NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans joins the Department of Justice, the Office for Victims of Crime  the Eastern District of Louisiana state and local law enforcement and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services throughout the week.  This year’s 40th anniversary of NCVRW observance takes place April 18-24 and features the theme, Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.

Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) is a time to renew our commitment to serving all victims of crime, to acknowledge the achievements in victim services and allied professions, to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to others, and to remember crime victims and survivors.

The Office for Victims of Crime selected the theme—Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.—that emphasizes the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime.

The faces of crime victims are those of our family, friends, neighbors, and community members. According to the most recent National Crime Victimization Survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1.2 million people were victims of violent crime excluding simple assault in 2019, a significant decrease from the year before. Now is the time to redouble our efforts so that victimization continues to decline, and fewer and fewer Eastern District of Louisiana residents become victims of crime. Our officewill commemorate the advancement of victims’ rights and highlight issues surrounding victimization

In the Eastern District of Louisiana, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will team up with federal law enforcement, local law enforcement, judicial agencies and non-profit organizations to commemorate the week, through a combination of virtual and in-person activities.  The challenges of  COVID-19 will not hamper the efforts of victim advocates to seek justice, ensure victims’ rights and inspire hope for victims of crime.

“Annually, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, provides the opportunity for law enforcement, judicial agencies, and direct service providers to reaffirm their commitment to assist and empower crime victims, said U.S. Attorney Evans.  “It is imperative that crime victims know that collectively law enforcement and partners will continue to diligently investigate potential wrongdoing, prosecute criminal behavior and seek justice for victims.”

For events in Eastern District of Louisiana Parishes, please refer to the local law enforcement agencies websites for details.  Please refer to the EDLA website for a listing of EDLA parishes https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla

For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/national-crime-victims-rights-week/overview.

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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jeremy Hamlin, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Hamlin, 41, pled guilty to one count of “Maintaining Drug-Involved Premises.” Hamlin admitted to using a place on Bradley Street in Morgantown for the purpose of distributing heroin and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in March 2020 in Monongalia County.

Hamlin faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Related press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/seventeen-people-charged-heroin-and-crack-cocaine-distribution-operation
 

ROANOKE, Va. – Steven Rosine, a former employee at a production facility here that manufactures night vision goggles used by the U.S. military, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Roanoke to 18 months in federal prison for stealing night vision devices and other components and selling them over the Internet. Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar and Special Agent in Charge Raymond Villanueva for the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. field office, made the announcement today.

Rosine, 48, pleaded guilty in September 2020 to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

“When Rosine stole critical defense products to sell for his own greed, he committed a serious crime,” Acting United States Attorney Bubar said today. “Today’s sentence ought to send a strong message to those who are trusted with protecting our national security infrastructure that such conduct will not be tolerated.  We appreciate the hard work that went into this case by the dedicated team, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Roanoke County Police.”

According to court documents, from 1996 to 2019, Rosine was employed as a production engineer at Harris Corporation’s night vision manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Va. During his employment Rosine had access to night vision devices and various components used in device manufacturing.

Between approximately 2010 and 2014, Rosine stole approximately 66 pounds of a soft metal called Indium, a crucial element used in the night vision manufacturing process. He sold the stolen Indium on the Internet to a company in California for his own personal financial gain, yielding a profit of $51,622. 

Beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2018, Rosine stole various image intensifier tubes, night vision systems, and component parts from Harris Corporation. Rosine listed these items for sale on an Internet website. Rosine maintained a dedicated PayPal account, into which he deposited more than $119,000 in proceeds from his illicit sale of night vision devices.

A majority of the night vision devices sold by Rosine are classified as third generation image intensifier tubes and were manufactured using classified production data. They are categorized by the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) as “Defense Articles,” which are subject to control under the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the jurisdiction of the Department of State.

The investigation of the case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation and the Roanoke County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Kristin B. Johnson prosecuted the case for the United States, in coordination with William Mackie, Counterintelligence & Export Control Section, National Security Division, U.S. Department of Justice.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jaime Renee Coddington, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, has admitted to her role in a drug distribution operation, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.
 
Coddington, 34, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Eutylone and Cocaine Base.” Coddington admitted to working with others to distribute Eutylone and Cocaine Base from October 2019 to April 2020 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.

Coddington faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the West Virginia Air National Guard investigated. 

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

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

Find the related case here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/west-virginia-and-virginia-residents-indicted-drug-trafficking-operation-berkeley-and
 

NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Norfolk, Virginia man Friday on charges of visa fraud related to a sham marriage and other immigration crimes along with trying to obstruct the testimony of a witness in an official proceeding.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Joshua Kwame Asane, 46, a citizen of Ghana, was indicted on July 22, 2020, for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, visa fraud, false statements in immigration proceedings, and tampering with a witness.

Evidence presented at the trial revealed that the marriage between Asane and a U.S. soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was arranged by Asane’s brother (Ebenezer Asane, who was previously indicted for conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, has plead guilty and is awaiting sentencing).   Asane and the soldier were married in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Thereafter, Asane and the soldiersubmitted fraudulent applications to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requesting Asane’s adjustment of status as a lawful permanent resident in the United States.  Asane and the soldier were interviewed at the USCIS office in Norfolk, Virginia. Both attested under oath they were married in good faith. As a result of the interview, USCIS found indicators of fraud, and referred the case to USCIS, Fraud Detection and National Security, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for investigation.

In a split decision the jury found Asane guilty of visa fraud, false statements in immigration proceedings, and tampering with a witness, and not guilty of conspiracy and marriage fraud.

Asane faces maximum penalties of twenty-five years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for his convictions of visa fraud, false statements in immigration proceedings, and witness tampering when scheduled for sentencing for the term of court commencing on September 7, 2021.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the verdict. The case was investigated by the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF) in the Eastern District of North Carolina led by Homeland Security Investigations and assisted by US Army Criminal Investigation Division, and USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Diaz is prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:20-CR-00349-FL-1 & 5:19-CR-423-1FL.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – On April 19, 2021, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Destiny Marsh, age 21, of Council Bluffs, to 50 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute announced Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal. Marsh was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay a $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. There is no parole in the federal system.

On March 3, 2020, Marsh was found unresponsive in her motel room at the Deluxe Inn in Council Bluffs. The Council Buffs Fire Department was dispatched to the scene and upon arrival saw a large bag containing approximately 800 grams of methamphetamine and cash next to Marsh. She pleaded guilty to the offense on November 6, 2020.

This investigation was conducted by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the Council Bluffs Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that after a four-day jury trial, Felipe Nevarez, age 40, of Alamosa, Colorado, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. 

Facts presented at trial established that on April 3, 2019, deputies with the Alamosa County Sherriff’s Department encountered Nevarez driving a black BMW.  At the time, Nevarez had several state warrants for his arrest.  He evaded law enforcement, reversing the BMW at top speed down a rural driveway.  Nevarez got out of the car and fled into an open field.  After nearly forty-five-minutes searching, law enforcement found Nevarez hiding in a field within arm’s reach of a large bag of methamphetamine.  Nevarez also had more than $16,000 in cash.

“Our office is committed to prosecuting drug distribution crimes anywhere in Colorado,” said Acting United States Attorney Matt Kirsch.  “Together with our law enforcement partners in Alamosa, we have secured an important conviction in the fight against methamphetamine, an addictive and dangerous drug.”

“The conviction of Nevarez for his interstate narcotics trafficking activities is the result of cooperation among law enforcement to keep dangerous drugs like methamphetamine out of our communities.” said Steven Cagen, Special Agent in Charge, HSI.  “HSI will continue to prioritize the investigation of drug traffickers who distribute illicit narcotics in Colorado and bring criminal activity to our rural neighbors.”

United States District Court Judge Robert Blackburn presided over the trial and will impose a sentence at a later date.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Alamosa County Sherriff’s Department, the Alamosa Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Graves handled the prosecution.

Case number: 19-cr-00271-REB-JMC

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            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Arturo Archuleta, 49, of Albuquerque, was charged today in federal court with three counts of income tax evasion. A federal grand jury indicted Archuleta on April 14.

            According to the indictment, from 2014 through June 2018, Archuleta worked as an office manager at a chiropractic clinic in Albuquerque. For calendar years 2014 through 2016, Archuleta allegedly failed to submit income tax returns. The indictment further alleges that Archuleta made false entries and alterations in his employer’s accounting records and caused his employer to not file IRS Forms 1099 or W-2 recording his income. Archuleta allegedly used a bank account with a fictitious name and handled his affairs in ways to conceal his taxable income.

            An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Archuleta faces up to five years in prison.

            IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this case with the assistance of the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor F. Hartstein is prosecuting the case.

ST. LOUIS – United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry sentenced Bernard Toler to 72 months in prison today. The 33-year-old St. Louis County, Missouri resident pleaded guilty, in January, to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On or about February 20, 2019, officers from the St. Louis County Police Department saw a vehicle with no visible license plates make a turn without signaling. Officers turned on the emergency lights to make a traffic stop, but Toler evaded police at a high rate of speed. Toler continued to flee police through a residential area while refusing to stop at multiple stop signs.

Officers eventually turned off their lights and sirens but maintained visual observation of Toler’s vehicle. Officers saw Toler park the vehicle in the parking lot of a business, at which time officers turned on their lights again and positioned their vehicles to prevent Toler from fleeing.

Officers approached Toler’s vehicle and noticed a revolver-style firearm in the middle compartment of the vehicle. Officers removed Toler from the vehicle and took him into custody. Officers seized the firearm, which was loaded with six live rounds, along with two digital scales, a marijuana grinder, a plastic bag containing 24 grams of marijuana and three cellular phones. The seized paraphernalia, drugs and phones are indicative of drug trafficking.

Toler admitted he intended to distribute some or all of the marijuana in his possession to one or more persons and he possessed the seized firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoff Ogden is handling the case. 

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NEWARK, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, insurance producer today admitted filing false statements in connection with the delivery of $1.5 million in fraudulent claims by Blue Cross Blue Shield health care affiliates, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Jonas Knopf, 65, of Lakewood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to an information charging him with one count of making false statements related to a health care benefits program.

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

Starting in 2009, Knopf was chief executive officer of Madison Financial Services (MFS) in Lakewood and a licensed insurance producer – a person who is licensed to sell insurance products. MFS was the parent company of two sham companies created by Knopf and others solely for the purpose of marketing health insurance coverage to people who were not, in fact, his employees. These companies purported to be located and doing business in Pennsylvania and created the appearance of employment status for hundreds of individuals, largely Lakewood residents, who were seeking health care coverage through BCBS benefit plans. The fraud lasted until March 2013, when the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance caused Knopf to surrender his Pennsylvania insurance producer’s license and cease operation in the state. 

Knopf used false personal information, including false addresses, dates of birth, marital status and employment functions, to give BCBS the impression that his clients were actually employees being paid for services rendered. In total, the scheme caused the health care insurers to pay out $1.5 million in fraudulent claims. 

The count of making false statements relating to a health care benefit program carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent In Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Mikulka; and Investigators of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefit Security Administration, under the direction of Regional Director Darren Cohen,  with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

BOSTON – A Canton woman was sentenced on Friday, April 16, 2021 in federal court in Boston in connection with a business email compromise (BEC) scheme.

Bintu Toure, 26, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to one year and one day in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution and forfeiture. In January 2021, Toure pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

Toure conspired with others to open numerous bank accounts in Massachusetts in the name of sham companies, as part of a BEC scheme—a sophisticated scam often targeting businesses involved in wire transfer payments. The fraud is carried out by compromising and/or “spoofing” legitimate business email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques, to cause employees of the victim company (or other individuals involved in legitimate business transactions) to transfer funds to accounts controlled by the scammers.

Through the use of fraudulent invoices and spoofed email accounts, Toure conspired to trick the victims of the scheme into wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to bank accounts under her control. Toure and her co-conspirators then transferred funds from the accounts on to others located overseas. Over the course of the scheme, victims wired over $600,000 to fraudulent bank accounts controlled by Toure and her co-conspirators.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William B. Brady, of Mendell’s Criminal Division, and Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

HURRICANE, W.Va. – Shea Owen Marsh, 32, of Hurricane, pleaded guilty today to possessing child pornography. Marsh was charged in a single-count Information in April 2021. Marsh was previously indicted last August for possessing child pornography.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Marsh downloaded videos and images of child pornography onto his cell phone several times while at his residence in Hurricane.

Marsh faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on July 19, 2021.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation.  United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Kristin F. Scott is handling the prosecution.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-00126 and 3:21-cr-00043.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Keith Morris, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of firearms and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl.  Morris was charged in a Superseding Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in November 2020.

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, on or about January 23, 2020, after responding to a two-vehicle crash in Charleston, officers with the Charleston Police Department (CPD) located 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a loaded Glock, model 26, 9mm semi-automatic pistol in Morris’s car.  In addition, on or about August 7, 2020, officers with the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT) seized 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a loaded SCCY CPX-1 9mm caliber from Morris’s car after conducting a traffic stop in Charleston. Morris admitted he intended to distribute the controlled substances that had been seized from him. Morris further admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he previously had been convicted of the felony offenses of attempted murder and wanton endangerment with a firearm in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

Morris faces up to 40 years in prison when sentenced on July 19, 2021.

The Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation.   United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing.  Assistant United States Attorney Negar M. Kordestani is handling the prosecution.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:20-cr-00167.

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NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man made his initial appearance today for alleged abusive sexual contact with a female passenger on a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Ryan Manuella, 28, of Cheektowaga, New York, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of abusive sexual contact on an airplane. He had his initial appearance by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was detained.

According to the complaint:

While on an April 16, 2021, flight from Denver, Colorado, to Newark, Manuella moved to a vacant center seat next to a female passenger, who was sitting in a window seat. Manuella was unknown to the victim. While seated next to the victim, Manuela touched her on the groin and inner thigh without her permission.

The abusive sexual contact charge carries a maximum term of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, and officers of the Port Authority Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent of Police Edward Cetnar, with the investigation leading to the charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden M. Brockett of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

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

PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national living in Providence who, since at least 1994, allegedly used the stolen Social Security number and other personal identifying information of a person who lived in Puerto Rico and who subsequently passed away in September 2018, to fraudulently gain a U.S. passport and federally-funded food and health care benefits, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of aggravated identity theft, passport fraud, and fraudulently obtaining publicly funded health care and food stamp benefits, among other charges.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, Diomedes Ramirez Rodriguez, 48, twice used the stolen personal identifying information when applying for and receiving U.S. Passports in June 2008 and June 2010. Rodriguez allegedly submitted several forms of ID in the name of the person from Puerto Rico, including a birth certificate and a photo ID depicting his own photograph. Both passports were later reported lost.

It is alleged that in March 2014, Rodriquez applied for and was approved to receive health care benefits from Rite Care, Rhode Island’s Medicaid Managed Care Program, in the name of the victim whose identity he allegedly stole. It is alleged that Rodriquez provided a Commonwealth of Puerto Rico birth certificate, a Rhode Island driver’s license, a U.S. Passport, and a Social Security card, all in the name of the identity theft victim. It is alleged that between September 2016 and August 2020, Rodriquez obtained $34,727.94 in medical, pharmaceutical, institutional, and dental services he was not entitled to receive.

It is further alleged that in March 2017, Rodriguez applied for and was approved to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, having provided a Commonwealth of Puerto Rico birth certificate, a Rhode Island driver’s license, a U.S. Passport, and a Social Security card all in the name of the person whose identity he allegedly stole. It is alleged that between March 2017 and May 2020, Rodriquez received $7,342.64 in SNAP benefits he was not entitled to receive.

It is further alleged that Rodriguez used the stolen identity and Social Security information to obtain Rhode Island driver’s licenses and a Rhode Island identification card.

On Friday, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rodriguez with false representation of a Social Security number, health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of public money, false representation of citizenship, and misuse of passport, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus; Jon Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston SAC Office; Scott E. Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations; Bethanne M. Dinkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General; and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’, Office of Inspector General’s Boston Field Office.

According to court records, Rodriguez, while allegedly using the stolen identity, was arrested in Florida, New York, and Rhode Island on at least 14 occasions, and convicted on, among other things, drug and stolen goods charges. Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the FBI for their assistance in linking Rodriguez to these prior arrests.

A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA– The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that JAMES MOHAMAD, 52, of Kenner, and BRIAN MEDUS, 44, of Covington, were charged in a 1-count indictment by a federal Grand Jury with violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1952(a)(3), conspiracy to use an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity.

According to the Indictment, MEDUS, the Assistant Chief Mechanical Inspector for the City of New Orleans, Safety and Permits Department, solicited and accepted bribe money from MOHAMAD, the Director of the Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement for the City of Kenner, in return for the issuance of fraudulent permits for MOHAMAD’s HVAC jobs. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, MOHAMAD paid MEDUS and others approximately $93,000 to further the bribery scheme.   Defendant MEDUS utilized the City of New Orleans’ internet-based LAMA system, a facility of interstate commerce, to further the scheme.

If convicted, MEDUS and MOHAMAD face a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of not more than $250,000, three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment fee. 

The United States Attorney’s Office reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Public corruption occurs when anyone who works for the government, whether at the federal, state, or local level, conducts an official act in exchange for money, goods, or services. It also includes public employees who take something of value for their own personal gain. Mr. Mohamad and Mr. Medus both allegedly engaged in these bribery schemes thereby violating the public’s trust”, stated Bryan Vorndran, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge. “I would like to thank the City of New Orleans Office of the Inspector General, the Metropolitan Crime Commission, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their partnerships in helping the FBI disrupt public corruption in Louisiana.”

Ed Michel, Interim Inspector General, City of New Orleans, stated “The New Orleans OIG will continue to ensure employees who utilize their public office for personal gain are held accountable for their actions.”

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of New Orleans/Office of Inspector General.  Assistance was provided by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey N. Knight is prosecuting the matter.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia joins communities nationwide in commemorating the 40th anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 18–24, 2021. This year’s theme, Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities, emphasizes the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime.

“We are firmly committed to upholding victims’ rights as we protect the safety of our communities and pursue equal justice under the law in a broad range of criminal and civil matters across EDVA,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “From seeking justice for victims of terrorism, human trafficking, child exploitation, and other violent and white-collar crimes, to enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, vindicating the rights of military servicemembers and veterans, and securing restitution for the victims of financial fraud, we will stand with victims and ensure their voices are heard. This year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week recognizes the importance of, and power in, all facets of the community—including stakeholders in the justice system, victim advocates, charitable organizations, faith-based groups, health care providers, and mental health professionals—standing together to ensure that victims of crime receive the services, healing, and justice they need and deserve.”

NCVRW is a time to renew our commitment to serving victims of crime, acknowledge achievements made in the victim services field, and remember crime victims and survivors. For more information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week website.

The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW, during which victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local, and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.

In the Eastern District of Virginia, those events will include the following:

• A virtual training on Privacy, Protection, and Fairness: Why Crime Victims’ Rights Matter to Victims of Violence, hosted by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services on April 20.

• The Unsung Heroes awards ceremony, hosted by the Virginia Office of the Attorney General on April 21 to recognize outstanding service and support to victims of crime in the Commonwealth. For more information about the event, please visit here.

• National Crime Victims’ Rights Candlelight Vigil & 2-Mile Walk, hosted by the Stafford Country Sheriff’s Office on April 23.

To commemorate the NCVRW this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is holding a clothing drive to donate garments and toiletries to a local non-profit organization that assists women and children in crisis. Additionally, among other initiatives led by the Victim-Witness Unit, EVDA is hosting speakers to raise awareness of victim issues. On April 16, Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh hosted a virtual event in which Aloke Chakravarty, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, discussed his experience prosecuting the Boston Marathon bombings case. The discussion also focused on the collaboration and coordination required to ensure that victims’ voices were heard during the investigation and resulting trial. On April 23, Acting U.S. Attorney Parekh will host a virtual fireside chat with Tony West, who in his former role as the Justice Department’s Associate Attorney General (2012–2014) helped secure nearly $37 billion in fines and restitution for American victims in connection with the 2009 financial crisis.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

POCATELLO – Lance Jonathon Broncho, 19, of Fort Hall, Idaho, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 40 months in federal prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered that Broncho serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Broncho pleaded guilty to the charge on December 16, 2020.

According to court records, on April 6, 2020, Broncho and the victim, a Twin Falls man, traveled together from Twin Falls to the Fort Hall Indian reservation in the victim's van. When they arrived at Fort Hall, after midnight, on April 7, Broncho stabbed the victim multiple times in the abdomen and then took the victim's van, leaving the victim on the side of the road. A person driving by saw the victim and called the police, who found him injured on the side of the road. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated and had surgery for his stabbing injuries. Broncho was later interviewed and admitted stabbing the victim and taking his van.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fort Hall Police Department.

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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Portsmouth woman pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud veterans.

“This defendant has been brought to justice for orchestrating numerous fraudulent schemes against veterans who honorably served their country,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “For those who steal, misappropriate, and divert funds that belong to our country’s veterans, this case sends a strong message that you will be prosecuted and held accountable for your inexcusable conduct.”

According to court documents, Rita Copeland, 59, operated an entity known as “Veteran Services of the Commonwealth.” Copeland purported to provide caregiving, contracting, and rental assistance services to various veterans from 2016 through 2020. Copeland caused a number of victims to apply for Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Such grant payments are to be used for certain designated improvements to the residences of veterans. Copeland failed to perform all of the promised work and used a portion of these payments to her own benefit, contrary to the designated purposes of the funds.

Copeland also diverted the income and retirement fund payments of another veteran to a bank account that she had opened. In addition, Copeland fraudulently obtained and diverted loan funds and used the credit and debit cards of this elderly victim. Finally, Copeland engaged in a rental fraud scheme, purporting to link veterans and others with landlords, but then diverting rental and security deposit payments to her own benefit.

Copeland pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, and she is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for wire fraud and a mandatory consecutive term of two years for aggravated identity theft. 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.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Samuels is prosecuting the case.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Norfolk Division’s Peninsula Resident Agency.

Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. It is a term used to describe five subtypes of elder abuse: physical abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting at least 10 percent of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners, the Department of Justice is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness. This holistic and robust response demonstrates the Department’s unwavering dedication to fighting for justice for older Americans.

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. 4:20-cr-63.

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Baytown, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

Fernando Salcido, 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin.

“The Eastern District of Texas is committed to attacking drug trafficking organizations at every level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.  “We will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who would try to harm our communities.”

According to information presented in court, from August 2018 through October 2019, Salcido was a member of a cocaine trafficking and money laundering operation.  The investigation included the seizure of a 12-kilogram shipment of cocaine being sent to Salcido within the false compartments of a vehicle.  Law enforcement also seized $54,100 in currency from a courier who had been transporting the proceeds at Salcido’s direction.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Salido on Oct. 7, 2020. Under federal statutes, Salido faces up to life in federal prison. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing 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 U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson.