St. Louis Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Meth Trafficking, Discharging Firearm

 Shot Officer, Himself During Standoff at Joplin Hotel

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A St. Louis, Missouri, man who shot a law enforcement officer before shooting himself was sentenced in federal court today for drug trafficking and illegally discharging a firearm in Joplin, Mo.

E.F. Fitchpatrick, Jr., 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court sentenced Fitchpatrick to 350 months in prison, but gave him credit for the 50 months that he has already served in state custody in connection with a related offense, resulting in a sentence of 300 months (25 years) in prison. Fitchpatrick was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions.

On June 10, 2020, Fitchpatrick pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of discharging a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Fitchpatrick admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine from Feb. 18 to March 1, 2017. Fitchpatrick, who had been released from federal prison a few months earlier, was traveling back and forth to Texas to pick up methamphetamine in the weeks before his arrest. He picked up nearly a pound of methamphetamine in February 2017, which he distributed to several individuals in Joplin.

On March 1, 2107, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Econolodge Inn and Suites at 3510 S. Rangeline Road in Joplin. After several failed attempts to open the room door with the hotel key card, officers attempted to ram the door, but were not able to get the door open. An Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team (ODET) detective used the battering ram to knock out the hotel room window. Another ODET detective reached in the window to move the curtain, and Fitchpatrick, who was standing in the bathroom doorway, shot the detective in the left side of his body before retreating to the bathroom and barricading himself inside.

Joplin police officers, utilizing a robot, were able to see that the bathroom door was closed with towels stuffed at the bottom of the door. After a couple of hours and numerous attempts and tactics, Fitchpatrick was taken into custody. Fitchpatrick had flushed the remaining drugs and shot himself in the face while barricaded inside the bathroom.

Inside the hotel room, officers found the Hi-Point .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun used in the shooting, drug paraphernalia, and items with methamphetamine residue.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Sarff. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, and the Joplin, Mo., Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Arson During June 2020 Civil Unrest in Madison

 MADISON, WIS. – A Madison, Wisconsin man pleaded guilty and was sentenced today on a federal charge of arson during the civil unrest in Madison in June 2020.  Marquon Clark, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson, who imposed a sentence of 7 years in federal prison. 

On June 24, 2020, Clark threw projectiles through windows of the City-County Building on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Madison and then threw a lit roll of paper towels through the broken windows.  The building, which houses city and county government offices, was occupied by over 250 people at the time, including 182 adults and juveniles being held in the jail.  Clark’s actions led to a fire in the City-County Building that resulted in approximately $105,000 in damages and clean-up costs. 

“Legitimate protest is a central Constitutional right and American value.  Arson is simply not part of any legitimate protest.  This crime endangered the lives of everyone in the City-County building including the minors in juvenile detention,” said Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.  “We will work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who engage in such conduct without regard for the potentially deadly consequences.”

“Arson is inherently dangerous, and we simply cannot allow it in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division. “I hope this sentencing acts as a significant deterrent for others who may consider committing this heinous crime.  We are thankful that Clark’s criminal actions did not cost anyone their life and that justice can be served in this case.”

In imposing the sentence, Judge Peterson noted that Clark’s crime was extremely dangerous and created a serious risk of harm to people inside the City-County Building.  Judge Peterson also noted that a lengthy prison sentence was warranted in light of Clark’s extensive criminal history, which includes two violent crimes.  Judge Peterson also ordered Clark to pay restitution in the full amount of damages and clean-up costs at the City-County Building.

The charge against Clark was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Dane County Sheriff’s Office; Madison Police Department; and the Madison Fire Investigation Team.

Grant County man sentenced for meth distribution

 ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Lawrence Allen Keplinger, of Lahmansville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 136 months incarceration for methamphetamine distribution, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Keplinger, 39, pled guilty to one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine” involving more than 50 grams of “crystal meth” or “ice.” Keplinger admitted to having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in March 2019 in Grant County. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the West Virginia State Police investigated

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

Tulsa Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

 A woman who led officers on a chase and was later discovered with methamphetamine was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Terence C. Kern sentenced Brittany Paige Coffee, 27, of Tulsa, to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. In March, Coffee was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

On Sept. 17, 2020, Tulsa Police Officers approached Paige’s vehicle and attempted to arrest fugitive Jose Pizane Ruiz, a passenger in the car. In response, Coffee drove out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed, almost running over officers. The vehicle was eventually involved in a collision near 1500 W. Highway 412. Coffee and Ruiz ran from the crash scene but were not apprehended at the time. Officers discovered three firearms in the wrecked vehicle.

Coffee and Ruiz were eventually located at a Tulsa residence in and around a different vehicle parked in the driveway. Officers arrested Coffee in the vehicle. Ruiz was arrested after a brief foot pursuit. Officers found a purse in the vehicle containing Coffee’s Oklahoma identification card as well as a black case containing 585 grams of methamphetamine.

Ruiz was also charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His case is currently pending in federal court, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick prosecuted the case.

Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 144 Months for Possessing Child Pornography

 MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Anthony A. Atkins, 47, Webster, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 144 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography.  This term of imprisonment will be followed by 15 years of supervised release.  Atkins pleaded guilty to this charge on February 9, 2021. 

On June 15, 2020, a probation officer took possession of three phones from Atkins, who was not allowed to have them.  She did a preliminary search of the phones, observed what she believed to be child pornography, and turned the phones over to law enforcement. Law enforcement officials obtained a search warrant for the phones and found numerous images of child pornography. 

In sentencing Atkins, Judge Conley expressed concern that Atkins had a sexual interest in children for the last 25 years and committed hands-on offenses in the past.  Judge Conley also noted it was at least the third time Atkins violated his sex offender registry notification requirements. 

The charge against Atkins was the result of an investigation conducted by the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.   

Physician Pleads Guilty in Medicaid Fraud Conspiracy

 A California man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Keyvan Amirikhorheh, M.D, 61, of Seal Beach, worked as a physician at Los Angeles Community Clinic. Together with his co-defendants, Amirikhorheh defrauded the Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT) program administered by Medi-Cal, the California Medicaid program, by submitting and causing the submission of fraudulent claims for family planning services, diagnostic testing, and prescriptions for non-existent patients.

Amirikhorheh is the final defendant to plead guilty. Hilda Haroutunian, 61, of Sun Valley, California pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2020, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 17; Lorraine Watson, 57, a physician’s assistant, of Valley Village, California, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2020, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10; Edmond Sarkisyan, 41, of North Hollywood, California, pleaded guilty on Jan. 29, and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16; and Noem Sarkisyan, 65, of North Hollywood, California, pleaded guilty on March 5, 2020, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 3.

As alleged in court documents, between approximately March 2016 and April 2019, Los Angeles Community Clinic and associated laboratories and pharmacies submitted approximately $8,406,204 in claims to Medi-Cal and were paid approximately $6,660,028 as the result of this fraudulent scheme.

Amirikhorheh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison of the Central District of California; Assistant Director in Charge Kristi Koons Johnson of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Timothy DeFrancesca of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Los Angeles Regional Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kris Lyle of the California Department of Justice made the announcement.

The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, and California Department of Justice are investigating the case, which was charged as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Trial Attorneys Alexis Gregorian and Claire Yan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program nearly $19 billion.

Two USP Canaan Inmates Charged With Assault And Possession Of A Weapon

 SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Andrew Daniels, age 40, and Dontrace Blaine, age 34, inmates at United States Penitentiary Canaan, Waymart, Pennsylvania, were indicted on June 1, 2021, by a federal grand jury for assault and being in possession of a weapon in prison.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on November 8, 2020, Daniels and Blaine assaulted another individual with a sharp object and a combination lock wrapped in a bedsheet.

The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case.

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

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is ten years imprisonment.    Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offenses; the history and characteristics of the defendants; and the need to punish the defendants, protect the public and provide for the defendants’ educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

Former Financial Advisor Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Fraud

 Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge John L. Badalamenti today sentenced David Aaron Rockwell (45, Cape Coral) to five years in federal prison for wire fraud and bank fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered a money judgment of $1,018,000, the proceeds of his wire and bank fraud.

Rockwell had pleaded guilty on January 14, 2021.

According to court documents, Rockwell, a financial advisor, managed investment and retirement accounts for his clients. Beginning in October 2017, Rockwell began to defraud clients and misappropriated his clients’ funds for his own purpose. Rockwell also defrauded a federally insured bank when he applied for two lines of credit, totaling $700,000, in the names of his clients, without their knowledge or permission. Rockwell forged the clients’ signatures on the loan applications and pledged the clients’ assets as collateral for the loans, all without their knowledge or authorization. Rockwell used the funds that he had obtained from the loans for his own use and benefit. 

Furthermore, Rockwell persuaded another client to invest in low-income housing in Florida. However, once the client transferred approximately $400,000 to fund the investment, Rockwell used the money to pay his personal credit cards and to purchase a home.    

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.

Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of an Official Proceeding for Breaching U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6

 Defendant Illegally Entered U.S. Capitol, Walked in the Senate Chamber, Took a Selfie and Stood with Other Individuals

WASHINGTON – A Florida man pleaded guilty today to crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

According to court documents, Paul Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, Florida, entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:50 p.m. on Jan. 6. Around 3 p.m., Hodgkins entered the Senate chamber, walked among the desks, and then removed eye goggles. He took a “selfie-style” photograph with his cell phone and walked down the Senate well where, a few feet away, several individuals were shouting, praying and cheering using a bullhorn. Hodgkins walked toward the individuals and remained standing with them while they continued commanding the attention of others. At approximately 3:15 p.m., Hodgkins exited the Senate chamber and the U.S. Capitol Building.

Hodgkins pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing an official proceeding, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, fine of $250,000 or twice the monetary gain or loss of the offense. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19 at 10 a.m. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Honorable Randolph D. Moss accepted Hodgkins’ guilty plea.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated this case, with significant assistance provided by the FBI Tampa Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the DC Metropolitan Police Department.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Scott County Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison On Child Pornography Charges

 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - On May 28, 2021 Preston Andrew Watson, age 30, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for production and distribution of child pornography by the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville.  After Watson is released from prison, the United States Probation Office will supervise him for 20 years.  Upon his release from prison Watson will also be required to register with the state sex offender registry in any state in which he lives, works, or attends school.

Watson had previously pled guilty to the charges.  According to documents filed in the case, Watson duped, extorted, and threatened minors located in the United States and abroad to obtain child pornography from his victims. Watson met his victims on social media websites. He developed an online relationship with them and then requested that they send him sexually explicit images of themselves.  Watson threatened to send sexually explicit images of the minors to social media websites if the victims refused to comply with his demands for more sexually explicit images.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States in court.  

Trial Attorney-Appellate Staff

 Civil Division (CIV)

Appellate Staff

Attorney

950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20005

United States

DE-11133022-21-CM

About the Office: 

The Appellate Staff of the Civil Division represents the United States in a broad range of civil appellate litigation. The Appellate Staff handles appeals involving all of the subject-matter areas litigated by the Civil Division, including appeals arising out of civil cases handled by the United States Attorneys nationwide. Appellate Staff attorneys practice in all thirteen of the federal courts of appeals, and other courts as appropriate. The Appellate Staff's portfolio includes many of the most difficult and controversial cases in which the Federal Government is involved. Typical matters concern the litigation of legal questions central to the Government's business, defending federal statutes and regulations and the Executive Branch's prerogatives, preserving the public fisc and protecting national security. The Appellate Staff also works with the Office of the Solicitor General to prepare Supreme Court filings in civil cases. For more information on the Appellate Staff go to: www.justice.gov/civil/appellate-staff

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

Job Description: 

The Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice is seeking 4 qualified, experienced attorneys for positions in the Appellate Staff, located in Washington, DC. Appellate Staff attorneys represent the United States, its agencies, and its officers in civil cases in the federal courts of appeals and other appellate courts. Attorneys will personally brief and argue appellate cases assigned to them, draft recommendations and memoranda for the Solicitor General and other officials on a range of litigation matters, and work with the Office of the Solicitor General to prepare Supreme Court filings.

Qualifications: 

Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least two years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; have at least three years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen.

Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in appellate work, excellent writing and analytical skills, and an exceptional academic background. Federal judicial clerkship experience is highly desirable.

Salary: 

$103,690.00 to $172,500.00 Per Year for GS-13 to GS-15

Travel: 

You may be expected to travel for this position, occasionally.

Application Process: 

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, including the required documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time, on the listed closing date of this announcement. A complete application package must include:

1. Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience). Address the cover letter to Mark Freeman, Director, Appellate Staff.

2. Résumé - Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.

3. Writing Sample (not more than 15 pages in length, and must be written in the past 3 years).

4. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214 (Member-4 copy), and/or other documentation that you may have.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: civilappellate.vacancies@usdoj.gov

Please use "Appellate Staff Attorney Vacancy" as your subject line.

Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:

 U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Division, Appellate Staff

950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 7519

Washington, DC 20005

ATTN: Mark Freeman, Director

No telephone calls, please.

Applications must be postmarked by no later than the closing date of this announcement (applications submitted by e-mail must be received by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time on the closing date of this announcement).

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

Application Deadline: 

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

Number of Positions: 

4

Updated June 2, 2021

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Department Policies

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –  Seneca Smith, 36, of Huntington was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.

According to court documents, on January 12, 2021, officers with the Huntington Police Department executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence in Huntington.  Officers seized approximately 206 grams of heroin, 62 grams of cocaine, four sets of digital scales and a drug press.  Smith admitted he intended to sell the heroin and cocaine.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announced and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor handled the prosecution.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

Previously Convicted Drug Trafficker Facing Federal Indictment for a Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

 Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Lamar Prilliman, a/k/a “Block”, age 48, of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal charges related to a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.  The indictment was returned on May 27, 2021. 

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

According to the two-count indictment, from December 2020 to January 12, 2021, Prilliman conspired with others to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.  The indictment alleges that on January 12, 2021, Prilliman possessed with the intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.

As detailed in the indictment, Prilliman previously was convicted in February 2008 on the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute and posses with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base (“crack”) in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.  Prilliman was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Prilliman later received sentencing reductions, and he was released from federal custody in March 2019.

If convicted, Prilliman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison each for the fentanyl distribution conspiracy and for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  An initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore has not yet been scheduled.  Prilliman is currently detained on state charges.

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

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore County Police Department, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the IRS-CI, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their assistance.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James T. Wallner, Matthew DellaBetta, and Daniel A. Loveland, Jr., who are prosecuting the federal case.

Weare Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Possession of Child Pornography

             CONCORD - Karl Messner, 65, of Weare, was sentenced on Friday to 46 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, starting in June 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a number of CyberTipline Reports regarding suspected child pornography activity.  The internet protocol, or IP, addresses associated with those reports all resolved to Messner’s residence in Weare.  In October of 2016, investigators obtained a federal search warrant for that residence.  During an interview at his house, Messner admitted to viewing child pornography, and that images could be found on his laptop and thumb drives.  Investigators seized a laptop and thumb drive on which they later found images of child pornography following a forensic analysis. 

            Messner previously pleaded guilty on April 1, 2019.  After the completion of his sentence, Messner will be under supervised release for five years. 

            “In order to protect children from exploitation, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute crimes involving child pornography,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “This sentence should send a message to those who collect these horrific images that child pornography crimes are serious offenses that can lead to significant federal prison time.” 

            “Thanks to the Court’s sentencing, Karl Messner will be held to account for his crimes,” said Acting Special Agent In Charge William S. Walker, Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “HSI and our partners at the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Hampshire, the Weare Police Department, and countless other law enforcement agencies will continue to pursue offenders like Messner in the interest of protecting children.”

            This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Weare Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

Parolee Pleads Guilty to Jailhouse COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud

 FRESNO, Calif. — Christina Smith, 38, who was on parole and had previously been incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges for the submission of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) in the names of current CCWF inmates, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Sholanda Thomas, 37, a current CCWF inmate, sent her own and several other inmates’ personal identifying information to Smith to submit the unemployment insurance claims in their names. The underlying applications represented that the inmates had been working various jobs, which was untrue because they were incarcerated and therefore ineligible for benefits. The loss to the EDD and the United States is over $250,000. Smith split the proceeds with her co-conspirators.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Investigative Services Unit, and the EDD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Aug. 23. For the conspiracy charge, Smith faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For the aggravated identity theft charge, she faces a mandatory two-year sentence consecutive to any other sentence and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Thomas was indicted on December 17, 2020, along with Smith and is also facing federal prosecution. The charges are only allegations; Thomas is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Six Individuals Charged with Drug Trafficking

 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On April 29, 2021, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a two-count indictment, which was unsealed today, charging six defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rafael Riviere-Vázquez, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Juan Field Office, and John F. Kanig, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Caribbean Field Division. The FBI and DEA led the investigation.

The indictment alleges that since the year 2014, until in or about September 2019, the defendants distributed cocaine, within Puerto Rico and the Continental United States, all for financial gain and profit.

As part of the conspiracy, the members would mail kilograms of cocaine to the Continental United States concealed in U.S. Postal parcels.  Some members of the conspiracy would receive these parcels in the Continental United States for further distribution. Similarly, members of the conspiracy would mail bulk cash consisting of the proceeds of the sales of the narcotics from the Continental United States back to Puerto Rico.

The individuals indicted are:

Yavick Rodriguez-Santos, a/k/a “Yavo”

Lisandro Bermúdez-Negron, a/k/a “Gambo”

Gadiel Figueroa-Rodriguez

Luis Catala-Fuentes, a/k/a “Pinto/El Loco”

Luis Diaz-Ramos

Jose Rivera-Ortiz

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Vance Eaton from the Gang Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Oneida Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Greg Gauthier, age 55, of Oneida, New York, pled guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Nicholas Boshears, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Acting New York State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen. 

At sentencing Gauthier faces at least 15 and up to 60 years imprisonment on the charges.  The Court must also impose a term of supervised release of between five years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Sentencing is set for October 5, 2021.

As part of his guilty plea, Gauthier admitted that he used a social media messaging application to distribute images of child pornography over the internet, and that he possessed child pornography on his cellular telephone.  A forensic review of Gauthier’s cellular telephone revealed that it contained 71 image files and 98 video files depicting child pornography. 

Gauthier was previously convicted in Oneida County Court in 2014 for Possessing A Sexual Performance by A Child, and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, in violation of the New York State Penal Law. He was sentenced to 16 months to 4 years in state prison for those offenses, and is registered with the New York State Sex Offender Registry as a Level 2 sex offender.

Gauthier’s case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI),  and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) with assistance from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

St. Croix Man Convicted of Attempting to Smuggle Two Kilograms of Cocaine

 ST. CROIX – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that, after a week-long trial, a St. Croix federal jury convicted Keithley Parris, age 33, of St. Croix of Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. The verdict was returned by the jury on Friday.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Parris conspired with co-defendants Don-Luke George and Zion Hazel in April of 2018 to smuggle 2 kilograms of cocaine thru the St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport with the intent to transport the cocaine to Miami via an American Airlines flight. Evidence presented at the trial showed that Parris organized and planned the operation; recruited George and Hazel to participate; supplied the cocaine to George; paid George $1,000 to bring the cocaine into the airport; and subsequently directed and monitored the operation via text messages with George and Hazel while the operation was unfolding at the airport. On April 12, 2018, George, who was employed at the airport, smuggled the four bricks of cocaine into the passenger waiting area of the airport and delivered them to Hazel in the handicap stall of the men’s restroom. Hazel was a passenger on the outgoing American Airlines flight but was intercepted with the cocaine prior to boarding his flight by Customs and Border Protection officers.

Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. The DEA Southeast Laboratory in Miami analyzed the cocaine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case.

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

Thirty-Two Members and Associates of Norteños Charged in Methamphetamine, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking with CJNG Drug Cartel

 Charges Allege That Leaders Worked with Mexican Drug Cartel CJNG to Distribute More Than 400 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 50 Pounds of Heroin and Thousands of Fentanyl Pills Throughout the Salt Lake Valley

SALT LAKE CITY – The grand jury issued a 27-defendant, 34-count indictment on Wednesday, charging twenty-seven individuals associated with the Nortenos gang for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin across the Wasatch Front. Previously, it returned five other indictments relating to this investigation and operation. The charges follow joint Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operations conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Metro Narcotics Task Force (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Unified Police Department’s Metro Gang Unit (MGU), the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS), and the United States Marshals Service.

These charges are the result of an investigation beginning in September of 2020 in Utah.  During the investigation, law enforcement demonstrated extensive cooperation across the Salt Lake Valley, as the DEA, ATF, Unified Police Department’s Metro Gang Unit, IRS, and the United States Marshals Service conducted a proactive investigation targeting drug and firearms trafficking activities of Salt Lake City gang members, specifically Norteños and their associates  This operation follows a previous 38-defendant federal investigation and indictments of Norteños and their associates trafficking in methamphetamine and heroin with the Sinaloa Cartel in February 2019.

During this new operation, law enforcement officers seized more than 42 pounds of methamphetamine, seven pounds of heroin, 5,000 fentanyl pills, 71 grams of fentanyl powder, 15 firearms, and more than $25,000. Using court-authorized investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that the primary narcotics supplier for this group was Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Investigators further estimate that the organization and its members are responsible for more than 420 pounds of methamphetamine and 50 pounds of heroin being transported to, and distributed in, the Salt Lake Valley during 2020 and 2021. Evidence gathered during the investigation demonstrate that the defendants were involved in transporting drugs from Mexico into the United States; moving the drugs to Salt Lake City; distributing the drugs to re-distributors who distributed the drugs throughout the community; and collecting and transporting drug proceeds back from Utah to Mexico.

Acting United States Attorney for the District of Utah Andrea T. Martinez announced the charges today along with DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jay Tinkler, ATF Resident Agent in Charge Michael Minichino, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Utah Matthew Harris, and IRS-Criminal Investigations Special Agent Stephen Washburn.

The largest indictment returned on Wednesday charges 27 individuals with 34 federal counts, including continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, conspiracy to launder money, along with several distribution and possession with intent to distribute narcotics charges, and several additional firearms charges. 

Those charged in the indictment are:

• Luis Cuna-Vigil, 35, of Rosarito, Mexico;
• Jesus Avila-Garcia, 46, of Salt Lake City;
• Joe Robert Rael, aka “Jojo,” 52, of Salt Lake City;
• Jerry Philip Vigil, aka “Nino,”47, of Bountiful;
• Jennifer Lopez-Lopez, 20, of San Marcos, California;
• Maria Isla-Avila, aka “Sky,” 22, of Escondido, California;
• Martin Verduzco-Muro, aka “Lalo,” 28, of Bountiful;
• Edward David Lucero, 54, of Sandy;
• Linda Hernandez-Alvarez, 34, of Salt Lake City;
• Brian Michael Fioravanti, 34, of Salt Lake City;
• Jeffrey Kraig Ellis, 60, of West Valley City;
• Patrice Raelynn Estes, 49, of Salt Lake City;
• Leandro Cortez Ochoa Lovato-Howells, 40, of Salt Lake City;
• Mario Alberto Lovato, aka “Grump,” 40, of Salt Lake City;
• Joseph Raymond Trujillo, aka “Qujo,” 31, of West Valley City;
• Celina Alexandra Garcia, “Baby G,” 26, of Salt Lake City;
• Pete Vince Espinoza, 37, of Salt Lake City;
• Judy Ann Maestas, 30, of Salt Lake City;
• Felicia Nicole Mingura, aka “Fela,” 34, of Salt Lake City;
• Erika Rachelle Vigil, 30, of West Valley City;
• Jessica LeAnn Vigil, 30, of Sandy;
• Anthony James Runion, aka “Lil Ace,” 19, of Salt Lake City;
• Richard Lawrence Trujillo, 32, of Salt Lake City;
• Brandon Jay Perrault, aka “Trip,” 42, of Salt Lake City;  
• Pedro Jurado, 56, of Midvale;
• Kyle Jimenez-Cuna, 18, of Bountiful.
    

The grand jury previously returned five indictments for defendants relating to this operation. Included in those additional five indictments are:

• Linda Rose Garcia, 33, of Salt Lake City, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm;
• Joseph Paul House, aka “Chino,” 36, of Taylorsville, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm;
• Victor Jurado, 34, of Salt Lake City, charged with being a felon in possession of firearm;
• Daniel Maestas, 48, of Salt Lake City, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute;
• David Soto-Acosta, aka “Droops,” 26, of Salt Lake City, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
•  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen L. Nelson, Jamie Z. Thomas, and Stewart M. Young in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case, along with Assistant District Attorney Adam Blanch from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Special Agents from the DEA’s Metro Narcotics Task Force, ATF, and IRS Criminal Investigation Division, investigators from the Unified Police Department’s Metro Gang Unit, and Deputies from the United States Marshals Service, conducted the investigation.  

Indictments are not findings of guilt. Defendants charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.

VIPD’s Crime Prevention Bureau, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, Community Action NOW! and Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff Announce a Town Hall Meeting in the Savan Community, St. Thomas on Thursday, June 3rd

 St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced today that Captain Sandra Colbourne and members of the VIPD Crime Prevention Bureau; representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative; Iffat Walker, Founder and Executive Director of Community Action NOW!; and Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff of the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands will participate in a Town Hall Meeting with the Savan Community next week. The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Romeo Malone Community Center. The meeting is free and open to the public. Participation is also available via Zoom.

"Savan is a diverse community of native families, small business owners, and an aging population. We know that the citizens of Savan want and need access to resources to restore the community to its once vibrant history, " Shappert said. "We look forward to hearing community members’ ideas and their concerns."

Persons wishing to join by Zoom can use Meeting ID 864 7247 5481; Passcode 90122.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. For more information on the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, please see: https://www.justice.gov/psn.

Community Action Now is a nonprofit focused on empowering youth and adults living in underserved communities to overcome poverty and gain economic independence through outreach services geared toward self-advocacy, education, training, community services, and emergency management. For more information, see https://communityactionnow.org/.

For additional information, please call 340-244-6539 or 340-474-1510.

Law Enforcement Solutions By the Field, For the Field: Collaborative Reform Third Annual Review

 Abstract:  The Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center is a partnership between the COPS Office and many professional law enforcement organizations throughout the field to provide technical assistance to law enforcement agencies on request. In its first three years, the center fielded more than 450 requests for assistance from campus, local, county, and state agencies on critical issues like community engagement; active shooter response; de-escalation; crime analysis; mass demonstrations; school safety; and recruitment, hiring, and retention. This report shows how the center has supported agencies in their efforts to ensure public safety in their communities. The COPS Office is committed to continue working diligently with our partners to provide high-quality, relevant, and timely assistance by the field, for the field. 

 Product ID: COPS-P453
Publication Date: 06/01/2021
Author(s): Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) 

Download Here

Trial Attorney/Federal Programs Branch

 Civil Division (CIV)

Federal Programs Branch

Attorney

United States

DE-11096719-21-VJ

About the Office: 

The Federal Programs Branch is seeking experienced attorneys for 8 permanent positions. The Federal Programs Branch specializes in defending Federal Government agencies and officials in high-profile civil litigation. The Branch litigates in federal district courts across the country on behalf of more than one hundred Federal agencies, the President and Cabinet officers, and other Government officials.

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

Job Description: 

Trial Attorneys in the Branch are generalists and participate in a broad range of practice areas, including cases raising challenges to the constitutionality of federal statutes, programmatic attacks on significant government initiatives and programs of the President and Executive Branch agencies; and challenges to the personnel practices and policies of the Government. The Branch also defends against challenges to national security policies and suits under the Freedom of Information Act seeking classified, privileged, and sensitive law enforcement information. In addition, the Branch engages in a limited amount of affirmative litigation to enforce statutes and regulations and to challenge state and local laws that are preempted by federal law. Branch attorneys are responsible for all phases of litigation, including motions practice, discovery, and trial.

Qualifications: 

Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), have at least one year of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-12 level; have at least two years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-13 level; have at least three years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-14 level; and four years of post J.D. experience to qualify at the GS-15 level. You must also be a U.S. citizen.

Salary: 

$87,198.00 - $172,500.00

Travel: 

Occasional Travel

Application Process: 

To apply for this position, you must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (not more than 15 pages in length). If you are claiming veterans preference, you must also submit your DD-214, and/or other documentation that you may have.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by email to: FederalPrograms.Vacancies@usdoj.gov

Applicants may also send their materials by commercial courier service, (FedEx or UPS) to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch
1100 L Street, NW, Room 11316
Washington, DC 20005
ATTN: Bonnie Brown

No telephone calls, please.

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

Application Deadline: 

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Relocation Expense are not authorized.

Number of Positions: 

8

Updated June 1, 2021

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Department Policies

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

DEA Wins International Award for Publication Aimed at Preventing Drug Misuse Among College Students

 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been recognized by the National Association of Government Communicators for its publication designed for colleges and universities. Prevention with Purpose: A Strategic Planning Guide to Preventing Drug Misuse Among College Students, was awarded the Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award of Excellence in the Soft or Hard Cover Book category during a May 26 virtual ceremony. Published in January 2020, the guide assists planners in measuring the scope of drug misuse issues, building relationships with key stakeholders, and developing a strategic plan for prevention efforts.

“The collegiate environment poses unique challenges for students, which is why this tool is an important part of DEA’s drug prevention program,” said DEA Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans. “This recognition by NAGC is a direct reflection of the professionalism of the developers of this tool. Their dedication and expertise make a difference, not only on campuses, but in communities across the nation.”

For professionals working to prevent drug misuse among college students, the publication provides in-depth guidance for a five-step planning process, and has helpful graphics and a comprehensive series of tips, tools, and worksheets in eight easy-to-follow chapters. An online version is available for download on DEA’s website: www.campusdrugprevention.gov/preventionguide.

NAGC’s annual Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards program recognizes superior government communication products and those who create them.

Pawtucket Man Admits to Attempting to Send Obscene Material to a Minor

 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Pawtucket man today pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to attempting to send obscene material to a minor.

Tomy J. Fitton, 41, admitted that he sent photographs of his exposed genitalia to a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl with whom he had been communicating with online. The person he was communicating with was a member of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

According to court documents, during the chatroom communications, in addition to sending the images of his genitalia, Fitton arranged to meet the supposed 14-year-old girl at a location in Providence. When he arrived at the location, Fitton was taken into custody by members of the ICAC Task Force. A cursory search of a cellphone in Fitton’s possession at the time of his arrest revealed the chatroom communications with a member of the ICAC Task Force and the digital images sent to the person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Fitton pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

If accepted by the court, a plea agreement filed in this matter recommends that Fitton be sentenced to serve a 24-month term of incarceration in federal prison. Fitton, who is currently detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 18, 2021.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit, agents from Homeland Security Investigations, and detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department.  

Bettendorf Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug and Gun Charges

 Davenport, Iowa – Deandre Darnell Blakely, age 26, of Bettendorf, was sentenced on Thursday, May 27, 2021, by United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey, to 80 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Following his prison term, Carter was ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Blakely was involved in the distribution of marijuana and possessed multiple firearms as a felon. After his arrest, Blakely attempted to obstruct justice by soliciting others to provide false information on his behalf. Blakely has prior convictions for Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (related to a shooting), Obstructing Justice, and a prior felony drug conviction. Blakely pleaded guilty to the charges on November 16, 2020.

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

The Davenport Police Department investigated this matter and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Ohio County man indicted on drug charges

 WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Travis E. Vossen, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was indicted today on drug charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Vossen, 31, was indicted today on two counts of “Distribution of Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location,” one count of “Distribution of Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a Protected Location.” Vossen is accused of distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine near Ritchie Elementary School in April and May 2021 in Ohio County.

Vossen faces at least one and up to 40 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton J. Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Identity Theft And Fraud Activities

 Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Charles Cornelius Smith (35, Jacksonville) to five years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The court also ordered Smith to pay restitution to the victims he had defrauded.

Smith had pleaded guilty on February 2, 2021.

According to court documents, Smith obtained the personal identification information, including the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a victim. Using this information, Smith provided his co-defendant, Zipporan Carmel Peters, with a counterfeit South Carolina driver license using the name and identity of the victim, but with Peters’ photo on it. Smith then drove Peters to different branches of the Navy Federal Credit Union in Clay and Duval Counties. Using the victim’s identity, Peters made various fraudulent transactions involving the withdrawal of large amounts of cash and the purchase of multiple $500 gift cards, utilizing the victim’s account. Smith and Peters also visited multiple cellphone stores in Clay and Duval Counties and used the victim’s identity to obtain several thousand dollars’ worth of cellphones and accompanying merchandise.

Zipporan Carmel Peters is scheduled for trial on July 6, 2021.

“Technology has forever changed the way we do business, making every day financial transactions a prime target for fraud. This case should serve as a strong deterrent to those considering exploiting the identities of others to enrich themselves through fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge, Glen M. Kessler of the  U.S. Secret Service - Jacksonville Field Office.

This case was investigated by United States Secret Service (Jacksonville Field Office), the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange Park Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

Assistant United States Attorney USAO Northern District of Georgia

 Criminal Division-Appellate Section

Attorney

75 Ted Turner Drive SW

Suite 600

Atlanta, GA 30303

United States

21-GAN-AUSA-04

About the Office: 

The United States Attorney's Office prosecutes federal criminal offenses, seeks recovery of government funds fraudulently obtained, litigates affirmative civil fraud and enforcement actions, and defends the U.S. Government's interest in civil cases. The United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia, is located in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to the main office in downtown Atlanta, we maintain three intermittently staffed offices located in Rome, Newnan, and Gainesville. More information about the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao.gan.

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

Job Description: 

Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The Northern District of Georgia is currently seeking applicants for a permanent Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) opening in our Criminal Division, Appellate Section. All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

The selected AUSA will be assigned to our Appellate & Legal Advice Section where the attorney will be responsible for researching and drafting briefs and motions for filing in the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, arguing appeals, reviewing and editing briefs and motions for colleagues, participating in moot courts to prepare for oral argument, and providing research support for AUSAs in the Criminal and Civil Divisions. Briefs will involve a wide variety of constitutional, statutory, and other claims arising under substantive and procedural federal criminal law and primarily respond to defense claims of error in convictions and/or sentences, while at times, the government will file an appeal challenging district court decisions or orders.

Qualifications: 

Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from a law school approved by the American Bar Association, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least three years of post-J.D. experience.

United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications: Hiring preferences include significant legal writing and oral advocacy experience that demonstrates strong writing skills, legal practice in federal court (or a federal court clerkship), and/or practice in criminal matters. Candidates must demonstrate the ability and willingness to be self-reliant and motivated in order to: review and distill voluminous records involving complex fact patterns; understand and articulate complex legal doctrines; routinely prepare high-quality and persuasive briefs on strict time deadlines; make persuasive oral arguments; and to assist other attorneys in all divisions. Finally, preferred candidates must possess advanced computer literacy skills, including experience with automated legal research, electronic court filing, and electronic email and word processing systems.

(*Note: You must become a member of the Georgia bar within 18 months of appointment as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. If you are a member of the bar in any jurisdiction other than Georgia, you may apply for admission on motion without examination to membership in the bar must have comity for bar admission purposes with the State of Georgia. Reciprocity Order, eligibility criteria, and instructions for admission on motion without examination are available at http://www.gabaradmissions.org).

Salary: 

Assistant United States Attorneys' pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of pay is $68,112 to $172,400 which includes a 22.16% locality pay supplement.

Travel: 

Occasional travel, both within and outside the District, may be required.

Application Process: 

If you are interested in relocating to a great United States Attorney's Office in the beautiful, rapidly growing, and still relatively affordable Atlanta area, please email a resume (one page preferred) and cover letter (pdf file preferred) to USAGAN.Resumes@usdoj.gov.

Or, resumes may be mailed to:

Denise Baker

Human Resources Specialist

United States Attorney's Office Northern District of Georgia

75 Ted Turner Drive, S.W. Suite 600

Atlanta, GA 30303

Please submit only one application via email or postal mail and reference the vacancy posting.

Resumes should include complete dates (beginning month and year and ending month and year) for all periods of employment.

If you have previously applied to a prior announcement, please reapply referencing this vacancy posting number for consideration.

Applicants selected for an interview may be subject to a short writing test separate and apart from a writing sample.

No telephone calls please.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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

Application Deadline: 

Monday, June 7, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Number of Positions: 

We are currently seeking to fill one or more positions.

Updated June 1, 2021

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Department Policies

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

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

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

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

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

 

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