Last edited on Friday, May 14, 2021, at 11:31 AM.
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Friday, May 05, 2021
I. Florida Men Charged in Health Care Fraud, Kickback, and Money Laundering Conspiracy
On May 3, 2021, three owners of a telemarking company were charged for their alleged participation in a $47 million health care fraud, kickback, and money laundering scheme. The scheme involved referring patients to labs cancer-related genetic tests that were deemed medically unnecessary and to accept accepting kickbacks for the referrals.
In an indictment unsealed May 3, Christian McKeon, 35, and Athanasios Ziros, 42, both from Boca Raton, Florida, have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, multiple counts of substantive health care fraud and kickback offenses, and conspiracy to commit substantive money laundering offenses.
In addition, an information unsealed the same day charges Gregory Orr, 64, also of Boca Raton, for his alleged role in the overall scheme, with one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks and one count of receipt of kickbacks.
The indictment alleges that McKeon and Ziros allegedly participated in a scheme to operate a telemarketing campaign targeting Medicare beneficiaries in an effort to induce them to accept genetic tests for cancer, regardless of whether the tests were medically necessary or eligible for Medicare reimbursement.
McKeon and Ziros allegedly offered and paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies in exchange for doctors’ orders for expensive cancer genetic tests.
The doctors’ orders were written by doctors contracted with telemedicine companies, even though those telemedicine doctors had no prior relationship with the beneficiaries, were not treating the beneficiaries for cancer or symptoms of cancer, did not use the test results in the treatment of the beneficiaries, and did not conduct a legal and proper telemedicine visit.
II. Rhode Island Man Facing Life for Murder-For-Hire Plot on Contractor
On May 3, 2021, Agustin Vinas, 51, of Providence, Rhode Island, was ordered detained in federal custody for his role in an alleged murder-for-hire plot. According to the complaint, Vinas allegedly tried to hire a third party to kill two men, including a contractor he claimed owed him $8,500 and who threatened to harm his family if he did not stop his repeated requests for payment, and a second person, who was an employee of the contractor.
According to court documents, it is alleged that on April 19, 2021, Vinas had a chance meeting with an acquaintance, and Vinas told said acquaintance of his unsuccessful attempts to collect money he was owed by the contractor, as well as the contractor’s threat against his family, and that he wanted to hire someone to kill the contractor and another man.
Vinas’ acquaintance told him that he might know of someone interested in the job and that he would be in touch shortly. On the very next day, while under surveillance by members of the FBI, the two met again in a Providence parking lot. In a recorded conversation, Vinas allegedly repeated that he wanted the contractor and another person killed, and he also offered to pay $3,000 for the killings and an additional $500 to make the bodies “disappear.”
Vinas also explained that he would like to have the victims tortured before they are killed.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/providence-contractor-charged-murder-hire-plot
III. Florida Man Charged with Drug Trafficking, Attempted Murder
On May 3, 2021, a federal magistrate judge in Ft. Lauderdale ordered Horvin McKenzie, Jr., 28, detained pending his federal trial on attempted murder, narcotics, and firearms charges. McKenzie is one of the two men arrested, along with David Johnathan Ventura, 32, of Miami, in April, after shots were fired at law enforcement officers working a drug trafficking investigation in Dania Beach, Florida.
Based on information obtained from court documents, McKenzie and Ventura conspired to sell two kilos of cocaine to a third party. The criminal complaint alleges that McKenzie, Ventura, and the buyer met at a retail store parking lot in Dania Beach on April 23 to make the deal. Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) learned of the scheduled deal and went to the meeting location.
After confirming that McKenzie and Ventura had arrived at the parking lot, officers turned on their vehicle’s emergency lights. Wearing protective vests that identified their agency, LEOs approached the defendants, who were in separate cars. As they neared Ventura’s car, Ventura began shooting at the officers, hitting one in the arm and his bulletproof vest. LEOs returned fire, hitting Ventura.
McKenzie and Ventura were then taken into custody. Ventura is currently in a nearby hospital in stable condition. Searching Ventura’s car, the LEOs found a bag containing approximately two kilos of cocaine and a Beretta .9mm semi-automatic handgun. When searching McKenzie’s car, they also found a loaded Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
As a result of the altercation, McKenzie and Ventura are charged with Attempted Murder of a an LEO in Performance of Their Duties; Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine; and Possession of a Firearm During and Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
If convicted, McKenzie and Ventura each face at least 10 ten years and up to life in prison.
IV. Federal Charges Filed Against Operators of Houston-Area Stash House
Five people who reside in the United States illegally were taken into custody on May 3, 2021, following the discovery of nearly 100 undocumented aliens in a suburban Houston residence. The announcement of the crime and the charges were announced by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Jennifer B. Lowery on May 3.
The criminal complaint charges Marina Garcia-Diaz, 22, of El Salvador; Henry Licona-Larios, 31, of Copan, Honduras; Kevin Licona-Lopez, 25, of Santa Barbara, Honduras; Marco Baca-Perez 30, of Michoacan, Mexico; and Marcelo Garcia-Palacios, 21, of Oaxaca, Mexico. Everyone on the complaint is a non-citizen of the United States residing here illegally. They made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan on May 3.
The criminal complaint, which was filed May 1, alleges all five harbored, concealed, and shielded illegal aliens for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain. The investigation began when authorities allegedly received a call from a woman reporting her brother had been kidnapped.
She had allegedly paid several thousand dollars for him to be smuggled into the United States, but the smugglers had allegedly demanded additional money before they would release her brother. They also threatened to kill him, according to the charges.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/federal-charges-filed-against-operators-houston-stash-house
V. Dudley Man Arrested for Theft and Misuse of COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance
A Dudley, Massachusetts man, Norman Higgs, 34, was arrested May 4, 2021, in connection with his alleged involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and misuse COVID-19-related unemployment assistance. Higgs was charged in with a criminal complaint with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft of government property, and money laundering.
Higgs made his initial appearance in Boston that same day before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein and was released on conditions. According to the charging documents, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
PUA, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, provides unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits (e.g., the self-employed, independent contractors, or gig economy workers). As alleged in the complaint, from April to June 2020, Higgs obtained over $300,000 in proceeds from fraudulent PUA claims.
When Higgs’s bank recalled a portion of those fraudulently obtained funds, Higgs allegedly paid those recalls using the proceeds from COVID-19-related government loans.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dudley-man-arrested-theft-and-misuse-covid-19-pandemic-assistance
VI. Six Charged with Fraudulently Seeking $9 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funding
The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Bridget M. Brennan, announced on May 4, 2021, that a federal grand jury in Cleveland had returned a 14-count indictment charging six individuals for their alleged roles in a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately $9 million in COVID-19 relief funds guaranteed by the SBA under the CARES Act.
The six facing charges include Terrence L. Pounds, 44, of Holland, Ohio; Charles B. Tiller, 37, of Columbus, Ohio; Terri Davis, 30, of Old Hickory, Tennessee; Randolph Nunn, 48, of Canton, Ohio; Samira Abdul-Karim, 27, of New Haven, Connecticut; and Quwan Simmons, 28, of Hartford, Connecticut.
They all have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, with Defendants Pounds, Nunn, Davis, and Tiller also being charged with several counts of money laundering.
The indictment states that Pounds recruited Tiller, Davis, Nunn, Abdul-Karim, Simmons, and others to provide him with their personal identifying information, which he then used to apply for EIDL loans in their names. Pounds allegedly claimed in the EIDL loan applications that Tiller, Davis, Nunn, Abdul-Karim, and Simmons each operated a non-profit organization that was a “Faith-Based Organization” and a “Church” with $1,000,000 in revenue and 15 employees.
Based on this false information, the SBA approved these loan applications. In return, the indictment states that Tiller, Davis, Nunn, Abdul-Karim, and Simmons then paid Pounds a portion of the fraudulently obtained loan proceeds.
VII. Malvern Residents Charged in Fraudulent Puppy Scam
Two Malvern, Arkansas residents, have been charged with fraudulently selling purebred, registered puppies that did not actually exist. Helda Verla Berinyuy and Thierry Assoueesoh Ekwelle, both 31, have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 22 counts of wire fraud in an indictment handed down by a federal grand jury on May 4, 2021, that became public today.
In all, according to charging documents, Berinyuy and Ekwelle “sold” a total of 153 dogs that did not actually exist. The indictment alleges that Berinyuy and Ekwelle were Cameroon citizens who came to the United States and attended college in Arkansas, with Ekwelle eventually becoming a naturalized American citizen.
According to the indictment, Berinyuy and Ekwelle were neighbors and students at Arkansas State University Three Rivers in Malvern. From August 2018 through November 2020, Berinyuy and Ekwelle allegedly used websites to advertise the sale of purebred, AKC registered puppies such as French Bulldogs, Boxers, Toy Poodles, English Bulldogs, and others, when in fact, they did not have any puppies for sale.
In order to collect money from purchasers, the indictment alleges that the two defendants promised to deliver the puppies via airplanes. After receiving the initial purchase money, the defendants would request added fees to cover costs such as puppy crates, extra handling fees due to COVID-19, and pet insurance, among other things.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edar/pr/malvern-residents-charged-fraudulent-puppy-scam-0
VIII. Three San Jose Residents Charged With Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud In Automobile Resale Scheme
A federal criminal complaint was unsealed May 5, 2021, in federal court, charging Seymur Khalilov, 32, Ramil Heydarov, 31, and Orkhan Aliyev, 31, all of San Jose, California, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charges were announced by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie M. Hinds, along with Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Tatum King, as well as FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair.
According to the complaint, between 2016 and 2021, the defendants conspired to purchase high-mileage vehicles, roll back the odometers, and falsify documentation to make the vehicles appear newer than they were and then listed them on Craigslist at significant profits. The complaint alleges defendants fraudulently sold at least a dozen vehicles in this way and made at least $300,000.
In addition, the complaint alleges that the number of cars and amount of money at issue will likely change as the ongoing investigation into the scope and extent of the scheme continues.
IX. Quincy Man Charged with Child Pornography Offense
It was announced on May 6, 2021, that a Quincy, MA man had been arrested May 3, 2021, and charged with receipt of child pornography. Andre Tilahun, 27, was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of receipt of child pornography. Following an initial appearance on May 4, Tilahun was ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 7.
According to the charging documents, in April 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Tilahun’s home and seized a laptop. A forensic examination of the laptop revealed that Tilahun received a large number of images depicting child pornography on the Kik Messenger platform. It has also been alleged that Tilahun participated in a Kik chatroom where participants shared child pornography.
If convicted, Tilahun faces at least five and up to 20 years in prison, between five years and up to a life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/quincy-man-charged-child-pornography-offense
X. Wyoming County Man Arrested, Charged with Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography
On May 4, 2021, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced that Ronald Longhini, 59, of Warsaw, NY, was arrested and charged by complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, said that, according to the complaint, on January 21, 2021, an undercover law enforcement officer identified an IP address downloading videos of suspected child pornography from a peer to peer sharing network.
The IP address was traced to the defendant’s residence in Warsaw, NY. Similar videos of suspected child pornography were also downloaded in February and March 2021.
According to the complaint, the videos Longhini downloaded included pre-pubescent prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts with adults. On April 28, 2021, investigators seized several digital items during the execution of a search warrant at Longhini’s residence.
He made an initial appearance later, May 4 before, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was held pending a detention hearing on May 6, 2021. If he is convicted, Longhini faces at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine.
XI. Cattaraugus County Man Arrested, Charged with Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on May 4, 2021, that Thomas J. Conklin, 35, of Delevan, NY, had been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonnano, who is handling the case, noted that, according to the complaint, in May 2019, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received a report from Kik Messenger (a Canadian company) that a user, “butterflybullet6,” sent an image of child pornography on the Kik application.
The subsequent investigation traced “butterflybullet6” to an IP address belonging to the defendant. On December 2, 2019, a search warrant was executed at Conklin’s residence in Delevan by Homeland Security Investigations. Special agents seized a cellular telephone belonging to the defendant. During a forensic review of the cell phone, the image reported by Kik Messenger was recovered, as well as another 294 image files of suspected child pornography.
The defendant made an initial appearance May 4 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, and Conklin was ordered held pending a detention hearing on May 5, 2021. The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Additional assistance was provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
XII. Grand Jury Indicts Jamestown Woman on Meth Charges
On May 5, 2021, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Antasia Babcock, 28, of Jamestown, NY, with narcotics conspiracy, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, maintaining a premise for drug use and distribution, and possessing with intent to distribute meth on premises where an individual under 18 was present and resided.
If convicted of the charges, Babcock faces at least ten years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000. According to the indictment and a previously filed criminal complaint, on October 16, 2020, the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force executed a New York State search warrant at Babcock’s residence, where they seized one pound of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $62,000 in cash.
At the time of the search, Babcock was present at the drug dealers along with three small children.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/grand-jury-indicts-jamestown-woman-meth-charges
XIII. Federal Grand Jury Indicts Atlanta Man for His Role in Romance Fraud Scheme
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced on May 5, 2021, that a federal grand jury had returned an indictment charging Tochukwu Okerulu a/k/a MT, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges all stem from his role in a romance fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, Okerulu allegedly participated in a romance fraud; a scheme orchestrated to obtain cash and property from unsuspecting victims using romantic overtures and appealing to victims’ emotions.
Okerulu allegedly conspired with others to defraud a victim in the Western District of New York with another member of the conspiracy falsely expressing a romantic interest in the victim, which prompted the victim to send more than $220,000 to conspirators. In all, a total of 29 victims lost more than $1.7 million as a result of Okerulu’s deception.
XIV. Two New Yorkers Charged with Scheme to Steal Checks, Defraud Banks
Two men from New York men were arrested May 5, 2021, for their participation in a scheme to steal and alter checks from the mail and o also engage in bank fraud. The announcement of the charges was made by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Rachael A. Honig. Nigel Lynch, 19, of Yonkers, New York, and Alique Jordan Clarke, 20, of Bronx, New York, have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Both defendants appeared later that day by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward Kiel. According to documents filed and statements made in his case, from February 2020 to November 2020, Lynch, Clarke, and others conspired to steal checks from mailboxes in Morris, Essex, Somerset, and Passaic counties, alter the stolen checks, and deposit the altered checks into bank accounts controlled by Lynch, Clarke, and their conspirators.
The investigation has identified over 294 checks with a face value of over $1.3 million that have been stolen, altered, and deposited in accounts controlled by Lynch, Clarke, and their conspirators. If convicted of the charges, Lynch and Clarke face up to 30 years in prison and a fine that could reach $1 million.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-new-york-men-charged-scheme-steal-checks-and-defraud-banks
XV. Bronx Man Charged With 2012 Murder
On May 5, 2021, Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Shareef Landsmark, a/k/a “Reef, a/k/a “Wreef,” 35, of the Bronx, NY, with the murder of Michael Perez in the Bronx on September 17, 2012.
Landsmark was arrested May 4 and presented that day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield. As alleged in the Indictment, nearly nine years ago, Shareef Landsmark executed Michael Perez in the streets of the Bronx.
It is also alleged in the indictment that, on September 17, 2012, Landsmark was hired by a co-conspirator to kill Michael Perez in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. Later that night, Landsmark shot and killed Perez, who was standing in the street near the intersection of East 213th Street and Willett Avenue in the Bronx.
Landsmark has been charged with one count of murder through the use of a firearm. As a result, he faces a possible sentence of death or between five years through life in prison.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bronx-man-charged-2012-murder-michael-perez
XVI. Seven Gang Members Charged With Racketeering, Firearms Offenses
On May 6, 2021, Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Kevin P. Bruen, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced the unsealing of an eleven-count Indictment charging Jayquan Smith, a/k/a “Six,” Rashien Jackson, a/k/a “Pop,” James Bell, a/k/a “Dex,” Daquan Murphy, a/k/a “Fritz,” Jonathan Odenthal, a/k/a “White Boy,” Hassan Simmons, a/k/a “Hart,” and Derick Murphy, a/k/a “Yogi,” with racketeering and firearms offenses, as well as violent crimes in aid of racketeering, in connection with their membership and association with the 800 YGz gangs (the “800 YGz”).
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan. According to the allegations in the Indictment, all named defendants are members and associates of the 800 YGz, a racketeering enterprise that operates principally in New York City.
To enrich the gang, and to preserve and protect its power and enhance its criminal operations, 800 YGz members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence. They also distributed and possessed narcotics with intent to distribute, including crack cocaine and marijuana; engaged in wire fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.
On or about July 8, 2019, Bell shot at rival gang members, injuring two individuals in the Bronx, New York. On or about March 27, 2020, Jackson shot at rival gang members in the Bronx, New York. On or about September 16, 2020, Jackson slashed a rival gang member in the Bronx, New York. Between August and December 2020, there were three other incidents involving Smith and Jackson.
Friday, May 14, 2021
I. After Violent Crime Spree Last Summer, Three Murfreesboro Men Indicted
On May 10, 2021, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Mary Jane Stewart, announced that a federal grand jury had delivered a 13-count indictment charging three Murfreesboro men with a variety of serious offenses stemming from a series of violent crimes committed in July 2020.
Joshua Hallmon, 25, Charles Melvin Walker, 20, and Walter Lee Williams, 20, were charged with multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In addition, Joshua Hallmon was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the indictment, on July 6, 2020, the three men committed an armed robbery of a Twice Daily convenience store in Murfreesboro, and on July 23, 2020, they committed an armed robbery of a Mapco gas station in Murfreesboro. Then, on July 26, 2020, they all carjacked an individual at gunpoint on Bradyville Pike in Murfreesboro.
After taking the victim’s phone and wallet, they drove the victim to an ATM and forced the withdrawal of $1,000 cash before discharging a firearm out the window of the vehicle and eventually putting the victim out of the car and taking his car, which was a Honda Accord.
The indictment also alleges that, on the same day as the first carjacking, all three defendants attempted to carjack another vehicle in Franklin, Tennessee. They also allegedly shot into the occupied vehicle during the attempt.
II. Three Georgia Men Indicted on Federal Gun Felonies
After a long investigation by the ATF and local Georgia law enforcement, a U.S. District Court grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, it was announced on May 10, 2021, that three men have been indicted and now face felony firearms charges related to illegal possession or purchase of firearms. The defendants named in these federal indictments include the following:
➤ Tareem Burgess, 39, of Hephzibah, Ga., has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, due in part to a prior conviction for domestic violence;
➤ Jakobian Sentell Jones, 20, of Warrenton, Ga., has been charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
➤ Jerry Allen Edenfield, 30, of Swainsboro, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if they are one of the following; a felon, an illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. In addition, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/three-men-indicted-federal-gun-felonies
III. Chicago Man Indicted, Charged with Illegally Possessing “Switch” Devices Designed to Turn Handguns Into Machine Guns
On May 11, 2021, a Chicago man was indicted on federal firearm charges for allegedly illegally transferring and possessing “switch” devices that are capable of converting a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun. The Chicago man, Kalil Warner, 24, has been charged with five counts of illegal transfer and possession of a machine gun.
According to the indictment, Warner allegedly transferred and possessed the switch devices in Chicago on at least five occasions earlier this year. The only purpose for these switch components is to convert non-automatic and semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, according to the indictment, and they allow a handgun to shoot more than a bullet with a single pull of the trigger.
Warner pled pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on May 10 in U.S. District Court in Chicago. U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman scheduled a status hearing for June 15, 2021. The indictment was announced by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, a U.S. District Court grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, a U.S. District Court grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, John R. Kausch, along with Chicago-based officials with the ATF.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Albert Berry III.
IV. Anchorage Man Charged for Illegal Possession of Drugs and Firearms
On May 11, 2021, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska Bryan Wilson announced that an Anchorage man had been indicted on federal charges of possessing heroin and methamphetamine for distribution, as well as for illegal possession of firearms as a convicted felon.
As laid out in the indictment and other court records, Kirt Filoialii, 42, has been charged based on a domestic violence investigation by the Anchorage Police Department (APD). Filoialii made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith on May 11. If he is convicted of all charges, he faces at least 10 ten years in prison.
According to the indictment, on April 15, Filoialii allegedly assaulted a female victim with a firearm and a metal bar, leaving her unconscious and badly injured. Also, Filoialii allegedly k kidnapped the victim as part of the assault. When the APD caught up with him, Filoialii had 300 grams of packaged heroin and 11 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded Glock pistol, more than $16,000 in cash, and a scale.
APD located two more firearms and additional ammunition in his residence. The Anchorage District Attorney’s Office indicted Filoialii on state charges on April 22.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/anchorage-man-charged-illegal-possession-firearms-and-drugs-0
V. Pittsburgh Felon Charged with Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition
On May 11, 2021, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska Bryan Wilson announced that an Anchorage man had been indicted on federal charges of possessing heroin and methamphetamine for distribution, as well as for illegal possession of firearms as a convicted felon.
As laid out in the indictment and other court records, Kirt Filoialii, 42, has been charged based on a domestic violence investigation by the Anchorage Police Department (APD). Filoialii made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith on May 11. If he is convicted of all charges, he faces at least 10 ten years in prison.
According to the indictment, on April 15, Filoialii allegedly assaulted a female victim with a firearm and a metal bar, leaving her unconscious and badly injured. Also, Filoialii allegedly k kidnapped the victim as part of the assault. When the APD caught up with him, Filoialii had 300 grams of packaged heroin and 11 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded Glock pistol, more than $16,000 in cash, and a scale.
APD located two more firearms and additional ammunition in his residence. The Anchorage District Attorney’s Office indicted Filoialii on state charges on April 22.
VI. Jersey City Man Faces Charges for Illegally Possessing Multiple Firearms
On May 11, 2021, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Rachael A. Honig, announced that a Jersey City, New Jersey, the man had made his initial appearance that day on charges stemming from his arrest for illegally possessing two loaded firearms, another handgun, and ammunition, even though he was illegally barred from possessing any of them.
Davone Adams, aka “Dikim Adams,” 42, appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor on May 11, and he was subsequently released on home confinement. The indictment charges Adams with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He was also charged by complaint today with being in possession of another handgun and more ammunition.
According to the indictment and supporting court documents, on Feb. 23, 2021, Adams, who had previously been convicted of a felony, was found by law enforcement officers to be in possession of one Ruger, Model P95, 9-millimeter Luger pistol loaded with 10 ten rounds, as well as one Windam Weaponry, Model WW-15, .223/5.56-millimeter rifle loaded with 30 rounds.
An additional Ruger handgun and additional ammunition were found at his residence on May 11. If he is convicted, Adams faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
VII. Michigan Man Arraigned on Bank Robbery Charges
On May 11, 2021, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Saima Mohsin, announced that a 49-year-old man, Ken Kenyatta Wilson, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, who was also a convicted felon, had been arraigned earlier that day in a Detroit federal court on charges stemming from a bank robbery in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Joining Mohsin in the announcement were was FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit office Timothy Waters and Matthew E. Harshberger of the Director of Public Safety in the Pittsfield Township Police Department.
Based on court records in the case, on March 23, 2021, Wilson, who was wearing a gray coat and black pants and carrying a white bag, entered a Chase Bank branch in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he approached a victim teller, informed her this was a robbery and demanded that she give him all the money she had.
The teller, fearing for her safety, handed Wilson $1,000 in currency. Wilson then fled the bank and entered a red vehicle. Wilson, upon seeing a Pittsfield Township police vehicle, fled the area at a high rate of speed, and a vehicle pursuit followed at speeds approaching 100 mph. The chase ended when Wilson crashed into a median on US-23 North, and he was ejected from the vehicle.
Wilson was taken into custody by Pittsfield Township Police Department officers and transported to a local hospital to treat him for the injuries he sustained in the crash. At the accident scene, police recovered a black semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, a silver revolver, a rifle, multiple loaded magazines, and a bag containing $1,000, consistent with the reported loss from Chase Bank, among other items.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/49-year-old-man-arraigned-bank-robbery-charges
VIII. Three Fort Campbell Soldiers Charged In Illegal Gun Pipeline To Chicago
Three Fort Campbell soldiers, Demarcus Adams, 21; Jarius Brunson, 22; and Brandon Miller, 22, all enlisted members stationed at the Fort Campbell Army installation in Clarksville, Tennessee, were charged on May 11, 2021, with conspiracy and offenses relating to the illegal purchase and transfer of dozens of firearms to the streets of Chicago.
The charges were announced by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Mary Jane Stewart. All three defendants were arrested by ATF agents and agents of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division on May 11. According to a criminal complaint.
Each defendant has been charged each defendant with transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident, making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, engaging in the business of selling or otherwise transferring guns without a firearms license; wire fraud; money laundering; and conspiracy to commit Title 18 offenses.
The investigation started n on March 26, 2021, when guns found at the scene of a Chicago mass shooting scene were traced to purchases made in the Fort Campbell area.
IX. Wisconsin Man Charged with Distributing Child Porn
On May 12, 2021, Timothy M. O’Shea, who is the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that a Dane County man had been charged with 2 two counts of distributing child pornography in an indictment returned that day by a federal grand jury si is in Madison. Brett Blomme, 40, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, is charged with 2 two counts of distributing a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
At the time of the offenses alleged in the indictment, Blomme was a judge with the Milwaukee County Children’s Court.
The indictment alleges that, between October 30 and November 1, 2020, Blomme sent a file containing an image of child pornography to another user via Kik Messenger. If Blomme is convicted of the charges, he faces at least five years and up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/dane-county-man-charged-distributing-child-pornography
X. Illinois Man Charged with Bank Robbery
On May 11, 2021, a Rockford, Illinois man was indicted by a federal grand jury for the robbery of a bank in Rockford that happened last month. April 7, 2021, is when Demontrion Deshan Phillips, 27, allegedly stole around $5,930 from the Midland States Bank branch on North Alpine Rd. in Rockford. The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, among other law enforcement officials.
According to the indictment and other charging documents, Phillips is charged with one count of bank robbery. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on May 12 before U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston in Rockford. Judge Johnston ordered Phillips to remain in federal custody pending trial.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/rockford-man-charged-federal-court-bank-robbery
XI. Three Current, One Retired NYPD Officers Charged in Towing Company Bribery Scheme
Mark J. Lesko, who is the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced that a nine-count indictment had been unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn on May 11, 2021. The indictment charges Heather Busch, Robert Hassett, and Robert Smith with five counts of using interstate facilities to commit bribery and two counts of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act.
Smith is also charged with attempting to transport at least one kilogram of heroin and possessing a firearm during the commission of a drug crime. All three defendants were NYPD officers at the relevant time, beginning in September 2016.
According to the indictment, during the relevant period, beginning in September 2016, Smith, Busch, and Hassett were NYPD police officers assigned to the 105th Precinct in Queens. Smith retired from the NYPD in March 2020.
Beginning in September 2016, NYPD Officers Smith and Hassett responded to automobile accidents by allegedly directing the damaged vehicles to a licensed tow trucking and automobile repair business (the “Business”) operated by an individual (the “Individual”), instead of using the NYPD’s Directed Accident Response Program (“DARP”), which requires NYPD officers to identify an appropriate licensed tow trucking business to respond to the scene of the automobile accident and remove the damaged vehicles from the scene.
To ensure that no particular business receives favored treatment, NYPD officers are required to utilize a computer system that randomly selects a licensed tow truck business. Smith and Hassett allegedly bypassed DARP and directed damaged vehicles directly to the Business in exchange for thousands of dollars in cash bribe payments.
Smith and Hassett continued to participate in the scheme until at least June 2017, when they temporarily suspended their participation.
XII. Private Equity Fund CEO Charged With Lying To Bank To Secure $95 Million Loan
On May 12, 2021, Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Elliott Smerling had been indicted on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft for seeking and obtaining an approximately $95 million subscription-backed line of credit for his $500 million private equity fund on the basis of a forged audit letter, falsified subscription agreements, and falsified bank account statements.
According to the Indictment filed May 12 in Manhattan federal court, and the Complaint, which was unsealed February 26, in the Southern District of Florida, from at least December 2020 through February 2021, Smerling solicited and obtained on behalf of the general partner (General Partnership-1) of a private equity fund (Private Equity Fund-1), a loan of approximately $95 million from a commercial bank headquartered in California (“Victim Bank-1”), which was secured by purported capital commitments made by the limited partnership of investors in Private Equity Fund-1 (“Limited Partnership-1”).
However, Smerling obtained the approximately $95 million loan on the basis of falsified documents and material misrepresentations. On or around December 1, 2020, Smerling contacted an employee of Victim Bank-1 concerning Smerling’s interest in acquiring an approximately $95 million loan for his $500 million private equity fund, Limited Partnership-1.
XIII. Manhattan Company’s Former Controller Plus Three Family Members Charged with Embezzling $17 Million
On May 12, 2021, Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the unsealing of a criminal indictment charging Sabitri LaForest, Gerry LaForest, Tatiana LaForest, a/k/a “Tatiana Mays,” and Sanjay LaForest with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with their scheme to defraud Sabitri LaForest’s employer, a Manhattan-based electrical contracting company, of at least approximately $17 million. All named defendants were arrested that morning.
According to the allegations in the Indictment, between at least 2013 and 2020, Sabitri LaForest, Gerry LaForest, Tatiana LaForest, and Sanjay LaForest used Sabitri LaForest’s position as the controller of an electrical contracting company (“Victim-1”) to embezzle over $17 million from Victim-1. The defendants used Sabitri LaForest’s access to Victim-1’s bank account to make payments to a charge card account that Tatiana LaForest opened.
The defendants regularly charged hundreds of thousands of dollars to the account, all paid for each month using Victim-1’s money.
The defendants used the charge card account to pay for, among other things, over $639,000 in air travel, over $242,000 in tickets for a New York City professional basketball team, over $250,000 in rent for two luxury apartments in Manhattan leased by Tatiana LaForest and Sanjay LaForest, over $100,000 in home improvements for a Florida home purchased by Sabitri LaForest and Gerry LaForest, and a 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 and a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1.
XIV. Tax Preparer Arrested for Stealing from Clients, Filing False Tax Returns
On May 12, 2021, Audrey Strauss, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging Carlos de la Torre, 79, of Little Neck, NY, with wire fraud, mail fraud, and filing false income tax returns in connection with a years-long scheme to steal from clients of his tax preparation business and defraud the IRS and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
De la Torre was arrested May 12 and presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. As alleged in the recently unsealed Complaint, de la Torre is both a tax preparer and the sole proprietor of a bookkeeping and tax preparation business in New York City.
From at least 2014 through at least in or about 2020, de la Torre represented certain small businesses based in New York City and their owners (the “Victims”) in connection with the preparation and filing of their personal and business federal and state tax returns.
During that time period, de la Torre told the Victims how much they allegedly owed in state and federal personal and business taxes, and the Victims gave de la Torre checks in those amounts. However, instead of forwarding the checks to tax authorities, de la Torre proceeded to alter the checks and send them to tax authorities to pay his own taxes.
XV. Rochester Man Arrested, Charged with Unlawful Gun Possession
On May 13, 2021, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, James P. Kennedy, Jr., made the announcement that Christopher Kendrick, 27, of Rochester, had been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If he is convicted, Kendrick faces as much as 10 ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright will be handling the case. According to the complaint, on May 11, 2021, a CPB officer encountered Kendrick driving erratically near the Peace Bridge Port of Entry.
When the State Police officer stopped Kendrick, he claims to have smelled the odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle, which led to a search. During the vehicle search, another officer found a semi-automatic firearm. Later, a records check revealed that Kendrick was convicted in Monroe County Court of the crime of Robbery in the 3rd degree in October 2011, and as a result of such conviction, he is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-arrested-charged-unlawfully-possessing-gun
