Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Multi-Agency Collaboration Leads To 69 Searches And Over 25 Arrests In Effort To Fight Coordinated Criminal Activity In Northern California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced the arrest of 18 federal defendants on narcotics and weapons-related charges as part of a multi-agency law enforcement investigation into coordinated criminal activity in Woodland, California. The U.S. Attorney was joined in announcing the results of the operation by FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Scott Kernan, Woodland Chief of Police Luis Soler, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, and Yolo County Sheriff Ed Prieto.

Early this morning, a coalition of local, state and federal law enforcement officers conducted 69 searches pursuant to federal warrants and parole or probation search conditions at various locations throughout Northern California. Officers arrested 18 individuals on charges alleged in six separate federal indictments and one federal criminal complaints that were unsealed today. Three additional, related criminal complaints were filed this week, one in the Eastern District of California, one in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and one in the District of Oregon.  In addition, local officials arrested more than 10 additional individuals on state charges as part of the operation. The investigation, led by the FBI, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Woodland Police Department, focused on coordinated criminal activity that centered in Yolo County but extended to other Northern California counties and prisons. 

Beginning in the spring of 2016, this investigation uncovered organized criminal activity in Woodland, California with ties to criminal organizations located in California’s jail and prison system. Although centered in Yolo County, the investigation revealed that at least 9 other California counties were negatively impacted by these criminal organizatons: Sacramento, Sutter, Colusa, Yuba, Del Norte, Solano, Fresno, Santa Clara, and Siskiyou. 

The investigation focused on intercepting communications of those involved in drug and firearms offenses – including cellphone communications, social media communications on Facebook and Instagram, and clandestine communications on Snapchat and other platforms. In several instances, these modes of communication were used to sell weapons and coordinate the sales of cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs. In some instances, it is alleged that prison inmates directed defendants outside the prisons to smuggle drugs into the prison or to sell and distribute narcotics outside the prison.

U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott stated, “Today’s operation is the result of a months-long endeavor involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to disrupt coordinated criminal activity that, although centered in Yolo County, spread to several other Northern California counties. This operation demonstrates how federal law enforcement can join forces with our state and local partners to make our communities safer and stop illegal guns and drugs from flooding our streets.”

“The FBI is committed to joining forces with our state and local partners to effectively combat the gang and drug-related violence that plagues our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Our shared goal is stopping gang violence, getting drugs and weapons off the streets, and helping to bring justice to the victims of crimes committed in our communities. Today’s arrests demonstrate the strength of successful law enforcement collaboration and highlight our shared commitment to the public we serve.”

 “Our department is committed to putting a stop to illegal activities conducted by prison gangs in our neighborhoods, schools and communities to further their criminal organizations and instill fear in people,” said Secretary Scott Kernan, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. “The success of this investigation demonstrates how effective our partnerships are with local, state, and federal agencies. When we work together, we effectively are able to target dangerous individuals in and out of prison. I am thankful and proud of the hard work that went into this operation.”

 “Over the last several years, many of the defendants who were arrested today and their associates have plagued Yolo County with their criminal activity.  This operation has helped to disable their organization at its most basic level and will hopefully have positive long term impacts on public safety,” said Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig.

Operation Silent Night is the product of an investigation by the FBI, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Yolo County District Attorney, Woodland Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. The following agencies provided substantial assistance: Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, West Sacramento Police Department, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Davis Police Department, Yuba City Police Department, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Vacaville Police Department, the Correctional Intelligence Task Force (CITF), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Owen Roth and Justin L. Lee are prosecuting the cases.

The federal defendants and their charges are listed below. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

•      Aldo Arellano, 24, of Marysville, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine.

•      Raul Barajas, 21, of Woodland, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

•      Patrick Botello, 31, of Pelican Bay State Prison, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Israel Covarrubias, 25, of Woodland, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances after having been convicted of a felony drug offense, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Milton Escobedo, 28, of Woodland, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, distribution of cocaine, and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Rachel Felix, 38, of Woodland, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine.

•      Ashley Habash, 28, of Marysville, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Edgar Jimenez, 19, of Sacramento, is charged with distribution of cocaine and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Justin Johnson, 33, of Sacramento, is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

•      Jose Madrigal-Vega, 31, Woodland, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of methamphetamine.

•      Victor Magana, 24, of Woodland, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      James Masterson, 28, of Newcastle, is charged with using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Brenda Miranda, 21, of Napa, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Reginald Pajimola, 23, of Marysville, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Mercedez Silva-Sims, 21, of Colusa, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Joshua Sims, 24, of Colusa, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, attempted distribution of methamphetamine, using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense, and distribution of cocaine.

•      Erica Umbay, 42, of Woodland, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

•      Ricardo Villa, 39, of Pelican Bay State Prison, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

•      Trevor White, 27, of Sacramento, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine.

Two additional defendants are being charged in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Pennsylvania. The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office continue to review possible charges against additional potential defendants.

This case is 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.

This case is brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state and local law enforcement to combat gun and gang crime. At the core of PSN is increased federal prosecution to incapacitate chronic violent offenders as well as to communicate a credible deterrent threat to potential gun offenders.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Illegal Alien Guilty of Drug Trafficking, Immigration Violations in East Texas

TYLER, Texas – A 48-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Carthage, Texas, has been found guilty of drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Alan R. Jackson today.

Conrado Depaz Arellano was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine today following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.  Additionally, Arellano pleaded guilty on Feb. 12, 2018, to being illegally in the United States after having been deported.

According to information presented in court, on Aug. 2, 2017, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation in the Western District of Texas by U.S. Border Patrol Agents. The vehicle contained two kilograms of cocaine, which was intended to be delivered to Arellano in Carthage, Texas.  Federal agents arranged for the cocaine to be delivered to Arellano in Carthage as planned and at that time arrested him for drug trafficking crimes.  At the time of his arrest, Arellano was in possession of two Mexican identification documents.  Further investigation revealed Arellano had been deported to Mexico in 2012 and 2007 and had since reentered the United States illegally.  Arellano was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 20, 2017.   

                Under federal statutes, Arellano faces up to 40 years in federal prison at sentencing.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

                This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol and ICE-Homeland Security Investigations.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Hurst and Jim Noble.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Russian Nationals Sentenced to Prison for Massive Data Breach Conspiracy

CAMDEN, N.J. – Two Russian nationals were sentenced today to federal prison terms for their respective roles in a worldwide hacking and data breach scheme that targeted major corporate networks, compromised 160 million credit card numbers and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses –  the largest such scheme ever prosecuted in the United States.

The guilty plea was announced by New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick, Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Mark McKevitt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Newark Field Office.

Vladimir Drinkman, 37, of Syktyvkar and Moscow, Russia, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle of the District of New Jersey to one count of conspiracy to commit unauthorized access of protected computers and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced to 144 months in prison. Dmitriy Smilianets, 34, of Moscow, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a manner affecting a financial institution and was sentenced to 51 months and 21 days (in prison) time served. Both men pleaded guilty in September 2013 before Judge Simandle, who imposed the sentences today in Camden federal court.

Drinkman and Smilianets were arrested in the Netherlands on June 28, 2012. Drinkman was extradited to the District of New Jersey on Feb. 17, 2015, and Smilianets was extradited on Sept. 7, 2012.

“These defendants operated at the highest levels of illegal hacking and trafficking of stolen identities,” Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said. “They used their sophisticated computer skills to infiltrate computer networks, steal information and sell it for a profit. Perpetrators of some of the largest data breaches in history, these defendants posed a real threat to our economy, privacy and national security, and cannot be tolerated.”

“This case demonstrates the investigative capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, specifically the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey, and the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice,” Special Agent in Charge McKevitt said. “The Secret Service will continue to develop innovative ways to protect the financial infrastructure of the United States and bring to justice cyber criminals who use emerging technologies to conduct business.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Drinkman, Smilianets and three co-defendants hacked into the networks of corporate victims engaged in financial transactions, retailers that received and transmitted financial data and other institutions with information that the conspirators could exploit for profit, including the computer networks of NASDAQ, 7-Eleven, Carrefour, JCP, Hannaford, Heartland, Wet Seal, Commidea, Dexia, JetBlue, Dow Jones, Euronet, Visa Jordan, Global Payment, Diners Singapore and Ingenicard.

The five defendants each played specific roles in the scheme. Drinkman and Alexandr Kalinin, 31, of St. Petersburg, Russia, specialized in penetrating network security and gaining access to the corporate victims’ systems. Drinkman and Roman Kotov, 36, of Moscow, also a hacker, specialized in mining the networks to steal valuable data. The hackers hid their activities using anonymous web-hosting services provided by Mikhail Rytikov, 30, of Odessa, Ukraine. Smilianets sold the information stolen by the other conspirators and distributed the proceeds of the scheme to the participants.

Drinkman and Kalinin were previously charged in New Jersey as “Hacker 1” and “Hacker 2” in a 2009 indictment charging Albert Gonzalez, 34, of Miami, Florida, in connection with five corporate data breaches – including the breach of Heartland Payment Systems Inc., which at the time was the largest ever reported. Gonzalez is currently serving 20 years in federal prison for those offenses. Kalinin is also charged in two federal indictments in the Southern District of New York: the first charges Kalinin in connection with hacking certain computer servers used by NASDAQ and the second charges him and another Russian hacker, Nikolay Nasenkov, with an international scheme to steal bank account information from U.S.-based financial institutions. Rytikov was previously charged in the Eastern District of Virginia with an unrelated scheme.

Kalinin, Kotov and Rytikov are fugitives.

The Attacks

The five defendants penetrated the computer networks of corporate victims and stole user names and passwords, means of identification, credit and debit card numbers and other corresponding personal identification information of cardholders. The conspirators allegedly acquired more than 160 million card numbers through hacking.

The initial entry was often gained using a “SQL injection attack.” SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a type of programing language designed to manage data held in particular types of databases; the hackers identified vulnerabilities in SQL databases and used those vulnerabilities to infiltrate a computer network. Once the network was infiltrated, the defendants placed malicious code, or malware, in the system. This malware created a “back door,” leaving the system vulnerable and helping the defendants maintain access to the network.  In some cases, the defendants lost access to the system due to companies’ security efforts, but were able to regain access through persistent attacks. 

Instant message chats obtained by law enforcement revealed the defendants often targeted the victim companies for many months, waiting patiently as their efforts to bypass security were underway. The defendants had malware implanted in multiple companies’ servers for more than a year.

The defendants used their access to the networks to install “sniffers,” which were programs designed to identify, collect and steal data from the victims’ computer networks. The defendants then used an array of computers located around the world to store the stolen data and ultimately sell it to others.

Selling the Data

After acquiring the card numbers and associated data – which they referred to as “dumps” – the conspirators sold it to resellers around the world. The buyers then sold the dumps through online forums or directly to individuals and organizations. Smilianets was in charge of sales, selling the data only to trusted identity theft wholesalers. He charged approximately $10 for each stolen American credit card number and associated data, approximately $50 for each European credit card number and associated data and approximately $15 for each Canadian credit card number and associated data – offering discounted pricing to bulk and repeat customers. Ultimately, the end users encoded each dump onto the magnetic strip of a blank plastic card and cashed out the value of the dump by withdrawing money from ATMs or making purchases with the cards.

Covering Their Tracks

The defendants used a number of methods to conceal the scheme. Unlike traditional Internet service providers, Rytikov allowed his clients to hack with the knowledge he would never keep records of their online activities or share information with law enforcement. 

Over the course of the conspiracy, the defendants communicated through private and encrypted communications channels to avoid detection. Fearing law enforcement would intercept even those communications, some of the conspirators attempted to meet in person.

To protect against detection by the victim companies, the defendants altered the settings on victim company networks to disable security mechanisms from logging their actions. The defendants also worked to evade existing protections by security software.

*          *          *

As a result of the scheme, financial institutions, credit card companies and consumers suffered hundreds of millions in losses – including more than $300 million in losses reported by just three of the corporate victims – and immeasurable losses to the identity theft victims in costs associated with stolen identities and false charges. The charges and allegations contained in indictments against the remaining defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Simandle sentenced Drinkman and Smilianets to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick and Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan credited the special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge McKevitt, and the Criminal Investigative Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael D’Ambrosio, for the ongoing investigation leading to today’s sentencings. They also thanked public prosecutors with the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice and the National High Tech Crime Unit of the Dutch National Police.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Herring of the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Section of the Economic Crimes Unit, Trial Attorneys Richard Green of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Judith Friedman of the Office of International Affairs.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Indian Citizens and India-based Corporation Sentenced for Conspiring to Smuggle Counterfeit Cigarettes

Abhishek Shukla and Harish Shabhai Panchal, both citizens of India, along with the India-based company, Jubilee Tobacco Industries Corp., were sentenced in federal District Court in Miami, for conspiring to smuggle counterfeit cigarettes into the United States.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Peter H. Kuehl, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Miami Field Office, Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Miami Field Office, and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), made the announcement. 

            U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams sentenced each of Shukla and Panchal to 23 months imprisonment, to be followed by supervised release for two years.  Judge Williams sentenced Jubilee to corporate probation of two years and ordered Jubilee to forfeit $300,000 to the United States.

All three defendants previously pled guilty to conspiring with each other, with the intent to defraud and mislead, sell and cause the sale and dispensing of a counterfeit tobacco product (cigarettes), the containers and labeling of which bore the trade name and marks of the American brand of Newport cigarettes, a tobacco product listed with the FDA pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 387(e)(i)(1), (approximately 68,600 cartons of cigarettes), while knowingly using a counterfeit mark on and in connection with such cigarettes, the use of which marks was likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, and to deceive. The counterfeit marks were substantially indistinguishable from the marks of the United States domestic manufacturer of Newport brand cigarettes, which marks were then in use by and registered to that manufacturer on the principal register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

According to court records, including a Joint Factual Statement submitted by the parties, beginning in March 2015 and continuing through August 16, 2017, the defendants initiated contact with an individual cooperating with FDA-OCI, offering counterfeit cigarettes for sale. Through internet negotiations, an agreement was reached for a 20-foot container filled with counterfeit Newport brand cigarettes to be shipped from India to Miami.  Payment for the shipment was made in installments through international wire transfers to bank accounts in India and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On November 1, 2016, the container arrived and was seized at the Port of Miami with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers. If distributed in the State of Florida, the un-taxed importation would have an approximate value of $1.2 million. Analysis conducted by FDA’s Forensic Chemistry Center determined that the cartons, packs, and cigarettes were all counterfeit.

Within two weeks of the arrival, the coconspirators sought out FDA-OCI undercover agents offering another shipment, twice as large. By April 2017, deposits totaling $55,000 had been made for more counterfeit Newport cigarettes. On June 9, 2017, the container arrived at the Port of Miami and was again seized with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection Officers, and turned over to FDA-OCI Special Agents. If distributed in the State of Florida, the un-taxed importation would have an approximate value of $3.2 million.   

According to acts described in the conspiracy charge, Shukla and Panchal traveled to Miami in August 2017 to meet with the undercover agents to promote further business dealings. During the recorded meeting, they advised the agents that they had been partners for twelve years and personally oversaw the production of all the products being offered. They also assured the agents that they could counterfeit any American-made menthol cigarette with no problem, as well as other trademarked brands, and that they could produce tobacco blends, which would closely match the legitimate product.

            Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of FDA-OCI, ICE-HSI and BSO, for their assistance with this long-term investigation.  Mr. Greenberg also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their support.  This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Charleston man headed to prison for illegally possessing sawed-off shotgun

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Charleston man was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for a gun crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Joe Orville Fooce, III, 44, previously pled guilty to possession of a shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches and an overall length less than 26 inches not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the South Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“I support the Second Amendment 100%, but criminals who possess guns are a threat to innocent people, law enforcement, and, ultimately, the Second Amendment,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “As United States Attorney, I will make sure that my office continues working with law enforcement to prosecute anyone that cannot respect the Second Amendment and the gun laws that protect it.”

In July 2016, South Charleston police officers found Fooce unresponsive at an intersection. After Fooce was transported by medics, officers discovered the sawed-off shotgun in his backpack. Fooce admitted that he knew the firearm had been modified from its original length.

Assistant United States Attorney Monica D. Coleman is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.

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: Two Violent YNB Stretch Gang Members Admit to Drug and Firearm Charges

DALLAS — Kris Landon Green, aka “#5,” 20, and Marcus Jackson, aka “Marty-Mar,” 23, both of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford to their role in a drug distribution group that operated within an area referred to as the “2600 Money Block” (4500 block of Maple Avenue in Dallas, Texas), announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas

Green, a member of the Dallas–based violent criminal street gang known as “YNB Stretchgang,” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine base) and one count of possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance.  Green faces not less than five years or more than forty years in federal prison and a $5,000,000 fine on the conspiracy count and not more than 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for the firearms count.  Green will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Jackson, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine base). Jackson faces up to twenty years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Jackson will remain in custody pending sentencing.

“Gangs, such as YNB Stretchgang, that spread illegal drugs and wage violence in our community will be held accountable by the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “I commend the many law enforcement officers efforts who have dedicated enormous amounts of time and effort investigating and prosecuting this case.”

A thirty-three count superseding indictment was returned in December 2017 charging fifteen defendants, including Greene and Jackson. The superseding indictment alleges that beginning in January 2016, the defendants used an area in Dallas referred to as “2600 Money Block” to cut, package and distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and ecstasy/OxyContin pills to numerous customers. The proceeds from the sale of drugs were sometimes used to produce music videos glorifying acts of violence and promoting the lifestyle of “YNB Stretchgang” members and associates.  Those videos were often uploaded to YouTube or shared through social media.

According to the plea agreement factual resumes filed in Green’s and Jackson’s case, both defendants admit that beginning in March 2016, they were members of “YNB Stretchgang.” On multiple occasions during 2016 and 2017, Green, Jackson and other “YNB Stretchgang” members and associates produced and appeared in music videos glorifying acts of violence and promoting the lifestyle of “YNB Stretchgang” members. Green and Jackson distributed controlled substances including cocaine base and marijuana as a means to make money within the 4500 block of Maple Avenue in Dallas, Texas.

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, United States Marshal’s Service, and Dallas Police Department investigated the case. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert.

# # #

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Detroit drug dealer sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for methamphetamine crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Detroit man was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for a drug charge, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Willie McCall, 34, previously pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team.

“Let this sentence send a message to any Detroit criminals who want to set up shop in our state – your poison peddling is not welcome, and we’ll make sure you have plenty of time to think about it behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “You can be sure that my office is laser focused on keeping our streets safe by targeting drug dealers with aggressive prosecution.”  

McCall admitted that on February 7, 2017, he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The drug deal took place outside a local business near Nitro. Later that same date, when McCall was arrested, law enforcement found $100 of recorded buy money in his possession that was used in the controlled purchase. At the time McCall committed this offense, he was on parole in Michigan for weapons charges.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess is in charge of the prosecution. Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence.

This case was prosecuted as 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 illegal drugs, including methamphetamine. 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 illegal drugs in communities across the Southern District.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Second Pittsburgh Woman Sentenced for Role in Fraudulent Tax Return Scheme

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to three years probation on her convictions of mail fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Simone Prater, 29, who was incarcerated pending sentencing. Judge Hornak also ordered that Ms. Prater pay $25,000 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to information presented to the court, Sean Brooks, while incarcerated on other charges, prepared and arranged for the filing of more than one hundred fraudulent tax returns on behalf of fellow inmates and other individuals and generated more than $200,000 in fraudulent refunds. The fraudulent refunds were sent to a number of different addresses, and, after forging the endorsement of the payees, the checks were cashed through federally insured financial institutions and through check-cashing establishments. Simone Prater, among others, assisted the conspiracy in a variety of ways, including sending the Internal Revenue Service the fraudulent tax returns, picking up refund checks and providing them to others to cash; disbursing the proceeds of the fraud amongst the conspirators, and providing the names and addresses of closed businesses for Brooks to use as fake employers for taxpayers on the fraudulent tax returns.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Prater.