SOUTH BEND – Jerry Harris, age 39, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after being found guilty of conspiracy to distribute heroin, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Mr. Harris was sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to evidence presented at trial, Jerry Harris conspired with at least 10 other persons to sell heroin in South Bend.  The conspirators used shared cellphones that customers called to arrange to purchase heroin.  Undercover law enforcement officers purchased heroin from members of the conspiracy on numerous occasions during a months-long investigation in 2017.  Phone records show that the shared cellphones had over 80,000 contacts during the time of the conspiracy.  The investigation included search warrants on five houses and cars.  Harris directed the sales conducted by those who sold heroin to the undercover officers.  Harris was the second-highest ranking member of this organization and functioned as the “right-hand man” to his trial co-defendant David Gibson.  Both were convicted at trial in September 2019 and Mr. Gibson was sentenced to 20 years in prison in January 2020. 

“I am pleased with the hard work of the committed prosecutors and law enforcement officers that brought this case to a successful resolution,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.  “This cooperative effort shows that to make our communities safer, we will aggressively investigate, prosecute and hold accountable those who flood our streets with illegal drugs.” 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Donnelly and Joel Gabrielse. 

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CINCINNATI – Thomas Winkelbach, 79, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor for taking sexually explicit photos of the victim.

According to court documents, Winkelbach used a digital camera to take sexually explicit pictures of his victim touching Winkelbach’s penis and other pictures of Winkelbach masturbating in front of the victim. The crime occurred in 2014 or 2015, but the exact date is unknown. The victim was between one- and two-years old.

Investigators say in court documents, that Winkelbach has been searching for, downloading and trading child pornography on the internet for years. Between all of his digital media seized by investigators in October 2019, Winkelbach possessed thousands of images of child pornography.

Sexual exploitation of children is punishable by at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. The court will determine an appropriate sentence based on federal sentencing guidelines, the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility and other factors. The plea agreement also calls for Winkelbach to pay restitution to the victim’s family and forfeit all images as well as ten cameras, three cell phones, eight computing devices and storage media used to store and share the images.

Winkelbach remains in custody until sentencing.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Cincinnati Police Department’s Regional Electronics Computer Investigations (RECI) Task Force investigated this case.

David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil; and Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac announced the plea entered before U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

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Defendants Allegedly Attempted to Avoid Government Regulation by Selling Products Through a Company They Deceptively Named Genesis II Church  

Miami, Fl. – Federal prosecutors in Miami have charged four Florida residents who allegedly marketed “Miracle Mineral Solution,” a toxic bleach, as a cure for COVID-19, with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and criminal contempt. 

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Catherine Hermsen, Assistant Commissioner of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, made the announcement. 

According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Mark Grenon, 62, and his sons, Jonathan Grenon, 34, Jordan Grenon, 26, and Joseph Grenon, 32, all of Brandenton, Florida, manufacture, promote, and sell Miracle Mineral Solution (“MMS”), a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water. The Grenons allegedly directed their customers to ingest MMS orally, which causes the solution to become chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach, typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp, and paper.  FDA has received reports of people requiring hospitalizations, developing life-threatening conditions, and dying after drinking MMS.

According to the affidavit, the Grenons claim that MMS can treat, prevent, and cure COVID-19.  The FDA, however, has not approved MMS for treatment of COVID-19, or for any other use.  Rather, in prior official warning statements, the FDA has strongly urged consumers not to purchase or use MMS, explaining that drinking MMS is the same as drinking bleach and can cause dangerous side effects, including severe vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure. See https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/danger-dont-drink-miracle-mineral-solution-or-similar-products.

The affidavit also alleges that, before marketing MMS as a cure for COVID-19, the Grenons marketed MMS as a miracle cure-all for dozens of other serious diseases and disorders, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, autism, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS, even though the FDA had not approved MMS for any use. The Grenons allegedly sold tens of thousands of bottles of MMS nationwide, including to consumers throughout South Florida. They sold this dangerous product under the guise of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing (“Genesis”), an entity they allegedly created in an attempt to avoid government regulation of MMS. According to the charging documents, Genesis’ own websites describe Genesis as a “non-religious church,” and Defendant Mark Grenon, the co-founder of Genesis, has repeatedly acknowledged that Genesis “has nothing to do with religion,” and that he founded Genesis to “legalize the use of MMS” and avoid “going [ ] to jail.”

In addition to charging these defendants with federal conspiracy, the complaint also charges the Grenons with criminal contempt. The United States previously filed a civil case against the defendants and Genesis II Church of Health and Healing. See United States v. Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, et al., Case No. 20-21601-CV-WILLIAMS. In that civil case, the United States obtained court orders halting the Grenons’ distribution of MMS. The criminal charges against the Grenons allege that they willfully violated these court orders. According to the complaint affidavit, the Grenons sent letters to the judge presiding over the civil case saying that they would not comply with the Court’s orders. The Grenons also threatened violence in the letters. The criminal complaint affidavit quotes from these letters.

“We continue to protect the public from criminal conduct that takes advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “Not only is this MMS product toxic, but its distribution and use may prevent those who are sick from receiving the legitimate healthcare they need. A United States District Court already has ordered the defendants to stop distributing this product; we will not sit idly by as individuals purposefully violate Court orders and put the public in danger.”

“Making claims that unproven drugs, especially potentially dangerous and unapproved chlorine dioxide products, can cure or prevent COVID-19 or any other disease is unacceptable. The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing has actively and deliberately placed consumers at risk with their fraudulent Miracle Mineral Solution and Americans expect and deserve medical treatments that have been scientifically proven to be safe and effective,” said Catherine Hermsen, Assistant Commissioner of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. “We commend the efforts of our law enforcement partners for vigorously investigating this matter. The FDA will continue our efforts to make sure these and other like-minded sellers do not jeopardize the health of Americans during this pandemic and in the future.”

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the efforts of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, particularly its Miami Field Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael B. Homer and John Shipley are prosecuting this case.

A criminal complaint is a charging instrument containing allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 20-MJ-03050.

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

PITTSBURGH – Two men – one from New Jersey and the other from Florida - have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions for violating federal drug laws related to their trafficking of kilograms of cocaine from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed a sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on Danny Jackson, 33, of Pine Hill, NJ, and a sentence of five years’ imprisonment on Moussa Jabateh, 32, a citizen of Liberia who was residing in Miami, FL. Senior Judge Ambrose also ordered Jabateh’s removal from the United States to Liberia following the completion of his sentence.

According to information presented to the court, from October 2017 through July 2018, Jackson, Jabateh, and their co-conspirators conspired to distribute between 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Jabateh obtained the supply of cocaine, and Jackson physically transported kilograms of cocaine via bus from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh roughly twice a month for the nine-month period. In connection with this investigation, the United States seized nearly $8,000,000 in cash and other assets; 42 kilograms of cocaine; 12 kilograms of fentanyl; three kilograms of heroin; and 121 grams of oxycodone.

Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Ambrose stated that the sentences for each defendant were sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Wilkinsburg Police Department, and the Allegheny County Adult Probation Office, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecutions of Jackson and Jabateh.

Jackson, Miss. – T’Quarius Jones, 21, of Jackson, Mississippi, has been charged with receipt of a firearm by a person under felony indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On or about April 30, 2018, Jones was arrested for allegedly killing another man in Jackson by shooting him over 20 times with an AR15-style rifle.  Although initially detained, Jones was later released by Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green on a $20,000 bond.

On or about May 16, 2019, Jones was indicted by a Hinds County Grand Jury charging him with First Degree Murder.  Jones was nonetheless allowed to remain free on a $20,000 bond by Hinds County Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten.  Judge Wooten also denied the local District Attorney’s request that the Defendant wear an ankle monitor.

On May 7, 2020, Jones was stopped by a Jackson Police Officer.   Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer saw a black handgun in his vehicle. When asked about the weapon, Jones stated that the gun was his.  That firearm, a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, was purchased by Jones’s father on March 14, 2020.  Federal law prohibits individuals from receiving firearms while under indictment.

On May 27, 2020, the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office moved to revoke Jones’s bond. On or about June 19, 2020, Hinds County Circuit Judge Wooten denied the District Attorney’s Motion to Revoke Bond and allowed Jones to continue to remain free on $20,000 bond.

Jones is set to appear before Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball at 2:30 p.m. today.  Jones faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Wansley.  

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian. EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.” PSN is bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH GRIFFIN, 43, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 138 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. 

Judge Shea sentenced Griffin to 120 months of imprisonment for distributing fentanyl, and a consecutive 18 months of imprisonment for violating his supervised release. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Griffin was arrested on January 17, 2019, in Hartford, after investigators made a controlled purchase of more than five grams of fentanyl from him.  Griffin possessed an additional two grams of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.

In January 2019, Griffin was on federal supervised release for a 2009 conviction for distributing crack cocaine.  Griffin was sentenced, as a career offender, to 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for that offense.  He was released from federal prison in December 2017.

On November 13, 2019, Griffin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.  He also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release.

Griffin’s criminal history includes convictions for robbery, narcotics, larceny and assault offenses.  While on supervised release, in addition to his federal arrest, Griffin was arrested three times for domestic violence offenses.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard C. Boyle.

SALT LAKE CITY – A federal complaint unsealed last week charges the owner of a Utah trucking company with submitting a fraudulent loan application to get a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $210,000 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Hubert Ivan Ugarte, 52, of Draper, with the assistance of Lisa Bradshaw Rowberry, 49, of Provo, Utah, submitted a loan application to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain the PPP loan, according to the complaint.

The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $249 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP.  In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent.  PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.  The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be entirely forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses a certain amount of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.

According to the complaint, Ugarte, with Rowberry’s assistance, answered “no” to questions on the application asking whether he was under formal criminal charges in any jurisdiction. His answer was false because he was under federal indictment in Utah when he answered the question, the complaint alleges.

On Oct. 24, 2019, a federal grand jury in Utah returned an indictment charging Ugarte and others following a multi-year wire fraud and bribery scheme investigation in which it is alleged Ugarte bribed employees at the Salt Lake City Hub of FedEx ground to obtain preferential treatment for his trucking companies.  Ugarte faces four counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering in the pending case.

In filling out PPP loan application documents, Ugarte also circled “no” when asked if he had ever been placed on pretrial diversion.  In fact, according to the complaint, he entered into a two-year pretrial diversion in 1988 to resolve a felony drug possession charge.

Before Ugarte and Rowberry completed the Borrower Certification for the PPP loan and submitted it to the SBA, Ugarte specifically agreed that at least 75 percent of the $210,000 loan would be used for payroll costs.

According to the complaint, the original PPP loan application was rejected or declined by two banks after they had discovered Ugarte was under federal indictment. The complaint alleges Rowberry told an individual she was going to go with a friend she knew in the banking industry to re-apply for the PPP loan. On May 14, 2020, Ugarte received $210,000 from Transportation Alliance Bank.

Instead of using at least 75 percent of the loan to pay payroll costs, including bounced payroll checks, Ugarte’s business account shows an automatic withdrawal to Kenworth Sales in the amount of $126,965.27 just four days after the loan was received.  The complaint alleges Ugarte’s company owed approximately $66,000 a month in lease or purchase payments to Kenworth for 13 tractors. Records show Kenworth received the money for truck payments and  small amount for various truck parts. The complaint alleges Ugarte used 60 percent of the loan to pay the past due truck payments – leaving 40 percent for payroll costs.

Ugarte and Rowberry are charged with conspiracy, removal of property to prevent seizure, loan application fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in the complaint. The conspiracy and removal of property to prevent seizure counts each carry potential 5 years sentences.  Money laundering has a potential 10 year sentence and wire fraud is up to 20 years. The loan application fraud count is up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

The removal of property to prevent seizure count in the complaint alleges Ugarte received a payment of $60,957.82 for a wrecked tractor in Nevada after Rowberry submitted an insurance claim.  The check should have been turned over to the FBI subject to a seizure warrant in his FedEx fraud case. Rather than turn the money over to the FBI, the complaint alleges Rowberry deposited it into one of Ugarte’s accounts.  

Rowberry had an initial appearance last week in federal court and has been released on conditions of pretrial release.  A preliminary hearing for her is set for July 28, 2020, at 3 p.m.  before Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg.  An initial appearance for Ugarte, who is in custody, is set for Tuesday (July 14, 2020) at 9 a.m. before Magistrate Oberg.

Complaints are not findings of guilt.  Individuals charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Utah U.S. Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.  FBI special agents are investigating the matter.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

SOUTH BEND – Antonio Henderson, age 30, of San Bernardino, California, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon Leichty upon his plea of guilty to interstate transportation in aid of racketeering, announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.

Mr. Henderson was sentenced to 54 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in this case, a car loaded with methamphetamine in California was placed on a transport and shipped to Illinois.  Mr. Henderson flew to Chicago, picked up the car and drove to it to South Bend, intending to deliver the car and its illegal drug cargo to another person.  Henderson was arrested before making the intended delivery.   

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Schaffer.

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John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILSON VELEZ, also known as “Wiso,” 35, of Newington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 192 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for gang-related narcotics and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford.  Velez was a member of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (“Latin Kings”) and had achieved the rank of a Regional Officer for Connecticut, the second highest-ranking Latin King in the state.  The investigation revealed that Velez was distributing large quantities of heroin and fentanyl.  Velez employed other Latin Kings and associates, his 18-year-old nephew and other family members, and others, including a juvenile, to process, package and distribute the drugs from apartment buildings on Hamilton Street and Elliot Street in Hartford.  During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Velez and other members of the drug trafficking organization.

On April 28, 2017, Velez orchestrated the armed confrontation of a rival drug dealer who was selling drugs in the area of Franklin Avenue and Barker Street.  On that date, Velez and four other Latin Kings were involved in a gunfire exchange that left multiple participants wounded.

Velez was arrested on federal narcotics offenses on December 7, 2017, and was subsequently released on bond.  While released, he continued his criminal activity, and also notified other gang members to the ongoing federal investigation.  He has been detained since April 5, 2018, when his bond was revoked.

On May 1, 2018, a grand jury returned a 41-count indictment charging Velez and nine other members and associates of the Latin Kings.  On February 22, 2019, Velez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and/or 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to, and furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their prison term and are not eligible for parole.

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Pataskala couple have been sentenced for conspiring to defraud multiple federal programs by committing student-aid fraud, tax-return fraud, and Medicaid and SNAP fraud. They caused a total loss of more than half a million dollars.

Damien M. Johnson, 40, was sentenced to 51 months in prison and was ordered to pay $219,976 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Education, $149,824 to the IRS and $87,404 to the Fairfield County Department of Job and Family Services on one count of conspiracy to commit student loan fraud and theft of government funds, and $73,120 to an individual victim on one count of bank fraud.

On March 5, 2020, Kisha C. Hollins-Johnson, 42, was sentenced to 28 months in prison, three years of supervised release, of which 12 months is to be served in home confinement, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $219,976 to the U.S. Department of Education, $149,824 to the IRS and $87,404 to the Fairfield County Department of Job and Family Services on one count of conspiring to commit student loan fraud and theft of government funds, one count of committing student loan fraud, one count of making a false statement to HUD, one count of witness tampering and two counts of theft of government money.

According to court documents, from at least 2011 through 2017, the defendants recruited more than five people to provide their personal information to apply for college admissions at Columbus State Community College.

All of the students fraudulently enrolled in online classes at the college. Hollins-Johnson submitted false financial aid forms for the students and completed coursework for all of the students. Hollins-Johnson enrolled the students in the same courses and chose the same or similar topics for their papers.

When Johnson was not making satisfactory academic progress, Hollins-Johnson created fake documents, including medical records, for use in an academic appeals process in order for Johnson to remain eligible to receive financial aid. She fabricated a letter purporting to be from a doctor that claimed Johnson had sickle cell anemia. The doctor did not write the note, and in fact was a gynecologist.

In total, the U.S. Department of Education issued nearly $220,000 to Columbus State and as refunds to the defendants. Any amount of student loan above the cost of tuition and fees was given to the defendants.

Johnson also committed bank fraud by obtaining seven checks totaling at least $73,000 from an 87-year-old victim who had dementia. He met the victim going door-to-door, making sales pitches to get customers to switch their energy supplier to his employer. He called the victim’s bank, impersonating the victim, to request transfers of funds. Johnson used the money on a variety of personal transactions, including $7,150 at a pawnshop, $1,798 at Gucci, $1,558 at Louis Vuitton, $1,182 in payments to vehicle dealers and $2,500 at a law firm.

Hollins-Johnson submitted false tax returns by claiming fake defendants and educational credits, and submitting fictitious W-2s. Johnson contacted the IRS pretending to be at least one of the other taxpayers and delivered portions of the tax refunds to other individuals.

The couple also fraudulently obtained SNAP food stamp benefits by claiming they were each single when they were married. As part of the conspiracy, Hollins-Johnson submitted false letters verifying Johnson’s employment for food stamp eligibility.

In 2014, Hollins-Johnson submitted an application for a $200,000 home loan insured by the FHA. When she submitted the loan application, she used fabricated employment documents that stated she worked for the State of Ohio. Additionally, she fabricated a form the mortgage company sent to a person they believed was a Human Relations Manager to verify employment.

After investigators searched the defendants’ residence, they engaged in witness tampering. Hollins-Johnson engaged in a scheme that involved creating a fake Facebook account in the victim’s name. The scheme also involved using an app that allows users to change their caller ID and apply a voice changer feature to call a witness in the case, pretending to be from the Licking County Clerk of Courts. Johnson set up an in-person meeting with the witness, where Hollins-Johnson instructed the witness not to talk with law enforcement.

David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Bryant Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation; Brad Geary, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; John F. Woolly, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General; and officials with the Fairfield County Job & Family Services Fraud and Benefit Recovery division announced the sentence handed down today by U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case.

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A U.S. Army soldier was sentenced today to life in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a minor, Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon Jr. of the Eastern District of North Carolina announced. 

Daniel Kemp Sr., 51, of Cameron, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on Dec. 11, 2019, to one count of aggravated sexual assault of a minor before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Terrence W. Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina, who sentenced Kemp Sr. earlier today and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

According to facts presented in the guilty plea hearings, Kemp Sr. was employed by the U.S. Army as an active duty member when he forcibly raped a minor victim.  After an investigation into the sexual assault was underway, his wife, Shanynn Kemp, intentionally harassed and dissuaded a witness from disclosing to law enforcement information about the sexual offense.

The investigation of the case was conducted by U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and the FBI.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

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 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc.

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.

Portland, Maine:  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division hosted an online roundtable today for community organizations to discuss the problem of sexual harassment in housing, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.

The event included representatives from local law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers, and other organizations that often work with vulnerable populations who are most likely to become victims of sexual harassment in housing.

“Sexual harassment in housing is often underreported, but it is an egregious violation of a person’s right to fair housing,” U.S. Attorney Frank said. “Landlords or superintendents using the power they have over tenants to extort sexual acts, or even commit assaults, is intolerable, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our office is dedicated to uncovering such violations where they exist and vigorously enforcing the law.”

The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.

The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ offices across the country. The goal of the Initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, or other people who have control over housing.

Since the launch of the initiative in 2017, the Justice Department has filed 15 lawsuits alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years or decades. Some victims do not know that being sexually harassed by a person in control of their housing can violate federal law.

The Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov.

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by emailing USAME.FairHousing@usdoj.gov or by calling (207) 780-3257 and asking for Civil Chief John G. Osborn or Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley E. Eiler.

TOPEKA, KAN. - A Topeka, Kan., man was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for the second degree murder of a woman he was traveling with on a cruise ship vacation, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Eric Newman, 55, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to killing Tamara Tucker, who died Jan. 19, 2018, on board the Carnival Elation, a vessel registered in Panama. The Carnival Elation was on a voyage that took passengers from Jacksonville, Fla., to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and back.

“The man who killed Tamara Tucker was no stranger to her,” McAllister said. “He was her intimate partner for years, a person she loved and trusted. He was the one person she wanted to share this special voyage and to join her in celebrating her 50^th birthday.”

In his plea, Newman said he and Tucker were traveling together and were assigned to cabin room G-29, located on the 14th deck of the cruise ship’s starboard side. The cabin had a balcony overlooking the ship’s 11th deck. During an argument in their room, Newman attacked Tucker.

“He had his hands around her neck when he pushed her over a balcony railing and she fell to her death on the 11th deck,” McAllister said.

McAllister was joined at a press conference today in Topeka by Ms. Tucker’s family, including her mother, Wanda Tucker-Schrantz, her sister, Dawn Tucker and her brother, Bo Tucker.

“As a professional social worker with a master’s degree, a teacher and an advocate, Ms. Tucker was no stranger to the complexities of human nature that can transform love into deadly violence,” McAllister said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention use the term “intimate partner violence,” which is defined as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse.

Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner, according to the CDC.

 About 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. About 41 percent of female IPV survivors and 14 percent of male IPV survivors experienced some form of physical injury.

Survivors of IPV can experience health problems including depression and PTSD. In addition, they are at a higher risk for smoking, binge drinking and risky sexual behaviors. For more information, see the CDC’s web page at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html .

McAllister commended the FBI field offices in Jacksonville and Topeka, Trial Attorney Rami S. Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney of the District of Kansas for their work on the case.

CINCINNATI – The former executive director and bookkeeper of My Sister’s House, a domestic violence shelter in Washington Court House, were arrested today on charges contained in an indictment alleging that the two spent thousands of dollars intended for the operation of the shelter on personal expenses for themselves, including food, a trip to Disney World and Universal Studios for their daughters, and thousands of dollars in purchases from Avon, Thirty-One and iTunes.

Agents arrested Crystal Chrisman, 52, the former executive director of the shelter, at her home in Columbus, and Jaime Cardinal, 44, the shelter’s former bookkeeper, in Washington Court House. They were transported to federal court in Cincinnati for initial appearances and released by Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman until further court hearings are scheduled.

The indictment charges each defendant in Count One with conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and in Count Two with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years’ imprisonment on Count One and up to ten years imprisonment on Count Two, plus up to a $250,000 fine for each count. If convicted, the defendants could be ordered to pay full restitution of the amounts allegedly stolen, to forfeit any assets they bought with stolen funds and to serve a term of supervised release. The allegations relate to activity between January 2014 and October 2016.

“The indictment alleges that the purpose of the conspiracy was for the defendants to unlawfully enrich themselves by converting funds intended for the shelter to their personal use,” said David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “They allegedly achieved their objective by misusing debit cards connected to shelter accounts for personal purchases at restaurants, auctions, craft stores, and bowling alleys among other places - including purchases made when few, if any, victims lived at the shelter.”

“These two individuals allegedly stole DOJ funds intended to help victims of domestic violence and used it for personal gain.  The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to deterring abuse of DOJ programs for victims of violence.  We will continue to root out these kinds of selfish schemes,” said William J. Hannah, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Chicago Field Office. The defendants allegedly committed the crimes between January 2014 and October 2016. My Sister’s House received more than $10,000 annually in federal grant funds, including grants under the Violence Against Women Act, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act and the Victims of Crime Act. The grants are intended to be used to pay for salaries and benefits of staff and for shelter operations, including supplies and shelter maintenance.

David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General announced the indictment. Assistant United States Attorney Julie Garcia is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew today sentenced Luis Berrios-Trinidad (30, Tampa) to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for sex trafficking of minors. The court also ordered Berrios-Trinidad to forfeit a Glock 19 9mm handgun and cellular phone, both of which were used during the commission of the offenses.

Berrios-Trinidad had pleaded guilty on January 30, 2020.

According to court documents, in May 2019, Berrios-Trinidad began communicating with undercover law enforcement agents regarding the commercial sex trafficking of underage females. Berrios-Trinidad represented that he had access to girls ranging in age from 14-17 years old, and that the price per girl was between $160-180 an hour.

On June 6, 2019, Berrios-Trinidad arranged to bring two underage females to a hotel for a “sex party” with adult men. On that evening, he arrived with two girls, ages 14 and 17. Once inside the hotel room, Berrios-Trinidad was arrested and the victims were rescued.

“Two young girls were saved from a life of human trafficking with this investigation,” said HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Cochran. “HSI agents will continue to uncover, dismantle and disrupt human trafficking, around the globe, and right here in our own communities.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

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

NEWARK, N.J. –An Essex County, New Jersey, man has been arrested and charged with running a large, multi-state car theft and fraud ring, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today. 

Warren Guerrier, 43, of Newark, was arrested by special agents of the FBI and is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to appear by teleconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre.

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

From November 2016 to March 2019, Guerrier and several conspirators participated in a scheme to sell stolen vehicles through internet-based marketplaces, such as Craigslist and OfferUp. For each fraudulent transaction, Guerrier and his conspirators scouted out vehicles at apartment complexes, hotels, or shopping centers in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland that they intended to steal and sell. Once a desirable vehicle was selected, Guerrier and his conspirators photographed the target vehicle and attached a GPS tracker to the vehicle in order to acquire a pattern-of-life of the original owner. Guerrier and his conspirators then listed the target vehicles for sale on an internet-based marketplace. They communicated with potential purchasers and, upon identifying a purchaser, scheduled a meeting time and location to meet in person.  Shortly before the scheduled meeting times, the conspirators returned to the target vehicles with unlawfully obtained valet keys and stole the vehicles. The scheme targeted mostly older model vehicles made by Honda or Acura because valet keys for such vehicles were easier to access.  At Guerrier’s direction, one of the conspirators personally met the purchasers, while posing as the original owner of the vehicle, and provided the purchasers the unlawfully obtained valet key, at least one fraudulent motor vehicle registration document, and the stolen vehicle in exchange for cash. 

Overall, the scheme to defraud involves more than 30 stolen vehicles, of which 29 were sold to unwitting buyers. Guerrier and his conspirators collected $217,650 from unwitting buyers over the course of the conspiracy.

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense, and the aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges and arrest.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall Randolph of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

BOSTON – A Framingham man, who was previously convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with illegally selling ammunition.

Julien King, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2020, King pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition after a domestic violence conviction.

On March 29, 2019, in broad daylight, King sold a .22 caliber bolt-action rifle and 45 pieces of .22 caliber ammunition to a confidential informant in exchange for $120 in Framingham. Just prior to the sale, King fired the rifle out a window of a residence.  The sale was captured by recording. Due to a 2017 conviction of assault and battery on a family or household member, King is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.   

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Framingham Police Chief Steven Trask made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 

Hattiesburg, Miss. –   Fallon Deneem Page, 37, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Keitih Starrett to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for mail fraud in connection with a widespread compounding pharmacy scheme,  announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Michelle Sutphin of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) in Mississippi, and Special Agent in Charge Cyndy Bruce of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (“DCIS”) Southeast Field Office.  Page was also ordered to pay a monetary judgment of $9,500.

In August 2014, Page agreed to be paid $100 per referral of individuals she could locate with health insurance benefits to Medical Solutions of Ocean Springs, a business owned by co-defendant Dr. Shahjahan Sultan.  Once referred, Medical Solutions and a pharmacy located in Ocean Springs would determine whether the individual’s health insurance covered the cost of the expensive compounded medications prescribed by Dr. Sultan and dispensed by the pharmacy.  If covered, Page and other nurses would perform cursory medical examinations of the insured individuals in public places, such as parking lots or gas stations, and on occasions, Page would falsify some of the patient assessment responses.  Dr. Sultan would then prescribe the expensive compounded medications. 

On at least one occasion, on October 23, 2014, Page knew that Dr. Sultan had not performed any medical assessment of an individual and merely prescribed the compounded medications and the pharmacy sent the compounded prescription via Federal Express to the individual.  For prescribing the high adjudicating compound medication, Dr. Sultan was paid 35% by the pharmacy of what they made per prescription.  Page knew that Dr. Sultan had not determined any medical necessity prior to prescribing the expensive compounded medication.  In total, the individual’s insurance company paid $34,047.00 to the pharmacy.

On June 16, 2020, Dr. Sultan was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.  He was ordered to pay restitution of $4,102,634.65 to Express Scripts for the Tricare claims, $582,280.79 to CVS Caremark for and $115,611.03 to Catamaran.  A money judgment of more than $2.3 million was also ordered.

The case was investigated by the FBI and DCIS.  Assistant Chief Dustin M. Davis and Trial Attorney Sara E. Porter of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk of the Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the formation of a new Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force (Task Force) in response to the extraordinary spike in gun violence and violent crime across the Twin Cities. The Task Force brings together additional federal and state resources to assist local law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals responsible for gun violence in our communities.

The Task Force will serve as a coordination hub for intelligence and law enforcement operations focused on violent crime in the Twin Cities. Law enforcement partners will utilize the Task Force to maximize intelligence gathering and information sharing capabilities to ensure swift and precise identification of those individuals who are perpetrating violence.

“This increase in violence, particularly the shootings, is unacceptable and it must end – that is why I am launching a new Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force to help turn the tide,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “The goal of this Task Force is not to flood our communities with law enforcement, but rather to leverage law enforcement’s collective resources to allow for focused and effective enforcement actions. Bringing safety and security back to our cities requires collaboration, and we need law enforcement, city leaders and community members all working together toward the common goal of bringing an end to this violence.” 

The Task Force operates from a multi-agency command center and is comprised of federal agents and analysts from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Secret Service, United States Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, police officers from the Minneapolis and St. Paul Police Departments and deputies from the Hennepin, Ramsey and Dakota counties Sheriff’s Offices, as well as federal and state prosecutors.

The public may report tips by calling 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or submit pictures and/or videos at www.fbi.gov/violence.

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           CONCORD – James Henry, 51, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in or before December of 2017, a drug distribution organization operating in Lawrence, Massachusetts, maintained a series of telephone numbers that were used to receive orders for illegal drugs and facilitate transactions involving those substances. The organization primarily supplied fentanyl in “finger” units of ten grams each, and powder cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”) in either 3.5-gram (eighth-ounce) units or 28-gram (full ounce) units. To distribute its product throughout the northern New England region, the organization relied on a network of sub-distributors from New Hampshire and elsewhere, who would travel to Lawrence to pick up their orders and then redistribute the fentanyl, cocaine, and crack throughout northern New England.

            On June 19, 2019, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration arrested individuals involved in running the organization.  During the arrests, the DEA seized the telephone used by the organization to arrange drug transactions with its customers.  After that, DEA agents used the organization telephone to assume the identity of the organization dispatcher and set up purported drug transactions with the customers who contacted the organization telephone about buying controlled substances from the organization.

            On June 25, 2019, Henry contacted the telephone and sought to order quantities of fentanyl and crack.   He also provided the type and description of his vehicle.  The DEA directed Henry to a parking lot in Nashua.  Henry was told that after he arrived, he was to leave the money in the center console and take a walk. Officers then observed Henry’s vehicle arrive and saw Henry leave the vehicle before walking away. 

            After a few minutes, the DEA texted Henry and told him to return to his vehicle.  When Henry did so, officers placed him under arrest and seized the telephone with which they had communicated.  Following the arrest, Henry admitted that he had traveled to Nashua to buy “dope and crack.”

            Henry is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2020.

            “Stopping interstate drug trafficking is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect public health and safety, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing illegal drugs in the Granite State.”

             This matter was investigated by the DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, Methuen Police Department, Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, Manchester Police Department, Nashua Police Department, Salem Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Police Department, and the Goffstown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.          

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