SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a former Buffalo, Mo., elementary school teacher’s assistant has been sentenced in federal court for receiving child pornography.

Dalton Cole Sherman, 20, of Buffalo, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, to 12 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Sherman to a lifetime of supervised release following incarceration.

Sherman pleaded guilty on June 13, 2017, to receiving child pornography. He was a teacher’s assistant at the DA Mallory Elementary School in Buffalo at the time of the offense. 

School officials contacted law enforcement officials on June 11, 2015, and reported that a pen camera had been located in a bathroom used by teachers and children. The pen camera was behind a standup mirror in the bathroom and had a light on the camera. Sherman, who had been going in and out of the bathroom for unknown reasons, was detained and transported to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department for questioning.

Sherman admitted he placed the pen camera in the bathroom on top of some plastic totes and behind the mirror that morning. Sherman checked the camera two times, turning it off and on. Sherman also said he had used the camera before to capture high school girls on the school bus and school lobby. Sherman transferred the videos to his Nook tablet to watch them at home.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Sherman’s residence on June 18, 2015. Investigators found several videos on the pen camera that depict 5-to-6-year-old children using the toilet. Investigators also found 90 images of child pornography, which had been downloaded from the Internet, on Sherman’s Nook tablet.

 
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the Dallas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the State Technical Assistance Team and the FBI.

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

ATLANTA – Erica L. Morris pleaded guilty to making more than $35,000 in personal purchases on a Covington Housing Authority credit card that had been issued to her for work-related purchases.

“By stealing more than $35,000, Morris betrayed the trust given to her by the Covington Housing Authority,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Horn.  “Morris stole money that was supposed to be used to serve the low-income families of Covington and used the money to support her own lifestyle.”

Nadine E. Gurley, Special Agent in Charge for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General said, “HUD's Office of Inspector General is dedicated to protecting HUD from individuals seeking to defraud programs meant for America’s most vulnerable population. The guilty plea announced today is a reminder to citizens that we will  aggressively investigate industry professionals who attempt to steal from our programs.   The partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and HUD’s Office of Inspector General, has helped demonstrate to taxpayers that those who seek to unlawfully profit by defrauding HUD programs will be vigorously prosecuted.”

According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court:  The Covington Housing Authority (“CHA”) was established in 1965 and, according to its website, seeks to “provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing, in good repair, to low-income families at an affordable rent.”

From January 2006 to September 30, 2016, Morris worked for the CHA, ultimately serving as its Administrative Manager.  In that position, Morris managed CHA’s accounting, bookkeeping, human resources, payroll accounts, payable and receivable accounts, service contracts, and maintained the office’s business records. As the Administrative Manager, the CHA issued Morris a merchant credit card to make work-related purchases.

From approximately June 2015 to May 2016, Morris made more than 60 unauthorized personal purchases on her merchant credit card, including buying thousands of dollars’ worth of Visa gift cards. In addition, Morris used her access to the CHA’s telephone account to purchase an iPhone 6 cellular telephone for a family member. Subsequently, Morris used the Visa gift cards to pay various personal living expenses, including paying her husband’s child support costs. In total, Morris unlawfully charged more than $35,000 to her CHA merchant credit card.

On September 13, 2017, Morris, 34, of Covington, Georgia, was charged via a criminal information with one count of Federal Program Theft.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of the Inspector General is investigating this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W.  Davis is prosecuting the case.

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.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an inmate serving a life sentence at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield was convicted by a federal trial jury today of murdering one inmate and attempting to murder another inmate.

Ulysses Jones, Jr., 61, an inmate serving a life sentence at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, was found guilty of one count of first degree murder, one count of murder by a federal prisoner serving a life term, and one count of assaulting another inmate with the intention of killing him.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Jones murdered Timothy Baker, an inmate who was sleeping when attacked and was taking sleeping medication, by stabbing him to death on Jan. 9, 2006. Jones also attempted to kill another inmate, identified in court documents as “R.R.,’ by stabbing him multiple times with a sharpened piece of metal (also known as a “shank”).

Inmates at the facility suspected Jones and another inmate were stealing from them. Baker confronted Jones about the thefts over a period of several days. On Jan. 8, 2006, the day before his murder, Baker and 10 other inmates signed a petition that accused Jones and the other inmate of the thefts and asked that they be removed from the unit.

At approximately 3 a.m. on Jan. 9, 2006, Jones took a self-made shank and went to Baker’s bed. While Baker was sleeping, Jones stabbed him in the chest. According to the autopsy, the first blow was the fatal one.  Baker leapt up, took a few steps forward, then fell to floor face down.  Jones then jumped on Baker’s back and stabbed him at least four more times. Jones turned to R.R., who was still in bed, and began stabbing him. R.R. attempted to fend Jones off, but sustained multiple injuries. By this time, the other prisoners’ yelling had caused the guards to come to the ward.
 
Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo., deliberated for about an hour and 45 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays, ending the guilt phase portion of the trial that began Monday, Sept. 25, 2017.

The penalty phase of the trial will commence this afternoon. Jurors will sentence Jones to either life in federal prison without parole, or death.

This case is being prosecuted by Capital Case Section-Criminal Division Trial Attorney James D. Peterson of the United States Department of Justice and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mohlhenrich of the Western District of Missouri. It was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Media, Pennsylvania, man today admitted defrauding TRICARE – a health insurance program for members of the military and their families – by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Jason Cerge, 41, a pharmaceutical sales representative, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

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

Cerge admitted that from September 2014 through May 2015, he participated in a scheme to defraud TRICARE by knowingly submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescription compounded medications – including scar creams, pain creams, and metabolic supplements – that were marketed by an entity referred to in the information as “Company A.” The conspirators knew that TRICARE reimbursed pharmacies between $2,500 and $18,800 for each of these compounded medications. The conspirators entered into agreements with certain compounding pharmacies nationwide to receive a percentage of the amount reimbursed for each prescription diverted to that pharmacy.

Cerge was recruited into the scheme by Peter Pappas, 45, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Cerge then recruited a former member of the U.S. military, a conspirator identified in the information as “CC-2,” to approach other members of the military and their families. CC-2 paid cash bribes to TRICARE beneficiaries in exchange for their TRICARE information and agreement to receive medically unnecessary prescription compounded medications. 

Cerge placed these TRICARE beneficiaries’ information onto preprinted prescription forms and presented them to a New Jersey physician for a signature. Cerge knew that the physician would immediately sign the prescriptions without examining or speaking with the patients.

Afterwards, the prescriptions were faxed to certain compounding pharmacies associated with Company A who would bill TRICARE for the medication. These compounding pharmacies then paid Company A a percentage of each prescription paid by TRICARE, which was then distributed to Cerge and other members of the conspiracy.  

As part of his plea agreement, Cerge must forfeit $12,816.24 in criminal proceeds he received for his role in the scheme and pay restitution of at least $204,198.11.

Cerge faces a statutory maximum term of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2018.

Three other defendants – Peter Pappas, Stephanie Naar, and Julie Andresen – have pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme and await sentencing.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, with the ongoing investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Liu of the United States Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

The New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office reorganized its health care practice in 2010 and created a stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit to handle both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutions of health care fraud offenses. Since that time, the office has recovered more than $1.36 billion in health care fraud and government fraud settlements, judgments, fines, restitution and forfeiture under the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other statutes.

Defense counsel: Scott Godshall Esq., Media, Pennsylvania

Three defendants associated with a Miami street gang “Boss Life” operating in Miami-Dade County, Florida were sentenced by United States District Judge Federico A. Moreno for their roles in the distribution of firearms and narcotics.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, Peter J. Forcelli, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, Rodolfo Llanes, Chief, Miami Police Department (MPD), and Juan J. Perez, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), made the announcement. 

Co-conspirators Juan Videa, 23, Darryl Marshall,24, and Ronald Morrobel, 33, all of Miami, were sentenced following guilty pleas for their participation in the distribution of narcotics, which included crack cocaine and heroin, and firearms, which included high capacity firearms, a fully automatic rifle, a silencer, a one hundred round drum magazine, and firearms with obliterated serial numbers. Operation Northern Light Task Force, which conducted this investigation, also led to the disruption of a home invasion robbery planned by Videa and Morrobel.

Videa was sentenced to 132 months in prison, Marshall was sentenced to 108 months in prison, and Morrobel was sentenced to 210 months in prison.

The prosecution was part of Operation Northern Light, which is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.

Mr. Greenberg commended the collaborative investigative efforts of the Northern Light Task Force and its efforts to combat violent crime in Northern Miami-Dade County. This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ignacio J. Vazquez.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Corry E. Pearson, 28, of Riviera Beach, was found guilty by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, sixteen counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, eight counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A, two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), and two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Sarah J. Mooney, Chief, West Palm Beach Police Department, and Frank J. Kitzerow, Chief, Jupiter Police Department, made the announcement.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2012 through 2014, the defendant and his accomplices submitted more than 1600 federal income tax returns. In some cases, they used Tax King, Inc., a tax preparation business operated by the defendant, to file the returns. In other cases, they filed the returns using home tax preparation software, and falsely represented that the taxpayers had prepared and filed the returns themselves. Almost all the returns were fraudulent. In some cases, the defendant and his accomplices stole other people’s identities and filed Federal income tax returns in the victims’ names, collecting the refunds for themselves. The defendant and his accomplices also falsely reported that money had been withheld from taxpayers’ wages and gambling winnings, falsely claimed that the taxpayers were entitled to education credits when they had not in fact attended school in the years in question, and filed fraudulent returns in the names of inmates who were serving long sentences during the tax year of the return. In order to disguise their own identities, the defendant and his accomplices listed victims of identity theft as tax preparers on the returns they filed and directed that the refunds be deposited onto debit cards and into accomplices’ bank accounts. In total, the returns filed by the defendant and his accomplices sought at least $6,117,430 in tax refunds. Based on those returns, the Treasury paid out at least $1,356,240 in refunds.

Co-defendant Stephane Cindy Anor, 27, of West Palm Beach, pled guilty on August 29, 2017 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sentencing for Anor is scheduled for November 9, 2017.  Irene Wilson, 51, of Riviera Beach, a defendant in a related case, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States through false claims. On September 22, 2017, Wilson was sentenced to 12 months’ home confinement.

Sentencing for Pearson is scheduled for December 19, 2017 before U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom. Pearson faces a maximum possible statutory sentence of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud, 20 years in prison on each count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 10 years in prison on each count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957, and a mandatory sentence of 2 years in prison on each count of aggravated identity theft.

Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of IRS-CI, the West Palm Beach Police Department and Jupiter Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc Osborne and Roger Stefin.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov/.

Three Miami-Dade County residents pled guilty yesterday to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to illegally export aviation parts and equipment to Syria, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The exports were sent to Syrian Arab Airlines, a/k/a “Syrian Air” (Syrian Air). Syrian Air was designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN) by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). U.S. persons and entities are prohibited from doing business with SDNs, such as Syrian Air, without obtaining a license from OFAC.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Dana J. Boente, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Robert Luzzi, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement (DOC), Miami Field Office, and the members of the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force, made the announcement. 

Ali Caby, a/k/a “Alex Caby,” 40, Arash Caby, a/k/a “Axel Caby,” 43, and Marjan Caby, 34, were charged with conspiracy to violate the IEEPA by exporting dual-use goods, that is, articles that have both civilian and military application, without a license to Syrian Air, the Syrian government’s airline, which is an entity designated and blocked by OFAC for transporting weapons and ammunition to Syria in conjunction with Hizballah, a terrorist organization, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

According to court documents, Ali Caby ran the Bulgaria office of AW-Tronics, a Miami export company that was managed by Arash Caby, and which shipped and exported various aircraft parts and equipment to Syria via Syrian Air. Ali Caby and Arash Caby closely supervised and encouraged subordinate employees of AW-Tronics in the willful exportation of the parts and equipment to Syrian Air, whose activities assisted the Syrian government’s violent crackdown on its people. Marjan Caby, as AW-Tronics’ export compliance officer and auditor, facilitated these exports by submitting false and misleading electronic export information to federal agencies. 

            The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom on December 19, 2017.  They face a possible statutory maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Boente commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, DOC, Department of Homeland Security, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ricardo Del Toro and Michael Thakur and Trial Attorney Matthew Walczewski of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

LAS VEGAS, Nev.– A Las Vegas man who stole from 42 victims in connection with an investment fraud scheme was sentenced Tuesday to 46 months in prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre for the District of Nevada.

Sean Christopher Sladek, 40, pleaded guilty in May to one count of wire fraud. In addition to imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey ordered restitution in the amount of $1,422,923 and a forfeiture money judgment of $2,638,143.26.

According to the indictment, Sladek solicited investment funds from persons, including some he met through social media sites, such as online dating platforms Tinder and Bumble. According to admissions made in the plea agreement, Sladek falsely represented himself as a successful securities trader and investor. In May 2013, he caused a victim in California to transfer $100,000 to him. He told the victim that the monies would generate positive returns through trading, securities transactions, and investment in securities. Sladek did not generate positive returns and had no intent to do so. Instead, he used the stolen money for personal expenses to include gambling, dining, and entertainment.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Grimmer.

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The Department of Justice has awarded more than $18 million in grants to Oklahoma tribal governments to enhance public health and safety, announced Mark A. Yancey, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma; R. Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma; and Brian J. Kuester, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

These grants are part of more than $100 million in grants to 125 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, tribal consortia, and tribal designees, announced today by Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand.  Many of these awards were made through the Department’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a single application for tribal-specific grant programs. The Department developed CTAS through its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Office of Justice Programs and Office on Violence Against Women, and administered the first round of consolidated grants in September 2010.

CTAS grants are designed to enhance law enforcement practices, expand victim services, and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts.  Awards cover nine areas: public safety and community policing, justice systems planning, alcohol and substance abuse, corrections and correctional alternatives, children’s justice act partnerships, services for victims of crime, violence against women, juvenile justice, and tribal youth programs.

"Reducing violent gang and gun crimes in Indian Country is crucial to protecting citizens who live in and around tribal communities.  The justice community must also look to help those with mental health and substance abuse issues to re-enter society as productive citizens.  These Federal grant allocations will help to further those goals," said U.S. Attorney Shores of the Northern District of Oklahoma.  U.S. Attorney Kuester of the Eastern District of Oklahoma said, "I am pleased and excited about DOJ’s awards to the tribal governments in Oklahoma.  These grants will fund programs that will assist victims of crimes, reduce crime against women, and enhance the resources available for tribal governments to combat violent crime, increase public awareness, and provide prevention programs for youth.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office looks forward to assisting in any way possible as these programs are implemented."  U.S. Attorney Yancey of the Western District of Oklahoma said, "I join my fellow United States Attorneys in welcoming the federal law enforcement assistance to our Oklahoma tribes.  I look forward to working with all tribes in the Western District to reduce crime and aid victims."

The Oklahoma CTAS recipients are:

Cherokee Nation (total: $3,087,900)

      Public Safety and Community Policing: $565,241
      Comprehensive Tribal Justice Systems Strategic Planning: $74,995
      Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse: $749,993
      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $898,100
      Comprehensive Tribal Victim Assistance Program: $449,925
      Tribal Youth Program: $349,64

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (total: $1,994,588)                  

      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $897,851
      Comprehensive Tribal Victim Assistance Program: $449,999
      Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts: $350,000
      Tribal Youth Program: $296,738

Citizen Potawatomi Nation (total: $1,098,106) 

      Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse: $749,593
      Tribal Youth Program: $348,513

Comanche Nation (total: $749,348)

      Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse: $749,348

Delaware Tribe of Indians (total: $424,845)

      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $424,845

Muscogee Creek Nation (total: $803,912)

      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $803,912

Pawnee Nation (total: $700,000)

      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $700,000

Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma (total: $1,800,000)    

      Corrections and Correctional Alternatives: $1,000,000
      Comprehensive Tribal Victim Assistance Program: $450,000
      Tribal Youth Program: $350,000

Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma (total: $4,590,422)

      Public Safety and Community Policing: $232,929
      Justice Systems and Alcohol and Substance Abuse: $446,714
      Corrections and Correctional Alternatives: $3,910,779

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (total: $900,000)

      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $900,000

Seneca Cayuga Nation (total: $825,000)

      Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program: $825,000

Wyandotte Nation (total: $200,189)

      Public Safety and Community Policing: $200,189

In addition to CTAS grants, the Department awarded $889,975 to four Oklahoma tribes under the Adam Walsh Act Implementation grant program, part of the Office of Justice Program’s Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking.  These grant awards enable states, the District of Columbia, territories, and tribal jurisdictions to develop and enhance programs that implement the requirements of the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.  Funding supports staff, information-sharing technology, infrastructure development, law enforcement training, and stakeholder collaboration.

The Oklahoma recipients of Adam Walsh Act Implementation grants are:

     Caddo Nation: $200,000
     Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes: $400,000
     Seneca Cayuga Nation: $198,181
     United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians: $91,794

Finally, through the Office of Justice Programs, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will receive $1.5 million under the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Fiscal Year 2017 Tribal Youth Program Training and Technical Assistance grant.  This program provides culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed and developmentally-appropriate training, support, resources, information, and related technical assistance to help tribes meet the needs of their youth.

The Department of Justice’s national press releases on these and related grants are available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-awards-more-130-million-improve-public-safety-address-violence-against.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE
www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                    at (410) 209-4885

Baltimore, Maryland – On October 3, 2017, Eric Nathaniel Sammons, age 25, of Trappe, Maryland, pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography. 

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police William M. Pallozzi and Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore Field Office.

According to his plea agreement, between 2014 and 2016, Sammons sexually exploited four minors and produced images of the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Additionally, Sammons maintained a collection of child pornography on his digital devices. 

Prior to May 25, 2016, Sammons set up a hidden camera in the bathroom of a twelve-year-old male victim and recorded a series of 47 videos.

On approximately October 6, 2015, Sammons took a series of 32 photographs of Jane Doe 1, including images that depicted the child partially naked and in various poses.

From approximately May 26, 2016 through September 2016, Sammons was living in the detached garage to a residence in Caroline County. During this time he snuck into the bedroom of two female victims, ages 3 and 5, and produced 11 pornographic images of Jane Doe 2 and Jane Doe 3 engaged in sexually explicit conduct while they slept.

Sammons’ digital devices were forensically examined.  Investigators found images and videos of child pornography on the devices, and determined that his mobile phone, the digital camera and the video camera were used to produce the child pornography.  The devices contained the images Sammons produced of the victims as well as an additional 6 videos and over 3000 images of child pornography.   

Sammons faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for January 11, 2018 at 3 p.m.

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

United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended Homeland Security Investigations, the Talbot County Narcotics Task Force, Maryland State Police, and the States Attorney’s Office and Child Protective Service of Caroline and Talbot Counties for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Paul Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.

ALBUQUERQUE – A U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., found probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Herbert Boyd Smith, 50, of Albuquerque, with a bank robbery charge.  During today’s proceedings, Smith was ordered detained pending trial.

The FBI and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office arrested Smith on Oct. 3, 2017, based on a criminal complaint charging him with robbing a bank in Bernalillo County, N.M.  The complaint alleges that Smith robbed a Bank of the West branch located at 3733 Isleta Blvd., in Albuquerque on Oct. 2, 2017.  According to the complaint, Smith robbed the bank by approaching a bank teller while holding a taped box and a handwritten note stating that the box was a bomb that would detonate if the teller did not comply with Smith’s demands for money. 

If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito.

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ramon Orlando Alvarenga-Rodriguez  was sentenced, in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-entry by a Previously Deported Alien, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs sentenced Alvarenga-Rodriguez to 4 months imprisonment and a $100.00 special assessment.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Alvarenga-Rodriguez is a citizen of Honduras and had previously been deported three times before illegally re-entering the United States again. He was arrested by a Kershaw County Deputy Sheriff for unrelated charges and Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations was notified.

This case was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations and the Kershaw County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas A. Long, age 30, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to willful failure to pay federal taxes.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Long pleaded guilty to an information charging him with the willful failure to pay federal payroll taxes owed by his business, Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, LLC during 2013.

An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigation revealed that Long, through his solely owned commercial drywall business, Harrisburg Commercial Interior, LLC (HCI), willfully did not pay $216,304 in employment taxes during 2013 and 2014. The IRS investigation began when several HCI employees contacted the IRS because they did not receive their 2013 income tax refunds.

As the owner of HCI, Long exercised primary control over the financial affairs of the business, was solely responsible for issuance of all paychecks, and had sole signature authority on HCI's business bank account. Although he issued payroll checks totaling $730,788 in gross wages during 2013 and 2014, Long did not file the requisite Employer's Quarterly and Annual Federal Tax Returns, Forms and 940, with the IRS, nor pay over the $160,399 he withheld from his employees pay checks to the government.

Under the terms of a plea agreement Long agreed to make full restitution in the amount of $216,304.  No date was set by Judge Rambo for sentencing pending completion of a presentence report.

The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the IRS Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel.

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following 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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Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that ADRIAN BROOKS, a/k/a “Abee,” was arrested for his alleged role as the leader of a sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise that exploited and abused women and minor girls.  BROOKS was charged in an Indictment with sex trafficking of minors and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.  BROOKS was also charged with the use of interstate facilities and interstate travel to promote a prostitution enterprise.  BROOKS was arrested this morning and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gorensteinin Manhattan federal court this afternoon.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley.   

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, Adrian Brooks used threats and violence to coerce underaged girls into performing sex acts for money, and then kept most of the money for himself.  For his reprehensible alleged crimes, Brooks will now face federal sex trafficking charges.  This Office remains committed to protecting vulnerable children from the sick world of commercial sex trafficking.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Brooks’s alleged acts are horrendous, preying on and exploiting minors. Cases like this are disgraceful examples of the worst in our society. Sadly, too often these types of crimes are unknown or ignored in our communities. The FBI simply won't tolerate this behavior. Our Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will be relentless in pursuing those who target our youth.  I encourage anyone with knowledge of trafficking activity to step forward to help us make a difference”

According to the allegations in the Indictment[1] filed in Manhattan federal court:

Since at least 2014, BROOKS directed and conducted a criminal sex trafficking and prostitution enterprise (the “Sex Trafficking Enterprise”) that recruited and exploited minor girls, and then forced them to engage in commercial sex acts for his own profit by, among other things, using an online classifieds website called Backpage.com (“Backpage”).  BROOKS operated the Sex Trafficking Enterprise out of motels in the Bronx, New York, and Yonkers, New York, as well as on the streets of the Bronx.

To evade detection by law enforcement, the Sex Trafficking Enterprise’s advertisements often purported to be offering escorts.  However, such advertisements often signaled that they were, in fact, offering individuals for commercial sex acts through a variety of cues, including pictures of partially-clothed women in sexually suggestive poses, and coded language indicating that the people being offered would perform sex acts in exchange for money.

The victims of BROOKS’s Sex Trafficking Enterprise were typically forced to engage in commercial sex acts with multiple customers in a single day.  Customers typically paid for such commercial sex acts in cash.  BROOKS kept most or all of the profits from his Sex Trafficking Enterprise.

BROOKS forced certain of his victims to take prescription pain relievers, to which they became addicted.  In addition, BROOKS set rules for his victims, controlled their actions, and punished violations of his rules and disobedience through physical violence, among other things.

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BROOKS is charged with one count of sex trafficking conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and by force, fraud, or coercion, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison; and one count of use of interstate facilities and interstate travel to promote a prostitution enterprise, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Any individuals who believe they have information concerning ADRIAN BROOKS, a/k/a “Abee,” that may be relevant to the investigation, or information regarding other sex trafficking crimes, should contact the FBI at (212) 384-1000 or https://tips.fbi.gov/, or the New York City Police Department at (646) 610-7272.

The investigation was conducted through the New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, a joint task force between the FBI and NYPD to combat human trafficking.  Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the NYPD.   Mr. Kim also thanked the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - Youth Services Unit and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services for their assistance during the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Hanft, Sagar K. Ravi, and Alexandra N. Rothman are in charge of the prosecution.

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

Jackson, Miss. – Simon Parra-Avila, a/k/a Jose Simon Parra-Barragan, a/k/a Simon Parra-Barraga, 27, from Morton, Mississippi, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced on October 3, 2017, by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette, III, to serve three months in federal prison followed by deportation for illegally entering the United States after having been previously deported by the United States to Mexico in 2008, 2010, and 2011, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Harold Brittain.

During each of his deportations to Mexico, Parra-Avila was warned that he must not return to the United States without proper legal authority. On April 12, 2017, in Morton, MS, federal agents found Parra-Avila, who had failed to obtain the permission of any U.S. authorities to enter the United States legally.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Stole more than $80,000 from Vigo County taxpayers

PRESS RELEASE

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today the sentencing of a former Vigo County sheriff’s deputy for his role in a fraud scheme in which he stole more than $80,000 in Vigo County School Corporation (VCSC) money. Frank Shahadey, 61, Terre Haute, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment by U.S. Chief District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson after pleading guilty to wire fraud and theft of government funds.

 “Public officials are supposed to serve the public, and not the other way around,” said Minkler. “When police officers believe they are above the law they were sworn to uphold, this office will hold them accountable.”

Shahadey was a Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy who also worked part time for the VCSC as a school security officer. From April 2014 through October 2016, Shahadey and a co-defendant instructed a Terre Haute area business to submit false and fraudulent invoices for work performed for the VCSC.  He further directed an individual to falsify work estimates and invoices either by inflating the cost of the work, or by seeking payment for the work that was either not performed, or was done by another business.

As a result of Shahadey’s fraud scheme, Shahadey received kickbacks of more than $80,000.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.   

 “When a law enforcement officer chooses to violate their oath of office and commit crimes, their actions erode public trust and confidence and tarnish the entire community of dedicated public servants,” said W. Jay Abbott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “This sentence highlights that the FBI considers public corruption a top criminal priority and our agents will continue to work diligently to pursue those whose greed outweighs their vow to serve and protect."

According to Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston who prosecuted this case for the government, Shahadey must serve two years of supervised release following his sentence. 

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Jackson, Miss – Tammy Barnes, 49, of Fayette, Mississippi, pled guilty on October 3, 2017, before U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III, to embezzlement of U.S. mail, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Harold Brittain and Special Agent in Charge Maximo Eamiguel, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Southern Area Field Office.

From March 13, through June 17, 2016, Barnes worked as a relief Highway Contract Route driver hired to transport mail from Jackson, Mississippi to local U.S. Post Offices in the Mississippi towns of Port Gibson, Lorman, Fayette, Union Church, Washington, and Natchez. Barnes admitted that, during that time, she unlawfully took packages from the U.S. mail stream that did not belong to her, keeping them at her residence and using the contents of those packages for her own use. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) received approximately 112 complaints of non-receipt of packages from residents along the described rural route. Barnes also admitted that she embezzled stamp stock, pre-paid envelopes, and other postal products, valued at approximately $12,560, that she was supposed to deliver to the U.S. Post Offices on her route.

Barnes is currently released on bond and will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III on December 5, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

"The overwhelming majority of postal employees work very conscientiously to move the nation's mail to its proper destination and it is a responsibility they take very seriously.

Unfortunately, a few abuse the public trust placed in them," said Special Agent in Charge Maximo Eamiguel, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Southern Area Field Office. "Mail theft complaints will be vigorously investigated in order to ensure the protection of the U.S. Postal Service and its customers."

The prosecution of Barnes is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark and agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

Jackson, Miss. – Stuart Brian Nickey, 33, a Choctaw Indian from the Bogue Homa Community of the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Jones County, has been charged in a federal indictment with 2nd degree murder, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Harold Brittain. The indictment alleges that, on or about July 1, 2017, Nickey murdered "C.S.", also a Choctaw Indian, by striking her in the head and face.

Nickey appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael T. Parker on October 3, 2017, for an initial appearance and arraignment. He was detained in federal custody until further order of the court. A jury trial is scheduled for November 21, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The prosecution of Nickey is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark, and agents with the FBI and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Department of Public Safety.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that, a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:

Five Men Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation.  Severvo Gonzalez-Martinez, age 26, Alirio Ortiz-Castro, age 62, and Ulises Santos-Cruz, age 30, all of Columbia, South Carolina; Gilberto Antonio Moreno-Moreno, age 38, of Rock Hill, South Carolina; and Gabriel Rodriguez-Galindo, age 40, of Graniteville, South Carolina were charged with Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326 which carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $250,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. All of the cases were investigated by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations.  These cases have been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office for prosecution.

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Lancaster County Man.  Jimmy Allen Hunter, age 48, of Lancaster County, South Carolina was charged in a 1-count indictment.  Hunter was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. § 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Hunter could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office for prosecution.

Two Columbia Men Indicted on Firearm and Drug Charges.  Robert Christopher McCoy, age 23, of Columbia, South Carolina and Terrone J. Anderson, age 20, of Columbia, South Carolina were charged in a 2-count indictment.  Robert Christopher McCoy was charged with felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §922(g). Terrone J. Anderson was charged with possession with intent to distribute MDMA (Ecstacy), a violation of Title 21, U. S. C. §841.  The maximum penalty McCoy could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, and the maximum penalty Anderson could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.  The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia office for prosecution.

Lexington County Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges.  John Phillip Drawdy, age 38, of Gaston, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count indictment with one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), and one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).  Drawdy faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years.  The maximum penalty Drawdy could face is imprisonment of life and a fine of $8,000,000. The case was investigated by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy Wicker of the Columbia office.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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          Concord, N.H.—Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Jose Serrano Ayuso, 31, and Lilian Zapata, a/k/a Marta Arus, 52, both previously of Manchester, New Hampshire, have pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in 2016.

          According to court records and statements in court, on several occasions between August and October of 2016, investigators used a cooperating individual to make purchases of heroin from Ayuso.  On two occasions when Ayuso was unavailable, Zapata delivered the requested drugs.  Laboratory analyses later showed that the defendants actually were distributing fentanyl.

         During the execution of a search warrant at the defendants’ shared residence in Manchester in October 2016, investigators found more than 230 grams of fentanyl, a handgun, drug ledgers, over $5,000 of U.S. currency, and identifying documents in Ayuso’s bedroom.  In the apartment kitchen, investigators found an iced tea container containing over 640 grams of fentanyl.  Investigators also located a scale and a press for forming “fingers” of fentanyl for distribution in other areas of the apartment. In total, this investigation led to the seizure of more than one kilogram of fentanyl.

          Ayuso’s plea agreement includes a binding stipulated sentence of 144 months’ incarceration, and Zapata’s plea agreement includes a binding stipulated sentence of 54 months’ incarceration.  Zapata will be sentenced on January 5, 2018, and Ayuso will be sentenced on January 18, 2018.

          “We work tirelessly each day with our law enforcement partners to combat the threats posed by fentanyl and other opioids,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “Fentanyl has been the cause of the vast majority of the overdose deaths in our state.  I commend the work of the law enforcement officers in this case who successfully prevented this large quantity of fentanyl from being distributed.”

           “Fentanyl remains the top cause of drug related deaths in New Hampshire and we will continue to pursue, seize, and disrupt illicit activities associated with the distribution and trafficking of opioids,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.  “The FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force is aggressively working to track down distributors like Ayuso and Zapata, who are recklessly poisoning our communities with these illegal drugs, bringing nothing but danger—and in far too many cases death—to the streets of our neighborhoods.” 

          The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which consists of FBI Special Agents and members of the Manchester Police Department, the Hudson Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Nashua Police Department, and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Probation and Parole.  Investigators also received assistance of the New Hampshire HIDTA.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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