Category: Legal Issues

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

New Jersey Construction Company Owner Sentenced for Tax Evasion

Source: United States Attorneys General

A New Jersey construction company owner was sentenced yesterday to 15 months in prison for evading employment tax penalties assessed against him.

The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Joseph Caravella, of Randolph, owned several masonry companies in New Jersey. From 2008 to 2016, the IRS assessed approximately $650,000 in Trust Fund Recovery penalties against Caravella for causing three masonry businesses that he owned to not pay their federal employment taxes. The timely payment of federal employment taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year. Congress empowered the IRS to impose a penalty equal to the amount of the unpaid taxes — called a Trust Fund Recovery Penalty — against any responsible individual who fails to ensure that these taxes are paid timely. Caravella pleaded guilty to attempting to evade these Trust Fund Recovery penalties.  

From around March 2008 through April 2019, Caravella sought to evade the payment of these penalties by placing companies that he controlled in the names of nominee owners and avoiding the use of a bank account in his own name to prevent the IRS from levying the funds. Also during that time, Caravella continued to cause his businesses not to pay employment taxes, resulting in an additional loss of $1.2 million to the IRS.

In total, Carvalla caused a tax loss to the IRS of $1,885,519.39.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Hayter L. Whitman of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Fell for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

Posted on

Operation Grayskull Culminates in Lengthy Sentences for Managers of Dark Web Site Dedicated to Sexual Abuse of Children

Source: United States Department of Justice

Operation Grayskull Eradicated Four Dark Web Child Abuse Sites and Led to the Convictions of 18 Offenders to Date, Who Have Collectively Received More than 300 Years in Prison

Today, the Justice Department announced the results of Operation Grayskull, a highly successful joint effort between the Department of Justice and the FBI that resulted in the dismantling of four dark web sites dedicated to images and videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). To date, the operation has led to the convictions of 18 offenders, including a Minnesota man who was sentenced yesterday to 250 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for his involvement with one of these dark web sites. He was also ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution.

“Today’s announcement sends a clear warning to those who exploit and abuse children: you will not find safe haven, even on the dark web,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These offenders thought that they could act without consequences, but they were wrong.  Thanks to the relentless determination of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners we have exposed these perpetrators for who they are, eliminated their websites and brought justice to countless victims.”

“This operation represents one of the most significant strikes ever made against online child exploitation networks,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We’ve not only dismantled dangerous platforms on the dark web, but we’ve also brought key perpetrators to justice and delivered a powerful message: you cannot hide behind anonymity to harm children.”

“Yesterday’s sentencing reaffirms our steadfast commitment to protecting our children, the most vulnerable among us, from those who exploit and harm them through the despicable trade in child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Thomas Peter Katsampes and his co-conspirators ran some of the darkweb’s most heinous networks, enabling horrific crimes against innocent victims, but Operation Grayskull has shut these sites down and delivered justice. We applaud the FBI and our international partners for their tireless work, and let this be a clear warning: we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute anyone engaged in such atrocities, no matter how they attempt to cover their tracks.”

Thomas Peter Katsampes, 52, of Eagan, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise and conspiracy to distribute child pornography on Feb. 27. According to court documents, Katsampes joined a dark web site dedicated to CSAM in 2022, advertised and distributed CSAM over the website, including CSAM depicting prepubescent children, and eventually worked his way up to a staff position on the web site, which, among other things, involved moderating the site, enforcing the site’s rules for posting CSAM, and advising the site’s users about how to post CSAM.

In addition to Katsampes, eight individuals have been convicted and sentenced in the Southern District of Florida for their involvement in running the primary site targeted by Operation Grayskull.

Defendant Residence Case Status
Selwyn David Rosenstein Boynton Beach, Florida

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography, five counts of advertisement of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Sentenced on Dec. 12, 2022, to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay $80,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
Matthew Branden Garrell Raleigh, North Carolina

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

Sentenced on Aug. 1, 2023, to 20 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $158,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
Robert Preston Boyles Clarksville, Tennessee

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

Sentenced on Aug. 15, 2023, to 23 years and four months in prison and ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
Gregory Malcolm Good Silver Springs, Nevada

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

Sentenced on Aug. 22, 2023, to 25 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $93,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
William Michael Spearman Madison, Alabama

Pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

Sentenced on Jan. 23, 2024, to life in prison and ordered to pay $123,400 in restitution to victims of his offense.
Joseph Addison Martin Tahuya, Washington

Pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

Sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 42 years in prison and ordered to pay $174,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
Joseph Robert Stewart Milton, Washington

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

Sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 23 years and 9 months in prison and ordered to pay $19,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
Keith David McIntosh Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography, both as a person with a prior conviction for possession of child pornography.

Sentenced on Dec. 19, 2024, to 55 years in prison.

The website’s leaders advertised and distributed CSAM, promulgated rules for the website, enforced the rules by banning or scolding users who violated them, held staff meetings, recruited members to serve as staff members, recommended users for promotion, edited and deleted user posts, praised individuals for participating in and contributing to the website, kept records of CSAM posts made by individual members, and paid for and maintained the website servers, among other things.

Operation Grayskull resulted in the dismantling of a total of four sites dedicated to images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. These websites were some of the most egregious on the dark web, and they included sections specifically dedicated to infants and toddlers, as well as depictions of violence, sadism, and torture. The websites also contained detailed advice on how to avoid detection by law enforcement – for example, by using sophisticated technologies.

In other judicial districts around the country, nine additional individuals have been convicted for their involvement with these websites, including the following:

  • Charles Hand, of Aberdeen, Maryland, was prosecuted in the District of Maryland and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison;
  • Michael Ibarra, of Wenatchee, Washington, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Washington and was sentenced to 12 years in prison;
  • Clay Trimble, of Fordyce, Arkansas, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Arkansas and was sentenced to 18 years in prison;
  • David Craig, of Houston, Texas, was prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas and was sentenced to nine years in prison;
  • Robert Rella of Chesapeake, Virginia, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia and was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison;
  • Samuel Hicks, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was prosecuted in the Northern District of Indiana and was sentenced to 16 years in prison;
  • Richard Smith of Dallas, Texas, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Texas and was sentenced to 14 years in prison;
  • Patrick Harrison, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was prosecuted in the Western District of Michigan and was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison.
  • Thomas Gailus, of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and his sentencing is pending.

Two other individuals in the United States died before being charged for their involvement with the websites. The operation also resulted in arrests in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Belgium, and South Africa.

The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Miami Field Office, West Palm Beach Resident Agency investigated the cases.

Acting Deputy Chief Kyle P. Reynolds and Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller of the Southern District of Florida coordinated the operation and prosecuted the defendants in the Southern District of Florida.

Substantial assistance for the cases prosected in the Southern District of Florida was provided by FBI Field Offices and Resident Agencies in Huntsville, Alabama; Reno, Nevada; Clarksville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; Madison, Wisconsin; Tacoma, Washington; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Minneapolis, Minnesota; CEOS’s High Technology Investigative Unit; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Alabama, District of Nevada, Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of Wisconsin, Western District of Washington, Western District of Michigan, and District of Minnesota.

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 CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Posted on

Chicago Man Sentenced to Nearly Two Years in Prison for Violating Conditions of Court-Supervised Release Following Imprisonment

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for violating the conditions of court-supervised release following his imprisonment for a firearms offense.

KEESHON SAMSON, 31, was released from federal prison in 2023 after being convicted of illegally possessing a loaded semiautomatic handgun on Chicago’s South Side.  The gun had been reported stolen in a burglary of a licensed firearms dealer.  Samson remained under court-supervised release for three years following imprisonment.

In February 2025, Samson was accused of breaking windows out of an acquaintance’s house and threatening the physical safety of an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigator in a series of harassing telephone calls from a masked phone number.

On July 2, 2025, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey found that Samson threatened the DCFS investigator and thus violated the supervised release conditions, one of which prohibited him from committing a federal, state, or local crime while under supervision.  Judge Blakey sentenced Samson to 21 months in federal prison.

The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Snell.

“In our federal system of justice, supervised release is a critically important part of the sentencing process,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros.  “It is designed to help offenders transition back into society while also ensuring public safety.  When a defendant on supervised release chooses to violate clear conditions designed to protect the community, my Office will not hesitate to prosecute the violation and hold the defendant accountable.”

“The defendant’s conduct while on supervised release demonstrated a reckless disregard for the law, the safety of others, and the Court’s orders,” said ATF SAC Amon.  “This sentence sends a clear message that violations of Court-imposed conditions of release will not be tolerated.”

Posted on

New Bedford, Massachusetts Fugitive Collared by U.S. Marshals in Bangor, Maine

Source: US Marshals Service

Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in Maine, announce the arrest of Jameel T. Clark White, in Bangor, Maine. Clark-White was sought on multiple warrants for drug possession, possession of machine gun, x3 counts of possession large capacity firearm, carrying loaded firearm without a license, firearm violation with (3) prior violent drug crimes, carrying firearm on school grounds, receiving stolen property, leaving the scene of property damage accident, and operating a motor vehicle with license suspended. All warrants were issued out of the State of Massachusetts.

The USMS led, Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF), received a collateral lead from the USMS District of Massachusetts. They believed Clark-White had fled to Maine and may be staying with discovered associates.

Prior to these new charges being filed by Massachusetts, Wrentham District Court , Clark-White had been previously released on bond from Massachusetts, Middlesex Superior Court for robbery (firearm-armed), carjacking (firearm-armed), assault & battery with dangerous weapon (serious bodily injury), assault & battery attempt with firearm, cocaine trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, firearm carry without a license (2nd offense), possession of a firearm with large capacity magazine, in addition to other charges.

Task Force members, through thorough investigative efforts, which spanned the towns of Orrington, Brewer, and Bangor, developed significant information which led investigators to a residence in Bangor, ME. Yesterday evening, Task Force members were able to identify Clark-White leaving a residence and enter as a passenger in a vehicle. The vehicle was stopped a short time later by Task Force members with the assistance of the Bangor Police Department. Clark-White was taken into custody without incident.

Clark-White was charged by the U.S. Marshals Service as a Fugitive from Justice, pending his extradition back to Massachusetts. Additionally, while at the jail facility, Clark-White was found to be in possession of a quantity of drugs and was charged by the Bangor Police Department for Trafficking Schedule W and Trafficking-In Prison Contraband.

The USMS MVOTF received significant assistance from the Bangor, Maine Police Department, the USMS District of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS).

The District of Maine’s, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal, Josh Taylor said, “Through continued collaboration, unwavering dedication, and exceptional investigative efforts, another dangerous fugitive has been successfully apprehended. There is no safe haven for wanted persons in the State of Maine.”

The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Maine National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any State or Federal Fugitive please contact the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov. 

Posted on

Importers Agree to Pay $6.8M to Resolve False Claims Act Liability Relating to Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Unpaid Customs Duties

Source: United States Attorneys General

Manchester, New Hampshire, based Global Plastics LLC (Global Plastics) and Melville, New York, based Marco Polo International LLC (Marco Polo), both subsidiaries of MGI International LLC, have agreed to pay $6.8 million to resolve their civil liability under the False Claims Act for knowingly failing to pay customs duties on certain plastic resin imported from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that MGI International and its subsidiaries took a number of significant steps entitling them to credit for cooperating with the government.

To enter goods into the United States, an importer must declare, among other things, the country of origin of the goods, the value of the goods, whether the goods are subject to duties, and the amount of duties owed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects applicable duties.

In 2024, MGI and its subsidiaries disclosed to CBP and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire that, beginning in May 2019, Global Plastics and Marco Polo failed to declare the correct country of origin and value on certain entries of plastic resin products manufactured in the PRC and, as a result, failed to pay the proper duties owed to CBP.   

“The Department will pursue those who gain an unfair trade advantage in U.S. markets, including those who knowingly evade or underpay duties owed on foreign imports,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As today’s settlement reflects, when importers fail to pay customs duties owed, they can mitigate the consequences by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with investigations, and taking appropriate remedial measures.”

“Companies doing business in the United States must play by the rules, including paying full custom duties owed for imports,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack for the District of New Hampshire. “This resolution demonstrates that when companies self-disclose misconduct, cooperate fully with the government’s investigation, and take meaningful corrective action, they can receive credit for those admissions. We will continue to hold accountable those who attempt to avoid paying what they owe to the federal government, while also recognizing responsible corporate behavior.”

“When companies use unfair trade practices and fraudulent methodologies to avoid paying customs duties, it robs the American people of revenue and undermines our economy,” said acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas of the Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “I am proud that CBP was able to work with the Department of Justice to help ensure a level playing field for law abiding businesses.”

MGI cooperated with the United States’ investigation by, among other things: making a timely voluntary self-disclosure of the potential violations; performing a thorough and independent internal investigation;  preserving, collecting, and disclosing facts not known to the government but relevant to its investigation; conducting an analysis of potential damages that was shared with the government; and implementing appropriate remedial actions, including disciplining personnel and making improvements to compliance procedures. As a result, MGI, Global Plastics, and Marco Polo received credit under the Department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation, and remediation into account in False Claims Act settlements.

This resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, with assistance from the CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel.

This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Raphael Katz of the District of New Hampshire and Senior Trial Counsel Art J. Coulter of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Posted on

Charleston Man Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Antwaun Winbush, 45, of Charleston was sentenced on Monday, July 21, 2025, to 12 years and seven months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 25, 2024, a law enforcement officer attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Winbush on U.S. Route 35 in Putnam County. Winbush attempted to flee from the officer, reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. While fleeing, Winbush dumped large quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana out of his vehicle’s window. Some of the thrown methamphetamine struck the officer’s patrol vehicle and the officer inhaled methamphetamine through the air vents. Winbush almost struck multiple vehicles while fleeing before he lost control of his vehicle and came to a stop.

Officers arrested Winbush following the pursuit and recovered some but not all the methamphetamine from the roadway. As part of his guilty plea, Winbush admitted that he possessed approximately 141.8 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine.

Winbush also committed other criminal conduct on October 4, 2021, and December 24, 2023. On October 4, 2021, an officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Winbush in Jackson County. A search of the vehicle by law enforcement resulted in the seizure of approximately 227 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, 8 grams of cocaine, 14.7 grams of fentanyl, and a Glock model 33 .357-caliber pistol found hidden behind the stereo area of the dashboard. Winbush admitted to possessing the seized controlled substances and to intending to distribute them.

On December 24, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Winbush’s residence and seized more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a firearm, and ammunition found hidden behind a loose wall. Officers also found drug trafficking paraphernalia, including scales, cutting agents and plastic baggies, during the search.

“Winbush’s criminal history dates back 30 years and includes 20 adult convictions. Winbush has shown time and again that he is only deterred from continuing his criminal conduct and putting citizens at risk when he is incarcerated,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I commend the brave law enforcement officers who safely apprehended the defendant after he endangered their lives and the public with his reckless attempt to flee the Putnam County traffic stop. I also commend investigative work of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).”

Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-154.

###

 

 

Posted on

Puerto Rican Man Sentenced to 137 Months in Prison for Cocaine Smuggling

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ST. THOMAS – Acting U.S. Attorney Adan F. Sleeper announced today that Brian Santiago
Gonzalez, 25, of Puerto Rico, was sentenced on July 1, 2025, by Chief District Judge Robert A.
Molloy to 137 months’ imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to
one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine on December 9, 2024.
 

According to court documents, on March 29, 2022, Brian Santiago Gonzalez and co-defendant
Wesly Albert Amaro were stopped in the waters near Savanah Island, just west of St. Thomas,
USVI. At approximately 4:00 a.m., the United States Coast Guard (USCG) detected a vessel
operating without navigation lights traveling at a high rate of speed from Culebra, PR towards
Hendrick Bay, St. Thomas. Customs and Boarder Protection Air and Marine (AMO) vessels
responded as the USCG provided updates on the vessel’s location. AMO agents located the lightsout
vessel using radar and attempted a stop. The vessel fled while the two men onboard jettisoned
bags overboard. The vessel would not heave to, so AMO agents disabled the vessel’s engine.
During the chase, AMO agents marked the locations where duffle bags were discarded from the
vessel. Upon returning to the marked areas, AMO agents recovered three duffel bags containing
79 kilograms of cocaine.
 

Wesly Albert Amaro was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised
release on August 18, 202, following his guilty plea.
CBP-AMO, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations
investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne prosecuted the case.
 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten
the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional
information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Posted on

Keokuk Men Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Two Keokuk men were sentenced to federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, between at least April and July 2024, Ronald Dickey Mason, 75, and Ronald Kieth Mason, 43, father and son, conspired to sell large amounts of methamphetamine in Keokuk, Burlington, Riverside, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids. In July 2024, law enforcement located 28 pounds of methamphetamine in the trunk and a pistol in the center console of Ronald Dickey Mason’s car.

In February of 2025 Ronald Kieth Mason plead guilty as charged and Ronald Dickey Mason plead guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In March 2025, a jury convicted Ronald Dickey Mason of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. On July 22, 2025, the Court sentenced him to 22 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

Ronald Keith Mason was sentenced on June 25, 2025, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Lee County Narcotics Task Force, the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Keokuk Police Department.

Posted on

Drug Trafficker sentenced to 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Drug Trafficking Gang

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

St. Thomas, VI – Acting United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that on
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Kai James, 37, of St. Croix, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and six years
of supervised release by District Judge Mark A. Kearney. He pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, to
conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana for his role in a drug trafficking
conspiracy led by James and his brother, Ivan James. Other members in the James gang, Ivan James,
Joh Williams, Malachi Benjamin, Ariel Petersen, Jahkiebo Joseph, Tillisa Ceaser, and Luis Ortiz, Jr.,
all of St. Croix, were previously sentenced by Judge Kearney for their roles in the drug trafficking
conspiracy.
 

According to court documents and evidence introduced at the trial of Ivan James and Joh
Williams and other hearings, the investigation into the James drug trafficking organization began in
January 2013 after Bureau of Corrections officers at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility seized
an iPhone from then-inmate Joh Williams. A search of the cell phone seized from Williams revealed
text messages related to smuggling and distribution of controlled substances in the prison. Thereafter,
Drug Enforcement Administration obtained authorization to intercept calls from a second cell phone
used by Williams while incarcerated. The wire investigation revealed evidence of distribution of
controlled substances within the facility by Williams, supplied by Ivan James. The investigation
further revealed that Vivian Ford, a former corrections officer, was a member of James’ organization
who smuggled narcotics into Golden Grove in food containers for distribution by Williams.
 

Members of the gang who worked at the Henry Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix used their
secured access to smuggle multiple kilograms of cocaine per week onboard commercial aircrafts
destined for the continental United States. Testimony revealed that Ivan and Kai James recruited
couriers to deliver bricks of cocaine as passengers on board commercial flights. As a
manager/supervisor in the drug trafficking gang, Kai James used as many as 10 couriers to travel to
New York, North Carolina, and Florida with 2 to 3 kilograms of cocaine per trip in this broad and
brazen drug trafficking operation.
 

In addition, a search warrant was executed on the family home of Ivan and Kai James. Law
enforcement recovered marijuana, cocaine, and marijuana cultivation equipment. In a field adjacent
to the property, agents seized over 1,000 marijuana plants.
 

A federal jury found Ivan James guilty on drug conspiracy, possession of 1,000 marijuana
plants, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and possession of firearms resulting
in the death of Levar Pogson. On his conviction, Judge Kearney sentenced James to 420 months of
imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Joh Williams was also found guilty on
the drug conspiracy charge and was sentenced to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by seven
years of supervised release. Ariel Petersen and Jahkiebo Joseph pleaded guilty to possession of
firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and importation of firearms. Petersen was sentenced to
93 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and Joseph was sentenced
to 68 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Malachi Benjamin
pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and was sentenced to 72
months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Tillisa Ceaser and Luis Ortiz,
Jr. both pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy. Ceaser was sentenced to 62 months of imprisonment, and
Ortiz was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.
 

“Due to the tremendous work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security
Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of
Corrections, the members of this drug trafficking organization have received just and lengthy
sentences for their involvement in these crimes,” said Acting United States Attorney Adam Sleeper.
 

“This sentence sends a clear message, and it is credited to the extensive collaboration between
federal and local law enforcement partners. Our joint efforts are essential in the U.S. Virgin Islands
towards combatting drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and the myriads of other illicit activities of
transnational criminal organizations in our area of responsibility,” said Homeland Security
Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos.
 

“The guilty plea of Kai James represents a decisive blow against the violent narcotics
conspiracy that plagued the people of St. Croix for far too long,” stated DEA Caribbean Division
Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Miranda. “This case underscores the unwavering commitment
of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal organizations that threaten the
safety and well-being of our communities. We are proud to have worked alongside the USAO, HSI,
FBI, CBP, and ATF to bring justice to those impacted by these crimes. Let this serve as a clear
message: we will not relent in our fight to protect the Caribbean from the scourge of drug trafficking
and violence.”
 

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)
investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money
launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a
prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal,
state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security
Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of
Corrections. It was prosecuted by former United States Attorney Delia Smith, Acting Assistant United
States Attorney Adam Sleeper, and lead OCDETF attorney Kyle Payne.
 

###

Posted on

DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 120 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR ROLE IN DRUG TRAFFICKING GANG

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

St. Thomas, VI – Acting United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that on
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Kai James, 37, of St. Croix, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and six years
of supervised release by District Judge Mark A. Kearney. He pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, to
conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana for his role in a drug trafficking
conspiracy led by James and his brother, Ivan James. Other members in the James gang, Ivan James,
Joh Williams, Malachi Benjamin, Ariel Petersen, Jahkiebo Joseph, Tillisa Ceaser, and Luis Ortiz, Jr.,
all of St. Croix, were previously sentenced by Judge Kearney for their roles in the drug trafficking
conspiracy.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at the trial of Ivan James and Joh
Williams and other hearings, the investigation into the James drug trafficking organization began in
January 2013 after Bureau of Corrections officers at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility seized
an iPhone from then-inmate Joh Williams. A search of the cell phone seized from Williams revealed
text messages related to smuggling and distribution of controlled substances in the prison. Thereafter,
Drug Enforcement Administration obtained authorization to intercept calls from a second cell phone
used by Williams while incarcerated. The wire investigation revealed evidence of distribution of
controlled substances within the facility by Williams, supplied by Ivan James. The investigation
further revealed that Vivian Ford, a former corrections officer, was a member of James’ organization
who smuggled narcotics into Golden Grove in food containers for distribution by Williams.
Members of the gang who worked at the Henry Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix used their
secured access to smuggle multiple kilograms of cocaine per week onboard commercial aircrafts
destined for the continental United States. Testimony revealed that Ivan and Kai James recruited
couriers to deliver bricks of cocaine as passengers on board commercial flights. As a
manager/supervisor in the drug trafficking gang, Kai James used as many as 10 couriers to travel to
New York, North Carolina, and Florida with 2 to 3 kilograms of cocaine per trip in this broad and
brazen drug trafficking operation.
In addition, a search warrant was executed on the family home of Ivan and Kai James. Law
enforcement recovered marijuana, cocaine, and marijuana cultivation equipment. In a field adjacent
to the property, agents seized over 1,000 marijuana plants.
A federal jury found Ivan James guilty on drug conspiracy, possession of 1,000 marijuana
plants, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and possession of firearms resulting
in the death of Levar Pogson. On his conviction, Judge Kearney sentenced James to 420 months of
imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Joh Williams was also found guilty on
the drug conspiracy charge and was sentenced to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by seven
years of supervised release. Ariel Petersen and Jahkiebo Joseph pleaded guilty to possession of
firearms in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and importation of firearms. Petersen was sentenced to
93 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and Joseph was sentenced
to 68 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Malachi Benjamin
pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy and was sentenced to 72
months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Tillisa Ceaser and Luis Ortiz,
Jr. both pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy. Ceaser was sentenced to 62 months of imprisonment, and
Ortiz was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.
“Due to the tremendous work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security
Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of
Corrections, the members of this drug trafficking organization have received just and lengthy
sentences for their involvement in these crimes,” said Acting United States Attorney Adam Sleeper.
“This sentence sends a clear message, and it is credited to the extensive collaboration between
federal and local law enforcement partners. Our joint efforts are essential in the U.S. Virgin Islands
towards combatting drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and the myriads of other illicit activities of
transnational criminal organizations in our area of responsibility,” said Homeland Security
Investigations Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos.
“The guilty plea of Kai James represents a decisive blow against the violent narcotics
conspiracy that plagued the people of St. Croix for far too long,” stated DEA Caribbean Division
Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Miranda. “This case underscores the unwavering commitment
of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to dismantle criminal organizations that threaten the
safety and well-being of our communities. We are proud to have worked alongside the USAO, HSI,
FBI, CBP, and ATF to bring justice to those impacted by these crimes. Let this serve as a clear
message: we will not relent in our fight to protect the Caribbean from the scourge of drug trafficking
and violence.”
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)
investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money
launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a
prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal,
state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security
Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, Virgin Islands Police Department and the Bureau of
Corrections. It was prosecuted by former United States Attorney Delia Smith, Acting Assistant United
States Attorney Adam Sleeper, and lead OCDETF attorney Kyle Payne.