Category: United States Attorneys General

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Bobby Willis Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud Conviction Arising Out of Million Dollar Fraud Scheme

ALBUQUERQUE – Bobby Willis, 45, a resident of Kirtland, N.M., was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on wire fraud charges.  The court will be scheduling a hearing to determine the amount of restitution Willis will be required to pay to the victims of his fraudulent conduct. 

Willis was charged in a two-count indictment filed on Oct. 20, 2015, alleging that, from March 2010 through Aug. 2011, he executed an illegal scheme to defraud two victims out of a $1,000,000.00.  According to the indictment, Willis offered the victims an opportunity to purchase a five-percent interest in a real estate investment company for $1,000,000.00 with the understanding that he and other individuals had also invested millions of dollars in the company.  Willis then spent the victims’ money instead of investing the funds.

Count 1 of the indictment alleges that on Oct. 25, 2010, Willis caused $900,000.00 to be wire transferred from the bank account of the real estate investment company to his and his wife’s bank account.  Count 2 alleges that on Nov. 12, 2010, Willis caused another $95,000.00 to be wire transferred from the real estate investment company’s bank account to his and his wife’s bank account.

On July 12, 2017, Willis pled guilty to the two-count indictment.  In entering the guilty plea, Willis admitted meeting the victims in 2010 and devising a plan to cause the victims to give him $1,000,000.00 to invest in a real estate LLC created by Willis.  Willis further admitted directing the victims to work with his associates to invest the money in a real estate company.  That same real estate company transferred $995,000.00 into an account held by Willis and his wife on Oct. 25, 2010 and Nov. 18, 2010. 

In his plea agreement, Willis admitted that he and his wife spent the victims’ money.  Willis also admitted that he did not invest the victims’ money in any real estate, and when the victims inquired about the status of their investment, he had associates falsely assure the victims that their investment had grown in value.  

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Paige Messec.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Oakdale prisoner pleads guilty to assaulting fellow inmate

LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that an Oakdale inmate pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting another inmate.

Frank Quinton Gaitor, 49, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Center, Oakdale, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay to one count of assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. The plea will become final when accepted by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter. According to the guilty plea, Gaitor assaulted and intentionally struck a fellow inmate on January 2, 2016 at the Federal Correctional Center in Oakdale. The assault left the inmate with serious bodily injuries.

Gaitor faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of April 17, 2018.

The FBI and U.S. Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Ayo and Jamilla A. Bynog are prosecuting the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Shreveport felon pleads guilty to possessing pistol found at residence

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Shreveport man previously convicted of a felony pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing a pistol found in his residence.

Kenneth D. Mayweather, 20, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the guilty plea, the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Street Level Investigative Unit searched a Shreveport residence on August 3, 2017 as part of a drug investigation. Three males were taken into custody during the search with two of them apprehended in the backyard after attempting to flee the residence. Also during the search, law enforcement agents found a Glock, model 23, .40 caliber pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition. Mayweather admitted to owning the firearm and that he was not allowed to have one as he has a prior felony conviction.

Mayweather faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The court set a sentencing date of May 30, 2018.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Session announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The ATF and Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany E. Fields is prosecuting the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Men Sentenced to Lengthy Sentences for Child Pornography Charges Involving Two Minor Victims, One a Three-Year-Old Child

DALLAS — Javier Giovanni Araujo, 34, of Austin, Texas, and Garrett Alexander Mack, 29, of Dallas, Texas, were sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn to lengthy prison sentences for child pornography offenses, announced Erin Nealy Cox, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Araujo previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography.  Chief Judge Lynn sentenced Araujo to 40 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release.

Mack previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography. Chief Judge Lynn sentenced Mack to 30 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release.

According to the factual resumes filed in the case and information presented at the sentencing hearing, from at least September 26, 2016 through October 7, 2016, Araujo and Mack discussed sexually abusing children and exchanged photos and videos of child pornography.  Araujo produced videos and images of child pornography by using a three-year-old boy to which he had access.  Araujo and Mack discussed the logistics of how they could gain access to this boy and the ways that Araujo could sexually abuse him.  Araujo then sent some of those child pornography images and videos involving the boy to other men on the internet, including to Mack.   

According to information presented at the sentencing hearing, Araujo, pretending to be a church youth group leader, gained access to another minor child and coerced him into engaging in sexual acts with Araujo.  Araujo recorded this sexual abuse and sent at least one child pornography video of the abuse to Mack. 

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood leverages federal, state and local resources to better investigate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children.  Project Safe Childhood also prioritizes identifying and rescuing victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.  For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dallas Police Department, and the Austin Police Department investigated.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie L. Hoxie prosecuted.

# # #

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Bank Robber Sentenced

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that KRISTEN WILLIAMS, age 44, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2113(a).

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: California Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, DAN PIZARRO, age 48, a resident of California, was sentenced today for his role in conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and heroin in the New Orleans area.  Following a 4-day trial in August 2017, a federal jury found PIZARRO guilty of the sole count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin.

According to the evidence presented at trial, in June 2014, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) deputies investigating methamphetamine distribution in Arabi, Louisiana, arrested two men who were selling methamphetamine on West Judge Perez Drive.  Through their investigation, deputies learned that their source of methamphetamine was a resident of California and that PIZARRO had introduced them to the source, thereby setting the conspiracy into motion. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, even after leaving the New Orleans area, PIZARRO continued to direct and supervise the conspiracy. SBSO deputies coordinated with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Orleans Field Office, and between June 26th and 27th, 2014, federal agents and SBSO deputies intercepted four packages containing methamphetamine being mailed through Federal Express to Arabi, Louisiana.  In total, the four packages contained over one kilogram of methamphetamine.  According to DEA laboratory analysts, the methamphetamine in all four packages had a purity level of over 99%, with one shipment testing as 100% pure methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced PIZARRO to life imprisonment and ten year of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, and he thanked the Los Angeles Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Shirin Hakimzadeh and Matthew Payne were responsible for the prosecution.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Salvadoran Citizen Sentenced for Illegal Re-entry

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Juan David Monzon Tejada, age 29, and a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced today to time served (80 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

As part of his guilty plea, Monzon Tejada admitted that he was removed from the United States to his native El Salvador on September 22, 2015.  On November 19, 2017, an ICE Officer arrested Monzon Tejada in Glenville, New York.    

Monzon Tejada was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for removal proceedings.     

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Fort McDermitt Man Charged For Double Murder On Indian Reservation

RENO, Nev. – A Fort McDermitt, Nevada, resident was charged today in federal court for allegedly murdering two individuals on the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson of the District of Nevada.

Stoney Prior, 40, a member of the Fort McDermitt Shoshone Paiute Tribe, was charged in a criminal complaint with two-counts of first-degree murder in Indian Country. A preliminary hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb on February 22, 2018.

According to allegations contained in the complaint, on January 31, 2018, Prior shot and killed two individuals in a residence. The first victim was shot in the head and neck with a shotgun and the second victim was shot in the arm, body, and head. Both victims were members of the Fort McDermitt Shoshone Paiute Tribe.

If convicted, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon M. Bryant is prosecuting the case.

###

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Former Southwest Airlines Baggage Handler Sentenced To 21 Months In Prison For Violating Airport Security Requirements, Drug Smuggling, And Money Laundering

OAKLAND – Former Southwest Airlines baggage handler Kenneth Wayne Fleming, Jr. was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, conspiring to distribute marijuana, and conspiring to launder money, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton, Chief U.S. District Judge.  

Fleming, 35, of Oakland, pleaded guilty on October 25, 2017, to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, marijuana; one count of entering an airport area in violation of security requirements; and one count of conspiracy to launder money.  In his plea agreement, Fleming admitted that in 2013 and 2014 he was a baggage handler for Southwest Airlines at the Oakland International Airport.  He acknowledged he used his access as a baggage handler to smuggle marijuana into the airport and distributed that marijuana to outbound passengers in violation of airport security requirements.  Specifically, Fleming admitted that on four occasions he delivered unscreened baggage to outbound passengers who already cleared the TSA security checkpoint.  The baggage contained a total of 16 kilograms of marijuana.  As part of his plea agreement, Fleming further admitted he abused a position of public and private trust.  Specifically, Fleming admitted he used his access to the secured areas of the airport granted to him as an employee of Southwest Airlines to commit and conceal his crimes.  Fleming also admitted that he conspired with others to launder $51,400 in drug trafficking proceeds through his bank account.     

On September 25, 2017, Fleming was charged in a superseding information with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; one count of entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, in violation of 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2); and one count of conspiracy to launder money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).  Pursuant to this plea agreement, Fleming pleaded guilty to all the charges.

In addition to the prison term, Chief Judge Hamilton sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.  During this period of supervised release, Fleming will be barred from seeking or obtaining employment with any commercial air carrier or airport.  The Court also ordered Fleming to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $51,400.  Fleming will begin serving the sentence on April 2, 2018.

Fleming’s sentence brings to 10 the number of defendants sentenced as part of the scheme to violate airport security and distribute marijuana.  The other nine defendants sentenced include the following:
 

Defendant	Age, Residence	Charges	Status
Michael Herb Videau	30, of Oakland	Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on November 9, 2016, to 15 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Major Alexander Session III	27, of Oakland	Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on November 15, 2017, to 24 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Clyde Barry Jamerson	44, of Oakland	Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on September 21, 2016, to 3 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Kameron Kordero Eldridge Davis	28, of Dublin, Calif.	Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on June 29, 2016, to 6 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Ronnell Lamar Molton	39, of Oakland	Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on August 10, 2016, to 3 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.
Sophia Cherise West	46, of Castro Valley	Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on June 1, 2016, to 12 months and one day in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Donald Ray Holland II	44, of Discovery Bay	Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)	Sentenced on November 16, 2016, to 27 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Brandon Jarred Davillier	29, of Slidell, Louisiana	Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)	Sentenced on August 3, 2016, to 24 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.
Travon Jahmal Franzwa Baker	25, of Oakland	Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D)	Sentenced on May 4, 2016, to 10 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Hire is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Vanessa Quant.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the IRS-CI, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Federal Jury Finds Bay Area Methamphetamine Traffickers Guilty

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal jury found Donnie Phillips, 64, of Concord, and Gordon Miller, 60, of Clayton, guilty today of multiple methamphetamine-trafficking counts, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

After a five-day trial, Phillips and Miller were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Phillips was also found guilty of eight counts of distribution and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Miller was found guilty of two counts of distribution and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to trial evidence, between June 2014 and February 2015, Phillips and Miller supplied methamphetamine to co-defendant Phyliss Mosher, 51, of Vallejo, who supplied it to an undercover agent. The drug deals took place in the counties of Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, Shasta, and San Joaquin. On January 25, 2018, Mosher was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the methamphetamine conspiracy on May 9, 2017.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the Vallejo Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Jill Thomas are prosecuting the case.

Phillips and Miller are scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2018, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.