Arrest Made in “Swine Flu Bandit” Investigation

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was joined today by Jody P. Weis, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD); and Tom Dart, Cook County Sheriff, in announcing the arrest of a suspected serial bank robber who is believed responsible for the armed robbery of at least nine Chicago area banks, dating to September of this year.

MATTHEW D. MAHONEY, age 28, of Chicago, was arrested yesterday afternoon, without incident, by members of the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) in the 1200 block of South Wabash Street as he was apparently planning the robbery of a 10th bank. VCTF members were inside the First American Bank, located at 1241 South Wabash, which had been robbed by the “Swine Flu Bandit” in back September, when they noticed MAHONEY standing outside. He not only matched the description of the robber, but was wearing what appeared to be the same clothes that were worn during robberies earlier in the week. When they approached MAHONEY, task force members discovered a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in his coat pocket.

He was arrested without incident and was charged in a criminal complaint field earlier today in U.S. District Court in Chicago with one count of armed bank robbery, which is a felony offense. The complaint charges MAHONEY with the November 6 robbery of the Chase Bank branch, located at

550 South Dearborn Street

in Chicago, during which he escaped with over $55,000 in cash.

According to the complaint, MAHONEY entered the Chase Bank just before 2:00 p.m. and approached a bank employee, pulling a handgun from the pocket of his jacket and announcing a robbery. He then demanded to be escorted to the vault, which he forced a second bank employee to open. He then ordered the two employees to fill a large brown bag that he brought with him with cash. After the bag was filled, he forced one of the bank employees to accompany him to the bank’s exit, warning them not to activate any alarms. He then disappeared into the passing crowd.

Though only charged with the November 6 robbery, MAHONEY is a suspect in eight additional thefts, committed by an individual who was dubbed the “Swine Flu Bandit.” The robber was given this moniker as he wore a white surgical mask in his earlier thefts, telling inquiring bank employees that he had or was recovering from the swine flu.

MAHONEY appeared before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert in Chicago, earlier today, at which time he was formally charged. MAHONEY was ordered held without bond, pending his next court appearance, which is scheduled for November 16. Until then, MAHONEY will be held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago. If convicted of the charge filed against him, MAHONEY faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years' incarceration.

This case was investigated by the Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of FBI special agents, detectives from the Chicago Police Department, and investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional information about this investigation and other unsolved bank robberies, including downloadable photographs, is available at the Chicago 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 wanted flyer and criminal complaint are available from the Chicago FBI’s press office at (312) 829-1199.

Former Hartford Resident Charged with Child Sex Trafficking and Related Offenses

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford has returned a five-count indictment charging BRUCE DAMICO, 32, formerly residing in Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and Queens, New York, with child sex trafficking and related offenses.

The indictment alleges that, between July 2009 and January 2010, DAMICO recruited, harbored, and transported a minor to engage in commercial sex acts, and that he benefitted financially from his participation in that venture. The indictment further alleges that DAMICO transported that minor across state lines for the purpose of her engaging in prostitution, and that he used the Internet to post sexually explicit photographs of the minor when advertising the minor for commercial sex.

The indictment also alleges that DAMICO transported two other women across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

The indictment, which was returned on November 9, charges DAMICO with one count of sex trafficking of children, one count of interstate transportation of a minor for prostitution, one count of transportation of child pornography, and two counts of interstate transportation of a person for prostitution.

If convicted of the charges, DAMICO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

DAMICO has been detained in state custody since his arrest by the Bloomfield Police on January 22, 2010.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bloomfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David E. Novick.

The U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit http://www.cybertipline.com/.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges More Than 30 Members of Hunts Point Criminal Organizations with Distributing "Crack" Cocaine, Powder Cocaine, and Heroin

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and RAYMOND W. KELLY, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York ("NYPD"), today announced the unsealing of four Indictments and one Complaint charging 33 members of criminal organizations based in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx with conspiracy to distribute "crack" cocaine, powder cocaine, and heroin. In a coordinated operation last night and earlier today, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested 24 defendants in the Bronx. Four of the charged defendants were previously arrested. Five defendants remain at large. Most of the defendants are expected to be presented in Manhattan federal court later today.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA stated: "With these arrests, we have shut off yet another distribution channel for the poison that threatens New Yorkers and their communities. It is another example of our commitment to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to prosecute and punish those responsible for bringing illegal narcotics onto our streets."

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK stated: "Today’s arrests demonstrate a significant crackdown on criminal organizations and individuals who harbor the desire to distribute illegal narcotics. The effects of this type of activity are not only dangerous for those involved, but poisonous to society as a whole. Along with our fellow law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to seek out those responsible for contaminating our streets and threatening the safety of our communities."

NYPD Commissioner RAYMOND W. KELLY said: "I want to commend our undercover officers, in particular, for the often dangerous work they undertake to check the scourge of addictive, illegal drugs and their inevitable nexus to violence. I also want to thank our federal partners for their dedication in prosecuting these drugs dealers."

According to the Indictments, the Complaint, and other documents filed in Manhattan federal court:

Between March 2010 and July 2010, undercover officers with the NYPD made over 100 purchases of "crack" cocaine, powder cocaine, and heroin from drug dealers in the Hunts Point area of the Bronx. During the buys, the officers were able to purchase significant street level quantities of "crack" cocaine, powder cocaine, and heroin seven days a week, 24-hours a day.

OMAR GONZALEZ, a/k/a "O," NELSON VELEZ, a/k/a "Nell," JUAN CAMACHO, a/k/a "Pito," a/k/a "Papito Camacho," GERALDO MARTINEZ, a/k/a "Macho," DENISE ALAMO, NIVIA ALAMO, a/k/a "Nena," JIMMY ALAMO, a/k/a/ "Skinny," RICKY BELL, RAYMOND LOPEZ, a/k/a "Ray," ALEX AMANTE, JOSE RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a "Joey," LAWRENCE SIMMONS, a/k/a "Black," and MANUEL ROSA, a/k/a "Manny," are charged in an indictment with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute "crack" cocaine. GONZALEZ and his alleged co-conspirators primarily operated in and around 621 Manida Avenue, Bronx, New York.

DARNELL OUTRAM, a/k/a "D," LERAY LANIER, a/k/a "Shorts," GARY BYNUM, a/k/a "G," TREVON NEDD, a/k/a "Hat Boy," and WILLIAM PEREZ, a/k/a "Biscuit," are charged in an indictment with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute "crack" cocaine and heroin. OUTRAM and his alleged co-conspirators primarily operated in and around 625 Manida Avenue, Bronx, New York.

JIMMY FRANCO, a/k/a "Nino," STEVEN GUZMAN, a/k/a "Pauly," CHARLIE WAXTER, a/k/a "Umce," JAVIER ROSA, a/k/a "Javi," and IAN MILLIN, a/k/a "Akeil," are charged in an indictment with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute "crack" cocaine and heroin. FRANCO and his alleged coconspirators operated in and around 885 Irvine Street, Bronx, New York.

RAFAEL ROJAS, a/k/a "Ke-Kay," ALEXI ROJAS, a/k/a "Hermano," ALVIN VICIOSO, a/k/a "Noni," EDGAR FELICIANO, a/k/a "Eggie," ARISTEDES COLUMBIE, a/k/a "Tito," JOSE VARGAS SANTOS, a/k/a "Tio," a/k/a "Jose L. Colon," JOSHUA NUNEZ, a/k/a "Primo," FREDDY BRATCHER, and FNU LNU are charged in an indictment with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute powder cocaine and heroin. Rojas and his alleged co-conspirators operated in and around 754 Manida Avenue, Bronx, New York.

JASMINE BOSCH is charged in a Complaint with possessing with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine.

Earlier today, law enforcement officers searched five locations in the Hunts Point area from which certain defendants stored and/or distributed illegal narcotics or stored the proceeds of their illegal activity.

Mr. BHARARA praised the investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys TODD BLANCHE, KAN M. NAWADAY, TIMOTHY T. HOWARD, and HADASSA WAXMAN are in charge of the prosecution.

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

First Alabama business becomes IMAGE partner with ICE

Long's Human Resource Services in Mobile signs agreement

MOBILE, Ala. - Long's Human Resource Services in Mobile is the first Alabama business to become a member of the IMAGE program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Short for "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers," IMAGE provides businesses an opportunity to partner with the agency to develop a more secure and stable workforce.

At the signing ceremony today, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. said, "ICE recognizes that the highest level of employment integrity can only be achieved through close coordination with industry partners. Long's Human Resource Services will join IMAGE business participants around the country who are committed to protecting the integrity of their workforce by helping ensure that their employees are who they represent themselves to be."

Long's Human Resource Services is one of only a handful of staffing companies in the country who have undergone the rigorous IMAGE certification process. As part of this process, Long's has completed extensive training and thorough evaluation of its hiring processes.

"Our acceptance into the IMAGE program not only solidifies our position as a responsible corporate citizen, it reaffirms our pride in the diversity of our compliant workforce. The contributions of our workforce strengthen our economy and embody the American ideal of hard work," said Tom Damson, president of Long's Human Resource Services.

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in the marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal workers. The IMAGE program provides employers with screening tools to prevent unauthorized workers from being hired.

The IMAGE program was initiated in 2007 with partners from around the United States and a wide range of industries, including: employment services, aviation, transportation, construction, high technology, shipping and manufacturing. By signing the IMAGE contract for full membership, businesses establish a formal partnership with law enforcement to follow the best hiring practices recommended by the program, train their staff to uphold the high standards required by the program, and use the tools offered by the federal government to screen employees and ensure they are lawfully authorized to work.

IMAGE members work with ICE to meet the standards set by the program. In addition, they partner with ICE officials to assess their business practices and improve the way they hire, process I-9 forms, maintain employment records, and otherwise comply with U.S. laws on employment.

The E-Verify program is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based program is available in all 50 states and is free to employers. E-verify provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and Department of Homeland Security immigration records.

Alabama-area employers interested in the IMAGE program may contact the local IMAGE coordinator at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.

Ohio man sentenced to 30 years for traveling to have sex with an 11-year-old

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Douglas E. Leightey, 59, of Carey, Ohio, was sentenced today in federal court for traveling from Ohio to have sex with an 11-year-old girl, following an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pensacola Police Department.

Leightey was convicted of interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 12; use of a computer to attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity; and use of a computer to attempt to transfer obscene material to a minor, following a trial that occurred in United States District Court in Pensacola, in July.

He was sentenced today to 360 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $10,000.

"This case reveals a disturbing truth that some adults will go to great lengths to sexually exploit children -- in this case, traveling all the way from Ohio," said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of the ICE HSI office in Tampa. "His sentencing should serve as a warning to other would-be child predators. Identifying and investigating those who victimize children is one of the most important responsibilities we have, and that is why ICE will continue working aggressively with our state, local and federal partners on these types of cases."

The three count indictment alleged that between Dec. 3, 2009 through April 22, Leightey communicated via the Internet with an individual who he thought was a parent willing to allow her children to be sexually abused. In fact, the individuals communicating with Leightey were undercover investigators. Leightey subsequently traveled to Pensacola from Ohio for the purpose of engaging in sex with a child, who he believed to be 11-years-old. Leightey was apprehended shortly after arriving in Pensacola after meeting with two undercover investigators, who he believed to be the parents of the eleven-year-old child.

United States Attorney Pamela C. Marsh, Northern District of Florida, praised the work of the ICE Office of Homeland Security Investigations, the Pensacola Police Department and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), whose joint investigation led to the conviction in the case.

"Child exploitation and obscenity cases are one of the Department of Justice's top priorities. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to protect the community and children, who are our most innocent victims," she said.

The investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers, and foreign-national predators whose crimes make them deportable.

Launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 12,000 individuals through Operation Predator.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423. 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 brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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 Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Eggers.

Justice Department Reaches Settlement with University of South Carolina to Ensure Students Are Free from Harassment

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department reached a settlement agreement with the University of South Carolina to resolve an investigation into the university’s policies and procedures related to discrimination and harassment.

After receiving a report of race discrimination on campus, the department examined the university’s policies and practices related to the handling of complaints of discrimination and harassment. Federal civil rights laws require public institutions to appropriately address and respond to such complaints. To meet this federal standard, the university agreed to improve its policies and practices for receiving, investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination and harassment. The settlement agreement will ensure that students, faculty and administrators understand and are trained on their responsibilities under the university’s policies, including when and how to report incidents of harassment or discrimination, and will require the university to respond to such complaints in a timely and effective manner. In order to ensure ongoing compliance with its revised policies, the university also will train select administrators, faculty and students to lead future trainings on campus. The settlement provides that the university will adopt revised anti-discrimination and harassment policies before the start of the 2011-12 school year and will initiate training during the spring 2012 semester.

"Public institutions of higher education must ensure that their students are not denied equal access to educational opportunities," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "Public institutions must adopt policies and procedures that allow them to identify and respond to allegations of discrimination and harassment in a reasonable, timely and effective manner. I applaud the University of South Carolina for entering into an agreement that will communicate to students, faculty, administrators, and the public at large, that discrimination and harassment will not be tolerated on its campus."

The enforcement of Title IV is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.

Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion as Part of Organized Crime Investigation

WASHINGTON – A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island to tax evasion related to his 2003 income tax filings, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha for the District of Rhode Island and Acting Assistant Attorney General John A. DiCicco of the Tax Division.

Gerald Diodati, 61, of Seekonk, Mass., pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Mary M. Lisi to one count of tax evasion.   According to court documents, from approximately 2003 through 2006, Diodati concealed from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at least $586,000 he earned through his construction business by converting the proceeds of his businesses to cash and utilizing check cashing services for the purpose of evading assessment of income tax.    For each year of the scheme, false income tax returns were prepared and filed, concealing additional taxes Diodati rightfully owed.  In all, from 2003 through 2006, Diodati attempted to evade the assessment of more than $194,000 in federal income taxes.

According to information presented during the plea hearing, the case originated from an undercover investigation initiated by the FBI’s Providence, R.I., Field Office.   As part of the investigation, the FBI established an undercover company, Hemphill Construction, which sought the award of union construction contracts.   Diodati began working as a consultant to Hemphill Construction in 2002, operating his own businesses out of the construction company’s office in Johnston, R.I.  

In 2003, Hemphill Construction was awarded a subcontract after signing a collective bargaining agreement with the Rhode Island Laborers District Council on behalf of 3 local unions, to perform demolition work at the Rising Sun Mills rehabilitation project in Providence.   Hemphill, in turn, subcontracted the work to Diodati through RI Demolition Inc., a company Diodati formed for this purpose.   According to information presented during the plea hearing, Diodati suggested to Hemphill in late 2003 that he be paid in cash for the work that his company performed on the Rising Sun Mills project.   Diodati proposed that Hemphill keep 20 percent of what he was owed and pay him the balance in cash in order to reduce his taxable income, stating that, “Uncle Sam doesn’t have to know about it, so it keeps me down in the lower bracket.”   Diodati later noted that both Hemphill and RI Demolition made money on the scheme and that, “the only one who is losing is the government.”

According to information presented at the plea hearing, Diodati opened a safety deposit box at a local bank.   He then requested that the money owed him by Hemphill be paid in cash in installments placed in the safety deposit box rather than by business checks.   Between December 2003 and March 2004, Diodati received more than $230,000 in cash payments for construction work placed into his safety deposit box.  

As a result of this practice as well as other means Diodati used to conceal income, RI Demolition underreported business receipts to the IRS for 2003 by $244,486.   In August 2004, Diodati tried to evade the assessment of a substantial income tax by causing to be prepared, signed and filed an individual income tax return for tax year 2003 that reported zero taxable income, which meant no taxes were due, when in fact his actual tax liability was $58,503.

At sentencing, scheduled for Feb. 10, 2011, Diodati faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release following his prison term.   Diodati has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $194,031.  

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Scott Lawson of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Section and Trial Attorney Jessica Nuzzellilo of the Tax Division.  The case was investigated by the IRS – Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

ATF Offers $2500 Reward for Gun Burglary

Seventeen Handguns and One Shotgun Taken in Burglary of State Law Enforcement Training Complex

WELDON, N.C. — Zebedee T. Graham, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the burglary of the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) complex, Halifax Community College, Weldon, North Carolina. The BLET program provides law enforcement officer certification in North Carolina for employment at the state, county, or municipal level, and is controlled by the North Carolina Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Standards Division. Halifax Community College is one of the state’s accredited BLET training academy sites.

Between July 23-26, 2010, unknown persons broke into the BLET complex and stole eighteen firearms. The burglary of the BLET complex is being investigated by ATF and the Weldon Police Department.

Anyone with information about this crime may report it to:

ATF Raleigh Field Office: (919) 719-2021

ATF Gun Hotline: (800) ATF GUNS or (800) 283-4867

Weldon Police Department: (252) 536-3136

Halifax County Crime Stoppers: (252) 583-4444

All information will be treated confidentially and the callers will remain anonymous if they request.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating federal firearms violations and regulating the firearms industry. More information on ATF and its programs can be found at http://www.atf.gov/.

Sad But True Crime: Scam Targeted Holocaust Survivors’ Fund

New York Assistant Director in Charge Janice Fedarcyk, with U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, announces the unsealing of criminal charges.

For nearly six decades, a not-for-profit corporation known as The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany—or the Claims Conference—has been overseeing German government funds that assist Holocaust survivors.  So you can imagine our surprise and concern when we uncovered evidence that it had been the victim of fraud.

This afternoon at a New York City press conference, we announced that six corrupt Claims Conference employees in its Manhattan office—along with 11 other conspirators—have been charged in a decade-long scheme to defraud the organization and legitimate Holocaust victims out of more than $42 million.

The Claims Conference supervises several funds and processes thousands of applications a year. The two funds allegedly targeted for fraud were:

The Article 2 Fund, which makes monthly payments of $411 to survivors of Nazi persecution who make less than $16,000 a year and who either lived in hiding or a Jewish ghetto for 18 months or were incarcerated for at least six months in a concentration or forced labor camp; and The Hardship Fund, which makes a one-time payment of approximately $3,600 to survivors forced to evacuate their hometowns and become refugees.

Applications by persons living in the U.S. are made to the Claims Conference’s office in Manhattan, usually by mail. The applicants provide identification documents, along with information about their family and experiences escaping Nazi persecution. Caseworkers with the Claims Conference verify an applicant’s history, often by checking external databases and archives, and sometimes through a personal interview. If approved for payment, a check is mailed to the applicant or electronically deposited into a bank account.

Processing fingerprints during this morning’s arrests.

Claims Conference officials became suspicious of possible fraudulent activity within their organization in December 2009 and immediately contacted law enforcement. Our New York office began an investigation, with the full cooperation of the Claims Conference.

According to the criminal complaint filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York, here’s how the scheme generally worked:

Driven by crooked Claims Conference employees, former employees and other conspirators would recruit people—some unwitting—who weren’t eligible for the program (mostly individuals of the Jewish faith in the Russian immigrant community) to take part in the fraud. To make it appear that applicants were eligible, identification documents were often altered (for example, a birth date was changed to make it appear that applicants were born during or before World War II) and fake Nazi persecution stories were often made up.

Fraudulent applications were reviewed and approved by corrupt Claims Conference employees.

Once the applicants received their money, they kept a portion but were instructed to pay certain “fees” using the rest—which of course ended up in the pockets of the conspirators. These “fees” were usually paid in the form of cash or money order.

Among those charged in the scheme are the former director of the Article 2 and Hardship Funds, other past and present Claims Conference employees, two law firm employees, a notary/document forger, and several other middlemen.

New York Assistant Director in Charge Janice Fedarcyk said that the victims of this scheme were “those who had already suffered at the hands of Nazi persecution only to have their experiences exploited again—this brazen miscarriage of the compensation program is, in its own way, a kind of crime against humanity.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Dallas Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offense

DALLAS—Monte Melugin, 24, of Dallas, pleaded guilty this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney to an information charging one count of receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Melugin faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five or more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime of supervised release. Melugin will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ed Kindeade on March 9, 2011.

According to filed documents, the investigation involving Melugin began in Miami, Florida, where an FBI agent, working in an undercover capacity, queried a peer-to-peer network and observed an individual using the name "SKITTLES16" logged on to the network; it was later determined that SKITTLES16 was Melugin. When the undercover agent browsed Melugin's shared folders, he observed approximately 1250 image and video files with names indicative of child pornography. The agent downloaded 18 of those files and all 18 depicted child pornography.

A federal search warrant was executed at Melugin's residence; he was not home at the time of the search, but was interviewed at work by the FBI. During the interview, when asked if he understood what it meant to share files and that he was purposely sharing child pornography with others on the Internet, he said, "you have to give to get."

Melugin's computer and other digital media were seized and analyzed by the North Texas Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (NTCFL). As a result of the analysis, the case agent would testify that she identified more than 600 images and videos of child pornography on his computer. Melugin admitted that he received and possessed images that included bondage and other sadistic acts involving minors.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks.

Gallup Bank Robbed

The FBI and Gallup Police are looking for a couple who robbed a bank inside a Wal-Mart today.

The robbery occurred around noon at the Pinnacle Bank,

1650 Maloney Drive

.

Witnesses said a white female who was accompanied by a white male gave a teller a note that demanded money.

The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money.

The woman is described as 24-27 years old. She had her hair in a pony tail and wore black jeans and a gray pull-over with white letters and a design on the front.

The man is about the same age, with a slight beard. He wore black baggy jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black baseball cap with the brim facing backwards.

The suspects were last seen leaving the west exit of Wal-Mart and running through the parking lot.

A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the subjects.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Albuquerque FBI Office at (505) 889-1300 (24 hours) or Gallup Police Department at (505) 863-9365.

Surveillance photos are below.

Former Manager of Connecticut ATM Company Admits Role in Multi-Million-Dollar Bank Fraud Conspiracy

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that JOHN DeMILO, 42, of Branford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud stemming from his involvement in a multi-million-dollar bank fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DeMILO was the General Manager of Branford-based New England Cash Dispensing Systems, Inc. (“NECDS”), which was in the business of operating a network of automated teller machines (“ATMs”). Beginning in approximately March 2000, NECDS entered into an agreement with Domestic Bank of Cranston, Rhode Island, whereby NECDS would supply ATM services in conjunction with Domestic Bank, the victim in this case. The ATMs in the network were stand-alone machines located in various commercial establishments, such as convenience stores and gas stations, throughout several northeastern states, including Connecticut. While all of the ATMs in the NECDS network bore the logo of Domestic Bank, NECDS was responsible for contracting with merchants and placing the ATMs in their establishments, and would perform maintenance on the ATMs. Ultimately, there were three funding sources for ATMs within the NECDS network: Domestic Bank provided the cash for specified ATMs in the network, NECDS supplied cash for other ATMs in the network, and certain merchants supplied cash for other ATMs. Over the course of time, the number of ATMs in the network that were funded by Domestic Bank increased, while the number of ATMs funded by NECDS decreased.

In pleading guilty, DeMILO admitted that, from no later than 2007 to February 2010, he and others engaged in a conspiracy to defraud Domestic Bank of cash the bank supplied for use in the ATM network. As part of the scheme, DeMILO and others ordered cash from Domestic Bank by falsely representing that it would be used in a Domestic Bank-funded ATM, but then converted the cash for NECDS’s own purposes. When the cash was received by NECDS, DeMILO and his co-conspirators caused the sealed cash courier bags to be torn open, specific amounts of cash to be removed from those bags, typically in increments of $10,000, $6,000, or $4,000 per bag, and the cash to be used to refill ATMs that otherwise would have been loaded with NECDS’s own funds. DeMILO and his co-conspirators also engaged in a complex effort to hide the fact that funds had been diverted by “floating” funds supplied by the bank between ATMs and providing the bank with false accounting for its funds.

Domestic Bank ultimately lost approximately $4.8 million in funds that it had supplied to NECDS.

Judge Arterton has scheduled sentencing for January 28, 2011, at which time DeMILO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

On October 14, Joseph Sarlo, the former chief executive officer of NECDS, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud stemming from this scheme. He awaits sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Murphy.

Federal Indictment Charges Warm Springs Man with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

Defendant Charged with Assaulting His 5-Week-Old Son

PORTLAND, OR—Monty Tewee, 20, of Warm Springs, was arraigned November 8, 2010 in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Papak on one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. On October 26, 2010, a federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment against Tewee. The indictment alleges that Tewee's assault occurred on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Tewee's federal trial is currently scheduled for January 11, 2011. The offense of assault resulting in serious bodily injury carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

According to the prosecutor's statements in court, Tewee assaulted his 5-week-old child by squeezing him, which caused the infant child to suffer multiple fractured ribs and a lacerated liver. Tewee is out of custody while awaiting trial. His conditions of pretrial release prohibit him from having any contact with his child, except as supervised by the Warm Springs Child Protective Services.

This investigation was conducted by the Warm Springs Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig J. Gabriel.

U.S. Marshals Arrest Florida Murder Suspect

Thomasville, GA - The United States Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force announced the arrest today of Monday Lee Demarsh, 36, of Monticello, Florida for the offense of Homicide. Demarsh was currently being sought by the Lakeland Police Department outside of Tampa, Florida after law enforcement officers developed probable cause that Demarsh was responsible for the death of his live-in girlfriend. U.S. Marshals in Tampa, Florida contacted the Task Force early this morning after learning that Demarsh had fled Polk County, Florida and returned to family members living in the Monticello, Florida area. Task Force members learned that Demarsh was enroute from Monticello to Thomasville, Georgia to pickup a family member from a local business located at

2125 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Thomasville, GA.

An urgent request for assistance was requested from the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office and the Thomasville Police Department to assist US Marshals in locating and arresting Demarsh. U.S. Marshal Task Force Officers along with Thomas County deputies, Thomasville police officers and Thomasville PD K9 units established surveillance on the business and at 2:00pm observed Demarsh arriving in a 2006 Blue Subaru Truck to pickup his brother Nathan Page. Demarsh was quickly surronded by over 15 law enforcement officers and arrested without incident. Demarsh’s brother, Nathan Page, was also arrested on active warrants from Brooks County, Georgia and a small quantity of marijuana was seized from the vehicle. Demarsh is currently being held in the Thomas County Jail awaiting extradition back to Polk County, Florida.

The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers and deputies from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County State Attorney’s Office, and the Perry Police Department. These officers and deputies are sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals and have the authority to pursue violent wanted felons from their jurisdictions anywhere within the United States or her territories.

Cocaine Supplied By Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel

NOV 08 -- Baltimore, Maryland – On November 5, 2010, U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced James Bostic, age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland to 210 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 110 pounds of cocaine.

The sentence was announced by Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration; United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.

“DEA’s investigation of James Bostic was a long-term, highly complex effort.” stated Ava A. Cooper-Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration. "The sentence he received is another example of our success in the fight against major Mexican drug cartels operating in the United States,” stated Cooper-Davis

“A substantial portion of the illegal drugs distributed in Maryland are imported from the Mexican border,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “This case demonstrates the international ties of a local drug dealer.”

According to Bostic’s plea agreement, from 2005 until February 2, 2010, Bostic received cocaine from the Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel, which he and other conspirators distributed.

Grants Bank Robbed

The FBI and Grants Police are looking for a man who robbed Grants State Bank late Friday afternoon.

The man is described as approximately 5'2 to 5'4 feet tall and weighs 120-140 pounds. He wore a red and yellow baseball-style cap.

Witnesses say the man walked up to a teller in the bank at

824 W. Santa Fe Ave.

at about 4 p.m. and said he had a weapon.

He fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the subject.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Albuquerque FBI Office at (505) 889-1300 (24 hours) or Grants Police Department at (505) 287-2985.

FBI, Local Agencies Target Child Sex Trafficking in Weekend Sting: Operation Cross Country V

The FBI, working with more than a dozen other local and federal agencies in the Portland/Vancouver metro area, recovered three girls who were being victimized through child sex trafficking during a series of sting operations that ran Thursday through Saturday nights. In addition, local police charged nine people as “pimps,” 19 adults with prostitution, and five others with related crimes (such as “johns”).

The FBI coordinated these stings as part of Operation Cross Country V—the fifth such national law enforcement action under the FBI’s Innocence Lost National Initiative. Nationwide, this operation recovered 69 children, and it included enforcement actions involving more than 2,100 local, state, and federal officers representing 186 separate agencies in 40 cities across the United States. Locally, the FBI would like to thank the following agencies and departments for taking part in the law enforcement portion of the sting:

· Portland Police Bureau

· Gresham Police Department

· Vancouver Police Department

· Beaverton Police Department

· Tigard Police Department

· Clark County Sheriff’s Office

· Washington Department of Corrections

· U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

· U.S. Marshals Service

· Internal Revenue Service

· Metro Gang Task Force

· Innocence Lost Task Force

Task Force operations, such as this one, usually begin as local actions, targeting such places as truck stops, casinos, street “tracks,” and Internet websites, based on intelligence gathered by officers working in their respective jurisdictions. (We will not release the specific locations or methods utilized in this local operation due to ongoing investigative interests.) As is the case in the Portland/Vancouver area, initial arrests are often violations of local and state laws related to prostitution or solicitation. Information gleaned from those arrested often uncovers organized efforts to prostitute women and children across many states. As the FBI is able to develop this information into a broader criminal investigation, it works with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to file federal charges where appropriate at a later time.

Child victims of sex trafficking recovered through this weekend’s operation were assessed for and, as appropriate, referred to services for counseling, mental health services, medical assistance, housing, and advocacy. Social service and non-profit agencies who provided assistance during Operation Cross Country V locally include:

· Clark County Department of Children and Family Services

· Clark County Juvenile Probation

· LifeWorks Northwest

· Multnomah County Department of Human Services

· Multnomah County Department of Community Justice

· Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

· Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

· Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force

· Portland Police Bureau

· Sexual Assault Resource Center

· Washington County Crisis Team

· Washington County Department of Human Services

· Washington County Juvenile Probation

· Washington County Mental Health

· YWCA – Vancouver

The FBI would like to thank all law enforcement and social service provider agencies for taking part in Operation Cross Country V and for their ongoing work under the Innocence Lost National Initiative.

The charges filed in this operation are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Four Local Juveniles Rescued from Prostitution During Operation Cross Country V

TAMPA—Over the past 72 hours, local law enforcement agencies concluded their investigative efforts in conjunction with Operation Cross Country V, a three-day national enforcement action as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative. The operation included enforcement actions in 40 cities throughout the nation and led to the recovery of 69 children who were being victimized through prostitution. Additionally, nearly 885 others, including 99 pimps, were arrested on state and local charges.

Locally, four juveniles were rescued and 35 adults arrested during the weekend sweep. The four children resided in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. The participating agencies included the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Clearwater Police Department, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the FBI.

Task Force operations usually begin as local actions, targeting such places as truck stops, casinos, street “tracks,” and Internet websites, based on intelligence gathered by officers working in their respective jurisdictions. Initial arrests are often violations of local and state laws relating to prostitution or solicitation. Information gleaned from those arrested often uncovers organized efforts to prostitute women and children across many states. Investigators further develop this information in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and file federal charges where appropriate.

To date, the 39 Innocence Lost Task Forces and Working Groups have recovered over 1,200 children from the streets. The investigations and subsequent 625 convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple 25-years-to-life sentences and the seizure of more than $3.1 million in assets.

In the spring of 2003, the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, in partnership with the Department of Justice’s CEOS and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), formed the Innocence Lost National Initiative to address the growing problem of children forced into prostitution.

This program brings state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers all from around the country to NCMEC, where the groups are trained together. In addition, CEOS has reinforced the training by assigning prosecutors to help bring cases in those cities plagued by child prostitution.

The charges announced today are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Robbery of PNC Bank Branch in Philadelphia

The FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify and locate the subject responsible for the robbery of the PNC Bank branch located at

801 Christian Street

earlier today.

At approximately 1:12 p.m., the subject entered the bank and presented a threatening demand note to a teller. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the subject fled the area of the bank in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.

The subject is described as an Asian male in his 20s, 5’5” tall, thin build, clean shaven, with short black hair, wearing a green "army-style" jacket, tan cargo pants, and bright orange shoes.

This subject is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 215-418-4000 or the Philadelphia Police Department. There may be a reward for information leading to this subject’s capture, and tipsters can remain anonymous.

Three pictures from the bank’s security cameras are below.

Spanaway Felon Convicted of Drug and Gun Crimes

Defendant With Lengthy Criminal History Faces Significant Prison Term

BERNARD CURTIS DAVIS, 29, of Spanaway, Washington, was convicted this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for being a felon in possession of a firearm, for being a felon in possession of ammunition, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The jury deliberated about eight hours following a three day jury trial. DAVIS was indicted as an armed career criminal and faces 15 years to life in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton on January 28, 2011.

According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, in March 2009, Pierce County Sheriff’s detectives were investigating a strong-arm robbery at a convenience store in Spanaway. The victim was able to provide a license plate number for the suspects. The car was registered to BERNARD CURTIS DAVIS. DAVIS was on probation from the Washington State Department of Corrections. DAVIS had six prior felony convictions in Pierce County, Washington: Robbery (2001); Burglary (2001); Assault (2006); Robbery (2006); Unlawful possession of a firearm (2006); Possession of Marijuana with intent to deliver (2008). Law enforcement went to the home where DAVIS was living. In DAVIS’ room and a storage room officers found twelve baggies of marijuana and a scale, a rifle and ammunition. DAVIS was arrested at the residence.

DAVIS was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Unveiled in May 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), is a comprehensive and strategic approach to gun law enforcement. PSN is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking both new and existing local programs that target gun crime and then providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed. Implementation at the local level — in this case, in Pierce County — has fostered close partnerships between federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement.

The case was investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Department of Corrections, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Dion, Jerrod Patterson and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jerry Costello. Mr. Costello is a Deputy Pierce County Prosecutor specially designated to prosecute gun crimes in federal court.

Seeking Information on Robbery of TCF Bank Branch in Edgewater

The Edgewater Police Department and FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force (RMSSTF) are investigating a bank robbery.

The robbery occurred at:

TCF Bank

1709 Sheridan Boulevard

Edgewater, Colorado

On 11/04/2010 at approximately 9:27 a.m.

The suspect is described as a black male, 25 to 30 years of age, 5'8" to 5'10" in height, approximately 150 pounds, with black hair partial graying, with spotty facial hair. He was wearing a black dress shirt, a black and grey tie, black dress pants, black shoes, and carrying a backpack.

The suspect demanded money and fled the bank southbound on

Sheridan Blvd

on a purple bicycle.

Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.

The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robbery above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and earn up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Two FBI Fugitives Wanted on Federal Cyber Crime Charges Captured

On November 3, 2010, Dorin Codreanu and Lilian Adam were arrested in Portage, Wisconsin by FBI agents from the Madison, Wisconsin Resident Agency. The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service aided in the fugitive investigation.

Codreanu and Adam have been fugitives since September 30, when FBI agents and agents of the Secret Service, ICE, and the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service carried out arrests in a multi-defendant case targeting overseas computer hackers. A total of 37 defendants, in 21 separate cases, were charged for their roles in global bank fraud schemes that allegedly used hundreds of false-name bank accounts to steal over $3 million from dozens of U.S. accounts that were compromised by malware attacks. Nine defendants were arrested in the New York area, and one in the Pittsburgh area. An additional 10 defendants were arrested and charged over the last year.

Seventeen fugitives were originally being sought by the FBI following the operation. Last month, Dmitry Saprunov and Nikolai Garafulin were captured. Yulia Klepikova and Stanislav Rastorguev surrendered. The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the remaining 11 fugitives. The wanted poster at the following web address lists the names of the fugitives and those that have been captured: http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/alert/federal-cyber-crime-charges/view

“These two were on the run, but they could not outrun the FBI. There are 11 remaining fugitives in this case. The FBI is determined to track them down and arrest them. We can use the public's help; if anyone has information as to their whereabouts they are requested to contact the FBI or local police,” said Special Agent Richard Kolko.

Sixty-Nine Children Rescued During Operation Cross Country V

Over the past 72 hours, the FBI, its local and state law enforcement partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) concluded Operation Cross Country V, a three-day national enforcement action as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative. The operation included enforcement actions in 40 cities across 34 FBI divisions around the country and led to the recovery of 69 children who were being victimized through prostitution. Additionally, nearly 885 others, including 99 pimps, were arrested on state and local charges.

“Child prostitution continues to be a significant problem in our country, as evidenced by the number of children rescued through the continued efforts of our crimes against children task forces,” said Shawn Henry, executive assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch. “There is no work more important than protecting America’s children and freeing them from the cycle of victimization. Through our strategic partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies, we are able to make a difference.”

Task Force operations usually begin as local actions, targeting such places as truck stops, casinos, street “tracks,” and Internet websites, based on intelligence gathered by officers working in their respective jurisdictions. Initial arrests are often violations of local and state laws relating to prostitution or solicitation. Information gleaned from those arrested often uncovers organized efforts to prostitute women and children across many states. FBI agents further develop this information in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and file federal charges where appropriate.

To date, the 39 Innocence Lost Task Forces and Working Groups have recovered over 1,200 children from the streets. The investigations and subsequent 625 convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple 25-years-to-life sentences and the seizure of more than $3.1 million in assets.

In the spring of 2003, the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, in partnership with the Department of Justice’s CEOS and NCMEC, formed the Innocence Lost National Initiative to address the growing problem of children forced into prostitution.

“The leadership of the FBI and the Justice Department in attacking domestic child trafficking and prostitution is historic,” said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “Once again, Operation Cross Country has awakened the nation to the fact that today, American children are being marketed and sold for sex in American cities. These kids are victims. This is 21st century slavery. We are proud to be a part of this extraordinary partnership to rescue children, save lives, and bring the pimps and operators to justice.”

This program brings state and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers all from around the country to NCMEC, where the groups are trained together. In addition, CEOS has reinforced the training by assigning prosecutors to help bring cases in those cities plagued by child prostitution.

The FBI thanks the over 2,100 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers representing 186 separate agencies who participated in Operation Cross Country and ongoing enforcement efforts.

The charges announced today are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

For more information on Operation Cross Country and the Innocence Lost National Initiative, visit www.fbi.gov, www.justice.gov, or www.ncmec.org.

U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Escaped Prisoner

Tallahassee, FL - The United States Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force announced the arrest today of Donnie Tubbs, 35, of Matthews, Missouri for the offenses of Escape and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

According to US Marshals in Little Rock, Arkansas, Tubbs escaped from a Conway County Sheriff’s Office transport van at Exit 108 on Interstate 40 on October 28, 2010. A massive manhunt involving Arkansas state and local officers unsuccessfully searched for Tubbs who was last seen running along I40 wearing cowboy boots, blue jeans, and handcuffs. The US Marshals Office in Little Rock joined the pursuit and located a Conway County Road Department Dump Truck which Tubbs is alleged to have stolen in Sikeston, Missouri. US Marshals along with a team of federal, state, and local officers attempted to arrest Tubbs but Tubbs was able to successfully escape through a wooded area behind his hideout. On Wednesday, November 3, Little Rock Marshals contacted the US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Tallahassee, Florida after discovering that Tubbs was enroute to Tallahassee to pickup his girlfriend.

Task Force Officers worked late last night in an attempt to locate Tubbs but their persistence paid off this morning when a vehicle matching Tubbs’ getaway car was located at a residence in the 18000 block of

Blountstown Highway

. A team of task force officers entered the woods early this morning and surrounded the residence in an attempt to spot Tubbs. At approximately 12:00PM members of the US Marshals task force supported by a Leon County Sheriff’s Office K9 team made entry on the residence and located Tubbs inside of a piece of bedroom furniture. Tubbs had removed three of the drawers and hollowed the inside of the dresser out for a hiding place. Tubbs had then secured the drawer faces with screws and rigged a trap door on the back side of the dresser. Upon locating Tubbs, Task Force Officers subdued him with a Tazer after Tubbs refused to comply with officer’s commands. Tubbs was listed as Armed and Dangerous and had a lengthy violent criminal history. Tubbs is currently at the Leon County Jail awaiting extradition back to Conway County, Arkansas where he faces multiple felony charges along with his escape charge.

The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers and deputies from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County State Attorney’s Office, and the Perry Police Department. These officers and deputies are sworn in as Special Deputy US Marshals and have the authority to pursue violent wanted felons from their jurisdictions anywhere within the United States or her territories.