PROVIDENCE – The second of two West Warwick men charged with participating in a heroin, crack cocaine trafficking and bank fraud conspiracy was sentenced on Wednesday to 60 months in federal prison.

Robert Wilkins, 26, pleaded guilty on July 28, 2017, to one count each of conspiracy to deliver heroin, possession with the intent to deliver heroin, conspiracy to deliver 28 grams or more of cocaine base, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine base, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, three counts of delivery of heroin, fifteen counts of delivery of cocaine base, and one count of bank fraud.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith ordered Wilkins to serve four years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration and to pay $2,000 in restitution. The U.S. Sentencing Guideline imprisonment range in this matter is 57-71 months. However, statutes under which this defendant was charged require a minimum mandatory sentence of 60 months incarceration. The government recommended the Court impose a sentence of 71 months in prison.

A codefendant in this matter, Christian M. Domenech, 23, of West Warwick, was sentenced on October 20, 2017, to 36 months in prison. Domenech pleaded guilty on July 14, 2017, to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin, three counts of distribution of heroin, 14 counts of distribution of crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and bank fraud.

The sentences are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, a three-month investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force into the defendants’ drug trafficking activity included numerous purchases from the defendants of between one gram and seven grams of crack cocaine and heroin for between $80 dollars and $350 dollars. Each transaction was monitored by law enforcement.

Additionally, a Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit investigation determined that beginning in December 2015, the defendants created and deposited bogus checks into bank accounts each established, and withdrew some of those funds. The investigation determined that Christian Domenech deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew $2,000 in cash. Robert Wilkins deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew a total of $2,099.55.

On July 12, 2016, FBI Safe Street Task Force agents, with the assistance of the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA, executed a court-authorized search of the defendants’ West Warwick residence. Varying quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin was seized, along with approximately $800 in cash. Law enforcement also seized two vehicles.

Robert Wilkins and Christian Domenech have been detained in federal custody since their arrest in July 2016.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, thank the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA for their assistance investigating the drug trafficking activities of Robert Wilkins and Christian Domenech.

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MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Keyser, West Virginia man and a Piedmont, West Virginia man appeared in federal court after being indicted by a grand jury in November 2017 for drug distribution charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Jordan Foster, of Piedmont, age 22, was indicted on one count of “Distribution of Cocaine Base,” four counts of “Distribution of Cocaine Hydrochloride,” one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride,” and “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Hydrochloride.” Foster is accused of distributing cocaine and cocaine hydrochloride in July and August 2017 in Mineral County.

Brandon Suter, of Keyser, age 26, was indicted on one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Hydrochloride.” Suter is accused of assisting Foster in possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride in August 2017 in Mineral County.

Foster faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count. Suter faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force is investigating. 
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
 

            CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Cory Danis, 29, of Rochester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2015 the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) was contacted by a New York firm that was in the business of producing canvas prints from photographs.  The firm had received a photograph of a minor in a sexually explicit pose as part of an order for a canvas print of the image.  The firm provided the FBI with contact information for the customer.  Further investigation by the FBI resulted in the identification of Danis as the customer who possessed the image that was sent to the New York business and who ordered the canvas print.

            Danis, who pleaded guilty on August 22, 2017, was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release, which will begin after he is released from prison.

            “The protection of children is one of the most important missions of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “Through Project Safe Neighborhoods, we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to combat child pornography and other crimes that exploit children.”

            “When children are sexually assaulted to produce photos, they are not just victimized once, but repeatedly re-victimized through the on-line trading of their images,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “It takes an engaged and attentive community to counter these threats to our most vulnerable, and the FBI would like to thank the concerned citizen who came forward to report these egregious acts and remind others of the importance of reporting these crimes to law enforcement.”

            The FBI conducted the investigation of this case with assistance from the Rochester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon and Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith.

            In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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PROVIDENCE, RI –A former business manager and financial secretary for the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association Local 40 in Rhode Island pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to charges that he embezzled approximately $319,795 in union funds.

Richard D’Antuono, 42, of Cranston, pleaded guilty to a three-count information charging him with embezzlement from a labor organization, embezzlement from an employee benefit plan, and aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Jonathan Russo, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Boston-Buffalo District Office.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, D’Antuono admitted to the Court that for two years, beginning in 2015, he embezzled approximately $319,795 from a union operational account and from an apprentice fund, an employee benefit plan used to finance training programs for apprentice plasterers and masons and for the retraining or refresher training of journeymen union members.

D’Antuono admitted to the Court that he made checks out to himself substantially in excess of his salary and a stipend to which he was entitled. In some instances, he had the authorized signatories sign blank checks, which he later used to embezzle funds from the operational account.  In other instances, he forged the signature of the authorized signatories on checks. D’Antuono admitted that he also embezzled funds from the Apprenticeship Fund by writing checks payable to the Local 40 operation account and then embezzling the funds in the same manner.

D’Antuono was the sole full-time officer of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association Local 40.

D’Antuono is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2018. Embezzlement from a labor organization is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000 and a term of supervised release of 3 years. Embezzlement from an employee benefit plan is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of 3 years. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by statutory penalties of mandatory term of two years imprisonment in addition to the sentence imposed on counts on the embezzlement charges.

The case is being prosecuted by John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards with the Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations - Labor Racketeering & Fraud, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

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United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that on January 12, 2018, Judge Pamela Pepper, sentenced Joel Rivera (age: 29) to 36 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his role in armed robberies of local Family Dollar stores. 

Rivera was convicted in federal court in September by a jury that found him guilty of two business robberies, known as “Hobbs Act Robberies,” violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the robberies, violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Each robbery offense carried a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years. Together, the two firearm counts required an additional mandatory sentence of 32 years.  

The offenses were part of a crime spree that consisted of five Milwaukee area business robberies, which began on January 4, 2017 and continued until January 17, 2017. The criminal activity targeted several restaurants in addition to the Family Dollar stores.   During the robberies, Rivera’s accomplice wielded a loaded, semi-automatic handgun provided by Rivera, and the two men subsequently split the robbery proceeds, which they used primarily to purchase drugs.

During the sentencing hearing, Pepper, noted that Rivera, who has a prior armed robbery conviction dating back to 2007 and who had been charged but never convicted of two additional bar robberies, had achieved a new level of criminal sophistication in the instant case.  She discussed at length, Rivera’s role in these armed robberies where he, as the leader and organizer of the criminal activity, minimized the risk to himself while making his accomplice the front man for the crimes.

In sentencing Rivera, Pepper considered all of the federal sentencing factors and concluded that the lengthy prison sentence was warranted in order to protect the public from further criminal conduct on his part.

This case was investigated by the Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, a collaboration of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carol L. Kraft and Benjamin A. Wesson.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

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For additional information contact:

Acting Public Information Officer Elizabeth Makowski at 414 297-1700

HAMMOND – The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II, announced that Elbert Johnson, age 40, of Crown Point, Indiana was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge James T. Moody.  Johnson was sentenced to 61 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, and ordered to pay $551,647 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service and the Indiana Department of Revenue. 

According to documents in this case, Elbert Johnson, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit identity theft, filing of false claims, aggravated identity theft, and filing a false tax return.  The fraud scheme involved filing false federal and state tax returns utilizing the names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of inmates in various prisons across the country without their knowledge, permission, or authority.

The case was the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, and the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Toi Denise Houston.

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Ocala, FL – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Karon Dawson (38, Ocala) to eight years and eight months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty on September 18, 2017.

According to court documents, on March 15, 2017, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office followed Dawson’s vehicle after they had witnessed him engage in a drug transaction. When Dawson observed the unmarked patrol car, he fled and led the deputies on a chase, ultimately abandoning the car and fleeing on foot. After a brief chase, Dawson was arrested in an Ocala neighborhood. Inside his abandoned vehicle, deputies recovered plastic packets containing small amounts of crack cocaine and heroin, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

At the time of the incident, Dawson had 16 prior felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (Gainesville) and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dale Campion.

Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that Andre Walker was sentenced on January 17, 2018, in the United States District Court in East St. Louis, to 108 months in federal prison for one count of delivery of fentanyl, with three years of supervised release to follow the imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.

Facts revealed in open court at the sentencing and plea hearings established that Walker sold 324.8 grams of fentanyl between August 2016 and April 2017. Agents also discovered a make-shift manufacturing operation at Walker’s home, where he measured fentanyl into individual capsules. Additionally, Walker was arrested in this case while he was in possession of 89.4 grams of pre-packaged fentanyl, more than $3,000 in cash, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun, with a bullet in the chamber and an extended magazine containing 19 bullets. After considering many factors, such as the need to protect the public from dangerous narcotics like fentanyl, the District Court sentenced Walker to 108 months of imprisonment.

The investigation was conducted by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Derek J. Wiseman prosecuted the case.

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Erwin Phillips Burley (29, Houston, TX) to eight years in federal prison for enticing a woman to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution. The Court also ordered him to pay restitution to the victims in the case.

Burley pleaded guilty on May 9, 2017.

In July 2016, law enforcement officers received information that Burley was offering women for prostitution in the Jacksonville area. Further investigation resulted in the identification of a woman who said she had been picked up in New Orleans, Louisiana and transported to Jacksonville to engage in prostitution for Burley. 

“This defendant exploited the victim for his own benefit,” said Charles P. Spencer, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “Human trafficking offenders, like this, pose a threat to the overall safety of our communities, and the FBI is committed to working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to identify these predators, and seek justice for the heinous acts they commit."

“I appreciate the investigators for their work on this case,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge John Burke. “FDLE is committed to assisting our law enforcement partners in keeping our Florida communities safe.” 

This case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been reached between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division and Astria Health. Astria Health, formerly known as Regional Health, is the parent company of Sunnyside Community Hospital and other Clinics located in central Washington.  Astria operates 34 hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities in the Eastern District of Washington.

The U.S. Attorney Office began an ADA-based investigation of Astria Health after receiving a complaint that, despite a request for a Tactile American Sign Language interpreter, one of Astria Health’s clinics failed on five (5) separate treatment occasions to provide a deaf-blind individual with a qualified interpreter.  The deaf-blind individual alleged that, for approximately four months, he did not receive care because he was unable to communicate effectively with his treatment providers concerning his chronic health condition, which condition could result in potentially life-threatening complications if not properly managed.  

The ADA establishes a federal mandate that seeks to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities.  The ADA requires hospitals and medical providers to ensure that their communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing is as effective as their communication with other patients. See 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(iii) (1990); 28 C.F.R. § 35.160 (2007); 28 C.F.R. § 36.303 (2007); 28 C.F.R. pt. 36, App. B at 713-716 (2007).  A hospital does this by providing communication aids, known in the law as "auxiliary aids or services," which include qualified sign-language interpreters, the exchange of written notes, text telephones that assist deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals in making phone calls, and a variety of other aids listed in the ADA regulation. The specific type of auxiliary aid or service that may be necessary in a given context will depend upon the needs of the particular individual involved and the nature of the communication at issue. 

Astria Health fully cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation and within days of being notified of the investigation initiated corrective action to ensure the deaf-blind individual involved received a qualified interpreter at his next healthcare visit.

Under the settlement, Astria agrees to take remedial steps to ensure compliance with the ADA at each of its 34 hospitals and clinics in central Washington.  These steps include the appointment of an ADA point person who is familiar with the ADA’s health care access and communication – interpreter requirements.  This coordinator will also provide training to Astria’s staff on ADA requirements and will enter into contracts with interpretive service providers.  Astria will also adopt specific policies and procedures to ensure that auxiliary aids and communication services are provided promptly to individuals who are deaf, blind, or have communication challenges. 

Harrington stated:  “This Office and the DOJ Civil Rights Division are committed to protecting the rights of those who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities, ensuring that they are able to effectively communicate with their health care professionals, especially when patients must have critical interaction with their medical care providers.  This office did not seek civil penalties in this case – which can be up to $89,078 for a first violation and up to $178,156 for each subsequent violation – because Astria promptly acknowledged a problem, took immediate corrective action at its offending clinic and agreed to additional structural steps that will avoid similar problems at all of its 33 other medical facilities in the Eastern District of Washington.  This settlement will ensure deaf and blind individuals get the auxiliary aids and services they need to effectively communicate with their medical providers in a timely manner at Astria’s facilities.  I am hopful that other such providers in Eastern Washington will review their ADA compliance obligations to ensure they too are providing quality access to health care for the blind, deaf, hard-of-hearing and other disabled individuals.” 

This enforcement action was taken pursuant to the U.S. Attorney Program for ADA Enforcement.  The Program began as a pilot project in 1995, with a focus on effective communication in the nation's 911 call services, but has since expanded to other areas of disability discrimination.  Virtually every U.S. Attorney Office within the Department of Justice has been involved with enforcement efforts, resolving more than 500 reported matters nationwide annually. 

The U.S. Department of Justice has a number of additional resources available to assist entities with complying with ADA requirements.  For further information, please visit http://www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).  ADA complaints may also be filed by email to ada.complaint@usdoj.gov.

This enforcement action was handled by Joseph P. Derrig, an Assistant United States Attorney and Civil Rights Coordinator for the Eastern District of Washington, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section.

Settlement Agreement attached

astria_health_-_doj_agreement_final.pdf

             CONCORD, N.H. – A former corrections officer at the Federal Corrections Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, Latoya Sebree, 37, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for accepting bribes from inmates, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced.

               According to court documents, the criminal investigation began when law enforcement agents received information that Sebree was providing marijuana and other controlled substances, cell phones, tobacco and other contraband to inmates in exchange for cash payments. Thereafter, during communications that were monitored by the law enforcement agents, Sebree agreed to deliver a cell phone and a quantity of tobacco to in an inmate in exchange for $2,000.  The items were shipped in a package to Sebree’s post office box.  Sebree removed the package from the post office and then drove to her former residence in Milan, New Hampshire.  When investigators went to Sebree’s home to execute a search warrant, she gave them the $2,000 and the cell phone. While being questioned by law enforcement agents, Sebree admitted that she had provided controlled substances, cell phones, and other prohibited items to inmates over a several week period, in exchange for cash.  During the search of Sebree’s home, investigators seized Suboxone strips, a heat sealer, tobacco in various stages of packaging, as well as other evidence.

            Sebree pleaded guilty on September 5, 2017 to accepting bribes.  After serving her sentence, Sebree will be on supervised release for one year.

            “The public deserves honest service from its civil servants,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “This officer betrayed the public trust and undermined the safety and integrity of a federal prison facility by taking bribes to smuggle contraband into a prison.  This type of conduct cannot be tolerated.  Those who attempt to profit from their public positions will be prosecuted aggressively.”

            “The smuggling or cell phones and drugs into our federal prison system puts correctional officers and staff, inmates, and the community at risk,” stated Ronald G. Gardella, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), Office of Inspector General’s New York Field Office.  “The OIG will continue to work with it law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice any DOJ employee involved in prison contraband smuggling.”

            “It’s very troubling that Ms. Sebree sought to profit from her position by accepting bribes from inmates and providing contraband for cash,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division (FBI).  “Greed and corruption have no place in our criminal justice system, and the FBI is committed to identifying corrupt public employees like Sebree, who undermine the confidence and trust expected from those in public service.”

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with support from FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Kinsella.

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            CONCORD, N.H. – Chaka Meredith, 42, previously of Laconia, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to the robberies of seven banks in late 2016 and early 2017, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Meredith pleaded guilty to the following crimes:  (1) the December 29, 2016, robbery of a Bank of America branch location in Boston, Massachusetts;  (2) the January 3, 2017, robbery of an East Boston Savings Bank branch location in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; (3) the January 11, 2017 robbery of a Meredith Village Savings Bank branch location in Laconia, New Hampshire; (4) the January 17, 2017, robbery of a  Santander Bank branch location in Lawrence, Massachusetts; (5) the January 24, 2017 robbery of a TD Bank branch location in Lawrence, Massachusetts; (6) the January 25, 2017 robbery of a Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank branch location in Pepperell, Massachusetts; and (7) the January 30, 2017, robbery of a Santander Bank branch location in Plaistow, New Hampshire.   Meredith has been in custody since his arrest by the Lawrence, Massachusetts Police on February 1, 2017. 

            Meredith was originally indicted for a robbery in Plaistow on March 8, 2017, and his guilty plea today resolves all of his pending charges in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire resulting from the month-long bank robbery spree. 

Meredith is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2018.  As part of his plea agreement, he will be required to pay restitution to the financial institutions he robbed. 

            “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “This defendant’s crime spree is the type of conduct that creates fear in our communities.  Those who engage in such criminal activities will be prosecuted aggressively in order to protect the safety of the citizens of the Granite State.”

            “Mr. Meredith is finally accepting responsibility for his multi-state crime spree, where very fortunately, no one was harmed.   Due to the close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we were able to track him down and safely get him off the streets,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division (FBI). “This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force in bringing to justice those who break the law and intimidate hard-working citizens.”

            This matter was investigated by the FBI, the Laconia Police Department, the Plaistow Police Department, the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department, the Brookline, MA Police Department, the Lawrence, MA Police Department, the Pepperell, MA Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police.  The Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk District Attorneys’ Offices in Massachusetts as well as the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office also provided invaluable assistance to investigators.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gregory R. Lee, 53, of Columbus, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 262 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine for production of child pornography.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien, Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer, Dublin Police Chief Heinz von Eckartsberg and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.

According to the Statement of Facts in this case, the parents of a teenage female contacted Dublin Police in May 2017 after discovering information in the teenager’s personal journal regarding sexual activity with Lee, who had been her high school teacher at Dublin Scioto High School.

While being interviewed by law enforcement, the victim admitted that she and Lee engaged in oral sex on numerous occasions in Lee’s classroom and in his vehicle beginning when she was 15 years old. She said Lee also instructed her to create and exchange nude photographs through her phone.

A forensic examination of Lee’s electronic devices uncovered approximately 234 images of the victim, at least 49 of which depicted the minor in various stages of nudity. The victim confirmed that Lee had taken some of the nude pictures of her that were found on his devices.

The forensic examination also revealed nude images of another female that was believed to be a former student of Lee’s. The former student confirmed that she took the photographs with her cell phone when she was 17 years old and sent them to Lee.

“This offense involves a significant violation of the trust placed in Lee as a teacher,” U.S. Attorney Glassman said. “He engaged in a sexual relationship with a student who was more than 30 years his junior. She was a child, and it was his duty as the adult to prevent any inappropriate interactions with his students. He failed that duty miserably, and his sentence today reflects the seriousness of his crime.”

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI, Dublin Police and Task Force Officers, as well as Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch, Director, Franklin County Special Victim’s Unit, who are representing the United States in this case.

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SAN JUAN, PR – A federal grand jury has indicted 104 individuals as a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) Bayamón Strike Force, the United States Marshals Service, and the San Juan Municipal Police, announced today United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The defendants are charged in a nine-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, use of firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence, including, murder, drive-by shooting, and other related offenses.

The indictment alleges that beginning in the year 2010, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack,” heroin,cocaine, and marihuana within 1,000 feet of a real property comprising housing facilities owned by a public housing authority in the municipalities of Bayamón, Toa Baja, Cataño, Naranjito, Comerío, and Corozal. The public housing facilities are: Virgilio Dávila, Rafael Falín Torrench, Brisas de Bayamón, Jardines de Caparra, Las Gardenias, La Alambra, José Celso Barbosa, Los Jeannie, Alegría Norte, Jardines de Cataño, Sierra Linda, Los Laureles and Los Dominicos; and Villa Olga, Río Plantation and El Polvorín Wards.

According to the indictment, in the year 2010, this drug trafficking organization gained control of most of the housing projects and wards within Bayamón and the areas nearby, after federal authorities  incarcerated most of the leaders from nearly all the drug gangs in the area. This new gang identified themselves as Los Menores or the “new blood.” The goal of Los Menores was to take over and maintain control of all the drug trafficking activities in Bayamón and other areas, by force, violence, and intimidation.

As part of the manner and means of the conspiracy, the defendants and co-conspirators were instructed to shoot and kill suspected rival drug trafficking members. All firearms used during the commission of these violent acts would be returned to the leader of the organization for their disposal. Co-conspirators would also pay bribes to law enforcement officers in exchange for information on informants or cooperators, and on law enforcement initiatives to disrupt the drug points.

The 104 defendants acted in different roles in order to further the goals of their organization, to wit: 22 leaders/drug point owners/drug point administrators; nine (9) enforcers; 13 suppliers; 13 runners, 42 sellers, and five (5) drug processors. Forty-one (41) of the defendants are facing one charge of using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. All of the defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of 55 million dollars.

The indictment includes allegations of six (6) murders, including one drive-by shooting, committed by members of this organization. These murders are as follows:

•           On or about December 19, 2012, defendants [1] Sadid Medina-Rivera, a.k.a. “El Loco;” [3] Yamil Vázquez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Yamo;” [12] Giovanni Ortiz-Soto, a.k.a. “Pinocho”; [13] Richard A. Franco-Pérez, a.k.a. “El Cagón”; [23] George M. Franco Pérez, a.k.a. “La Flaca”; and [29] Ángel Cruz-Vázquez, a.k.a. “Bebo/Brigante,” shot and killed Jomar J. Marrero-Pérez.

•           On or about May 22, 2013, defendants [3] Yamil Vázquez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Yamo;” [12] Giovanni Ortiz-Soto, a.k.a. “Pinocho”; and [23] George M. Franco Pérez, a.k.a. “La Flaca,” fired a weapon into a group of two or more persons (drive-by shooting) and killed Carlos J. Duplessis, a.k.a. “Sombrita,” and Luis R. Rodríguez-Pérez.

•           On or about March 2, 2015, defendants [8] Luis G. Ayala-García, a.k.a. “Pájaro/Gaby El Quemao”, and [46] Abimael Narváez-Rosa, a.k.a. “Apu,” shot and killed Nelson R. Troche-Rivera, a.k.a. “Negro.”

•           On or about February 10, 2016, defendants [14] Wilfredo Rojas-Suárez, a.k.a. “Piky”; [24] Nelson Rivera-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Cuajo”; and [31] Miguel A. Martínez-Candelaria, a.k.a. “Miky,” shot and killed José M. Barbosa-González, a.k.a. “Peca.” 

•           On or about October 22, 2016, defendants [14] Wilfredo Rojas-Suárez, a.k.a. “Piky”; Nelson González-González, a.k.a. “Gemelo/Ardilla”; and [87] Juan E. Rivera-Serrano, a.k.a. “Casco,” shot and killed Christian L. Calderón-Rojas, a.k.a. “Chris.”

“This violent drug trafficking organization posed a threat to the lives of citizens of Puerto Rico, specifically those communities in Bayamón and nearby municipalities,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “These arrests are the result of our strong collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Justice’s continuing efforts to combat violent gangs engaged in drug trafficking.” 

Douglas A. Leff, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-San Juan Field Office said: “Today’s massive operation was made possible through our dedicated partners at the United States Attorney's Office; U.S. Marshals Service; Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; Postal Inspection Service; and Puerto Rico National Guard. Over 200 additional FBI personnel were brought in from FBI Headquarters and several other FBI field offices. The FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team conducted several of today’s arrests, supported by a fleet of air and ground specialty vehicles brought down from Quantico. Special appreciation is extended to San Juan Police Commissioner Guillermo Calixto for the outstanding task force officers he selected from his department, one of whom served as the lead investigator on this case; to Guaynabo Police Commissioner Victor Franco Rodríguez for his department’s invaluable assistance; and as always, to the Puerto Rico Police Department for their outstanding detective work and unwavering commitment to making Puerto Rico safer.”

“The boldness of these individuals to use the U.S. Mail for their drug trafficking enterprise and think they could get away with it. As alleged in the indictment, the “Los Menores” gang used the U.S. Mail to further their drug enterprise and launder their proceeds through the use of U.S. Postal Service Money Orders. U.S. Postal Inspectors will never tolerate criminal use of the U.S. Mail; and today’s arrest sends a strong message that we will vigorously pursue these types of crimes against the U.S. Mail and the American public,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Joseph Cronin.

ATF Special Agent in Charge Peter J. Forcelli stated: “These indictments and arrests show how well Federal and state agencies can work together to disrupt and dismantle violent drug gangs to stem the crime plaguing Puerto Rico during these difficult times.”                   

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys María L. Montañez-Concepción and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández under the supervision of Alberto R. López-Rocafort and Jenifer Y. Hernández-Vega, Deputy Chiefs for Domestic Narcotics Unit and Violent Crimes Unit, respectively.

The defendants are facing a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment. These are:

[1] Sadid Medina-Rivera, a.k.a. “El Loco”; [2] Jorge Molina-Larrion, a.k.a. “Jorge Bush/ El Presidente”; [3] Yamil Vázquez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Yamo”; [4] Felipe Narváez-Colon, a.k.a. “Gavilan/Viejo”; [5] Samuel Arce-Ayala, a.k.a. “Brocoli/Broco/Vegetal”; [6] William J. Díaz-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Billy/Papa/Bola”; [7] Carlos J. Nazario-López, a.k.a. “Carlos Tati”; [8] Luis G. Ayala-García, a.k.a. “Pájaro/Gaby El Quemao”; [9] Joshua Méndez-Romero, a.k.a. “Joshi/El Guabi/Gemelo/El Identico”; [10] José J. Romero-Bonilla, a.k.a. “Galvan/Colorao/Garban”; [11] Jonathan Milan-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Polvo/Pica/Polvorin/El Virao”; [12] Giovanni Ortiz-Soto, a.k.a. “Pinocho”; [13] Richard A. Franco-Pérez, a.k.a. “El Cagon/La A”; [14] Wilfredo Rojas-Suárez, a.k.a.“Piky/Picky”; [15] Roberto Ortiz-Toro, a.k.a. “Tillo”; [16] Jaime L. Martínez-Vargas, a.k.a. “Jimmy/El Cojo/Diri/El Gordo”; [17] Joel J. Ayala-Velázquez, a.k.a. “El Puma”; [18] Omar J. Nieves-Pérez, a.k.a. “Cornlakes”; [19] José R. Jiménez-Echevarría, a.k.a. “Cuba/Rafi”; [20] Phillip García-Osorio; [21] Julio Rojas-Suárez, a.k.a. “Chulin/Chuli”; [22] Carlos M. Colón-Cruz, a.k.a. “Flaqui”; [23] George M. Franco-Pérez, a.k.a. “La Flaca”; [24] Nelson Rivera-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Cuajo”; [25] Ángel L. Pagán-Torres, a.k.a. “Gorito/El Desacatao”; [26] Ernesto Jiménez-Candelario, a.k.a. “Nestor”; [27] David F. Nieves-Dávila, a.k.a. “Davisito”; [28] Héctor E. Martínez-García, a.k.a. “Ricky Tamba/Ricky Tonga”; [29] Ángel R. Cruz-Vázquez, a.k.a. “Bebo/Brigante”; [30] Edgar E. Aristud-Maysonet; [31] Miguel A. Martínez-Candelaria, a.k.a. “Miky”; [32] Juan P. Marrero-Díaz, a.k.a. “El Goldo”; [33] Ángel L. Morales-Hernández, a.k.a. “Ángel/Chinese Checker”; [34] Erick Y. Soto-Pérez; [35] José A. Méndez-Ruiz, a.k.a. “Tío Méndez”; [36] Andrés Medina-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Andy Perla/Ricky Martin”; [37] Joel Rosario-Martínez, a.k.a. “Ceda”; [38] Eliezer Rivera-Reyes, a.k.a. “Gordo Teta”; [39] Bryan M. Camacho-Báez, a.k.a. “La Puerca/La Gorda”; [40] José D. Nieves-Ramos, a.k.a. “Joudi”; [41] Alexie López-Robles, a.k.a. “Alex Chengo”; [42] Carlos López-Orria, a.k.a. “Pelota”; [43] Raúl Viguera-Soto, a.k.a. “Viagra/El Gordo/Raulin”; [44] Félix O. Ortiz-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Chucha”; [45] Andrés D. Reyment-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Andy La Salida”; [46] Abimael Narváez-Rosa, a.k.a. “Apu”; [47] José L. Cintron-Aponte, a.k.a. “Bebo La Maquina”; [48] Janey Fontan-Otero, a.k.a. “Stuart The Little/Stuart”; [49] Edwin A. Pantoja-Eraso, a.k.a. “Bichote”; [50] Frankie Ortiz-Soto; [51] Wilberto Guzmán-Robles, a.k.a. “Macho/Machito”; [52] Juan G. Pérez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Juanito Culon”; [53] Andrés Báez-Ramos, a.k.a. “Cuajo”; [54] Nelson González-González, a.k.a. “Gemelo/Ardilla”; [55] William Reyes-Garrastegui, a.k.a. “Bebo El Goldo”; [56] Rafael A. Ramos-Marín, a.k.a. “El Negro”; [57] Pedro Orraca-Matos, a.k.a. “Peri”; [58] Francisco R. Maysonet-Morales, a.k.a. “Ñame/Gordo”; [59] Ángel O. Pagán-Torres, a.k.a. “Kibu”; [60] Jaime A. Hernández-Santiago, a.k.a. “Mingui/Coco”; [61] Luis E. Erazo De-Jesús, a.k.a. “Vaquero/Vaquerito”; [62] Carlos J. Nieves-Pérez, a.k.a. “Seven”; [63] Abnel H. Berríos-Natali, a.k.a. “Abnel La Barbie”; [64] Francisco Salas-Ríos, a.k.a. “Chule”; [65] Christian Guzmán-Colón, a.k.a. “Muñequita/Muñe”; [66] Pedro Crespo-Bouchamp, a.k.a. “Colorex/Colo/Pedrito/Colorao”; [67] Juan E. Freites-Torres, a.k.a. “Macho/Macho Kenai”; [68] Luis M. Pantoja-Cruz, a.k.a. “Cantinfla”; [69] Harold L. Abolafia-Borrero, a.k.a. “Ferrari”; [70] Christopher J. Nieves-Pérez, a.k.a. “Chucho”; [71] Jean C. Torres-Soto, a.k.a. “Chicken Pop”; [72] Daniel F. Vélez-Ortiz, a.k.a. “Guayu/Danielito”; [73] Félix J. Alvarado-Ortega, a.k.a. “Filete/Filete Mignon”’ [74] Juan F. Vélez-Cedeño, a.k.a. “Chato”; [75] Jorge L. Negrón-Cruz, a.k.a. “Pollo/Pollito/Tostin”; [76] José L. Jiménez-Candelario; [77] Luis A. Monzon-Ocasio, a.k.a. “El Pito”; [78] José M. Oyola, a.k.a. “Juaco”; [79] José A. Robles-Santiago, a.k.a. “Abi/Guitarreño”; [80] Emanuel Rivera-Álvarez, a.k.a. “Emma”; [81] Jovanni Torres-López, a.k.a. “Bimbo”; [82] Jaime J. Valentin-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Jay Barente-Rivera/Jay Lombriz/El Jay”; [83] Héctor X. Ortiz-Errazo, a.k.a.“Xavi/El Gordo”; [84] Angelita Bravo-García, a.k.a. “Bebota/Mimitime/Mimi”; [85] Ángel A. Jiménez-Candelario; [86] Luis A. Ortiz-Olivera, a.k.a. “Pache”; [87] Juan E. Rivera-Serrano, a.k.a. “Casco”; [88] Fernando Montañez-García, a.k.a. “Mostri”; [89] Brandon J. Cruz-Verges; [90] Rolando Cotto-Ortega, a.k.a. “Pastelillo”; [91] Héctor Quintana-Figueroa, a.k.a. “Chupa”; [92] Juan C. Pérez-Rivera, a.k.a. “Kibu”; [93] José C. Mojica-Torres, a.k.a. “Chencho”; [94] Héctor Méndez, a.k.a. “Rudy/Ruby/Scooby”; [95] Jean C. Del Valle-Rosa, a.k.a. “Chiwawin”; [96] Jeremy A. Barreto-Berríos; [97] Juan L. Reca-Santiago, a.k.a. “Luis Santiago-Rivera”; [98] Gabriel Sedeño-Aponte, a.k.a. “Limber”; [99] José A. Ortiz-Olivera, a.k.a. “Macho”; [100] Félix J. Ortiz, a.k.a. “Kalkri/Kenobi”; [101] Nasain Ortiz-Nieves, a.k.a. “Bart/Bart Simpson”; [102] Roberto C. Rosa-Pérez, a.k.a. “Papiro”; [103] Pedro Alvino-Colón, a.k.a. “Pello/Peyo/Pedri”; and [104] Carlos J. Santos-Vélez, a.k.a.“Carlitos”.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This multi-agency task force investigates and dismantles major drug trafficking organizations responsible for the movement of multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics as well as the gang violence that accompanies drug trafficking.

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Douglas M. Marinos, 56, a licensed attorney, pled guilty today to one-count of willfully failing to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over to the United States taxes owed by his Allentown law firm, announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The Criminal Information to which Marinos pled guilty alleges that Marinos failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) money that he withheld from the paychecks of his firm’s employees, ostensibly for the purpose of paying federal payroll taxes (including Social Security and Medicare trust fund contributions).

Marinos will be sentenced at a later date. He could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. In addition, as part of his plea agreement, Marinos is required to pay approximately $285,000 in restitution to the IRS.

The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean P. McDonnell.

BIRMINGHAM – U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town today presented Alabama district attorneys with a new program to boost collaboration between state and federal prosecutors in choosing which jurisdiction is best for prosecuting repeat offenders or defendants accused of serious criminal conduct.

​            Town detailed his Prosecutor-to-Prosecutor Program, or P3, at a statewide gathering of state prosecutors at The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover for the Alabama District Attorneys Association 2018 Winter Conference. Every district attorney in the Northern District of Alabama has agreed to participate in P3, he said. 

P3 is a six-step process by which state and federal prosecutors jointly determine whether a criminal case should be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Town said. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s centerpiece program for fighting violent crime. PSN and P3 both underscore the need to target the worst offenders in the worst areas of crime in order to reduce violence.

“This program will advance the common goal of state and federal prosecutors to charge our worst offenders with the most serious, readily provable offense in whichever jurisdiction offers the greatest available sanction,” Town said.

​            P3 is designed to capture cases that, otherwise, would not come to the attention of federal prosecutors.

​            P3 liaisons in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and in each of the district attorney’s offices within the Northern District will ensure consistent communication among the prosecutorial agencies. DA’s offices also have received a “P3 Overlay” identifying state and federal criminal statutes with similar elements. Common elements that could trigger federal prosecution include use of a firearm, crossing of state lines, use of phones or internet to commit a crime, or victimizing an institution that is federally regulated or insured, or that receives federal grant funds.

​            “The training conducted today is the product of local, state and federal law enforcement representatives investing hundreds of hours to develop P3’s strategic framework,” Town said. “Prosecutors at all levels can now collectively target our worst offenders like never before.”  

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A 54-count superseding indictment was unsealed today, charging 12 members and associates of the Mongols Motorcycle Gang (Mongols) with racketeering conspiracy, announced Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee.  Three other individuals were charged with other federal crimes including large scale drug trafficking and crimes related to the Hobbs Act. 

Joining U.S. Attorney Cochran in announcing these charges at a Noon news conference were Jack Webb, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Nashville Division; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director Dewayne Johnson; and Clarksville Police Chief Al Ansley.

According to the indictment, members and associates of the Clarksville Chapter of the Mongols, engaged in a host of violent criminal activities, including murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, money laundering, interstate travel in aid of racketeering and large scale drug trafficking.

As stated in the indictment, the Mongols Motorcycle Gang identifies itself as an “outlaw” motorcycle gang and is a nationwide and international organization with chapters located in different geographical areas.  Most of the chapters are in California, but chapters have been established in other parts of the United States and in other countries, including Tennessee.

This morning, local, state and federal law enforcement officers began arresting those charged in the indictment and all but one are in custody. 

“Gangs that conspire to spread illegal drugs like methamphetamine and lethal opioids, extort legitimate businesses, and wage violence on our fellow Americans will be held accountable by the Department of Justice,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “Last year, we secured the convictions of more than 1,200 gang members, and, as this case makes clear, we are not slowing down.  I want to thank the ATF and all of our incredible state, county, and local law enforcement partners who helped make today's indictment possible, including the Clarksville and Owensboro Police Departments, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and four county sheriff’s offices.  Today’s indictment is the next step in our efforts to dismantle gangs and stop the spread of deadly drugs and violent crime.”

“Attorney General Sessions has made it clear that prosecuting violent offenders and reducing violent crime is a top priority of the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Don Cochran.  “Today’s indictment and arrests have resulted in the removal of many dangerous individuals from neighborhoods in and around middle Tennessee and we intend to vigorously prosecute these individuals and hold them accountable for their actions.  I commend the many law enforcement officers and prosecutors who have dedicated enormous amounts of time and effort in bringing these charges.”

The indictment details allegations of violent, criminal activity and drug trafficking in and around the Clarksville, Tenn. area beginning in or about March 2015, by certain Mongols members or associates and continuing until the return of the indictment. The 12 individuals charged in the Racketeering conspiracy are:

• James Wesley Frazier, a/k/a “Slo-Mo,” a/k/a “Special,” 30, of Clarksville;
• Aelix Santiago, a/k/a “Goon,” a/k/a “Big O,” a/k/a “Big Offit,” 29, of Clarksville;
• Kyle Heade, 30, formerly of Fort Campbell, Kentucky;
• Joel Aldridge, a/k/a “Sleezy,” a/k/a “Spoon,” 36, of Clarksville;
• James Hines, a/k/a “Fester,” 42, of Clarksville;
• Michael Forrester, Jr., a/k/a “Stix,” 29, of Clarksville;
• Stephen Cole, a/k/a “Lurch,” 36, of Clarksville;
• Jamie Hern, a/k/a “J-Roc,” 38, of Clarksville;
• Robert Humiston, a/k/a “Bric,” a/k/a “Brichands,” 25, of Dover, Tennessee;
• Michael Myers, a/k/a “Yea Yea,” 33, of Oak Grove, Kentucky;
• Michael Levi West, a/k/a “Smurf,” a/k/a “Blue,” 35, of Clarksville; and
• Adrianna Frazier, a/k/a “Adrianna Miles,” 32, of Owensboro, Kentucky.

Charged with large scale drug trafficking:

• Derek Leighton Stanley, 43, of Owensboro, Kentucky.

Charged with offenses related to Hobbs Act Robbery:

• Timothy Grant, 31, of Clarksville, Tennessee;
• Dustin McCracken, a/k/a “D,” 28, of Clarksville.

Steven Cole remains at large and his whereabouts are unknown.

Allegations of criminal conduct contained in the indictment include:

Holding weekly meetings of the Mongols Clarksville Chapter at various residences and businesses in Clarksville, for the purpose of discussing club business and paying dues to support the criminal activities of the club;

Kidnapping and assaulting an individual, using a firearm and a Taser, at a motel in Clarksville on April 20, 2015;

Setting fire to and destroying the Sin City Motorcycle Clubhouse in Clarksville on May 17, 2015;

Kidnapping two individuals at gunpoint in the Clarksville area on May 22, 2015, and transporting them to a cemetery in Bumpus Mills, Tenn., where one individual was murdered by shooting the victim at least 8 times, including once in the head;

Robbing two individuals at gunpoint in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Clarksville on July 3, 2015;

Breaking into a home in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on July 4, 2015, and pistol whipping the resident and stealing the resident’s belongings while holding the victim at knifepoint;

On numerous occasions, travelling to California and transporting an aggregate total of at least 50 pounds of methamphetamine and bringing it back to Tennessee for distribution in Tennessee and Kentucky;

Delivering an aggregate total of at least $300,000 in cash, the proceeds of methamphetamine sales, to a co-conspirator member of the Mongols California Harbor Chapter;

On January 9, 2016, in Clarksville, purchasing 80-90 pills containing Oxymorphone, a schedule II substance, in exchange for $3,000-$3,500;

On January 16, 2016, in Clarksville, attempting to purchase 90 pills containing Oxymorphone, in exchange for $5,400; during this deal, Kyle Heade shot and wounded another individual, using a 9mm handgun;

Kidnapping two individuals at a residence in Clarksville and holding them at gunpoint while they interrogated one of the victims and searched the residence for drug proceeds on January 17, 2016;

On April 24, 2016, three of the individuals charged were travelling from Oak Grove, Kentucky to Boone County, Missouri, where they were stopped by law enforcement for travelling in a stolen vehicle and found in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol with an extra 30 round magazine and a .40 caliber handgun; 113 grams of 100 percent pure methamphetamine; and varying amounts of other illegal controlled substances;

On May 11, 2016, one of the individuals charged sold approximately 3 grams of 96 percent pure methamphetamine to another individual;

Attempting to murder an individual on July 14, 2016, by shooting the victim multiple times for wearing clothing identifying himself as a member of another motorcycle club;

From Oct. 26, 2016, through on or about Nov. 9, 2016, kidnapping a woman from a hotel in Nashville, and physically assaulting her and threatening her while interrogating her about the death of a co-conspirator member of the Mongols Harbor Chapter in California.

Other criminal acts are alleged in the indictment.

If convicted, Timothy Grant and Dustin McCracken face up to 20 years in prison.  All other defendants face up to life in prison.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Clarksville Police Department; and the Owensboro, Kentucky Police Department; with assistance from the Montgomery County, Tenn. Sheriff’s Department; the Stewart County Tenn. Sheriff’s Dept; the Christian County, Kentucky Sheriff’s Dept; the Davies County, Kentucky Sheriff’s Dept; and the Fort Campbell Army Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Risinger of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Robert Tully of the DOJ Organized Crime and Gang Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Long Valley, New Jersey, man today admitted writing illegal prescriptions for oxycodone and conspiring to bill Medicare and Medicaid for certain allergy tests without performing the required patient examinations, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

    Jose Leyson, 71, of Long Valley, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of illegally distributing oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. 

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

Leyson was a physician specializing in urology who owned and served as the medical director of a clinic in Newark. The medical clinic purportedly provided various services to patients, including pain management and allergy testing.

On four occasions between Nov. 11, 2013 and Jan. 6, 2014, Leyson illegally sold prescriptions for oxycodone to a confidential source acting at law enforcement’s direction. In each instance, Leyson wrote these prescriptions without performing any medical treatment or patient examination and in exchange for cash payments or access to welfare benefits. In total, Leyson provided the confidential source with oxycodone 30 mg prescriptions for at least 420 pills.

In addition, from April 2010 to January 2013, Leyson and others at the medical clinic conspired to submit phony bills to Medicare and Medicaid for certain allergy tests that Leyson prescribed without examining the patients to determine if the tests were medically necessary. As a result, Leyson and the other conspirators were able to fraudulently obtain at least $30,000 from Medicare and Medicaid.

The unlawful distribution of oxycodone charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The healthcare fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Leyson’s sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2018.
 
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bernard J. Cooney of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: John Roberts Esq., Chatham, New Jersey.

Robert William Simet made threats against Sen. Joni Ernst

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- On January 16, 2018, Robert William Simet, age 64, of Omaha, Nebraska appeared before United States District Court Senior Judge Robert W. Pratt and pleaded guilty to Influencing or Retaliating against a Federal Official, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Simet will be sentenced by District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey on May 23, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse in Council Bluffs.

According to the plea agreement, on July 5, 2017, Simet made verbal threats against Senator Joni Ernst to employees of the Harley Davidson dealership in Pacific Junction. Senator Ernst was scheduled to participate in a motorcycle ride at the dealership on July 8, 2017.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Iowa.

Two Brazilian nationals were indicted after police arrested them with two credit card skimmers, more than 250 counterfeit credit or bank cards and nearly $140,000 in cash, law enforcement officials said.

Felipe Trovo Pena, 27, and Antonio Pedro de Oliveira Neto, 26, were charged in a five-count indictment with conspiracy to commit credit card fraud, use of counterfeit credit cards and possession of counterfeit credit cards.

Pena and Neto were arrested on Nov. 12, 2017 after a teller at the Cortland Banks branch in Hubbard called police to alert them to an individual(s) making ATM withdrawals while obscuring the camera in the ATM. The bank had been victimized by fraudulent withdrawals two days earlier, according to court documents.

Pena and Neto were taken into custody and an extensive investigation resulted in the search of a storage unit they had rented on West 61^st Street in Cleveland. A search of the unit uncovered approximately $139,480 in cash, the true Brazilian passports of Pena and Neto, 420 cards with magnetic strips, including 253 which were counterfeit credit or bank cards containing customer account data and two skimming devices, among other items, according to court documents.

Pena and Borges, between August and November 2017, covertly installed skimming devices on ATMs to fraudulently capture the magnetic data on credit and debit cards, which they then re-encoded on counterfeit credit and bank cards. They then used the counterfeit cards to obtain cash, according to court documents.   

“These defendants stole personal information from people and then used it to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars through counterfeit bank and credit cards,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony said: “Individuals engaged in typical day to day credit and debit card transactions unfortunately became financial victims to these fraudsters.  Financial fraud is a significant, damaging crime that can occur without your knowledge. The FBI would like to remind people to review their credit card and bank statements on a regular basis and report any suspicious activity to the respective financial institution.  The FBI will continue to investigate and hold financial scammers, such as these, responsible for their actions.”  

“This case involves suspects traveling around the state of Ohio and placing skimming devices on ATMs and stealing innocent peoples’ personal and financial information,” said Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Schuck. “These suspects would then use that information for their financial gain. These types of investigations are complex and the successful prosecution of these suspects are due to the great collaboration of law enforcement agencies working together.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Katz following an investigation by the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, the Hubbard Police Department and the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.