United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Fort Thompson, South Dakota, woman convicted of Child Abuse was sentenced on May 15, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Bonita Keeble, a/k/a Bonita Hare, age 35, was sentenced to 14 months in custody, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Keeble was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13, 2016. She pled guilty on February 21, 2017.

The conviction stems from an incident on July 27, 2015, when an officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs was flagged down by Keeble standing in front of a residence. Keeble stated she was drunk and needed a ride home. The officer agreed to give her a ride, but Keeble then wanted to stop by her babysitter's house who was keeping her 24-day old son. The officer agreed to stop by the residence. The babysitter agreed to let Keeble in as long as she would go to sleep. When Keeble went into the home, her son was asleep in his car seat in a back bedroom with the babysitter. Keeble, who when interviewed, indicated she was very intoxicated, took her son, woke him up and tried to unsuccessfully nurse him. Keeble then got into the top twin bunk bed with him in her right arm. They eventually went to sleep. Keeble woke up the next morning, and her son was not breathing, and had her hair clenched in his fist. He was pronounced dead at the clinic. Keeble consented to a blood draw which indicated a BAC of .098% several hours after assuming care for her child.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Crow Creek Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Keeble was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Bismarck, North Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse or Intimate Partner was sentenced on May 31, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Christopher Plenty Chief, age 31, was sentenced to 24 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Plenty Chief was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 12, 2016. He pled guilty on January 6, 2017.

The conviction stems from an incident on January 10, 2014, when Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement was summoned to a residence in Wakpala, South Dakota, upon receiving a report of a domestic violence situation involving Christopher Plenty Chief and his intimate partner. Upon arrival, officers determined that the victim was in need of medical care and summoned an ambulance.

The victim told law enforcement that she and Plenty Chief got into an argument. Plenty Chief began to strike the victim with a closed fist to her face. Someone attempted to stop the assault, but was unsuccessful. Plenty Chief then drug the victim back to his family’s residence and continued to assault her by kicking her several times to the head and body. Plenty Chief’s brother attempted to intervene, which gave an opportunity for the victim to escape the residence and go to her aunt’s house, where law enforcement was summoned. As a result of the assault, the victim suffered multiple facial fractures.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Plenty Chief was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Greensburg, Pennsylvania, man charged with Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding pled guilty and was sentenced on June 1, 2017, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno.

Marwan Sadekni, age 67, was sentenced to a $5,000 fine and $25 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sadekni also needs to report this judgment to his current employer and the medical board.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on February 25, 2015, when Sadekni, who worked as a doctor for several weeks at the Rosebud Indian Health Service Hospital in Rosebud, South Dakota, became upset with the victim, a nurse at the facility. He began swearing at the victim, pounded on the desk and then slammed his hand down, over the victim’s hand. The victim pushed Sadekni away with her elbow and ran out of the office.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender was sentenced on May 31, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Kyle White Bull, age 30, was sentenced to 27 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

White Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 19, 2017. He pled guilty on March 9, 2017.

The conviction stems from an incident on December 21, 2016, when White Bull and his wife were involved in an argument at their home in McLaughlin. The victim awoke that day to White Bull asking her questions, calling her names, and accusing her of sleeping with other men to which the victim denied the allegations. The victim told White Bull that she was going to leave the marital home, but White Bull told her that if she left, he was going to kill her. The couple then continued arguing and proceeded to shove each other, causing the victim to end up on the ground. White Bull grabbed the victim by the neck and held her down, while she continued struggling, attempting to get away. When she would attempt to get up, White Bull would push her back down, causing her to repeatedly hit her head on the floor.

Eventually the victim was able to escape the residence and reported the matter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement. Law enforcement documented various injuries to the victim, including a large lump on the left front of her forehead, a scratch on her toe, a bruised ankle, and bruises to both knees.

At the time of this incident, White Bull had at least two final convictions in Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court for offenses that would have been, if subject to federal jurisdiction, an offense against a spouse or intimate partner.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

White Bull was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Ridgeview, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Sterlyn Bartlett, age 19, was indicted on May 16, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 2, 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. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on January 10, 2017, Bartlett assaulted his dating partner, causing serious bodily injury.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.

Bartlett 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 Belle Fourche, South Dakota, woman was charged in federal district court with Bank Robbery.

Kaycee Teppo, age 22, was charged on May 23, 2017. Teppo appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 2, 2017, and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Teppo robbing a bank in Spearfish on May 18, 2017. The charge is merely an accusation and Teppo is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spearfish Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the case.

Teppo was detained until further review. A trial date has not been set.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that Samuel Kills Crow Indian, a/k/a Samuel High Hawk, 29, of Oglala, South Dakota, was found guilty of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury at the conclusion of a two-day federal jury trial in Rapid City. The jury returned their verdict on June 1, 2017.

The maximum penalty is ten years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution.

The conviction stems from Kills Crow Indian stabbing and cutting a man multiple times with a knife, causing serious injuries.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date will be scheduled. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Daniel R. Gerken, 35, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 2, 2017, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Gerken was arrested in Gillette, Wyoming. He received 120 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200.00 special assessment and $250.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Heather Dayle Gould, 29, of Lander, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 1, 2017, on one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of Food Stamp fraud. Gould was arrested in Lander, Wyoming. She received three years of probation and was ordered to pay $20,807.65 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Fraud and Recovery Unit of the Department of Family Services.

William David Larson, 19, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 1, 2017, for transportation of child pornography. Larson was arrested in Casper, Wyoming. He received 168 months of imprisonment, to be followed by ten years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $3,000.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

Kennith Joseph Cassady, 41, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 30, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Cassady self-surrendered in Casper, Wyoming. He received 110 months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $250.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Laramie Police Department, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Diego Armando Medrano-Lopez, 23, of Chihuahua, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Medrano-Lopez was arrested in Gillette, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rosalio Solis-Solorio, 30, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Solis-Solorio was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ricardo Vazquez-Martinez, 41, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Vazquez-Martinez was arrested in Casper, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Orin Loos, 69, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for possession of child pornography. Loos received five years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $15,080.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

Daniel R. Gerken, 35, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 2, 2017, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Gerken was arrested in Gillette, Wyoming. He received 120 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200.00 special assessment and $250.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Heather Dayle Gould, 29, of Lander, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 1, 2017, on one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of Food Stamp fraud. Gould was arrested in Lander, Wyoming. She received three years of probation and was ordered to pay $20,807.65 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

William David Larson, 19, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on June 1, 2017, for transportation of child pornography. Larson was arrested in Casper, Wyoming. He received 168 months of imprisonment, to be followed by ten years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $3,000.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

Kennith Joseph Cassady, 41, of Gillette, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 30, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Cassady self-surrendered in Casper, Wyoming. He received 110 months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $250.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Laramie Police Department, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Diego Armando Medrano-Lopez, 23, of Chihuahua, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Medrano-Lopez was arrested in Gillette, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rosalio Solis-Solorio, 30, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Solis-Solorio was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ricardo Vazquez-Martinez, 41, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Vazquez-Martinez was arrested in Casper, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Orin Loos, 69, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 26, 2017, for possession of child pornography. Loos received five years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment and $15,080.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

FRESNO, Calif. — On Thursday, a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against Jacob Eric Blanco, 25, of Fresno, charging him with five counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Blanco is alleged to have used apps on his phone and computer, including Musical.ly and KIK, to target and communicate with girls under the age of 12 for the purpose of having the girls create and transmit images of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Blanco came to the attention of law enforcement after the parents of a six-year-old girl in Nassau County, New York stated to local police that someone using the app Musical.ly, alleged to be Blanco, had solicited sexually explicit images of the girl. Investigators are actively attempting to identify additional victims.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Blanco faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison for each sexual exploitation count and 5–20 years in prison for the one count of distribution of child pornography. For all counts there is a potential $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release. 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 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.

WASHINGTON– One member and two associates of the Wildboys gang were sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, after each pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering for their roles in retaliation attacks against a rival gang.

The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina Field Division; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland of the Colleton County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon, Jr. of the Charleston County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina Police Department; Director Jerry B. Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Brian Manigo, aka “B-Nasty,” of Green Pond, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison; Damien Robinson, aka “Sacked Up,” also of Green Pond, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison; and Kelvin Mitchell, aka “Kevy Boy,”of Ruffin, South Carolina, to 39 months in prison, after each pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

According to court documents, all three defendants were members or associates of the Wildboys gang, a violent street gang that originated in the Green Pond area of Walterboro, South Carolina. From 2009 to 2015, Wildboys gang members used Facebook and YouTube to communicate with each other; threaten rival gang members and the police; flaunt gang colors, tattoos, and hand signs; and post photographs and videos depicting firearms, large amounts of cash, and what purported to be controlled substances.  Gang members also engaged in violent criminal activities, including robberies of convenience stores, attempted murders of rival gang members, and narcotics trafficking. The Wildboys gang was also, for a time, aligned with another violent street gang called the “Cowboys” that originated out of the Brittlebank, or Eastside, area of Walterboro, South Carolina. In addition to sharing a common interest in posting threats and photographs depicting firearms, large amounts of cash, and what purported to be narcotics on Facebook and YouTube, the Wildboys and the Cowboys gangs shared common enemies. These shared interests resulted in shootings aimed at rival gang members, which left innocent by-standers seriously injured.

Manigo and Mitchell were sentenced for their roles in a May 14, 2011, retaliation shooting aimed at a rival gang member. While Mitchell drove the vehicle, Manigo retrieved an AK-47 rifle from the trunk of the car and fired multiple shots at the gang member who was standing in a crowd of individuals. An innocent by-stander sustained serious bodily injury as a result of the shooting.

Robinson was sentenced for his role in the April 7, 2015, retaliation drive-by shooting aimed at members of a rival gang. Robinson was the driver of the vehicle containing two other members of the Wildboys gang. As Robinson drove past the residence of the known rival gang members, the two passengers fired multiple shots at the home using an AR-15 and an SKS rifle. Robinson gave the AR-15, which belonged to him, to his fellow gang member to use during the shooting. The shooting resulted in serious bodily injury to an innocent victim inside the residence.

As part of the sentence, Manigo, Mitchell and Robinson were ordered to serve a term of three years of supervised release and to pay the costs of medical care for the victims.

A fourth member of the Wildboys, Joshua Manigault, who pleaded guilty to the April 7, 2015, shooting, has yet to be sentenced.

Devin Brown, who was also charged in the indictment, is scheduled for a jury trial to begin on June 26.  The charges against Brown contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the ATF in Charleston, South Carolina, in partnership with the Walterboro Police Department; Colleton County Sheriff’s Office; Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; Summerville Police Department; Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Leshia Lee-Dixon of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Tameaka A. Legette, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney from the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Bluffton, South Carolina.

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MONROE, La. –Acting U.S.Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Monroe woman was sentenced Thursday to 12 months and one day in prison for mail fraud for a scheme wherein she lied on U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings and insurance documents.

Lasandra Laverne Edwards, 54, of Monroe, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. on one count of mail fraud. She was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and must pay $9,126.70 in restitution. According to the February 13, 2017 guilty plea, Edwards filed for bankruptcy in October 2013 and valued her furniture and clothing at $1,000. In November of 2013, Edwards purchased a renters’ policy that valued her assets at $100,000. Edwards’ house caught fire and burned on December 1, 2013. The defendant attended a creditors’ hearing associated with her bankruptcy case on December 10, 2013. She reaffirmed the information in the previous filings that her furniture and clothing were valued at $1,000. However, the next day on December 11, 2013, Edwards filed a claim under her insurance policy with State Farm falsely stating that her personal property was valued at $116,063.

The U.S. Trustee’s Office – Region V, Louisiana State Police and Monroe Fire Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cytheria D. Jernigan and Tennille M. Gilreath prosecuted the case.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISAIAH HART, 22, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.  Judge Shea also ordered HART to perform 96 hours of community service while he is on supervised release.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning of December 8, 2015, Greenwich Police officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a Greenwich residence on the report of an unresponsive man.  The man, who was 26, was pronounced dead.  Within the residence, officers located and found opened and unopened wax folds (“bags”) with a green colored label “Emerald City” stamped on them. 

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services later analyzed the unopened bags and determined the powder contained heroin, and according to the Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, the victim’s death was caused by acute heroin toxicity.

Investigators determined that, shortly before his death, the victim had contacted “Tony” to order heroin in response to a Craig’s List advertisement for “dog food.”  The victim then drove from Greenwich to Brooklyn and purchased two bundles (20 bags) of heroin from HART for $185.

HART was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 14, 2016.  On February 22, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin.

HART has related drug charges pending in Brooklyn stemming from his selling heroin, in bags stamped “Emerald City,” to an undercover law enforcement officer on December 8, 2015.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5 in King’s Country Supreme Court in Brooklyn and is expected to receive a two-year sentence.

HART, who had been released on bond, was remanded at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

This matter was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force and the Greenwich Police Department.  The Task Force includes DEA agents and task force officers from the North Haven, East Haven, West Haven, New Haven, Hamden, Branford, Ansonia, Derby and Meriden Police Departments.  U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the significant assistance of the New York Police Department in this investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JAMES CAPERS, a/k/a “Mitch,” was sentenced to 42 years in prison for the murder of Allen McQueen and participating in racketeering and narcotics conspiracies, all in connection with a violent street gang known as the “Leland Avenue Crew,” which is based primarily in and around the New York City’s 43^rd Precinct in the Bronx, New York. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge William H. Pauley III, after CAPERS was convicted following a jury trial in December 2016.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Gangs do enormous damage to our communities through drug dealing and the violence that often accompanies it. Today, James Capers, a gang member who sold drugs and participated in that violence, was sentenced to 42 years in prison for the horrific murder of a rival gang member, whom Capers shot and killed while the victim was holding his one-year-old daughter. Our Office remains committed to eradicating senseless violence from our city streets.”

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in the case, as well as evidence presented at trial and statements made during the sentencing proceedings:

CAPERS was a member of the Leland Avenue Crew, which controlled the distribution of crack cocaine in and around Leland Avenue in the Bronx, New York. As a member of the Crew, CAPERS sold crack cocaine and marijuana, carried weapons, and committed robberies of unsuspecting members of the public. To protect its drug-selling turf, the Leland Avenue Crew engaged in a long-running dispute with members of a rival gang based two streets over on Taylor Avenue. This dispute resulted in multiple shootings, some of which were fatal. On or about July 7, 2015, in connection with the ongoing dispute between Leland and Taylor, CAPERS went looking for Allen McQueen, a rival gang member on Taylor Avenue. After finding McQueen, who was walking down the street holding his one-year-old daughter, CAPERS ran up behind McQueen and fired several shots, striking McQueen once and killing him.

* * *

Mr. Kim praised the extraordinary investigative work of the New York City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their participation and support in this case.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Hartman, Jessica Lonergan, and Jason Swergold are in charge of the prosecution.

BOISE — A federal jury found father, Sergio Chavez-Verduzco, 42, and son, Sergio Chavez-Macias, 20, of Burley, Idaho, guilty yesterday evening of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez, Jr. announced. Chavez-Verduzco was also convicted of participating in a continuing criminal enterprise. A third defendant, Armando Orozco-Guillen, 21, of Jerome, Idaho, was acquitted. The jury’s decision came after a five-day trial in United States District Court in front of Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill.

The evidence presented during the trial showed that in 2015 and early 2016, Chavez-Verduzco and Chavez-Macias were the source of supply to multiple large scale drug traffickers in the Treasure Valley. The evidence specifically identified Brian Weaver Cluff of Caldwell, Idaho, and James Piersol of Garden City, Idaho, as traffickers supplied by Chavez-Verduzco and Chavez-Macias. The evidence showed that Chavez-Verduzco and Chavez-Macias were sending double digit pound quantities of methamphetamine to both Cluff and Piersol on a regular basis in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars.

Chavez-Verduzco and Chavez-Macias’ sentencings are scheduled for August 25, 2017, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill. Because of Chavez-Verduzco’s conviction for participating in a continuing criminal enterprise, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Chavez-Macias faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years for his role in the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the City County Narcotics Unit of Canyon County, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Gooding County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Idaho State Police.

The case was prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with funds provided by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It provides assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. Idaho is part of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA. HIDTA in southwest Idaho is a collaboration of local, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces, and prosecuting agencies dedicated to addressing regional drug trafficking organizations that operate in Ada, Canyon, and Malheur County.

HONOLULU – Diego Contreras, 31, formerly of Haleiwa, was sentenced to one year in prison on June 1, 2017, and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Contreras pleaded guilty in federal court to Making False Statements during an investigation into his inappropriate behavior with inmates.

Acting United States Attorney Elliot Enoki said that, according to information presented to the court, on June 1, 2016, the United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) interviewed Contreras, who was then employed as a guard with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. DOJ OIG was investigating Contreras for having inappropriate relationships with two female inmates of the Federal Detention Center at Honolulu (FDC). Contreras lied to investigators, by denying, among other things, that he had contacted the inmates through the use of alias e-mail addresses while they were incarcerated, and by claiming that he had not had contact with one of the inmates after her release from the FDC. One of the relationships was discovered after a photo of Contreras and the former inmate was posted to her Facebook page.

In imposing sentence, United States District Judge Helen Gillmor pointed to Contreras’ "abuse of power," and emphasized the importance of sending a message of deterrence by remarking, "[o]ther people in positions of trust need to know that if they violate that trust there will be repercussions."

This case was investigated by DOJ OIG and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Otake.

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that yesterday the Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Viatcheslav Kim, of Montreal, with one count of transporting aliens in furtherance of their illegal presence in the United States. Court records show that agents of the United States Border Patrol apprehended Kim during the early morning of May 31, 2017 in Derby Line, Vermont, as he was driving two persons who appeared to have just illegally entered the U.S. from Canada, on foot. Neither of Kim’s passengers were U.S. citizens, and neither had permission to be inside the United States.

Kim is charged with violating section 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii) of Title 8 of the United States Code. Should Kim be convicted as charged he faces a maximum possible sentence of a five-year term of incarceration. Kim is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted at trial or by plea.

The United States sought to detain Kim during the pendency of the prosecution based upon a risk of not appearing at future court proceedings. United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy denied the United States’ motion, and released Kim on conditions which included the posting of a $3000 cash bond.

“These arrests highlight the importance of our profession and display the unique talents Border Patrol Agents put forth to disrupt transnational criminal activity while securing our nation’s northern border,” said Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer.

The Assistant United States Attorney is Michael P. Drescher. Kim is represented by Elizabeth Quinn, of the Office of Federal Public Defender.

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 a federal jury found Justin Vazquez, 30, of Buffalo, NY, guilty of damaging government property. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on October 20, 2016, during a status conference prior to trial on a firearm’s charge, Vazquez carved a vulgar obscenity into a wooden table in the courtroom of Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph P. Geraci.  

In May of 2017, defendant was convicted of the firearm charge and sentenced to 72 months in prison.
 
The verdict is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Geraci who presided over the trial. 

Mississippi correctional officers Romander Nelson and Deonte Pate were sentenced today for their roles in the beating of an inmate and subsequent cover-up at the state’s Parchman Prison, the Justice Department announced today.

Deonte Pate, 24, was sentenced to 5 years of probation with 12 weeks of weekend confinement for conspiring to cover up the beating of an inmate identified by his initials, K.H. Pate acknowledged that he submitted false reports and lied to the FBI in order to prevent knowledge of the beating from reaching outside authorities. Romander Nelson, 44, was sentenced to 5 years of probation, 14 weeks of weekend confinement, and a $500 fine for failing to protect the victim during the beating.

The victim, was temporarily blinded by the attack and suffered severe blood loss, a broken orbital bone, and permanent partial vision loss.

Pate and Nelson were charged in 2016 along with two other officers: Lawardrick Marsher, 28, and Robert Sturdivant, 47. All four were officers at Mississippi State Penitentiary, in Parchman, Mississippi.

Marsher has pleaded guilty to carrying out the assault; Sturdivant, a supervisor, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to cover the assault up. Marsher and Sturdivant are scheduled to be sentenced on June 15 for their roles in the crime.

“Every corrections officer owes a duty of honesty and integrity to the individuals under his or her protection,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler. “The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring the rights of all citizens, including those in our nation’s jails and prisons.”

"The FBI's mission is to protect the American people and uphold the constitution of the United States," said Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. "This protection extends to those serving time for various offenses in jails and prisons throughout the United States. The constitution provides no protection to those hiding behind a correctional officer uniform and abusing the authority given to them. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate any allegations of civil rights violations."

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson Division, with the cooperation of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Coleman of the Northern District of Mississippi and Trial Attorney Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

Calvin Starks, 23, of Nashville, Tenn., pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court, to a series of federal crimes including using a firearm to commit a crime of violence resulting in death; conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and extortion; and conspiracy to tamper with a witness, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith of the Middle District of Tennessee.

According to charging documents and the plea agreement, Starks and his cousin, Darryl Starks, were responsible for shooting Joshua Woods on October 16, 2014, in the J.C. Napier neighborhood. They fired a total of 16 rounds during the assault and Woods was treated at a local hospital and survived the gunshots. After Woods had identified the Starks’ as the shooters, he was later threatened and bribed by Darryl Stark’s mother, Ivy Starks, in an attempt to prevent him from testifying truthfully in subsequent court proceedings.

On November 26, 2014, Starks and Terrance Kimbrough planned and carried out a robbery of Brendon Leggs, aka “Beazy.” They approached him at a market on Lewis St., near the J.C. Napier neighborhood and attempted to rob Leggs of drugs and money. As Leggs attempted to drive away, they opened fire on him and Leggs died from gunshot wounds shortly thereafter. The 9mm bullet casings recovered from this shooting matched casings from an incident on November 23, 2014, where a car occupied by 3 people was shot at. Starks was also involved in that shooting.

In the days following the Leggs shooting, Starks and Kimbrough searched for an individual named Monte Watson, whom they believed saw them kill Leggs and feared he would report that to law enforcement. On December 1, 2014, Starks was arrested for cocaine possession and during a subsequent recorded jail phone call, Starks made statements about Watson being a “snitch” and discussed their attempt to find him and silence him. On December 3, 2014, Monte Watson was shot and killed near Lewis and Robertson St., in close proximity to the J.C. Napier housing development. Terrance Kimbrough is currently charged with the murder of Monte Watson as well as attempted robbery and killing of Brandon Leggs.

Ivy Starks and Darryl Starks have previously pleaded guilty to charges related to this case and are awaiting sentencing. Terrance Kimbrough is awaiting trial. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.

CHICAGO — A Chicago trader has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for stealing his employer’s proprietary trading code.

Over a five-month period in late 2013 and early 2014, DAVID J. NEWMAN downloaded and stole all of the proprietary computer code and trading software belonging to his employer, Chicago-based WH Trading LLC. Newman downloaded more than 400,000 electronic files to multiple USB thumb drives. He resigned from the company in March 2014 after establishing his own trading firm – NTF LLC – through which he intended to use the stolen trade secrets to compete directly with WH Trading.

Newman, 34, pleaded guilty last year to one count of theft of trade secrets. U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah imposed the sentence on Thursday in federal court in Chicago. Judge Shah also fined Newman $100,000 and entered an order prohibiting him from using or disclosing the stolen trade secrets.

The sentence was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

WH Trading is a proprietary securities trading firm that acts as a market maker and engages in both open outcry and electronic trading of futures contracts and options on exchanges in Chicago, New York, London, Frankfurt, and Singapore. The intellectual property stolen by Newman had taken WH Trading’s mathematicians, statisticians, software developers and traders more than 15 years to develop, at a cost of more than $20 million. WH Trading’s proprietary codes are used for, among other things, pricing futures and options contracts, executing trades on various exchanges, analyzing the risk of trades, and interpreting exchange market data.

Newman had worked for the company since 2004 prior to his resignation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Hogan Jr. of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago.