Category: Office of United States Attorneys

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Yakima Products Inc. headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, has resolved allegations that Yakima Products knowingly failed to pay required antidumping and countervailing duties on extruded aluminum components imported from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Yakima will pay the U.S. $3 million, of which $1,325,000 is restitution. Yakima will pay the settlement over a one-year period.

“Yakima Products Inc. has successfully manufactured and sold automobile accessories for years, but failed to take action when it was informed that it was not paying appropriate duties on material imported from China,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Knowingly avoiding those costs gives Yakima an unfair advantage over other manufacturers who pay those required fees. Now the company is not only paying those costs, but also penalties as well as the attorney fees of the relator who reported the improper conduct.”

According to the settlement agreement, from January 1, 2012, through July 5, 2021, Yakima Products Inc failed to pay the duties it owed. Yakima had been informed of the need to pay the duties but chose not to do so.

Ultimately, a former employee brought the matter to the attention of the government in a qui tam lawsuit filed in April 2021. As the person who reports the fraud on a government program or policy, the former employee, known as the relator, will receive 17% of the funds paid to the government. In addition, Yakima Products Inc. will pay $75,000 in legal fees for the relator.

As part of the settlement agreement, Yakima Products Inc does not admit wrongdoing, but seeks to resolve the matter to avoid the delay, uncertainty, and expense of protracted litigation.

“This settlement agreement with Yakima marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of fair-trade practices,” said Christopher Perry, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “I commend the dedication and hard work of CBP’s trade specialists, along with our invaluable federal partners, in upholding the integrity of our nation’s trade policies. Together, we remain steadfast in ensuring a level playing field for American businesses and ensuring everyone plays by the rules.”

The settlement was negotiated by Assistant United States Attorney Nickolas Bohl and Senior Attorney Kenneth Misbin with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – James Anthony Reynolds, who drove a 12-year-old girl from Barrow County, Georgia, to Acworth, Georgia, and sexually assaulted and then abandoned her in a Walmart parking lot in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

“Child sexual predators are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to target vulnerable minors,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.  “While our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners remain steadfast in identifying these criminals, and our office is committed to prosecuting these individuals to the fullest extent of the law, we strongly urge parents to stay vigilant in monitoring their children’s Internet activity, including their use of apps on electronic devices. Thankfully, the minor victim in this case is safe after being reunited with her family.”

“No prison sentence can repair the damage James Anthony Reynolds has done. We hope this sentencing is of great comfort to the victim and her family,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “The FBI is committed to partnering with our law enforcement partners to prevent, deter, and punish crimes like these.”

“This sentencing represents the determination of our agents and law enforcement partners to catch dangerous predators,” said Chris Hosey, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  “This should serve as a warning to those who seek to prey on our most vulnerable that the GBI and our partners will never cease in our mission. As the threats to children online continue to grow, we will remain vigilant and adapt our methods to protect our children and hold predators accountable.”

“As Sheriff I am very proud of the work all agencies did to catch this predator and get him off the streets so that no one else could possibly fall victim to his crimes,” said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith.  “Human trafficking is a real problem and I urge if you or anyone you know might be in trouble to call your local law enforcement or the GA Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking at 866-363-4842.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: In May 2020, the victim then 12 years old, met a man online on a social media app. During the early morning hours of May 7, 2020, this man, later identified as James Anthony Reynolds, picked up the child, violently and sexually assaulted her, and drove her to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Reynolds then abandoned the child in a Walmart parking lot. The young girl approached a Walmart employee who, fortunately, was able to help the child reach her parents.

James Anthony Reynolds, 25, of Acworth, Georgia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.  On November 1, 2023, Reynolds pleaded guilty to kidnapping. He continues to face additional charges related to this case in state court.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen prosecuted the case.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger today sentenced Ernesto Hidalgo (30, Orlando) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Hidalgo entered a guilty plea on September 21, 2023.    

According to court documents, over the course of several months in 2023, Hidalgo engaged in a series of drug sales to a source cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hidalgo sold the source an ounce of cocaine for $1,000 on January 10, 2023; an ounce of fentanyl for $2,000 on January 17, 2023; another ounce of fentanyl for $1,900 on March 2, 2023; 50 fake fentanyl pills (pills that are pressed to look like pharmaceutical controlled substances but actually contain fentanyl) for $1,000 on March 27, 2023; and another three ounces of cocaine for $2,700 on March 31, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CLEVELAND – Eric King, 35, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker, U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced today. King was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release, $1,800 in special assessments, and restitution of $483,165.38.

King, a former employee of Eye For Change Youth and Family Services, Inc., a non-profit corporation in Cleveland, was previously found guilty after a jury trial of 13 counts of health care fraud, one count of false statement relating to health care matters, and five counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, trial testimony, and today’s sentencing hearing, from June 2018 through May 2021, King defrauded Medicaid by causing Medicaid to be billed for services not actually performed or for services that were not actually performed for the amount of time the billing codes reflected; for falsifying progress notes into Medicaid beneficiary electronic records; for creating false progress notes; and for using the identities of clients without authorization to bill Medicaid. As a result of King’s conduct, Medicaid paid over $483,000 for fraudulent billings.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Cleveland Division of the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services — Office of the Inspector General and the Ohio Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Section. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward D. Brydle and Brian M. McDonough, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan L. Metzler.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Jacksonville, Florida – Visiting United States District Judge Larry A. Burns from the Southern District of California has sentenced Jesse Rance Moore (46, Bell) to 21 years in federal prison for four counts pertaining to Hobbs Act robberies and three counts for brandishing a firearm during the robberies. The court also ordered Moore to forfeit his firearm, which was used to commit the offenses. A jury had found Moore guilty on November 2, 2023.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the FBI first learned of a masked man robbing a string of pharmacies in the Columbia County area after the North Florida Pharmacy of Fort White was robbed at gun point on January 13, 2022. This masked individual was captured on surveillance cameras walking into the pharmacy with a black handgun, and demanding controlled substances, specifically, oxycodone, OxyContin, and Percocet.   

After holding up multiple store employees and taking the controlled substances, the masked man exited the pharmacy and drove southbound on US Highway 27. Unbeknownst to the robber, a good Samaritan in the pharmacy’s drive-thru followed the getaway vehicle and captured the license plate number, which led back to Moore. The FBI also later discovered that the vehicles used in previous three robberies (North Florida Pharmacy of Fort White on August 2, 2021; North Florida Pharmacy of Chiefland on November 20, 2021; and the Baya West Pharmacy in Lake City on December 29, 2021) either matched the description of a white Ford F-350 registered to Moore or matched the vehicles Moore’s wife rented just days prior to the robberies.  

According to trial testimony and evidence, law enforcement seized articles of clothing, multiple masks, the firearm, handwritten notes, and brown boots associated with the robberies. In addition, and despite Moore’s many disguises, witnesses testified to the robber’s physical appearance, clothing, interactions, and demeanor during the robberies.

During trial, evidence seized from Moore’s cellphone was presented to demonstrate that he had Googled medications stolen from the pharmacies, store hours of pharmacies, and a variety of key word searches, including the question “do drug stores get robbed in florida,” which he Googled just weeks prior to the first robbery. 

 

According to court documents, Moore was employed as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper from January 13, 2003, to February 27, 2017. Moore had several disciplinary issues during his term of employment, where he was twice terminated, but later reached settlement agreements to convert his dismissals to suspensions.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake City Police Department, the Chiefland Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kirwinn Mike.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MISSOULA — A Texas man who admitted stealing more than $100,000 from Montana banks as part of an organized group that used forged checks and stolen identities to defraud banks was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $103,149 restitution, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Shanetwann Clayton Waldon, 46, of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

In court documents, the government alleged that Waldon, working with several co-defendants, traveled from Texas to Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to pass fraudulent checks at smaller financial institutions. Waldon targeted rural areas because they were a “little ‘country’ and the bank process was slower than in Texas.” In 2022 and 2023, Waldon made at least four trips to Montana, and on 10 occasions, entered a new bank and stole thousands of dollars. Waldon presented a fake identity to evade detection by law enforcement and used forged instruments to create debts in the name of others. In Montana, Waldon targeted banks in Hamilton, Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. He persisted in the scheme months after his initial co-defendants had been arrested. In total, Waldon and his codefendants stole $141,822 from 30 bank branches in three states. Waldon’s total amount owed of $103,149 is payable to six Montana banks, including First Interstate Bank, TrailWest Bank, First Security Bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Farmers State Bank and Western Security Bank.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter prosecuted the case. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service, police departments in Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston, and Laurel, Montana, the Yellowstone County (Montana) Sheriff’s Office; police departments in Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, the Bannock County (Idaho) Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police; and police departments in Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, and the Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

FORT WAYNE – Keondre Bradley, 28 years old, of Lexington, Kentucky, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge  Holly A. Brady, after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Bradley was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on or about March 7, 2022, Bradley possessed 400 grams or more of Fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Dennis L. Jones, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, who was convicted of bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge David L. Larimer. Jones is the final defendant in a series of “smash and grab” car robberies to be sentenced.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between December 2021, and March 2022, Jones and three others drove up the East Coast from Florida to Rochester, NY, for the purpose of stealing purses from unoccupied vehicles in gym parking lots, retail parking lots, hiking trails and residential neighborhoods.  The defendants used stolen driver’s licenses to cash stolen checks totaling $55,310 at local banks. Over 20 victims were identified in the Rochester Area, as well as additional victims along the East Coast.

In addition, defendant Liza J. Freiman, 33, of Boston, MA, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison; defendant Allen Clark, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, was sentenced to 84 months in prison; and defendant Ja’Cari Robinson, 22, also of Fort Lauderdale, FL, was sentenced to six months in prison. 

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Memphis, TN – A Memphis man has been sentenced in federal court for stealing patient information as part of a scheme to sell private information for personal gain. Roderick Harvey, 42, has been sentenced to five years of probation for his role in a conspiracy to violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA. United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker also ordered Harvey to serve one year of the probationary period in home detention and to pay a $50,000 fine. U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the sentence today. 

In April 2023, Harvey pled guilty to conspiring with five former Methodist Hospital employees to unlawfully disclose patient information in violation of HIPAA.

According to information presented in court, between November 2017, and December 2020, Harvey paid Kirby Dandridge, Sylvia Taylor, Kara Thompson, Melanie Russell, and Adrianna Taber to provide him with names and phone numbers of patients who had been involved in motor vehicle accidents. Harvey then sold the information to third persons including personal injury attorneys and chiropractors.

HIPAA was enacted by Congress in 1996 to create national standards to protect sensitive patient information from being disclosed without a patient’s knowledge or consent. HIPAA’s provisions make it a crime to disclose patient information, or to obtain patient information with the intent to sell, transfer or use such information for personal gain. 

Dandridge, Taylor, Taber, Thompson, and Russell were sentenced after pleading guilty in 2023 to disclosing patient information to Harvey. Dandridge was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine. Thompson was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $3,000. Taylor was sentenced to two years of probation.  Taber was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Russell was sentenced to time served and placed on supervised release for six months.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Carroll L. André III prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.