Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Honduran Citizens Plead Guilty To Scheme To Facilitate Employment Of Undocumented Aliens In Construction Industry, Evasion Of Payroll Taxes

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Anyi (“Angie”) Artica-Romero (32) and Milton Noel Romero (35), both of Orlando, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both are Honduran citizens who do not have legal status in the United States, and each faces up to 20 years in federal prison. As part of their guilty pleas, both have agreed to forfeit $812,149, the amount of proceeds obtained as a result of the offenses, and $127,624 that was seized in cash and from bank accounts.

According to the plea agreements, Artica-Romero and Noel Romero facilitated the employment in the construction industry of undocumented aliens living and working illegally in the United States. Construction contractors and subcontractors entered into an agreement with shell companies controlled by the defendants to provide workers, most of whom were undocumented aliens, for the contractors and subcontractors.

By obtaining and paying the workers through the shell companies, the contractors and subcontractors could disclaim responsibility for ensuring that (1) the workers were legally authorized to work in the United States, (2) required state and federal payroll taxes were paid, and (3) adequate workers’ compensation insurance was provided.

After creating the shell companies, Artica-Romero and Noel Romero applied for workers’ compensation insurance policies covering the period from September 2, 2015, through July 27, 2017. In the applications, they represented that the policies would cover 6 to 19 employees, and estimated annual payrolls of $100,000 to $410,800. The insurance companies issued policies with annual premiums of $20,002 to $38,860, based on the payroll information in the applications. They then “rented” the insurance policies to numerous construction contractors and subcontractors who employed hundreds of workers, causing the insurance companies to send certificates of insurance to the contractors and subcontractors as purported proof of sufficient workers’ compensation insurance.

The contractors and subcontractors wrote payroll checks to the shell companies for work performed by the workers. Artica-Romero and Noel Romero cashed the checks and distributed the cash to construction crew leaders, who then paid the workers in cash. No state or federal payroll taxes, such as for Medicare and Social Security, were deducted from the workers’ pay, in violation of Florida and federal law.

Artica-Romero and Noel Romero kept approximately 4% of the amount of each payroll check as a “rental” fee. During the scheme, they cashed payroll checks totaling $20,303,737, with the 4% fee totaling $812,149. The annual premium for a workers’ compensation insurance policy covering a payroll of $20,303,737 would have been more than $2,800,000.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Bradenton Man Sentenced To Fifteen Years In Prison For Being A Felon In Possession Of A Firearm

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell today sentenced Daniel R. Kendricks (46, Bradenton) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered him to forfeit the firearm used in the offense. Kendricks was found guilty after a bench trial on October 31, 2017.

According to court documents, on October 17, 2016, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office were searching a residence and discovered Kendricks sleeping on a couch in a garage. When deputies searched the garage, they discovered a loaded gun on a table next to the couch where Kendricks had been sleeping. Kendricks subsequently confessed to possessing the gun.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Callan L. Albritton.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Lake City Men Sentenced To More Than Five Years For Distributing Methamphetamine

Jacksonville, Florida– U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan today sentenced Jeremy Roldan (45, Lake City) and Gene Wakeley (43, Lake City) to five years and five months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Roldan was also sentenced for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 

Roldan pleaded guilty on June 19, 2017, and Wakeley pleaded guilty on October 20, 2017.

According to court documents, on December 13, 2016, Roldan and Wakeley sold approximately seven grams of methamphetamine to an individual in Lake City for $400. On February 1, 2017, Roldan also sold a .38 caliber revolver to an individual for $200. Roldan was previously convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, selling/distributing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine, and cheating. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a historical program involving the successful collaboration of law enforcement, at all levels, to reduce violent crime and making neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception (2001). In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: District Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison on Charges Stemming from Trafficking Four Children for Commercial Sex

            WASHINGTON – Daraya Marshall, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 25 years in prison on four federal charges of sex trafficking of children, one federal count of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one District of Columbia offense of first-degree child sexual abuse.   

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

            Marshall pled guilty on Oct. 16, 2017, the day that his trial was scheduled to begin in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  He had been charged by the grand jury in a 15-count indictment; the remaining counts were dismissed at sentencing pursuant to the plea agreement.  Marshall was sentenced by the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan.  Following his prison term, Marshall will be placed on 15 years of supervised release.  By law, he will also be required to register as a sex offender for a minimum period of 25 years. Judge Chutkan also ordered Marshall to pay $21,800 in restitution and an equal amount in a forfeiture money judgment.       

            According to the government’s evidence, Marshall and his co-defendant, Jarnese Harris, 31, ran a sex trafficking operation out of their apartment in Southeast Washington.  At times, Marshall had six or more women and girls prostituting for him, including Ms. Harris.  In 2014 and 2015, Marshall separately persuaded four girls – who were ages 14, 15, 15-16, and 17 years old – to prostitute for him by engaging in commercial sexual acts with strangers who responded to ads placed on Backpage.com.  These commercial sexual transactions would occur either in Marshall’s apartment, or Marshall or Harris would drive the victims to other locations in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.  Marshall and Harris took pictures of the girls in sexually provocative poses, and paid for and placed advertisements on Backpage.com.

            The victims were vulnerable because of their youth and difficult life circumstances, and Marshall lured them with the promise of independence and a chance to make money.  He provided the victims with food and marijuana, let them stay in his apartment, and gave them rides to and from home or school so that they could work for him at night and on weekends.  Additionally, Marshall took photos and videos of one of the victims, which depicted child pornography, when the victim was 15 and 16 years old.  He also sexually abused one of the victims by engaging in intercourse with her when she was just 14 years old.

            Marshall and Harris came to the attention of law enforcement in May 2015, after the mother of the 14-year-old victim reported to police that she learned her daughter, who had run away and been reported missing, was being prostituted by a man living on South Capitol Street. After an initial investigation, Marshall was arrested and charged in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.  During the investigation, additional victims and federal charges were identified and Marshall was charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Marshall has been in custody since his arrest on June 29, 2015.   

            “Daraya Marshall cold-heartedly exploited four teenage girls, including one who was in the eighth grade, and turned them into prostitutes,” said U.S. Attorney Liu. “Time after time, he took advantage of vulnerable victims for his own financial gain. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his reprehensible actions. This case highlights our commitment to preventing and prosecuting those who engage in human trafficking. “

            “Child sex trafficking is a horrible crime that creates a cycle of victimization and must be stopped,” said Assistant Director in Charge Vale. “The FBI is committed to bringing child predators to justice and rescuing children from this heinous exploitation. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to aggressively prevent and investigate crimes against children.”

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Liu, Assistant Director in Charge Vale, and Chief Newsham expressed appreciation for the work performed by detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Youth Division, and Special Agents and Analysts of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. They also recognized the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Arvind K. Lal, Chief of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section; Assistant U.S. Attorney Chrisellen Kolb; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Cook; former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marina Stevenson; Victim/Witness Advocates Lezlie Richardson and Veronica Vaughan; Victim/Witness Security Specialists Lesley Slade, Tanya Via, and Wanda Queen; Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Jones and Elena Buruncenco; Litigation Technology Specialist Claudia Gutierrez, and Criminal Investigators John Marsh and Mark Crawford.

            Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassidy Kesler Pinegar, Kenya K. Davis, and Jason Park, who prosecuted the case. 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Hartford Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of 2 Minors

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging HIRAN SANCHEZ, also known as “Ivan” and “Pablo,” 20, of Hartford, with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and two counts of sex trafficking of a minor.

The indictment was returned on November 15, 2017, and SANCHEZ was arrested on January 22, 2018.  He entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and is detained pending trial.

As alleged in the indictment, SANCHEZ recruited, harbored and transported two minor victims to engage in commercial acts.  SANCHEZ trafficked the first victim in July 2016 and the second victim in April and May 2017.

The charge of sex trafficking of a minor carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut State Police and Hartford Police Department, through the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force, and with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Nancy V. Gifford.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: West Hartford Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that NELSON MARQUEZ, 31, of West Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force received information that David Alvarado, also known as “Flaco,” was distributing heroin to street-level dealers and drug customers in the vicinity of his residence on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.  Between August 2014 and May 2015, investigators made eight controlled purchases of heroin from Alvarado.  A wiretap investigation revealed that Alvarado supplied MARQUEZ both with raw heroin and heroin packaged for distribution, which MARQUEZ distributed to his own customers.

On May 26, 2015, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Alvarado’s residence and seized raw heroin, bagged heroin, heroin stamps, digital scales, thousands of wax folds, and other items used to process and package heroin.  Investigators also seized a 9mm Beretta pistol with a loaded magazine, and numerous rounds of ammunition.

MARQUEZ’s criminal history includes a federal conviction for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine.  On May 7, 2010, MARQUEZ was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 42 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for that offense.  He was released from federal prison in June 2012 and was on federal supervised release while he engaged in the heroin trafficking activity described above.

MARQUEZ has been detained since his arrest on November 1, 2016.  On May 15, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

Alvarado has pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: East Hartford Man Sentenced to More than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Heroin

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOEL GONZALEZ, also known as “Tuti,” 34, of East Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November and December 2015, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force and Hartford Police made a total of six controlled purchases of heroin from GONZALEZ at 71 Warrenton Avenue and 30-32 Putnam Street in Hartford.

GONZALEZ was arrested on December 16, 2015.  On that date, a search of his East Hartford residence revealed 30 bags of heroin and $23,302 in cash; a search of 71 Warrenton Avenue revealed 2,000 bags of heroin and $5,298 in cash, and a search of 30-32 Putnam Street revealed 330 bags of heroin, approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 12 grams of cocaine and $2,762 in cash.

GONZALEZ has been detained since his arrest.  On May 10, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 100 grams or more of heroin.

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Former Social Security Administration Employee Found Guilty of Conspiring to Commit Immigration Fraud and Falsifying Government Records

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A former claims representative for the Social Security Administration in Sacramento, was found guilty today in federal court for conspiring to commit immigration fraud and falsifying government records, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

After four days of trial, a jury convicted Nelli Kesoyan, 45, of Rancho Cordova, of one count of conspiring to make false statements in a matter related to naturalization and citizenship and to obstruct, impede, or influence a pending agency proceeding, and one count of falsifying government records. The trial was held before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr.

According to evidence presented at trial, in January 2014, Kesoyan conspired with others to make false statements in Vanik Movsesyan’s application for naturalization, submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Kesoyan’s co-conspirators included her husband, Grigor Kesoyan and Movsesyan, both of whom pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.

Kesoyan and her co-conspirators agreed to make false statements under oath to USCIS regarding Movsesyan’s residence. Kesoyan used her position with SSA to repeatedly access Movsesyan’s SSA file and create fraudulent letters to support Movsesyan’s naturalization application. When a USCIS immigration officer continued to question whether Movsesyan actually lived in Sacramento (in fact he lived in Burbank, California), the conspirators began creating and submitting additional false documents to support the lies. Kesoyan again used her job at SSA to, access Movsesyan’s SSA file and create yet another fraudulent letter in September 2014, submitted in support of the lies to USCIS. Kesoyan also had another individual, who could not read or write in English, notarize an affidavit written in English that claimed Movsesyan lived at his house in Sacramento; this affidavit was also submitted to USCIS.

As the evidence at trial showed, Kesoyan engaged in additional misconduct. When USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security officers conducted a November 17, 2014, site visit at Movsesyan’s purported Sacramento residence, Kesoyan got on the phone with the actual resident and directed him to lie to USCIS officers. Concerned that the resident was not saying what he was supposed to say, Kesoyan also sent her husband, Grigor Kesoyan, and another individual to the residence to make statements to USCIS officers.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nirav K. Desai and Jeremy J. Kelley are prosecuting the case.

After the verdict, Kesoyan was taken into custody. Movsesyan and Grigor Kesoyan previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy. On March 3, 2017, Grigor Kesoyan was sentenced two years of probation.

Nelli Kesoyan and Movsesyan are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Burrell on April 27, 2018. Kesoyan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 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.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Owner of Northern Arizona Commercial Guiding Company Convicted of Crimes, Banned from the Grand Canyon

     FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Deborah Hendricks, 44, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and owner of “Just Roughin’ It”, a commercial guiding company, was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles R. Pyle to three years of probation. The probation terms include a three-year ban for Hendricks and “Just Roughin It” from conducting business or commercial activity in the Grand Canyon National Park.  Hendricks had previously pleaded guilty to false report and violation of the terms and conditions of a permit.

     The case involved a commercial rim-to-rim guided hike across the Grand Canyon. The permit used to take a group of clients on a guided hike by “Just Roughin It” was falsified. The permit actually issued to the company was for a different location in the Grand Canyon. The permit used by “Just Roughin It” was illegally modified to look like a valid permit for a commercial rim-to-rim hike.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by Grand Canyon National Park Service Rangers.  The prosecution was handled by Camille Bibles, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Flagstaff.

CASE NUMBER:          17-04339MJ-001-PCT-DMF

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-010_Hendricks

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

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