Category: United States Attorneys General

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Federal Charges Filed Against Man Who Allegedly Posted Online Threats of Violence at Women’s Reproductive Clinics

CHICAGO — An Indiana man is facing federal charges for allegedly threatening to commit violence at women’s reproductive health services clinics in Chicago and northwest Indiana.

LUKE DANIEL WIERSMA, 33, of Dyer, Ind., is charged with transmitting threats to injure and using threats of force to intimidate or interfere with reproductive health services. 

Wiersma posted online threats of violence on at least seven occasions in October and November of last year, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  Wiersma submitted the threats through the clinics’ websites, the complaint states.  The clinic in Chicago provides reproductive health services, while the clinic in Hammond, Ind., provides counseling services related to women’s reproductive health. 

Wiersma was arrested on Tuesday.  A detention hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier in Chicago.

The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The Indianapolis, Ind., Office of the FBI and the Dyer, Ind., Police Department provided valuable assistance.

In one of the threats transmitted to the Chicago clinic on Oct. 29, 2017, Wiersma allegedly stated, “I will do anything and everything to stop the unmitigated murders of fetuses.  I will do anything to stop the atrocities committed by your clinic every minute of every day at your clinic.  You are all pieces of [expletive] and I will kill to stop these atrocities.  I will blow you up if I have to, burn the clinic down.  I will do whatever is necessary I swear to God I will.  After that you are in God’s hands and He will do His thing.”

Transmitting a threat to injure is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while using threats of force to intimidate or interfere with reproductive health services is punishable by up to one year in prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abigail Peluso and Georgia Alexakis.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Hurricane felon pleads guilty to federal gun charge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Hurricane man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Brandon Pistore, 34, entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the St. Albans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On April 19, 2017, an officer with the St. Albans Police Department stopped a vehicle Pistore was driving and discovered a gun. The officer seized the firearm, a Davis Industries, Model P380 pistol. Pistore later admitted that it was his gun. He was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of a 2006 federal drug conviction for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.  

“Being a felon with a gun in my district is not a good idea,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “If we catch you – and we will – we will prosecute you six days a week and twice on Sunday.”

Pistore faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced on May 9, 2018.

Assistant United States Attorney Meredith George Thomas is in charge of the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the plea hearing.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Kanawha County woman pleads guilty to federal opioid crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County woman pleaded guilty today to a federal drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Patricia Anne Carnes, 51, of Elkview, entered her guilty plea to obtaining hydrocodone and oxycodone by fraud. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad and the Charleston Police Department for the investigation.

Carnes admitted that she fraudulently ordered prescription pads from a printing company in order to obtain counterfeit prescriptions with the name and DEA registration number of a Charleston area doctor. Between October 2016 and early April 2017, she wrote and filled approximately 11 forged prescriptions of oxycodone and hydrocodone for herself. She further admitted that she used this fraudulent scheme to obtain over 650 pain pills.   

Carnes faces up to four years in federal prison when she is sentenced on May 9, 2018.

Assistant United States Attorney Joshua C. Hanks is responsible for the prosecution. The plea hearing was held before Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber.

This case is part of an ongoing effort led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia to combat the illicit sale and misuse of prescription drugs and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, joined by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is committed to aggressively pursuing and shutting down pill trafficking, eliminating open air drug markets, and curtailing the spread of opiate painkillers and heroin in communities across the Southern District. 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Beckley felons sentenced to federal prison for gun crimes

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Two Beckley felons were sentenced to federal prison today on gun charges, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Ryan Henry Guerrant, 27, previously entered his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison. In a separate prosecution, Clennel Pierre Cobb, 46, also previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to six years in federal prison to run consecutively to the sentence for his 2017 Raleigh County drug felony. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Beckley Police Department on these cases.

“Prison time awaits those who break our gun laws. My office is serious about keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “We will continue working with law enforcement to target felons who think they are above the law.”

On August 10, 2017, an officer with the Beckley Police Department conducted a traffic stop in Beckley. Guerrant, a passenger in the back seat, informed the officer that he had an Omega, Model 100, .22 caliber revolver at his feet. Guerrant later admitted to law enforcement that he possessed the gun, and that he knew he was not supposed to possess the gun because he was a convicted felon. Guerrant was prohibited from possessing any firearm because of felony convictions in Raleigh County Circuit Court for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in 2013 and escape and attempted robbery in 2010. 

In a separate prosecution, Cobb admitted that on August 12, 2016, he possessed a Hi-Point, Model C9, 9mm pistol. Cobb was prohibited from possessing any firearm under federal law because of multiple felony convictions, including drug convictions in 2006 and 2017 in Raleigh County Circuit Court.

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentences.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in the United States by networking with existing local programs targeting gun crime.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: San Antonio Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Series of Bank Robberies

In San Antonio today, a federal judge sentenced 31–year-old David Lee Sartin to 121 months in federal prison for his role in five bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery during the summer of 2016, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio. 

In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Xavier Rodriguez ordered that Sartin pay $26,204  restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.

According to the factual basis filed in this case, Sartin was responsible for robberies that occurred at: Comerica Bank in Helotes, TX, on July 21, 2016; Southwest Research Center Federal Credit Union in San Antonio on July 22, 2016; Chase Bank in San Antonio and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union in Bulverde, TX, on July 29, 2016; Generations Federal Credit Union in San Antonio (*attempted) and Amegy Bank of Texas in San Antonio on August 8, 2016.  During all of the robberies, Sartin wore an olive green/tan suit, a baseball hat, sunglasses and a unique silicone “old man” mask. 

FBI agents arrested Sartin as he arrived at his residence following the Amegy Bank of Texas robbery on August 8, 2016.  At the time of Sartin’s arrest, agents recovered the money stolen from Amegy Bank along with the demand note used and the clothing and mask worn by the defendant during the robbery.

On January 30, 2017, Sartin’s roommate and co-defendant, Jason Lynn Hathorn, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for assisting Sartin in carrying out the bank robberies.

FBI agents investigated this case together with San Antonio, Helotes and Bulverde Police Departments.  Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Wannarka prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Red Oak Man Sentenced to 170 Months on Child Pornography Charge

DALLAS — Noah Ray Evans, 35, of Red Oak, Texas, was sentenced this week before U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 170 months in federal prison on a federal child pornography charge, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

Evans pleaded guilty to one count of transportation and shipping child pornography in October 2017. 

According to the plea agreement factual resume filed in the case, on January 29, 2017, Evans used his computer to send files of a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

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 investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Read prosecuted.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Minneapolis Woman Charged With Terrorism Offenses, Arson, And Making False Statements

United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced a three-count indictment charging TNUZA JAMAL HASSAN, 19, with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, arson, and making a false statement. HASSAN will make her initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge at a later date.

According to the indictment, on September 19, 2017, HASSAN, a former student at St. Catherine University (SCU) in St. Paul, Minnesota, attempted to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely, al-Qa’ida. On September 22, 2017, in an interview with FBI Agents, HASSAN was asked whether she authored and delivered a letter to two fellow students at SCU in March 2017. The letter sought to encourage fellow students to “join the jihad in fighting” and to “[j]oin Al Qaeda, Taliban, or Al Shabaab.” HASSAN knowingly made a false statement to FBI Agents when she stated (1) she did not write the letter, (2) she did not know who wrote the letter, and (3) did not know how the letter came to be delivered to her fellow students.

According to the indictment, on January 17, 2018, HASSAN started several fires on the campus of SCU, including in St. Mary Hall, which she maliciously damaged. The fires set by HASSAN caused the St. Paul Fire Department to respond to SCU.

HASSAN was charged in Ramsey County District Court with one count of first-degree arson and is currently in custody at the Ramsey County Jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter is prosecuting the case.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force, St. Paul Police Department, and arson investigators from the St. Paul Fire Department. 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

TNUZA JAMAL HASSAN, 19

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Attempting to Provide Material Support to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (al-Qa’ida), 1 count
• False Statement, 1 count
• Arson, 1 count

 
 
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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Pine Ridge Man Charged in Shooting

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man was charged in federal district court with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

Lester Waters Jr. was charged on January 29, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on February 2, 2018, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charge relates to Waters shooting two men near Pine Ridge on January 25, 2018. The charge is merely an accusation and Waters is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Pubic Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins is prosecuting the case.

Waters was detained pending further hearing. A trial date has not been set.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Federal Jury Convicts Wilson Man of Felon in Possession Charge

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today, MAURICE MONTRAE PARKS, a Wilson, NC resident, was convicted in a three-day jury trial before Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt.  The jury found PARKS guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

The evidence at trial showed that shortly after midnight on September 5 2015, Parks was seen banging on the door of a residence in Wilson, NC while holding a firearm.  After a neighbor called 911, Officers of Wilson PD arrived, and Parks fled the scene in his car.  During the brief chase, Parks took several turns along residential streets and cut through the lawn of a vacant home that sat at the corner of an intersection.  A pursuing officer observed Parks’ vehicle stop briefly beside that vacant home.  Parks drove back to the street where he had been seen with the gun and jumped and ran from his car.  Police apprehended Parks on the driveway of the house whose resident had placed the 911 call.  Officers returned to the vacant home that Parks had driven around and found a mini Ruger 14 rifle lying in the grass.  The firearm was near fresh tire marks in the yard and in the area where Parks had momentarily stopped his car.

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 safer 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 Sessions 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 investigation of this case was conducted by the Wilson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorneys Jake D. Pugh and John Stuart Bruce represented the government in this case. 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Black Hawk Man Sentenced for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Black Hawk, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet was sentenced on February 5, 2018, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Nathan William Juhala, age 66, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Juhala was charged on February 22, 2017. The charge relates to Juhala responding to an ad on Craiglist and communicating with someone he believed to be a 15 year-old girl, who was actually an undercover law enforcement agent, for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.

This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Juhala was immediately remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.