Assistant Unites States Attorney

 USAO District of Massachusetts

Attorney

1 Courthouse Way

Suite 9200

Boston, MA 02210

United States

21-MA-AUSA-05

About the Office: 

Assistant United States Attorneys prosecute all criminal and civil cases brought by the Federal government and defend the United States in civil cases.  AUSAs in this district improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents by prosecuting terrorism, violent crime, narcotics trafficking, fraud, political corruption, and other crimes; by enforcing the federal civil rights laws; and by safeguarding federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid through civil actions.

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

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: 

The position of an Assistant U.S. Attorney provides one with the responsibility and the authority to effect positive changes in the lives of Americans who live in Massachusetts and across the United States. The position being advertised is for Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, which is responsible for the recovery of federal funds obtained by fraud. The vast majority of the Unit’s cases are False Claims Act cases, and most of them are actions brought by whistleblowers, who are generally entitled to a percentage of the recovery in such actions. The unit also proactively generates its own cases through referrals, data analytics, and other sources. A significant number of the unit’s cases involve fraud against Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health insurance programs.

Working as a federal prosecutor sworn to pursue justice in the name of the United States is deeply satisfying.  Many lawyers look back on their days as an Assistant U.S. Attorney as among the most rewarding of their professional careers.

Qualifications: 

Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar in good standing (in any jurisdiction), and have at least two years post-J.D. legal experience as an attorney.

Preferred qualifications:  Five years of experience handling complex litigation matters, superior academic credentials, and some familiarity with health care fraud.  

United States citizenship is required.

All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14 month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

In practice, Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Office are paid based on their years of experience and year of graduation from law school, starting around $112,500 for lawyers who graduated in 2011.

Salary: 

As a technical matter, the range of pay for federal prosecutors in 2021 is $72,198 to $169,403 per annum.

Travel: 

Travel within the district and outside of the district may be required.

Application Process: 

To apply, please complete the AUSA Job Application found at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/page/file/897256/download and forward it with a resume and cover letter to: USAMA.AUSA.Application@usdoj.gov

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: 

Friday, April 16, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Number of Positions: 

1 - As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Updated April 7, 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.

Assistant Chief Immigration Judge

 Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)

Office of Chief Immigration Judge

Attorney

5107 Leesburg Pike

Falls Church, VA 22041

United States

ACIJ-11072427-21-AS

About the Office: 

This position is in the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Office of the Chief Immigration Judge. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) seeks highly-qualified individuals to join our team of expert professionals in becoming a part of our challenging and rewarding Agency. The primary mission of the EOIR is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings.

EOIR consists of three adjudicatory components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of the immigration judges' decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. EOIR is committed to providing the fair, expeditious, and uniform application of our Nation's immigration laws in all cases. EOIR's Headquarters is located in Falls Church, Virginia, about 10 miles from downtown Washington, DC.

As Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, the incumbent serves as a principal assistant to the Chief Immigration Judge and/or Deputy Chief Immigration Judge in managing and coordinating Immigration Judge activities throughout the United States and in supervising the administrative operations of the program. As necessary, the incumbent also presides as an Immigration Judge with duties and powers somewhat similar to those of Hearing Examiners, appointed and operating under the Administrative Procedures Act, but with the additional power of entering decisions that are final unless appealed.
 

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: 

Responsibilities:

• Assisting the Chief Immigration Judge and/or Deputy Chief Immigration Judge in managing and coordinating Immigration Judge activities and in supervising the administrative operations of the program.
• Assisting in development of policy and procedure for the operations of the program, determining and accounting for resource needs, evaluating and adjusting broad objectives as needed, determining need for and effecting changes in organizational structure and delegation of authority, and establishing effective internal and external communication channels.
• Participating with the Chief Immigration Judge and/or Deputy Chief Immigration Judge in the formulation of Executive Office for Immigration Review programs and policies.
• Analyzing programs and projects and prepares reports to the Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, recommending adoption or rejection of policy changes.
• Providing legal counsel and advice to the Chief Immigration Judge and/or Deputy Chief Immigration Judge on matters pertaining to the Immigration and Nationality Act and all other applicable law.

Qualifications: 

In order to qualify for the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge position, applicants must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

• Education: Applicants must possess a LL.B., J.D., or LL.M. degree. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your degree and the name of the College or University from which it was conferred/awarded.)

AND

• Licensure: Applicants must be an active member of the bar, duly licensed and authorized to practice law as an attorney under the laws of any state, territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. (Provide the month and year in which you obtained your first license and the State from which it was issued.)

AND

• Experience: Applicants must have seven (7) years of post-bar admission experience as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, and/or appealing formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State or local level. Qualifying litigation experience involves cases in which a complaint was filed with a court, or a charging document (e.g., indictment or information) was issued by a court, a grand jury, or appropriate military authority. Qualifying administrative law experience involves cases in which a formal procedure was initiated by a governmental administrative body.

NOTE: Qualifying experience is calculated only after bar admission.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your assessment questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your Resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MM/YYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name; position title; Federal grade level(s) held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.

Additional information

 

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, applicants must submit a Writing Sample, not to exceed ten (10) pages, demonstrating their ability to author legal documents and a document addressing the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs). (See "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.) Failure to submit these documents will result in your application package being removed from consideration.

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to ACIJ appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in ACIJ hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must claim their status when completing their application in the online application process and attach supporting documentation. (See "Required Documents" section.)

Conditions of Employment: Only U.S. Citizens or Nationals are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Dual citizens of the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ applicants, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, whose job location is with the U.S., must meet the residency requirement. For a total of three (not necessarily consecutive years) of the five years immediately prior to applying for a position, the applicant must have: 1) resided in the U.S., 2) worked for the U.S. overseas in a Federal or military capacity; or 3) been a dependent of a Federal or military employee serving oversees.

Alternative work schedule options are available.

Salary: 

$140,010 to $183,300 per year

Travel: 

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Application Process: 

To apply for this position, please click the below link to access and apply to the vacancy announcement via

USA Jobs: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/597541500

Please read announcement thoroughly. You must submit a complete application package by 11:59PM (EST) on 04/20/2021, the closing date of the 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: 

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Relocation Expenses: 

Not authorized

Number of Positions: 

Multiple vacancies in the following locations: Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Arlington, VA, San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, El Paso, TX

Updated April 7, 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.

Marshall County man indicted on bankruptcy fraud charges

 WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Francis Tucker, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was indicted today on bankruptcy fraud charges, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Tucker, 67, was indicted today on one count of “Fraudulent Transfers in Contemplation of Bankruptcy,” one count of “False Bankruptcy Declarations,” and one count of “Structuring Financial Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirements.”

Tucker was the secretary for Danzac, Inc., a video lottery machine service and real estate holder. In January 2018, the Circuit Court of Ohio County granted a civil judgement against Tucker in the amount of approximately $469,000. Tucker is accused of transferring personal and business properties to others in the months leading up to the defendant filing for bankruptcy in July 2018 in Ohio County. He is accused of falsifying the bankruptcy documents by claiming that he had not been involved in reportable property transfers and had no connections to a business.

Tucker is also accused of conducting withdrawals of proceeds from the sale of a property in Florida in a manner and, with the intent to avoid bank reporting requirements regarding certain cash transactions. This crime was alleged to have occurred in 2016. 

Tucker faces up five years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each charge. 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. Attorneys Danae DeMasi-Lemon and Jarod J. Douglas are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI investigated.

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

Luzerne County Man Indicted For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

 SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William Heck, age 40, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was indicted on April 6, 2021, by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on October 2, 2020, Heck possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, was a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possessed more than 40 grams of methamphetamine and an additional amount of fentanyl for distribution in Luzerne County.  

The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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.

Under federal law, Heck faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison for the drug trafficking charge, up to a maximum sentence of life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. For the firearms charges, Heck faces an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, a maximum sentence of life, a term of supervised release and a fine. 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 offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's 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.

FBI, Berks District Attorney Announce Arrest of Fugitive Sought in Reading Quadruple Murder, Gun and Drug Crimes

 Pedro Sanchez-Laporte, a fugitive wanted in connection with a quadruple murder and for gun and drug crimes, has been arrested in Florida, announced Michael J. Driscoll, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, and Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams. FBI Tampa SWAT personnel took Sanchez-Laporte into custody this morning, April 6, 2021, without incident at a residence in Lake Alfred, Florida.

On January 28, 2018, Sanchez-Laporte and four other alleged members of the Trinidad Drug Trafficking Organization confronted four individuals selling narcotics in Reading, Pennsylvania, in a location operated and controlled by the Trinidad Drug Trafficking Organization. The confrontation escalated into threats, then Sanchez-Laporte and associates allegedly opened fire on the individuals. Three victims died at the scene, with the fourth, Sanchez-Laporte’s nephew, succumbing to his wounds at the hospital.

Sanchez-Laporte’s associates have been indicted, arrested, and are awaiting trial in this case; only Sanchez-Laporte had remained at large.

He will be returned by the U.S. Marshals Service to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he was charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and murder in the course of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly A. Lewis Fallenstein and Vineet Gauri, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rosalynda M. Michetti.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office would like to thank the Reading Police Department and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in this matter, and the FBI Tampa—Lakeland Resident Agency and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with today’s arrest.

Assistant U.S. Attorney from South Carolina Honored by FBI for Prosecution of Cocaine Drug Conspiracy

 Columbia, South Carolina --- Acting United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina M. Rhett DeHart announced today that the Columbia Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recognized Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Garner for his work in the prosecution of nearly 100 violent street gang members of a major cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy operating throughout South Carolina’s Midlands.

“The work of Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Garner, as well as the support of Assistant United States Attorney Jane Taylor and Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialist Shana Greenway, on ‘The Movement’ prosecution represents the best of our office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart.  “‘The Movement’ case also highlights the incredible collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to make our communities safer and better places.”

After many drug-related shootings in a confined area led the Sumter Police Department to connect a group of individuals to a gang-style operation in the area known as “The Movement,” federal assistance was sought.  Through the collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, over a dozen cocaine suppliers for the drug dealers in the area were apprehended and pled guilty to federal drug charges.  The investigation then led to the arrest of more than three dozen individuals and the seizure of almost 20 pounds of cocaine and $9 million in drug money, followed by the prosecution of an additional thirty-eight defendants.  In total, federal charges were brought against 91 defendants for drug and firearm offenses with “The Movement” case.

Fredonia Man Going To Prison For Selling Crack Cocaine

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nathaniel Gates, Jr, 47, of Fredonia, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute, and distributing, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth T. Molisani and Charles E. Watkins, who handled the case, stated that in April 2015, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the defendant in Chautauqua County, NY. During the investigation, investigators made three controlled purchases of narcotics from Gates. Investigators also executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Brigham Road apartment in Fredonia and recovered illegal narcotics and items commonly used in drug distribution.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.

Martinsburg man admits to role in drug trafficking operation

 MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Shane Lee Dirting, of Martinsburg West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug distribution operation, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
 
Dirting, 54, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Eutylone and Cocaine Base.” Dirting admitted to working with others to distribute the drugs from October 2019 to April 2020 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.

Dirting faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the West Virginia Air National Guard investigated. 

This case 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. 

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

Berkeley County man admits to role in drug trafficking enterprise

 MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – John Suffare Beavers, II, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug distribution enterprise, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
 
Beavers, 34, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Base, and Cocaine Hydrochloride” and three counts of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl.”  Beavers admitted to working with others to sell cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl from June 2019 to October 2020 in Berkeley County and elsewhere.

Beavers faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 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 Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the West Virginia Air National Guard investigated. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office assisted.

These charges are the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level 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. 

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

Dajuan Williams and Multiple Others Charged in Nationwide Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracy

 The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on December 3, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a sixteen-count indictment charging (1) eight people with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances between September 2019 and November 2020 and (2) five people with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Dajuan Williams, 28, of Detroit, Michigan, is the lead defendant in the indictment. As of April 6, 2021, seven of the eight charged individuals have been arraigned in federal district court in Vermont.

In the drug conspiracy, in addition to Dajuan Williams, the government charged Mohamed Luhizo, 23; Jaylinn Lenoir, 22; Stephen Alexander, 31; Rendell Perkins, 21; Jessica Elwell, 30; Juwon Robinson, 26; and another defendant who remains a fugitive. In the money laundering conspiracy, the government charged Williams, Elwell, Luhizo, Alexander, and another defendant who remains a fugitive. The indictment also contains two forfeiture notices – one associated with the drug charges and one associated with the money laundering charges.

According to Court records, Williams—who is also known by a variety of aliases, including “D,” “Detroit,” “Big Bro,” “Corn,” and “Sosa” — supervised the distribution of controlled substances to various locations in Vermont, North Dakota, Montana, and elsewhere. Williams and others under Williams’s supervision distributed a variety of controlled substances, including dangerous opiates, as well as highly addictive stimulants such as cocaine base and methamphetamine. Some of the drugs involved were fentanyl pills created to resemble prescription opiate medications.

Williams also supervised the laundering of drug proceeds via cash deposits into bank accounts followed by the transfer of proceeds using a variety of methods, including mobile payment services such as Cash App, Zelle, and Venmo. In addition, Williams laundered drug proceeds through the purchase of numerous luxury vehicles.

Williams was arrested on January 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California at his residence. On the same day, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at another residence in Los Angeles and a storage locker associated with Williams’s drug trafficking organization. During the searches, agents located an assault rifle and approximately two pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also arrested the following defendants on January 13, 2021 – Luhizo and Robinson in Vermont; Lenoir in Los Angeles, California; Alexander in Gary, Indiana; Elwell in Owl’s Head, Maine; and Perkins in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
 
In addition to the drug conspiracy charges, defendants Mohamed Luhizo, Jaylinn Lenoir, Stephen Alexander, Rendell Perkins, and Juwon Robinson have been charged with distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine all in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. In addition to the money laundering conspiracy charge, the government has charged Williams with three counts of money laundering based on his purchase of a black 2016 Maserati Ghibli; a white 2017 Audi A7; and a grey 2017 BMW X6. Alexander has also been charged with one count of money laundering.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely an accusation, and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  Williams, Alexander, and the fugitive defendant all face a five-year mandatory minimum sentence based on the drug conspiracy charge. The actual sentence for each defendant, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 

This indictment follows a twelve-month investigation conducted by state and federal agencies which was led by Homeland Security Investigations. HSI was assisted in this investigation by agents from IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, troopers from the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, Burlington Police Department, and South Burlington Police Department. The coordinated law enforcement effort focusing on Williams and his drug trafficking organization was conducted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt commended the concerted efforts of law enforcement throughout the year-long transcontinental investigation. “Astounding profits from illicit drug trafficking funneled through this expansive drug trafficking organization. While we work to reduce demand for illicit drugs through prevention and treatment efforts, federal authorities will continue to pursue those who profit from the peddling of poison in our communities.” 

“Homeland Security Investigations is pleased that Dajuan Williams and his codefendants will face justice in Vermont,” stated acting Special Agent in Charge William Walker of the Homeland Security Investigations Boston Office.  “As referenced in this press release, a committed effort by HSI and our law enforcement partners has removed dangerous narcotics traffickers from communities not only in Vermont but across the country.”

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Boscia and Nikolas Kerest. Robert Katims represents Dajuan Williams. Ernest Allen represents Juwon Robinson. Richard Bothfeld represents Mohamed Luhizo. Jordana Levine represents Jaylinn Lenoir. David Sleigh represents Jessica Elwell. Robert Behrens represents Rendell Perkins. Kevin Henry represents Stephen Alexander.

Judge sentences Sikeston man to 144 months for distribution of methamphetamine

 CAPE GIRARDEAU – United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. sentenced Jimmy Warf to 144 months in prison today. The 46-year-old Sikeston, Missouri, resident pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine in January.

On August 18, 2020, Warf sold 55 grams of methamphetamine to a DEA confidential informant at a parking lot in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and was arrested.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, SEMO Drug Task Force and Cape Girardeau Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tim Willis handled the prosecution.

Man Facing Federal Charges for Enticement of a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography

 Allegedly Posed as a 16-Year-Old Boy to Entice an Underaged Victim to Produce and Send Sexually Explicit Content

Greenbelt, Maryland – A criminal complaint has been filed charging Derrell Lamar Hooker Orange (“Hooker Orange”) age 36, of Brandywine, Maryland, with enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography.  The criminal complaint was filed on April 1, 2021 and unsealed at Hooker-Orange’s initial appearance on April 2, 2021

The criminal complaint was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police and Sheriff Michelle Cook of Clay County Sherriff’s Office.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (“CCSO”) of Green Cove Springs, Florida, responded to a sex offense call in which an adult female discovered sexually explicit messages on her 12-year-old daughter’s cell phone.   CCSO spoke with the victim at her residence and discovered the victim had been communicating with “Lamar Thompson” of Washington, whom she believed to be a 16-year old male, from approximately July 2020 through October 2020.  The victim stated she met “Thompson” on a video creation application and continued to communicate with him, primarily through text message and cellular phone calls.

Based on reports by CCSO, CCSO observed sexually explicit text messages and images on the victim’s phone.  With the adult female’s consent, the cell phone was placed into evidence at the CCSO. On October 22, 2020, the Clay County State’s Attorney allegedly received information that identified Hooker Orange as the subscriber who had been communicating with the victim.

The affidavit alleges that further review of text messages exchanged between Hooker Orange (allegedly posing as Lamar Thompson, a 16-year-old male) and the victim revealed that the minor victim not only disclosed her age to Hooker Orange but also informed him that she was attending junior high school at the time.  Hooker Orange’s number was allegedly saved in the victim’s phone as “Bsf Forever.” According to the affidavit, Hooker Orange sent the victim sexually explicit messages and requested that the victim send him sexually explicit images and videos of herself.

The affidavit further alleges that Hooker Orange told the victim he wanted to see her and mentioned traveling to meet the underaged victim.  The victim allegedly advised Hooker Orange that she would like to see him, but he’d have to “wait a few years”.  

According to the affidavit, on March 16, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hooker Orange’s residence, where he resides with two other individuals.   Law enforcement seized Hooker Orange’s tablet and cellular telephone and interviewed the other residents.  The other residents allegedly advised law enforcement that Hooker Orange was constantly on the phone with individuals whom they believed to be minors.  Forensic review of Hooker Orange’s devices allegedly revealed images and videos of child pornography. 

If convicted, Hooker Orange faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and maximum of life in prison for enticement of a minor and a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography.  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. Hooker Orange had a detention hearing in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on April 5, 2021 and was ordered to be released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services pending trial.

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

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.         

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Prince George County Police Department and the Clay County, Florida Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation and thanked the Prince George’s County Police Department for its assistance.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Grossi and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Fansler, who are prosecuting the federal case.

Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Coercing Members of Church Ministry Into Forced Labor

 CHICAGO — The self-appointed bishop of a Pennsylvania ministry has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for forcing church members to work certain jobs, pocketing their earnings, and directing them to defraud various hotels.

A jury in 2019 convicted TRACIE DICKEY, also known as “Tracie Williams,” 57, of Pittsburgh, Pa., on wire fraud and labor trafficking charges. 

Dickey was a self-appointed bishop of Deliverance Tabernacle Ministries, an organization she founded that proclaimed to offer faith-based services in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida.  She also purported to operate a travel agency known as World Ambassador Travel.  Evidence at trial revealed that Dickey recruited young women to become members of the ministry, and directed them to work multiple jobs, including as desk clerks at hotels.  She instructed the members on how to have the hotels pay reservation-commission fees to Dickey’s travel agency, even though her agency never actually booked reservations on behalf of the hotel guests.  The hotel scheme resulted in at least $66,525 in fraudulent proceeds. 

Dickey also collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages earned by members of her ministry.  Dickey emotionally and physically abused the members and coerced them into following her rules.  Dickey’s tactics included starving and humiliating church members, forcing some of them into homelessness, and threatening that God would harm their families if they did not comply with Dickey’s rules.  Several of Dickey’s victims testified at trial about their ordeals.

U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis imposed the 12-year sentence Monday in federal court in Chicago.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Northern District of Texas and Middle District of Florida, and the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office.  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen E. Merin.

Harper Woods Man Using Prosthetic Facemasks Pleads Guilty To Wire and Identity Fraud

 A Harper Woods man, who wore prosthetic facemasks to hide his identity, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and identity fraud in a scheme to defraud and obtain money from the accounts of Global Payments Gaming Services Inc. (GPGS)’s VIP Preferred Program patrons, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

John Christopher Colletti, 56, entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge Linda V. Parker in United States District Court in Detroit this afternoon.

“This defendant went to extraordinary lengths to hide his identity in order to steal others identities and money,” stated Acting US Attorney Mohsin.  “I commend the work of the FBI agents for tracking Colletti down and helping bring him to justice.”

"John Colletti stole the identities of dozens of innocent people, dragging them all into his criminal scheme," said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The impacts of identity theft are serious and far-reaching for victims, and the FBI will work hard to ensure anyone who engages in this type of conduct is held accountable.”

According to court records, in or around April 26, 2019, and continuing through March 12, 2020, Colletti, with the intent to defraud, unlawfully accessed accounts in the names of several individual victims using GPGS’s kiosks located within various casino properties in at least two states, including the MGM Grand in Detroit. Colletti used names, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security Numbers assigned to known individuals in order to access one or more account in those individuals’ names. Upon gaining access to these accounts, Colletti initiated numerous transactions, withdrawing thousands of dollars from these accounts.  Colletti made these withdrawals with both the intent to defraud and knowledge of the fact that he was not entitled to the money in the victims’ accounts. Further, in making these withdrawals, Colletti attempted to disguise himself by wearing one or more full prosthetic facemasks. Colletti defrauded his victims out of approximately $125,740.00 dollars.

Colletti had in his possession pieces of personally identifiable information (PII) for approximately 300 identities, as well as several full prosthetic facemasks.

GPGS assumed the loss on behalf of its VIP Preferred Program patrons, who were the individual victims. As part of his guilty plea, Colletti will be required to pay restitution to GPGS in the full amount of $125,740.00.

Colletti faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment on the charge of wire fraud and a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment on the charge of identity fraud.

Colletti will be sentenced on July 7, 2021, at 11:00AM.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Particka.

Former Cold Spring Public Official And Teacher Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Attempted Receipt Of Child Pornography From Former Student

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CHARLES HUSTIS, a former town trustee and substitute teacher in Cold Spring, New York, was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted receipt of child pornography from a former student.  CHARLES HUSTIS previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Charles Hustis used his social media account to persuade a minor victim and former student to meet with him and perform sexual acts.  In doing so, Charles Hustis repeatedly solicited pornographic pictures from the victim.  This predatory behavior was a betrayal of the trust that the Cold Spring community placed in Charles Hustis, both as a former teacher and as a public official.  Today, he has been sentenced to federal prison.  Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at all levels of government to keep our children safe.”

According to the Information, other court filings (including the complaint), and statements made during court proceedings:

Between at least on or about December 8, 2019, and December 16, 2019, HUSTIS, a former teacher and public official in Cold Spring, New York, communicated over Facebook Messenger with a 16-year-old victim (“Victim-1”).  During these communications, HUSTIS sent Victim-1 sexual images, including photographs of himself, and attempted to arrange a meeting with Victim-1 with the understanding that HUSTIS and Victim-1 would perform various sexual acts.  HUSTIS repeatedly solicited pornographic pictures from Victim-1 while arranging his planned meeting.  HUSTIS was arrested by law enforcement officers on December 16, 2019, after he arrived at a meeting location that he had arranged with Victim-1, expecting to bring Victim-1 back to his apartment for sexual activity.   

In addition to the prison term, CHARLES HUSTIS, 37, of Cold Spring, New York, was sentenced to seven years of supervised release.  On November 19, 2020, HUSTIS pled guilty to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(2)(A) and (b)(1).

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cold Spring Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas S. Bradley is in charge of the prosecution.

Sex offender and previous felon gets more prison time for meth possession

 LAREDO, Texas – A 43-year-old Laredo native has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute a large quantity of meth, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. 

Daniel Marco Garcia pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered him to serve 168 months in prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.

At the hearing, the court heard that Garcia is currently serving a 57-month sentence for an unrelated firearms case, has a prior alien smuggling conviction and is a convicted sex offender. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted his extensive criminal record.

“Methvis a vicious poison that continues to cause horrific and long-term damage to the quality of life in many of our communities across our Nation,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “In Laredo, and all across the Southwest Border, DEA and our partners continue to target drug traffickers and shut down their operations at all levels.”

On July 11, 2018, Garcia planned to transport meth within Webb County. However, authorities stopped him for a traffic violation during his trip, at which time they conducted a search of his vehicle. They soon found six bundles of meth hidden inside a black bag within the vehicle weighing approximately six kilograms.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $37,000.

He has been and will remain in custody.

The DEA conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Crystal Monkey with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Webb County Sheriff’s Office and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Jennifer Day and former AUSA Chris dos Santos prosecuted the case.

OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. Its mission is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States through prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency task forces that leverage the authorities and expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement.

U.S. Air Force Servicemember Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm And Drug Charges

 LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A senior U.S. Air Force servicemember assigned to Nellis Air Force Base pleaded guilty in federal court today to selling methamphetamine and engaging in the business of selling firearms without a license, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Michael Reimers, 41, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson scheduled a sentencing hearing on July 13, 2021.

According to court documents and admissions Reimers made in court, beginning on or about July 9, 2019, and continuing to about September 4, 2019, Reimers — who was not a licensed firearms dealer — offered to sell numerous firearms to various buyers, including an AK-47, a .26 caliber handgun, and a 12 gauge shotgun. In addition, on July 23, 2019, Reimers sold methamphetamine to an individual for $800.

Reimers faces a statutory maximum sentence of a lifetime term of imprisonment, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a fine of $10,250,000.

The case was investigated by the DEA, along with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Henderson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaheen Torgoley is prosecuting the case.

Naples Man Charged with Child Exploitation Crimes Involving 13-year-old Girl

 Miami, Florida – South Florida federal prosecutors have charged 49-year-old Jeffrey Keith Holcombe in a criminal complaint that accuses him of coercing a 13-year-old girl from Miami into taking and sharing with him sexually explicit pictures and videos of herself.

The criminal complaint unsealed yesterday charges Holcombe with producing and attempting to produce child pornography and with transferring obscene material to a minor.  The complaint affidavit makes the following allegations against Holcombe: Holcombe met the minor on an internet based social media application in approximately March 2020.  During early exchanges, Holcombe sent the child a picture of a penis and she sent him nude pictures and videos of herself, some of which showed her face.  When the minor told Holcombe that she would not send additional photographs or videos of herself, he responded: “No,” and, “you belong to me.”  According to the allegations, Holcombe threatened the minor: If she did not continue to send sexually explicit images to him, he would sell those he already had of her online, make posters of her images and post them around the neighborhood where she lived, and would find her and her family. 

Law enforcement was alerted to the conduct and an investigation led agents to Holcombe.  Holcombe was arrested on Saturday, April 3, 2021 in Collier County, Florida.  He made his initial appearance in federal district court in Fort Myers, Florida yesterday.  Holcombe will be transferred to the Southern District of Florida for prosecution. 

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

FBI Miami, in particular, FBI Miami’s Child Exploitation Task Force, investigated the case.  FBI Tampa and Collier County Sheriff’s Department assisted, as did the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dayron Silverio of the Southern District of Florida.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about the Project Safe Childhood initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report online child sexual exploitation, use the electronic Cyber Tip Line or call 1-800-843-5678.  The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

A criminal complaint contains allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.

Suburban Chicago Tax Preparer Charged With COVID-Relief Fraud

 CHICAGO – A suburban Chicago tax preparer has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining millions of dollars in loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

HADI ISBAIH, 39, of Palos Heights, Ill., was charged in an indictment returned Monday in the Northern District of Illinois with four counts of wire fraud.  An initial court appearance is scheduled for today at 2:15 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; Tamera Cantu, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago; and Sharon Johnson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Central Region of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Eichenseer.

“The relief programs provided by the CARES Act were designed to assist small businesses struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.  “Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out abuse of these important programs and hold accountable anyone who seeks to fraudulently profit from them.”

“These programs were developed to help out small business owners survive the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unfortunate someone thought to take advantage of these programs,” said FBI SAC Buie.  “We are honored to work with our law enforcement partners to identify whom those perpetrators are and ensure they pay for their crimes.”

“Falsifying documents to fraudulently gain access to SBA program funds is unconscionable,” said SBA-OIG SAC Johnson.  “SBA-OIG will aggressively pursue evidence of fraud against SBA’s programs aimed at assisting the nation’s small businesses struggling with the pandemic challenges.  I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”

Two sources of relief established by the CARES Act, which was passed in March 2020, were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL).  The programs allowed qualifying small businesses to receive low-interest, government-backed loans to cover a temporary loss of revenue.

According to the indictment, Isbaih owned and operated Flash Tax Service Inc., a tax and investment consulting business in Bridgeview, Ill.  From April to October 2020, Isbaih submitted on behalf of hundreds of Flash Tax customers PPP and EIDL applications that contained materially false statements and misrepresentations about the customers’ businesses, such as gross revenues, expenses, and number of employees, the indictment states.  Isbaih’s false statements and misrepresentations caused millions of dollars in fraudulently obtained PPP and EIDL funds to be disbursed to those customers, the charges allege.

Isbaih charged Flash Tax customers an upfront fee of approximately several hundred dollars before he submitted the fraudulent applications on the customers’ behalf, the indictment states.  If the customers received the PPP or EIDL funds based on those applications, Isbaih charged the customers an additional fee of approximately $1,000, the indictment states.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  Each count of wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Dominican National Sentenced for Passport Fraud

 BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Malden was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for passport fraud.

Jairo Antonio Feliz, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to six months in prison and three years of supervised release. Feliz will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. In December 2020, Feliz pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false statement in a passport application.

In November 2011, Feliz applied for a U.S. passport at a post office in Lynn using the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen. In October 2012, Feliz again applied for a U.S. passport at a post office in Lynn using the name and Social Security number of a different U.S. citizen.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno prosecuted the case.

Romanian National Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Nationwide ATM Skimming Activity

 Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGE DRAGUSIN, also known as “Georgio Anderini” and “Einstein,” 65, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 33 months of imprisonment for his participation in an extensive ATM skimming scheme that defrauded banks from coast to coast.

According to court documents and statements in court today, between February and June 2017, a Connecticut bank experienced approximately 35 incidents of ATM skimming at locations in Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull, Greenwich, Fairfield and elsewhere in Connecticut.  As part of the scheme, conspiracy members placed skimming devices at the ATMs to capture account numbers and personal identification numbers (“PINs”) from customers who used their ATM cards at the ATMs while the devices were in place.  Conspiracy members then used the captured information to make substitute ATM cards, and obtained money and made purchases using those cards.  The bank suffered losses of approximately $286,069 during the scheme.

On August 23, 2019, Dragusin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  In pleading guilty, he admitted that he installed and removed ATM skimming equipment at several bank locations in Connecticut, and used re-encoded cards and PINs to obtain money from several bank locations.  Dragusin also admitted that, between March and September 2018, he participated in ATM skimming activity in Nevada, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and California, causing multiple banks to suffer total losses of more than $645,000.

Dragusin was arrested in Hayward, California, in September 2018.  He has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation has been conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force; the U.S. Secret Service in New Haven and Las Vegas; the Greenwich Police Department; the Monroe Police Department; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the New York Police Department; the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; the Dixon (Calif.) Police Department, and the Hayward (Calif.) Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

Jury Trial in Federal Court Ends with Guilty Verdict

 SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned a guilty verdict against Dale Wayne Green, Jr., 39, of Shreveport, on drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the trial.

After a full day of trial testimony, the jury began their deliberations yesterday afternoon and came back with a verdict finding Green guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that on June 11, 2019, the Shreveport/Caddo Narcotics Task Force received information that illegal narcotics were being sold at a residence on Harrison Street in Shreveport. Law enforcement agents began conducting surveillance and observed multiple vehicles parked in and around the residence, as well as suspicious activity by individuals visiting the residence.

Law enforcement approached the residence and observed Green drop an item on the ground and walk away from the area to the rear of a vehicle in the driveway. Agents later discovered the dropped item to be cocaine in a sandwich bag which contained individually wrapped packaged bags containing cocaine. Green also had a large amount of cash and car keys in his pocket that went to a car parked across the street. A K-9 officer conducted a sniff search of the vehicle and the K-9 officer alerted to the presence of narcotics. Green gave consent to search the vehicle and agents found a loaded handgun in the console. Also found in the car were numerous personal documents belonging to Green. His previous felony conviction was for manslaughter in Caddo Parish in 2002. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.

Green faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $1,000,000 fine on the drug charge, and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge. Sentencing is set for August 5, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

The ATF, Shreveport Police Department and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon B. Brown and Mike T. Shannon prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

Federal Defendant Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin

 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Newville man for conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger.

Chief U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Tavara Gissendanner, 36, of Newville, to 40 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release. Gissendanner was found guilty by a federal jury in August 2020.

“This sentence serves as a warning to every individual involved in dealing illegal drugs,” Escalona said.  “My office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to those who sell dangerous and illegal drugs in our communities.”

“Gissendanner’s sentencing strikes a major blow to this drug trafficking operation that distributed dangerous drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine, throughout Alabama,” said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “The great relationships and collaboration we have with our law enforcement partners was the key to successfully removing this poison from our streets.”

Evidence at trial proved that in early 2019 Gissendanner directed a network of associates in trafficking quantities of narcotics – including heroin and methamphetamine – and money across the state. Gissendanner orchestrated the drug trafficking while in Alabama Department of Corrections custody, in part by using contraband cellular phones he obtained in prison. Beginning in early 2019, investigators intercepted shipments of drugs to associates of Gissendanner in the Birmingham area. In one instance, investigators replaced seized heroin with mock narcotics before arresting the recipient of the drugs in Bessemer. The intercepted heroin was worth an estimated $150,000. Additional seizures in the case included quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin-fentanyl mixtures, and cash.

The investigation was conducted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, which are primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case with the assistance of the Alabama Department of Corrections.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin Shutt and Allison Garnett prosecuted the case.

Fitchburg Woman Sentenced for Social Security, MassHealth and Food Stamp Fraud

 BOSTON – A Fitchburg woman was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, MassHealth and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.   

Rhonda Bernal, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to one month of home confinement and two years of probation. Bernal also was ordered to make restitution to the Social Security Administration, MassHealth, and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. In December 2020, Bernal pleaded to three counts of theft of public funds and two counts of making false statements.

Over a period of approximately eight years, Bernal stole $71,462 in Social Security benefits, $6,444 in MassHealth benefits and $13,505 in SNAP benefits (previously known as Food Stamps). In February 2015, Bernal falsely informed the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance that she was the only person in her household when, in fact, she was living with her husband. In addition, Bernal falsely told Social Security in April 2016 that she and a relative, who was not her husband, were the only members of her household.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Boston Regional Office; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

Charleston Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-State Meth Conspiracy

 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Melanie Lynne Curnutte, 58, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  She was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in September 2019.

According to the plea agreement, between the fall of 2018 and September of 2019, Curnutte conspired with multiple individuals to distribute methamphetamine in the Huntington and Charleston areas.  During the conspiracy, Curnutte repeatedly obtained quantities of methamphetamine which were transported from Akron to Huntington.  She relied on multiple individuals from Akron to deliver the methamphetamine to her and she would in turn distribute the methamphetamine to various customers.  Curnutte admitted that she was aware some of her customers also intended to distribute the methamphetamine she provided to them. 

Curnutte faces 10 years to life in federal prison when she is sentenced on July 6, 2021. 

This joint investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Other agencies which participated and assisted in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the United States Marshals Service, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Akron, Ohio Police Department, and the Brecksville, Ohio Police Department.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00245.

Minneapolis Man And Woman Charged In Violent Twin Cities Carjacking Spree

 Acting United States Attorney W. Anders Folk today announced a federal indictment charging JEREMIAH LEE IRONROPE, 24, and KRISANNE MARIE BENJAMIN, 25, with multiple carjackings occurring across the Twin Cities. IRONROPE was also charged with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm, during and in relation to a crime of violence, during one of the carjackings. IRONROPE made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Becky Thorson in U.S. District Court. BENJAMIN made her initial appearances in U.S. District Court on March 25, 2021.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on July 26, 2020, IRONROPE and BENJAMIN, using force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause serious bodily harm, stole a 2008 Lexus ES350. On August 7, 2020, IRONROPE and BENJAMIN, using force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause serious bodily harm, stole a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. On August 28, 2020, IRONROPE and BENJAMIN, using force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause serious bodily harm, stole a 2017 Audi A4. On December 20, 2020, IRONROPE, using force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause serious bodily harm, stole a 2015 GMC Terrain. During the August 28 carjacking incident, IRONROPE brandished a firearm, namely a Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun, with a sawed-off barrel.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Maple Grove Police Department, the Richfield Police Department, the Edina Police Department, the Roseville Police Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson.

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

Defendant Information:

JEREMIAH LEE IRONROPE, 24

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Carjacking, 4 counts
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

 

KRISANNE MARIE BENJAMIN, 25

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Carjacking, 3 counts

Two Men Plead Guilty in Murder of Miami Plumber

 Miami, Florida – Two 35-year-old South Florida men have pled guilty in federal district court in Ft. Lauderdale to participating in a pair of robberies that culminated in a carjacking and the murder of a Miami plumber. 

According to the Factual Proffers signed by Jamal Lamar Head and Keon Travy Glanton, on July 11, 2018, Head and Glanton worked together to rob a Roto-Rooter plumber of valuable plumbing equipment in Riviera Beach, Florida. Head and Glanton lured the Roto-Rooter plumber to an abandoned residence in Riviera Beach, where Head assaulted him with a firearm. Valuable plumbing equipment was removed from the vehicle.   

The Factual Proffers further state that, the following day, July 12, 2018, Head and Glanton planned to rob another plumber, this time at a vacant house in Miami Lakes, Florida.  After Head and Glanton called several plumbers, plumber “L.S.H.” agreed to come to the Miami Lakes house to perform plumbing work.  When L.S.H. arrived, Head forced L.S.H. into another vehicle at gunpoint, while Glanton drove away in L.S.H.’s plumbing van. 

Head began driving L.S.H. away from the scene, and L.S.H. struggled with Head.  Head then shot L.S.H. once in the chest and twice in the abdomen and crashed his car into a tree.  Head fled the scene and called Glanton, who returned to the area in L.S.H.’s van to pick up Head.  Head and Glanton then fled the area together.  They later drove to another area of Miami, where they doused L.S.H.’s van in gasoline and lit it on fire.

Paramedics arrived at the murder scene and found L.S.H.’s body in the rear seat of Head’s vehicle.  L.S.H. was pronounced dead on the scene.  The medical examiner determined that L.S.H.’s cause of death was blood loss from the three gunshot wounds.

The crimes to which Glanton and Head pled guilty include conspiring to commit a Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking resulting in death, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Glanton entered his guilty plea on April 2, 2021, and is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Roy K. Altman, who sits in Ft. Lauderdale, on August 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Head entered his guilty plea last month and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Altman on July 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, and Alfredo Ramirez, Director, Miami Dade Police Department, made the announcement. 

ATF Miami and MDPD investigated this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Jessica Kahn Obenauf.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fla. 

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 19-cr-20063. 

Greenwood, Indiana, Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison For Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine

 FORT WAYNE—Dewayne Lewis, age 46, of Greenwood and Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Judge Theresa L. Springmann after being found guilty at a bench trial for possessing more than five kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Gary T. Bell.  This case was prosecuted in the Fort Wayne Division of the Northern District of Indiana, and the defendant was sentenced in Hammond, Indiana.

Lewis was sentenced to 360 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, Lewis was distributing large quantities of cocaine and marijuana for a drug trafficking organization operating in northeast Indiana, who obtained their drug supply from a Mexican cartel.  Utilizing tractor trailers, the organization transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana from the border area in McAllen, Texas, and offloaded the drug shipments in a warehouse in Angola, Indiana.  Lewis and others then distributed the drugs in multi-kilogram amounts to a network of dealers in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.  After a series of drug raids in northeastern Indiana, northwestern Ohio, and southern Texas in January of 2015, Lewis assisted the organization’s leader with this leader’s temporary escape to Mexico, and Lewis took over this leader’s role in collecting substantial drug proceeds and coordinating their ongoing distribution efforts.  This leader was arrested in March of 2015, and he and others were prosecuted in separate cases.   

On February 1, 2015, Lewis obtained approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine and over one million dollars in cash from a hidden area in a stash location in Butler, Indiana.  Lewis continued collecting money from many of the organization’s major drug customers in preparation for sending money shipments back to Mexico.  Law enforcement officers located Lewis at a motel in Greenwood, Indiana, on February 3, 2015, and officers obtained a search warrant for this motel room.  Upon serving the search warrant, officers located Lewis in the room with approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine and a total of approximately $2.089 million in cash.  The fingerprints of Lewis were recovered from some of the money packaging, and Lewis confessed to his involvement in the drug distribution operation.  

“Collaboration between the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force and its law enforcement partners - the Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department and the Allen County Police Department - was key to removing not only this violent individual from our community, but the destructive poison he was moving with the intent to distribute in our neighborhoods,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The dedicated work of all involved has ensured our state is a safer place for all to live, work, and visit.”

Great assistance was also provided by the McAllen, Texas, and Toledo, Ohio, offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; along with the Auburn Police Department, the Greenwood Police Department, the Kendallville Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana Multi-Agency Group Enforcement (IMAGE) representing law enforcement in DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben Counties, and the Northeast Indiana SWAT.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the FBI Fort Wayne Safe Streets Task Force; the Indiana State Police; the Allen County Sheriff’s Department; the Fort Wayne Police Department; the IMAGE Drug Task Force; the Auburn Police Department; the Kendallville Police Department; the Greenwood, Indiana, Police Department; the Johnson County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department; the United States Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Johnson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; and the DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Stacey Speith.

Pittsburgh Man Allowed His House to be Used as a Drug Premises

 PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of managing and controlling a drug-involved premises, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Charles Curry, age 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in November 2019, Curry managed and controlled a premises as an occupant, which he made available for the use of manufacturing, storing and disturbing controlled substances, namely, acetyl fentanyl and heroin, both Schedule I controlled substances, and cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl, all Schedule II controlled substances.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for July 27, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and Brian M. Czarnecki are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Monroeville Police Department, the Attorney General’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Maryland Office, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Curry.

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

Cambridge Woman Charged with Stealing Social Security Benefits and Wire Fraud

 BOSTON – A Cambridge woman was arrested today and charged with stealing Social Security benefits and committing wire fraud to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps.   

Shirley Buchanan, 66, was indicted on one count of theft of public funds and three counts of wire fraud. She is scheduled to make an initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal this afternoon. 

According to the indictment, Buchanan maintained and used two Social Security numbers under two different names, both of which she applied for and received Social Security benefits under. Buchanan also allegedly applied for and received SNAP benefits she was not entitled to using the two names and numbers. As a result, Buchanan stole approximately $184,410 in Social Security benefits from March 1993 through November 2018, as well as approximately $12,916.89 in SNAP benefits from February 2012 through April 2020.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

Salvadoran National Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl

 Defendant tied to the seizure of 15 kilos of fentanyl thrown on side of the road

BOSTON – A Salvadoran national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to distributing fentanyl.

Nelson Garcia Martinez, a Salvadoran national previously residing in Stockton, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for July 22, 2021. Garcia Martinez was charged and arrested in November 2018.

Garcia Martinez was arrested on Nov. 13, 2018, after federal agents conducting surveillance at a rest stop in Sturbridge observed Garcia Martinez meet with two unidentified individuals outside of Garcia Martinez’s tractor trailer. When the two unidentified individuals left the area, law enforcement attempted to stop their vehicle, but they fled. When they did finally pull to the side of the road, the passenger exited the car and discarded a vacuum sealed garment bag and then fled into the surrounding woods, while the driver of the car fled the scene at high speed. The garment bag burst open on the ground, and agents recovered 15 kilograms of a substance that tested positive for fentanyl. Garcia Martinez consented to a search of his tractor trailer, where vacuum sealed bags matching the one discarded on the side of the road were recovered.

Law enforcement were led to Garcia Martinez after discovering a phone number, later determined to be associated with the defendant, that was believed to be used by a drug transporter related to an October 2018 seizure of 32 kilos of fentanyl in Methuen.

The charge of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Somerville, Medford, Boston, Ipswich, and Arlington Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nadine Pellegrini and Katherine Ferguson of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.