Owner of Chantilly Pain Clinic Convicted of Drug Trafficking, Fraud Charges

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Paul Boccone, 56, was convicted of conspiring to distribute and distribution of oxycodone, health care fraud, and payroll tax evasion for his role as the owner and president of Chantilly Specialists pain clinic in Chantilly, Virginia. Charles Brown, Jr., 51, a nurse practitioner with Chantilly Specialists, was convicted of conspiring to distribute and distribution of oxycodone.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, Attorney General of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Richard A. Raven, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation; and Gary Cantrell, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations at HHS-OIG, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Claude M. Hilton.

The defendants will be sentenced on November 9, 2012. Boccone faces a maximum sentence of 350 years in prison, and Brown faces a maximum sentence of 160 years in prison.

According to court records and evidence at trial, Paul Boccone was the owner and president of Chantilly Specialists, a pain management clinic in Chantilly, Virginia. Although not a trained or licensed medical practitioner, the evidence showed that he treated patients and prescribed narcotics by either forging the signatures of medical practitioners or encouraging medical practitioners to endorse prescriptions that he wrote. Charles Brown, Jr. was the lead nurse practitioner at the practice and assisted Boccone by continuing to prescribe large amounts of narcotics to patients without medical need. Over the course of the conspiracy, evidence showed that at least four Chantilly Specialists patients died of overdoses related to the drugs they obtained from the practice.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office; Internal Revenue Service; Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; and Fairfax County Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Ben’Ary and Special Assistant United States Attorney and Virginia Assistant Attorney General Marc J. Birnbaum are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Virginia Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that an indictment charging a 31-year-old Falls Church, Virginia resident with producing and attempting to produce child pornography has been unsealed. The indictment was filed under seal on April 10, 2012.

According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the indictment alleges that Christopher Julich persuaded and enticed a minor in Lackawanna County to perform sexual acts on a webcam that were transmitted to Virginia.

The charge against Julich resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lackawanna County Detectives, and Fairfax County Police, Virginia.

Julich was arrested by federal agents in Virginia. He was arraigned on May 24 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas M. Blewitt. Judge Blewitt ordered Julich to remain in prison pending trial. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Mariani scheduled trial for July 23, 2012.

If convicted of the charge, Julich faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a possible maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.

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An indictment and criminal information are not evidence of guilt but simply descriptions of the charge made by the United States Attorney against a defendant. A charged defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proved the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Eighteen Members of Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking Organization Charged

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Eighteen individuals have been charged in the Eastern District of Virginia for allegedly participating in a nationwide distribution ring smuggling high-quality marijuana from grows in northern California to mid-level dealers in numerous states throughout the country. After coordinated arrests yesterday, 17 conspirators are in custody and one remains a fugitive: Marvin Powers, Jr., a/k/a “Marv,” 39, of Vallejo, Calif.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Robert B. Wemyss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service; Earl Cook, Alexandria Chief of Police; and Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after the case was unsealed.

“We have dismantled a significant, national drug ring that allegedly made millions trafficking marijuana and recruited college athletes to target fellow students for drug sales,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Marijuana is an addictive, dangerous gateway drug that often leads users to graduate to other deadly narcotics. Distributors often rely on guns and physical violence to enforce debts and ensure the success of their business, allured by the potential for significant profit peddling contraband. We’re grateful to the tight partnership of the agencies who worked together to bring charges against those in every level of this organization.”

According to court documents, the ring is led by Anthony Guidry, Sr., a/k/a “Ant,” 46, of Vallejo, Calif., who allegedly trained and now works with three other men as interconnected wholesale dealers of marijuana they either grow or purchase from growers in northern California. From 2005 through the present, the conspirators are accused of taking orders for various marijuana strains and shipping multi-pound quantities to suppliers in more than a dozen states. The complaint affidavit states that many conspirators carry firearms while conducting drug sales and use weapons and assault to intimidate those who have not paid, including targeting the young children of those in debt to conspirators.

Guidry is allegedly focused on extending his enterprise to as many states as possible, recruiting distributors from all walks of life, including college athletes, to help open distribution centers in cities and college campuses in Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Court records indicate that he controls more than 20 bank accounts that conspirators use to deposit proceeds from marijuana sales in whatever state sales are made. To avoid law enforcement detection, Guidry allegedly also hires individuals to fly around the country to pick up bulk cash payments and return to California. Court documents state that Guidry is the owner of a company named “Daddy’s Girl Handyman,” which is based out of his residence and is allegedly a front for him to launder illicit drug proceeds and appear to have legitimate income. He is accused of using drug proceeds to purchase multiple homes, vehicles, and a boat. In a two year period, investigators allege he received deposits of nearly $1 million into his various accounts.

According to the affidavit, Guidry would obtain wholesale marijuana for as little as $1,200 a pound, which he would sell for as much as $5,000 per pound at the retail level. Investigators conservatively estimate that the conspiracy has generated at least $2 million in profit during the course of the conspiracy. Prior to arrest, law enforcement had seized 71 pounds of marijuana and $161,980 in money orders from the conspirators.

Court records indicate that the ring was uncovered through the arrest of Moataz Mohammad Masoud, a/k/a “Mo,” “Fat Mo,” or “Gyp,” 26, of Alexandria, Va., in Alexandria on Jan. 12, 2010. While detained on marijuana distribution charges, court documents state that Masoud telephoned other conspirators to ensure that they continued his marijuana dealing operation. This arrest and ensuing investigation contributed to the initiation of the overall investigation that resulted in today’s charges.

All 15 individuals were charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison if convicted. Court documents indicate that additional charges carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment may also be filed against certain co-conspirators. In addition to Guidry, those charged include:

■James Cody Cutri, 22, of Springfield, Va., is alleged to be the leader of a marijuana and oxycontin distribution network based in the Eastern District of Virginia and extending into West Virginia. Court records indicate that he has received marijuana from Johnson for at least five years and is the largest and most lucrative of Johnson’s distribution outlets. Cutri works with Masoud; Nahom Hagos, a/k/a “Fat Boy,” 23, of Alexandria, Va.; and Yonata Noah Hagos, a/k/a “Yoni,” “Yone,” or “Little Black Boy,” 24, of Alexandria, Va., on retail sales of marijuana.

■Justin Dacory Johnson, a/k/a “Jay,” 23, of Pittsburg, Calif., is alleged to be a wholesale dealer with a distribution network in several states and is the primary supplier to Cutri and his network operating in the Eastern District of Virginia. Cristina Delores Patino, 28 of Pittsburg, Calif., is alleged to be the live-in girlfriend of Johnson who assists him in packaging and shipping marijuana to others in his network.

■Munir Abdalla Saad, a/k/a “Saad Munir Abdalla,” 36, of Benicia, Calif., and Powers are alleged to be wholesale dealers who work closely with Guidry in operating the marijuana ring, along with operating their own distribution networks. Saad is allegedly working with Guidry on renting property in California to grow marijuana.

■Noe Briones, 26, of Rodeo, Calif., is alleged to be a marijuana grower and one of Johnson’s regular marijuana suppliers. Court documents state that he rents a home in Sacramento, Calif., that he refers to as “the ranch” where he is running one of his marijuana grow operations.

■Nathaniel Scott Wilson, a/k/a “Nate,” and Jeremiah Adam Wilson, a/k/a “Jay,”—twin brothers, 26, of Atlanta, Ga.—are alleged to operate a distribution outlet from Atlanta, Ga., for Guidry.

■Julius Jamar Watson III, a/k/a “Ju Ju,” 23, of Sacramento, Calif., is alleged to be a distributor for Guidry and, according to court documents, is helping to establish distribution outlets in Pennsylvania and New York.

■Tracy Christopher King, a/k/a “T.C.,” 44, of Norfolk, Va., is alleged to have established a distribution network for Guidry in the Tidewater area of Virginia, particularly at local colleges and the beaches on the Eastern Shore.

■Tiffany Nicole Solorio, a/k/a “Tiff,” 22, of Rio Linda, Calif., is believed to be Guidry’s daughter or stepdaughter. She is alleged to receive between work for Guidry and Johnson transporting tens of thousands of dollars in proceeds via commercial airline from members of the distribution ring and returning them to Guidry and Johnson in California.

■Anthony Scott Giuliani, a/ka/ “Ant,” 44, and Annette Marie Ross, 51, of Covelo, Calif., are alleged to be growers who supply Guidry with high-grade marijuana.

■Robert Williams, 22, of Springfield, Va., was discovered by law enforcement at Cutri’s residence at the time of Cutri’s arrest on June 16, 2011, and was found to have allegedly possessed a .40-caliber pistol, $11,000 in cash, and bundles of marijuana.

Today’s charges are a result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation being conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Alexandria and Fairfax County police departments. Assistant United States Attorneys Sean P. Tonolli and Lisa Owings are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal complaints are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.

Five Men Charged in String of Armed Robberies of Latino Small Businesses

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Five men have been indicted by a federal grand jury of engaging in a string of armed robberies of small businesses that primarily service the Latino community in Prince William and Fairfax counties. The men are also charged with conspiracy to commit the armed robberies in Virginia as well as an armed robbery of a Wachovia Bank branch in Horsham, Penn.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Charlie T. Deane, Prince William County Chief of Police; and Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police made the announcement.

“These men are accused of spreading fear and violence through armed robberies of Latino businesses throughout Prince William and Fairfax counties,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Armed robbery is a very traumatic experience. The threat of violence is real, and in several instances the weapons were allegedly used to subdue employees or ensure the conspirators’ escape. We are grateful to the excellent work of our local and federal partners in putting together the evidence that made today’s charges possible.”

“This is another outstanding example of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across jurisdictional and state lines,” said Chief Deane of the Prince William County Police Department. “With the use of technology and communication between agencies our ability to apprehend suspects is even greater than before.”

“Violent crime directed at our neighborhood business community endangers lives,” said FBI ADIC McJunkin. “This case was successful because of the hard work and dedication of multiple law enforcement agencies who acted as a cohesive team to intervene against those who threaten our communities.”

According to the indictment and other court records, the five men are accused of participating in a conspiracy that targeted at least six businesses and stole approximately $238,000 in cash and jewelry from August 2010 through February 2011. At each location, conspirators allegedly carried handguns, either brandished a firearm or put a handgun at employees’ heads, and demanded money and other valuables.

Those charged include the following:

■Jesus Garcia-Guinea, 38, of Washington, D.C., who is charged with conspiracy, robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

■Edgar Geovani Zuniga-Perez, a/k/a “Edgar Geovani Suniga-Perez” and “Edgar Geovani Perez-Suniga,” 30, of Woodbridge, Va., who is charged with conspiracy, multiple counts of robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and also with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

■Vahelo Alay Escobar, 21, of Riverdale, Md., who is charged with conspiracy, robbery, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

■Serfido Trinidad Perez Florian, 41, of Riverdale, Md., who is charged with conspiracy, robbery, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

■Estanislao Ramos Perez, 28, of Riverdale, Md., who is charged with conspiracy.

A related affidavit details the alleged robbery at Plantanillos Grocery in Prince William County on Dec. 19, 2010. According to the affidavit, three Hispanic males wearing black masks entered the store armed with a firearm. The men allegedly brandished their weapons at the store employees, stole the cash from the registers, and shattered a jewelry case to retrieve the jewelry. One employee was allegedly struck several times on the face and head with a gun. After the robbers exited the store, they allegedly fired shots that hit an employee’s vehicle’s front windshield.

The indictment states that on Feb. 24, 2011, conspirators also allegedly shot at the owner of Sabina’s Joyeria in Fairfax County, Va., as they were fleeing the scene after stealing approximately $5,450 in cash.

The indictment also accuses Zuniga-Perez, Escobar, and Perez Florian and other conspirators of working with individuals later revealed as undercover officers to commit an armed robbery of a Wachovia Bank branch in Horsham, Penn. They allegedly met at a car dealership to select the vehicles to be used in the robbery attempt, conducted surveillance on the bank, and inspected multiple firearms and bullet proof vests they would allegedly use in committing the armed robbery. The undercover officers involved in the investigation were with the Metropolitan Police Department.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, Prince William County Police Department, Fairfax County Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from Takoma Park Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia Giles and Justin Fairfax are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on https://pcl.uscourts.gov.

Springfield Man Convicted of Trafficking Cocaine from Mexico into Northern Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Fernando Reynoso Avalos, 25, of Springfield, Virginia, was convicted yesterday by a federal jury of importing narcotics from Mexico and distributing them in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ronald Hosko, Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal Division at the FBI Washington Field Office; and Colonel David Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Anthony J. Trenga. Convicted of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, Avalos faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment when he is sentenced on May 27, 2011.

“The disruption of cocaine trafficking organizations that import drugs from countries such as Mexico into our area continues to be a high priority for the United States Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Without the mutual and coordinated efforts of federal and local partners, such a prosecution would not have been possible.”

“The FBI remains vigilant to investigating those involved in drug trafficking outfits that can contribute to violence and crime in our communities and have a propensity to create underground economies,” said FBI SAC Hosko.

Avalos was indicted on April 13, 2010. According to court records and evidence at trial, Avalos and a partner ran the cocaine distribution operation locally for the organization from August 2008 until March 2009. Avalos and others imported the drugs from their source of supply in Mexico and distributed them in Maryland and Northern Virginia until Avalos fled from the United States in March of 2009. After returning to Mexico, Avalos then coordinated the supply of cocaine to the Northern Virginia region until October 2009. Evidence showed that the organization distributed up to 20 to 30 kilograms of cocaine at a time and was responsible for distributing large quantities of drugs throughout the region. Avalos was arrested after illegally crossing the border of the United States in April 2010.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and Fairfax County Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Nussbum and Paul Rosen are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at vaed.uscourts.gov or on pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.

MS-13 leader pleads guilty to attempted murder and extortion racketeering

ALEXANDRIA, Va - A leader of the Gangsters Locos Salvatrucha (GLS) clique of MS-13 pled guilty today to participating in a racketeering organization that attempted to murder two rival gang members and extorted pimps trafficking prostitutes from Maryland into Virginia.

"MS-13 and the violent tactics they use to instill fear throughout our communities will not be tolerated," said John P. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington, D.C. "As evidenced in today's plea, MS-13 operates as a criminal enterprise using brutal acts to include attempted murder as a means to spread their control in our neighborhoods. ICE HSI appreciates the close working relationship with our local, state and federal partners to combat this significant threat and to dismantle MS-13's attempt to reign control in Northern Virginia."

Jose Anibal Vigil, 21, of Falls Church, Va., pled guilty to a criminal information charging him with being a member of MS-13, a criminal racketeering enterprise. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 6, 2011.

According to the criminal information and the statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Vigil was officially jumped into MS-13 in 2008 and obtained the gang moniker "Silencio." He became a leader of the GLS clique, which was involved in extensive criminal activity, including an attempt on May 27, 2008, to kill two rival gang members outside a youth center in the Culmore area of Fairfax County, Va. Armed with a pick axe, a machete, and a chain, the MS-13 members attacked their rivals yelling, "We are going to kill you," and "La Mara Salvatrucha." The two rival gang members were seriously injured during the attack.

Today, Vigil also admitted that in 2010, MS-13 members collected "protection money" from at least two prostitution organizations operating in Culmore. In exchange for payments, MS-13 members allowed the prostitution services to operate in the area, and one of the leaders of the prostitution services stated that he believed the gang would kill him if he did not pay. A portion of the funds collected was sent to MS-13 gang operations in El Salvador.

"Violent gangs spread fear throughout the community," said U.S. Attorney MacBride. "We are determined to work together - as federal, state, and local law enforcement - to put MS-13 out of business in Northern Virginia.

"Today's plea represents the success of another strategic collaboration between the U.S. Attorney's Office, local and federal agencies, and the Office of the Attorney General - and Virginia is safer for it," said Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. "Each gang member has a choice before him - to give away his or her prime years to a jail cell, or to get an education, have a job, a family, and most of all, freedom. Today's plea is a reminder that young people tempted by gang membership are choosing the wrong path. Your gang will not protect you from the law when you commit crimes. We will catch you and we will prosecute you."

"The guilty plea in this case is very welcome news for the people of Fairfax County and the FCPD officers who spent two years on this investigation," said Col. Dave Rohrer, Chief of Fairfax County Police Department. "We appreciate the partnership and support of our federal partners that enabled us to prosecute Vigil, a serious threat to public safety, under very tough federal laws."

This case was investigated by ICE HSI and the Fairfax County Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney Marc Birnbaum, on detail from the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, and Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Fahey are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.

One of America's Most Wanted Child Sex Offenders Extradited from Poland

WASHINGTON – John Hamilton, one of the most wanted child sex offenders in the country and abroad, is back on U.S. soil to face the sentencing he fled the country to avoid in 2009.

Deputy U.S. Marshals and a representative from the Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department escorted Hamilton from Poland to the United States today. Upon arrival in Virginia, the U.S. Marshals handed Hamilton over to the Fairfax County Police Department.

The international manhunt for Hamilton ended in Poland with his capture in August 2010. Hamilton was on the G8 Wanted Child Sex Offender list, making him one of the most wanted child sex offenders in this country and internationally.

“I am appreciative of the cooperation of our domestic and international partners who assisted us in tracking down and apprehending Hamilton,” said Stacia A. Hylton, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service.  “As we continue to work together - across borders - it is becoming increasingly hard for criminals to flee our shores and find refuge overseas. I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who helped bring this fugitive to justice."

Before fleeing the country in 2009, Hamilton had pled guilty and was awaiting sentencing on two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, two counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of crimes against nature with a minor.

The U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Marshals from the Eastern District of Virginia began working the case in September 2009. Detectives assigned to the Fairfax County Child Services Unit and the Fairfax County Police Department worked closely with the U.S. Marshals Service on this intricate and extensive investigation.

When the case was adopted as part of the International roundup INFRA-RED and the G8 Wanted Child Sex Offender initiatives, the U.S. Marshals International Investigations Branch picked up the case in July 2010. They developed information he was traveling between Denmark, Germany and the Czech Republic. With the assistance of their overseas counterparts in those countries and deploying investigative methods, the U.S. Marshals were able to track Hamilton’s movements between different countries in Europe.

INTERPOL issued a Red Notice on Hamilton and sent it to every country in Europe, ultimately resulting in the arrest of Hamilton.

Hamilton was located in August 2010 on a bus leaving the Czech Republic entering into Poland. The Polish Border authorities pulled him to the side and subsequently found his U.S. passport. INTERPOL Washington officials confirmed Hamilton’s identity and informed the Polish authorities the United States would seek his extradition.

“The return of John Hamilton to the U.S. from Poland is another fine example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement authorities work together in the U.S. and internationally,” said INTERPOL Washington Director Timothy A. Williams. “I would like to especially commend the U.S. Marshals Service, the Fairfax County Police, and the Office of International Affairs for their tireless efforts to pursue and bring Hamilton back to the U.S. in a timely manner so that he can stand trial.”

The Office of International Affairs in the Justice Department's Criminal Division, as well as the FBI's legal attaché in Warsaw and Office of the Prosecutor General in Poland provided assistance in this matter.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Additional media points of contact:

INTERPOL Washington, LaTonya Miller at 202-616-8006

Fairfax County Police Department, Don Gotthardt at 703-246-4267