CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A total of six men are now in custody following the return of a 41-count indictment alleging a cocaine and marijuana trafficking conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering and 39 substantive drug and money laundering violations, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

During an enforcement operation today, federal agents and local officers arrested Rodolfo Hernandez Ramos, 40, Luis Ortiz III, 39, Florentino Galvan, 77, Antonio Saenz, 52, Guadalupe Gonzalez, 39, and Ulises Francisco Cortinas, 44, all of the Brownsville and McAllen areas. Also charged is Emilio Garcia Uribe, 61.

Cortinas and Gonzalez made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan in Brownsville and Scott Hacker in McAllen, respectively. With the exception of Uribe, all are expected to make their appearances in Brownsville and McAllen, respectively, tomorrow. Uribe is considered a fugitive and a warrant remains outstanding for his arrest.

The indictment, returned March 13, 2019, and unsealed today, charges all seven with the  drug trafficking conspiracy involving  more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between July 1, 2014, and March 13, 2019.

All are also charged with conspiring to conduct financial transactions with drug proceeds. They allegedly transported, transmitted and transferred U.S. currency which they knew represented the proceeds from drug trafficking from the United States to Mexico. The transactions and transportation were designed to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the drug proceeds, according to the charges.

If convicted of the drug conspiracy offense, they all face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine. The money laundering conspiracy carries a potential 20 years and a fine of not more than $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction or both.

Ramos also faces 28 additional substantive money laundering counts which carry the same 20-year-sentence. Also charged in some of these substantive money laundering counts along with Ramos are Ortiz, Cortinas and Saenz.

The indictment also includes 11 additional substantive possession with intent to distribute cocaine and/or marijuana counts against Ramos, Ortiz, Galvan and Uribe. If convicted on those charges, Ramos and Galvan face up to life imprisonment, while Ortiz and Uribe face up to 40 years in prison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and IRS – Criminal Investigation conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation dubbed “Broken Blue Line.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. 
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

Downloadable file: Government Sentencing Memo (w/ Photos)

PORTLAND, Ore.—Shawn Terrell Crane, 39, of Portland, was sentenced today to 168 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for conspiring to distribute oxycodone and laundering drug proceeds.

The case against Crane is the result of a lengthy FBI and Portland Police Bureau investigation of a Portland-area drug trafficking organization that included a three-month wiretap of Crane’s cell phones. Crane is the leader of a criminal conspiracy that sourced oxycodone pills from Fresno, California and transported them to Oregon by vehicle and U.S. mail for distribution in and around the Portland metropolitan area.

During the course of the conspiracy, Crane was responsible for distributing more than 30,000 oxycodone pills and arranging for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to be deposited into third-party bank accounts to conceal its source. He used violence and the threat of violence to bolster his position of authority within the drug trafficking organization, intimidate competition and achieve his objectives. On one occasion, Crane videotaped himself assaulting and robbing a drug customer while armed with a gun. Crane then sent the video to others, boasting of his willingness to engage in violence without backup from his associates.

Crane previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to launder drug proceeds on May 3, 2018.

The FBI and Portland Police Bureau investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Leah K. Bolstad and Peter D. Sax, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

This case is part 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.

OAKLAND –Cardelle Divon Peter was sentenced to 80 months in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been previously convicted of a felony, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.  The sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, United States District Judge.

Peter, 23, of Pittsburg, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on January 8, 2019.  According to his plea agreement, on January 6, 2018, Peter, a convicted felon, possessed a Smith and Wesson .223 caliber AR-15 style semi-automatic assault rifle with a 30-round high capacity magazine.  The rifle was loaded with approximately seven rounds of ammunition.  Peter also possessed a box containing an additional 62 rounds of ammunition for a separate firearm.  According to court documents, law enforcement officers arrested Peter after someone placed a call to 911 and told the dispatcher that a person was threatening the occupants of a house with a rifle. 

On September 13, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Peter charging him with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  Peter pleaded guilty to the charge.

In addition to the prison term, Judge White ordered Peter to serve a three-year term of supervised release to begin at the conclusion of his prison term.  Peter has been in custody since his arrest and will begin serving his prison term immediately.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Schott is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez Gonzalez.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Richmond Police Department. 
 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- An Ironton, Ohio man who possessed drugs and guns in Huntington was sentenced to eight years in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Stuart commended the investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.

“Eight years in prison for yet another drug dealer with a gun,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “We are prosecuting record and historic numbers of drug and gun defendants to keep our children, our families and our communities safe.”

Bryan Patrick, 30, previously pled guilty to knowingly and intentionally possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. On September 26, 2018, officers with the Huntington Police Department responded to the Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington and found Patrick slumped over in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Patrick admitted to officers that he had used heroin earlier in the day and passed out. Officers recovered two loaded firearms between the driver’s seat and the center console in the vehicle. One firearm was a Walther PP22 semi-automatic pistol, which was fully loaded with a round in the chamber, and the other was a Kel-Tec 9mm semi-automatic pistol. In his pocket, Patrick had one package of methamphetamine that weighed approximately 8.22 grams and another package of methamphetamine that weighed 56.76 grams. Patrick also had digital scales in his vehicle. Patrick admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and that he carried the firearms for his protection.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman handled the prosecution. United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

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.

SDWVNewsandUSAttyStuart
 

LAREDO, Texas – A 39-year-old Mexican national has just admitted he assaulted a Border Patrol (BP) agent with a flashlight, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Melecio Lopez-Hernandez was arrested Feb. 7, 2019, after a BP agent encountered him walking through the brush south of Freer. He began to struggle as the agent attempted to detain him, during which time Lopez-Hernandez dislodged a flashlight that was clipped to the agent’s outer vest.

After verbally threatening him, Lopez-Hernandez then struck the agent in the head with the flashlight. The agent sustained injuries from the impact.  

Sentencing has been set for Sept. 17, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. At that time, Lopez-Hernandez faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing

The FBI and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting the case.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington man was sentenced today to 10 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Henry Davis, also known as “Hen”, 36, previously pled guilty to distributing heroin.

Davis admitted that on September 29, 2015 he distributed heroin to a confidential informant in Huntington. 

“Thanks to the excellent work of the Huntington Police Department, another heroin dealer is off the streets and headed to a federal pen,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Selling heroin is not a good career option.”

The Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.    United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie S. Taylor handled the prosecution.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman caught selling heroin last year in Huntington pled guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Tonya Lynn Thompson, 36, entered a guilty plea to distributing heroin in federal court in Huntington.  Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Drug Task Force and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department.

“Deadly and powerful fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  “Too many drug dealers like Thompson have peddled their poisons in Huntington.  We’re doing our best to hold drug dealers accountable.”

On July 11, 2018, an informant working at the direction of the Sheriff’s Department went to Thompson’s residence located at 831 15^th Street in Huntington to purchase heroin.  Insider the residence, Thompson sold the informant heroin in exchange for $140.  Thompson also admitted as part of her plea agreement that she assisted in the sale of fentanyl to an informant the prior day at her residence.

On July 16, 2018 deputies executed a search warrant at Thompson’s residence.  During the search, deputies recovered approximately 12 grams of fentanyl and approximately 48 grams of methamphetamine.  Also as part of her plea agreement, Thompson admitted that she distributed fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in Huntington between July of 2017 and July of 2018.  Thompson further admitted that she allowed others to stay in her residence for the purchase of storing and selling drugs. 

Thompson faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on August 5, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is handling the prosecution.  The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Stephen J. Taubert, age 61, of Syracuse, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby to serve 46 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, and to pay a fine of $1,000, following Taubert’s conviction after trial on charges that he threatened to kill Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA 43^rd District) and her staff, and separately threatened to kill former President Barack Obama.  The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Chief Matthew R. Verderosa, United States Capitol Police, and Special Agent in Charge Lewis Robinson, United States Secret Service, Buffalo, New York Field Office.

United States Attorney Jaquith said, “The jury unanimously found that Taubert targeted former President Obama and Representative Waters because of their race.  Racist threats to kill present and former public officials are not protected free speech, but serious crimes against both the victims and the rule of law that is the cornerstone of our republic.   As the trial verdict and sentence in this case illustrate, those who spew such vile, violent hatred will be held accountable.”

In March 2019, a federal jury found Taubert guilty of making several telephone calls to the Washington D.C. office of then-Minnesota Senator Al Franken in June 2017. In two of those calls, Taubert stated that he was planning to go to Washington D.C. the next day to “hang” former President Obama at his home and to kill him. In making these threats, Taubert repeatedly used vile racial slurs directed toward former President Obama.

The jury also convicted Taubert of threatening Congresswoman Maxine Waters on July 20, 2018. Taubert called the Los Angeles, California district office of Congresswoman Waters and stated that he would be at every event the Congresswoman attended and that he would kill her and every member of her staff. In making these threats, Taubert directed vile racial slurs toward Congresswoman Waters and her staff.

The evidence at trial included a recorded law enforcement interview of Taubert, during which he admitted that he called Congresswoman Waters’s office to “terrorize” her in retaliation for public statements she had previously made.

In addition to returning guilty verdicts on all three counts charged in the indictment, the trial jury made specific findings that Taubert selected his victims because of their actual or perceived race, color, or ethnicity, which provided for an enhancement under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines based upon hate-crime motivation.

This case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police, Threat Assessment Section, and the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Syracuse Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Michael F. Perry.

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

The one-count Indictment named Sean Zachary Horton, 29, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, Horton was in possession of a firearm and ammunition while having been previously convicted of felonies.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, 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.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Chad R. Parks is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.  This 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.
 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart provided the following statement regarding a federal investigation into the 2016 floods disaster relief:

“The deadly 2016 floods were a seminal event for West Virginia. Too many of our precious citizens lost their lives. Many other lives were terribly impacted. Critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, and water systems were destroyed or significantly interrupted. And too many West Virginians lost their most critical personal asset – their homes.  Many lives were literally turned upside down.  To this day, the future remains uncertain for too many of our friends and neighbors.

Post-disaster, the federal government committed millions of taxpayer dollars to disaster relief for recovery with the intent that the assistance would help rebuild lives and rebuild communities.  Critical federal resources through FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are essential to the rebuilding process and must be used wisely, timely and legally. 

Every available dollar for disaster relief must be spent on disaster relief.  Diversion, fraud, corruption or delay cannot and will not be tolerated.  

Desperate communities and West Virginians depend on critical, limited dollars to assist in recovery.  Desperate communities and West Virginians need certainty that in a future disaster intended assistance will be delivered timely and spent properly.  West Virginians need to be reassured that federal law enforcement is now investigating this matter.  Rest assured, my office is working with appropriate federal agencies to investigate the issues of disaster relief, and use of federal funds related to the historic 2016 floods and I can assure our citizens that any party that abused their position of authority, violated the public trust, or misused taxpayer dollars will be held accountable, if warranted.”

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BOSTON – Two parents charged in the college admissions case pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with paying a total of $600,000 to facilitate their children’s admission to college.

Bruce Isackson, 62, and Davina Isackson, 55, of Hillsborough, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Bruce Isackson also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2019.

As set forth in the charging documents, the Isacksons agreed to pay Singer, an amount, ultimately totaling $600,000, to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme for their younger daughter and the college recruitment scheme for both of their daughters. The Isacksons also underpaid their federal income taxes by deducting the bribe payments as purported charitable contributions. The Isacksons are cooperating with the government’s investigation.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.          

The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering. The charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, and Kristen A. Kearney of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the release of a district-wide Request for Proposals (RFP) under its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is a nationwide initiative, led by U.S. Attorneys, which brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

“More than $400,000 will be awarded to jurisdictions throughout the District of Minnesota to develop and implement tailored solutions to address the local violent crime, gang, and substance abuse issues plaguing their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “Leveraging resources such as these will bring us closer to our shared goal of reducing violent crime and making our communities safer for everyone.”

Approximately $413,791 in funding is now available to support locally developed, comprehensive violence reduction partnerships. Eligible applicants include nonprofit agencies and/or local units of government including cities, counties, townships, and tribal governments. The funding is administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs and will be awarded through a competitive process. The RFP is available here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/grants/Pages/default.aspx. Applications will be accepted until midnight (CDT), June 17, 2019.

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell has sentenced Kirk David Blank (50, Largo) to nine years in federal prison for transporting child pornography. The court also ordered Blank to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victims of his offense and to forfeit the electronic devices that he had used in the commission of the offense.

Blank had pleaded guilty on December 13, 2018.

According to court documents, Blank was a member of an online chat group where members discussed the sexual abuse of children and shared child pornographic images and videos. Between September 3 and September 13, 2017, Blank distributed multiple links to online cloud storage accounts containing images and videos that depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In total, the links that Blank shared contained approximately 2,630 child-pornographic images and videos. Blank admitted to law enforcement officers that he had shared the links with the group because he desired to be elevated to the position of an administrator in the chat group.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of illegally possessing firearms and attempting to tamper with evidence, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Nicholas John Padak, 31, pleaded guilty yesterday to four counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that a defendant named Erik Lowry operated a gun store known as Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms (PTF). Gun dealers are required to keep records on every firearm that is acquired or disposed of by the dealership, including those that are brought in for sale, trade, or repair. An ATF review of PTF’s books showed that defendant Nicholas Padak had brought two military-style rifles in for repair. Padak has a February 19, 2014 felony conviction in Beaver County for Theft by Unlawful Taking, which precludes him from lawfully possessing a firearm or ammunition.

ATF agents approached Padak on April 11, 2016, away from his residence, and he agreed to go with them to turn over his illegal firearms. Padak then surreptitiously phoned his mother, and agents at the home Padak shared with his mother observed her carrying multiple guns outside in an effort to hide them in the trunk of a car. ATF was able to seize the six firearms and ammunition belonging to Padak before they were removed from the premises. One of those guns was a 300 Blackout caliber semi-automatic Anderson short-barreled rifle, which is required to be registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, but was not. Padak also possessed a seventh firearm, which he purchased illegally on April 30, 2015, and later sold after picking it up from Lowry on July 30, 2015.

Erik Lowry, of McKeesport, was prosecuted and sentenced in January 2018 to 30 months in prison, followed by three years supervised release, and a fine of $30,000, for possessing an unregistered firearm, witness tampering, and attempting to tamper with evidence. Renaissance Electric, LLC, aka Pittsburgh Tactical Firearms, was also prosecuted and is no longer doing business.

Judge Ambrose scheduled Padak’s sentencing for September 3, 2019 at 10 a.m. The law provides for the forfeiture and destruction of the firearms and ammunition, as well as a total sentence of up to 50 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, 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 Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the successful conviction of both Lowry and Padak. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The government has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Attorney General announced the reinvigoration of PSN and all U.S. Attorney’s Offices were directed to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

St. Louis, MO – Donald Ray White, 69, Hannibal, MO, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $289,412.02 for embezzling monies from Antioch Baptist Church of Hannibal in which he was the treasurer in a scheme that lasted over two decades.   

As treasurer of Antioch Baptist Church of Hannibal, White independently oversaw the church’s bank account.  In this role, White was an authorized signatory on the bank account, made the majority of all deposits into the checking account, and was required to submit payments on behalf of the church. White was not entitled to a salary or payment for his services to the church. Investigation confirmed that while serving as treasurer, White fraudulently used the bank’s checking account to issue checks to himself and to make purchases on his behalf and the behalf of others.

Donald Ray White pleaded guilty in federal court to one felony count of wire fraud on January 4, 2019, and was sentenced today.

“Today’s sentence is the culmination of hard work and focused dedication by the Ralls County Sheriff’s Office and Hannibal Police Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.

After the sentence, Ralls County Sheriff Gerry Dinwiddie echoed U.S. Attorney Jensen’s comments.  He also recognized the members of the Antioch Baptist Church of Hannibal.  “The strength of this church community and its members has been exemplary.  They were absolutely critical in uncovering this fraud and have worked tirelessly to not let it define or diminish the church or themselves.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case along with the Ralls County Sheriff’s Department, the Hannibal Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Dianna R. Collins.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD WILLIAMS, 58, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and identity theft offenses stemming from a mail theft and check cashing scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams stole checks in a variety of ways and altered or filled out the checks to make them payable to him, his co-conspirators, or stolen identities that he has used.

One victim of this scheme was a Windsor resident who had written a check payable to American Express, mailed the check with his American Express bill, and later discovered that the check had been altered and cashed for $985.30.  Another individual whose identity Williams used to cash this check and commit other crimes was subsequently wrongly arrested by a local police department.

Other victims of this scheme include a West Hartford couple who had left a holiday card containing a $15 check for their newspaper delivery person outside of their mailbox, and later discovered it had been altered and cashed for $870; a West Hartford resident who learned that she had a box of checks she ordered stolen after Williams attempted to cash one of the checks for $400; and an individual who had personal checks stolen from a book he kept at his business, and was subsequently informed that Williams had deposited four of the checks totaling more than $5,000 into a bank account Williams had opened.

In total, between August 2016 and June 2017, Williams, or his co-conspirators, successfully cashed $27,311.35 in fraudulently obtained checks.  He, or others working with him, also attempted to cash $40,861.65 in fraudulently obtained checks.

Williams has been detained since his arrest on October 18, 2017.  On November 5, 2018, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Williams’ criminal history includes 74 arrests and numerous convictions, including convictions for forgery, larceny and burglary offenses.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of several police departments, including the South Windsor and East Hartford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Elena L. Coronado.

Jose Antonio Morales, 33, of Fort Pierce, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg to a total of 84 months in prison today, after having been convicted at trial of being a felon unlawfully in possession of a firearm and possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute the controlled substance  (Case No. 18-Cr-14056).   

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Ari C. Shapira, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office and Ken J. Mascara, Sheriff, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement.

According to the court record, including evidence introduced during the trial in West Palm Beach, in June 2018, law enforcement seized two pounds of high-grade marijuana and a loaded firearm from a safe in Morales’ bedroom while executing a search warrant at his residence in Fort Pierce.  When the search warrant was executed, Morales’ residence was occupied by five children.  A toddler was sleeping within a few feet of the safe where the loaded firearm and two pounds of marijuana were discovered.    

Morales is a convicted felon and was prohibited, by law, to possess a firearm and/or ammunition.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the ATF and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in this matter.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Porter and Marton Gyires.

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

St. Louis, MO – Sedina Unkic Hodzic, 39, of St. Louis County, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.  Sedina Unkic Hodzic appeared today before Judge Catherine D. Perry who accepted her plea and set her sentencing for August 9, 2019.  U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri, Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI’s St. Louis Division and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers made the announcement.

Charged in the indictment are: Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, and Armin Harcevic, all of St. Louis County, Missouri, Nihad Rosic, of Utica, New York, and Mediha Medy Salkicevic, of Schiller Park, Illinois. All defendants are charged with conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists, and with providing material support to terrorists.  Ramiz Zijad Hodzic and Nihad Rosic are also charged with conspiring to murder and maim persons in a foreign country.  Armin Harcevic pleaded guilty on February 25, 2019, and Mediha Medy Salkicevic pleaded guilty on March 21, 2019.  Ramiz Zijad Hodzic pleaded guilty on April 3, 2019.  The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty.  As is always the case, charges set forth in the indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Sedina Unkic Hodzic faces up to 15 years imprisonment and/or fines of up to $250,000.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the St. Louis FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, St. Louis Metropolitan and St. Louis County Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Drake, Howard Marcus and Kenneth Tihen of the Eastern District of Missouri and Trial Attorney Joshua Champagne of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.

St. Thomas, USVI – Aubrey Frett, 30, of St. Thomas was arrested today on an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert, announced. Frett made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and was detained pending further proceedings on May 9, 2019.

According to the indictment, on September 3, 2018, Frett was in possession of marijuana, crack cocaine and a firearm with an obliterated serial number when officers from the Virgin Islands Police department detained him on an unrelated matter.

If convicted of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, Frett faces a term of imprisonment of not more than five years and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, a term of not more than twenty years and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, a term of not more than five years in prison. On the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, Frett faces a consecutive five year term of imprisonment.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Virgin Islands Police Department investigated this matter and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – A Laurinburg man who sold firearms and cocaine was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.

TONY DEVONTA WHITE EVERETTE, 26, pleaded guilty on December 28, 2018, to two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, two counts of distribution of cocaine base (“crack”), one count of distribution of cocaine, and one count of possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. On April 29, 2018, EVERETTE was sentenced by United States District Judge William L. Osteen Jr. to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

On three occasions beginning on April 18, 2018, and ending onMay 18, 2018, EVERETTE sold firearms, crack cocaine, and cocaine powder to a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. EVERETTE sold two handguns, approximately 74 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately 27 grams of cocaine hydrochloride (powder) during that period, with all of those sales occurring in Scotland County, North Carolina. EVERETTE had previously been convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon in state court in Scotland County.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Laurinburg Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anand P. Ramaswamy for the Middle District of North Carolina.

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