HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who was among a group arrested for distributing heroin in Huntington in 2015 was sentenced today to six years and four months in federal prison for a drug charge, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Damond Idress Robinson-King, 23, previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

On October 5, 2015, members of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted a search at 1826 Old 16th Street Road in Huntington after an investigation revealed multiple individuals from Detroit were using the residence to store and distribute heroin. During the search, agents located Robinson-King and two other individuals inside the residence. Agents also seized approximately 306 grams of heroin and $51,479 in United States currency. Robinson-King admitted that he and the other individuals intended to sell the heroin. As part of the plea agreement, Robinson-King further admitted to all of the other conduct charged in the indictment.

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

This prosecution is 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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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit woman who was caught in Huntington with heroin in December 2016 was sentenced today to four years and three months in federal prison for a drug crime, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Ebony Inez-Latee Johnson, 43, previously pleaded guilty to a single-count indictment charging her with possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On December 4, 2016, an officer with the Huntington Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Johnson was driving at the intersection of 9th Avenue and 10th Street in Huntington. During the stop, the officer located a bag containing approximately 23 grams of heroin that was concealed in Johnson’s jacket pocket. The heroin was packaged in 43 individually wrapped bags, and Johnson admitted at her plea hearing that the heroin was intended for distribution.

Johnson further admitted at the hearing that, on April 14, 2016, a trooper with the Michigan State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Johnson in Taylor, Michigan. The trooper seized approximately 124 grams of heroin and 135 thirty mg oxycodone tablets from the vehicle.

The Huntington FBI Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Michigan State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. Chief United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This case was prosecuted 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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WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – The United States Attorney’s Office will join law enforcement and community leaders on Tuesday, August 1, in Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Martinsburg, and Wheeling as part of the annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Betsy Steinfeld Jividen.

National Night Out is meant to strengthen relationships between the community and law enforcement, heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, and help make our neighborhoods safer.

“Building positive community relationships is a top law enforcement priority. It’s vitally important that our office, and others across our district, participate in events such as this one to help spread awareness and keep our communities great places to live and work,” said Jividen.

The United States Attorney’s Office will be present at four National Night Out events, to include the events at the Bridgeport City Pool in Bridgeport, the VA Park in Clarksburg, the War Memorial Park in Martinsburg, and Wheeling Park in Wheeling.  Each of these events will begin at 6 p.m.

National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people to take part in community events on Tuesday across the country.

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dejuan Leonard, age 23, a prisoner at Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood (FCI Allenwood) was indicted on July 27, 2017, by a federal grand jury for possessing a weapon in prison.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Leonard was found in possession of a homemade sharpened piece of plastic, commonly referred to as a “shank,” during a search conducted on May 4, 2017.

The charges stem from an investigation by FCI Allenwood and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan VanFleet is prosecuting the case.

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

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

The defendant is facing a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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VICTORIA, Texas - A 21-year-old Victoria man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Terry Ray White Jr. pleaded guilty May 1, 2017 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a synthetic cannabinoid and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge John Rainey sentenced White to 36 months for the drug offense followed by a consecutive 60 months for possessing the firearm. The total 96-month sentence will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court acknowledged the significant danger of synthetic narcotics and remarked that repeated possession of firearms with drugs was an aggravating factor.

During the conspiracy, law enforcement had stopped White for traffic violations and found him in possession of large quantities of synthetic cannabinoid packages as well as several handguns. The investigation revealed White was connected to the distribution of the synthetic cannabinoids between Houston and Victoria. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of a scheduled substance, AB-CHMINACA, and 5F-MDMB-PINACA and FUB-AMB, controlled under the Controlled Substance Analog Act.

Synthetic cannabinoids aka “Spice” or “K2” pose a nationwide health concern that is on the rise and posing a serious threat to public health and safety. The effects of these drugs have been described as unpredictable, with wide-ranging physiological effects to include possible kidney damage and gastrointestinal distress to possible seizures and even psychosis. The drugs are often made in unsafe and dirty environments in which they are created, to include inconsistent batches blended in cement mixers and similar equipment. This can result in “hot spots” in which one sample could have a significantly greater amount of harmful chemical than another. They are often packaged attractively to appeal to teenagers and young adults.

White has been in federal custody since his arrest March 21, 2017. He will remain there pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Texas Department of Public Safety and Port Lavaca Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thurman Stanley, age 40, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, to 188 months’ imprisonment for transporting women in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution and trafficking in heroin, “molly,” and crack cocaine.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, between January 2013 and December 2015, Stanley transported at least four women from Pennsylvania to New York, Iowa, and North Dakota for purposes of prostitution, and also provided illegal drugs to them.

Judge Munley also ordered Stanley to be placed on three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Stanley was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2016, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, Monroe County Detectives, and police in Bismarck, North Dakota. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brittany Banscher, age 23, a resident of Hawley, Pennsylvania was sentenced on July 28, 2017, by United States District Court Senior Judge James M. Munley to serve 19 years’ imprisonment for drug distribution resulting in death.

According to United States Attorney, Bruce D. Brandler, Banscher pleaded guilty in December 2016, to distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin to a 21-year-old woman, who overdosed and died on September 4, 2015.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Munley also ordered that a probation officer supervise Banscher for three years following her release from prison, and that Banscher pay restitution in the amount of $7,213.

The case was investigated by the Scranton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration - Scranton office. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The remaining defendants charged in a 10-defendant marijuana conspiracy have all been ordered to federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. The 10 were charged in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that had been trafficking narcotics since 2010.

Jose Angel Marichalar, 36, of Mission, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and possession with intent to distribute more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana while Jesus Gonzales, 46, of Hidalgo, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana

Today, U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle sentenced Marichalar to 156 months in federal prison. Gonzales received a 112-month-term of imprisonment. Marichalar’s sentence includes upward adjustments or increases in his calculated sentencing guideline range because he was found to be a leader within the conspiracy and found to have maintained premises to facilitate the offloading, processing and distribution of illicit narcotics.

Marichalar and Gonzalez have also forfeited their interests in several pieces of real estate and numerous personal items, including cars, tractors, trailers, guns and jewelry, valued at more than $1.5 million. They have also agreed to a $10 million money judgment against them. Marichalar was also ordered to pay a $50,000, while Gonzalez was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.

The other eight charged and convicted in the case were previously sentenced to terms ranging from 38 – 189 months in federal prison.

All were part of a multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering organization that had existed since 2010. The drug trafficking organization, based out of the Rio Grande Valley, would hire out-of- state truck drivers to haul loads of produce with ton quantities of marijuana hidden in false compartments. Drug proceeds would then be transported back to the Rio Grande Valley. The conspiracy extended to Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, North Carolina and Tennessee.

The case was the result of a nearly three-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; FBI; Sheriff’s Offices in Cameron and Zapata Counties; Hidalgo County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force; Border Patrol and the Brownsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro is prosecuting the case.

LAREDO, Texas – A Mexican man has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for his role in importing cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

Rafael Hernandez-Arrioja admitted during his re-arraignment hearing today that he knowingly imported 2.09 kilograms of cocaine and 2.34 kilograms of methamphetamine within the plastic engine manifold cover of his Volkswagen Golf. At the time of his arrest, he claimed to have no knowledge of the drugs. He initially stated he was driving to the outlet malls in San Marcos for the purpose of buying clothes.

Sentencing will be set at a later date before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana. At that time, Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher A. dos Santos is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Cumberland, R.I., man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for participating in a bi-coastal conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine through the United States mail. 

Steven Marszalkowski, 58, formerly of Provincetown, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  On May 9, 2017, Marszalkowski pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine.

Marszalkowski and his co-conspirators used the United States mail to send packages containing methamphetamine from San Diego and Seattle to various locations in Massachusetts.  Co-defendants Leonard Leseman of San Diego, Calif.; Robert Annette, of Somerville and Provincetown; Lawrence Ligocki, of Chelsea; and Scott Hill of Somerville have pleaded guilty to various charges in connection with the investigation.

Leseman was a San Diego-based supplier of methamphetamine and was responsible for sending more than 30 packages of methamphetamine to various addresses in Massachusetts that had been provided to him by Annette. Marszalkowski was one of several individuals recruited by Annette to receive the methamphetamine packages mailed by Leseman and deliver them to Annette.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Division; and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement.  Assistance with the investigation was provided by Postal Inspectors in San Diego and Pennsylvania, the Provincetown and Truro Police Departments, the Massachusetts State Police Narcotics Task Force in Hyannis, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

On July 12, 2017, Austin K. Sims was indicted for three charges relating to the unlawful sale of firearms, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. After a detention hearing held on July 26, 2017, the federal district court in Benton ordered that Sims be held without bond pending trial.

Count One charges that from on or about April 24, 2014, until on or about August 1, 2016, in Williamson County, Sims engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Count Two charges that on or about April 29, 2016, in Williamson County, Sims was an unlawful user of a controlled substance and knowingly possessed a firearm in and affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Count Three charges that on August 4, 2016, in Williamson County, Sims willfully and knowingly made materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements during an investigation conducted within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the United States government.

The offense of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license carries up to a maximum of five years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. The offense of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person carries up to a maximum of ten years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. The offense of making a false statement to an agency of the United States carries up to a maximum of five years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Marion (Illinois) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William E. Coonan.

On July 27, 2017, Colty T. Peak, 32, of Red Bud, was sentenced to federal prison for a methamphetamine offense, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.

Peak, who had previously pled guilty to a one-count superseding indictment charging conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, was sentenced to 140 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release, and was fined $300.00. The indictment alleged that the offense occurred between November 2013 and August 2015, in Perry, Randolph, Monroe, Jackson and St. Clair Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Peak was involved with other persons in manufacture of methamphetamine and distribution of ice in southern Illinois. Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%. At sentencing, the district court found that Peak was responsible for the possession or distribution of 240.8 grams of ice and 332.4 of pseudoephedrine. Co-defendant Dyllan Wayland was previously sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment for his role in the ice conspiracy. Co-defendant Joseph Hatley has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Percy Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, and Illinois Department of Corrections. The Randolph County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

Park River Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Analogue Resulting in Death

FARGO – U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on July 31, 2017, Zachary David Chyle, age 26, Parker River, ND, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to serve 15 years in prison for Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute and Distribution of a Controlled Substance Analogue Resulting in Death, and a second count of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Analogue Resulting in Death. Judge Erickson also sentenced Chyle to five years of supervised release, ordered him to pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund, and a Restitution of $7894.58.

Chyle admitted that he provided Mr. Eugene D. Mecham, age 30, of Grafton, ND Furanyl Fentanyl that resulted in the August 26, 2016, overdose death of Mecham. Mecham was discovered by his father in the basement of his parents’ Grafton home, dead of an apparent drug overdose. An autopsy revealed the cause of death as sudden and unexpected death associated with furanyl fentanyl intoxication and a blood toxicological analysis was positive for this analogue drug. An investigation revealed Chyle had introduced Mecham to the opioid and later acquired more through the DarkNet, which Chyle prepared and provided to Mecham.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security; North Dakota Bureau of Investigation and Crime Lab; Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force; Walsh County Sheriff’s Office and State’s Attorney; and the Grafton Police Department, with forensic and autopsy assistance from the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences Department of Pathology.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jake Rodenbiker.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nd

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On July 28, 2017heather Jean Reekr, Hubert Theodore Carter, III, 35, from Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 27 months in prison for bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Carter was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

On January 27, 2017, Carter entered the U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union and handed a teller a handwritten note stating he had a firearm, and instructed the teller to fill a bag with money. Carter left the credit union with approximately $3,500 and was quickly apprehended with the stolen money by the Council Bluffs Police Department.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On July 28, 2017, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger sentenced Jeffrey B. Lackas, Stanley Szeto, and Daniel Cruz-Bonilla for conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Lackas, Szeto, and Cruz-Bonilla were members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of anabolic steroids and human-growth hormones throughout the country. Between July of 2011, and March of 2015, the organization operated under the internet name of “Brinkkmann Pharma,” and the defendants distributed anabolic steroids and human growth hormones obtained from a source in China.

Lackas, 31, from Bettendorf, Iowa, was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Szeto, 39, from Iowa City, Iowa, was sentenced to 25 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $6,000 fine. Cruz-Bonilla, 30, from Fontana, California, was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Each defendant was ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The Omaha Police Department in Nebraska, Douglas County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, Nebraska State Patrol, Iowa City Police Department, United States Border Patrol, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - On July 28, 2017, Francisco Javier Ledesma Santa Cruz, 27, from Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 42 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Ledesma Santa Cruz will serve one year of supervised release following his imprisonment.

On February 24, 2017, Ledesma Santa Cruz pleaded guilty and admitted he aided and abetted the possession of over one kilogram of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Council Bluffs during August of 2016. Co-defendant Ramon Cisneros Aguilera was sentenced to 135 months imprisonment in April of 2017. The charge was the result of a drug trafficking investigation conducted by law enforcement in both Sioux City and Council Bluffs.

The Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Sioux City Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department, Omaha Police Department in Nebraska, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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

DALLAS— A former employee at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas (Parkland), Viju Mathew, and his wife, Mariamma Viju, a registered nurse who worked at Baylor University Medical at Dallas (Baylor), who pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from their theft/unlawfully obtaining patient identification information, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Viju Mathew, 52, and his wife, Mariamma Viju, also 52, were sentenced to 30 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $297,957.89 in restitution to Medicare. Mathew pleaded guilty in November 2014 to one count of fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents, authentication features and information (identity theft) and Viju pleaded guilty in May 2016 to one count of wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information (HIPAA violation). Both defendants reside in Garland, Texas. Judge Boyle ordered they surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on August 30, 2017.

According to plea documents filed in the cases and the evidence produced during the sentencing hearing, which spanned four days, Mathew and Viju both stole patient identities from their jobs at local hospitals and used the stolen patient information to solicit patients for the home health care agency they jointly owned and operated, Dallas Home Health. Mathew worked as a registration specialist at Parkland, where he was responsible for entering patient information into Parkland’s computer system. Mathew used his position to obtain confidential information for more than 3,000 patients, including patients’ names, telephone numbers, dates of birth, participation in the Medicare program, and government-issued health insurance claim numbers. Mathew admitted that he knowingly removed the confidential information intending to use it to gain an economic benefit by contacting prospective patients for his home health care business, Dallas Home Health.

Viju worked as a registered nurse at Baylor until she was terminated in October 2012. While employed at Baylor, she surreptitiously collected Baylor patient identification information, specifically, identifying health information, to recruit them as patients of Dallas Home Health, where she served as Director of Nursing.

The evidence also showed that Dallas Home Health obtained patient certifications from a number of doctors who have been convicted or charged in other health care fraud cases in the Northern District of Texas including Nicholas Padron (Case No. 3:12-CR-310), Jacques Roy (3:12-CR-054-L), and Hector Molina (Case No. 3:15-CR-163-K).

The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Brasher prosecuted the cases.

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SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael Evans, age 56, and William Uggiano, age 60, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, were charged on July 28, 2017, in a criminal information for conspiring to steal funds from a local union.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Evans and Uggiano conspired to steal more than $50,000 in union funds from the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1699. From 2013 through 2014, Evans and Uggiano, both union officers, withdrew money from Local 1699’s credit union account for their own personal benefit.

The United States also filed plea agreements, which are subject to the approval of the Court, wherein it is indicated that Evans and Uggiano intend to plead guilty to the charges when they appear in federal court.

The charges stem from an investigation by the United States Department of Labor. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob is prosecuting the case.

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

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

The maximum penalty under federal law is 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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     PHOENIX– Yesterday, Paula Anthony, 65, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 36 months in prison for her role in a stolen identity and money laundering scheme.

     Anthony, formerly a registered tax return preparer, was found guilty following trial on multiple counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Anthony was a key participant in the scheme, in which the conspirators stole the identities of dozens of taxpayers and filed fabricated income tax returns to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds in the victims’ names. Anthony and others obtained the fraudulent refunds through online accounts set up with prepaid debit cards and utilized multiple bank accounts to convert the refund money into cash. Once Anthony obtained the cash, she, or people she recruited, laundered the money out of the United States by wiring most of the funds to Nigeria.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution was handled by Monica Edelstein and William Voit, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-16-00083-PHX-DLR

RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-068_Anthony

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.