PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Jennifer D’Hulster, 37, of Coatesville, PA; Zachary Gathercole, 30, of Sadsburyville, PA; Ashley Harrington, 30, of West Chester, PA; and Anthony Schweitzer, 20, also of Coatesville, PA, were charged by Complaint with fraudulently obtaining and attempting to obtain unemployment benefits related to COVID-19 emergency relief funds to which they were not entitled. Defendant D’Hulster was arrested and taken into custody this morning; the other three defendants were already in custody. All four defendants made their initial appearances in federal court today.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law. The CARES Act created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance  (PUA) program, which provides unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits, including individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility to receive weekly PUA benefits was predicated on the applicant’s unemployment for reasons related to the pandemic; however, the applicant must also have been able to work each day and, if offered a job, the applicant must have been able to accept it. Once the applicant was approved to receive benefits, the applicant was required to submit weekly certifications that indicated that he or she: was ready, willing and able to work each day; was seeking full time employment; did not refuse any job offers or referrals; and, had reported any employment during the week and the gross pay or other payments received.

The Complaint alleges that D’Hulster and Harrington assisted individuals incarcerated at Chester County Prison and other correctional institutions in fraudulent efforts to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Harrington enabled Gathercole, who was incarcerated at Chester County Prison prior to the onset of the pandemic, to receive approximately $12,865. D’Hulster and Gathercole enabled another unidentified inmate to receive approximately $11,410 and attempted to obtain PUA benefits for another inmate. Schweitzer did not actually receive any PUA benefits, but attempted to several times. The inmates were not eligible to receive PUA benefits because they did not meet the eligibility requirements -- namely, they were not able to report to a job each day because of their incarceration.

“Sadly, fraudsters consider a national public health crisis as an opportunity to cash in,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “That callous attitude rips off honest taxpayers who fund relief programs and also makes it much more difficult to provide funds to those who deserve and need them. My Office will do everything in its power to ensure that coronavirus fraud scams are stopped and punished.”

“Unemployment insurance fraud has risen sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigating these types of schemes remains a priority for the Office of Inspector General. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue allegations of criminal conduct against the Unemployment Insurance program,” said Derek Pickle, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Philadelphia Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

“At the end of March, 2020, the United States Government invested billions of dollars in helping its citizens through the pandemic,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Damon Wood.  “From the beginning, Postal Inspectors in Philadelphia, and across the country, have worked to do our part in ensuring that those investments in the American public do not fall into the hands of fraudsters and con artists.  I hope that the charges announced today serve as a deterrence to those who think that stealing or obtaining funds fraudulently from the most vulnerable amongst us, pays; it doesn’t.  As always, I want to thank the other agencies that assisted in this investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office which supported the investigation and will see the prosecution through.”

If convicted of the conspiracy and fraud in connection with emergency benefits charges, D’Hulster, Gathercole, Harrington, and Schweitzer each face up to 60 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.­ 

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, assisted by Chester County Prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.

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. 

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Antoine Clark, 31, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,700 fine by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert for multiple narcotics offenses related to his role in leading an almost around-the-clock drug delivery service for several years in South Philadelphia.

Clark and his codefendants, Gerald Spruell, 33, and Daniel Robinson, 37, were convicted after more than two weeks at trial of charges that included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and distribution or possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.

Between 2014 and 2016, the defendant and his co-conspirators, including Spruell, Robinson, and several others who pleaded guilty to similar charges before trial, were known as the “Friends” and the “7th Street” drug trafficking group. Members of the group delivered crack cocaine and heroin to customers along the 7th Street corridor in South Philadelphia using a shared drug phone to take orders and communicate with customers; they would pass the phone off in shifts to keep their operation going almost 24 hours per day. During the course of the investigation, FBI agents intercepted phone calls and text messages from the phone, which documented the defendants’ illicit activities.

“Drug trafficking is an insidious, dangerous activity that ruins neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “Antoine Clark was an expert at it, and now he will pay the price -- to the tune of 25 years. That is the sort of just punishment that awaits drug dealers in federal court. My Office is determined to protect communities ravaged by the drug trade by investigating and destroying drug trafficking organizations like the 7^th Street organization.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Newcomer and Jason Grenell.

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a 24-count indictment charging six defendants with narcotics conspiracy, a conspiracy that ultimately led to the deaths of three individuals, and the burning of their bodies. Named in the indictment are:

• Jariel Cobb, a/k/a Doobie, a/k/a Black, 47, of Buffalo, NY;
• James Reed, a/k/a Fatts, 38, of Buffalo, NY;
• Jahaan McDuffie; a/k/a Wanka, 29, of Buffalo, NY;
• Destenee Bell, a/k/a K, 27, of Cheektowaga, NY;
• Deandre Wilson, a/k/a D, 49, of Buffalo, NY; and
• Deshema Clark, 42, of Buffalo, NY.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan T. Cullinane and Michael J. Adler, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between 2014 and September 25, 2019, the defendants are accused of conspiring to sell cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and fentanyl in the Buffalo area. In furtherance of this conspiracy, defendants Jariel Cobb, James Reed, and Destenee Bell are accused of maintaining a drug involved premises by utilizing residences at 211 Box Avenue and 973 Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo, to facilitate their drug trafficking activities. Defendants Wilson and Deshema Clark are accused of utilizing 164 Parkridge Avenue, also in Buffalo, for drug trafficking activities. Defendant Jahaan McDuffie is charged with distributing significant quantities of marijuana and heroin.

The indictment further states that between September 15 and 16, 2019, defendants Cobb and Wilson committed murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy and Hobbs Act conspiracy. Cobb and Wilson allegedly murdered Miguel Anthony Valentin-Colon, Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud, and Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred and stole from them certain personal property, including cocaine, cellular telephones, and a white Chrysler Pacifica minivan. 

Following the murders, Cobb, Wilson, and defendant Reed are accused of obstruction of justice for burning the bodies of Valentin-Colon and Merced-Plaud, and mutilating and burning the body of Roman-Audiffred. Cobb and Wilson are also accused of conspiracy to damage and destroy a vehicle used in interstate commerce by fire, and damaging and destroying a vehicle used in interstate commerce by fire. Defendant Reed is charged with being an accessory after the fact for assisting Cobb and Wilson.

“The Department of Justice has a capital case review process which culminates in a decision by the Attorney General regarding whether to seek, or not to seek, the death penalty against a particular defendant,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “That process is underway in this case as it pertains to defendants Jariel Cobb and Deandre Wilson.”

“For the families of Miguel, Nicole, and Dhamyl, we hope that the charges announced today will ease some of your suffering,” said Stephen Belongia, Special Agent- in-Charge of the FBI's Buffalo Office. “And to gang members and other violent criminals, if you choose to live a life fueled by greed and violence, you should know that the FBI and our law enforcement partners stand ready to do everything in our power to ensure you are held accountable for your crimes. While we can’t bring back Miguel, Nicole, and Dhamyl, we hope it brings the families some bit of peace to know that the Western New York law enforcement community came together and threw everything we had at this investigation.”

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of currency and firearms which resulted from the drug trafficking activities of the defendants, including $16,900 in cash, two 9mm handguns, and 22 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory, under the direction of Commissioner James Jancewicz. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

# # # #

A man who assisted a multinational drug trafficking organization was sentenced today to more than five years in federal prison.

Jose Leonardo Alvarez, age 25, from Riverside, California, received the prison term after a March 13, 2020 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In 2013, Jose Maria Valencia, Alvarez’s father, was sent to California state prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.  Despite his incarceration, Valencia continued to run his drug trafficking organization.  He ultimately directed the distribution of more than 250 pounds of ice methamphetamine from his prison cell.  Valencia relied on family members, such as Alvarez, to assist him with the drug trafficking.  Alvarez traveled to Iowa on multiple occasions to serve as Valencia’s eyes and ears, and reported back to Valencia on the status of organization.  Alvarez also collected money from the sale of methamphetamine in Iowa.  Alvarez was a fugitive for more than two years until his arrest in September 2019.   

Alvarez was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Linda R. Reade.  Alvarez was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Alvarez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of  the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; the Iowa City Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; the Mid-Iowa Task Force, comprised of the Marshalltown Police Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Falls Police Department, Eldora Police Department and the Dysart Police Department; and the Tri-County Drug Task Force, comprised of the Waterloo Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar Falls Police Department, LaPorte City Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Evansdale Police Department, University of Northern Iowa Police Department, Waverly Police Department and the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office. 

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

The case file number is 17-CR-2041.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Phillip Cline, Jr., age 39, of Elkton, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to making threatening interstate communications.  Cline admitted that during a recorded phone conversation with an employee of an auto loan business, Cline threatened to physically harm the employee, whom he described using racial epithets.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to Cline’s publicly available plea agreement, on February 1, 2019, an employee of an auto loan business contacted Cline about what the business suspected to be a delinquent auto loan.  During the call, which was recorded, Cline was clearly upset with the caller and unwilling to provide information verifying his identity.  Ultimately, Cline, who was advised that the call was being recorded, used racial epithets to threaten the employee with physical harm.  As detailed in the plea agreement, Cline stated to the employee during the telephone call that his “white power friends” will “hang your ass.”

Cline faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for Cline on October 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

A man who threw two guns out of a moving car while being chased by federal Marshals was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison.

Jordan Lewis Holmes, age 24, from Marion, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 27, 2020 guilty plea to being a felon and drug user in possession of a firearm.

At the plea hearing, Holmes admitted that he possessed two nine-millimeter handguns in March 2019, and that at the time he was an unlawful marijuana user and a convicted felon.  Court records reflect that in March 2019, the United States Marshals Service was seeking to arrest Holmes for a warrant issued due to a parole violation on a prior felony stolen weapon trafficking charge.  Officers saw Holmes get into a vehicle and tried to initiate a traffic stop, at which time a chase ensued.  During the chase, the vehicle in which Holmes was a passenger drove into a church parking lot and two nine-millimeter handguns were thrown from the window where Holmes was seated.  At the end of the vehicle chase, the vehicle pulled into an apartment complex parking lot, and, without the vehicle coming to a stop, Holmes and the other three occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.  Officers caught up to Holmes and arrested him shortly thereafter.

Officers later retrieved the handguns from the church parking lot.  The serial numbers on both firearms had been defaced.  Further investigation revealed that two days before the chase, Holmes posted a video of himself holding a handgun that resembled one of the handguns found in the parking lot.  Evidence at a prior hearing showed that during a recorded phone call shortly after his arrest, Holmes told the other person that he had to get rid of his “size nine shoes,” indicating that Holmes had thrown the firearms from the moving vehicle.

Holmes was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams.  Holmes was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Holmes is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/ag/page/file/1217186/download.

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

The case file number is 19-CR-00124-CJW-MAR.

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John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC YOPP, also known as “E-Love,” 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targeted drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the “Island Brothers” street gang in New Haven.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin.

Numerous conversations and text messages intercepted during the investigation revealed that Yopp was acquiring and distributing cocaine.

On July 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging 25 individuals with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin.  Yopp and another individual were added as defendants in a superseding indictment that was returned on November 25, 2019.

Yopp was arrested on November 26, 2019.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed approximately two grams of cocaine and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

Yopp has been detained since his arrest.  On June 10, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle and Elena L. Coronado.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania and a resident of Fairview, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Andrew Gabler, 51, of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania and Chad Bednarski, 49, of Fairview, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Andrew Gabler, as the owner of Lakeside Auto Sales and Lakeside Chevrolet, and Chad Bednarski, as the finance manager of Lakeside Chevrolet, engaged in the following illegal activity between January 2015 and January 2019:

- Gabler falsely indicated that customers made down payments and falsified and inflated the income of customers when submitting auto loan applications to financial institutions on behalf of customers;

- Gabler caused extended warranties to be sold to customers buying vehicles at Lakeside Auto Sales and Lakeside Chevrolet and deliberately failed to remit the paperwork and payments to the extended warranty company;

- Gabler and Bednarski falsely reported vehicle sales to General Motors for vehicles that had not been sold in order to obtain expiring incentive rebates, and;

- Gabler and Bednarski deliberately did not inform S&T Bank when Lakeside Auto Sales and Lakeside Chevrolet sold a vehicle that the dealerships had purchased utilizing S&T Bank’s floor plan financing in order to delay and attempt to avoid the dealerships’ required payment to S&T Bank for the sold vehicles which had been purchased using S&T Bank’s floor plan financing.

Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. for Gabler and 1:30 p.m. for Bednarski. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Gabler and Bednarski on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gabler and Bednarski.

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Clement Robert Mercaldo, Jr., age 61, of Timonium, Maryland and Stepfen Gerard Gaither, age 29, of Randallstown, Maryland, for a murder-for-hire conspiracy, use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, collection of credit by extortion, and for interstate communications with intent to extort.  Gaither is also charged for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to the 16-count indictment and other court documents, Mercaldo loaned money to a Baltimore County restaurant owner.  The indictment alleges that from March 2019 through February 2020, Mercaldo and Gaither conspired to commit a murder in exchange for cash.  Further, the defendants allegedly sent numerous text messages threatening harm to the restaurant owner, his business partner, and their families, related to non-payments of this loan.  Mercaldo and Gaither allegedly discussed and planned the murder of one or both of the victims.

Finally, the indictment alleges that on June 23, 2020, Gaither possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.

If convicted, Mercaldo and Gaither face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the murder-for-hire conspiracy and for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for both collection of credit by extortionate means and for interstate communications with intent to extort.  Gaither also faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  The defendants will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore at a later date.  Mercaldo and Gaither are currently detained on related federal charges.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Orlando, Florida – A federal jury today found Raymond Lee Kelly (52, Cocoa, FL) guilty of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. Because of his extensive criminal record, which includes drug trafficking convictions, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, Kelly is qualified as an Armed Career Criminal and faces a 15-year mandatory minimum prison sentence. Kelly was also on supervised release from a federal prison sentence when he committed the offense for which he was found guilty. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 17, 2020.   

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Kelly, a convicted felon, fled from a traffic stop in Cocoa Beach, Florida. First, he crashed his vehicle shortly after fleeing. He then he fled on foot toward the beach, leaving behind cannabis, a digital scale, a Ruger semi-automatic handgun and 16 rounds of ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cocoa Beach Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs, Jr.

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; Patrick Griffin, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven; New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that DENZEL SUGGS, 26, and JAQUAN GRAY, 26, both of New Haven, have been arrested on federal criminal complaints charging each with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Suggs was arrested on August 28 and Gray was arrested earlier today.  Both are detained.

These prosecutions are part of a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement effort to address rising gun violence in New Haven.  Participating in this effort are the New Haven Police Department; the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on July 31, 2020, law enforcement received information that several members of the “Exit 8” group were in possession of firearms near the entrance of the Essex Townhouses complex at 1134 Quinnipiac Avenue in New Haven.  Members of the New Haven Police and the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force entered the housing complex at approximately 10 p.m. and identified several Exit 8 members.  Suggs and Gray ran from the scene as law enforcement arrived and ignored commands to stop.  Both were quickly apprehended.  A search of Suggs’ person revealed a loaded Taurus PT-22, .22 caliber firearm, and a search of a fanny pack Gray was wearing revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson Model 469, 9mm firearm, which had been reported stolen in Hamden in 2018.

It is further alleged that both Suggs and Gray have been previously convicted of state weapon and drug felony offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Suggs appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven for a detention hearing.  During the hearing, the government presented evidence alleging that Suggs was present during a homicide that occurred on August 15, 2020, in New Haven.

The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that this prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.  PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Lamar Tindall, 45, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $2,955 in restitution by United States District Court Judge Joshua D. Wolson for robbing three separate BB&T Banks over a period of ten days in May 2019.

In January 2020, Tindall pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery, arising from his robberies of BB&T Banks in Philadelphia on May 14, 2019; Feasterville on May 17, 2019; and King of Prussia on May 23, 2019. During each robbery, Tindall handed a threatening note to a teller in order to receive money. For example, during the robbery on May 14, Tindall handed the frightened teller a note that read, “all 50’s and 100’s or ill shoot.” Tindall made off with a total of $3,650 as a result of these robberies. Philadelphia Police Department officers later arrested Tindall, who confessed to his crimes.

Tindall has a long rap sheet, which includes convictions for drug distribution offenses in 1999 and 2010, and a conviction for robbery of property of the United States in 2002. Because of his criminal history, the Court found Tindall to be a “Career Offender” under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

“Robbing any type of business – whether it’s a bank, a corner store, or anything in between – is a serious federal offense that can carry stiff penalties, as Tindall can now attest,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “And even the threat of having and using a firearm during a robbery, regardless of whether or not you actually have one, will multiply the penalty. I want people to know that committing a violent crime in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania carries a tremendous risk of a long prison sentence, which is the point of our anti-violence public awareness campaign. You can learn more about this campaign on our District website.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Abington Township Police Department, the Conshohocken Police Department, the Lower Southampton Township Police Department, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Upper Merion Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren R. Baer and Kevin Jayne.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – U.S. Attorney John Milhiser and FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Sean M. Cox announced that 10 men were arrested over the weekend in Springfield, Ill., and charged in separate criminal complaints with attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity. The complaints were unsealed on August 31, throughout the day, as each made their respective initial appearance in federal court in Springfield, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins via video teleconference. Each was ordered detained pending hearings scheduled for later this week.

According to the affidavits filed in support of the complaints, each of the men allegedly used various social media applications to contact and engage with individuals whom they believed to be minors, under the age of 18 with the intent of meeting to engage in sexual activity.

The charges are the result of investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; the Springfield Police Department; and, the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs is representing the federal government in the case prosecutions in coordination with Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Shaw of the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The defendants charged with attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity are:

• Charles E. Brinkley, 51, of Festus, Mo., presently working in Jacksonville, Ill.;
• Rafael Mercado Berrios, aka Jose Berrios, 41, of the 1200 block of N. 4^th St., Springfield;
• Zachary Jones, 33, of the 200 block of S. Parker Ave., Springfield;
• James Simons, Jr. 28, of the 200 block of N. Illinois St., Springfield;
• Matthew Faubel, 49, of the 300 block of N. Lincoln Ave., Springfield;
• Jason King, 35, of Assumption, Ill.;
• Matthew Wetzel, 35, of the 800 block of W. Edwards St., Springfield;
• Shondell Hodges, 47, of Chicago;                    
• Stacey Furlow, 59, of the 3700 block of Peoria Rd., Springfield; and,
• James Hammonds, 20, of the 1800 block of Gregory Ct., Springfield.

If convicted, for the offense of attempted enticement of a minor, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. –A Las Vegas tax preparer was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 12 months and one day in federal prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, for falsely inflating deductions in his clients’ tax returns and underreporting taxable income (and claiming false expenses) in his own tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan of the IRS-Criminal Investigation. Collectively, the false tax returns caused approximately $265,000 in losses to the IRS.

William Pamintuan Craig, 60, pleaded guilty on October 28, 2019, to making and subscribing a false tax return. According to court documents, since at least 2012, Craig operated a tax return preparation business in Las Vegas. When preparing his own tax returns, Craig concealed the actual revenue from his tax preparation business and claimed false work expenses. He underreported his taxable income for tax years 2012 to 2017 by a total of approximately $439,000, causing $143,237 in tax loss to the IRS. Craig also fraudulently claimed false “deductions” in his clients’ tax returns. Between 2012 and 2017, Craig caused at least $128,000 in tax loss by filing false returns for his clients.

In addition to imprisonment and supervised release, the court also ordered Craig to pay $143,237 in restitution to the IRS.

This case was the product of an investigation by the IRS-Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez prosecuted the case.

If you suspect a tax preparer or tax preparation business is not complying with the U.S. tax laws, complete and submit a Return Preparer Complaint form with the IRS. More information about reporting suspected tax fraud activity may be found at https://www.irs.gov/.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On  August 29, 2020, as a result of a joint investigation between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Puerto Rico Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, CBP officers seized undeclared currency totaling at least 27 million dollars. The currency was found inside boxes bound for St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

CBP officers at Pier 10 in San Juan conducted an outbound cargo inspection on board the Motor Vessel (MV) Norma H II Voyage 818. During that inspection, a CBP K-9 alerted on pallets containing home moving boxes destined for St. Thomas. CBP officers opened one of the boxes and discovered U.S. currency wrapped in vacuum-sealed packages. Further inspection of the pallets revealed a total of 34 cargo boxes containing additional undeclared currency. CBP seized the currency pursuant to bulk cash smuggling laws and based on the failure to declare the currency.  

This is an ongoing collaborative investigation conducted by CBP, the DEA Caribbean Field Division, HSI San Juan, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.

“This seizure is a clear indication of the success of our joint investigative efforts,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Puerto Rico’s geographical location, along with its status as a territory of the United States, makes it an ideal target for Transnational Criminal Organizations seeking to import narcotics into the Continental United States and facilitate the repatriation of their drug proceeds. To eradicate this threat, we will continue to aggressively attack their drug smuggling and money laundering operations – depriving them of their illegal merchandise, their profits, and a safe haven.”

“This is without a doubt a historic money seizure in the Caribbean Region. Most likely more than one Transnational Criminal Organization is involved and seriously bleeding at this very moment.  We will not let our guard down, and we will continue our joint efforts between Federal and state agencies without rest.  Inter-agency efforts have been excellent and we’ll continue to achieve great results,” stated DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge A.J. Collazo.

“Legal currency can be transported if properly declared under U.S. law. Transnational Criminal Organizations seek to conceal proceeds and move it as part of their criminal activities,” indicated Gregory Álvarez, CBP Director of Field Operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  “We remain committed to working with other federal and local law enforcement partners to detect and deter smuggling attempts throughout the Caribbean.”

“In recent years, the smuggling of bulk currency has become a preferred method for drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises to move illicit proceeds across our borders,” said Iván J. Arvelo, special agent in charge for HSI San Juan and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “This seizure is proof that HSI remains vigilant and that, along with our partners in the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, we will continue using our robust investigative authorities to identify, investigate, and apprehend those involved in bulk cash smuggling,” added Arvelo.

In addition to the law enforcement partners described above, these successful efforts, including the drug and money seizures described below, would not be possible without the full support of the United States Coast Guard, Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), CBP’s Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, Puerto Rico’s Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), and JIATF-South.

RECENT MARITIME DRUG SEIZURES

August 27, 2020          590 kilos                     4 defendants                     near Añasco, PR

August 24, 2020          225 kilos                     3 defendants                     near Aruba

July 22, 2020              387 kilos                     3 defendants                     near Añasco, PR

July 17, 2020                41 kilos                     5 defendants                     near Añasco, PR

June 30, 2020              393 kilos                     5 defendants                     Mona Passage

June 9, 2020                150 kilos                     2 defendants                     Isla Saona, DR

OTHER RECENT MONEY SEIZURES

August 11, 2020          $    150,000                 CCSF/AirTAT                 LMMIA, PR

August 3, 2020            $    298,010                 DEA/DNCD/CCSF         Samana, DR

June 29, 2020              $ 2,241,610                 CCSF                               St. Thomas

June 10, 2020              $ 2,254,378                 DEA/CBP                        Vieques, PR

The Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF) is a multi-agency OCDETF Strike Force operating in the District of Puerto Rico.  CCSF signatory agencies include the DEA, HSI, FBI, CGIS, USMS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Pérez Bouret is the Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Bonhomme is the Deputy Chief of the TOC Section and the Lead CCSF Prosecutor.

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St. Louis, MO – United States District Judge E. Richard Webber has sentenced Nicholas Simmons, 37, of St. Louis, MO, to 46 months and three years of supervised release for distribution of fentanyl.  Simmons pleaded guilty in June.

FBI Special Agents received information during December of 2018, Simmons was selling capsules of fentanyl in the St. Louis area. Beginning on January 17, 2019 and continuing to April 25, 2019, the FBI made nine undercover purchases of fentanyl from Simmons, purchasing 16 – 20 capsules of fentanyl each time. On May 13, 2019, FBI Special Agents conducted surveillance of Simmons, and observed him make what appeared to be a sale of illegal drugs to another individual. As the Agents approached Simmons’s vehicle, Simmons attempted to flee the area. Simmons crashed his vehicle, at which time the Agents were able to apprehend him. The Agents located a loaded .45 caliber pistol in Simmons’ waistband, as well as 19 capsules of fentanyl in his pants pocket, and an additional 152 capsules of fentanyl in a black plastic bag in his possession.  FBI Special Agents obtained a search warrant for two chases residences associated with Simmons. At one residence the Agents recovered drug paraphernalia and several firearms. At the second residence, the Agents recovered three additional firearms, approximately two kilograms of marijuana, 46 grams of cocaine, and 12 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition and drug paraphernalia during the investigation.                   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal handled the case for the United States Attorney’s Office.

BOSTON – A Brazilian national was arrested today and charged in connection with paying bribes to receive contracts for work at a collegiate institution in New York.

Willian Borges, 28, who resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was charged in an indictment unsealed today on one count of conspiracy and three counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Borges will make an initial appearance tomorrow in U.S District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

According to the indictment, Borges was a principal of DWD Builders, a general contracting firm, from 2018 to 2019. Floyd Young held positions involving facility maintenance at a New York collegiate institution. It is alleged that Young steered contracts for construction, repair, maintenance, and other work for the collegiate institution to favored contractors, including Borges, who paid him bribes, typically in the amount of 15% of the contract. Borges allegedly paid bribes to Young in cash during face-to-face meetings. In addition, as Borges received payment for work done at the collegiate institution, he paid Young bribes on a periodic basis. Borges also allegedly inflated the amount of the invoices submitted to the collegiate institution in order to be repaid the cost of the bribe payment made to Young. On occasion, Young and Borges arranged for no-work invoices to be submitted to the collegiate institution and then split the payment.

Young pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy to receive bribes by agent of organization receiving federal funds, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 1, 2020.

Borges faces a maximum of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss for Conspiracy.  For each of the counts charging him with Receiving Bribes, Borges faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.  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 and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of BRANDON JAMES JOTBLAD, 29, to 120 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. JOTBLAD pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“Downloading sexually explicit images or videos involving children is not victimless crime. These are real children who are re-victimized every time the images are downloaded and shared,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “Individuals who chose to participate in this type of victimization will face significant prison time.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on July 30, 2019, JOTBLAD knowingly possessed video files containing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. During this time JOTBLAD was on probation for a prior Ramsey County felony conviction for possession of child pornography.

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. Attorney’s 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the St. Paul Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with assistance from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Anoka County Attorney’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine.

Defendant Information:

BRANDON JAMES JOTBLAD, 29

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Possession of child pornography, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 120 months in prison
• 15 years of supervised release

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

CHICAGO — A man has been charged with a federal firearm offense for allegedly “straw purchasing” guns in Indiana on behalf of a convicted felon in Chicago.

On three occasions this summer, BRIAN HAYWOOD purchased guns from stores in Hammond, Ind., and falsely certified on federal forms that he was the actual buyer, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  In reality, Haywood purchased the guns on behalf of a convicted felon from Chicago whom Haywood knew was prohibited from legally purchasing firearms on his own, the complaint states.  The felon directed Haywood to buy certain firearms that he wanted and then provided him with the purchase money and an additional fee of $250 per gun, according to the charges.

The complaint charges Haywood, 24, of Hammond, Ind., with one count of knowingly selling and disposing of a firearm to a convicted felon.

The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Berry III.

“Straw purchasers play a grave role in enabling the unlawful possession of guns and the senseless violence that can follow,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of guns to individuals who cannot legally possess them.”

"Straw buyers undermine the rule of law, putting guns into the hands of convicted felons,” said FBI SAC Buie.  “The FBI will never stop working with our partners to prevent gun-based violence and make our streets safer."

The case was brought under Operation Legend, a Department of Justice initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement to fight violent crime.  As part of Operation Legend, Attorney General William P. Barr directed ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and DEA to significantly increase resources in Chicago to help state and local officials fight violent crime, particularly firearm offenses.

The complaint describes three alleged straw purchases in Indiana this summer – on July 30, Aug. 5, and Aug. 20.  Unbeknownst to Haywood, the felon from Chicago for whom Haywood bought the guns was surreptitiously cooperating with law enforcement.

The complaint also details a fourth firearm transaction, during which Haywood and another man – MARQUEES FRENCH, 24, of Hammond, Ind. – allegedly sold a semi-automatic handgun to the cooperating felon on the South Side of Chicago on Aug. 25, 2020.  The transaction occurred in a retail store parking lot in the 9500 block of South Ashland Avenue, the complaint states.  Law enforcement arrested Haywood and French after the deal was conducted and the pair was attempting to drive out of the parking lot, the complaint states.

French was charged with the same offense as Haywood.

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

BOSTON – A federal grand jury in the District of Massachusetts returned a second superseding indictment today bringing additional charges against two university athletic officials in the college admissions case.  

The second superseding indictment charges Gordon Ernst, the former Georgetown University tennis coach, with three counts of federal programs bribery and three counts of filing false tax returns and charges Jovan Vavic, former water polo coach at the University of Southern California, with conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled.

The indictment alleges that in addition to accepting bribes from William “Rick” Singer, Ernst also solicited and received bribes from three other prospective Georgetown applicants. Ernst then failed to report a significant portion of those bribe payments on his federal income tax returns. The second superseding indictment also alleges that Vavic conspired to commit federal programs bribery by soliciting and accepting bribes to facilitate the admission of students to the University of Southern California. The new charges are in addition to those brought in an earlier indictment. 

Singer previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government’s investigation. 

Of the 12 coaches, administrators and employees charged in the initial indictment in March 2019, eight have pleaded guilty or agreed to do so. Defendants Gordon Ernst, Donna Heinel, Jovan Vavic and William Ferguson have pleaded not guilty.

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

 The charge of federal programs bribery provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. 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; Joleen Simpson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Rosen, Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Stephen E. Frank and Karin M. Bell of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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