Category: FBI

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

As the new school year begins, the FBI Denver Division is announcing that the Internet Challenge is open for the 2023-24 school year at sos.fbi.gov.

Students are spending more time on the Internet, whether for school, social media, or leisure activities. Technology continues to advance and there are steps that educators, parents, adults, and kids can take to be successful and safe online.

The free FBI Safe Online Surfing (SOS) program includes age-specific materials for third to eighth grade. The program is a series of grade-appropriate online games that allow kids to have fun while also learning online lessons.

The (SOS) Internet Challenge teaches cyber safety and helps children become better digital citizens in a fun and engaging way. The program covers topics like cyberbullying, passwords, malware, social media, and more. While taking the course, students guide a robot avatar through six thematic areas, answering true/false, multiple choice, and matching questions along the way. After completing all levels, students can take a final exam.

In the latest version of the program, students experience a more modern and mobile-responsive gaming experience as they make their way through the course. Most important, this update addresses and reflects the latest threats kids might face online. The SOS activities and resources are open to anyone. Parents, after-school providers, and youth coaches will find materials to help them train kids to be safe online.

The SOS Challenge is used widely by schools throughout the United States. During the 2022-23 school year, 19,735 schools participated in the challenge, with more than 1.6 million students nationwide completing the program.

To participate in the testing and national competition, a teacher must register eligible classes from any public, private, or home school that has at least five students and is in the United States. A secure online system lets teachers manage their classes, automatically grades students’ exams, and provides the test scores. Each month during the school year, the classes with the top exam scores nationwide receive an FBI SOS certificate and will be congratulated by local FBI personnel.

Teachers manage their students’ participation in the program; the FBI does not collect or store any student information. The SOS program’s curriculum meets state and federal Internet safety mandates.

This program can help children:

• Explore what good online etiquette looks like.
• Manage cyber bullies.
• Show the importance of good passwords and double authentication.
• Download safely – either a new app or game on your phone.
• Screen friend requests in a responsible way.
• See the dangers of plagiarism and privacy violations.
• Limit the information they put online.

For all Colorado or Wyoming media inquiries or interview requests on the FBI’s Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge, please contact FBIDN_PublicAffairs@fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

NEWARK, N.J. – A Kuwaiti man appeared in federal court today for alleged abusive sexual contact with a female passenger on a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.

Hasan Naser Hussain Alenezi, 18, of Kuwait, is charged by complaint with one count of abusive sexual contact on an airplane. He had an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge  José R. Almonte in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond, with home detention and GPS monitoring.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

While on a Nov. 27, 2022, flight from Los Angeles, California, to Newark, Alenezi sat next to a female passenger, who was seated next to the window, instead of sitting in his assigned seat. Alenezi was unknown to the victim. While seated next to the victim, Alenezi repeatedly touched her groin and leg without her permission.

The abusive sexual contact charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny Chung of the Office’s OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

PEORIA, Ill. – Three Peoria, Illinois, men were sentenced on September 5, 2023, by U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid for making false statements related to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Two of the three were also held responsible for fraudulently obtaining unemployment insurance benefits from multiple states.

The PPP provided federal funds to small businesses that were directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, rent, utilities and mortgage interest. The program was implemented by the Small Business Administration and administered by third-party lenders. The PPP was enacted via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, an economic bill that passed in March 2020 in response to the economic fallout caused by the pandemic.

The three men were indicted in October 2022. Kendall A. Mack, 26, pleaded guilty in May 2023 to one count of making a false statement in April 2021 to obtain a PPP loan. From April to September 2021, Mack fraudulently obtained PPP funds to which he was not entitled by submitting a fraudulent PPP application, as well as a fraudulent PPP loan forgiveness application. He was held responsible for losses to the Small Business Administration and Capital Plus Financial, LLC, in the amount of $39,239.08. Mack was sentenced to three years’ probation and imprisonment for a period of time served. Judge Shadid also ordered Mack to pay restitution in the amount of $39,239.08.

Rasheem McCree, 38, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one count of making a false statement in March 2021 by submitting a false application for PPP funds. He also admitted to fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits from five states, including the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; the Arizona Department of Economic Security; the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; the New York State Department of Labor; and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. McCree was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Shadid also ordered McCree to pay $89,981.34 in restitution to the SBA and the states.

Adrian Lamont Morris, 27, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one count of making a false statement in March 2021 by submitting a false application for PPP funds. In addition to the PPP loan, Morris filed for unemployment benefits from Illinois, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania, for a loss to the SBA and those states of $60,642. Morris was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Shadid also ordered Morris to pay $60,642 restitution.

On their applications, each of the defendants claimed to be the sole proprietor of a barber shop. However, none of them had a registered barber shop, employees, a payroll, or business-related expenses. None were licensed barbers.

In sentencing McCree and Morris, Judge Shadid noted their significant criminal histories. McCree and Morris were ordered to report to the Bureau of Prisons on November 14, 2023.

The statutory penalties for false statements under 18 U.S.C. §1001(a)(3) are up to five years’ imprisonment, a possible $250,000 fine, and up to a three-year term of supervised release.

The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Criminal Chief Darilynn J. Knauss represented the government in the prosecution.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Michael Martinez, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas, but formerly of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 40 years in prison. Martinez pleaded guilty on March 8, 2023, to three counts of Producing Child Pornography, involving three minors, ages 7, 5, and 3. When Martinez is released from prison, he will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life.

In 2016, when Martinez was 22 years old, he lived in Phoenix, Arizona, in a house with Child Doe 1 (age 7). As an acquaintance of Child Doe 1’s mother, Martinez had access to Child Doe 1 and took sexually explicit pictures and videos of the minor in January 2016. Later in 2016, Martinez moved residences and lived with Child Doe 2 (age 5) and Child Doe 3 (age 3), because he was a roommate of the minors’ mother. In this house, Martinez acted as a babysitter where he had access to the minors and took sexually explicit pictures and videos of both of them in November 2016. Further, Martinez admitted engaging in sex acts with the three minors. In 2022, Martinez was arrested in Texas where he had moved in 2017 after these events.

“The pain and harm caused to these victims is irreparable,” said Gary Restaino, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. “The court’s sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to those who seek to hurt children.”

“Children deserve to feel and be safe in their homes,” said Myron T. Byrd, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Phoenix field office. “Today’s sentencing should bring some closure to the families knowing this predator will be in federal prison for a very long time. I want to thank the members of the FBI Phoenix Crimes Against Children Squad for their work on this case and their commitment to protecting our children to ensure justice is served for them,” Byrd added.

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

The case was investigated by the Phoenix Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Phoenix Division, Dallas Division, and FBI Headquarters). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gayle L. Helart and Brett A. Day, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-00272-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-129_Martinez

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Richland, Washington – August 31, 2023, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Connor Goodman to 18 months in the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Goodman was sentenced today after having plead guilty on March 16, 2023, to Conspiracy to Make an Unregistered Destructive Device.  In fashioning an appropriate sentence, District Judge Dimke considered the seriousness and dangerousness of Goodman and his co-defendant’s, Daniel Anderson, actions.

Goodman’s plea and sentence stemmed from a several months long investigation into a group of individuals that advocated for the use of violence against perceived government overreach.  During the investigation, co-defendant Anderson solicited explosive material from members of the group.  In response, Goodman purchased fireworks which were provided to Anderson for the construction of an explosive device. Subsequently, in December 2021, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies executed search warrants at Anderson and Goodman’s residences.  Following the search warrant execution at Anderson’s residence, special agents located a small fully constructed destructive device.  Also located at Goodman’s residence were multiple firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun. 

On March 23, 2023, Anderson plead guilty to Conspiracy to Make an Unregistered Destructive Device.  On August 17, 2023, Anderson was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison, followed by three years of court supervision. 

“As the U.S. Attorney, I will not tolerate any efforts to threaten or target public servants dedicated to protecting and supporting our community. Mr. Goodman bought materials for the explicit purpose of constructing an explosive device that presented a very real danger.  I commend the FBI and their law enforcement partners, who identified this conspiracy and who serve diligently to keep our country and communities safe and strong.” 

“Mr. Goodman and his co-conspirator took active steps to further their ideology through violence” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Fortunately, our Joint Terrorism Task Force was able to disrupt their activities before they could injure or kill anyone with their destructive device.  I thank the investigators and partners who work tirelessly on the JTTF, the Eastern District of Washington US Attorney’s Office, and urge the public to remain vigilant for those who would use violence to advance an agenda.”

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force (“INJTTF”). This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

A former Memphis Police Department (MPD) officer was sentenced today to 18 months in prison and one year of supervised release for violating an arrestee’s civil rights by using excessive force against him.

According to court documents, Armando Bustamante admitted that, in January 2021, while he was on duty as an MPD officer, he used his service weapon and hands to strike an arrestee in the head without legal justification. The assault caused bodily injury to the man.

“This former Memphis police officer is being held accountable for violently assaulting a man in his custody without any justification,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those law enforcement officers who abuse their authority and violate federal civil rights laws.”

“Public trust in law enforcement is essential to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “When an officer violates that trust, it makes policing less effective and far more dangerous for both officers and average citizens. We will continue to work with our partners in local and state law enforcement to root out those who violate public trust and endanger those they’ve sworn to protect.”

“Today’s sentencing highlights that law enforcement officers who abuse their authority and deny an individual their civil rights will be held accountable,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue working together to uncover any violation of civil rights and pursue justice for victims in these cases.”

The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and former Trial Attorney Nikhil Ramnaney of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Friday admitted fatally shooting someone who was trying to collect a drug debt.

Terrell Donta McDaniel, 41, pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of discharge of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

In the plea agreement and in court, McDaniel admitted agreeing to sell 10 grams of fentanyl to Andre Nash on Nov. 2, 2022 for $500. But McDaniel did not give Nash the full amount of fentanyl that he paid for, and Nash began looking for McDaniel to collect the debt.

When Nash learned McDaniel was staying at a vacant house in the 4100 block of Clara Place, he went there and entered the house. McDaniel shot Nash twice in the chest and once in the face, killing him.

McDaniel and several others wrapped Nash’s body in tarps and plastic and placed him in the trunk of a stolen car, dumping the body in the 5900 block of St. Louis Avenue after dark that day. The body was discovered the next morning. 

McDaniel is scheduled to be sentenced November 29.

The fentanyl conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, or both. The discharge of a firearm charge is punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

A Texas man pleaded guilty today in the Northern District of Georgia to posting a message online threatening several Georgia public officials following the 2020 election.

“This case marks another destructive example of threats of violence to the election community and law enforcement,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department will not tolerate the criminal targeting of the men and women responsible for administering our elections and ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise the most fundamental right in our democracy: the right to vote.” 

According to court documents, around Jan. 5, 2021, Chad Christopher Stark, 55, of Leander, posted a message to Craigslist entitled, “Georgia Patriots it’s time to kill [Official A] the Chinese agent – $10,000.” The message included the following: “It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force. . . . If we want our country back we have to exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. milita up Georgia it’s time to spill blood….  we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being local…..  we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your wife…  we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country…  death to you and all you communist friends.”

“All across this country our fellow citizens and neighbors, including many retirees, choose to serve as elections officials, poll workers, and in other capacities to help ensure free and fair elections in the United States. They serve out of a patriotic duty and appreciation for our nation and deserve to do so without fear of retaliation or threats of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “Stark threatened officials working at all levels of the election process including elected office holders and a volunteer poll worker. His egregious conduct placed our democracy in jeopardy, striking at the heart of the process we assume to be insulated from such attacks. Our office will remain steadfast in partnering with federal, state, and local authorities to safeguard those who work to secure our elections.”

“Today’s guilty plea plainly shows that anyone who threatens election officials online will be investigated by the FBI and held accountable for their words” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “We must take calls to violence seriously, whatever their form, especially when they have the potential to result in physical harm and undermine the integrity of U.S. elections.”

Stark pleaded guilty today to one count of a sending a threat using a telecommunications device. He faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case. 

Election Crimes Branch Director of Enforcement and Litigation Sean F. Mulryne of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Senior Litigation Counsel Brent A. Gray for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting this case.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Two years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to sending threatening communications to an election official with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. 

“The Justice Department has no tolerance for illegal threats that target those who administer our elections, and it will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute such criminal conduct,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These threats endanger election workers and their families, and they endanger our democracy.”

According to court documents, on or about Aug. 2, 2022, on the date of Arizona’s primary elections, Joshua Russell, 44, of Bucyrus, left the following voicemail for an election official with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office (Victim‑1): “This message is for traitor [Victim-1’s full name]. You’ve drug your feet, you’ve done nothing, to protect our election for 2020. You’re committing election fraud, you’re starting to do it again, from day one. You’re the enemy of the United States, you’re a traitor to this country, and you better put your sh[inaudible], your [expletive] affairs in order, ’cause your days [inaudible] are extremely numbered. America’s coming for you, and you will pay with your life, you communist [expletive] traitor [expletive].”

“Election officials are the first responders of democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona. “We best vindicate the work of these public servants when we locate, investigate, and prosecute those who make threats against them.”

Additionally, on or about Sept. 9, 2022, Russell left the following voicemail for Victim-1: “This message is for terrorist [Victim-1’s last name]. The only reason you’re still walking around on this planet is because we’re waiting for the midterms to see you prosecuted for the crimes you have done to our nation. You are a terrorist. You are a derelict criminal. And you have a few short months to see yourself behind bars, or we will see you to the grave. You are a traitor to this nation, and you will suffer the [expletive] consequences.”

“This case is another successful result from the hard work of the Election Threats Task Force,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate anyone who threatens election officials working to keep America’s elections fair and free.”  

Finally, on or about Nov. 15, 2022, Russell left the following voicemail for Victim-1: “This message is for communist, criminal, [Victim-1’s full name]. We will not endure your crimes on America another day. You’ve been busted, over and over again. We will not wait for you to be drugged through court. A war is coming for you. The entire nation is coming for you. And we will stop, at no end, until you are in the ground. You’re a traitor to this nation. You’re a [expletive] piece of [expletive] communist, and you just signed your own death warrant. Get your affairs in order, cause, your days are very short.”

Russell pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. The sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13, and the defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Phoenix Field Office is investigating the case, with the assistance of the FBI Cleveland Field Office, Mansfield Resident Agency.

Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean K. Lokey for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Two years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.