Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Biloxi Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

 

Gulfport, Miss. – Antonio Michael Ross, 49, of Biloxi, Mississippi, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Thomas M. Annello, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

On March 31, 2017, Antonio Michael Ross approached a safety checkpoint in d’Iberville, Mississippi. As he approached the checkpoint, he took evasive action which was observed by police officers. As a result, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Ross did not immediately stop his vehicle, sped up and ran a stop sign. As he was fleeing, Mr. Ross threw a bag out of the vehicle which later was discovered to contain over 100 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Ross will be sentenced on May 8, 2018 by Judge Guirola, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Pennsylvania Outfitter Pleads Guilty To Violating the Lacey Act in Kansas

WICHITA, KAN. – A Pennsylvania man who owns a company called Horseshoe Hill Outfitters pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Kansas to violating the Lacey Act, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Robert P. McConnell, 48, Slippery Rock, Penn., pleaded guilty to four counts of importing deer into Kansas in violation of the Lacey Act, which regulates the trade in wildlife, fish and plants that has been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold. Horseshoe Hill Outfitters advertises what it calls “trophy North American big game hunting adventures” in Kansas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Ontario.

In two counts, McConnell admitted importing deer that were not from an accredited heard, were not officially identified and did not have a certificate of veterinary inspection. In two other counts, he admitted importing domesticated deer.

Sentencing is set for May 21. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of five years on probation during which McConnell is prohibited from doing business in Kansas, and a fine of not less than $10,000.

McAllister commended the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough for their work on the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Two Men Charged in ATM “Jackpotting” Scheme

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ALEX ALBERTO FAJIN-DIAZ, 31, a citizen of Spain, and ARGENYS RODRIGUEZ, 21, of Springfield, Massachusetts, have been charged by federal criminal complaint with bank fraud stemming from an alleged ATM “jackpotting” scheme.

FAJIN-DIAZ and RODRIGUEZ were arrested on related state charges on January 27.  They appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and are detained.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement agencies and ATM manufacturers have been investigating malware attacks on ATM machines in Connecticut and elsewhere.  In a scheme commonly referred to as “jackpotting,” individuals use malware that is designed to cause an ATM to eject all of the U.S. currency contained in the machine.  As part of the scheme, individuals dressed as legitimate repair technicians install malware on an ATM.  Other individuals then proceed to extract all of the cash from the ATM.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have been investigating recent jackpotting attacks on ATMs in Hamden and Guilford, as well as Providence, Rhode Island.  On January 27, 2018, Citizens Bank investigators contacted police after they observed what appeared to be an attack on an ATM in Cromwell.  On that date, Cromwell Police encountered FAJIN-DIAZ and RODRIGUEZ near an ATM that had been compromised with jackpotting malware and was in the process of dispensing $20 bills.  A search of FAJIN-DIAZ and RODRIGUEZ’s vehicle, which had a license plate that was assigned to another vehicle, revealed tools and electronic devices consistent with items needed to compromise an ATM machine to dispense its cash contents.  FAJI-DIAZ and RODRIGUEZ also possessed more than $9,000 in $20 bills.

The charge of bank fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

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

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, U.S. Secret Service, Connecticut State Police, Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, Middlesex State’s Attorney’s Office. Cromwell Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Greenwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Williamson County Man Sentenced on Methamphetamine Offenses

 

On February 5, 2018, Shaundale J. Johnson, a/k/a “Shug,” 36, of Marion, was sentenced for methamphetamine violations, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today.

Johnson, who had previously pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging unlawful distribution of methamphetamine, was sentenced to 204 months of imprisonment and eight years of supervised release, and was fined $400.00. The offenses occurred on March 17, 2017, and March 20, 2017, in Williamson County. At sentencing, the district judge found that Johnson was responsible for the distribution of 59.5 grams of methamphetamine. Because Johnson had multiple prior felony drug trafficking convictions, he received an enhanced sentence based on his classification as a Career Offender.

The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County States Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.