Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

BOSTON – An East Longmeadow man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for marijuana trafficking.

John Americo Pereira, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to six months in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2023, Pereira pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. 

In January 2018, an investigation began into Pereira, and others, for trafficking marijuana. During a search of Pereira’s home in February 2019, approximately $688,000 in drug proceeds and more than 269 pounds (122 kilograms) of marijuana packaged in one-pound bags were found. Also found at Pereia’s residence were several smaller or partially filled packages and containers of marijuana, marijuana cigarettes and a large amount of marijuana edibles, including 876 chocolate bars. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office; John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office and the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Department of Justice prosecuted the case.  
 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for armed carjacking.

According to court documents, on July 11, 2022, Raequan Rucker, 23, along with a co-conspirator, simultaneously approached two women late at night and stole their vehicles at gunpoint. At the time of the carjacking, one victim had her 9-month-old baby in the backseat. After Rucker entered one vehicle and his co-conspirator entered the other, they drove off and met at a location in Portsmouth where Rucker’s co-conspirator dumped his vehicle and entered Rucker’s. The two men then traveled to Virginia Beach, where they were subsequently located by Virginia Beach Police in a retention pond.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Heck prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-124.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

FORT WAYNE –Kevieun D. Lewis, 35 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to deliver fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

Lewis was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on March 29, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Lewis’s residence after controlled buys of fentanyl were conducted.  During the search, officers found numerous baggies containing fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana.  Officers also located digital scales, a firearm, ammunition, and a substantial amount of U.S. currency.  Lewis has six prior adult felony convictions.    

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from Fort Wayne Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratory, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

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.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

           WASHINGTON – A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

           Scott Miller, 37, of Millersville, Maryland, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon in front of U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on April 19, 2024. 

           According to court documents, on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Miller, a member of the Maryland Chapter of the Proud Boys, left his home in Maryland, purchased a new truck, and drove to Washington, D.C., to participate in the events at the Capitol that day. Miller arrived by approximately 4:15 p.m. and made his way to the Lower West Terrace “Tunnel”, the site of some of the most violent assaults on law enforcement officers that occurred on January 6th. Miller wore orange ski goggles, a black hooded sweatshirt under a tan coat, a tan backpack, a black and red neck gaiter, dark-colored pants, and black motorcycle gloves.

           At the Tunnel entrance, Miller joined the crowd of rioters who were attacking members of the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) and the United States Capitol Police (“USCP”), who were defending the Tunnel and were lawfully engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties. Court documents say that at approximately 4:27 p.m., Miller struck an MPD officer with a long wooden pole multiple times. After that assault, Miller threw at least five objects at the police in the Tunnel, including a metal pipe or pole, a bottle, a short wooden stick, a large black speaker, and an article of clothing.

           At approximately 4:33 p.m., Miller then struck multiple police officers who were defending the tunnel several times by swinging and jabbing a long blue and white pole at their heads. Shortly thereafter, Miller grabbed ahold of a USCP riot shield held by two officers. Miller pulled the shield out of their hands and, after a brief struggle, ripped the shield away from the officers. Miller then carried the shield back into the crowd behind him and handed it to another rioter.

           Miller was arrested on Dec. 16, 2022, in Maryland by the FBI.

           This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

           The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Miller as #132 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

           In the 36 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

           Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Zackery Dale Jenkins, 30, of Beckley, was sentenced today to seven years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 18, 2023, Jenkins sold a controlled substance containing fentanyl to a confidential informant in a Beckley residence. Jenkins admitted to that transaction and to selling controlled substances containing fentanyl to the confidential informant on four other occasions in the Beckley area.

On June 1, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Jenkins’ residence and seized additional quantities of fentanyl and several firearms. Jenkins admitted that he intended to distribute the fentanyl.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.

United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess 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. 5:23-cr-90.

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Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Dajuan Williams, 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced in the United States District Court on January 4, 2024, following his guilty plea to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 4 of the October 5, 2021 superseding indictment.

Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Williams to 144 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release. The Court also ordered Williams to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $600,034.09.

According to court records, Williams, who is the lead defendant in this 11-defendant case, supervised a well-organized nationwide drug trafficking business that distributed vast quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs for profit. Some of the drugs involved were fentanyl pills created to resemble prescription opiate medications. Williams also supervised the laundering of drug proceeds via cash deposits into bank accounts followed by the transfer of proceeds using a variety of methods, including mobile payment services such as Cash App, Zelle, and Venmo. Williams’s business had locations across the country, including in Burlington, Vermont; Bismarck, North Dakota; and Billings, Montana. To staff these locations, Williams recruited workers and directed them where to go and what to do. The business relied on complicated logistics to obtain drugs from suppliers, transport them across the country, and distribute them to customers. At times, Williams tested drugs on customers to determine which product was favored. On the financial side, Williams micro-managed on-the-ground distribution, checking in with his workers and frequently demanding the “count” – an accounting of drugs sold and money earned. Earnings of over a million dollars were returned to bank accounts controlled by Williams. Williams laundered drug proceeds, enriched himself, and surrounded himself with the trappings of affluence: cars, cash, clothes, jewelry, houses. Among the cars Williams purchased with his illegally-obtained wealth were a black 2016 Maserati Ghibli; a white 2017 Audi A7; and a grey 2017 BMW X6. Before his arrest on January 13, 2021, in Los Angeles, California, Williams was living in a mansion that rented for approximately $15,000 per month perched high in the hills of Los Angeles under the Hollywood sign.

To date, nine of Williams’ co-defendants have pleaded guilty to federal charges and have been sentenced. The following summarizes the results of this multi-defendant drug trafficking and money laundering case:

• Juwon Robinson: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges described in count 1 of the indictment. Sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Dashawn Pulley: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 4 of the superseding indictment. Sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release resolving federal charges in Vermont and North Dakota.
• Jaylinn Lenoir: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges described in count 1 of the indictment. Sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Rendell Perkins: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges described in count 1 of the indictment. Sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Mohamed Luhizo: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 12 of the indictment. Sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Stephen Alexander: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 2 of an information. Sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Juan Orozco-Hernandez: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 2 of a superseding information. Sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.
• Abigail Houston: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges described in count 1 of the superseding indictment. Sentenced to 5 years’ probation.
• Javonte Sovey: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 4 of the superseding indictment. Sentenced to 1 year and 1 day of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release and now participating in federal Reentry Court in Vermont.
• Jessica Elwell: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges described in counts 1 and 4 of the superseding indictment. Sentencing scheduled for March 8, 2024.

The sentencing of Williams and his co-defendants follows a twelve-month investigation conducted by state and federal agencies which was led by Homeland Security Investigations. HSI was assisted in this investigation by agents from IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, troopers from the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, the Burlington Police Department, and the South Burlington Police Department. The coordinated law enforcement effort focusing on Williams and his drug trafficking organization was conducted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest praised the coordinated work of law enforcement in this year-long investigation and also thanked all of the United States Attorney’s Offices across the country who assisted, with specific credit to federal prosecutors in Maine, North Dakota, and the Central District of California for their assistance. “Dajuan Williams and his co-defendants spread deadly drugs throughout the Burlington, Vermont area as well as several other small cities across the United States. The focus of the organization was on profit without a care for the addicted victims of Williams’ illegal business. Multiple law enforcement agencies, led by HSI and IRS-CI, worked with focus and determination and have now successfully dismantled Williams’ organization. While we recognize the importance of prevention and treatment and rehabilitation, this office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to prosecute those who seek to profit off of the addiction of their fellow community members.” 

“Dajuan Williams was responsible for spreading misery and poison throughout our region,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of HSI New England. “HSI is proud to have collaborated with our local, state, and federal partners in Vermont and beyond to put an end to Williams’s crime spree, which included the trafficking of deadly fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.”

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Boscia. Chandler Matson, Esq. represents Dajuan Williams. Ernest Allen, Esq. represented Juwon Robinson. Stephanie Greenlees, Esq. represented Dashawn Pulley. Jordana Levine, Esq. represented Jaylinn Lenoir. Robert Behrens, Esq. represented Rendell Perkins. Richard Bothfeld, Esq. represented Mohamed Luhizo. Kevin Henry, Esq. represented Stephen Alexander. Frederic Warner, Esq. and Richard Goldsborough, Esq. represented Juan Orozco-Hernandez. Allan Sullivan, Esq. represented Abigail Houston. Gregory Mertz, Esq. represented Javante Sovey. Michael Turndorf, Esq. represents Jessica Elwell.