ABINGDON, Va. – A Carroll County woman pleaded guilty today to Supplemental Security Income fraud after receiving disability benefits for more than two years for which she was not entitled.

According to court documents, Jessica Lynn Hawks, previously known as Jessica Lynn Wardwell, 37, received benefits from the Social Security Administration for which she was not entitled. Hawks admitted today that from February 7, 2014 to August 1, 2016, she received $21,858 in Supplemental Security Income disability benefits of behalf of a minor child that was no longer in her custody. Hawks agreed under penalty of perjury that she would use all disability benefits made to her as the representative payee for her minor child’s needs.  She also agreed to notify the Social Security Administration of any change in her child’s living arrangements or care.  However, when Hawks lost custody of her child in February 2014, she never informed the Social Security Administration that the minor child was no longer in her care and instead converted the disability benefits she received on the minor’s behalf for her own benefit.

Hawks pleaded guilty to knowingly and willfully converting Supplemental Security Income disability benefits received for the use and benefit of another, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 1383a(a)(4). She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2021 and faces a period of incarceration of zero to six months, pursuant to a written plea agreement entered with the government. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The Office of the Inspector General – Social Security Administration is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher is prosecuting the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Aaron Rex, 57, of Oroville, charging him with two counts of distributing heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Rex distributed heroin on two occasions in 2020.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Butte County Interagency Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Pearson is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Rex faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison on each distribution count and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Marco Guzman, 32, of Stockton, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 1, 2021, Guzman possessed a Glock Model 27 pistol. Guzman has been convicted of multiple felony offenses in San Joaquin County Superior Court and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Stockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Pearson is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Guzman faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was part of Operation Ceasefire in the city of Stockton. The U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office and the Stockton Police Department to deliver on Ceasefire’s mission to establish a peaceful community by investigating and prosecuting members and associates of criminal groups who continue to commit serious and violent felonies in the city, including individuals who have previously been prosecuted for illegal gun and gang-related crimes.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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. 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.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that eight individuals have been charged for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking ring.

On June 7, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances:

TAJH WILEY, a.k.a. “Yung,” 25, of Norwalk
KENSTON HARRY, 40, of Bloomfield
JEVAUGHN WATSON, a.k.a. “Russ,” 27, of Ansonia
MYRON BROWN, a.k.a. “Farid,” 47, of Chester, Pennsylvania
SASHERY FELIZ, 26, of Yonkers, New York
PETER MUNOZ, a.k.a. Peter Escalante-Munoz, 33, of Bridgeport
CHARLES RICHARDSON, a.k.a. “Uncle Charles,” 67, of Bridgeport
DESTINY WADE, 27, of Norwalk           

Seven of the eight defendants were arrested yesterday.  Brown has been in state custody in Pennsylvania.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone revealed that he led a drug trafficking organization that has distributed large quantities of cocaine and marijuana in Connecticut and elsewhere.

In association with yesterday’s arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine, approximately 260 grams of fentanyl, approximately 50 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 30 pounds of marijuana, two kilogram presses and others items used to process and package narcotics, 11 firearms, three high-capacity magazines, approximately 500 rounds of ammunition, three high-end automobiles, more than $250,000 in jewelry, and approximately $25,000 in cash.

“We are committed to using federal law enforcement resources to prosecute those responsible for flooding our communities with illegal drugs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle.  “We thank the DEA, all of their task force members, and our other local law enforcement partners for sharing in this commitment and their great work on this investigation.

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling violent poly drug trafficking organizations, like this one, operating throughout the state of Connecticut,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Boyle.  “These enforcement actions with our federal, state and local partners show what happens when law enforcement works together.”

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fairfield Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Danbury Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty and Elena L. Coronado through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

A west Texas man was sentenced today to 365 months in federal prison for abducting a 9-year-old girl from a birthday party, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.

Damien Dre Gonzales, 27, of Levelland, Texas pleaded guilty in February to one count of kidnapping.  He was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.

According to plea papers, Mr. Gonzales admitted to abducting a 9-year old girl at a birthday party in Levelland, Texas to engage in illicit sexual intercourse.

During the birthday party in August 2020, a woman began choking and most of the attendees went to assist with her sudden health emergency.  While the minor’s father was attending to the woman, Mr. Gonzales lured the 9-year-old away by asking for her help carrying alcohol to his vehicle. Mr. Gonzales encouraged the girl to get inside the vehicle and then he drove away.

The girl’s disappearance set off a frantic search by her family and those at the birthday party.  They notified law enforcement and replayed home surveillance footage that showed the 9-year-old leaving with Mr. Gonzales.

About that same time, the Levelland Police Department received a report of a vehicle parked in the middle of the street several miles from the location of the birthday party.  Mr. Gonzales hit a residential mailbox and stopped in the road.  While in the car, Mr. Gonzales sexually assaulted the girl by removing her clothes and touching her.

When law enforcement arrived on the scene to investigate the parked car, they discovered the girl inside. Officers noticed that Mr. Gonzales’ jeans were unzipped, and his belt was unbuckled.  Inside Mr. Gonzales’ car was an open box of condoms sitting in the passenger seat and one condom was missing from the box.

The victim was immediately reunited with her parents and provided psychological and medical support.

The FBI Lubbock Resident Agency, Levelland Police Department, and Hockley County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case.

PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Danielle Sebenick, 29, of Glenside, PA, was sentenced to seven years in prison, and ten years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Petrese B. Tucker for her distribution and possession of child pornography.

In May 2019, the defendant pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an investigation into her trafficking in videos of child pornography on the internet during November 2018, while she was employed at Kids First Swim School in Jenkintown, PA.

Authorities identified Sebenick as the administrator of an online site that was dedicated to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. She used the online site to communicate with other child sex offenders and to traffic in child pornography. At the time that she committed these crimes, Sebenick was six months’ pregnant with her first child; during her online communications with other child sex offenders, Sebenick discussed her plans to sexually abuse her baby as soon as she gave birth. Fortunately, Sebenick was identified by law enforcement, arrested, and incarcerated.  She gave birth in prison and the child was placed in the custody of family members.

“Not only did this defendant commit the heinous crime of possessing and distributing child pornography, but she did so while employed at a business that caters to children and while threatening to sexually abuse her own baby,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “The thought of a mother bringing a child into the world with the plan to abuse him or her, a helpless infant, is almost unfathomable. She will now spend years behind bars where she no longer poses a threat to our community.”

“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s crimes and the irrevocable damage she caused,” said Brian A. Michael, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia. “Homeland Security Investigations will continue to work collectively with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who commit the heinous crime of possessing and distributing child pornography.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Abington Police Department, and the Montgomery County Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly Harrell and Michelle Rotella.

NEWARK, N.J. – Avis Budget Group Inc. (Avis Budget), which includes its wholly-owned brands Avis Car Rental, Budget Car Rental, and Payless Car Rental, will pay $10.1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overcharging the United States in connection with rental vehicles, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

According to the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement:

Avis Budget made false claims in connection with obtaining payments under an agreement with the United States managed by the Department of Defense Travel Management Office. From Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2019, Avis Budget submitted false claims and received payment from the United States for unallowable supplemental charges to car rentals, including collision damage waiver/loss damage waiver insurance; supplemental liability coverage/additional liability insurance; personal accident insurance; personal effects coverage/personal effects protection; and late turn-in fees. In addition to being unallowable, some of the fees Avis Budget charged were already included in the government rental rate.  

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty; Regional Agent in Charge for the New Jersey Resident Agency, Richard Monticello; Regional Agent in Charge for the St. Louis Resident Agency, Mitch Berry, and personnel of the Department of Defense, Defense Travel Management Office, under the direction of Director William R. Mansell Jr., with the investigation leading to the settlement.

The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark C. Orlowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Donald Thompson, 43, of Scottdale, Georgia, was arrested and charged by Complaint and Warrant on charges of maliciously conveying false information about an explosive, and false information and hoaxes. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of fifteen years in prison. 

The Complaint alleges that on May 27, 2021, defendant Donald Thompson called into the Lehigh Valley International Airport, Operations Division, located in Allentown, PA, stated that he had a disagreement with his daughter S.T., and claimed she was taking marijuana to an individual in St. Croix aboard a Delta flight. After a short discussion, the Operations Division transferred him to the Delta counter. 

The Complaint further alleges that the defendant proceeded to ask a Delta supervisory representative for information about S.T. and her travel. When the Delta representative declined to share the requested information, the defendant allegedly explained that his daughter was trying to smuggle drugs to St. Croix, asked about Delta’s procedures, and asked if they could get his daughter off the airplane. The Delta representative responded that Delta did have a protocol but that it could not be shared with the caller. As alleged, the caller became irate, identified himself as S.T.’s father Donald Thompson, asked what the Delta representative would do if  “I told you there was a bomb on the plane,” and hung up the phone. 

The Delta representative immediately called law enforcement and corporate security. The airplane was on the tarmac at the time, and the passengers and crew were swiftly deplaned. A search team and bomb dog were deployed to the airplane, and S.T. was screened and questioned by a Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority detective. No drugs or bombs were located on the airplane or on S.T.’s person or luggage.

Donald Thompson was arrested on June 9, 2021 in Georgia and had his initial appearance that same day.  A detention hearing has been scheduled for June 14, 2021 in the Northern District of Georgia, after which the defendant will come to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to face the charges.

“As a result of this defendant's alleged conduct, law enforcement resources were diverted to respond to what they believed was an imminent, terrifying threat to everyone on the plane and in the airport,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “As this case exemplifies, bomb threats – even hoax bomb threats such as the one alleged to have been made by this defendant – are no laughing matter; they are federal crimes with serious consequences.”

“The FBI and our partners take all threats of violence seriously. With lives potentially at risk, we have to,” said Michael J. Driscoll, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Hoax threats consume law enforcement resources needed for actual emergencies and cause serious disruptions for the locations and people targeted. Anyone who pulls something like this should expect the FBI to come knocking. It’s a crime and you will be held accountable.”

The case was investigated by Allentown Resident Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary A. Futcher.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an Ocean View, Delaware woman with embezzling more than $1 million dollars from her former employer.

According to the indictment, Joan Donald, 54, worked as a bookkeeper for Dovetail, Inc., a high-end interior design company based in Bethany Beach, Delaware.  Over the course of at least 7 years, Donald took advantage of her access to the company’s financial account information, as well as the ailing health of Dovetail’s elderly owner, to drain funds from Dovetail.  Bank records show that Donald used Dovetail’s funds to pay for her personal expenses, including purchasing vehicles and taking trips to Disneyworld.

U.S. Attorney Weiss commented on the charges, “This defendant abused her position of trust and took advantage of a vulnerable, elderly victim.  After financing her lifestyle with stolen funds for years, the time has come for her to answer for her actions.” 

Donald is charged with wire fraud and tax evasion. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. 

The FBI Baltimore Division’s Dover Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Bethany Beach Police Department, conducted the investigation in this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Howland is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Lucchese Crime Family was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for planning and carrying out an aggravated assault on the husband of one of the former stars of the Bravo television show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

John Perna, 44, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to Count One of an indictment charging him with committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today by videoconference. The indictment also charges Thomas Manzo, 56, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

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

In the spring of 2015, Manzo, one of the owners of the Brownstone Restaurant in Paterson, New Jersey, and the ex-husband of the Bravo star, hired Perna to assault his ex-wife’s new boyfriend (now husband) in exchange for a deeply discounted wedding reception to be held at Manzo’s upscale Passaic County venue. Perna, who is a member of the Lucchese Crime Family, planned and carried out the assault on July 18, 2015, with the help of a member of his crew. Perna was armed with a “slapjack” during the assault. In exchange for committing the assault, Perna held a lavish wedding reception at Manzo’s restaurant a month later for a fraction of the price he would otherwise have paid. The reception was attended by over 330 guests, many of whom were members of the Lucchese Crime Family.

In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Perna to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $17,816 in restitution.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

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

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

Memphis, TN – Billy Drain, 38, has pleaded guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., announced the guilty plea today.

According to information presented in court, on February 24, 2020, the victim, J.K., advised that a male suspect who he knew as "Eric" asked him for a ride. The victim recognized Eric as the brother of a friend who had recently passed away. The suspect was accompanied by an unknown female. The victim drove the suspects to various locations in Memphis, when they decided to carjack the victim. The male suspect pulled out a silver 9mm handgun and pointed it at the victim and said, "mane get out the car right now or I'll kill you." The suspects drove off with his car, a silver 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, his phone, and house keys.

On March 15, 2020, officers and deputies in Yazoo City, Mississippi, observed Drain, (who was known to them to have outstanding warrants), driving a silver 2008 PT Cruiser. They engaged in a vehicle pursuit, when Drain attempted to ram the police vehicles. Ultimately, Drain crashed the vehicle and ran towards a nearby house. Once inside the home, Drain grabbed a 1-year-old baby, holding the baby hostage as the police attempted to arrest him. Drain was holding the baby by the throat and a cell phone to the baby's head, as if the phone was a weapon. Law enforcement safely recovered the baby and subdued Drain.

The vehicle Drain wrecked was determined to be the same vehicle stolen from the victim J.K. who later identified Drain as the suspect. Drain's full name is Billy Voneric Drain. Charges in Mississippi against Drain are still pending.

On June 9, 2021, Drain entered a guilty plea to both charges in the indictment.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Jon P. McCalla.

This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth J. Rogers and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel D. Winnig are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Winnig is currently assigned from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office for the purpose of prosecuting violent crimes and firearms offenses in federal court.

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MYRTLE BEACH, SC --- Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced today that a Federal Grand Jury has returned a multi-count indictment charging several Myrtle Beach businesses, business owners, and business managers with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and visa fraud.  Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart is also calling for the public’s assistance to identify additional victims to the conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that Raja Imran Younas – the registered agent, president, and chief executive of Grandeur Management, Inc; the registered agent and Chief Financial Officer of Premier Laundry and Linen Supply LLC; the registered agent of Cenet USA LLC; and a 50% interest member of Hospitality Service Group LLC; Syed Rehan Naqvi, the registered agent and organizer of Rida Naqvi LLC; Jessica Voight, an employee of Grandeur Management; Hospitality Service Group LLC and the aforementioned businesses devised a scheme to defraud workers outside the United States to work for the defendants.  It is alleged that the conspirators not only submitted false and fraudulent visa petitions but also mispresented the positions, duties, rates of pay, working conditions, and living conditions to collect unauthorized and improper fees from aliens seeking H-2B nonimmigrant visas. 

According to the indictment, the conspirators would and did use separate accounts in order to pay employees differently based on their current nonimmigration or alien status in the United States.  It is also alleged that, despite promising the workers full-time work, the conspirators provided less than full-time work and consistently paid the workers less than the amount states in the workers’ contracts and in the applications the defendants submitted to the United States Department of Labor and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The indictment further alleges that part of the conspiracy is the  misrepresentation that the conspirators maintain an established international cultural exchange program designed, on the whole, to exhibit or explain the attitude, customs, history, heritage, philosophy, traditions, and/or other cultural attributes (arts, literature, language) of the participant’s country of nationality in order to obtain authorization to sponsor Q-1 visas; when, in fact, once the nonimmigrant employees arrived in the United States, they were placed by their visa sponsors into inward facing housekeeping jobs, with no real opportunities for cultural exchange.

According to the indictment – Younas and Naqvi signed petitions for alien workers containing material misrepresentations; Voight and others conducted interviews with the alien workers over the internet and instructed them on how to wire unlawful visa fees charged by the conspirators; and collected the unlawful fees.  The indictment further alleges that Hospitality Service Group, Rida Naqvi, Grandeur Management, Cenet, USA and Premier Laundry and Linen Supply did not provide the hours and wages promised to the workers in their contracts or represented in their applications to the Department of Labor and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services.  Hospitality Service Group is also charged with petitioning for individuals who never worked for the company.

The maximum penalty the defendants could receive is twenty years imprisonment.

“Our nation’s visa system is an asset that provides much-needed resources to our communities and valuable opportunities to foreign workers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart.  “Those in South Carolina who exploit the system and its workers will be brought to justice by our office, while we rescue and restore victims in the process.”

“While the allegations in the indictment speak for themselves, our office is seeking the public’s assistance to identify all potential victims,” continued Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart.  “If you and/or someone you know may have been victimized by the defendants’ alleged scheme, please contact our coordinated support services at traffickingtips@state.gov.”

“The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is committed to protecting the integrity of H-2B, B-2, and Q-1 visas, and all U.S. visas and travel documents that assist U.S. companies to legally employ foreign workers,” said DSS Special Agent in Charge Edwin Guard of the Washington Field Office.  “This case is the result of working with the U.S. Department of Justice and our other law enforcement partners to interdict visa and passport crimes and stop criminals from reaping illegal income by exploiting U.S. visas, passports, and foreign workers.”

“The Myrtle Beach Police Department, along with our community, remain committed to holding persons who victimize anyone here in Myrtle Beach accountable for their crimes,” said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock.  “This case and these arrests demonstrate our commitment and the partnerships we have with our federal law enforcement colleagues.  We are here to help and will always stand up for those who need us.”

The case was investigated by special agents of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and the Myrtle Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Fisher Sherard is prosecuting the case. 

Acting United States Attorney DeHart stated that all charges in indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BOSTON – Fifteen members and associates of a Lowell-based gang, One Family Clique (OFC), have been charged, and 14 were arrested today, for allegedly perpetrating large-scale and long-running drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies. In the course of the investigation, agents seized or purchased approximately 2.32 kilograms of cocaine, 10.78 kilograms of methamphetamine, 41 grams of fentanyl, 30 grams of MDMA, 513 grams of heroin, $104,396 in cash and three firearms. One defendant remains a fugitive.

As alleged in court documents, in August 2018, law enforcement began investigating OFC in response to a dramatic spike in shootings and gang violence in Lowell. OFC is an alliance between several gangs in and around Lowell with ties to gangs in California and other states. Sarath Yut is the founder and leader of OFC and also a member of the subgroup, Crazy Mob Family gang. In 2018 and 2019, at least 12 incidents of gunfire in the Lowell area are alleged to be attributable to gang-motivated hostilities between OCF and its rivals.

Since at least 2019, Yut, and co-defendants allegedly used the U.S. Postal Service to receive shipments of illegal narcotics, and, in return, to ship cash proceeds to Yut’s sources of supply. It is alleged that Yut maintained stash houses in Lowell, which also served as venues for gang meetings and other events furthering the gang’s illegal activities. In addition, controlled purchases of drugs and a firearm were made from defendants Virak Prum, Peouveasnah Pin and Sambo Buth.

 It is further alleged that, in August 2019, Pin and Buth dealt in counterfeit money, by providing “protection” to a cooperating witness, who purported to purchase $100,000 of counterfeit U.S. currency from an undercover agent. Buth and Pin transferred and delivered the counterfeit currency from Cambridge, Mass. to New Hampshire, where it was received by another undercover agent. In a May 2021 undercover operation, defendants Prum, Pin, Samoeun Kem and Richard Sam, allegedly provided “protection” to a shipment, purportedly of drug money from Europe, from black tar heroin sales. The defendants helped pack a shipment of money into a truck and escorted it from New York to New Hampshire.   

“We allege that leaders and members of the One Family Clique trafficked drugs and firearms, contributing to the kind of violence we all know destroys communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “The Lowell Police Department is committed to defending its community, so they joined with federal and state law enforcement partners to conduct an investigation that yielded targeted arrests of key people who we allege were promoting drug distribution and violence in Lowell. The residents of Lowell will enjoy a safer summer thanks to the work of investigators and our prosecutors.”

“Operation Street Roulette is another example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners work together to dismantle large-scale criminal enterprises that endanger our communities. With today’s removal of illegal narcotics, firearms, and these 15 members and associates of One Family Clique from the streets, the citizens of Lowell are immediately safer,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We believe this crew jeopardized public safety, and steadily poisoned the parts of Lowell they controlled, dealing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, while conspiring to launder their profits to hide what they were doing. We will not cede our cities to drug pushers who have absolutely no regard for the harm and violence they bring into our neighborhoods, and the FBI will stop at nothing to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who try to fill the void left by today’s arrests.”

“In August of 2018, when I was appointed as Superintendent, I vowed to stop the violence in our city,” said Lowell Police Superintendent Kelly Richardson. “Knowing that most of the violence stemmed from illegal drug activity, and knowing that many involved had gone underground, I made it a top priority. Without hesitation the FBI, along with our officers, began a deep and protracted investigation that has led to today's arrests. I would like to thank the FBI and our partner investigative agencies for their ingenuity, tenacity and dedication. This investigation highlights the importance of partnerships. It not only strengthened this partnership but also, most importantly, has made this city safer for its residents, students and visitors.”

“Drug trafficking organizations exist for one reason: to make money,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office.  “By targeting their finances with today’s investigative actions, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are dismantling these dangerous groups that wreak havoc on our communities.”

“Today’s arrests reflect the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners to disrupt Drug Trafficking Organizations in our communities,” said Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Using the U.S. Mail to facilitate drug trafficking and the associated proceeds, will not be tolerated. We will continue to preserve the integrity of the U.S. Mail while also protecting our employees and the American public.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling violent poly drug trafficking organizations like these operating in the Greater Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Division. “As we all know, drug trafficking in our communities, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to our families and communities. This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.”

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, MDMA, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for mandatory minimum sentences of five and 10 years and up to life in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, a fine of up to $10 million and forfeiture of assets traceable to the trafficking offenses. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $500,000, or twice the amount of the property involved, whichever is greater, and forfeiture of assets traceable to the laundering offenses. The charge of dealing in counterfeit obligations and securities provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $ 250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta, Lowell Police Superintendent Richardson, IRS-CI Acting SAC Covington, USPIS Acting Inspector McCallister and DEA Boston SAC Boyle made the announcement. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Merrimack Valley Transnational Organized Crime Task Force and assistance was provided by the DEA-San Jose Task Force and Long Beach and Santa Clara (California) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Moran, Fred Wyshak, III, and Alexandra Amhrein of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

APPENDIX

The following defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury:

1. Sarath Yut, a/k/a “Black,” 34, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, MDMA, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine;
2. Virak Prum, a/k/a “Polo,” 34, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA and 500 grams or more of cocaine;
3. Peouveasnah Pin, a/k/a “Poe,” 31, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy, dealing in counterfeit obligations or securities and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA and 500 grams or more of cocaine;
4. Sambo Buth, a/k/a “Chewy,” 31, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy, dealing in counterfeit obligations or securities and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, MDMA and 40 grams or more of fentanyl;
5. Sambath Lay, a/k/a “G,” 34, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
6. Mark Yin, a/k/a “Markass,” 30 of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
7. Christopher Phann, a/k/a “Kree,” 29, of Medford, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
8. Darasy Chhim, a/k/a “Mystickal,” 35, of Lowell, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
9. Sriphan Keomany, a/k/a “C-Pon,” 43, of Lowell, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
10. Vongnaroth Proeung, a/k/a “Sunny,” 32 of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
11. Victory Thorn, 34, of Hudson, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
12. Chomroeun Keo, a/k/a “Shrek,” 38, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
13. Gaius Monteyro, a/k/a “G-Made,” 36 of Lowell, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA;
14. Samoeun Kem, a/k/a “Crazy One,” 35, of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy; and
15. Richard Sam, a/k/a “Lil Stomper,” 30 of Lowell, was charged with money laundering conspiracy.

GREAT FALLS – A Canadian truck driver admitted to a drug trafficking crime today after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found 211 pounds of cocaine in a trailer load of load of bananas during an inspection as the driver was attempting to enter Canada, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Gurpal Singh Gill, 39, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine as charged in a superseding information. Gill faces a mandatory minimum five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Sept. 30. Gill was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that on Jan. 30, CBP officers at the Sweetgrass Port of Entry, in Toole County, were targeting commercial drivers destined for Canada from the United States. At about 8 p.m., officers observed a freightliner semi-truck with Alberta license plates traveling north on Interstate 15 at the Sweetgrass Port of Entry. Officers identified Gill as the driver and sole occupant of the semi-truck. Upon initial inspection, officers learned Gill was transporting a load of fresh bananas from California to Calgary. However, a missing rear seal on the truck’s trailer led to a secondary inspection. Officers observed seven unmarked boxes sitting on top of bananas in the back of the trailer. The unmarked boxes were a different color and size from the boxes of bananas. Officers opened the boxes and found a white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine. An analysis by the Drug Enforcement Administration determined the packages contained about 211 pounds of cocaine.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Renul Forbes a/k/a “Michael Renul,”, age 32, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to false personation of a U.S. Marshal, an officer of the United States.    

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

According to his guilty plea, from January 2019 to September 26, 2020, Forbes falsely posed as a “Supervisory Deputy” of the United States Marshals Service and possessed a fraudulent seal of the United States Marshals Service.

As detailed in his plea agreement, on September 26, 2020, an Anne Arundel County police officer witnessed Forbes arrive at a Glen Burnie retail store in a vehicle equipped with police lights.  Forbes was carrying a firearm on his hip. 

Shortly after Forbes exited his vehicle, Forbes approached the AAPD officer and asked whether he worked in the Northern District of the Anne Arundel County Police Department and if Forbes knew a particular police officer, who Forbes identified by name.

While Forbes entered the store, the AAPD officer determined that the rear tag affixed to Forbes’s vehicle belonged to a different vehicle, the windows were tinted, and the vehicle lacked a front tag.  The AAPD officer subsequently asked Forbes to identify himself. At that time, Forbes provided a false name and refused to present an official driver’s license as Forbes deemed the officer to be “unqualified” to request his credentials.  Forbes not only possessed a fraudulent U.S. Marshals badge pinned on his shoulder, but also possessed a magazine and handcuff carrier.

Forbes attempted to avoid identification by claiming to be a U.S. Marshal working out of Greenbelt and provided the name and contact information of a purported U.S. Marshals Service supervisor.  The individual Forbes claimed to be a supervisor was not a supervisor of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Officers later contacted a legitimate U.S. Marshals Service Supervisory Deputy who confirmed Forbes was, in fact, not employed with the U.S. Marshals in any capacity and confirmed the badge that Forbes possessed was fraudulent.

A search of Forbes’s person revealed that he carried three loaded magazines, with several rounds each, and a black Glock-style airsoft gun.  Additionally, Forbes’s vehicle was equipped with three USB powered red and blue police lights that were controlled by a control panel on the driver’s seat visor.  Within a brown backpack located in the vehicle, authorities discovered loose ammunition and a handgun that was not registered to Forbes.  Furthermore, a search of the vehicle’s VIN number was determined to be associated with a New Jersey tag.

Officers subsequently contacted the registered owner of the handgun and discovered the owner met with Forbes on several occasions.  The registered handgun owner believed Forbes was a legitimate U.S. Marshal as he openly carried a firearm and a U.S. Marshals badge.

The plea agreement further states that Forbes fraudulently posed as a U.S. Marshal to another Anne Arundel County police officer within a text message and in person in the effort to obtain information about police responses at his apartment complex and general Anne Arundel Police Department business.  In order to learn law enforcement rules, regulations, policy and discipline procedures, Forbes falsely claimed to be a U.S. Marshal to a Metropolitan police officer.

Forbes faces a maximum of three years in prison and followed by one year of supervised release for impersonating an officer of the United States.   U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has not scheduled a sentencing hearing at this time.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Anne Arundel Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary W. Setzer who is prosecuting the case.

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MISSOULA – A Bozeman man who admitted to trafficking cocaine after an investigation determined he received packages of cocaine and large amounts of cash was sentenced today to eight years in prison and to seven years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Luis Alberto Rocha, 38, pleaded guilty on Feb. 12 to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Rocha was detained.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in September 2019, the Missouri River Drug Task Force in Bozeman received information that Rocha was involved in the distribution of drugs, was moving a lot of weight and had a source of supply in Texas. In April 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service noticed packages scheduled for delivery to Rocha’s residence in Belgrade and to his former residence in Bozeman. The investigation determined that a total of 14 packages had been delivered from California, Texas and Arizona since July 2019.

In July 2020, the postal inspector searched two packages pursuant to search warrants and found $27,000 in currency in one package and $62,000 in currency in a second package. On Aug. 17, 2020, another package addressed to Rocha’s former Bozeman residence was searched pursuant to a warrant, and investigators found it contained about 6.5 pounds of cocaine. The delivery of the package was delayed because of the investigation, and agents learned that someone checked on the status of the package more than 300 times from an internet provider address that was registered to Rocha.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Missouri River Drug Task Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

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SHREVEPORT, La. – Jose Angel Lopez Valdivierzo, 36, a citizen of Honduras who was living in Bossier City, Louisiana, has been sentenced for illegal re-entry by a removed alien, Acting United StatesAttorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced Valdivierzo to 15 months in prison.

Valdivierzo was stopped by Bossier City Police officers for a traffic violation on October 26, 2020 and found him to be in possession of a controlled substance. Valdivierzo has been removed from the United States on ten prior occasions, specifically on the following dates: June 11, 2008; August 15, 2008; October 31, 2008; January 29, 2009; March 18, 2011; October 20, 2011; January 13, 2014; April 25, 2014; February 20, 2015; and March 22, 2017.

His prior federal convictions are for improper entry by an alien (2011) and illegal re-entry by a removed alien (2013 and 2016). Valdivierzo also has prior misdemeanor convictions in Texas for theft (2013) and assault causing bodily injury to a family member (2015). 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Bossier City Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy prosecuted the case.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. - Acting United StatesAttorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Alfredo Franco, 54, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge James D. Cain to 1 year and 1 day in prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release, on federal tax fraud charges. Franco was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $961,655.

Franco was charged in a Bill of Information with three counts of making and subscribing a false return, statement or other document. On February 23, 2021, Franco pleaded guilty to one count in the Bill of Information. According to information presented in court at the hearing, Franco was self-employed and owned a business in the Calcasieu Parish area. Franco admitted to submitting and electronically filing false and fraudulent U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns on behalf of his himself and his wife for the tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017.  He purposefully omitted approximately $702,834 in gross receipts for tax year 2015, $1,270,449 in gross receipts for tax year 2016, and $696,763 in gross receipts for tax year 2017, from Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), where gross receipts are listed. The omission of this income resulted in an additional tax liability of $961,655.

The IRS conducted the investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly P. Uebinger prosecuted the case.

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A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Orlando Sanay, Keimi Nunez and his twin brother Keily Nunez, Michael Pimentel Veloz and Fanny Plasencia with wire fraud in connection with false statements they allegedly made to obtain loans pursuant to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (“EIDL”).  The defendants were arrested today and will make their initial appearances this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann. 

Mark J. Lesko, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), announced the arrests and charge. 

“As alleged, the defendants brazenly lied and stole more than $1 million in taxpayer funds from a program designed to help small businesses and their employees who were struggling to stay afloat and make ends meet during the pandemic,” stated Acting United States Attorney Lesko.  “Our Office will continue to ensure that criminals who divert pandemic-related relief to line their own pockets are held accountable for their greed.”   

“It’s alleged that the five arrested today schemed to defraud the government by falsely obtaining over one million dollars in loans from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program under the COVID Relief Act.  This is a team of fraudsters who didn’t just skim from a government agency, but stole much needed relief from the hands of those who depended on it most,” stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Fitzhugh.  “HSI New York worked closely with IRS--Criminal Investigations, the SBA’s Office of Inspector General and JetBlue Corporate Security to apprehend these individuals and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.”

The EIDL program provides qualifying small businesses with low-interest loans.  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act expanded EIDL to provide economic support to help offset the temporary loss of revenue experienced by businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As alleged in the complaint, between April 2020 and August 2020, the defendants applied for EIDL loans for eight separate entities.  In those applications, the defendants falsely represented the number of employees associated with the entities and misstated the gross revenues for the entities for the 12 months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  For example, Sanay submitted a loan application to the Small Business Association (“SBA”) in July 2020 claiming that he was the owner and chief executive officer of Sanay Venture Capital LLC (“SVC”).  In the application, Sanay falsely claimed that SVC had 26 employees, gross revenues of $839,000 and cost of goods sold of $560,000 for the relevant period.  Sanay and Keimy Nunez submitted the application from the IP address of their employer, JetBlue Airways, to the SBA’s online portal.  The SBA approved SVC’s application and on August 4, 2020 wired $139,400 to Sanay’s personal bank account.  In contrast to the claims made in the application, New York Department of Labor records showed that SVC has never reported having any employees.  Internal Revenue Service records further reveal that SVC has never filed a tax return since its formation in 2014.  There is no evidence to date that the EIDL funds provided to SVC were used for business purposes.  Keily Nunez is no longer employed by JetBlue.

Based on these false representations, the Small Business Administration approved more than $1 million in loans that were deposited into the defendants’ bank accounts. 

In addition to making false statements to obtain the loans, the defendants did not use the relief funding for ongoing business expenses as the EIDL program requires.  Instead, they withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash from bank accounts that had received EIDL loan funds. 

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendants each face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Department of Justice Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell is in charge of the prosecution.   

The Defendants:

ORLANDO SANAY
Age: 39
Elizabeth, New Jersey

KEILY NUNEZ
Age: 41
Jamaica, New York

KEIMI NUNEZ
Age: 41
Woodhaven, New York

MICHAEL PIMENTEL VELOZ
Age: 40
Garfield, New Jersey

FANNY PLASENCIA
Age: 20
Jamaica, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-MJ-668

SHREVEPORT, La. - John Marston, 38, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Acting United StatesAttorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

A federal grand jury indicted Marston on May 20, 2020 and he subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge on September 2, 2020. The charge stems from an incident in January 2020 when law enforcement officers with the Shreveport Street Level Interdiction Unit obtained a search warrant for a residence on Clay Street where Marston was residing and where they suspected ongoing illegal narcotics distribution activity. When officers served the search warrant, they found Marston inside the residence, along with illegal narcotics, firearms, and ammunition. Marston has numerous prior felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing any weapons and was charged with illegally possessing a firearm. His prior felony convictions are for: attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2014); possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2014); attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2003); simple burglary (2002); and felony theft (1999).

The ATF and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. To learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods, go to www.justice.gov/psn.

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