RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging CARLOS CASTILLO-RODRIGUEZ, age 40, of Honduras, with illegal reentry of a removed alien. 

If convicted of illegal reentry, CASTILLO-RODRIGUEZ, previously deported three times and found in Wake County, would face a maximum imprisonment term of two years, a $250,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. 

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

St. Louis, Missouri – Deron Mitchell, Jr., 19, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 186 months in prison for his involvement in six armed carjackings committed in 2018.  In February 2020, Mitchell pled guilty to six counts of carjacking and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Mitchell appeared today before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. 

According to court documents, Mitchell and co-defendant Deandre Moore committed six carjackings – one on September 6, 2018; two on November 4, 2018; and three on November 5, 2018. Both defendants were caught with firearms while occupying a stolen car that contained personal property taken in other carjackings.  Mitchell and Moore were arrested on November 6, 2018, and Mitchell confessed to the carjackings. 

Moore previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May to 186 months in prison for his role in these offenses.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Maplewood Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Paul D’Agrosa handled this case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA– Lynn Haven City’s Mayor and Attorney are the subjects of a 64-count indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in Panama City, Florida.  Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson, 65, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Lynn Haven City Attorney Joseph Adam Albritton, 33, of Lynn Haven, Florida, have been indicted for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, substantive counts of wire fraud, honest services fraud, and theft concerning federal programs. Anderson is also charged with making false statements to FBI agents. Albritton is charged with submitting a false invoice to an insurance company for hurricane debris removal from his residence.

United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe of the Northern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jacksonville Division, and Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford made the announcement at a press conference held today.

“This indictment serves as a powerful message to all public officials and any other citizen who serves in a position of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “Our Public Trust Unit, working alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, are committed to investigating and prosecuting anyone who illegally abuses a position of trust for personal gain. The integrity of those who run our government is essential to our democracy.”  

Anderson was arrested by FBI agents this morning at her Jacksonville, Florida, residence. Her initial appearance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST today at the United States Courthouse in Jacksonville. Albritton was arrested by deputies of the Bay County Sherriff’s Office this morning in Lynn Haven, Florida. His initial appearance is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST today at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.

"This case is an example of what happens when public servants becomes complicit in corrupt behavior rather than standing up to it," said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.  "Anyone who puts personal greed above their responsibility to protect the public should be held accountable, and that is why rooting out corrupt public officials remains the FBI’s number one criminal investigative priority."

Following Hurricane Michael, on October 16, 2018, the City of Lynn Haven adopted a local state of emergency for post-disaster relief and planning. The City also approved a resolution waiving the procedures that are normally required under Florida law so that timely action could be taken to ensure the safety, welfare, and health of the citizens of Lynn Haven. The resolution delegated emergency powers to Mayor Anderson or her designee, meaning they could independently enter into contracts and spend public funds. Although the emergency declaration was ended by Lynn Haven two weeks later, the city entered into an emergency agreement with David White, owner of Erosion Control Specialists (ECS) to perform hurricane clean-up services. 

The indictment returned yesterday alleges ECS was paid for services that were not authorized under the emergency contract. According to the indictment, unauthorized work valued at over $48,000 was performed at the private residences of Anderson, her mother, and a neighbor, and an additional $25,000 worth of unauthorized work was performed at the private residences of Albritton and his girlfriend. The indictment alleges that ECS invoices falsely claimed this work was provided to Lynn Haven public areas. After the unauthorized work was performed, Albritton went on to file a fraudulent claim with St. John’s Insurance Company that his residence had been damaged by Hurricane Michael, according to the indictment. Albritton is charged with providing the insurance company with a false invoice from ECS indicating he had paid for tree removal, debris removal, and installation of a tarp to his residence totaling $9,600.

Anderson and Albritton are also charged with devising a scheme to defraud Lynn Haven and its citizens of their right to honest services of Anderson, as Mayor, and Albritton, as City Attorney.  The indictment alleges that both Anderson and Albritton solicited and received bribes or kickbacks from City projects that they approved.

After the initial emergency declaration by Lynn Haven expired, the indictment alleges Albritton conspired with then-City Manager Michael White to award a trash pick-up project to ECS. Although Lynn Haven waste trucks had the ability to perform the same work at no additional cost to the city, ECS was paid $300 per hour, per crew for this task. The indictment charges Albritton with demanding, and receiving, $10,000 in cash for each weeks of trash services billed to Lynn Haven by ECS from mid-October 2018 through January 2019.  The city of Lynn Haven was ultimately billed $1.8 million for unnecessary trash pick-up according to the indictment.  

The indictment alleges that Anderson halted progress on plans to permit a city-owned site for disposal of vegetative debris, even though using the city-owned site would have saved Lynn Haven millions of dollars in disposal fees. Instead, the indictment alleges Anderson told the City Manager to use a privately owned company (Company B) for vegetative debris disposal. According to the indictment, the city of Lynn Haven paid disposal fees in excess of $2 million to Company B. Additionally, the indictment charges that between 2015 and the present date, Anderson helped Company B win multiple other multi-million dollar contracts with the city of Lynn Haven. In return, the indictment charges Anderson with accepting things of value from the owner of Company B, including travel in a private airplane, lodging aboard a private yacht, meals and entertainment. According to the indictment, Anderson and her husband also received a $106,000 motorhome from Company B in February 2018. 

During the time periods when the alleged crimes were being committed, neither Anderson nor Albritton filed required quarterly gift reports documenting that they received gifts in excess of $100 according to the indictment.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.

“I am proud of the efforts of the senior criminal investigators and analysts from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and at the expertise of the team assembled by U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe and Special Agent in Charge Rachel Rojas,” said Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff. “Through this partnership we will work to root out corruption and hold those responsible for taking advantage of us during our most vulnerable time. This investigation remains very active and ongoing.”

If convicted, both Anderson and Albritton face prison terms of up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, substantive wire fraud and honest services fraud, and mail fraud, and 10 years for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.  Anderson could be sentenced to an additional 5 year term if convicted for making false statements to federal agents and Albritton faces a maximum of 20 years for submitting a false invoice to an insurance company.

This indictment is a follow-up to the indictment returned in November 2019 of five defendants, including former Lynn Haven City Manager Michael White, former Lynn Haven Community Services Director David Horton, and Erosion Control Specialists owner David White, for conspiring to commit wire fraud, substantive counts of wire fraud and honest services fraud, relating to post-Hurricane Michael clean-up activities in Lynn Haven. All five of the defendants indicted in November have pled guilty to charges from the first indictment, and are awaiting sentencing.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Press Release - Anderson and AlbrittonAnderson Albritton Indictment

Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today, Davontai Jones-Robinson, 23, of Evansville, Indiana, and Trinity Taylor, 26, of Prattville, Alabama, are in federal custody and charged with three counts each of Obstruction of Commerce by Robbery, and three counts each of Use of a Firearm During and Relation to a Crime of Violence.

“Living a life of crime never pays off,” said Minkler. “Their short lived crime spree spread fear into the lives of the innocent victims that they may carry the rest of their lives. And now Jones-Robinson and Taylor face a life sentence in federal prison.”

 On 08/13/20 around 8 pm, officers with the Evansville Police Department were sent to a robbery in progress at Kwik Stop located at 4301 Pollack Avenue. A nearby neighbor reported seeing a man with a long-gun run in and out of the store. The clerk said a black male entered the store with a gun and ordered him to open the register. The gunman took an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes, then exited the store.

Approximately 6 1/2 hours later, around 2:30 am on 08/14/20, officers with the Evansville Police Department were again advised of a robbery in progress at the Circle K located at 2400 E. Riverside Drive. As in the earlier robbery, a black male entered the business brandishing a gun and wearing the same clothing description as before. He ordered the clerk to open the register and he took an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes. A dark colored passenger car is also observed in the area before and during the robbery.

 Approximately 9 ½ hours later, Warrick County Law Enforcement officers were notified of a robbery in progress at Chuckles located at 175 W. Main Street in Elberfeld. Once again, a black male entered the business with a gun and ordered the clerk to open the register. The gunman stole an undetermined amount of cash and leaving in a dark colored passenger car.

Investigators were able to determine that the same individual committed the robberies and the same dark colored passenger car was involved as the getaway vehicle. The license plate number was identified and investigators from the Indiana State Police were able to determine it belonged to a car rental company. Records indicated that Trinity Taylor was renting the vehicle in question.

 On 08/14/20 around 3:45 pm, patrol officers from the Evansville Police Department located the vehicle in question at Covert Avenue and Green River Road. Trinity Taylor was identified as the driver and taken into custody. Further investigation revealed that Jones-Robinson was the armed gunman who went inside and robbed the businesses.

A search warrant was executed at the apartment where Taylor and Jones-Robinson were residing. Several items related to all three robberies were discovered and secured as evidence.

 This case was investigated by the FBI Indiana Violent Crime Task Force, Evansville Police Department, Warrick County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Todd Shellenbarger, who is prosecuting this case for the government, both defendants face up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release after being released from federal prison.

Criminal charges are merely allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Both defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in federal court.  

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution sentencing demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to investigate and prosecute defendants committing violent crimes involving firearms. (SeeUnited States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Sections 2.3)

Assistant U. S. Attorney Mario J. Peia (619) 546-9706

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY– August 17, 2020

SAN DIEGO – A man who allegedly threatened to “kill all the gays and children” at the San Diego Pride parade was sentenced to 70 months in prison today after pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery and two counts of armed bank robbery.

According to a federal complaint, Andre Lafayette Holmes robbed US Bank on Campo Road in Spring Valley on November 4, 2016; Mission Federal Credit Union in San Diego on June 14, 2018, and California Bank and Trust on Fifth Avenue, also in San Diego, on June 28, 2019. In the first crime he claimed to have a gun; in the second and third robberies he pointed a pistol at tellers, the complaint said.

FBI agents identified Holmes as the armed bank robber in three unsolved cases following threats he made to the San Diego Pride Parade organizers on July 10, 2019. In the first of two late-morning phone calls to pride organizers’ main line, a caller stated: “I think I’m going to have to kill all the gays and the children.” He then repeated, “I’m going to have to kill the f------ and children.” The employee asked, “Sir, what’s your name?” The caller replied: “I don’t like them” and “I hate the f------.” He then hung up. About four minutes later, he called back. “F--- Donald Trump. I hate Hillary. I hate f---. I’m going to shoot up the Pride event.” The male caller repeated the same statement approximately four times.

On July 11, San Diego Police Department investigators identified the phone number as belonging to Holmes. They determined that Holmes drives a 2009 Toyota minivan registered in his name. They located Holmes near Miramar College and conducted a traffic stop. He was in possession of the phone from which the threats were made, the complaint said.

During subsequent searches of Holmes residence and vehicle, investigators discovered evidence of the armed bank robberies, including a gray semi-automatic pistol, a rubber “old man” style mask, a large bag of cash and clothing believed worn by the bank robber, among other things. They also found a Big Gulp 7-Eleven mug consistent with the one used during two of the robberies.

In the first robbery, the complaint alleges that Holmes used a demand note which said: “We have guns! I will personally shoot anyone you alert! Don’t make me jump over the counter and kill innocent people. Big bills only and I’ll calmly leave. Money now!!!!” On the back of the note, it said: “I’m sorry, good man on hard times. Sincerely, Bank Robber.”

In the second robbery at Mission Federal Credit Union, Holmes pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his pocket and pointed it at a teller and demanded money, the complaint said. He then proceeded to demand money from a second teller.

In the third robbery, Holmes again had a light-colored semiautomatic pistol and verbally demanded money.

Holmes is presently charged in the San Diego County Superior Court for the threats made to the San Diego Pride Parade.

“This dangerous defendant was apprehended because of excellent investigation by the FBI and terrific work by prosecutor Mario Peia,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Mr. Holmes terrorized bank employees and put their lives at risk, and for that he goes where he deserves to go-   prison.”

“The FBI is committed to investigating, prosecuting, and incarcerating dangerous violent criminals who threaten the safety and security of our community,” said Omer Meisel, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI's San Diego Field Office.  “Mr. Jones is a dangerous criminal who utilized a firearm in the commission of his crimes and today a violent criminal was brought to justice.” 

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section.  Formed in 2019, by U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer Jr., the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 19cr3018-LAB                                             

Andre Lafayette Holmes                                 Age: 31                                   San Diego, California

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bank Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(a)

Maximum penalty: Twenty years

Armed Bank Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(a) & (d)

Maximum penalty: Twenty five years

Brandishing a Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 924(c)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison; Consecutive mandatory minimum: Seven years

AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Police Department

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANCISCO LEON, also known as “Gordo,” 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2019, Hartford Police received information that Leon was selling large quantities of narcotics from an apartment located at 777 Maple Avenue in Hartford.  In July 2019, investigators made a controlled purchase of heroin from Leon.

On July 9, 2018, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of the apartment and seized approximately 9,700 bags of heroin, various drug paraphernalia, and a loaded handgun.  Leon was arrested on state charges on that date.  At the time of his arrest, Leon possessed a U-Haul access cared and three keys from a U-Haul storage facility located on Capitol Avenue in Hartford.  A subsequent search of a storage unit controlled by Leon revealed approximately nine kilograms of heroin, two loaded handguns, and assorted ammunition.

Leon’s criminal history includes multiple state convictions related to the possession and sale of narcotics.

On March 28, 2019, Leon pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Judge Dooley ordered Leon to forfeit $13,980 that was seized from him during the investigation.

Leon, who is released on $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 29, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  This case was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

CHICAGO — John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, today joined Attorney General William P. Barr to announce an update on Operation Legend.

Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime.  As part of the initiative, the Department of Justice allocated additional investigators and resources to the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Marshals Service, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations committed additional agents.

Since the operation’s launch in Chicago on July 22, 2020, 61 defendants have been charged in 49 cases alleging federal felony offenses relating to violent crime affecting the city of Chicago.  Those cases include more than 30 defendants facing a lead firearms-related charge, and more than 25 defendants facing a lead drug trafficking charge.  During Operation Legend, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its federal partners have worked closely with state and local law enforcement, including the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police.

“The substantial resources under Operation Legend have assisted our office in prosecuting firearm and drug trafficking offenses, which drive the unacceptable level of violent crime in Chicago,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.  “We will continue to use these additional resources to investigate and prosecute trigger-pullers, drug traffickers, carjackers, and those who illegally traffic, use, and possess firearms.  Every reasonable strategy to combat violent crime must emphasize the rule of law and holding offenders accountable for the crimes they commit – these are necessary actions designed to ensure public safety.”

The federal cases brought in Chicago with the assistance of Operation Legend include:

• A convicted felon who was charged with illegally possessing ammunition that had been loaded in a personally-manufactured firearm, also known as a “ghost gun.”  The gun allegedly discharged when Chicago Police officers pursued the defendant and arrested him.
• An individual charged with a firearm offense after allegedly driving from Chicago to Indiana, purchasing seven firearms, and transporting the guns back to Chicago with the intent to sell them.
• A convicted felon was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime after ATF agents found him in a hotel room in downtown Chicago with a personally-manufactured gun, ammunition, 17.5 kilograms of marijuana, and $1,400 in cash.
• A Chicago resident was charged with illegally possessing a machinegun.  The semiautomatic handgun was equipped with an auto-sear device, also known as a “switch,” that made it capable of automatically shooting more than one shot without manually reloading.
• A Chicago man was charged with dealing firearms without a license for allegedly selling three guns, including a rifle, to a confidential source who was cooperating with law enforcement.

Several of the cases involving felons in possession of firearms were charged directly in federal court after ATF agents worked side-by-side with the Chicago Police Department in neighborhoods of the city that have suffered through the highest number of shootings and homicides.  In other firearm investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has worked with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine the best forum in which to bring a prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Lausch and the Attorney General provided the Operation Legend update at a news conference in Kansas City, Mo. – where the operation was originally launched on July 8, 2020.  The initiative is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.  In addition to Kansas City and Chicago, Operation Legend has expanded to Albuquerque, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Memphis, and Indianapolis.

In all of the operation’s cities thus far, there have been more than 1,000 arrests, including defendants who have been charged in state and local courts.  Of those arrests, approximately 217 defendants have been charged with federal crimes.  In addition, nearly 400 firearms have been seized by ATF.  These numbers do not include Indianapolis, whose operation was announced on Friday.

Orlando, Florida – Max Chambers (21, Sarasota), a former University of Central Florida student, today pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on January 28, 2019, the University of Central Florida (UCF) Police Department received an anonymous crime line tip claiming that Chambers was in possession of three drop-in auto-sears (DIAS) – a device used to cause a semi-automatic firearm to fire fully automatic – on university grounds. After making contact with Chambers, law enforcement located a completed DIAS in his dorm room. A second DIAS and an AR-15 style rifle that Chambers had converted to fire fully automatic were found in Chambers’s vehicle, which was parked on UCF property. During interviews with law enforcement, Chambers admitted to making the DIAS, and altering the AR-15 with the goal of making it fire fully automatic.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the University of Central Florida Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Daniels.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONALD CARIATI, JR., 45, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by one years of supervised release, for obstructing the IRS.  Judge Shea also ordered Cariati to pay a $95,000 fine, and restitution of more than $1 million.

According to court documents and statements made in court today, Cariati owns and operates Cariati Developers Inc. (“CDI”), a snowplow and hauling business based in Wallingford.  Between 2013 and 2017, Cariati paid several CDI employees with company checks asserting that they were independent contractors or subcontractors in order to evade the responsibility to withhold and pay over taxes to the IRS.  However, Cariati and CDI failed to issue Forms 1099 to these “subcontractors” for particular years.  Cariati also informed certain individuals that they were being paid off the books, meaning that their pay was not reported to the IRS.

In late 2015, the IRS began an audit of CDI.  During the course of this audit, Cariati caused fraudulent invoices to be made available to an IRS revenue agent.  The invoices were purported to have been created in 2013 and purported to substantiate that individuals were appropriately considered subcontractors.

The investigation also revealed that, in 2014, CDI paid an invoice related to products for Cariati’s cigarette boat.  During the IRS audit, Cariati caused his accountant to provide to the IRS a false invoice to make it appear that the purchase was a business expense and not a personal expense.

Judge Shea ordered Cariati to pay restitution of $1,077,048.99.  Cariati paid $1 million toward his tax obligation today.

On February 28, 2020, Cariati pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing or impeding the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws.

Cariati, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison in 90 days.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia. 

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SHEON COPPRUE, age 49, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to charges relating to drug trafficking, firearm possession, and bribery.

COPPRUE pled guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. COPPRUE also pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and bribery of a public official, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)(1).

According to Court documents, COPPRUE conspired with ALLEN EDGERSON a/k/a “King,” DARNELL JOHNSON a/k/a “Yaggi,” and RACHEL CESARIO to ship large quantities of methamphetamine from California to New Orleans. COPPRUE also bribed codefendant TONYA CALVIN, a postal worker, to deliver the drug-filled packages to him in New Orleans. COPPRUE, who was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms,was caught with four firearms that he kept at his home and another address where he stored narcotics.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Two Project Parkersburg defendants were sentenced to federal prison today for their roles in a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

Amanda Atkinson, 44, of Vienna, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and one year of supervised release. She previously admitted using a cellular telephone to facilitate drug trafficking. Michael Holley, Jr., 37, of Parkersburg, was sentenced to 77 months in prison and four years of supervised release. He previously admitted distributing between 50 grams and 200 grams of methamphetamine between February 2018 and July 2018.   

“Project Parkersburg was an extraordinary law enforcement operation that successfully dismantled a major network of drug traffickers,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “Today’s sentencings bring the total number of federal defendants sentenced to 10, with additional defendants still awaiting sentencing. My team is laser-focused on shuttering drug trafficking organizations before any more of our kids and communities fall victim.” 

Atkinson and Holley, Jr. were prosecuted as part of Project Parkersburg – a major takedown and dismantling of a multi-state drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing methamphetamine and heroin. The long-term, joint investigation resulted in at least 29 individuals being charged in federal and state court and the seizure of 121 pounds of ICE methamphetamine, six kilograms of cocaine, 217 grams of heroin and 478 grams of fentanyl.

Of the defendants charged in federal court, Todd Land, Jeffrey Hoyler, Nicholas Easton, T.J. Gibson, Edward Marks, Amy Rake, Marshall Polan, and Troy Pastorino have been sentenced. Aurelius Edmonds, Terrence McGuirk, Michael Rhodes and Antoine Terry await sentencing later this year.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Parkersburg Police Department, the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department and the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Hanks and Jeremy Wolfe handled the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 18-CR-00225.

Follow us on Twitter: @SDWVNewsand @USAttyStuart 

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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Dr. Felix Brizuela, Jr., a Pennsylvania physician operating offices in West Virginia, was indicted by a grand jury today on charges of illegally distributing controlled substances, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Brizuela, age 59, of Harrison City, Pennsylvania, was indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice” and six counts of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Controlled Substances Outside the Bounds of Professional Medical Practice.” 

Brizuela is accused of conspiring with three others not charged in this indictment to illegally distribute controlled substances from a drug treatment center, Advance Healthcare, Inc., in Weirton, West Virginia from 2009 to 2016.

Brizuela faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the charges. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy.  Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Wagner and Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, WV Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Fraud Division, WV Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Ohio Attorney General Health Care Fraud, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Hancock-Brook-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, West Virginia State Police, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Weirton Police Department investigated.
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Amber Heward, of Burlington, West Virginia, has admitted to methamphetamine distribution, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Heward, also known as “Amber Brown,” age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Fifty Grams or  More of Methamphetamine.” Heward admitted to working with others to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, also known as “ice,” from October 2018 to February 2019 in Mineral County.

Heward faces at least 10 years and up to life incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

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

Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Philip Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced charges against SAIBO SIDIBEH, MOUKHAMED FALL, MAMADY DANFAKHA, ALHANSA HYDARA, MAMADOU DIALLO, DEMBA DIAKITE, MOHAMMED SABALY, BANGALY DOUMBIA, and ABUBACKR DANSO for their involvement in a bank fraud scheme involving the deposit of more than $700,000 of fraudulent checks and the subsequent withdrawal of funds.  SIDIBEH, FALL, HYDARA, and DANSO were arrested on August 12, 2020, and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang.  DANFAKHA, DIALLO, DIAKITE, and DOUMBIA were arrested this morning and are expected to be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron in Manhattan federal court.  SABALY remains at large.

As alleged in the criminal Complaint^[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Between at least July 2018 and at least August 2019, SAIBO SIDIBEH, MOUKHAMED FALL, MAMADY DANFAKHA, ALHANSA HYDARA, MAMADOU DIALLO, DEMBA DIAKITE, MOHAMMED SABALY, BANGALY DOUMBIA, and ABUBACKR DANSO engaged in a scheme to defraud banks by depositing fraudulent, forged, or altered checks into the bank accounts of third parties at ATMs in the Bronx, Manhattan, and elsewhere.  Before the bank realized that a check was invalid, the defendants withdrew the funds, typically by purchasing postal money orders.  In total, the defendants deposited more than $700,000 in fraudulent checks.

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A chart containing the names, charges, and penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the USPIS and the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Rohrbach is in charge of the prosecution.

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

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Cabell County man was convicted of federal drug and gun charges following a jury trial, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.

Steven McCallister, 47, of Barboursville, was convicted of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being felon in possession of a firearm.

“This is a significant victory for the people of West Virginia and the City of Huntington,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “McCallister was found guilty on all counts in near record time because the evidence was so overwhelming. Defendant by defendant, case by case, matter by matter, we are taking back the streets from the drug dealers and poison peddlers and returning them to our good citizens.”

On June 12, 2019, agents with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) arranged a controlled buy of 50 grams of heroin from McCallister through a confidential informant (CI). The controlled buy was conducted at McCallister’s residence at 224 Carper Lane in Barboursville. Following the controlled buy, MDENT agents, along with members of the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, executed a search warrant at the residence and discovered over a kilogram of fentanyl/heroin mix. They also discovered a loaded .357 handgun in McCallister’s bedroom where part of the fentanyl was located along with a large amount of cash.

McCallister was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing the firearm.  In addition, the jury found him guilty of possessing that firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the Violent Crime and Drug Task Force West, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the West Virginia State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Greg McVey and Joseph Adams prosecuted the case before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

McCallister faces a minimum of 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on December 7, 2020.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:19-cr-00153.

Follow us on Twitter:SDWVNewsand USAttyStuart
 

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TOPEKA, KAN. – A former Army soldier stationed at Fort Riley was sentenced todayto 30 months in federal prison for distributing instructions for making explosives, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. After his prison time, the defendant will serve three years on supervised release.

Jarrett William Smith, 24, formerly of Ft. Riley, Kan., pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing information related to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction.

Smith joined the Army June 12, 2017. He served as an infantry soldier and was trained in combat and tactical operations. He was transferred to Fort Riley in Kansas July 8, 2019.

The FBI received information that Smith used social media to give out guidance to others on how to construct improvised explosive devices. He spoke to others on social media about wanting to travel to Ukraine to fight with a violent, far-right military group.

On September 20, 2019, from Fort Riley Smith sent a person working undercover for the FBI specific instructions for making an explosive device. Smith also provided a recipe for creating improvised napalm.

McAllister commended the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi for their work on the case.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Thomas Hill (41, Hillsborough County) to 19 years in federal prison for enticement of minor and production of child pornography. Hill had pleaded guilty on January 7, 2020.

According to court documents, starting in November 2018, Hill began communicating online with a 17-year-old girl in Georgia. At Hill’s direction, the girl produced pornographic images of herself and transmitted them to Hill in Tampa via Skype messenger. In online chats, Hill also instructed the victim to use various objects to penetrate herself, to refer to herself as his slave, and to address him as “master.” Hill and the victim made plans for Hill to take the victim from her home in Georgia so she could live with him and told the victim that he would physically and sexually abuse her and their future offspring.

In early December 2018, Hill drove to Georgia, picked up the victim without her parents’ knowledge or consent, and brought her back to Tampa to live with him. Once in Tampa, Hill forced the victim to engage in non-consensual sex acts. Hill also made the victim perform unpaid menial labor at his house and restricted her ability to leave the residence or communicate with outsiders. After living with Hill for several weeks, the victim fled Hill’s home and was discovered by local law enforcement running down the street, crying for help.

“The facts of this case are beyond disturbing. Mr. Hill forced his young victim to commit horrific and unspeakable acts,” said Michael F. McPherson, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Tampa Division. “These investigations are tough to work and I am proud of the dedicated special agents who do the job to protect our children from sexual predators.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – The former second-in-command of the Boston-based Devon Street Kings Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges.

Alexis Peguero, a/k/a “King Lexi,” a/k/a “King Looney,” 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Dec. 15, 2020. Alexis Peguero was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was the Cacique or second-in-command of the Devon Street Kings, a Boston-based Chapter of the Latin Kings.

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

Named for its origin on Devon Street in Boston, the Devon Street Kings or D5K Chapter of the Latin Kings, included at various times, approximately a dozen members who reported to Alexis Peguero, who served as “Cacique” or the second-in-command of the Chapter. The Devon Street Kings, in turn, reported to the Massachusetts State Leadership of the Latin Kings, providing information, structure, funds and other resources to further the Latin Kings goals and directives in the state. 

As described in court documents, Alexis Peguero produced various music videos touting his allegiance to the Latin Kings, distributed controlled substances and threatened rival gang members. During the investigation, various meetings were covertly recorded where Alexis Peguero and members of the Devon Street Kings discussed the business of the racketeering enterprise. In addition, Alexis Peguero was present during meetings where members were beaten and violence against rival gangs was discussed and decided upon.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Alexis Peguero is the eighth defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

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

Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced the indictment and arrest today of YOEL ABRAHAM, HESHL ABRAHAM, ZISHE ABRAHAM, and SHMUEL ABRAHAM, who are brothers, on charges of engaging in a scheme to systematically defraud Amazon.com, LLC, (“Amazon”), an online retailer and e-commerce platform.  Through the course of the scheme, the defendants manipulated Amazon’s vendor system in attempts to fraudulently induce Amazon to pay for goods that Amazon had not ordered.  In executing the scheme, the defendants fraudulently attempted to obtain at least approximately $32 million and successfully obtained at least approximately $19 million.  YOEL ABRAHAM, HESHL ABRAHAM, ZISHE ABRAHAM, and SHMUEL ABRAHAM were arrested this morning and will be presented and arraigned later today before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, to whom the case is assigned.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “The indictment alleges that Yoel, Heshl, Zishe, and Shmuel Abraham came up with a new twist on an old trick, but the use of complex technology did not hide the simple fact that the defendants were bilking Amazon for goods they never provided.  The more our economic life moves online, the more we must ensure the integrity of our digital markets, which my Office is committed to doing.” 

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “The four charged today allegedly attempted to defraud Amazon out of tens of millions of dollars though a sophisticated and layered fraudulent invoicing scheme.  Invoice fraud is not a victimless crime.  Millions of dollars in lost revenue negatively impacts a company’s ability to provide cost effective services to legitimate customers who use the vendor’s platform.  HSI works closely with our private partners to ensure that this type of fraud is mitigated, and those criminals are prosecuted for their actions.”

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

The defendants, who purportedly operated wholesale businesses, opened vendor accounts with Amazon to sell the company small quantities of goods.  By accepting a purchase order, the defendants agreed to supply specific goods, at specific prices, in specific quantities.  Instead, they manipulated Amazon’s vendor system, and then, in the most egregious iteration of the scheme, invoiced the company for substitute goods at grossly inflated prices and excessive quantities.  The defendants frequently shipped and invoiced for more than 10,000 units of an item when Amazon had requested, and the defendants had agreed to ship, fewer than 100.

The defendants communicated about the scheme, extended help and advice to one another, and helped one another evade detection using an encrypted group texting chain on WhatsApp, a messaging application.  For example, on or about May 1, 2018, YOEL ABRAHAM, the defendant, stated to the group “I’m so in the mood to fuck Amazon,” and asked “Did anyone try to overship and make a million profit in a week?”  ZISHE ABRAHAM, the defendant, asked how YOEL ABRAHAM would do it (“Come in [sic] how to do it?”). SHMUEL ABRAHAM, the defendant, offered his advice on how to carry out such a large fraudulent transaction, noting he “didn’t tried this yet but tried already different things and it worked.”  SHMUEL ABRAHAM cautioned, however, “[j]ust make sure you have another account.  But you can fuck them a lot.  When it’s to [sic] big numbers fast they will lock you out.”  ZISHE ABRAHAM, the defendant, also offered his thoughts on how best to perpetrate such a large overshipment.

Once Amazon detected the pattern of fraudulent overshipping, it suspended the vendor accounts engaged in the fraud; in response, the defendants tried to open other vendor accounts and disguise their identities by registering them in fake names, using different email addresses, and using virtual private servers (“VPSs”) to obfuscate their connection to previously suspended accounts and frustrate Amazon’s ability to detect and mitigate their fraudulent activity.  For instance, on or about November 1, 2018, the defendants discussed that Amazon’s increasing enforcement was going to force them to give up the fraudulent invoicing scheme altogether and go into a legitimate line of business (YOEL ABRAHAM: “This shit is massed up, looks like will have to build a legit business”).  They also discussed new ways to evade detection and how to continue to perpetrate the fraud (YOEL ABRAHAM: “Open account under dummy names and they can go look for no one.”  ZISHE ABRAHAM: “Yup need to do that. . . . The problem the first accounts was under real names.”). A few days later, HESHL ABRAHAM circulated a link to a “VPS company I use now. . . . This is how I know because they linked both of my vendor accounts.”). 

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YOEL ABRAHAM, 28, of Suffern, New York, HESHL ABRAHAM, 32, of Spring Valley, New York, ZISHE ABRAHAM, 30, of Spring Valley, New York, and SHMUEL ABRAHAM, 24, of Airmont, New York, are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.  Wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.           

Ms. Strauss praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the New York City Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, and thanked Amazon for its cooperation with the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jilan J. Kamal is in charge of the prosecution.   

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

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted selling multiple drugs in the Great Falls area was sentenced today to 54 months in prison and four years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Gabriel Louis Norlin, 30, pleaded guilty in March to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

In court documents filed in the case, the prosecution said that in September 2019, Russell Country Drug Task Force officers received information that Norlin was selling cocaine and heroin and that he was traveling to California to pick up narcotics for redistribution in Montana. In October 2019, law enforcement officers stopped and seized a truck Norlin was driving near Four Corners, towed it to Belgrade and conducted a search. Law enforcement officers found numerous bags of drugs, including two bags totaling about two pounds of cocaine. Two pounds of cocaine is the equivalent of about 7,610 doses. Norlin admitted later to detectives that he had been selling cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Betley prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Russell Country Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, violent crime in Montana increased by 36% from 2013 to 2018. Through PSN, 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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