JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man who was arrested following a street shootout in a residential neighborhood pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.

Richard Sterling Jones, 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to being a drug user in possession of a firearm.

According to today’s plea agreement, Columbia police officers were dispatched to the 4600 block of Rice Road at approximately 10:19 p.m. on June 24, 2018, in response to shots fired. When the officers arrived, they located numerous 9mm and .223-caliber spent shell casings along Rice Road. Officers spoke to numerous residents along Rice Road, who reported their residences and vehicles had been struck by gunfire.

Witnesses told police officers they saw a silver Pontiac Grand Prix, which they believed was involved in the shooting, quickly leave the area. Officers located Jones, who was sitting in a silver Grand Prix, shortly afterward, and he was detained. Officers searched his vehicle and found a bag of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Jones admitted that he fired several rounds from his AR-15 style rifle into the air in front of a residence on Rice Road. Jones drove to another residence and hid the firearm under a mattress in one of the bedrooms. Jones also admitted to using and selling marijuana. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence and found a loaded SOTA Arms multi-caliber rifle where Jones had hidden it.

Under federal statutes, Jones is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Jolly. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An Eldon, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to traveling to North Carolina on five occasions to engage in illicit sexual activity with a child victim over a two-year period.

James Anthony Guthrie, III, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

By pleading guilty today, Guthrie admitted that he traveled to North Carolina on five occasions for work and, while there, met the 15-year-old child victim at various hotels for sex. Guthrie admitted that he picked up the child victim from school or at her house; once, the victim’s father brought her to the hotel.

Guthrie also admitted that he communicated about sexual matters with the child victim and received pornographic images and videos from her. He bought her clothes, food, and paid her cell phone bill.

Investigators examined Guthrie’s laptop, hard drive and DVD-R disks, which contained images of child pornography.

Under federal statutes, Guthrie is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lebanon, Mo., Police Department and the Lake Area ICAC Task Force.

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

St. Louis, MO – Rodney Gardner, 52, St. Louis, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for robbing Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.  He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber. 

According to court documents, on March 6, 2018, Gardner entered the Central West End ice cream shop and posed as a customer before he demanded that employees hand over money from the cash register.  Gardner punched one employee multiple times in the face, breaking her nose, grabbed the cash register, and ran from the store.  Police officers arrested him after a brief foot chase. 

Gardner pled guilty on June 12, 2018 to one felony count of Hobbs Act robbery.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), today announced that former Biscayne Park Police Chief Raimundo Atesiano was sentenced to 36 months incarceration for conspiracy to deprive individuals of their civil rights.

Former Chief Atesiano previously pleaded guilty to acting under color of law as chief of police when on three separate occasions he ordered former officers Guillermo Ravelo, Charlie Dayoub and Raul Fernandez to falsely arrest and charge individuals with unsolved burglaries.  According to court filings, Chief Atesiano intentionally encouraged those officers to arrest individuals without a legal basis in order to have arrests effectuated for all reported burglaries. This created a fictitious 100% clearance rate for that category of crime.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding those individuals accountable who abuse their positions of power to strip others of their civil rights,” stated U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan.  “Today, former Police Chief Raimundo Atesiano stood before the court to answer for his crimes and the federal prison sentence that was imposed is one step toward justice for the victims and our South Florida community.” 

“For his own professional benefit, Chief Atesiano corruptly and disgracefully abused his authority and the power of his office to create fictitious clearance statistics by falsely arresting individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “This kind of abuse of power has no place in our nation and is contrary to American ideals, the rule of law, and fundamental fairness.  The Department will continue to hold accountable officers who violate individual rights and betray the communities that they have been entrusted to serve and protect.”

“Every day, thousands of dedicated, able and honorable law enforcement officers take to the streets to protect communities throughout South Florida,” said George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami.  “It is on their behalf that the FBI seeks to root out police officers, and other government officials, who violate the civil rights of our citizens.”

“Putting an arrest statistic above the rights of an innocent man instead of working to protect all our citizens undermines the safety goals of every Miami-Dade police department,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.  “Miami-Dade’s residents deserve honesty and integrity, qualities that Raimundo Atesiano deliberately failed to deliver.”

“Atesiano’s self-serving actions are contrary to the law enforcement values that officers are sworn to uphold and deplorable to the citizens of Biscayne Park and the men and women in law enforcement who put their lives in harm’s way to keep us safe,” said FDLE Miami Special Agent in Charge Troy Walker. 

According to previous court filings, at Chief Atesiano’s direction, Ravelo falsely arrested a victim identified as “C.D.” and another victim identified as “E.B.” C.D. was charged with two residential burglaries, and E.B. was charged with five vehicle burglaries, both without probable cause. In court filings related to his guilty plea, Atesiano admitted that he instructed Ravelo to falsely arrest and charge E.B for five vehicle burglaries based upon what Atesiano knew were false confessions. 

In a prior hearing, it was disclosed that Chief Atesiano also instructed former officers Dayoub and Fernandez to unlawfully arrest and falsely charge “T.D.,” a juvenile previously known to Chief Atesiano and Dayoub. Dayoub and Fernandez complied with Chief Atesiano’s instructions and falsely arrested T.D. Fernandez wrote narratives containing fabricated information in support of the four arrest affidavits that falsely claimed an investigation revealed that T.D. had committed the four burglaries. Dayoub signed and attested that the contents of the affidavits were true even though he, like Chief Atesiano and Fernandez, knew that no evidence existed to substantiate the arrest. T.D. was subsequently arrested for the four burglaries.

Former officers Charlie Dayoub and Raul Fernandez were each sentenced to 12 months in prison for their role in falsely arresting T.D., a 16-year old juvenile. Former officer Guillermo Ravelo was sentenced to 27 months incarceration for his role in conspiring to deprive persons of civil rights and, in a separate incident, depriving a motorist of civil rights under color law by using excessive force.

This case was investigated by the FBI, including the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force, and FDLE, and assisted by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr., Department of Justice Trial Attorney Donald W. Tunnage, and Assistant State Attorney Trent Reichling.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

St. Louis, MO – Mark Van Ronzelen, 45, of Wentzville, pled guilty to impersonating a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent and felony possession of a document-making implement or authentication feature.  Sentencing has been set for March 5, 2019.

According to court documents, the Wentzville Police Department received a report that Van Ronzelen falsely represented that he was a Federal agent to an off-duty police officer.  At the time he encountered the off-duty officer, Van Ronzelen possessed and displayed a fraudulent Federal Bureau of Investigation identification card and what appeared to be a law enforcement badge.

During a search of the defendant’s residence, investigators recovered various fraudulent press and law enforcement credentials, including White House Press Pool credentials.  Investigators also recovered a laptop computer which contained images and templates used to make the various credentials.

"If someone knocking on your door identifies him/herself as an FBI special agent, you can easily verify that information," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "Ask to see FBI credentials, which includes a photo, and then call the local FBI field office to confirm."

Van Ronzelen faces a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and a fine of $5,000 on the possession of a fraudulent FBI identification card and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a document-making implement.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Wentzville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MANUEL ASHLEY, also known as “Fresh,” 27, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to firearm and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 31 and June 1, 2017, Ashley sold approximately 90 bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to another individual.

Hartford Police arrested Ashley on June 6, 2017, after he sold a stolen .380 caliber pistol to another individual.  On that date, a search of his Babcock Street residence revealed 44 bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.  

Ashley’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Ashley pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on February 27, 2019.

Ashley has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

This prosecution has been brought though Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

A Tulsa man, identified by law enforcement and prosecutors as being a “Top Ten” Alpha criminal, was sentenced today for participating in a methamphetamine and heroin distribution conspiracy and for possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Dannie Dee Dill, 47, to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. 

On Sept. 5, Dill pleaded guilty to the charges of drug conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and removal of property to prevent seizure. The latter charge resulted from Dill removing $15,000 from co-conspirator Darowe Jones’ residence in an effort to hide the drug proceeds from investigators.

“Danny Dill’s drug dealing venture is now closed for business. No longer will he be able to distribute deadly narcotics like methamphetamine and black tar heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “Thanks to the efforts of the Tulsa Police Department partnering with federal agents, this conspiracy has been shut down.”

From August 2017 to April 2018, Dill and his co-conspirators participated in a scheme to distribute illegal narcotics, including heroin and methamphetamine, in the greater Tulsa area. As part of the scheme, Dill stored narcotics and drug proceeds at two different houses, one in Broken Arrow and one in Tulsa.  His narcotics source of supply sent illegal drug shipments for distribution from outside of the state of Oklahoma to the Broken Arrow location. To further his drug trafficking activities, Dill stored a loaded Glock handgun in the Broken Arrow home.

Dill and his accomplices were arrested as part of Operation Alpha, a Project Safe Neighborhoods’ initiative that sought northern Oklahoma’s most dangerous criminals. Phase One of the Operation Alpha initiative utilized crime mapping technology to target areas with high rates of crime and focused on the area surrounding 21st Street and Garnett Road in Tulsa.  Phase one operations took place from mid-April through mid-June 2018 and resulted in 174 felony arrests and seizure of 106 firearms.

Dill’s co-conspirators included Cherie Michelle Kelley, 36, Cynthia Santagata, 32, and Darowe Junior Jones, 39, all of Tulsa. Jones, also labeled a “Top Ten” Alpha criminal, was a one-stop shop for the distribution of methamphetamine, black-tar heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, and Xanax. On Oct. 24, a jury convicted Jones of conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and more than 100 grams of heroin.  He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 28.  Kelley pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges and will be sentenced Dec.18. Santagata also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and will be sentenced Jan. 8.

Dill remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the coordinated effort to bring Dill into custody included the Tulsa Police Department, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel-lyn A. McCormick and Thomas E. Duncombe prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders in an effort to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. 

ATLANTA - Gogut Serban was sentenced to federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft for stealing bank debit card numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs) of individuals in Georgia by using automated teller machines (ATMs) skimming devices.

“Identity theft is a continuing problem that damages the credit of too many unsuspecting Georgians,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Citizens are encouraged to visually and physically inspect ATMs for any obvious signs of tampering prior to using their debit or credit cards.”

“This investigation and subsequent conviction demonstrates the commitment the Secret Service and our law enforcement partners have in aggressively pursuing those who commit access device fraud and identity theft,” said Kimberly A. Cheatle, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office.  “This sentencing is another great example of the law enforcement community working together to combat crime.”  

“The Lawrenceville Police Department is extremely grateful for the assistance provided by our partners in the U.S. Secret Service during this seven-month investigation,” said Lawrenceville Police Chief Tim Wallis. “The continued cooperation of local and federal law enforcement agencies led to a successful conclusion of a complex case spread over several jurisdictions.”   

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Serban and his co-conspirators used illegal skimming devices to steal over $80,000 from credit union customers by installing the devices at Associated Credit Union automated teller machines in Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Norcross and other locations in Georgia.  When a customer used an ATM with a skimming device installed, the device electronically recorded the customer’s debit card number and a small camera in the device video recorded the ATM keyboard as the customer entered their PIN. Serban and others then encoded new cards with the stolen account information and used the altered cards at ATMs, draining money from over 70 victims’ bank accounts.  The other co-conspirators in the scheme were charged in South Carolina.

Gogut Serban, 35, of Romania, was sentenced to two years, two months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $84,760.50.  Serban was convicted of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft on August 28, 2018, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Lawrenceville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga

            WASHINGTON – Daquan Jackson, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for escaping from a halfway house in the District of Columbia, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Robert Turner, United States Marshal for the District of Columbia.

            Jackson pled guilty in September 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to escape from custody. He was sentenced by the Honorable Trevor N. McFadden. Following his prison term, Jackson will be placed on three years of supervised release.

            Jackson is the most recent defendant to be sentenced as a result of ongoing efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to arrest violent offenders who escape from halfway houses. The offenders were under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and were afforded an opportunity to complete the final portion of their sentences at halfway houses to assist in their reentry to the community. In 2017, the U.S. Marshals Service requested the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation, prosecution, and disposition of an increased number of escape cases. To date, the collaborative effort has led to 23 felony convictions of defendants who either failed to report or absconded from the Hope Village Halfway House located in Southeast Washington.

            According to the government’s evidence, on June 13, 2014, Jackson was convicted of armed robbery in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In that case, Jackson, armed with a handgun, approached two victims in an alley behind the 3500 block of B Street SE. He pointed his handgun at the victims and took their property, which included a cell phone and car keys. Jackson used the car keys to steal a 2006 Ford Mustang that belonged to one of the victims.

            After being sentenced for armed robbery, Jackson served the remainder of his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution-Gilmer in Glenville, West Virginia. Jackson was subsequently found eligible to complete the remainder of his sentence at Hope Village. This placement was voluntary and required Jackson’s consent. On May 3, 2017, Jackson signed a Furlough Application acknowledging his understanding of the terms of the furlough release conditions and transfer to Hope Village. Jackson’s Conditions of Furlough included Jackson’s agreement that while on furlough, he would be subject to prosecution for escape if he failed to return to the institution at the designated time.

            On Aug. 8, 2017, Jackson arrived at Hope Village. On Aug. 23, 2017, Jackson signed out of Hope Village and never returned. Twenty-four hours later, on Aug. 24, 2017, while on escape status, Jackson robbed a pedestrian, took his keys, and then drove away with the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle was subsequently located by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). When MPD officers attempted to stop Jackson in the victim’s vehicle, Jackson fled from law enforcement and crashed into a parked vehicle. Jackson was prosecuted for the crimes he committed on Aug. 24, 2017, and sentenced in February 2018 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on the felony offenses of attempted robbery and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

            As part of his sentence for escape from custody, Judge McFadden ordered Jackson’s 33-month sentence be consecutive to his Superior Court sentence for the two felony offenses that he committed after absconding from the halfway house.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu and Marshal Turner commended the work of those who investigated the case. They also cited the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Scarpelli who coordinated the referral of escape cases, Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent Caputy, who indicted the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Macchiaroli, who prosecuted the case, and Paralegal Specialists Kim Hall, Teesha Tobias, and Candace Battle.

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — Ansar I. McIver, 46, of Lexington, was sentenced last week to 290 months in federal prison, by United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, and money laundering.  Judge Reeves also ordered McIver to pay a fine and to forfeit more than $586,000 in cash.

McIver previously admitted that, in early January 2017, he engaged in an agreement with others to obtain large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin from the southwest United States.  Shipments of these controlled substances were made by passenger vehicle, with the substances concealed in various compartments within the vehicles, and were transported into Lexington.   Proceeds from the distribution of the drugs were then returned to the southwest.

On May 18, 2017, the Lexington Police Department (LPD) stopped a vehicle containing approximately 6 kilograms of cocaine.  On June 12, 2017, a search warrant was executed at McIver’s residence.  There, law enforcement agents seized cocaine, approximately 786 grams of fentanyl, heroin, and a combined quantity of drugs, as well as approximately $586,369 in drug proceeds.  At that time, it was the largest seizure of fentanyl in the Eastern District of Kentucky.

“This conspiracy involve the illegal distribution of enormous amounts of illegal drugs, drugs that continue to devastate our community,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “This case represents a stark reminder that much work still needs to be done to combat this epidemic and that effective law enforcement partnerships can – and do – save lives.  Removing these drugs from our community was a team effort that almost certainly prevented overdoses and potential deaths in our community.”             

The Defendant has previously been convicted of several drug trafficking felonies, which qualified him as a Career Offender under federal law.   McIver pleaded guilty to the charges in January 2018.

Under federal law, McIver must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and upon his release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for ten years.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; James (Robert) Brown, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI; Richard Sanders, Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, of the Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI (Louisville and San Diego Field Offices), the Kentucky State Police, and the Lexington Police Department. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West.

A former Venezuelan national treasurer was sentenced today for his role in a billion-dollar currency exchange and money laundering scheme.

U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Mark B. Dawson of HSI Houston Field Office, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI Miami Field Office and Inspector General Jay N. Lerner of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Washington, D.C. Office made the announcement.

Alejandro Andrade Cedeno (Andrade), 54, a Venezuelan citizen residing in Wellington, Florida and a former Venezuelan national treasurer, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg of the Southern District of Florida. Andrade pleaded guilty under seal on Dec. 22, 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  As part of his guilty plea, Andrade admitted that he received over $1 billion in bribes from co-conspirator Raul Gorrin Belisario, 50, and other co-conspirators in exchange for using his position as Venezuelan national treasurer to select them to conduct currency exchange transactions at favorable rates for the Venezuelan government.  Andrade received cash as well as private jets, yachts, cars, homes, champion horses, and high-end watches from his co-conspirators.  As part of his plea agreement, Andrade agreed to a forfeiture money judgment of $1 billion and forfeiture of all assets involved in the corrupt scheme, including real estate, vehicles, horses, watches, aircraft and bank accounts. 

HSI Miami, HSI Houston, HSI Boston, FBI Miami, and the FDIC D.C. investigated this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael B. Nadler and Nalina Sombuntham of the Southern District of Florida’s Criminal Division and Trial Attorneys Vanessa Sisti Snyder, Paul A. Hayden and John-Alex Romano of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this matter.  The Policía Nacional (Spanish National Police) also provided significant assistance. 

The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters.  Additional information about the department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Hutchinson woman was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison on drug and firearm charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Kimberly R. Phillips, 35, Hutchinson, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

In her plea, Phillips admitted investigators found 64 tablets of oxycodone when they searched her residence. She also admitted that when investigators stopped her car they found her Derringer handgun and methamphetamine. She told investigators she was selling drugs to pay back her bondsman.

McAllister commended the Hutchinson Police Department and Department of Health and Human Services – OIG and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Defendants, in three separate indictments, have entered guilty pleas to distributing fentanyl that resulted in a death.  In one case, Kloud Logan Jones, 27, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., pleaded guilty on October 19, 2018.  Jones admitted that on November 23, 2017, he distributed the lethal drug to an individual identified as R.A.S., while both were inmates at the Montgomery County Regional Jail.  Video surveillance from the jail captured the incident.  The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) jointly investigated the death, which led to federal charges.

In a separate case, Garry Sean Ramone Drake, Jr, 26, of Lexington, pleaded guilty on November 26, 2018, to distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of an individual identified as M.R., on November 30, 2017, in Fayette County.  Drake is the second individual convicted of distribution resulting in M.R.’s death.  Phillip Clayton Jennings, 23, also of Lexington, previously entered a guilty plea to the same charge.  Proof gathered during the investigation showed that both defendants were in the chain of distribution of the fentanyl mixture that led to the death. The Lexington Police Department and the DEA jointly investigated the death, which led to federal charges.

All three defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  Sentencing for each of the defendants will occur in the United States District Courthouse, in Lexington, before the United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves.             

“The distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs is devastating our community with addiction and death,” said Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “These three convictions demonstrate law enforcement’s continuing commitment to thoroughly investigate and prosecute drug distribution that results in an overdose.  Each of these defendants will be facing a lengthy sentence of imprisonment, based on their decision to distribute fentanyl.  Their conduct resulted in a death and the loss of their freedom is now the consequence.”

United States Attorney Duncan; Darrell Christopher Evans, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville; Fred Shortridge, Montgomery County Sheriff; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of Police, Lexington-Fayette County Division of Police, jointly announced the convictions.  Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bradbury prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Great Bend man was sentenced today to 165 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Charles A. Gann, 49, Great Bend, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that an investigator with the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was able to use a file-sharing program to download child pornography from Gann’s computer. At sentencing, a prosecutor argued Gann used the internet to seek out and communicate with other people who shared Gann’s desire to have sex with children as young as infants.

McAllister commended Immigration and Customs Services and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their work on the case.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Anthony Frank Angeli, Jr, age 55, of Moosic, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release on November 26, 2018, by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for stalking. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, between July 7, 2017 and August 14, 2017, Angeli used the internet to engage in a course of conduct to harass and intimidate another individual.  Angeli purchased a GPS tracking device and placed it on the victim’s car.  Angeli would receive location notifications on his electronic devices and proceeded to show up at places where the victim was or had been, including restaurants and retail stores.  After a Protection From Abuse Order (PFA) was granted, Angeli continued his harassment and intimidation of the victim.

Judge Mannion also ordered Angeli to surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service this morning at 10:00 a.m.

This case was investigated by the Moosic Police Department, the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.       

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Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that MARK IRIZARRY was sentenced yesterday in Manhattan federal court to 20 years in prison for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and possession and distribution of child pornography.  IRIZARRY pled guilty to these charges on June 15, 2018.  United States District Court Judge Valerie E. Caproni imposed yesterday’s sentence.     

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Mark Irizarry admitted to the unconscionable crime of attempting to entice a nine-year-old child to have sex with him.  He will now serve 20 years in prison, where he will be unable to harm children.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Child predators like Mark Irizarry are among our society’s most heinous offenders, and the conduct in which he attempted to engage almost defies comprehension.  Irizzary’s sentence insures he will be locked away in a place where he will be unable to harm children.  The FBI, though our Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, will continue to work tirelessly to protect our nation’s children.”

According to the Indictment and other filings in Manhattan federal court:

Between November 2017 and December 2017, IRIZARRY used an online social media application to send undercover law enforcement officers more than 80 unique image and video files known to contain child pornography.  The child pornography sent by IRIZARRY included depictions of prepubescent children, including infants and toddlers, engaged in sexual activity with other children or adults.  During these conversations with one of the undercover officers, IRIZARRY stated that he wanted to have sex with the undercover officer’s nine-year-old child and that he wanted to film the act on his cellphone.  IRIZARRY and the undercover officer planned a meeting time and location to carry out IRIZARRY’s plan; IRIZARRY was arrested on the date and at the location that he said he would meet the undercover law officer.  When he was arrested, IRIZARRY possessed several bags of candy and condoms.  After his arrest, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 18,000 uniquely named image files and 2,700 uniquely named video files, mostly consistent with child pornography, on remote computing platform accounts that IRIZARRY created.

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In addition to his prison term, IRIZARRY, 28, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and restitution in amount to be determined by the Court at a later date.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and thanked the New York City Police Department for their assistance.

This case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Chiuchiolo is in charge of the prosecution. 

PHILADELPHIA – Deputy Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen announced that Garret Strathearn, former Allentown Finance Director, was sentenced today for his role in a pay-to-play bidding scheme involving former Allentown Mayor Edwin Pawlowski.  United States District Judge Juan Sanchez sentenced Strathearn to 5 years’ probation, the first six months of which will be home confinement with electronic monitoring.  He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

Strathearn pleaded guilty in December 2016 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and later testified at Pawlowski’s trial in January 2018.  Strathearn admitted to playing a critical role in steering the city’s delinquent real estate tax collection contract to Pawlowski’s preferred vendor, Northeast Revenue, in contravention of the standard process employed by the city to award contracts.  In return for the contract, Northeast Revenue made political contributions to Pawlowski’s failed campaigns for Pennsylvania Governor and United States Senate.

In addition to Pawlowski, who was convicted at trial and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, Strathearn’s co-conspirators included the following individuals: Michael Fleck, a campaign consultant; James Hickey, a business consultant; Francis Dougherty, the Allentown Managing Director; and Dale Wiles; an Allentown Assistant City Solicitor.  These defendants all have pleaded guilty and similarly admitted to steering contracts to Pawlowski’s preferred vendors  

“Strathearn’s criminal conduct contributed to Ed Pawlowski’s pay-to-play business model, which Pawlowski brazenly operated out of the Allentown City Hall,” said Deputy U.S. Attorney Lappen.  “Taxpayers have a right to expect that public officials have the interests of the entire city in mind, not just the interests of their political cronies.  And businesses have a right to expect that when they submit contract proposals, they will be judged on the merits rather than on the size of their campaign contributions.”

“The pay-to-play culture took root at Allentown City Hall,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.  “Garrett Strathearn admitted to subverting the city’s contracting process—put in place to ensure fairness—at Edwin Pawlowski’s direction. The FBI is determined to bring to justice corrupt officials willing to break the law to further their own interests.”

“The sentence handed down today underscores our collective efforts to enforce the law and ensure public trust,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Guy Ficco.  “Those contemplating similar conduct should stop in their tracks and simply consider the consequences of taking the next step.” 

This case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony J. Wzorek and Michelle L. Morgan.

A Guatemalan man who used another person’s social security number to complete employment paperwork was convicted by a jury on November 26, 2018, after a one-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.

Adner Toj-Velasquez, age 35, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Postville, Iowa, was convicted of one count of misuse of a social security number.  The verdict was returned following about 25 minutes of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that on February 8, 2015, Toj-Velasquez used someone else’s social security number on employment and tax documents when applying for work in Luana, Iowa.  On the employment form, Toj-Velasquez falsely claimed to be a United States citizen.   

Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Toj-Velasquez was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the verdict was returned and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Toj-Velasquez faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. 

The case file number is 18-CR-1036-CJW.  Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court to receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Mukesh Khawas, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from June 14, 2016, to June 15, 2016, Khawas engaged in online chat conversations with a minor female via the social networking/dating application Skout.com, and during the conversation requested and received sexually explicit images, knowing the minor victim had not yet attained 12 years of age. In addition to the guilty plea, Khawas acknowledged his responsibility for the production and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000.00, and a term of up to a lifetime of supervised release. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Khawas, who is a citizen of Bhutan but a lawful permanent resident of the United States, has also agreed to be deported to Bhutan upon the conclusion of his sentence without the ability to appeal or reenter the United States. Khawas remains detained pending the sentencing hearing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Khawas.

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

ALBUQUERQUE – Brian Tony, 47, of Gallup, N.M., was sentenced to life imprisonment today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., following his previous conviction at trial for first-degree murder and witness tampering, announced U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge James C. Langenberg of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division, and Director Jesse Delmar of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety (NNDPS).

A jury found Tony, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, guilty of these offenses on September 30, 2017.  The evidence at trial established that on May 8, 2016, Tony drove his girlfriend’s Jeep to a home in Gallup with his brother and his girlfriend.  Tony picked up the victim and the victim’s friend from this location.  Tony also retrieved a hammer and placed it in his Jeep.

According to testimony from the victim’s friend, Tony drove them to a place called “Superman Canyon,” where Tony ordered the victim out of the Jeep and led him to an area out of sight from the vehicle.  The victim’s friend heard the victim yell, but stayed in the Jeep because Tony’s brother threatened him. 

A short time later, the victim called “911” and told the operator he was in a ditch and bleeding.  The victim reported that Tony had hit him in the head with a hammer.  The victim told the operator, “Hurry, here he comes now!  Hurry!” 

The next day, the victim’s body was found in a ravine by Rock Flats Road near Churchrock, N.M.  There was a hammer and large rock with bloodstains nearby.  The victim was wearing an empty knife sheath on his belt.  The victim had more than 23 stab wounds and blunt force trauma to his head and neck.  

The evidence at trial also established that Tony committed witness tampering while awaiting trial at the Santa Fe County Detention Center.  Tony made more than 1,000 calls to friends and relatives, imploring them to convince the victim’s friend to leave town and to prevent the friend from testifying.  The jury also heard Tony try to persuade his girlfriend not to cooperate with law enforcement.  Tony testified during the trial and claimed that he killed the victim in self-defense.

 “The life sentence imposed today cannot bring the victim back to his family and friends, but I hope it gives them a measure of comfort and closure,” said U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson.  “I commend the FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety for their extraordinary and tireless efforts during the investigation of Mr. Tony’s heinous crimes.” 

“The FBI worked closely with the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety to make sure justice was done in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge James C. Langenberg of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division.  “Although the defendant committed a gruesome, premeditated murder for which he will spend the rest of his life in prison, our focus should be on the victim and his loved ones.  We hope this punishment helps the family and friends of the deceased find some closure, while sending a clear message that violent crime on the Navajo Nation will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“It is very unfortunate that a life was taken under the circumstances of a crime so heinous and violent,” said Director Jesse Delmar of the NNDPS.  “Our prayers are with the victim and his family. A special thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the FBI and the Navajo Nation Law Enforcement for working this case and bringing justice to the victim and his family.”

The Albuquerque and Gallup offices of the FBI investigated this case along with the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Joseph M. Spindle and Nicholas J. Marshall prosecuted the case as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets violent, repeat offenders for federal prosecution.  Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target for federal prosecution violent or repeat offenders with the goal of making communities in New Mexico safer places for people to live and work.