TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 10, 2020, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez sentenced Johnson Ortiz, 23, of Sells, to 80 months in prison and Regina Ramon, 29, of Sells, to 60 months, in prison. Both Ortiz and Ramon previously pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to their involvement in Harboring Illegal Aliens for Profit, with Ortiz also pleading to a statutory endangerment enhancement.

     On March 18, 2019, the victim, a distressed illegal alien who was walking along the road on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation, in Sells, was contacted by persons driving a red SUV.  They asked what he was doing on the road, and the victim said, “Help me, please.  Hospital.”  Using a translator app, the occupants of the red SUV agreed to take the victim to the hospital, but instead took him to Ortiz’s and Ramon’s house.  Despite repeated requests for medical attention, Ortiz and Ramon kept the victim at their house and, via a translator app, asked him who in the United States would pay for his further transportation into the United States.  While at the house, Ortiz robbed the victim of his wallet, cell phone, and identification at knifepoint.  On March 20, 2019, the victim escaped out of a window and was found by a patrolling Tohono O’odham Police officer, who took the victim to the hospital and called Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  After meeting with the victim at the hospital, Special Agents obtained a federal search warrant for the house where the victim had been held and discovered six additional illegal aliens, one an unaccompanied minor, the victim’s belongings, and the knife used during the robbery while searching the house.  Each of the illegal aliens found in the house stated that they had made arrangements to be smuggled further into the United States and were to pay upon their arrival at their final destinations.  

     “We commend the alert and responsive work of the Tohono O’odham Police officer and his collaboration with H.S.I. in the investigation of the case,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “This case highlights the danger human smugglers present to vulnerable people.”

     “This is yet another example of the dangers of illegally crossing the border. Human smugglers pray on people for the sole purpose of profit and in this case, they callously disregarded the victim’s plea for help and continued to abuse him for additional financial gain,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for the HSI office in Phoenix. “HSI is at the forefront of investigating these human smuggling organizations that attempt to plague the southwest border. Our message is clear, human smugglers will not find refuge in Arizona.”  

     The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Tohono O’odham Police Department. The prosecution was handled bySerra M. Tsethlikai and Alicia Renee Robertson, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

McALLEN, Texas - Multiple men have been ordered to prison for a significant amount of time following their convictions related to drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Those convicted include Marcial Martinez, 37, Dallas; Saul Delgado, 31, Duncanville; Javier Del Rio, 34, Garland; and Mexican citizens Jose Adalberto Munoz-Mancias, 38, Cuidad Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico; and Edson Roman Gonzalez, 37, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. They all pleaded guilty in either June or July 2019 to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than five hundred grams of meth.  

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered Munoz-Mancias to serve 360 months in federal prison. Already on supervised release for a previous conviction of illegal re-entry, the court revoked the remainder of that term and further ordered he serve an additional 24 months to run in part concurrent and in part consecutive for a total of 370 months. The court imposed respective sentences of 170 and 120 months for Roman and Delgado.

On Jan. 29, Del Rio was sentenced to 174 months imprisonment.

Judge Alvarez sentenced Martinez on Jan. 21 to a 25-year-term of imprisonment.

Martinez and Delgado will also serve five years of supervised release following their sentences. Del Rio will serve a three-year term of supervised release. Not U.S. citizens, Munoz-Mancias and Roman are expected to face removal proceedings following their prison terms.

When imposing the sentencings, Judge Alvarez noted the drug trafficking organization had been successful in distributing such a significant amount of meth, that it could have devastated many families.

On Dec. 3, 2018, Munoz-Mancias had siphoned a significant amount of liquid meth from one tractor-trailer to undercover authorities and instructed them to drive the load to Dallas which they did the following day.   

There, Del Rio and Roman siphoned the liquid meth into plastic barrels. After it was removed, Delgado arrived and confirmed the delivery. Martinez subsequently arrived and paid the undercover agents approximately $20,000 for the transportation.

In total, authorities seized approximately 150 gallons of liquid meth which converts to more than 500 kilograms of meth.

All have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen J. Rees prosecuted the case.

WHEN:       Friday, February 14, 2020at 2:00 PM

WHERE:     United States Attorney’s Office

                        150 Fayetteville Street

                        Suite 2100

                        Raleigh, NC 27601

Re:                  Results of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Wake County Targeted Enforcement Operation

RALEIGH– The United States Attorney’s Office announces a press conference to discuss the results of a recently completed enforcement operation in Wake County by Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers targeting those illegal aliens who were previously arrested by local authorities and then a federal detainer was not honored by the local sheriff.

In addition to United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr., officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) are expected to be present at this event.

Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend. For additional information, please e-mail Don Connelly at usance.PublicInfoOfficer@usdoj.gov.  Please RSVP your intentions to attend the event.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of GARY JAMES DOKULIL, 40, to 160 months in prison for distribution of child pornography and making false statements in an application for a passport. DOKULIL, who pleaded guilty on September 13, 2019, was sentenced today before Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between December 2008 and November 2018, DOKULIL admitted to using file-sharing software to search for, acquire, and distribute images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. DOKULIL also admitted to traveling to the Philippines on multiple occasions and, while there in 2016, purchased several DVDs containing child pornography.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in November 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at DOKULIL’s residence and seized several items, including electronics, electronic media, various travel documents, and DOKULIL’s passport. Law enforcement informed DOKULIL that he could not report his passport lost or stolen in order to obtain a new one because the location of his passport (i.e., in the custody of the FBI) was known to DOKULIL. Despite the warning, DOKULIL submitted an application to the State Department for a replacement passport and, under penalty of perjury, falsely reported that his passport was “lost” or “missing.” After fraudulently obtaining a replacement passport, DOKULIL traveled to the Philippines. On February 26, 2019, DOKULIL was located and arrested in the Philippines and was later deported to the United States.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Maplewood Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela M. Munoz and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

GARY JAMES DOKULIL, 40

Maplewood, Minn.

Convicted:

• Distribution of child pornography, 1 count
• False statement in application for passport, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 160 months in prison
• 15 years of supervised release

###

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

UTICA, NEW YORK - Jaswinder Singh, age 30, and a citizen of India who most recently resided in Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for knowingly transporting illegal aliens within the United States for the purpose of financial gain. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Singh, who worked as an Uber driver, admitted that between January 1, 2019 and May 20, 2019, he picked up several aliens whom he knew had crossed illegally into the United States and transported them into the interior of the United States, in exchange for payment.  On May 20, 2019, the day he was arrested for this offense, Singh drove to a location in St. Lawrence County, New York, to pick up two aliens – including a child – who had illegally crossed into the United States from Canada. The aliens paid Singh $2,200 after he picked them up. 

Singh, who previously sought and received asylum in the United States, faces possible deportation as a result of this offense. United States District Judge David N. Hurd imposed a 2-year term of supervised release to begin after Singh is released from prison, in the event that Singh is not deported.

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Antonio Salas-Miranda, age 41, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for illegally re-entering the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO); and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Salas-Miranda admitted as part of his guilty plea that he is a citizen of Mexico, and that he was removed from the United States to Mexico on November 20, 2002, June 3, 2008 and again on June 18, 2008.  On two occasions, Salas-Miranda had been arrested by immigration authorities in New Jersey and on one occasion, he was arrested by Border Patrol in Arizona after he entered the United States without inspection from Mexico.  

On October 12, 2018, he was arrested by an ICE-ERO officer in Wilton, New York.  New York State Police Officers had interviewed Salas-Miranda while conducting a homicide investigation. ICE checked the fingerprints of Salas-Miranda, discovered his prior removals, and detained him. 

On April 9, 2019, Salas-Miranda was convicted in Saratoga County Court of criminal possession of a weapon and criminally negligent homicide, resulting in a sentence of 10 years in state prison.   The Saratoga County prosecution stemmed from the possession and discharge of a firearm by Salas-Miranda at the Crest Inn, in Wilton, that caused the death of Michael Kornacki.  United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino directed that the federal sentence she imposed today run consecutive to the New York State sentence.  The 24-month federal sentence is the maximum permitted by law.

This case was investigated by ATF and ICE-ERO, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

A federal jury found a man who conspired with other people to sell heroin in Cedar Rapids guilty on February 12, 2020, after a jury trial. 

Devontae Horton, age 25, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was found guilty after a three day jury trial.  The jury found Horton guilty of conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and distribution of heroin. 

Evidence at trial showed that between approximately June 2015 and April 2019, Horton, and up to twelve others, conspired to distribute heroin in the Cedar Rapids area.  The group was known as the “Ferrari” group.  The members used one phone number, known as the “Ferrari phone,” to arrange and conduct heroin transactions.  At times, ten to twenty people a day called the phone for the sole purpose of purchasing heroin.  In October 2018, Cedar Rapids police officers attempted to stop a vehicle occupied by Horton and another member of the Ferrari group, Jarel Williams.  Horton and Williams attempted to get away from police, eventually running on foot.  Police caught up with both men and located over $3,000 in cash in Horton’s front pocket.  The cash was drug proceeds.  In November 2018, investigators utilized a confidential source to arrange a purchase of heroin.  The source contacted Jarel Williams at what was believed to be the “Ferrari phone.”  Williams agreed to sell the source a half gram of heroin.  Horton arrived instead and provided the confidential source approximately a half gram of heroin for $80.  Evidence showed that Horton and Williams had operated like this on at least five other occasions.  Multiple witnesses testified that Horton had provided them heroin in the past.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley Corkery and Elizabeth Dupuich and was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Marion Police Department, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

Horton is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be sentenced.  A sentencing date has not yet been set.  Jarel Williams previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute 1,000 grams or more of heroin and distribution of heroin.  Williams will also be sentenced at a later date.  Six other members of the group were also charged for their involvement.  All six previously pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. 

The case file number is 19-CR-45.

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Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL WHITE, a leader of a violent street gang known as the “Young Gunnaz,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his participation in the Young Gunnaz, including an attempted murder of three individuals at a subway station on October 28, 2012.  WHITE was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and a firearms offense following a two-week trial in October 2018 before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet.  U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Michael White, a gang leader, was responsible for a shooting spree in and around NYCHA’s Mill Brook Houses.  He shot rival gang members in front of a public school, in a community center, and in a subway station.  Today’s sentence recognizes the serious impact of gun violence in our communities.  We will continue to aggressively prosecute all who engage in these senseless acts of violence.”

According to the evidence presented in court during the trial:

From at least in or about 2010 through in or about October 2017, WHITE was a member of the Young Gunnaz set of the YGz based in the Mill Brook Houses.  WHITE was also a member of MBG, also known as “Money Bitches Guns,” a local gang based in the Mill Brook Houses.  As part of his membership in both gangs, WHITE shot seven people.  Specifically, on January 25, 2010, WHITE shot and injured a 16-year-old rival on a street corner in the Mill Brook Houses.  On January 31, 2010, WHITE shot and injured an 18-year-old rival at a baby shower.  Later on January 31, 2010, WHITE shot a rival gang member near a building in the Mill Brook Houses, causing the individual to suffer life threatening injuries.  On February 12, 2010, WHITE shot and injured an 18-year-old rival outside a public school.  On October 28, 2012, WHITE shot and injured three individuals in the Cypress Avenue Subway Station.

*                *                *

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department.            

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Alexandra Rothman, Jordan Estes, and Gina Castellano are in charge of the prosecution.            

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SONOVAH JUDITH HILLMAN, age 29, a resident of Hercules, California, pleaded guilty on February 13, 2020 to Count One of a two-count Indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 1349, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tammy Hoover, 41, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura A. Higgins and Misha Coulson, who handled the case, stated that between December 2016 and December 27, 2016, the defendant conspired with others to distribute cocaine in the Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY, areas. 

Sometime in December 2016, Hoover agreed to receive delivery of a U.S. Postal Service parcel, which contained a quantity of cocaine, at her residence on North Avenue in Niagara Falls. The defendant did so at the request of co-conspirators, and expected a monetary payment in exchange for her role in taking the delivery and safeguarding the parcel.

Prior to delivery, the parcel was intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service and was searched pursuant to a federal search warrant. The parcel contained a large quantity of cocaine packaged within a plastic file box in five separately wrapped kilogram-sized bricks. The parcel was then repackaged with sham materials and a controlled delivery was conducted on December 27, 2016. Hoover received the package at her residence, and signed for it. The defendant was arrested at that time.  The parcel was recovered from within the residence.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Thomas Licata.

# # # #

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

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Lattrell Terry, 25, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number, was sentenced to 57 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who handled the case, stated that during a routine search, members of the Monroe County Probation Department located drugs and drug packaging material in the defendant’s Rexford Street residence. As a result, probation officers reached out to Rochester Police officers who obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the search, officers recovered approximately 474 baggies of fentanyl and 92 baggies of heroin, all packaged for re-sale. Additionally, officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol with a defaced serial number that had been reported stolen out of the State of Florida. Cocaine and marijuana were also located throughout the residence, as well as $3,316 in cash. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Department of Probation, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Larry Mattle, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

# # # #

In Austin today, a federal judge sentenced 49-year-old Charles McAllister, CEO and owner of Bullion Direct, Inc. (BDI), to ten years in federal prison for money laundering and scheming to defraud customers out of millions of dollars, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office; and, Texas State Securities Board Commissioner Travis J. Iles.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered McAllister to pay restitution in the amount of $16,186,212.56 to over 5,800 victims of the defendant’s scheme.  Judge Yeakel also ordered that McAllister be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term. 

“I am pleased that this scammer was brought to justice.  We won’t tolerate such brazen frauds in Texas,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

On October 4, 2019, a jury convicted McAllister of two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with criminally derived property. 

According to evidence presented during the five-day trial, from at least January 2009 through July 2015, McAllister perpetrated a scheme that falsely represented that funds obtained from individual customers would be used to purchase precious metals on behalf of the customer and either shipped directly to the customer or stored in BDI’s vault.  Instead of buying the precious metals with the customer’s funds and storing customer metals, McAllister spent customer property on BDI corporate expenses, on other investment activities, and for his own personal use and benefit.

“Today’s sentence should send a clear message is a message to those who seek to lie, cheat and steal from others for their own financial gain,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs.  “The victims in this case trusted the defendant but he took their money and used it fraudulently and for his own personal financial gain. The FBI will vigorously pursue those who carry out these deceitful and fraudulent schemes without regard to their victims.”

“Today's sentencing of Charles McAllister demonstrates how federal law enforcement will band together to help put an end to the criminal behavior of those who prey on investors for their personal financial gain,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Goss.  “Investment schemes can thrive for a time on false claims about how the money is being invested and where the returns are coming from. But that time is gone, and as this sentencing shows, it's time for those responsible to face judgment.”

Agents with the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Texas State Securities Board conducted this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Guess and Keith Henneke prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As part the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California’s strategy to reduce violent crime by focusing on firearms prosecutions, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced that a federal grand jury has returned indictments in the following cases involving illegal firearms offenses.

Andre Parker, 54, of Sacramento, was charged today with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Dec. 29, 2019, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in which Parker was riding and found a Springfield XD .45-caliber handgun underneath Parker’s seat. Parker has several prior felony convictions—including prior felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm convictions—which prohibit him from possessing a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the Sacramento Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Pennekamp is prosecuting the case.

Derick Louangamath, 30, of Sacramento, was charged today with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Nov. 23, 2019, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle that Louangamath was driving and found a Glock 26, along with loaded 10-, 15-, and 33-round magazines. Louangamath has several prior felony convictions—including prior felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm convictions—which prohibit him from possessing a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the Sacramento Police Department, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Pennekamp is prosecuting the case.

Hack Townsend Culling Jr., 27, of Fairfield, was charged on Feb. 6 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, in April 2019, law enforcement officers stopped Culling for various traffic violations. The officers searched Culling and his motorcycle based on Culling’s status on post-release community supervision and found a .25-caliber pistol in one of the saddle bags on Culling’s motorcycle. Culling cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of six felony offenses, five of the convictions are domestic violence offenses. This case is the product of an investigation by the Fairfield Police Department with assistance from the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Delgado is prosecuting the case.

Gabriel Mata, 25, of Fresno, was charged on Feb. 6 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Jan. 19, law enforcement officers discovered that Mata possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P, .40-caliber, semi-automatic pistol. Mata has three prior felony convictions—including one prior felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm conviction—which prohibit him from possessing a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Yim is prosecuting the case.

Lawrence Macken, 42, of Stockton, was charged on Jan. 24 with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Dec. 12, 2019, law enforcement officers stopped Macken’s vehicle and found a Bersa Firestorm .380 semi-automatic handgun in the dash compartment near the driver’s seat. Macken has numerous prior felony convictions—including two felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm convictions, two assault convictions, and multiple vehicle-theft convictions—which prohibit him from possessing a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the Stockton Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron D. Pennekamp is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve 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 law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

The cases are 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. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Miguel Alvarez Cervantes, 55, a Mexican national living in Los Molinos, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley, to nine years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Cervantes pleaded guilty in July 2019. According to court records, federal agents began investigating Cervantes and co-defendant Maria Cervantes-Echevarria, in 2017 for suspected methamphetamine trafficking in Shasta and Tehama Counties. In August and September 2018, an undercover agent purchased over 3 pounds of methamphetamine from Cervantes during three controlled buys. In addition, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cervantes-Echevarria’s and co-defendant Marta Jiminez Lopez’s home in September 2018, they seized over 34 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 pounds of heroin, three firearms, and over $44,000 in cash.

Cervantes-Echevarria and Lopez, both Mexican nationals living in Los Molinos, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. They are scheduled to be sentenced in March 2020.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Land Management, the Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement (TIDE) task force, and the Siskiyou Unified Major Investigations Team (SUMIT), with special assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Delgado is prosecuting the case.

In San Antonio today, a federal jury convicted 50-year-old Brian Alfaro, owner of Primera Energy, LLC, of scheming to defraud investors in his company, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Goss, Houston Field Office.

Following an eight-day trial, jurors convicted Alfaro of seven counts of mail fraud.  Evidence presented during trial revealed that from January 2012 to June 2015, Alfaro offered individuals the opportunity to invest in numerous oil and gas prospects, including the Screaming Eagle 4H Prospect in Gonzales County, Screaming Eagle 6H Prospect also in Gonzales County, and Black Hawk Horizontal Buda #1 Prospect.  Investors mailed investment checks to Primera in San Antonio.  Alfaro told investors their monies would be used for expenses related to operation of the prospects, however, Alfaro used investor funds to support his extravagant lifestyle. 

Alfaro, who was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following today’s verdict, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each mail fraud charge.  Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2020, in front of U.S. District Judge Fred Biery.   

The FBI and IRS-CI investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory J. Surovic and Robert Almonte are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Seattle – A former Bellevue, Washington, resident who relocated to Miami, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 38 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $2,359,914 in restitution for bankruptcy fraud.  MARINA BONDARENKO, 38, operated a ‘work-at- home’ email scheme that ultimately crashed – but not before she and her partner raided the cash to purchase homes, expensive cars, and a yacht.  The two set up a series of trusts to try to hide the diverted assets from the bankruptcy trustee after the sham company declared bankruptcy.  At the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said he was concerned about respect for the law.  “She submitted false documents in two different judicial proceedings,” Chief Judge Martinez said. “She committed perjury – she took the witness stand and lied.”

According to records filed in the case, between July 2013 and March 2014, BONDARENKO and her partner, Volodimyr Pigida, siphoned off more than $3 million from a company they had established that essentially operated as a Ponzi scheme.  The pair used the money to purchase four properties, a yacht, and numerous cars.  As the Ponzi scheme unraveled, the company filed for bankruptcy protection.  BONDARENKO and Pigida never revealed to the bankruptcy court that they had looted the company coffers and transferred assets purchased with that money to ten trusts they had established.  In all, the pair attempted to conceal $3,334,750 in assets from the bankruptcy court and creditors.

BONDARENKO and her now-husband Pigida were indicted for conspiracy, mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud in November 2018.  In September 2019, BONDARENKO pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud.  Pigida is scheduled for trial on the indictment in September 2020.

The company the two formed, Trend Sound Promoter AMG Corp., was supposed to conduct advertising and music promotion over the internet.  The couple sold Ad-promoting packages whereby those who bought a package were to be paid for email marketing.  The couple made claims to those purchasing the packages that they could make big money for sending emails on Trend Sound’s behalf.  In reality, the only money being generated was from those purchasing the packages, and it was used to pay earlier purchasers as in a typical Ponzi scheme.  As purchasers got wise and the money started to run out, BONDARENKO and Pigida accelerated their looting of the company, eventually transferring $3.3 million out of the company for their personal benefit.

The two even filed suit in King County Superior Court in an attempt to stop an unhappy customer from warning others about the company’s sham offering.  In her plea agreement, BONDARENKO admitted to providing perjured testimony in that proceeding.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Arnold and Marie Dalton.

Seattle – A Seattle man who stole tens of thousands of dollars from a woman in her 70’s while she lay dying in the hospital, was convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of ten federal felonies.  DWAYNE BROOKS was convicted of six counts of bank fraud and attempted bank fraud, two counts of use of unauthorized access devices, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  The jury deliberated about four hours following the three-day trial.  U.S. District Judge James L. Robart scheduled sentencing for May 18, 2020.

According to records in the case and testimony at trial, between November 2016 and April 2018, BROOKS used debit cards, credit cards, checks, and other financial information stolen from mail, cars, and homes to steal money from multiple victims.  One of the victims, a 78-year-old woman ultimately died in the hospital while BROOKS was looting her accounts.  During the scheme, BROOKS repeatedly used her information to open credit accounts, drain bank accounts, and even attempted to obtain her power of attorney.  While the woman was in the hospital, surveillance video shows BROOKS using keys stolen from her ex-husband’s car to burglarize her condominium, taking bags full of valuables.  A second victim, an 84-year-old Seattle woman, is still trying to untangle the fraud he committed against her accounts, including her retirement investment account.  Finally, BROOKS stole and attempted to cash a $34,000 tax refund check.

In all, BROOKS’ fraud exceeds $120,000.

In closing argument, Assistant United States Attorney Seungjae Lee noted, BROOKS’ scheme “was simple, but devastating.  He had no regard for those left behind holding the bag.  An 83-year-old woman is still trying to recover from the fraud on her accounts.  A second victim spent her last months in the hospital while the defendant was draining her accounts.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) with assistance from the Duval Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, Renton Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seungjae Lee and Special Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Diggs.  Mr. Diggs is an attorney with the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, specially designated to pursue fraud cases in federal court.

WICHITA, KAN. – A registered sex offender living in western Kansas was sentenced Thursday to 292 months in federal prison on child pornography charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

A federal jury convicted Wayne Benjamin Wasson, 60, Great Bend, Kan., on four counts of uploading child pornography to the internet and one count of possessing child pornography.

During trial, a prosecutor presented evidence that Yahoo and Google detected child pornography originating from Wasson’s residence. The digital trail led investigators to Wasson, who admitted he had received child pornography via Skype and had operated a number of other accounts. Investigators found child pornography within the accounts and on Wasson’s devices.

Wasson registered as a sex offender in 2007 following a conviction for possession of child pornography.

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

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas City, Kan., man was indicted Thursday on federal charges of assaulting an undercover officer after she paid him $400 for a handgun, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Nicholas Newman, 19, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of robbery, one count of assaulting a federal officer, one count of brandishing a firearm in a crime of violence and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

An affidavit filed in the case alleges that on Feb. 6, 2020, Newman met the undercover officer in the parking lot of a Sunfresh grocery store at 241 S. 18^th Street in Kansas City, Kan. The agent gave Newman $400 and he gave her a .45 caliber Ruger Model P234 pistol. She asked if the gun came with a clip and he said it did. Then Newman reached for the firearm and tried to pull it away from her. During the struggle, the agent shouted for help and a second agent grabbed Newman from behind.

If convicted, Newman could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm, up to 25 years on the robbery count, up to 20 years on the assault count and not less than five years on the charge of brandishing a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting. This case is being prosecuted under Project Guardian, a Justice Department initiative focused to reducing gun violence.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Cory Castro, 28, Lawson, Mo., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred July 21, 2019, in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face not less than five years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million on the methamphetamine charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The Lenexa Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka is prosecuting.

Perfecto Morales-Santiago, 42, who is not a citizen of the United States, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Jan. 27, 2020, in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka is prosecuting.

Stephen M. Nelson, 31, Kansas City, Kan., is charged in a superseding indictment with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in February and July 2019 in Wyandotte County, Kan.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.

Monta Simmons, 31, Leavenworth, Kan., is charged with escaping from federal custody at the Grossman Center on Brewer Place in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred Nov. 20, 2019.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

St. Louis, MO –Kate Palos, 32, of Affton, Missouri, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for her involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme. 

According to court documents, Palos was the human resource manager for Express Medical Transporters (EMT), which transported Medicaid patients to medical appointments. In order to receive reimbursements for the transports, EMT had to use drivers who had complied with certain defined requirements. Drivers had to receive CPT and other safety training and not have a history of criminal or other violations that could jeopardize the safety of patients. When EMT did not have compliant drivers, non-compliant drivers would transport the patients. Palos changed, or directed other employees to change, the names on the trip logs and use the names/signatures of compliant drivers. In some instances, Palos used the names of drivers, who were no longer working for EMT at the time the transports were made. These fraudulent documents were submitted to support requests for payment.

Palos faces a penalty up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dorothy McMurtry is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.