Twenty-Nine Individuals Charged for Sex Trafficking of Juveniles

NASHVILLE, TN—Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers in Nashville, Tennessee and Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota began arresting 29 individuals this morning, after a federal indictment was unsealed listing a variety of charges, including sex trafficking of juveniles and conspiring to sex traffic juveniles, obstruction of justice, perjury, auto theft, and credit card fraud. The 24-count indictment was announced by Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, at a press conference in Nashville.

Joining U.S. Attorney Martin in the announcement were John Morton, Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Sarah Beth Pulliam, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), U.S. Secret Service, Nashville Field Office; Amy Hess, SAC, FBI Memphis Field Office; Mark Gwyn, Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI); Ken Reed, Assistant Chief, St. Paul Police Department; and Chief Steve Anderson of the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department.

The indictment results from an investigation that began in 2008 and alleges that the defendants are involved in or are associates of the gangs—the Somali Outlaws, the Somali Mafia, and the Lady Outlaws, all connected to one another.

“Trafficking children for sex is intolerable and the Department of Justice will aggressively enforce trafficking and other laws to eliminate these types of deplorable acts,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “As shown here today, law enforcement agencies at every level will come together to bring the full force of justice to bear on individuals who choose to profit by victimizing innocent children.”

The indictment alleges that between 2000 and 2010, members and associates of the gangs transported underage Somali and African-American females from the Minneapolis area to Nashville for the purpose of having the females engage in sex acts for money and other items of value. The indictment alleges the females being used by the defendants for the sex trafficking included some it were 13 years of age and younger. The indictment also alleges the sexual assault of an 18-year-old female. The sex trafficking offenses carry a penalty of not less than 15 years to life in prison.

The indictment further charges that members and associates of the gangs conspired to obstruct the investigation and committed perjury during the course of testimony before the federal grand jury investigating the case. The indictment also alleges that members and associates of the gangs engaged in the stealing of a motor vehicle for the purpose of using it to engage in credit card fraud, with a loss to one credit card company in the amount of $231,000 in approximately a one-year period.

“Human traffickers abuse innocent people, undermine our public safety, and often use their illicit proceeds to fund sophisticated criminal organizations,” said ICE Director Morton. “ICE is committed to bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing their victims from a life in the shadows. We will continue to fight the battle to end human trafficking both here in the United States and around the globe.”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate the importance of cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Hess. “Criminal organizations are not limited by physical boundaries or state lines. The crimes of human trafficking, especially for the sex trade, and identity theft reach across our nation and directly, sometimes permanently, impact the lives of victims and their families. The FBI will continue to focus on the disruption and dismantlement of these organizations and bring them to justice.”

TBI Director Gwyn said, “This case is proof of how critical criminal intelligence support and analytical support is to an investigation. The information sharing and dedication by law enforcement agencies in this case is a testament to the lengths agencies will go to protect children.”

Those charged in the indictment are identified as:

Abdifitah Jama Adan, aka “Shorty” aka “Faleebo” aka “Kuzzo,” 28;

Abdullahi Sade Afyare aka “Forehead,”19;

Ahmad Abnulnasir Ahmad aka “Fabulous,”23;

Yahya Jamal Ahmed, 23;

Abdikarim Osman Ali, aka “Homer” aka “Big Abdi,” 22;

Musse Ahmed Ali aka “Fat Boy,” 23;

Hassan Ahmed Dahir aka “Mohamed Ali Hussein,” 21;

Fadumo Mohamed Farah aka “Naana Naana” aka “Gangster Boo” aka “Barnie,” 25;

Idris Ibrahim Fahra aka “Chi Town,” 22;

Yasin Ahmed Farah, 19;

Abdullahi Hashi aka “Kamal,” 24;

Fatah Haji Hashi aka “Jerry” aka “Jr,” 23;

Abdirahman Abdirazak Hersi aka “Biggie,” 20;

Muhiyadin Hassan Hussein aka “CD,” 22;

Dahir Nor Ibrahim aka “Dahir Lucky,” 38;

Abdifatah Bashir Jama aka “Cash Money” aka “Ohio,” 23;

Andrew Kayachith aka “AK,” 20;

Abdigadir Ahmed Khalif aka “Awali,” 24;

Bashir Yasin Mohamud aka “Br,” 26;

Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed, 22;

Fuad Faisal Nur aka “Hanjule,” 24;

Abdifatah Sharif Omar aka “British” aka “Pinky,” 25;

Liban Sharif Omar aka “Sunderra,” 21;

Mohamed Sharif Omar aka “Moe D” aka “Mojo,” 26;

Hamdi Ali Osman aka “Big Hamdi” aka “Boss Lady,” 22;

Haji Osman Salad aka “Hollywood,” 20;

Bibi Ahmed Said, 19;

Ahmed Aweys Sheik aka “Rear Hammer” aka “Abdul,” 24; and

Yassin Abdirahman Yusuf aka “Junior” aka “Black Cat Junior,” 21.

This case was investigated by the St. Paul Police Department, ICE- Homeland Security Investigation, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Van Vincent, of the Middle District of Tennessee.

The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science

Publisher’s Weekly said of The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science, “Starr (Blood) eloquently juxtaposes the crimes of French serial killer Joseph Vacher and the achievements of famed criminologist Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne during France's belle époque. From 1894 to 1897, Vacher is thought to have raped, killed, and mutilated at least 25 people, though he would confess to only 11 murders. Lacassagne, who headed the department of legal medicine at the university in Lyon, was a pioneer in crime scene analysis, body decomposition, and early profiling, and investigated suspicious deaths, all in an era when rural autopsies were often performed on the victim's dinner table. Lacassagne's contributions to the burgeoning field of forensic science, as well as the persistence of investigating magistrate Émile Fourquet, who connected crimes while crisscrossing the French countryside, eventually brought Vacher to justice. Vacher claimed insanity, which then (as now) was a vexed legal issue. Lacassagne proved the "systematic nature" of the crimes. Starr, codirector of Boston University's Center for Science and Medical Journalism, creates tension worthy of a thriller; in Lacassagne, he portrays a man determined to understand the "how" behind some of humanity's most depraved and perhaps take us one step closer to the "why."

Tomahawk Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Possession of Child Pornography

MADISON, WI—John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James A. Laffin, 46, of Tomahawk, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to 20 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for possessing child pornography. Laffin pleaded guilty to this charge on August 30, 2010.

Laffin's 20-year sentence was based in part on his previous conviction for sexual assault of a minor. In addition, Laffin himself took the pictures he was convicted of possessing in this case, and had sexual intercourse with the minor victim. In sentencing Laffin to the statutory maximum sentence, Judge Crabb emphasized that Laffin's extensive criminal history involving aggressive sexual conduct makes it likely that he will continue to commit crimes when not incarcerated.

The charges against Laffin were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Greenfield Police Department. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, 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 via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Four Juveniles Recovered in Detroit Metro Area: Operation Cross County V

As part of the national initiative Operation Cross Country, the South East Michigan Crimes Against Children (SEMCAC) Task Force recovered four juveniles in weekend sweeps. Operation Cross Country’s fifth national initiative ran from November 4 through November 6, 2010. Nationwide, 69 juveniles were recovered and there were over 600 arrests. Over 180 federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies in 40 cities participated in Operation Cross Country V.

The SEMCAC Task Force was created in February 2007 as part of the Innocence Lost Initiative as a reaction to cases Michigan law enforcement encountered. The agencies participating in the SEMCAC Task Force include the Roseville Police Department, Detroit Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, Michigan State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

As part of the Operation Cross Country Initiative, the SEMCAC Task Force recovered four juveniles and arrested 35 individuals in Michigan. Of the 35 individuals arrested, 10 of them were pimps/ring leaders. Since its inception, the SEMCAC Task Force has recovered 156 juveniles.

Today, many prostitution rings are sophisticated and interstate in nature. They rely on the Internet and other electronic media to advertise and solicit customers. The most egregious of these prostitution rings abduct or recruit juveniles from all walks of life. These juveniles are forced into working for pimps/ring leaders, often subjected to violence and relocated to areas where they know no one in order to strengthen the hold these groups have on the juveniles.

If anyone has any information on a child who has been exploited, please contact any of the participating SEMCAC Task Force agencies.

Guilford Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Tax Evasion Charges Stemming from $2 Million Investment Scheme

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARLOS GARCIA, 48, of

Bayberry Lane, Guilford

, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford to mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion charges stemming from a $2 million investment scheme.

“The Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners are committed to investigating investment fraud, prosecuting those who engineer these schemes, and seeking restitution for victims,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least as early as 2002 until 2009, GARCIA purported to be an investment advisor/hedge fund manager, selling shares in “Paramount Equity Partners, LLC,” an investment vehicle that he represented would be used to invest client funds. GARCIA directed certain clients to cash out their stock holdings or other investments, obtain surrender checks by mail, and endorse the checks over to “Garcia Capital Management, LLC,” an entity that GARCIA controlled. GARCIA then deposited the surrender checks into the Garcia Capital Management, LLC bank account. GARCIA directed other clients to wire transfer money directly into the bank account for Paramount Equity Partners, LLC, and he then transferred those funds into the Garcia Capital Management, LLC bank account.

Instead of investing the funds as promised, GARCIA used clients’ money to pay for personal expenses for himself and his family, and to make “lulling” payments to clients. Through this scheme, GARCIA victimized at least 10 people and caused a net loss to his victims of more than $2 million.

As part of the scheme, GARCIA created and mailed bogus account statements and correspondence to his client victims that discussed the returns they were earning on their investments. In some cases, GARCIA also created false federal Internal Revenue Service Form 1065 Schedule K-1s so that victims filed false tax returns and paid taxes on returns they never earned.

GARCIA also willfully evaded the payment of income taxes for the tax years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $38,145.

Today, GARCIA pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and four counts of tax evasion. GARCIA is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on January 25, 2011, at which time GARCIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 60 years and a fine of up to approximately $4 million. GARCIA also will be ordered to pay restitution to his victims and to resolve his outstanding tax liabilities with the IRS.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan L. Wines.

U.S. Attorney Fein noted that this prosecution falls under the umbrella of the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, which includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The Task Force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes. For more information on the task force, visit: www.StopFraud.gov.

Firefighter Fatality

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality:

Name: Leonard Arthur Murray

Rank: Captain

Age: 53

Gender: Male

Status: Volunteer

Years of Service: 5

Date of Incident: 11/05/2010

Time of Incident: 1830hrs

Date of Death: 11/05/2010

Fire Department: Jackson Township Fire Department

Address:

4831 Helmsburg Road, Nashville, IN  47448-8896

Mailing Address: 

PO Box 610, Nashville, IN  47448-0610

Fire Department Chief: Glen Elmore  

Incident Description: Captain Leonard Arthur Murray was working at the fire station when he was killed.  The incident is under investigation.

Incident Location: 

4831 Helmsburg Road, Nashville, IN  47448-8896

Funeral Arrangements:  Visitation will be held Thursday, November 11, 2010, 1600hrs-2000hrs at the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, Martinsville, IN.  The funeral will take place on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1100hrs also at the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, Martinsville, IN.

Memorial Fund Contact and Address:   Memorial contributions may be made to the Jackson Township Fire Department,

PO Box 610, Nashville, IN  47448-0610

or the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle, Intersection of Burton RD and Highway 37, Martinsville, IN.

Tribute is being paid to Captain Leonard Arthur Murray at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 74 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2010; 72 from incidents that occurred in 2010 and 2 from previous year incidents.  Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats.shtm

Kettering Attorney Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Child Pornography, Obscenity Crimes

DAYTON—Marc Norman Greenberg, 33, of Centerville, was sentenced in United States District Court to 24 months in prison as punishment for possessing child pornography and transmitting obscene materials over the Internet.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Keith L. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.

While in prison, Greenberg will continue sex offender treatment. After his release, he will be under court supervision for five years. During that time, he must submit to random polygraph tests. He must also pay for the installation of keystroke monitoring software on any computer he owns. He will also be required to register as a sex offender anywhere he lives, works, or goes to school for 10 years after his release from prison.

Judge Rose modified Greenberg’s bond and restricted him to home confinement with the only exception to attend treatment until he surrenders to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence at a date and time to be determined.

FBI agents arrested Greenberg at his Kettering law office in May 2009. Greenberg pleaded guilty on August 4, 2010 to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transferring obscene material to minors. According to court documents, Greenberg contacted three separate undercover law enforcement officers posing as 12- and 13-year-old girls on the Internet between January 26, 2009 and April 29, 2009. During this period, Greenberg entered various chat rooms that were geared toward meeting minor girls and identified himself as an 18-year-old male resident of Ohio, a 25-year-old male from Indianapolis, Indiana, and a 31-year old male from Pennsylvania. A series of sexually explicit conversations took place between the undercover agents and Greenburg during which he used his computer's webcam to stream obscene video and pictures. At the time, Greenberg was a high school girls' basketball coach in Dayton.

A forensic analysis of Greenberg’s computers revealed approximately 16 images containing visual depictions of actual children under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

“A major obligation of law enforcement today is protecting our communities from online predators,” Stewart said. “I would like to commend the FBI agents who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Guerrier, who prosecuted the case.”

Stewart also acknowledged the cooperation of the Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Kettering Police Department for their assistance in the investigation, and the assistance of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the New York State Police, and the FBI Detroit Division.

Dallas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Offense

DALLAS—Timothy Honnoll, 39, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez to an Information charging receipt of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks, of the Northern District of Texas. Honnoll faces a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five years or more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. Honnoll remains on bond; sentencing is set for February 7, 2010, before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey.

According to documents filed in the case, Honnoll admitted using a “peer-to-peer” file-sharing program on his computer to download several movies and still images of child pornography. Honnoll also admits that the child pornography included bondage and other sadistic acts involving minors.

The investigation began in Florida, where an FBI agent, working in an undercover capacity, and using a file-sharing software, viewed and downloaded more than 20 files of child pornography from a user, later identified as Honnoll. A federal search warrant was later executed at Honnoll’s residence in Dallas and during the course of that search, Honnoll admitted that he had received and transported child pornography using peer-to peer software. He admitted that he had been collecting child pornography for two years and that it sexually aroused him. The FBI found 600 images and 180 videos of child pornography on Honnoll’s computer and related storage media.

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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/

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

Former Anne Arundel County Police Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Pornography from a Minor with Whom He Had a Sexual Relationship

Case Should “Send a Wake Up Call” to Parents to Monitor Children's Electronic Communications

BALTIMORE—James Cifala, age 47, of Edgewater, Maryland, formerly a lieutenant with the Anne Arundel County Police Department, pleaded guilty today to receiving child pornography.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“James Cifala was a sworn law enforcement officer who violated his oath in an egregious manner by engaging in a relationship with a child who was more than 30 years younger,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “While condemning such conduct, we should acknowledge the many devoted law enforcement officers who work honorably every day to protect us.”

Mr. Rosenstein added, “I hope this case will send a wake up call to parents about the need to monitor their children’s use of cellular telephones and other communication devices.”

According to Cifala’s plea agreement, between 2007 and 2009 Cifala spoke with a young teenage girl about having sex, but told her that they had to wait until she was 16 years old because she had to earn his trust that she would not tell others. Cifala is 30 years older than the victim.

Cifala stayed in contact with the victim by computer using a social networking site and by cell phones. They began exchanging text messages in 2009. Cifala eventually acquired a pre-paid cell phone for the exclusive purpose of sending texts and receiving photos from the victim. Over 1,300 contacts were made between Cifala and the victim over just three weeks, from August 14 to September 6, 2009. Most of the contacts were text messages and many were sexually graphic. Between May and July of 2009, Cifala asked the victim to take and send to his cell phones over 10 photos of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Cifala used these cell phones and social networking site profiles to arrange sexual encounters with the victim in 2009.

On January 20, 2010 law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cifala’s house and seized computers and digital storage media, that were used to search for and download child pornography and which contained over 10 additional images of child pornography .

As part of the plea agreement, Cifala and the government have agreed that if the court accepts the plea agreement, Cifala will be sentenced to 60 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for December 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, 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 the United States Attorney’s Office and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. Details about Maryland’s program are available at www.justice.gov/usao/md/Safe-Childhood/index.html.

United States Attorney Rosenstein expressed his appreciation to Anne Arundel County Chief of Police James Teare, Sr. and his officers for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

Mr. Rosenstein commended the FBI for their investigative work and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the case.

The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

Publisher’s Weekly said of The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York, “Pulitzer Prize–winning science journalist Blum (Ghost Hunters) makes chemistry come alive in her enthralling account of two forensic pioneers in early 20th-century New York. Blum follows the often unglamorous but monumentally important careers of Dr. Charles Norris, Manhattan's first trained chief medical examiner, and Alexander Gettler, its first toxicologist. Moving chronologically from Norris's appointment in 1918 through his death in 1936, Blum cleverly divides her narrative by poison, providing not only a puzzling case for each noxious substance but the ingenious methods devised by the medical examiner's office to detect them. Before the advent of forensic toxicology, which made it possible for the first time to identify poisons in corpses, Gettler learned the telltale signs of everything from cyanide (it leaves a corrosive trail in the digestive system) to the bright pink flush that signals carbon monoxide poisoning. In a particularly illuminating section, Blum examines the dangers of bootleg liquor (commonly known as wood, or methyl, alcohol) produced during Prohibition. With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate suspense novelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating.”

Citizen of Dominican Republic is sentenced to 14 months in prison for falsely applying for US passport

NEW HAVEN, Conn - A man from the Dominican Republic who lived in New Britain, Conn., was sentenced on Thursday to 14 months in prison for making a false application for a U.S. passport. This sentence was announced by David B. Fein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Luis Ramon Francisco, 40, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, last residing on

Allen Street

in New Britain, Conn., was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to about 14 months of imprisonment, or time served. Francisco pleaded guilty to the offense on Aug. 30.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Aug. 27, 1999, Francisco, who at the time was a U.S. permanent resident, used the identity of another individual when he applied for a U.S. passport at a U.S. Post Office in Hartford, Conn.

Francisco has been detained since his arrest in August 2009. He has since been transferred into the custody of the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) for removal proceedings.

In addition to ICE HSI, this case was also investigated by the following agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security; and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson, District of Connecticut, prosecuted this case.

Indianapolis, INChicago-area man charged with child enticement, traveling to Indiana to have sex with a minor

INDIANAPOLIS - A Chicago-area man was charged in federal court Monday for enticing a child and traveling to Indiana with the intent to have sex with a 12-year-old girl.

The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the Westfield, Ind., Police Department; the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force; and the Carmel, Ind., Police Department.

Samuel T. Henzel, 29, of Oak Park, Ill., was charged Nov. 1 in the Southern District of Indiana with child enticement and traveling in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 30 Henzel allegedly traveled from his home in Illinois to Westfield, Ind., to meet a 12-year old girl with whom he had been "chatting" on the Internet in order to have sex with her. Following this encounter, the girl immediately reported to police that she had been sexually assaulted by Henzel.

Henzel was arrested by the Westfield Police Department within minutes of the report.

Following his arrest, federal and state authorities decided to charge Henzel in federal court. After an initial hearing Nov. 1 in federal court in Indianapolis, Henzel was ordered held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Nov. 4.

If convicted, Henzel faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Brant Cook, Southern District of Indiana, is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

Authorities Continue to Track Idaho Sex Offenders

BOISE, Idaho – In cooperation with its local and state law enforcement partners, the U.S. Marshals Service recently conducted Operation “Not In My County” across southern Idaho to verify that known sex offenders from the Idaho Sex Offender Registry were living at the residences where they are registered and to arrest wanted sex offenders and other violent offenders.

During the weekends of Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 11-12, combined law enforcement teams conducted compliance checks of registered sex offenders from the Idaho State Sex Offender Registry, focusing on sex offenders residing in Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore and Owyhee counties.

During the four-day operation, 1,376 in-person compliance checks of registered sex offenders were conducted. Of these, 1,312 offenders were determined to be living at the addresses listed on the sex offender registry as required. The other 64 were found to be non-compliant with their registration requirements for various reasons. Two of these non-compliant sex offenders were arrested on new charges and four were required to move to a new residence due to their current residence’s proximity to schools. Others have since complied with their registration requirements by updating information while some are under investigation for potential new criminal charges.

The second focus of the operation was to locate and arrest wanted subjects who had existing arrest warrants for sex offenses or other violent offenses. The Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force, a USMS sponsored, multi-agency fugitive task force, took the lead in these arrests. Nineteen wanted subjects were arrested during the four days of the operation. Of these 19, two were for rape, three for aggravated battery and attempted strangulation, three for failure to register as a sex offender and 11 for parole or probation violations stemming from original convictions for sex offenses.

The enactment of the Adam Walsh Act in July of 2006 made the USMS responsible for conducting investigations and assisting local and state law enforcement in conducting investigations of non-compliant sexual offenders across the United States. Since July 2006, the USMS has apprehended approximately 20,000 fugitives wanted for sexual assaults, sex offender registration violations and other sex crimes. Additionally, investigators have opened more than 2,200 investigations on convicted sex offenders for violations of the Act and arrested more than 400 individuals, who have been charged federally.

In addition to the USMS, this operation was supported and staffed by the Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore and Owyhee County Sheriff’s Departments, Blackfoot Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Idaho State Police, Idaho State Probation and Parole, Idaho Sex Offender Registry, U.S. Attorney’s office and U.S. Probation.

“This operation is an example of what can be accomplished in making our communities safer, through the cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies combining their efforts to reach a common goal,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of Idaho Brian T. Underwood.

Justice Blogging Opportunity

This Criminal Justice Blog has 48 co-authors who have made more than 3000 posts. The authors come from a variety of disciplines with the criminal justice field such as law enforcement officials, correctional officials and attorneys. Additionally, the blog is viewed by over 8000 times every month. If you work within the criminal justice field and are interested in being a co-author, send an email to editor@police-writers.com, along with 2-3 sentence description of your CJ related experience and a 2-3 sentence description of what you would blog about.

Westerly, Rhode Island, Man Convicted of Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography

WASHINGTON – David Chiaradio, 28, of Westerly, R.I., was convicted today by a federal jury in Providence, R.I., of one count of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha of the District of Rhode Island. The jury returned its verdicts after considering testimony and evidence for more than two days.

Evidence presented at trial established that in February 2006, Chiaradio distributed three child pornographic images to an undercover FBI agent using Limewire, a peer-to-peer file sharing program. FBI agents continued their investigation of Chiaradio and obtained a search warrant that was executed at Chiaradio’s home in late August 2006. During the search, agents seized a laptop and a desktop computer. The computers and various hard drives were examined by a computer forensics expert from the FBI and more than 6,000 images and videos of child pornography were discovered.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, who presided over the trial, scheduled a sentencing hearing to be held on March 3, 2011.

The maximum sentence for distribution of child pornography is 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum sentence for possession of child pornography is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly of the District of Rhode Island and Trial Attorney Andrew McCormack of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Providence Field Office, with the assistance of FBI agents from the Innocent Images Task Force in Tulsa, Okla.

Maryland Man Sentenced for Sending Threatening Email to Illinois Mosque

WASHINGTON – Ilya Sobolevskiy, a 25-year-old resident of Maryland, was sentenced today to serve 12 months in prison and to pay a $3,000 fine for violating the civil rights of members of an Urbana, Ill., mosque, announced the Justice Department.  

During a guilty plea hearing in August 2010, Sobolevskiy admitted that he sent an email to a member of the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC), in which he threatened, among other things, that he would “do WHATEVER it takes to eradicate Islam.”   Officials at CIMIC reported the threat to the FBI, which referred the case to the department’s Civil Rights Division.

“One of our most basic rights is the freedom to practice one’s faith in peace,” said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez of the Civil Rights Division. “We have no tolerance for threats of violence fueled by bigotry, and we will aggressively prosecute such actions.”

“It is a top priority of the FBI to protect the civil rights of the American people. We encourage members of the community to report all allegations of civil rights violations. The FBI will aggressively investigate these matters to ensure that our society remains free,” said Stuart R. McArthur, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Springfield Office.

Federal Magistrate Judge David G. Bernthal, referring to the defendant’s crime as “an act of terror,” gave the defendant the maximum sentence permitted by law.

This case was investigated by the Springfield, Ill., division of the FBI, and was prosecuted by department Trial Attorney Patricia Sumner.

Sports memorabilia dealer pleads guilty in federal court

ICE seizes over $103,000.00 in counterfeit goods

PHILDELPHIA - A local shop owner pleaded guilty on Nov. 1 in federal court to selling counterfeit goods in his store Laurel Mall store. Salvatore Argo, 35, of Mountain Top, Pa., pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court to trafficking in counterfeit goods and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged in June after special agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) found Argo to be in possession of unlicensed sports memorabilia.

HSI special agents found Reebok, Majestic, Mitchell and Ness sports jerseys of NHL, MLB and NFL sports teams and unlicensed sports photographs of professional NFL players at his store, The Sports Scene, located in the Laurel Mall. The value of the items seized by agents was over $103,000.00.

The counterfeit goods charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, $2 million in fines and up to three years of supervised release. The firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Olshefski.

Two Plead Guilty in Scheme to Defraud the Chowchilla Elementary School District

FRESNO, CA—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Gregory Paul Styles, 45, of Lemoore, and Marvin Mitchell Freeman, 58, of Selma, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to conspiracy to commit mail fraud against the Chowchilla Elementary School District.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chowchilla Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mark J. McKeon prosecuted the case.

According to court documents, in 1998 Styles was employed as a Management System Information Director for the school district. At that time, a federal program known as E-Rate was available to help schools obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It was designed so that the neediest schools would receive the most financial help. School districts were required to fund a percentage of the cost of the equipment and services. As an employee of CESD, Styles was ineligible to bid for the project or to receive funds from the E-Rate Program. In order to circumvent these rules, Styles developed a scheme with Freeman whereby Freeman would submit a bid during the competitive bidding process to provide equipment and services to be paid for under the E-Rate Program.

According to the plea agreements, Styles, as an agent of CESD, was instrumental in selecting Freeman’s bid for the contract. Once Freeman’s bid was selected, Styles performed the work or subcontracted others to perform the work as bid. Under the contract, Freeman received payment and then transferred the monies to Styles for his personal use. Styles has agreed to forfeit the proceeds of the fraudulent scheme.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2011 at 8:45 a.m. The maximum statutory penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Texarkana Man Guilty of Making Bomb Threats

Fake Threat Causes Hospital Evacuation, Diverts Emergency Responders

TEXARKANA, TX—A 30-year-old Texarkana, Texas man has pleaded guilty in connection with a bomb threat in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Brandon Forsyth pleaded guilty to false information and hoaxes on Nov. 1, 2010 before U.S. District Judge David Folsom.

According to information presented in court, on Apr. 27, 2010 and May 29, 2010, Forsyth called Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Texarkana, Texas and made a false bomb threat. Also, on May 29, 2010, Forsyth created, placed, and then pretended to find a note in the hospital which stated that, “Healthsouth killed my mother and there was a bomb in the building and that it was going to explode in 20 minutes." He also created and placed a fake explosive device in the hospital which was found by law enforcement on May 30, 2010. As a result patients were evacuated twice from the hospital, and several law enforcement agencies, including the bomb squad, had to report to the scene. Foryth was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 4, 2010.

Forsyth faces up to five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, the Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas Police Departments, and the Bossier City, Louisiana Bomb Squad and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Kummerfeld.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges French Doctor for Insider Trading Securities Fraud

Allegedly Illegal Inside Tips at Time of Fatality and Other Problems in Clinical Drug Trial Allow Hedge Fund to Avoid $30 Million in Trading Losses

PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced today the arrest of YVES BENHAMOU, a citizen and resident of France, on charges of engaging in an insider trading scheme in which he used his dual roles as an adviser on a clinical drug trial and as a private, paid consultant to provide material, nonpublic information about the drug trial's progress to a portfolio manager of a hedge fund group (the "Hedge Fund"). The Hedge Fund then used that information to avoid approximately $30 million in losses.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "Benhamou is alleged to have abused his position as a medical doctor by illegally tipping off a hedge fund so it could reap a $30 million windfall. As charged, by profiting from his sensitive position and providing the hedge fund an unfair advantage, Benhamou undermined the integrity of the securities market and sold out his employer. This office, along with the FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission, will continue to pursue professionals of all stripes whose greed motivates them to corrupt the market and betray the companies they advise."

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK said: "Dr. Benhamou was the quintessential insider, providing non-public information about the company for which he worked to a hedge fund holding millions of shares in the company. Insider information about the clinical trials of Albuferon was invaluable to the hedge fund, but passing it along wasn't fair, and it wasn't legal."

According to the two-count criminal Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court late yesterday:

YVES BENHAMOU is a citizen of France and a medical doctor with an expertise in hepatitis treatment. During the scheme, BENHAMOU worked for Human Genome Science, Inc. ("HGSI"), on a steering committee (the "Steering Committee") that oversaw the clinical trial of Albuferon, a drug being tested for its potential to treat the liver disease Hepatitis C. HGSI was a biopharmaceutical company, whose common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol HGSI. At the same time that BENHAMOU served as a member of the Steering Committee and worked for HGSI, in exchange for a stream of payments, BENHAMOU consulted with hedge funds and other investors who purchased and sold securities in the healthcare sector, including the Hedge Fund.

From November 2007 through January 2008, a co-conspirator ("CC-1") worked for the Hedge Fund as a portfolio manager for health care funds with the authority to cause the Hedge Fund to sell its shares of HGSI.

On multiple occasions, as a result of his position on the Steering Committee, BENHAMOU had access to certain non-public information about serious adverse events during the clinical trial of Albuferon, including information about a fatality and the occurrence of lung disease in another patient. BENHAMOU communicated with CC-1 immediately after receiving the information when it was still not public. As a result of those communications, CC-1 then directed a trader at the Hedge Fund to sell the Fund’s shares in HGSI.

By selling more than 6 million shares of HGSI before disclosure was made to the public about certain adverse events, the Hedge Fund avoided losses totaling approximately $30 million.

BENHAMOU, 50, of Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, was arrested yesterday afternoon in Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to be presented this morning before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Boston federal court.

BENHAMOU is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud for his role in the insider trading scheme. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and 20 years in prison on the securities fraud charge.

Mr. BHARARA praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He also thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance in the investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys PABLO QUIÑONES and REED BRODSKY are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Three of 10 defendants charged in a mortgage fraud case

Three of 10 defendants charged in a mortgage fraud case were sentenced yesterday in Boise by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. Michael J. Hymas, 59, formerly of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, three years of supervised release, 80 hours of community service, and $544,647 in restitution for wire fraud. Hymas pled guilty to the charge in March 2010. Shauntee K. Ferguson, 33, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced to five years of supervised release, 80 hours of community service, and $365,829.69 in restitution for making a false atatement to a financial institution. Ferguson pled guilty to the charge in June 2010. Christopher R. Georgeson, 30, formerly of Boise, Idaho, currently of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced to one month in prison, three years’ supervised release,11 months of home detention, and $103,356.64 in restitution for wire fraud. Georgeson pled guilty to the charge in March 2010. Four other defendants have pled guilty to a variety of charges and are awaiting sentencing, one defendant has been sentenced, and two other defendants are awaiting trial.

According to an indictment filed in December 2009, Michael Hymas was an insurance agent in Meridian, Idaho, and a silent partner with Stanley Ferguson, Michael Hymas's son-inlaw, and Shauntee Ferguson, Michael Hymas's daughter, in the buying and selling of real estate, or "flipping" of real estate, in order to gain profits from the sales. In 2002, Hymas filed a bankruptcy petition and as a result, had difficulty obtaining credit from financial institutions and mortgage lenders. As part of their scheme to defraud and obtain money by false pretenses, Michael Hymas, Shauntee Ferguson and Stanley Ferguson falsely inflated their monthly personal income and falsely claimed rental income, falsely stated that residences would be used as primary residences when in fact they were intended as investment properties only, falsely represented the employment status of Shauntee Ferguson, and falsely provided bank accounts as a source of funding. They submitted the fraudulent documents to loan brokers. As a result, between 2004 and 2006, they caused the financial institutions and mortgage lenders to fund approximately 21 fraudulent loans for an approximate total value of $7.59 million dollars. The financial institutions and mortgage lenders incurred losses of approximately $1.6 million dollars.

According to the Michael Hymas' plea agreement, on November 19, 2004, Shauntee Ferguson applied for a residential construction loan in the approximate amount of $337,250. The residence was intended for investment purposes only by Michael Hymas, Shauntee Ferguson and Stanley Ferguson. It was not intended for personal occupancy, as misrepresented on the loan application. After the residence was completed and sold, Hymas and the Fergusons shared in the profits from the sale. In order to obtain the loan, Michael Hymas and Shauntee Ferguson provided false information to the mortgage company. Hymas caused a false rental agreement to be prepared, falsely representing he was paying the borrower, Shauntee Ferguson, rental income of $2,500 per month. He also misrepresented that Ferguson was the marketing manager at his insurance company, that she'd been employed there for three years, and that she earned $9,000 per month. Hymas caused an employee at his insurance agency to confirm these misrepresentations when Ferguson's employment was verified. Hymas also caused Ferguson's name to be placed on his checking account so that the checking account was represented on her loan application as a personal asset with a value of approximately $31, 000. Based on the misrepresentations, the funding on the residential loan was authorized.

According to the Shauntee Ferguson plea agreement, on November 16, 2005, Shauntee Ferguson applied for a residential construction loan in the approximate amount of $520,000. On her loan application, Ferguson falsely stated that she had a monthly income of $10,000 and was employed as the marketing manager at an insurance agency. In fact, she was not employed and had no monthly income. Ferguson also claimed she had an account balance of approximately $102, 000 when in fact her name was placed on the account to give the appearance that she had access to the funds. Ferguson also falsely represented on the loan application that she planned to occupy the residence as her primary residence when in fact the property was intended solely for investment purposes. Based on the misrepresentations, the funding on the residential loan was authorized.

According to the Christopher Georgeson plea agreement, on November 21, 2006, Georgeson applied for a residential construction loan in the approximate amount of $292,000. On his loan application, Georgeson falsely stated he had a monthly income of $41,666.67 when in fact he had monthly income of approximately $8,000. Georgeson also falsely stated he had gross rental income of $2,300 per month when in fact he had no rental income. Based on these misrepresentations, the funding on the residential loan was authorized. At the loan closing, $93,000 was paid to Crestwood, Inc. The property was subsequently the subject of a foreclosure proceeding due to non-payment of the monthly mortgage by Georgeson.

Stanley J. Ferguson, 33, of Boise, Idaho, pled guilty to Wire Fraud in May 2010. According to the plea agreement, on June 29, 2006, Ferguson applied for a residential construction loan in the approximate amount of $1,499,999, for a residence in Eagle, Idaho. On his loan application, Ferguson falsely stated he had a monthly base employment income of $23,500 when in fact he had no monthly base employment income. Ferguson also falsely stated he had gross rental income of $2,138.50 per month when in fact he had no rental income. He falsely stated that the property would be his primary residence. Based on these misrepresentations, the funding on the residential loan was authorized. At the loan closing, a sum of money was paid to Crestwood, Inc. The property was subsequently the subject of a foreclosure proceeding due to non-payment of the monthly mortgage by Ferguson. Ferguson faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release of up to three years. Sentencing is set for November 29, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge in Boise.

Brent Bethers, 37, of Eagle, Idaho, was sentenced on September 20, 2010, to one month in prison, eleven months of home detention, three years of supervised release, $23,913 in restitution, and a fine of $6000 for Wire Fraud. Bethers pled guilty to the charge in March 2010. According to the plea agreement, Bethers was a loan officer in Meridian, Idaho. In June 2006, Stanley Ferguson approached Bethers regarding financing for a residence in Eagle, Idaho. Bethers prepared a loan application on which he falsely represented that Ferguson had monthly income of $25,638 per month when in fact Ferguson's monthly income was substantially less than this amount. Bethers also represented on the loan application that Ferguson intended to occupy the residence as his "primary residence" when in fact the property was for investment purposes. The mortgage company relied upon these false representations and authorized a loan of approximately $1.5 million to Ferguson.

Travis Hymas, 27, formerly of the Boise area, currently of Cedar Hills, Utah, pled guilty to False Statement to a Bank in March 2010. According to the plea agreement, on March 28, 2007, Hymas applied for a residential construction loan in the amount of $154,800 for a residence in Nampa, Idaho. On his loan application, Hymas falsely stated he had a monthly gross income of $15,000 when in fact he had a monthly gross income of approximately $3,000. He also falsely represented that he had personal property with a value of approximately $100,000. Based on these misrepresentations, the funding on the residential loan was authorized. Hymas faces a maximum sentence of thirty years in federal prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and supervised release of up to five years. Sentencing is set for December 15, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge in Boise.

Shane Hymas, 32, formerly of the Boise area, currently of American Fork, Utah, and Laurie Krechelle Hymas, 31, formerly of the Boise area, currently of American Fork, Utah, both pled guilty to Bank Fraud in April 2010. According to the plea agreements, on August 23, 2006, Shane and Laurie Hymas applied for refinancing on a loan in the amount of $104,500 for a residence in Star, Idaho. On their loan application, the Hymas's falsely stated they had a combined monthly gross income in the amount of $33,000 when in fact they had a monthly gross income of between $10,000 and $15,000. They also falsely represented that they had gross monthly rental income of $2,550 when in fact they had no rental income. Based on these misrepresentations, the funding on the residential loan was authorized. They each face a maximum sentence of thirty years in federal prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and supervised release of up to five years. Sentencings for both defendants are set for January 18, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge in Boise.

"Mortgage fraud and other irregularities in the housing industry contributed significantly to Idaho's and this nation's economic struggles," said Wendy J. Olson, United States Attorney. "These cases demonstrate again that federal and state law enforcement agencies and prosecutors will work together to bring to justice those whose lies undermine the integrity of the housing financing system."

Paul Redondo, 33, of Meridian, Idaho, and Melody C. Redondo, 32, of Meridian, Idaho, were indicted in October 2010 for multiple counts of Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, and False Statement to a Financial Institution. According to the indictment, in March through August 2009, Melody Redondo, a licensed real estate agent, failed to disclose multiple offers to a mortgage company on a short-sale residential property, failed to disclose a duo-contract with simultaneous closings on the same real estate transaction, and forged a quitclaim deed and personally notarized the forged deed. The indictment also alleges that the Redondo's fraudulently overstated their monthly income and falsely represented rental income on multiple loan applications. In May 2009, the Redondo's filed a joint bankruptcy petition and discharged approximately $1,429,000 in debts. A trial is scheduled for January 10, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill in Boise. An indictment is a means of charging a person with criminal activity. It is not evidence. The person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office and the State of Idaho, Office of the Attorney General.

Portsmouth Woman Sentenced for Bribery

NORFOLK, VA—Wendy Walters, 47, of Portsmouth, Va., was sentenced today in Norfolk federal court to 15 months in prison and was ordered to pay $19,125 in restitution for her role in a bribery scheme at the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth (NMCP).

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Walters was sentenced by Senior United States District Court Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. Walters previously pled guilty to the bribery charge on May 4, 2010.

According to court documents, Walters, a federal employee, supervisory supply technician, was responsible for the inventory and procurement of medical supplies and equipment at the NMCP. From 2006 through the end of 2009, Walters accepted approximately $19,125 in cash and other items of value in exchange for awarding $450,000 in purchasing orders to various medical supply vendors. Walters is the fifth individual to be sentenced in connection with the bribery scheme.

This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Naval Audit Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert J. Seidel, Jr. and Kevin M. Comstock prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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

Two Men Arrested Following Robbery of U.S. Bank

The FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are announcing the arrests of Christopher James Cuerden, age 26, and Caleb Gene Halcomb, age 20, as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Vons grocery store at

3681 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa, California

, on Friday, October 29, 2010.

On Monday, November 1, 2010, a federal complaint was filed charging both men with the robbery of the US Bank,

3681 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa, California

, on October 29, 2010. According to the complaint, on Friday, October 29, 2010, at approximately 5:30 p.m. the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Vons grocery store at

3681 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa, California

was robbed by a lone white male.

At the time of the robbery, it is alleged that Halcomb entered the Vons grocery store for the purpose of verifying the location of the U.S. Bank and checking for the presence of security guard(s) and communicating this information to Cuerden, who was waiting outside in a vehicle. Halcomb exited the Vons and returned to the vehicle.

Shortly thereafter, a second lone white male, later identified as Cuerden, was observed entering the Vons. Cuerden allegedly approached the victim teller and produced a demand note for cash. The victim teller complied and provided Cuerden with less than $1,000.

Cuerden was observed exiting the bank and running towards a vehicle occupied by Halcomb. Upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle fled the parking lot area. A short time later, Deputies from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department conducted a vehicle stop and detained both men. A bag inside of the car was found to contain the exact amount of U.S. currency taken during the robbery. Cuerden was subsequently identified as the individual who robbed the victim teller. Both men were taken into custody for the robbery of the U.S. Bank.

An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendants committed crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.