Alabama Businessman Sentenced for Money Laundering

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Gregory H. Whitworth, 45, currently of Brewton, Alabama, who was convicted of money laundering, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny.

Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryEllen Kresse, who handled the case, stated that from March 2005 until January 2006, Whitworth was involved in laundering the proceeds of telemarketing fraud through a Columbus, Ohio company called Integrated Check Technologies. In the money laundering scheme, victims’ money was first deposited into bank accounts controlled by Integrated Check Technologies and then transferred back to telemarketers in Canada and the United States. Whitworth admitted that he was involved in the laundering of close to $20,000,000 during this period.

The owner of Integrated Check Technologies, Thomas Cimicato, pleaded guilty in January 2010 for his role in the money laundering scheme and was sentenced in December 2010 to four years’ probation. Another company involved in the money laundering scheme was Eclipse Processing, Inc. of Williamsville, New York. Owner, Ralph S. Guastaferro, Jr., pleaded guilty to money laundering in November 2009 for his role in the scheme, and was sentenced in June 2011 to 24 months in prison and fined $100,000.

Prior to his arrest on the money laundering charges, Whitworth was living and working in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security, under the direction of James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota.

Triad Mining Agrees to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations and Restore Affected Waterways in Indiana

WASHINGTON – Triad Mining Inc., the owner and operator of 31 surface mines in Appalachia and Indiana, has agreed to pay a penalty and to restore affected waterways for failing to obtain the required Clean Water Act (CWA) permit for stream impacts caused by its surface mining operation in Indiana, announced the Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since 2002, Triad's mining operation has resulted in the unpermitted excavation and filling of more than 53,000 feet of streams that flow into the White River.

 “With this settlement, Triad will achieve compliance with the nation’s Clean Water Act and be held accountable for its unpermitted discharges into streams of the White River watershed,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “Triad must also undertake restoration efforts and mitigate impacts from its mining activities by enhancing stream beds and creating buffer areas that will benefit aquatic life and recreational resources for the people of Indiana.”

 “Protecting America’s waters is one of EPA’s top priorities,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement will ensure that waterways impacted by unpermitted mining operations are restored and can again benefit the state of Indiana and the surrounding communities.”

Triad, a subsidiary of James River Coal Company, obtained the required Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act permits from the state of Indiana for its mining operations, but never obtained the required CWA permit for the site, despite the fact that its surface mining operation involved excavating coal seams located directly below stream beds.

On March 24, 2008, the Army Corps of Engineers issued a cease and desist order requiring Triad to stop its unauthorized stream-filling activities. Triad continued its mining practices until the Army Corps of Engineers sent a second order on June 24, 2009, which Triad complied with. Since the second order was issued, Triad has continued mining, but has avoided additional impacts to streams.  

Under the settlement, Triad must restore 34,906 linear feet of streams and enhance 4,330 linear feet of stream bed to address and mitigate impacts to stream beds caused by its mining activities. Triad will also create and maintain 66 acres of forested buffer areas and nine acres of forested wetland to protect the restored streams. Triad will also pay a $810,171 civil penalty.    

The proposed settlement, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is subject to a 30-day comment period and final court approval.

Robber Exiled to Over 10 Years in Prison

Robbed a Grocery/Deli and Robbed the Same Towson Liquor Store Twice

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Edward Sample, age 27, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 123 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for three armed robberies.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to Sample’s plea agreement, on October 20, 2009, Sample robbed a liquor store in Towson, while he possessed a loaded revolver. According to the plea, after pretending to be interested in purchasing a can of malt liquor, Sample demanded that the clerk hand over the money from the store’s register. After emptying the store’s two registers, the clerk gave Sample the money and laid down on the floor behind the counter. Sample then left with the money. On January 5, 2010, Sample robbed a grocery/deli in Baltimore with two co-conspirators, one of whom possessed a Walther .32 caliber pistol. On January 19, 2010, Sample and co-conspirator Aaron Davis robbed a liquor store in Towson. During the robbery, Davis grabbed the store clerk, placed a the same Walther .32 caliber pistol used in the previous robbery, to the clerk’s head and demanded money. Davis threatened to kill the clerk if he did not give Davis the money in the store register. The clerk emptied the register, gave the money to Davis, then laid down on the floor behind the counter. A second clerk entered the store while the robbery was in progress. Sample began shouting at the second clerk to get in the back of the store and lie down on the ground. The second clerk emptied another cash register, gave the money to Sample and laid down on the floor. Davis and Sample left the store with the money.

During the robberies of the liquor store, Sample was seen on the store’s security camera wearing a distinctive maroon sweatshirt and his fingerprint was found on the can of malt liquor he left on the counter after the first robbery. During the robbery of the grocery/deli, Sample was seen on the store’s security camera wearing a blue and white striped polo shirt and green jacket. At the time of his arrest, Sample was wearing the same maroon sweatshirt he wore in the liquor store robberies, and a search of his home recovered the blue and white polo shirt, green jacket and the Walther .32 caliber pistol used in the last two robberies.

Aaron Davis, age 26, of Baltimore, pleaded guilty to the second robbery of the liquor store where Davis pointed a gun at and threatened to kill a store clerk. Davis was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in this investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin M. Block, who prosecuted the case.

Frederick Bank Trust Officer Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Over $313,000

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander sentenced Tommy L. Phillips, age 55, of Frederick, Maryland, today to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for bank fraud, in connection with a scheme in which Phillips embezzled over $313,300 from trust accounts that he managed. Judge Hollander also entered an order that Phillips pay restitution of $313,303.05.

The sentence 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.

Phillips worked in Frederick as a trust officer for PNC Bank. According to Phillips’ plea agreement, when a check came to the bank for one of the trust accounts that Phillips managed, he was required to deposit the check into a clearing account, then move the funds from the clearing account into the appropriate customer’s trust account.

From 2003 to December 2009, Phillips embezzled funds from the trust accounts that he managed using a variety of methods. Most commonly, Phillips rerouted the funds from the banks’ clearing accounts into his personal bank accounts using cashiers checks, or using checks written from the clearing account to pay off his credit card bills. In order to cover up his scheme, Phillips would then misappropriate incoming trust account deposits in order to replace funds in trust accounts that he had previously stolen from. Phillips chose which accounts to embezzle from based on the age of the customers and their lack of attention to the accounts. Phillips used the embezzled funds to pay for his and his wife’s personal debts, his household bills and to purchase jewelry for his wife.

During the course of the six year scheme, Phillips embezzled approximately $313,303.05 in trust account funds from the banks’ clearing accounts for his personal use.

This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force 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.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the FBI for its work in the investigation and praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean B. O’Connell, who prosecuted the case.

Seeking Information on Unknown Serial Bank Robber

The Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual depicted below. She is believed responsible for the January 5, 2012 armed robbery of the Charter One Bank branch, 2854 W. Cermak, Chicago, IL, and the attempted robbery of a Fifth Third Bank branch, 2710 N. Narragansett, IL, also on January 5, 2012.

The individual is further described as follows:

Race/Sex: Hispanic/Female

Age: 20-25
Hair: Black or brown
Height: 5’2” to 5’3”
Clothing: Winter jacket, winter hat, and eyeglasses

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chicago FBI office at (312) 421-6700, or your local FBI office or law enforcement agency.

The Chicago FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is comprised of FBI special agents, detectives from the Chicago Police Department, and investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Additional information about this and other unsolved Chicago area bank robberies is available online at the Bandit Tracker Chicago website Bandittrackerchicago.com.

Pair Pleads Guilty to Stealing Patient Information to be Used for Personal Gain

NEW ORLEANS, LA—SHERRIE BLAIR, age 26, and CLYDE WASHINGTON, age 50, both residents of Westwego, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court today before U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. BLAIR was charged with mail fraud and identity theft, and WASHINGTON was charged with the wrongful disclosure of protected patient information.

According to court documents, WASHINGTON was employed at Ochsner Medical Center as a janitor from November 2008 until June 3, 2009. In his capacity as janitor, he stole printouts containing confidential patient information such as names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, home addresses, and other personal information that was intended to be shredded. The hospital is a covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA protects the individual identifiable health information collected from an individual by a health care provider.

On March 3, 2009, WASHINGTON brought the stolen patient information sheets to the residence of his girlfriend, BLAIR, who then created online accounts with companies in the names of the hospital patients contained on the information sheets. Once BLAIR opened the accounts using the Internet, she was then able to order merchandise that would be shipped to her residence for her use and for others. Specifically, BLAIR used these accounts to obtain items such as DVDs, CDs, loans, an $800 ring, a 42-inch Samsung plasma television, and gift cards, all in the names of the hospital patients.

BLAIR faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on the mail fraud count, a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on the identity theft count, as well as a fine of $250,000.00 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, as to each count. CLYDE WASHINGTON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on the wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information count, as well as a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is set for April 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

The case was investigated by the special agents of the United States Secret Service and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri and Jordan Ginsberg.

Austin, Texas, Man Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud and Identity Theft in Connection with Nationwide Foreclosure-rescue Scheme

Defendant Collected $1.6 Million from 1,100 Distressed Homeowners

WASHINGTON – An Austin, Texas, man pleaded guilty today in the Western District of Texas for his role in operating a foreclosure-rescue scam in Southern California and elsewhere that charged distressed homeowners fees in exchange for fraudulently postponing foreclosure sales.

The guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. of the Central District of California, U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman of the Western District of Texas, Assistant Director in Charge Steven Martinez of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and Christy Romero, Deputy Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).

Frederic Alan Gladle, 53, was charged on Dec. 9, 2011, in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles with one count of bankruptcy fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Today, Gladle admitted that beginning in October 2007 and continuing until October 2011, he operated a foreclosure-rescue fraud scheme that netted him more than $1.6 million in fees from distressed homeowners. According to court documents, Gladle used five aliases to avoid detection, including stealing the identity of at least one person and setting up a mobile phone account in that victim’s name.

Gladle admitted that he recruited homeowners whose properties were in danger of imminent foreclosure and falsely promised to delay the foreclosures for up to six months, in exchange for a fee of approximately $750 per month. Gladle, directly or through salespersons, directed homeowners to sign deeds granting fractional interest in their properties to debtors in bankruptcy proceedings whose names Gladle found by searching bankruptcy records. The debtors were unaware that their names and bankruptcy cases were being used by Gladle in his scheme. Gladle then sent the unsuspecting debtors’ bankruptcy petitions, and the deeds that transferred fractional interests to the debtors, to the homeowners’ lenders to stop foreclosure proceedings.

Because bankruptcy filings give rise to automatic stays that protect debtors’ properties, the receipt of the bankruptcy petitions and deeds in the debtors’ names forced lenders to cancel foreclosure sales. The lenders, which included banks who received government funds under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), could not move forward to collect money that was owed to them until getting permission from the bankruptcy courts, thereby repeatedly delaying the lenders’ recovery of their money. When homeowners wanted to void the deeds to the unsuspecting debtors, Gladle would forge the debtors’ signatures on papers voiding the deeds.

The crime of bankruptcy fraud carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years.

This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Paul Rosen of the Fraud Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Davis for the Central District of California, with substantial assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Peele and Mark Lane of the Western District of Texas. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and SIGTARP, which received substantial assistance from the U.S. Trustee’s Office.

This prosecution is part of efforts underway by President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force 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 about the task force visit Stopfraud.gov .

Former Texas Pain Management Physician and Psychiatrist Sentenced to Federal Prison on Health Care Fraud Charges

United States Attorney Robert Pitman announced that in El Paso today, 57-year-old Anthony Francis Valdez was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release in connection with an estimated $42 million fraudulent health care benefit program billing scheme. Valdez, a former physician, was the owner of the Institute of Pain Management with clinics in El Paso and San Antonio.

“Valdez preyed on the most vulnerable members of our society—the poor, the disabled and the elderly. In doing so, he sought to enrich himself by billing health care entitlement programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid and Tri-Care, of more than $42 million during a five-year period for services he did not perform. As a result, Valdez has lost his medical license, his reputation, his property and most of all his freedom. We hope his sentence of 25 years serves as a deterrence to others who would contemplate defrauding these federally funded health care programs,” stated United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

In addition, Senior United States District Judge David Briones ordered that Valdez pay $13,356,645.44 restitution; and, forfeit more than $1.7 million in cash, his residence in El Paso, his residence in San Antonio, as well as five vehicles. Judge Briones also handed down a monetary judgement against Valdez for $9,741,649.

“Today’s sentencing of Anthony Valdez represents the FBI’s commitment to investigating threats associated with Health Care Fraud in the El Paso area and prosecuting those individuals responsible for defrauding government and private health care benefit programs. It was through the dedication and hard work of the special agents and professional support staff of the El Paso FBI as well as several other state, local, and federal agencies, that this investigation was successfully completed,” stated Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Mark Morgan, El Paso Division.

On July 1, 2011, Valdez was convicted by a jury of one count conspiracy to commit health care fraud, six counts of health care fraud, six counts of false statements related to health care matters, and three counts of money laundering. Evidence during trial revealed that beginning in January 2005 and continuing through December 2009, Valdez caused fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE for procedures which he did not perform or were non-reimbursable.

“These kinds of criminals, like Anthony Valdez, hurt the very nature of our health care system by falsely inflating the cost of health care for all of us. Valdez’s punishment is well justified and will serve as a warning to other unscrupulous health care professionals,” stated Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Steve McCullough.

This case was investigated by agents with Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Service–Southwest Field Office together with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys William F. Lewis, Jr., and Juanita Fielden prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Malware Targets Bank Accounts

‘Gameover’ Delivered Via Phishing E-Mails

Cyber criminals have found yet another way to steal your hard-earned money: a recent phishing scheme involves spam e-mails—purportedly from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), the Federal Reserve Bank, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)—that can infect recipients’ computers with malware and allow access to their bank accounts.

The malware is appropriately called “Gameover” because once it’s on your computer, it can steal usernames and passwords and defeat common methods of user authentication employed by financial institutions. And once the crooks get into your bank account, it’s definitely “game over.”

Gameover is a newer variant of the Zeus malware, which was created several years ago and specifically targeted banking information.

How the scheme works: Typically, you receive an unsolicited e-mail from NACHA, the Federal Reserve, or the FDIC telling you that there’s a problem with your bank account or a recent ACH transaction. (ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, a network for a wide variety of financial transactions in the U.S.) The sender has included a link in the e-mail for you that will supposedly help you resolve whatever the issue is. Unfortunately, the link goes to a phony website, and once you’re there, you inadvertently download the Gameover malware, which promptly infects your computer and steals your banking information.

After the perpetrators access your account, they conduct what’s called a distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attack using a botnet, which involves multiple computers flooding the financial institution’s server with traffic in an effort to deny legitimate users access to the site—probably in an attempt to deflect attention from what the bad guys are doing.

But that’s not the end of the scheme: Recent investigations have shown that some of the funds stolen from bank accounts go towards the purchase of precious stones and expensive watches from high-end jewelry stores. The criminals contact these jewelry stores, tell them what they’d like to buy, and promise they will wire the money the next day. So the next day, a person involved in the money laundering aspect of the crime—called a “money mule”—comes into the store to pick up the merchandise. After verifying that the money is in the store’s account, the jewelry is turned over to the mule, who then gives the items to the organizers of the scheme or converts them for cash and uses money transfer services to launder the funds.

In many cases, these money mules are willing participants in the criminal scheme. But increasingly, as part of this scheme, we see an increasing number of unsuspecting mules hired via “work at home” advertisements who end up laundering some of the funds stolen from bank accounts. The criminals e-mail prospective candidates claiming to have seen their resumes on job websites and offer them a job. The hired employees are provided long and seemingly legitimate work contracts and actual websites to log into. They’re instructed to either open a bank account or use their own bank account in order to receive funds via wire and ACH transactions from numerous banks…and then use money remitting services to send the money overseas.

If you think you’ve been victimized by this type of scheme, contact your financial institution to report it, and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

- Obviously, make sure your computer’s anti-virus software is up to date.

- Don’t click on e-mail attachments from unsolicited senders. NACHA, FDIC, and the Federal Reserve all say they don’t send out unsolicited e-mails to bank account holders. If you want to confirm there’s a problem with your account or one of your recent transactions, contact your financial institution directly.

- Don’t accept unsolicited jobs online that require you to receive funds from numerous bank accounts and then wire the money to overseas accounts—you could get caught up in a criminal investigation.

FBI Asks for Assistance Identifying Man Who Robbed Bank Dressed in UPS Uniform

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public’s assistance identifying an individual who entered a Sovereign Bank located at 75-15 31st Avenue in Jackson Heights, New York, earlier today at approximately 9:40 a.m. The suspect walked into the bank holding a gun to an employee’s back while demanding cash from the tellers. The suspect demanded $20,000 in large denominations. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen fleeing west on 31st Avenue and then north on 75th Street.

The suspect is described as a black or Hispanic male, early 30s, 5’6’’ to 5’8’’ tall, and approximately 170 to 180 pounds. He has black facial hair and was seen in a seasonal UPS uniform, consisting of a brown jacket and brown pants. He was also wearing a red baseball hat and sun glasses. He had a silver revolver.

A significant reward is available for a tip that breaks the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI immediately at 212-384-1000. As always, tipsters may remain anonymous.

Office Manager for Miami Home Health Company Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Role in $25 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

Two Co-Defendants Also Sentenced to Prison

WASHINGTON—An office manager for a Miami home health care agency was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for her participation in a $25 million home health Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Two of her co-defendants were also sentenced to prison today for their roles in the fraud scheme.

The defendants were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard in the Southern District of Florida.

■Lisandra Alonso, 34, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $15.3 million in restitution.

■Jose Ros, 72, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $395,000 in restitution.
■Farah Maria Perez, 40, was sentenced to six months in prison and two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $118,000 in restitution.

Alonso, Ros, and Perez each pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. They were each ordered to pay their restitution jointly and severally with co-conspirators and defendants in a related case.

According to court documents, Alonso was an office manager and patient recruiter for ABC Home Health Care Inc., a Miami home health care agency that purported to provide home health and physical therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Ros was a patient recruiter for both ABC and Florida Home Health Care Providers Inc., another related home health care agency. Perez was a registered nurse and a patient recruiter for Florida Home Health. According to court documents, ABC and Florida Home Health only existed to defraud Medicare.

Alonso, Ros, and Perez admitted that beginning in approximately January 2006 and continuing until approximately March 2009, they recruited Medicare beneficiaries who would allow ABC and Florida Home Health to bill Medicare for home health care and therapy services that were medically unnecessary and/or never provided. Alonso, Ros and Perez solicited and received kickbacks and bribes from the owners and operators of ABC and Florida Home Health in return for the recruited patients. Alonso, Ros and Perez knew that the patients they recruited did not qualify for the services billed to Medicare and that the files for the recruited patients were falsified to make it appear that the patients qualified for the services.

According to court documents, Perez and her co-defendant nurses falsified patient files for Medicare beneficiaries to make it appear that the beneficiaries qualified for home health care and therapy services. Perez admitted that she knew the beneficiaries did not qualify for and did not receive the services. The files were falsified so that Medicare could be billed for medically unnecessary therapy and home health related services.

According to plea documents, as office manager, Alonso taught the owners and operators of ABC how to operate a fraudulent home health agency. Alonso explained the importance of recruiters, kickbacks, doctors, beneficiaries and Medicare billing. In this role, Alonso negotiated the kickback payment rates between the patient recruiters and the owners and operators of ABC. Alonso distributed the kickback payments to the patient recruiters on behalf of the owners and operators of ABC.

As office manager, Alonso also taught nurses at ABC how to falsify patient files for Medicare beneficiaries to make it appear that the beneficiaries qualified for home health care and therapy services when, in fact, she knew that the beneficiaries did not qualify for and did not receive such services.

As a result of the participation of Alonso, Ros, and Perez in the illegal scheme, the Medicare program was billed approximately $17 million, $395,000 and $118,000, respectively, for purported home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or were not provided.

The sentences were announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Joseph S. Beemsterboer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,160 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $2.9 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to Stopmedicarefraud.gov.

Cody Michael Beard Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on January 5, 2012, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, CODY MICHAEL BEARD, a 21-year-old resident of Hardin, appeared for sentencing. BEARD was sentenced to a term of:

■Prison: 48 months

■Special Assessment: $100
■Supervised Release: five years

BEARD was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori H. Suek, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

BEARD became known to FBI/BIA investigators during a joint investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs on the Crow Indian Reservation (CIR). Throughout the last year, agents have interviewed approximately 40 people and all have information about BEARD and his use, and distribution of methamphetamine.

BEARD was interviewed three times, once in May 2010, and twice in March and April 2011. He admitted to selling methamphetamine in Hardin and on the Crow Indian Reservation.

Specifically, BEARD admitted that he began selling methamphetamine in October/November of 2009. He estimated that he sold an eight ball, or 1/8 of an ounce of methamphetamine per day for approximately six months, until approximately March 2010. He estimated that he sold $3,000 worth of methamphetamine per week during that six-month time period, and made a profit of $500 per week. He sold methamphetamine seven days a week.

During the spring of 2010, he accompanied another local drug dealer to Billings to purchase methamphetamine on four separate occasions. On two of the four occasions, 1/4 ounce of methamphetamine was purchased. Smaller amounts were purchased on the other trips. BEARD personally received small amounts on each trip.

BEARD then admitted that he sold methamphetamine during July, August, and September of 2010. He made a profit of $700 during the month of July 2010, and he estimated that he made between $2,500 to $3,000 profit selling methamphetamine during the months of August and September 2010.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that BEARD will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, BEARD does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Leader of NinjaVideo.Net Website Sentenced to 22 Months in Prison for Criminal Copyright Conspiracy

WASHINGTON – A founder of NinjaVideo.net, a website that provided millions of users with the ability to illegally download high-quality copies of copyright-protected movies and television programs, was sentenced today to 22 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton.

 Hana Amal Beshara, 30, of North Brunswick, N.J., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga in the Eastern District of Virginia. Judge Trenga ordered Beshara to serve two years of supervised release, complete 500 hours of community service, repay $209,826.95 that she personally obtained from her work at NinjaVideo.net and forfeit to the United States several financial accounts and computer equipment involved in the crimes.

 On Sept. 9, 2011, Beshara was indicted along with four of the other top administrators of NinjaVideo.net. Beshara pleaded guilty on Sept. 29, 2011, to conspiracy and criminal copyright infringement. Three of Beshara’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. An arrest warrant remains outstanding for the fourth co-defendant, Zoi Mertzanis of Greece. Another co-founder of NinjaVideo.net who was charged separately has also pleaded guilty.

 According to court documents, Beshara was one of the founders of the NinjaVideo.net website, which operated from February 2008 until it was shut down by law enforcement in June 2010. NinjaVideo.net offered visitors the ability to view, without charge, many movies still in theaters as well as some movies that had not yet been released in theaters, and many television programs immediately after they aired. Beshara, who was known as “Queen Phara” on the Internet, served as the public face of NinjaVideo.net. She supervised the uploading and placement of infringing television programs and motion pictures on the website and served as the lead moderator of the website’s forum boards. At one point Beshara managed the conspiracy’s finances, including receiving advertising revenue generated by traffic to NinjaVideo.net. In total, advertising revenue and visitor donations generated more than $505,000 in income for the conspiracy, with Beshara personally receiving nearly $210,000.

 The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay V. Prabhu and Lindsay A. Kelly and Trial Attorney Glenn Alexander of the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

 The investigation was conducted by the HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center). The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government’s key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. As a task force, the IPR Center uses the expertise of its 19 member agencies to share information, develop initiatives, coordinate enforcement actions and conduct investigations related to IP theft. Through this strategic interagency partnership, the IPR Center protects the public’s health and safety, the U.S. economy and the war fighters.

 To report IP theft or to learn more about the IPR Center, visit www.IPRCenter.gov.

 
This case is part of efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force) to stop the theft of intellectual property. Attorney General Eric Holder created the IP Task Force to combat the growing number of domestic and international intellectual property crimes, protect the health and safety of American consumers, and safeguard the nation’s economic security against those who seek to profit illegally from American creativity, innovation and hard work. The IP Task Force seeks to strengthen intellectual property rights protection through heightened criminal and civil enforcement, greater coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement partners, and increased focus on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders. To learn more about the IP Task Force, go to Justice.gov/dag/iptaskforce.

Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Transportation of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON—A Largo, Florida resident pleaded guilty yesterday in the Middle District of Florida to one count of transportation of child pornography, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Robert E. O’Neill and Special Agent in Charge Steven E. Ibison of the FBI’s Tampa Field Office.

James Charles Cafferty, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas G. Wilson.

According to court documents and proceedings, Cafferty, who was a special agent for the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, purchased memberships in several child pornography websites. A subsequent search warrant executed at Cafferty’s home revealed hard drives containing thousands of child pornography files. Cafferty admitted during an interview that he had shipped these hard drives from London to his home in Largo.

Cafferty faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as well as the possibility of lifetime supervised release. Cafferty also faces a fine of $250,000.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Largo Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Murphy Davis for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Andrew M. McCormack of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

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 CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Projectsafechildhood.gov.

Art Dealer Sentenced for Counterfeit Art Sales

Counterfeit Clementine Hunter Paintings

ALEXNDRIA, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Robert E. Lucky, Jr, 64, of New Orleans, was sentenced today to 25 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $326,893 in restitution for mail fraud in connection with selling fake paintings attributed to Louisiana artist Clementine Hunter. Lucky was also sentenced to three years’ supervised release following his prison term and 200 hours of community service.

Forensic evidence collected during the investigation was analyzed by the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Va., the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training in Natchitoches, La., McCrone Associates Inc., in Westmont, Ill., and Orion Analytical LLC, in Williamstown, Mass., and revealed that the paintings sold by Lucky and the Toye’s were fakes. Other paintings obtained by the Toye’s were then resold by Lucky for a profit.

A significant number of non-authentic Hunter paintings were identified during the course of the investigation, to include five paintings which were seized from the Toye residence by the FBI in September of 2009 in Baton Rouge, La., and were forfeited to the U.S. government as part of William Toye’s guilty plea in federal court. The three-year investigation involved the efforts of FBI special agents in several FBI field offices, to include numerous interviews of victims, witnesses, and other individuals across the nation, from California to New York to Florida. The entire investigation was initiatied and coordinated from the FBI Alexandria Resident Agency in Alexandria, La. William Toye was previously arrested in the early 1970’s by the New Orleans Police Department on criminal charges related to the sell of several non-authentic Clementine Hunter paintings. At the time, the New Orleans case against Toye was never prosecuted.

William Toye, 80, his wife Beryl Ann Toye, 70, of Baton Rouge, and Robert Lucky were named in a four-count indictment charging all three defendants with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. William and Beryl Toye pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud collectors of Clementine Hunter paintings by misrepresenting the authenticity and origin of the paintings and were both sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to pay $426,393 in restitution.

The artist, Clementine Hunter, was an African-American folk artist who lived in Natchitoches Parish, La. Ms. Hunter began painting in the late 1930s and continued to paint until a few days before her death on January 1, 1988. The value of Ms. Hunter’s paintings vary and are actively sold on the open art market.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley stated: “There is no doubt that Ms. Hunter was a gem of the State of Louisiana and our nation. Her artwork was her legacy to all of us. Robert Lucky and the Toye’s not only committed fraud as it related to her paintings, but they also diminished her legacy, all for greed. We hope this case serves as a deterrence to those who are involved in similar activities. It is incumbent upon all citizens of Louisiana to protect the wonderful art shared with us by our native artists. With the conclusion of this case, a question that began over 40 years ago has finally been answered. A special thank you goes out to the prosecutors and agents who worked tirelessly to make sure that justice was served in this case. We hope the focus can now be on the great work of Clementine Hunter and trying to make the victims in this case whole.”

The case was investigated by the Special Agent Randolph J. Deaton, IV, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alexandria Resident Agency, and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook and Assistant United States Attorney Cytheria D. Jernigan.

Chicago Man Accused of Mailing Threatening Letters Containing False Information About Bombing Targets Across the U.S.

CHICAGO—A Chicago man was indicted on federal charges for allegedly mailing threatening letters containing false information about bombing public and private properties around the country, federal law enforcement officials announced today. The defendant, Timothy P. O’Donnell, was charged with nine counts of falsely threatening use of explosives in an indictment returned late yesterday by a federal grand jury.

O’Donnell, 51, of Chicago, never posed any actual danger of carrying through with the alleged threats contained in dozens of identical letters mailed in March 2011, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said in announcing the charges.

“While there was never any real danger in Chicago or elsewhere, these charges demonstrate that the FBI and the Chicago Joint Terrorism Task Force will aggressively investigate all threats and there are serious consequences for those who allegedly make false threats,” Mr. Grant said.

O’Donnell will be arraigned on a date yet to be scheduled in U.S. District Court.

The charges stem from an investigation of identically worded letters that were mailed from Chicago to dozens of recipients in approximately 16 states in March 2011. The letters purported to be from “Osama Bin Laden” and, among other things, claimed that “Al-Qaeda” had planted 160 remotely-controlled nuclear bombs throughout the country in schools, churches, hospitals, financial institutions, and government buildings.

Each of the nine counts in the indictment alleges the mailing of a threatening letter between March 18 and 22, 2011, from Chicago to two businesses in Chicago, as well as recipients in Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Stetler and Nancy DePodesta.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only allegations and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Former Army Major Sentenced to Prison in Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme Related to DOD Contracts in Support of Iraq War

To Date, 17 Individuals Have Pleaded Guilty or Been Convicted at Trial in Ongoing Corruption Investigation

WASHINGTON – Eddie Pressley, 41, a former U.S. Army contracting official, was sentenced in Birmingham, Ala., for his participation in a bribery and money laundering scheme related to bribes paid for contracts awarded in support of the Iraq war, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

 U.S. District Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins sentenced Eddie Pressley late yesterday to 144 months in prison and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release following the prison term. The court said it would also require Pressley to forfeit $21 million as well as real estate and several automobiles.

 “Mr. Pressley participated in a wide-ranging scheme to steer U.S. Army contracts to particular providers in exchange for personal, illegal profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “Taking in nearly $3 million, he enlisted his wife to help him conceal the nature of his bribes and created phony paperwork to keep the scheme going. This sentence sends the message loud and clear that we will not tolerate corruption of any kind, and are determined to hold corrupt officials accountable.”

  “This contracting scheme was driven by greed and is in no way representative of the vast majority of public officials and government contractors who work hard to serve our military,” said James McJunkin, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to investigate contracting fraud which deprives the U.S. government of taxpayer dollars, regardless of where it occurs.”

  “I am pleased to see a perpetrator of criminal activity in Iraq justly sentenced,” said Stuart W. Bowen Jr., Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR).   “This individual sought to enrich himself at the expense of U.S. taxpayers. SIGIR’s investigations team will continue to pursue criminals operating in Iraq and bring them to justice.”

 “This sentence sends a clear message of deterrence to anyone contemplating such an egregious breach of public trust.  It is not a matter of if you will be caught, but a matter of when,” said James K. Podolak, director of Army CID’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU). “The outcome of this investigation is yet another testament to the teamwork among the special agents of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command's MPFU and our fellow federal law enforcement agencies.”

 “This sentencing represents the seriousness with which the government will pursue corruption among its ranks,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service stands with our service members as they deploy throughout the world and will root out shameless bribery schemes such as this one perpetrated by Mr. Pressley.  DCIS continues to work alongside our investigative partners at Army CID, SIGIR, FBI, IRS-CI, and Public Integrity to jointly bring these matters to justice.”

 Eddie Pressley, and his wife Eurica Pressley, were found guilty at trial on March 1, 2011, of one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, eight counts of honest services fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy and 11 counts of engaging in monetary transactions with criminal proceeds. A sentencing date for Eurica Pressley has not yet been scheduled by the court.

 The case against the Pressleys arose from a corruption probe focusing on Camp Arifjan, a U.S. military base in Kuwait. As a result of this investigation, 17 individuals, including the Pressleys, have pleaded guilty or been found guilty at trial for their roles in the scheme.

 Evidence presented at trial showed that Eddie Pressley took various actions to benefit certain contractors who paid him bribes, including Terry Hall. Pressley served as a U.S. Army contracting official at Camp Arifjan between 2004 and 2005. From spring 2004 through fall 2007, Hall operated and had an interest in several companies, including Freedom Consulting and Catering Co. and Total Government Allegiance. In February 2005, Eddie Pressley arranged for Hall to obtain a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to deliver goods and services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its components in Kuwait and elsewhere.

 A BPA is a type of contract by which the DoD agrees to pay a contractor a specified price for a particular good or service. Based on a BPA, the DoD orders the supplies on an as-needed basis. The contractor is then obligated to deliver the supplies ordered at the price agreed upon in the BPA. The term for such an order by the DoD is a “call.”

 According to Hall’s testimony and other evidence presented at trial, Pressley demanded a $50,000 bribe before he would issue bottled water calls to Hall. Hall testified that in April 2005, he and his associates arranged for Pressley to receive the money in a bank account established in the name of a shell company, EGP Business Solutions Inc.

 Hall’s testimony and other evidence at trial showed that soon after the $50,000 bribe was paid, Pressley and John Cockerham, another U.S. Army contracting official, increased the bribe demand to $1.6 million, which consisted of $800,000 for Pressley and $800,000 for Cockerham.  After Hall and others agreed to pay the money, Pressley and Cockerham took various official acts to benefit Hall, including, among other things, issuing calls for bottled water and fencing, arranging for Hall to receive a fence contract and modifying Hall’s BPA to remove the upper limit of the money Hall could receive from the DoD under the bottled water BPA.

 Evidence at trial also showed that Eddie Pressley enlisted the help of his wife to receive the bribes. On March 9, 2005, he sent his wife an email in which he told her, among other things: “You will be getting some paperwork with your maiden name on it”; “I need you to sign it and mail to whatevery (sic) address on it”; “I am doing some consulting”; and “Of course I am not going to turn down any money, but I can’t have anyone paying me in my name because I am in the military so I had them put everything in your maiden name.”

 According to evidence presented at trial, Eurica Pressley traveled to Dubai in May 2005 and to the Cayman Islands in June 2005 to open bank accounts to receive the bribe money. She also took control of the U.S.-based account in the name of EGP Business Solutions Inc. A law enforcement agent testified at the trial about various false and misleading statements Eurica Pressley made to him during a voluntary interview at her home, including her denial that she had any foreign bank accounts. In addition, the evidence presented at trial demonstrated that the Pressleys, Hall and others attempted to conceal the true nature of their corrupt scheme by having Eurica Pressley execute bogus “consulting agreements.” They also prepared false invoices that were designed to justify the bribe payments as payment for non-existent “consulting services.”

 Bank statements and wire transfer reports demonstrated that, in total, the Pressleys received approximately $2.9 million in bribe payments, approximately $1.6 million of which consisted of payments from other contractors that Hall facilitated for Eddie Pressley. Evidence presented at trial showed that the Pressleys used the money to purchase real estate, expensive automobiles and home decorating services, among other things.

 Former U.S. Army Major James Momon also testified at trial that Eddie Pressley and Cockerham recruited him to join the bribe scheme and that he took various official acts to receive bribes from some of the same contractors who paid Pressley and Cockerham, including Hall. Additionally, he testified that Pressley told him that if they got caught they would spend “six years in jail” and that Cockerham and Pressley warned him to be careful.

 On Jan. 31, 2008, Cockerham pleaded guilty to participating in a bribery and money laundering scheme at Camp Arifjan. He was sentenced on Dec. 2, 2009, to 210 months in prison and ordered to pay $9.6 million in restitution.

 On Feb. 18, 2010, Hall pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy and agreed to forfeit $15.7 million to the U.S. government in connection with his payment of more than $3 million in bribes to Cockerham, Eddie Pressley, Momon and Christopher Murray.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2012. 

On Aug. 13, 2009, Momon pleaded guilty to receiving approximately $1.6 million in bribes and agreed to pay $5.7 million in restitution. Momon’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled. On Jan. 8, 2009, Murray pleaded guilty to charges of bribery and making a false statement. He was sentenced on Dec. 17, 2009, to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay $245,000 in restitution.

 The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Peter C. Sprung and Edward J. Loya, Jr. of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. Assistance was also provided by the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The cases are being investigated by the Army CID, DCIS, ICE, FBI, IRS-CI, SIGIR and the International Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF). The ICCTF is a joint law enforcement agency task force that seeks to detect, investigate and dismantle corruption and contract fraud resulting from U.S. Overseas Contingency Operations worldwide, including in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Wendy's Robbery Suspect Captured

Savannah, GA – A Savannah man wanted for the Armed Robbery of the Wendy’s on Wilmington Island was arrested by the Macon Office of the United States Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force on January 4, 2012.

Ronnie James Holder, 28, was wanted by the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) for the Armed Robbery of the Wendy’s on Wilmington Island that occurred on December 29, 2011. SCMPD Detectives and the U.S. Marshals Savannah Office of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force conducted an extensive investigation to locate and arrest Holder. New leads were generated by SCMPD Detectives and the Savannah Marshals Task Force that Holder was with an associate in the Wilkinson County, Georgia area. The associate was identified and leads were sent to the Macon, Georgia Office of the Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Macon Task Force developed an address for the associate and went to the residence. The Marshals found Holder at the residence and he was immediately taken into custody. Holder was suffering from wounds sustained during the Wendy’s robbery. Holder was taken to the Baldwin County jail to await pick up by Chatham County.

Annually, investigations carried out by the U.S. Marshals result in the apprehension of over 36, 000 federal fugitives. More federal fugitives are arrested by the Marshals Service than all other federal agencies combined. In 2011, U.S. Marshals led task forces arrested more than 86,000 state and local fugitives, which cleared over 113,000 warrants.

The Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force has three offices: Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah. The task force covers the whole state of Georgia. The Savannah Office of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force is a team comprised of investigators from the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department, the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Department, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Marshals Service. The task force objective is to seek out and arrest fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug crimes, sex offenders, and other felonies.

Former Employee of Government Contractor Pleads Guilty in Oklahoma to Child Pornography Charge

WASHINGTON – A former employee of a government contractor pleaded guilty today to a child exploitation charge under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA), announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma Thomas Scott Woodward.

Keith Strimple, 57, of Tulsa, Okla., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell in the Northern District of Oklahoma to one count of attempted possession of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

According to court documents and proceedings, Strimple worked as an employee of a government contractor between April and September 2007 at a U.S. military facility at Camp Fallujah, Iraq. During that time period, Strimple admitted that he searched for and downloaded videos of minors that he believed to be as young as 12 years old engaging in sexually explicit conduct and downloaded such images using the contractor’s computer system.

MEJA gives U.S. courts jurisdiction to prosecute crimes committed outside the United States by, among others, employees of a government contractor whose work supports a military mission.

At sentencing, scheduled for April 11, 2012, Strimple faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

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 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, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and CEOS’ High Tech Investigations Unit, with assistance from the FBI in Tulsa.

The case is being prosecuted by CEOS Trial Attorney Keith Becker and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Cyran of the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC)

The Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC) was convened to speed the transition of military medical lessons learned from the battlefield to civilian crisis response in order to reduce preventable causes of death in both our first responders and civilian population.
 
More:
http://c-tecc.org/