BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl.

Edson Gomes, 20, a/k/a “E,” was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 71 months in prison and three years of supervised release. During the period of supervised release, Gomes is prohibited from associating with his co-conspirators and certain Brockton gang members. He is also prohibited from being in the City of Brockton.

In January 2017, Gomes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. In April 2016, Gomes was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint along with Luis DaCosta and Gilvan Monteiro. In May 2016, they and four others were indicted on drug and firearm-related charges.

On numerous occasions between December 2015 to March 2016, Gomes and his co-defendants sold fentanyl in the Brockton area, and shared several of the same customers. In instances where Monteiro was out of fentanyl, he would direct his customers to purchase from Gomes. On Feb. 10, 2016, Gomes conducted a drug deal with co-defendant Gabriel Nieves, and then mistakenly left his gun in Nieves’ car. Law enforcement seized the firearm when Nieves was stopped and arrested. Five days later, Gomes tried to obtain a replacement gun.

According to court documents, Gomes has a violent criminal history. At age 15 he was charged with assault and battery, and at age 17 he was arrested twice on drug possession charges. Gomes currently has three pending cases against him.

DaCosta was sentenced to 106 months in federal prison in May 2017. Monteiro pleaded guilty in federal court in January 2017 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2017.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz; and Brockton Police Chief John Crowley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Glenn A. MacKinlay and Timothy Moran of Weinreb’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that OSCAR VALENTIN, also known as “Tato,” 43, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 201 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics, and for his role in the September 2012 homicide of Javier Reyes of New London.

According to court documents and statements made in court, VALENTIN operated and managed a narcotics distribution enterprise at the “Green Garages,” a series of garage bays located as 12/14 Walker Street in New London. In the summer of 2011, VALENTIN was the intended victim of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by former members of his enterprise in an attempt to take over narcotics distribution at the Green Garages. In September 2012, VALENTIN hired Nestor Pagan, also known as “Ernie” and “Naeem Medina,” to assault Javier Reyes. Pagan then hired Jose Rosado, Jr., also known as “Gugie,” and Andrew Aviles, also known as “P.A.” and “Papo,” to carry out the assault of Reyes in exchange for cash.

On the evening of September 12, 2012, Reyes, 36, was stabbed multiple times outside of his apartment at 187 Huntington Street in New London, and died a short time later. He also had blunt force trauma to the back of his head.

Video surveillance at the time of the attack showed Rosado, carrying a baseball bat, and another individual, creeping toward Reyes and then running away from him about 15 seconds later.

The investigation revealed that Rosado hit Reyes with the bat, knocking him to the ground. Aviles then stabbed Reyes multiple times.

On May 2, 2016, a federal jury found Valentin guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, but could not reach a verdict on charges against Valentin and Pagan related to the assault of Javier Reyes. As part of a commitment by the government not to seek a sentence of more than 235 months of imprisonment, VALENTIN subsequently agreed that the government could prove that the murder of Javier Reyes was related to VALENTIN’s drug trafficking enterprise.

On August 11, 2016, Pagan pleaded guilty in state court to one count of conspiracy to commit assault first degree-aided by others. On August 23, 2016, he was sentenced to 17 years of incarceration. On that same date, the federal charges against him related to the assault of Reyes were dismissed. On March 7, 2017, as part of an unrelated case, Pagan pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. When he is sentenced on the firearm charge, as a result of a binding plea agreement, he will be sentenced to a 10-year concurrent sentence.

On July 22, 2014, Rosado pleaded guilty to one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, and aiding and abetting the same. On February 15, 2017, he was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

On January 22, 2015, Aviles pleaded guilty to violating the Travel Act by using a facility in interstate commerce, namely a cellular telephone, with the intent to commit a crime of violence in furtherance of an unlawful activity, and thereafter committed the crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29, 2017.

This matter has been investigated by the New London Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service and the New London State’s Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Sarah Karwan, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Narducci.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – An armed drug dealer who was convicted of drug and firearm offenses was sentenced today to 10 years and 10 months in prison.

Trenton R. Birchette, 34, of Surry County, was convicted by a federal jury on March 24. According to the evidence presented at trial, Birchette was arrested on an outstanding warrant during a traffic stop on Dec. 28, 2015. At the time of his arrest, detectives found a handgun, ammunition, and digital scale in the area immediately accessible to Birchette. A search of Birchette’s person following his arrest led detectives to believe that Birchette had something concealed between his buttocks. In recorded jail calls made later that evening, Birchette told a woman that he had drugs concealed in his rectum. Birchette said he planned to have another inmate bring the drugs to her and directed her to give them to her son for distribution on his behalf. Detectives discovered these calls and obtained a search warrant for Birchette’s person. On the way to the hospital, Birchette removed from his buttocks a plastic bag containing over six grams of individually packaged rocks of crack cocaine. Birchette hid the bag in between the seat cushions of the vehicle in which he was transported. Detectives discovered the bag one day later on the floorboard immediately behind where Birchette had been seated. In a jail call made that same day, Birchette told the same woman that authorities had taken him to the hospital and recovered everything the two had previously discussed. Before Dec. 28, 2015, Birchette had been convicted of four felony offenses, including two prior cocaine offenses. Birchette was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, using a telephone in furtherance of drug distribution, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division; and Richard W. Myers, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin C. Gratton and Brian J. Samuels prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:16-cr-57.

Acting United States Attorney Robert C. Stuart announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 38 indictments charging 43 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

* Breck C. Beck, Jr., age 21, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on or about December 15, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* James Burrus, age 26, is charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine on or about May 12, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Erlin Francisco Carrazco-Mendoza, age 35, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about November 3, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Kortney Cunegin, age 31, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about January 7, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Eugene Michael Frazier, Sr., a/k/a Eugene Frazier-Green, a/k/a Cubby, age 26, of Winnebago, is charged with Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender on or about January 29, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Nathan Jandreau, age 32, and Korina Freemont, age 40, of Omaha, are charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about November 1, 2015, and continuing to on or about April 26, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 40 years imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a 4 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Jandreau with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 21, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges Freemont with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 21, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* David Garcia-Colimote, age 35, of Lexington, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 29, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Jhovani Gomez-Garcia, age 32, of Columbus, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following an aggravated felony conviction on or about June 13, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Trevon Green, age 19, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana on or about January 7, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 2 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Green with use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Curtis Holmes, Jr., age 25, of Omaha, is charged with distribution of a mixture containing crack cocaine on or about October 27, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Gerardo Infante Aranda, age 27, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about March 10, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Sidney Jackson, age 26, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana or about November 10, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 2 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Jackson with use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about December 6, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Creighton Jones, age 24, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of a mixture containing crack cocaine or about March 14, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Jones with use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about March 14, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Loren Williams, age 26, is charged with transferring a firearm to a prohibited person on or about May 16, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Rodney Lillard, age 32, of Omaha, is charged with felon in possession of a firearm on or about May 30, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Luis Lorenzo-Urbina, age 30, of Omaha, is charged with illegal alien in possession of a firearm on or about May 23, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Francisca Lugo, age 58, of Kearney, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about June 9, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Daniel Martinez Brito, age 47, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following an aggravated felony conviction on or about May 15, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Jose Martinez Roman, age 28, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 15, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Cary McCarty, age 27, of Lincoln, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Counts I, II and III of the Indictment charge the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 8, 2016, May 18, 2011, on or about November 29, 2016, and on or about January 18, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.

* Londy Montepeque, age 37, of Omaha, is charged in a four-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 23, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Montepeque with false representation of a social security number on or about April 6, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III of the Indictment charges Montepeque with false representation of U.S. Citizenship on or about April 6, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Count IV of the Indictment charges the defendant with misuse of a Social Security Card knowing that the document was not issued lawfully for his use on or about April 6, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Jose De Jesus Nava-Leanos, a/k/a Jose Blanco-Campos, a/k/a Jose Alvarez-Gutierres, age 58, of Mullen, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following an aggravated felony conviction on or about May 16, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Lynell Noble, Jr., age 24, is charged with transferring a firearm to a prohibited person on or about December 8, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Pedro Orozco-Montes, age 35, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 25, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Desiderio Pablo-Pablo, age 32, of Lexington, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 14, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Michael Perez-Barrios, age 26, of Grand Island, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation following a felony conviction on or about May 19, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Otto Rene Pojoy-Garcia, age 38, of Crete, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 13, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Jaime Ramos, age 33, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about July, 2016, and continuing to on or about November 4, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Ramos with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about November 6, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Andres Ramos Ramos, age 29, of Omaha, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about May 31, The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Terrance Robinson, age 20, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with distribution of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana on or about November 17, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 2 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Robinson with use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Diana Rodriguez-Lopez, age 23, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Counts I and II of the Indictment charge the defendant with distribution of a mixture containing cocaine on or about October 25, 2016 and on or about November 8, 2016. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count

* Wilson Secadia-Garcia, age 33, of Lincoln, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with illegal reentry after deportation following an aggravated felony conviction on or about May 22, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II of the Indictment charges Secadia-Garcia with failure to register as a sex offender beginning on or about December 30, 2015, and continuing to on or about May 22, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Traynell D. Toney, age 24, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Counts I and II of the Indictment charge the defendant with bank robbery on or about June 2, 2017 and on or about June 9, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.

* Blanca Avila De Vega, age 43, of Phoenix; Melissa Vega, age 19, of Phoenix; Alejandro Buendia-Ramirez, age 33, of Omaha; Carlos Alberto Valquier, age 19, of Omaha; and Alfredo Valquier, age 21, of Omaha, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine beginning on or about March 1, 2016, and continuing to on or about June 7, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The indictment also alleges any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the violation alleged in the indictment and any property used to commit the offense should be forfeited to the United States.

* Domingo Velasquez-Domingo, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 6, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Kendall Williams, age 22, is charged with transferring a firearm to a prohibited person on or about April 12, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Irene E. Worman, age 62, of Red Cloud, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with theft of government funds beginning in or around November, 2010, and continuing until in or around April, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II-IV of the Indictment charge Worman with allegedly making false statements for use in determining Supplemental Security Income Payments on or about December 2, 2014, on or about September 10, 2015, and on or about November 30, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.
* Domingo Velasquez-Domingo, age 36, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation on or about June 6, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 1 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Kendall Williams, age 22, is charged with transferring a firearm to a prohibited person on or about April 12, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

* Irene E. Worman, age 62, of Red Cloud, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I of the Indictment charges the defendant with theft of government funds beginning in or around November, 2010, and continuing until in or around April, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts II-IV of the Indictment charge Worman with allegedly making false statements for use in determining Supplemental Security Income Payments on or about December 2, 2014, on or about September 10, 2015, and on or about November 30, 2015. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3 year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment for each count.

ATLANTA - A pain clinic owner, an office manager who was also the wife of the owner, and two doctors have been sentenced for illegally prescribing painkillers to known addicts and drug dealers at three pain clinics in metropolitan Atlanta. Godfrey and Bona Ilonzo, as well as Dr. Nevorn Askari and Dr. William Richardson, were sentenced to terms in prison between four and 12 years for federal drug and money laundering charges for their respective roles in operating the AMARC “pill mills.”

“The roots of our current heroin and fentanyl crisis are found in the opiate abuse epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “Like many other states, Georgia continues to experience the devastating toll of this epidemic on its citizens. Yet, these defendants willingly exploited desperate drug addicts by feeding their addictions in order to turn a profit.”

“These drug traffickers, dressed in white lab coats, can no longer cause damage to those addicted to pain medicine. These rogue “medical field” employees will now have plenty of time to reflect on the damages they have caused while serving their sentences in federal prison. DEA and our state and local partners remain committed to keeping our communities safe,” said Dan Salter, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlanta Field Division.

“The diversion of dangerous prescription drugs is a public health epidemic that is crippling communities throughout the country,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey. “It makes matters much worse when the individuals responsible for medical care are also illegally supplying lethal drugs. IRS Criminal Investigation will continue to work with our partners to dismantle these deadly drug trafficking organizations and seek justice for the harm caused to the community”

According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: In May 2009, agents of the Tactical Diversion Squad of the DEA learned that doctors at the AMARC clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, were prescribing pain pills outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice to drug addicts and drug dealers. Subsequently, DEA, working with IRS and officers from other state and local agencies, learned that Godfrey Ilonzo financed and operated at least eight clinics in the Atlanta area under the “AMARC” name, including the pain clinic in Atlanta and two other pain clinics under different names; one in Tyrone, Georgia, and one other in Atlanta.

Bona Ilonzo (Godfrey Ilonzo’s wife) served as the office manager at the main AMARC pain clinic. At various times, Askari and Richardson served as the primary doctors for the AMARC pain clinics. Law enforcement also learned that Rosemary Ofume and Donatus Iriele operated Medicine Center Pharmacy in Atlanta, and illegitimately dispensed pain pills to AMARC customers.

The Ilonzos asked Dr. Askari and Dr. Richardson to prescribe Oxycodone pills and other opiates to addicts and distributors. Many of those customers traveled to the AMARC clinics from counties throughout Georgia and from other states (including Alabama and Ohio). Customers waited for hours at one AMARC pain clinic and paid cash to receive prescriptions for Oxycodone/Hydrocodone, Xanax, and Soma (the “holy trinity”) for resale on the street. Askari and Richardson issued prescriptions for medically inappropriate and potentially lethal combinations of Oxycodone, Alprazolam, Hydrocodone, and other controlled substances without conducting adequate medical examinations. After seeing a patient once, Askari would repeatedly “pre-sign” prescriptions for the same amounts and types of controlled substances without ever seeing the patient again in-person, while falsely indicating in the patient’s file that she had conducted an in-person examination of the patient.

After customers received illegitimate prescriptions from AMARC, clinic staff told customers to fill their prescriptions across the street at a pharmacy operated by Ofume and Iriele. Employees at the AMARC clinics and pharmacy received discounts and special treatment, including free office visits and reduced prices for pills dispensed at the pharmacy.

During the course of the conspiracy, the AMARC clinics generated more than $3 million dollars from unlawful prescriptions. Godfrey and Bona Ilonzo used that money to recruit additional physicians and patients to the AMARC pain clinics, open additional clinics under the “AMARC” name, purchase property, and send their children to expensive private schools.

Godfrey and Bona Ilonzo, Drs. Askari and Richardson, Rosemary Ofume, and Donatus Iriele have all pleaded guilty or have been convicted at trial. U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones imposed sentences on the four AMARC defendants as follows:

• Godfrey Ilonzo, 66, of Alpharetta, Georgia, was sentenced on June 14, 2017,

  to 12 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Godfrey Ilonzo had pleaded guilty to charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy on February 16, 2017.

   

• Bona Ilonzo, 54, of Alpharetta, Georgia, was sentenced on June 14, 2017, to eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Bona Ilonzo had pleaded guilty to charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy on February 16, 2017;

• Dr. Nevorn Askari, 61, of Monroe, Georgia, was sentenced on June 13, 2017, to five years and six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dr. Askari pleaded guilty on February 16, 2017, to her involvement in this drug trafficking conspiracy; and,

   

• Dr. William Richardson, 63, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced on June 13, 2017, to four years and six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Dr. Richardson pleaded guilty on February 1, 2017, for his involvement in this drug trafficking conspiracy.

Both Dr. Askari and Dr. Richardson voluntarily surrendered their medical licenses to the Georgia Composite Board of Medicine.

As part of their sentences, Judge Jones also ordered Godfrey and Bona Ilonzo to forfeit approximately $20,000 in seized funds, and he entered personal money judgements of $1.5 million against each of them.

On March 24, 2017, after a three-week jury trial, Rosemary Ofume and Donatus Iriele were convicted on federal drug and money laundering charges for illegally dispensing controlled narcotics to AMARC customers. Sentencing for Ofume and Iriele is scheduled for July 20, 2017, before Judge Jones.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel Boatright, Cassandra Schansman, and Michael Brown prosecuted the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site www.justthinktwice.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Jackson, TN – Jeffrey Whitehead and Keenan Kendall were sentenced to 149 months in federal prison for being felons in possession of firearms. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney, announced the sentences today.

According to information presented in court, on January 5, 2016, members of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Springville, TN., home of Jeffrey Whitehead, 29, because of suspected marijuana distribution from the home. Upon execution of the warrant, Whitehead, who was present, told the officer that he had marijuana in the house and a few firearms. Whitehead told officers that he knew he was not allowed to be in possession of any firearms. A search of the home and Whitehead’s truck revealed 45.4 pounds of marijuana, $4,500 in cash, and digital scales, along with 6 firearms.

On January 27, 2017, officers with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the home of Keenan Kendall, 40, on suspicion of marijuana distribution. A search of the home in Paris, TN., revealed two sets of digital scales, marijuana and a loaded firearm.

On June 22, 2107, the Honorable J. Daniel Breen sentenced both Whitehead and Kendall. Whitehead received a sentence of more than 7 years in federal prison and 3 years supervised release. Kendall was sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison and received a total of 3 years supervised release.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Henry County Sheriff’s Office; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who have all worked jointly to address gun-related crimes through aggressive investigation and prosecution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Eskridge prosecuted these cases on the government’s behalf.

ALBUQUERQUE – Ricardo Garcia-Solis, 29, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on a methamphetamine trafficking charge. Garcia-Solis remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for tomorrow.

Garcia-Solis is charged in a criminal complaint with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute following his arrest on June 24, 2017, at the Greyhound Bus Station in Albuquerque. The DEA arrested Garcia-Solis after agents allegedly found approximately 2.2 kilograms (4.85 pounds) of methamphetamine in his baggage during a consensual search.

If convicted on the charge in the criminal complaint, Garcia-Solis faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years to a maximum of life in prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard R. Thomas.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a scheme to use false information and simultaneous loan applications at multiple banks to fraudulently obtain home equity lines of credit, a practice known as “shotgunning,” Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Rafael Popoteur, 65, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiring to commit bank fraud between 2012 and 2014.

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

From 2012 through January 2014, Popoteur, Simon Curanaj, and others conspired to fraudulently obtain multiple home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) from banks on a residential property in New Jersey. To get the banks to extend lines of credit they would not have otherwise approved, Popoteur, Curanaj, and others transferred ownership of a Ridgefield Park property to Popoteur, who also lived at the property.

Popoteur, Curanaj, and others then applied for three HELOCs from multiple banks using the Ridgefield Park property as collateral. They hid from the lenders the fact that the property was either already subject to senior liens that had not yet been recorded, or that the same property was offered as collateral for a line of credit from another lender. The applications also falsely inflated Popoteur’s income. The equity in the property was far less than the amount of the HELOC loans Popoteur and others applied for.

The victim banks eventually issued loans to Popoteur in excess of $495,000. After the victim banks deposited money into Popoteur’s bank accounts, Popoteur disbursed portions of it to Curanaj and others. In 2014, Popoteur defaulted on all three HELOC loans.

The conspiracy to commit bank fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10, 2017.

The charges against Curanaj are still pending and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the U.S. Federal Finance Housing Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Steven Perez; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher of the Newark office, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Newark and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin DiGregory of the FHFA, Office of the Inspector General.

Defense counsel: Jean Barrett Esq., Montclair

FRESNO, Calif. — Daniel Rios, 33, of Kern County, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between March 1, 2016, and June 29, 2016, Rios conspired with others in Earlimart to distribute methamphetamine. On June 14, 2016, he distributed approximately 14.7 kilograms of methamphetamine to a co-conspirator. When law enforcement agents arrested Rios and other co-conspirators, they seized approximately 14.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, three firearms, multiple magazines and ammunition, and over $16,000 in cash.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, the Southern Tri-County Task Force of the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the California Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations, the Kern County Probation Department, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.

Rios is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on December 18, 2017. Rios faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $5 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kye Aaron Dunbar, 30, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to three years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $287,945 in restitution for conspiring to defraud Bakersfield Pipe and Supply Inc. (BPS), U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between March 17, 2014, and October 22, 2014, Kye Dunbar, his wife Lynnsi Dunbar, and Daniel Harte conspired to defraud BPS, which is headquartered in Bakersfield, by creating false invoices for payment. Lynnsi Dunbar was an employee of BPS who, with the help of Kye Dunbar and Daniel Harte, created a fictitious trucking company in the name of Harte Trucking. Harte Trucking existed in name only and was created by the defendants for the sole purpose of submitting fraudulent invoices to BPS for payment for services never performed. As a result of this conspiracy, the defendants were able to defraud BPS out of $287,000.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.

Lynnsi Dunbar pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2018. Harte is scheduled to go to trial on November 7, 2017. The charges against Harte are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

FRESNO, Calif. — Crystal Ferguson, 37, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between June 1, 2016, and November 1, 2016, Ferguson distributed approximately 79.8 grams of cocaine base and approximately 28.6 grams of cocaine.

This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.

Ferguson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on October 16, 2017. Ferguson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LAJBAR LAJAWARD KHAN, a/k/a “Haji Lajaward,” and AMAL SAID SAID ALAM SHAH, a/k/a “Haji Zar Mohammad,” pled guilty to conspiring to import heroin into the United States, and to distributing heroin intending that the heroin would be imported into the United States. LAJAWARD and SAID pled guilty earlier today to a Superseding Indictment in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As these two defendants admitted today, they conspired and attempted to import heroin into the United States from Afghanistan. Indeed, as the investigation revealed, they intended to import so much heroin into the United States from Afghanistan that their ‘sample’ shipment, meant as a test run for future shipments to the U.S., was three kilograms of heroin. We will continue to work with the DEA to curb the importation of heroin, a lethal drug that plagues every community right now.”

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment to which LAJAWARD and SAID pled guilty, statements made during the plea and other court proceedings, and other documents in the public record:

LAJAWARD and SAID, two Afghan nationals, were part of a drug trafficking organization (the “DTO”) based in Afghanistan that produced and distributed large quantities of heroin. Between approximately May 2014 and June 2015, LAJAWARD and SAID worked together in an effort to import large quantities of heroin – in the range of 1,000 kilograms – from Afghanistan into the United States.

In August 2014, LAJAWARD began communicating by telephone with an individual he understood to be a New York-based narcotics trafficker, who was in fact an undercover agent of the DEA (the “UC”). LAJAWARD, in sum and substance, told the UC that he was interested in supplying large quantities of high-quality heroin for importation into the United States, where it would be sold for millions of dollars. In the course of the calls between LAJAWARD and the UC, LAJAWARD introduced the UC to one of LAJAWARD’s heroin-trafficking associates, SAID.

On October 30, 2014, LAJAWARD and the UC met in person in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In the course of that recorded meeting, in sum and substance, LAJAWARD continued to express his interest in supplying large quantities of heroin to the UC for importation into the United States, and LAJAWARD offered to supply a sample of heroin to the UC, as a test shipment to be sold in the United States. In the months following that meeting in Dubai, in the course of recorded telephone calls with the UC, LAJAWARD and SAID arranged to supply a three-kilogram sample of heroin in Kabul, Afghanistan (the “Heroin Sample”).

During those recorded calls, LAJAWARD, SAID, and the UC agreed that the delivery of the three-kilogram Heroin Sample would occur in Kabul on or about January 15, 2015. On that day, an undercover Afghan law enforcement officer, acting at the direction of the DEA and posing as an associate of the UC, met with LAJAWARD and one of LAJAWARD’s associates in Kabul and received delivery of the three-kilogram Heroin Sample. In parallel, over 1,000 miles away in Dubai, the UC met with another associate of LAJAWARD to pay for the Heroin Sample, as had been arranged during recorded calls between the UC and LAJAWARD. At that meeting, which was recorded, the UC paid $10,500 to the associate for the Heroin Sample.

About two weeks later, on January 28, 2015, SAID met with the UC in Dubai. During that recorded meeting, in sum and substance, SAID discussed the Heroin Sample that the DTO had recently supplied for importation into the United States, stated that the DTO was prepared to supply 1,000 kilograms of heroin to the UC, and indicated that it would only take the DTO about 15 days to produce 100 kilograms of heroin for shipment to the United States.

On April 2, 2015, SAID met again with the UC in Dubai. During that recorded meeting, SAID and the UC negotiated additional details of the agreement for the DTO to supply massive quantities of heroin for importation into the United States, including that LAJAWARD and SAID would share in the profits generated from the sale of the heroin in the United States. SAID also agreed, in sum and substance, that he and LAJAWARD would meet the UC in Thailand, for purposes of finalizing the heroin deal, and for LAJAWARD and SAID to receive their share of the profits generated from the purported sale in the United States of the three-kilogram Heroin Sample previously supplied by the DTO.

In June 2015, LAJAWARD and SAID traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, to meet with the UC. On June 13, 2015, LAJAWARD and SAID were arrested in Bangkok by Thai authorities based on the charges in this case, at the request of U.S. authorities. LAJAWARD and SAID were later brought to the United States to face the charges against them.

* * *

LAJAWARD, 52, of Afghanistan, and SAID, 46, also of Afghanistan, each pled guilty to one count of conspiring to import one kilogram and more of heroin into the United States, and to one count of distributing or attempting to distribute one kilogram and more of heroin, knowing and intending that it would be imported into the United States. LAJAWARD and SAID each face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. Sentencing is scheduled for November 1, 2017, at 3:30 p.m., before Judge Wood.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Special Operations Division; the DEA’s Kabul, Dubai, Tokyo, and Bangkok Country Offices; the DEA’s New York Field Division; the CNP-A Sensitive Investigative Unit of the Afghan Ministry of the Interior; the Dubai Police Department and the Anti-Narcotics Unit of the Emirati Ministry of Interior; Japan’s National Police Agency and the Saitama Prefectural Police; Thailand’s Sensitive Investigative Unit of the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau; Thailand’s Attorney General’s Office; Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; INTERPOL; the U.S. Department of State; and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebekah Donaleski and George D. Turner are in charge of the prosecution.

FRESNO, Calif. — Carlos Gerardo Blanco, 27, and Henry Polin Morales III, 21, both of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between November 2014 and December 2015, Blanco conspired with Morales and others to distribute methamphetamine to various drug dealers and users in Kern County and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Blanco and Morales admit they distributed between 1.5 kilograms and 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

According to the plea agreement, on May 6, 2015, Blanco purchased approximately five pounds of crystal methamphetamine in the Los Angeles metropolitan area that he intended to distribute for profit with the help of Morales and other co-conspirators. Agents seized the crystal methamphetamine from Blanco, Morales, and another convicted co-conspirator, Justin Rivera, 22, of Bakersfield, as they attempted to transport the narcotics on a commercial bus bound for Las Cruces, New Mexico.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and task force officers from Kern County Probation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.

Salvador Morales was earlier convicted in this matter and was sentenced on September 26, 2016, to six years and three months in prison. Jose Alejandro Jacobo, 25, of Bakersfield, was convicted in this matter and sentenced on March 13, 2017, to seven years and eight months in prison. Two other defendants have pleaded guilty to this conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing — Justin Rivera and Carlos Blanco’s wife Josefina Blanco, 25, a Mexican national.

Blanco and Morales are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on October 16, 2017. Blanco faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Morales faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman who was caught with heroin in 2016 was sentenced today to two and a half years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Ashley Dawn Smith, 24, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On March 30, 2016, agents with the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence located at 1814 7th Avenue in Huntington. When agents entered the residence, Smith concealed approximately 45 grams of heroin on her person. During the search, agents recovered a loaded 9mm pistol, digital scales, a drug press, and a magic bullet blender used to mix heroin. Smith was arrested based on a warrant pending from Putnam County and transported to the Huntington Police Department where she provided agents with the heroin that she had hidden. Smith admitted that the heroin was intended for distribution.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

This prosecution was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down illegal pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District.

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BOSTON – Barry Cadden, the owner and head pharmacist of New England Compounding Center (NECC), was sentenced today in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak.

Cadden, 50, of Wrentham, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 108 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and forfeiture and restitution in an amount to be determined later. In March 2017, Cadden was convicted by a federal jury of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.

“Barry Cadden put profits over patients,” said Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb. “He used NECC to perpetrate a massive fraud that harmed hundreds of people. Mr. Cadden knew that he was running his business dishonestly, but he kept doing it anyway to make sure the payments kept rolling in. Now he will have to pay for his crimes.”

“Barry Cadden put profits ahead of patients,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Under his direction, employees assured customers that they were getting safe drugs, while Cadden ignored grave environmental failures, used expired active ingredients, and took innumerable other production shortcuts that led to numerous, entirely preventable deaths. As Cadden’s sentence reflects, the Justice Department's Consumer Protection Branch is committed to prosecuting those who put the health of Americans at risk.”

“Protecting Americans from unsafe and contaminated drugs is at the core of our mission. Patients should not have to worry about the safety and sterility of the drugs they are prescribed,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “Since this tragedy, Congress has given the FDA important new authorities, and the agency has implemented key policies, all to provide a greater assurance of safety over compounded medicines. As part of these efforts, we will continue to hold accountable those who violate the law and put patients at risk.”

“Today, Barry Cadden was held responsible for one of the worst public health crises in this country’s history, and the lives of those impacted because of his greed, will never be the same,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division. “This deadly outbreak was truly a life-changing event for hundreds of victims, and the FBI is grateful to have played a role, alongside our law enforcement partners, in bringing this man to justice.”

In 2012, 753 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) manufactured by NECC. Of those 753 patients, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 64 patients in nine states died. The outbreak was the largest public health crisis ever caused by a pharmaceutical product.

Specifically, Cadden directed and authorized the shipping of contaminated MPA to NECC customers nationwide. In addition, he authorized the shipping of drugs before test results confirming their sterility were returned, never notified customers of nonsterile results, and compounded drugs with expired ingredients. Furthermore, certain batches of drugs were manufactured, in part, by an unlicensed pharmacy technician at NECC. Cadden also repeatedly took steps to shield NECC’s operations from regulatory oversight by the FDA by claiming to be a pharmacy dispensing drugs pursuant to valid, patient-specific prescriptions. In fact, NECC routinely dispensed drugs in bulk without valid prescriptions. NECC even used fictional and celebrity names on fake prescriptions to dispense drugs, such as “Michael Jackson,” “Freddie Mae” and “Diana Ross.”

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) to protect the integrity of TRICARE, the U.S. Defense Department's health care program,” stated Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey of DCIS, Northeast Field Office. “DCIS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to identify and investigate individuals who disregard pharmaceutical and drug regulations and endanger the health and safety of U.S. military members and their families.‎”

“No veterans receiving VA care were harmed by the fungal meningitis outbreak,” said Special Agent in Charge Donna L. Neves for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. “The VA Office of Inspector General, together with its law enforcement partners, will persist in working drug adulteration cases to ensure veterans continue to receive safe and effective medications for the purpose of healing their ailments.”

“Today's sentencing is an example of the dedicated work of law enforcement, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care Fraud Unit in their steadfast pursuit of justice in the largest public health crisis caused by a pharmaceutical product in this nation’s history,” said Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The United States Postal Inspection Service will continue to be vigilant in investigating cases where the US Mail is used to put our nation’s citizens at risk.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb; Acting Assistant Attorney General Readler of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; FDA-OIC SAC Ebersole; FBI SAC Shaw; DCIS-OIG SAC Barzey; VA-OIG SAC Neves; and USPIS Inspector in Charge Binkowski, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George P. Varghese and Amanda P.M. Strachan of Weinreb’s Health Care Fraud Unit and Trial Attorney John W.M. Claud of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Martin Patino Jr, 25, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to five years and 11 months in prison for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Patino pleaded guilty on January 30, 2017. According to court documents, on December 22, 2015, while law enforcement officers were preparing to execute a search warrant at Patino’s residence, they observed Patino exit the residence and walk over to an older model truck that had its front engine compartment hood open. Later, officers searched the truck and found a Black Rock Island Armory, .45‑caliber M1911 A1 handgun with an extended magazine under a sheet in the engine compartment. They also found an additional .45‑caliber handgun magazine at the property. Patino admitted that he was a previously convicted felon and that the firearm and ammunition were his.

On February 12, 2016, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Patino’s residence and found a Ruger LCP .380 handgun, which was later determined to be stolen, inside a safe in the bedroom. They also found in the safe a 50-round box of Winchester 32 auto 71 grain ammunition and a Ruger brand magazine containing four rounds of ammunition.

According to the plea agreement, Patino admitted that he used or possessed these firearms in connection with the commission of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian K. Delaney prosecuted the case.

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that six defendants were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Named in the complaint are Joseph Ciffa, 49, Erica Lounsberry, 30, both of Grand Island, NY; Debbie Seright, 41, and Shauniqua Rodriguez, 38, both of Niagara Falls, NY; Damario Turpin, 36, of Buffalo, NY; and Carmelo Collana, 48, of Kenmore, NY. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Defendant Ciffa is also charged with health care fraud, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

  Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O’Donnell, who is handling the case, stated that defendant Ciffa has been involved in the debt collection business since at least 2013. Since approximately March 2015, the defendant has operated out of multiple locations including 1625 Buffalo Avenue, in Niagara Falls, NY; 870 Ontario Street in Kenmore, NY; 1567 Military Road in Kenmore; and out of his home office.

According to the complaint, the debt collection operation was not a legitimate operation, and employed fraudulent means to collect on debts, to recollect on debts already collected, and to process and transfer payments related to the collection of such debts. The operation allegedly used threatening statements to debtors all over the United States, made via telephone calls, in an effort to induce payment of debts.

Defendants Lounsberry and Seright were managers who oversaw other employees. Defendant Collana was an associate who established shell companies, payment processing accounts, and bank accounts, to facilitate the receipt of victim payments, and removed cash from these accounts for Ciffa. Defendant Turpin was also an associate who allowed Ciffa to process victim payments in his (Turpin's) MoneyGram and bank accounts. Defendant Rodriguez was an employee who threatened victims over the telephone, claiming that they were charged with complaints and/or under arrest.

On December 15, 2016, a search was executed at Ciffa's residence on Grand Island. Law enforcement officers recovered discovered a debit card bearing Damario Turpin's name linked to a bank account; business checks other bank accounts; and a bank signature stamp for Damario Turpin. Ciffa's cellular telephone was also seized. A forensic analysis revealed recorded phone conversations during which Ciffa described in detail the fraud scheme in which his debt collection organization was engaged. Other recorded phone conversations detail the money Ciffa was making as a result of his illegal activity. During one conversation, Ciffa stated: "We did 370 grand the month of March...We're on a $300,000 a month pace right now..."

In addition, between March 2015 and August 30, 2016, defendant Ciffa is accused of fraud involving Medicaid benefits meant for low-income individuals. In application to the Erie County Department of Social Services, Ciffa claimed that he and his wife earned a combined $610 in weekly income. As a result, the defendant, his wife and their two children received benefits. According to the complaint, Ciffa's total income for 2015 was $1,284,951.04. 

The defendants made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were released.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special-Agent-in-Charge James C. Spero; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James D. Robnett; the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski;  and the New York State, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.

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

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Alberto Rosado-Leon, 36, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
   
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Felicetta, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, along with co-defendants Wendell Delgado-Sanchez and Figuerora Suarez, conspired to distribute cocaine from an apartment located on Dearborn Street in Buffalo, New York. On March 5, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the apartment and recovered 1,368 grams of cocaine in a safe and a 9mm pistol.

Officers also recovered a surveillance video system from inside the apartment that displayed the activities inside the apartment from February 27, 2015, through March 5, 2015. A review of the video demonstrates that during that time period, all three defendants were present weighing, mixing, and packaging cocaine for distribution. The video also depicts occasions when the defendants completed drug transactions with customers.

Wendell Delgado-Sanchez has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Figuerora Suarez was convicted and sentenced to 60 months in prison.

Today’s plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division. 

Sentencing is scheduled for October 18, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.

Memphis, TN – Two members of the violent "Gangster Disciples" street gang were sentenced to federal prison. Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.

The Gangster Disciples are a violent criminal gang which began in the Chicago, Illinois area. In the 1970’s, the leaders of two different Chicago-based gangs, the Black Disciples and the Supreme Gangsters, aligned their respective groups and created the Gangster Disciples.

Once united, the Gangster Disciples began recruiting heavily in Chicago, within Illinois jails and prisons, and throughout the United States. By the mid-1980’s, the group had spread throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States. The Gangster Disciples are active in approximately 35 states including Tennessee.

According to information presented at sentencing, on June 21, 2014, Florence Anthony, a member of the Gangster Disciples, got into an altercation with a group of individuals at the Hillview Apartments located in Memphis, Tennessee. Anthony reported the confrontation to her Gangster Disciples chain-of-command. Based on Anthony’s report, the Gangster Disciples chain-of-command issued orders to retaliate against those responsible for the attack on Anthony and her children.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., Erik Reese and four other members of the Gangster Disciples returned to the Hillview Apartments to retaliate against what were identified as rival gang members. Each individual was armed with firearms and proceeded on foot through the apartments shooting four juveniles and one adult male. All five victims survived, but some sustained serious bodily injuries.

On March 8, 2017, seven members of the Gangster Disciples pled guilty to committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity.

On June 22, 2017, Senior District Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Florence Anthony to 135 months in federal prison, along with 3 years’ supervised release. Erik Reese was sentenced to 382 months imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, Police Departments for Memphis, Bartlett and Germantown; Sheriff’s Offices for Tipton, Desoto and Shelby; and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and,Michelle Kimbril-Parks, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stringfellow, prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.

SAN JUAN, P.R. - On June 23, 2017, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned nine separate indictments charging 13 individuals with fraud against the Social Security Administration (SSA) disability insurance benefits in Puerto Rico, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez Vélez.These cases were investigated by the Social Security-Office of Inspector General (SS-OIG) with the collaboration of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, and the Puerto Rico Police Department.

The SSA is responsible for the implementation of the Disability Insurance Benefits Program. The SSA provides monetary benefits to workers with severe, long-term disabilities, who have worked in SSA covered employment for a required length of time. Spouses and dependent children of disabled workers may also be eligible to receive benefits.

Pursuant to SSA regulations, a claimant must prove to SSA that he or she is disabled by furnishing medical and other evidence with the application. The application and supporting evidence would then be evaluated by SSA to determine the individual’s medical impairments and determine the effect of the impairment on the claimant’s ability to work on a sustained basis.

The nine indictments charge thirteen individuals of theft of government property, concealment or failure to disclose work activity to SSA and false statements or representations to the SSA. These defendants knowingly and willfully embezzled, stole, and converted to their own use the Social Security Disability Insurance Benefit payments to which the defendants knew that they were not entitled.

The defendants and the Social Security Disability Insurance Benefit payments to which they knew they were not entitled to are: Damaris Marrero-Santiago and Isaias Diaz-Torres $254,100.90; Mariluz Rodríguez-Rodríguez and Juan C. Rodríguez-Miranda $82,700.90; Roberto Padilla and Ednali Ramirez-Maldonado $317,083.40; Nancy Serrano-Picón $130,493.20; Edwin Maldonado-Burgos and Consuelo Nuñez-Serrano $72,235.30; Elson Fernández $77,647.50; Arnaldo Ramos-Martir $142,096.40; Minerva Carro-Rivera $311,976.10; and Luis Álvarez-Ramos, a.k.a.“Wichy” $56,207.20. They reported during a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) that the disability beneficiary had not been able to work due to different health conditions, when in truth they were working.

Defendant Nancy Serrano-Picón was also charged with healthcare fraud. As part of her SSA disability benefits, Serrano-Picón became eligible, applied for and received benefits under the Medicare Program. Once a person is receiving SSA disability benefits for 24 months he/she automatically starts receiving Part A of the Medicare Program (hospitalizations) and they become eligible to apply for Part B and C of the Medicare Program. If they decide to apply for Part B and/or C of the Medicare Program, the monthly premium is deducted from their monthly disability benefits.

“This is a great example of ongoing efforts by the Government to deter fraud against the social security programs,”said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The Department of Justice is committed to investigate and prosecute those who engage in fraudulent schemes. Hopefully this round of arrests will discourage more people from getting involved in these types of schemes, because we will continue investigating these crimes.”

SSA-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge John Grasso said: “Today’s arrests are the latest in our continued and ongoing effort to bring to justice all individuals who commit Social Security Disability Fraud. I am very grateful for the efforts of our law enforcement partners involved in this investigation, and for the continued commitment from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to aggressively pursue these important cases. I strongly encourage the public to report suspected instances of Social Security fraud to the OIG’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or https://oig.ssa.gov/report.”

Special Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of these cases. If convicted, the defendants could face a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to $250,000.00. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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