CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Giovani Ramirez-Soto, 27, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin. Soto also pled guilty to being a removed alien unlawfully found in United States. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that beginning sometime in 2018 and continuing until July 26, 2018, the defendant conspired with co-defendant Humberto Martinez-Vega to sell heroin.

On July 26, 2018, a New York State Police Trooper conducted a traffic stop of a red Honda Accord, with Alabama license plates, driving on Route 20A in the Town of Warsaw in Wyoming County. The trooper approached the vehicle, which was being driven by Martinez-Vega with Ramirez-Soto as a passenger. Martinez-Vega gave the trooper an expired Georgia identification card, and told the trooper he was looking for work.

Martinez-Vega gave the trooper consent to search the vehicle. A NYSP K9 Trooper was brought to the scene. The K9 alerted to several areas of the vehicle and a subsequent search recovered 1,200 grams of suspected heroin, and approximately 421 grams of suspected methamphetamine hidden behind the front dashboard of the vehicle.

Further investigation determined that the defendants were illegally present in the United States.    

Charges remain pending against Humberto Martinez-Vega. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 25, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.

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NEW ORLEANS –U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that WILMER ADONYS OSORTO, a/k/a OMAR ORLANDO CUADRADO, age 41, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information with making a false statement in a United States passport application, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542.

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A Project Safe Neighborhoods - Amarillo Taskforce arrested four defendants while executing search warrants at two North Heights area crack houses, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

All defendants have been charged via criminal complaint with distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine or cocaine base, and all remain in federal custody pending trial.

Among those arrested during the PSN - Amarillo raid was Earnest Tywane Drone, 39, a well-known dealer who allegedly sold cocaine to a confidential government source last month.  Other defendants include: Joseph Dean Taylor, Treson Blake Fugit, and Trevon Montel Monroe.

Officers recovered crack cocaine, marijuana, and a pistol with ammunition during the raids, which occurred late last month.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods - Amarillo initiative – a coalition of federal and local law enforcement focused on a high-crime hotspot in Amarillo – uses a three-pronged approach that combines traditional enforcement with community outreach and recidivism reduction to drive down violent crime.

Criminal charges are merely an allegations of wrongdoing, not evidence. All defendants in this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The joint operation was conducted by Amarillo DPS – Criminal Investigation Division, Amarillo DPS – Texas Highway Patrol, Amarillo DPS Air-Wing, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Amarillo Police Department, the U.S. Marshals’ North Texas Fugitive Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Randall County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josh Frausto and Sean Taylor are prosecuting the case.

NEW ORLEANS– United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that COURTNEY C. DUPLESSIS (“DUPLESSIS”), age 30, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday for Theft of Mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1709.

According to court records, DUPLESSIS was employed by the United States Postal Service as a Letter Carrier originally assigned to the Carrolton Station Post Office and then to the Elmwood Station Post Office.  After an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), it was determined that on various dates from October 2017 to June 2018, DUPLESSIS stole several pieces of mail containing gift cards and cash. On June 19, 2018, special agents with the USPS-OIG determined DUPLESSIS opened an envelope and removed cash from the envelope. The USPS-OIG agents confronted DUPLESSIS and advised her of her Miranda rights. During an interview, DUPLESSIS admitted to opening several articles of mail and removing cash and gift cards. Agents discovered an additional 54 articles of mail during a subsequent search of DUPLESSIS’S personal vehicle.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced DUPLESSIS to three (3) years of probation.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the USPS-OIG.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

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St. Thomas, USVI – A federal Grand Jury returned an indictment against individuals including Akil Erickson, 26, of Orlando, Florida and Mikiel Robin, 21, of the British Virgin Islands, charging them with international money-laundering and bulk cash smuggling, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. The indictment also alleges that each defendant made false statements to Customs and Border Protection officers.

According to the indictment, in or about October of 2018, the defendants engaged in a conspiracy with other persons to transport United States currency from the British Virgin Islands to the United States while knowingly avoiding U.S. currency reporting requirements for reporting bulk cash exceeding $10,000. The indictment alleges that the cash was proceeds from the illegal sale of drugs and that the defendants were aware of the money’s origin. According to the indictment, each defendant falsely stated that he was not carrying in excess of $10,000 from the British Virgin Islands to the United States. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation of $138,000.

Robin and Akil Erickson appeared for arraignment on June 13, 2019, before Federal Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, the other two defendant, who remain unidentified at this moment, remain at large. Trial is scheduled for July 29, 2019.

Defendants face up to twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000 for money-laundering; up to five years imprisonment for each count of bulk cash smuggling; and up to five years imprisonment for making a false statement to a federal law enforcement officer.

United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter.

A Dallas area sex trafficker was sentenced today to 11 years in federal prison and ordered to pay his victim nearly $333,000, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

Gregory Bowden, aka “G,” pleaded guilty to a racketeering charge in January. 

In plea papers, Mr. Bowden admitted he recruited his 19-year-old victim, identified in court documents by her initials “R.R.,” in 2014.

He advertised her services on Backpage.com and trafficked her across Texas, from Odessa to Euless to Corpus Christi, using violence to force her to engage in commercial sex acts while he kept the proceeds.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater sentenced Mr. Bowden to 11 years behind bars and ordered him to pay $332,990 in restitution to R.R.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cara Foos Pierce prosecuted the case.

Anyone with information pertaining to possible human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, live 24/7, at 1-888-373-7888.

          LOS ANGELES– A Greek cargo ship operator and two chief engineers of one of its ships have been named in a five-count federal indictment charging them with failing to record the illegal dumping of oily waste into international waters and then obstructing justice by ordering the ship’s crew to lie about it.

          A federal grand jury returned the indictment on Thursday against:

• Capital Ship Management Corporation, a ship management company based in Piraeus, Greece;
• Ioan Luca, 54, a Romanian national and from October 2018 to January 2019 the chief engineer of the M/V CMA CGM Amazon, a Liberian-flagged container ship that is nearly 1,000 feet long and is managed by Capital Ship Management Corp.; and
• Ionel Surla, 60, a Romanian national and the chief engineer of the Amazon from May 2018 to October 2018, and who is believed to be in Romania.

          The defendants are charged with multiple felonies, including conspiracy to fail to maintain an accurate oil record book and to defraud the United States, failure to maintain an accurate oil record book, falsification of records in a matter of federal administration, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.

          Pursuant to international treaties and U.S. law, all large ships, such as the Amazon,are required to use pollution-control technology, including an oily water separator, to remove oil from bilge water that is discharged into the ocean.

          The indictment alleges that Luca and, previously, Surla ordered crew members to use a portable pump and flexible hoses in the ship’s engine room to transfer oil-contaminated bilge water to a tank designed to hold clean water, then dispose of the water directly overboard into international waters, avoiding use of the oily water separator.

          Luca and Surla then failed to record such discharges in the ship’s oil record book, a document required by federal law. The Amazon’s ports of call include various ports in Asia, Egypt, and Canada, as well as the Port of Los Angeles, according to the indictment. While at the Port of Los Angeles on January 11, the ship presented the false oil record book to U.S. Coast Guard inspectors during an inspection, the indictment alleges.

          Capital Ship Management and Luca also have been charged with obstruction of justice and witness tampering for allegedly instructing crew members to lie to the Coast Guard about events that occurred on the ship while at sea. In conducting the investigation, Coast Guard personnel relied on the statements of the ship’s crew as well as documents, the indictment states.

          If convicted of all charges, Luca faces a statutory maximum sentence of 61 years in federal prison while Surla faces a statutory maximum sentence of 11 years in federal prison. Capital Ship Management and Luca, who was arrested last month and is free on bond, were previously named in a criminal complaint.

          An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

          In a related case, Marian Gavriluta-Strat, 37, a Romanian national and the Amazon’s second engineer, has agreed to plead guilty to an information charging him with failure and causing the failure to maintain an accurate oil record book. Gavriluta-Strat is scheduled to enter a guilty plea to the charges on June 19. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of six years in federal prison.

          This case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service.

          This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Heather C. Gorman, Erik M. Silber, and Paul G. Stern of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.

A Federal Way, Washington, man was arrested this morning for possession of child pornography and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle this afternoon, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.  CHRISTOPHER SCOTT NEWCOMBE, 35, has worked as a music teacher in a variety of public and charter schools in the Puget Sound region.  Currently, he is an elementary music teacher in the Renton School District. 

            According to records filed in the case, KIK screens for explicit images on its messaging system and forwards information on those images to law enforcement.  In November 2018, Homeland Security Investigations was alerted to the transmitting of sexually explicit images of young boys involving an internet protocol address ultimately traced to NEWCOMBE.  Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for NEWCOMBE’s digital devices.  The warrant was executed this morning, and NEWCOMBE was charged with possession of images of child pornography.

            Since NEWCOMBE has been employed as a music teacher, Homeland Security is asking that those who have concerns and wish to communicate with law enforcement call 206-442-1469.  NEWCOMBE’s current teaching position is at Renton’s Cascade Elementary School, but his social media profiles indicate prior teaching positions at schools in Tacoma, Federal Way, and Bainbridge Island.

            The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Hampton.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Jason Kimmel, Sr., age 37, was indicted on June 11, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 13, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 5 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

Kimmel was convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in 2005.  As a result of this conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender for his natural lifetime.  It is alleged that between March 25, 2019, and April 24, 2019, Kimmel, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of conviction under Federal Law, failed to properly register as a sex offender.

The charge is merely an accusation and Kimmel is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.   

Kimmel was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Second Degree Murder following a jury trial in June 2017 was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Marlin Iron Crow, age 46, was sentenced on June 13, 2019, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The conviction stemmed from Iron Crow killing a man in November 2016 at Porcupine, by punching and kicking him in the head during an argument.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan J. Poppen prosecuted the case.

Iron Crow was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

NEW ORLEANS –U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ANGEL PERILLOUX, age 38, of Ponchatoula, pleaded guilty to a one-count bill of information charging her with obstruction of justice.

PERILLOUX faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of $250,000, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing for October 3, 2019.

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Greenbelt, Maryland –A federal jury has convicted Gerdandino Delgado-Escobar, a/k/a “Pumba,” age 24, of Hyattsville, a member of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion.  The verdict was returned late on June 13, 2019.

The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Assistant Director in Charge John P. Selleck of the FBI Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Field Division; Acting Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Chief Amal Awad of the City of Hyattsville Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

“We will not tolerate the fear and violence perpetrated by MS-13 in Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “This prosecution sends a strong message to MS-13 gang members that federal, state, and local law enforcement will continue to work together to find and bring to justice MS-13 members who prey on our neighborhoods.”

MS-13 is a violent gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13 often work together cooperatively as “Programs,” with the purpose of increasing the gang’s levels of organization, violence, extortion, and other criminal activity, and to assist one another in avoiding detection by law enforcement. 

According to trial evidence, in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, MS-13 generated income from various sources, including the extortion of money from businesses.  Targeted businesses included  drug dealers, brothels, unlicensed “stores” where food, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes were sold, as well as legitimate businesses, including food and beverage sellers and distributors. 

The evidence presented at the four-day trial proved that Delgado-Escobar was a member and associate of the Langley Park Salvatrucha (“LPS”) clique of MS-13.  From at least March 2013, Delgado-Escobar, working with other MS-13 members and associates, extracted weekly extortion payments known as “rent” from victim business owners for operating in territory controlled by the LPS and Sailors cliques of MS-13.  According to trial testimony, the payments were generally about $40 to $50 per week for beer delivery businesses and around $115 per week for brothel owners.  

As proven during the trial, Delgado-Escobar and his co-conspirators extorted numerous business owners operating in the Langley Park area.  Delgado-Escobar conspired with other MS-13 members and associates to obtain money from the victims through the use of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear.  According to the trial evidence, in one instance a victim who delivered beer was grabbed by the neck, had a gun put to his head and was threatened with the murder of his entire family if the victim did not pay MS-13 for operating a business in its territory. MS-13 members referred to these extortion payments as “rent.”

Delgado-Escobar remains detained pending his sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. 

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur thanked the FBI Washington and Baltimore Field Offices, HSI Baltimore, the DEA Washington Field Office, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, the City of Hyattsville Police Department, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation.  Mr. Hur commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys William D. Moomau and Catherine K. Dick, who are prosecuting this case.

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Assistant U. S. Attorney Sherri Walker Hobson (619) 961-0287

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY– June 14, 2019

SAN DIEGO –  Willian Estuardo Lemus Lara, a suspected high-level cartel boss from Central America, was arraigned in federal court today on maritime cocaine trafficking charges.

According to the documents filed in court, Lemus was the manager of the transportation and distribution cell responsible for facilitating multi-ton quantity cocaine loads via go-fast vessels on the high seas originating from Colombia and Ecuador to Costa Rica and Guatemala. The United States alleged that he sold his cocaine loads to Mexican drug trafficking organizations for transportation to the United States.

The United States further alleged that Lemus was involved in a two-year conspiracy and that he directed the movement of large quantities of cocaine in go-fast vessels across international waters, including facilitating refueling vessels on the high seas during their journey north.

Lemus was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 18, 2018. He was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on board a vessel, and international conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andy Schopler ordered the defendant detained without bond. Lemus’ next hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2019, before U.S. District Judge  Dana M. Sabraw.

 “Federal law enforcement officials worked together in three countries to successfully disrupt a dangerous drug trafficking ring that sought to smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Through effective partnerships and outstanding investigation, we intercepted significant loads of this highly addictive stimulant, stripped traffickers of drug profits, and helped to safeguard our communities.”

“I commend the government of Guatemala and all of our foreign and domestic law enforcement partners for their hard work.  Their support was instrumental in our joint effort to dismantle this international criminal organization's ability to bring dangerous drugs into our communities and ensure the perpetrators of such attempts are brought to justice,” said David Shaw, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “These type of aggressive and coordinated law enforcement efforts are critical to removing the threat posed by criminals flooding American communities with dangerous narcotics, and we will continue to work with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to bring transnational criminal organizations to justice.”

“DEA protects our communities by hunting down the head of the snake and bringing them to a U.S. courtroom to face U.S. justice,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “The apprehension of a suspected cartel leader highlights what we do best: Leverage all tools across U.S. law enforcement, our foreign counterparts, and work as one to take out anyone, anywhere who profits from the human misery of addiction.”

“This significant case demonstrates what we can accomplish together with intelligence, diligence and commitment to excellence,” said Pete Flores, director of field operations for San Diego.  “I commend the CBP task force officer and our partners at HSI, DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office who collaborated to identify, investigate, to bring this man to justice and disrupt this transnational criminal organization.”

During the investigation, federal agents seized approximately 5,900 kilograms, or 13,000 pounds, of cocaine.

This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

DEFENDANT                                                Case Number 18CR0390DMS                   

Willian Estraduo Lemus-Lara                         Age: 49           Guatemala

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Count 1 - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel

Maximum penalty: Life in prison, 10-year minimum mandatory; $1 million fine

Count 2 - International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances

Maximum penalty: Life in prison, 10-year minimum mandatory; $1million fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

U.S. Coast Guard

HSI Joint Task Force Investigations (JTF-I)

HSI Attaché Guatemala City, Guatemala

HSI  Attaché Mexico City Mexico

Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S)

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PROVIDENCE, RI –A registered sex offender who admitted to possessing child pornography and to sending sexually explicit text messages and images to a 14-year-old female via an online application has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

Michael Llorca, 48, of Providence, convicted of rape in Massachusetts in August 1997, and ordered to register as a sex offender, was arrested on January 18, 2018, after a Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigation determined that in October and November 2017, Llorca downloaded files of child pornography.

The investigation also determined that in November 2017, Llorca communicated online through a social media app with a 14-year-old girl. The communications were sexual in nature and Llorca sent the girl sexually explicit photographs.

Llorca’s online activities were brought to the attention of the ICAC Task Force by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Llorca pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on March 12, 2019, to possession of child pornography.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith sentenced Llorca to 10 years in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release. Llorca was ordered to register as a sex.

Llorca’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

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MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that William Guy, 51, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin, appeared in federal court this morning, following his extradition from Austria. 

Guy was arrested in Austria in April 2018 on federal charges of fraudulently obtaining a passport, and on numerous state charges.  At the time of his arrest, he had been a fugitive for more than seven years, and was on the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service’s most wanted list.  Guy fought extradition from Austria for almost a year, before finally being removed from the country this week.  Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker ordered Guy detained based on his flight risk, and set Guy’s federal trial date for October 28, 2019.

In addition to the federal charges, Guy faces charges of possessing child pornography, stalking resulting in bodily harm, false imprisonment, identity theft, victim intimidation, second degree sexual assault, kidnapping, bail jumping, and numerous other charges in Dane County Circuit Court.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The charges against Guy are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of the federal case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.  The prosecution of the state charges has been assigned to Assistant District Attorney Matthew Moeser.

Portland, Maine.  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced Nancy Ludwig, 65, of Lewiston, Maine, was convicted in U.S. District Court following a 5-day jury trial of health care fraud conspiracy, paying kickbacks, using fraudulent medical documents, and obstructing an audit.

According to testimony at trial, Ludwig was the owner of Facing Change, a mental health and substance abuse counseling agency in Lewiston.  Abdirashid Ahmed was a Somali interpreter. From about November 2015 until May 2018, Ludwig conspired with Ahmed and others to commit health care fraud.  The evidence showed that beginning in February 2015, Ludwig agreed to pay Ahmed a kickback in return for Ahmed bringing MaineCare beneficiaries to Facing Change.  Ahmed and other employees at Facing Change then submitted false claims to MaineCare for counseling and interpreter services.   In 2016, in response to a MaineCare regulatory change, Ludwig and Ahmed conspired to change the diagnosis of many of those clients to schizophrenia so they could remain eligible to receive MaineCare reimbursement for services at Facing Change.  In 2016, auditors with the MaineCare Program Integrity Unit audited Facing Change.  Ludwig and many of her employees conspired to manufacture false records in an attempt to deceive the auditor.  The fraud continued until May 1, 2018 when federal and state agents executed search warrants at Facing Change and Ahmed’s business.

Ludwig faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

On May 24, 2019, Ahmed pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud.  In addition to Ahmed and Ludwig’s convictions, five other individuals have been convicted of federal health care crime felonies for their involvement in this case and two other individuals have agreed to civil settlements.

These convictions and civil settlements are the result of a three-year collaborative investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Maine State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  The investigation started because of the auditing work done by the MaineCare Program Integrity Unit.

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Cameron Soto, 26, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to distribution of fentanyl.

According to court records, on March 14, 2017, the defendant distributed fentanyl to a resident of St. George, Maine who died as a result.  The following day, the defendant distributed fentanyl to a person working with law enforcement.

As a result of the plea, the defendant faces between 16 and 24 years in prison, a $2,000,000 fine and six years to life on supervised release.  He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Rockland Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut hosted its annual United States Attorney’s Office Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 14, in New Haven.  The ceremony at the City of New Haven’s aldermanic chambers recognized 126 individuals for their investigative efforts and other contributions to 24 significant federal criminal prosecutions and civil cases in Connecticut.  More than 40 of the award recipients are members of local police departments from across Connecticut.

“We in the U.S. Attorney’s Office are forever mindful that our work and success are dependent on the dedicated efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.  “On behalf of everyone in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, my sincere congratulations to all of our award recipients, many of whom put themselves at risk every day for the safety of our communities.”

In addition to the criminal and civil case awards, U.S. Attorney Durham presented several special awards during the ceremony.

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Investigator was presented to Special Agent Daniel Prather of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, for his outstanding and tireless work to reduce drug trafficking and associated gun violence across Connecticut during his 15-year career in federal law enforcement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Partnership was presented to State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.  State’s Attorney Griffin and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office have worked closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute some of New Haven’s most persistent and violent offenders, and on innovative efforts to reduce violent crime in the region.

The Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Unit Award was presented to a team of investigators who exposed a greater New Haven “fencing” operation that was responsible for nearly $10 million in losses to major retailers over the last decade.  Five individuals involved in the scheme were charged and convicted due to the work of the members of the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Connecticut State Police who conducted this investigation.

The Major Crimes Unit Award was given to Special Agent Ryan Mahar of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who was honored for expertly investigating complex child exploitation, fraud and identity theft offenses, and serves as a valuable resource to other investigators as a computer forensic specialist.

The National Security and Cyber Crimes Unit Award honored three Internal Revenue Service agents for their diligent investigation of a former police officer turned “Sovereign Citizen” who, for years, made numerous frivolous court filings and used other obstructive tactics while continuing to live in a home on which he never made a mortgage payment.

The Violent Crimes and Narcotics Unit Award was presented to Detective Frank Bellizzi, who recently retired after a 20-year career with the New Britain Police Department.  For 12 years, Detective Bellizzi served as a task force officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and played a critical role in investigating large-scale drug trafficking organizations, which resulted in the successful prosecution of dozens of federal defendants.

The Civil Division’s Affirmative Enforcement and Civil Rights Unit Award was given to

Professor Jon Bauer of the UConn School of Law for providing critical support to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in resolving an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint related to the alleged discrimination against individuals with mental health disabilities in the admission process for the Connecticut Bar.

The Civil Division’s Financial Litigation Unit recognized both Trial Attorney Ann D’Arpino of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and John Carroll, an Advisor with the Internal Revenue Service, for providing valuable assistance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for many years.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation.  The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 57 staff members at offices in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford.

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that EMMANUEL PRIVA, age 38, a citizen of Haiti, pleaded guilty Thursday, June 13, 2019 to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to two counts of visa fraud.  PRIVA admitted that from 2013 to 2018, he attempted to fraudulently obtain visas for more than 100 aliens, some of whom succeeded in obtaining visas to travel to the United States.

PRIVA ran the scheme from his home in Harvey, Louisiana, and other locations.  In exchange for money, PRIVA agreed to assist Haitian nationals in fraudulently obtaining visitor visas to travel to the United States.  After receiving payment from the Haitian nationals, PRIVA submitted online visa applications containing false information, created false documents to support the applications, and coached the aliens on how to deceive consular officers at interviews for the visas.  The scheme was focused on making it appear that the Haitian nationals intended to temporarily visit, as opposed to illegally immigrating to the United States.

At sentencing, which is scheduled for October 3, 2019, PRIVA faces maximum terms of imprisonment of (10) ten years for each visa fraud conviction and (5) five years for the conspiracy conviction, supervised release of up to three years, and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service’s Criminal Fraud Investigations and Overseas Criminal Investigations Divisions in jointly investigating this matter, with support from its New Orleans Resident Office.  U.S. Attorney Strasser also thanked the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate and the Haitian National Police’s Direction Centrale de la Police Judiciaire (Central Directorate of the Judicial Police) for their assistance. 

Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that defendant LARMONDO ALLEN, a/k/a “Nino,” 22 years of age, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty Thursday, June 13, 2019 before the Honorable Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Specifically, ALLEN pled guilty to a one count Superseding Bill of Information charging him with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  ALLEN faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, three years supervised release and a $100 special assessment fee.  ALLEN’S sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2019.    

U. S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the New Orleans Gang Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Privitera. 

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