Baltimore, Maryland – Three members of an Eastern Shore drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison on drug conspiracy charges. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced the three co-defendants to terms of imprisonment ranging from just over FIVE years to just over 11 years. 

Today, James Eley, age 34, of Millsboro, Delaware, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin and fentanyl.  On February 10, 2020, co-defendant James Martel Frazier, age 34, of Cambridge, was sentenced to 135 months—just over 11 years—in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, on the conspiracy charge and a related firearms charge.  On January 15, 2020, co-defendant Jason Brittingham, age 37, of Federalsburg was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in the organization.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; the members of the Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force, including: Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Dorchester County Sheriff James W. Phillips, Jr.; Chief Mark Lewis of the Cambridge Police Department; Chief Bruce Jones of the Hurlock Police Department; Caroline County Sheriff Randy Bounds, Chief Rodney R. Cox of the Denton Police Department, and Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. of the Delaware State Police.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “All too often, guns and drugs go hand in hand—and both are killers.  We are committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those who bring these deadly drugs to our communities.  Drug dealers take note, just like these defendants you can face years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.”

“We continue to fight against the devastating impact that opioids have on our community,” said John Eisert, special agent in charge, HSI Baltimore. “This investigation’s success is a direct result of the strong partnership between HSI Baltimore and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.” 

According to their plea agreements, the defendants were all part of narcotics conspiracy that was being investigated by the Dorchester County Narcotics Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations beginning in 2018.  The conspirators were responsible for trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs in the Delmarva area. 

During the investigation, Frazier was identified as personally distributing significant quantities of drugs, as well as working with his co-defendants and other to facilitate the distribution of drugs on behalf of the conspiracy.  For his part, Brittingham helped store and distribute drugs on behalf of the organization, maintaining a “stash house” in Federalsburg, Maryland.  According to his plea agreement, Brittingham delivered heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine from the stash house to other locations and to customers.

Eley was arrested in conjunction with a traffic stop conducted by the Delaware State Police on December 13, 2018.  A subsequent search of Eley’s vehicle revealed 10 cardboard boxes stamped with a red apple logo.  Inside each box were bundles of branded waxed-paper folds, each containing a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.  In total, the boxes contained 7,800 paper folds stamped and branded for distribution.  The total weight of the fentanyl/heroin mixture in the folds was approximately 130 grams.

On February 23, 2019, law enforcement executed search warrants at locations associated with Frazier and Brittingham in Maryland and Delaware.  In total, law enforcement recovered over 250 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, much of it packaged in individual waxed folds branded with words and/or images; over 250 grams of crack cocaine; over 400 grams of methamphetamine; and over a kilogram of cocaine.  In addition, law enforcement recovered four firearms from residences associated with Frazier, including a .357-caliber pistol and a .40-caliber pistol at a residence where Frazier kept drugs, and over $40,000 in cash.  Frazier admitted that those firearms were used in furtherance of the conspiracy’s drug trafficking.                    

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Cambridge Police Department, the Hurlock Police Department, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, the Denton Police Department, and the Delaware State Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Rigali and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted the case.

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            CONCORD - James Howard, 39, of Somersworth, pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.           

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 27, 2019, agents from the ATF executed a search warrant at a home where Howard stayed.  At the home, agents found a Marlin Wester Auto firearm receiver and ammunition.

            Howard is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.      

            Howard is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12, 2020.

            “Preventing violent crime requires that we keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Under Project Safe Neighborhoods we work closely with ATF, the Somersworth Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals who possess guns unlawfully.”

            “This arrest demonstrates the outstanding partnership between ATF and the Somersworth Police Department as well as the commitment we share to work together to interdict illegal firearms and the criminals that compromise the safety of our communities,” said Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Char ATF Boston Field Division.

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Somersworth Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. 

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Earlier this week, the Trump Administration launched the federal school safety clearinghouse website: SchoolSafety.gov. This website is a one-stop-shop with resources for Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) administrators, educators, parents and law enforcement to use to prepare for and address various threats related to safety, security, and support in schools.

In an effort to address this important issue, President Trump had earlier established the Federal Commission on School Safety to review safety practices and make meaningful and actionable recommendations of best practices to keep students safe.  This new website has been created with input from the Commission, and the inter-agency cooperation of the Department of Justice, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services,

“As a parent, I understand the importance of knowing that our children are as safe and protected as they can be in our schools,” said United States Attorney Mark Klaassen.  “I know that many districts across Wyoming have already taken substantial and important steps to make our schools safer and I hope this new website will be a welcome additional resource.  This information may also be useful to parents concerned about security issues who want to stay informed about ways to address these issues for themselves and their families.” 

            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that a federal jury found Johnathon Irish, 33, of Littleton, New Hampshire, guilty of one count of being a felon in possession of firearms after a four-day trial.  The verdict was returned late on Wednesday afternoon.           

            In December of 2014, Johnathon Irish previously was convicted of aiding and abetting the making of a material false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm and making a material false statement to a federal agent. In light of his felony convictions, he is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.  Evidence presented at trial showed that between December of 2018 and November of 2019, Irish possessed at least two firearms, a Sig Sauer 1911, .45 caliber pistol and a Catamount Fury, 12 gauge shotgun. 

            Irish is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2020.

            “In order to maintain public safety, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will not hesitate to bring criminal charges against those who unlawfully possess guns.  I appreciate the efforts of the FBI and State Police for their work investigating this case.”

            “The goal of sentencing is to send a clear message of deterrence and rehabilitation. But it’s a message that Johnathon Irish chose to ignore,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We thank the jury for its swift and prudent verdict because a felon who possesses a firearm when prohibited from doing so is a potential danger in a society where laws are respected and obeyed.”

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Kasey Weiland.

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WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man pleaded guilty today in federal court to robbing a bank, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Timothy B. Riggans, 57, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to committing a robbery July 30, 2018, at Emprise Bank, 257 N. Broadway in Wichita. Riggans approached a teller and demanded money. A security guard apprehended him outside the bank with the stolen money.

Sentencing is set for May 11. He could face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

McAllister commended the Wichita Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart for their work on the case.

St. Louis, MO – Bryan G. Vonderahe, 45, of Kirkwood, Missouri, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison, and ordered to pay approximately 3.8 Million Dollars in restitution to his former employer following his conviction for wire fraud.  Vonderahe appeared in federal court today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White. 

According to court documents, beginning during January 2012 and continuing through January 2019, Vonderahe schemed to defraud The Boyd Group and its affiliated companies where he was employed as chief financial officer and controller.  After setting himself up as a sham vendor, Vonderahe issued approximately 500 company checks to himself during that period of time, totaling approximately 3.8 million dollars, without the knowledge or authority of the company’s ownership.  Vonderahe falsified internal company records and issued false financial statements to the company’s outside auditors in order to cover up and conceal his lengthy and substantial fraud scheme.  Vonderahe used the stolen and embezzled funds for his own personal use, unrelated to the legitimate business of the company, including to pay for luxury automobiles; to pay for travel for himself and his family to locations such as Florida, Colorado, and Nevada; to make payments on his personal residential mortgage; and to pay for gambling and related activities.  The United States forfeited several of Vonderahe’s luxury automobiles, including a Range Rover and a Cadillac Escalade, as well as his personal residence at 1943 Windy Hill Road in Kirkwood, Missouri.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an alleged Bloods gang member with January 2017 murder. 

According to the indictment, Dawhan Terrell Archible, 26, formerly of Newport News, and two unnamed co-conspirators, allegedly murdered Luke Patterson Dudley in January 2017, after Archible learned Dudley had cheated him during a previous drug transaction.

Archible is charged with use of a firearm resulting in death, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, attempt to interfere with commerce by robbery, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and distribution of cocaine. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. 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.

This 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.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Washington Field Division; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa R. McKeel and Howard J. Zlotnick are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-cr-015.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that three members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin received sentences for their roles in the theft of a firearm from a residence on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The sentences, imposed by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, were the result of guilty pleas to the following charges:

According to court filings, the defendants agreed to burglarize the Keshena residence of a relative. The three then drove to the residence.  Once there, Boyd assisted O’Kimosh, who stole a rifle from inside the house. A resident inside the home chased the three away before they could steal more property, and Dodge drove the other two away. The three traveled to a home in Neopit, where they traded the rifle for drugs.

When imposing sentence, Judge Griesbach noted the serious nature of the conduct, the abuse of trust involved in taking advantage of a family member, and the need to deter others who would consider similar conduct.

The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case.

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Knoxville, Tenn. - On February 13, 2020, Dustin Ray Richards, 26, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced by United States District Judge Thomas A. Varlan to serve 97 months in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography.  Following his imprisonment, Richards will be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years and will be required to register with the state sex offender registry in any state in which he lives, works, or attends school.

In March 2018, Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit investigated to identify individuals who were using peer-to-peer software to share child pornography within Tennessee.  The investigation uncovered an Internet Protocol (“IP”) address in Knoxville that was making child pornography files available for downloading.  The IP address was traced to Richards and a federal search warrant was executed on his residence.  The execution of a federal search warrant led to the discovery of over 10,000 images and videos containing child pornography stored on Richards’s computer.

 The case was investigated by the Knoxville Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Morris represented the United States in Court.

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

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McALLEN, Texas — Two South Texas men have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of transferring machine guns, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Martin Guerra, 44, Palmview, and Saul De La Garza, 46, Sullivan City, pleaded guilty Nov 25, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Guerra to 50 months in federal prison while De La Garza, a previously convicted felon, received a total 78-month term of imprisonment. Both men will then serve three years of supervised release following completion of their prison terms. In handing down the sentence, Judge Alvarez stressed the significant nature of the crime both men committed and noted the demand for firearms in Mexico.

Both men had attempted to coordinate the sale of three machine guns - two Glock auto-switches and an AR-style rifle - to undercover authorities. The men believed the weapons would ultimately be illicitly transported to Mexico. Through the course of the investigation, Guerra bragged that he would be able to provide as many weapons as desired. De La Garza claimed he would be able to transport firearms from Houston to the Rio Grande Valley and coordinated with Guerra to make the sale of the machine guns.

Guerra has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future, while Garza was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender at a later date.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell Prosecuted the case.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Stephen Bray, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Bray, age 36, pled guilty today to one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base in Proximity of a Protected Location.” Bray admitted to selling cocaine base, also known as “crack,” near Lincoln Middle School in Harrison County in November 2017.

Bray faces at least one and up to 40 years incarceration and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Greater Harrison Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Walter Lee Evans, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, has admitted to a drug distribution charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Evans, age 48, pled guilty to one count of “Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin.” Evans admitted to having heroin in April 2019 in Berkeley County.

Evans faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Martinsburg Police Department investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Katina Sabatino, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to two years probation for her role in a drug distribution operation, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Sabatino, age 26, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Use of Communication Device” in February 2019. Sabatino admitted to using a phone to assist with distributing controlled substances in April 2018 in Monongalia County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

MACON, Ga.–  A former youth softball umpire arrested during “Operation End Game,” a multi-agency effort targeting and arresting adult perpetrators seeking sex with children, was sentenced to prison and will not be allowed to have contact with children without supervision, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. James Hughes Morriss, 50, of Dacula, Georgia entered a guilty plea on November 19, 2019 to one count of use of facilities in interstate and foreign commerce to transmit information about a minor, and was sentenced to 46 months in prison on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 by U.S. District Court Judge C. Ashley Royal. In addition, once his prison sentence is served, Morriss will be under terms of Court supervision that prohibit him from having contact or working with minors without supervision, and his use of the internet and cellular devices will be monitored by the Court. Morriss will also be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Law enforcement in Georgia is aggressively working to find and arrest adults preying on children, and our office will vigorously prosecute perpetrators to the maximum extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “As a softball umpire, this individual intentionally positioned himself to be around youth. I commend the GBI, FBI and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for stopping this individual, and for yet another excellent operation protecting Georgia’s children.”

“A dangerous child predator will no longer be free to victimize our children,” said ACCPD Chief Cleveland Spruill.  “I’m grateful to U.S. Attorney Peeler and his staff for their efforts holding ‘Operation End Game’ defendants accountable for their crimes. This operation showcases the cooperative work of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and sends a clear message to sexual predators--our children are our most valuable asset and their protection is a priority.”

“Operation End Game did exactly what it was tasked to do: Put an end to criminal attempts of predators to irreversibly harm young children,” said Debbie Garner, GBI Special Agent in Charge and Commander of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. “The GBI and the Georgia ICAC Task Force will work tirelessly with our partners to protect our children against those who seek to harm them.”

“This case is an example of the importance of our law enforcement partnerships in our efforts to rid our communities of those who would choose to do harm to the most vulnerable in our society,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Chris Hacker. “Those who prey on our children must be held accountable to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

“Operation End Game” was a three-day proactive effort centered in Athens, Georgia beginning July 25, 2019 to arrest adults communicating with children on-line and then traveling to meet them for the purpose of having sex. On July 26, 2019, an undercover officer communicating with perpetrators online under a profile named “Lizzie” with a photo of a young girl, received notification in the mobile application Skout from an individual later identified as Defendant Morriss. Within the first few exchanges, Defendant Morriss, who was 49 at the time, asked “Lizzie” her age and was told she was only 14-years-old and attended a school in Georgia. Defendant Morriss, familiar with many schools in Georgia due to his work around the state as a youth softball umpire, recognized the named school. Defendant Morris initiated a sexually explicit discussion and suggested an in-person meeting with the child; he also requested and received photos of the purported 14-year-old. Morriss then traveled to meet the 14-year-old child in Athens for sexual purposes, and was arrested at the designated meeting place shortly after midnight on July 27, 2019.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC), the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), the FBI and the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndie Freeman is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man today admitted participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl from a drug mill in the Bronx to locations in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Daury Contreras Ulerio, 35, a/k/a “Majimbou,” pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. Dilson Vazquez Genao, 23, Eddie Urena Rodriguez, 35, Francisco Mercedes Gil, 31, and Jose Antonio Vazquez Pena, a/k/a “Tono,” 47, also of the Bronx, New York, all have pleaded guilty before Judge Salas to the same charges previously.

Two other individuals – Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 31, and Reimon Genao Rosario, 23 – were indicted on the same charge as Ulerio in August 2019. Their cases are pending.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In early February 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Maldonado used an apartment in Bronx to store, mix, and package heroin and fentanyl in distribution quantities. Pena stayed at the apartment in order to safeguard the narcotics and narcotics supplies. Maldonado employed approximately five workers at a time – including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, and Genao – to assist in preparing the heroin and fentanyl for distribution, which Maldonado then distributed to customers in New Jersey.

On Feb. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers saw Maldonado drive to a retail store and emerge with several full shopping bags and then drive to the apartment. Genoa came out of the building and met with Maldonado, who got out of his vehicle and gave Genoa the plastic shopping bags. Through its investigation, law enforcement later learned that the plastic shopping bags contained materials to package heroin and fentanyl.

Genoa went back inside the building and was followed by law enforcement officers, who watched as Genoa entered Maldonado’s apartment with a key, still carrying the shopping bags. On Feb. 27, 2019, law enforcement searched Maldonado’s apartment and found seven individuals inside, including Rodriguez, Ulerio, Rosario, Gil, Maldonado, Pena, and Genao. All seven defendants attempted to escape out a window, but all but one – Rosario – were apprehended and arrested by law enforcement officers waiting outside. Rosario was arrested at a later date. Law enforcement recovered nearly a kilogram of fentanyl from the apartment, along with materials to grind and package fentanyl for distribution.

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing for Ulerio is scheduled for May 27, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the indictment against Maldonado and Rosario are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WILMINGTON, Del. – United States Attorney David C. Weiss announced that Canda Quach, 28, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.  Quach previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 3000 grams of heroin in capsule form. 

According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Castle County Police Department investigated an overdose death involving suspected heroin capsules in August, 2017.  Heroin sold in Delaware is typically packaged in clear plastic baggies containing a blue wax paper sheet, which is usually “stamped” or otherwise branded to differentiate it from other types of heroin.  The emergence of heroin capsule sales in the greater Newark area was novel and unique to Delaware. 

Following an investigation into the death of the victim, officers arrested co-defendant Rodney Cox for delivering the fatal dose of heroin capsules.  Judge Andrews sentenced Cox to 51 months in federal prison on August 20, 2017.  Cox received the heroin capsules from co-defendant Jawaan Wallace, who was sentenced by Judge Andrews on August 20, 2019 to 10 years in federal prison.  As the heroin supplier for Wallace, Quach was the source of the heroin capsules in Delaware.   Since Quach’s arrest on February 1, 2018, officers have no reported cases of heroin capsules distributed in Delaware. 

Commenting on the sentence, U.S. Attorney Weiss noted: “This case highlights both the tragedy of heroin overdoses and the collective response needed to combat it.  The collaborative efforts of federal and local law enforcement resulted in Mr. Quach’s arrest and conviction.  The deadly heroin capsules the defendant distributed took a human life. Today’s sentence appropriately reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s crime.”

“Quach was responsible for distributing over 3,000 grams of heroin in capsule form, which represented a distribution method that was different from what is normally seen in this region.  As such, Quach’s unusual method of packaging heroin was likely tied to the significant amount of heroin that he was responsible for distributing,” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division.  “This case is a reminder that illegal street drugs, especially when packaged in an innocuous from like a capsule, pose a deadly threat to the people that use them.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the First State Overdose Taskforce with assistance from the New Castle County Police Department and Delaware State Police.  The Task Force consists of state and federal law enforcement partners who work to investigate overdose deaths soon after they occur.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Logan prosecuted the case. 

WASHINGTON– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Justice Department, announced the release of the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (BPSOU) consent decree.  This document provides the framework for the continued cleanup of mining-related contamination to protect public health and the environment in Butte and Walkerville, Montana. 

The consent decree requires Atlantic Richfield to undertake or finance over $150 million in cleanup actions, provide financial assurances for future cleanup actions, and provide enhanced community benefits through the implementation of end land use plans along the Silver Bow Creek Corridor.

Additionally, EPA Region 8 is releasing an amendment to the 2006 Record of Decision for the BPSOU Operable Unit in this matter that will expand cleanup efforts. The amendment will require the removal of  contaminated tailings at the Northside and Diggings East Tailings areas and contaminated sediment and additional floodplain contamination from Silver Bow and Blacktail Creeks.  The amendment will also require the treatment of more contaminated stormwater before it flows into the creeks, and the capture and treatment additional contaminated groundwater.  Once executed by the parties and entered by the Court, the consent decree will implement this amended remedy.

The release of the consent decree will provide the commissioners of Butte Silver Bow County – who must approve the document before it can be submitted to the court – an opportunity to consider the document in a public forum.  This process allows Butte Silver Bow County to inform and educate the public and the county commissioners about the content of the consent decree. Once that process concludes, the county commissioners will vote on whether to approve the document.

“Montanans value clean water not just to drink, but to sustain our rich and beautiful environment,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme for the District of Montana.  “I applaud the work of the negotiating teams from the Justice Department, EPA, the state of Montana, Butte Silver Bow County and Atlantic Richfield in completing this complex agreement.  We look forward to the cleanup proceeding with all speed.”

“I am very pleased to announce the release of the proposed Consent Decree and Amended Record of Decision to the Butte community,” said EPA Region 8 Administrator Gregory Sopkin. “These documents secure the financial resources and actions for the continued cleanup of open space, residential areas, creeks and groundwater across the community. They reflect EPA’s commitment to work diligently to complete the cleanup after nearly four decades of Superfund in the great town of Butte.”

Once all consent decree signatures are obtained, the consent decree documents will be lodged with the federal district court of Montana.  The Justice Department will publish a formal notice in the Federal Register, stating that the department is accepting public comment on the document for a period of thirty days from the date the notice is published.  Under State law, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality is also required to hold a public comment period on the consent decree, which will run concurrently.

While the public comment period will not start until after the consent decree is lodged with the court, EPA, the state, Butte Silver Bow County, and Atlantic Richfield have posted the document on their websites, and paper copies will be made available at the Montana Tech Library (1300 W. Park St.) and Citizens Technical Environmental Committee (27 W. Park St.) for public review at www.epa.gov/superfund/silver-bow-butte.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 31-year-old Mathis man has been ordered to federal prison for trafficking meth and illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. 

Scott McCarty pleaded guilty Nov. 21, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos handed McCarty a total 200-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. He also received an additional 120 months for the firearms offense which will run concurrently.

On or about July 26, through approximately Aug. 26, 2019, McCarty and Parris Olivarez were involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth. The couple had distributed the narcotics from their house in Mathis on two separate occasions.

Law enforcement conducted a search warrant, resulting in the discovery of meth as well as two firearms, including a .45 caliber 1911 and 9mm Smith & Wesson found in and under their bed.

McCarty has prior felony convictions in Texas for failure to register as a sex offender and burglary of a habitation and is, therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition per federal law.

McCarty was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Olivarez, 29, Mathis, had also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s offices in San Patricio and Jim Wells Counties conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Manning is prosecuting the case.

HOUSTON - A suburban Houston-area man has been convicted of 15 counts of fraud and tax violations following a two-week jury trial, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Winfred Fields operated tax and bookkeeping businesses from an office on Richmond Avenue in Houston for many years under the business names Fields Enterprises, Your Tax Professionals and The Tax Boss.

At trial, the jury heard Fields participated in a scheme involving the submission of U.S. Individual Tax Returns on behalf of foreign people working on vessels on the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. These crewmembers were engaged in oil and gas exploitation activities in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Evidence showed Fields falsely claimed workers were exempt from U.S. tax under a tax treaty between the U.S. and the United Kingdom, Spain or New Zealand. The employing companies had previously provided to the IRS withholdings from the worker’s wages and reported the income to the IRS. However, Fields submitted amended tax returns as well as original nonresident tax forms 1040NR claiming a refund of the entirety of the amounts paid in as U.S. taxes for various tax years including 2007 through 2012. 

Fields charged a fee of $2,500 for each crew member’s first return and required a $1,000 fee for each return thereafter. He required direct receipt of the refunds so that he could negotiate the checks and take his fee off the top. Fields had some refund checks deposited directly into one of several bank accounts he maintained. Alternatively, he cashed the checks at a Houston check cashing business or had the checks deposited into one of several attorney trust accounts three different Houston lawyers had maintained. Fields gathered the check proceeds or deposited them into the attorney trust accounts after paying a fee to the check cashing business and the attorneys for the service of cashing the U.S. Treasury checks. Fields deposited the proceeds in one of several bank accounts he utilized during the scheme.

Fields agreed to provide the remainder of the refund proceeds to the foreign clients. He did that for a while, but ultimately stopped forwarding any money to the workers. As those individuals began contacting him to ask for updates on their refund claims, he repeatedly sent misleading and materially false responses to their questions. 

The jury heard that Fields fraudulently obtained $3,097,974.19 in tax refunds from the IRS and kept approximately $1,302,271.75 for himself.

The defense attempted to convince the jury he acted in good faith and believed the wages were exempt. He also claimed he was trying to pay the crewmembers their refunds but just got behind. The jury rejected Fields’ contentions in their verdict and found him guilty as charged on all 15 counts.

U.S. District Ewing Werlein Jr. presided over trial and has set sentencing for May 2020. At that time, Fields faces up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and count of mail fraud. For the other 13 tax fraud convictions, he also faces up to three years in federal prison. He may also be ordered to pay restitution to his victims and up to $250,000 in fines.

IRS - Criminal Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Annis and Charles Escher prosecuted this case.

ALEXANDRIA, La. –A former Valex Federal Credit Union loan officer and assistant manager was sentenced today to 21 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for bank fraud, announced United StatesAttorney David C. Joseph.

U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell also ordered Cynthia J. Feazell, 49, of Montgomery, Louisiana, to pay $221,426.44 in restitution to Valex Federal Credit Union’s insurer, CUNA Mutual – CUMIS Insurance (CUMIS). According to court documents, Feazell worked as a loan officer and assistant manager at Valex Federal Credit Union (Valex) in Rapides Parish from 1997 to 2016. The defendant decided to purchase a mobile home in 2015 and obtained loan funds from Valex. She did not qualify for the loan, so she transferred three vehicle loans taken out in her name to her mother’s name in order to lower her debt-to-equity ratio so that it would appear she qualified for the loan. Additionally, Feazell authorized loans for her ex-husband, even though she knew he did not meet the Valex credit requirements. Feazell admitted at her guilty plea on September 10, 2019, that she falsified documents to accomplish the scheme and was aware her actions were fraudulent.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

The year 2020 marks the 150^th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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