Canyon Lake Man Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Distribution Charge

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

Headline: Canyon Lake Man Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Distribution Charge

In San Antonio, federal and state authorities arrested 43-year-old Seth Elred Perricone for distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

A federal complaint filed this morning, January 26, 2018, charged Perricone, of Canyon Lake, Texas, with one count of distribution of child pornography. According to the criminal complaint, from July 31, 2017 through January 21, 2018, the defendant transmitted several thousand files depicting the exploitation of children.

January 25, 2018, FBI agents and task force officers serving on the San Antonio Child Exploitation Task Force executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home in Canyon Lake and seized several digital devices belonging to the defendant, including a computer. A preliminary forensic examination of the computer revealed the presence of child pornography.

Upon conviction, Perricone faces up to 20 years in federal prison. He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing which is expected to occur next week in U.S. Magistrate court in San Antonio.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Comal County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Thompson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

FBI Media Alert: Albuquerque Man Wanted on Bank Robbery Charges Apparently Commits Suicide

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

Headline: FBI Media Alert: Albuquerque Man Wanted on Bank Robbery Charges Apparently Commits Suicide

An Albuquerque man wanted by the FBI for two bank robberies apparently committed suicide during a standoff with law enforcement Friday, January 26, 2018.

Christopher Tracy Schlarb, 44, was found dead of an apparent gunshot inside his residence in the 1500 block of Calle Sonrisa NE.

FBI special agents, supported by Albuquerque police officers, tried to arrest Schlarb on a federal complaint charging him with Albuquerque bank robberies committed on December 5, 2017, and January 11, 2018.

Schlarb refused to exit his residence, and after efforts by law enforcement to negotiate his surrender, a single gunshot inside the house was heard.

No law enforcement officers fired their weapons, and Schlarb was alone at the time.

An autopsy will be performed to officially determine the cause of death.

Felon Ernest Blackmon Pleads Guilty to Stolen Gun Possession, Gets 17 Years

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

Headline: Felon Ernest Blackmon Pleads Guilty to Stolen Gun Possession, Gets 17 Years

District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office on Friday, January 26, 2018, won the conviction of a Lower 9th Ward man for illegally possessing a stolen gun while on federal parole as a felony offender.

Ernest Blackmon, 30, averted his trial scheduled for February 5, 2018 by pleading guilty Friday to illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. As part of a plea agreement, the state did not ask that Blackmon be sentenced as a multiple offender, sparing him a possible sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

Criminal District Judge Byron C. Williams sentenced Blackmon to 17 years—without the benefit of parole or probation—for the felon in possession of a firearm conviction. Blackmon received a five-year sentence for possession of a stolen gun, which Williams ordered to be served concurrently with the first sentence.

“It is troubling when a young man already given a second or third chance to become a contributing member of society instead opts for a different path,” Cannizzaro said. “Federal and state laws prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms exist to keep our community safer, and to reduce the temptation toward recidivism by those who otherwise would become so-called career criminals.”

Blackmon already was on parole after a federal conviction for the unlawful transport of firearms when authorities lawfully searched his residence in the 1600 block of Lizardi Street on May 11, 2016. During the search, agents discovered a stolen gun hidden inside a dresser drawer with other personal possessions belonging to Blackmon. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed that Blackmon had handled the stashed weapon. With his plea on Friday, Blackmon acknowledged the gun was his.

Assistant District Attorney Jason Napoli prosecuted the case. The investigation involved personnel from the FBI New Orleans Field Office’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Louisiana State Police, the New Orleans Police Department and the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole.

FBI Seeking Information from a Bank Robbery in Hialeah

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

Headline: FBI Seeking Information from a Bank Robbery in Hialeah

The FBI is seeking information from a bank robbery that took place January 25, 2018 at approximately 1:00 p.m. at an Ocean Bank branch located at 1801 West 4th Avenue, Hialeah, Florida.

The robber entered the bank and demanded money from a bank employee. There were customers in the bank at the time of the robbery. There were no injuries. The amount of money taken will not be released at this time.

If anyone has information as to the identity of this bank robber, they are urged to call the FBI at (754) 703-2000 or Crimestoppers.

Second Hand Bandits Bank Robbery Press Release

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

Headline: Second Hand Bandits Bank Robbery Press Release

The Aurora Police Department and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force are investigating the following bank robberies:

US Bank
2990 South Peoria Street  
Aurora, Colorado
November 10, 2017, 5:46 p.m.

TCF Bank
1710 South Havana Street 
Aurora, Colorado
December 22, 2017, 5:34 p.m.

Security Services Federal Credit Union (SSFCU)
2150 South Peoria St.
Aurora, Colorado
January 18, 2018, 5:48 p.m.

The suspects, dubbed the “Second Hand Bandits” are responsible for robbing three banks in the Aurora area.

The suspects in the U.S. Bank robbery are described as two black males, approximately 5’10”, weighing approximately 180 pounds, with medium builds.

The suspects in the TCF Bank robbery were armed with handguns. They are described as black males, 20-30 years of age, 5’9″ to 6’0″ tall, weighing between 160 and 170 pounds, with thin builds.

Three armed suspects robbed the SSFCU bank in the third robbery. The suspects were described as three males, approximately 5’7″ to 5’9″ tall, with medium builds, all clad in black clothing.

Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.

The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information regarding the bank robbery above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and earn up to five thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying an Area Bank Robber

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

Headline: Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying an Area Bank Robber

Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying a Denver Area Bank Robber

The Denver Police Department and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force are investigating a bank robbery.

Bank of the West
2720 South Colorado Boulevard  
Denver, Colorado
January 23, 2018, 4:15 p.m.

The suspect is described as a white female, early 20s, approximately 5’2” tall, with a thin build. The suspect was wearing a black hat, dark sunglasses, black jacket, black pants, and tennis shoes.

Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.

The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robbery above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and earn up to five thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying a Denver Area Bank Robber

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

Headline: Law Enforcement Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying a Denver Area Bank Robber

The Denver, Aurora, and Greenwood Village Police Departments and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force need your help identifying a bank robber. The banks robbed include:

  • US Bank
    8401 East Belleview Avenue
    Denver, Colorado
    December 22, 2017, 2:31 p.m.
  • First Bank
    6715 South Corner Star Way
    Aurora, Colorado
    January 8, 2018, 5:25 p.m.
  • Chase Bank
    8501 East Arapahoe Road
    Greenwood Village, Colorado
    January 22, 2018, 6:05 p.m.

The suspect, dubbed the “Horse Head Bandit” is described as a white male, 45 to 60 years of age, approximately 5’10” to 6’0” in height, medium build, and possible facial blemished or pock marked skin.

The suspect brandished a handgun to bank tellers, robbed the bank, and fled on foot. A silver sedan was observed departing the area with the suspect inside.

Please be on the lookout for anyone matching the suspect’s description. Be aware of anyone similar who might have recently changed their spending habits or discussed coming into money suddenly.

Bank robbery is punishable by a 20-year prison sentence for each offense and increases if a dangerous weapon is used in the commission of the crime.

The FBI continues to provide financial institutions with the best practices for security to make them less vulnerable to robberies.

If anyone has any information on the bank robberies above, or any bank robbery, please call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or, you can remain anonymous and earn up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Law Enforcement Announces Arrest of Suspect

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

Headline: Law Enforcement Announces Arrest of Suspect

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at around 10 p.m., the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Public Safety took Morgan Juwan Pavinyama into custody without incident. He was located between Kaibeto and Page, Arizona. Pavinyama was wanted for his alleged involvement in a robbery and burglary in Moenkopi Village, Arizona in 2016.

He made his initial appearance in federal court, Wednesday.

The FBI would like to thank the public and the media for the tips that were called in, along with the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Public Safety for their diligence in capturing this suspect without incident.

Further questions can be referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Thank you all for your assistance with this.

Please note, our policies prohibit us from releasing booking photos.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Criminal Case number: 3:17-cr-08116-GMS

United States Obtains $16.2 Million Judgment Against MRI Provider For Submitting False Claims

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: United States Obtains $16.2 Million Judgment Against MRI Provider For Submitting False Claims

Wilmington, Del. –  David C. Weiss, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware entered judgment in the amount of $16,223,091.38 against Orthopaedic and Neuro Imaging LLC (ONI) for submitting false claims for Medicare reimbursement.  Under the terms of the judgment, ONI’s owner, Richard Pfarr, is jointly and severally liable for $6,125,947.13. 

 

ONI operates independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) in Delaware and Maryland.  The Court granted the United States’ request for default judgment on its complaint, which alleged that ONI and Pfarr knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by administering contrast dye during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on patients without proper supervision by a physician. Contrast dye is a chemical that is injected intravenously into the body in order to make certain tissues more clearly visible on an MRI.

 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware is committed to combatting health care fraud and protecting Medicare beneficiaries using all available remedies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Weiss.  “This case exemplifies the utility of the False Claims Act to deter fraudulent conduct, protect patient safety, and save taxpayer dollars.” 

 

“The FBI, along with our partners, will work aggressively to combat healthcare fraud utilizing all tools available to the agencies charged with rooting out fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Division.   “We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent these programs from becoming targets and fight fraud wherever we find it. Medical Providers who take shortcuts to enrich themselves in delivering patient care will be held accountable.

 

The original lawsuit was filed by Robin White, a former employee of ONI.  The lawsuit was filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims for government funds, and to receive a share of any recovery. The False Claims Act permits the government to intervene in such a lawsuit, as was done in this case.  Under the terms of the Court’s judgment, Ms. White will receive an 18-percent share of the recovery.

 

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer L. Hall and Laura Hatcher handled the case on behalf of the United States.

 

The case is captioned United States ex rel. White v. Orthopaedic and Neuro Imaging LLC, No. 13-1109-RGA. 

Two Servicemembers Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Have Sex with a Minor

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Servicemembers Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Have Sex with a Minor

In San Antonio today, Senior U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Mark Antonio Pazmino, a 30–year-old former U.S. Army member assigned to Joint Base San Antonio—National Security Agency (JBSA-NSA), to 121 months in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for attempting to have sex with a minor announced United States Attorney John F. Bash.

 

On May 16, 2017, Pazmino pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  According to court records, in 2016, Pazmino responded to a personal ad from an individual whom he believed was a 14-year-old female residing on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX (JBSA-Lackland).  Pazmino stated multiple times through the chat conversation, as well as a recorded telephone conversation, that he wanted to engage in sexual activity with the minor female.   Unbeknownst to Pazmino, the 14-year-old he was communicating with was actually an undercover agent with Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI).  Federal agents arrested Pazmino on July 5, 2016, when he showed up at a pre-arranged meeting location on JBSA-Lackland.  He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

 

In a separate, but related matter, on January 24, 2018, Chief United States District Judge Orlando L. Garcia sentenced 28-year-old Mark Richard Hardin, an enlisted Navy member assigned to Joint Base San Antonio—Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-FSH), to 120 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.  On October 12, 2017, the former U.S. Navy medical technician at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  By pleading guilty, Hardin admitted that in February 2016, he began text messaging with an individual he believed was a 14-year-old female residing on JBSA-Lackland for the purposes of meeting and ultimately engaging in sexual intercourse with her.  Unbeknownst to Hardin, the 14-year-old was an undercover AFOSI agent.  On February 25, 2016, federal agents arrested Hardin on JBSA-Lackland.  He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

 

AFOSI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and FBI special agents conducted this investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Wannarka prosecuted both defendants on behalf of the Government.

 

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.