KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Olathe man pleaded guilty Monday to filing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. The defendant agreed to pay more than $450,000 in restitution.

Daniel Forster, 58, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to causing a false tax return to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he was one of three shareholders who owned an S corporation located in Olathe. Forster was responsible for the financial operations of the business, including overseeing corporate books and records and submitting tax information to a professional tax preparer.

Forster used funds belonging to the business to pay personal expenses such as credit card payments and then falsely represented those payments as deductible expenses.

Sentencing will be set for a later date. He faces a penalty of up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. McAllister commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton for their work on the case.

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Emanuel Alexander Cheeseboro, a/k/a “Mandoo” was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for six (6) counts of possession with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), two (2) counts of felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), two (2) counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and one (1) count of possession of a quantity of marijuana, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 844(a).  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia, sentenced Cheeseboro to 622 months (51.8 years) incarceration followed by 6 years of supervised release.  Cheeseboro was also fined $5,000 and has to pay an $1100 special assessment. 

Evidence presented during the trial established that after numerous complaints from citizens, ATF and the Columbia Police Department began investigating drug dealing in the Martin Luther King Park area of Columbia.  Law enforcement made multiple undercover purchases of crack cocaine from Cheeseboro in the spring of 2014.  These purchases took place at different houses in the MLK Park area.  In each case, Cheeseboro was captured on video selling the undercover police officer crack cocaine.  During one purchase, Cheeseboro bragged about and displayed a 9mm Taurus firearm with a laser that he kept during nighttime drug purchases.  

Pursuant to a search warrant executed during the investigation at a house where Cheeseboro was present, police found crack cocaine, marijuana, and scales.  Law enforcement was also able to locate a firearm sometime after the search warrant that they were able to link to Cheeseboro, a convicted felon. 

On June 8, 2016, CPD officers detained Cheeseboro and a female who were both located in a vehicle at a residence in Columbia, known as “the Hole.”  During their investigation and search of the car, officers found a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat, a quantity of crack cocaine on the female driver, and a quantity of marijuana in the trunk of the car.  According to the female occupant, Cheeseboro asked her to hide the crack cocaine on her person and shoved the gun under her seat when the police arrived. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and Alyssa Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application 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.

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FRESNO, Calif. — Sair Maldonado-Soto (Maldonado), 22, of Perris, was sentenced today to three years and four months in prison for conspiring to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana in connection with two separate large-scale marijuana cultivation operations in Kern County in the Sequoia National Forest, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Maldonado was also ordered to pay $10,756.02 to the U.S. Forest Service for the damage to public land and natural resources caused by the marijuana cultivation activities.

In September, Maldonado pleaded guilty to the conspiracy after he and his girlfriend and co-defendant, Coral Herrera, 21, also of Perris, were linked to grow sites in the Lucas Creek drainage and an area known as the Box 6 site following a four-month investigation. The investigation revealed that they were supplying material, equipment, and personnel to the two grow sites, which consisted of 10,396 marijuana plants. They were also responsible for transporting co-defendants Abel Toledo-Villa, 34, and Alfredo Cardenas-Suastegui, 56, both of Mexico, away from the Box 6 grow site after it was searched.

The marijuana cultivation operations caused extensive damage to the land and natural resources. Highly toxic pesticides were found at both sites and at Maldonado’s residence in Perris. Many miles of plastic irrigation lines were spread throughout the sites. Native trees and vegetation were also removed to make room for the marijuana plants.

The remaining three defendants have pleaded guilty. Toledo-Villa has been sentenced to five years in prison. Herrera and Cardenas-Suastegui are scheduled for sentencing on January 22 and February 12, 2018. Cardenas-Suastegui faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. Herrera faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, California Department of Justice’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Fontana Police Department, and Victorville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

            CONCORD – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire announced that the Honorable Scott W. Murray was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire.  Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante administered the oath of office at the federal courthouse in Concord.

            U.S. Attorney Murray is the 57^th U.S. Attorney for the District.  He was nominated by the President on December 1, 2017, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 15, 2018.  As the U.S. Attorney, Mr. Murray is the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Hampshire.

            U.S. Attorney Murray has been a prosecutor throughout his legal career.  He was elected County Attorney for Merrimack County in 2010.  He began serving as County Attorney in 2011 and was serving his fourth consecutive two-year term in that position.  Prior to becoming County Attorney, he served as the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Concord from 1983 to 2011.  

            U.S. Attorney Murray received his B.A. and M.P.A. from the University of New Hampshire and his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now known as the University of New Hampshire School of Law).

            “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the United States Attorney,” U.S. Attorney Murray said.  “As a career prosecutor, I look forward to working with my federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to combat drug trafficking, violence, and other threats to the safety of the residents of the Granite State.  Close cooperation is absolutely critical if we are to effectively address crime associated with the current opioid crisis.”  

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FRESNO, Calif. — Michael Vincent Alvarez, 32, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to striking Air-1, a Fresno Police Department helicopter, with a green laser beam, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on October 22, 2017, Alvarez struck a Fresno Police helicopter several times with a powerful green laser. The laser caused visual interference of the Tactical Flight Officer and disrupted an air support response to a domestic violence call. Alvarez was driving a vehicle on Highway 99 when he allegedly pointed the laser at the helicopter and tracked and struck it. When ground units were called to apprehend Alvarez, he drove through the streets of Fresno at a high rate of speed, eluding officers for several miles until he crashed into the center divider at First Street and Floradora Avenue. Following the crash, Alvarez ran into a residential area, jumping several fences until he was arrested in a backyard. A green laser pointer that officers found inside the driver side door pocket of Alvarez’s vehicle had a danger warning on it.

Alvarez is scheduled for sentencing on May 21, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Alvarez is facing a five-year sentence and a fine of $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Norcross, Georgia, man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role in an international drug trafficking organization, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Wilson Madrid, 32, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to an information charging him with conspiracy to launder money. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in these and other cases and statements made in court:

From June 2014 through November 2014, Madrid conspired with other members of an international drug trafficking organization, with cells operating in New Jersey, to launder more than $150,000 related to the distribution of heroin. In December 2014, a co-defendant, Dany Francisco-Valerio, 44, of Bronx, New York, conspired with members of the drug trafficking organization to transport and distribute kilogram quantities of heroin; on Dec. 24, 2014, he was arrested while transporting 15 kilograms of heroin contained in a hidden compartment in his vehicle. Francisco-Valerio pleaded guilty before Judge Sheridan to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin and has been sentenced to 51 months in prison.

One of their conspirators, Henry Zamora, pleaded guilty before Judge Sheridan on Aug. 31, 2017, to conspiring to distribute four kilograms of heroin that were recovered from a hidden compartment in Zamora’s vehicle. Another conspirator, Harry Madrid, pleaded guilty before Judge Sheridan on Sept. 7, 2017, to conspiring to launder more than $150,000 on behalf of the drug trafficking organization.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Madrid to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson, officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan, and officers from the DeKalb (Illinois) Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gene Lowrey, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamari Buxton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Mark Davis Esq., Hamilton, New Jersey

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Chicago man was sentenced today to four years and a month in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Richard Fleming previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the attempted distribution of 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. A total of 15 other individuals were successfully prosecuted as a result of the investigation. Additionally, law enforcement seized over a million dollars in drug proceeds and an airplane belonging to this drug trafficking organization.

U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the cooperative investigative efforts of several agencies, including the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team, the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio, the United States Marshals Service, the Kentucky State Police, the Indiana State Police, the Huntington Police Department, and the Policia Federal Ministerial of Mexico. U.S. Attorney Stuart further commended several Drug Enforcement Administration agents for their investigation this case, including agents from Charleston, Columbus, Phoenix, Tucson, Chicago, Denver, and Hermosillo, Mexico.

“Drug criminals who think they can avoid prison by fleeing the country are dead wrong. If you run, we will work with our law enforcement partners to hunt you down and bring you to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “Public safety is a top priority of my office, and we will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that drug traffickers get the punishment they deserve.” 

Fleming admitted that he traveled to Putnam County on March 12, 2010, to pick up approximately $600,000 of drug proceeds from a March 5, 2010, shipment of over 300 kilograms of marijuana on behalf of a drug trafficking organization operating out of Arizona and Mexico. Unbeknownst to Fleming and the drug trafficking organization, law enforcement intercepted the marijuana before it could be delivered. When Fleming arrived in Putnam County to pick up the cash, he actually met with an undercover officer who provided him with a duffel bag he represented contained approximately $600,000 in drug proceeds. Fleming then left the area and began travelling back to provide the money to other members of the drug trafficking organization. A traffic stop was conducted on Fleming’s vehicle in Kentucky and the duffel bag was recovered.

Fleming was originally charged in July 2010 and released on bond. On September 7, 2011, he failed to appear for his trial and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Fleming remained a fugitive until he was arrested in Mexico in August 2017. He admitted that he fled the United States to avoid prosecution in this case.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence.

This case was brought as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of illegal drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Huntington woman pled guilty today to a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Lorie A. Mayhon, 43, entered her guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the West Virginia State Police.

“We’re working every day with law enforcement in Huntington to get pain pills off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “Pill pushers need to understand that there’s nothing but hard time waiting for those who try to sell their poison in our communities.”

Mayhon admitted that on September 15, 2017, she assisted in arranging the sale of oxycodone pills to a confidential informant working with the DEA. The drug deal was scheduled to take place at a residence on Collis Avenue in Huntington, where the informant met with Mayhon and codefendants Joseph Melbar and Curtis Holcomb to complete the transaction. After discussing the terms of the deal – 500 oxycodone pills in exchange for $20,000 cash, Mayhon and Holcomb left Melbar’s residence to pick up another codefendant to acquire the pills. After the codefendants picked up the pills, a trooper with the West Virginia State Police conducted a traffic stop on their vehicle on Artisan Avenue in Huntington. During the stop, the trooper seized 454 thirty mg oxycodone pills that Holcomb had concealed in his sock.     

Mayhon faces up to 20 years in federal prison when she is sentenced on June 4, 2018. Both Melbar and Holcomb previously pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy and each faces up to 20 years in prison. Melbar is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2018. Holcomb is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2018.     

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

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St. Thomas, USVI – Devon Davis, 27, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty today in District Court to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert, announced. Davis was the last of seven men charged with the Hobbs Act robbery of the Gems and Gold Corner jewelry store on St. Thomas.

Davis faces up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy count. Judge Curtis V. Gomez remanded Davis into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentencing on July 5, 2018.

On November 16, 2017, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment, resulting from an investigation into the Hobbs Act robbery of Gems and Gold Corner jewelry store on St. Thomas on September 16, 2013. According to the indictment, Davis was a member of the robbery crew that conspired to rob the store. Davis’ co-conspirators entered the store and brandished a handgun to threaten the storeowner before fleeing with merchandise. Davis drove the getaway vehicle.

Other members of the conspiracy, Ron Delano Kuntz, 42, KeonWilson, 22, Shawn McIntosh, 24, Shaquille Correa, 22, Jarmaine Ayala, 36, and Wahilli James, 21, have all been convicted and remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending their sentencings in May 2018.

This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anna A. Vlasova and Kim L. Chisholm.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MUHAMMAD ISMAIL, 67, of Meriden, and KAMRAN KHAN, 38, of Hamden, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to money laundering in connection with funds they received for the unlawful export of goods to Pakistan.  A third defendant, Imran Khan, 43, of North Haven, previously pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export laws.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2012 to December 2016, Ismail, and his two sons, Kamran and Imran Khan, were engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) and to export those goods without a license to Pakistan, in violation of the EAR.  Through companies conducting business as Brush Locker Tools, Kauser Enterprises-USA and Kauser Enterprises-Pakistan, the three defendants received orders from a Pakistani company that procured materials and equipment for the Pakistani military, requesting them to procure specific products that were subject to the EAR.  When U.S. manufacturers asked about the end-user for a product, the defendants either informed the manufacturer that the product would remain in the U.S. or completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported.

After the products were purchased, they were shipped by the manufacturer to the defendants in Connecticut.  The products were then shipped to Pakistan on behalf of either the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (“PAEC”), the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (“SUPARCO”), or the National Institute of Lasers & Optronics (“NILOP”), all of which were listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List.  The defendants never obtained a license to export any item to the designated entities even though they knew that a license was required prior to export.  The defendants received the proceeds for the sale of export controlled items through wire transactions from Value Additions’ Pakistan-based bank account to a U.S. bank account that the defendants controlled.

Ismail and Kamran Khan each pleaded guilty to one count of international money laundering, for causing funds to be transferred from Pakistan to the U.S. in connection with the export control violations.  In pleading guilty, Ismail and Kamran Khan specifically admitted that, between January and July 2013, they procured, received and exported to SUPARCO, without a license to do so, certain bagging film that is used for advanced composite fabrication and other high temperature applications where dimensional stability, adherence to sealant tapes and uniform film gage are essential.  The proceeds for the sale of the bagging film was wired from Pakistan to the defendants in the U.S.

When they are sentenced, Ismail and Kamran Khan face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Since the time of their arrests in December 2016, Ismail has been released on a $50,000 bond, and Kamran Khan has been released on a $100,000 bond.

Ismail and Kamran Khan are both citizens of Pakistan and lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

On June 1, 2017, Imran Khan pleaded guilty to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.  In pleading guilty, KHAN specifically admitted that, between August 2012 and January 2013, he procured, received and exported to PAEC an Alpha Duo Spectrometer without a license to do so.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss and Stephen B. Reynolds, in coordination with Trial Attorney Scott McCulloch of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES).

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man who was part of a group selling heroin in Huntington in 2015 was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Marquis Tamal Quinton Evans, 26, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force.

“These Detroit drug thugs only learn the hard way,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “We will work with law enforcement until drug criminals figure out that selling heroin in Huntington gets you a one way ticket behind bars.”

Between July and October of 2015, Evans and others distributed heroin that was transported from Michigan to the Huntington area. On October 5, 2015, the Huntington FBI Drug Task Force conducted a search at 1826 Old 16th Street Road in Huntington. Agents located Evans inside the residence, as well as two other individuals. During the search, agents seized approximately 300 grams of heroin and over $51,000 in cash. Evans admitted that he and the other individuals intended to sell the heroin.

Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams handled the prosecution. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.

This case was prosecuted as part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

• Follow us on Twitter:SDWVNewsandUSAttyStuart 

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Fenel Baptiste, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 18 months incarceration for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Baptiste, age 32, pled guilty to one count of “Possession With the Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance” in November 2017. Baptiste admitted to selling crack cocaine in Berkeley County in August 2015.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Z. Krasinski and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated. 

Chief U. S. District Gina M. Groh presided.
 

BOSTON – A Brazilian national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to charges of ATM skimming in the Boston area and North Shore.

Helisson Benazi de Souza, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of using counterfeit access devices (debit cards); one count of possessing 15 or more counterfeit access devices (debit cards); three counts of possessing device-making equipment (ATM skimming devices); one count of illegal transactions with an access device (other persons’ debit cards); and two counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for June 19, 2018.

Benazi de Souza was part of an ATM skimming operation in which he stole the debit card information and personal identification numbers (PIN) of legitimate bank account holders when they used their debit cards at ATMs. Skimming devices made to look like legitimate card access slots were used to record the account information on the magnetic stripes of the debit cards, while secret pinhole cameras recorded the cardholders entering their PINs on the keypads. The stolen account information was then saved on blank plastic cards, including gift cards and hotel key cards, making “clones” of the legitimate debit cards. Benazi de Souza used such cloned cards, and the corresponding PINs, to withdraw $43,000 from ATMs in the Metro Boston area in May 2017.

Benazi de Souza was arrested in May 2017, after law enforcement was alerted by a bank’s fraud investigator. The investigator discovered that someone was making a number of withdrawals that day at three ATMs in Lynn from bank accounts that the investigator knew had been compromised. When police searched Benazi de Souza’s car, they discovered thousands of dollars in cash, all in $20 bills. They also found over 200 gift cards and hotel key cards containing small stickers. Benazi de Souza admitted that the numbers written on the stickers were cardholders’ PINs.

Before the arrest, surveillance video from banks in Malden and Saugus showed an unknown man installing and removing skimming devices and pinhole cameras at the banks’ ATMs. Benazi de Souza admits to being that man.

The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of using counterfeit access devices provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possessing 15 or more counterfeit access devices provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possessing device-making equipment provides for sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of illegal transactions with an access device provides for a sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Stephen A. Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; and Lynn Police Chief Michael A. Mageary made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Mohamed Abdo Elbarati, of Winchester, Virginia, was sentenced in federal court today to 36 months incarceration for unlawful cigarette smuggling, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Elbarati, 32, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Traffic in Contraband Cigarettes” in February 2016. Elbarati collaborated with others to facilitate a trafficking network designed to profit from the unlawful sale of contraband cigarettes. The defendants transported large quantities of cigarettes across state lines for redistribution and sale.  The cigarettes were acquired in Virginia, where the tax rate for cigarettes is one of the lowest in the nation, and sold in New York, which has one of the nation’s highest tax rates.  The cigarettes were possessed and transported in West Virginia.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Stein and Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. Homeland Security Investigations, the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia Office of Attorney General, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the West Virginia State Police, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation led the inquiry.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Gary L. Thomas, 31, of Mt. Sterling, Ky., was sentenced today, to 15 years in prison by United States Senior District Court Judge Joseph M. Hood, for carjacking and use of a firearm during a violent offense.  Judge Hood also ordered Thomas to pay a restitution in the amount of $11,000 to the victim.

Thomas previously admitted that on March 18, 2017, he stole a Ford pickup truck near Morehead, Ky.  The stolen vehicle contained a firearm, a.380 caliber pistol.  The Defendant traveled westbound on I-64 and state law enforcement officers gave pursuit.  Thomas passed several vehicles on the left and right shoulders and forced others off the roadway.  Speeds near 120 miles per hour were reached during the pursuit.  Thomas was pursued into Clark County where he wrecked the vehicle.  After the wreck, Thomas  attempted to stop several other vehicles, while armed with the stolen firearm.  A good Samaritan had observed the wreck and had stopped to offer assistance.  Thomas pointed the firearm at the good Samaritan and robbed him of his 2005 Ford F250.  Thomas then drove off in the second stolen truck and later wrecked it as well.  Thomas ultimately fled on foot and was captured by local law enforcement.  Thomas pleaded guilty to the charges in November of 2017.

Thomas was on state parole at the time of the commission of these offenses.  His parole was subsequently revoked for a term of 15 years.  The federal sentence imposed today was ordered to run consecutively to his revoked parole.

Under federal law, Thomas must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence; and, upon release, he will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for five years.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Stuart Lowery, Special Agent in Charge ATF; Chief David Charles, Mt. Sterling Police Department; Sheriff Fred Shortridge, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department; and Sheriff Berl Purdue, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, jointly made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, the Mt. Sterling Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department.  The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Roger W. West.

This case were prosecuted 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.

HOUSTON – A 38-year-old Houston woman has been ordered to prison for submitting falsified fund requests to an investment adviser for the Basilian Father’s Missions of the Catholic Church (BFM), announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Rosina K. Blanco pleaded guilty Oct. 24, 2017, to one count of wire fraud.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas ordered her to prison for a total of 41 months. The sentence will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release, during which time she can hold no job that has financial responsibilities or access to sensitive or confidential information. She was further ordered to pay $1,107,425.91 in restitution.

At the hearing, the court found Blanco caused more than $1 million in unauthorized transfers from BFM accounts to accounts in her name. The court also heard about the effect Blanco’s criminal behavior has had on the BFM, who offered a victim impact statement describing the deleterious effect to the relationship of trust between the BFM and its donors and noting they had likely lost donations as a result of Blanco’s scheme.

Blanco accomplished the theft by using a computer to transmit fraudulent and falsified funds transfer requests from the Southern District of Texas to the BFM investment manager in St. Louis who then unwittingly transferred more than $1 million in BFM funds. 

“From a position of great trust, this woman placed greater importance on her dog than on the children many parishioners and donors worked hard to support,” said Patrick. “She decided to treat herself to designer handbags and thousands of dollars on doggy spa treatments. Brazen theft of this magnitude is disgraceful.”

The BFM is headquartered in Sugar Land and raises money in North America to support schools in Mexico and Colombia. It reports to the Congregation of St. Basil, an order of Catholic priests headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The BFM receives funding from several sources to include the Congregation of St. Basil in Canada, individual mail solicitations and mission offerings.

On Aug. 31, 2015, Blanco was hired to be the bookkeeper for the BFM. From September 2015 to October 2016, Blanco facilitated the transfer of approximately $1,107,425 from BFM accounts to her personal accounts without authorization. Instead of the funds going for mission and ministry work among disadvantaged people in Colombia and Mexico, Blanco instead used the majority of the money for personal expenses such as jewelry, furniture, luxury cars, real estate, Louis Vuitton handbags, goods and services for her dog and other luxury items.

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

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Belinda Beek prosecuted the case.

ALBUQUERQUE – Brian Dyea, 29, an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo who resides in Mesita, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to an arson charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Dyea was arrested in Dec. 2017, on an indictment charging with him arson.  According to the indictment, Dyea committed the crime by setting fire to and burning a building on the Laguna Pueblo in Cibola County, N.M., on June 17, 2016.

During today’s proceedings, Dyea pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on June 17, 2016, he set fire to his father’s trailer located on the Laguna Pueblo, which caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to the trailer.   Dyea further admitted that he set the fire while his father was still inside the trailer, and his father suffered minor smoke inhalation.      

At sentencing, Dyea faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.  Dyea remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled. 

This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA Office of Justice Services and the Pueblo of Laguna Tribal Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas.

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Louis L. Martin, of Lexington, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In his plea agreement, Martin admitted that, on June 12, 2017, he possessed a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol.  Lexington Police officers found Martin in possession of the firearm after responding to an assault complaint.  Martin also admitted that he had previously been convicted the felony offenses of robbery and murder, and that he was not lawfully able to possess a firearm.

Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Stuart J. Lowery, Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of the Lexington Police Department, jointly made the announcement.

The ATF and Lexington Police Department conducted the investigation. 

Martin is currently scheduled to appear for sentencing before United States District Judge Danny C. Reeves, in Lexington, on June 8, 2018.  Martin faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of sentences.

This case was prosecuted 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.

HOUSTON – A 43-year-old man residing in Sherman area has entered a plea of guilty to one count of unlawfully retaining national defense information, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.

From the early 2000s, Weldon Marshall unlawfully retained classified items while he served in the U.S. Navy and while working for a military contractor.

Marshall served in the U.S. Navy from approximately January 1999 to January 2004, during which time he had access to highly sensitive classified material, including documents describing U.S. nuclear command, control and communications. Those classified documents, including other highly sensitive documents classified at the secret level, were downloaded onto a compact disc labeled “My Secret TACAMO Stuff.” He later unlawfully stored the compact disc in a house he owned in Liverpool.

After he left the Navy, Marshall worked for various companies that had contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. He worked for such a contractor until his arrest in January 2017. While employed with these companies, Marshall provided information technology services on military bases in Afghanistan, where he also had access to classified material. During his employment overseas, and particularly while he was located in Afghanistan, Marshall shipped hard drives to his Liverpool home. The hard drives contained documents and writings classified at the secret level about ground operations in Afghanistan. 

Marshall has held a top secret security clearance since approximately 2003 and a secret security clearance since approximately 2002. 

U.S. District Judge George Hanks accepted Marshall’s plea today and set sentencing for May 21, 2018. At that time, he faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a maximum $250,000 fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The Army’s 902d Military Intelligence Group and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Leuchtmann and Alamdar Hamdani are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Matthew Walczewski of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

MONROE, La. –United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced today that a Bastrop woman pleaded guilty to stealing more than $40,000 in Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits.

Katie Marie Day, 40, of Bastrop, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Hayes to one count of theft of government property.  The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. According to the guilty plea, Day married her husband in February of 2000. She applied for SSA disability benefits in August of 2009 and claimed that she was separated from her husband. If she had claimed to still be living with her husband, their combined income would have been too high for Day to receive the benefit payments. Day’s husband passed away in September of 2016. During an interview following her husband’s death, Day told SSA district office staff on January 9, 2017 in Monroe that she had in fact been living with her husband off and on since their marriage. This caused SSA to overpay Day $40,569 from October 2009 to September 2016.

Day faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of June 13, 2018.

The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath is prosecuting the case.