United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Minneapolis, MN, man convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft was sentenced on February 8, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Jason Maurice Fagin, age 38, was sentenced to 65 months of custody and 3 years of supervised release. Fagin was also ordered to forfeit personal property and contraband, and to pay restitution and $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Fagin was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2017, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. On November 9, 2017, Fagin pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.

According to court documents, between September 2016 and November 16, 2016, Fagin engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions while using the personal identifying information of other individuals. Fagin would use the proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase methamphetamine for his use and to distribute to others for money.

More specifically, on November 16, 2016, Defendants Angelica Marie Hatch-Pequin (“Hatch”) and Jason Maurice Fagin were arrested at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau, South Dakota, for attempting to negotiate counterfeit checks. While trying to negotiate the check, Hatch presented a driver’s license belonging to another individual. Hatch, aided and abetted by Fagin, used the identification of that individual without lawful authority.

Hatch and Fagin would steal mail from mailboxes located in affluent neighbors of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hatch and Fagin would target mail that appeared to contain bills and checks. Fagin would then use the personal, business, and banking information contained in those mail matters to create fraudulent checks. After Fagin created the fraudulent checks, Hatch would usually cash the counterfeit checks at convenience stores and casinos located throughout the Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota region. Hatch and Fagin created and passed fraudulent checks for approximately two months leading up to their arrests in November.

Two types of checks were created: payroll and personal checks. Payroll checks would be drafted in amounts ranging from $450 to $2,000; the check presented to the Royal River Casino was for $1,500. Personal checks were made in amounts from $100 to $800. The effected banks were insured by the FDIC at the time of the offenses. The stipulated loss amount relating to Fagin’s and Hatch-Pequin’s criminal conduct was between $40,000 and $95,000.

The investigation was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Flandreau Sioux Tribe’s Police Department and Security Department of the the Hotel and Casino, and the Flandreau Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Fagin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service and the Bureau of Prisons. Hatch-Pequin also pleaded guilty to the same charges and was previously sentenced to federal prison.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that Justin Thomas Morales, a/k/a “Speedy,” age 37, of Wichita, Kansas, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine as a result of a federal jury trial in Sioux Falls, South Dakota which began on February 5, 2018. The verdict was returned February 7, 2018.

Because Morales has a prior felony drug conviction, the conspiracy charge, involving over 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years and a maximum of life in custody, and/or a $20 million fine, mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Morales was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 9, 2016, and a superseding indictment was filed January 19, 2017.

On September 22, 2016, Morales and Chase Guzman had traveled from Wichita, Kansas, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and three pounds of marijuana to distribute in Sioux Falls and the surrounding area.

While conducting surveillance, members of the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force observed Morales and Guzman go inside a residence off West 12th Street in Sioux Falls and come out a short time later. Morales and Guzman drove away and were stopped by South Dakota Highway Patrol Troopers. There was a pound of marijuana in the vehicle. Guzman was found to be in possession of a loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol and an ounce of methamphetamine.

The Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force searched the residence off West 12th Street and found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of marijuana. Present at the residence was Daniel Guzman, who had a half-ounce of methamphetamine in his possession.

Morales, Chase Guzman, and Daniel Guzman were all indicted. The Guzmans both pled guilty. Daniel Guzman was sentenced to 120 months in custody to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Chase Guzman is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2018.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Deputy Criminal Chief John E. Haak prosecuted the case.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for April 30, 2018. Morales was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota man convicted of transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes was sentenced on February 8, 2018 by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Jerome Davis Kent, age 51, was sentenced to 30 months custody, 6 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kent was indicted for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2017. He pled guilty on October 19, 2017.

In October, 2016, Kent knowingly transported an adult female victim from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Marshall, Minnesota. Kent knew the woman and intended to transport her for the purpose of engaging in acts of prostitution. Kent supplied the woman with heroin and kept the money she received from her commercial sex acts.

This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Clapper.

Kent was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland man was sentenced today to four years in prison for his role in a credit card fraud and identity theft scheme that stole over 5,000 credit card numbers and resulted in a loss of over $1.5 million.

According to court documents, Alvin Serry, aka Blue, 24, was part of a years-long conspiracy that committed credit card fraud throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.  Members of the conspiracy would purchase stolen credit card numbers belonging to Americans from foreign-based criminal websites. Serry would then encode the stolen credit card numbers onto physical cards, provide those cards to a crew of individuals, and direct them to use the cards to make fraudulent purchases at retail stores using the credit card numbers of unsuspecting victims. Serry was twice caught in possession of stolen credit cards and thousands of dollars in cash, and is the fourth member of the conspiracy to be sentenced. Moussa Sy, Musa Kamara, and Maxx Tapp received sentences of 60, 37, and 12 months, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Berrang and Kellen S. Dwyer prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:17-cr-82.

United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DEBRA KROM, age 36, a resident of Wylie, Texas was charged yesterday in a one-count Bill of Information for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud.

According to the Information, on or before August 2013, and continuing through December 2015, KROM and others operated a scheme to contact elderly individuals and people with diminished capacity who would be susceptible to being scammed. The scheme involved contacting victims by telephone through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and informing them they had won the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes (PCH) or similar lottery and needed to pay KROM and others monies by cash, check, wire, and other methods in order to claim their lottery winnings.

Unknown members of the conspiracy, but believed to be residing in Jamaica, obtained names, addresses, and other biographical information from an unknown source. These individuals used the information to identify victims, telephone them, or directed others to telephone the victims and tell them that they had won the PCH sweepstakes. They needed to send KROMor other co-conspirators money to claim their winnings.

Co-conspirator, Andre Bowyer, charged in case 16-96 “J” in the Eastern District of Louisiana, directed KROM and others residing in the United States, including A.S., to open bank accounts in the United States for the purpose of receiving money from elderly victims and transferring the proceeds into Bowyer’s account in Jamaica. It was part of the scheme and artifice to defraud that on certain dates between August 2013 and December 2015, the defendant,KROM, A.S. and others, conspired with Bowyer to accomplish the unlawful scheme of fooling elderly victims into believing they had won a sweepstakes, causing the victims to send money via the United States Postal Service or by wire transfer to KROM, A.S. or others. Immediately after receiving the funds in the mail from the victims, KROM, A.S.,and others transferred the ill-gotten proceeds from their accounts to Bowyer’saccount in Jamaica.

If convicted, KROM faces a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 supervised release of up to 3 years, and a special assessment of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman.

A man who received child pornography pled guilty on February 6, 2018 in federal court in Cedar Rapids. 

David Myers, age 54, from Greene, Iowa, was convicted of one count of receipt of child pornography.  At the plea hearing, Myers admitted that, between 2005 and 2014, he used the Internet to receive child pornography.  In a plea agreement, Myers admitted that, in 1998, he was convicted of three charges of sexual abuse in the third degree. 

Sentencing before Chief United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Myers was taken into custody by the United States Marshal after the guilty plea and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Myers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and supervised release for 5 years to life following any imprisonment. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. 

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

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 17-2077.

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Justin Jerome Jones, 29, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged in a federal criminal complaint this afternoon with three counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee.

The complaint was filed in response to yesterday’s incident where Jones is alleged to have fired several rounds from a pistol, after which he barricaded himself inside an apartment in the Tony Sudekum public housing development and continued firing at responding Metro Nashville police officers.

According to the charging document, Jones had become upset with his 11-year old daughter and took her outside the apartment and begin firing rounds into the ground.  MNPD officers arrived and observed Jones inside an apartment.  Jones slammed the door and subsequently fired at responding officers on several occasions, including SWAT officers.  One round struck an MNPD officer.   After several hours, Jones exited the apartment and was taken into custody.

A search warrant was obtained shortly thereafter and officers recovered from inside the apartment, several spent shell casings, a cocked .357 caliber revolver; a .38 caliber revolver; and parts from a 9mm pistol.  Additional firearms parts and boxes of ammunition were recovered from the apartment today.

The complaint also alleges that Jones had been convicted of aggravated robbery in Davidson County, Tenn., in 2007 and also convicted of aggravated robbery in Hamilton County Ohio in 2009, relating to armed bank robbery.  Jones was released from custody in Ohio in December 2016 and paroled to the State of Mississippi.

If convicted, Jones faces up to 10 years in prison on each count.

U.S. Attorney Cochran praised the efforts of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the ATF in the resolution of this incident and the subsequent investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case. 

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

PROVIDENCE, RI –A 33 year-old Providence man previously convicted of drug trafficking and assaulting several police officers was sentenced today to 3 years probation, the first six months to be served in home confinement with electronic monitoring, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 27-33 months. The government recommended the court impose a sentence of 27 months in prison.

According to court documents, Kevin Malave has an adult criminal record beginning at the age of 18 involving eight arrests on 15 charges resulting in 12 counts of conviction.

Malave was arrested by Providence Police on May 17, 2017, following a foot pursuit in the area of the Chad Brown housing development, during which time Malave removed a firearm from his waistband and tossed into a bin as he ran up onto the front porch of a residence. After drawing his firearm and ordering Malave to show his hands, the officer arrested Malave and retrieved the firearm.

According to court documents, the Providence Police officer who arrested Malave had responded to a police dispatch of a man with a gun. As the officer approached the area, he saw and drove toward a man fitting the description of the person described in the police broadcast as having a gun. The individual, later identified as Malave, concealed both of his hands in the area of his waistband and began walking in the opposite direction. Malave fled when the officer accelerated his cruiser toward him.

During the foot pursuit, Malave injured his hand while climbing over a fence. A rescue transported Malave to a hospital for treatment. According to court documents, while at the hospital, Malave was overheard by two members of law enforcement telling a nurse, “I want to kill all the East Side (blank). I’m gonna carry a gun ‘till the day I die.”

Malave’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Malave, who had been free on unsecured bond, pleaded guilty on November 17, 2017, to felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch thanks the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance in the prosecution of this case.

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A Canton man was sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison for drug and firearms crimes, law enforcement officials said.

Eric L. McReynolds, 47, was sentenced to 117 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent. McReynolds was previously found guilty of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribut and use of firearms in relation to drug trafficking..

McReynolds possessed crack cocaine, several firearms and other items indicative of drug trafficking on September 15, 2016, according to court documents.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron P. Howell following an investigation by the ATF, FBI and Canton Police Department.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell today announced that a grand jury in New Haven returned a 30-count indictment yesterday charging 19 individuals with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and oxycodone in and around New Haven.

According to allegations made in court, in June 2017, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force initiated an investigation into a New Haven drug trafficking organization headed by Jermayne Butler.  The investigation, which included physical surveillance, 13 controlled purchases of narcotics, and court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, revealed that Butler and others were distributing crack cocaine and oxycodone in the New Haven area.

Charged in the indictment are:

JERMAYNE BUTLER, a.k.a. “Main,” “Main Live” and “Liver,” 36, of New Haven
TYRESE HARGROVE, a.k.a. “T.Y.,” 36, of New Haven
DEQUEISHA SLEDGE, a.k.a. “Queish” and “Shontay,” 35, of New Haven
TORRENCE GAMBLE, a.k.a. “Bones” and “Bone,” 44, of New Haven
RONNIE GORDON, a.k.a. “Pop,” 36, of New Haven
ANTHONY MCBRIDE, a.k.a. “Moto,” 49, of New Haven
JOEY FULLER, 28, of New Haven
MALCOLM NEWTON, a.k.a. “Biggie,” 23, of New Haven
MARQUIS PARKER, 25, of New Haven
MARVIN SPRUILL, a.k.a. “Marv,” 25, of West Haven
MILTON VEREEN, a.k.a. “M.D.,” 38, of New Haven
RASHAAN WOOLFOLK, a.k.a. “Booka,” 26, of West Haven
HUSAIN REDMOND, a.k.a. “Pullie,” 37, of West Haven
ROBERT THOMPSON, a.k.a. “Bobby D” and “Bobby Diesel,” 49, of New Haven
CHAUNCEY EVANS, a.k.a. “Chaos,” 45, of New Haven
CARNELL EDWARDS, 47, of Bridgeport
OSVALDO SAEZ, 30, of New Haven
ZARKEE SANDERS, 40, of Hamden

On February 6, 2018, investigators arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Tyrese Hargrove, Anthony McBride and Chauncy Evans, who were already incarcerated in state custody.  One defendant is still being sought.

In association with the arrests, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of seven properties in New Haven and Hamden and seized seven firearms, ammunition, approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately $14,000 in cash.

The indictment charges Butler, Gamble and Sanders with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).  If convicted of this charge, the defendants face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Hargrove, Sledge, Gordon, McBride, Fuller, Newton, Parker, Spruill, Redmond, Evans, Edwards and Saez are charged with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base.  If convicted of this charge, the defendants face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Woolfook is charged with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, a quantity of cocaine base, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Butler, Hargrove, Sledge, Spruill, Vereen and Thompson are charged with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, oxycodone, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

In addition, the indictment charges each of the defendants with one of more counts of possession and/or distribution of crack cocaine and/or oxycodone.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the investigation is ongoing, and some of the defendants may face additional charges related to the firearms that were seized at the time of their arrests.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, which includes members from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, West Haven Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and David C. Nelson.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Wyoming County dentist, Christopher Bereznak, age 48, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 6, 2018, for unlawfully distributing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the 9-count indictment alleges that beginning in June 2016 and continuing into July 2016, Bereznak unlawfully provided controlled substances to someone with whom he had no legitimate doctor/patient relationship, without legitimate medical necessity, and outside the scope of a professional practice.

Bereznak’s license to practice dentistry in Pennsylvania and his DEA registration have been suspended.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Scranton, the Olyphant Police Department, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.

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. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

BOSTON – A Medford man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing oxycodone throughout the North Shore.

Paul Williams, 54, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2017, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute oxycodone.  

In March 2014, investigators began tracking the activities of Joseph Romano and eight co-defendants. Through surveillance and a cooperating source, investigators were able to make controlled purchases of oxycodone from Romano and his associates. Paul Williams, along with co-defendants Anthony Panarese and Jarod Presterone supplied Romano with oxycodone. On roughly a weekly basis, Romano contacted each of the suppliers separately to arrange meetings to obtain pills for redistribution. Co-defendant Eric Vaughn assisted Panarese in distributing Oxycodone pills. Through the conspiracy, Romano distributed more than 5,000 30 mg. Oxycodone pills.

In May 2015, Romano advised co-defendant Ashley Turner that he was going on vacation and asked that she distribute Oxycodone pills for him while he was away. Romano explained that Ashley Turner would need to get the pills to distribute from Paul Williams.  Ashley Turner agreed to the arrangement and distributed pills on Romano’s behalf. Ashley’s father, David Turner Sr., served as a liaison and obtained pills from Paul Williams for Ashley Turner to distribute.

During an August 2017 search of William’s home, agents seized 400 30 mg. Oxycodone pills and approximately $23,350. In total, Williams was held accountable for the distribution of 1,678 Oxycodone 30 mg. pills.

Eight of the nine defendants have been sentenced. Romano was sentenced to four years in prison; Panarese was sentenced to 46 months in prison; Vaughn was sentenced to two years in prison; Marcelle Milbury was sentenced to one year in prison; David Turner Sr. was sentenced to five years of probation; Ashley Turner, who graduated from the Court-sponsored RISE program, was sentenced to four years of probation with a six-month curfew; and Sans Milbury, who also graduated from the Court-sponsored RISE program, was sentenced to three years of probation. Co-defendant Presterone has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Office; Colonel Kerry Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Danvers Police Chief Patrick M. Ambrose made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Robert Romasiewicz, age 25, of Exeter, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on February 6, 2018, by Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley, for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Romasiewicz previously admitted to possessing a handgun in late July-early August 2017. At the time Romasiewicz possessed the handgun, he had a previous conviction for a federal drug trafficking offense.

Romasiewicz was charged in an Information filed by the United States Attorney’s Office in October 2017.  Judge Munley also ordered Romasiewicz to serve three years on supervised release following his prison sentence.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

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

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SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jesse Carey, age 30, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 6, 2018, by a federal grand jury for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.   

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that in August 2017, Carey was detained by the Mount Airy Lodge Casino Security staff for showing fake identification at the casino. After being detained, Carey tried to flee but security officers apprehended him with cocaine in his possession. 

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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

The maximum penalty under federal law for this drug conspiracy is 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Maryland woman pleaded guilty today to her involvement in an identity theft and bank fraud scheme involving U.S. Treasury checks.

According to court documents, Vanetra Brown, 25, of Capitol Heights, impersonated identity theft victims at local commercial banks in order to cash stolen treasury checks. Brown used false driver’s licenses, false social security numbers, and other fraudulent means to dupe banks in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. into negotiating the stolen checks. The scheme resulted in a loss of $32,705.

Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and faces a maximum of 30 years in prison when sentenced on June 8. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Eric M. Thorson, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Treasury, Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia, and Robert B. Wemyss, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III accepted the plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Smith III and Grace L. Hill are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:18-cr-14.

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Harvey Shaner, age 51, an inmate housed at the United States Federal Prison Camp, FCI Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 6, 2018, by a federal grand jury with escape.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Shaner escaped from the United States Federal Prison Camp, FCI Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania on December 22, 2017.  He was subsequently taken into custody on January 3, 2018. 

The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshals Service in Scranton.  Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is prosecuting the case.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations.  

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

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal escape statute is 5 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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Natchez, Miss. – Nineteen people from 14 different countries were sworn in as United States citizens yesterday during a Naturalization Ceremony held at the United States District Court in Natchez, Mississippi.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge David C. Bramlette III presided over the ceremony.  Judge Bramlette welcomed family, friends, soon-to-be citizens, and special guests, including Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell.  Following a performance of “America the Beautiful” and “My Country Tis of Thee” by Damira McGruder from Natchez Cathedral High School, the candidates were presented for citizenship by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kristi H. Johnson, on behalf of the Attorney General of the United States Jeff Sessions.

After Arthur Johnston, Clerk of the U.S. District Court, administered the Oath of Allegiance for citizenship, those assembled recited the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as United States citizens. 

Judge Bramlette congratulated the new citizens and commended the honorees for their hard work to achieve citizenship.  “We’re here this morning because you have seen the lighthouse beckoning you,” Bramlette said.  “Each of you have your own story to tell  . . . . Your hopes and dreams are as diverse as the regions that brought you here.  You’ve come, perhaps to escape social oppression and discrimination and some strife, but all of you are here to enjoy justice, which is available to you in the land of the free.  The pathway that was put out for some of you, perhaps all of you, has been emotionally and financially exhausting.  Democracy is not easy.” 

Judge Bramlette then presented them with certificates of citizenship.  Representatives from the local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented American flags and gift bags to the new citizens.

The new citizens originated from the following 14 countries:  India, Vietnam, Turkey, Moldova, Lebanon, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Dominican Republic, Thailand, Senegal, Yemen, Chile, and Australia.

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Stormy Sea Lane,age 28, of Fayetteville, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $1,900.00 fine on one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, during a traffic stop in April 2017, law enforcement officers conducted a parole search of Lane and found several baggies containing methamphetamine in her purse. Lane was arrested, taken to jail, and searched again by law enforcement. This search produced another baggie of methamphetamine on her person. Lane was released from jail on bond in May 2017. In June 2017, law enforcement learned that Lane was selling methamphetamine in the Springdale, Arkansas area. Officers found and engaged with Lane and another individual. Officers seized an additional seven grams of methamphetamine as a result of this encounter.  All of the methamphetamine seized from Lane was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for testing. The lab determined that the substance contained 28.43 grams of actual methamphetamine.

Lane was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2017 and entered a guilty plea in November 2017.

This case was investigated by the 4^th Judicial District Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Denis Dean prosecuted the case for the United States.

Gulfport, Miss. – Arnulfo Garza Gonzalez a/k/a "Peaty," age 41, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 223 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.

A confidential informant provided information that beginning in 2016 and continuing through August 2017, Gonzalez was a source of supply of methamphetamine for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. During a search of a home in Gulfport, DEA agents were able to locate some of the methamphetamine that Gonzalez sent to Mississippi, and upon laboratory testing, it resulted in a 90% purity. During DEA’s investigation, agents also discovered Gonzalez conspired with a least three other individuals to traffic cocaine and marijuana from Texas to Mississippi.

On November 6, 2017, Gonzalez pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.