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 Hayward Tarver, 38, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, before U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.  The charges carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on September 27, 2013, Buffalo Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence at 66 Connelly Avenue in Buffalo. During the search, officers recovered approximately 166 grams of crack cocaine, $6,000 in U.S. currency, a digital scale, and packaging materials used to distribute the cocaine.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Agency, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda. 

Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.

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 David Young, 50, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on February 2, 2015, Cheektowaga Police officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle the defendant was driving. Young advised the officer that the vehicle was a rental vehicle while producing the rental agreement. However, the defendant was not listed as an authorized driver of the vehicle. As a result, he was asked to exit the vehicle. While doing so, the officer noticed a syringe in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. 

Young was arrested and the vehicle was searched. During this search, the officer recovered approximately 325 gross grams of methamphetamine in the trunk as well as a FedEx shipping label address for 79 North Ogden, Young’s residence.

Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack.

LITTLE ROCK—Patrick C. Harris, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Tracey D. Montaño, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Division, and Phyllis G. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—Office of Inspector General, announced today that Chief United States District Judge Brian S. Miller sentenced Rhonda Williams, 50, and her husband, Gary Williams, 59, both of Des Arc, Arkansas, to prison for their role in a scheme to steal money intended for use by the Cotton Plant Housing Authority.

On September 2, 2016, Rhonda Williams and Gary Williams appeared before Judge Miller and pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank fraud and money laundering. Today, Judge Miller sentenced Rhonda Williams to 37 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In the same hearing, Judge Miller sentenced Gary Williams to 24 months of federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Williams were jointly ordered to pay restitution of $732,177.80 and to forfeit $145,000 in cash seized from their home, the money in four bank accounts, a boat, and an SUV.

“These defendants took public money that was meant to provide affordable housing to a low income population, and instead used it for their own personal gain,” Harris said. “This case is an example of how our office will continue working tirelessly to protect the public and eliminate this unacceptable fraud, waste, and abuse.”

The Cotton Plant Housing Authority received its annual operating funds from HUD in the form of an annual distribution. Rhonda Williams served as the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and Gary Williams was the Housing Authority’s Maintenance Supervisor.

From January 31, 2001 to December 31, 2014, the Williams conspired and executed a scheme where they used false and fraudulent pretenses to receive funds that were intended for use by the Housing Authority. As part of the conspiracy, the Williams lied about the reasons for the payment of Housing Authority money, and solicited and accepted bribes and kickback payments from Housing Authority contractors. In addition, the Williams caused the Housing Authority to pay for their personal expenses on their Housing Authority credit cards, and took Housing Authority equipment and materials and used them in the construction of their personal residence.

“IRS-Criminal Investigation remains committed to its pursuit of individuals who engage in corruption at the expense of hardworking Americans,” Montaño said. “As employees of the Cotton Plant Housing Authority, Rhonda and Gary Williams’ actions violated public trust by using their position to enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers. Today’s sentence demonstrates the government’s determination to ensure that trust is not broken.”

This investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, the HUD - Office of Inspector General, and the Benton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Cameron McCree and Edward Walker prosecuted the case for the United States.

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Acting Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Panagiota Loukisas, 56, of North York, Ontario, Canada, was successfully returned from Poland and arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy. In July 2015, the defendant was named in a five count indictment charging bank fraud. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth R. Moellering, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, the defendant opened bank accounts at five banks in Niagara Falls, N.Y. in November 2014. Loukisas deposited checks drawn on a Canadian bank account held by her company, PM Global Consulting Services, into these five accounts. The defendant then withdrew significant sums of money from the Niagara Falls bank accounts before the checks were returned to the banks for insufficient funds. Loukisas is accused of fraudulently depositing non-sufficient fund checks valued at more than $83,000 and withdrawing more than $52,000 from the accounts before the scheme was discovered.

The defendant was arraigned and is being held pending a detention hearing on August 7, 2017. 
The charges are the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.

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.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A man who dealt drugs and possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity was sentenced today to 10 years in prison.

Jerrell Chisholm, 32, pleaded guilty on April 7. According to court documents, Chisholm knowingly and intentionally conspired with others to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Chisholm also carried a firearm while dealing drugs, as a means of protecting his drug supply, drug proceeds, and personal security. On January 24, Chisholm’s attempted to flee from arrest and in the process he struck two vehicles, including a vehicle belonging to the U.S. Marshals, and crashed into a building.

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, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen E. García 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. 1:17-cr-71.

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 Shawn Lebrecht, 35, of Olean, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who is handling the case, stated that in early August 2016, an undercover law enforcement officer began communicating online with the defendant. Lebrecht sent the officer several images of child pornography. On August 25, 2016, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s East Green Street residence. During the search, officers recovered a laptop computer. A forensic analysis determined the laptop contained over 300 images of child pornography. Some of the images depicted pre-pubescent children and violence.   

Today’s plea is the culmination of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero

Sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Wolford.

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 Rashawn Dewer, 37, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant organized a conspiracy that transported kilograms of cocaine from Texas to Buffalo and cash proceeds from Buffalo to Texas. Law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions, including the State of Louisiana, made multiple seizures such as:

• On August 16, 2014, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in the vicinity of Covington, Louisiana, that was traveling from Buffalo to Texas.  Inside a hidden compartment in the vehicle was approximately $330,020.  This money originated from the defendant, was being transported at the defendant’s direction, and was payment for cocaine.

• On January 20, 2016, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Lake Charles, Louisiana that was traveling to Texas. Inside a hidden compartment in the vehicle was over $275,000.  This money originated from the defendant and was being transported at the defendant’s direction.

• On February 22, 2016, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle driven by a co-conspirator in the area of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Seized from inside the vehicle was approximately $798,021. At the time, the co-conspirator resided in Sugarland, Texas. After arrest, the co-conspirator asked an associate to call a telephone number that was subscribed to a second co-conspirator, who resided in Buffalo, to say, “I’m not going to make it.”  On the money wrappings, one latent fingerprint was developed and found to match known prints from the defendant.

The 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 24, 2017, at 9:30am before Judge Wolford.

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 Javier Pagan, Jr., 32, of Dunkirk, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that between 2013 and June 10, 2015, law enforcement officers have been investigating a drug trafficking organization led by defendants David Jesus Pagan and Rafael Burgos, Jr. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the defendants distributed multiple kilograms of cocaine throughout the Dunkirk area.

Javier Pagan was arrested in June of 2013 along with David Jesus Pagan, Burgos, Samuel Hernandez as well as Alvin Torres, Jr. and Angel Pierluissi. Search warrants were executed at the time of the arrests at six properties which resulted in the recovery of more than seven kilograms of cocaine and approximately $175,000 in cash as well as an AR-15 assault rifle with a 30 round magazine. 

All defendants have been convicted in this case.

Today’s sentencing 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 Office, the Dunkirk Police Department, under the direction of Chief David C. Ortolano, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb, and the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Patrick Swanson.

ABILENE, Texas — Jonathan Andrew Hydro, 59, of Abilene, Texas, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to 120 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in April 2017 to one count of receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Hydro was also ordered to pay $5,000.00 in restitution. He has been in custody since the time of his arrest in February 2017.

According to documents filed in the case, on June 17, 2016, Hydro knowingly received, by way of the Internet, seven images which depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. At the time Hydro received the images he knew that at least one of the performers in each image was a minor and he knew that the visual depiction was of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Abilene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Sucsy was in charge of the prosecution.

# # #

Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced the sentencing of JEREMY DAVID MOUNT, 41, for producing and receiving child pornography. MOUNT, who pleaded guilty on February 9, 2017, was sentenced on July 27, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minn.

“This case exemplifies what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies- nationally and internationally- work together to stop a predator,” said Assistant United States Attorney Katharine Buzicky. “These are some of the most difficult types of cases to work, but seeing defendants, like Jeremy Mount, receive just sentences and knowing that one more child is safe from harm makes it all worthwhile.”

“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to bringing to justice those who sexually exploit children,” said Alex Khu, special agent in charge of HSI St. Paul. “Jeremy Mount will be incarcerated for nearly 22 years for his heinous acts. This case exemplifies the long reach of HSI, and its ability to coordinate and pursue investigative efforts with our international law enforcement partners.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in February 2016, Homeland Security Investigations received a lead from an undercover officer with the Kent Police Department in the United Kingdom regarding an individual who was sharing child pornography images online. After obtaining a search warrant, HSI identified the individual as MOUNT and executed a search warrant of his apartment in Hutchinson. Law enforcement agents identified dozens of child pornography images MOUNT traded and possessed using a computer and email account, as well as a cell phone containing several dozen images of a preschool-age child to whom he had access.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

In addition, if you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please contact the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

This case is the result of an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hutchinson Police Department, McLeod County Attorney’s Office, and the Kent Police Department in the United Kingdom.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine T. Buzicky.

Defendant Information:

JEREMY DAVID MOUNT, 41

Hutchinson, Minn.

Convicted:

• Receipt of child pornography, 1 count
• Production and attempted production of child pornography, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 262 months in prison
• 20 years of supervised release

###

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma– KAY ANN LOCKE, of Edmond, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and signing a false federal income tax return, in connection with a $454,000 embezzlement from Delta Promotions Team Corporation, a metro company, announced Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

On July 14, 2017, Locke was charged by information with one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false federal income tax return. From 2005 until April 2016, Locke worked as a bookkeeper at Delta Promotions Team Corporation in Oklahoma City. As part of her job, Locke could access bank accounts of her employer and use a Delta Promotions credit card for authorized purchases. Today, Locke pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud by using her employer’s credit card for an unauthorized purchase in December 2015 for her personal benefit. As part of her plea, Locke further admitted that she embezzled funds from her former employer from around 2010 through April 2016, and stipulated that the total loss to Delta Promotions from her embezzlement scheme was $454,824.69.

In addition to pleading guilty to wire fraud, Locke pleaded guilty to signing a false tax return. She admitted that on March 15, 2016, she signed a personal federal tax return for the 2015 calendar year that she knew was false because it reported only $29,337 in total income. At today’s plea hearing, Locke admitted that she omitted on the 2015 return more than $120,000 of embezzled income for that year from Delta Promotions. As part of her plea, Locke further admitted that she owes $97,843 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for taxes owed from 2010 through 2015.

At sentencing, Locke faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count, plus three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Locke also faces up to three years in prison on the tax count, in addition to one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Locke will be sentenced in approximately 90 days. Reference is made to the information and other public filings for further information.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations and United States Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris M. Stephens.

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Isabel Colmenares (56, Tampa) to a year and a day in federal prison for receiving misbranded items with the intent to defraud. The Court also ordered her to pay $15,500 in restitution to a victim who suffered adverse medical conditions from the injections.

Colmenares pleaded guilty on October 17, 2016.

According to court documents, in December 2015, Colmenares offered to provide buttocks injections to an undercover officer claiming to use purified hyaluronic acid in the injections. Instead, Colmenares planned to use silicone that she had purchased from an individual who imported it from Colombia, falsely labeling it as “mineral oil” to avoid inspection. Colmenares, who is not licensed in Florida to perform injections on any kind, had previously offered the same silicone injections for money.

This case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley Howard-Allen.

Filiberto Santos-Escareno, 24, of Mexico, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on July 24, 2017, for illegal re-entry of a previously deported alien into the United States. Santos-Escareno was arrested in Casper, Wyoming. He received time served, plus ten days, was ordered to pay a $100.00 special assessment, and is subject to deportation upon release from custody. This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Jose Santos Yuriar, 31, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on July 21, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for money laundering. Yuriar was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona. He received 87 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200.00 special assessment and $300.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service.

Brian Thomas Yuriar, 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced by Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl on July 21, 2017, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for conspiracy to launder money. Yuriar was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona. He received 87 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200.00 special assessment and $300.00 in restitution. This case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Clover, South Carolina pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of interstate stalking, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Nathaniel Earl Dunlap, 29, of Clover, South Carolina pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Dunlap placed false and fraudulent food delivery orders online, using the identity of other individuals, whereby placing the victim under substantial emotional distress.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dunlap.

Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the arrest of Charles Cory Thornton (36, Yulee) on a criminal complaint charging him with transporting and attempting to transport child pornography over the Internet. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. His detention hearing is scheduled for August 2, 2017.

According to the criminal complaint, on July 20, 2017, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Thornton’s residence based on suspected online child exploitation activity. Thornton was not at home, but he was located and interviewed later that day at Naval Air Station Jacksonville where he worked as a machinist. During the interview, Thornton admitted, among other things, that he had been searching for child pornography for several years using a particular file sharing program, that he knew that other users were able to download images and videos from his computer, and that he was a “pedophile” and was sexually attracted to children. In subsequent interviews over the next two days, Thornton admitted that he had used a small camera hidden in a digital clock in a bathroom to produce videos of child pornography depicting three children during 2008 and 2009. Agents recovered this camera from Thornton’s home.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON - A North Grafton man was sentenced in federal court in Worcester today for failing to register as a sex offender.

Richard Sease, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to four years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. On Jan. 30, 2017, Sease pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex offender.

In 1993, Mr. Sease was convicted of multiple sex offenses, including two counts of assault with intent to rape and indecent assault and battery on a person over 16.  These offenses involved multiple victims, and as a result of these offenses, the defendant was designated a Level III sex offender and required to register for life. 

After his release from prison, Sease was again convicted of multiple violent crimes for which he served additional time in prison. In 2013, after his release from jail, Sease left Massachusetts and moved to Ohio, and then to Pennsylvania, where he lived until he was arrested in 2015.  Sease failed to update his sex offender registration when he left Massachusetts, and he never registered in Ohio or Pennsylvania. 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal of the U.S. Marshals Service, District of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Bell of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

Ft. Myers, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury today found Brown Laster, Jr. (37, Tampa), also known as “AB” and “Rooster;” Jerry Browdy (44, Riverview), also known as “JB,” “Red,” and “Cuz;” and Wesley Petiphar (30, Davenport), also known as “Wildman,” guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Each faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 25 years, up to life, in federal prison. The sentencing hearings are scheduled for October 30, 2017.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Laster, Browdy, and Petiphar were part of a conspiracy to ship kilograms of methamphetamine from Sacramento, California to various hotels in Florida and Georgia via Federal Express. The evidence showed that, throughout 2015, the men had sent approximately 40 packages of methamphetamine through the mail per week. The packages were delivered to coconspirators who had been recruited to wait at the hotels for the packages of methamphetamine to arrive. The packages were then delivered to local drug traffickers. In addition, witness testimony revealed that the men enforced the conspiracy through violence, including one incident where a cooperating witness had a gun placed in his mouth with such force that the gun knocked out some of his front teeth.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia), the Placer County Sheriff’s Office (California), the Lakeland Police Department, and the Miami-Dade Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Baeza and Mike Leeman.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS HEAPHY, JR., 42, of East Moriches, N.Y., waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to conspiracy and tax offenses stemming from his role in a securities fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2011 and July 2016, HEAPHY conspired with others, including Christian Meissenn, William Lieberman and Damian Delgado, to defraud investors through a stock “pump and dump” scheme. HEAPHY and his co-conspirators induced investors to purchase securities by making false and misleading representations in calls, emails and press releases concerning the securities and the issuing companies, thereby causing the price of those securities to become falsely inflated. The issuing companies, which were essentially shell companies with virtually no legitimate business activities, included Terra Energy Resources Ltd. (stock symbol “TRRE”); Mammoth Energy Group, Inc. (stock symbol “MMTE”), a company that later became Strategic Asset Leasing Inc. (stock symbol “LEAS”); Trilliant Exploration Corporation (stock symbol “TTXP”); Hermes Jets, Inc. (stock symbol “HRMJ”), which later became Continental Beverage Brands Corporation (stock symbol “CBBB”); Dolat Ventures, Inc. (stock symbol “DOLV”), and Fox Petroleum, Inc. (stock symbol “FXPT”).

HEAPHY’s numerous misrepresentations induced investors to purchase securities, thus causing the share price of the securities to become artificially inflated. Certain of HEAPHY’s co-conspirators then sold their own preexisting positions in the securities at a profit. They then allowed he price of the securities to fall, leaving investors with worthless and unsalable stock. As a result, victim investors lost millions of dollars.

HEAPHY received approximately 25 percent of all money that he induced individuals to invest. His personal gain from the scheme totaled approximately $719,000. HEAPHY disguised the income by having the funds flow through the trust accounts of various attorneys, including Corey Brinson in Connecticut, into bank accounts in the name of various shell entities under HEAPHY’s control. HEAPHY’s failure to pay taxes on this income resulted in a loss of $147,345 to Internal Revenue Service.

HEAPHY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of tax evasion, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on October 20, 2017.

At sentencing, HEAPHY will be ordered to pay restitution to his victims, as well as back taxes, interest and penalties to the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 8, 2016, Meissenn, also known as “Christian Nigohossian,” of Suffield, Conn., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. He awaits sentencing.

On January 20, 2017, Brinson, of Hartford, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity. On April 13, 2017, he was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment.

On May 10, 2017, Lieberman, of Boca Raton, Fla., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. He awaits sentencing.

On May 12, 2017, Delgado, of Orlando. Fla., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. He awaits sentencing.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Banking and the Hartford and Stamford Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi M. Perry and Peter S. Jongbloed.

Citizens with information that may be helpful to this ongoing investigation, or who believe they may have been victimized by this scheme, are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 777-6311.

BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted 10 men for being in the United States illegally after previous deportation, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Ray Parmer.

Of the 10 indicted for illegal re-entry after deportation or removal, six had been removed from the country following a felony conviction.

Those six are ARMANDO ISRAEL ESCOBAR-JACKES, 39, MARGARITO MARTINEZ-MARTINEZ, 29, NESTOR DANIEL MORALES-GUTIERREZ, 39, SILVINO SANTOS-GARCIA, 39, and JESUS VELASQUEZ-GARCIA, 32, all Mexican nationals, and JULIO GASPAR-RODRIGUEZ, 38, a Guatemalan national.

According to the separate indictments filed in U.S. District Court, the men were removed from the United States as follows:

• Escobar-Jackes in 2007, 2008, 2009, twice in 2011 and, subsequent to a felony conviction, in 2012. He most recently was found in Jefferson County on May 25.

• Martinez-Martinez in 2014 following an aggravated felony conviction. Found in Tuscaloosa County on June 11.

• Morales-Gutierrez in 2009 following a felony conviction. Found in Jackson County on June 19.

• Santos-Garcia in 2015 following a felony conviction. Found in Madison County on July 12.

• Velasquez-Garcia, twice in 2012, one following a felony conviction. Found in Shelby County on July 5.

• Gaspar-Rodriguez in 2001 and, following an aggravated felony conviction, in 2010 and 2011. Found in Jackson County on June 22.

The four other defendants indicted for re-entry after previous removal are WILMER ESEQUIAS DIAZ-DELEON, 34, LEONARDO LUNA, 31, TIMOTEO MONTEJO-SANCHEZ, 40, and CLEIDER ALEX ROJAS-ROULRO, 32, all Mexican nationals.

According to their separate indictments, each previously was removed from the country as follows:

• Diaz-Deleon in 2013. He most recently was found in Morgan County on June 30.

• Luna in 2016 and three times in 2012. Found in Blount County on June 25.

• Montejo-Sanchez four times in 2011. Found in Jefferson County on July 14.

• Rojas-Roulro in 2016. Found in Marshall County on June 10.

   

ICE investigated the cases, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama is prosecuting.

An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Earlier today, Kevin Todd, Kenneth Todd and Keycia Bynum pled guilty at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, to conspiracy to engage in the business of firearms dealing without a license.

The pleas were announced by Bridget M. Rohde, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD).

According to court filings, Bynum acted as a straw purchaser, purchasing approximately 18 firearms at gun shops and shows in Virginia between May 2014 and November 2014. In May 2014, the New York City Police Department recovered three of the firearms purchased by Bynum in Queens, New York. Kevin Todd had sold those three firearms to an individual in Queens, and the sales of those firearms were facilitated by his brother Kenneth Todd.

The pleas were entered before Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak. At sentencing, the defendants face a maximum of five years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alicia N. Washington and Hiral D. Mehta.

The Defendants:

KEVIN TODD

Age: 39

Portsmouth, VA

KENNETH TODD

Age: 43

Queens, NY

KEYCIA BYNUM

Age: 40

Chesapeake, VA

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-497 (S-3) (FB)