TRENTON N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Mark Miller, 63, of Mount Arlington, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to an information charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography. Judge Wolfson imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

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

In August 2018, Miller knowingly possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse, including materials depicting prepubescent minors, sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence, and sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler. Miller knowingly distributed these materials on the Internet through a publicly available peer-to-peer file sharing network.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wolfson sentenced Miller to five years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Trombly of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

PHILADELPHIA – In honor of National Police Week, Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams recognizes and celebrates the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9, through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

“Every year, National Police Week gives us an opportunity to take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those brave men and women who have devoted themselves to serve the public and protect our communities every day. We especially pay tribute to those who lost their lives to ensure our safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “This week, I ask the residents of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s law enforcement officers at all levels of government.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored.  Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, six officers died in the line of duty in 2020.

Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020.  LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website. 

The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.

Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net. To view the schedule of virtual Police Week events in May, please view NLEOMF’s Police Week Flyer.   

To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.

            CONCORD - In honor of National Police Week, Acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

            “This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

            “Each day, the brave law enforcement officers in New Hampshire do their utmost to protect the citizens of the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “It is important for all of us to remember the many sacrifices that these courageous officers and their families make as they work to keep our communities safe.  We are grateful for their service and we honor the memory of all the officers in our nation who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

             In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

             Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

             During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored.  Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19.

             Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020.  LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website. 

             The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.

             Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net. To view the schedule of virtual Police Week events in May, please view NLEOMF’s Police Week Flyer.   

              To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.

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            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Daniel “Grumpy” Hernandez, 33, of Silver City, New Mexico, was convicted by a federal jury on May 6 on seven counts of a 10-count indictment. Hernandez and his co-conspirator, Savannah Padilla, were indicted on Nov. 13, 2019.

            Hernandez pleaded guilty on April 29 to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Hernandez cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

            The jury found Hernandez guilty of conspiracy to commit carjacking, carjacking, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, theft of a firearm, possessing a stolen firearm, and two additional counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

            On Feb. 23, Padilla pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit carjacking, carjacking and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to the plea agreement, on or about Sept. 7, 2018, and continuing to on or about Sept. 8, 2018, Hernandez and Padilla committed a carjacking in Grant County, New Mexico. Hernandez and Padilla demanded money from the victim at gunpoint, and later demanded that the victim get out of the driver’s seat and into the back seat of the vehicle. The victim fled in fear for his life.

            Hernandez was acquitted on a separate count of carjacking and a separate count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for a different incident on Sept. 7, 2018.

            A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Hernandez and Padilla each face up to 15 years in prison for the carjacking charges, and an additional seven years to be served consecutively for the brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence charges.

            The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Silver City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Armijo and Ry Ellison are prosecuting the case.

CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been indicted on federal firearm charges for allegedly illegally transferring and possessing “switch” devices that are capable of converting a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun.

KALIL WARNER, 24, is charged with five counts of illegal transfer and possession of a machine gun.  The indictment accuses Warner of transferring and possessing the switch devices in Chicago on five occasions earlier this year.  Each switch component is solely and exclusively designed to convert weapons into machine guns, the indictment states.  Switch devices, once properly installed, allow a handgun to expel more than one projectile by a single pull of the trigger.

Warner pleaded not guilty Monday during his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman scheduled a status hearing for June 15, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Kristen deTineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Berry III.

Holding illegal firearm offenders accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods.  In the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Lausch and law enforcement partners have deployed the Guardian and PSN programs to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.

“Switch devices pose a dangerous threat to public safety and have no place on the streets of Chicago,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch. “Federal law enforcement will act swiftly to neutralize the threat posed by illegal machine guns and keep our communities safe.”

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

DAYTON – A Kettering man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 30 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a pipe bomb.

Michael J. Rhea, 27, pleaded guilty in February 2021 to possessing an unregistered explosive device and to illegally possessing the explosive device as a frequent user of controlled substances.

According to court documents, in March 2020, officers with the Kettering Police Department encountered Rhea, who had a warrant out for his arrest. Officers explained to Rhea that he was going to be detained and discovered three methamphetamine pipes and a pipe bomb on Rhea and in his vehicle.

The Dayton Police Department’s Regional Bomb Squad was called to the scene and safely removed the pipe bomb, which had a protruding fuse and was filled with powder and BBs.

During a prior arrest, Rhea told law enforcement he uses methamphetamine daily.

Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl and Kettering Police Chief Christopher N. Protsman announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller and Deputy Criminal Chief Dominick S. Gerace are representing the United States in this case.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, RONALD J. MCCORD, 70, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to defrauding two locally-based banks, Fannie Mae, and others through a broad range of fraudulent conduct over the course of three years, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

McCord was the Chairman and founder of First Mortgage Company, LLC ("FMC"), an Oklahoma City-based mortgage lending and loan servicing company.  On June 3, 2020, a grand jury returned a 24-count Indictment against McCord.  The charges included bank fraud, money laundering, and making a false statement to a financial institution. 

Yesterday, McCord pleaded guilty to five counts of the Indictment. 

According to court documents and yesterday’s plea hearing, McCord admitted to defrauding Spirit Bank ("Spirit") and Citizens State Bank ("Citizens")—two state-chartered financial institutions—as well as their respective residential mortgage subsidiaries, American Southwest Mortgage Corporation ("Mortgage Corp.") and American Southwest Mortgage Funding Corporation ("Funding Corp.").  An independent audit discovered that McCord had sold more than $14,100,000.00 in Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. loans "out of trust" by failing to repay Spirit/Mortgage Corp. when certain Spirit/Mortgage Corp.-initiated loans were refinanced or otherwise paid off.  At the time of this discovery, FMC carried outstanding balances of about $200,000,000.00 and $140,000,000.00 on the Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. lines of credit, respectively.

Upon learning of McCord’s conduct, Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp. terminated future warehouse lending to FMC, and instituted new notification requirements that required McCord to assign FMC-funded mortgages to Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp., to ensure the title companies handling those mortgages sent payoffs directly to the banks.  McCord admitted at yesterday’s plea hearing that he filed the assignments as required, but then caused the mortgages to be released on two properties—in Leland and Denver, North Carolina—after collecting the mortgage payoffs.

Spirit/Mortgage Corp. and Citizens/Funding Corp.’s refusal to fund new FMC mortgages prompted McCord to seek out a new warehouse lender.  In early 2017, McCord began negotiating with CapLOC, LLC, a North Carolina-based mortgage lending business, and offered to sell FMC’s mortgage lending business in exchange for quick funding from CapLOC.  At yesterday’s plea hearing, McCord admitted that he made a materially false statement and representation to CapLOC in the course of those negotiations, in order to influence CapLOC’s actions.

Finally, in 2017, FMC serviced approximately 12,000 loans worth a total of approximately $1,800,000,000.00 for the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae").  McCord admitted at the plea hearing that he defrauded Fannie Mae by diverting escrow monies intended to pay homeowners’ taxes and insurance premiums to cover FMC’s operating expenses.  McCord also admitted that he then laundered the proceeds by causing a wire transfer from FMC’s operating account to a custom home builder, as payment towards construction of McCord’s home in Colorado.

At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for August 9, 2021, McCord faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count of bank fraud and false statement to a financial institution.  He also faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine on the money laundering count.  Per the terms of his plea agreement, the government agreed not to advocate at sentencing for a sentence above 104 months.  Under the plea agreement, McCord will be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his conduct in amounts to be determined by the court at the time of sentencing.  McCord must also forfeit proceeds of the fraudulent schemes and property involved in the offenses.  Further, as part of the plea agreement, the government will dismiss at sentencing the remaining counts of the Indictment.

This case is the result of investigations by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry is prosecuting the case.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.

           CONCORD - Matthew Dion, 49, of Bedford, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about April 19, 2020, the Bedford Police Department was contacted by a representative of an organization that facilitates foreign exchange students traveling to the United States and residing with American host families.  The representative reported that a 15-year-old student, who resided in Dion’s home, believed he had been recorded by Dion while he showered. The child had found what he believed to be a camera hidden inside a device that looked like a pen in the bathroom he used in the residence. The Bedford Police responded to the residence and the child was removed from the home.  

            On April 28, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Dion’s residence and seized various items including a Micro SD card from Dion’s vehicle. On the device, officers found sexually explicit images of the child taken in the bathroom, as the child was getting out of the shower. A forensic examiner determined that the SD card had been reformatted on or about April 21, 2020, shortly after the Bedford police responded to Dion’s home. This is consistent with someone attempting to delete items from the device on that date.

            Dion is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2021.

            “Protecting children from harm is one of the fundamental roles of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “This case is an example of how law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire are working together to keep children safe.  Thanks to that cooperation, this defendant’s disturbing and unlawful conduct was detected and stopped.”

             “Matthew Dion was entrusted to provide a safe environment for a child but he violated that obligation in an extraordinary manner. Homeland Security Investigations and our partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are committed to investigating cases like this to keep the children in our community safe,” said William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, Boston.

             This matter was investigated by the Bedford Police Department, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Milford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. MacDonald.

              In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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Dennis Williams, the former President of the international United Auto Workers union, was sentenced to twenty-one months in prison today for conspiring with other UAW officials to embezzle UAW funds announced Acting U.S. Attorney Saima S. Mohsin.

Joining in the announcement were Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kelly Lewis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and Thomas Murray, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards.

Dennis Williams, 67, of Corona, California, was sentenced to twenty-one months in prison, $132,000 in restitution, one year of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine by United States District Judge Paul Borman based on his conviction for conspiring with former UAW President Gary Jones and other senior UAW officials to embezzle UAW dues money between 2010 and September 2019.   

Between June 2014 and June 2018, Williams served as the President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”).  The UAW represents over 400,000 active members and over 580,000 retired members in more than 600 local unions across the United States.  Prior to serving as UAW President, Williams was the Secretary-Treasurer of the UAW from June 2010 through June 2014.       

Williams was convicted of conspiring with at least six other senior UAW officials in a multi-year conspiracy to embezzle money from the UAW for the personal benefit of himself and other senior UAW officials.  UAW officials concealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal expenditures in the cost of UAW conferences held in Palm Springs, California, Coronado, California, and Missouri.  Between 2010 and 2018, former UAW President and co-defendant Gary Jones and other UAW officials submitted fraudulent expense forms seeking reimbursement from the UAW’s Detroit headquarters for expenditures supposedly incurred in connection with UAW leadership and training conferences.  In truth, however, Williams and his co-conspirators used the conferences to conceal the hundreds of thousands of dollars in UAW funds spent on lavish entertainment and personal spending for the conspirators. 

As part of his conviction, Williams admitted the he and other senior UAW officials used UAW money to pay for personal expenses, including multi-month long stays at private villas in Palm Springs, cigars, golfing apparel, green fees at golf courses, and high-end liquor and meals.  During the course of the conspiracy, while Williams was UAW President, co-conspirators Gary Jones, Vance Pearson, and others provided themselves and Williams with thousands of dollars in such personal items.    

As part of the court’s sentence, Williams was ordered to forfeit a custom-made set of Titleist golf clubs and various golf clothing and equipment seized from Williams during an August 2019 search of his residence.  In addition, Williams has been ordered to pay $15,459 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service on embezzled items that he personally received.  Finally, the Court ordered Williams to pay $132,517 in restitution to the UAW.      

Williams is the sixteenth defendant convicted in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation into corruption within the UAW or relating to illegal payoffs to UAW officials by FCA executives.  The following other individuals have already pleaded guilty to their participation in the scheme and have been sentenced:  former FCA Vice President for Employee Relations Alphons Iacobelli (66 months in prison), former FCA Financial Analyst Jerome Durden (15 months in prison), former Director of FCA’s Employee Relations Department Michael Brown (12 months in prison), former senior UAW officials Virdell King (60 days in prison), Keith Mickens (12 months in prison), Nancy A. Johnson (12 months in prison), Monica Morgan, the widow of UAW Vice President General Holiefield (18 months in prison), former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell (15 months in prison), former senior UAW official Michael Grimes (28 moths), former UAW Midwest CAP President Edward “Nick” Robinson (12 months in prison), and former UAW Vice President Joseph Ashton (30 months).  In addition, the following UAW officials have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing:  former UAW President Gary Jones and former UAW Region 5 Director UAW Board member Vance Pearson.  FCA US LLC pleaded guilty in January 2021 to conspiring to violate the Taft-Hartley Act, and the company will be sentenced in June 2021.  Former senior UAW official Jeffrey “Paycheck” Pietrzyk passed away before being sentenced.

In December 2020, the United States filed a civil lawsuit against the UAW under the Anti-Fraud Injunction Act based on the criminal investigation of the UAW, FCA US LLC, and FCA’s executives.  Subsequently, the United States and the UAW entered into a Consent Decree to settle the lawsuit that was approved by the U.S. District Court.  The United States has proposed a candidate to the Court to serve as the Independent Monitor of the UAW for the next six years.  The Monitor is tasked with providing federal oversight of the UAW concerning fraud, corruption, and misconduct within the UAW.  In addition, the Monitor will conduct and oversee a referendum of all UAW members to determine if the membership wants to adopt a direct election, also known as “one member, one vote,” method of electing the members of the UAW’s International Executive Board.             

Acting U.S. Attorney Mohsin commended the outstanding work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards and Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into labor corruption activities involving a vital sector of the local and national economy.

“The Court’s sentence for former UAW President Williams demonstrates that the very highest level of leadership of the UAW has been held accountable for betraying the trust of the UAW’s membership,” said Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin.  “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that union leaders must strictly adhere to the highest ethical standards in running their unions.” 

"Instead of serving the interests of the hard-working men and women of the UAW, Dennis Williams conspired with senior UAW officials to embezzle over $1 million in union funds. Williams spent the embezzled funds on extravagant meals, liquor, golf, and travel for personal enrichment. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate corrupt union officials who betray the union members they are entrusted to represent,” stated Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

"Today's sentencing is one more step in a long campaign of restoring the UAW to working for the rights of its members," said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Detroit. "Williams' sentencing is another chapter closed in a culture of corruption that permeated the UAW to the very top. We will continue to work alongside our partners in law enforcement to root out wrongdoing and end pervasive greed among those who abuse their positions of power for their own enrichment."

“Today’s sentencing is another step towards the honest leadership UAW members deserve,” stated Kelly Lewis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  IRS Criminal Investigation is fully committed to investigating anyone who intentionally conceals income from the IRS.”

“Safeguarding financial integrity in labor unions and combating financial malfeasance is a very high priority for the U.S. Department of Labor. While the vast majority of union officials do their work diligently and without incident, Dennis Williams betrayed the trust the UAW membership placed in him and embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars from the UAW, so he could live a lavish lifestyle at the expense of the UAW and its members,” said Thomas Murray, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards.  “OLMS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone that unlawfully exploits their union position to enrich themselves without regard to the best interests of union members.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David A. Gardey, Steven Cares, and Adriana Dydell.

OKLAHOMA– Yesterday, BRIAN WADE EDDY, 46, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was sentenced to serve 64 months in federal prison for accessing and viewing images of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On June 17, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a one-count Indictment that charged Eddy with knowingly accessing, with intent to view, child pornography from his government-issued laptop.  According to the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, at the time of the incident Eddy was a civilian employee at Tinker Air Force Base and was a ranking Colonel in the Air Force Reserves.  Eddy has since been terminated.

On September 2, 2020, Eddy pleaded guilty to the Indictment.  As part of his plea, Eddy admitted that he searched for and viewed images of child pornography from his government laptop in December 2019.

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Eddy to serve 64 months in federal prison for his conduct, followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Eddy was also ordered to pay a total of $5,100.00 in special assessments.  In imposing the sentence, Judge Heaton noted the nature and circumstances of the offense, specifically highlighting the exploitation of those who are most vulnerable.

This case is the result of an investigation by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.

SALT LAKE CITY— In honor of National Police Week, Acting U.S. Attorney Andrea T. Martinez recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

“This week we honor the law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, our cities, Indian Tribes, and the State of Utah, said Acting United States Attorney Andrea T. Martinez. “It is an honor to work alongside the brave men and women in law enforcement who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep our communities and our families safe. Thank you to every member of law enforcement and your families for your service to this great nation.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored.  Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the District of Utah, one officer died in the line of duty; Officer Nathan J. Lyday from the Ogden Police Department.  

Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020.  LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.  

The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.

Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net. To view the schedule of virtual Police Week events in May, please view NLEOMF’s Police Week Flyer.   

To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.

LAREDO, Texas – A 52-year-old Laredo resident has been ordered to federal prison for smuggling aliens, some of whom had lost consciousness, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Juan Contreras pleaded guilty Feb. 3, 2020.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Contreras to serve a 110-month sentence. At the hearing, the court heard additional information regarding the danger posed to the people trapped in the tractor-trailer Contreras drove as well as their attempts to escape. In handing down the sentence, Judge Marmolejo noted Contreras has been given multiple previous opportunities to not continue in criminal activity and that this was his third alien smuggling conviction.

Contreras had been on supervised release for a prior conviction of transporting an undocumented alien when he committed this crime. The court revoked the remainder of that term and ordered he serve and additional consecutive nine months. The total 119- month overall term of imprisonment will again be followed by three years of supervised release.

“The sentencing of Contreras sends a clear message that individuals who engage in criminal activity with disregard for human life will be located, arrested, convicted and sentenced for their actions said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Timothy Tubbs from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Criminals who illegally smuggle people into and throughout the United States place personal profit ahead of public safety. HSI will continue to utilize its broad authorities to dismantle human smuggling organizations.”

On June 19, 2019, authorities found Contreras with an inoperable tractor-trailer on the side of Interstate Highway 35 near Laredo. The trailer was sealed shut, but they saw a person stuck between the trailer doors attempting to escape. 

They soon rescued a total of 35 undocumented aliens who were trapped inside the trailer.

The investigation revealed the aliens had been banging on the walls while the vehicle was on the side of the highway. They also tried to reach through holes they made with a crowbar. Multiple individuals even lost conscious due to lack of oxygen and high temperatures.

Contreras has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling prosecuted the case.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a West New York, New Jersey, man admitted to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Derrick Johnson, 49, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In addition to the prison term, he was sentenced to eight years of supervised release. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence today via videoconference.

Also today, Akeil Beggs, 32, pleaded guilty by videoconference before Judge Hayden to an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Beggs is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14, 2021.

According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:

In October 2019, Johnson and Beggs conspired with each other and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine in New York and New Jersey. On Oct. 31, 2019, Johnson traveled to Beggs’ apartment in West New York, where Johnson and Beggs coordinated to purchase approximately four kilograms of a substance they believed was cocaine from an individual. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration arrested Johnson and Beggs and seized $153,577 from Johnson’s vehicle, a loaded firearm from a hidden compartment in Johnson’s vehicle, and $23,607 from Beggs’ apartment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Raymond Donovan in New York, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing and guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Pesce of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Craig Marranca, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on September 18, 2017, New York State Police undercover investigators downloaded an image containing child pornography from the eMule/eDonkey peer-to-peer network. Investigators traced the image to an IP address belonging to the defendant’s spouse. The image was recovered later from Marranca’s laptop seized on October 27, 2017, during the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. A total of 18 electronic devices were seized during the search, including the laptop which contained 1,771 files of child pornography. Some of the images included prepubescent minors and depictions of violence.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 27, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.

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NEWARK, N.J. – A Jersey City, New Jersey, man made his initial appearance today on charges stemming from his arrest for illegally possessing two loaded firearms, another handgun, and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Davone Adams, aka “Dikim Adams,” 42, appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was released on home confinement. He is charged by indictment with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also charged by complaint today with being in possession of another handgun and more ammunition.

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

On Feb. 23, 2021, Adams, who had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of at least one year in prison, was found by law enforcement officers to be in possession of one Ruger, Model P95, 9-millimeter Luger pistol loaded with 10 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition, as well as one Windam Weaponry, Model WW-15, .223/5.56-millimeter rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 5.56-millimeter ammunition. An additional Ruger handgun and additional ammunition were found today at his residence.

Each count of illegally possessing a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai; and the Belleville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Minichini, with the investigation leading to the charges.

This case is 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 ensured 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 government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JORDY ROBERTSON, age 37, from St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter for drug trafficking and wire fraud offenses.  ROBERTSON was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $200 in special assessment fees.  In addition, ROBERTSON must pay restitution in the amount of $116,216, including to those of his victims that made donations through his fraudulent charitable campaign posted on GoFundMe.

According to court documents, ROBERTSON’s drug trafficking conspiracy ran from at least May of 2017 through January of 2019, and his wire fraud scheme ran from October of 2016 through January of 2019.

“Today’s sentencing of Jordy Robertson illustrates our commitment to bring federal offenders to justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  “Mr. Robertson’s criminal activities showed a blatant disregard for the generosity of others. Our office will continue to work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to protect the citizens of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

“The wreckage caused by drugs affects everyone.  Drug dealers breed crime in our neighborhoods and are a danger to our children,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.  “The conviction and subsequent sentencing of Jordy Robertson demonstrates to the citizens in this parish and beyond that federal and local law enforcement, when we combine our resources, can come together and accomplish great things.  We will continue to work side by side with all of our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer places to live.”

“It is through the seamless relationship with our federal partners in the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that Mr. Robertson was brought to justice,” stated Sheriff Mike Tregre, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Shih and Nicholas D. Moses are in charge of the prosecution.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

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ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage man was indicted on federal charges of possessing heroin and methamphetamine for distribution and illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

According to court records, the federal charges against Kirt Filoialii, 42, stem from a domestic violence investigation by the Anchorage Police Department (APD). On April 15, Filoialii is alleged to have assaulted a female victim with a firearm and metal bar leaving her unconscious and injured. Also, Filoialii is alleged to have kidnapped the victim as part of the assault. When located by APD, Filoialii had 300 grams of packaged heroin and 11 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded Glock pistol, more than $16,000 in cash and a scale. APD located two more firearms and additional ammunition in his residence. The Anchorage District Attorney’s Office indicted Filoialii on state charges on April 22. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Filoialii in U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and felon in possession of a firearm. The defendant made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith. If convicted of all charges, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska made the announcement. The Anchorage Police Department in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Safe Street Task Force are investigating the case. Assistant District Attorney Luba Bartnitskaia is prosecuting the state case for the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office, Department of Law.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney George Tran is prosecuting the federal case.

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

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BANGOR, Maine—An Eddington man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing firearms after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.

According to court records, in April 2020, law enforcement officers were called to the home of Amilio Christopher Samaroo, 56. Samaroo and his wife had been arguing earlier in the day. When the police arrived at the house, Samaroo refused to leave and engaged in a standoff. Officers obtained a warrant for Samaroo’s arrest and a search warrant for the home. During the search, officers found multiple weapons that Samaroo had placed throughout the house, including a loaded J.C. Higgins bolt-action 20-gauge shotgun. Officers later found a handgun in the ceiling of the home and two boxes of ammunition. Samaroo was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition after a 2003 Wisconsin conviction for domestic abuse.

Samaroo faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Maine State Police investigated the case.

CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man was sentenced today to 27 years in federal prison for threatening to publish sexually explicit images of an underage girl unless she sent him additional photos and videos of herself.

DAVID J. COTTRELL, 31, of Niles, Ill., enticed the underage victim into sending him sexually explicit photos of herself via online social messaging applications.  After collecting the photos, Cottrell informed the girl that he knew her real name, the name of her school, and her parents’ jobs, and he threatened to post the images online and send them to her family unless the girl sent him additional, more explicit photos and videos, which she did.  Cottrell contacted the victim on a regular basis until her parents discovered the messages and contacted law enforcement.

Cottrell pleaded guilty last year to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography.  He admitted in a plea agreement that he similarly induced or attempted to induce four other minor victims into sending him sexually explicit images of themselves.  While communicating with the victims online, Cottrell used the screennames “sevendollarcab,” “brightcitylights,” “b88785,” and “YouShallSubmitToMe Sir.”

U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman imposed the sentence today after a hearing in federal court in Chicago.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Angie Salazar, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Mulaney.

If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678 or logging on to www.cybertipline.com.