ALBUQUERQUE – Earlier today, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., found probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Jose de Jesus Abundis-Gonzales, 36, and Norberto Perez-Zepeda, 33, both Mexican nationals illegally residing in the United States, with heroin trafficking charges. The Magistrate Judge also entered orders requiring that the two men remain in custody pending trial.

Abundis-Gonzales and Perez-Zepeda were arrested on Feb. 7, 2017, after DEA executed search warrants at the Albuquerque residences of Abundis-Gonzales and Perez-Zepeda and seized a total of 239 grams of heroin, more than $12,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. According to the criminal complaint, the heroin allegedly was packaged in small balloons, ready for retail distribution.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Abundis-Gonzales and Perez-Zepeda each face a statutory minimum penalty of five years and maximum of 40 years in federal prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.

The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.

HOUSTON – The 30-year-old former law enforcement official taken into federal custody last week has been ordered detained on allegations of production and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Andrew Craig Sustaita, who resided in Spring, was previously a Harris County deputy sheriff, but is no longer employed there.

A federal grand jury indicted Sustaita Feb. 1, 2017, on charges of possession and production of child pornography. He was taken into federal custody Thursday, Feb. 9. Today, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy who found he was a danger to the community and a risk of flight and ordered him to remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings. In making that determination. Judge Stacy noted the characteristics of the defendant, the substantial prison sentence he potentially faces as well as the nature and strength of the evidence. She found no condition or set of conditions that would assure the safety of the community and his continued appearances in court. She also noted that the crimes he is charged with committing would constitute a crime of violence.

During the hearing, the government contended that Sustaita has access to weapons, is dangerous and believes he is above the law. The court heard that Sustaita allegedly used his position of trust to abuse at least two children. The court heard arguments that he is facing at least 15 years in prison and, with his law enforcement training, he could be in a position to avoid capture and possible flee.

The court considered arguments from the prosecution that contended Sustaita posted images to a known child pornography website that are believed to be child erotica and that he had commented on other images on that same site. According to the information presented in court today, the investigation into the user name allegedly belonging to Sustaita found items on the Internet in various places including a pay-to-play bestiality website. Further information presented to the court included discussions of the amount and types of images authorities have discovered on two devices believed attributable to Sustaita. The court heard that one video includes a known young girl showering. Other images contain adult male genitalia allegedly of the defendant placed on or near another known young female’s head while she appears to be sleeping and others that include allegedly the same male attempting to expose that child’s genitalia.

If convicted of the sexual exploitation of a child charge (aka production of child pornography), Sustaita faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 and up to 30 years in federal prison. He also faces an additional 10-year-maximum sentence upon conviction of possessing child pornography. The charges are also punishable by a $250,000 maximum possible fine. Upon completion of any prison term imposed, Sustaita could also face up to life on supervised release during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect the children and prohibit the use of the Internet. Sustaita would also be required to register as a sex offender upon conviction.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

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

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

ALBUQUERQUE – Joseph Dubois, 37, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty last week in federal court to evading federal taxes evasion and fraudulently presenting a fictitious surety bond. The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez Jr. of the Phoenix Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge David A. House of the Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General.

Dubois, the owner and operator of Regency Development Group (RDG), a construction contractor located in Albuquerque, was charged by felony information with tax evasion and presenting a fictitious surety bond. According to the information, Dubois evaded his federal corporate tax obligations from Nov. 2011 to Oct. 2013, by opening and concealing a new bank account to circumvent tax liens, removing and dissipating assets to avoid their seizure, and by underreporting income and gross receipts. The information also alleged that Dubois created a materially false document, a surety bond, and fraudulently presented it as an actual security and financial instrument under the authority of a surety company.

On Feb. 8, 2017, Dubois pled guilty to the two charges in the information. In entering the guilty plea, Dubois admitted that as owner and operator of RDG, he evaded payment of $237,251 in federal employment taxes for tax years 2010 through 2012. Specifically, Dubois admitted that from Nov. 2011 through Oct. 2013, he opened a bank account which he used to divert funds in an attempt to circumvent liens and levies, and to evade payment of his tax liabilities. Dubois also acknowledged underreporting income and gross receipts to the IRS.

According to Dubois’s plea agreement, in Dec. 2011, RDG entered into contracts with the Ramah Navajo School Board to renovate a building at the Pine Hill School. The contracts required RDG to obtain and provide a surety bond. On Feb. 10, 2012, Dubois produced a materially false and fictitious surety bond which appeared to be an actual security under the authority of the Western Surety Company.

At sentencing, Dubois faces a statutory maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of IRS Criminal Investigation and Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Pena.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Putnam County man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleaded guilty today to a child pornography crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Scott Allen Forloine II, 36, of Scott Depot, entered his guilty plea to possession of child pornography.

Forloine admitted that in April 2015, he possessed over 600 images and videos of minors engaged in sexual acts. Many of the images and videos depict prepubescent minors. The images and videos were located on his personal computer located in his residence. The investigation also revealed that Forloine was using a peer-to-peer file sharing program to download, receive, and distribute child pornography.

“My office is committed to the fight against those who contribute to the exploitation and abuse of children,” said United States Attorney Casto. “We will use every available tool to work with our law enforcement partners to track these criminals down and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. The defendant is facing a significant sentence that should serve as a warning to anyone who victimizes children.”

The sentencing is scheduled for May 22, 2017.

The FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Parkersburg Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

This case is being brought as part of an ongoing initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.

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LAS VEGAS, Nev.–Three men, including two former felons, were arrested and face criminal charges after posting videos on Snapchat of themselves illegally shooting firearms which included a stolen firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI Las Vegas field office.

“The three defendants were arrested and charged with gun crimes. Criminals should take heed of these arrests. Law enforcement will utilize all resources at their disposal to protect citizens and to ensure safe Nevada communities for all to live in,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden.

“These arrests reflect the FBI's strong, collaborative partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and our common goal of making our city safer. Those who seek to live the gang lifestyle or exploit others through human trafficking should take note of the unified effort of the law enforcement community to stop their despicable pursuits,” said SAC Rouse.

Peryoun Newman, 25, Shavonte Hill, 29, both of Las Vegas, were charged by a criminal complaint for felon in possession of firearms. Co-defendant, Jevontae Caldwell, 24, of Las Vegas, was charged with possession of a stolen firearm by the same complaint. Newman and Hill are former convicted felons. In 2013, Newman was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery and pandering. In 2004, Hill was convicted of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, and in 2010, in both federal and state court, he was found guilty for being a felon in possession of a firearm. It is illegal for a felon to possess a firearm.

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 27, 2017, during the course of an investigation into a criminal street gang and human trafficking, law enforcement observed a live Snapchat video that depicted Newman, a self-proclaimed “Wood” street gang member involved in illegal activities, holding and firing a semi-automatic Draco pistol in an indoor shooting range with Hill, Caldwell, and others. In the Snapchat videos, the defendants discussed what kind of firearms they had in their possession and were shooting. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and detectives arrived at the indoor shooting range and observed the defendants placing a cardboard box into a vehicle’s trunk, then driving to an apartment. Newman, Hill, and Caldwell were arrested for probable cause. At the time of arrest, Caldwell had a 9mm semi-automatic EEA SAR Arms in his pants pocket and a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in a bag he discarded while attempting to escape apprehension. The .45 caliber was reported as stolen in Mesa, Arizona. During the execution of a search warrant of their vehicle and apartment, law enforcement found a .40 caliber semi-automatic Glock 23; a Draco 7.62X39mm pistol; a Master Piece Arm 9mm pistol with a 3” barrel; and a .40 caliber Glock 27, magazine wells, and ammunition.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina D. Silva.

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BECKLEY, W.Va. – A Greenbrier County man was sentenced today to two years in prison for a federal tax crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Brandon J. Black, 32, of Maxwelton, previously pleaded guilty to failing to pay employment taxes. He was also ordered to pay $632,583.18 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Black owned and operated a private security business in Lewisburg that provided services to businesses and individuals throughout West Virginia. The business underwent name changes, initially beginning as Professional Security Services and then operating as CLB Security as of 2014. Black admitted that he was responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying over to the IRS federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare taxes that were withheld from the wages of employees. Black further admitted that between January 2010 and June 2015, he withheld over $400,000 from employee paychecks and failed to pay over the money to the IRS. He also admitted that he failed to pay over more than $230,000 to account for his share of additional taxes as an employer. Black admitted that the total tax loss for his criminal conduct is over $630,000, and he also admitted that he owes that same amount to the IRS as restitution.

This case was investigated by agents of the IRS – Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, and the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner – Fraud Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Bacaj is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Texas man, formerly of Charleston, was sentenced today to six months in federal prison for a financial crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Kevin Mabone, 56, previously pleaded guilty to misappropriating government funds. He was also ordered to pay $6,684.40 in restitution.

Mabone admitted that in 2014 and 2015, while he was the director of social development at the Charleston Job Corps Center, he used government credit cards to fuel his personal vehicle, rather than using the credit cards for legitimate, work-related purchases. He further admitted that from 2007 through 2012, while he was employed at the Miami Job Corps Center in Florida, he stole from the government in the same manner—by misusing government credit cards for personal fuel purchases. Mabone admitted that the total amount stolen from both locations was at least $6,684.40.

The sentencing hearing in this matter was originally scheduled for January 24, 2017. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., continued the sentencing until February 13, 2017, pending the United States Probation Office’s further investigation into this case. In the interim, the Court found that Mabone violated the conditions of his pretrial release because a felony warrant was issued for Mabone’s arrest in Dallas County, Texas, for theft of property. As a result, Mabone has been in federal custody since January 30, 2017.

The General Services Administration Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriele Wohl is handling the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Cross Lanes man was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine with his wife, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Matthew Little, 39, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. Sherri Little, the wife of Matthew Little, was previously sentenced to three years and fourth months in prison for a federal drug charge.

Matthew Little admitted that from early 2014 until December 2014, he conspired to distribute methamphetamine with his wife, Sherri Little. Matthew Little further admitted that he and his wife would sell methamphetamine, either from their residence in Cross Lanes or at different locations throughout Cross Lanes. On September 9, 2014, Matthew Little told a confidential informant working with law enforcement to go to his home for a drug deal. Once the confidential informant arrived at the house, Sherri Little called her husband to confirm the details of the drug deal. After the conversation with her husband, Sherri Little sold methamphetamine to the confidential informant.

On December 11, 2014, Matthew Little was arrested and law enforcement recovered several bags of methamphetamine from his vehicle. Matthew Little also admitted that he possessed three guns that were located in a backpack containing additional methamphetamine found during a search of a vehicle registered to his wife.

The cases against Matthew and Sherri Little were investigated by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Frail is in charge of the prosecution. United States
District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over these cases.

These cases are being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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SAN FRANCSICO – San Francisco residents Howard Hsu and his mother, Tracy Chang, were convicted today following a one-week trial for conspiring to file fraudulent corporate income tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Hsu, 36, owned and operated Didsee Corporation (Didsee), a Nevada company that provided advertisement marketing services to online websites and marketplaces.  Tracy Chang, 65, was Disdee’s bookkeeper and was listed as the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director.  Chang opened bank accounts for the business, transferred money between the various accounts, and paid Didsee’s bills.

Hsu and Chang conspired together to file fraudulent 2008 through 2009 corporate income tax returns, and an amended 2007 corporate tax return, cheating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) out of approximately $400,000.    Hsu provided false summaries to Didsee’s return preparers, which claimed business expenses that were never incurred and included Hsu’s personal expenses.  Chang signed the fraudulent returns as Didsee’s President.   

“Owners can’t use their businesses as piggybanks, paying personal expenses out of their corporate accounts and falsely claiming them as business expenses,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg.  “All employers are legally required to file accurate and complete returns and pay their fair share – just like their employees.”

“This case was not about a mistake or a misunderstanding, it was about greed ,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI).  “Tracy Chang agreed to help her son, Howard Hsu and his business cheat the IRS.  Hsu fabricated millions of dollars in expenses and Chang knew the expenses were false.  She maintained the books and signed the tax returns while Hsu gave the CPA the “cooked books”.  In today’s economic environment, it’s more important than ever that the American people feel confident that everyone is playing by the rules and paying the taxes they owe.”

A date for sentencing has not yet been scheduled.  Hsu and Chang face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years in prison for the false return counts.  Hsu and Chang also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Stretch thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Sampson and Trial Attorney Matthew Kluge of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case.

          The long-time manager of a Hoquiam wood shavings business was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to three years in prison andthree years of supervised release for thirteen federal felonies related to his theft of $1.3 million from a family business, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. WILLIS D. “BILL” LONN, JR., 68, of Aberdeen was convicted in October 2016 of nine counts of mail fraud, two counts of income tax evasion, one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property following a six-day trial. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said LONN “profoundly abused the trust of his employer [and] callously betrayed family members and took what belonged to the company.”

          “This defendant did not commit just a single act of embezzlement, rather, over the course of years, he stole from the company almost every day,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “He betrayed the trust of his family members to satisfy his greed and then used the stolen money to start his competing business harming his victims even further.”

          According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, LONN was a long time manager for Long Beach Shavings Company (LBS). The company was owned by LONN’s uncle and cousins and was based in California. The company had one plant in Hoquiam, Washington where it processed wood shavings for use on farms, at horse shows or in pet stores. LONN had worked at the Hoquiam plant for about a decade when he launched a scheme in the 2000s to steal and sell the wood shavings products for his own enrichment. LONN did this by selling the shavings directly to customers in Washington and Oregon without turning the proceeds over to the company. Later in the scheme, LONN arranged to get wood chips for free from a Montesano lumber mill, but he informed the parent company that an entity named M & R Lumber needed to be paid for the wood shavings. LONN posed as M & R Lumber and created phony invoices that he mailed to LBS to bill them for the shavings. LONN then kept the money. Between the two schemes LONN obtained more than $1.3 million from LBS. He was terminated by the company in 2011 when the full scope of the scheme came to light.

          Testimony at trial revealed that LONN never paid income taxes on the ill-gotten gain in tax years 2009 and 2010. Had LONN reported the income his tax bill for those years would have increased by more than $80,000.

          “At this time of year most Americans are busy fulfilling their obligations as citizens of our country by preparing and filing honest and accurate tax returns. However, a small percentage of the population selfishly shuns their civic duty by dodging the tax laws that the majority of us observe,” stated Special Agent in Charge Darrell Waldon of IRS Criminal Investigation. “When this happens, IRS Special Agents stand ready to defend our nation’s tax system by bringing scofflaws to justice and ensuring a level playing field for all of us.”

          Anthony Galetti, Inspector in Charge of Seattle Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, stated, “Today’s sentencing confirms that anyone who uses the U.S. Mail to operate a fraud scheme will be held accountable. I’m pleased to see justice in a case which had such an impact on the community of Hoquiam.”

          The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

          The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian D. Werner and Nicholas Manheim.

          A U.S. District Court jury found a former Des Moines, Washington man guilty of producing and possessing images of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. ROBERT D. THORSON, 58, was arrested May 30, 2016, after his girlfriend called Des Moines police after finding sexually explicit images of minors on THORSON’s phone. Over the three-day trial jurors heard testimony about images on THORSON’s phone, computer, thumb drives and DVDs. Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez scheduled sentencing in the case for March 12, 2017.

          According to records in the case and testimony at trial, THORSON’s girlfriend examined his phone looking for evidence he was seeing other women. Instead she found images of THORSON molesting young girls who resided in her home. The woman called Des Moines Police and THORSON was arrested. When investigators examined THORSON’s electronic devices they found images showing THORSON disturbing the clothing and bedding of sleeping children so he could make sexually explicit photos. THORSON’s clothing, tatoos and body parts appear in some of the images. THORSON’s electronic devices also contained images from a hidden camera installed in a bathroom at the home that captured minor children using the bathroom and the shower. While THORSON was in custody he sent letters to his former girlfriend threatening her and demanding she change her statements to police.

          Production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison.

          The case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

         The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs and Special Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson. Ms. Gregson is Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney specially designated to prosecute child exploitation cases in federal court.

SAN JOSE- A federal grand jury indicted ten South Bay residents for conspiring to commit extortion by force and conspiring to engage in drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Special Agent in Charge Ryan Spradlin.  According to the indictment unsealed today, seven of the defendants conspired to extort drug dealers while the other three defendants conspired to engage in trafficking methamphetamine. 

According to the indictment, the following defendants conspired to engage in extortion:

• Velarmino Escobar-Ayala (aka Meduza)
• Tomas Rivera (aka Profugo, aka Caballo)
• Ismael Alvarenga-Rivera (aka Casper)
• Willfredo Edgardo-Ayala (aka Chino)
• Jose David Abrego-Galdamez (aka Largo)
• Melvin Lopez (aka Sharky)
• Alexander Martinez-Flores (aka Pocar)

In addition, the indictment alleges that these defendants conspired to obtain property from drug dealers in Santa Cruz by threatening violence against the dealers and other persons close to them.  Further, the indictment alleges the defendants had a plan and purpose to engage in the extortion and threatened force, violence, and fear to obtain money that was demanded.  The seven defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion by force in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a).

Also, the indictment alleges defendants Gerber Morales (aka Choco), Emilio Escobar-Albarnga (aka Diablo), and Josue Alcedis Escobar-Cerritos (aka Penguino) were engaged in a conspiracy engage in drug trafficking.  According to the indictment, from March of 2015 until the present, the three defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams of more of a mixture of substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(B)(viii).

According to additional court papers filed by the government today, the current charges in this case stem from a multi-year investigation into the activities of a violent Santa Cruz street gang known as Santa Cruz Salvatrucha Locos 13 (SCSL13).  The government’s papers state that “SCSL13 is a subset of the larger Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) gang organization.”  According to the government, the defendants all are alleged to be either active members or recruits performing criminal tasks on behalf of SCSL13. 

The defendants were arrested this morning as part of a criminal enforcement operation that included more than 200 local and federal law enforcement personnel.  The coordinated arrests and searches took place in three cities – Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and Daly City.  Defendants made appearances before the Honorable Nathanael Cousins, U.S. Magistrate Judge. 

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  The maximum statutory sentence for a conviction of conspiracy to commit extortion is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  A conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum prison term of 40 years, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Alioto and William Edelman are prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the HSI. 

LAFAYETTE– A former detective with the Ville Platte Police Department was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for filing a false report to cover up a civil rights violation, announced U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley of the Western District of Louisiana and Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Nathaniel Savoy, 39, pleaded guilty to the crime in November 2016. At the plea hearing, Savoy admitted that he conspired with a civilian to burglarize a local hardware store, and used his official authority as a law enforcement officer to cover up his criminal activity. Around midnight on March 8, 2015, Savoy and his accomplice drove to Doug Ashy Building Materials in Ville Platte, La., in Savoy’s police department-issued truck. An on-duty police officer who was patrolling the area noticed their suspicious behavior and drove over to investigate. Savoy falsely told the officer that he was checking on local businesses to prevent burglaries. Satisfied with Savoy’s explanation, the police officer drove away. Savoy then dropped off his accomplice and instructed him to break in and steal 20 packs of shingles for a construction project Savoy was working on in his spare time. Savoy then responded to a traffic stop across town to create an alibi, and as the senior officer on the scene, ordered the other officers to check houses and local businesses on that side of town, which was miles from the hardware store. Savoy then returned to the hardware store with his accomplice and loaded the shingles onto the bed of his pickup truck and drove off. The next day, having realized that he might have been caught on surveillance video, Savoy wrote and filed a police report in which he falsely stated that he happened to find several packs of shingles by the side of the road, and he loaded them onto his truck for safekeeping. Savoy filed the false police report with the intent to obstruct an investigation into his conspiracy to deprive the hardware store of property.

“The vast majority of American law enforcement officers conduct themselves with honor,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Wheeler. “But when an officer violates his or her oath and breaks the law, as did Mr. Savoy, the Department of Justice stands ready to enforce the law and protect the civil rights of all Americans.”

“The people of this District deserve to have law enforcement officers working in their communities who follow the laws they are sworn to uphold,” said U.S. Attorney Finley. “Savoy’s actions are not representative of the majority of officers who risk their lives every day to protect and serve. We will continue to work with our local and federal partners to investigate and prosecute those who violate their oath to protect and serve their communities.”

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Lafayette Division and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christopher J. Perras of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla Bynog of the Western District of Louisiana.

Memphis, TN – A Memphis man has been convicted on seven counts of armed robbery affecting interstate commerce. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the verdict today.

According to information presented in court, during the month of January 2016, Eugene Cox, 23, and Squantivia S. Patterson, 23, both of Memphis; and Terry Farris, 38, of Millington, participated in multiple armed robberies of seven Memphis businesses: Shoney’s, Family Dollar, Krystal’s, Circle K, Church’s, Subway and Beauty and Beyond.

The guilty verdict followed a jury trial before the Honorable Sheryl Lipman, U.S. District Judge. Evidence at trial showed Terry Farris, along with Eugene Cox and Squantivia Patterson committed two robberies together.

On January 13, 2016, the trio robbed the Shoney’s at 308 Covington Pike. Later that evening, the men robbed Circle K at 6133 Macon. Cox and Patterson were captured on surveillance video inside the Circle K, while Farris remained outside of the business and served as the lookout. After the robbery of Circle K, the men parted ways.

On January 14, 2016, Farris robbed Family Dollar at 2711 Getwell and Krystal’s at 3675 Lamar. On January 16, 2016, he robbed Church’s at 925 Poplar. That same day, Cox and Patterson robbed Subway at 2938 Covington Pike. While committed on the same day, the robberies were unrelated. Cox and Patterson committed their last robbery on January 23, 2016, at the Beauty and Beyond beauty supply, 9024 Covington Pike.

As a result of the Memphis Police Department’s investigation, latent prints lifted from the crime scene at Family Dollar were determined to be the same inked impressions belonging to Farris. The investigation also yielded surveillance video from Family Dollar, Krystal’s and Church’s along with victims’ identification of Farris from photo line-ups.

For the seven counts, the penalty is a mandatory minimum of 35 years and up to life in prison. Sentencing is set for May 26, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.

The case was investigated by detectives from the Memphis Police Department’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Hartridge and Kevin Whitmore prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jacob Daniel Anthony, 22, of Weston, West Virginia, was sentenced to five years probation for possession of stolen firearms, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Anthony stole a .45 caliber pistol, a 12-guage shotgun and a 20-guage shotgun in Lewis, Upshur and Harrison Counties in August 2015. He pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearms” in March 2016.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Weston Police Department investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jason Wayne Russell, 39, of Moorefield, West Virginia, was sentenced to 33 months incarceration for distributing heroin, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Russell collaborated with other individuals to travel to and from Baltimore to distribute heroin in June 2015. He pled guilty to one count of “Interstate Travel in Furtherance of a Drug Crime” in August 2016.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Blackburn, 26, of Elkins, West Virginia, was sentenced to 19 month incarceration for illegally possessing a stolen firearm, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

In April 2016, Blackburn possessed a 9mm pistol and a .380 caliber pistol. Blackburn had previously been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence in Randolph County Magistrate County in April 2009. Blackburn pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” in December 2016.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

Michael S. Putman, 50, of Belleville, was charged on Saturday, February 11, 2017, with a one-count criminal complaint of Bank Robbery. The alleged violation took place on Friday, February 10, 2017 in Collinsville, Madison County, Illinois. Today, the Court ordered that Putman be detained without bond pending indictment.

The offense charged in the complaint alleges that on February 10, 2017, Michael Putman committed the offense of Bank Robbery in that he by force, violence and intimidation, took from the presence of another, money belonging to and in the care and custody, control, management, and possession of the Regions Bank in Collinsville, Illinois.

If convicted, the defendant faces a term in prison of up to 20 years, a fine up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to five (5) years.

A criminal complaint is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The case was investigated by the Collinsville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Illinois State Police, East St. Louis Police Department and the United States Marshal Service. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.

Adrianna C. Frye-Williamson, 20, of Springfield, Illinois, was charged in a criminal complaint on Saturday, February 11, 2017, with two counts of Bank Robbery. The alleged violations took place on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, and Thursday, February 9, 2017 in Glen Carbon, Madison County, Illinois. Today, the Court ordered that Frye-Williamson be detained without bond until a bond hearing on February 16, 2017.

The offenses charged in the complaint allege (1) that on January 20, 2017, Adrianna C. Frye-Williamson committed the offense of Bank Robbery in that she by force, violence and intimidation, took from the presence of another, money belonging to and in the care and custody, control, management, and possession of the National Bank in Edwardsville, and (2) that on February 9, 2017, Adrianna C. Frye-Williamson committed the offense of Bank Robbery in that she by force, violence and intimidation, took from the presence of another, money belonging to and in the care and custody, control, management, and possession of the U.S. Bank in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

If convicted, the defendant faces a term in prison of up to 20 years on each count, a fine up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to five (5) years.

A criminal complaint is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The cases were investigated by the Edwardsville Police Department, Glen Carbon Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Springfield Illinois Police. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert Sales, 34, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, was sentenced to four years probation for violating the Maryland Firearm Safety Act, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, announced.

Sales traveled from Pocahontas County to Maryland and unlawfully delivered two .223 caliber pistols in March 2014. He pled guilty to one count of “Procure the Delivery of a Firearm into a State Where Possession is Illegal” in September 2016.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.