Pekin Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempted Production of Child Pornography

 PEORIA, Ill. – Sebastian Sale, 30, of Pekin, Illinois, was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison following his conviction for attempted production of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge James E. Shadid further ordered that Sale serve a lifetime term of supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence and register as a sex offender.

Sale, who pleaded guilty on April 8, 2021, admitted that he attempted to entice a person he believed to be a minor girl to film herself engaging in sexual conduct and to email the video to him. 

In a separate but related case, Sale’s girlfriend, Rachel Miller, was sentenced on May 13, 2020, to serve 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child. Specifically, Miller had recorded a video of herself engaging in sexual activity with a prepubescent male, and Sale later distributed that video through the internet.

In imposing a sentence above the advisory sentencing guideline range of 180 to 210 months, Judge Shadid noted the “sad,” “vile,” “disgusting,” and “unimaginable” conduct in which Sale had engaged. Judge Shadid also observed that the defendant’s conduct was hard to distinguish from that of Miller.

Both Sale and Miller have remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since their arrests in March 2020.

“Hopefully, the sentence Judge Shadid imposed will serve as a warning to others who may be inclined to harm minors and will make them think twice,“ said Acting United States Attorney Doug Quivey. “They will be caught. Along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the United States Attorney’s Office remains firmly committed to the Project Safe Childhood initiative, and we will do everything we can to both prevent and vigorously prosecute crimes against children.”

Agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Washington, Ill., Police Department investigated the case.  Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss represented the government in the prosecution.

Peoria Drug Dealer Sentenced To Over Thirteen Years in Prison

 PEORIA, Ill. –John M. Henigan, 36, of Peoria, Illinois, was sentenced on August 26, 2021, to just over thirteen years (158 months) in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of heroin.

Henigan, who pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of heroin last year, sold the drugs to a police informant in the fall of 2017. According to testimony at sentencing, investigators had learned Henigan was a significant heroin dealer in the Peoria area earlier that year. Through testimony and other evidence provided at sentencing, the district court also determined that Henigan caused the overdose death of a Washington, Illinois, man in April 2016. 

According to court documents, after Henigan’s arrest in 2019, he admitted he was a heroin dealer and provided a list of various crack cocaine and heroin customers he sold drugs to throughout the years, some of whom have since overdosed and died.  Evidence collected from Henigan’s phone showed that he also brokered sales of stolen firearms, in addition to his drug trafficking.  Numerous images of guns and drugs were found on his phone.  Evidence established that Henigan was not a drug user and earned hundreds of dollars a day dealing. 

Henigan’s heroin trafficking dated back to 2015 and involved over 880 grams of heroin, as well as crack cocaine. During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade emphasized Henigan’s “conscious and deliberate” decision to traffic drugs “that kill people.” Judge McDade also described Henigan’s involvement with trafficking stolen firearms as unjustifiable.

“This case starkly demonstrates what drug dealers can expect when they choose to sell poisonous drugs into our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Douglas J. Quivey.  “Our office commends the Pekin Police Department’s dedication and perseverance in working up the chain to target high-level drug dealers in our community.  Their collaboration with DEA is a successful example of leveraging the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against drug dealers who profit off other people’s serious and tragic additions.”

“The Pekin Police Department appreciates the working relationship that we have with the DOJ,” said Pekin Police Chief John Dossey. “This case is a clear example of ‘team work’ between local and federal agencies in an effort to make a difference not only in our community, but in society as a whole.  I would like to recognize the Pekin detectives who worked tirelessly on this matter solely to better our community.  I would also like to thank the DOJ prosecution team who worked with our detectives to successfully prosecute this case to remove a dangerous individual from our streets.”

Henigan has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals since his arrest.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Pekin Police Department investigated the case with the assistance of the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office and Morton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Legge represented the government in the prosecution.

Waterbury Man Guilty of Cocaine Trafficking Offense

 Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found LUIS CASTRO, 33, of Waterbury, guilty of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill began on August  24 and the jury returned its verdict yesterday.

According to the evidence and testimony at trial, a DEA Task Force investigation identified Castro as being involved in cocaine trafficking activity.  On September 10, 2018, a court-authorized search of Castro’s residence on Delaware Avenue in Waterbury revealed approximately 566 grams of cocaine, a large kilogram press, narcotics paraphernalia, and $8,292 in cash.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for November 19, 2021, at which time Castro faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Castro is released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing.

This is Castro’s second federal conviction.  In March 2011, he was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 18 months of imprisonment for distributing cocaine and crack cocaine, and illegally dealing firearms.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Tara Levens.

ATF National Response Team Activated to Join the Investigation of Chandler Print Shop Explosion

 Phoenix – The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with ATF special agents from the Phoenix Field Division, were activated today to join the investigation of the explosion that occurred at a commercial printing business, located in Chandler, Arizona. This is the 875th NRT activation since it’s inception and 12th activation this year.

The NRT callout will have experts arriving Friday and they will begin processing the scene. ATF’s NRT was activated to join the investigation at the request of the City of Chandler. The NRT members will be working jointly with investigators from Chandler Fire and Police Department.

“ATF is committed to working alongside the Chandler Police and Fire Department to determine the origin and cause of this explosion that tragically injured four individuals ,” said Special Agent in Charge of ATF Phoenix Field Division Gabriel Pinon.

Federal, state and local investigators can request an NRT activation to investigate significant fire, arson and explosion incidents. The NRT provides an immediate and sustained nationwide response capability, deploying within 24 hours of notification, with state-of-the-art equipment and qualified ATF personnel.

The NRT works in conjunction with other investigators to reconstruct the scene, identify the seat of the blast or origin of the fire and determine the cause of an incident. In the case of bombings and arsons, NRT members gather evidence to support criminal prosecutions. A deployed NRT is generally broken down into two components — a group that processes the scene and an investigative-lead element. In the course of the overall investigation, both components coordinate daily to ensure investigative continuity.

In 1978, ATF developed the NRT to bring its expertise to federal, state and local investigators in meeting the challenges faced at the scenes of significant explosives and arson incidents. The NRT consists of four teams organized geographically to cover the United States.

The teams are each composed of veteran special agents who have post-blast and fire origin-and-cause expertise; forensic chemists; explosives enforcement officers; fire protection engineers; accelerant detection canines; explosives detection canines; intelligence support, computer forensic support and audit support. Further complementing the teams’ efforts are technical, legal and intelligence advisers. Moreover, a fleet of fully equipped response vehicles strategically located throughout the United States is available to provide NRT Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cUaSobNa1Kg.

Wilkes-Barre Man Convicted Of Drug Trafficking

 SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tysheen Gott, a/k/a “LB”, age 45, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack, and tramadol, after a seven-day trial before United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the jury found Gott guilty for having conspired to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and more than 400 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy.  The jury also found Gott guilty on eight additional counts of unlawfully distributing fentanyl and/or crack between the time period beginning April 10, 2019 through March 5, 2020. 

The Government presented testimony from five of Gott’s co-conspirators, as well as testimony from ten of Gott’s former drug customers, which spanned the conspiracy beginning in 2013 until the time of Gott’s arrest in June 2020.  Federal law enforcement agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police officers from the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Police Departments also testified.

Gott was one of eleven defendants indicted in May 2020.  All other co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

This case was the result of a year-long investigation, in part driven by multiple federal wiretaps conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pittston City Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Robert O’Hara prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.”

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the offenses is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

Baltimore Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics Trafficking Charges

 Defendant Part of Drug Conspiracy that Possessed Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking in Baltimore City

Baltimore, Maryland – William Diggs, age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute, possession with the intent to distribute, and the distribution of cocaine base.    

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

According to his guilty plea, from December 2019 to September 2020, Diggs conspired with others to possess and distribute cocaine base in the area of the 2600 block of Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. As a member of a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”), Diggs sold cocaine base, including to two individuals who happened to be confidential informants for law enforcement.

Over the course of four drug transactions, Diggs sold 42 vials of cocaine base as well as an eighth of an ounce of cocaine base to an ATF confidential informant. Additionally, during one drug transaction, the confidential informant asked Diggs if they could purchase a firearm. Diggs told the informant they could purchase a firearm for $200 when he gained possession of the firearm, although he ultimately did not proceed with the firearm transaction.

As stated in his plea agreement, a second confidential informant observed Diggs and two co-conspirators in a Baltimore rowhouse where the confidential informant observed several firearms. Diggs later admitted the firearms were possessed in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.

The Baltimore City Police Department’s Drug Analysis Unit confirmed that the substances sold by Diggs to the confidential informants contained the presence of cocaine base.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Diggs and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Diggs will be sentenced to 42 months in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has not scheduled a sentencing hearing at this time.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Stendig, Lindsey N. McCulley and Special Assistant United States Attorney Lindsay DeFrancesco, who are prosecuting the case.

Former Priest and “Shelter Home” Operator Indicted for Illicit Sexual Conduct Against Minors

             WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., returned an indictment yesterday charging a U.S. citizen and resident of Timor Leste with seven counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place. 

            According to court documents, Richard Jude Daschbach, 84, is a former priest who is alleged to have engaged in illicit sexual conduct with minor victims in Timor Leste starting in at least 2013. As alleged, Daschbach operated a “shelter home” for children in Timor Leste. Victims disclosed that Daschbach sexually abused them when they were children and resided in the shelter home. Daschbach was defrocked by the Catholic church after some of the victims disclosed the abuse to the church. Daschbach is currently facing related child sexual exploitation charges in Timor Leste. In addition, in 2019, a grand jury in the Northern District of California returned an indictment against Daschbach for wire fraud in connection with his fundraising activity for the shelter home.

            ““This indictment represents a significant step toward accountability for harms suffered by multiple vulnerable children allegedly victimized by this defendant,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “I’d like to thank the hardworking investigative and prosecution teams for their work today and every day to ensure that child predators face justice and children are kept safe.

            ”This case shows that we will use the full extent of the law to prosecute U.S. citizens who allegedly prey on children, no matter how far we must go to bring them to justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we must ensure that people placed in positions of trust do not betray their responsibilities to help the children who depend upon them.”

            Daschbach is charged with seven counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place, Timor Leste. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The FBI is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.

            Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Alicia A. Bove of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Larson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) provided assistance.

            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 via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

            An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Federal Jury Says Guilty to Hialeah Woman Who Stole Co-Worker Identities and Over $152,000 from Local Small Business

 Miami, Florida – Following a three-day trial, a South Florida federal jury this week found 27-year-old Hialeah resident Dianelis Molina Noda guilty of using stolen identities and several of her own bank accounts to steal payroll funds from the family-owned landscaping business for which she had worked for about four years.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Molina Noda handled the payroll of Greentree, Inc., a local landscaping company, and used her access to its records to commit fraud. Using the identities of 20 former employees of the small business, Molina Noda logged work hours in their names and sent the information to a payroll company, which triggered the payroll company to issue paychecks or make direct deposits to accounts. Molina Noda set up three bank accounts and used them to receive the direct deposits.  Between August 2018 and March 2019, Molina Noda stole over $152,000 from this family-owned landscaping company, in addition to collecting her salary. She spent the money on cosmetic surgery, jewelry, furniture, an Orlando timeshare, and a Disney ticket package, among other things.

The jury found Molina Noda guilty of five counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. She faces a maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment for the wire fraud, plus two years of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is set for October 29, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Chief District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami, announced the jury’s verdict.

FBI Miami investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and Abbie Waxman.

Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charge

 DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Preston Andrew Cole, age 28, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 144 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Cole was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $3,000.00 in restitution.

According to court documents, a routine home contact was conducted by the United States Probation Office at Cole’s residence due to Cole being on federal supervision. The probation officer noticed a wi-fi router and multiple electronic devices with internet connectivity capabilities. Cole was interviewed and admitted to viewing child pornography on the devices and consuming alcohol – both violations of his supervised release. A forensic examination of the devices revealed multiple images of child pornography. On April 28, 2021, Cole admitted to the facts above and pleaded guilty to the charge. Cole had been previously convicted of receiving child pornography in May 2016 and was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment with 10 years of supervised release to follow. Due to the new charges, his supervised release was revoked, and he was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison. That term was ordered to be served consecutive to the 144 months’ imprisonment on the new charge.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the

U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

Jury Convicts Las Vegas Man Of Three Armed Robberies

 LAS VEGAS, Nev. – On Wednesday, a federal jury convicted a Las Vegas man for committing three armed robberies of businesses in Las Vegas and Henderson.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Lesean Roger Dennis Braddock Jr. (28) and co-defendant Byron Joshua Jarell Porter (24) conspired to commit a series of three armed robberies over a four-day period in September 2019.

Following a three-day trial, the jury found Braddock guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan presided over the trial and scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2021. Braddock faces the statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment. For each count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, Braddock faces a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison, which must be served consecutive to any other sentence.

Co-defendant Porter pleaded guilty in October 2020 and is awaiting sentencing.

Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Henderson Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Clarkson and Brian Whang are prosecuting the case.

Ontario Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine

 BOISE – Oliver “Juice” Yardley, 45, of Ontario, Oregon, pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. Yardley was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on April 13, 2021.

According to court records, on August 26, 2019, Yardley and his wife, Ashley Cates Yardley, 33, sold approximately two ounces of methamphetamine to another person in a parking lot in Fruitland, Idaho. Ashely Yardley was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boise on September 10, 2020. On July 30, 2021, she was sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye.

Sentencing for Oliver Yardley is set for November 10, 2021, before Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Boise. He faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years and up to life in federal prison, a $10 million fine, and at least four years of supervised release. The federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez credited the efforts of the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crimes Task Force, which led to charges. The Task Force is comprised of federal, state, and local agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Ada County Sheriff’s Office; Boise Police Department; Caldwell Police Department; Canyon County Sheriff’s Office; Meridian Police Department; Nampa Police Department; and Idaho Department of Correction, Bureau of Probation and Parole. “The ‘Metro’ task force is a model for multijurisdictional cooperative law enforcement investigations,” Gonzalez added.

Charleston Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

 Denson has previous convictions for attempted murder and heroin distribution

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Adam Matthew Denson, 33, of Charleston, was sentenced today to 72 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. He was also sentenced to four years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Denson conspired with other persons to distribute methamphetamine on three separate occasions in Charleston in August 2019. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Denson’s Woodland Drive residence and seized two loaded hand guns that Denson admitted he possessed. Denson was previously convicted of attempted murder in Kanawha County Circuit Court and distribution of heroin in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of West Virginia, and was on federal supervised release when he was arrested.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) conducted the investigation.   Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani handled the prosecution.

New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing More Than 1 Kilogram of Heroin and Agrees to Forfeit a Mercedes Benz And Six Pieces of Diamond Encrusted Jewelry, Including A Rolex, All Purchased with Heroin Proceeds

 NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ARTHUR JOHNSON, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on August 24, 2021 to conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. JOHNSON is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release upon his release from prison.  JOHNSON must also pay a mandatory $100 special assessment cost. 

According to court records, on December 27, 2017, agents intercepted communications between JOHNSON, a New Orleans based heroin dealer, and Ricky Redd, a Chicago-based drug courier. In these communications, JOHNSON and Redd discussed a pending delivery of heroin. Redd was driving that day from Chicago to New Orleans to give JOHNSON a bag containing approximately three kilograms of heroin. 

Later that same day, surveillance agents observed JOHNSON and Redd met twice at a Holiday Inn Hotel in New Orleans. During the first meeting, Redd gave JOHNSON a red bag containing approximately three kilograms of heroin. During the second meeting, JOHNSON gave Redd approximately $187,000. Redd was to earn a small amount of the money that JOHNSON paid him.

The next day, December 28, 2017, agents conducted a traffic stop of JOHNSON.  JOHNSON was placed under arrest and agents seized three brick chucks of heroin and eleven bags of heroin, totaling 1.3 kilograms of heroin from his home in New Orleans East. Agents also seized from the home a digital scale, six cell phones, over $11,000 in cash, a money counter, a kilogram press, two sealed GNC Inositol bottles, which are used as “cutting agents” to dilute heroin, and numerous items of jewelry, including diamond-encrusted necklaces and a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch.

The evidence against JOHNSON includes numerous intercepted communications, including jail calls, physical surveillance, witness statements, and controlled purchases of heroin. Between April 2017 and December 2017, agents identified thirteen cellular phones used by JOHNSON. JOHNSON’s practice was to purchase a disposable “burner” cell phone approximately every 30 days and notify his drug associates via text when he obtained a new phone number. JOHNSON would use the new phone in furtherance of his drug operation. After thirty days, JOHNSON would discard the phone and immediately obtain a new phone. JOHNSON, who previously had been convicted of federal drug charges, engaged in this practice to thwart law enforcement and avoid wiretaps.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, JOHNSON agreed to forfeit a 2017 Mercedes Benz, $11,543.00 in cash, and jewelry, including a Rolex watch covered in approximately 17.45 carats of diamonds, a gold tennis necklace with approximately 25.67 carats of diamonds, a ninja shaped pendant covered with the phrases “XXO” and “Never Hesitate” and which is attached to a crown with approximately 10 carats of diamonds, a gold crown pendant covered in approximately 5.42 carat of diamonds, a gold tennis necklace with approximately 4.68 carats of diamonds, and a gold and diamond rope necklace.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan will sentence JOHNSON on December 1, 2021. JOHNSON and six other defendants were charged in 2018 with conspiring to distribute heroin in the New Orleans area. All but one of these defendants have pled guilty

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI’s New Orleans Gang Task Force in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman and Brandon Long are in charge of the prosecution.

Jury Convicts Macon Man on Meth, Gun Charges

 Verdict Marks Successful Conclusion to Investigation into Methamphetamine Trafficking Involving 19 Defendants

MACON, Ga. – A federal jury convicted a Macon man with a violent criminal history on drug and firearms charges this week.

Roderick Chester, 34, of Macon, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm on Wednesday, August 25, following a three-day trial that began on Monday, August 23. Chester is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Chester was the last of a total of 19 defendants indicted after an investigation centered on drug trafficking in and around motels located in the Eisenhower Parkway corridor. All 19 were convicted in federal court.

“This week’s guilty verdict concludes an investigation into drug trafficking involving individuals with lengthy criminal records,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The FBI and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, are working with us to ensure that repeat, violent felons like Roderick Chester will be held accountable for their continued criminal activities that diminish our neighborhoods and harm our citizens.”

“The jury has spoken and now Chester will be held accountable for plaguing the streets of the Macon community with drugs and their resulting violence and destruction,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The citizens of those communities are safer because they are rid of him and his co-defendants, thanks to the cooperation between the FBI and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners.”

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Chester was a methamphetamine supplier in Macon. During the investigation agents observed Chester supplying methamphetamine to co-defendant Carlos Brown, who ultimately sold the methamphetamine to a confidential source during three controlled buys. Agents intercepted Chester’s phone calls and text messages by wiretap which revealed further methamphetamine distribution activities by Chester. At the time of his arrest, Chester had $15,000 cash and a firearm in his possession. Chester had previously been convicted of aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a peace officer. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. As a result of the full investigation into this methamphetamine trafficking organization, agents seized approximately 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. 

The following co-defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their crimes or are awaiting sentencing:

Albruce Green aka B, 41, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison, with 180 months to run concurrently and 60 months to run consecutively to a prior federal case in which he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison, for a total sentence of 300 months;

Robert Lee Whisby, Jr. aka Lil Pumpkin, 46, of Macon and Stone Mountain, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison;

Rodney Morris, Sr., 46, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 200 months in prison;

Joshua Barham aka Gambino, 32, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 175 months in prison;

Kyra Williams aka K-Boo, 29, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison;

Theon Robinson, 40, of Macon and Sarasota, Florida, pleaded guilty to use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the controlled substances act and was sentenced to serve 46 months in prison;

Melvin Cason, 32, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve three years of probation;

Cartney Pitts aka Blue, 37, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is facing a mandatory minimum of ten years up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for September 29;

Keyundre Stafford aka Dre, 26, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the controlled substances act and for the gun charge is facing a minimum of five years, up to life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence and a maximum of four years in prison for the use of communication charge. Sentencing is scheduled for November 3;

Stephanie Davis, 32, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for September 29;

Troy Faulks, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing set for September 29;

Lori Harrell, 34, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for September 29;

Carlos Brown aka Lo, 32, of Macon, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 3;

Shauna Bush aka “Brittany, 26, of Macon, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for September 29;

Morley Culver , 44, of Macon, pleaded guilty to two counts use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the controlled  substances act and is facing a maximum four years in prison per count. Sentencing is scheduled for November 3;

Tamara Fryer, 34, of Macon, pleaded guilty to use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the controlled substances act and is facing a maximum of four years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 3;

Milton Hill, 38, of Macon, pleaded guilty to use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the controlled substances act and is facing a maximum of four years in prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled; and,

Ray Kendrick aka Unk, 63, of Macon, pleaded guilty to use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of felonies under the controlled substances act and is facing a maximum of four years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for November 3.

The case was investigated by FBI and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shanelle Booker, Beth Howard and Will Keyes are prosecuting the case.

Connecticut Resident Sentenced to Prison for Operating Immigration Marriage Fraud Scheme

 Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JODIAN STEPHENSON, also known as “Jodian Gordon,” 37, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for arranging fraudulent marriages so that non-U.S. citizens would receive U.S. immigration benefits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Stephenson operated Stephenson Immigration and Legal Services, LLC, in Bridgeport.  Between 2011 and 2017, Stephenson conspired with others to arrange 28 sham marriages between U.S. citizens and non-citizens residing in the U.S. for the purpose of the non-citizens’ applying for and obtaining “lawful permanent residence” (“LPR”) status, also known as a “green card.”

One of the 28 sham marriages was between Stephenson, who is a citizen of Jamaica, and a U.S. citizen.  For each of the other 27 fraudulent marriages, Stephenson found and introduced a U.S. citizen to be the non-citizen’s purported spouse and helped the couple obtain a marriage license.  She also organized the marriage ceremony and celebration, and coached the couple on how to make their marriage appear to be genuine despite their neither living together nor otherwise intending to remain actually married.

As part of the scheme, Stephenson prepared several immigration documents needed as part of the non-citizen’s LPR application.  She had the applicant and spouse sign the documents and, in many cases, mailed the documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service immigration authorities for the applicant.  In some cases, Stephenson or her assistants prepared other false documents for the couple, such as a false lease that portrayed the couple as living together.

Stephenson typically charged between $17,000 and $20,000 to complete this process for a non-citizen, and the citizen spouse received between $2,000 and $4,000 for his or her participation.

During the investigation, Stephenson offered to arrange a sham marriage for a federal law enforcement agent working in an undercover capacity, and help obtain a green card for the undercover agent, in exchange for a proposed fee of $20,000.  In recorded conversations, Stephenson then introduced the undercover agent to a U.S. citizen and advised them about the ways they could create the appearance that they were validly married and living together as husband and wife.

Stephenson was arrested on June 22, 2018.  On August 19, 2019, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud.

Stephenson, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 25.  She faces immigration proceedings when she completes her prison term.

A total of 10 individuals, including U.S. citizens who entered into one or more fraudulent marriages with non-citizens, have been charged with related offenses as a result of this investigation, and eight have pleaded guilty.  Removal proceedings have been or are being commenced against all individuals whose green card applications were found to have been based on sham marriages.

This investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

Collinsville Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison After Caught with Child Pornography Depicting the Rape and Murder of Children

 Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Chance Jennings Daykin, 26, to 14 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

“Chance Daykin accessed the dark web to feed his child pornography habit,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “He uploaded child pornography, viewed pedophile instruction books, and discussed, with others online, how to obtain children to rape and murder. Thanks to the work of the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office and federal prosecutors Julie Childress and Chris Nassar, Daykin will serve the next 14 year in federal prison.”

“I want to remind the public that the viewing of child pornography is not a passive crime. The demand for this material fuels the physical and sexual abuse of children around the world.”

On May 10, 2021, Daykin pleaded guilty, to distribution and receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and with possession of child pornography.

Daykin admitted to distributing and receiving child sexual abuse material via electronic means from Dec. 19, 2019 to Oct. 19, 2020. He further admitted to knowingly accessing with intent to view the child pornography. Some of those images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of minors who were younger than 12 years of age.

Specifically, on Dec. 19, 2019, Daykin uploaded images and videos of child pornography to dropbox.com. A search warrant was obtained for Daykin’s IP address based on a cyber tip sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that reported the Dropbox uploads. The search indicated the IP user was associated with an address in Collinsville. On Oct 19, 2020, the Roger’s County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the address and arrested the defendant.

Images recovered on the defendant’s electronic devises included bestiality and the rape of infants and prepubescent children. At least one image showed an infant either dead or seriously injured who had been sexually abused.

In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors outlined evidence discovered during the investigation showing the defendant’s behavior was escalating.

-After his arrest, Daykin admitted that he had a problem with child pornography and had sought treatment.

-In a recovered online conversation, Daykin bragged that he had access to children and had given a 7-year-old a bath and sexually abused her. Investigators could not substantiate the claim.

-On Dropbox, Daykin shared links and asked “Got any kids screaming? Those are hard to find.”

-In an online conversation with an individual he was communicating with, the two discussed setting up a Kik account for her young cousin so Daykin could reach out to the cousin.

-In multiple conversations with another individual online, Daykin repeatedly asked the individual if she had found parents who would let them “use their preteen girls.” At one point, the individual says she met a mother who needs money and was negotiating with her. In another conversation, the defendant stated that he wanted to “rape and kill” and later said “a little girl just adds more flavor.”

During the sentencing hearing, Daykin’s attorney reminded the court that while the communications were wrong and disturbing, the conversations were a lot of talk that “never left the desktop.” He also pointed to the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility, lack of criminal history and long-term difficulty with socialization.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Childress countered, saying Daykin’s pattern of sustained criminal acts were not simply a mistake. She argued that his actions showed an escalating and predatory sexual interest in the rape and murder of children. She further reminded the Court that the defendant had downloaded software to try to conceal his actions. Childress described Daykin as a clear threat to society, arguing the acts necessitated a minimum of 180 months in federal prison. She argued that a lengthy sentence would protect the public, serve as a deterrent to others, and allow the defendant to get the long-term treatment needed to counter his deviant addiction.

Following sentencing, Daykin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Childress and Chris Nassar prosecuted the case.

Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme

 LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A Woodlands, Texas, man pleaded guilty today for his role in an unemployment insurance benefits scheme to defraud the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

According to court documents and admissions made in court, around May 2020, Paul Andrew Naeger (38) and his co-conspirators began submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the EDD, using other people’s personal identifying information without their consent. Some of the EDD debit cards associated with those fraudulent unemployment claims were mailed to rental mailboxes in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, and Sherman Oaks. The debit cards were used for cash withdrawals and to purchase goods and services. In total, EDD approved at least $334,230 in benefits for the fraudulent claims. Naeger and his co-conspirators used at least $164,137 of the unemployment insurance benefits, including to pay for Naeger’s bail after he was arrested and detained on unrelated state charges in Houston, Texas.

Naeger pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to effect illegal transactions with access devices and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan scheduled sentencing for December 1, 2021. Naeger faces statutory maximum penalties of seven and a half years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to effect illegal transactions with access devices, and two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.

Co-defendant Brittany Danielle Griesel has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Co-defendant Kenneth Edward Greenland has been indicted by a grand jury and is currently awaiting trial.

Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Quentin Heiden of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Los Angeles Region made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DOL-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang is prosecuting the case.

In May, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Cortland County Woman Sentenced to 45 Years for Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

 Sarah R. Gates Photographed Her Sexual Exploitation of a Child Under Five Years of Age

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sarah R. Gates, age 40, of Cortland, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 540 months (45 years) in prison for conspiring and acting together with co-defendant Christopher Perry to sexually exploit a child under five years of age for the purpose of producing images of the abuse. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As part of her prior guilty plea to a three-count Information, Gates admitted that on several occasions in 2017, she and Perry performed sexual acts on the child while taking photographs of the abuse, using two cell phones.

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Gates is released from prison.  As a result of her conviction, Gates will also be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from prison.

Perry previously pled guilty to the same offenses and was sentenced, on November 3, 2020, to 540 months (45 years) in prison. 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the City of Cortland Police Department, and the New York State Police-Computer Crimes Unit, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sahar L. Amandolare and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Maine Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

             CONCORD - Michael Mowry, 44, of Acton, Maine was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in May of 2018, a New Hampshire State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 in Portsmouth for multiple traffic violations.  Mowry was a passenger in the vehicle.  The trooper developed suspicions about drug activity and called for a narcotics detection dog. The dog alerted to the odor of narcotics.  After the trooper advised the driver of the detection of narcotics, Mowry admitted to the trooper that there was methamphetamine in a backpack in the rear seat.  The backpack contained 755 grams of methamphetamine.

            Mowry previously pled guilty on May 21, 2020.  After the completion of his sentence, Mowry will be under five years of supervised release. 

            “Methamphetamine is a highly dangerous drug that is causing increasing damage to health and safety in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “Together with our law enforcement partners, we are working to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are distributing methamphetamine in the Granite State.  As this case demonstrates, methamphetamine traffickers will be caught and serve substantial prison sentences for their unlawful conduct.”

            “As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Mowry accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those who attempt to bring this poison to the Granite State.”

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek.

Georgia Man Indicted for Albertville Bank Robbery

 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury this week indicted a Georgia man  on  a bank robbery charge, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnny Sharp, Jr. 

A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Nekyle N. Chaney, 45, of Covington, Georgia, with bank robbery. Chaney is accused of robbing the Regions Bank in Albertville by force, violence, or intimidation in February 2021.     

Chaney faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The FBI investigated the case with the assistance of the Albertville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine Crosby and Michael Royster are prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.