SCRANTON -   The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Heath Hobbs, age 43, of Pringle, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo on firearms offenses.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Hobbs was charged with possession of five stolen firearms.  Hobbs admitted to stealing the firearms and trading them for drugs in October 2017.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Kingston Municipal Police Department, and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.

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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.  

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ATLANTA - Yves Joseph Legault has been sentenced for coercing and enticing the production of child sexual exploitation images over the Internet.  The defendant preyed on children in both Mississippi and Georgia simultaneously.

“Legault’s determination to pursue lurid desires shows his lack of fear of the law and a willingness to harm children no matter how young they are,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Predators use the Internet and social media sites to lure unsuspecting teens into their web of deceit.  Fortunately, our law enforcement partners adapt quickly to new methods these individuals use, and catch those who prowl the Internet to engage in sexual activity with minors.  Our office will continue to prosecute these cases, and we highly encourage parents to be actively involved in children’s social media activities and Internet use.”

“Predators like Legault are always lurking on line, and a threat to our children. Hopefully his sentencing will serve as a warning to all parents to monitor what their children are doing on the internet and on their cell phones,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Be assured the FBI's Violent Crimes Against Children unit and its Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation Task Force (MATCH) will use every investigative resource and remain vigilant for predators who pose a threat to children.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Beginning in approximately July 2017, Legault met a 13-year-old Marietta, Georgia, girl on the website Omegle, a free online and anonymous text and video chat tool.  After moving their communications to Google Hangouts, the defendant asked the teen to perform sexual acts on live video-streaming for him.  He eventually arranged to travel from Canada to Atlanta, Georgia, in order to have sex with the girl. 

On August 11, 2017, Legault was arrested after flying from Toronto, Canada into Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport to have sex with the teen.  The 13-year-old girl’s mother had alerted agents with the FBI to the relationship after she intercepted a package he sent her daughter from Canada.  A federal grand jury charged Legault for this conduct on August 15, 2017.

During the pendency of the Atlanta case and upon further investigation, agents discovered that during this same time period, Legault was also engaged in coercive and enticing chat and message exchanges with an eight-year-old girl residing in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Legault asked the girl to engage in sexually explicit behavior while the two were chatting over a live-streaming communication device.  He was subsequently charged in the Southern District of Mississippi with one count of coercing and enticing the production of child pornography.

Yves Joseph Legault, 54, of Ontario, Canada, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison to be followed by supervised release for life, a $200 special assessment, and he will be deported to Canada upon completion of his sentence.  Legault pleaded guilty to both federal cases in the Northern District of Georgia on September 18, 2018, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Orinda D. Evans.

This case was investigated by divisions of the FBI in Georgia and Mississippi.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Skye Davis prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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.

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Myron Owens, age 31, of East Stroudsburg, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to 140 months’ imprisonment and four years on supervised release for his role in a Monroe County-based conspiracy that was responsible for distributing between 100 and 400 grams of heroin and cocaine.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Owens previously pleaded guilty to committing the offense between 2012 and 2015. Owens admitted to conspiring with others to obtain the drugs from a supplier in Patterson, New Jersey, and the drugs were then transported to Monroe County and sold to sub-distributors and customers. The amount of heroin distributed by the conspiracy was equivalent to approximately 4,000-16,000 retail bags of heroin.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Munley noted the dangerous impact of heroin trafficking on the people of our communities.

Owens was one of seven people charged by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment in March 2015. The others charged—Eddie Pace, Shawnette Isaac, Daryl Trent, William Young, Catherine Abbey, and Anton Woodson—all previously entered guilty pleas in the case. Trent received a 90-month prison sentence. Woodson was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment. Isaac received a 30-month prison sentence. Abbey was sentenced to one year in prison. Pace and Young are awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police from Monroe County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

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. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent 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.

This prosecution is also part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that seven previously deported aliens were indicted separately on December 12, 2018, by a federal grand jury for illegal re-entry into the United States. 

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Efrain Zepeda-Pena, age 30, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in March 2016. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after March 2016, and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Under federal law, Zepeda-Pena faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 

Edwin Noel Diaz-Gamez, age 25, of Honduras, was previously deported from the United States to Honduras in September 2012 and January 2013. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after January 2013, and was found in the United States in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Carlos Mata-Carrasco, age 42, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in November 2009.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after November 2009, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Jose Rios-Antonio, age 28, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in February 2016.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after February 2016, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Eulises Ramirez-Vasquez, age 27, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in April 2010.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after April 2010, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Carlos Alfredo Lopez-Perez, age 26, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in September 2015.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after September 2015, and was found in the United States in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Jose Alexander Garcia, age 30, of El Salvador, was previously deported from the United States to El Salvador in June 2010.  He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after June 2010, and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Under federal law, Diaz-Gamez, Mata-Carrasco, Rios-Antonio, Ramirez-Vasquez, Lopez-Perez, and Garcia face a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 

These cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).  Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the cases.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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.

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SAN JUAN, P.R. – On Friday, December 7, 2018, four men entered guilty pleas for their roles in the conspiracy to murder Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati-Casañas, a Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. Lieutenant Albarati was murdered on February 26, 2013.

On January 28, 2015 a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six count indictment charging nine individuals for the murder of Lieutenant Albarati: Ángel D. Ramos-Cruz, a.k.a. “Api;” Miguel Díaz-Rivera, a.k.a. “Bolo;” Juan Quiñones-Meléndez, a.k.a. “El Manco;” Orlando Mojica-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Yogui;” Jayson Rodríguez-González, a.k.a. “Gonzo;” and Alexander Rosario de León, a.k.a. “Coquí”. Defendants Carlos Rosado-Rosado, a.k.a. “Cano;” and Jancarlos Velázquez-Vázquez, a.k.a. “Jan,” pleaded guilty on August 13, 2018.

On December 7, 2018, Ángel D. Ramos-Cruz, Juan Quiñones-Meléndez, Orlando Mojica-Rodríguez, and Jayson Rodríguez-González entered pleas of guilty to the pending indictment. As part of the plea agreement, the defendants acknowledged that they conspired to murder Lt. Albarati as a direct result of continuous seizures of contraband by Albarati and other correctional officers. At the time of the conspiracy, Ramos-Cruz was an inmate at the facility and from inside MDC, he contacted an associate, Quiñones-Meléndez, a.k.a. “El Manco”, and requested that “El Manco” recruit the triggermen to carry out the hit or “vuelta.”

“Vuelta” which translates in English to “turn” or “errand” was a term that the organizations of Orlando Mojica-Rodríguez and Quiñones-Meléndez would use to describe a plan to commit a murder. Quiñonez-Meléndez contacted his fellow associate Orlando Mojica-Rodríguez a.k.a. “Yogui,” to shore up resources and triggermen. Quiñones-Meléndez recruited Carlos Rosado-Rosado, a.k.a. “Cano” and Jayson Rodríguez-González, a.k.a. “Gonzo,” to participate in the murder of Lt. Albarati. Meanwhile, Mojica-Rodríguez recruited Alexander Rosario de León, a.k.a. “Coqui,” as an additional enforcer to participate in the murder. Rosado-Rosado and Rosario de León had previously entered guilty pleas.

The murder of Lt. Albarati was carried out on February 26, 2013, as planned. Co-defendant, Oscar Martínez-Hernández was found guilty by a jury on September 20, 2018, for his role in the conspiracy as well. His sentence is scheduled for January 22, 2019.

“Throughout his law enforcement career, Lieutenant Albarati’s service was exemplary, selfless and courageous,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “With this conviction we take another step towards our goal of holding those who carried out this reprehensible and senseless murder accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice will continue to honor Lieutenant Albarati’s legacy as a public servant, his dedication to safeguard the community, and his integrity.”

The murder of government employees and officials is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for any term of years or for life. Murder for hire is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for any terms of years or for life. Use of a firearm resulting in death is also punishable by a maximum term of life.

The case was investigated by the FBI with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Miami Field Office, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, DEA, ATF, the United States Marshals Service, ICE-HSI, the Puerto Rico Police Department, the San Juan Municipal Police, and other law enforcement agencies that covered hundreds of leads developed as a result of the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas W. Cannon and Max Pérez-Bouret.

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BRUNSWICK, GA– Two dozen people have been indicted on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges related to a distribution ring operating in south Georgia and northern Florida.

A superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Brunswick charges Robert Johnson, 52, of Jacksonville, Fla., as a supplier to previously indicted members of the conspiracy. During a search of Johnson’s home, agents seized quantities of multiple controlled substances including cocaine, MDMA – also known as Molly – heroin and marijuana, announced Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

The indictment alleges that Johnson was a supplier to the other 23 members of the trafficking ring, which distributed large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA, marijuana and other drugs throughout Georgia and Florida. The operation started more than a year ago as a joint federal, state and local investigation into violent gang and drug trafficking activities in Glynn County, Ga., led by the FBI, the Glynn County Police Department and the Brunswick Police Department.

In addition to Johnson, others indicted are:

Maurice Fields, 34 Brunswick, Ga.;

Eric Reneantonio Stuckey, 29, Brunswick, Ga.;

Javon Arashalla Newton, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;

Xontavious Dionte Hawkins, 32, Brunswick, Ga.;

Bronco Darelle Jackson, 33, Brunswick, Ga.;

Wilbert Lee Stephens Jr., 26, Brunswick, Ga.;

Zahria Jane Boston, 20, Atlanta, Ga.;

Andrew Riley, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;

Anthony Kanyatta Seals, 42, Brunswick, Ga.;

Michael Arthur Nixon, 59, Brunswick, Ga.;

Mario Capers, 37, Brunswick, Ga.;

Jose Salguero, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;

Jermaine Tyrone Fuller, 38, Brunswick, Ga.;

Derrick Bernard Johnson, 43, Brunswick, Ga.;

Alex Dion Manor, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;

Jimmy Bradwell Ferrell, 54, Brunswick, Ga.;

Malik Williams, 24, Brunswick, Ga.;

Reginald Andre BeckhamSr., 46, Brunswick, Ga.;

Jamal David Gaines, 34, Jacksonville, Florida

Elliot Loyranzy Armstrong, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;

Timothy John Sallins, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;

John Draxell Buckley, 58, Brunswick, Ga.; and,

Camron Thomas, 36, Brunswick, Ga.;

All of the defendants are charged with conspiracy, with some facing additional charges including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Most of the defendants have been arrested and brought before a federal Magistrate Judge in Brunswick for their initial appearances.  Upon conviction, many of the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, and in federal prison there is no parole.

During the investigation, authorities seized significant amounts of controlled substances, along with an AR-15 rifle and multiple handguns.

“These indictments represent the third major takedown of a criminal drug-distribution conspiracy in the lower part of the Southern District of Georgia just this year,” said Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Similar operations in March and October netted 27 arrests for distributing poison in our communities, and we are committed to coordinating with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to make our neighborhoods safer.”

“The federal indictments in this case emphasize our commitment to rid our communities of the threat of violence from organizations who plague our streets distributing drugs,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Forces, comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, will continue to commit extensive resources toward dismantling these types of organizations.”

“The Glynn County Police Department is honored to have such a great working relationship with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners as well as federal and state prosecutors,” said Glynn County Police Chief John Powell. “Working together we will ensure a safer community for our citizens.”

A criminal indictment contains only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Marcela Mateo are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the United States. 

For any questions, please contact Barry Paschal at the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of federal firearms violations, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The two-count Indictment, returned on Dec. 12, named Thomas George Stanko, 48, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from on or about April 12, 2018 through on or about August 29, 2018, Stanko unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition, after having been convicted of multiple crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. In total, Stanko unlawfully possessed 17 firearms. Those convictions related to retaliation against a witness or victim, criminal conspiracy, firearms not to be carried without a license, receipt of stolen property, and forgery. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Christy Criswell Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. 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.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that a man from Honduras pleaded guilty to making false statements after trying to obtain a Louisiana driver’s license illegally.

Will Avila, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Dee. D. Drell to one count of making a false statement. According to the guilty plea, Avila entered a Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana on January 10, 2018, and attempted to apply for a Louisiana driver’s license. Avila used the name and Social Security card of a Puerto Rican citizen to fill out the driver’s license application. A special agent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement questioned Avila, and the defendant made false statements in an attempt to maintain the false identity he used to apply for the driver’s license.

Avila faces up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set the sentencing date for March 7, 2019.

Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie is prosecuting the case.

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Ernesto Watkins, age 21, of York, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for armed robbery and a firearms offense.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Watkins robbed a Turkey Hill Minit Market in downtown York on July 1, 2018.  The indictment also alleges that Watkins brandished an Imez 9mm Makarov handgun during and in relation to that robbery.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the York City Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli.

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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is imprisonment for life, 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.

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Four people were indicted in federal court for firearms violations.

Indicted are: Jacob Moser, 28, Conneaut, Robert Howse, 24, of South Euclid, Anthony Clark, 37, of Cleveland, and James Horn, 40, of Cleveland.

Moser possessed a Smith & Wesson SD40 VE pistol and 39 rounds of .40-caliber ammunition on August 21, despite a previous conviction for drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

Howse possessed 28 rounds of 9 mm ammunition on September 15 and 16, despite a previous convictions aggravated robbery, burglary and robbery, each with a firearms specification, according to the indictment.

Clark possessed a Smith & Wesson SD40 VE pistol and 39 rounds of .40-caliber ammunition on August 21, despite a previous conviction for drug trafficking, according to the indictment.

Horn possessed a 12-gauge shotgun on April 11, despite a previous conviction for domestic violence in Cleveland Municipal Court, according to the indictment.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and Cleveland Division of Police. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry F. DeBaggis, James Lewis, Scott Zarzycki and Robert Patton.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

RALEIGH– United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced TRAVIS KWYMAINE RUFFIN, 29, of Wilson, North Carolina to 54 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release; MARCUS ANTWAN WILEY, also known as “MARK,” 29, of Elm City, North Carolina to 57 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release; and Michael speight, 26, of Elm City, North Carolina to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

The prosecution of RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT was a part of an  Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation (OCDETF), announced by the United States Attorney’s Office earlier this summer, which resulted in the arrest of several defendants for outstanding federal and state charges in a coordinated warrant enforcement operation.  The investigation focused on heroin and cocaine trafficking in Nash, Edgcombe and Wilson counties.

RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT were named in an eleven-count Indictment filed on June 13, 2018 charging them with drug conspiracy running from at least August 1, 2017 until mid-June of 2018.  Specifically, RUFFIN was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of heroin.  On August 23, 2018, RUFFIN pled guilty to the conspiracy charge as well as distribution of a quantity of heroin.  WILEY was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.  On August 23, 2018, WILEY pled guilty to the conspiracy charge as well as distribution of a quantity of heroin.  SPEIGHT was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base (crack).  On August 23, 2018, SPEIGHT pled guilty to the conspiracy charge. 

According to the investigation,  RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT were a part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed cocaine, cocaine base (crack), heroin, and marijuana throughout the Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties.  As part of the investigation, law enforcement recorded telephone calls where RUFFIN, WILEY, and SPEIGHT each discussed the drug conspiracy, their roles in the crime and made arrangements for further transactions.  WILEY and RUFFIN sold 10 bricks of heroin each, which is approximately 1000 individual bags.  At the time of the instant offense, WILEY was on supervised release resulting from a 2009 federal conviction of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  After WILEY admitted to the criminal activity, his term of supervised release was revoked and he was sentenced to an additional 37 months’ imprisonment to be served at the conclusion of his sentence for the drug conspiracy. 

This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Take Back North Carolina Initiative.  This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

Investigation of this enforcement operation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal Service (USMS), United States Probation Office, Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson Police Department, Rocky Mount Police Department, Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, Tarboro Police Department, Spring Hope Police Department, Nashville Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.  Assistant United States Attorney Dena King represented the government. 

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

John Hornezes, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around September, 2016, and continuing thereafter to November 30, 2017, Hornezes conspired with others known and unknown, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, on November 30, 2017, Hornezes possessed with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack, a Schedule II controlled substance. Further, on November 30, 2017, Hornezes possessed a Ruger, Model P89, 9mm caliber pistol, and 9mm caliber ammunition, even though he had previously been convicted of a felony offense, which prohibits him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for March 9, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Jerome A. Moschetta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of John Hornezes. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Stowe Township Police Department also provided assistance in this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced DIEUDLET JEAN-LOUIS, 25, of Miami, Florida on December 12, 2018 for access device fraud conspiracy. Jean-Louis was arrested in Northwood, Massachusetts. He received twelve months and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by thirty-six months of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $164,627.00. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the US Secret Service investigated this case.

Federal District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal sentenced SAMUEL OLIVIER-BRAVO, 37, of Mexico on December 10, 2018 for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Olivier-Bravo was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received time served plus ten days to allow for deportation proceedings and ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment. The US Department of Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case.

Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson sentenced ERIC JEFFERY REAM, Jr., 36, of Cheyenne, Wyoming on December 11, 2018 for simple possession of methamphetamine, and felon and unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. Eric Ream Jr. was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received forty-one months of imprisonment, to be followed by thirty-six months of supervised release. The Cheyenne Police Department investigated this case.

SOUTH BEND –Steven J. Perry, 54, of Elkhart, Indiana, has been charged by indictment with transportation and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch.

According to documents in the case, on September 17, 2018, Mr. Perry, who has a prior conviction for possession of child pornography, uploaded images of child pornography to an online service.   The service reported this to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who then relayed this “cybertip” to the Indiana Crimes Against Children task force.    The cybertip was then referred to an FBI cybercrimes task force agent in South Bend.   A search warrant was conducted on December 5, 2018 at Perry’s Elkhart residence.   Mr. Perry admitted that he had uploaded images to the online service and was taken into custody.  

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case was investigated by the FBI cybercrime unit in South Bend with assistance from the Secret Service and the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Maciejczyk.

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Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – Federal, state, and local officials announced today the arrests of 19 individuals on federal drug-trafficking, firearms, and other charges resulting from a months-long, multi-agency investigation.

"The modern opioid epidemic is one of the most vexing problems faced by law enforcement and public-health officials,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today.  “As U.S. Attorney, I am committed to prosecuting individuals and organizations who distribute Fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine and working with our federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners to stanch the flow of these deadly drugs into Western Virginia.  But while I firmly believe that vigorous enforcement is critical to addressing this epidemic, we also support meaningful treatment initiatives for those suffering from drug addictions and targeted outreach to prevent others from having their lives destroyed by these deadly substances.”   

“ATF is committed to ridding American streets of crime, not just in large cities but also in the rural areas that are often hit hardest by the scourge of illegal firearms and drugs. This investigation is a great example of how we work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal organizations and protect the communities they infest. It should serve as a reminder to others that no matter where you are, if you commit a federal crime, we will do everything we can to put you behind bars,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas L. Chittum III, ATF Washington Field Division.

The indictment, returned under seal by a federal grand jury December 4, 2018 and unsealed yesterday, charges 18 defendants with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that certain members of the conspiracy trafficked more than 1,000 grams of heroin and more than 500 grams of methamphetamine from approximately January 2016 and ending in approximately December 2018.

One defendant, Brandon Wayne Eppard, is charged with maintaining a property for the purpose of unlawfully distributing a controlled substance. That property was located at 160 Shenandoah Street in Mount Jackson, Virginia.

An additional defendant, Merle Stephens, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Stephens was arrested at a Motel 6 in Mount Jackson, Virginia on December 7, 2018.

The indictment also charges four individuals, Michael Mullins, Jeffrey Craig Mays, William Ray Shoemaker, and Christopher Thomas Trimble, with firearms possession charges in addition to their drug charges.

Charged in the indictment are as follows:

• Anthony Benjamin Testerman, 25, of Mount Jackson, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
• William Ray Shoemaker, 45, of Edinburg, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, three counts of distributing and possession with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  
• Jeffrey Craig Mays, 32, of Mount Jackson, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. 
• Katie L. Harlow, 37, Mount Jackson, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
• Javon Eugene Cook, 26, of Mount Jackson, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Brooke McIntosh, 27, Timberville, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine
• Jonathan Lewis Hodges, 30, of New Market, Va. – one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine.
• Kenneth J. Webb, 32, of Woodstock, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and three counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine.
• Amanda Jean Mullins, 30, of Edinburg, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute, methamphetamine.
• Michael Mullins, 32, - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Dietrich M. Day, 28, of Dumfries, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl.
• Christian Michael Burhop, 27, of Basye, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, three counts of distribution of heroin, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.  
• Christopher Thomas Trimble, 27, of Fishersville, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
• Brandon Wayne Eppard, 28, of Mount Jackson, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining a premises for the purpose of unlawfully distributing, possessing, and using controlled substances.
• Tiffany Bowman Lopez, 30, Quicksburg, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin and four counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
• Erica Lam, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.
• Justin Tyler Mumaw, 26, of Edinburg, Va., - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, and two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Dana Marie Silvious, 29, Front Royal, Va. - one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, two counts of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin.
   
  The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, the RUSH Drug Task Force, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, the Mount Jackson Police Department, the Woodstock Police Department, the Front Royal Police Department, the Timberville Police Department, and the Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Grayson A. Hoffman will prosecute the case for the United States.
  
  A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Carla Webb Daniels, of Wheeling Island, West Virginia, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day incarceration to be followed by six years supervised release for distributing heroin near an Ohio County school, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Daniels, age 57, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin Within 1,000 Feet of a Protected Location” in April 2018. Daniels admitted to distributing heroin in close proximity to Wheeling Central Catholic High School in Wheeling on February 16, 2017. 

Daniels was also ordered to forfeit a 2005 food trailer and $5,547.26 seized on March 8, 2017.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen L. Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force and the Marshall County Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, HIDTA-funded initiatives, investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

An Akron man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the armed robbery of a Dollar General.

Deonte Griffin, 29, was sentenced to 144 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent. Griffin previously pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Griffin used a firearm to rob the Dollar General at 901 Copley Road in Akron on August 30, 2017, according to court documents.

Griffin possessed a .25-caliber pistol and ammunition despite a previous conviction for aggravated robbery which made it illegal for him to have a firearm, according to court documents.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Akron Police Department.

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of five indictments and three superseding indictments charging a total of 19 with participating in the sex trafficking of minor girls and young women.  As alleged, the defendants trafficked or recruited to engage in prostitution at least 15 minor girls in the child welfare system, including at least nine minors who resided at a particular non-incarceratory residential treatment facility located in Westchester County (“Facility-1”).  Facility-1 provided housing for at-risk and troubled children and adolescents on behalf of departments of social welfare for certain counties in New York State.  

Eight of the 19 charged defendants were arrested yesterday, two are in state custody on unrelated charges, and eight other defendants were previously charged.  One remains at large.  These defendants were identified as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the sex trafficking of minor victims, some of whom were as young as 13 years old, in the social welfare system.  As detailed below, the charges are set forth in a total of eight separate indictments. 

In each of these eight indicted cases, victims of the charged conduct included one or more minors who resided at Facility-1 and were in the New York State’s social welfare system.  The conduct charged in the eight cases occurred, as detailed below, between the years of 2010 and 2018. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “Children in the child welfare system are among the most vulnerable in our society.  As alleged in today’s charges, the defendants and their conspirators callously recruited girls as young as 13 from a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth, then sexually trafficked and prostituted them for financial profit.  Together with our partners in the FBI, we will work tirelessly to ensure that anyone who sexually traffics a minor is subject to the full force of the law.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Sex traffickers routinely prey on young people and those in our communities who are the most defenseless. As alleged, the defendants targeted vulnerable women and girls, including residents of a facility for at-risk children and adolescents, knowing that the victims would be more susceptible to their claims.  The FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and hold accountable anyone who exploits others for their own profit.”

The 11 newly charged defendants are CARLTON VANIER, RUBEN MORCIGLIO, SAEED NORRIS, LLOYD KIDD, LUIDI BENJAMIN, LAWRENCE WALSH, CIMMIE WRIGHT, ADRIENNE ROBERTS, CHRISTOPHER BULLOCK, DARIEL BRAHAM, and STEVEN LESANE.  These defendants and the defendants already in federal custody were presented yesterday in the Southern District of New York.

In addition to the charges against the new defendants, Superseding Indictments were unsealed against HUBERT DUPIGNY, HENSLEY DUPIGNY, NAZEER VICKERS, SEAN MERCHANT, REUBEN SANDS, MARTIQUE MCGRIFF, JERMAINE MYRIE, and JABARI KENNEDY, who were first charged in the summer of 2018 for their participation in the trafficking of minor victims and young women. 

*                *                *

If you believe you are a victim of a similar crime, or if you have information concerning the exploitation of children, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (212) 384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/.

A chart outlining the charges and maximum prison sentences for each of the defendants is below.  The maximum potential sentences and the mandatory minimum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the respective judges.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the NYPD, and, in particular, the New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.  Mr. Berman also thanked the New York City Department of Corrections and the Human Resources Administration for their assistance.  The prosecutions of these cases are being handled by the Office’s General Crimes and Public Corruption Units.  Assistant United States Attorneys Mollie Bracewell, Elinor Tarlow, Jacob Gutwillig, and Alex Rossmiller are in charge of the prosecutions.

Roanoke, VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke has charged a Salem man with stealing multiple firearms from a federal firearms licensee in Dublin, Virginia. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Thomas L. Chittum III, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Washington Field Division made the announcement.

The federal grand jury has charged DeAngelo Ramsey, 19, with one count of burglary of a federal firearms licensee and one count of possession and concealment of stolen firearms.

“We are committed to working with the ATF and our state and local partners to prosecute individuals who unlawfully obtain, possess, or transfer firearms,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today.  “Procuring firearms through theft or fraud is a serious offense and one that will result in a federal prison sentence.”  

“ATF takes the theft of firearms very seriously. Too often, stolen firearms are used to commit violent crimes, usually in the same community where they were stolen,” said Thomas L. Chittum, III, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division. “Thankfully, the aggressive response from law enforcement lead to recovery of the firearms stolen in this case, before they ended up on the streets or in the hands of other criminals.”

According to the indictment, in the early morning hours of November 24, 2018, Ramsey broke into a retail pizza business adjacent to Dublin Pawn, doing business as E.S. Ramey Firearms, a federal firearms licensee located in Dublin, Va. The defendant gained entry into E.S. Ramey through a common ceiling the two businesses shared. The indictment alleges Ramsey removed one or more ceiling tiles, reached into E.S. Ramey Firearms, and stole two semi-automatic rifles and two shotguns. He is accused of possessing and concealing the stolen firearms from on or about November 24, 2018 to on or about November 29, 2018.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Pulaski Police Department, the Radford Police Department, the Salem Police Department, and the Dublin Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kristin B. Johnson will prosecute the case for the United States.

A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

PHILADELPHIA - U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that SouthernCare, Inc., a hospice care provider, has agreed to pay $5,863,426 to the federal government to resolve allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to Medicare for hospice care that was medically unnecessary or lacked documentation.

The settlement resolves allegations in two separate complaints filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by whistleblowers under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  These provisions allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery.  The whistleblowers, Dawn Hamrock and Patricia Beegle, will share approximately $1.1 million of the recovery between them.  Both whistleblowers were former employees of SouthernCare.

In their qui tam complaints, the whistleblowers generally alleged that SouthernCare provided hospice care to patients who were not eligible under the Medicare program.  To be eligible, hospice care must be reasonable and necessary, a physician must certify that the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less, and the provider must satisfy other documentation requirements.  The whistleblowers alleged that SouthernCare admitted patients into hospice who were not terminally ill and lacked appropriate medical documentation showing such an illness.  The company allegedly treated some patients for many years. This settlement agreement resolves the allegations arising from SouthernCare’s facilities in Pennsylvania from January 2009 through December 2014.

“My office takes whistleblower allegations very seriously, and we will hold accountable anyone who defrauds taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The False Claims Act gives us a powerful tool to do that.  We thank Ms. Hamrock and Ms. Beegle for playing a vital role in the resolution of this case.  Together with their lawyers, these two citizens provided essential assistance to the government.  Without the willingness of relators to shed light on allegations of fraud, preserving government program funds would be far more challenging.”

“Unnecessarily admitting people into hospice is particularly dangerous, as it can cause patients who are not terminally ill to stop seeking treatments for recovery,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.    “HHS-OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure federally funded healthcare resources are used appropriately.”

There has been no determination of civil liability. The settled civil claims are allegations only.

This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael S. Macko and Anthony D. Scicchitano, with investigative assistance from auditor George Niedzwicki and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.