Skyler Sven Quiver, age 25, of Ethete, Wyoming appeared before Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on May 28, 2020 after being indicted by a federal grand jury on May 21, 2020.  Skyler Quiver was indicted on a single count of sexual abuse.  He was advised of the charges against him and his arraignment and detention hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2020.  

Ambrose Eugene Magnan, age 18, of Ethete, Wyoming, was arrested on May 22, 2020 after being indicted by a federal grand jury and made his initial appearance before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin.   Magnan pled not guilty to assault by suffocation and his trial is set for July 27, 2020.

Alonzo Tapaha Tabaho, age 32, of St. Stephens, Wyoming, appeared before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin after being indicted for sexual abuse of a minor.  Tabaho pled not guilty to the charge in the federal indictment, which was handed down on May 21, 2020. His trial is set for July 27, 2020 in federal court.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault cases often present difficult challenges for investigators and prosecutors.  Nevertheless, we remain committed to taking on these cases, seeking justice, and working to protect the most vulnerable in our society.” stated United States Attorney Mark A. Klaassen.

All defendants are presumed innocent until when and if proven guilty.   Quiver, Magnan and Tabaho were all remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

BOISE - Karina Renee Moore, 48, of Eagle, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for health care fraud, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today.  U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Moore to serve three years of supervised release following her release from prison and to pay $611,860.86 in restitution.  Moore pleaded guilty on January 7, 2020.

According to court records, from August 2007 to December 2016, Moore was employed as the office manager at a skilled nursing facility in Boise.  The skilled nursing facility was originally Marquis Care of Shaw Mountain, but it was sold in May 2016 and renamed Shaw Mountain of Cascadia.  On December 1, 2016, employees at Shaw Mountain of Cascadia called law enforcement after discovering checks showing that the defendant had embezzled $23,805.66.  The resulting investigation revealed Moore had been defrauding the Shaw Mountain care facility since at least January 2010.  Between January 2010 and December 2016, Moore defrauded health care programs and social security programs, resulting in a loss of $611,860.86. 

Moore used multiple schemes to cover her fraud.  She embezzled the residents’ private payments and social security payments, including from their resident trust accounts.  She fraudulently billed Medicaid for services that were covered by other health care benefit programs, and failed to report payments to Medicaid, causing overpayments, which she then embezzled.  Finally, Moore collected and misused the social security checks of a deceased resident.

This case was investigated by United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Boise Police Department, and Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.

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NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that KEYIRA GABLE, age 33, a resident of Harvey, Louisiana, pleaded guilty May 28, 2020 before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, GABLE and the other defendants engaged in a scheme to obtain merchandise and cash from stores through fraud.  The defendants obtained stolen credit and debit card information, encoded it onto cards, and then used that information to purchase items at stores.  The defendants would then return the items at a different store of the same chain, but they would deceive store workers in order to have the chargeback credited to their own own bank accounts.  Court documents also detail how, in June 2017, GABLE was arrested by Slidell Police Department officers at a Kay Jewelers store while attempting to conduct a fraudulent transaction using stolen identification and stolen credit card information.

GABLE pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud, for which she faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment.  GABLE also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two years of imprisonment to be served consecutively with any other sentence.  Both counts also carry a maximum of fine of up to $250,000.00, or twice the gross gain or gross loss caused by this scheme.  Sentencing is set for September 3, 2020, before Judge Ashe.

NEWARK, N.J. – A grand jury today indicted two men, one from Ocean County, New Jersey, and the other from Utah, with carrying out a fraudulent scheme to obtain credit cards in the names of third parties, make purchases on the cards to generate rewards points, monetize the points, and cancel the purchases.

Aharon Lev, a/k/a “Aaron Lev,” a/k/a “Aron Lev,” a/k/a “David Gold,” a/k/a “David Monroe,” 33, of Lakewood, New Jersey, and Timothy Gibson, 43, of Lehi, Utah, are charged by indictment with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lev is also charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Lev was previously charged by complaint and released on bond to Israel; he is required to return to New Jersey by June 9, 2020, to be arraigned on the indictment. Gibson will make his initial appearance at a date to be determined.

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

From August 2014 through May 2016, Lev recruited individuals to give him their personally identifiable information, such as names and Social Security numbers, which Lev used to open numerous small-business accounts in their names with the victim credit card company. With Gibson’s assistance, Lev then used those accounts to make purchases that generated rewards points, which could be redeemed for frequent-flyer miles with various airlines. Once the points were issued, Lev cancelled the purchases and sold the points to Gibson, who resold them to third parties for use as miles to purchase airfare. Over two years, the scheme cost the credit card company more than $8 million in fees paid to the airlines for acceptance of points for miles.

Each charge of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, restitution, and forfeiture. Each charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, to be served consecutive to any sentence on the wire-fraud and conspiracy charges.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Seattle - Two Bellingham, Washington, residents made their initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Seattle following their arrest on May 28, 2020, for distributing fake oxycodone tablets tainted with fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.  TROY J. KLANDER, 38, and ZACHARY D. SALAS, 38, are charged with conspiracy to possess fentanyl with intent to distribute.  Both remain in custody following a five-month investigation of their drug trafficking activities.

“These counterfeit oxycodone pills, laced with unknown amounts of fentanyl, have proven deadly in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Moran.  “I commend the DEA agents and local law enforcement officers who continued this investigation despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 lockdown.”

According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, law enforcement used confidential sources and undercover officers to purchase the fentanyl laced pills from KLANDER and to identify SALAS as a source of supply.  On May 28, 2020, a Drug Enforcement Administration-led task force executed search warrants at six locations in Whatcom County.  At one location, SALAS refused to co-operate with law enforcement resulting in a one-hour standoff.  The standoff ended peacefully, and SALAS was taken into custody.

“Even with the hurdles presented by the COVID-19 crisis, we were able to investigate and safely remove these suppliers of dangerous counterfeit pills,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis.  “These pills laced with fentanyl can be highly toxic when handled and are indiscriminately killing tens of thousands of people yearly in the U.S.  The identification and disruption of those involved in this illicit distribution chain remains a high priority for law enforcement at every level.”

Over the course of the investigation law enforcement seized 500 counterfeit oxycodone pills tainted with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and crystal methamphetamine, as well as a stolen gun and more than $100,000 in cash.

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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

The investigation is being led by DEA with significant assistance from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Gang and Drug Task Force.  The searches yesterday involved the DEA Seattle Special Response Team (SRT), Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office SWAT, Bellingham Police Department SWAT, Washington State Patrol SWAT, Homeland Security Investigation, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Unit, Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU), and Snohomish Regional Gang Drug Task Force.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seungjae Lee.

us_v._klander_salas.pdf

SAN FRANCISCO – Ross Anthony Farca was ordered to pay $17,832 in restitution for making false statements to a government agency, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge. 

Farca, 24, of Concord, pleaded guilty to the charge, without a plea agreement, on April 9, 2020.  As part of the proceedings for pleading guilty, Farca acknowledged he falsely certified on an electronic questionnaire that he had not consulted with a health care professional about an emotional or mental health condition when in fact he had. 

Additional facts about the case appear in other court filings, including a complaint filed November 19, 2019.  According to the complaint, on June 22, 2017, Farca traveled to a U.S. Army Recruitment Center in Mountain View, Calif., where he completed and submitted an online background check application in his bid to join the U.S. Army.  The background check application, also known as an SF-86, contains language specifically warning that falsifying or concealing a material fact on the application is a felony which may result in fines or imprisonment.  In this case, the criminal complaint alleges that Farca nevertheless knowingly made false statements about his mental health when completing the form.  Specifically, he affirmatively stated that he had not received mental health treatment when, in fact, Farca had been in regular contact with a psychiatrist since 2011.  In addition, the complaint alleges Farca had received prescriptions for various medications and had received treatments to manage his mental disorders. 

According to the complaint, Farca understood that because of his diagnosis, he needed a letter of clearance from a mental health professional before he would be qualified to enlist in the army.  The complaint alleges that Farca requested a letter of clearance from both his psychiatrist and a caseworker familiar with his condition; both mental health professionals, however, denied Farca’s request for a clearance letter.  The complaint further alleges that when Farca completed the SF-86, rather than admit he had been seeing a psychiatrist and that he was unable to obtain a letter clearing him for duty, Farca instead denied he had ever had counseling for his psychological or emotional health.  According to the complaint, Farca reported to basic training on August 28, 2017, and was discharged October 3, 2017.  The discharge paperwork cited "failed medical / physical / procurement standards" and noted, "erroneous enlistment; medical condition disqualifying for military service, with no medical waiver approved."

A federal grand jury indicted Farca on December 3, 2019, charging him with making a false statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a).  Farca pleaded guilty to the count. 

In addition to the restitution order, Judge Tigar also sentenced the defendant to time served in jail—a period of more than six months as defendant has been in custody since his arrest on November 21, 2019—and a 3-year period of supervised release, to include special conditions restricting his computer usage. Defendant will be released from federal custody and transferred to the custody of Contra Costa County, to face additional pending charges. 

The Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Section is prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Concord Police Department. 

NEWARK, N.J. – The Justice Department today sued a Gloucesster County construction company for allegedly defrauding the United States by falsely claiming credit for using disadvantaged business entities, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

C. Abbonizio Contractors Inc., a company based in Sewell, New Jersey, allegedly defrauded the government by claiming to use disadvantaged entities when those entities were not actually used to perform work.

Companies performing federally funded work on New Jersey transportation projects sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) are required to utilize disadvantaged business entities (DBE) for a specified percentage of the work, and are required to certify their use of these entities.  

According to the complaint filed today in U.S. District Court:

Abbonizio Contractors obtained a $39 million subcontract from PKF Mark III, the prime contractor on the Direct Connection Project, a federally funded reconfiguration of the interchanges of Routes I-295, I-76, and Route 42 in Camden County. PKF Mark III was required to perform 15 percent of the work with DBE contractors, and Abbonizio Contractors assumed that requirement as part of its subcontract. Abbonizio Contractors and its president, Peter Abbonizio, improperly claimed credit for using DBE to perform work on the project by reporting to PKF Mark III the use of DBE that did not actually perform work. The scheme involved hiring DBE not to perform work, but merely to fraudulently invoice work as their own that was actually performed by other companies, in violation of the contract and federal regulations.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General under the direction of Acting Inspector General Howard R. Elliot, and agents of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Office of the Inspector General under Acting Inspector General Michael Farbiarz, with the investigation leading to the filing of this civil fraud complaint.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark C. Orlowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Shaorong Liu ("Liu") and Juan Lu ("Lu"), both of Norman, have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.

According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint, Liu and Lu are employed at the University of Oklahoma Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.  Liu and Lu also controlled a company, MicroChem Solutions (MCS).  Through MCS, they applied for and received federal grant monies from the Department of Energy.  The mission of the grant program was to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.  The affidavit alleges Liu and Lu spent this grant money on matters unrelated to the purpose of the grant funding, including on personal expenses.

Today, Liu and Lu made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge­­­­­­­ Suzanne Mitchell in Oklahoma City.  If found guilty, Liu and Lu face a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison.

This case is a result of an investigation by the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General, the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Oklahoma City Field Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Farrior and Matt Dillon are prosecuting the case.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely an allegation and that both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Reference is made to public filings for more information.  To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.

LAS VEGAS, Nev.— Eric Larsgaard, 29, of Las Vegas, was arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging him for allegedly unlawfully possessing a firearm and deliberately setting fire in a hotel room, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Larsgaard has two prior criminal convictions in Clark County, including ownership or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. A jury trial has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey on July 16, 2020.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and indictment, on March 4, 2020, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall after the fire alarm in Larsgaard’s hotel room was activated. Hotel security found that he had barricaded the door with a dresser and mattress. Guests staying in the hotel room next to Larsgaard’s room had also called hotel security to report that they heard three gunshots coming from his room. For safety reasons, officers evacuated all guests on the floor. After unsuccessfully attempting to make contact with Larsgaard for approximately four hours, responding law enforcement officers forced entry into the room and took Larsgaard into custody.

Officers executed a search warrant and located in Larsgaard’s room a Ruger handgun that previously had been reported stolen. The firearm’s safety was off, and the hammer was cocked in the firing position. Several bullet holes were located in the room. Further, an arson investigator with the Clark County Fire Investigation Division observed at least four different locations of deliberate ignition within the room. The arson investigator also noted that the smoke alarms had been tampered with and removed from the wall. 

If convicted, Larsgaard faces (a) a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of felon in possession of a firearm, and (b) between five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of arson. In addition to imprisonment and fines, Larsgaard also faces a period of supervised release following any term of imprisonment imposed, restitution, and monetary penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only. If convicted of an offense, the sentencing of a defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is the product of an investigation by ATF, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the Clark County Fire Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Ihler is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice 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 has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/project-safe-neighborhoods-project-guardian.

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The Justice Department and the FBI are making the investigation of George Floyd’s tragic death a top priority. . https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/4569255-u-s-attorney-erica-macdonald-dept-is-making-george-floyd-investigation-a-top-priority/

As the Major Cities Chiefs Association said, George Floyd’s death is “deeply disturbing and should be of concern to all Americans.” https://www.majorcitieschiefs.com/news_detail.php?detail=308,  

Yesterday, the vast majority of protestors in Milwaukee expressed their concerns peaceably.  But late last night, some protestors set fires in several stores, causing damage to innocent owners.  In addition, a Milwaukee Police Department officer suffered a minor gunshot injury from a currently unknown source.  Such violence and property damage accomplish nothing and instead only create more victims. 

Although we respect the rights of all to express their concerns peaceably, federal law enforcement is joined with state and local authorities to address further violence.  Federal law imposes stiff penalties for commercial arson and other crimes.  I encourage everyone to act in peace so that our nation can promote healing rather than suffer new wounds. 

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Two criminal Complaints were filed Saturday evening in federal court in Brooklyn charging two women and a man with using and attempting to use improvised incendiary devices commonly known as “Molotov Cocktails” to damage and destroy New York City Police Department (NYPD) vehicles.  Defendants Colinford Mattis and Urooj Rahman, both residents of Brooklyn, were arrested in a van early Saturday morning while allegedly in possession of explosive device components shortly after Rahman hurled a Molotov cocktail at an NYPD vehicle before fleeing with Mattis.  A separate complaint charges Samantha Shader, a resident of Catskill, New York, who was arrested after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at an NYPD vehicle occupied by four police officers.  The defendants charged in each of the complaints will make their initial appearances via teleconference on Monday, June 1, 2020, before United States Magistrate Judge Steven M. Gold. 

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner, NYPD, announced the arrests and charges.

“These defendants are charged with attacking the New York City Police Department while its Police Officers are risking their lives to protect the Constitutional rights of protesters and the safety of us all,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “No rational human being can ever believe that hurling firebombs at Police Officers and vehicles is justified.  The Eastern District of New York will do everything in its power to protect those who protect us all, and we will ensure that criminals who use the camouflage of lawful protest to launch violent attacks against Police Officers face justice.” 

“When you conduct a violent attack that breaks federal law, the FBI New York office, along with our NYPD and Department of Justice partners, will move with speed to hold you accountable.  Behavior like the attacks charged here puts our entire community - protestors and first responders alike - in danger, and we will simply not allow it to go unaddressed.  The consequences for conducting this alleged attack, and any similar activity planned for the future, will be severe,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. 

“Molotov Cocktails are violent tools of individuals looking to inflict harm and damage our city.  Crimes like these are devastating to their targets and also to the protestors and their right to free speech that police are working hard to protect.  It is reassuring that the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn has taken this case.  I’m confident that the severest penalties under the law will be sought,” stated NYPD Commissioner Shea.

 As detailed in the complaint charging Mattis and Rahman, an NYPD surveillance camera recorded Rahman tossing a Molotov Cocktail at an unoccupied NYPD vehicle parked near the 88th Precinct in Brooklyn, New York and then fleeing in a tan minivan.  Officers pursued the minivan and arrested Rahman and Mattis, who was the vehicle’s driver.  The NYPD recovered several precursor items used to build Molotov Cocktails, including a lighter, a bottle filled with toilet paper and a liquid suspected to be gasoline in the vicinity of the passenger seat and a gasoline tank in the rear of the vehicle.

As detailed in the complaint charging Shader, a video recorded by a witness captured her igniting a Molotov Cocktail and throwing it at an NYPD vehicle occupied by four police officers, shattering two of its windows.  Police officers pursued Shader as she attempted to flee and apprehended her.  In a post-arrest statement, Shader later admitted to police that she had thrown the Molotov Cocktail at the NYPD vehicle.

The charges in the Complaints are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory-minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Ian C. Richardson and Jonathan Algor are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

COLINFORD MATTIS
Age:  32
Brooklyn, New York

UROOJ RAHMAN
Age:  31
Brooklyn, New York

SAMANTHA SHADER
Age:  27
Catskill, New York

WASHINGTON – Attorney General William P. Barr announced today the appointment of Stephen J. Cox as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546, effective June 1, 2020.

As U.S. Attorney, Cox will serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Eastern District of Texas.  He will be in charge of overseeing 55 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 65 support staff, across six offices.  Cox will be responsible for the prosecution of federal criminal offenses in the district, and will represent the United States in all civil litigation in the district.

“I am pleased to appoint Stephen J. Cox as U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Texas.  Steve has been a consummate professional and dedicated leader throughout his time in the Office of the Associate Attorney General,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “Steve’s vast experience in areas ranging from regulatory reform to fraud to corporate compliance, and his reputation for fairness, sound judgment, and management, will serve him well in Eastern Texas.”

Before being appointed as U.S. Attorney, Cox served as Deputy Associate Attorney General and Chief of Staff within the Department’s Office of the Associate Attorney General.  In his role, Cox spearheaded numerous policy reforms relating to corporate enforcement and regulatory reform, as well as overseeing several Department matters relating to financial fraud and healthcare fraud.  He also served as vice chair of the Deputy Attorney General’s working group on corporate enforcement and accountability, and as executive director of the Department’s regulatory reform task force. 

Previously, Cox served on the William H. Webster Commission on the FBI, Counterterrorism, Intelligence, and the Events of Fort Hood, and as a senior advisor to the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Cox has also spent time in private practice, dealing with white collar investigations, ethics and compliance, and regulatory matters.

Cox has a B.S. degree from the Texas A&M University and J.D. degree from the University of Houston Law Center.  He is a member of the Texas and District of Columbia bars.

For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx. 

“The Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) model is exactly the right tool as we investigate potential violations of federal law during the riots in Salt Lake City this weekend, or any similar uprisings in the future. The JTTF brings together highly trained investigators from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  These are already strong relationships in Utah, with a proven track record.  It makes sense to take advantage of these relationships and this expertise already in place.

“We recognize and support the rights we all enjoy to peacefully demonstrate, protest and advocate for our beliefs. These are some of the most important rights we have as Americans.

“However, we have zero tolerance for those who hijack peaceful protests to violate federal law.  In particular, our eyes are on those who use fire and arson to destroy property and any who may have traveled to Utah from out of state to riot in Salt Lake City.  We will hold accountable those who violate federal law.”

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(U.S. Attorney Huber’s statement follows a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice Sunday morning saying that “to identify criminal organizers and instigators, and to coordinate federal resources with our state and local partners, federal law enforcement is using our existing network of 56 regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF).”  There is a regional JTTF in Salt Lake City.)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Federal, state and local law enforcement partners join together to condemn the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and offer sincere condolences to his family and colleagues, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, and Sacramento Chief of Police Daniel Hahn announced.

Mr. Floyd’s death is being addressed through our criminal justice system, which is moving quickly. The state prosecutor has brought murder charges against a former Minneapolis police officer. As United States Attorney General Barr announced on May 29, the Department of Justice, including the FBI, is also conducting an independent investigation to determine whether any federal civil rights laws were violated.

Peaceful protest is a time-honored tradition in our country, and we in law enforcement strive to protect these important First Amendment rights. The majority of those protesting are doing so peacefully. But when protests turn violent, this endangers the community, and law enforcement must act to protect the community. As a civilized society based upon the rule of law, we will not tolerate violence, anarchy or chaos that threatens the safety of the community.

Federal, state, and local law enforcement will continue to work together to protect the community’s First Amendment rights and to protect the community from violence and lawlessness. Federal and state felony statutes may apply.

“As part of the community, we share the concerns about George Floyd’s death,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “We also recognize that his death comes at a time when we are also fighting, as a nation, an unprecedented pandemic that has taken its toll across our country and our District. Together with state and local law enforcement, we have reached out to our community leaders to address the real and legitimate concerns about what happened to Mr. Floyd and to identify positive steps we can take going forward. Please join me in a call for unity and peace, not violence, as we work together during this difficult time.”

The FBI Sacramento Field Office is deeply committed to protecting the civil rights of all people within the 34 California counties we serve,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan. “The FBI steadfastly investigates all allegations involving the deprivation of civil rights, including ‘color of law’ violations – official actions taken by persons acting under the authority of local, state, federal, or tribal laws to willfully deprive someone of a right or privilege secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. No one is above or beyond the law. The communities we serve can depend on the FBI to methodically collect facts in order to provide unbiased and independent investigative results so prosecutors can make a charging decision.”

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Following Attorney General William Barr’s statement today on riots and domestic terrorism, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady issued the following statement:

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to preserve the First Amendment rights of citizens to free speech and assembly. Sadly, this is not what we witnessed in the streets of Pittsburgh last night.

Following today’s clear guidance from AG Barr, we will use the proven Joint Terrorism Task Force model to identify, apprehend and prosecute anyone who uses the guise of protest to incite violence and violate federal laws. We will not allow violent agitators to hijack legitimate protests for their own agenda."

SAVANNAH, GA: Attorney General William P. Barr has directed federal law enforcement actions aimed apprehending and charging the violent criminal agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.  The U.S. Attorneys from the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are employing the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify criminal organizers and instigators, coordinating federal resources with state and local partners, and seeking federal prosecutions where applicable.       

“Peaceful demonstrations throughout the Southern District in recent weeks have been a model for appropriate exercises of citizens’ constitutional right to express their grief and concerns,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “If anyone, whether locals or outside individuals, escalates to unlawful behavior and disrupts our communities, we stand ready to assist local law enforcement with federal resources to safeguard the lives and property of our citizens.”

“The Attorney General has made it clear that those who instigate or carryout violence will be arrested and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Americans enjoy the right to peacefully assemble and protest.  However, when it turns violent and destructive, a line has been crossed.  We are employing every federal asset our districts have to assist our state and local partners as they work to maintain order and public safety.” 

“The right to peaceful protest is protected by the First Amendment, but there is no cover for the violent, needless destruction of personal property, and the chaos we have witnessed across the country over the past several days. Let me be clear: anyone who chooses that criminal path will be aggressively prosecuted by our office,” said Charlie Peeler, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to thank our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, and Georgia’s National Guard, who are on the ground protecting our lawful right of expression, as well as our property and safety.”

“The FBI is dedicated to protecting our citizens and upholding the Constitution,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The Constitution gives every citizen the right to protest peacefully, but when a few people abuse the rights of the many peaceful protesters by stoking violence and destroying property, we must enforce the law. Federal prosecutions are a tool we will use to assist our state and local law enforcement partners who are on the front lines trying to maintain order.”

Attorney General Barr’s statement is available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barr-s-statement-death-george-floyd-and-riots

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. 

ATLANTA – Attorney General William P. Barr has directed federal law enforcement actions aimed at apprehending and charging the violent criminal agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.  The U.S. Attorneys from the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are employing the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify criminal organizers and instigators, coordinating federal resources with state and local partners, and seeking federal prosecutions where applicable.        

“The Attorney General has made it clear that those who instigate or carryout violence will be arrested and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Americans enjoy the right to peacefully assemble and protest.  However, when it turns violent and destructive, a line has been crossed.  We are employing every federal asset our districts have to assist our state and local partners as they work to maintain order and public safety.” 

“The right to peaceful protest is protected by the First Amendment, but there is no cover for the violent, needless destruction of personal property, and the chaos we have witnessed across the country over the past several days. Let me be clear: anyone who chooses that criminal path will be aggressively prosecuted by our office,” said Charlie Peeler, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “I want to thank our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, and Georgia’s National Guard, who are on the ground protecting our lawful right of expression, as well as our property and safety.”

“Peaceful demonstrations throughout the Southern District in recent weeks have been a model for appropriate exercises of citizens’ constitutional right to express their grief and concerns,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “If anyone, whether locals or outside individuals, escalates to unlawful behavior and disrupts our communities, we stand ready to assist local law enforcement with federal resources to safeguard the lives and property of our citizens.”

“The FBI is dedicated to protecting our citizens and upholding the Constitution,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The Constitution gives every citizen the right to protest peacefully, but when a few people abuse the rights of the many peaceful protesters by stoking violence and destroying property, we must enforce the law. Federal prosecutions are a tool we will use to assist our state and local law enforcement partners who are on the front lines trying to maintain order.”

Attorney General Barr’s statement is available here:  https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-william-p-barrs-statement-riots-and-domestic-terrorism

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Together with the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office will protect all citizens’ right to peacefully protest – especially after the tragic events in Minnesota and elsewhere.  But the last few days have seen protests in Denver hijacked by criminal elements, who have turned these protests into violent riots in our own communities.  While we can and should peacefully advocate for our beliefs, no one may incite a riot, start a fire, or injure other people in the process. 

Today, Attorney General Barr has directed that the Department’s existing network of regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces will be deployed to apprehend and charge violent agitators hijacking peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law.  In Colorado, the U.S Attorney’s Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) are working together.  The JTTF consists of highly trained FBI agents and investigators from federal and local law enforcement agencies, including Task Force Officers from the Denver Police Department.   Today, the JTTF has been directed to investigate any potential violations of federal law associated with the ongoing activity in Denver and elsewhere.  Where violations are identified, prosecutors from my office will hold violators accountable to fullest extent of federal law.

Anyone planning future acts of violence should know that our law enforcement community is united in protecting Colorado, and we will do so.

Together with the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office will protect all citizens’ right to eacefully protest – especially after the tragic events in Minnesota and elsewhere.  But the last few days have seen protests in Denver hijacked by criminal elements, who have turned these protests into violent riots in our own communities.  While we can and should peacefully advocate for our beliefs, no one may incite a riot, start a fire, or injure other people in the process. 

Today, Attorney General Barr has directed that the Department’s existing network of regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces will be deployed to apprehend and charge violent agitators hijacking peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law.  In Colorado, the U.S Attorney’s Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) are working together.  The JTTF consists of highly trained FBI agents and investigators from federal and local law enforcement agencies, including Task Force Officers from the Denver Police Department.  Today, the JTTF has been directed to investigate any potential violations of federal law associated with the ongoing activity in Denver and elsewhere.  Where violations are identified, prosecutors from my office will hold violators accountable to fullest extent of federal law.

Anyone planning future acts of violence should know that our law enforcement community is united in protecting Colorado, and we will do so.