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FBI Seeking Information on January 29 Hit-and-Run Incidents in Philadelphia

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

Headline: FBI Seeking Information on January 29 Hit-and-Run Incidents in Philadelphia

The FBI is looking into a string of related hit-and-run incidents involving pedestrians that occurred the morning of Monday, January 29, 2018, in Philadelphia.

We are seeking any additional information about these incidents and the driver involved, identified as Khalil Lawal. Mr. Lawal was 31 years old and a resident of Virginia, who also spent significant time in Maryland. The vehicle he was operating was a black-colored Honda Accord similar to the attached, bearing Maryland license plates 8AW0114.

We are asking individuals who observed Mr. Lawal or his vehicle in Philadelphia and have not yet spoken to law enforcement, who knew or had communications with Mr. Lawal, or who have information which could be helpful to the investigation to contact the FBI’s tip line, 1-800-CALL-FBI. Information also can be shared online at tips.fbi.gov.

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FBI Seeking Information About Albuquerque Bank Robbery

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

Headline: FBI Seeking Information About Albuquerque Bank Robbery

The FBI is seeking information about a vehicle believed to be the getaway car used in the December 21, 2017, robbery of a northwest Albuquerque bank.

The vehicle is described as a light-colored Hyundai Sonata with a sunroof.

A man wearing a white Miami Dolphins baseball cap and a tan jacket robbed Bank of Albuquerque, located at 401 Coors Boulevard, NW, at approximately 4:56 p.m.

He also wore sunglasses, dark gloves, and a dark bandana over his face.

The FBI may pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call the FBI at (505) 889-1300, or Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at (505) 843-STOP.

Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.

Information about other bank robbers wanted by the FBI can be found at bankrobbers.fbi.gov.

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Three Kansas City Men Indicted for Kidnapping, Murder

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

Headline: Three Kansas City Men Indicted for Kidnapping, Murder

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that three Kansas City, Mo., men have been indicted for the kidnapping and murder of a victim they were attempting to rob.

Jonathan M. Bravo-Lopez (also known as “Jonathan Vravo,” and “Shadow”), 23, and Juan D. Osorio (also known as “Spexx”), 24, both of whom are citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City, Mo., and Marco A. Sosa-Perea, 23, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018.

Bravo-Lopez, Osorio and Sosa-Perea are charged together with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of using a firearm to commit murder. The federal indictment alleges that they conspired to kidnap and attempted to rob a victim identified as “C.E.”, transporting him across state lines from Missouri to Kansas, on April 3, 2017.

According to the indictment, Bravo-Lopez and Osorio arranged to purchase $300 of marijuana from the victim; they traveled with Sosa-Perea to the victim’s residence on April 3, 2017. Bravo-Lopez and Osorio, armed with firearms, allegedly forced the victim into their vehicle and drove to Kansas. When they reached the 200 block of Donovan Road in Kansas City, Kan., the indictment says, the victim was forced out of the car, shot, and left to die on the side of the road.

Additionally, Osorio is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Osorio allegedly was in possession of an Action Arms .45-caliber handgun on April 7, 2017.

Bravo-Lopez is also charged with illegally reentering the United States after having been deported.

Garrison cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Edwards. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.

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Beaumont Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Kidnapping Girls After Theft in Sulphur

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

Headline: Beaumont Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Kidnapping Girls After Theft in Sulphur

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Beaumont man was sentenced Tuesday to 120 months in prison for kidnapping two girls after stealing the truck they were in.

Henry Dwight Moore, 23, of Beaumont, Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey on one count of kidnapping. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release. According to the October 11, 2017 guilty plea, Moore drove a black truck into a Lowe’s parking lot in Sulphur, La., on December 13, 2015. He stole a customer’s purse who had walked away from it to return a shopping cart.  A bystander saw Moore take the purse, and the bystander jumped into the back of Moore’s truck as he drove away. The truck’s engine died at one point, and the bystander attempted to confront him.  Moore got the engine started again and sped off, leaving the bystander in the truck bed. Eventually Moore stopped and the bystander got out. Moore then continued westbound on Interstate 10 in the rain. He lost control and struck the side of a Toyota Tundra truck.  After the accident, Moore’s truck died again, and he and the Tundra pulled over to the side of the road.  After the Tundra owner exited the truck and walked to the passenger side to inspect the damage, Moore jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off.  Inside the Tundra truck were the owner’s daughters ages 5 and 7.  Moore told the girls he was going to drop them off at a police station but instead abandoned the car and the girls on the side of the road in Orange, Texas. The oldest girl located her father’s cell phone and called 911 for help.

The FBI conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.

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John Brown Named Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office

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

Headline: John Brown Named Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office

FBI Director Christopher A. Wray has named John Brown as the special agent in charge of the San Diego Field Office. Mr. Brown most recently served as the special agent in charge of the Counterintelligence and Cyber Division for the Los Angeles Field Office.

Mr. Brown entered on duty with the FBI as a special agent in 1999 and was first assigned to the Chicago Field Office, where he worked primarily counterintelligence matters and deployed to Iraq in 2004.

Throughout his career, Mr. Brown has held leadership positions in the FBI’s Cyber Division, Counterterrorism Division, and the Chicago Field Office. In 2010 and 2011, Mr. Brown also served on active duty with United States Army deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Mr. Brown will assume this new role in February 2018.

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FBI Teen Academy Accepting Applications from High School Juniors

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

Headline: FBI Teen Academy Accepting Applications from High School Juniors

SACRAMENTO, CA—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office encourages high school juniors attending class within the 34 counties the office serves to apply to upcoming Spring 2018 FBI Teen Academy. The full-day academy will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018, at FBI Sacramento Field Office headquarters in Roseville, California.

Students interested in the exciting, one-day program must log onto the FBI Sacramento Field Office’s Community Relations web page to download an application. Students must submit an application package, enclosing a completed application, signed release forms, and an essay—carefully following submission instructions—to be considered. Complete application packages must be received by mail, parcel delivery, or hand delivery at the FBI Sacramento Field Office headquarters no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018. Due to the need for original signatures, application packages are not accepted by fax or e-mail. The FBI Teen Academy offers students a unique view into the FBI and its mission, values, investigations, and partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement. Discussion topics may include cyber safety, terrorism, active shooter situations, cyber investigations, and civil rights investigations. Activities may include simulated experiences with the FBI’s Evidence Response Team, Special Agent Bomb Technicians, and within the Firearms Training System(FATS) room. Students also engage in candid conversations about online communication and its risks as well as lifestyle choices required to be eligible for careers at the FBI with FBI personnel.

“The FBI Teen Academy helps youth better understand how we protect the American people and uphold the constitution. We also share how the decisions they make today may impact education and career options in the future,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FB Sacramento Field Office. “Our goal is to provide students with useful information and valuable experiences they can share with others upon returning to their home and school.”

The FBI Teen Academy is open to all high school juniors attending any school—public, private, and home school. No minimum GPA or particular academic path is required. The full-day experience is offered at no charge to students, but families may incur travel costs if they live a significant distance away from FBI Sacramento Field Office headquarters. ###

Direct link to the FBI Teen Academy Application: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/sacramento-spring-2018-teen-academy-application-121517.pdf/view

The 34 counties served by the FBI Sacramento Field Office are:

  • Alpine
  • Amador
  • Butte
  • Calaveras
  • Colusa
  • El Dorado
  • Fresno
  • Glenn
  • Inyo
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Lassen
  • Madera
  • Mariposa
  • Merced
  • Modoc
  • Mono
  • Nevada
  • Placer
  • Plumas
  • Sacramento
  • San Joaquin
  • Shasta
  • Sierra
  • Siskiyou
  • Solano
  • Stanislaus
  • Sutter
  • Tehama
  • Tulare
  • Tuolumne
  • Trinity
  • Yuba
  • Yolo
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Federal Jury Convicts Knoxville Man and Former Washington State Prosecutor Turned Leader of Sovereign Citizen Movement of Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Federal Jury Convicts Knoxville Man and Former Washington State Prosecutor Turned Leader of Sovereign Citizen Movement of Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following an eight-day trial before the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, Chief U.S. District Court Judge, a jury found Randall Keith Beane, 50, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Heather Ann Tucci-Jarraf, 45, of Pierce County, Washington, guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The jury also found Beane guilty of six additional counts of wire and bank fraud.

Sentencing is set for Beane on June 12, 2018, and Tucci-Jarraf on June 26, 2018 in U.S. District Court.  Tucci-Jarraf faces a sentence of up to 20 years.  Beane faces up to 30 years on the charges. There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Tucci-Jarraf acted as an unlicensed attorney for Beane in a scheme to defraud United Services Automobile Association (USAA) Bank, of more than 31 million dollars.  In court filings, Tucci-Jarraf and Beane claim the government was foreclosed upon and has no jurisdiction over them.  The defendants asserted at trial that the United States hides individuals’ secret accounts in the Federal Reserve Bank, a common ideology among sovereign citizen groups.  Tucci-Jarraf was a former prosecutor in Pierce County, Washington.

“When wrongdoers attempt to stand behind an anti-government movement to hide or justify fraudulent criminal activity, they will fail.  This jury sent the message that the American judicial system will not shield them, and these two defendants now know they will be punished, whether or not they acknowledge the authority of the Court to do so,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey.

The United States is also forfeiting a motor home worth over $500,000 that Beane purchased with the proceeds of the bank and wire fraud offenses.  The loss to victim USAA bank totaled over $550,000.

Beane was arrested by FBI Special Agents in July 2017 as he attempted to flee in a half-million dollar motor coach purchased with stolen funds.  He resisted arrest and fought the agents during the incident.  Tucci-Jarraf was arrested in Washington, D.C., after attempting to meet with President Trump at the White House.

“Americans are free to believe as they choose about their government,” said Renae McDermott, special agent in charge of the FBI Knoxville Field Office.  “When those beliefs turn into criminal actions, law enforcement must act.”

The FBI’s white collar crime squad and cyber task force conducted the investigation.    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cynthia Davidson and Anne-Marie Svolto represented the United States.

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Duquesne Woman Admits Passing Counterfeit Bills throughout Western PA

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Duquesne Woman Admits Passing Counterfeit Bills throughout Western PA

PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy and passing and uttering counterfeit money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Destiny S. Dayton, 21, of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on January 31, 2018, to three counts before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between May 16, 2015 and June 12, 2015, Dayton conspired and passed counterfeit $100, $50 and $20 Federal Reserve Notes throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for May 31, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dayton.

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East Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Time Served for Participating in Counterfeit Currency Scheme

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: East Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Time Served for Participating in Counterfeit Currency Scheme

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh-area resident has been sentenced in federal court on his conviction of conspiracy and passing and uttering counterfeit money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence yesterday on Shad McClelland, 31, of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shad McClelland received a sentence of time served and two years of supervised release, of which the first three months he will be on home detention with electronic monitoring.

According to information presented to the court, McClelland conspired and passed counterfeit $100, $50 and $20 FRNs throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Secret Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of McClelland.

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Jacksonville Man Sentenced on Gun Charges Following Shooting Death

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Jacksonville Man Sentenced on Gun Charges Following Shooting Death

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, United States District Judge W. Earl Britt sentenced DELMAN DEWAYNE DIXON, 24, of Jacksonville, NC to 135 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

On October 30, 2017, DIXON pled guilty to a three-count criminal information, charging three counts of Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Felon, each arising from a separate date. 

The evidence established that on November 30, 2015, deputies from the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at a residence in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  There they discovered that DIXON had exchanged gunfire with a man named Quinn Everette over a disputed drug deal.  Everette was killed, and DIXON received a gunshot wound to his shoulder.  Law enforcement did not recover the firearm, but found DIXON in possession of ammunition.

The evidence further established that on May 5, 2016, officers of the Jacksonville Police Department conducted a traffic stop and found DIXON in possession of a Hi-Point .40 caliber pistol.  Then, on December 2, 2016, members of the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and an arrest warrant at DIXON’s Jacksonville residence.  DIXON fled but was soon apprehended.  Law enforcement recovered a stolen Springfield XD 9mm pistol and also a Davis Industries .380 caliber pistol that DIXON had directed his girlfriend to hide

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.   Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.   In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)conducted the investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Jake D. Pugh is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.