Category: United States Attorneys General

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Three Defendants Sentenced For Their Respective Roles In Trafficking Guns From Nevada To Oakland, California

OAKLAND – Richard Straight, Jenna Jeanne Allec, and Kenneth Lee Kemp were each sentenced today for their respective roles in an interstate firearms trafficking scheme announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Jill Snyder.  The sentences were handed down by the Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, United States District Judge, following the entry in September of 2017 by each defendant of a guilty plea.    

On April 20, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Straight, 27, of Oakland; Allec, 26, of Oakland; Kemp, 32, of Elko, Nev.; and others in a Second Superseding Indictment for their respective roles in trafficking scores of firearms from Nevada to Oakland, Calif.  Straight, Allec, and Kemp each entered into plea agreements in which they acknowledged committing crimes related to the interstate gun trafficking scheme.   

According to his plea agreement, Straight, admitted that between March of 2015 and May of 2017, he engaged in the business of dealing firearms without a license. Straight admitted he acted as the middleman for firearms purchases in Nevada and that his conduct was intended to assist buyers who travelled from outside the state for the purpose of firearms trafficking.  According to his plea agreement, Straight also admitted he was responsible for the sale of about 39 firearms.  Straight admitted buyers paid him for the price of the firearm plus, on average, an extra $50 to $100.  Straight pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A), and one count of aiding and abetting traveling interstate to promote illegal firearms trafficking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 924(n) and 2.  Today, Judge Gilliam sentenced Straight to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  

Allec admitted that she, too, engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license.  According to her plea agreement, she purchased firearms in Nevada from licensed firearm dealers and then sold the firearms to others. Allec admitted that she sold about 18 firearms during the period of October 2015 to June of 2016 earning approximately $50 to $100 per firearm.  Allec pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A).  Today, Judge Gilliam sentenced Allec to 48 months of probation with a special condition of 24 months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service.

According to his plea agreement, Kemp admitted he engaged in a conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license.  Specifically, he agreed to engage in an illegal operation to traffic firearms from the Reno, Nev. area to Oakland, Calif.  He admitted he purchased firearms in Nevada and sold firearms to others who lived in California or who could provide the firearms to others in California.  Kemp admitted he trafficked approximately 21 firearms.  Kemp pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  Judge Gilliam sentenced Kemp to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  

In addition to these defendants, on November 27, 2017, Judge Gilliam sentenced Edgar de La Cruz for his role in the scheme, as well as his other crimes of Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1951, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §924(c).  Judge Gilliam sentenced de La Cruz to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release.  

This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Center, San Francisco Field Division (SFFD).  Additional assistance was provided by the Reno and Sparks Police Departments.
 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Kayenta Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault Related to Drunk Driving

     PHOENIX – Yesterday, James Robertson Young, 29, of Kayenta, Ariz., and a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Young had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.

 

     The case involved Young driving his vehicle with a BAC level of between .171 and .20, causing a head-on collision with another vehicle carrying four minor children (aged 8, 9, 10, and 14) and their grandparents.  The victims, all of whom are members of the Navajo Nation, had been traveling to the Grand Canyon to vacation and sell hand-made Navajo jewelry.  The collision killed five of the family members and seriously injured the sixth (the 14-year-old girl).  At sentencing, the surviving victim spoke about the physical and emotional injuries she had sustained as a result of the incident, other family members spoke about the deceased grandparents’ many contributions to their community, and the mother of the deceased children talked about her children, their short lives, and how much they will be missed.  Before imposing sentence, Judge Logan told the defendant: “It is now 12:07.  The boys that you killed should be at school and in lunch hour, wondering if they are going to get chocolate milk or pizza in their lunches.  That’s what they should be thinking right now, but you took all of that away from them when you drove drunk and killed them.”

 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona.

 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-17-8132-PCT-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-008_Young

 

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Upshur County man admits to his role in a firearms conspiracy

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – An Ellamore, West Virginia man has admitted today to his role in a firearms theft and sale scheme, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced. 

Johnny Lee Riley, age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearm.” Riley admitted to receiving, possessing, bartering, concealing, or selling 10 firearms in Upshur County in October 2016.

Riley faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen D. Warner is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, The Mountain Region Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, the Greater Harrison Drug &Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the West Virginia State Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Buckhannon Police Department, and the Weston Police Department investigated. 

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided. 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Albuquerque Felon Sentenced to Prison for Violating Federal Firearms Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – Cesar Rascon Sierra, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in Santa Fe, N.M., to 24 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Sierra will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.

 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Sierra on Feb. 14, 2017, on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition on Nov. 24, 2015, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  According to the indictment, Sierra was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior felony convictions for auto burglary, unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled drug without a tax stamp affixed.

 

On June 22, 2017, Sierra pled guilty to the indictment.  In entering the guilty plea, Sierra admitted that he was in possession of a stolen pistol, a revolver, and multiple rounds of ammunition on Nov. 24, 2015, when police found him asleep and slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle which was illegally parked facing north in a southbound lane with the car engine running.  Sierra acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition on Nov. 24, 2015, because of his prior felony convictions.

 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rumaldo R. Armijo.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Maryland Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for His Role in Drug Trafficking Organization

            WASHINGTON – Bradley Cobbler, 35, of Hyattsville, Md., has been sentenced to 102 months in prison on a federal drug conspiracy charge stemming from his role in a drug trafficking ring that sold cocaine, marijuana, and other narcotics in the Washington, D.C. area.

 

            The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, Andre R. Watson, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Baltimore, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

 

           Cobbler pled guilty in March 2017 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. He was sentenced on Jan. 29, 2018, by the Honorable Amit P. Mehta. Following his prison term, Cobbler will be placed on five years of supervised release.

 

            According to the government’s evidence, Cobbler and others participated in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of narcotics between 2009 and 2014.  This case represented the end result of a more than three-year investigation into illegal drug distribution and other criminal activity which, in various capacities, involved or occurred in the District of Columbia and the States of Maryland, California, and Virginia.  This drug trafficking group mainly involved itself with trafficking very large quantities of marijuana, but also involved itself with redistributing various and significant quantities of heroin and cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine).  In that regard, during the conspiracy, California suppliers frequently sent – or conspired to send – large quantities of marijuana, heroin, or cocaine to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, where the defendant and others participated in the illegal redistribution of one or more of the controlled substances to others in the Washington, D.C., area for profit.  

 

            Beginning sometime in 2011 and continuing until August 2014, Cobbler had an agreement to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and other narcotics, with various individuals in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, specifically including the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County, Md.

 

            Cobbler acknowledged that he and another co-defendant initially started pooling their money together to purchase marijuana from a California supplier and they traveled together on some occasions to California to facilitate drug deals. Cobbler also admitted that he gave quantities of narcotics to co-conspirator during 2014 for the purposes of redistribution to others. Other co-defendants then sold these narcotics.

 

            Cobbler was arrested on April 7, 2016 and has been in custody ever since. Several others previously pled guilty to charges in the investigation.

 

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu, Assistant Director in Charge Vale, Special Agent in Charge Watson, and Chief Newsham praised the work of the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which in this case involved work from the FBI, the Metropolitan Police Department, and HSI.  They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz and Teesha Tobias. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth F. Whitted, Andrea G. Duvall, and Emory V. Cole, who indicted and prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Involved in 2 Overdose Deaths

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RUBEN MORALES, 44, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 24, 2016, Hartford police officers and emergency medical personnel responding to reports of unresponsive individuals discovered two male overdose victims in different locations on Zion Street in Hartford.  A 33-year-old victim was pronounced deceased shortly after he was discovered in the rear parking lot of an apartment complex on Zion Street.  At the scene, officers seized various items of drug-related paraphernalia.  Officers found a 25-year-old victim on the rear porch of an apartment on Zion Street.  The victim was transported to the hospital and later pronounced deceased.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined that the 33-year-old victim’s death was caused by a combination of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, and the 25-year-old victim’s death was caused by a combination of cocaine, ethanol, and fentanyl.

The investigation revealed that MORALES supplied fentanyl-laced heroin that both victims consumed shortly before they died.

In January and February 2017, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force conducted six controlled purchases of heroin from MORALES.  Subsequent lab analysis confirmed the presence of fentanyl in some of the heroin purchased.

MORALES was arrested on a federal complaint on February 16, 2017.

MORALES is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on May 2, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force includes members from the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Simple Assault and Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding, was sentenced on January 22, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Phillip Mound, age 26, was sentenced to 18 months in custody, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $35.

Mound was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2016.  He was found guilty by a jury of simple assault and assault by striking, beating and wounding on November 2, 2017,

The conviction stemmed from an incident on October 18, 2016, when Mound assaulted his girlfriend after getting into an argument with her.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Mound was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Dupree Woman Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Dupree, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter.

Dale Hendricks, age 36, was indicted on January 17, 2018.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 22, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in custody, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about November 3, 2017, Hendricks did unlawfully kill an infant in a grossly negligent manner by rolling over and laying on the infant while she was asleep.

The charge is merely an accusation and Hendricks is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Hendricks was released on bond, subject to conditions, pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Pierre Man Charged with Receipt, Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Receipt and Distribution of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Possession of Child Pornography.

David Foster, age 34, was indicted on January 17, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 25, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in custody and/or a $500,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $200 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between October 5, 2016, and May 4, 2017, Foster knowingly received and distributed images depicting minors involved in sexually explicit conduct.  The Indictment further alleges that Foster was in possession of Child Pornography.

The charges are merely accusations and Foster is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

Foster was released on bond pending trial which has been set for March 20, 2018.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Colorado Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Collins, Colorado, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on January 24, 2018, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Levi Drussell, age 25, was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Drussell was one of ten men who were arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting persons willing to pay to have sex with underage girls or boys obtained through the Internet.  The conviction stemmed from Drussell communicating with someone he believed to be a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.  Additionally, Drussell sent multiple pornographic images of himself and repeatedly requested the minor send him child pornography images of herself.

The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.

Drussell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.