District Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery Charge

DNA Linked Him to Clothing Left at Scene

WASHINGTON—Tony Wilkerson, 40, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to a bank robbery charge stemming from a 2008 hold-up in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Wilkerson pled guilty before the Honorable Judge Ellen S. Huvelle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He is to be sentenced November 8, 2012. The charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison.

According to the government’s evidence, on November 17, 2008, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Wilkerson entered an M&T Bank in the 6400 block of Georgia Avenue NW. Wilkerson was wearing a grey sweatshirt with stripes and a blue baseball cap. While inside the bank, he walked to the teller’s counter and presented a note demanding money.

The teller complied and provided him with $5,000. Wilkerson took the cash and fled the bank, but he left the demand note behind. The bank’s security guard, who had been patrolling the area around the bank at the time of the robbery, soon learned what had happened and began following Wilkerson. The guard lost sight of Wilkerson but found in a nearby yard a grey sweatshirt with stripes and a blue baseball hat consistent with the clothing that the robber wore.

These items were collected by law enforcement and sent to the FBI for analysis. Tests identified DNA found on the clothing as belonging to Wilkerson, whose DNA was in the criminal justice system because of a prior conviction. The FBI also matched Wilkerson’s fingerprints to the demand note and a toy recovered with the robbery clothing.

Wilkerson was arrested in May 2012 in North Carolina.

In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director McJunkin, and Chief Lanier commended the exceptional investigative work of the FBI/MPD Violent Crimes Task Force. They also thanked those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Carolyn Carter-McKinley; Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Connelly, who investigated and secured the indictment in this case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Lewis and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittan Heller, who are prosecuting this matter.

Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct

Defendant Also Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON—Kaylan Joseph Cureton, 24, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty today to federal charges of traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Cureton entered the guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert L. Wilkins scheduled sentencing for November 5, 2012. Cureton faces a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct and 10 years for possession of child pornography, as well as fines of $250,000 on each charge. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he faces a likely sentencing range of 63 to 78 months in prison.

According to the government’s evidence, on May 24, 2012, Cureton contacted an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, who had entered a social network site. Over the next several days, Cureton engaged in online e-mail, instant message, text message, and telephone conversations with the undercover officer, whom Cureton believed was the father of an underaged child. During this period of time, Cureton arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the child. He traveled from Richmond to a pre-arranged meeting place in Washington, D.C., where he was arrested. Upon execution of a search warrant on Cureton’s residence, members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force recovered a USB drive containing numerous videos of child pornography.

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director McJunkin, and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.

Veteran D.C. Defense Attorney Charles F. Daum and Two Investigators Found Guilty of Obstruction of Justice Charges

WASHINGTON—Veteran District of Columbia defense attorney Charles F. Daum, 66, of Arnold, Maryland, was found guilty today of one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, three counts of obstruction of justice, and two counts of subornation of perjury, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department; and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

Daum’s co-defendants, private investigators Daaiyah Pasha, 62, of Washington, D.C., and Iman Pasha, 32, of Springfield, Virginia, were also found guilty today on one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

After a six-week bench trial, Senior U.S District Judge Gladys Kessler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued her verdict today. Daum was acquitted on one charge of witness tampering.

The charges resulted from Daum’s representation of Delante White, who was indicted in March 2008 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia on federal drug trafficking charges following the execution of a search warrant on February 23, 2008.

“In his zeal to defend his client, Mr. Daum betrayed his profession and obstructed justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “He and his co-conspirators fabricated evidence to submit in his client’s criminal trial, and he further suborned perjury from two defense witnesses. It’s astounding that a lawyer could commit these crimes, which undermine the integrity of our criminal justice system. The court found Mr. Daum guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he now faces prison time as a result.”

Judge Kessler found beyond a reasonable doubt that Daum, after entering his notice of appearance in the White case, devised a plan to obtain and produce false evidence designed to convince the jury that the drugs seized by the police on February 23, 2008, did not belong to White. Daum enlisted the help of Daaiyah and Iman Pasha, whom Daum had hired as investigators, and others to help carry out his scheme. Following Daum’s directions, the co-conspirators obtained duplicates of several items that were seized as evidence during the execution of the search warrant, including a digital scale, a razor blade, plates, an Adidas shoe box, and a pair of Gucci boots. Once those items were obtained, Daaiyah and Iman Pasha made arrangements to take staged photographs of another individual depicted with the items, while apparently “cutting” “rock cocaine” in order to make it appear as though the seized drugs actually belonged to the other individual. Daum later submitted the staged photographs, as well as other fabricated items, as evidence during White’s criminal trial.

Judge Kessler also found that Daum solicited and presented the perjured testimony of two witnesses to further obstruct and impede the administration of justice.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charge. Daum faces an additional maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of obstruction. Daum also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each charge of subornation of perjury. Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2012.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Donnell Turner, Darrin L. McCullough and Tritia Yuen of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The case was investigated by the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department; the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

District Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Distribution of Child Pornography

Search of Defendant’s Residence Yielded Hundreds of Images of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON—Richard Evans, 25, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to nine years in prison on a federal charge of distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Evans pled guilty to the charge in March 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Gladys Kessler. Following completion of his prison term, Evans will be placed on 10 years of supervised release, with numerous conditions. Among other things, Evans must restrict his use of the Internet, undergo sex offender treatment, register as a sex offender for 25 years, and refrain from contact with children.

According to a factual proffer of evidence presented during the court proceedings, on November 15, 2011, Evans contacted an undercover agent with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force on a social network site. Over the next two weeks, the defendant engaged in multiple online conversations with the undercover officer, during which he expressed an interest in meeting an underaged girl and engaging in sexual contact with her. Evans also sent the undercover officer multiple images of child pornography and acknowledged that he actively traded child pornography with other individuals online. In the course of the online communications, Evans further expressed interest in watching the undercover performing sexual acts with the under-aged girl via web camera over the Internet and in having the undercover send him a video of the underaged girl engaged in sexual acts.

Law enforcement obtained an arrest warrant for Evans and a search warrant for his residence in Washington, D.C. On November 30, 2011, Evans was arrested. A forensic analysis of computer equipment inside Evans’ residence confirmed that he possessed approximately 560 images and 102 videos of child pornography, which were organized into various subfolders according to the category of sexual genre, fetish, and/or sexual acts.

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin, and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also acknowledged the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section. Finally, they commended Assistant U.S. Attorney David Last, who prosecuted the case.

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty in the District of Columbia to Distribution of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON—Peter Zagorski, 31, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr. announced.

Joining U.S. Attorney Machen in the announcement were Zane David Memeger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; George C. Venizelos, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Division; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Zagorski appeared today before the Honorable Robert L. Wilkins. He faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2012.

According to a factual proffer of evidence presented during today’s court proceeding, on October 24, 2011, an MPD member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force who was operating undercover as part of the investigation, communicated with Zagorski by instant messenger. During the course of the communications, Zagorski expressed interest in meeting an underaged girl and engaging in sexual contact with the child. Also during the course of the communications, Zagorski sent the undercover six videos of child pornography.

During communications over the next several weeks, Zagorski further expressed interest in watching the undercover performing sex acts with the underaged girl via web camera over the Internet.

Law enforcement obtained an arrest warrant for Zagorski and a search warrant for his residence in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Zagorski was arrested on November 18, 2011. A forensic analysis of computer equipment inside Zagorski’s residence confirmed that Zagorski also possessed nearly 60 videos and over 10 images of child pornography.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, U.S. Attorney Memeger, Assistant Director McJunkin, Special Agent in Charge Venizelos, and Chief Lanier commended the work of all who participated in the investigation. They especially acknowledged the efforts of the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also cited the exemplary work of Criminal Investigator John Marsh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Finally, they commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise S. Wolf and Michael L. Levy from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Kent, from the District of Columbia, who is prosecuting this case.

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty in the District of Columbia to Distribution of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON—Peter Zagorski, 31, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr. announced.

Joining U.S. Attorney Machen in the announcement were Zane David Memeger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; George C. Venizelos, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Division; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Zagorski appeared today before the Honorable Robert L. Wilkins. He faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2012.

According to a factual proffer of evidence presented during today’s court proceeding, on October 24, 2011, an MPD member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force who was operating undercover as part of the investigation, communicated with Zagorski by instant messenger. During the course of the communications, Zagorski expressed interest in meeting an underaged girl and engaging in sexual contact with the child. Also during the course of the communications, Zagorski sent the undercover six videos of child pornography.

During communications over the next several weeks, Zagorski further expressed interest in watching the undercover performing sex acts with the underaged girl via web camera over the Internet.

Law enforcement obtained an arrest warrant for Zagorski and a search warrant for his residence in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Zagorski was arrested on November 18, 2011. A forensic analysis of computer equipment inside Zagorski’s residence confirmed that Zagorski also possessed nearly 60 videos and over 10 images of child pornography.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, U.S. Attorney Memeger, Assistant Director McJunkin, Special Agent in Charge Venizelos, and Chief Lanier commended the work of all who participated in the investigation. They especially acknowledged the efforts of the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also cited the exemplary work of Criminal Investigator John Marsh of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Finally, they commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise S. Wolf and Michael L. Levy from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Kent, from the District of Columbia, who is prosecuting this case.