Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Ronald Maurice Smith, age 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, on the federal charges of extortion and being a felon in possession of a gun.  A related criminal information was also filed charging Philip Michael Loverde, age 38, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, with extortion.  The indictment and criminal information were both filed on December 18, 2019. 

The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to Smith’s 10-count indictment, from January 2014 to February 2016, Smith, who was a supervisor in the Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ Water and Waste Management Division (DPW), personally enriched himself and others by using Baltimore City employees, equipment, and materials to install new and upgraded water, sewer, and fire line services for private developers and property owners without obtaining the required permits, approvals, and inspections, without paying the Baltimore City fees for water, sewer, and/or fire line service installation permits and traffic control, and without installing water meters while charging lower prices to the private developers and property owners than City-approved, bonded, and licensed utilities contractors would charge.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that Smith used his authority as a DPW supervisor to cause DPW workers, using DPW equipment, to make a street cut to access the public water main, and install a pipe to connect the water main to a location for a water meter vault, and from that location to a private property, all without obtaining the necessary permits.  Smith was paid in cash by the private property owner or developer either because Smith asked for a cash payment or because Smith caused his co-conspirator, licensed plumber Philip Loverde, one of the owners of All Service Plumbing and Drain Cleaning and All Service Plumbing and Heating, to create a false All Services invoice to submit to the private property owner or developer, when in fact, the indictment alleges that Smith and DPW crews performed the work.  According to the indictment, when All Services was paid, Loverde cashed the check and provided the cash to Smith.  

The indictment alleges that to conceal the scheme, Smith caused other DPW employees to create and submit false DPW service requests and work orders.  According to the indictment, Smith caused DPW personnel to place metal plates over the street cuts DPW personnel made to install the new water service and eventually used DPW equipment, personnel, and materials to re-pave where the street cuts and excavation had occurred.  The indictment alleges that Smith received at least $64,000 as a result of the scheme.  

Finally, on February 5, 2016, Smith, who has a previous felony conviction, allegedly illegally possessed a .380-caliber handgun.

If convicted, Smith and Loverde each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for extortion under color of official right.  Smith also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a gun.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  An initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, has not yet been scheduled for Smith or Loverde.

An indictment or criminal information is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment or criminal information is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joyce K. McDonald, who is prosecuting these cases.

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SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a federal grand jury in Shreveport returned a three-count indictment on December 18, 2019, charging Michael Jarred Gentry, 32, of Shreveport, with second degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, resulting in death. Local authorities arrested Gentry on June 22, 2019, in connection with the death of Antonio Williams, a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier.  Gentry has been in custody since his arrest.   

According to the indictment, Gentry shot and killed Antonio Williams on the morning of June 22, 2019, while Mr. Williams was working his mail delivery route on Dudley Drive in Shreveport. The indictment further charges that Gentry was a felon at the time he possessed the Romarm/Cugir WASR-10 and ammunition used in furtherance of the second degree murder charge. Gentry is a convicted felon and under federal law, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition.

Michael Gentry is scheduled to be arraigned on January 9, 2020, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby. If convicted, Michael Jarred Gentry faces up to life in prison for the second degree murder charge, 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and 10 years in prison for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Shreveport Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.  U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown are prosecuting the case.  The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office also has pending homicide charges against Gentry and is working collaboratively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of this matter.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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          SANTA ANA, California– A Laguna Beach lawyer was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for submitting dozens of fraudulent visa petitions to U.S. immigration authorities and for failing to report her illicit funds to the IRS.

          Mihae Park, 54, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who scheduled a March 6 hearing on the amount of restitution to be paid.

          Park pleaded guilty on May 16 to a two-count information charging her with visa fraud and filing a false tax return.

          Between 2000 and 2017, Park submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) more than 200 immigrant and non-immigrant work visa petitions that had false information. The petitions sought visas for foreign nationals based on false claims that they were going to work in highly skilled or executive positions at various businesses, when, in reality, they would not be employed by those companies, or they worked in low-level positions for which a visa would not be available. Among other false information contained in the visa petitions, Park claimed that she was employed by the petitioners under the alias Michelle Park, stated the businesses had employees who were actually deceased or retired people, listed the same people as employees at multiple petitioners, used bogus Social Security numbers for employees of petitioners, and submitted fake tax returns for work visa petitioners.

          The charging information cited two particular examples of Park’s visa fraud that occurred in 2013, when she submitted two fictitious petitions on behalf of an Orange County educational company. The petitions were submitted for two people she claimed would work there, respectively, as a Chinese language teacher and as a music instructor. In reality, the company did not know or hire the two work visa beneficiaries, and the company did not offer classes in Chinese language or music.

          “The crux of [Park’s] fraud was that she submitted petitions on behalf of entities without their knowledge, for the benefit of individuals who were not their employees, and disclosed none of that to CIS,” prosecutors wrote in the government’s sentencing papers.

          Park also admitted filing false tax returns for the years 2009 through 2014 by failing to report receipts totaling $763,418 for this time period. As a result of her underreporting of her business income, Park admitted in her plea agreement that she owes the IRS $266,988 in unpaid federal income tax over this six-year period.

          The government seized $292,482 that Park received for the filing of fraudulent visa petitions, and also seized a 2012 Ferrari California and a 2015 Volkswagen GTI that Park purchased with the visa fraud proceeds.

          This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and IRS Criminal Investigation.

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lawrence E. Kole of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Brent A. Whittlesey of the Asset Forfeiture Section.

Seattle – A former project manager for Portland, Oregon-based shipbuilder Vigor Marine LLC, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 51 months in prison for his scheme to defraud his employer out of approximately $1.5 million, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.  SHELTON LAYNE SMITH, 50, of Portsmouth Virginia was indicted in June 2019 and pleaded guilty to wire fraud on September 26, 2019.  At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik found that SMITH had obstructed justice by making false statements to FBI agents and urging a co-conspirator to lie to investigating agents.  SMITH was also ordered to pay $1,483,802 in restitution.

“This fraud could have resulted in the shipbuilder being barred from government contracts – a key source of shipbuilding work,” said U.S. Attorney Brian Moran. “In order to line his pockets, this defendant put the future of his employer and its 2,300 person work force at risk.”  

According to records filed in the case, in 2016 and 2017, SMITH served as the project manager on the renovation of two U.S. Coast Guard cutters called the “Bertholf” and the “Waesche.”  The renovations took place at Vigor’s Seattle facility. SMITH was responsible for selecting vendors and approving payments to them for equipment and services related to the renovations.  Smith admitted in a plea agreement that, in this role, he fabricated invoices from a fictitious company called “Marine Service Solutions” (MSS).  The fraudulent invoices caused Vigor to pay out approximately $1.5 million for work that was never done and equipment that was never provided.  SMITH used the fraud proceeds for his own purposes, including to finance his gambling activities. 

SMITH’s scheme to defraud was an elaborate charade.  SMITH persuaded a legitimate Vigor vendor to serve as a “pass-through” entity that received invoices from MSS, marked up the cost of the services, and passed on the fraudulent expenses to Vigor.  The local vendor was not aware that Marine Service Solutions was not a real company.  SMITH also misled a long-time acquaintance in Mississippi into setting up a bank account for MSS, cashing the checks, and funneling most of the proceeds to SMITH.  In emails, SMITH posed as the Mississippi man, making it appear as if the Mississippi man was the owner of MSS. 

When questioned by the FBI, SMITH repeatedly lied about MSS and encouraged his acquaintance in Mississippi to stick to a false story about the company.

Vigor terminated SMITH in 2017, after discovering that SMITH had mishandled the Bertholf project.  SMITH’s successor discovered the fraud, and Vigor reported the crime to the FBI. 

The case was investigated by the FBI.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard J. Sherwood, age 59, of Guilderland, New York, was sentenced today to 54 months in federal prison for conspiring to steal approximately $11.8 million from estates for which he served as an attorney and fiduciary. 

The announcement was made by:

• United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith;
• New York Attorney General Letitia James;
• James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
• Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation.

Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Sherwood to serve a 1-year term of supervised release, to pay $5,560,505 in restitution, and to forfeit the following as proceeds of his crimes: 12 bank and brokerage accounts, and a house overlooking Galway Lake in Saratoga County.

In a related case prosecuted by the New York Attorney General’s Office, Sherwood pled guilty, in Albany County Court, to grand larceny in the first degree, and was sentenced this afternoon to a concurrent term of 3 to 9 years in state prison.

Sherwood’s co-conspirator, Thomas K. Lagan of Cooperstown, New York, was sentenced on December 11 to 78 months in federal prison, to run concurrent with a state sentence of 4 to 12 years in prison.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith stated: “Our society depends on attorneys to be honest and ethical.  Richard Sherwood desecrated that trust when he stole millions of dollars from clients who relied on him to transfer their money to churches and other beneficiaries after they died.  His seven-year criminal conspiracy is all the more disturbing because Sherwood was also Guilderland Town Justice at the time.  Today’s sentence punishes Sherwood for his despicable conduct and requires him to repay every last dime that he stole.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge James N. Hendricks stated: “Richard Sherwood stole millions of dollars from estates meant for charities, churches, and civic organizations, while at the same time serving as an elected judge. Today’s sentencing affirms that the FBI has zero tolerance for attorneys who exploit their clients, and we will continue to work with our partners to make sure these criminals are brought to face justice.”

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen stated: “As demonstrated by the sentencing of co-conspirator Thomas Lagan last week and now Mr. Sherwood’s sentence today, IRS-Criminal Investigation continues to make tax law enforcement a key priority. Protecting victims is also one of our most important objectives. The sentences imposed in these cases illustrate the consequences of lying and stealing from the federal government and innocent taxpayers. They also underscore the government’s commitment to prosecuting tax fraud. Today’s sentence should serve as a warning and deterrent to others.”

Sherwood practiced primarily in the area of trusts and estates.  Starting in about 2006, he provided estate planning and related legal services to Capital Region philanthropists Warren and Pauline Bruggeman, and to Pauline’s sister, Anne Urban, all of Niskayuna, New York.  Sherwood was advising the Bruggemans when, in 2006, they signed wills directing that all their assets go to charities, churches and civic organizations, aside from bequests to Anne Urban and Julia Rentz, Pauline’s other sister.

Warren Bruggeman died in April 2009, and Pauline died in August 2011.  At the time of her death, Pauline had personal and trust assets valued at approximately $20 million.

In pleading guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy and filing a false tax return, Sherwood admitted that after Pauline Bruggeman’s death, he and Lagan conspired to steal millions of dollars from her estate as well as from Anne Urban, who died in 2013.  Their conspiracy came to include the diversion and transfer to themselves of several million dollars belonging to Julia Rentz, a resident of Ohio, who was suffering from dementia at the time of the thefts and died in 2013. 

Sherwood admitted that he and Lagan stole $11,831,563, and that nearly $3.6 million was transferred outright to him, with an additional $1.96 million transferred to an entity, Empire Capital Trust, LLC, that he and Lagan controlled.  Sherwood also admitted that he transferred to himself the Bruggeman family camp located on Galway Lake. 

Sherwood admitted that he and Lagan induced Anne Urban to create a trust whose purpose, unknown to her, was to allow him and Lagan to transfer Bruggeman/Urban assets to themselves.  Sherwood and Lagan also set up more than 10 bank accounts, and created a limited liability company (Empire Capital Trust, LLC), to first conceal the theft of the money and then transfer the money to themselves. 

Sherwood pled guilty to filing false federal tax returns in 2013 and 2015.  These returns were false because he did not report, as other income, about $4.7 million that he received from the fraudulent scheme. 

Sherwood served as Guilderland Town Justice from 2014 until his arrest on February 23, 2018.  He resigned his position on March 5, 2018. He was disbarred on September 13, 2018.

The federal case was investigated by the FBI and IRS-CI, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam J. Katz and Alicia G. Suarez prosecuted the asset forfeiture aspects of the case.

The state case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Christopher Baynes and Matthew Peluso of the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Travis Hill.  The Criminal Justice Division is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado.  The investigation was led by Investigator Mark Spencer of the Attorney General’s Investigations Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Antoine Karam.  The Investigations Bureau is led by Acting Chief John Reidy.  Financial analysis was provided by Principal Auditor Investigator Meaghan Scotellaro of the Forensic Audit Section under the supervision of Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro and Chief Auditor Edward J. Keegan, Jr.  Senior Analyst Sara Pogorzelski assisted in the investigation.

Abingdon, VIRGINIA – United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced that Dr. Raymond Michael Moore, 61, of Wise, Va., who had a medical practice in Norton, Va., pleaded guilty yesterday in United States District Court in Abingdon, to fourteen federal charges, including illegally prescribing more than 25,000 oxycodone pills, more than 17,000 hydrocodone pills, and more than 10,000 benzodiazepine pills; obtaining drugs by fraud; health care fraud; making a false statement to law enforcement; and failing to maintain required records.

“The public places great trust in physicians to act as gatekeepers to the powerful prescription drugs that have come to plague our communities,” First Assistant United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said today. “When they choose greed over their important obligation to help heal people, we will aggressively prosecute these doctors and seek to remove their ability to contribute to the opioid epidemic.”

According to evidence, Moore issued prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines without a legitimate medical purpose and beyond the bounds of medical practice.  In addition, Moore originally told law enforcement that controlled substances found during execution of search warrants were returned from patients and were to be destroyed.  He later admitted those controlled substances were for his personal use.

Pursuant to his plea agreement, Moore will pay more than $50,000 in restitution to Virginia Medicaid, will forfeit more than $100,000, and agreed to never again be a medical provider.

Sentencing was scheduled for March 26, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., before United States District Judge James P. Jones.  At sentencing Moore faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment for a term of 80 years and a maximum fine of $4.25 million.

Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, is prosecuting the case for the United States.  The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the Virginia State Police, and the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force.  Assistance with the search warrants was provided by the Norton Police Department, Big Stone Gap Police Department, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Bristol Police Department, Wise Police Department, Martinsville Police Department, Buena Vista Police Department, Virginia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the United States Department of Justice’s Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Varna, Bulgaria, was sentenced on December 16, 2019, in federal court in Pittsburgh to a period of time served after having served more than 39 months in prison following his conviction on charges of criminal conspiracy, computer fraud, and bank fraud for his role as a member of the GozNym malware cybercrime network, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Krasimir Nikolov, 47, of Bulgaria. Nikolov will be transferred into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and removed from the United States to Bulgaria.

At the request of the United States, Nikolov was arrested in September 2016 by Bulgarian authorities and extradited to Pittsburgh in December 2016 to face prosecution in the Western District of Pennsylvania. According to information presented to the court, Nikolov’s primary role in the conspiracy was that of a "casher" or "account takeover specialist." In that capacity, Nikolov used victims’ stolen online banking credentials captured by GozNym malware to access victims’ online bank accounts and attempt to steal victims’ money through electronic transfers into bank accounts controlled by fellow conspirators.

Nikolov conspired with fellow GozNym members charged in a related Indictment announced in May 2019 in The Hague, Netherlands by U.S. Attorney Brady and international partners from Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Germany, Europol, and Eurojust. The Indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, charged 10 additional members of the GozNym criminal network with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to that Indictment, Alexander Konovolov, aka "NoNe," aka "none_1," of Tbilisi, Georgia, was the primary organizer and leader of the GozNym network who controlled more than 41,000 victim computers infected with GozNym malware. Konovolov assembled the team of elite cybercriminals charged in the Indictment, in part by recruiting them through underground online criminal forums. Marat Kazandjian, aka "phant0m," of Kazakhstan and Tbilisi, Georgia, was Konovolov’s primary assistant and technical administrator. Konovolov and Kazandjian were arrested and prosecuted in Georgia for their respective roles in the GozNym criminal network

In a related announcement today, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia announced the convictions and imposition of sentences against Konovolov and Kazandjian following a lengthy trial held in Tbilisi, Georgia. In an unprecedented level of cooperation, the Georgian trial included witness testimony from an FBI agent and a computer scientist from the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, as well as evidence obtained by the

FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office through their parallel investigation. The Georgian prosecution was based on violations of Georgian criminal laws perpetrated by Konovolov and Kazandjian against GozNym victims in the United States, including victims in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

"In announcing the prosecution of the GozNym international cybercrime syndicate with our law enforcement partners at Europol in May, I stated that borderless cybercrime necessitates a borderless response," said U. S. Attorney Brady. "This new paradigm involves unprecedented levels of cooperation with willing and trusted law enforcement partners around the world who share our goals of searching, arresting and prosecuting cyber criminals no matter where they might be. I want to congratulate and personally thank the Office of the Prosecutor General of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for their dedication and hard work in securing these important convictions, and for their willingness to seek justice on behalf of GozNym victims in the United States and around the world."

"The FBI will not allow cyber criminals from any country to operate with impunity," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones. "For years, these cyber criminals believed they could steal millions from innocent victims. Through international cooperation with multiple agencies, we were able to target, takedown and bring to justice members of this criminal enterprise. We will continue to relentlessly pursue these cyber criminals who think they can conduct illicit activity from behind the perceived anonymity of a computer."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles A. Eberle prosecuted this case on behalf of the U.S. government.

In addition to extending his gratitude and appreciation to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for their investigation and successful prosecution of Konovolov and Kazandjian, United States Attorney Brady commended the FBI for the investigation leading to the successful prosecutions of Nikolov, Konovolov and Kazandjian.

The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance with the extradition of Nikolov from Bulgaria as well as with the bi-lateral sharing of evidence with Georgia. Bulgaria’s General Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime assisted in the arrest of Nikolov.

Georgia Prosecutor's Office Press Release.pdf

FORT WAYNE – Adonnis Carswell, age 34, of New Haven, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady following his conviction after a 4-day jury trial in September 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

Carswell was sentenced to 421 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. 

”Today Mr. Carswell received a justified 35 year sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch.  “A sentence like this should send a strong message of deterrence to others who wish to be part of similar activities.  My Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate, prosecute and seek lengthy prison sentences for these type of crimes.”

According to evidence presented at trial, in June 2017, a search warrant was executed on a residence in New Haven, Indiana where Carswell lived.  During the search agents found numerous firearms (to include a Smith and Wesson pistol, a Scorpion Pistol and a rifle which contained a 100 round drum magazine and 124 rounds of ammunition), over 60 grams of heroin, along with other indicia of drug distribution (packaging, scales, and over $25,000 in cash). A jury found Carswell guilty of maintaining a place for purposes of distributing a controlled substance (cocaine, heroin and marijuana), possessing with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin, possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm as charged in Counts 1-4 of the Indictment. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Indiana State Police with the assistance of the New Haven Police Department as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Geller and Sarah Nokes. 

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Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Laurent Pierre-Louis (31, Miramar) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Pierre-Louis had pleaded guilty on April 10, 2019.

According to court documents, Pierre-Louis and others fraudulently obtained access to at least 477 credit card accounts and linked those accounts to the Apple Pay app on their iPhones. Then, using their iPhones, Pierre-Louis and his co-conspirators made purchases using their victims’ credit card accounts, without having to present actual credit cards to retailers. Pierre-Louis, alone, was linked to over 1,800 fraudulent credit card transactions. Collectively, the conspirators made more than $1.5 million in fraudulent purchases. 

Pierre-Louis’s co-defendants were previously sentenced as follows - Johnny Max Wesley (24, Miami) to 48 months in federal prison; Daniel Butler (30, North Miami) to 54 months’ imprisonment; and Rachel Bishop (27, Miami) to 12 months’ probation, to be served while on home detention.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.

WICHITA, KAN. – A retired city clerk of Caney, Kan. was sentenced Thursday to three years on federal probation for embezzling city funds, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. The defendant also was ordered to pay more than $150,000 in restitution.

Carole Sue Coker, 70, Oronogo, Mo., pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. Coker, who served as city clerk for about 40 years, admitted she took money from payments made to the city in the form of cash and checks.

In some cases, she did not deposit cash payments from customers into the city’s accounts. In other cases, she deposited only a portion of payments made in the form of checks.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.

WILMINGTON– United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced GARRY “RATCHET” HINES, age 25, of New Hanover County to 276 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.   He also sentenced SAVON HARDAWAY, 23, of New Hanover County to 151 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On November 14, 2018, HINES pled guilty to three counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin.  On August 5, 2019, HARDAWAY pled guilty to three counts of distribution of heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, which is made up of FBI Special Agents, Wilmington Police Department investigators and New Hanover County Sheriff's Office detectives began this investigation in March 2018.  The task force uncovered an enormous amount of evidence that HINES and HARDAWAY were part of the Nine Trey sect of the United Blood Nation responsible not only for the sale of narcotics in Wilmington, but also multiple violent acts. 

Between March 29 and July 21, 2018, the task force made several controlled purchases of heroin and/or a heroin/fentanyl mixture from HINES or someone sent by HINES from several locations in Wilmington, North Carolina.

On August 21, 2018, law enforcement developed information, which led them to believe that HINES and others were gathering up guns in order to take part in a retaliatory shooting of another group.  After receiving this information, law enforcement conducted surveillance on the residence on North 5th Street.  They observed HARDAWAY and another male exit the residence and get into a car.  A traffic stop was conducted.  HARDAWAY fled and attempted to hide a stolen .380 handgun and a .45 caliber handgun.  Law enforcement recovered both handguns.   Ballistics showed the .45 caliber handgun had previously been used in prior shootings.  The other person had a stolen 9mm handgun on his person.  This person has a pending federal indictment on another firearms charge.

On August 31, 2019, a federal search warrant was served on North 5th Street in Wilmington.  HINES and Antwine “Big World” Lucas were arrested.  Law enforcement found a handgun underneath the couch where HINES was seated when the search warrant was served.  HINES was also in possession of baggies that contained a mixture of fentanyl and methamphetamine.  Previously, Lucas was sentenced in federal court for his criminal conduct in this organization and received a sentence of 188 months in federal prison.

Mr. Higdon commented:  “Our effort to Take Back North Carolina was born out of the violence and drug trafficking issues in Wilmington and across our District.  And this case is just an example of why we are committed to the defeat of criminal gang activity.  Those who terrorize our communities and who fill them with illegal drugs can expect the same treatment as these defendants.  We will take our communities back.”

"The FBI has a message for gang members involved in violent criminal activities; we will use every lawful tool available to hold you accountable for your crimes.  No matter how powerful you believe you are, you cannot win when the FBI and our law enforcement partners join forces to fight crime in North Carolina," said John Strong, FBI Special Agent in Charge. 

This case is part of an FBI lead OCDETF operation “DodgeBall”.  This is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  This investigation focused on members of the Nine Trey sect of the United Blood Nation in Wilmington who were involved in the distribution of heroin, possession of firearm and associated violence.

This case is a classic example of the combining of an OCDETF operation with our Take Back North Carolina Initiative.  Wilmington Police Task Force Officers were able to identify members and associates of this violent drug gang and then partner with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office to develop a strategy to dismantle this organization.  After being armed with this local intelligence, law enforcement was able to utilize the substantial resources and tools of the federal government to help break the back of this group which had been terrorizing Wilmington.  The success of this case would not have been possible without these partnerships.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Street Task Force, the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger announced today that on December 17, 2019, Steven Kotsonis, a medical doctor, 38, of Menomonee Falls, pleaded guilty in federal district court to one count of unlawfully distributing Oxycodone outside of a professional medical practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  Susan Moyer, 57, of Milwaukee, who is not a licensed medical provider and was the clinic’s office manager, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances, including Oxycodone, and one count of distribution of Oxycodone.

Pursuant to his guilty plea, Kotsonis admitted that in 2012, he relocated his practice from the Beaver Medical Clinic and changed the name to the Compassionate Care Clinic.  Moyer was the officer manager at the Compassionate Care Clinic, and also was the co-owner of the clinic. Moyer is not a licensed health care provider and there were no other licensed physicians, nurses, or other health care providers working at the Compassionate Care Clinic aside from Kotsonis.

The investigation of the Compassionate Care Clinic revealed that only cash was accepted and individuals paid $200 to $350 in cash to obtain a prescription.  Prescriptions were written for large quantities of Oxycodone, particularly Oxycodone 30mg (an average of 150-180 tablets per month).  Moyer typically filled out the prescriptions and had Kotsonis sign the prescriptions without Kotsonis actually seeing the individual patient.  Individuals frequently obtained prescriptions at the Compassionate Care Clinic without being examined or having their vitals (height, weight, blood pressure) taken during their visit.  During an office visit to the Compassionate Care Clinic during the course of the investigation, Moyer was recorded referring to herself as the “Oxy Czar.”

Kotsonis and Moyer are scheduled to be sentenced in March.  Each faces a maximum penalty of twenty years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, at least three years of supervised release, up to a maximum of a lifetime term of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.

“This case underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to combatting the opioid crisis,” said United States Attorney Krueger.  “Far too many Wisconsinites have seen loved ones suffer from an opioid addiction or, worse, an overdose.  Because the path to addiction often begins with prescription opioids, we are committed to investigating and prosecuting prescribers like Kotsonis who deal drugs behind the façade of medical practice.”

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul Maxwell commented, “The Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to identifying and investigating those medical “professionals” who use their positions of trust to become drug dealers for personal profit. This investigation is an example of our resolve to hold those individuals accountable for their actions.”

This case was investigated by the DEA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Jacobs and Laura S. Kwaterski.

Information and resources concerning the opioid crisis and the DEA’s “360 Strategy” for addressing the crisis may be found at the DEA’s website, www.dea.gov

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Matthew D. Krueger, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District, announced that John Miller Ragland (Age 72), who previously resided in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, was sentenced in federal court to six months in prison, and ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution to the IRS.  Ragland previously had pleaded guilty to tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201.

During the years 2007 through 2013, Ragland operated a number of business ventures in the United States and elsewhere, including Hong Kong, China.   Through these business ventures, Ragland received more than $3,000,000 in commissions that he hid in bank accounts in Hong Kong and failed to report on his federal income tax returns.  As a result, Ragland underreported and underpaid his federal income taxes by more than $1,000,000.

Prior to his sentencing, Ragland paid the IRS more than $1.4 million, representing all of the taxes he evaded plus interest.

This matter was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew L. Jacobs.

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WILKES-BARRE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Banks, age 33, formerly of Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, entered a guilty plea on December 18, 2019, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo, to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Banks was then immediately sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Banks was indicted by a grand jury in February 2018, after an incident in which police were called to a Wilkes-Barre hotel and found Banks in possession of a firearm and several packets of heroin.  In a separate incident, members of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department made a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Banks was an occupant and found Banks in possession of approximately 19 grams of fentanyl for further distribution. Nineteen grams of fentanyl is equivalent to approximately 9,500 individual doses.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.

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

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from the following Project Guardian partners: [list partners here].  For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-announces-launch-project-guardian-nationwide-strategic-plan.

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RALEIGH– United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that in federal court, before Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, twelve men and one woman were sentenced for their roles in selling heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and guns to undercover agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) in 2018. 

The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation Crosstown Traffic, which targeted violent gang members operating out of Kinston, North Carolina.  Operation Crosstown Traffic was created in response to the violent crime and gang problems that had been plaguing the area.  The 2016 Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data from the FBI identified Kinston as the 3rd most dangerous city in North Carolina.  According to the City Rating, the 2016 Kinston city violent crime rate was 194% higher than the National violent crime rate and 175% higher than the crime rate in North Carolina.

Mr. Higdon commented:  “About 18 months ago, we stood with law enforcement in Kinston and dedicated ourselves to taking that community back from  the violent criminals and drug traffickers who were terrorizing the community.  Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners we have made important progress in removing drug traffickers, violent criminals and those illegally carrying guns from the community.  Our work is not yet done, but these sentences and the removal of these defendants from the community are an important next step.”

“Today’s sentencing is the culmination of a focused initiative designed to remove the most dangerous individuals from our neighborhoods,” stated Vincent Pallozzi, ATF Charlotte Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge. “These collaborative efforts with our local, state and federal partners have a major role in breaking up violent criminal groups.”

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

As part of the investigation, law enforcement conducted dozens of controlled purchases of heroin, cocaine, and various firearms from local gang members and individuals operating under their direction.  During the course of the operation, which took place between January 2018 and January 2019, 100 firearms (12 reported stolen), 254 grams of heroin, 296 grams of cocaine, and 92 grams of crack cocaine were seized by ATF.

On January 9, 10, and 11, 2019, ATF arrested 34 federal defendants and 22 were also arrested on state charges.  During the roundup, 14 firearms, 50 grams of MDMA, 14 grams of heroin, and $5,690.00 US Currency were seized.  Suspect interviews resulted in the arrest and/or solving of 3 homicides and 5 shootings in the Kinston area.

The defendants who have been sentenced thus far include:

• JAQUAL MONTIE KOONCE, aka “Little Haiti,” 22, of Kinston, NC.  KOONCE was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, distribution of a quantity of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  KOONCE was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment.
• NAHSON JAHKEEM SUGGS, aka “Nas,” 23, of Kinston, NC.  SUGGS was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, four counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin and aiding and abetting, one count of distribution of a quantity of heroin and methoxyacetal fentanyl, two counts of distribution of a quantity of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  SUGGS was sentenced to 123 months’ imprisonment.
• DWAYNE LEONZO HERRING, 31, of Kinston, NC.  HERRING was convicted of aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.    HERRING was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment.
• JARRETT JEROME JOHNSON, aka “JJ”, 21, of Kinston, NC.  JOHNSON was convicted of distribution of a quantity of heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  JOHNSON was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment.
• TYRICCO MARIO PITTS, 28, of Kinston, NC.  PITTS was convicted of distribution of a quantity of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon.  PITTS was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment.
• DEANDRE MURRELL, aka “Man,” 25, of Kinston, NC.  MURRELL was convicted of aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm by a felon.  MURRELL was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.
• QUREN SHAIKEEM MEWBORN, aka “Buddha,” 24, of Kinston, NC.  MEWBORN was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  MEWBORN was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment.
• KHADAFI KAMEEK-MONTR BARNES, aka “Nookie,” 18, of Kinston, NC. BARNES was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of heroin, and aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of cocaine.  BARNES was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment.
• DESHAKEEM TYSHEIK TURNAGE, aka “Trouble,” 26, of Kinston, NC.  TURNAGE was convicted of felon in possession of a firearm.  TURNAGE was sentenced to 108months’ imprisonment.
• ARVENTIONO NYREKI LAWSON, 22, of Kinston, NC.  LAWSON was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of heroin.  LAWSON was sentenced to 30months’ imprisonment.
• JAYQUON MARQUIS NOBLES, aka “Chop,” 22, of Kinston, NC.  NOBLES was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, aiding and abetting distribution of a quantity of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  NOBLES was sentenced to 78months’ imprisonment.
• COREY MILLS, 24, of Kinston, NC.   MILLS was convicted of possession of a sawed-off shotgun.  MILLS was sentenced to 5 years’ probation.
• INDIA AYESHA WILKERSON, aka “Esha,” 21 of Kinston, NC.  WILKERSON was convicted of distribution of a quantity of codeine and aiding and abetting.  WILKERSON was sentenced to 3 years’ probation.

This case is part of the Take Back North Carolina Initiative of The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.  This initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.  For more information about this initiative click here:  https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/tbnc.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Kinston Police Department, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, Goldsboro Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Laura S. Howard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

MISSOULA – A jury on Wednesday convicted a Missoula man accused of trafficking methamphetamine in the community of multiple drug and firearms crimes, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said today.

After a three-day trial that began on Dec. 16, the jury found Allan Roy Goodman, 43, guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth, distribution of a controlled substance, possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice.

Goodman faces a minimum mandatory 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the conspiracy count and a minimum mandatory five years to life consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided and set sentencing for April 2, 2020. Goodman was detained.

“Mr. Goodman was a major drug dealer in the community and posed a significant threat to public safety and to witnesses in the case. The community will be safer with him behind bars. I want to thank Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott, the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, the Missoula HIDTA Task Force and the Northwest Drug Task Force for their work on this case,” U.S. Attorney Alme said.

At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Goodman was a prolific meth and heroin dealer. On three separate occasions, Goodman sold drugs to a confidential source who was working for the Missoula High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Two witnesses testified about selling Goodman a .380-caliber pistol for heroin.

Law enforcement served a federal search warrant on Sept. 12 for Goodman’s garage and recovered two firearms. Goodman had been convicted of felonies on two prior occasions.

The prosecution also said evidence showed that in early October, Goodman, along with another person, assaulted a cooperating witness while all were incarcerated in Shelby. Goodman indicated to the witness during the assault that he had reviewed discovery in his case that showed the witness had spoken to law enforcement about Goodman’s drug dealing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara Elliott prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force, the Missoula HIDTA Task Force and the Northwest Drug Task Force.

 The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which 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.

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SHREVEPORT, La. –United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a federal grand jury indicted Lynn D. Cawthorne, 52, of Shreveport, on December 18, 2019, charging him with aiding and assisting in making and subscribing a false return.

The indictment includes two counts involving false returns for the tax years 2013 and 2014. The defendant willfully withheld information from his accountant when he reported an adjusted gross income of $7,555 for calendar year 2013 and an adjusted gross income of $9,529 for calendar year 2014. Cawthorne knew the information he presented to his accountant was false, which prevented his accountant from accurately reporting income for the years 2013 and 2014.

In April 2018, Cawthorne and his sister were indicted for stealing more than $536,000 from a program meant to supply meals to children during the summer. On April 26, 2018, a grand jury returned an eight-count indictment charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and seven counts of wire fraud. On February 28, 2019, additional charges were brought in a superseding indictment adding 18 counts of money laundering-related charges.

Cawthorne and his sister operated United Citizens and Neighborhoods (UCAN), as president and director, respectively. UCAN was a non-profit corporation that participated in the Summer Feeding Service Program (SFSP), which is administered by the Louisiana Department of Education Division of Nutrition Support. The SFSP was established to ensure that children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session during the summer. 

Cawthorne is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark L. Hornsby on January 8, 2020, to be arraigned for the tax charges. If convicted Cawthorne faces up to three years in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervised release for each count.

Special agents with the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jolynn Denise McHone, 45, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, was sentenced late yesterday to three years in prison and two years of supervised release for embezzling more than $2.4 million worth of computer equipment from her employer, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western district of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. also ordered McHone to pay more than $2.4 million in restitution.

Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong, of the FBI Charlotte Field Office, joins U.S. Attorney Murray in making today’s announcement.

According to the filed court documents, from 2006 to 2017, McHone was employed by a Florida-based company as an information technology (IT) procurement manager.  In that capacity, McHone was responsible for negotiating IT equipment purchases and lease agreements with the company’s IT vendors, managing IT equipment and purchases for the company and its subsidiaries throughout the United States, including North Carolina, and managing the company’s IT operating budget. 

Court records show that from 2012 to 2017, McHone defrauded her employer by using company funds to order new IT equipment for supposedly legitimate company business, which she had delivered to a company subsidiary located in Concord, North Carolina. McHone intercepted the deliveries of the equipment, then met a co-conspirator in Charlotte, to whom she sold the equipment for cash, often for as little as 60 percent of the retail value of the equipment.  During the relevant time period, McHone admitted that she engaged in dozens of fraudulent IT equipment purchase or lease transactions.  Through this scheme, McHone obtained hundreds of fraudulently-acquired pieces of equipment, and caused losses of more than $2.4 million to the company.

On April 4, 2019, McHone pleaded guilty to wire fraud. McHone will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her sentence, upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, handled the prosecution.  

RALEIGH– Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that a federal grand jury in Raleigh has returned indictments charging DAVID FRANCISCO BAMACA-AYALA, age 22, of Guatemala, OMAR MALDONADO ELIGIO, age 31, of Mexico, MARTIN VILLEGAS-MARTINEZ, age 49, of Mexico, with Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien.

Additionally, the grand jury returned indictments charging DAVID BAZA-SOLIS, age 29, of Mexico and JOSE RICARDO AYALA-RODAS, age 38, of Guatemala, with illegal and unlawful alien in possession of a firearm.

If convicted of illegal reentry of a deported alien, BAMACA-AYALA, previously deported three times and found in Harnett County, MALDONADO ELIGIO, previously deported two times and found in Wake County, and VILLEGAS-MARTINEZ, previously deported and found in Johnston County, would face maximum penalties of two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

If convicted of illegal and unlawful alien in possession of a firearm, BAZA-SOLIS, found in Wilson County, and AYALA-RODAS, found in Harnett County would face maximum penalties of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

The cases are being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.