Category: FBI

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

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The operators of a durable medical equipment company have been charged with defrauding Medicare, announced U. S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Authorities took Maria Luisa Yzaguirre, 43, Harlingen, into custody this morning. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31.

Jeremiah Yzaguirre, 44, also of Harlingen, was arrested Aug. 22.  

The 16-count indictment charges the operators with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.

The charges allege that between 2019 and 2023, the Yzaguires submitted over $14 million in claims to Medicare for power wheelchairs, power scooters, parts and repairs for 37 individuals. In multiple instances, they allegedly billed Medicare more than $600,000 for parts and repairs for one Medicare beneficiary and falsely claimed to have replaced expensive parts on numerous occasions.

According to the indictment, in one instance they billed Medicare approximately $736,072 in parts and repairs for one patient – submitting repair claims 132 times for the expandable controller, 107 times for the motor-gearbox and 84 times for the battery. The patient was bed bound and did not have access to the power wheelchair when the repairs were allegedly conducted.

Additionally, the indictment alleges they used proceeds of the fraud scheme to purchase millions of dollars in real estate, cryptocurrency, stock, a luxury sports car and expensive movie memorabilia. 

If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and money laundering and a mandatory two years for each count of aggravated identity theft which muse be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

The FBI, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Ana Cano are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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

Press Release in English and Spanish

EL PASO, TX—The FBI El Paso Division is warning the public about charity fraud, where scammers set up fake charities to take advantage of your kindness and line their pockets. While these scams can occur at any time, they are especially prevalent after damaging events like hurricanes, flash floods, and forest fires. Legitimate charities aid communities affected by these events, but the scammer competes with these legitimate charities to divert your donations away from those who need it most, and back to the fake charity’s creator.

Charity fraud scams can come in many forms: emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc. Always use caution and do your research when you’re looking to donate to charitable causes.

The following tips can help you avoid these schemes:

• Never let anyone rush you into donating.
• Give to established charities or groups whose work you know and trust. Don’t assume the charity you have seen on social media or online is legitimate, even it if was sent to you by a friend.
• Be aware of organizations with copycat names or names similar to reputable organizations.
• Do your research. Use the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) resources to examine the track record of a charity.
• Give using a check or credit card. If a charity or organization asks you to donate through cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer, it’s probably a scam.
• Check the website’s address—most legitimate charity organization websites use .org, not .com.
• Check the hyperlinks in emails by hovering the mouse cursor over them to see if it’s going to a legitimate charity organization prior to clicking on them.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of a charity scheme or other cyber fraud activity, please contact FBI El Paso at (915)832-5000. Victims are also highly encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI at ic3.gov and with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For more information on charity and disaster scams, visit: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/charity-and-disaster-fraud

Martes Tecnológico del FBI en El Paso: Protegiéndose del Fraude Benéfico

EL PASO, TX—El FBI en El Paso está advirtiendo al público sobre el fraude benéfico, donde los estafadores establecen organizaciones benéficas falsas para aprovecharse de su bondad y llenar sus bolsillos. Aunque estas estafas pueden ocurrir en cualquier momento, son especialmente frecuentes después de eventos dañinos como huracanes, inundaciones repentinas e incendios forestales. Las organizaciones benéficas legítimas ayudan a las comunidades afectadas por estos acontecimientos, pero el estafador compite con estas organizaciones benéficas legítimas para desviar sus donaciones de los que más las necesitan, y de vuelta al creador de la falsa organización benéfica.

Las estafas por fraude benéfico pueden presentarse de muchas formas: Correos electrónicos, publicaciones en redes sociales, plataformas de crowdfunding, llamadas directas, ect. Siempre tenga cuidado y realice su investigación cuando desee donar a causas benéficas.

Los siguientes consejos pueden ayudarle a evitar estos engaños:

• Nunca deje que nadie lo apresure a donar.
• Dé a organizaciones benéficas establecidas o grupos cuyo trabajo conoce y en el que confía. No asuma que la caridad que ha visto en las redes sociales o en línea es legítima, incluso si le fue enviada por un amigo.
• Esté consciente de organizaciones con nombres similares a organizaciones de renombre.
• Haga su investigación. Utilice los recursos de la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC) para examinar el historial de una organización benéfica.
• Dé usando un cheque o tarjeta de crédito. Si una organización benéfica le pide que done a través de dinero en efectivo, tarjeta de regalo, criptomoneda o transferencia bancaria, probablemente sea una estafa.
• Verifique la dirección del sitio web-la mayoría de los sitios web de organizaciones benéficas legítimas usan .org, no .com.
• Verifique los hipervínculos de los correos electrónicos colocando el cursor del ratón sobre ellos para ver si va a la organización benéfica legítima antes de hacer clic en él.

Si cree que ha sido víctima de una estafa de caridad u otra actividad de fraude cibernético, por favor comuníquese con el FBI en El Paso al (915) 832-5000. También se les aconseja a las víctimas a presentar una queja ante el FBI en ic3.gov y ante la FTC en ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Para obtener más información sobre las estafas de caridad y desastres, visite: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/charity-and-disaster-fraud

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

NASHVILLE – Sonya White, 56, of Columbia, Tennessee pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to defrauding a North Carolina clinical laboratory company out of nearly $400,000, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee.

White admitted that she defrauded the clinical laboratory company, identified in court documents as “Company A,” by creating a fictitious vendor named “Mid TN Diagnostics.” Between March 2017 and June 2019, White caused Mid TN Diagnostics to submit fraudulent invoices for payment to Company A. In total, the fraudulent invoice scheme caused Company A to lose approximately $389,620.

Furthermore, White admitted that, when the grand jury issued a subpoena to Mid TN Diagnostics, she caused the company to provide falsified documents to the grand jury.

White’s sentencing has been set for February 2, 2024. She faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. In addition to any fine, White has agreed to the entry of a forfeiture money judgment against her in the amount of $389,620.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor J. Phillips is prosecuting the case.

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

            WASHINGTON — A Georgia man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            William Frederick Beals, II, 52, of Ringgold, Georgia, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with knowingly making false statements within the jurisdiction of the branches of government, a felony offense. In addition to the felony, Beals is also charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building; and theft of government property.

            Beals was arrested on Aug. 24, 2023, in Adairsville, Georgia, and made his initial appearance in the Eastern District of Tennessee.

            According to court documents, authorities investigating the events that transpired on Jan. 6, 2021, learned that Beals had traveled from his then-home in Tennessee to attend a rally and protest the certification of the Electoral College for the 2020 Presidential elections. On January 6, Beals made his way to the Lower West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol building and traveled to the West Plaza Barricade area, where he confronted members of law enforcement, including members of the United States Capitol Police (USCP). Here, Beals attempted to thwart enforcement of a barricade, which USCP used in an effort to hold back the crowd.

            At approximately 1:30 p.m., the crowd began to physically overtake the police line positioned outside the scaffolding and on the Northwest steps, giving the rioters access to the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace. Beals then climbed the scaffolding and made his way closer to the entrance of the Capitol. At about 2:13 p.m., the first rioters entered the building. Only a few minutes later, Beals is seen on CCTV making entry via the Senate Parliamentarian Doors. According to CCTV, Beals left the Capitol building at approximately 2:20 p.m.

            Law enforcement authorities later secured the Senate Wing doors; however, at approximately 2:45 p.m., a second rush of rioters breached the Capitol in the same area. Beals donned a gas mask and re-entered the Capitol a second time via the Senate Wing door. During his second entrance into the Capitol, Beals was inside for approximately five minutes before exiting again.

            Court documents say that Beals took at least one cellphone video after exiting the Capitol building but while still in the restricted area. After exiting the building, Beals recorded himself announcing on TikTok, “So we officially took the White House.” At some point that afternoon, Beals posed for photographs with USCP property. While still on the restricted grounds, Beals sat atop a USCP motorcycle on the Northwest Courtyard. He also took photos in two different areas outside the restricted grounds while posing with a USCP shield.

            Later, in October 2021, Beals spoke with FBI agents for the second time about his actions on January 6^th. Beals was advised that it is a crime to lie to federal agents during the course of an investigation. Beals advised he understood. He was then asked again if he had entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, which he denied. Beals was then shown photographs of himself from that day, including a photograph of him on the USCP motorcycle. Yet he stated that the photos must have been fake or doctored. Authorities recognized tattoos on Beals’s hand and neck and pointed out the similarity to the tattoos in the photos. Beals stated that many people had the same tattoos and continued to deny entering the Capitol.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Knoxville and Washington Field Offices, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 31 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,106 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. 

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Joseph Harris, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Omaha by Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). Harris was sentenced to 151 months in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Starting on March 1, 2021, Harris sold more than 500 grams of methamphetamine to a witness cooperating with law enforcement. On April 20, 2021, a different cooperating witness working with law enforcement purchased 415 grams of methamphetamine from Harris in Omaha. Over the course of the next month, the cooperator met with Harris on several occasions and made payments to him for the methamphetamine. During these visits the two discussed possible future transactions but they never materialized.

This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury found a St. Cloud man guilty of illegally possessing multiple firearms as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a six-day trial before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court, Roberto Antwan Williams, 38, was found guilty of two counts of possession of firearms as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Williams attempted to rob a man at gunpoint outside an apartment in St. Cloud on July 31, 2020. Williams was apprehended by law enforcement in a vehicle that the victim identified. Law enforcement subsequently discovered a firearm in the glovebox with Williams’ DNA on it.

According to the evidence presented at trial, in a separate incident on November 13, 2020, law enforcement was notified that a five-year-old child had been shot in the head and declared dead at a St. Cloud hospital. Williams and his fiancé, the child’s mother, were at the hospital and stated they were shopping when they got a phone call that the child had been injured. Williams claimed that they immediately returned home and took the child to the hospital together. However, law enforcement obtained surveillance video from a neighboring residence that showed the fiancé taking the child to the hospital alone while Williams placed two backpacks in a garbage bin outside of the house.

According to the evidence presented at trial, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Williams’ residence and garbage bins. Inside the bins, they discovered the two backpacks which contained a Kel-Tec model Sub .40 caliber semiautomatic rifle and a purple Taurus model G2C 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine. The Taurus had the deceased child’s blood on it. Law enforcement also searched Williams’ cell phone and found a picture of the purple Taurus 9mm semiautomatic pistol with the text “my new toy.”

Because Williams has multiple prior felony convictions of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of weapon, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the St. Cloud Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Calhoun-Lopez and Mary S. Riverso tried the case.

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

BOSTON – A federal grand jury in Boston indicted a former Middlesex County Sheriff’s deputy today for allegedly threatening to burn down the Plymouth County Courthouse, to kill court security officers and “to get” current Middlesex County sheriff’s officers.

Joshua P. Ford, 42, of Kingston, Mass., was indicted on three counts of interstate transmission of a threatening communication. Ford is currently in state custody and will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston at a later date.

According to the indictment, Ford served as a deputy for the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office between about 2009 and 2017. It is alleged that on March 13, 2023, Ford sent 12 emails to a total of about 140 people, almost all Massachusetts law enforcement officers. Each email allegedly contained the same text: stating “[there] is no more justice system anymore just WAR” and “I am calling on all able bodied officers my brothers in blue to suit up for a fight.” Ford then allegedly asked those law enforcement officers to arm themselves with firearms and armored vehicles and declared, “Tomorrow we burn down the Plymouth County Court house to the ground.”  

It is further alleged that the emails included a link to a video Ford posted on YouTube and British video hosting service BitChute. According to the indictment, the video, titled, “War Has Been Declared F***’em All,” is an 11-minute recording of Ford in a kitchen, where he speaks directly to the camera. In the video, it is alleged that Ford’s principal assertion is that the justice system is corrupt, and makes various statements about police officers, correctional officers, court officers, a judge, a prosecutor, defense attorneys and others. Ford allegedly expressed particular contempt for Middlesex Sheriff’s officers, about whom he says, “And guess what? I’m f****** coming. I’m f****** coming, and hell’s f****** coming with me. I’m going to f****** get every last one of you mother*****s. I know where you work. And I am coming to get you.” Ford also allegedly threatened to “break the arms and legs of every court officer” and to “kill” court security officers working in the Plymouth County Courthouse. Ford also allegedly exhorted other law enforcement officers to assist him by bringing guns, gasoline, C-4, armored personnel carriers and SWAT teams to his confrontation, which he scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on March 14, 2023. Instead, local law enforcement arrested Ford on March 13, 2023 after the emails were sent. 

The charges of interstate transmission of a threatening communication each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Kingston Police Department and the Marshfield Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Beck of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

BOSTON – A former North Shore resident was sentenced today in connection with filing fraudulent applications for more than $660,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds and using those funds for personal expenses, including the purchase of an alpaca farm in Vermont.

Dana L. McIntyre, 59, of Grafton, Vt. and previously of Beverly and Essex, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. McIntyre was also ordered to pay $679,156 in restitution and forfeiture. On April 13, 2023, McIntyre pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. 

“Make no mistake about it, this was no momentary lapse the in fog of the pandemic. Mr. McIntyre submitted multiple bogus applications for pandemic money was supposed to provide a lifeline to small businesses and their employees during a national emergency. He stole from the American taxpayers and the many small businesses which truly needed those loans to survive,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Just last month our office expanded the resources dedicated to investigating and prosecuting COVID fraud. Whether someone used stolen money to buy luxury goods or fancy cars or exotic farm animals, we intend to find them and hold them accountable.  

“Dana McIntyre capitalized on a national catastrophe and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a limited pool of money set aside to help struggling businesses, to buy a farm, stock it with alpacas, and make a fresh start for himself in Vermont,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his selfish criminal conduct. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue others like him who are using the money from this economic relief program to pad their own pockets. If you know of similar instances of fraud, please contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”

“The funds made available through the Paycheck Protection Program were intended to help businesses and their employees get through the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Mr. McIntyre’s greed betrayed the good intentions of the American taxpayer,” said Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The sentencing today should serve as a reminder that if you defraud pandemic-related government assistance programs, you will be held accountable. HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring these matters to a just conclusion.”

McIntyre is the former owner of Rasta Pasta Pizzeria in Beverly. In March 2020, McIntyre used the names of his adult children to submit two fraudulent applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for businesses that did not exist. Beginning in April 2020, McIntyre submitted an application and weekly certifications in order to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. In these filings, McIntyre falsely claimed that he was not working or receiving income as a result of the pandemic, while McIntyre in fact was still operating the restaurant and paying himself income from the business. By September 2020, when McIntyre sold the restaurant, he had received over $17,000 in PUA and related benefits that he was not entitled to receive.  

In April 2020, McIntyre submitted a fraudulent application for a PPP loan of over $660,000 through an SBA-approved lender. In the application, McIntyre inflated information about the pizzeria’s employees and payroll expenses and falsified an official tax form in an effort to qualify the business for a larger loan amount. After receiving a PPP loan of over $660,000, McIntyre sold the pizzeria and used nearly all the funds to purchase a farm in Vermont, as well as eight alpacas, and other personal expenses, including two vehicles and airtime for his crypto-currency themed radio show.  

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC Cohen, HUG-OIG SAC Scaringi and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Carol Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit, prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud. 

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

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

INDIANAPOLIS- Arnold Castillo, 23, of Paterson, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and Coercion and Enticement of a Minor.

According to court documents, from January to May 2022, Castillo used a false identity, “Jacob Shedletsky,” to communicate with and groom a 15-year-old girl via social media and gaming applications such as Instagram, Roblox, and Discord.

Castillo engaged in grooming behaviors such as buying the girl’s anime artwork using CashApp and purchasing other high-value items on Amazon such as an Artist’s Glove for Drawing Tablet, a Max Smart Tablet Drawing Stand, and a Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13 Windows 10 computer to be delivered to her parents’ home in Indiana.

Castillo intentionally led the girl to believe that he had the ability to connect her to employment opportunities in the online gaming industry and used this leverage to engage in sexually explicit conversations with her. Castillo coerced and persuaded the girl into believing they were in love and that her family was her enemy.

During these conversations, Castillo discussed his plans to arrange for the girl to travel from Indiana to New Jersey so they could be together and engage in sexual activity. Castillo used the Uber application to find and hire a driver in New Jersey to transport the girl the 700 miles to his residence. Castillo paid the driver $500 through CashApp before they left New Jersey, and another $500 in cash when they returned with the victim.

When the girl arrived at Castillo’s New Jersey residence, Castillo sexually abused her on multiple occasions and used Uber to have others purchase or attempt to purchase the “Plan B” pill to prevent the child from becoming pregnant.

For days, Castillo kept the girl in New Jersey and continued to abuse her, knowing that her family and law enforcement were desperately searching for her. In a recorded phone interview on May 5, 2022, Castillo lied to law enforcement officers, stating that he had no idea where she was and that she must have run away.

On May 11, 2022, eight days after the girl was reported missing, FBI agents recovered her from Castillo as the two were walking in front of his residence. At the time of his arrest, Castillo had several unopened condoms in his pocket. Castillo admitted to law enforcement agents that he kept the victim in his care, custody, and control in a small room and controlled her movements in and out of the room. He also controlled her access to food and basic necessities, knowing that she had no financial resources or ability to travel back to Indiana.

“No parent should have to endure eight torturous days not knowing if their child is alive or dead, only to learn that a stranger used social media and other online tools to groom their child and spirit them across the country,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “This defendant is a stone-cold, manipulative, child predator who used the tools of social media and gaming to abuse a vulnerable child and then obstructed the efforts of law enforcement officers to secure her safe return home. I commend the outstanding work of local law enforcement agencies along with the FBI’s Indianapolis and Newark Field Offices for working around the clock for eight days to bring the victim home safely. Thanks to the outstanding work of these law enforcement officers and our federal prosecutor, this dangerous predator will be unable to harm another child.”

“This was a horrible nightmare for both the child lured away from home under false pretenses and the family who was left to worry about where she was, if she was safe, and if they would ever see her again,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI and our partners will always do everything in our power to safely recover a child and reunite them with their loved ones.”

The FBI Indianapolis and FBI in Paterson, New Jersey investigated this case along with local law enforcement. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Matthew P. Brookman. Judge Brookman also ordered that Castillo be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years following his release from federal prison and pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN LUIS VELEZ-RUIZ, 25, formerly of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 336 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for robbery, carjacking, and firearm offenses stemming from a violent crime spree in 2021.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 2021 into December 2021, Velez committed 28 armed robberies of convenience stores, six armed carjackings, and three additional car thefts, throughout Connecticut.  Velez began his crime spree shortly after he walked away from a halfway house where he was completing a state sentence for larceny and burglary offenses, and he continued committing his crimes after the FBI’s announcement in early November 2021 of a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

On December 17, 2021, law enforcement located Velez in a car in a parking lot in New Britain.  Velez attempted to escape by ramming police vehicles and he ultimately fled on foot.  A K9 pursuit ensued, and Velez was captured after he attempted to steal another vehicle.  He has been detained since his arrest.

On December 14, 2022, Velez pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  The carjacking occurred on September 2, 2021, when Velez stole at gunpoint a 2020 white Jeep Grand Cherokee from the driveway of a victim in Southington.  One of the robberies occurred on September 26, 2021, when Velez robbed at gunpoint a store located at a Sunoco gas station in Bristol.  Velez pistol-whipped the store employee and stole U.S. currency and cigarettes from the store.  The other robbery occurred on October 7, 2021, when Velez robbed at gunpoint a store located at a Citgo gas station in Southington.  Velez brandished a pistol at the store employee and stole cash and cigarettes from the store.  In pleading guilty, Velez took responsibility for all the offenses he committed during his crime spree.

This matter was investigated by the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Greater Hartford Regional Auto Theft Task Force, and the New Britain, Waterbury, Berlin, Bristol, Cromwell, East Hartford, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Newington, Norwich, Plainville, Southington, Windsor, Wolcott, and Woodbridge Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.