A former Captain of the Idaho and Washington National Guard was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and $646,300 in restitution for his lengthy scheme to defraud multiple government programs, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. DARRYL LEE WRIGHT, 48, who served as Chairman of the City of Snoqualmie Planning Commission, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in February 2016, admitting he defrauded the Veterans Administration, Social Security Disability, Washington State Employment Security, the Department of Commerce and others with his claims of being injured while serving in Iraq with the Army National Guard. In fact, WRIGHT lied about being injured in a rocket attack and submitted pictures of destruction which had no connection to his service in Iraq. At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said Wright dragged “many people into a web of deceit . . . this was a complex and nefarious scam implemented over a long period of time . . . it was a continuous fraud. . . a very lucrative scheme.”

          “This defendant brazenly lied about his combat history to get more than $600,000 in benefits he did not deserve,” said U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “His willingness to steal from a system meant to take care of those who have bravely served our country, or are otherwise in need, is an outrage. There is no question that the defendant earned the significant sentence he will now serve for his crimes.”

          As early as 2006, WRIGHT began his scheme to defraud by submitting phony statements to the Army and to the Veterans Administration to create the false narrative that he had been injured in a rocket attack. As the scheme progressed over the years, WRIGHT made false and conflicting claims to various agencies in an effort to fraudulently obtain benefits. Government investigators estimate that WRIGHT’s frauds cost government programs some $737,539.The Army has stripped WRIGHT of his Purple Heart Medal and Combat Action Badge.

          In an evidentiary hearing lasting six days, the government presented evidence that WRIGHT defrauded Veteran’s Benefit Administration of $261,719 in claiming he was disabled by a rocket attack that did not occur as he described. WRIGHT then defrauded a Veteran’s Caregiver program of $83,967 claiming he was so disabled he needed a full time caregiver even as he was traveling, playing basketball, caring for his child and serving on the Snoqualmie Planning Commission. He defrauded Social Security Disability of $181,438 claiming he was too injured to work even though at the time he was employed full time by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Later in the scheme, WRIGHT defrauded the Office of Personnel Management of some $48,226 by claiming disability from his job at the Department of Commerce. WRIGHT defrauded Washington State Employment Security by collecting $29,860 in unemployment benefits claiming he was able and willing to work while simultaneously claiming to the Social Security Administration that he was fully disabled and unable to be employed. WRIGHT further used his disability status to avoid repayment of more than $41,068 in student loans to the Department of Education. Finally, WRIGHT defrauded his employer, the Department of Commerce, by submitting fake orders claiming he was on military leave.

          In all, pleadings indicate that Wright victimized 16 different federal, state, local, and private entities, including agencies, programs, organizations, individuals and benevolent institutions such as Disabled American Veterans.

          “This conviction demonstrates the VA Office of Inspector General’s unwavering commitment to protect the programs intended to assist veterans that have served this nation and rightfully earned their benefits,” said Special Agent in Charge James Wahleithner, VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division.

          “The primary mission of the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration is to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in Social Security programs. In this charge, we are incredibly grateful for our law enforcement partnerships and for the collaborative approach to crime fighting demonstrated by the Wright investigative and prosecutorial team. The results of this powerful force-multiplier are quite evident given today’s sentencing, and will undoubtedly send a message to those who would otherwise attempt to defraud Social Security,” said Steuart G. Markley, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, SSA OIG, Seattle Field Division.

          “Mr. Wright not only betrayed the trust of the American people and his fellow veterans by fraudulently accepting these military honors, he bilked Washingtonians who actually deserve this help out of nearly $30,000 in unemployment insurance benefit funds,” said Dale Peinecke, Commissioner of the state’s Employment Security Department, which administers the unemployment insurance system and serves veterans through the WorkSource system. “We are proud to help veterans with disabilities find employment and we’re pleased to be part of the team that brought this case to justice.”

          “The Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General is dedicated to stopping fraudulent activities like this in programs designed to support America's deserving veterans,” said Inspector General Peg Gustafson. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their leadership and dedication to serving Justice.”

          “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable brazen fraudsters such as Mr. Wright,” said U.S. General Services Administration Inspector General Carol Fortine Ochoa.

          “PTSD is a serious medical condition and it is unconscionable that Mr. Wright would fake such an injury for financial gain,” said Scott Rezendes, Special Agent in Charge of Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Office of Personnel Management. “I would like to thank the OPM OIG agents who worked on this case and our law enforcement partners for their diligent efforts to safeguard OPM’s retirement programs from fraud and abuse. Our office remains committed to ensuring that OPM’s disability payments are made only to those Federal annuitants who have a right to them.”

          The case was investigated by multiple agencies led by the Social Security Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG). The Office of Inspector General of these agencies were involved in the investigation: Veterans Affairs (VA-OIG), Department of Commerce (DOC-OIG), Office of Personnel Management (OPM-OIG), and General Services Administration (GSA-OIG). Also contributing to the investigation was the FBI, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Washington National Guard, the Washington Employment Security Department and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

          The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Reese Jennings and Gregory A. Gruber.

FRESNO, Calif. — Senator Dianne Feinstein today awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery to Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputy Rudy Mirelez who exhibited exceptional courage in saving and protecting others and whose heroic actions were above and beyond the call of duty.

U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Mariposa County Sheriff Doug Binnewies attended the presentation today in Fresno at the Doubletree Hotel.

“Deputy Rudy Mirelez is a worthy recipient of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “It is an honor for the U.S. Attorney’s office to support the nomination of Deputy Mirelez. He now joins the ranks of law enforcement officers across the nation who stood in the front lines to fight against crime and violence.”

Sheriff Binnewies stated: “It is a privilege to count Deputy Rudy Mirelez as a partner in our mission to protect the people of Mariposa County. He fearlessly responded when his fellow deputy was in danger. We will never know how many lives he may have saved by his courageous actions that day. I congratulate him on this well-deserved honor. His bravery will always be remembered and will serve as an inspiration to us all.”

Every day, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers engage in exceptional acts of bravery while in the line of duty. Often, such acts place the officers involved at personal risk of injury or result in their sustaining a physical injury. To honor these acts of bravery, Congress passed the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008, creating the Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery and the State and Local Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery. The act establishes an award to honor exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. The medals are awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General and are presented by the recipients' Congressional representatives.

On Thursday morning, October 1, 2015 at 5:44 a.m. veteran Mariposa County Sheriff’s Deputy Rudy Mirelez logged on early for duty, At approximately 6:01 a.m., Deputy Mirelez and Deputy Justin Sponhaltz heard radio traffic from another deputy involved in a vehicle pursuit heading in their direction. The pursuing deputy indicated that the suspect vehicle passed him traveling at speeds of 90 miles per hour. As the suspect vehicle approached their location, Deputy Sponhaltz pulled onto State Route 49 to prepare to support the pursuing deputy. The fleeing vehicle was approaching Deputy Sponholtz’ position at an extremely high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle then appeared to lose control and or intentionally collided into Deputy Sponhaltz’ patrol vehicle. This collision forced Deputy Sponhalz’ vehicle off of the highway up an embankment. The suspect vehicle was rendered disabled and spun to a stop in the middle of the lane.

Witnessing the collision, Deputy Mirelez pulled to a stop between Deputy Sponhaltz’ vehicle and the suspect vehicle in an attempt to protect the life of his partner. Deputy Mirelez exited his vehicle and was confronted by a 35-year-old man armed with a pistol. After a brief verbal exchange, ordering the driver to drop the pistol, gunfire erupted between the suspect and Deputy Mirelez. During the firefight, Deputy Mirelez sustained a direct gunshot wound to the face from the suspect’s .45-caliber gun. This traumatic injury caused Deputy Mirelez to fall to his knees. Knowing his partner and the community was in danger, Deputy Mirelez got back up and continued to engage the suspect with fire. Deputy Mirelez was then struck in the upper torso. The bullet passed above his ballistic vest panels and caused critical internal injuries.

Deputy Mirelez was able to keep the suspect engaged until his fellow deputies, Deputy Sheriff Tim Lemmons and Deputy Sheriff Michael King contacted and apprehend the suspect.

Sustaining life-threatening injuries, Deputy Mirelez was flown to a trauma hospital in Modesto where a surgery team was waiting. Less than 24 hours after this incident, Deputy Mirelez, barely alert, began asking about his partners. Due to the significant and critical injuries sustained, Deputy Mirelez was not able to speak and was unable to move without excruciating pain. Fighting through his pain, he asked for paper and a pen and wrote “Sponholtz.” He then held his hand up showing the number four, the universal law enforcement code for Code 4, meaning “no further assistance needed.” Throughout his recovery, Deputy Mirelez would focus more on healing those around him than his own being.

Less than 30 days after being shot twice Deputy Mirelez spoke to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors and community. Appearing in public, with his wife and family, with his facial injuries and protruding medical devices that held his jaw in place, he spoke about healing the community, thankfulness and his desire to get back to work protecting and serving the people of Mariposa County. Five months after having received multiple life-threatening injuries and having undergone multiple surgeries, Deputy Rudy Mirelez remains strong for his family and peers.

The investigation into the shooting, revealed the suspect was a well-trained U.S. combat veteran who served three tours in Iraq. The suspect, reportedly was “on a mission” to kill an unsuspecting Mariposa County resident unrelated to this event. Due to the courageous actions of Deputy Mirelez, at least one, and possibly many citizens’ lives were saved that morning.

Go to www.bja.gov/CBOB to learn more about the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.

LAS VEGAS, Nev.– A Las Vegas man was sentenced today to 75 months in prison for coercing and enticing two girls to travel from Oregon to Nevada to work as prostitutes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre for the District of Nevada.

Anthony Antonio Lewis, 20, pleaded guilty on March 7, 2017, to one count of coercion and enticement. Co-defendant Johnny Le Andrew Hudson, 19, pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, 2017, to coercion and enticement, and he was sentenced on May 2, 2017, to 87 months in prison. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over both of the sentencing hearings.

According to the plea agreement, Lewis admitted that, from Jan. 22 to 27, 2016, he coerced and enticed two minor girls to travel from Oregon to California and to Nevada to engage in prostitution. Lewis told one of the girls that by working as a prostitute she would be able to buy her own car, and that when she returned to Oregon, she would be able to get her own place to live. He advertised the girl through backpage.com, a website known for prostitution advertisements. The girl would give the money obtained through prostitution committed in California and Nevada to Hudson and Lewis.

The case was investigated by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Christopher Burton.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Gary Drago, 56, of Amherst, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with intimidation of a witness, and making a threatening communication to extort money. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 15, 2017, the FBI received a complaint from an individual (Victim 1) that the defendant was engaged in extortion with death threats against her and her husband (Victim 2). During an interview in the morning on May 19, 2017, the victims told special agents that Drago has been extorting Victim 2, a physician, and his medical practice for approximately four years. The complaint states that the defendant initially asked for smaller amounts of money in the form of loans, which he never repaid. Eventually, Victim 2 claims that Drago forcibly coerced him to enter into a business relationship and since that time, the defendant has consistently abused and threatened Victim 2 and his family. The alleged abuse included Drago forcing Victim 2 to withdrawal large sums of money.

On the afternoon of May 19, 2017, the defendant went to a medical office on Wehrle Drive in Williamsville, NY, where Victim 2 is employed. After talking with an employee in the parking lot, that employee went inside and ordered all patients in the building into the reception area, and all employees into the front office area. Drago then went inside and walked out with Victim 2 with his hand on Victim 2's neck. The complaint states that the defendant told patients that Victim 2 was done seeing patients for the day. As the two walked outside, Drago told Victim 2 to get in the car. 

In the evening of May 19, 2017, Victim 1 called the FBI and stated that she received a call from her husband who said he would not be coming home that night, and was being threatened by Drago. A special agent contacted Victim 2 by phone who stated, "everything is fine" and that what he and his wife previously told the FBI was "all a bunch of lies." Victim 2 terminated the call abruptly.

At approximately 9:05 p.m. that evening, law enforcement officers stopped Victim 2 and Drago’s vehicles, who at the time were traveling in separate vehicles. Victim 2 stated, "I was in fear of my life and my family's life and I did exactly what he told me to do.” The defendant was arrested the following day on May 20, 2017.

Drago made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder and is being detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen; the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief Herald Gill; the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Askey; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Steven Nigrelli; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Timothy Howard; and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of John Flynn. 

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

Portland, Maine: Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced that Alfred McIntosh, Jr., a/k/a “Bim,” 45, of Limington, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 12 years in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for distributing methadone.

According to court records, on June 1, 2012, McIntosh burglarized the residence of a family member and stole methadone. On June 7, 2012, he distributed some of the stolen methadone to Drew Conners who consumed some of it and passed away on June 8, 2012 from acute methadone toxicity.

This case results from an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Buxton, Windham and Portland Police Departments, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that Rarzell White, Jr. (30, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, throughout 2016, White engaged in a series of transactions with undercover detectives during which he sold them a variety of firearms, ammunition, and illegal narcotics. These transactions culminated on October 3, 2016, with the sale of approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine and a .40 caliber pistol to undercover officers.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stout.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, along with Daryl R. McCrary, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that Raymond Adams (29, St. Petersburg) has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Adams and others planned to break into a St. Petersburg residence to steal marijuana and later distribute it. Adams was armed with a 9-mm handgun during the attempted burglary and, when detected by law enforcement officers, he fled with his associates in a vehicle that later crashed. Adams then fled on foot and discarded the gun. Officers later recovered that firearm from a trash can.

At the time of the incident, Adams was a felon whose prior criminal history included a 2010 manslaughter conviction. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston, Jr.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, along with Daryl R. McCrary, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of the St. Petersburg Violent Crime Reduction Initiative.

Harrisonburg, VIRGINIA – A Winchester man, who routinely traveled to Baltimore and brought back large quantities of heroin to Winchester for distribution, was sentenced yesterday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg, Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle announced.

Joshua Dillon Burkhart, 27, of Winchester, Va., was sentenced yesterday to 108 months in federal prison. Burkhart previously pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

According to evidence presented by Assistant United States Attorney Erin M. Kulpa, should this matter have gone to trial, the United States would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt, that from approximately June 2014 and October 2014, Burkhart, and others, participated in a conspiracy to traffic large amounts of heroin from Baltimore to Winchester. Burkhart distributed at least 1,000 grams of heroin in the Winchester area during this time, using the previously convicted Christopher Giles, and others, as his Baltimore sources of supply.

Throughout the life of the conspiracy, Burkhart traveled to Baltimore one or two times per month to purchase heroin. He paid $100 per gram of heroin and the most he ever purchased per trip was 110 grams of heroin.

Burkhart sold heroin to customers in and around Winchester in quantities ranging from one-half gram to one gram per sale. He sold the heroin for $240 per gram. Burkhart knew that some of his customers were sub-distributors.

The investigation of the case was conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, which is comprised of the Virginia State Police, the Winchester Police Department, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, the Front Royal Police Department, the Strasburg Police Department, the Page County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Erin M. Kulpa prosecuted the case for the United States.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Berkeley County residents are named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Martinsburg, West Virginia on May 16, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

Faith Wilson, age 26, and Karlo “Jake” Sinclair, age 28, both of Bunker Hill, West Virginia were each indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance,” one count of “Distribution of a Controlled Substance,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance.”

Wilson was also indicted on one count of “Distribution of Controlled Substance in Proximity of a Protected Location.”

The crimes are alleged to have occurred from the September 2015 to October 2016 in Berkeley County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating.

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to supplying heroin and fentanyl to traffickers in Taunton and surrounding communities.

Jonathan Ruiz, 33, a Dominican national residing in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. has not yet scheduled sentencing.

In April 2016, Ruiz was arrested and charged in a superseding indictment along with 25 others, who had been charged the previous October, in connection with a heroin trafficking ring operating primarily in southeastern Massachusetts.  Ruiz trafficked in narcotics from Lawrence, supplying distributers in Taunton, Fall River and other locations. The charges are the result of a 15-month investigation into heroin and fentanyl trafficking in Taunton and surrounding communities, which have seen a steep increase in overdoses and related deaths since 2013.

Ruiz and co-defendants, Dedwin Cruz-Rivera, a heroin supplier based in Taunton, Manuel Romero-Gonsalez, a heroin supplier based in Providence, R.I., and Eric Matos, a heroin and fentanyl supplier based in Lawrence, supplied co-conspirators, Oniel Rivera, Cory Nickerson, and Maria Elena Ocasio, among others, with heroin and occasionally fentanyl for distribution. Ruiz also supplied fentanyl and heroin to Cruz-Rivera.

More than half of the conspirators charged have pleaded guilty, including Matos, Ocasio, and Nickerson, whose sentencings are scheduled throughout June 2017; and eight of the defendants have already been sentenced, including Romero-Gonsalez. Cruz-Rivera pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Ruiz will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Kanwit, Karen Beausey, Katherine Ferguson and Ann Taylor of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the cases.

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two New York men and a woman from Washington, D.C. are named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Clarksburg, West Virginia on May 2, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen announced.

Named in the indictment are Derrick Sutton, of New York, New York, age 30;  James Latrell Roach, of Bronx, New York, age 48; and Britney Robinson, of Washington, D.C., age 27. All three were indicted on one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin,” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride.”

Sutton was also indicted on six counts of “Distribution of Cocaine Base,” one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base in Proximity of Protected Location,” two counts of “Distribution of Heroin,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.”

Roach was additionally indicted one count of “Distribution of Heroin,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Heroin.”

Robinson was also indicted on one count of one count of “Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises.”

The crimes are alleged to have occurred from the spring of 2016 to March 7, 2017 in Monongalia County and elsewhere in the Northern District of West Virginia.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that an Independence, Mo., man previously charged with producing child pornography has been indicted by a federal grand jury on additional charges of child sexual exploitation of five additional child victims.

Travis Howard White, 24, of Independence, was charged in an 11-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, June 2, 2017. The indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint filed against White on May 10, 2017.

White is charged with enticing a minor (identified as Minor Victim 1) to engage in illicit sexual activity from Feb. 5, 2016, to March 1, 2017. The indictment also charges White with two counts of using Minor Victim 1 to produce child pornography. White also is charged with two counts of transferring obscene material to Minor Victim 1, including numerous images depicting horses and dogs engaged in sexual activity with humans.

The indictment also charges White with one count of receiving child pornography over the Internet and five counts of transferring obscene material to a minor under the age of 16, which occurred from August 2016 to January 2017. These charges are related to five additional child victims.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began when law enforcement agents learned Minor Victim 1 was living with White. She told investigators that she met White online in January 2016, when she was 13 years old and living in Kansas. They began “sexting” and exchanging sexually explicit nude photographs, she said. When she and her mother moved to Kansas City, Mo., in September 2016, they stayed at a hotel for a few days before her mother returned to Kansas and left her with White. The victim was placed in emergency police protective custody on March 1, 2017.

Investigators found numerous Facebook messages between White and the victim. Their conversations were of a sexual nature, the affidavit says, including instructions from White to the victim about what sorts of pictures to take and what sort of activity to engage in. The victim allegedly sent White several sexually explicit images of herself, the affidavit says, and White in turn sent her a nude image of himself. White also sent the victim approximately three dozen images depicting horses and dogs engaged in the sexually explicit abuse of females of varying and indeterminate age, according to the affidavit.

White told investigators he engaged in sexual activity with the victim at numerous locations in the metropolitan area, the affidavit says. White said he engaged in similar sexual discussions with approximately “50 to 100” other females, a number of whom were underage, via Facebook and other means.

Larson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Daly. It was investigated by the FBI.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the return of an indictment charging Oniel Christopher Russell, a/k/a OG Russell (39), a Jamaica national, with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and felony assault on a federal officer. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum penalty of 18years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Russell last entered the United States on October 29, 2008, as a non-immigrant visitor for pleasure with subsequent authorization to remain within the United States until January 3, 2009. However, he failed to depart and remained in the country without any lawful immigration status. On August 24, 2013, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office found Russell in possession of a Ruger firearm. In October 2016, Russell threatened to kill an employee with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services over the telephone, after posting a video of himself called “cop killer” on YouTube. When officers with ICE subsequently attempted to execute an administrative warrant for his arrest, Russell attempted to flee back into a residence. As the deportation officer was attempting to handcuff him and place him under arrest, Russell pulled the officer into a wall and started dragging him towards the house. Russell was eventually taken into custody.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christina R. Downes, who is on assignment from ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.

An indictment was unsealed today, charging defendant Michael Milchin, 37, of Philadelphia, PA, with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and five counts of health care fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. In addition, the indictment charges Milchin and the 13 defendants listed below with one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone:

Each of the 13 defendants listed above is also charged with one count of distribution of oxycodone. In addition, Milchin is charged with fifteen counts of possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute.

According to the indictment, Milchin became involved in two criminal agreements: first, from approximately June 2010 until approximately July 2012, a conspiracy to commit health care fraud with a chiropractor, John Vira, who is charged elsewhere; and second, from approximately May 2012 until approximately March 2015, a separate conspiracy with the other 13 charged defendants listed above, to distribute oxycodone.

Concerning the health care fraud conspiracy and substantive health care fraud charges, the indictment alleges that Milchin, who is not a medical professional, was the business manager at Vira’s office, Central Bucks Health Associates, located in Southampton PA. The indictment charges that Milchin and Vira worked together to defraud private insurance companies, Independence Blue Cross and Aetna, Inc., by billing those insurers more than $700,000 for chiropractic services that were never provided.

Concerning the drug distribution charges, the indictment alleges that Milchin conspired with the 13 defendants listed above to fill hundreds of fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone at various pharmacies in and around Philadelphia. Milchin then sold the fraudulently obtained pills to others. The indictment charges that while the fraudulent prescriptions purported to be written by a physician with Central Bucks Health Associates, the physician in question had no affiliation with Central Bucks Health Associates and never authorized any of the prescriptions.

"The exploitation of the healthcare system through fraudulent claims for personal gain affects all of us who rely on that system,” said Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. “The trafficking of oxycodone completely devastates individuals, their families and all of our communities. We remain dedicated to prosecuting those who illegally exploit the healthcare system and fuel the opioid epidemic.”

If convicted, defendant Michael Milchin faces a maximum possible sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of health care fraud. In addition, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and 20 years’ imprisonment for each count of distributing oxycodone or possessing oxycodone with the intent to distribute. Milchin also faces full restitution on the health care fraud charges.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Kay Costello.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

BOSTON - A Brazilian national was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with illegally reentering the United States after being deported. 

Henrique Ortmayer, 23, a Brazilian national residing in Boston, was encountered by police in April 2017 and arrested on open state warrants.  Ortmayer’s fingerprints revealed he was in the United States illegally and had been previously deported in November 2015.  

The charge of illegal reentry after deportation provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Ortmayer will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. The Danvers Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

Two Trumbull County men were indicted for stealing an Army Humvee, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Austin Bollinger, 22, of Brookfield, was indicted on one count each of theft of government property and receiving stolen government property. Daniel Thompson, 22, of Girard, was indicted on one count of receiving stolen government property.

Bollinger stole a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), Model M1165A1, from government property on March 18, according to the indictment.

From March 19 to March 24, 2017, Bollinger and Thompson retained and concealed the stolen HMMWV, with the intent to convert the vehicle for Bollinger’s own use, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka pizza shop owner and nine other people have been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today.

A 35-count indictment unsealed Thursday alleges Adolfo Barragan-Rodriguez, owner of Pronto Pizza at 1121 SE 6th Ave. in Topeka, set up a trafficking organization that obtained methamphetamine from California and distributed it to buyers through a network of street dealers in Topeka.

The indictment alleges:

• Barragan-Rodriguez used his restaurant as a front for the drug trafficking organization. Investigators kept conspirators under surveillance as they came and went from Pronto Pizza with packages.

• Barragan-Rodriguez, who was known by the conspirators as Big Mike, managed the logistics of buying pounds of methamphetamine in California and shipping the drugs to Topeka, leaving other conspirators to handle street sales to users.

• Barragan-Rodriguez used Federal Express as a tool for his trafficking operation. For instance, a 4-pound package of meth and a package containing $14,900 in cash that were transported via Federal Express were seized during the investigation.

• Conspirators laundered drug proceeds through transactions at the Prairie Band Pottawattamie Casino north of Topeka.

• One of the defendants is charged with unlawful possession of 92 firearms.

• Some drugs were stored at a location within 1,000 feet of Mater Dei Catholic School.

   

Charges in the indictment include conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, interstate transportation in furtherance of drug trafficking, use of a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 of a school, money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms.

In addition to Barragan-Rodriguez, defendants named in the indictment include:

Michelle Belair, 34, Topeka.

Jose Medina-Benuto, 20, Topeka.

Michael Price, 42, Topeka.

Joseph Jones, 41, Topeka.

Linda Hardin, 48, Topeka.

Heather Hurley, 29, Topeka.

Daniel A. Rice, 57, Topeka.

Nicholas Casarona, 41, Topeka.

Jose Ruiz, 37, Topeka.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties (see attached indictment for details):

Counts 1, 10, 11, 30, 32: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

Counts 7 and 20: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

Counts 4, 6, 9, 13, 18 and 31: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

Count 35: Not less than a year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.

Count 12: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Counts 2, 3 and 5: Up to 20 years and a fine of more than $500,000.

Count 8: Up to 10 years and a fine of more than $500,000.

Counts 14-17 and 21-29: Up to four years.

Count 34: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

Count 35: Up to 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Topeka Police Department with assistance from the Shawnee County Sherriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the ATF, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced today that Ann German, age 58, of Peever, South Dakota, pled guilty to one count of an Indictment charging her with Conspiracy to Commit Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization.

Indictment was filed October 6, 2015, charging German, along with Carrie Godfrey, a/k/a Carrie His Gun, a/k/a Carrie Kampeska, age 50, of Sisseton; Gerald German, Jr., age 46, of Peever; Calvin Max, Sr., age 50, of Sisseton; Gerald Heminger, Jr., age 58, of Sisseton; and Colette White, age 57, of Peever, with a conspiracy that began in June 2010, and continued through March 2013, to embezzle funds from the Big Coulee District of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe. German was also charged with one count of Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, and the other defendants were charged with two counts of that offense.

All of the defendants except Calvin Max, Sr. have pled guilty to at least one count of the Indictment.

German was the District Coordinator of the Big Coulee District, and the other defendants were executive board members of the District.

The District has several types of assistance that District members can apply for and receive, including home repair and emergency repair. The Indictment alleges that German, and the others, stole money from the District by writing themselves checks and/or receiving checks for false home repair and emergency repair assistance payments. In this manner, German and her co-defendants stole over $80,000 from the District. German received at least $3,000 of the stolen funds.

Each count of the Indictment carries a maximum possible sentence of 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.

German is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2017.

The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include: Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner.

Johnathan Guggolz, age 41, was indicted on May 16, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on May 30, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on March 22, 2017, Guggolz knowingly assaulted his significant other with shod feet, with the assault resulting in substantial injury.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.

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

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of Firearms by a Prohibited Person.

Ehab Abdulmutta Jaber, age 46, was indicted on May 9, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 19, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The Indictment charges Jaber with unlawfully possessing five firearms between April 9, 2017, and April 21, 2017. It is alleged that Jaber cannot legally possess firearms because he is an unlawful user of, and addicted to, a controlled substance.

The charge is merely an accusation and Jaber is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Criminal Chief Dennis R. Holmes is prosecuting the case.

Jaber was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, which has been set for July 25, 2017.