BOSTON – An Orleans woman was arrested today for stealing her deceased husband’s Social Security benefits.   

Susan Condon, 64, was charged with one count of theft of public funds and one count of making false statements. 

According to the indictment, Condon served as the representative payee for her husband in his receipt of Social Security benefits.  Her husband passed away in April 2004, but she continued to receive his Social Security benefits each month.  In January 2015, Condon falsely reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she used all of the funds she received as her husband’s representative payee for her husband’s benefit.  She did not inform the SSA that her husband had died more than 10 years earlier.  From the time of her husband’s death in April 2004 through February 2017, Condon received approximately $198,511 in Social Security benefits.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  The charge of making false statements 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 U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Adam Schneider, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that Wesley Eugene Parker (25, Fernandina Beach) today pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine. Due to his multiple prior felony convictions for drug offenses, he faces an enhanced maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on December 28, 2016, and again less than two weeks later, Parker sold powder cocaine to a confidential informant. When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the home where Parker was living, they recovered firearms, ammunition, and illegal drugs, including marijuana and cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.

ROCKFORD — A Lake County man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala for his role in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana.

JUSTIN T. PAGLUSCH, 35, of Ingleside, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

On Oct. 6, 2015, a federal grand jury in Rockford charged Paglusch and six other individuals with conspiring to manufacture, possess and distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants. The indictment alleged that between Jan. 2, 2013, and Jan. 6, 2015, the defendants conspired to illegally grow and store marijuana in a warehouse at 1916 11th Street in Rockford. The warehouse was destroyed by fire on Jan. 6, 2015.

Paglusch pleaded guilty to the charge on March 3, 2017. He stated in a plea agreement that in November 2014, Paglusch’s cousin, Jeremiah N. Clement, 39, formerly of Des Plaines, asked Paglusch to work with others in a marijuana growing operation at the warehouse. Paglusch agreed, and during the time of the conspiracy he lived at the warehouse. When Paglusch arrived at the warehouse in November 2014, over 1,000 marijuana plants growing on the fourth floor in the warehouse were almost ready to be harvested. There was also a smaller room on the fourth floor of the warehouse that housed the baby or "clone" marijuana plants.

As stated in the plea agreement, Paglusch and Clement, along with three other co-defendants, started harvesting the crop of finished marijuana plants in December 2014. The harvested marijuana was weighed and packaged into one pound amounts and vacuum sealed. The processed marijuana was stored in a vault at the warehouse, which had a combination lock. Paglusch admitted that during the period of the conspiracy, he was aware that Clement kept a .357 Ruger revolver at the warehouse.

The sentencing was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Celinez Nunez, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Derek Bergsten, Chief of the Rockford Fire Department; and Anthony Scarpelli, Chief of the Skokie Police Department. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit and the Rockford Police Department Narcotics Unit assisted in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.

June 23, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

www.justice.gov/usao/md

Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

at (410) 209-4885

Baltimore, Maryland – Five men pleaded guilty this week, 4 on Baltimore City gun cases and one Anne Arundel County gun case. The guilty pleas were announced today by Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning.

The United States Attorney’s Office continues in its efforts to address the gun violence plaguing Baltimore area by using Federal Statutes prohibiting felons from possessing firearms.

Five defendants, listed below, pleaded guilty in 5 separate cases in United States District Court this week.

• Robert Butler, age 43, of Baltimore, Maryland

• Ryan King, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland

• Demonte T. Jones, age 25, of Brooklyn, Maryland

• Calvin Thompson, age 38, of Baltimore, Maryland

• Craig Tucker, age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland

   

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning said that the United States Attorney’s Office, through its Exile Program, will continue to pursue felons with guns who constitute a clear and present danger to the safety and welfare of the citizens of Baltimore. These guilty pleas reflect the ongoing commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office to address violent crime in the City of Baltimore and the District of Maryland.

Sentence proceedings for the five are pending. All five defendants continue to be detained.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Rapid CityRapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet was sentenced on June 21, 2017, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Nathaniel Johnross Weibel, age 32, was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Weibel was charged on February 23, 2016, and pleaded guilty on March 3, 2017. The conviction stems from Weibel enticing several minor females to engage in illegal sexual activity using the internet.

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

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

In San Antonio this morning, 37-year-old Mark Grimes was sentenced to 185 months in federal prison for distribution of child pornography announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr. and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio.

In addition to the prison term, Senior United States District Judge David A. Ezra ordered that Grimes pay $26,500 restitution to the victims and be placed on supervised release for a period of ten years after completing his prison term. Following the sentencing hearing, Judge Ezra remanded Grimes into federal custody.

On June 2, 2016, Grimes pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. By pleading guilty, Grimes admitted that in December 2013, he used his computer to distribute child pornography to others using a peer-to-peer file-sharing program. Agents from the FBI’s San Antonio Division executed a search warrant for the defendant’s residence on August 5, 2014, where they seized the defendant’s computer. A subsequent forensics evaluation of the computer revealed the presence of approximately 3,800 images of child pornography.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Christopher Little Elk, age 34, was indicted on June 14, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 20, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in prison 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 or about May 12, 2017, Little Elk assaulted a federal law enforcement officer.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.

Little Elk 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 two Eagle Butte, South Dakota, men, and a Howes, South Dakota, man have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Larceny and Misprision of a Felony.

Kolby Longbrake, age 24, Kelan Gesinger, age 28, and Matthew Houston, age 21, were indicted on June 14, 2017. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 16, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and up to $300 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between January 15, 2016, and April 3, 2016, Longbrake unlawfully took and carried away items valued at more than $1,000.

The Indictment also alleges that between March 11, 2016, and April 23, 2016, Longbrake, Gesinger, and Houston, stole a 2002 Delta 24’ goose neck trailer, valued at more than $1,000. All three defendants concealed stealing the neck trailer and did not, as soon as possible, make known the same to a judge or other person in civil authority under the United States.

The charges are merely accusations and Longbrake, Gesinger, and Houston are 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.

Longbrake and Houston were released on conditions pending trial, and Gesinger 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 Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

Don Williams, age 45, was indicted on June 14, 2017. Williams appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 16, 2017, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

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

The charge relates to Williams failing to register and update his registration as a convicted sex offender between October 13, 2016, and April 24, 2017.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

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

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Anthony Zotti, age 21, was indicted on June 14, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 20, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in prison 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 or about May 25, 2017, Zotti assaulted a federal law enforcement officer, and that the assault involved bodily injury.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.

Zotti was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

          LOS ANGELES– Law enforcement authorities have arrested a Monterey Park woman on federal charges of injecting a currently unknown substance – possibly silicone – into a woman’s buttocks during cosmetic procedures that caused so much damage the woman needed a major operation to correct the problem.

          Ana Bertha Diaz Hernandez, 47, was taken into custody late yesterday afternoon by special agents with the United States Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations and investigators with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Division of Investigation, Health Quality Investigation Unit, Operation Safe Medicine Unit (formerly known as the California Medical Board).

          The arrest followed the filing yesterday of a criminal complaint charging Diaz with three felony offenses – receipt of an adulterated and misbranded medical device, smuggling, and misbranding prescription drugs.

          According to the affidavit in support of the complaint, a victim identified as “I.T.”, filed a complaint with the California Medical Board after seeking treatments from Diaz to enhance her buttocks. I.T. stated that the product Diaz had injected into her buttocks had migrated to her “back, hips and legs,” the affidavit states. I.T. explained that she had to have surgery and was ultimately hospitalized due to the injections administered by Diaz.

          During a series of treatments that cost thousands of dollars, Diaz explained to I.T. that she was injecting a “natural product,” at points claiming the injections were “lamb’s fat.”

          However, after a series of treatments, I.T. began to suffer pain and sought the assistance of a doctor in Colombia who specialized in reversing cosmetic procedures. The victim underwent a major surgery to remove the substance injected into her buttocks, and she will need further medical procedures, according to the affidavit.

          According to the complaint, the FDA has never approved the use of silicone for the purpose of body contouring, even when administered by a medical doctor.

          “Injections of silicone for body contouring purposes, especially deep tissue injections into the buttocks of the large amounts of silicone that would be required to achieve visible buttocks augmentation and enhancement, present serious risks and dangers,” the affidavit states. “Included among the risks of such injections are the potential of injection into a blood vessel resulting in embolism, migration of injected silicone to other bodily regions and resultant interference with organs and bodily systems, serious sepsis infection and infection-related disorders, silicone-filled scar tissue formations (“granulomas”), necrosis, skin discoloration, immune system hyperactivity and related adverse systemic conditions, disfigurement, discomfort, and pain.”

          Diaz is expected to make her first court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court.

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

          If she is convicted of the three charges in the complaint, Diaz would face a statutory maximum sentence of 26 years in federal prison.

          This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph O. Johns, Chief of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Amanda M. Bettinelli of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Littleton, Colorado, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer.

Anthony One Star, Jr., a/k/a Tony One Star, age 29, was indicted on May 16, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 22, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in prison 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 or about March 22, 2017, One Star assaulted a federal law enforcement officer.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson is prosecuting the case.

One Star 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 an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Elliot Robert Blue Coat, age 40, was indicted on June 14, 2017. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 15, 2017, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $1,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between April 1, 2014, and June 14, 2017, Blue Coat knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in South Dakota.

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

This case is being investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services Narcotics Division and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney SaraBeth Donovan is prosecuting the case.

Blue Coat was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

BOSTON – The leader of MS-13’s East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique agreed to plead guilty today in federal court in Boston to RICO conspiracy involving an aggravated assault, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Santos Portillo Andrade, a/k/a “Flaco,” 33, of Revere, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and admitted responsibility for an aggravated assault on an individual he believed was a rival gang member in Malden in December 2008. Portillo also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV deferred accepting the defendant’s plea agreement until sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2017. If the court accepts the plea agreement, Portillo will be sentenced to 10 years in prison and four years of supervised release.

After a three-year investigation, Portillo was one of 61 defendants named in a January 2016 superseding indictment targeting the criminal activities of alleged leaders, members, and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. He is the 15thdefendant to plead guilty in the case.

Portillo was the leader of the East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique of MS-13. According to court documents, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches or “cliques” operate throughout the United States, including Massachusetts. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence against rival gang members to gain promotions and maintain membership and discipline within the group. Specifically, MS-13 members are required to attack and murder rival gang members whenever possible.

The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The drug trafficking conspiracy charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutively to any sentence imposed on counts two (RICO conspiracy) and five (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine), three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Thomas Truco of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Thompkins; Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes; Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie; Lynn Police Chief Michael Mageary; Revere Police Chief Joseph Cafarelli; and Somerville Police Chief David Fallon made the announcement.

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

         LOS ANGELES – A Pasadena man was named today in a seven-count indictment that charges him with committing a series of bank robberies culminating in an armed robbery in which he allegedly used a loaded shotgun.

         Shownee Shon Smith, 41, was charged robbing a Wells Fargo Bank branch in East Pasadena on June 10 while armed with a loaded shotgun.

         The Pasadena Police Department responded to alarms and a 911 call from inside the Wells Fargo branch and arrested Smith immediately after he exited the bank.

         The indictment alleges that Smith committed six bank robberies between May 15 and June 10. In addition to the Wells Fargo robbery, Smith is charged with robbing branches of US Bank in Burbank on May 15, Wells Fargo in South Pasadena on the same day, Chase Bank in East Pasadena on May 20, Chase in North Hollywood on May 27, and Citibank in Tarzana on the same day. Prior to the Wells Fargo robbery on June 10, Smith had allegedly used notes to demand money from bank employees.

         Smith is additionally charged with brandishing a firearm during the June 10 robbery.

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

         Smith, who is being held in custody without bond, is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on July 5 in United States District Court.

         The five bank robbery charges in the indictment carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, and the armed bank robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. If convicted of the count alleging brandishing of a firearm, Smith would face a mandatory seven-year sentence that would run consecutively to any other sentence imposed in the case.

         The case against Smith is the result of an investigation by the FBI, which received substantial assistance from the Pasadena Police Department, the South Pasadena Police Department, the Burbank Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Santa Monica Police Department.

         The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Carley Palmer of the General Crimes Section.

Two Canton men were indicted for federal firearms violations, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Nazario Mendoza, 43, and Jose Argueta-Carrillo, aka Jose Armica-Argueta, 34, are named in the two-count indictment.

Count 1 of the indictment alleges that on Jan. 4 up to and including as late as Feb. 7, 2017, Mendoza transferred a Taurus 9mm pistol, Model: PT111 Millennium G2 firearm to Jose Argueta-Carrillo, a person he knew to be prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Count 2 of the indictment alleges that on Feb. 7, 2017, Argueta-Carrillo, an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, and prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessed a Taurus 9mm pistol, Model: PT111 Millennium G2 firearm.

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

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and Canton Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S> Attorney Jason M. Katz.

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

A Portage County man was indicted on charges of sexual exploitation of a child, and receiving, distributing and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Thomas D. Brown, 40, of Atwater, used, persuaded, enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. This took place from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2015, and again from June 1, 2016, through May 22, 2017, according to the indictment.

The indictment also charges that Brown knowingly received and distributed numerous computer files which files contained visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place from May 4, 2017, through May 9, 2017.

The indictment also charges that on or about May 12, 2017, Brown possessed a computer, a Lexar flash drive and an SD card, each of which contained child pornography.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Sullivan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Canton Police Department.

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

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Arelio Martinez-Perez, 37, of Guatemala, for re-entering the United States illegally after being deported, said David A. Sierleja, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Martinez-Perez has been deported on two previous occasions. He was last deported to Guatemala in February 2015. Martinez-Perez later reentered the country and was recently found in New Philadelphia, Ohio, according to the indictment.

Assistant United States Attorney Elliot D. Morrison is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.

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

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

A Youngstown man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for selling heroin that resulted in a fatal overdose, said Acting U.S> Attorney David A. Sierleja and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office.

Shayne Mascarella, 23, distributed heroin that directly resulted in the July 19, 2015 death in Youngstown of a person identified in the court documents as L.Z.

“Heroin has caused an unprecedented wave of death, pain and destruction in Ohio,” Sierleja said. “No corner of the state is immune. Only though aggressive law enforcement -- combined with education and prevention efforts, changes in prescribing practices and making treatment available to those who want help -- can we turn the tide on the opioid epidemic.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jason M. Katz and David M. Toepfer. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force and the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, which includes representatives from the Boardman Police Department, the Youngstown Police Department, the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and others.

A sister and brother from Willoughby were indicted for a conspiracy to distribute marijuana, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja.

Natasha D. Lewis, 28, and Bennett M. Lewis, 26, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

Natasha D. Lewis worked as a carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. She exchanged messages with Bennett M. Lewis regarding addresses to which packages containing marijuana could be sent. This took place between December 2015 through January 2017, according to the indictment.

Bennett M. Lewis then arranged for marijuana shipments to be sent via the United States Postal Service to those addresses. Natasha D. Lewis intercepted those packages and delivered them directly to Bennett M. Lewis. After the marijuana was sold, both defendants shared in the proceeds, according to the indictment.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Kall. The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Cleveland, Ohio, and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

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