CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A St. Albans man was sentenced to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Joshua Wayne Davis, 26, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison to include a three-year term of supervised release. He entered a guilty plea in January.

“A smorgasbord of illicit drugs. Mark this up as another win for the good guys,” U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said. “Poison peddlers will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Great work by St. Albans PD.”

Davis previously admitted that on May 6, 2019, he possessed with intent to distribute the Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances. He also admitted to having, on that date, $12,944 in drug proceeds. Officers from the St. Albans Police Department located the controlled substances and drug proceeds in a vehicle in which he was a passenger in St. Albans. 

St. Albans Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is handling the prosecution.

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SHREVEPORT/LAFAYETTE/ALEXANDRIA/LAKE CHARLES/MONROE, La. – United States Attorneys David C. Joseph, Western District of Louisiana, Brandon J. Fremin, Middle District of Louisiana, and Peter G. Strasser, Eastern District of Louisiana, jointly announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Louisiana are joining federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to preserve Louisiana citizens’ rights to free speech and assembly while protecting our communities from violence and destruction.

In a statement on Sunday, May 31, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr noted that federal law enforcement resources would be available to assist state and local leaders in their efforts to ensure peaceful protests and to reestablish law and order. Attorney General Barr said that federal resources will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.

According to U.S. Attorneys Joseph, Fremin, and Strasser, joint federal, state, and local coordination is designed to use available federal assets to assist state and local partners in maintaining order and allowing people to peacefully assemble, while protecting against violence and destruction.

Specifically, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices are also working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify criminal organizers and instigators, and seek federal prosecutions where applicable. The FBI’s JTTFs are the nation’s front line of defense against terrorism, both international and domestic. Today there are about 200 task forces around the country, including one in the FBI’s New Orleans field office, which supports the state of Louisiana through its local FBI branch offices in Shreveport, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Baton Rouge. The New Orleans JTTF includes state, local and federal agencies.

The tragic events leading to Mr. Floyd’s death in Minnesota are being addressed through our criminal justice system, which is moving quickly. The Minnesota state prosecutor has brought charges against a former Minneapolis police officer and the Department of Justice is also conducting an independent investigation.

“The demonstrations in Louisiana have been peaceful and I applaud Louisianians for exercising their First Amendment rights in a non-violent manner,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “However, if anyone uses these peaceful demonstrations to promote violence or property destruction, prosecutors in my office stand ready to use all available resources to assist our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law and protect our communities from acts of violence and lawlessness.”

“Our Constitutional right to peacefully protest is a time-honored bedrock principle upon which our great nation was founded, and it should be protected,” said U.S. Attorney Fremin. “Also to be protected is innocent life and property often injured by criminals who hijack otherwise peaceful demonstrations in favor of advancing an alternative agenda.” Fremin added, “In recent days, we have seen peaceful demonstrations by well-meaning Louisianans. We appreciate their respect for the rule of law and we support their right to assemble, but make no mistake – criminal behavior will not be tolerated. The responsibility of law enforcement at every level is to maintain law and order in our communities, and we are working around the clock with local, state and federal officials to do just that.”

“Our office remains dedicated to protecting our citizens and upholding their Constitutional rights,” said U.S. Attorney Strasser. “The First Amendment gives every citizen the right to assemble and protest peacefully. Nevertheless, when a few people instigate violence and damage property, we must and will enforce the law. Violence and chaos that disrupts our precious First Amendment Constitutional right shall not be tolerated. Through the collaborative efforts of our local, state, federal and community partners, we will continue both to ensure our citizen’s lawful right of self-expression and work with our first responders to maintain civility.” 

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 more information on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces, or JTTFs, go to: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism/joint-terrorism-task-forces.

# # #

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.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug and gun crimes according to United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Antonio Maurice Davis, 28, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Davis pled guilty to both charges in February.

“A toxic combination - Heroin, fentanyl and guns. He earned his prosecution,” U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said. “Great work by ATF and the Huntington PD.”

On May 15, 2019, officers with the Huntington Police Department (HPD) were conducting surveillance in the south side area of Huntington when they saw Davis wearing a bright blue jacket and black pants. Davis came out of an apartment building carrying several bags and placed the bags in the backseat area of a minivan, behind the driver, and then got into the front passenger seat of the minivan. The minivan backed out of the driveway and traveled east on 12th Avenue to 12th Street. At 11:57 a.m., officers in an HPD marked patrol car conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in the 1400 block of Charleston Avenue after learning the driver had a suspended license. Immediately following the stop, officers approached the minivan. The officers smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the minivan. Both the driver and Davis were removed from the vehicle. Davis initially identified himself as Jonathon Maurice Mason. Officers later learned that his real name was Antonio Maurice Davis. An HPD K-9 unit was called to the scene, arriving at 12:13 p.m. During the exterior sniff, the K-9 positively indicated on the vehicle for the presence of drugs.

Officers searched the minivan and found a Hi Point 9mm rifle on the back floorboard behind the driver’s seat. The jacket that Davis was seen wearing was located in between the driver’s seat and the front passenger seat. Inside the jacket officers found a large amount of a white powdery substance in a plastic baggy. They also found a second plastic baggy that contained a white chunky substance. Other suspected narcotics were found in the jacket. Officers also located a gym bag behind the driver’s seat of the vehicle that contained three handguns, digital scales, multiple cellular telephones, ammunition and other evidentiary items of value. The powdery substance was analyzed and found to be approximately 38 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney R. Gregory McVey handled the prosecution.

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United States Attorneys Brandon J. Fremin, Middle District of Louisiana, David C. Joseph, Western District of Louisiana, and Peter G. Strasser, Eastern District of Louisiana, jointly announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Louisiana are joining federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to preserve Louisiana citizens’ rights to free speech and assembly while protecting our communities from violence and destruction.

In a statement on Sunday, May 31, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr noted that federal law enforcement resources would be available to assist state and local leaders in their efforts to ensure peaceful protests and to reestablish law and order. Attorney General Barr said that federal resources will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have taken over peaceful protests and are engaging in violations of federal law.

According to U.S. Attorneys Fremin, Joseph, and Strasser, joint federal, state, and local coordination is designed to use available federal assets to assist state and local partners in maintaining order and allowing people to peacefully assemble, while protecting against violence and destruction.

Specifically, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices are also working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to identify criminal organizers and instigators, and seek federal prosecutions where applicable. The FBI’s JTTFs are the nation’s front line of defense against terrorism, both international and domestic. Today there are about 200 task forces around the country, including one in the FBI’s New Orleans field office, which supports the state of Louisiana through its local FBI branch offices in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Monroe. The New Orleans JTTF includes state, local and federal agencies.

The tragic events leading to Mr. Floyd’s death in Minnesota are being addressed through our criminal justice system, which is moving quickly. The Minnesota state prosecutor has brought charges against a former Minneapolis police officer and the Department of Justice is also conducting an independent investigation.

“Our Constitutional right to peacefully protest is a time-honored bedrock principle upon which our great nation was founded, and it should be protected,” said U.S. Attorney Fremin. “Also to be protected is innocent life and property often injured by criminals who hijack otherwise peaceful demonstrations in favor of advancing an alternative agenda.” Fremin added, “In recent days, we have seen peaceful demonstrations by well-meaning Louisianans. We appreciate their respect for the rule of law and we support their right to assemble, but make no mistake – criminal behavior will not be tolerated. The responsibility of law enforcement at every level is to maintain law and order in our communities, and we are working around the clock with local, state and federal officials to do just that.”

“The demonstrations in Louisiana have been peaceful and I applaud Louisianians for exercising their First Amendment rights in a non-violent manner,” said U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph. “However, if anyone uses these peaceful demonstrations to promote violence or property destruction, prosecutors in my office stand ready to use all available resources to assist our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law and protect our communities from acts of violence and lawlessness.”

“Our office remains dedicated to protecting our citizens and upholding their Constitutional rights,” said U.S. Attorney Strasser. “The First Amendment gives every citizen the right to assemble and protest peacefully. Nevertheless, when a few people instigate violence and damage property, we must and will enforce the law. Violence and chaos that disrupts our precious First Amendment Constitutional right shall not be tolerated. Through the collaborative efforts of our local, state, federal and community partners, we will continue both to ensure our citizen’s lawful right of self-expression and work with our first responders to maintain civility.” 

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 more information on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces, or JTTFs, go to: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism/joint-terrorism-task-forces.

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

Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that Jayvon Wynne, age 25, of Toledo, has been sentenced to a term of 240 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to federal charges including drug conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

“Today’s two-decade sentence reflects the severe consequences of trafficking drugs in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This 20-year sentence sends a simple message - we will not let people like Jayvon Wynne and his associates profit off of the pain and suffering they cause from their illegal activities.”

“This individual is responsible for bringing danger and violence to our neighborhoods, and for this, he will spend significant time behind bars,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith. “The FBI will continue collaborative efforts to rid our communities of armed drug dealing criminals.”

 “The 20-year sentence of Jayvon Wynne should continue to send a message to those in our community who wish to break the law," said Toledo Police Chief George Kral. "That message being, that we will not rest until you are off of our streets. Wynne was the third defendant who was involved in a felonious assault where TPD officers were the targets. I appreciate and value the relationships TPD has with of federal partners, and will tirelessly work to keep Toledo safe.”

According to the indictment filed in this matter, from 2014 to 2017, Wynne and nine other defendants worked together and conspired to distribute large amounts of heroin and fentanyl in the Toledo area. Wynne admitted to playing an aggravating role in the conspiracy and exercised a degree of control over the activities of the other defendants. Wynne admitted to initiating a strategy of providing free half grams of heroin to customers on Sundays who had purchased narcotics from the group throughout the week. On July 25, 2017, Wynne possessed more than five grams of heroin and a Glock 9 mm pistol, which he used in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

Wynne is currently serving 18 years in state prison for two convictions of felonious assault, one of which carries a firearm specification. His federal sentence will run concurrently.

Previously sentenced in this matter are:

• Chad Burkholder, age 37, of Toledo, sentenced to 70 months imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances.
• Ryin Douglas-Reed, age 30, of Toledo, sentenced to 100 months imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances.
• Laurie Lehman, age 51, of Toledo, sentenced to 65 months imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled.
• Julie Murdock, age 49, of Toledo, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled.
• Russell Watson, age 36, of Toledo, sentenced to 68 months imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled and one count of possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Terrance Allen, 28; Nathaniel Barringer, 25; Megan Champion, 42, and Donte Walker, 32, all of Toledo have previously pled guilty for their roles in this conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced in September 2020.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Toledo Police Department, the Toledo Metro Drug Task Force and Northwest Ohio Violent Crime Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa M. Sterling and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Simko.

A husband and wife who encouraged and induced a father and his minor daughter to illegally enter in the United States were recently sentenced in federal court in Sioux City.  Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced on May 29, 2020, to 18 months’ in federal prison.  Amy Francisco was sentenced on March 20, 2020, to 12 months’ and 1 day in federal prison. 

Amy Francisco, age 40, a citizen of the United States, and Cristobal Nicolas, age 37, a citizen of the Republic of Guatemala, both residing in Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison terms after pleading guilty to encouraging and inducing an alien to enter or reside in the United States in violation of law.  Cristobal Nicolas was also convicted for unlawful possession of identification documents.

Information disclosed during the case showed that Amy Francisco and Cristobal Francisco illegally encouraged and induced aliens to enter or reside in the United States.  Specifically, they encouraged aliens from Guatemala to enter the country.  The Franciscos arranged for them to come to Sioux City, Iowa.  Amy Francisco and Cristobal Francisco knew the aliens, a father and daughter, were citizens of Guatemala and were not permitted to enter or reside in the United States. 

Further information showed that Amy Francisco and Cristobal Francisco encouraged a father and his minor daughter to enter the United States.  The Franciscos admitted they intended to have the minor daughter serve as a surrogate mother for their baby.  The Franciscos proposed to pay for all expenses incurred during the pregnancy, birth, and adoption of the baby.  They also promised the daughter she could further her education and work to earn money while in the United States.  The Franciscos also agreed to help find the father work in the country.

In the spring of 2019, the Franciscos, using the services of individuals outside the United States, arranged for the father and daughter to travel from Guatemala to the United States.  After the father and daughter arrived in the country, the Franciscos paid for them to fly to Omaha, Nebraska, and eventually to travel to the Franciscos’ Sioux City home.  The father and daughter stayed at the Franciscos’ home from May 31, 2019, through June 4, 2019.  On June 4, 2019, the daughter ran away from the home.  Officers from the Sioux City Police Department found her after she ran away.

Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Cristobal Francisco Nicolas was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Amy Francisco was also sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Amy Francisco was sentenced to 12 months’ and 1 day imprisonment.  She must also serve a 2-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Cristobal Francisco Nicolas and Amy Francisco are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Sioux City Police Department. 

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 19-CR-4045.

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A woman illegally residing in the United States pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court for her involvement in a large scale heroin trafficking operation, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

Sonia Hernandez, 55, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy. From January 2018 until June 2019, Hernandez knowingly sent drug proceeds to a Mexican source of supply while working at a Tulsa money remitter business. She admitted to using nominee names during the transactions in order to conceal her criminal acts and to further the drug conspiracy. A “nominee name” is used to hide the true recipient of illicit money. Hernandez will be responsible for laundering drug proceeds for not less than 10 kilograms and nor more than 30 kilograms of heroin.

“Drug traffickers launder money as a means of concealing the illegal profits that they hope to pocket. This happens right here in Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.  “Unfortunately, the illegal drug trade leaves American families devastated by addiction. This case is being prosecuted by the experienced prosecutors in my Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Unit. They are relentless in their pursuit of justice and will hold accountable these peddlers of addiction.”

Hernandez was one of more than 30 individuals charged with money laundering, drug conspiracy and other crimes. The initial indictment was first announced by U.S. Attorney Trent Shores in May 2019. The investigation involved the Giovanni Drug Trafficking Organization and was given the name Operation Smack Dragon. See the indictment press release here.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan scheduled set sentencing for Sept. 8, 2020.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations led this investigation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Oklahoma State Attorney General’s Office, and Tulsa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick prosecuted the case. AUSA McCormick is the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

HELENA—A Washington man who admitted supplying methamphetamine for drug runs to Montana in 2018 was sentenced today to 17 years and six months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Hugo Yanez, 38, of Everett, WA, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth.

Senior U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell presided.

The prosecution said in court documents filed in the case that in an interview in 2019 with law enforcement, Yanez said that he and a co-defendant, Breanne Bame, of Kenmore, WA, moved into the residence of a third co-defendant, Tavia Dion Blume, of Monroe, WA. Yanez admitted to supplying narcotics for Blume to distribute on four trips to Montana. 

In December 2018, the Montana Highway Patrol stopped a vehicle driven by Blume and occupied by a fourth co-defendant, Kyle Douglas Alverson, of Lake Stevens, WA, east of Missoula. During a search of the vehicle, officers found firearms, ammunition, about 1.5 pounds of meth and U.S. currency. One and a half pounds of meth is the equivalent of 5,436 doses.

Blume was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Alverson was sentenced to 14 years and 11 months in prison for their convictions in the case. Bame was sentenced to 97 months for her conviction in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bartleson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Montana Highway Patrol and the Missouri River Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the USDOJ’s initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 through 2018. Through these initiatives, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Houston, Texas, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for an investment fraud scheme.

Duc Nguyen, also known as “Doug,” 56, was charged in a 12-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 27, 2020.

According to the federal indictment, Nguyen proposed an opportunity for high net worth individuals to invest in the purchase, refurbishing, and sale of used oil equipment. He allegedly told Phillip and Brian Hudnall that profit from these transactions would be three to five times the amount of the investment. Brian and Phillip Hudnall raised money from investors based upon these representations from Nguyen.

For example, Brian Hudnall wire transferred $415,000 to Nguyen between May 3 and Sept. 19, 2018, for the purchase, refurbishment, and shipping of the oil equipment. Phillip Hudnall transferred $1,075,000 to Nguyen between April 15 and June 17, 2019, for the purchase, refurbishment, and shipping of the oil equipment.

Nguyen did not use any of the monies for the purchase, refurbishment, and shipment of used oil equipment, the indictment says, but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The federal indictment cites tens of thousands of dollars spent at several casinos.

The federal indictment charges Nguyen with 12 counts of wire fraud related to wire transfers of funds into his bank accounts.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI.
 

            TEXARKANA, Texas – A 43-year-old Little Rock, AR man has been sentenced to federal prison for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox today.

            Antonio Otero pleaded guilty on Oct. 29, 2019 to charges of equity skimming and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III.  Otero was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2 million to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

            According to information presented in court, from before 2011 until October 2015, Otero was the administrator of the Magnolia Alzheimer’s Assisted Living facility in Texarkana, Texas, and was instrumental in the founding and operation of the facility. In order to secure millions of dollars in necessary funding, Otero obtained a loan that was insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.) The HUD insured loan provided a favorable interest rate and did not require the owners of the Magnolia to take personal responsibility for the loan in the event of a default. Instead, HUD would suffer the financial loss in the event that the Magnolia defaulted on the loan. As a condition of this federal benefit, Otero and the owners of the Magnolia agreed to be bound by a regulatory agreement with HUD that prohibited them from removing equity from the Magnolia unless the loan was being paid and the Magnolia had surplus cash.

            Instead of paying the HUD insured loan, Otero engaged in a scheme to skim equity from the Magnolia. For example, Otero took money from the Magnolia to pay for $3,952 of camera equipment, a $3,247 watch, $2,520 in landscaping for his personal residence, a $27,408 personal mortgage payment, a $12,750 down payment on a personal vehicle, and $1,540 tickets to a Dallas Cowboys football game. Additionally, he took money from the Magnolia and gave it to other individuals, including $13,000 for cosmetic surgery, $5,500 for a loan repayment, and $30,000 in equity distributions. In total, Otero took personal responsibility for causing a loss to the United States in the amount of $2 million.

            This case was investigated by the Fort Worth Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.

LAREDO, Texas – A 22-year-old citizen of Guatemala has been charged with forcibly assaulting a Border Patrol (BP) agent, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.    

A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Josue Edilmar Ramirez-Pimentel. He is expected to appear for his arraignment next week before a U.S. magistrate judge in Laredo.  

The criminal complaint alleges that on March 11, authorities responded to call that six people were attempting to make illegal entry into the United States near Richter’s Ranch in Laredo. As they attempted to apprehend the group, several individuals ran back towards the river, according to the allegations.  

Ramirez-Pimentel, however, allegedly ran towards an agent. The agent then shined his flashlight at Ramirez-Pimentel and gave him commands in Spanish to stop and lay down, according to the charges. Ramirez-Pimentel allegedly did not comply and collided with the agent, causing him to hit his head on the ground.

Ramirez-Pimentel continued to struggle and struck the agent’s face with his forearm, according to the charges. The charges allege that as additional authorities arrived, they were eventually able to restrain and place Ramirez-Pimentel under arrest.

If convicted, Ramirez-Pimentel faces up to eight years in prison.

The FBI and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

BOSTON – A California man pleaded guilty today to using fraud and bribery to facilitate his child’s acceptance to Georgetown University.

Peter Dameris, 60, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2020.

According to the terms of Dameris’ plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of time served, 21 months of home confinement, a fine of $95,000 and restitution.  

Dameris agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay an amount, ultimately totaling $300,000, to Singer’s purported charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation (“KWF”), knowing that the money would be used to facilitate Dameris’s son’s purported recruitment to Georgetown University as a tennis player, even though he did not play tennis competitively. Singer previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government’s investigation.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, charging documents and plea agreements are available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The Department of Education, Office of Inspector General provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Securities and Financial Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.

LEXINGTON, Ky.- A Cynthiana, Kentucky, man was convicted Tuesday by a federal jury sitting in Lexington for the production of using a minor to produce sexually explicit images and videos.           

After one hour of deliberation, following a day and half trial, the jury convicted 37-year-old William Michael Fields Jr., of two counts of employing, using, persuading, enticing, or coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of making a visual depiction of that conduct.             

According to testimony at trial, Fields used a 17 year minor to produce sexually explicit images in the back of an ambulance in Harrison County on March 17, 2019.  The evidence also revealed that the Defendant also used the same minor produce five videos and two images of sexually explicit conduct at the Emergency Medical Training Facility in Bourbon County on March 23, 2019.            

Fields, a former Harrison County Constable and Bourbon County firefighter, was indicted in October 2019.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jerry C Templet Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Chief E. Douglas Robinson, Cynthiana Police Department; and jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by ICE and the Cynthiana Police Department with assistance from the Kentucky OAG Cyber Crimes Branch. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Roth and Mary Melton.

Fields will appear for sentencing on September 4. He faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 60 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, 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 (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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

BUFFALO, NY – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that the Niagara Falls Police Department has been awarded $2,313,738 through the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The funding will be used to hire eight additional police officers. In addition, Chemung County will receive $125,000 in COPS funding.

“This is a critical time for the Niagara Falls Police Department,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Shootings involving injury jumped 48%, and the number of victims jumped 70%, from 2018 to 2019, and at the same time, the department is understaffed. This grant will allow Niagara Falls to add an additional eight officers to the force to fight violent crime, and without question, these resources will assist Superintendent Licata in his continuing effort to make the streets of Niagara Falls safer for its citizens.”

“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support.  The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”

The Attorney General announced $400,000,000 in funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. 

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities.  Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.

CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area.  43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention.  The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions. 

To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp.  For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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.

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A man who brandished an assault rifle at a Black Lives Matter protest in Lubbock on Saturday has been charged with making interstate threats, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed today, Emmanuel Quinones, a 25-year-old local, allegedly brought a loaded Smith & Wesson .223 caliber semi-automatic to a protest decrying the death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police last month.

In view of the protesters, Mr. Quinones held the rifle at “low ready,” in firing position with the muzzle pointed toward the ground, as panic rippled through the assembled crowd.  (Although Texas is an open-carry state, the Texas Penal Code makes it illegal to display a firearm in a public place “in a manner calculated to alarm.”)

Mr. Quinones allegedly refused a Lubbock Police officer’s verbal commands to drop the rifle, and only did so when the officer drew his gun. A protester then tackled Mr. Quinones, who allegedly shouted, “this is a revolution” and “President Trump must die” as he was taken into custody.

During an interview, Mr. Quinones admitted that he previously made social media posts designed to “intimidate” the President and “MAGA instigators.” One such post, shared on Facebook on May 28, intimated that he planned to obtain gun parts “to off racists and MAGA people.”

In the interview, the defendant stated he attended the protest to protect demonstrators from these so-called MAGA (Make America Great Again) instigators, who he planned to shoot on sight.  He claimed the police would not have been able to identify these counter-protestors, but that he could have.

“Instead of respecting citizens’ rights to respectfully voice their feelings, this defendant incited panic, putting everyone present – including those he claimed to support – in danger,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “We will not tolerate attempts to instill terror or encourage violence at otherwise peaceful protests.” 

“The FBI respects the rights of individuals to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights. In this case, the defendant threatened multiple lives including the President of the United States and that will not be tolerated,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “We will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to apprehend and charge violent instigators who are exploiting legitimate, peaceful protests and engaging in violations of federal law.”

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of unlawful conduct, not evidence. Mr. Quinones is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

He made his initial appearance Tuesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant. If convicted, the defendant could face up to five years in federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Dallas Field Office, Lubbock Resident Agency, the United States Secret Service, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, and the Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Haag is prosecuting the case.

In Waco today, 33-year-old Temple, Texas, resident Lydia Brynn Christensen, pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; and, Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds.

Appearing before U.S Magistrate Judge Jeffrey C. Manske, Christensen pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.  According to court records,

On August 30, 2019, authorities executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence based on information they had received concerning the contents of her cellular telephone.  During the search, authorities seized the phone.  A subsequent search of the phone revealed the presence of numerous images and videos depicting child pornography.  Also, authorities discovered numerous communications on the phone whereby Christensen had transmitted and received child pornography.

Christensen, who has remained in custody since her arrest on November 7, 2019, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each charge.  Sentencing, before U.S. District Judge Alan Albright in Waco, is scheduled for October 7, 2020.   

The FBI and the Temple Police Department Special Crimes Unit conducted this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the 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, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

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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.

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that a federal inmate pled guilty in federal court in Bluefield to possessing a weapon. Desmond Johnson, 29, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution McDowell, admitted that on July 21, 2019, he possessed a handcrafted weapon known as a shank. A staff member at the prison saw Johnson drop the shank, and another staff member recovered it.

Johnson faces up to five years in prison, to be served consecutively to the sentence he is now serving. Sentencing is set for Sept. 14, 2020.

“You would think that already being in a federal prison might help a person to change their ways. This doesn’t appear to have been the case with Mr. Johnson,” United States Attorney Mike Stuart said.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney John File is handling the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing. 

Follow us on Twitter:SDWVNewsand USAttyStuart 

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CHICAGO — A Chicago man was arrested today on a federal arson charge for allegedly setting fire to a Chicago Police Department vehicle this past weekend.

TIMOTHY O’DONNELL placed a lit object into the gas tank of the marked police vehicle while it was parked in the 200 block of North State Street in downtown Chicago on Saturday, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  The vehicle ignited in flames.  At the time, Chicago Police officers were in the area investigating reports of various malfeasances and unrest.  O’Donnell set the fire while wearing a “joker” mask that partially covered his face, the complaint states.

The complaint charges O’Donnell, 31, with one count of arson.  Federal authorities arrested O’Donnell this afternoon and carried out a court-authorized search of his residence.  An initial appearance in federal court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled.

The complaint and arrest were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James P. Durkin and Rajnath Laud.

“Anyone involved in destructive behavior – such as setting fire to a police car – should know that federal law enforcement will use all tools available to us to hold them accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.  “We will continue to work with the Chicago Police Department and our federal and state partners to apprehend and charge arsonists and others engaging in violent crime.”

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  The charge in the complaint is punishable by a minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Today, federal authorities served a civil injunction against 73-year-old Fort Davis resident Marc “White Eagle” Travalino in an effort to combat alleged fraud related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, announced Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division; U.S. Attorney John F. Bash; FBI Special Agent in Charge Luis M. Quesada, El Paso Field Office; and, Special Agent in Charge Charles L. Grinstead, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office.

The purpose of the civil injunction is to stop Travalino’s sale of fraudulent COVID-19 cures through his business and his website, “whiteeaglenativeherbs.net.”  Court records state that after guaranteeing an undercover special agent that his hospitalized grandmother would not die from COVID-19 if given the medicine, Travalino allegedly sold the agent a treatment for COVID-19 on May 5, 2020.  On May 14, 2020, the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent Travalino a warning letter requiring him to cease and desist sales of unapproved and unproven products related to COVID-19 cures and treatments.  But almost a week after he was warned to stop, Travalino again sold his fraudulent COVID-19 treatments to another undercover agent. 

Today’s action will shutter Travalino’s website immediately while this investigation continues.  In so doing, the government is employing a federal statute that permits federal courts to issue injunctions to prevent harm to potential victims of fraudulent schemes.

“I am pleased that the district court entered the temporary restraining order.  Peddling bogus COVID-19 cures to fellow citizens is illegal and immoral.  Our office will continue to shut down these scams,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

“The sale of false cures will be vigorously investigated by the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Quesada.  “The FBI is using a variety of tools to identify anyone who exploits the current crisis with fraudulent scams or a variety of cyber schemes – and is proactively warning the public about products claiming to save lives, before losing their money or creating false hope.  Scammers seeking to profit by exploiting fear and uncertainty during this COVID-19 pandemic will be brought to justice.”

The Department of Justice recommends that Americans to take the following precautionary measures to protect themselves from known and emerging scams related to COVID-19:

• Independently verify the identity of any company, charity, or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.
• Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products, or services related to COVID-19.  Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating.  For example, they might use “cdc.com” or “cdc.org” instead of “cdc.gov.”
• Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies, or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes.  Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
• Do not click on links or open email attachments from unknown or unverified sources.  Doing so could download a virus onto your computer or device.
• Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is operating and up to date.
• Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment.  Remember, if a vaccine becomes available, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
• Check online reviews of any company offering COVID-19 products or supplies.  Avoid companies whose customers have complained about not receiving items.
• Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving any donation.  Remember, an organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name or has reputable looking seals or logos on its materials.  For online resources on donating wisely, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.
• Be wary of any business, charity, or individual requesting payments or donations in cash, by wire transfer, gift card, or through the mail.  Don’t send money through any of these channels.
• Be cautious of “investment opportunities” tied to COVID-19, especially those based on claims that a small company’s products or services can help stop the virus.  If you decide to invest, carefully research the investment beforehand.  For information on how to avoid investment fraud, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, consumers may visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO websites.  In addition, the public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at disaster@leo.gov.

The enforcement action taken today is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Cannizzaro, Eddie Castillo and Michael C. Galdo of the Western District of Texas, and Senior Litigation Counsel Ross S. Goldstein of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.  Special Agents with the FDA and the FBI’s El Paso Field Office are conducting the investigation.

The claims made in the complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government must prove to receive a permanent injunction against the defendant.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx.  For information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to stop COVID-19 fraud, visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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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.

MEMPHIS, TN– Daniel Moore, 33, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition and possession of ammunition after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on January 28, 2019, at approximately 10:58 PM, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call at a McDonald’s restaurant on Houston Levee road.

The restaurant manager observed a male exiting a light blue Toyota Camry appear to have a seizure. The male was later identified as the defendant, Daniel Moore. According to the manager, Moore left the doors to the vehicle open and there appeared to be a child in the backseat with no coat, socks or shoes. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed the Toyota Camry occupied by a crying four-year-old female child in the rear-driver seat. The child was later released to the custody of her grandmother.

Officers also observed a non-responsive adult female, 31, in the front driver’s seat. Law enforcement extracted her from the vehicle and carried her into the restaurant and administered CPR and Narcan, at which time she started to breathe. Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported her to Regional One for medical treatment. She was later arrested for the felony offense of child abuse and neglect; however, that charge was dismissed in state court.

Shortly thereafter Moore entered the McDonald’s restaurant and inquired about his daughter and wife. He admitted to law enforcement on body worn camera footage that he and the adult female had just ingested heroin. Officers asked if he had any more heroin in the vehicle. Moore answered "no." Officers also asked Moore for oral consent to search his vehicle, and he gave consent.

Deputies recovered a box of 5.56 ammunition in the glove compartment of the Toyota Camry. The defendant admitted that he was attempting to sell the ammunition. Officers also recovered a used syringe, a spoon containing a small-dirty cotton ball, an electronic scale and a kit containing cotton, alcohol swabs, and tourniquets.

On May 15, 2019, law enforcement examined the recovered ammunition and determined it was not manufactured in the State of Tennessee and therefore, at some point, traveled in interstate and/or foreign commerce. Moore is a prohibited person with approximately eight prior felony convictions and a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Reducing violent crimes committed with firearms is the top priority of this office and the Department of Justice. Prohibited persons in possession of firearms or ammunition, such as convicted felons, persons with histories of domestic violence, and unlawful users of illegal narcotics present a known and immediate risk of violence to their families and the community at large. This is exactly the type of dangerous offender that the PSN Task Force is designed to target, and I commend their work in holding Moore responsible and removing him from our streets."

Sentencing is scheduled for September 3, 2020, before U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman where the defendant faces up to 10 years imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, 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. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy K. Cornejo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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