SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Tyler Hargrave, age 19, of Massena, New York, was arrested today in connection with an indictment charging him with the transportation, receipt, and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Resident Agent in Charge Russell Linstad, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Massena, New York, and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. 

Hargrave was arrested by HSI Special Agents and New York State Police at his home in Massena, New York.  The defendant appeared in federal court in Syracuse was ordered detained in custody without bail pending a hearing scheduled for March 9, 2018.  

If convicted, Tyler Hargrave faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, as well as mandatory registration as a sex offender.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

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

This case is being investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sahar L. Amandolare.

This multi-agency approach is a hallmark of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Anthony Wills, age 37, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced yesterday to serve 70 months in prison for his role in marijuana and money laundering conspiracies, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Anthony Wills pled guilty on April 15, 2016 and admitted that between January 2011 and August 2015, he conspired with a Utica resident and others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.  As part of the conspiracy, Wills and other co-conspirators frequently obtained marijuana from different sources of supply in California and shipped or caused the marijuana to be shipped to various parts of the United States, including the Utica, New York area. In pleading guilty, Wills admitted that through his participation in the marijuana conspiracy he was personally responsible for more than 100 but less than 400 kilograms of marijuana.

To pay for the marijuana that was shipped to them in Utica, co-conspirators made cash deposits into various bank accounts, some held in the names of third party nominees, which were then withdrawn immediately in Las Vegas by Wills or by others members of the conspiracy acting at his direction. The co-conspirators in Utica, New York, also mailed or caused to be delivered, cash or blank money orders to Wills as payment for the marijuana. Wills then purchased additional marijuana from sources of supply in Northern California. 

Wills knew these financial transactions involved proceeds from the marijuana distribution conspiracy and were done to conceal the true nature, source, and control of the funds. As part of his guilty plea Wills admitted that by his participation conspiracy he was responsible for laundering $1,274,310.00, in drug proceeds. 

In addition to his term of imprisonment, Wills was also sentenced to four years of supervised release and ordered to pay a money judgement in the amount of $1,274,310.

This case was investigated by the Syracuse Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police (NYSP), the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Eurenius and Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Grant Garramone.

ALBANY, NEW YORK - A jury today voted to convict Yana Potapova, age 29, and a Russian citizen residing in Schenectady, New York, of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud following a 5-day trial.

The announcement was made by the United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Potapova faces up to 5 years in prison when she is sentenced on July 10, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The evidence at trial demonstrated that in April 2014, Potapova and U.S. citizen Brett Thompson agreed to marry in order to obtain lawful immigration status for Potapova.  Potapova was illegally present in the United States, having overstayed on a visitor visa.  In return for agreeing to marry – and stay married to – Potapova, Thompson received approximately $3,500 over the course of the marriage.  In May 2015, in connection with her application to obtain permanent residency, Potapova falsely represented to United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services that she and Thompson lived together at an address in Albany.

Thompson previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, and is awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

St. Louis, MO – Michael McNeill was sentenced to 120 months in prison and Joshua Flynn was sentenced to 84 months in prison in connection with a multi-count indictment arising from a fraudulent telemarketing enterprise that often targeted elderly victims. Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the victims and to forfeit assets. Ninety-one Missouri residents are among the approximately 4,000 victims, including residents of Chesterfield, University City, St. Louis, Hannibal, Arnold, Potosi, Ballwin, Valley Park, Florissant, O’Fallon, St. Clair, and Farmington.

On November 20, 2017, Michael McNeill a/k/a Mr. White, a/k/a Todd Lockwood, 48, of Phoenix, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering before United States District Judge John Ross.  Also on November 20, 2017, Joshua Flynn a/k/a Mr. Pink, a/k/a Jeff Thomas, 36, of Chandler, Arizona, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

As organized and led by Defendant McNeill and Defendant Flynn, and others, the telemarketing enterprise sold false and fictitious business opportunities as part of a scheme that reached across the United States and Canada and generated in excess of $20,000,000 in fraudulent sales.  Missouri victims of the scheme suffered combined total losses of approximately $1,000,000. The Phoenix, Arizona based telemarketing enterprise operated under multiple business names and utilized multiple business entities over the course of the scheme, including Smart Business Pros LLC of Warson Woods, Missouri. The sophisticated money laundering activity of the telemarketing enterprise and the conspiracy included transfers of criminal proceeds to the purchase gold and silver coins ultimately distributed to McNeill and Flynn as the owners of the enterprise.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of the Arizona Attorney General.  Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Birmingham and Gwendolyn Carroll are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

            CONCORD– United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Ian Chase, 28, of Littleton, New Hampshire was sentenced to serve 54 months in federal prison for unlawfully manufacturing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

            Court documents and statements in court showed that on April 8, 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Chase at his former residence located in Bethlehem after discovering Chase was actively manufacturing methamphetamine in a shed located on the property.  At the time of his arrest, Chase was in possession of a .25 caliber pistol.  A search of the property resulted in the seizure of 77.98 grams of methamphetamine, five additional firearms, and numerous chemicals Chase utilized to manufacture methamphetamine.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, Chase forfeited the firearms to the United States.

            Chase was arrested on July 21, 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charges on December 1, 2016.

            “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to target individuals who are manufacturing illegal drugs in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “While those who suffer from addiction need access to treatment, those who seek to manufacture methamphetamine and other deadly drugs will be prosecuted aggressively. 

            “This sentence reflects DEA’s strong commitment to bring to justice those that manufacture methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson.  “DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug off the streets of New Hampshire.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue anyone who manufactures this poison.”

            The investigation was conducted by the: (1) DEA; (2) New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force; (3) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; (4) Littleton Police Department; and (5) Bethlehem Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

###

Roanoke, VIRGINIA – A Salem man, who believed he was enticing a 15-year-old female to engage in prostitution while actually communicating online with an undercover Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy, pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Roanoke to a federal sex-trafficking charge.  United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle made the announcement.

Shawn Paul Paisley, 48, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty this week to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. At sentencing, Paisley faces a possible statutory maximum sentence of up to life in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant also faces a mandatory minimum term of supervised release of 5 years and a maximum term of life. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 25, 2018.

In August of 2016, while posing as a 15-year-old female, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a Craigslist advertisement posted by Paisley seeking a “personal/casual” encounter. Paisley gave the “female minor” a cell phone number and the two exchanged text messages. During the course of their text message exchanges, Paisley told the “female minor” that he ran an escort service and that his girls made good money. Paisley provided standard prices for the services the escorts offered and the two arranged to meet in order for the “female minor” to perform oral sex on Paisley.

Paisley left his home in Salem, Virginia and drove to Franklin County, Virginia to meet the “minor female.” When Paisley arrived in Franklin County, he was arrested.

Paisley admitted that he helped run an escort service, which involved recruiting females to engage in sex for pay.  He helped arrange for encounters between recruited female prostitutes and the customers and took a portion of the fees paid for making the arrangements. Paisley recalls that at least two females he previously helped recruit were 17-years-old.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Day Rottenborn and Matthew Miller are prosecuting the case for the United States.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 31-year-old Corpus Christi man has been ordered to prison for his admission of possessing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Adam Thomas Simington pleaded guilty Nov 9., 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Simington to 120 months in prison. handing down the sentence, the court noted that “the children’s souls are destroyed because of you Mr. Simington. Simington was further ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the Internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

At the time of his plea, the court heard Simington was previously convicted in the state of Oklahoma for possessing child pornography and was required to register as a sex offender. Law enforcement learned he was in possession of child pornography and seized several digital devices from Simington’s residence which resulted in the discovery of more than 900 images of child pornography.

Previously released on bond, Simington was taken into custody following the sentencing today where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Corpus Christi Police Department - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez is prosecuting the case, which 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."

Published 1:05 p.m. CT March 6, 2018 | Updated 2:27 p.m. CT March 6, 2018

As a prosecutor, my ink pen is my primary weapon. I have a very nice Montblanc ink pen, which was a generous gift from a dear friend.

I use that pen to sign the indictments by which the federal criminal justice process begins, in order to ultimately hold criminal offenders accountable by sending them to federal prison.

Reducing violent crime, including offenses committed by the illegal possession and use of firearms, is the top priority of my office and the Department of Justice.

As directed by Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, we charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable violent and firearms offenses, and seek the most substantial punishment under the sentencing guidelines, including the use of mandatory minimum sentences for armed career criminals and felons in possession of firearms.

We have recommitted our efforts to initiatives that have worked in the past to reduce violent crime, such as the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, which aggressively targets all firearms offenses with the most swift, certain, and appropriate penalties.

Only by a return to those policies and practices that have proven to work can we accomplish the goals of criminal prosecution to ensure public safety: incapacitation of dangerous offenders, specific and general deterrence of future crimes, retributive justice for victims and the community, and respect for the rule of law.

Memphis, TN – A Medina resident has been sentenced to federal prison for forgery of a court document. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, Jay Richard Hassman, 52, of Medina, Tennessee, had outstanding debts with various creditors. Hassman created a fictitious restraining order, bearing a forged digital signature of U.S. District Court Judge Sheryl H. Lipman, stating that the creditors were restrained from "reprocessing, beginning the foreclosure process, shutting off utilities, eviction proceedings and/or other services until May 19, 2016." The order also required the creditors to negotiate Hassman’s debts and credit him any fees. He sent the order to several of his creditors.

On February 28, 2018, Hassman was sentenced to eight months imprisonment by U.S. Senior District Judge Samuel H. Mays, Jr., consecutive to 11 months currently serving in Tipton County on an unrelated matter, followed by 3 years supervised release.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean DeCandia prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.

GREENVILLE– The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday in federal court, Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced GENESIS LEE WHITTED, JR., 28, of Fayetteville to 420 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

A joint investigation conducted by the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that WHITTED was the leader of a violent, Fayetteville-based Bloods gang called “Addicted to Money” or “A.T.M.”  WHITTED and other members of the gang have been linked to serious crimes in the Fayetteville community, including home invasion robberies, carjackings, shootings, financial fraud, and drug trafficking. WHITTED and other members of “A.T.M.” regularly possessed firearms in furtherance of their crimes. 

WHITTED was responsible for manufacturing and distributing large amounts of narcotics, primarily cocaine and cocaine base (crack), over almost ten years. Because he was so adept at manufacturing cocaine base, WHITTED obtained tattoos on his chest of a Pyrex measuring cup and a box of baking soda--key implements in the cocaine base manufacturing process.

In late 2015, WHITTED opened a purported car wash called LLB Auto Spa, located at 1124A Pamalee Drive, Fayetteville. Using covert surveillance techniques, the FBI and FPD recorded WHITTED’s and his accomplices’ activities. The recordings showed that over the course of several months, many cars pulled in and out of the car wash, but very few cars were actually washed.  It appeared that the “car wash” was primarily a place for drug transactions to occur.

In addition to drug dealing, WHITTED and other “A.T.M” members were feared due to their propensity for violent home invasion robberies of other drug dealers.  Girlfriends of drug dealers were also frequently harmed during these invasions.  On two occasions, WHITTED and his accomplices poured boiling water on the victims until they disclosed the locations of the drugs and/or currency. During one of these invasions, a Taser was deployed on a woman’s genital area.

Because of the threat posed by WHITTED, the Fayetteville Police Department deemed him “Priority Number One.”

As a result of this investigation, several associates of WHITTED have also been charged, convicted, and sentenced in federal court over the last two years:

• Wayne Whitted a/k/a “Weezy” (5:15-CR-372-H-2) (drug conspiracy) 28 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release;
• Joel McLaurin a/k/a “Knowledge” (5:15-CR-372-H-3) (drug conspiracy) 25 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release;
• Perry Sykes a/k/a “P-Funk”(5:13-CR-094-BO) (revocation of federal Supervised Release) 30 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release;
• Kenneth McMillian a/k/a “K-Black” (5:16-CR-323-BO) (drug distribution) 72 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release;
• Bobby Bailey (4:16-CR-0037-H-1; 7:16-CR-0098-H) (armed carjacking and bank fraud) 144 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release; and
• Ericka Johnson (4:16-CR-0037-H-2) (bank fraud) 14 months imprisonment followed by 5 years supervised release.
   

The Fayetteville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the criminal investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Lemmon and Boz Zellinger handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

ROME, Ga. -- Federal and state agents have arrested 23 members and associates of the Ghostface Gangsters prison gang, which originated in the Cobb County, Georgia jail in 2000, and has since spread through Georgia jails, prisons, and beyond.  A federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment on Feb. 8, 2018, which was recently unsealed.  The crimes alleged in the indictment range from wire fraud to murder.

“An attack on our law enforcement officers is an attack on all of us and can never be tolerated,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Law enforcement officers are the thin blue line standing between law abiding people and the violent gangs and criminals who peddle poison to our young people, terrorize our communities, and attempt to impose a false sovereignty over our neighborhoods. President Trump has ordered us to improve the safety of our law enforcement officers, and at the Department of Justice, we are carrying out that order. I want to thank everyone who helped make today’s arrests possible, including ATF and the FBI, as well as more than a dozen state and local law enforcement agencies across Georgia and Alabama. Today’s arrests will help us achieve justice for the officers who have sacrificed so much and to follow President Trump’s order to back the men and women in blue.”

“The Ghostface Gangsters gang is very violent and their members will not hesitate to shoot at anyone,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Members have allegedly committed drug trafficking crimes inside and outside of prisons to make money, while committing violent crimes against each other, innocent citizens, and police officers.  We are partnering with local and state law enforcement agencies, including the Georgia Department of Corrections, to stop this criminal enterprise.  If convicted, the defendants will be removed to federal facilities all across the United States.”

“As a result of this operation, ATF has disrupted a dangerous and pervasive threat to the local community,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge John Schmidt. “The Ghostface Gangsters gang flourished through recruitment, intimidation, and perpetration of heinous crimes, and it is critical that law enforcement agencies take aggressive actions against these criminals.  This investigation is an example of ATF remaining on the frontline of preventing violent crime through excellent cooperation with our law enforcement partners.”

“The recent federal indictments of this dangerous gang demonstrates how effective and important interagency collaboration is between federal, state, and local partners, and also demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement entities at every level to keep the communities across this nation as safe as possible,” said Chief Michael Register, Cobb County Police Department.

“As part of our commitment to ridding our prisons of criminal activity, we maintain a robust plan for identifying and managing those participating in gang activity,” said Corrections Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier.  “The use of contraband cell phones by these individuals as a tool to carry out their crimes, is a fight we continue to battle.  We appreciate the support and assistance of our law enforcement partners on every level, in our efforts to see that justice is being served on those who pose a threat to the safety of the public and the operations of our facilities.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court:  Beginning in the year 2000, the defendants named in the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) conspiracy charge allegedly plotted to commit murders, kidnapping, firearm crimes, drug trafficking, assault, witness tampering, wire fraud and other crimes in furtherance of the Ghostface Gangsters criminal enterprise.  Other members and associates are charged in a drug conspiracy, and with separate counts of Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering, including carjacking, attempted murder, kidnapping, assault with serious bodily injury and maiming.

Ghostface Gangsters are organized into different positions of leadership, including the founding pillars, those having a “seat at the table,” “First Lady,” state-wide positions consisting of security, violator, structure board, education coordinator, living coordinator, communications coordinator, investigator, enforcement coordinator, recruiter, planning and strategy, treasurer, legal coordinator, meeting coordinator and event coordinator. 

Members within the prisons used contraband cell phones to continue their drug sales both within and outside the prison, and used the phones to communicate regularly with other gang members one-on-one and even conducted video conferences with multiple members about decisions to be made by the gang. 

Since the early 2000’s, Ghostface Gangsters and their associates have trafficked methamphetamine, marijuana and illegal pills, both inside and outside prisons throughout Georgia. Some of the defendants in this case have committed multiple violent acts to include:

On July 5, 2016, defendant Victor Manuel Dejesus allegedly violently carjacked a citizen using a firearm and threatened to kill her.  He took the car, then picked up defendant Christopher Marlow, and together they fled from a Cobb County Deputy Sheriff. Dejesus shot at the deputy from inside the car and later threw the gun out the window.  The gun was later turned over to police after a citizen found it lying on the side of the road.

• On December 2, 2016, defendant Cody Ryan Todd, upon receiving an order from defendant David Gene Powell, allegedly joined other GFG members to kidnap one of their own members for violating gang rules. Todd and the other members of the GFG beat the victim badly, including trying to pull out his teeth with pliers.  They videotaped the incident, which showed the victim lying down and pleading for help because he could not breathe.
   
• In December of 2016, defendants Christopher Jarman Davis and Jonathan Stubbs, under the orders of defendant Jeffrey Alan Bourassa, allegedly kidnapped another GFG member, held him at gunpoint and cut off his tattoo with a knife.
   
• On March 8, 2017, defendant William J. Goodman allegedly stabbed another GFG member in the neck and back for violating gang rules, causing severe blood loss, serious bodily injury, and a collapsed lung.
   
• On October 29, 2016, defendant Richard B. Sosebee shot a man in the eye during a drug deal, causing him to lose his eye.
   
• On December 11, 2017, defendant Kevin Scott Sosebee was a passenger in a car pulled over in a traffic stop.  The Cobb County Police officer who pulled the car over was alone.  Before the officer could exit his car, Sosebee allegedly shot at him several times and then fled from the officer.
   

The RICO conspiracy charge names the following defendants:

• Jeffrey Alan Bourassa, a/k/a “J.B.,” “Babyface,” and “Kid,” 35, of Cobb County, Georgia, is a founding pillar of GFG.  Bourassa is also charged with aiding and abetting another person by kidnapping and maiming a fellow GFG member;
• Kevin Scott Sosebee, a/k/a “Sosa,” 27, of Cobb County, Georgia, is also charged with the attempted murder of a Cobb County Police Officer;
• David Gene Powell, a/k/a “Davo,” of Cobb County, Georgia, 40, is a founding pillar of GFG.  He is also charged with aiding and abetting another person by kidnapping and assaulting a fellow GFG member;
• Victor Manuel Dejesus, a/k/a “VG Vic,” 36, of Gwinnett County, Georgia.  Dejesus is also charged with carjacking, attempted murder of a Cobb County deputy sheriff, and using a firearm during a crime of violence;
• Richard Brian Sosebee, a/k/a “Dirty,” 42, of Hall County, Georgia, is also charged with attempted murder and other firearms charges;
• Jonathan Stubbs, 29, of Hamilton County, Tennessee, is also charged with aiding and abetting one other by kidnapping and maiming a fellow GFG member;
• Cody Ryan Todd, 28, of Carroll County, Georgia.  He is also charged with aiding and abetting another person by kidnapping and assaulting a fellow GFG member;
• Toby James Ogletree, 42, of Spalding County, Georgia;
• Cheri Lea Rau, 59, of Cobb County, Georgia.

The following defendants are also named in the drug conspiracy:

• Joseph M. Propps, a/k/a “JP,” 39, of Cobb County, Georgia;
• Marc Avon Lefevre, Jr,  a/k/a “Ghost,” 32, of Cobb County, Georgia;
• Christopher Lasher, a/k/a/ “Retta,” 35, of Marietta, Georgia;
• Genevieve Waits, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio;
• Christopher Steven Jones, a/k/a “Red,” 34, of Cherokee County, Georgia;
• Samantha Miller, 26, of Cobb County, Georgia;
• Hailey Danielle Sizemore, 27, of Douglas County, Georgia;
• Kayli Brewer, 26, of Cobb County, Georgia;
• Brittany Nicole Jones, 30, of Rockdale County, Georgia;
• David Gene Powell, a/k/a “Davo;”
• Jeffrey Alan Bourassa, a/k/a “J.B.,” “Babyface;”
• Cheri Lea Rau; and
• Toby James Ogletree.
   

Additional defendants and their charges are as follows:

• Christopher Marlow a/k/a “Loko,” 28, of Cobb County, Georgia, is charged with attempted murder of the Cobb County deputy sheriff and firearm charge.
• Christopher Jarman Davis, 27, of Walker County, Georgia, along with Jonathan Stubbs and Jeffrey Bourassa, is charged with aiding and abetting one other by kidnapping and maiming a fellow GFG member.
• William J. Goodman, aka “JBeenlivin’good” and “JGood,” 24, of Paulding County, Georgia, is charged with attempted murder of a fellow GFG member.
• Kelly Ray Shiflett, 30, of Floyd County, Georgia, is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm; and
• Randall Arthur Lee Chumley, 36, of Pickens County, Georgia, is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and other drug and firearm charges.

 
Several defendants in the indictment were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Walter E. Johnson.  Twenty gang members were already in custody on state or local charges and will be arraigned in the next few days.  Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges, and that the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges.  It will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
 
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cobb County Police Department with the assistance of the Georgia Department of Corrections and the following agencies:  Marietta Cobb Smyrna/Cobb Anti-Gang Enforcement (CAGE), Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Marietta Police Department, Cobb District Attorney’s Office, Criminal Investigations Division and Criminal Intelligence Unit of the Georgia Department of Corrections, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Ball Ground Police Department, Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office/Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglasville Police Department, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, FBI, Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, Floyd County Police Department, Rome/Floyd Metro Task Force, Floyd County District Attorney’s Office, Carrollton Police Department, Carroll County District Attorney’s Office/Coweta Judicial Circuit, Gainesville Police Department, Hall County District Attorney’s Office, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Pickens County District Attorney’s Office/Appalachian Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, Metro Area Crime Center,  Jefferson County, Alabama District Attorney’s Office/Alabama Tenth Judicial Circuit, Georgia Department of Community Supervision,  Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Covington Police Department,  Walton/Newton County District Attorney’s Office/Alcovy Judicial Circuit, Drug Enforcement Administration – Chattanooga Field Office, Murray County Sheriff’s Office, and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Hoffer and Trial Attorney John Hanley of the Department of Justice Criminal Division.
 
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of escape from an institution, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Devon Johnson, age 29, of Braddock, Pa., pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 31, 2016, Johnson escaped from the Renewal, Inc. Residential Reentry Center, where he had been confined pursuant to a judgment and commitment order of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for July 19, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Johnson.

Dino Harrington, age 31, and Tiffany Youngblood, age 39, both from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, have been charged with distributing and helping to distribute heroin in the Cedar Rapids area.  The charge is contained in a Complaint filed on March 5, 2018, in the United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. 

The Complaint alleges that, on or about March 5, 2018, Harrington and Youngblood distributed and aided and abetted the distribution of heroin. 

If convicted, Harrington and Youngblood each face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, $100 in special assessments, and at least 3 years and up to a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.­

Harrington and Youngblood both appeared yesterday in federal court in Cedar Rapids, and are being held without bond pending a detention hearing scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on March 9, 2018. 

As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Lightfoot and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force consisting of the DEA; the Linn County Sheriff's Office; the Cedar Rapids Police Department; the Marion Police Department; and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. 

The case file number is 18-MJ-68.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of embezzlement by a bank employee United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on March 6, named Robin Chiappetta, age 63, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, from approximately February 2014 until approximately December 2016, Chiappetta, who was employed as an Assistant Branch Manager at First National Bank at 1703 Seventh Avenue in Beaver Falls, embezzled funds belonging to and entrusted to the custody and care of the bank, resulting in a loss of $20,513.80.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the federal drug laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Justin Clark, 34, of Beaver Falls, Pa., pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around September 2016, and continuing until in and around July 2017, Clark conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. Clark has a prior felony drug-trafficking conviction and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties under federal law.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for July 18, 2018, at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $8,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin A. Loughran is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is part of a long-term investigation by the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF), which targeted a large scale Drug Trafficking Organization operating in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny Counties. The GPSSTF is comprised of dedicated law enforcement professionals from the Wilkinsburg Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the FBI. The GPSSTF and the United Sates Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, would like to recognize the significant contributions made to this investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, United Sates Postal Inspection Service, Cranberry Township Police Department and the New Brighton Police Department.

PITTSBURGH – Two residents of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned on March 6, named Sonnie Ali Watts, 44, and Jessica Lea Wainwright, 38, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the defendants.

According to the indictment, in September of 2016, Watts conspired with others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin. The indictment also alleges that on September 16, 2016, Watts possessed with intent to distribute Fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin. In addition, during the same time period, Watts possessed a 9 mm caliber semi-automatic firearm and ammunition, after having been convicted of multiple crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, including eight separate drug cases and one charge of escape. The indictment further alleges that Wainwright leased, rented, used and maintained a drug premises at 1917 Tours Street in Pittsburgh.

Defendants, like Watts, who have three prior convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses, face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison, under the federal Armed Career Criminal Act. For Wainwright, the law provides for a term of imprisonment up to 20 years, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crimes Section is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case with valuable assistance from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. 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.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - A drug rehab counselor from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, has been charged by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin; distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury; distribution of fentanyl; and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Also charged in the conspiracy count are two residents of New York, NY.

The six-count superseding indictment, returned under seal on February 28, named David Francis, 66, described in a previously filed criminal complaint as the operator of Next Step Recovery Housing in McKees Rocks. The superseding indictment also named William Rosario, 23, and Jose Ortega, 31, both of New York City.

According to the superseding indictment, from in and around November 2016 through in and around February 2017, Francis, Rosario, and Ortega conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. The superseding indictment further alleges that on or about June 23, 2017, Francis distributed heroin which caused serious bodily injury to a user of the heroin. On or about September 18, 2017, Francis also distributed fentanyl which caused serious bodily injury to users of the fentanyl. The superseding indictment also alleges that on or about September 21, 2017, Francis distributed a quantity of fentanyl, and on or about October 6, 2017, Francis possessed with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and fentanyl.

With respect to the charges against David Francis, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years in prison and up to life, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. For William Rosario and Jose Ortega, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Spencer Johnson and Frank Truitt, both age 27, were sentenced to 87 months imprisonment and 71 months imprisonment, respectively, in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.  Both men pled guilty to participating in drug and firearm conspiracies.

Johnson and Truitt were members of the Billies East Side Bloods, a local set of the United Blood Nation, operating in the Florence and Myrtle Beach areas of South Carolina. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, Johnson was a high-ranking gang member who was principally responsible for transporting to New York firearms stolen and/or unlawfully possessed by gang members, including Truitt.  Once in New York, Johnson would purchase heroin and return with it to South Carolina.  Johnson, Truitt, and other gang members would then sell the heroin locally in South Carolina.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the DEA, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Police Department, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, the 15^th Circuit’s Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Georgetown Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is also assisting in the prosecution.

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YONI LOPEZ-ROJAS, age 25, a citizen Guatemala, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count bill of information for illegal use of a Social Security Number in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).