PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Gavaughn Gaquez Streeter-Hillerich, 22, has been charged by criminal complaint with two counts of using fire to maliciously damage and attempt to damage a building housing the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct and various private businesses on June 26, 2020.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 26, 2020, a group of demonstrators were present near the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct on NE Emerson Street in Portland. The precinct is located in a city-owned building containing multiple private businesses. Streeter-Hillerich was seen in video footage intentionally setting a large dumpster on fire near the building’s northwest exterior corner. The fire was set on top of the dumpster, which had been pushed up against plywood affixed to the building to protect windows and prevent break-ins. Officers used fire extinguishers to try and extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.

The fire caused damage to the building and, were it allowed to spread, would have threatened the safety of 15 police personnel and four individuals in custody inside the building. Video evidence of the fire submitted by a private citizen led investigators to identify Streeter-Hillerich and bring charges in this case.

Streeter-Hillerich was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Vancouver, Washington on September 15, 2020. He made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered released pending further court proceedings. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

This case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Criminal complaints are only accusations of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

To help identify actors who are actively instigating violence in the city of Portland, the FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting violent encounters during demonstrations. If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to investigations at fbi.gov/PDviolence. You may also call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) to verbally report tips.

Photograph depicting a tire being placed on top of the ignited dumpster, with a red circle around a tattoo on Streeter-Hillerich’s right-inner forearm.

Photograph depicting Streeter-Hillerich with a red circle around a tattoo on the right-inner forearm.

Photograph depicting Streeter-Hillerich attempting to ignite a fire on a dumpster pushed against the plywood affixed to the Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct.

Photograph depicting the fire as it burned and the crowd, including Streeter-Hillerich, surrounding it.

            WASHINGTON – An indictment and arrest warrant were unsealed today in the federal court of the District of Columbia charging Lirim Sylejmani, a Kosovo-born naturalized U.S. citizen, with conspiring to provide, providing, and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and receiving training from ISIS, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2339B and 2339D. 

            Sylejmani was detained overseas by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and recently transferred into FBI custody.  Sylejmani made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

            “The United States is committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to join ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers.  “I want to thank the agents, analysts and prosecutors involved for their effort to hold the defendant responsible for his actions.”

            “The defendant is a U.S. citizen who abandoned the country that welcomed him to join ISIS in Syria” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin.  “He will now be held accountable for his actions in an American courtroom.  Our national security prosecutors and law enforcement partners will continue to ensure that those who threaten our country are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”   

            “Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combatting terrorism worldwide. Sylejmani allegedly traveled to Syria with the intent to join, train with, and fight on behalf of ISIS, said Matthew R. Alcoke, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI Washington Field Office Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue to relentlessly pursue all individuals who choose to support terrorist organizations, no matter where they are located.”

            According to the allegations in the indictment, from November 2015 through February 2019, Sylejmani conspired to provide and provided material support and resources, including personnel and services, to ISIS in Syria and received military training from the terrorist organization.  The defendant was captured by the SDF in 2019 and has spoken to a number of media outlets about his time with ISIS.

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

            This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.  Assistant U.S Attorneys Jessi Camille Brooks and Brenda J. Johnson of the National Security Section, and Trial Attorney David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are litigating the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Jorge Casillas.

PORTLAND, Maine: An Auburn man was sentenced today in federal court in Portland for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.

U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby sentenced Willie Richard Minor, 59, to time served (two years, eight months and 10 days) and three years of supervised release. Minor was convicted following a two-day jury trial in February 2020.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in June 2010, Minor was convicted of Assault in Maine Superior Court. The victim of the assault was his wife at the time. As a result of that conviction, Minor was prohibited from possessing firearms. In November 2016, Minor admitted to having a gun in an interview with the Auburn Police Department. The police subsequently recovered the gun he had described.

Minor was originally convicted and sentenced on the federal charge after a trial in December 2017. While the case was pending on appeal, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision, Rehaif v. United States, that changed what the government is required to prove in certain federal firearm possession cases. As a result, the parties agreed to have the original conviction vacated, and the case was remanded for a new trial. At the second trial, the government was required to prove not only that Minor had been convicted of assaulting his wife, but also that he knew he had been so convicted and was aware of certain details of the conviction.

The Auburn Police Department, the Mechanic Falls Police Department, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

            WASHINGTON – Cody Michael Tarner, 23, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was indicted by a federal grand jury with multiple offenses related to his burning of two police cars and the attempted burning of a third police vehicle, announced Michael R. Sherwin, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and Matthew R. Alcoke, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Washington Field Office Counterterrorism Division

            On September 8, Tarner was indicted for Arson and Destruction of Government Property.  On August 17, 2020, the Honorable Judge G. Michael Harvey held Tarner without bond pending trial.

            The indictment stems from an incident on July 15, 2020, when Tarner poured a liquid from a gas can onto three Supreme Court Police vehicles igniting two of the vehicles.  This also resulted in Tarner being engulfed in flames and suffering severe burns to himself.  A Supreme Court Police Officer immediately rendered first aid to Tarner. Tarner was subsequently hospitalized and was brought to court for his initial appearance on August 13, 2020, when he was released from the hospital.  Of the three police vehicles, one was completely burned, one was damaged, and the third did not catch fire.

            An indictment is a formal finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause that the defendant committed the stated crimes; it is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

            “The actions taken by this individual destroyed federal property and were heinous and could have resulted in the loss of lives,” said Acting United States Attorney Michael R. Sherwin. “In addition, members of law enforcement were targeted and this type of action will never be acceptable as our office will continue to prosecute crimes such as this to the fullest extent of the law.”

            “The attempted destruction of federal property will not be tolerated,” said Matthew R. Alcoke, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is committed to quickly responding with our partners at The Supreme Court Police, U.S. Capitol Police, and other members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force to diminish any potential risk to the public and government facilities in these situations.”

            In announcing the charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Sherwin and Special Agent in Charge Dawson commended the work of those who investigated the case, including FBI, Supreme Court Police, as well as the United States Capitol Police, who provided valuable assistance.  This case is being investigated by the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kenneth J. Monahan, age 45, of Menands, New York, was sentenced on Monday to serve 96 months in prison for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography. 

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea, Monahan admitted to using peer-to-peer software to distribute numerous images of child pornography in February and April 2018.  He also admitted to downloading child pornography from the Internet from 2017 through April 2018 and to possessing over 1,300 images of child pornography in May 2018.  

Senior United States Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release, which will start after Monahan is released from prison, ordered a $400 special assessment, and ordered restitution in the total amount of $19,500 to be divided among certain child victims depicted in the images and videos that Monahan distributed, received and possessed. As a result of his conviction, Monahan will be required to register as a sex offender.  

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the New York State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia G. Suarez. 

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Douglas Fountain, age 31, of Colonie, New York, was sentenced yesterday to a total of 80 years in prison for 11 felony convictions, including sexually exploiting a child, transporting child pornography, and possessing child pornography.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). 

As part of his guilty plea on August 15, 2019, Fountain admitted that on eight occasions between July 2017 and July 2018, he used cell phones to create videos and images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of which included Fountain engaging in sexual acts with the minor.  Fountain also admitted to sharing some of those images on an image-sharing website operated from another country, and to possessing images of child pornography on his laptop computers, including images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of pre-pubescent girls.

This case was investigated by HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia G. Suarez.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kevin Ronny Williams, age 23,of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today to one count of possession with the intent to unlawfully use a United States Postal Service key, and one count of theft of mail, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Joseph W. Cronin, Postal Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Division, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office.

As part of his guilty plea today, Williams admitted that during the night of March 5, 2020, into the early morning hours of March 6, 2020, he used a United States Postal Service (USPS) key that he obtained from a USPS employee to unlawfully open mail collection boxes in Liverpool, New York. Williamswore a USPS letter carrier uniform jacket and carried USPS mail satchel that he also obtained from a USPS employee. Williamsstole mail contained in the collection boxes, including 49 pieces of first-class mail, all of which was later recovered. Kenny Ronny Williams was arrested by an Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy on patrol who noticed his (Williams') car in a vacant parking lot in Clay, New York. After a short vehicular and foot chase, Williams was taken into custody, and the USPS uniform jacket, postal key, mail satchel, and stolen mail were recovered.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20, 2021. The charge of possession with the intent to unlawfully use a United States Postal Service key carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and the charge of theft of mail carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.  Both offenses carry a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of 3 years following any sentence of imprisonment.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Former USPS employee Quayshaun Mitchell is also charged by criminal complaint in connection with these offenses. His case remains pending and he is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.

This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.

Statement of U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran:

“Throughout this lengthy period of civil unrest, I have had multiple conversations with Department of Justice leadership.  They have asked for information about protest activity devolving into violence, about federal interests implicated by the Capitol Hill Organized Protest, and about the cases filed in this District regarding federal crimes.  At no time has anyone at the Department communicated to me that Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is, was, or should be the subject of a criminal investigation or should be charged with any federal crime related to the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP).  As U.S.  Attorney I would be aware of such an investigation. 

My office continues to work collaboratively with state and local law enforcement, including the Seattle Police Department, to prosecute federal crimes such as arson, weapons violations and the use of destructive devices.  Those cases are traditionally an area of focus for federal law enforcement.  The goal of my office is to strongly deter criminal acts that have no place alongside, and only endanger, those who choose to engage in constitutionally protected speech.”  

HAMMOND – United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announces three separate Indictments involving three defendants who were charged with a variety of crimes against children.

“My Office will continue to work with our investigative partners to investigate and prosecute those who commit crimes against children,” said United States Attorney Kirsch.  “Victims of these horrific crimes lose their innocence through no fault of their own, and we take these matters very seriously.”

Today’s indictments include:

• Tyrone Johnson, age 32, of Merrillville, Indiana was charged with production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.  It is alleged that after the victim disclosed that Johnson had been raping her, Johnson asked another individual to pick up his cellular telephone from property in the jail and destroy it.  Instead, the person discovered a video on the phone of Johnson raping the girl and sent the video to another individual who alerted police. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the LaSalle, Illinois Police Department and the Lake County, Indiana Sherriff’s Office.

• Troy Kidwell, age 38, of Portage, Indiana was charged with attempted enticement of a minor and receiving sexual abuse images of a child. It is alleged that Mr. Kidwell arranged, using a facility of interstate commerce, to meet up with a 10 year-old girl. Additionally, sexually explicit images of another minor under the age of 16 were found on his cellular telephone.  This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Porter County, Indiana Sherriff’s Office.

• Stephen Coleman, age 29, of Gary, Indiana was charged with four separate production of child pornography charges based on images he allegedly took of 4 different prepubescent minor boys. He was also charged with possession of child pornography. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Gary, Indiana Police Department, the Michigan City, Indiana Police Department and the Portage, Indiana, Police Department.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that these Indictments are merely allegations and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

All the above cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Koster.

###

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Parker, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person was sentenced on September 15, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Rollin Lee Dollens, age 52, was sentenced to 3 years of probation with 8 months of house arrest, a $1,000 fine, a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100, and forfeiture of a handgun.

Dollens was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 11, 2020.  He pled guilty on September 15, 2020.

The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred on September 16, 2019, wherein Dollens, an unlawful user of methamphetamine, knowingly possessed a handgun while driving in Corson County, South Dakota.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent 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/projectguardian.

This case was investigated by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and False Statements During Purchase of a Firearm was sentenced on September 14, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

John Larvie, age 30, was sentenced to 38 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for each charge, running concurrently to each other, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Larvie was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 11, 2019, for the Assault charge and again on October 16, 2019, for the Firearm charge.  He pled guilty on May 5, 2020, to both charges.

The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred on November 20, 2018, and July 22, 2019.  On November 20, 2018, after an argument escalated between Larvie and his dating partner, Larvie stomped on his dating partner’s chest, while wearing boots, with the intent to do bodily harm to her.  On July 22, 2019, shortly after being prosecuted and convicted in Tribal court for sexually assaulting his dating partner, Larvie attempted to purchase an AR15-style rifle.  While filling out the ATF Form 4473, Larvie, knowing he had been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, falsely represented that he had not been convicted of a domestic violence crime, in an effort to obtain the weapon.   

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent 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/projectguardian.            

This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Elmore prosecuted the case.

Larvie remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Theft of Government Funds, False Statement, and Concealment of Information from SSI Program.

Amber Lynn Roggenkamp, age 40, was indicted on September 1, 2020.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 15, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

On the Theft of Government charge, the Indictment alleges that between on or about February 6, 2017, and September 30, 2019, Roggenkamp willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, and purloined money from Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Roggenkamp lied to the Social Security Administration in order to obtain SSI benefits for her son. 

On the False Statement charge, the Indictment alleges that on or about July 12, 2019, Roggenkamp knowingly and willfully made false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representations during a SSI non-medical review.  Roggenkamp did not accurately report her household resources, including the balance of her savings account.

Finally, on the Concealment of Information from SSI Program charge, the Indictment alleges that on or about September 28, 2017, Roggenkamp, having knowledge of the occurrence of an event affecting the initial and continued right to receive payment of Title XVI SSI benefits payments on behalf of another individual, concealed and failed to disclose such event with the intent to fraudulently secure such benefits in a greater amount and quantity than was due, and when no such benefit was authorized.  Specifically, Roggenkamp failed to disclose the reactivation of her savings account with a large deposit in order to continue to receive and spend SSI benefits payments made by the Social Security Administration for the benefit of the minor child for whom she served as representative payee.

The charges are merely accusations and Roggenkamp is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Social Security Administration, Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.   

Roggenkamp was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

Samuel Rufus Swift Bird, age 30, was indicted on September 9, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 14, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, at least 3 years, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on August 30, 2019, and May 8, 2020, Swift Bird knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.  Further, Swift Bird having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and then knowing he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, did knowingly possess three firearms.

The charges are merely accusations and Swift Bird is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Drug trafficking is an inherently violent activity.  Firearms are tools of the trade for drug dealers.  It is common to find drug traffickers armed with guns in order to protect their illegal drug product and cash, and enforce their illegal operations.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and local communities to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent 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/projectguardian.

The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.   

Swift Bird was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Norris, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting In Serious Bodily Injury.

Nicholas Miles Ten Fingers, age 27, was indicted on September 9, 2020.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on September 14, 2020, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on July 25, 2019, Ten Fingers assaulted an individual with a sharp edged instrument with the intent to do bodily harm and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.

The charges are merely accusations and Ten Fingers is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Elmore is prosecuting the case.   

Ten Fingers was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An indictment was unsealed today charging three computer hackers, all of whom were residents and nationals of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran), with engaging in a coordinated campaign of identity theft and hacking on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated foreign terrorist organization, in order to steal critical information related to United States aerospace and satellite technology and resources.

“We will relentlessly pursue and expose those who seek to harm American companies and individuals wherever they reside in the world,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The use of malware, the theft of commercial data and intellectual property, and the use of social engineering to steal the identities of United States citizens to accomplish unlawful acts will not be tolerated. Along with our incredible and steadfast law enforcement partners, the Eastern District of Virginia continues to lead efforts to combat serious cybercrime globally and the charges outlined in the indictment exposing IRGC linked hacking operations in the United States are just another example of the fruits of our seamless teamwork.”

Charged in the indictment are defendants Said Pourkarim Arabi, 34, Mohammad Reza Espargham, 25, and Mohammad Bayati, 34, all Iranian nationals residing in Iran.

“For the third time in three days, the Department has charged Iranian hackers,” said John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. “This case highlights the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ efforts to infiltrate the networks of American companies in search of valuable commercial information and intellectual property. It is yet another effort by a rogue foreign nation to steal the fruits of this country’s hard work and expertise.”

According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants’ hacking campaign, which targeted numerous companies and organizations in the United States and abroad, began in approximately July 2015 and continued until at least February 2019. The defendants at one time possessed a target list of over 1,800 online accounts, including accounts belonging to organizations and companies involved in aerospace or satellite technology and international government organizations in Australia, Israel, Singapore, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

“Today’s charges are yet another example of the FBI’s dedication to investigating those who target and attempt to steal data and proprietary information from the United States,” said James A. Dawson, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “Today’s charges allege that these individuals conspired in a coordinated campaign with known IRGC members and acted at their direction. The defendants targeted thousands of individuals in an attempt to steal critical information related to United States aerospace and satellite technology. The FBI remains dedicated to protecting the United States, and we continue to impose risk and consequences on cyber adversaries through our unique authorities, world-class capabilities, and enduring partnerships.”

To facilitate their victimization of these targets, the defendants engaged in a coordinated campaign of social engineering to identify real United States citizens working in the satellite and aerospace fields whose identities the defendants could assume online. The defendants then impersonated those individuals and used their stolen identities to register email addresses and fraudulently purchase domains and hacking tools for use in the scheme. The defendants then created customized spear phishing emails that purported to be from the individuals whose identities the defendants had stolen, in an attempt to entice the recipients to click on malicious links embedded in the emails. Once a recipient clicked on a malicious link, malware would be downloaded to the individual’s computer, giving the defendants unauthorized access to the recipient’s computer and network.  The defendants then used additional hacking tools to maintain unauthorized access, escalate their privileges, and steal data sought by the IRGC. Using these methods, the defendants successfully compromised multiple victim networks, resulting in the theft of sensitive commercial information, intellectual property, and personal data from victim companies, including a satellite-tracking company and a satellite voice and data communication company.

Arabi is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers, intentional damage to protected computers, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Arabi faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Esphargham is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers, intentional damage to protected computers, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Esphargham faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Bayati is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Bayati faces a maximum penalty of 20 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.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Smith III, Jay V. Prabhu, and Danya Atiyeh are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Evan Turgeon of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:20-cr-217.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Jonesboro, Mississippi, man has pleaded guilty in federal court to transporting more than five pounds of methamphetamine and nearly three pounds of heroin through Kansas City, Missouri, en route to St. Louis, Mo.

Willie Lewis Braison, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Wednesday, Sept. 16, to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.

A Kansas City, Mo., Police Department detective saw Braison get off the train at a local station on Jan. 17, 2019. The detective contacted Braison and asked to search his suitcase.

By pleading guilty, Braison admitted that he was carrying a suitcase that contained methamphetamine and heroin aboard a train from Los Angeles, California, for delivery in St. Louis. Inside the suitcase, five bundles that contained a total of 5.1 pounds of methamphetamine were hidden inside a cardboard box that was labeled as a variety pack of cookies. Also inside the suitcase were two bundles of heroin hidden inside a pair of size 18 high-top tennis shoes. The bundles, shaped like the insoles of the shoes, weighed a total of 2.9 pounds.

Under federal statutes, Braison is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 80 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Kansas City Interdiction Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

CAMDEN, N.J. – Three former executives of a Louisiana compounding pharmacy are charged in a 24-count indictment with using the pharmacy to defraud New Jersey and military health benefits programs, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today. 

Christopher Kyle Johnston, 41, of Mandeville, Louisiana; Trent Brockmeier, 58, of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; and Christopher Casseri, 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and a second conspiracy to commit identity theft by using individuals’ personal identifying information without their consent.  Casseri was also charged with repeatedly lying to federal agents when interviewed. Johnston and Brockmeier face additional charges of conspiring to commit money laundering and substantive counts of money laundering for transactions involving more than $43 million in illicit profits they realized from the scheme.

The defendants are expected to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio by videoconference. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden. 

According to the indictment:

Central Rexall Drugs was a retail pharmacy in Louisiana that prepared compounded medications, which are specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. In 2013, Johnston and Brockmeier entered into an agreement with Central Rexall’s chief executive officer, Hayley Taff – who pleaded guilty on Aug. 12, 2020, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud – to take over the management of the pharmacy and expand the compounding business in exchange for 90 percent of the profits. Brockmeier became chief operating officer of Central Rexall and Johnston became general counsel. They hired Casseri as vice president of sales to manage Central Rexall’s outside sales force.

Johnston, Brockmeier, and Casseri learned that certain insurance plans administered by an entity referred to in the indictment as the “Pharmacy Benefits Administrator” would reimburse thousands of dollars for a one-month supply of certain compounded medications – including pain, scar, and antifungal creams, as well as vitamin combinations. The health plans for New Jersey state and local government and education employees, including teachers, firefighters, municipal police officers, and state troopers, had this insurance coverage, as did TRICARE, which insures current and former members of the armed forces and their families. 

The three conspirators designed compounded medications and manipulated the ingredients in the medications in order to obtain high insurance reimbursements rather than serve the medical needs of patients. To determine which ingredients and combinations resulted in the highest insurance reimbursements, Johnston, Brockmeier, and Casseri had Central Rexall employees send the Pharmacy Benefits Administrator false prescription claims to test out different combinations of ingredients, but the prescriptions did not exist. By trial and error use of these false claims, Johnston, Brockmeier, and Casseri designed compounded medications with combinations of ingredients that were chosen solely based on the amount of money that insurance would pay rather than on the medications’ ability to serve the medical needs of patients. At their direction, Central Rexall sent compounded medications to patients based solely on financial gain, without any research or testing showing that the combination of ingredients was effective. 

When the Pharmacy Benefits Administrator stopped covering one combination, the conspirators would develop a compounded medication with a different combination of ingredients based solely on the insurance reimbursement and without considering the medical necessity or effectiveness of the new combination. Central Rexall then would send that new compounded medication to patients, even though the new combination of ingredients was not medically equivalent to the combination originally prescribed for the patients and without telling the patients or their doctor about the differences.

The outside sales force retained and directed by Johnston, Brockmeier, and Casseri used various methods to get doctors to prescribe these medications and patients to accept them, including having prescriptions signed without the patient seeing a doctor or knowing about the medications, having medications or refills ordered with the patients’ knowledge, and paying patients to accept the medications and paying doctors to prescribe them.

Johnston, Brockmeier, and Casseri and their conspirators caused over $50 million in fraudulent insurance claims for compounded medications that were not medically necessary.  Johnston received over $34 million and Brockmeier received over $5 million in illicit profits, and Casseri received $200,000 in bonuses. 

The indictment also charges Johnston, Brockmeier, and Casseri with a second scheme to commit identity theft. The conspirators took the patients’ names, dates of birth, and identifying information (including insurance information) without their consent from pre-existing Central Rexall prescriptions and used the information to make the false test claims to the Pharmacy Benefits Administrator.

The health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. The false statement count and the conspiracy to commit identity theft count each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The money laundering charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense or not more than twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transactions.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez in Newark, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka, with the investigation leading to the indictment. He also thanked the Division of Pensions and Financial Transactions in the State Attorney General’s Office, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Division Chief Aimee Nason, for its assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. David Walk, Jr. and Christina O. Hud of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Pedro Santos, 47, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments into a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation headed by Keith Jordan of Waterbury.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Jordan was receiving large quantities of heroin from various suppliers, including Santos, and selling to drug to other distributors and street-level customers.  Jordan also purchased and distributed cocaine.

In November and December 2018, investigators intercepted hundreds of calls on Santos’ phone that were pertinent to drug trafficking.  The intercepts revealed that Santos was receiving narcotics from co-conspirators and supplying heroin and cocaine to a network of street-level drug distributors.

On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Santos, Jordan and 27 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Several of Santos’ codefendants were arrested on March 20, 2019.  In association with the arrests, investigators seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.

Santos evaded capture until August 8, 2019, when he was apprehended in Holyoke, Massachusetts.  He has been detained since his arrest.

On January 23, 2020, Santos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Jordan pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. 

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Bruce Wayne Ford, 47, New Palestine, Indiana, has been charged with eleven counts of securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

“The financial investors in this case placed their hard earned money into the hands of someone whom they thought they could trust, oftentimes the majority of their life savings,” said Minkler. “Instead, the victim’s money fell into the hands of a thief who cares about no one but himself and his interests. Justice will prevail and hopefully restore some trust back to the victims.”

Ford, was arrested at his home Friday, September 11, 2020, and had his initial appearance on September 16, 2020 in the federal courthouse in Indianapolis. Through his company, Ford Financial and Insurance Services, he devised a scheme to defraud his investors by means of materially false statements and misrepresentations. As alleged in the Complaint, rather than invest his clients’ money as promised, Ford wired or transferred investor funds to Ford’s financial accounts to use for his own personal expenditures.

Ford’s illegal scheme to steal his clients’ investment funds was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indiana Secretary of State’s office, and the Greenfield Police Department.

“Investment fraud schemes ultimately lead to the loss of innocent victims’ hard-earned money. The victims expected the defendant to protect their future, not use their money to fund his personal lifestyle,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to investigate these types of crime and ensure criminal activity is identified, investigated, and disrupted.”

“Ford was not registered to sell securities with the Secretary of State’s office, a basic requirement,” said Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “If one investor had checked his registration, his entire scheme would have crumbled. I encourage everyone to check their investor’s registration prior to exchanging any money. It’s a simple safeguard that could protect your retirement nest egg.”

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who is prosecuting this case for the government, Ford faces up to 25 years’ in federal prison if convicted of the charges.

An Indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to investigate and prosecute complex, large-scale fraud schemes that warrant federal resources and expertise, particularly those that exploit vulnerable victims, abuse positions of trust, undermine faith in the markets, pilfer public programs, or are perpetrated by career fraudsters.(See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 5.1)

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of WARALEE WANLESS, 41, to 144 months in prison for her role in a massive international sex trafficking organization that was responsible for coercing hundreds of Thai women to engage in commercial sex acts across the United States. WANLESS was sentenced on September 16, 2020, by Senior Judge Donovan Frank in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Following a six-week trial, on December 12, 2018, a federal jury convicted WANLESS and four other defendants for their roles in operating the sex trafficking enterprise. Thirty-one defendants pleaded guilty prior to the 2018 trial. To date, 30 defendants have been sentenced.

As proven at trial, the sex trafficking organization coerced hundreds of women from Bangkok, Thailand, to engage in commercial sex acts in various cities across the United States, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, and Austin. The trafficking victims were forced to participate in the criminal scheme through misleading promises of a better life in the United States and the ability to provide money to their families in Thailand. Once in the United States, the victims were sent to houses of prostitution, including several that WANLESS ran in Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., where they were forced to have sex with strangers – every day – for up to 12 hours a day, at times having sex with 10 men a day. The victims were isolated from the outside world, and their families in Thailand were threatened.

As proven at trial, the organization also engaged in widespread visa fraud to facilitate the international transportation of the victims and engaged in rampant and sophisticated money laundering in order to promote and conceal illegal profits. During the extensive investigation, law enforcement traced tens of millions of dollars to the organization. 

Multiple agencies assisted in this investigation over the past five years including: Homeland Security Investigations; the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS; the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section; the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit; the St. Paul Police Department; the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force; the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office; the Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office; the State Department Diplomatic Security Service; and the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). United States Attorney MacDonald also thanks the Thai Community Development Center for the support and advocacy they have done on behalf of the victims of this sex trafficking organization.

Assistant United States Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino, and Craig Baune are prosecuting the case.

This case is filed as United States v. Michael Morris, et al., 17-cr-107 (DWF/TNL) and United States v. Sumalee Intarathong, et al., 16-cr-257 (DWF/TNL).

Defendant Information:

WARALEE WANLESS, 41

The Colony, Texas

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, 1 count
• Conspiracy to commit transportation to engage in prostitution, 1 count
• Conspiracy to engage in money laundering, 1 count
• Conspiracy to use a communication facility to promote prostitution, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 144 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

###

Additional news available on our website.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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