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Salvadoran Citizen Sentenced for Illegal Re-entry

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Salvadoran Citizen Sentenced for Illegal Re-entry

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Juan David Monzon Tejada, age 29, and a citizen of El Salvador, was sentenced today to time served (80 days in jail) for illegally re-entering the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Thomas E. Feeley, Director of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

As part of his guilty plea, Monzon Tejada admitted that he was removed from the United States to his native El Salvador on September 22, 2015.  On November 19, 2017, an ICE Officer arrested Monzon Tejada in Glenville, New York.    

Monzon Tejada was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for removal proceedings.     

This case was investigated by ICE-ERO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

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Drug dealer jailed, Greenwich

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Drug dealer jailed, Greenwich

A drug dealer who stored cocaine in his freezer has been jailed following an investigation by Greenwich Police.

Joel Henry – 40 (06.07.87) of Lord Warwick Street, SE18 pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, 7 February to possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment.

Henry was arrested on Wednesday, 1 November 2017 following a proactive operation by officers from the Greenwich Violent and Organised Crime Unit.

Officers executed a warrant at Henry’s address in Lord Warwick Street and once inside the property they found a quantity of cash and cocaine. In total, around £3,000 was recovered. On searching the venue, officers discovered wraps of cocaine, ready to be dealt on the streets, stored within a freezer in the kitchen. There were also larger quantities of cocaine in a compressed form in the bedroom.

In total cocaine with an estimated street value of over £10,000 was recovered.

DC Stacey Bates who led the investigation said: “Drug dealing and the associated criminal activity that comes with it brings misery to our communities. I hope this sentencing sends a strong message to those who choose to deal drugs – Greenwich police will target you, arrest you and put you before the courts to face the consequences.”

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High-profile investigation: fugitive member of migrant smuggling network wanted in Hungary arrested by Guardia Civil in Tenerife

Source: Europol

Headline: High-profile investigation: fugitive member of migrant smuggling network wanted in Hungary arrested by Guardia Civil in Tenerife

The Migrant Smuggling Unit of the Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation is leading a high-profile investigation into an organised crime group (OCG) suspected of being involved in various smuggling incidents for financial gain during the 2015-2016 migration crisis. The OCG facilitated the highly-organised and structured illicit transportation of irregular migrants along the Western Balkan corridor. The group also ran the biggest illegal safe house in Budapest, which was dismantled in 2017 in a previous operation. During the ongoing investigation it was established that one Hungarian member of the migrant smuggling ring fled Hungary to an unknown location, fearing criminal charges. A European Arrest Warrant was issued as the fugitive’s whereabouts was unknown.

By exchanging information with the support of Europol, Spanish law enforcement informed Hungarian authorities of the fugitive’s possible location. The continuing cooperation between Hungary and Spain led to locating the fugitive in the Canary Islands on 23 January 2018, after a car suspected to be that of the fugitive’s was found parked on the street. The fugitive was eventually arrested in Tenerife by the Spanish Guardia Civil.

Enhanced information exchange and cooperation between Hungary and Spain was facilitated by Europol and also involved Austrian, German, Italian and Polish law enforcement authorities. In 2017 the European Migrant Smuggling Centre supported a total of 93 high-profile investigations.

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Universal City, Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening a U.S. Official

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

Headline: Universal City, Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening a U.S. Official

In San Antonio this afternoon, a federal judge sentenced 59-year-old James Amos Headley of Universal City, TX, to one year confinement after Headley pleaded guilty to federal charges in relation to threatening the lives of a member of Congress and the member’s family, announced United States Attorney John F. Bash and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio. 

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, Headley pleaded guilty to two counts of influencing a federal official by threat of murder.  By pleading guilty, Headley admitted that on July 11, 2017, he left a message on the victim’s voicemail system in Washington, D.C. threatening to murder the member of Congress as well as the member’s family.  Following his arrest, Headley told agents that he was upset with the victim’s position on different policies and decided to call and leave a message demonstrating his intent to impede and intimidate the member of Congress.

Following today’s guilty plea, Judge Rodriguez ordered that Headley be confined for one year—six months in federal custody followed by six months of home confinement—with credit for time served.  Judge Rodriguez further ordered that Headley be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his home confinement.  Headley has remained in federal custody since his arrest on July 13, 2017. 

FBI special agents investigated this case together with the U.S. Capitol Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Bettina Richardson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

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FBI Seeking Information on a Bank Robbery in Hollywood, Florida

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

Headline: FBI Seeking Information on a Bank Robbery in Hollywood, Florida

The FBI is seeking information from a bank robbery that took place today, February 6, 2018, at approximately 1:16 p.m. at a Chase Bank branch located at 5545 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, Florida.

The robber entered the bank, displayed a weapon, 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 (If any) will not be released at this time.

Investigators believe this is the same robber who robbed this same bank branch on January 8, 2018.

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.

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Treatment Facility Worker Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of a Health Care Fraud Investigation

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

Headline: Treatment Facility Worker Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of a Health Care Fraud Investigation

An employee of a Coral Springs addiction treatment center pled guilty to his role in obstructing an ongoing healthcare fraud investigation in Federal Court today.

Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Kelly R. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Jimmy Patronis, Florida Chief Financial Officer; Michael J. Waters, Special Agent in Charge, Amtrak Office of Inspector General (Amtrak-OIG); Isabel Colon, Regional Director, United States Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA); and Dennis Russo, Director of Operations, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), made the announcement.

Jeffrey Adedoyin Williams, 30, of North Lauderdale, pled guilty to one count of obstruction of a criminal health care investigation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1518(a), in connection with his employment at Deerfield Medical Center (DMC).  Williams is the fifth DMC employee to plead guilty.

According to court documents, Williams worked at DMC where he assisted with the collection of urine samples and provided administrative support at the facility. Although owned by a non-physician, DMC operated as a doctors’ group and provided medical services to various substance abuse treatment facilities located in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, including Reflections Treatment Center and New Life Treatment Center. At the direction of the center’s owner, Richard Botero, other employees would visit substance abuse treatment centers and prescribe controlled substances even though none of them were medically licensed to do so.  Licensed and unlicensed medical staff also ordered unnecessary bodily fluid testing, conducted patient visits and conducted patient evaluations.

As part of its federal healthcare fraud investigation, on February 16, 2017, members of the FBI-led Greater Palm Beach Health Care Fraud Task Force, served a grand jury subpoena on DMC seeking DMC records, patient files, and other information. On February 22, 2017, Botero delivered documents and information to the FBI and was questioned, but did not provide complete information or all of the documents sought by the subpoena. The following morning, Williams drove Botero to the Miami International Airport where Botero purchased a plane ticket and fled to Colombia. Another DMC employee, Katherine Gonzalez, also fled from Miami to Colombia later that day.

While in Colombia, Botero and Gonzalez maintained contact with Williams, directing him to remove computers, documents, and other items from DMC’s offices to prevent and delay the FBI from obtaining the items. After learning that Botero and Gonzalez had fled, agents obtained a search warrant for DMC.  Upon executing the warrant, agents found that the clinic had been cleared out. When questioned by the agents, Williams admitted that he had removed documents and equipment from DMC. Williams then took agents to the storage space where he had placed most of the items. During questioning, Williams neglected to inform the agents that he also had sold some of Gonzalez’s computer equipment that contained relevant information.

U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg accepted Williams’ guilty plea and set the matter for sentencing at 10:30 a.m. on April 17, 2018.  Williams faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Williams is the fifteenth defendant convicted in the federal investigation into fraud involving substance abuse treatment in the Southern District of Florida. 

Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the Task Force. Agencies of the task force include the FBI, IRS-CI, the Florida Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, Amtrak OIG, DOL-EBSA, and NICB.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Marie Villafaña.

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

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FBI Cautions Public to be Wary of Online Romance Scams

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

Headline: FBI Cautions Public to be Wary of Online Romance Scams

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is working to raise awareness about online romance scams, also called confidence fraud. In this type of fraud, scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners on dating websites, apps, or social media by obtaining access to their financial or personal identifying information. Romance scams are prevalent during this time of year, and the FBI cautions everyone who may be romantically involved with a person online.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which provides the public with a means of reporting Internet-facilitated crimes, romance scams result in the highest amount of financial losses to victims when compared to other online crimes. In 2016, almost 15,000 complaints categorized as romance scams were reported to IC3 (nearly 2,500 more than the previous year), and the losses associated with those complaints exceeded $230 million.

“If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “We recognize that it may be embarrassing for victims to report this type of fraud scheme because of the personal relationships that are developed, but we ask for victims to come forward so the FBI can ensure that these online imposters are brought to justice.”

The following tips may be helpful to consider if you develop a romantic relationship with someone you meet online:

  • Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the material has been used elsewhere.
  • Go slow and ask a lot of questions.
  • Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or Facebook to go “offline.”
  • Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests. inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
  • Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why he or she can’t. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious.
  • Never send money to anyone you don’t know personally.

If you believe you are a victim of a romance scam, file a complaint online at ic3.gov.

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Fort McDermitt Man Charged For Double Murder On Indian Reservation

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Fort McDermitt Man Charged For Double Murder On Indian Reservation

RENO, Nev. – A Fort McDermitt, Nevada, resident was charged today in federal court for allegedly murdering two individuals on the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson of the District of Nevada.

Stoney Prior, 40, a member of the Fort McDermitt Shoshone Paiute Tribe, was charged in a criminal complaint with two-counts of first-degree murder in Indian Country. A preliminary hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Magistrate Judge William G. Cobb on February 22, 2018.

According to allegations contained in the complaint, on January 31, 2018, Prior shot and killed two individuals in a residence. The first victim was shot in the head and neck with a shotgun and the second victim was shot in the arm, body, and head. Both victims were members of the Fort McDermitt Shoshone Paiute Tribe.

If convicted, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon M. Bryant is prosecuting the case.

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Former Southwest Airlines Baggage Handler Sentenced To 21 Months In Prison For Violating Airport Security Requirements, Drug Smuggling, And Money Laundering

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Former Southwest Airlines Baggage Handler Sentenced To 21 Months In Prison For Violating Airport Security Requirements, Drug Smuggling, And Money Laundering

OAKLAND – Former Southwest Airlines baggage handler Kenneth Wayne Fleming, Jr. was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, conspiring to distribute marijuana, and conspiring to launder money, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Batdorf, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton, Chief U.S. District Judge.  

Fleming, 35, of Oakland, pleaded guilty on October 25, 2017, to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, marijuana; one count of entering an airport area in violation of security requirements; and one count of conspiracy to launder money.  In his plea agreement, Fleming admitted that in 2013 and 2014 he was a baggage handler for Southwest Airlines at the Oakland International Airport.  He acknowledged he used his access as a baggage handler to smuggle marijuana into the airport and distributed that marijuana to outbound passengers in violation of airport security requirements.  Specifically, Fleming admitted that on four occasions he delivered unscreened baggage to outbound passengers who already cleared the TSA security checkpoint.  The baggage contained a total of 16 kilograms of marijuana.  As part of his plea agreement, Fleming further admitted he abused a position of public and private trust.  Specifically, Fleming admitted he used his access to the secured areas of the airport granted to him as an employee of Southwest Airlines to commit and conceal his crimes.  Fleming also admitted that he conspired with others to launder $51,400 in drug trafficking proceeds through his bank account.     

On September 25, 2017, Fleming was charged in a superseding information with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; one count of entering an airport area in violation of security requirements, in violation of 49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2); and one count of conspiracy to launder money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).  Pursuant to this plea agreement, Fleming pleaded guilty to all the charges.

In addition to the prison term, Chief Judge Hamilton sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.  During this period of supervised release, Fleming will be barred from seeking or obtaining employment with any commercial air carrier or airport.  The Court also ordered Fleming to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $51,400.  Fleming will begin serving the sentence on April 2, 2018.

Fleming’s sentence brings to 10 the number of defendants sentenced as part of the scheme to violate airport security and distribute marijuana.  The other nine defendants sentenced include the following:
 

Defendant

Age, Residence

Charges

Status

Michael Herb Videau

30, of Oakland

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana,

21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

November 9, 2016, to

15 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Major Alexander Session III

27, of Oakland

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana,

21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

November 15, 2017, to

24 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Clyde Barry Jamerson

44, of Oakland

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

September 21, 2016, to

3 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Kameron Kordero Eldridge Davis

28, of Dublin, Calif.

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

June 29, 2016, to

6 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Ronnell Lamar Molton

39, of Oakland

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

August 10, 2016, to

3 months in prison and

3 years of supervised release.

Sophia Cherise West

46, of Castro Valley

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana,

21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

June 1, 2016, to

12 months and one day in prison and 3 years supervised release.

Donald Ray Holland II

44, of Discovery Bay

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana,

21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

Entering an airport area in violation of security requirements,

49 U.S.C. §§ 46314(a) and 46314(b)(2)

Sentenced on

November 16, 2016, to

27 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Brandon Jarred Davillier

29, of Slidell, Louisiana

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana,

21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)

Sentenced on

August 3, 2016, to

24 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Travon Jahmal Franzwa Baker

25, of Oakland

Distribution and possession with intent to distribute, marijuana,

21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D)

Sentenced on

May 4, 2016, to

10 months in prison and

3 years supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Hire is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Vanessa Quant.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the IRS-CI, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.  This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a focused multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force investigating and prosecuting the most significant drug trafficking organizations throughout the United States by leveraging the combined expertise of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

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Federal Jury Finds Bay Area Methamphetamine Traffickers Guilty

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Federal Jury Finds Bay Area Methamphetamine Traffickers Guilty

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal jury found Donnie Phillips, 64, of Concord, and Gordon Miller, 60, of Clayton, guilty today of multiple methamphetamine-trafficking counts, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

After a five-day trial, Phillips and Miller were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Phillips was also found guilty of eight counts of distribution and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Miller was found guilty of two counts of distribution and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to trial evidence, between June 2014 and February 2015, Phillips and Miller supplied methamphetamine to co-defendant Phyliss Mosher, 51, of Vallejo, who supplied it to an undercover agent. The drug deals took place in the counties of Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, Shasta, and San Joaquin. On January 25, 2018, Mosher was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the methamphetamine conspiracy on May 9, 2017.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the Vallejo Police Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Jill Thomas are prosecuting the case.

Phillips and Miller are scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2018, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million 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.

This case was 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.