his plea agreement that between 2003 and 2007, he operated a group of oil and gas exploration companies, including Jordan River Resources. In 2004, Blimline traveled to Okemos, Michigan, where he hosted a presentation for potential investors. Blimline told investors their money would be used for oil and gas exploration in Oklahoma and Texas and promised a return of six percent per month. When investors asked what would happen if the new wells were not successful, Blimline said he already had wells producing enough revenue to pay the promised dividends regardless.
As Blimline admitted in his plea agreement, he did not in fact have sufficient oil revenue to pay dividends, and soon began paying earlier investors with new investors’ funds. The earlier investors were led to believe their payments were in fact oil and gas revenues, creating the illusion of a profitable company and encouraging additional investment. Blimline further admitted that he took investors funds from the company accounts for personal expenditures. Blimline was assisted in his scheme by Williamston, Michigan residents Eric Merkle and Jay Merkle, who pled guilty to securities fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud in 2009, and are currently serving 10-year federal prison sentences.
The FBI and the USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils R. Kessler is the prosecutor.
Blimline admitted in his plea agreement that between 2003 and 2007, he operated a group of oil and gas exploration companies, including Jordan River Resources. In 2004, Blimline traveled to Okemos, Michigan, where he hosted a presentation for potential investors. Blimline told investors their money would be used for oil and gas exploration in Oklahoma and Texas and promised a return of six percent per month. When investors asked what would happen if the new wells were not successful, Blimline said he already had wells producing enough revenue to pay the promised dividends regardless.
As Blimline admitted in his plea agreement, he did not in fact have sufficient oil revenue to pay dividends, and soon began paying earlier investors with new investors’ funds. The earlier investors were led to believe their payments were in fact oil and gas revenues, creating the illusion of a profitable company and encouraging additional investment. Blimline further admitted that he took investors funds from the company accounts for personal expenditures. Blimline was assisted in his scheme by Williamston, Michigan residents Eric Merkle and Jay Merkle, who pled guilty to securities fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud in 2009, and are currently serving 10-year federal prison sentences.
The FBI and the USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils R. Kessler is the prosecutor.
Three Defendants Plead Guilty to Their Roles in $6.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
Home, Yacht, and $1.3 Million Forfeited as Part of Pleas
SAVANNAH, GA—Alfredo Rasco, 51, and Niurka Rasco, 49, both from Miami, Florida, and Iris Oswald, 54, from St. Simons Island, Georgia, pleaded guilty earlier this week before United States District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. to their roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare of $6.5 million. Seconds before the scheduled start of the government’s evidence in the trial, the defendants pled guilty.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, "Health care fraud is one of our most urgent and widespread national challenges. Offenders who steal from Medicare will be caught, sentenced to long prison sentences and their ill-gotten gains will be forfeited. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to strengthening the Medicare program through the vigorous prosecution of those who defraud the American people."
Evidence during the guilty pleas showed that from December of 2005 through March of 2008, Alfredo Rasco, Niurka Rasco, Iris Oswald, and others operated United Therapy, a phony medical clinic located in downtown Savannah. The defendants and others lured Medicare beneficiaries to United Therapy with free food, transportation, and gift cards. Many of the Medicare beneficiaries targeted by the scheme were afflicted with HIV or AIDS and lived in local homeless shelters and Section VIII housing. Once at United Therapy, the Defendants used the patients’ Medicare information to submit $6.5 million worth of phony bills to Medicare for infusion services that were not provided to those patients. Before law enforcement put a stop to this fraud, the defendants stole over $4 million from Medicare.
For his role in the scheme, Alfredo Rasco faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 12 years in prison, fines up to $500,000, and three years of supervised release. Niurka Rasco faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to six months in prison, a fine up to $2,000, and one year of supervised release. The Rascos also forfeited proceeds of the scheme, including $1.3 million seized from their bank accounts and a 42' powerboat they named "Thank You, God." For her role in the scheme, Iris Oswald faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Ms. Oswald also agreed to forfeit a home she purchased on St. Simons Island with proceeds of the fraud scheme.
All three defendants remain on bond pending sentence, which will be held upon the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report.
Mr. Tarver praised the hard work and dedication of Special Agents Tony Alig and Josh Hayes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with Special Agent David Graupner of the Office of Inspector General for HHS, who led the investigation of this case. Tarver noted that the indictment against these defendants arose out of Operation Redex Infuscam, a major investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) into fraudulent infusion billings to Medicare in and around the Southern District of Georgia. Tarver also recognized the extensive efforts provided by investigator Kim Reinken and auditor Karen Hartley of the United States Attorney’s Office for their contributions to a successful prosecution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and James D. Durham.
SAVANNAH, GA—Alfredo Rasco, 51, and Niurka Rasco, 49, both from Miami, Florida, and Iris Oswald, 54, from St. Simons Island, Georgia, pleaded guilty earlier this week before United States District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. to their roles in a scheme to defraud Medicare of $6.5 million. Seconds before the scheduled start of the government’s evidence in the trial, the defendants pled guilty.
United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, "Health care fraud is one of our most urgent and widespread national challenges. Offenders who steal from Medicare will be caught, sentenced to long prison sentences and their ill-gotten gains will be forfeited. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to strengthening the Medicare program through the vigorous prosecution of those who defraud the American people."
Evidence during the guilty pleas showed that from December of 2005 through March of 2008, Alfredo Rasco, Niurka Rasco, Iris Oswald, and others operated United Therapy, a phony medical clinic located in downtown Savannah. The defendants and others lured Medicare beneficiaries to United Therapy with free food, transportation, and gift cards. Many of the Medicare beneficiaries targeted by the scheme were afflicted with HIV or AIDS and lived in local homeless shelters and Section VIII housing. Once at United Therapy, the Defendants used the patients’ Medicare information to submit $6.5 million worth of phony bills to Medicare for infusion services that were not provided to those patients. Before law enforcement put a stop to this fraud, the defendants stole over $4 million from Medicare.
For his role in the scheme, Alfredo Rasco faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 12 years in prison, fines up to $500,000, and three years of supervised release. Niurka Rasco faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to six months in prison, a fine up to $2,000, and one year of supervised release. The Rascos also forfeited proceeds of the scheme, including $1.3 million seized from their bank accounts and a 42' powerboat they named "Thank You, God." For her role in the scheme, Iris Oswald faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Ms. Oswald also agreed to forfeit a home she purchased on St. Simons Island with proceeds of the fraud scheme.
All three defendants remain on bond pending sentence, which will be held upon the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report.
Mr. Tarver praised the hard work and dedication of Special Agents Tony Alig and Josh Hayes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with Special Agent David Graupner of the Office of Inspector General for HHS, who led the investigation of this case. Tarver noted that the indictment against these defendants arose out of Operation Redex Infuscam, a major investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) into fraudulent infusion billings to Medicare in and around the Southern District of Georgia. Tarver also recognized the extensive efforts provided by investigator Kim Reinken and auditor Karen Hartley of the United States Attorney’s Office for their contributions to a successful prosecution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and James D. Durham.
Menands man pleads guilty in massive Ponzi scheme
BUFFALO, N.Y. - A 53-year-old Menands resident pleaded guilty on August 19 to mail fraud and filing a fraudulent tax return following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led investigation.
Christopher Bass operated a high-yield investment scheme in which investors were allegedly defrauded of their investment funds. According to court documents, from 2007 through early this year, Bass promoted, managed and directed the fraudulent investment program involving the purchase of securities to investors throughout the United States, using addresses in Troy, Menands and Albany, N.Y.
Between January 2007 and August 2009, Bass solicited and accepted more than $5.5 million from more than 250 investors, establishing accounts on behalf of each investor, subsequently using the majority to pay for his personal expenses and to repay investors at least $1.25 million who demanded a return of their initial investment. He also used their investments to pay for expenses incurred in operating the scheme, pay for the rent for office locations in Albany, New York City and Irvine, Calif., as well as to pay the rent for a luxury apartment in New York City.
The investigation was conducted by ICE's Office of Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Secret Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Bass remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal's Service and is scheduled to be sentenced in December 2010.
-- ICE --
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Baltimore Felon Exiled to 12 Years in Prison for a Series of Violent Armed Robberies
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Trevon Jones, age 28, of Baltimore, today to 12 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for armed robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; and Baltimore County Police Chief James W. Johnson.
According to Jones’ plea agreement, from December 22, 2008 through March 21, 2009, Jones planned and participated in a series of violent armed robberies with Todd Bell, Quindell Ford, and others.
Specifically, on December 22, 2008, Jones, Todd Bell and Quindell Ford entered the Texaco Station at 2415 York Road in Timonium, Maryland. The cashier was alone in the store at the time and attempted to stop Bell from coming behind the counter. Bell drew a gun from under his jacket and struck the cashier in the head with the gun twice before the cashier fell to the ground. Bell ordered the cashier to stay down and the robbers ransacked the area behind the counter, stealing the money from the cash drawer, five cartons of cigarettes, as well as the cashier’s wallet and cellular telephone. Jones was the look-out for the group.
According to the statement of facts, on December 24, 2008, Jones, Bell, and Ford cased the Charles Street Liquors store at 1122 South Charles Street in Baltimore, with plans to rob the store. Later that day Bell and Ford entered the liquor store with a third robber. The robbers grabbed the store owner and threatened him and a store employee with a silver semiautomatic handgun. The third robber locked the front door of the store from the inside. The robbers made the employee get on the ground at the rear of the store and took the owner behind the counter to the cash register and ordered him to open the register. The robbers then took money from the cash register and from a bag under the cash register, money from a separate drawer that the owner used to cash checks, and a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver from behind the counter. The robbers took cash from the store employee and cash, an engraved silver money clip and a wallet from the owner. The robbers then made the owner get on the ground, bound his hands with duct tape, and left the store.
Similarly, on December 29, 2008, Jones, Bell and Ford, went into the Shell Station located at 9101 Snowden River Parkway in Columbia, Maryland. One of the robbers drew a weapon and demanded that the cashier get on the ground. The robbers then stole lottery tickets, money, cigars, and other items from the Shell station. On January 16, 2009, Jones, Ford and a third robber entered the Euro Liquors store at 10512 Reisterstown Road in Owings Mills, Maryland, and one of them put a gun to the owner’s head. The robber then bound the owner’s hands with tape, took him to the basement and removed the video surveillance system from the store. One of the other owners was also in the store and a robber forced him to the ground at gunpoint and taped the owner’s hands together. The robbers stole money out of the cash register and alcohol from the store.
Finally, on March 21, 2009, Jones admitted that he, Quindell Ford, and a third robber again robbed the Charles Street Liquors store. As the owner was at the register talking to one of the robbers, another robber drew a semiautomatic handgun from his waistband, charged around the counter, pointed the handgun at the owner and hit him in the head with the weapon. The robber then demanded the owner open the cash register. The robbers stole cash from the cash register and the cash box in the rear of the store, as well as four bottles of alcohol. The owner was carrying a Glock 26 9mm handgun for protection, which Jones took from him and gave to the third robber.
Quindell Ford and Todd Bell, both age 29, of Baltimore, have pleaded guilty to their roles in the robberies. They face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the robberies and for brandishing a gun during a crime of violence. Judge Bennett has scheduled their sentencing hearings on November 4, 2010 and October 8, 2010, respectively.
Mr. Rosenstein thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted this case.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; and Baltimore County Police Chief James W. Johnson.
According to Jones’ plea agreement, from December 22, 2008 through March 21, 2009, Jones planned and participated in a series of violent armed robberies with Todd Bell, Quindell Ford, and others.
Specifically, on December 22, 2008, Jones, Todd Bell and Quindell Ford entered the Texaco Station at 2415 York Road in Timonium, Maryland. The cashier was alone in the store at the time and attempted to stop Bell from coming behind the counter. Bell drew a gun from under his jacket and struck the cashier in the head with the gun twice before the cashier fell to the ground. Bell ordered the cashier to stay down and the robbers ransacked the area behind the counter, stealing the money from the cash drawer, five cartons of cigarettes, as well as the cashier’s wallet and cellular telephone. Jones was the look-out for the group.
According to the statement of facts, on December 24, 2008, Jones, Bell, and Ford cased the Charles Street Liquors store at 1122 South Charles Street in Baltimore, with plans to rob the store. Later that day Bell and Ford entered the liquor store with a third robber. The robbers grabbed the store owner and threatened him and a store employee with a silver semiautomatic handgun. The third robber locked the front door of the store from the inside. The robbers made the employee get on the ground at the rear of the store and took the owner behind the counter to the cash register and ordered him to open the register. The robbers then took money from the cash register and from a bag under the cash register, money from a separate drawer that the owner used to cash checks, and a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver from behind the counter. The robbers took cash from the store employee and cash, an engraved silver money clip and a wallet from the owner. The robbers then made the owner get on the ground, bound his hands with duct tape, and left the store.
Similarly, on December 29, 2008, Jones, Bell and Ford, went into the Shell Station located at 9101 Snowden River Parkway in Columbia, Maryland. One of the robbers drew a weapon and demanded that the cashier get on the ground. The robbers then stole lottery tickets, money, cigars, and other items from the Shell station. On January 16, 2009, Jones, Ford and a third robber entered the Euro Liquors store at 10512 Reisterstown Road in Owings Mills, Maryland, and one of them put a gun to the owner’s head. The robber then bound the owner’s hands with tape, took him to the basement and removed the video surveillance system from the store. One of the other owners was also in the store and a robber forced him to the ground at gunpoint and taped the owner’s hands together. The robbers stole money out of the cash register and alcohol from the store.
Finally, on March 21, 2009, Jones admitted that he, Quindell Ford, and a third robber again robbed the Charles Street Liquors store. As the owner was at the register talking to one of the robbers, another robber drew a semiautomatic handgun from his waistband, charged around the counter, pointed the handgun at the owner and hit him in the head with the weapon. The robber then demanded the owner open the cash register. The robbers stole cash from the cash register and the cash box in the rear of the store, as well as four bottles of alcohol. The owner was carrying a Glock 26 9mm handgun for protection, which Jones took from him and gave to the third robber.
Quindell Ford and Todd Bell, both age 29, of Baltimore, have pleaded guilty to their roles in the robberies. They face a maximum penalty of life in prison for the robberies and for brandishing a gun during a crime of violence. Judge Bennett has scheduled their sentencing hearings on November 4, 2010 and October 8, 2010, respectively.
Mr. Rosenstein thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who prosecuted this case.
Statement by Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler on Pew Hispanic Center Report on Unauthorized Immigration Flows
“This Administration’s unprecedented commitment of manpower, technology and infrastructure to the Southwest border has been a major factor in this dramatic drop in illegal crossings. We are cracking down on employers who hire illegal labor, seizures of illicit goods are up across the board, criminal alien removals are at an all-time high, the Border Patrol is better staffed than at any time in its 85-year history, and the southwest border is more secure than ever before.
In addition to efforts already undertaken, the President has authorized the deployment of an additional 1,200 National Guard troops to the border to provide intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and immediate support to counternarcotics enforcement while Customs and Border Protection recruits and trains additional officers and agents to serve on the border. The Administration is dedicating $600 million in new funding to enhance security technology at the border, share information and support with state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and increase federal law enforcement activities at the border. That effort will include the deployment of more agents, investigators, and prosecutors as part of a coordinated effort with states and cities to target illicit networks trafficking in people, drugs, illegal weapons, and money. We continue to work with Congress to pass a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that would provide lasting resources for border security while restoring responsibility and accountability to our broken immigration system.”
Among the progress achieved to date:
1 – Expand Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations to cover the entire Southwest Border.
Results: On Sept. 1st, CBP will expand Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flight operations, covering all Southwest border states and providing critical aerial surveillance assistance to personnel on the ground.
2 – Dedicate historic levels of personnel to the Southwest border.
Results: The Border Patrol is better staffed than at any time in its 86-year history, having nearly doubled the number of agents from approximately 10,000 in 2004 to more than 20,000 today – including more “boots on the ground” in Arizona than ever before. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also deployed a record number of agents to the Southwest border with more than a quarter of its personnel deployed in this region, doubling the number of agents assigned to Border Enforcement Security Task Forces and tripling the number of ICE intelligence analysts working along the U.S.-Mexico border. Further, President Obama has ordered the deployment of 1,200 National Guard troops to the Southwest border to contribute additional capabilities and capacity to assist law enforcement agencies.
3 – Deploy additional technology and complete fencing construction along the Southwest border.
Results: Over the past 17 months, CBP has deployed additional Z-Backscatter Van Units, Mobile Surveillance Systems, Remote Video Surveillance Systems, thermal imaging systems, radiation portal monitors, and license plate readers to the Southwest border. DHS has also completed 646.5 miles of fencing out of nearly 652 miles mandated by Congress, including 298.5 miles of vehicle barriers and 348 miles of pedestrian fence, with the remaining construction scheduled to be complete by the end of 2010.
4 – Increase outbound inspections to interdict illegal weapons, drugs, and cash leaving the United States.
Results: In addition to placing an increased emphasis on screening southbound vehicle traffic, CBP began screening 100 percent of southbound rail shipments for illegal weapons, drugs, and cash – for the first time ever. These enhanced outbound inspections have yielded more than $39.2 million in southbound illegal currency – an increase of more than $29.4 million compared to 2008.
5 – Increase seizures of drugs, weapons, and currency to disrupt the operations of transnational criminal organizations.
Results: In 2009, DHS seized more than $103 million in illegal currency, more than 1.7 million kilograms of drugs and more than 1,400 firearms – increases of more than $47 million, more than 450,000 kilograms of drugs and more than 300 firearms compared to 2008.
6 – Deter illegal immigration through unprecedented investments in border security.
Results: Illegal border crossings have been significantly reduced, as apprehensions of illegal aliens decreased from 723,825 in FY2008 to 556,041 in FY2009, a 23 percent reduction, in part as the result of increased security along the southwest border.
7 – Increase employer audits to deter violations of employment verification laws and protect American workers.
Results: Since Jan. 2009, DHS has audited more than 2,785 employers suspected of hiring illegal labor, debarred more than 100 companies and 80 individuals, and issued more than $6.4 million in fines—more than the total amount of audits and fines issued in the entire previous administration.
8 – Deploy Secure Communities technology to all southwest border communities.
Results: The Obama Administration has expanded the Secure Communities initiative—which uses biometric information to identify criminal aliens in state prisons and local jails to expedite removal proceedings—from 14 to 567 locations, including all jurisdictions along the Southwest border. DHS expects to expand this program nationwide by 2013. As of July 31, 2010, this program had identified more than 287,500 aliens in jails and prisons who have been charged with or convicted of criminal offenses, including more than 43,000 charged with or convicted of major violent or drug offenses (level 1 offenses). Through Secure Communities, over 37,900 convicted criminal aliens have been removed from the United States, including more than 10,800 convicted of major violent or drug offenses (level 1 offenses).
9 – Target criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.
Results: The Obama Administration has fundamentally reformed immigration enforcement, focusing on identifying and removing criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety. Overall, criminal removals/returns increased by almost 22,000 between FY 2008 and FY 2009, a 19 percent increase. So far this fiscal year, ICE has removed a record 170,000 criminals from the U.S. DHS will continue to increase focus on removing those convicted of crimes who pose a threat to the safety of communities.
10 – Boost funding for Southwest border infrastructure, technology, and law enforcement.
Results: The recent passage and signing of Southwest border security supplemental legislation will provide critical additional capabilities to secure the Southwest border at and between our ports of entry and reduce the illicit trafficking of people, drugs, currency and weapons. This law provides $14 million for improved tactical communications systems along the Southwest border and $32 million for two additional CBP unmanned aircraft systems – in addition to $176 million for an additional 1,000 Border Patrol agents to be deployed between ports of entry; $68 million to hire 250 new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at ports of entry and to maintain 270 officers currently deployed to ports of entry; and $6 million to construct two forward operating bases along the Southwest Border to improve coordination of border security activities.
DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA) are also directing more than $400 million in Recovery Act funding to the Southwest border, including funds for:
•Port and other infrastructure projects in Otay Mesa, California; Antelope Wells, New Mexico; Los Ebanos, Amistad Dam, Falcon Dam and Corpus Christi, Texas; and Nogales, Arizona.
•Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipment at Southwest border ports of entry, including both low energy and large-scale systems;
•Modernized tactical communications equipment for the El Paso and Rio Grande Valley Sectors; and
•Tested, commercially available security technology including thermal imaging devices, ultra-light detection, backscatter units, mobile radios, cameras and laptops for pursuit vehicles, and Remote Video Surveillance System enhancements.
Further, DHS has increased the funds state and local law enforcement can use to combat border-related crime through Operation Stonegarden—a DHS grant program designed to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts along our nation’s borders. Based on risk, cross-border traffic and border-related threat intelligence, nearly 83 percent of 2009 and 2010 Operation Stonegarden funds – more than 124 million dollars – went to Southwest border states, up from 59 percent in 2008.
In addition to efforts already undertaken, the President has authorized the deployment of an additional 1,200 National Guard troops to the border to provide intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and immediate support to counternarcotics enforcement while Customs and Border Protection recruits and trains additional officers and agents to serve on the border. The Administration is dedicating $600 million in new funding to enhance security technology at the border, share information and support with state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and increase federal law enforcement activities at the border. That effort will include the deployment of more agents, investigators, and prosecutors as part of a coordinated effort with states and cities to target illicit networks trafficking in people, drugs, illegal weapons, and money. We continue to work with Congress to pass a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that would provide lasting resources for border security while restoring responsibility and accountability to our broken immigration system.”
Among the progress achieved to date:
1 – Expand Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations to cover the entire Southwest Border.
Results: On Sept. 1st, CBP will expand Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flight operations, covering all Southwest border states and providing critical aerial surveillance assistance to personnel on the ground.
2 – Dedicate historic levels of personnel to the Southwest border.
Results: The Border Patrol is better staffed than at any time in its 86-year history, having nearly doubled the number of agents from approximately 10,000 in 2004 to more than 20,000 today – including more “boots on the ground” in Arizona than ever before. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also deployed a record number of agents to the Southwest border with more than a quarter of its personnel deployed in this region, doubling the number of agents assigned to Border Enforcement Security Task Forces and tripling the number of ICE intelligence analysts working along the U.S.-Mexico border. Further, President Obama has ordered the deployment of 1,200 National Guard troops to the Southwest border to contribute additional capabilities and capacity to assist law enforcement agencies.
3 – Deploy additional technology and complete fencing construction along the Southwest border.
Results: Over the past 17 months, CBP has deployed additional Z-Backscatter Van Units, Mobile Surveillance Systems, Remote Video Surveillance Systems, thermal imaging systems, radiation portal monitors, and license plate readers to the Southwest border. DHS has also completed 646.5 miles of fencing out of nearly 652 miles mandated by Congress, including 298.5 miles of vehicle barriers and 348 miles of pedestrian fence, with the remaining construction scheduled to be complete by the end of 2010.
4 – Increase outbound inspections to interdict illegal weapons, drugs, and cash leaving the United States.
Results: In addition to placing an increased emphasis on screening southbound vehicle traffic, CBP began screening 100 percent of southbound rail shipments for illegal weapons, drugs, and cash – for the first time ever. These enhanced outbound inspections have yielded more than $39.2 million in southbound illegal currency – an increase of more than $29.4 million compared to 2008.
5 – Increase seizures of drugs, weapons, and currency to disrupt the operations of transnational criminal organizations.
Results: In 2009, DHS seized more than $103 million in illegal currency, more than 1.7 million kilograms of drugs and more than 1,400 firearms – increases of more than $47 million, more than 450,000 kilograms of drugs and more than 300 firearms compared to 2008.
6 – Deter illegal immigration through unprecedented investments in border security.
Results: Illegal border crossings have been significantly reduced, as apprehensions of illegal aliens decreased from 723,825 in FY2008 to 556,041 in FY2009, a 23 percent reduction, in part as the result of increased security along the southwest border.
7 – Increase employer audits to deter violations of employment verification laws and protect American workers.
Results: Since Jan. 2009, DHS has audited more than 2,785 employers suspected of hiring illegal labor, debarred more than 100 companies and 80 individuals, and issued more than $6.4 million in fines—more than the total amount of audits and fines issued in the entire previous administration.
8 – Deploy Secure Communities technology to all southwest border communities.
Results: The Obama Administration has expanded the Secure Communities initiative—which uses biometric information to identify criminal aliens in state prisons and local jails to expedite removal proceedings—from 14 to 567 locations, including all jurisdictions along the Southwest border. DHS expects to expand this program nationwide by 2013. As of July 31, 2010, this program had identified more than 287,500 aliens in jails and prisons who have been charged with or convicted of criminal offenses, including more than 43,000 charged with or convicted of major violent or drug offenses (level 1 offenses). Through Secure Communities, over 37,900 convicted criminal aliens have been removed from the United States, including more than 10,800 convicted of major violent or drug offenses (level 1 offenses).
9 – Target criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.
Results: The Obama Administration has fundamentally reformed immigration enforcement, focusing on identifying and removing criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety. Overall, criminal removals/returns increased by almost 22,000 between FY 2008 and FY 2009, a 19 percent increase. So far this fiscal year, ICE has removed a record 170,000 criminals from the U.S. DHS will continue to increase focus on removing those convicted of crimes who pose a threat to the safety of communities.
10 – Boost funding for Southwest border infrastructure, technology, and law enforcement.
Results: The recent passage and signing of Southwest border security supplemental legislation will provide critical additional capabilities to secure the Southwest border at and between our ports of entry and reduce the illicit trafficking of people, drugs, currency and weapons. This law provides $14 million for improved tactical communications systems along the Southwest border and $32 million for two additional CBP unmanned aircraft systems – in addition to $176 million for an additional 1,000 Border Patrol agents to be deployed between ports of entry; $68 million to hire 250 new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at ports of entry and to maintain 270 officers currently deployed to ports of entry; and $6 million to construct two forward operating bases along the Southwest Border to improve coordination of border security activities.
DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA) are also directing more than $400 million in Recovery Act funding to the Southwest border, including funds for:
•Port and other infrastructure projects in Otay Mesa, California; Antelope Wells, New Mexico; Los Ebanos, Amistad Dam, Falcon Dam and Corpus Christi, Texas; and Nogales, Arizona.
•Non-Intrusive Inspection Equipment at Southwest border ports of entry, including both low energy and large-scale systems;
•Modernized tactical communications equipment for the El Paso and Rio Grande Valley Sectors; and
•Tested, commercially available security technology including thermal imaging devices, ultra-light detection, backscatter units, mobile radios, cameras and laptops for pursuit vehicles, and Remote Video Surveillance System enhancements.
Further, DHS has increased the funds state and local law enforcement can use to combat border-related crime through Operation Stonegarden—a DHS grant program designed to support state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts along our nation’s borders. Based on risk, cross-border traffic and border-related threat intelligence, nearly 83 percent of 2009 and 2010 Operation Stonegarden funds – more than 124 million dollars – went to Southwest border states, up from 59 percent in 2008.
Former Fayette County, Kentucky Corrections Officers Sentenced on Civil Rights Charges
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
WASHINGTON—John McQueen, 33, a former sergeant and supervisor at the Lexington-Fayette County Detention Center (FCDC), and Clarence McCoy, 31, a former corporal at FCDC, were sentenced today in federal court in Lexington, Kentucky for their roles in the systematic abuse of detainees at FCDC, the Justice Department announced. Federal Judge Karen K. Caldwell sentenced McQueen and McCoy to each serve 10 years in prison and two years of supervised release.
McQueen and McCoy were convicted by a federal jury on May 13, 2010. Evidence at the trial established that the defendants and other FCDC officers conspired to deprive detainees of their constitutional rights by physically abusing them and by authoring false and misleading incident reports in order to conceal the abuse. The conspiracy charge, for which both defendants were convicted, identified multiple incidents of abuse that occurred between Jan. 1, 2006, and Oct. 1, 2006. The other charges related to specific incidents of abuse and specific acts of obstruction of justice.
“The power granted to correctional officers so that they can perform their critical public safety duties does not give them free rein to abuse the civil and constitutional rights of inmates under their supervision,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Those officers who abuse their power and the public trust in this way will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Everyone is entitled to the protection of their civil rights,” said Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This case is proof that the Department of Justice will actively pursue and prosecute anyone who violates another person’s civil rights no matter their position of authority.”
Before trial began, three additional co-defendants, all former employees of FCDC, pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to this case. Former Lieutenant Christine LaFoe pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct justice; Sergeant Anthony Estep pleaded guilty to a civil rights charge and an obstruction charge for failing to intervene in the abuse of inmates; and former Corporal Scott Tyree pleaded guilty to a civil rights conspiracy charge.
This case was investigated by the Louisville field office of the FBI, and it was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Jared Fishman and Benjamin Hawk of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney James Arehart for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Office of Public Affairs
WASHINGTON—John McQueen, 33, a former sergeant and supervisor at the Lexington-Fayette County Detention Center (FCDC), and Clarence McCoy, 31, a former corporal at FCDC, were sentenced today in federal court in Lexington, Kentucky for their roles in the systematic abuse of detainees at FCDC, the Justice Department announced. Federal Judge Karen K. Caldwell sentenced McQueen and McCoy to each serve 10 years in prison and two years of supervised release.
McQueen and McCoy were convicted by a federal jury on May 13, 2010. Evidence at the trial established that the defendants and other FCDC officers conspired to deprive detainees of their constitutional rights by physically abusing them and by authoring false and misleading incident reports in order to conceal the abuse. The conspiracy charge, for which both defendants were convicted, identified multiple incidents of abuse that occurred between Jan. 1, 2006, and Oct. 1, 2006. The other charges related to specific incidents of abuse and specific acts of obstruction of justice.
“The power granted to correctional officers so that they can perform their critical public safety duties does not give them free rein to abuse the civil and constitutional rights of inmates under their supervision,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Those officers who abuse their power and the public trust in this way will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Everyone is entitled to the protection of their civil rights,” said Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This case is proof that the Department of Justice will actively pursue and prosecute anyone who violates another person’s civil rights no matter their position of authority.”
Before trial began, three additional co-defendants, all former employees of FCDC, pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to this case. Former Lieutenant Christine LaFoe pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct justice; Sergeant Anthony Estep pleaded guilty to a civil rights charge and an obstruction charge for failing to intervene in the abuse of inmates; and former Corporal Scott Tyree pleaded guilty to a civil rights conspiracy charge.
This case was investigated by the Louisville field office of the FBI, and it was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Jared Fishman and Benjamin Hawk of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney James Arehart for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Lamar Man Indicted for Bank Robbery
United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lamar, Missouri man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing Great Southern Bank in Lamar.
Daniel Louis Slotterback, 52, of Lamar, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Slotterback on Aug. 5, 2010.
Today’s indictment alleges that Slotterback robbed Great Southern Bank, 1011 Gulf St., Lamar, on Aug. 4, 2010.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Slotterback entered the bank at about 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 4, 2010, and presented a demand note to a teller. The note stated, “Have a Gun Give Your 20-50-100 So No One Will Get Hurt” (sic). The teller gave Slotterback $1,430 from his drawer, the affidavit says, and Slotterback left the bank, leaving behind the demand note.
Bank employees recognized Slotterback, who had been in the bank on previous occasions, the affidavit says. One employee told investigators that Slotterback attempted to open an account at the bank in February 2010 and she had seen his driver’s license when she processed his application.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped Slotterback’s vehicle about 15 minutes after the robbery on Highway 71 in Jasper County, and Slotterback was taken into custody. Law enforcement officers recovered $1,372 from Slotterback’s vehicle.
Phillips cautioned that 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 Douglas C. Bunch. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lamar, Mo., Police Department, the Barton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Western District of Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Lamar, Missouri man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for robbing Great Southern Bank in Lamar.
Daniel Louis Slotterback, 52, of Lamar, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Slotterback on Aug. 5, 2010.
Today’s indictment alleges that Slotterback robbed Great Southern Bank, 1011 Gulf St., Lamar, on Aug. 4, 2010.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Slotterback entered the bank at about 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 4, 2010, and presented a demand note to a teller. The note stated, “Have a Gun Give Your 20-50-100 So No One Will Get Hurt” (sic). The teller gave Slotterback $1,430 from his drawer, the affidavit says, and Slotterback left the bank, leaving behind the demand note.
Bank employees recognized Slotterback, who had been in the bank on previous occasions, the affidavit says. One employee told investigators that Slotterback attempted to open an account at the bank in February 2010 and she had seen his driver’s license when she processed his application.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper stopped Slotterback’s vehicle about 15 minutes after the robbery on Highway 71 in Jasper County, and Slotterback was taken into custody. Law enforcement officers recovered $1,372 from Slotterback’s vehicle.
Phillips cautioned that 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 Douglas C. Bunch. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lamar, Mo., Police Department, the Barton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Navy Suicide Prevention: It’s an All-Hands Effort
By Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mikelle D. Smith
Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2010 – Balancing military and personal life involves sacrifices. At times, this balancing act can cause sailors to become extremely overwhelmed and even depressed.
Some sailors might seek guidance from shipmates while others can let feelings fester. Unresolved emotions can become unbearable and, like a pot of boiling water, the sailor overflows. Seeing no way out, 46 sailors took their lives last year.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death in the Navy, accounting for 13 percent of fatalities in 2009, officials said. Any loss of a sailor’s life can be devastating for a family and command. It’s important that sailors are familiar with the signs and symptoms of suicide so identifying a shipmate contemplating suicide is easier.
The Navy recognizes the seriousness of suicide and has developed additional training methods to help sailors acknowledge they are front line supporters of suicide prevention efforts. Sailors, from pay grades E-1 to O-10, are key players in the suicide prevention process, something that begins with the chain of command, with coworkers and with friends of the sailor experiencing negative thoughts.
“One big thing that people neglect about suicide is the power of little things,” said Capt. Paul S. Hammer, director of the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control. “So often we see that many people were dissuaded from hurting themselves by someone who made a very minor gesture that turned out to be huge.”
The NCCOSC developed a suicide prevention kit called Front Line Supervisor Training that was mostly written by Todd Pickel, a retired Navy corpsman and neuropsychiatry specialist. The kit is geared toward sailors’ awareness of behavior leading to suicide through interactive situational training.
“Our overall goal is to create a positive environment where individuals feel comfortable asking for help and where positive leadership and availability of resources are understood,” Pickel said.
Two hundred upper echelon and installation suicide prevention coordinators recently received front-line supervisor training by program creators that included Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie Chavez, a behavioral health program manager.
“The Navy suicide prevention program builds on sailor and leader caring, by supporting command-level efforts with policy, information and tools,” Chavez said. “Sailors and leaders genuinely care and have shown it in the way they vigorously engage in focus groups, put forth tremendous creativity to develop posters and enthusiastically embrace new hands-on training materials.”
Front-line supervisor training incorporates videos and music, pocket-sized reference cards, information for plan-of-the-day messages and posters ideas and resources created to raise sailors’ awareness of suicide-prevention tactics.
According to Hammer, the first step in suicide prevention is identifying subtle warning signs, some of which may include but are not restricted to: withdrawal from family and friends, abuse of drugs or alcohol, poor performance at work and engaging in reckless acts by a usually cautious person. Noticing a trend of abnormalities in a shipmate can help sailors recognize subtle changes in that individual’s behavior. Sailors then can take necessary steps to help shipmates target the root of negative feelings before suicide thoughts are reached.
The suicide prevention kit entered the fleet in April and it includes the new video, “A Message from Suicide,” along with interactive, peer-to-peer facilitated training.
“What’s different is we take the audience through a case study,” Hammer explained. “We turn it into a discussion that the audience can be involved in. This gives them the ability to see from start to finish what really goes on in the mind of a person dealing with suicidal thoughts. We ultimately are preparing them to handle encounters and giving effective ways to be firsthand responders.”
According to Chavez, the suicide prevention kit advises sailors who come face-to-face with someone in a suicidal situation to visualize the acronym ACT: Ask, Care and Treat.
Ask involves recognizing sailors with problems and staying engaged. Too often, sailors are overly involved with their own day-to-day happenings. Recognizing a shipmate dealing with stress that can lead to visions of suicide is important. Start off with a simple question, “What’s bothering you?” Encourage troubled sailors to talk about what they are feeling and ask if they are thinking of taking their life. Most importantly, don’t judge.
Care involves listening thoroughly. Having a 20-minute conversation or accepting an early-morning phone call can save the life of a sailor contemplating suicide. Let them know there is hope and they’re not alone by giving them your undivided attention and having an open heart.
Treat means taking the sailor to get help. Do not leave them alone until professional help has arrived. Continue offering support for that shipmate through treatment and after. Something as simple as inviting the sailors over for dinner on Sunday nights can show them that their presence is appreciated. Over time, this simple act can encourage them to seek help in dealing with suicidal thoughts.
In three words: be a friend.
Some sailors may feel overwhelmed with the thought of encountering a shipmate on the verge of causing self-harm. If they believe they are unable to provide adequate assistance, they should contact someone who can.
“For most sailors, suicide prevention is more than a general military training topic,” Chavez said. “Nearly half of sailors in the Navy have personally known someone in their lives who was lost to suicide. Suicide prevention is not about numbers. Every person lost is taken very seriously and we are focusing our efforts on providing tools to save lives.”
The Navy provides sailors with a variety of options to combat suicidal thoughts such as command chaplains, Fleet and Family Service Centers and command medical facilities available to assist and direct in times of need.
Suicide intervention services like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also are available to sailors. Obtain more information and resources at www.suicide.navy.mil or the Operational Stress Control continuum at http://navstress.navy.dodlive.mil/.
Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2010 – Balancing military and personal life involves sacrifices. At times, this balancing act can cause sailors to become extremely overwhelmed and even depressed.
Some sailors might seek guidance from shipmates while others can let feelings fester. Unresolved emotions can become unbearable and, like a pot of boiling water, the sailor overflows. Seeing no way out, 46 sailors took their lives last year.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death in the Navy, accounting for 13 percent of fatalities in 2009, officials said. Any loss of a sailor’s life can be devastating for a family and command. It’s important that sailors are familiar with the signs and symptoms of suicide so identifying a shipmate contemplating suicide is easier.
The Navy recognizes the seriousness of suicide and has developed additional training methods to help sailors acknowledge they are front line supporters of suicide prevention efforts. Sailors, from pay grades E-1 to O-10, are key players in the suicide prevention process, something that begins with the chain of command, with coworkers and with friends of the sailor experiencing negative thoughts.
“One big thing that people neglect about suicide is the power of little things,” said Capt. Paul S. Hammer, director of the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control. “So often we see that many people were dissuaded from hurting themselves by someone who made a very minor gesture that turned out to be huge.”
The NCCOSC developed a suicide prevention kit called Front Line Supervisor Training that was mostly written by Todd Pickel, a retired Navy corpsman and neuropsychiatry specialist. The kit is geared toward sailors’ awareness of behavior leading to suicide through interactive situational training.
“Our overall goal is to create a positive environment where individuals feel comfortable asking for help and where positive leadership and availability of resources are understood,” Pickel said.
Two hundred upper echelon and installation suicide prevention coordinators recently received front-line supervisor training by program creators that included Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie Chavez, a behavioral health program manager.
“The Navy suicide prevention program builds on sailor and leader caring, by supporting command-level efforts with policy, information and tools,” Chavez said. “Sailors and leaders genuinely care and have shown it in the way they vigorously engage in focus groups, put forth tremendous creativity to develop posters and enthusiastically embrace new hands-on training materials.”
Front-line supervisor training incorporates videos and music, pocket-sized reference cards, information for plan-of-the-day messages and posters ideas and resources created to raise sailors’ awareness of suicide-prevention tactics.
According to Hammer, the first step in suicide prevention is identifying subtle warning signs, some of which may include but are not restricted to: withdrawal from family and friends, abuse of drugs or alcohol, poor performance at work and engaging in reckless acts by a usually cautious person. Noticing a trend of abnormalities in a shipmate can help sailors recognize subtle changes in that individual’s behavior. Sailors then can take necessary steps to help shipmates target the root of negative feelings before suicide thoughts are reached.
The suicide prevention kit entered the fleet in April and it includes the new video, “A Message from Suicide,” along with interactive, peer-to-peer facilitated training.
“What’s different is we take the audience through a case study,” Hammer explained. “We turn it into a discussion that the audience can be involved in. This gives them the ability to see from start to finish what really goes on in the mind of a person dealing with suicidal thoughts. We ultimately are preparing them to handle encounters and giving effective ways to be firsthand responders.”
According to Chavez, the suicide prevention kit advises sailors who come face-to-face with someone in a suicidal situation to visualize the acronym ACT: Ask, Care and Treat.
Ask involves recognizing sailors with problems and staying engaged. Too often, sailors are overly involved with their own day-to-day happenings. Recognizing a shipmate dealing with stress that can lead to visions of suicide is important. Start off with a simple question, “What’s bothering you?” Encourage troubled sailors to talk about what they are feeling and ask if they are thinking of taking their life. Most importantly, don’t judge.
Care involves listening thoroughly. Having a 20-minute conversation or accepting an early-morning phone call can save the life of a sailor contemplating suicide. Let them know there is hope and they’re not alone by giving them your undivided attention and having an open heart.
Treat means taking the sailor to get help. Do not leave them alone until professional help has arrived. Continue offering support for that shipmate through treatment and after. Something as simple as inviting the sailors over for dinner on Sunday nights can show them that their presence is appreciated. Over time, this simple act can encourage them to seek help in dealing with suicidal thoughts.
In three words: be a friend.
Some sailors may feel overwhelmed with the thought of encountering a shipmate on the verge of causing self-harm. If they believe they are unable to provide adequate assistance, they should contact someone who can.
“For most sailors, suicide prevention is more than a general military training topic,” Chavez said. “Nearly half of sailors in the Navy have personally known someone in their lives who was lost to suicide. Suicide prevention is not about numbers. Every person lost is taken very seriously and we are focusing our efforts on providing tools to save lives.”
The Navy provides sailors with a variety of options to combat suicidal thoughts such as command chaplains, Fleet and Family Service Centers and command medical facilities available to assist and direct in times of need.
Suicide intervention services like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also are available to sailors. Obtain more information and resources at www.suicide.navy.mil or the Operational Stress Control continuum at http://navstress.navy.dodlive.mil/.
Frisco, Texas, man sentenced for child pornography violations
PLANO, Texas - A 30-year-old man from Frisco, Texas, was sentenced on Friday to 13 years in federal prison for child pornography violations. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, Eastern District of Texas. This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Mark Alan Lasater pleaded guilty Feb. 18 to a four-count indictment charging him with receiving and transporting child pornography. He was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison on Aug. 27 by U.S. District Judge Richard Schell.
According to information presented in court, Lasater was being investigated for purchasing access to a website which allowed users to view and access images of child pornography. In July 2009, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Lasater's Frisco residence and seized a personal computer. While federal agents were executing the search warrant, they discovered that Lasater was actively running a computer program that allowed numerous users to download child pornography videos from Lasater's computer. The computer was analyzed and found to have 27 images and 85 videos of child pornography. Some of the images depicted children less than 12 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct; other videos depicted children engaged in sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy Griffith, Eastern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.
This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 12,800 individuals.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
-- ICE --
Mark Alan Lasater pleaded guilty Feb. 18 to a four-count indictment charging him with receiving and transporting child pornography. He was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison on Aug. 27 by U.S. District Judge Richard Schell.
According to information presented in court, Lasater was being investigated for purchasing access to a website which allowed users to view and access images of child pornography. In July 2009, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Lasater's Frisco residence and seized a personal computer. While federal agents were executing the search warrant, they discovered that Lasater was actively running a computer program that allowed numerous users to download child pornography videos from Lasater's computer. The computer was analyzed and found to have 27 images and 85 videos of child pornography. Some of the images depicted children less than 12 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct; other videos depicted children engaged in sadistic and masochistic conduct.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy Griffith, Eastern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.
This investigation is part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 12,800 individuals.
ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
-- ICE --
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