ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert Twiss, 59, of Earlton, New York, was sentenced today to time served (approximately five months) for possessing a firearm as a felon.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

As part of his March 20, 2017 guilty plea, Twiss admitted that on October 24, 2016, he possessed a Plainfield M-1, Model 41 semi-automatic rifle on his residential property in Earlton.   

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also imposed a three-year term of supervised release.  

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Belliss.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tameen “Nitty” Johnson, 39, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to serve 235 months in prison for illegally possessing a loaded handgun as a prior convicted felon.  Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also ordered that Johnson serve a five-year term of supervised release following his release from federal prison.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

After a three-day jury trial in January 2017, Johnson was convicted of possessing a Hi-Point JCP .40 caliber firearm loaded with seven rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.  The evidence at trial established the handgun had a defaced serial number and that Johnson provided it to another man inside a convenience store in Schenectady in exchange for $200.  Johnson, after asking if the firearm would be used “to book somebody,” showed the man how to operate the firearm so that he could “handle his business,” and repeatedly warned him not to lose the “hammer.”

Johnson, who was charged as an Armed Career Criminal because he has at least three previous convictions for serious drug offenses or violent felonies, faced a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  Johnson’s prior criminal history includes prior felony convictions for drug offenses, attempted robbery, attempted burglary, and assault.

This prosecution resulted from an investigation by the Capital District Safe Streets Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the New York State Police, the Schenectady Police Department, the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York Air National Guard.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wayne A. Myers.

OAKLAND – Restaurant owner Akbar Dawood Arghandiwal pleaded guilty today in federal court to willful failure to account for and pay federal employment taxes announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch, and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf.  The plea was accepted by the Honorable Jeffery S. White, U.S. District Judge.  

In pleading guilty, Arghandiwal, 46, of Clayton, Calif., admitted that from 2008 through 2012, he owned restaurants in Clayton, Lafayette, and Danville.  Arghandiwal acknowledged that between January 2010 and December 2012, he knew he was required to withhold federal employment taxes from the wages of his employees, but instead paid those employees in cash and failed to pay employment taxes on those wages. He intentionally did not provide his accountant with complete and accurate information about the wages of his employees in order to conceal such wages and pay less in employment taxes.  In total, Arghandiwal failed to pay $90,648 in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.  On September 13, 2017, Arghandiwal was charged by information with twelve counts of willful failure to account for and pay over employment taxes, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7202. Under the plea agreement, Arghandiwal pleaded guilty to a single count and the remaining counts will be dismissed.

Arghandiwal is currently free on bond.  Judge White has scheduled Arghandiwal’s sentencing for January 16, 2018.  The maximum statutory penalty for a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7202 is five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  Additional periods of supervised release, fines, and restitution also may be imposed, however, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.   

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Olivera is prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. 
 

ATLANTA - Elvin R.  Mitchell, Jr. and Charles P. Richards, Jr. have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to pay over $1 million in bribe payments in exchange for receiving lucrative contracts with the City of Atlanta.

“The citizens of Atlanta rightfully expect that government contracts will go to the most qualified bidder and trust that the contracting process will be transparent and fair,” said U. S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “When contractors like Mitchell and Richards pay bribes to get public work, the public’s confidence in the process is undermined and the price of that corruption is borne by the taxpayers.”

“Today’s sentencing hearings in federal court are a direct result of a thorough public corruption investigation consisting of many long hours of work by both federal investigators and their prosecutors,” said David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office.  “While it is important that both E.R Mitchell and C.P. Richards, Jr. are held accountable for their criminal conduct, the FBI feels that it is also important for others, either public officials or those attempting to illegally influence them, to take note of the harsh consequences of such actions.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to investigating individuals who think that they can get a competitive advantage by cheating the system by paying bribes to get government contracts,” said James Dorsey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Field Office. “Today’s sentencings should act as a deterrence to those who think that they can continue to pay bribes in order to get work.”

According to United States Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: Elvin R. Mitchell, Jr. serves as the owner and operator of E.R. Mitchell Company, Cascade Building System, LLC., E.R. Mitchell Group, Inc. and EC & WT Construction Company, Inc., d/b/a E.R. Mitchell Construction Co.  Richards serves as the owner and/or principal of the construction companies C.P. Richards Construction Co., Inc., and C.P. Richards & Associates, Inc.

In an effort to obtain construction-related contracts with the City of Atlanta, Georgia, Mitchell and Richards conspired to pay and paid an individual to obtain government contracts. From approximately 2010 to August 2015, Mitchell paid over $1,000,000 and Richards paid over $185,000 to an individual in exchange for City of Atlanta contracts, believing that some of the money would be paid to city officials who exercised influence over the contracting process.

Mitchell also laundered the money received from the City of Atlanta by attempting to conceal the source of the money and by attempting to evade federal currency transaction reporting requirements by withdrawing cash in amounts under $10,000.

Mitchell, 63, of Atlanta, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,120,535 in restitution. On January 25, 2017, Mitchell pleaded guilty to conspiratorial bribery and money laundering.     

Richards, 65, of Tucker, Ga., has been sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $193,000 in restitution. On February 16, 2017, Richards pleaded guilty to conspiratorial bribery

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated this case.

First Assistant United States Attorney Kurt R. Erskine and Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis prosecuted 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.

Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced today that Andrew Ryan Leslie (22, Middleburg) has pleaded guilty to two federal charges that he sexually abused an infant and a toddler, and used them to produce images and videos of child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 60 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervision. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Leslie has been in federal custody since his arrest on October 18, 2016.    

According to court documents, in 2015, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations began an investigation into websites known to host images and videos depicting child pornography. In 2016, Leslie was positively identified as a member of one of these websites. On October 18, 2016, HSI agents and other law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Leslie’s residence in Middleburg, Florida. Upon entering the residence, agents observed Leslie emerging from the master bedroom. Leslie stated that a minor child, referred to by Leslie as a “toddler,” had been in bed with him when the agents arrived. 

During the search, agents located a digital camera next to Leslie’s bed in the master bedroom. Within the camera was a micro SD card containing a series of pornographic images depicting Leslie with two different minor children. In several of the images, the same toddler (approximately two years old) was depicted. Other images depicted a different infant less than a year old. These images depicted Leslie sexually abusing both children.  

Agents also seized several laptop computers, computer hard disk drives, tablets, cell phones, and cameras from Leslie’s residence. A forensic analysis of these items revealed that Leslie had produced, received, distributed, and possessed numerous images and videos depicting child pornography. Recovered logs of online conversations between Leslie and other individuals showed that Leslie had discussed engaging in sexual activity with several minor children.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. 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 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.

In a joint press release issued with the U.S. Border Patrol, the United States Attorney Office for the District of Vermont stated that it has charged three persons in connection with a fifteen-person human smuggling attempt in Derby, Vermont. Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado, 25, a Honduras citizen, has been charged with transporting illegal aliens inside the United States. As part of the investigation, the U.S. Border Patrol took into custody a total of sixteen illegal aliens, including Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado, the alleged driver, who is Honduran. Eleven of the other illegal aliens are Guatemalan citizens and four are Mexican citizens.

According to Court records, in addition to the smuggling charge against Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado, two persons were charged with re-entering the United States after previously being removed. Specifically, the United States alleges that Noe Perez-Ramirez, 33, of Mexico, and Alberto Alvarado-Castro, 29, of Mexico both were removed from the United States on multiple prior occasions. In support of its motion for detention, the Government further alleged that Alvarado-Castro has multiple prior felony burglary convictions in the United States.

According to the Border Patrol Agent’s affidavit accompanying the Criminal Complaints, on the evening of October 7, 2017, the U.S. Border Patrol identified a Nissan van, with a license plate not affiliated with any state, making multiple trips from Beebe Road near the Canadian Border to the Four Seasons Motel in Derby, Vermont. Additional Border Patrol agents stationed in the vicinity spotted several male subjects on foot heading south from the border in the same area indicating a possible smuggling attempt.

Just after midnight on October 8, 2017, the Border Patrol pulled the van over in the motel parking lot and questioned the driver. According to the Border Patrol agent’s affidavit, the van was driven by defendant Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado, who had no legal status in the United States. The van also contained six passengers, none of whom had legal status in the United States.

According to the Border Patrol agent’s affidavit, the van’s driver, defendant Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado, gave the Border Patrol agents the key to his motel room at the Four Seasons and requested that the agents recover his personal items. When Border Patrol agents entered the motel room, they found nine additional persons, none of whom had legal status in the United States.

The complaints filed in this case are accusations only and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado is convicted of transporting illegal aliens, he faces a maximum sentence of five years, potentially for each alien transported, and a $250,000 fine, potentially for each person smuggled. If Noe Perez-Ramirez and Alberto Alvarado-Castro are convicted of re-entry after removal from the United States, they each face a maximum sentence of two years and a $250,000 fine. If convicted the actual sentences of the defendants will be advised by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Hector Ramon Perez-Alvarado, Noe Perez-Ramirez and Alberto Alvarado-Castro all appeared in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont on October 10, 2017, for an initial appearance. On the Government’s motion for pre-trial detention, Magistrate-Judge John M. Conroy ordered that all three be detained pending trial and remanded them into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. “This case is an excellent example of the dedication and hard work put forth by Border Patrol agents to keep our country and communities safe,” said U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent John Pfeifer. “Our agents did an outstanding job thwarting this smuggling attempt.”

The Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting this matter is Joe Perella. Elizabeth Quinn, Esq., of the Federal Public Defender’s Office represents Perez-Alvarado. David Watts, Esq., of Burlington represents Alvarado-Castro. Robert Sussman, Esq., of Burlington represents Perez-Ramirez.

CHICAGO — A lawyer licensed to practice in Illinois has been convicted on federal fraud charges for scheming to provide falsified documents to prevent foreclosure on a nearly $2 million parcel of land in Aurora.  The fraud left an elderly couple out of $300,000.

The jury in federal court in Chicago convicted ROBERT JON SCHLYER, 47, of Portage, Ind., of two counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, and one count of bank fraud. 

Schlyer’s fraud scheme occurred while representing two clients, co-schemers KEVIN LEBEAU and BRIAN BODIE, in connection with a foreclosure lawsuit.  Evidence at trial revealed that Schlyer provided false and fraudulent documents to an elderly couple and Amcore Bank in order topostpone foreclosure on the Aurora property. 

The jury returned the guilty verdicts on Oct. 6, 2017, after a four-day trial.  U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve set sentencing for Jan. 31, 2018, at 9:15 a.m.  Each count carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The conviction was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and John P. Selleck, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to evidence at trial, in 2004 Amcore Bank received a mortgage on the 10.4-acre property in Aurora after issuing a $1.9 million loan for the refinancing and redevelopment of the property.  Lebeau and Bodie executed a full personal guarantee for the loan.  By the fall of 2005, Lebeau and Bodie had failed to make the required payments, the loan was in default, and the bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit to seize the property.

During the scheme, Schlyer, who acted as Lebeau’s and Bodie’s attorney in the foreclosure suit, obtained $300,000 from an elderly retired couple by providing them with fake documents that made it seem like they were making a safe investment in the redevelopment and that it would be secured by a trust.  Schlyer also claimed to be the trustee of the purported trust.  In reality, there was no trust and Schlyer was not a trustee.  Schlyer and his co-schemers also concealed from the elderly couple the foreclosure suit and LeBeau’s and Bodie’s inability to pay the bank debt.  A portion of funds obtained from the elderly couple through the fraud was used to pay down the bank loan.

Together with his co-schemers, Schlyer furnished fraudulent and fabricated documents to the bank, including forged documents that made it appear that investors had committed approximately $1.5 million to the redevelopment of the property.  Eventually the foreclosure occurred, and the property was sold in 2010 at a significant loss to the bank. 

LeBeau, of Aurora, and Bodie, of Chicago, were previously convicted in the case and are awaiting sentencing before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kartik K. Raman and Amarjeet S. Bhachu.

HOUSTON – Dr. Gurunath Thota Reddy, Memorial Hermann Endoscopy and Surgery Center North Houston, United Surgical Partners International and Digestive & Liver Disease Consultants P.A. have entered into an agreement to pay $1,575,000 to settle allegations of Medicare fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez and Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG). The claims resolved by this settlement are only allegations and there has been no determination of liability.

The Medicare claims included in the settlement date from April 1, 2007, through Nov. 30, 2014.

An endoscopy nurse formerly employed by Memorial Hermann Endoscopy and Surgery Center initialed the matter. She alleged that Reddy and other physicians who performed colonoscopies at Memorial Hermann Endoscopy and Surgery Center North Houston failed to meet established medical standards. She claimed Reddy and other physicians performed procedures at the center so quickly that they were essentially worthless. By failing to take the necessary amount of time to closely examine the colon, precancerous lesions could be missed.

She also claimed that, in the interest of saving time, the physicians would not always examine the entire colon and would sometimes spend as little as two minutes on a colonoscopy. She also alleged the surgery center did not follow established guidelines for sanitation, claiming Reddy would not put on a clean gown prior to each procedure in order to save money.

“When Medicare pays for a patient to undergo a medical procedure, Medicare expects the health care provider to follow established medical standards of care and sanitation,” said Martinez. “There is no excuse for shortcutting quality in order to increase revenues.”   

“Boosting profits with shortcuts to standard medical procedures is unacceptable and at the expense of patient safety,” said Porter. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect Medicare and Medicaid patients from substandard care.”

The experienced endoscopy nurse who brought the allegations further claimed she was fired the day after she complained to the Regional Vice President of United Surgical Partners about the problems she observed.  

The FBI, DHHS-OIG and investigators for the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Zingaro handled the litigation on this matter.

PHILADELPHIA – Louis D. Lappen, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, announced today that the United States had reached a civil settlement with URS Corporation (“URS”) resolving civil claims concerning URS’ improperly billing under a Joint Venture Project Management Oversight Agreement (“PMO”) with Amtrak.  To resolve the government’s civil claims against it, URS has agreed to pay the United States $900,000.00 pursuant to the settlement agreement.      

URS and its joint venture partner performed project management functions on several Amtrak construction projects throughout the eastern United States.  The PMO contract required that URS bill actual labor and overhead rates for the employees working the various projects.   The United States contends that it has certain civil claims against URS arising from URS’ billing under the PMO contract during the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2014.  This conduct included: a) continuing to bill overhead at a maximum rate listed in the Joint Venture PMO Contract without adjusting the overhead rate to actual costs incurred; and  b) billing employees at home overhead rates although they were considered as field employees’ in URS’ general ledger.   

The case arose when an audit of URS’ billing showed discrepancies.  Amtrak and the Department of Transportation’s Offices of Inspector General investigated this case.  For the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Assistant United States Attorney Colin Cherico and Auditor Dawn Wiggins handled the investigation and settlement.  

The claims resolved by this settlement agreement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has indicted a 31-year-old Missouri City man for allegedly trafficking a 12-year old girl, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.   

Eddie Larue is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 10:00 a.m. today.

According to the indictment returned last week, Larue allegedly recruited a 12-year old girl to engage in commercial sex acts for money along the 1.3 mile stretch of Bissonnet St., commonly referred to as “The Track.” Larue also allegedly used force and threats of force to compel his victim into prostitution and took all of the money she received.   

If convicted, Larue faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a $250,000 fine.

The Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA) conducted the investigation. HTRA law enforcement includes members of the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Houston Police Department, sheriff’s offices in Harris and Montgomery counties, Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission, Texas Attorney General’s Office, Department of State, Department of Labor, IRS and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Established in 2004, the United States Attorney’s office in Houston formed the HTRA to combine resources with federal, state and local enforcement agencies and prosecutors, as well as non-governmental service organizations to target human traffickers while providing necessary services to those that the traffickers victimized. Since its inception, HTRA has been recognized as a national model in identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking and prosecuting those engaged in trafficking offenses.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian Edwards and Sharad Khandelwal are prosecuting this case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

An Antioch, Tennessee, woman was convicted today by a federal jury sitting in Nashville, Tennessee, of eight counts each of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Donald Q. Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

According to the indictment and evidence presented at trial, in January and February 2012, Monique Ellis, used stolen IDs, including those of prisoners held by the Alabama Department of Corrections, to file tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking fraudulent refunds. Ellis directed the fraudulently obtained refunds to bank accounts that she controlled, causing a tax loss of $121,851.10. 

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2018 before U.S. District Court Judge Gershwin A. Drain. Ellis faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and a mandatory two year sentence for each count of aggravated identity theft. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Goldberg and U.S. Attorney Cochran thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Leventis, and Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting this case.

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that SAMUEL NOLAN DOTY, age 47, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment to run consecutive to a 7 year state prison sentence out of Cherokee County, Oklahoma for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and 10 years of supervised release for POSSESSION OF CERTAIN MATERIAL INVOLVING THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF MINORS, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2252(b)(2).

The Indictment alleged that between on or about April 17, 2014, and on or about August 24, 2016, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did knowingly possess, attempt to possess and access with intent to view matters which contained visual depictions, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256(5), the production of said visual depictions involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as that term is defined in Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2256(2)(A)-(B), and said visual depictions were of such sexually explicit conduct and had been transported in interstate commerce by computer.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshal’s Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “I commend the hard work of the county and federal law enforcement agencies that worked together.  Without thorough investigations this agency would not have the ability to successfully prosecute cases.”

The Honorable James H. Payne, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. The defendant will remain in custody pending transportation to the designated federal facility at which the nonparoleable sentence will be served.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow represented the United States.

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for escaping from custody at a Residential Reentry Center.

Sean Jones, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 15 months in prison. On March 30, 2017, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of escape. 

In Feb. 2011, Jones was convicted in federal court of distributing cocaine and sentenced to eight years in prison. In August 2016, Jones was transferred from federal prison to a Residential Reentry Center, where he was to serve the remainder of his sentence until Feb. 25, 2017. On Oct. 8, 2016, Jones, who was allowed to sign out of the Center on a “common pass,” contacted the program to let them know he had fainted and was going to the hospital. Jones never returned to the program and was placed on escape status the following day. On Oct. 12, 2016, Jones was arrested by Transit Police in Boston and charged with drug possession, resisting arrest, and making threats. Jones was released on the state charges and taken into federal custody. 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and U.S. Marshal John Gibbons of the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S Attorney Nicholas A. Soivilien of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.  

BOSTON - A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to federal drug offenses.

Oscar Francisco Marcano Valverde, a/k/a Oscar Marcado, a/k/a Oscar Malcano, 38, a Dominican national formerly residing in Haverhill, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl and one count of being an alien unlawfully present in the United States in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2018. 

On May 30, 2017, after a year-long investigation aimed at attacking the fentanyl and heroin crisis in Lawrence and surrounding areas, more than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers executed a federal drug sweep to dismantle a Lawrence-based drug trafficking organization allegedly run by Juan Anibal Patrone. Marcano Valverde was arrested and charged along with Patrone and approximately 30 co-conspirators.  

Marcano Valverde worked part-time at a stash house where he prepared and packaged drugs as well as picked up and delivered drugs and drug proceeds at Patrone’s direction.

The conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of being an alien unlawfully present in the United States in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Marcano Valverde will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michal J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick made the announcement today. The DEA Cross Border Initiative, comprised of the DEA and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments, conducted the investigation jointly with the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Guatemalan national charged with a federal immigration crime pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston.

Juan Chilel-Sandoval, a/k/a Jose Bartolome Chilel Sandoval, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal re-entry of a deported alien before U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel, who sentenced Chilel-Sandoval to time-served (approximately 15 days). Chilel-Sandoval will be subject to deportation proceedings.  

On Aug. 31, 2017, law enforcement in Lynn encountered Chilel-Sandoval and determined him to be unlawfully present in the United States. Chilel-Sandoval had been previously deported on Oct. 22, 2010.

Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb and Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Jacobus of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 27-year-old resident of San Benito has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of sexual exploitation of a minor, otherwise known as production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Jonathan Rios aka Jonathan Rios Ventura was an assistant manager at a local restaurant prior to his arrest on July 26, 2016. He pleaded guilty Nov. 16, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen handed Rios a sentence of 235 months in federal prison. He was further ordered to serve 20 years on supervised release, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

At the time of his plea, the court heard that Rios persuaded or coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Specifically, he had sexual intercourse with a minor child under the age of six and filmed it with his cell phone.

Rios has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force and the San Benito Police Department conducted the investigation.

This case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Corley and Ana Cano, 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 visitwww.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visitwww.usdoj.gov/pscand click on the tab "resources."

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Charles Brandeis, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (“DSS”), and Philip Bartlett, the Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced charges today against a Massachusetts businessman, DAVID STASIOR, for providing financing and financial advice to an illegal brothel operating in Manhattan, and conspiring with the brothel owner to use the proceeds from the brothel to promote the brothel’s activities. STASIOR was arrested by agents from DSS, the USPIS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York this morning and will be presented in federal court in Massachusetts later today.

This case arises from a multiple-year-long investigation in which 17 additional individuals have previously been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate the Travel Act.  The previously charged individuals have included the owners of a network of at least 10 brothels in Manhattan, and individuals who provided advertising services for these brothels.  These brothels were independently owned but worked cooperatively, and employed prostitutes who typically came to the United States from South Korea pursuant to fraudulently obtained visas or visa waivers.  STASIOR allegedly provided financing for one of these brothels, whose owner was previously charged and pled guilty to money laundering conspiracy.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim stated:  “For years, the defendant allegedly helped launder the proceeds of an illegal brothel operation in Manhattan, providing start-up money, ongoing financial advice, and record-keeping services.  As alleged, the defendant financially supported and profited from this business that exploited vulnerable women and laundered money.”

Special Agent in Charge Charles Brandeis stated:  “DSS continues to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations seeking to profit from the entry and illicit activities of vulnerable foreign nationals.  This investigation demonstrates the global reach of the Diplomatic Security Service.”

Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett stated:  “This arrest represents the continued effort of law enforcement to put a stop to illegal activity wherever it is found.  Many claim prostitution is the oldest profession in the world.  The anonymity of the internet was used to hide the identity of its operators, keeping law enforcement in the dark.  As in this case, what is done in the dark will always be revealed in the light.”

According to the Complaint[1]:

Since 2012, DSS, USPIS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York have been investigating a group of brothels (the “Brothels”) operating in and around New York.  Each of the Brothels was independently owned and operated, but the owners of the Brothels worked cooperatively through, among other things, the sharing of approved customer lists and information.  STASIOR started out as a customer of the Brothels.  In 2013, he provided a co-conspirator (“CC-1”)[2] with financing to open a brothel (the “Brothel”), while requiring the co-conspirator to make periodic payments from the Brothel’s proceeds in return for his investment. 

The Brothel used a website to advertise the women prostituted in the Brothel, as well as an online aggregator of advertisements to advertise the Brothel.  The management of online advertising and payment for this advertising was coordinated by the defendant and CC-1, among others.  STASIOR sent multiple emails to CC-1 in which he provided business advice to the Brothel, including advice on how to use online advertising for the Brothel to increase the Brothel’s profits.  STASIOR’s emails included spreadsheets that listed him as a “Partner” in the business and itemized the Brothel’s prostitution revenues and the various expenses involved in running the Brothel, including the cost of advertising.  In these emails, STASIOR also itemized the payments made to him out of the Brothel’s proceeds, and stated that he was concerned about the Brothel’s profitability to ensure that CC-1 would be able to “pay back” the “debt” that had been incurred by his investment in the Brothel.          

*          *          *

STASIOR, 53, of Concord, Massachusetts, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act, 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.

If you believe you were a victim of this crime, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact the Victim/Witness Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, at (866) 874-8900.  For additional information, go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/victimwitness.html

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding efforts of DSS, USPIS, and the criminal investigators working in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  He added that the investigation is ongoing.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Danielle R. Sassoon and Thane Rehn are in charge of the prosecution.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                    at (410) 209-4885

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment on September 27, 2017 and it was unsealed today. The second superseding indictment charges the following defendants in connection with a conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as the La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13:

Carlos Roberto Tejada Cruz, a/k/a “Krusty,” age 20, of Beltsville, Maryland;

Kevin Alexis Hernandez-Guevara, a/k/a “Stop,” age 20, of Landover Hills, Maryland;

Rolando Aristides Juarez-Vasquez, a/k/a “Virus,” a/k/a “Daffy,” age 22, of Hyattsville, Maryland;

Jeffry Rodriguez, a/k/a “Hyper,” age 21, of Beltsville, Maryland;

Junior Noe Alvarado-Requeno, a/k/a “Insolente,” a/k/a “Trankilo,” age 20, of Landover, Maryland;

Michael Eduardo Contreras, a/k/a “Katra,” a/k/a “Insoportable,” age 22, of Silver Spring, Maryland;

Luis Fernando Orellana-Estrada, a/k/a “Pinguino,” age 18, of Hyattsville, Maryland; and

Donald Roberto Mendez-Lopez, a/k/a “Chuckie,” age 18, of Hyattsville, Maryland.

All of the defendants are in custody.

The second superseding indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco; Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of FBI Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge of DEA Karl C. Colder;  Chief Henry P. Stawinksi III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks; Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

According to the indictment, MS-13 is a national and international gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland.  The defendants were allegedly members of the Sailors Clique of MS-13.  The four count superseding indictment alleges that from at least 2015 through September 2017, the defendants were members and associates of MS-13 who planned and committed murders, drug and gun trafficking, and extortions.

For a period of time beginning at least in 2015 through September 2017, the Sailors Clique is alleged to have extorted owners of illegal businesses in the Langley Park and Wheaton areas of Maryland, with the extortion proceeds being sent to El Salvador to benefit MS-13. In addition, members of the Sailors Clique allegedly trafficked narcotics, including marijuana and cocaine in Langley Park, Maryland, with the proceeds benefiting the gang.

More specifically, the superseding indictment alleges that on June 16, 2016, Alvarado-Requeno, planned with and directed other MS-13 members and associates to murder an individual who was thought to be a member of the rival 18^th Street gang in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

On July 29, 2016, Tejada-Cruz, Hernandez-Guevara and other members and associates of MS-13 planned another murder. After luring the victim to a secluded location, Tejada-Cruz attempted to shoot the victim, and Tejada-Cruz and others stabbed the victim to death.

On March 27, 2017, Contreras arranged for members of the Sailors Clique to travel from Maryland to Lynchburg, Virginia where they murdered a victim in Bedford County.

The indictment further alleges that on August 9, 2016, Tejada-Cruz, Hernandez-Guevara and Rodriguez planned a drug deal to purchase marijuana. Hernandez-Guevara and Rodriguez attempted to steal the marijuana by brandishing a gun and knife, and in the course of the robbery shot and stabbed two individuals.

According to the indictment, on June 1, 2017, Juarez-Vasquez and other members and associates of MS-13 exchanged words with an individual in the Adelphi area of Maryland, and threw MS-13 gang signs. Juarez-Vasquez shot the victim in the head, killing him.

Alvarado-Requino, Tejada-Cruz, Hernandez-Guevara, and Juarez-Vasquez face a maximum sentence of life in prison.  Rodriguez, Contreras, Orellana-Estrada and Mendez-Lopez face a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise.  Tejada-Cruz and Hernandez-Guevara also face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.  Orellana-Estrada and Mendez-Lopez also face a maximum of twenty years in prison for conspiring to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion.

Contreras is also charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Orellana-Estrada and Mendez-Lopez have been charged with conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion, which carries a possible sentence of 20 years in prison.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning thanked the FBI Washington Field Office, HSI, DEA, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Hyattsville Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, the State’s Attorney’s Office of Prince George’s County, and the State’s Attorney’s Office of Montgomery County. Mr. Schenning also commended Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau and Daniel C. Gardner of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and Trial Attorney Catherine K. Dick of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting this case.

The Red Olive Restaurant in St. Clair Shores and ANK Enterprises, Inc., the owner of the Harper/Little Mack Shopping Center, have taken steps to improve physical accessibility for individuals with disabilities, Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch announced today. 

This resolution concludes an investigation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, alleging that the restaurant was not accessible to individuals with disabilities.  The complaint was filed by a restaurant patron who uses a wheelchair. 

After discussions with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Red Olive Restaurant made changes to the restaurant’s interior, improving accessibility for people with disabilities. The Red Olive Restaurant is located within the Harper/Little Mack Shopping Center in St. Clair Shores.  The U.S. Attorney's Office also worked with the owner of the shopping center, ANK Enterprises, Inc., who renovated accessible parking spaces and a sidewalk curb cut as a part of this investigation.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that people who have disabilities have the same access to public accommodations as all other Americans,” said Lemisch.  “This case is a reminder that businesses must comply with federal requirements that enable individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their communities.”

This resolution was reached under Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by businesses that serve the public. 

More information about the ADA is available at the Justice Department's toll free ADA Information line at (800) 514 0301 or (800) 514 0383 (TTY) and on the ADA website at www.ada.gov.  ADA complaints may be emailed to usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov or by contacting the U.S. Attorney's Office’s civil rights hotline at (313) 226-9151.

Jackson, Miss – On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, D. Michael Hurst, Jr. was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan in Jackson, Mississippi. Hurst was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on June 29, 2017, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on October 3, 2017.

"I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to return to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to do the work of justice and serve the people of Mississippi. We have some of the hardest working, most caring people in this office, and I look forward to partnering with our state and local law enforcement to make sure people are protected, victims are served, and our communities are safer," said Hurst.

Hurst most recently served as the Director of the Mississippi Justice Institute ("MJI"), a division of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. Before starting MJI, he was the Republican nominee for Mississippi Attorney General in 2015.

From 2006 until February 2015, Hurst served as an Assistant United States Attorney within the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Jackson, where he focused primarily on fighting public corruption. He received numerous awards from the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and other federal law enforcement agencies.

Before going to work for the US Attorney’s Office, Hurst served on the staff of Congressman Chip Pickering in Washington, DC. Prior to that, he was Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Constitution Subcommittee. He practiced law at Troutman Sanders in Washington, DC, after graduating from law school.

Hurst is originally from Hickory, Mississippi, and is a graduate of East Central Community College in Decatur, and Millsaps College in Jackson, as well as The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. Hurst and his wife, Celeste, live in Sandhill, Mississippi, with their five children and Mike’s younger sister.