Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Morrisville Man Sentenced to 90 Months For Child Pornography Offenses

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Caraher, age 28, of Morrisville, New York, was sentenced today to 90 months in prison for distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Caraher to 20 years of supervised release, to begin following his term of imprisonment.  Caraher will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Caraher pled guilty in October 2017.  He admitted using a custom-built desktop computer to access child pornography-oriented Internet sites, including at least one site on the anonymous “Tor” network, for the purpose of downloading child pornography.  Caraher admitted to using peer-to-peer file-sharing software on a laptop computer to download additional child pornography, which he stored on external drives.  Overall, Caraher downloaded and saved more than 100 videos and almost 1,000 images depicting child pornography.  Caraher further admitted to using an instant messaging application on his phone to trade child pornography with other users.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Richardson Man Indicted For Offenses Related to His Support of ISIS

DALLAS — A federal grand jury in Fort Worth returned a superseding indictment this week, charging Said Azzam Mohamad Rahim, 41, of Richardson, Texas, with seven counts related to a terrorism investigation, announced Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas and Eric Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office of the FBI.

The indictment supersedes an earlier indictment returned in the case. Rahim is charged with six counts of false statements to a federal agency and one count of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Rahim was arrested in March 2017 on a related criminal complaint and will remain in custody pending trial. The maximum statutory penalty for each false statement count is eight years in federal prison, a period of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Rahim faces not more than 20 years in federal prison and a possible fine for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. 

“Our highest priority is to pursue justice against those who seek to harm our country and our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox.  “I appreciate the outstanding work by the Dallas FBI and the support of the Department’s National Security Division.”

The indictment alleges that Rahim made a number of false statements to federal law enforcement on March 5, 2017 related to his support for ISIS.. The indictment also alleges, beginning in October 2014 and continuing through March 2017, Rahim attempted to provide material support or resources, including services and personnel, to ISIS.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for this investigation, specifically its Joint Terrorism Task Force which includes Richardson Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the Federal Air Marshal Service. Assistant United States Attorney Errin Martin is prosecuting the case with assistance from Taryn Meeks with the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors

 

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: University of North Texas Health Science Center to Pay $13 Million to Settle Claims Related to Federal Grants

DALLAS – The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) has agreed to pay the United States $13,073,000.00 to settle claims that it inaccurately measured, tracked and paid researchers for effort spent on certain NIH-sponsored research grants, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

UNTHSC is a health-related institution of the University of North Texas System and is a recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) Federal research grant funding.  The settlement results from a self-disclosure by UNTHSC to the United States that from January 2011 through February 2016, UNTHSC failed to ensure that its time and effort reports related to certain federally-funded grants were accurately and timely certified.

UNTHSC, as a recipient of NIH grant funds, is responsible for accurately reporting and certifying time and effort spent on these grants. Under these obligations, UNTHSC was required to demonstrate accuracy through records that accurately reflect the work performed and an appropriate system of internal controls.  UNTHSC failed to meet these requirements, and as a result, received payments for inaccurately and untimely time and effort certifications and received salary payments when the correlating payments did not match the accompanying time and effort reports.  The United States contends that this conduct resulted in false claims being submitted to the government.  UNTHSC fully cooperated in the investigative and settlement process. 

The investigation was conducted by Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Beran handled this matter on behalf of the United States.

 

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Dallas Attorney Admits to Running Marriage Fraud Scheme

DALLAS — Bilal Ahmed Khaleeq, 47, a Dallas attorney, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David L. Horan yesterday and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

Khaleeq will remain on supervised release pending sentencing, which is set for June 4, 2018. Co-defendant Amna Cheema, 37, a Pakistani national, previously pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme and was sentenced to time served.

According to the plea agreement and factual resume: in June 2015, Khaleeq and others knowingly and unlawfully conspired and agreed together and with each other to unlawfully facilitate and enter into a marriage between co-defendant, Amna Cheema and a United States citizen, Person A, for the purpose of evading immigration laws. Cheema and Person A were married in Dallas County, Texas and subsequently filed permanent residence applications with USCIS in July 2015.  In exchange for agreeing to marry Cheema, Person A was paid $745.   Co-defendant Cheema also admitted engaging in discussions with Khaleeq and Person A at Khaleeq’s law office on more than one occasion to discuss preparation for the USCIS interview and required documentary evidence including joint bank accounts, tax returns, and bills concerning their joint residence.  According to co-defendant Cheema, Khaleeq also represented the couple at the USCIS interview in April 2016 and advised them on additional evidence to make the marriage appear legitimate.    

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Javier prosecuted.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Oklahoma City Man Sentenced for His Role in the Robbery of Haltom’s Jewelers

FORT WORTH — Garland Gilmore Lenoir III, 52, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to serve a total of 221 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in October 2017 to his role in a conspiracy to rob Haltom’s Jewelers in Grapevine, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas.

Lenoir pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence. He has been in custody since his arrest in July 2017.

Co-defendants, Melvin Lewis Andrews and Willie Thompson Jr. previously pleaded guilty to their roles and were sentenced by Judge O’Connor to 188 and 262 months in federal prison, respectively.  

According to plea documents filed in the case, on October 3, 2014, the defendants traveled to Haltom’s Jewelers in a stolen vehicle and entered the store wearing masks and carrying handguns and hammers. They smashed the display cases with the hammers and stole merchandise, to include jewelry and watches. 

The FBI and Grapevine Police Department investigated the case.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cole was in charge of the prosecution.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Former Ellis County Sherriff’s Office Employee Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison

DALLAS — Thomas Glen Smith, 50, of Hamilton, Texas, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 40 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in August 2017 to one count of possession or sale of stolen firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas. 

Philip Gary Slaughter, 42, was charged in a separate but related case and also pleaded guilty to his role. Slaughter was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater.

According to plea documents filed in the case, Smith and Slaughter worked at the Ellis County Sherriff’s Office (ECSO) in the ECSO Evidence Room.  Their responsibilities included reorganizing the ECSO Evidence Room, where they had access to numerous firearms seized by the ECSO.  On November 18, 2015 Slaughter obtained a court order to destroy hundreds of the firearms in the ECSO Evidence Room.  Some of these firearms, however, were not destroyed and, instead, Smith and Slaughter sold approximately forty firearms taken from the ECSO Evidence Room. 

At various times in November and December, 2015, Smith and Slaughter pawned several firearms at various pawn stores in the Ellis County area.  The defendants would also use their Facebook accounts to sell firearms to individuals.  These firearms were either supposed to be in the possession of the ECSO Evidence Room or were listed in the destruction order.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Texas Department of Public Safety—Texas Ranger Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Rumsey, Joseph Magliolo, and Errin Martin prosecuted.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Mission Man Indicted on Firearm Charges

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Carlos Eddie Charging Elk, age 26, was indicted on February 14, 2018. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 16, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on or about December 19, 2017, Charging Elk, having previously been convicted of a felony, did knowingly possess a firearm.

The charge is merely an accusation and Charging Elk is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Nelson is prosecuting the case.

Charging Elk was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

Source: United States Attorneys General

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

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Spearfish, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet was sentenced on February 9, 2018, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Nicholaus Tripp, age 29, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Tripp was charged on January 10, 2017. The charge relates to Tripp posting an ad on Craiglist and then communicating with someone he believed to be the mother of two girls, ages 13 and 15, who was actually an undercover law enforcement agent, to arrange a meeting to engage in sexual acts with the girls.

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

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

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Virginia Man Found Guilty of Murder and Other Charges for Triple Homicide in Northeast Washington in 1991

            WASHINGTON – Benito Valdez, 47, formerly of Arlington, Va., was found guilty by a jury today of multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed and other charges for killing three people in 1991 in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

            In addition to the murder charges, the jury found Valdez guilty of three counts of kidnapping while armed and one count of sodomy while armed. The verdict followed a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Valdez is to be sentenced by the Honorable Judith Bartnoff on April 13, 2018. He remains in custody pending that hearing.

            According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours of April 23, 1991, Curtis Pixley, Keith Simmons, and Samantha Gillard went to Langdon Park in the 1800 block of Franklin Street NE to purchase crack cocaine. Mr. Pixley, 29, and Mr. Simmons, 26, approached Valdez while Ms. Gilliard, 23, waited at a distance. The drug deal went bad very quickly when Valdez accused Mr. Pixley of stealing drugs from him. Valdez threatened Mr. Pixley that he was going to pay for the drugs one way or another.  When Mr. Pixley could not pay with cash, Valdez raped Ms. Gillard at gunpoint.  Then, according to the government’s evidence, Valdez forced all three to lie on the ground and shot each one execution-style.

            Valdez was charged with the crimes in February 2016.

            In announcing the verdicts, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Cold Case Unit as well as the U.S. Park Police. They also expressed appreciation for the work of those who handled the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Stephanie Siegerist, Alesha Matthews, Meridith McGarrity, and Sharon Newman; Criminal Investigator Zachary McMenamin; Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, and Victim/Witness Advocate Diana Lim.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura A. Bach and Lindsey Merikas, who prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: West Memphis Gang Member Sent to Prison for More Than 17 Years for Illegal Gun Possession

LITTLE ROCK—Cody Hiland, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Jeffrey Reed, Resident Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announce that late Thursday multi-convicted felon Marvin Meux, 45, of West Memphis, was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for his illegal possession of a firearm.

A federal Grand Jury charged Meux with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm on June 18, 2016, and he pleaded guilty to that count on August 25, 2017. On February 15, 2018, United States District Court Judge James M. Moody, Jr., sentenced Meux to 210 months (17.5 years) in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Meux was originally arrested by state authorities on October 21, 2015, after West Memphis police officers were dispatched to an area in West Memphis where two subjects were allegedly being held at gunpoint while attempting to repossess a car registered to Meux. While repossession employees were attempting to hook up the car, Meux jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off in the vehicle, with one of the employees still in the passenger seat. After fleeing a short distance, Meux drove back to his residence. After the employee exited Meux’s vehicle he saw Meux running towards him with a small black gun. The two repossession employees then got into their truck and drove away, while Meux was pointing the gun at them.

During a search of the residence West Memphis police officers located an SKS assault rifle and a .38 caliber revolver. Meux is identified as a member of a gang known as the Gangster Disciples in West Memphis. Judge Moody sentenced Meux pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act statute, which mandates enhanced penalties if the defendant had previously been convicted of three or more violent offenses or serious drug offenses.

The investigation was conducted by the West Memphis Police Department and the ATF. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Liza Brown and Michael Gordon.