ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jake Alexander Cruse, age 32, of Schaghticoke, New York, was arrested on December 12 on charges of transporting child pornography.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  Cruse appeared on December 12 before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel.  Following a detention hearing held yesterday, Cruse was detained pending trial.

If convicted, Cruse faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Additionally, if convicted, Cruse would be required to register as a sex offender.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ernesto Bautista Juarez, age 25, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday to time served (28 days in jail), for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Bautista Juarez has been previously removed from the United States to Mexico three times, the most recent removal occurring on March 28, 2015.  On November 15, 2018, he was encountered and arrested by an ICE Officer in Saratoga Springs, New York. A fingerprint check of Bautista Juarez resulted in the discovery of the prior removals.  Bautista Juarez admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the March 28, 2015 removal.  Bautista Juarez has never been authorized to enter or reside in the United States. 

Following sentencing, Bautista Juarez was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Moises Orozco Castaneda, age 57, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday to time served (41 days in jail), for misdemeanor destruction of government property.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Orozco Castaneda, an illegal alien, was arrested by ICE in Troy, New York, in June 2018.  ICE released Orozco Castaneda from custody but the conditions of his release required that he wear an ankle-monitoring device so that his release could be supervised by ICE.  On September 11, 2018, ICE was notified that the monitoring device had been removed from Orozco Castaneda’s ankle.  The device was recovered in Troy that same day.  Orozco Castaneda was encountered at an Albany bus station and he admitted to cutting off the device. 

Following his sentencing, Orozco Castaneda was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Emmanuel Lucero-Saavedra, age 40, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced yesterday to time served (11 months in jail), for illegal re-entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Lucero-Saavedra has been previously removed from the United States to Mexico four times, the most recent removal taking place on June 27, 2015.  On January 10, 2018, he was encountered and arrested by an ICE Officer in Albany. Lucero-Saavedra admitted that he returned to the United States without permission following the June 27, 2015 removal.     

Following sentencing, Lucero-Saavedra was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.

This case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Darren Clay Robinson, aka “Mountain,” age 54, of Teaneck, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 135 months in prison, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release, for conspiring with more than 10 people to distribute heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine throughout the Capital Region.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Robinson admitted that from August 2016 to May 2017, he worked with others to distribute heroin, cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) and cocaine in Albany and Schenectady Counties.   Robinson admitted to distributing between 3.5 kilograms and 5 kilograms of cocaine as part of the conspiracy.

Robinson, who has 3 prior drug felony convictions, stored drugs at a residence in Schenectady that he shared with a co-conspirator.  On May 11, 2017, law enforcement executing a warrant there seized approximately 300 grams of cocaine, 75 grams of heroin and 25 grams of crack cocaine.  At the residence, Robinson also possessed glass mixing cups, 4 digital scales, cutting agents, and various packaging materials, all used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.

Also, on May 10, 2017, law enforcement in Ulster County found, hidden in the engine compartment of the car that Robinson was driving, a bag containing approximately 100 grams of cocaine.   

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Schenectady Police Department, Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- December 17, 2018 – Christopher B. Warren, 50, of Anthony, Florida pleaded guilty Friday to one count of mail fraud and one count of securities fraud for operating a $28 million Ponzi scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Warren was the founder and chief investment officer of Clean Energy Advisors (CEA), a company registered in Wyoming with offices in Nashville, Florida, and other locations.

Warren admitted Friday in U.S. District Court, that CEA recruited sixty investors for its private investment funds: Utility Solar IV and Utility Income Fund.  To attract investors, Warren claimed that CEA owned working solar farms throughout the state of North Carolina.  Warren further claimed that Duke Power agreed to purchase the energy produced by CEA’s farms and that he would use the revenue to pay dividends to investors.  To hide the fraud, Warren created phone audited financial statements and made regular Ponzi payments to select investors.  As the scheme was uncovered, Warren told investors he would repay the principal investments pending the imminent sale of the company to a foreign purchaser.  Warren admitted that no sale ever occurred or would materialize. To date, at least $15 million is still owed to investors.

Warren faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000 and three years of supervised release, when he is sentenced on March 8, 2019.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Toussaint is prosecuting the case.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Quavis Jamar Rudisell, 29, of Lancaster, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented in court established that during the early morning hours of September 6, 2018, deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence on Providence Road after receiving a 911 call in regard to a theft of money. The residence advised that Rudisell had been a guest in the home, stolen approximately $1,300, and fled on a silver moped. Officers with the Lancaster Police Department located Rudisell on the moped and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Rudisell jumped off the moped and fled into nearby woods, where he was later captured. Officers located the stolen money on Rudisell, along with a magazine loaded with rounds of 9mm ammunition. Rudisell admitted to throwing the firearm down. Officers did a search of the area and recovered a 9mm handgun with a large-capacity magazine loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition.  He was arrested pursuant to a federal criminal complaint.

Rudisell is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon a prior state conviction for breach of trust with fraudulent intent more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 (2016) and a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine (2011). Rudisell had been released from federal prison and was on federal supervised release at the time of the instant offense.

Rudisell faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.  He also faces a revocation of his federal supervised release.

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has received and reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lancaster Police Department.  It is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

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Columbia, South Carolina----United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Federal Grand Juries have returned Indictments against the following:

Charleston Area Men Face Federal Charges for Armored Car Robbery.  Rashad Dingle of North Charleston, South Carolina, and Robert Lee Brown, II, of West Ashley, South Carolina, were charged in a 5-count indictment arising out of the April 10, 2018, robbery of an armored car driver. Among other charges, the indictment alleges a robbery affecting interstate commerce and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Dingle is also charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Both men face a maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Dorchester County Sheriff's Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Chris Schoen of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Seabrook Island Man Indicted in $2M Fraud.  Todd Vannatta, 42, of Seabrook Island, South Carolina, was charged in a 10-count superseding indictment.  The indictment charges nine counts of wire fraud, with each count punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.  Count Ten charges False Statement and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison.  The indictment alleges that Vannatta used several businesses to steal approximately $2,000,000.00 from multiple investors.  The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office are prosecuting the case.

Illegal Aliens Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry.  Marcelo Diaz-Cordero, 34; Melchor Gonzalez-Gutierrez, 33; Juan Carlos Hernandez-Renteria, 34; Jorge Ramos-Luna, 31; and Sofronio Cruz-Aragon, 35, are each charged in separate Indictments with illegal re-entry to the United States. Each faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, depending on his record. The cases were investigated by agents of the ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville Office.

Three Spartanburg Residents Indicted on Conspiracy to Rip Off Housing Programs Designed to Help the Poor and Underprivileged.  Tommy E.  Quick, 69; Isaac T. Quick, 29; and John E. Bagwell, Jr., 78, all of Spartanburg, South Carolina, were charged in a one-count Indictment with conspiracy.  The defendants face a maximum penalty of up to five years in federal prison.  The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of the Inspector General, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Operators of Balanced Solutions Indicted for Scamming Patients Involving Scar Cream.  Kristopher  M. Oakes, 46, of Greenville, South Carolina; Christy L. Oakes, 47, of Greenville, South Carolina; Gerald S. Lemarr, 72, of Dandridge, Tennessee; Melissa G. Barbour, 57, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina; Erskine C. Carpenter, 21, of Taylors, South Carolina; Austin B. Cathcart, 28, of Greenville, South Carolina; and Deborah R. Cathcart, 58, of Greer, South Carolina, were charged in a one-count Indictment with attempt and conspiracy. The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Enoree Resident Indicted for Child Pornography Possession and Sexually Explicit Conduct.  Jeremey A. Bennett, 27, of Enoree, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count Indictment with possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of children. Bennett faces of maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Simpsonville Resident Indicted on Embezzlement from Social Security Administration.  Melissa Thames, 48, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzlement. The maximum penalty Thames could receive is 10 years in federal prison.  The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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(PITTSBURGH) - U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania collected a record $145M in civil and criminal actions in FY 2018.

Of the total amount collected, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with partner agencies, collected $10,604,018 in FY 2018 by forfeiting criminal assets, which was one of the largest amounts for similarly-sized U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country. This $10.6M went to victims of crime and to 29 state and local police departments throughout western Pennsylvania.

The forfeiture of criminal proceeds is a critical part of DOJ’s mission. In addition to restoring money to crime victims, forfeited assets help fund victims’ programs that provide critical services to victims. Forfeited criminal assets are also used to further the mission and effectiveness of our state and local law enforcement partners through police training and the purchase of new equipment including body cameras, canines and bulletproof vests.

"When criminals steal, defraud, and harm members of the community, we will prosecute them, forfeit the proceeds of their crimes, and return the money to the victims," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "By returning money to victims, and by helping our law enforcement partners purchase much needed equipment, we are enhancing our mission to keep the citizens of western Pennsylvania safe."

U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are also responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. These programs provide important funding for crime victims who might otherwise receive no compensation for their injuries. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Education, the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Lorenzo Keith Goins, age 27, of Sumter, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour, of Charleston, sentenced Goodwater to 57 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented during Goins’ guilty plea and sentencing hearing established that on October 20, 2017, the victim’s 19-year-old son called 911 and stated that Goins was threatening his mother with a handgun.  Officers with the Sumter Police Department responded and encountered Goins, who was in possession of a .45 caliber Springfield Armory handgun and over 20 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.  Witnesses to the incident advised the officers that Goins grabbed the female victim by the throat and threw her up against her car.  The victim’s 19-year-old son then attempted to engage Goins.  Goins then displayed the firearm in his waistband and told the son, “You lucky I don’t pull it out on you.”

During the sentencing hearing, the transporting officer’s in-car video was played for the Judge.  Goins was captured on the video becoming visibly irate with the transporting officer, making numerous threats to hurt the officer and his colleagues.  Federal law prohibits Goins from possessing a firearm or ammunition based on his criminal record, which includes convictions for grand larceny, possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, and receiving stolen goods.  After his arrest, Goins made contact with the victim several times over the phone, attempting to get her to withdraw her statements to law enforcement about the assault.

The Court sentenced Goins to 57 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years supervised release with a special condition that he receive anger management treatment.  This sentence was at the top of the advisory sentencing guideline range and was enhanced for his possession and use of the firearm during and in relation to the domestic violence incident.

The case was investigated by the Sumter Police Department and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

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According to the indictment, ORBE-SANTANA was previously removed from the United States on July 9, 2008. He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on December 10, 2018 and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter.

If convicted, ORBE-SANTANA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 years, a fine of $250,000, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

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Anderson, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Precias K. Freeman, 35, of Lyman, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson for her role in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute hydrocodone.  United States District Timothy M. Cain of Anderson sentenced Freeman to 210 months in the federal Bureau of Prisons.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented to the court established that beginning in October 2014, Freeman created fraudulent prescriptions using stolen physician DEA numbers.  She passed the fraudulent prescriptions in local pharmacies throughout the upstate of South Carolina.  In February 2015, Freeman moved her operation into North Carolina because South Carolina law enforcement was devoting substantial resources in an effort to locate her.

The investigation revealed that Freeman usually tried to fill three prescriptions per day.  Records showed that on some days Freeman succeeded at filling up to 13 prescriptions per day. Veteran DEA agents described Freeman as the most prolific prescription passer with whom they had dealt.  Over the course of the conspiracy, law enforcement estimates that Freeman was responsible for illegally obtaining 175,000 tablets of hydrocodone, which she and her co-conspirators then sold across the Upstate. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Duncan Police Department, the Simpsonville Police Department, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that over the last two weeks, the United States Attorney’s Office provided training to South Carolina’s Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force on methods of investigating and prosecuting federal human trafficking cases.

The training was part of a three-day course entitled “Advanced Human Trafficking Investigations Law Enforcement Course.” The course was sponsored by the Charleston County Sherriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and ERASE, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on eliminating child trafficking through education and professional training. 

Originally set to include a single training session, U.S. Attorney Lydon stated a second class was organized due to high levels of interest among local law enforcement agencies. “We applaud our local law enforcement partners for taking such an interest in this important issue.  Human trafficking is a worldwide crisis sustained by a vast criminal network that exploits vulnerable children and adults, including right here at home,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Successfully prosecuting these cases depends on the cooperation of state and federal law enforcement agencies. Through courses like this, we are taking the steps necessary to tackle this problem head-on in South Carolina.” 

Instructors presented on a range of topics relating to human trafficking, including statistics provided by ERASE’s 2012 Survivor Survey.  According to the survey, approximately 75% of underage sex trafficking victims reported being sold online.  Additionally, the average age of entry into sex trafficking for a child victim in the United States was reported to be 12 years old for a girl and 11 years old for a boy.  It is estimated that one in three teens living on the street will be lured toward trafficking within 4-8 years of leaving home.

U.S. Attorney Lydon also announced that each of the four U.S. Attorney’s Offices in South Carolina now have designated points of contact for issues relating to human trafficking prosecutions. 

Instructors at the course included Major Rick Hoffman, Raleigh Police Department (retired); Lori A. Sims, AMP, MPP; Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Victor Williams (retired); and Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Schoen and Matt Austin from the Charleston Office.

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Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Holly Denise Sturkey, 42, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Forged Securities. 

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that from May through October 2017, Sturkey was involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and pass forged checks of organizations.

This conspiracy was responsible for stealing mail from mailboxes at various residences in Horry County and other counties in an effort to locate genuine checks within the mail.  Sturkey would then alter and/or forge various information on the checks, including names and signatures of payees and account holders, so that she could deposit those checks into a bank account to which she had access.  She would then withdraw the funds from this account and keep the proceeds for herself.   

Sturkey faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Sturkey after receiving and reviewing a presentence investigation report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Horry County Police Department and the North Myrtle Beach Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Glenn Darryl Dennis, age 33, of West Ashley, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour of Charleston sentenced Dennis to 71 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented to the court established that on December 5, 2017, officers of the Charleston Police Department stopped Dennis for a vehicle infraction and observed an open container of alcohol. Officers asked Dennis to step out of the vehicle, and, as they attempted to frisk him for weapons, he tried to run. He was quickly restrained, and officers found cocaine and a loaded revolver in his pocket.

Federal law prohibits Dennis from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his numerous prior felony convictions, including for possessing narcotics with intent to distribute and carjacking.  He pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on July 30, 2018.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Chris Schoen of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001 that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Turning the tide of rising violent crime in America is a top priority for the Department of Justice, which has reinstituted PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy. 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Brandon Shane Polston, age 33, of Lancaster, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty in July to being a felon in possession of firearms and to possession of machineguns and destructive device not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia sentenced Polston to the statutory maximum sentence of 120 months (10 years) imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release to follow.

Polston’s co-defendants—Austin Lee Ritter, age 23, and Kimberly Denise Cannon, age 40, both of Lancaster—were sentenced in late November after pleading guilty in June. Both pled guilty to the same charges as Polston. Ritter was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release to follow. Cannon was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release to follow.

Evidence presented in court hearings established that during the early morning hours of November 26, 2017, an officer with the Lancaster Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Cannon after observing her littering. Further investigation during the traffic stop revealed the following inside the vehicle:  a FNH, model M249, 5.56mm machinegun; two (2) Colt, model M-16, 5.56mm machineguns; two (2) Beretta, model M9, 9mm pistols; a Colt, model M203, 40mm grenade launcher (“destructive device”); night vision goggles; and various military items stolen from the Lancaster National Guard Armory.

After the traffic stop, Polston and Ritter were located at a Lancaster motel and found in possession of a small quantity of methamphetamine. A review of surveillance video from the motel showed Polston, Ritter, and Cannon bringing the bags containing the firearms back and forth between the vehicle and the motel room. Searches of their cell phones revealed various photos and text messages relating to the firearms and sale of the firearms.

During the investigation, Polston admitted that on Thanksgiving Day, he jumped the fence of the Armory, where he found the building unsecured and no one present. The investigation has not uncovered any plan by any other person to assist Polston in the theft. Polston stole the firearms and other items and hid them in nearby woods.

Thereafter, Polston traded one 9mm handgun to a male in exchange for heroin, which he provided to a friend. Polston also sold two of the M-16s to two males in Lancaster in exchange for money, cocaine, and marijuana. Thereafter, Polston had Cannon drive him and Ritter back to the wooded area to retrieve the remaining firearms and other items. The group also traveled to the Rock Hill area, where Polston gave an M-16 to a female and received methamphetamine from her. The investigation revealed that while some of the stolen firearms were later recovered in possession of other felons, other firearms remain missing.

Polston and his co-defendants Ritter and Cannon are all prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon their prior state convictions. Polston has prior state convictions for breaking into autos (2 counts), malicious injury to person property over $2,000, but less than $10,000, assault and battery 1st degree, burglary 2nd degree (2 counts), receiving stolen goods over $2,000 but less than $10,000, and property offense 3rd or subsequent. Polston was released from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in February 2017.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lancaster Police Department, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

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PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to nine years and eight months in prison and three years of supervised release on her conviction of federal firearms laws, conspiracy to commit identity theft offenses, unauthorized use of counterfeit driver’s licenses and credit cards, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and accessing protected computers without permission, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Quinyahta Rochelle, 32.

According to information presented to the court, Rochelle participated in a number of different crimes. Between March 2016 and July 2016, Rochelle assisted another individual gain access to social media accounts of various celebrities by hacking into their accounts. During a search warrant related to that investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at her home, where the officers located several stolen firearms and many rounds of ammunition. Rochelle was a felon at the times of the search and therefore could not legally possess firearms or ammunition under federal law.

Contemporaneously with the execution of the arrest warrant on the firearm charge, law enforcement executed a second search warrant at her home based on information that Rochelle was engaged in a complex multi-state identity theft scheme. Ultimately, the investigation revealed that Rochelle obtained the names, dates of birth, social security numbers, credits cards, and other information through a variety of means, including through purchasing the material on the internet. Rochelle and her conspirators would then use that information to manufacture counterfeit credit cards and driver’s licenses, which they then used to make purchases and apply for credit both on-line and in person.

While on bond for all of these crimes, Rochelle continued to engage in identity theft related offenses. That conduct resulted in a third search warrant of her home, which led to additional evidence of her fraudulent conduct. She faces another yet unresolved indictment in connection with that activity.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the multiple police departments in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California, including police departments from Columbus, Ohio, Canfield, Ohio, Bucks County, Ohio, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ross Township, Pennsylvania, Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania, and Los Angeles, California, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rochelle.

DENVER – Jason Dunn, U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, today announced that Progressive Technology Federal Systems, Inc. and its Chief Executive Officer have paid a combined $110,000 to settle allegations that the corporation and its CEO made false statements concerning a consultant’s security clearance and failed to disclose an organizational conflict of interest when bidding on a defense procurement contract. 

One way federal government agencies can buy information technology services is by working with the National Institutes of Health’s Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center, or “NITAAC.”  NITAAC is a government-wide program that enables agencies to contract for information technology.  Other federal agencies, including the military, regularly work with NITAAC.

The United States’ allegations relate to a project in which NITAAC was used by the Army and the Air Force for a contract that was awarded to Progressive Technology Federal Systems, Inc., known as “PTFS.”  The United States contends that in 2014, PTFS’s President and CEO, John Yokley, participated in preparing project specifications for a contract to be issued by NITAAC.  The project then was offered by NITAAC for contract bids.  PTFS then submitted its own proposal to take on the contract.  In doing so, however, PTFS stated that it had no conflict of interest relating to the contract.  This statement was false because PTFS had a conflict in that Mr. Yokley had provided input on project specifications that were included in the contract, thereby gaining a competitive advantage for PTFS.  In addition, the project required security clearances, and PTFS falsely stated in its proposal that an individual who would participate in the project as a key “Subject Matter Expert” had an active Top Secret clearance.  PTFS was awarded the contract.  Funding for the contract was later terminated before PTFS could invoice more than $30,000.  The United States claimed that this conduct violated the False Claims Act.

The claims settled by this agreement are allegations.  In entering into this civil settlement, PTFS and Mr. Yokley did not admit liability.  Under the agreement, PTFS paid $65,000, and Mr. Yokley paid $45,000, to resolve the allegations. 

The United States Attorney’s Office thanks the National Reconnaissance Office’s Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Services, and Air Force Office of Special Investigations for their excellent work.  The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Jasand Mock. 

DENVER – Two Metro Denver women charged with heroin distribution resulting in death made court appearances in U.S. District Court in Colorado last week, U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips and the Denver Police Department announced.  Kayla Pagano, age 24, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court in Denver, where she was advised of her rights and the charge pending against her.  Ariel Nicole Walker, age 30, pled guilty last week in U.S. District Court in Denver before Judge R. Brooke Jackson. 

According to the stipulated facts contained in Walker’s plea agreement, on May 31, 2018, Walker went to Civic Center Park looking for someone who could sell her heroin. On that same day, E.N. drove to Civic Center Park looking for someone who could sell her heroin as well. At Civic Center Park, E.N. approached Walker and another party, asking if they could sell her any heroin. Walker asked if E.N. had a car, because that would enable them to meet Walker’s dealer in Westminster, Colorado. E.N. had a vehicle, and the three of them agreed to take it to meet Walker’s dealer at 88th and Garrison in Westminster.

At a gas station in Westminster, Walker met with Kayla Pagano from whom she allegedly purchased heroin. Walker sold some of that heroin to E.N., who injected it. After using the heroin, E.N. passed out and ultimately died in the backseat.

Police later found E.N.’s dead body in an alley in Denver. Based on the autopsy and toxicology results, the Denver Medical Examiner reached the opinion that E.N. died as a result of the toxic effects of heroin.

This case was investigated by the Denver Police Department with support from the FBI.  The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly.

The charges against Pagano are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Bryan Smith, age 24, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a wiretap investigation, primarily targeting the GBK street gang and drug trafficking in and around the Mountainview and Crafton Heights apartment complexes, known as the Greenway Projects, located in the West End of the City of Pittsburgh. The wiretap investigation revealed that from in and around November 2017 through in and around June 2018, Bryan Smith and his co-conspirators distributed crack cocaine in and around the area of the Greenway Projects. Smith is the first GBK gang member to plead guilty in Operation Gang Green.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2019 at 9 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Rachael Dizard are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly led the multi-agency investigation, which also included the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Robinson Township Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department, and the McKees Rocks Police Department, that led to the prosecution of Bryan Smith.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). 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.