John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CARLOS ROMAN, also known as “Frizz,” 38, of Middletown, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a central Connecticut cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine, and seizures of cocaine and cash proceeds.  The investigation revealed that an associate of ROMAN was operating a cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring while the associate was incarcerated in state custody.  ROMAN was a primary distributor of narcotics for the organization.  During the investigation, an undercover officer made five controlled purchases of redistribution quantities of crack from ROMAN.

ROMAN was arrested on April 11, 2017.  On that date, he possessed approximately 500 grams of cocaine.  A subsequent search of his residence revealed a .380 caliber handgun.

On July 20, 2017, a grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment charging ROMAN and 10 other individuals with various offenses.  On January 18, 2018, pleaded guilty to one count of with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

ROMAN has been detained since his arrest. 

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Middletown and New Britain Police Departments.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

A Strongsville man was charged in federal court for selling anabolic steroids, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman.

George Najjar, 57, was charged in a criminal information with one count of possession with intent to distribute steroids. Najjar did knowingly and intentionally manufacture and possess with the intent to distribute and distributed anabolic steroids from 2013 through December 3, 2014, according to the indictment.

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

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

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

Spokane – Today, near the 50th Anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act, Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced settlement of a federal civil rights lawsuit against the owners, builder, and designer of the Ashlynn Estates, a three-building dormitory style property near Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. The settlement resolves allegations that Keith and Tamra Riexinger, and Riexinger Enterprises, Inc., also known as Crossroads Construction, failed to design and construct the buildings to make them accessible to persons with disabilities in compliance with the Fair Housing Act’s (FHA) accessibility requirements. The FHA’s accessible design and construction provisions require new multi-family housing constructed after March 1991—including dormitory style housing—to have basic features accessible to persons with disabilities. Under the settlement, the Riexingers and their company will retrofit the properties to make the 12 ground floor units and common areas accessible to persons with disabilities; pay $10,000 to the NWFHA; train new employees on the FHA; and adopt a nondiscrimination policy.

According to court records, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that the Riexingers and their company violated the FHA because they designed and constructed Ashlynn Estates with various barriers inhibiting access to the 12 ground-floor units and the associated public and common-use areas, including: inaccessible entrances, parking, bathrooms, walk-in closets, electrical outlets, and doorknob hardware.

The lawsuit arose from an initial complaint filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by the Northwest Fair Housing Alliance (NWFHA), a private, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide education regarding fair housing laws and to ensure compliance with those laws inWashington. NWFHA inspected the Ashlynn Estates and observed accessibility barriers. After investigating, HUD issued a charge of discrimination and referred the case to the Justice Department, which filed the instant federal civil rights lawsuit against the Riexingers and their company.

Joseph H. Harrington said, “The Fair Housing Act was originally enacted in April of 1968 following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and prohibits discrimination based on any statutorily-protected basis, including disability. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, HUD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to vigorously pursuing enforcement of the rights guaranteed by the Act. This settlement is an example of that commitment in the Eastern District of Washington and serves to promote equal access to multi-family housing for persons with disabilities. It is also a reminder that even now, near the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and during Fair Housing Month, we are committed to eliminating housing discrimination and creating equal opportunity in every community.”

“The Department is committed to ensuring that new multi-family housing—including housing designed for students—is accessible to persons with disabilities,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit and its resolution are just the latest steps in the Department of Justice’s efforts to ensure equal accessibility for persons with disabilities.”

“Housing units that don’t meet the needs of persons of disabilities make it impossible for them to enjoy their homes,” said Anna María Farías, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Providers that built housing after March 1991 have an obligation to construct units that are accessible to persons with disabilities, and HUD will continue to work with the Justice Department to ensure that they meet that obligation.”

The Justice Department, through the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the FHA, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. Among other things, the FHA requires all multifamily housing constructed after March 12, 1991, to have basic accessibility features, including accessible routes without steps to all ground-floor units. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov, or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.

The settlement was negotiated by Joseph P. Derrig, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, and U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Trial Attorney, Noah D. Sacks. The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Today, as the Department of Justice recognizes the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the nationwide rollout of an initiative aimed at increasing awareness and reporting of sexual harassment in housing. The announcement included an interagency task force between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Justice Department to combat sexual harassment in housing, an outreach toolkit, and a public awareness campaign. This three-pronged approach will strengthen the Department’s efforts to combat sexual harassment in housing.

“Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, immoral, and unacceptable," said Attorney General Sessions. “It is all too common today, as too many landlords, managers, and their employees attempt to prey on vulnerable women. We will not hesitate to pursue these predators and enforce the law. In October, I ordered a new initiative to bring more of these cases, and we have already won relief for 15 victims. Today we announce three new steps to make the initiative more effective and to win more cases. I want to thank the dedicated and committed professionals in our Civil Rights Division and our partners in the Department of Housing and Urban Development for their hard work in this effort. We will continue to aggressively pursue harassers, because everyone has a right to be safe in their home.”

“All discrimination stains the very fabric of our nation, but HUD is especially focused on protecting the right of everyone to feel safe and secure in their homes, free from unwanted sexual harassment,” said Secretary Ben Carson. “No person should have to tolerate unwanted sexual advances in order to keep a roof over his or her head. Part of our mission at HUD is to provide safe housing and we will remain diligent in this mission to protect those we serve. I look forward to working with Attorney General Sessions and the Department of Justice as part of this task force to bring an end to this type of discrimination.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee supports this important initiative of Attorney General Sessions and will work with HUD and our law enforcement partners to enforce the laws and ensure that these innocent victims are aware of their rights to have a safe and secure place for their families to live without fear of harassment or discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey, Eastern District of Tennessee.

In October 2017, the Justice Department announced an initiative to combat sexual harassment in housing and launched pilot programs in D.C. and the Western District of Virginia. The initiative sought to increase the Department’s efforts to protect women from harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, security guards, and other employees and representatives of rental property owners. During the pilots, the Department developed and tested ways to better connect both with victims of sexual harassment in housing and with those organizations that victims may turn to first for help – including law enforcement, legal services providers, public housing authorities, sexual assault services providers, and shelters.  The Department also tested certain aspects of the initiative in other jurisdictions, including New Jersey, the Central District of California, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Michigan.

The two pilot programs generated an upswing in harassment reporting to the Department from both D.C. and the Western District of Virginia. In D.C., the Department generated six leads since the October 2017 launch. In Virginia, the Department generated three leads. While the Justice Department recognizes that leads and investigations do not always lead to enforcement actions, the pilot program’s results—when extrapolated across all the U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country—could lead to hundreds of new reports of sexual harassment in housing across the country.

Because of these promising results, the Department is rolling out three major components to the Initiative.

First, the new HUD-DOJ Task Force to Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing will drive a shared strategy between the Department and HUD for combatting sexual harassment in housing across the country. It will focus on five key areas: continued data sharing and analysis, joint development of training, evaluation of public housing complaint mechanisms, coordination of public outreach and press strategy, and review of federal policies.

Second, the outreach toolkit is designed to leverage the Justice Department’s nationwide network of U.S. Attorney’s Offices. The toolkit provides templates, guidance, and checklists based on pilot program feedback. It ultimately will amplify available enforcement resources and help victims of sexual harassment connect with the Department.

Third, the public awareness campaign has three major components: a partnership package with relevant stakeholders, launch of a social media campaign, and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) run by individual U.S. Attorney’s offices. The campaign is specifically designed to raise awareness, and make it easier for victims all over the country to find resources and report harassment.

More information about the Civil Rights Division and the civil rights laws it enforces is available at www.usdoj.gov/crt. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment in housing should call the Department at 1-844-380-6178, send an e-mail to fairhousing@usdoj.gov, or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.  If you have information or questions about any other housing discrimination, you can contact the Department at 1-800-896-7743.

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            WASHINGTON – A 24-year-old man from Washington, D.C. pled guilty today to two counts of second-degree child sexual abuse for engaging in sexual acts in his home with a cousin who was 9 and 10 years old at the time, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu. 

            The defendant, who is not identified here to protect the privacy of the victim, pled guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.  The Honorable Danya A. Dayson scheduled sentencing for June 22, 2018.  Once released from prison, the defendant will be placed on a period of supervised release.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years. 

            According to the government’s evidence, between Sept. 1, 2016 and Oct, 31, 2017, the defendant engaged in sexual acts with the young girl at his residence in Southeast Washington. He was arrested on Feb. 13, 2018, and has been in custody ever since.

            In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu praised detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division; as well as employees of the girl’s school, who upon learning of the sexual abuse, immediately notified the police.  She also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Brenda C. Williams and Victim/Witness Advocate Juanita Harris.  Finally, U.S. Attorney Liu commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter V. Taylor, who investigated and prosecuted this case. 

A Cleveland man was indicted for the armed robbery on a bank on Chester Avenue last year.

Joshua Gilchrist, 35, was indicted on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Gilchrist used a firearm when he robbed the Key Bank on Chester Avenue in Cleveland on Dec. 8, 2017, according to the indictment.

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cleveland Division of Police. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.          

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

A Ravenna man was charged in federal court after defrauding an insurance company out of approximately $94,000.

Jody Foster was charged with one count of mail fraud.

Foster defrauded Asurion Insurance company between 2012 and 2016 through the submission of fraudulent insurance claims to obtain money and property from Asurion. He paid individuals, known and unknown, to purchase new cellular telephones and enroll in cellular telephones service plans which included insurance coverage with multiple cellular telephone service providers. Then these individuals provided the newly purchased cellular telephones to Foster, according to the criminal information.

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

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry F. DeBaggis.

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

       Montgomery, Alabama– Seven suspected cocaine and marijuana traffickers were arrested early Thursday morning, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr.  These arrests follow an indictment by a federal grand jury charging the seven defendants with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, primarily in the Montgomery area.

       The following individuals are in custody: Cyrus Phyfier, 49, Edgar Lee Coleston, 40, Erwin Marvin Smith, 57, Gene Earl Easterling, Jr., 46, and George Edward Jones, III, 40, all from Montgomery.  As well as Ernest Lee Rhodes, 35, from Greenville, and Jacques Bradley, Jr., 34, from Ohio.

       The federal investigation has led to the seizure of approximately $1,000,000.00 in U.S. currency and jewelry, as well as the seizure of firearms and controlled substances.

       Each defendant is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.

       An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed.  Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

       The defendants made their initial appearance in federal court on Thursday and will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing. 

       The investigating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Montgomery Police Department, the Prattville Police Department, the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, the Central Alabama Drug Task Force, the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, the Millbrook Police Department, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the State of Alabama Attorney General’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Curtis Ivy, Jr., and R. Randolph “Rand” Neeley are prosecuting the case.

Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Schmidt will hold a press conference on Monday, April 16, 2018 to announce the results of a significant law enforcement operation carried out pursuant to the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. 

The press conference will be held at 11:00 am on the steps of the United States District Courthouse located at 120 12^th Street in Columbus.

Questions concerning the press conference should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.

BIRMINGHAM – A task force designed specifically to reduce homicides and other violent crime in Birmingham held its first meeting today at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.

The Birmingham Public Safety Task Force is an outgrowth of the U.S. Attorney and the mayor working together to develop a strategic plan for reducing violent crime in the Birmingham metro area, they said. Joining Town and Woodfin on the task force are representatives of the Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Drug Task Force, Housing Authority of Birmingham Division, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the federal law enforcement agencies FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.

            “The federal partners here today stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Woodfin, Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale, and the citizens of Birmingham to aggressively pursue the worst offenders in this city,” Town said. “Returning Birmingham to its rightful owners, peaceful law-abiding citizens who should not have to live in a fog of violent crime, is the number one priority of this task force. This assembly of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will move swiftly to smother the violent criminal activity afoot in this city.”

            “Violent crime is a public health issue in too many cities across America, including our community. This is a challenge to the quality of life for the people in all 99 neighborhoods,” Woodfin said. “This issue must be addressed in three areas: prevention, enforcement and reducing the likelihood of repeat offenders. Today, we are announcing a critical partnership that supports all three areas with a focus on greater deterrence through strengthened and targeted enforcement,” he said. “I welcome the involvement of our federal, state and local partners in an unprecedented level of coordination and cooperation. Together we resolve to reduce violent crime and protect the people who live, work and play in our great city.”

            "We are committed to stopping this culture of violence in its tracks now and for the long term,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale. “We have never seen a stronger partnership come together. This initiative will have a long-term positive effect on eradicating violent criminals and behavior from our communities,” Hale said. “I appreciate all involved and we will be here as long as it takes. This is a great day for Birmingham and all of our surrounding communities."

Incorporating principles of the mayor's public safety initiative, Operation Step Up, and Project Safe Neighborhoods, the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy, along with the National Public Safety Partnership, the Birmingham task force will unite federal, state and local law enforcement to identify and work to apprehend the key offenders responsible for the majority of violent crime in hot spots across the Birmingham area.

            One of the task force’s first orders of business was to develop a short list of serious offenders who have drawn the attention of various task force agencies. With task force members sharing information and resources, tracking the worst offenders should be made easier, Town said.

            PSN is a nationwide Justice Department program committed to reducing gun and gang crime by networking existing local programs that target gun crime and supporting those efforts with training and funding.

            U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced PSP last year as a training and technical assistance program designed to enhance the capacity of local jurisdictions to address violent crime in their communities. He selected Birmingham as one of the initial 12 locations to participate in the program. The PSP and PSN programs both reinforce the federal, state and local task force model as one of the most effective ways to reduce violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and representatives of Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Drug Task Force, Housing Authority of Birmingham Division, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the federal law enforcement agencies FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations gather at U.S. Attorney’s Office to launch the Birmingham Public Safety Task Force.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shawn P. Parrish, 38, of Newark, Ohio, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 180 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release for charges related to child pornography.

A United States District Court jury convicted Parrish in April of receiving and possessing child pornography. Parrish had been previously convicted of an offense involving aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse or abusive sexual contact of a minor.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steve Francis, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien and other members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.

According to court documents and testimony, investigation of a peer-to-peer file-sharing network led investigators to Parrish’s residence when they discovered child pornography being uploaded to an IP address there. While executing a search warrant at his Newark residence in August 2016, investigators found numerous images of a 12-year-old girl on Parrish’s phone.

Forensic evidence obtained from Parrish’s phone and the victim’s phone indicates that Parrish sent himself videos of the victim displaying her nude pubic area and that he received those videos via Facebook Messenger and thereafter created still images on his phone from the videos.

Parrish had previously been convicted in North Carolina in 1998 for Indecent Liberties with a Child and had been sentenced to 16-20 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the Franklin County ICAC Task Force, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch, Director of the Franklin County Special Victims Unit, who are prosecuting the case.

The Franklin County ICAC Task Force is a multi-agency effort dedicated to the fight against computer-facilitated crimes against children. The following agencies are members:

# # #

MACON: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that a Grand Jury, sitting in Macon Georgia, has returned indictments against twenty-eight defendants. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.  “I want to thank our Federal and State law enforcement partners for their hard work bringing these cases before the Federal Grand Jury” said United States Attorney Peeler.

Those charged are:

NORRIS LOWE, aged 45, and KEISHA BUSSEY, aged 44, both of Atlanta, GA are charged in an indictment alleging:

Mr. Lowe is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine (Count 1), Possession of Marijuana (Count 2), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Count 3) and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense (Count 4). Mr. Lowe faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, a maximum $1 million fine, or both, for Count 1; 12 months, a maximum $25,000 fine, or both, for Count 2; 10 years, a maximum $250,000 fine, or both, for Count 3 and life imprisonment, a $250,000 maximum fine, or both, for Count 4, if convicted.

Ms. Bussey is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine (Count 1), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Count 3), Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense (Count 4). If convicted, Ms. Bussey faces a maximum penalty of 20 years, a $1 million maximum fine, or both, on Count 1; 10 years, a $250,000 maximum fine, or both, for Count 3 and life imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, or both, for Count 4.

The case was investigated by the Perry Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Calhoun is prosecuting the case for the government.

JARON THOMAS, aged 26, of Eastman, GA, is charged with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number and faces a maximum sentence of five years, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, if convicted. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Calhoun is prosecuting the case for the government. 

SHAYANA A. TRUITT, aged 27, of Stone Mountain, GA, and JOHN ANTHONY WILLIAMS, aged 36, of Spartanburg, SC are charged as below:

 Ms. Truitt is charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm (Count 1) and Possession of Marijuana and Methamphetamine (Count 3).  If convicted, Ms. Truitt faces maximum sentence of 1 year, a maximum fine of $1000, or both, for Count 1 and a maximum 10 years, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 2.

Mr. Williams is charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm (Count 1), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Count 2) and Possession of Marijuana and Methamphetamine (Count 3). If convicted, Mr. Williams faces a maximum sentence of 1 year imprisonment, a maximum fine of $1000, or both, on Count 1; a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, for Count 2; and a maximum sentence of 10 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, for Count 3.

The case was investigated by the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett is prosecuting the case for the government.

JOSE CALDERON A/K/A “FLACO”, aged 40, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. If convicted, Mr. Calderon faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a maximum $10 million fine, or both.  The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Corrections and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen is prosecuting the case for the government.

FREDDIE LAMAR JOHNSON, aged 34, of Athens, GA, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Count 1), Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking (Count 2), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Count 3), Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 1000 Feet of a School (Count 4), and Possession of Oxycodone (Count 5). Mr. Johnson faces a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 maximum fine, or both, on Count 1; a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a maximum sentence of $250,000, or both, on Count 2; a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both, on Count 3; a maximum sentence of 10 years, a maximum fine of $500,000, or both, on Count 4, and a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both, on Count 5, if convicted.  The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham A. Thorpe.

Four individuals were indicted for alleged Illegal Reentry after having been deported and removed from the United States.  All of the cases were investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael T. Solis is prosecuting the cases for the government.

1. DERMER DUBON-SERRANO, aged 22, a citizen of Honduras, is charged with Illegal Reentry, having been deported and removed from the United States on or about September 13, 2013 and March 4, 2016. If convicted, Mr. Dubon-Serrano faces a maximum of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
2. ALEJANDRO GODINEZ-MORALES A/K/A GABRIEL VASQUEZ-TORRES, aged 31, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with Illegal Reentry having been deported and removed from the United States on or about March 13, 2008; May 23, 2011; January 30, 2012; August 14, 2014 and March 6, 2017. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
3. JUAN PEZA-RAMIREZ a/k/a JOSE HERNANDEZ-SALDANA, aged 44, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with Illegal Reentry having been deported and removed from the United States on or about January 19, 2007, October 21, 2011 and April 24, 2012. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
4. EFRAIN HERRERA-ALAS, aged 28, a citizen of El Salvador, is charged with Illegal Reentry, having been deported and removed on May 8, 2004. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

JAMES T. PARKER, aged 35 of Leary GA, is charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, if convicted.  The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane.

Twelve individuals were indicted for their alleged participation in a Wire Fraud Conspiracy: 

1. GARLAND ALFORD, aged 75, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged with Wire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Counts 2-9). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
2. ETHELENE ALFORD, aged 75, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Counts 2-9). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
3. ANTONIO GARDNER, aged 34, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 17). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
4. VICTORIA HENRY, aged 46, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 19). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
5. JENNIFER JOHNSON, aged 29, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (15). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
6. RENEE KIMBLE, aged 40, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 16). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
7. CRYSTAL MAXWELL, aged 35, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 10). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
8. WENDY MITCHELL A/D/A WENDY PRICKETT, aged 43, of Nashville, TN, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 11). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
9. ROSANNA ROUPE, aged 32, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 12). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
10. JEANIE SHEFFIELD, aged 34, of Colquitt, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SMAP Fraud (Count 14). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
11. KAYLA WALLACE, aged 25, of Donalsonville, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 18). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 
12. KANEESHA WOOTEN, aged 23, of Bainbridge, GA, is charged withWire Fraud Conspiracy (Count 1) and SNAP Fraud (Count 13). If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
     

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Alan Dasher.

DEMETRIUS CLARK, aged 32 of Columbus, GA, is charged with Access Device Fraud (Count 1) and Aggravated Identity Theft (Counts 2-5). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, on Count 1 and two years in prison, to be served consecutively, on Counts 2 through 5.  The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin E, Hyde, Jr. is prosecuting the case for the government.

BRYANT HOOKER, aged 29 of Athens, GA, is charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Mr. Hooker faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, if convicted.  The case was investigated by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham A. Thorpe is prosecuting the case for the government.

ROBERT IVAN MASK, is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine, or both, if convicted.  The Brooks County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug enforcement Administration investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen is prosecuting the case for the government.

RYNE MICHAEL SEETO, aged 31, of Fort Washington, MD, is charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in Federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, if convicted. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul C. McCommon, III is prosecuting the case for the government.

Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.

            WASHINGTON – Timothy L. Jennings, Sr., 61, of Washington, D.C., has pled guilty to robbing two banks last summer in downtown Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Jennings pled guilty on April 12, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to two counts of bank robbery. Each charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Jennings faces a possible range of 57 to 71 months in prison. He also must pay a total of $1,367 in restitution to the two banks. The Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan scheduled sentencing for June 21, 2018.

            According to the government’s evidence, Jennings carried out the first robbery on July 17, 2017, at approximately 9:05 a.m., targeting a SunTrust Bank in the 900 block of 17^th Street NW. Jennings told a teller: “This is a robbery and I have a gun and I'll shoot you,” and demanded money. The teller handed him a total of $926 and Jennings fled the scene.

            The second robbery took place four days later, on July 21, 2017, at approximately 9:20 a.m. This time, Jennings entered an M&T Bank in the 500 block of 12^th Street NW and handed the teller a note demanding money. The teller handed him $441 and Jennings fled.

            In his plea, Jennings also accepted responsibility for two additional bank robberies, which took place later on the morning of July 21, within an hour of the M&T Bank robbery.  In both incidents, he left the banks without money. One attempt took place at a BB&T branch in the 800 block of Connecticut Avenue NW and the other at a Bank of America branch in the 800 block of 17^th Street NW. Hours after these incidents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department located Jennings and arrested him. He has been in custody ever since.

            At the time of these offenses, Jennings had been on supervised release for a few months after serving more than 10 years in prison for a series of three bank robberies.

            In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu, Assistant Director in Charge McNamara, and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. They expressed appreciation for the efforts of those who worked in the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz and Teesha Tobias and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole, who prosecuted the case.

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Patrick Morgan Schiro, a resident of Rockville Centre, New York, and the founder of Black Rock Morgan LLC (BRM), was sentenced by United States District Court Judge LeShann DeArcy Hall to 28 months’ imprisonment, with restitution amount to be determined, for orchestrating a wire fraud scheme that defrauded five investors of approximately $440,000.  Schiro previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud pursuant to a plea agreement with the government.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, announced the sentence. 

According to court filings and facts presented at the plea hearing, Schiro incorporated BRM, a purported investment management business, in February 2014.  From approximately July 2014 to October 2015, Schiro used false and misleading statements to induce five individuals to invest approximately $440,000 with BRM, and he concealed his prior federal conviction for securities fraud from at least four of them.  For example, Schiro falsely told one investor that BRM had many clients, managed millions of dollars in assets, and had “a team of investment professionals with significant sector-specific expertise.”  Once he had the funds, Schiro also deceived his investors by telling them that their investments were performing well.  For example, Schiro told one investor that his investment of approximately $242,000 was valued at $711,000.  

Contrary to these representations, Schiro invested only a small amount of the funds and used a significant amount of the money for his personal expenses, including approximately $190,000 to pay one of his children’s university tuition.  When investors asked for their money back, Schiro often ignored their requests or provided false or misleading excuses.  For example, when one investor asked to redeem $250,000 from his account, Schiro caused an email to be sent to that investor stating that the request had been denied because: “Consistent with our AML [anti-money laundering] responsibilities and U.S. patriot act regulations wire transfer withdrawals and redemptions MUST and will ONLY be sent to the bank account associated with your BRM Account.”  In fact, no such policies were in place to prevent the transfer requested by the investor.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney David K. Kessler is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

PATRICK MORGAN SCHIRO
Age:  46
Rockville Centre, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-130 (LDH)

Chung Lam, age 39, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, was charged today by Information with 12 counts of failure to collect and pay taxes, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7202, announced United States Attorney William M. McSwain. Lam owned a C&L Labor, a company that provided temporary workers to other companies. Lam paid hundreds of its employees in cash, as “under the table” wages on which no employment taxes were withheld.

If convicted the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years imprisonment, a fine of $3,000,000, a special assessment of $1,200, and three years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurie Magid.                                                                      

An Indictment, Information or Criminal Complaint is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, on TUESDAY April 17, 2018, to deliver remarks on the opioid crisis. 

WHO:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions

WHAT:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions will deliver remarks on the opioid crisis. 

WHEN:      

TUESDAY, April 17, 2018

2:15 p.m. EDT 

WHERE:      

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

3rd Floor Conference Room

310 New Bern Avenue
Federal Building, Suite 800
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1461

OPEN PRESS   

(Camera Preset: 1:15 p.m. EDT // Final access time for print media: 2:00 p.m. EDT)

Media will go through a security check on the first floor and hold in Room 158 before being escorted by USAO staff up to the 3rd floor conference room. 

NOTE:  All media must RSVP and present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials.  The RSVP and any inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Kelly Laco in the Office of Public Affairs at (202) 305-5219 or kelly.laco@usdoj.gov.  Please RSVP with the email address of the person(s) attending the event, so that we may reach them directly if details change. 

An Aruban official residing in Florida pleaded guilty today to money laundering charges in connection with his role in a scheme to arrange and receive corrupt payments to influence the awarding of contracts with an Aruban state-owned telecommunications corporation.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg of the Southern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Robert F. Lasky of the FBI’s Miami Field Office made the announcement.

Egbert Yvan Ferdinand Koolman, 49, a Dutch citizen residing in Miami, Florida, was an official of Servicio di Telecommunicacion di Aruba N.V. (Setar), an instrumentality of the Aruban government.  Koolman pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frederico A. Moreno of the Southern District of Florida to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27.

In connection with the scheme, Lawrence W. Parker, Jr., 42, of Miami, pleaded guilty on Dec. 28, 2017 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and to commit wire fraud.  Parker’s sentencing is scheduled for April 30.

According to admissions made as part of his plea agreement, between 2005 and 2016, Koolman operated a money laundering conspiracy from his position as Setar’s product manager.  Koolman admitted that, as part of the scheme, he conspired with Parker and others to transmit funds from Florida and elsewhere in the United States to Aruba and Panama with the intent to promote a wire fraud scheme and a corrupt scheme that violated the FCPA.  Koolman was promised and received bribes from individuals and companies located in the United States and abroad in exchange for using his position at Setar to award lucrative mobile phone and accessory contracts, he admitted.  He received the corrupt payments via wire transfer from banks located in the United States, in cash during meetings in Miami and in Aruba, and by withdrawing cash in Aruba using a bankcard that drew money from a United States-based bank account, he further admitted.  In exchange for the more than $1.3 million in corrupt payments that he received, Koolman also admitted providing favored vendors with Setar’s confidential information.

The FBI is investigating the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lois Foster-Steers of the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Jonathan Robell and Vanessa Snyder of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.

The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters.  Additional information about the department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MISAEL BERNAL,age 33, a citizen of Guatemala, pled guilty yesterday to a one-count indictment for violating the Federal Gun Control Act.

According to court documents, officers of the New Orleans Police Department were dispatched to a residence after receiving a 911 call in reference to a man firing a gun into the air. Responding officers encountered BERNAL outside of his residence and observed several spent 9mm shell casings on the ground. After conducting an investigative frisk for officer safety, a box of 9mm ammunition was located in his right front pocket. While conducting the investigation, officers located a witness who indicated that BERNAL went back into his residence after firing the weapon. Officers applied for a search warrant on his residence which later yielded a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. BERNAL was arrested and federal agents later determined that he had been previously removed from the United States on April 30, 2013 and had no permission to reenter. 

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

Memphis, TN – On March 29, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted 19 individuals for federal firearms violations. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictments today. As charged in the indictments, seventeen of the defendants are prohibited by federal firearms laws from possessing firearms. In three of the cases, the grand jury charged the defendants with using a firearm during a drug or violent crime.

Several defendants charged in this series of indictments are alleged to be convicted felons. Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual convicted of a felony to possess a firearm. This is a violation of Title 18, United States Code (USC), § 922(g)(1). A violation of this section is punishable by a term of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no less than two years. The penalty for a violation of § 922(g)(1) is enhanced when a defendant has a prior criminal record that includes three convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offenses. Under this enhanced sentencing provision, the defendant is subject to a mandatory minimumstatutory sentence of at least 15 years imprisonment, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "It is the goal of the Justice Department to reduce violent crime. As part of this effort, our office places a high priority on the criminal prosecution of individuals who, because they are convicted felons or have convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, illegally possess firearms, or who use firearms to commit violent crimes or engage in drug trafficking while armed. We will continue our effort to reduce violent crime in West Tennessee by aggressively prosecuting those who possess firearms illegally or use firearms to commit crimes."

Federal firearms laws also prohibit an individual convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm. This is a violation of 18 USC §922(g)(9). An individual convicted of violating this section is subject to a term of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of no less than two years.

It is also against federal law to possess or use and carry a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime. This is a violation of 18 USC § 924(c). A violation of this section is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years imprisonment to a maximum of life imprisonment.

Dennis Boykin, 26, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Phoenix Arms .25 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Libby Rogers is prosecuting this case.

Brian Brock, 38, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Raven Arms .25 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 § USC 922(g)(1). He was also charged in a second count of the indictment with possessing the same firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(9). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips is prosecuting this case.

Kristen Brenner, 32, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Sig Sauer 9mm caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Hartridge is prosecuting this case.

Jacob Buggs, 36, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Jimenez 9mm caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Hartridge is prosecuting this case.

Timothy Cook, 27, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Harrington and Richardson .32 S&W long caliber revolver after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney David Biggers is prosecuting this case.

Marquez Harris, 25, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Riger 9mm caliber pistol after being a convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Hartridge is prosecuting this case.

Artavious Holmes, 23, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Baretta 9mm caliber pistol in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 USC § 924(c), and possession of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 USC § 841(a)(1). The marijuana violation, as charged in the indictment, is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 2 years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Libby Rogers is prosecuting this case.

Alfonzo Johnson a/k/a "Alphonzo Johnson," 37, of Memphis was charged with possessing a Raven Arms .25 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips is prosecuting this case.

Philanese Martin, 34, ofMemphis, has been charged with possessing a Ruger .380 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1) and with intent to distribute marijuana; cocaine; and crack cocaine, in violation of title 21 USC § 841(a)(1). As charged in the indictment, the § 841(a)(1) violations are punishable by imprisonment for no more than 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least three years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Libby Rogers is prosecuting this case.

Jeremy McGarvey, 23, of Munford, has been charged with possessing a Remington .30-06 caliber rifle and a Taurus .380 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case.

Hittites McKinney, 24, of Memphis, has been charged with possessing a Sig Sauer .40 caliber pistol after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(9). Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryce Phillips is prosecuting this case.

Henry Mitchell, 39, of Memphis, has been charged with possessing a Browning 9mm pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Libby Rogers is prosecuting this case.

Rodney Lee Parnell, 51, of West Memphis, AR, has been charged with the robbery of the Best Western Hotel on Madison Avenue in Memphis, in violation of 18 USC § 1951, and using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, in violation of 18 USC § 924 (c). A violation of § 1951, the Hobbs Act, is punishable by a term of imprisonment of no more than 20 years, a fine of no more than $250,000, and a mandatory term of supervised release of five years. As charged in the indictment, a violation of § 924(c) is punishable by a minimum mandatory sentence of at least seven years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Whitmore is prosecuting this case.

Lazarus Payne, 34, of Memphis, has been charged with possessing an American Tactical 5.56 caliber rifle after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case.

Marlon Pruitt, 44, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Winchester 20 gauge shotgun after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC 922(g)(1). He was also charged with possession of less than 50 kilograms of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of 21 USC § 841(a)(1). This violation is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow is prosecuting this case.

Stephen Seward, 28, of Memphis, was charged in a four-count indictment with violating federal firearms and drug laws. In count 3 of the indictment, he was charged with possessing a Sig Sauer .22 caliber pistol and a Ruger .380 caliber pistol after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(9). He was also charged in 2 counts of the indictment with possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 USC § 841(a)(1). Each drug violation is punishable by a term of imprisonment of no more than 20 years, a fine of no more than $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years. The grand jury also charged Seward with possessing a Sig Sauer .22 caliber pistol and a Ruger .380 caliber pistol in furtherance of the drug crimes charged in the indictment, in violation of title 18 USC § 924(c). A violation of § 924(c) as charged in this case is punishable by a minimum mandatory sentence of at least five years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow is prosecuting this case.

Christopher Smith, 26, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Magnum Research 9 mm caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young is prosecuting this case.

Leroy Taylor, 28, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Ceska Zbrojovka 9 X 19mm caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin is prosecuting this case.

Terrance Ware, 25, of Memphis, was charged with possessing a Taurus .40 caliber pistol after being convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 USC § 922(g)(1). Assistant U.S. Attorney Marques Young is prosecuting this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LUCKY FUA IOSUA, age 47, of Los Angeles, California, has pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846, and one count of Misprision of a Felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 4.