PROVIDENCE –  As the 2016-2017 school year nears its completion, today nearly 300 students in Winman Jr. High School in Warwick participated in the United States Attorney’s Office’s opioid and heroin addiction and overdose awareness program. Today’s presentation, the final in-school program of the current school year, marks the 28^th presentation in more than two dozen schools in 13 communities across Rhode Island.

More than 10,000 junior and senior high school students in Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, Cumberland, Johnston, Newport, North Providence, Portsmouth, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick, Westerly and Woonsocket participated in the United States Attorney’s Office’s program, which includes discussions about the importance of making good decisions and the consequences of making poor decisions, and how they impact every student’s future; screening of the powerful documentary Chasing the Dragon - an unscripted, real-life look at the devastation of opioid and heroin addiction; and the personal story of a parent, Deborah Parente, who lost her only child to opioid and heroin addiction.

Each presentation also included important information about in-school and community support for students if they have been or are being impacted because of a family member or friend’s use of opioids or heroin.

In addition to opioid and heroin awareness programs, the United States Attorney’s Office, working along-side community partners such as substance abuse prevention coalitions, student assistance counselors and law enforcement, visited numerous junior and senior high schools across the state to present programs to students, faculty, coaches, administrators and parents about the impact that marijuana, tobacco, and e-cigarettes may pose to young people.

“The devastation being left in the wake of the worsening epidemic of opioid and heroin addiction, and overdose deaths, is staggering to say the least,” said Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch. “According to statistics released on Tuesday by the Department of Justice, in 2015, 1,000 people died every week of a drug overdose; 33,000 people died from heroin, fentanyl and other opioid drugs. In 2016, the number of deaths increased to nearly 60,000 people. These are not faceless, nameless individuals. They are our family members, our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers. People impacted by this horrific epidemic live in every zip code, are of every ethnicity, and of every socioeconomic background. This epidemic does not discriminate.”

“If our outreach programs save one life, we have done our job. We hope we have made a significant difference in many young people’s lives,” added Mr. Dambruch. “I want to particularly thank former U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Deborah Parente for their significant contributions to the success of our opioid and heroin awareness outreach programs.”

Assistance and information about treatment options for opioid addiction is available from a licensed counselor 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by calling Prevent Overdose RI at 942-STOP (942-7867).

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BOISE – Cherie R. Dillon, 62, of Fruitland, Idaho, was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised released for health care fraud and aggravated identity theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Dillon to pay restitution in the amount $549,605.19 and to forfeit $847,016 proceeds from the offenses, although those sums are preliminary pending a hearing on August 9, 2017.

Dillon pleaded guilty on January 27, 2017, to 24 counts of health care fraud and 24 corresponding counts of aggravated identity theft at the close of the government’s case after four days of trial in front of Judge Winmill. Evidence at trial demonstrated that between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, Dillon executed a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs, including Medicaid. Even though Dillon was only a dental hygienist, she performed and billed for dental treatments that may only be performed by a dentist. These treatments included fillings, extractions, and dentures. Dillon also billed for dental hygiene services performed without the supervision and direction of a dentist, contrary to state law and licensing requirements. Dillon received payment for those treatments from health care benefit programs while fraudulently misrepresenting that the treatments had been performed, and supervised, by a dentist, and while using the name and provider number of a particular dentist who was not in the office and who was unable to practice at the time due to disability. During the scheme, Dillon was a licensed dental hygienist, not a dentist, and practicing in Payette, Idaho.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its federal and state law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously pursuing health care benefit fraud,” said Gonzalez. “I commend the excellent work of the agencies involved in bringing Ms. Dillon to justice.”

"Fraudulent billings to Medicaid by unqualified providers diverts funding from this vital health care program and the vulnerable individuals who rely on it," said Steven Ryan, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “This sentence should be a warning to criminals considering plunder of government health care programs.”

The case was investigated by Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Idaho Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Michael Jones, age 58, formerly of Irmo, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on July 8, 2015 at approximately 1:00 am in the morning, the Irmo Police Department responded to a domestic dispute in Irmo, South Carolina.  Upon arriving at the scene, a woman informed the officers that her husband, Michael Jones, the defendant, was trying to cut her grandson.  The younger male, who was standing on the front stoop of the house, informed the officers that his grandfather was trying to cut him with a piece of glass.   They told the officers the defendant was in the back bedroom.  Through the open front door, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come outside, to which there was no response.   The officers entered the home through a side door.  They saw a closed doorway at the end of the hallway.  Again, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come out of the room, which Jones refused. 

Other officers arrived and Jones partially opened the door with the left side of his body still concealed by the door.   From his position, one officer was able to see that Jones had a rifle with a brown stock and a black barrel in his hand, with his finger on the trigger guard.  The officer deployed his Taser hitting Jones who fell to the floor, but was able to stand up and pointed the gun at the officers.  The officers fired their weapons and Jones was struck multiple times. 

Upon entering the room, the officers located a .22 caliber Remington rifle loaded with .22 caliber ammunition lying next to Jones.  At the time of this incident, Jones had been previously convicted of 2 counts of common law robbery, which prevented him from possessing a firearm.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for this offense is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Irmo Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Connie L. Christy, 62, of New Albany, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to four months in prison, four months community confinement, three months home confinement and three years of supervised release for attempting to evade the IRS of more than $124,000.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Frank S. Turner II, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office, announced the sentence handed down today by Chief U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.

According to court documents, Christy solely owned and operated Christy Collections, Inc., a custom interior design firm. In 2011, Christy received nearly $1.6 million from two clients for design services. Of that, approximately $637,000 was taxable income, yet Christy only reported $205,771.

Christy failed to report all of her income to her tax return preparer – instead claiming that some of the income she received had been business expenses – and thus, she attempted to evade an additional tax due and owing of $124,864.

The Sentencing Memorandum in this case details that Christy earned the income while working on a design project for a couple who suffered from medical and physical conditions. Their conditions required specific types of materials used in furnishing their home, which Christy told her clients she could purchase at discounted rates.

The clients grew suspicious when Christy began to bill at a higher rate, claiming that contractors had forgotten to include items in their quotes or that retailers had gone out of business after Christy had paid them but before supplying the materials.

After the couple confronted Christy, she tried to cover up her activity by attempting to convince retailers to provide her with fake invoices for services. Additionally, Christy submitted documentation of personal expenditures on her beach home and business expenses from a fictitious vendor to try to justify the overpayment she had requested from her clients.

During the time of the project (and since June 2008), Christy was also receiving government benefits monthly after falsely claiming on her application that she did not receive child support, was not self-employed, did not have a vehicle, checking account, credit union account or stocks/bonds and did not file a tax return in the previous five years.

Christy was charged by indictment in March 2015. She pleaded guilty in June 2016 to one count of tax evasion.

“Christy’s scheme to defraud and obtain additional money from her clients ultimately culminated in her failure to report a portion of those proceeds as income to the IRS, causing a tax loss of more than $100,000,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said.

“Christy's attempt to evade tax was a theft from the American public," said Ryan L. Korner, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “Tax evasion and tax fraud of this magnitude and with this degree of trickery, dishonesty and deceit, deserves to be punished. The IRS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office remain determined and vigilant in ferreting out such schemes to cheat the honest taxpayers."

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica W. Knight and Jessica H. Kim, who are representing the United States in this case.

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Harrisburg – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Doncarlos Urrutia, age 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that a .380 caliber Taurus handgun was found in Urrutia’s home on May 12, 2017. The indictment also alleges that Urrutia is a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.

The matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, the Harrisburg Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that two previously deported aliens were indicted separately by a federal grand jury with illegal re-entry into the United States by a previously deported alien.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Carlos Emmanuel Bran-Enriquez, age 30, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in May 2014. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after May 2014, and was found in the United States in Franklin County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.

Under federal law, Bran-Enriquez faces a maximum penalty of two years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Carlos Bautista-Cruz, age 30, of Mexico, was previously deported from the United States to Mexico in October 2012 and April 2010. He is alleged to have illegally re-entered the United States sometime after October 2012, and was found in the United States in Adams County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. In October 2012, he was convicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania of illegal re-entry, an offense which subjects him to enhanced penalties in the current case.

Because of Bautista-Cruz’s previous conviction, under federal law he faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

The cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell is prosecuting the cases.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A federal grand jury sitting in Asheville returned a criminal bill of indictment late yesterday against David R. Payne, 52, of Fletcher, N.C., charging him with multiple counts of bank fraud and making false statements to a bank, announced Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S. Attorney forr the Western District of North Carolina.

John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Jay N. Lerner, Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) join U.S. Attorney Rose in making today’s announcement.

According to allegations contained in the eight-count indictment, on multiple occasions throughout 2009, Payne executed a scheme to defraud three Western North Carolina financial institutions: Pisgah Community Bank (PCB), Mountain First Bank & Trust (MFBT), and Bank of Asheville (BOA), (collectively, “the Banks”). The indictment alleges that Payne defrauded the Banks for at least $1,607,000, by making false statements and material misrepresentations about his financial condition on a series of loan applications he submitted to the Banks. Payne applied for the fraudulent loans in his personal capacity and through other corporate entities he controlled, including Provision 08, LLC, and Shire Properties, LLC.

According to allegations in the indictment, in February 2007, Payne executed two promissory notes to NC Four C’s, LLC (NC4Cs), a North Carolina limited liability company, in exchange for NC4Cs’s disbursement of two loans totaling $800,000. In 2009, Payne ceased making payments to NC4Cs, when he allegedly began to have serious financial problems. The indictment further alleges that in December 2008, Payne, through Provision 08, LLC, entered into a transfer agreement with a victim identified in the indictment as “J.E.” Payne had previously acted as an attorney for J.E. and for J.E’s charitable and business enterprises. The indictment alleges that, according to the terms of the transfer agreement, Payne agreed to pay to J.E. and J.E.’s heirs $4.38 million in exchange for the transfer of four properties to Payne (collectively “the Properties). The indictment also alleges that J.E. never received a single payment from Payne or Provision 08, LLC.

According to allegations in the indictment, upon acquiring the Properties from J.E., Payne began using the Properties to obtain bank loans from PCB, MFBT, and BOA, to benefit himself and his corporate entities. To secure the bank loans, Payne allegedly made numerous misrepresentations, false statements, and omissions, all with intent to defraud the Banks. For example, in December 2008, Payne used the acquisition of the Properties to secure a $735,000 bank loan from PCB. During the loan application process, Payne lied to a PCB loan officer who inquired about Payne’s acquisition of the Properties, telling the loan officer that J.E. had gifted Payne the Properties in recognition of previous services provided to J.E. The indictment also alleges that Payne failed to disclose to PCB his personal liabilities, including the $800,000 personal debt to NC4Cs.

The indictment goes on to allege that Payne continued to use the Properties as collateral in subsequent loan applications throughout 2009, and was able secure loans from two additional banks, MFBT and BOA, based on similar misrepresentations and omissions. In at least one of those instances, the indictment alleges that Payne’s own law firm served as the closing attorney for the loans, and that Payne was able to hide information from the bank regarding existing encumbrances on the property, which he used as collateral for the loan. As a result of Payne’s conduct, MFBT and BOA disbursed to Payne two loans in the amount of $250,000 and $522,000, respectively.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Rose stated, “Payne allegedly went on a bank fraud spree, and, using his law license as a conduit to the fraud, he caused substantial financial harm to individuals and to financial institutions. I want to thank the FBI and the FDIC-OIG for leading this complex financial investigation that led to the federal charges,” said U.S. Attorney Rose.

Payne had his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell. The charges of bank fraud and making false statements on a loan and credit application each carry a maximum prison term of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine per count.

All the charges contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was led by the FBI and FDIC-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don Gast and Daniel Bradley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville are in charge of the prosecution.

STATESVILLE, N.C. – A total of 16 defendants were handed prison terms ranging from 21 months to 18 years for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Voorhees presided over the court hearings, which began on Monday, June 5, 2017, and concluded today with the sentencing of the last defendant.

U.S. Attorney Rose is joined in making today’s announcement by Nick Annan, Special Agent in Charge of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Atlanta and the Carolinas; Audria C. Bridges, Special Agent in Charge of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s Western District Office; and Colonel Glenn McNiell of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol; Chief Thurman Whisnant of the Hickory Police Department; Sheriff Coy Reid of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff Chris Bowman of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office; Chief Damon D. Williamsof the Mooresville Police Department; and Sheriff Darren Campbell of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

The 16 defendants sentenced in U.S. District Court in Statesville are:

1. Jerry Wayne Grant, 45, of Mooresville, was sentenced to 216 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-48)

2. James Edward Russell, III, 38, of Hudson, was sentenced to 188 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-13)

3. Teddy Dwane McGee, 41, of Hickory, was sentenced to 120 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-48)

4. Larry Chad Roberts, 39, of Taylorsville, was sentenced to 120 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-47)

5. Richard Lee Knight, 41, of China Grove, was sentenced to 120 months, followed by 3 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-42)

6. Jason Mathew Beasley, 36, of North Wilkesboro, was sentenced to 120 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-39)

7. Davey Yang, 35, of Conover, was sentenced to 110 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:15-cr-73)

8. Troy Lynn Bell, 48, of Taylorsville, was sentenced to 108 months, followed by 4 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-66)

9. Jamie Lee Grigg, 44, of Kings Mountain, was sentenced to 100 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-46)

10. Steven Matthew Donaldson, 25, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 96 months, followed by 4 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-45)

11. Josue Abraham Robles, 19, of Mexico, was sentenced to 86 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-62)

12. Jesus Cristino-Perales, 26, of Mexico, was sentenced to 78 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:15-cr-73)

13. Norberto Macedo, Jr., 23, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 78 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-55)

14. Wendy Michelle Pennington, 39, of Hickory, was sentenced to 46 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-48)

15. Ritchie Allen Shook, 38, of Granite Falls, was sentenced to 37 months, followed by 5 years of supervised release. (5:16-cr-58)

16. Shana Elyse Teague, 28, of Taylorsville, was sentenced to 21 months, followed by 1 year of supervised release. (5:16-cr-13)

According to court records, the defendants were involved in drug trafficking organizations that have trafficked methamphetamine worth millions of dollars. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, $500,000 in U.S. currency and other assets, and dozens of firearms.

The defendants were charged as part of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which, since 2015, has resulted in the prosecution of more than 165 individuals.

OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Rose thanked all the law enforcement agencies for their investigative efforts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven R. Kaufman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.

MADISON, WIS. -- Jeffrey M. Anderson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jeffrey Overton, 57, McGregor, Iowa, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William Conley to five months in federal prison for income tax evasion. Overton pleaded guilty to this charge on March 21, 2017.

From July 2006 until June 2011, Overton was a minority shareholder in Four Bears Construction, Inc., based in Elroy, Wis. Overton ran the day-to-day office activities of Four Bears Construction and maintained control over its finances, including its accounting records in QuickBooks.

The investigation revealed that Overton enriched himself by making a wide variety of personal purchases through Four Bears Construction, including ATVs, guns, tractors and related equipment, a high-end audio system and rims for his truck, home renovations, personal legal expenses, and many other personal items and services. Overton then classified each of these purchases as business expenses in QuickBooks.

At the plea hearing, Overton admitted that for the tax years 2008 through 2010, he used $420,164 in Four Bears’ funds for personal purchases and he failed to report any of that income on his tax returns. As a result, Overton avoided paying $127,963 in individual income tax for those years.

The charge against Overton was the result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Melvin Cain Silas, Jr., age 27, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 10:28am on November 10, 2016, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on patrol on Farrow Road encountered a Jeep bearing Colorado license plates and determined that it had previously been reported stolen from Georgia. Once the deputy activated his blue lights and siren, the Jeep failed to stop and ultimately crashed. The four occupants attempted to flee on foot, but deputies were able to apprehend Silas, the driver, and one of the passengers. The other two passengers were able to get away. A search incident to arrest revealed a loaded Taurus .380 handgun in Silas’ front pants pocket. A search of the Jeep revealed two additional firearms, one of which was linked to the passenger that was apprehended. That passenger has also been charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. After waiving his rights, Silas admitted to stealing the Jeep from the side of the road in Blythewood and using a screwdriver to start it. Silas also admitted to buying the Taurus handgun off the street.

Silas is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which includes assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (two separate counts), grand larceny, and burglary 2nd degree (two separate counts). Silas was on state supervision when this incident occurred.  

Silas faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

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Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that LURLYN A. WINCHESTER, a Justice for the Town Court of Monroe, was charged with making false statements in connection with an application for a loan to purchase a residence in Monroe which satisfied the residency requirement of her position as Town Justice. She was also charged with obstruction of justice for providing law enforcement officers, who questioned her about her mortgage loan, with false documents, including fabricated rent payment receipts. WINCHESTER was arrested this morning at her home in New City, New York, and was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith in White Plains federal court this morning.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Lurlyn Winchester, a municipal court judge for the Town of Monroe, lied and provided fake documents to secure a mortgage on a Monroe condominium in an attempt to falsely satisfy the judicial residency requirement. We should expect and demand integrity in our government. This Office is committed to pursuing corruption in all forms and in all three branches of government, including the judiciary. I thank our partners at the FBI for their work in exposing this fraud and holding accountable our public officials.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. stated: “As alleged, Lurlyn Winchester falsely represented her primary residence in order to fulfill requirements for her position as justice for the Town of Monroe. Winchester, who claimed she had relocated her primary residence from New City to Monroe, allegedly remained in her New City home, despite representations to the contrary. She allegedly provided false information to her mortgage company, claiming her New City property was being rented to a prospective tenant, and later lied to federal agents who interviewed her about her claims. If anyone should have respect for the rule of law, it should most certainly be those entrusted to uphold it. Many thanks to our partners in this investigation as we continue to reinforce our commitment to uncover illegal activity on behalf of public officials at every level.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint[1] unsealed today:

In or about 1997, LURLYN A. WINCHESTER, the defendant, and her husband purchased a home in New City, New York (the “New City Home”), which they continue to own. On or about October 6, 2013, WINCHESTER, an attorney practicing in New City, was nominated to be the democratic candidate for Town of Monroe Justice. At that time, she provided an address in Monroe, New York (“Monroe Residence-1”), as her residence, and on or about October 7, 2013, she registered to vote in Monroe, New York. WINCHESTER was then elected Town of Monroe Justice on or about November 5, 2013.

On or about October 14, 2014, Hudson United Mortgage, LLC (“Hudson United”), a mortgage broker located in New City, New York, received a letter from WINCHESTER indicating that she had been elected Town Justice for the Town of Monroe and that she was relocating to Monroe in order to comply with a residency requirement attached to that position. In or about December 2014, the defendant and her husband submitted an application for a residential loan to Hudson United, and indicated that the loan was to be used to purchase a condominium located in Monroe, New York (“Monroe Residence-2”). On both the loan application and a disclosure notice, signed by the defendant and her husband, they asserted that Monroe Residence-2 would be their primary residence.

WINCHESTER also represented to Hudson United that she and her husband were going to rent out their New City Home to a tenant. Specifically, on or about February 6, 2015, Hudson United received a letter from the defendant in which she identified the New City Home as her “current primary residence” and she stated that she and her husband intended to rent the New City Home and they “already had a prospective tenant” who was “anxiously awaiting to take occupancy of the residence.”

In or about March 2015, WINCHESTER learned that the ultimate loan issuer, Plaza Home Mortgage Inc. (“Plaza”), was going to decline to issue the loan due to insufficient income. In response, WINCHESTER again represented that she and her husband were going to rent out the New City Home and indicated they would have rental income of $4,500 a month. Plaza requested copies of a fully executed 12-month lease and a canceled check for a security deposit. WINCHESTER provided a copy of a lease agreement, signed by the defendant, her husband, and a tenant (the “Tenant”). She also submitted a copy of two $4,500 checks for the security deposit and one month’s rent, made out to the defendant, and drawn on the Tenant’s bank account, as well as other documents reflecting that the checks were deposited into WINCHESTER’s bank account. In or about April 2015, Plaza issued the loan.

Contrary to the defendant’s representations, WINCHESTER did not intend to and did not lease the New City Home to Tenant in 2015; instead she fabricated a 2015 lease and caused checks to be issued and deposited to make it falsely appear that Tenant had paid rent and a security deposit. Tenant did not sign a lease in March 2015, never moved in to the New City Home, and WINCHESTER provided the $9,000 that covered the two $4,500 checks purportedly provided by Tenant.

Further, Monroe Residence-2 was not intended to be, and has not been, the primary residence of the defendant and her husband. Interviews with neighbors, cellphone records, and credit card records indicate that WINCHESTER did not move to Monroe. Finally, in a statement to agents, WINCHESTER admitted that: she resided at the New City Home, she had informed Hudson United that she would be renting the New City Home, she submitted rental checks and other documents relating to renting the New City Home, and the Tenant never moved into the New City Home.

With respect to the obstruction charge, during an interview with members of the FBI Task Force relating to WINCHESTER’s statements and submissions in connection with her loan, she provided them with, among other things, purported receipts for rent payments she claimed to have received from the Tenant for rent of the New City Home. The Tenant, however, indicated that he did not know anything about the receipts and never gave WINCHESTER the cash payments supposedly memorialized in them.

* * *

WINCHESTER, 58, of Monroe, is charged with one count of making false statements to a mortgage lending business, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, as well as falsifying records in a federal investigation, with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of a federal department or agency, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. He also thanked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Margery B. Feinzig is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

LAREDO, Texas – The head of a marijuana trafficking cell has pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to traffic drugs from Laredo to the Dallas area via the use of tractor trailers, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

Mexican National Armando Javier Picazo Jimenez, 42, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute in excess of 1000 kilograms of marijuana.

In August 2013, authorities identified a drug trafficking organization responsible for the transportation and distribution of kilogram quantities of marijuana from Laredo to the Dallas area. Picazo Jimenez was identified as the head of the organization.

His contacts with Mexican sources of supply arranged for the marijuana to be smuggled from Mexico to Laredo. The organization leased Laredo warehouses to stash and prepare the marijuana bundles for further transportation. Picazo Jimenez directed the operation and had other co-conspirators coordinate for cover loads and commercial truck drivers to pick up the marijuana for transportation to the Dallas area.

Three other members of the Picazo Jimenez drug trafficking organization - Armando Eloy Gutierrez, 38, Javier Mota Villanueva, 33 and Leopoldo Rodriguez III, 25, all of Laredo - previously entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. All three are awaiting sentencing.

Gutierrez was in charge of finding warehouses for the organization to use and then soliciting shipping companies to transport trailers with marijuana and cover with loads of merchandise. He would also act as a scout by following the drivers through checkpoint. Once through, he would then drive with others to the Dallas or Fort Worth area to assist in receiving and unloading the drugs.

Mota-Villanueva worked at the warehouses. He wrapped the marijuana, moved pallets and loaded the drugs onto trailers. He would also travel to Dallas along with Gutierrez.

Rodriguez was tasked with wrapping marijuana and assisting with loading of narcotics onto trailers at a warehouse.

The investigation revealed three warehouse in Laredo that the organization used at different periods from on or about September 2013 to on or about July 31, 2014. They were located on the 1800 block of Aduanales, 200 block of Corpus Christi Street and the 1600 block of West Calton. Three separate marijuana loads were seized that originated from each one of the three warehouses, totaling more than 1600 kilograms.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Hacker accepted the plea today. Sentencing will be before U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen at a date to be determined. Due to the amounts for which they are held accountable, Picazo Jimenez, Gutierrez and Villanueva face a minimum 10 years and up to life in federal prison. Rodriguez faces a minimum of five and up to 40 years imprisonment.

Picazo Jimenez, Gutierrez and Mota will remain in custody, while Rodriguez was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Operation known as “Weed Wacker.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Lou Castillo is prosecuting the case.

GALVESTON, Texas – A 44-year old resident of Angleton has entered a guilty plea to one count each of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

John Kevin Waldrip came to the attention of law enforcement following an investigation into persons using the Internet to traffic in child pornography via peer-to-peer software. A detective with Pearland Police Department (PPD) was able to locate and identify a computer as offering to participate in the receipt of child pornography videos through a peer-to-peer network on the Internet. Through the investigation, it was determined that the computer was located at a residence in Angleton.

On June 30, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Angleton residence, during which time they seized a computer. A forensic examination on the computer revealed 81 videos and 512 images of child pornography involving minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the videos are of known victims as identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

U.S. District Judge George c. Hanks Jr., accepted the guilty plea and set sentencing for Aug. 16, 2017. At that time, Waldrip faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the distribution and receipt charges as well as another possible 10-year-maximum sentence for the possession conviction. Each conviction also carries a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

PPD and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri L. Zack, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rebecca Cramer, age 57, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania pled guilty today before United States District Judge John E. Jones, III, to social security fraud and theft of public funds.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Cramer pled guilty to a felony information alleging she collected over $22,000 in social security funds which were to be used for the benefit of her sister. Cramer’s sister passed away in February of 2015, and Cramer continued to collect the funds and fraudulently completed two annual reports to the Social Security Administration regarding her sister’s status.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 25 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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BOSTON – The ex-wife of a man who was a fugitive for 20 years until his arrest in April 2017, has been charged with lying about the whereabouts of her former spouse prior to his arrest.

Cecily Sturge, 69, of Delray Beach, Fla., has been charged with making a materially false statement to a federal agent about the whereabouts of her ex-husband, Scott J. Wolas, who had been a fugitive for 20 years in connection with a New York investment scheme until his arrest in April 2017. Wolas has also been charged in federal court in Boston with operating an unrelated fraudulent $1.5 million real estate investment scheme in Quincy, Mass. Sturge is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida today.

According to court documents, a federal investigation into Wolas began in early September 2016 when Wolas fled Massachusetts after defrauding at least 19 investors of about $1.5 million in connection with his purported efforts to develop two Quincy properties, including the site of the former Beachcomber Bar. Sturge was interviewed by law enforcement on Nov. 17, 2016, during which time she stated that her most recent contact with her ex-husband had been about 15 years prior. Sturge maintained her answer, despite evidence of contact between her cell phone and one known to belong to Wolas that demonstrated more recent communication between the two.

After further investigation, Wolas was arrested on April 7, 2017, in a condo he was renting in Delray Beach, Fla. Investigators learned that Wolas had first rented the condo from Nov. 12 through Nov. 21, 2016, through an online rental website in the name of Cecily Sturge. Messages exchanged between the condo owner and Sturge were also discovered, that depicted a photo of Sturge and messages indicating that Wolas (using the name Cameron Sturge) was Sturge’s brother and a retired paleontologist in need of a place to stay. The owner of the condo told authorities that Sturge and Wolas arrived at the condo together in the same car on Nov. 12, 2016, five days before Sturge’s interview with law enforcement.

Sturge was divorced from Wolas in 2001 by default judgment in Palm Beach County, Fla. In February 2017, Sturge filed a petition to modify the judgment in order to obtain the contents of Wolas’ retirement account, which had a balance of approximately $647,000, from the New York law firm where he worked prior to being indicted in 1997 by New York authorities. In pleadings filed in February and March 2017 in that matter, Sturge swore that Wolas’s whereabouts were unknown to her, despite telephone records showing frequent contact between the two. In addition, copies or drafts of documents filed in the Florida proceeding were also found in the room and on a thumb drive taken from the room where Wolas was arrested.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the US sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra S. Bower of Weinreb’s Criminal Division and David G. Lazarus and Brendan Mockler of Weinreb’s Civil Division are prosecuting the case.

DALLAS— Joshua Deunte Caldwell, 26, of Houston, Texas was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade to serve a total of 108 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in July 2016 to his role in the conspiracy to rob Tilak Jewelers in Irving, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Caldwell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. Caldwell has been in custody since his arrest in September 2015.

Caldwell was charged along with eleven other individuals in an indictment in February 2016. Afraybeom Traverom Jackson, 27, Dominique Pearson, 25, Hilton Murdock Aitch, 56, Irving Tyrone Flanagan, 47, Larry Solomon, 42, Terrence Lynn Thompson, 53, Anthony Ray Turner, Jr, 25, Treveon Dominique Anderson, 26, Michael Cornelious, 27, Xavier Rashad Ross, 25, and Vanlisa Scott, 47, were each charged with one count of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. Out of the twelve, ten have pleaded guilty, one is set for trial in January 2018, and one has not made an appearance in the Northern District of Texas.

According to plea documents filed in the case, in the early morning hours on November 17, 2013, Aitch,Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Flanagan, Solomon, Aitch, Thompson, Turner, Anderson, Cornelious, and Ross, traveled from Houston, Texas, to the Dallas, Texas, area with the specific intent to rob the Tilak Jewelers store located at 8300 North MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 100, Irving, Texas. They stole a cargo van and a minivan after they arrived in the Dallas, Texas, area in order to avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement.

Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross drove together in the stolen cargo van to the Tilak Jewelers store, with the specific intent to commit the robbery. Aitch,Flanagan, and Thompson participated in planning the robbery and positioned themselves outside the Tilak Jewelers store, but maintained communications with Jackson for the purpose of monitoring the robbery and alerting the participants of the presence of law enforcement.

Prior to entering the Tilak Jewelers store, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross disguised their identities by wearing long­sleeved clothing, long pants, gloves, and items covering their faces. Jackson and the others entered the jewelry store by smashing the locked glass door with a hammer. After gaining entry into the store, they restrained the owners of the jewelry store with zip-ties, smashed jewelry display cases, and took jewelry from the owners and employees of Tilak Jewelers.

After securing the jewelry, Jackson, Caldwell, Pearson, Turner, Anderson, and Ross fled from the robbery using the stolen cargo van. They abandoned the cargo van at a predetermined location, where Solomon was waiting in the stolen minivan. Solomon then drove them to a second predetermined location, where Cornelious was waiting in a switch vehicle. Cornelious then used the switch vehicle to further facilitate their flight from the robbery and avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement. Scott, who had traveled from Houston, met Pearsonand the other co­conspirators at a different location and took possession of the stolen jewelry for the purpose of safely transporting it to Houston, Texas.

The Irving Police Department, Houston Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson was in charge of the prosecution.

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CAMDEN, N.J. - A Camden man today admitted his role in a crack cocaine distribution conspiracy operating in Camden, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Julian Dickerson, a/k/a “Juelz,” 30, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.

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

Dickerson admitted that he was a member of an organization that controlled the distribution of drugs, including crack cocaine, in and around the 1100 block of Lansdowne Avenue in Camden. Dickerson admitted that he was supplied crack cocaine by other members of the conspiracy, which he sold to customers in the area and to an undercover officer on several occasions.

Dickerson – along with Joseph Boyd, Jason Boyd, Tony Wilson, Preston Thomas, Derek Stallworth, Jeffrey Whitaker, and Nafeez Griffin – was originally charged Sept. 9, 2016 following an investigation by the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force. Law enforcement officers seized drugs and recovered two handguns that were kept by members of the conspiracy in connection with the organization’s drug trafficking activities.

The drug distribution conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Dickerson’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 29, 2017.

Jason Boyd, Stallworth, and Wilson have all pleaded guilty to drug distribution conspiracy and firearms possession and await sentencing. Joseph Boyd pleaded guilty to drug distribution conspiracy and awaits sentencing. The charges against Thomas, Whitaker, and Griffin are still pending, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief J. Scott Thomson; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes, with the investigation.

He also thanked the Camden County Sheriff’s Department, the Cherry Hill Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense counsel: Michael Riley Esq.

A North Royalton man was charged in federal court with fraudulently claiming more than $133,000 in tax refunds to which he was not entitled, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Ryan L. Korner, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation.

Amin Mohammad, 45, was charged via criminal information with two counts of theft of public funds.

Mohammad operated a gas station and other energy-related businesses in the Cleveland area. He incorporated Goojee, Inc. in 2007 and Mejri Oil, Inc. in 2010. Neither company had a specific business purpose and bank accounts for the companies had minimal activity, according to the information.

Mohammad falsely reported the companies sold a combined 833,495 gallons of kerosene in tax year 2010. He falsely claimed fuel tax credits to which he was not entitled, seeking a $68,240 tax refund on behalf of Goojee and a $65,174 tax refund on behalf of Mejri, according to the information.

Assistant U.S Attorney Robert J. Patton is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the IRS-CI.

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

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

DAVENPORT, IA – On June 6, 2017, Nicholas William Rotter, 33, of Iowa City, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Rotter was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

Rotter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine on January 3, 2017. Between July 2015 and May 2016, Rotter used the “one-pot” method to manufacture methamphetamine on hundreds of occasions in and around the Iowa City area. Rotter would manufacture methamphetamine on bike trials, near railroad tracks, in alleyways, and in vehicles. Rotter carried the ingredients and supplies needed to manufacture methamphetamine with him in a backpack.

Rotter had numerous people purchase pseudoephedrine pills, a common ingredient in methamphetamine, for him. In exchange, Rotter would give them methamphetamine. Rotter also sold methamphetamine on over 100 occasions to numerous individuals in the Iowa City area. During the aforementioned time period, was observed brandishing a firearm.

The Johnson County Drug Task Force, Iowa City Police Department, North Liberty Police Department, and Division of Narcotics Enforcement conducted the investigation. The Iowa State Patrol and Johnson County Ambulance assisted in executing the search warrants. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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Learn more about this release by calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov.

DALLAS— Dwight Horton, 51, a former Mission Support Specialist (MSS) with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Dallas, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Court Judge Ed Kinkeade, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Horton, a resident of Grand Prairie, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2016 to one count of theft of government property. Judge Kinkeade sentenced Horton to a three-year term of probation and ordered him to pay $36,000 in restitution to HSI.

According to documents filed in the case, the investigation began in September 2014 when ICE, Office of Professional Responsibility in Houston received a referral from HSI Dallas indicating that MSS Horton had used a government fleet charge card to purchase automotive supplies without authorization for personal gain.

The investigation revealed that on several occasions, Horton used his government fleet charge card to purchase a set of four tires from at least two tire stores in Dallas, and on each of those occasions, he took the tires with him rather than having them installed on a vehicle. The HSI Dallas facility does not have a maintenance area/shop for mechanics to install tires on fleet vehicles.

The investigation further revealed that Horton used his government fleet charge card to purchase window tint. He also used it to purchase gas at a Tom Thumb in Grand Prairie for his personally-owned vehicles.

Horton resigned from his position at HSI Dallas on October 14, 2014.

The case was investigated by agents with ICE, Office of Professional Responsibility in Houston. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Pfeifle prosecuted.

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