Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl Involved in 2 Overdose Deaths

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RUBEN MORALES, 44, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 24, 2016, Hartford police officers and emergency medical personnel responding to reports of unresponsive individuals discovered two male overdose victims in different locations on Zion Street in Hartford.  A 33-year-old victim was pronounced deceased shortly after he was discovered in the rear parking lot of an apartment complex on Zion Street.  At the scene, officers seized various items of drug-related paraphernalia.  Officers found a 25-year-old victim on the rear porch of an apartment on Zion Street.  The victim was transported to the hospital and later pronounced deceased.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined that the 33-year-old victim’s death was caused by a combination of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, and the 25-year-old victim’s death was caused by a combination of cocaine, ethanol, and fentanyl.

The investigation revealed that MORALES supplied fentanyl-laced heroin that both victims consumed shortly before they died.

In January and February 2017, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force conducted six controlled purchases of heroin from MORALES.  Subsequent lab analysis confirmed the presence of fentanyl in some of the heroin purchased.

MORALES was arrested on a federal complaint on February 16, 2017.

MORALES is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on May 2, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force includes members from the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Assault

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Simple Assault and Assault by Striking, Beating and Wounding, was sentenced on January 22, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.

Phillip Mound, age 26, was sentenced to 18 months in custody, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $35.

Mound was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2016.  He was found guilty by a jury of simple assault and assault by striking, beating and wounding on November 2, 2017,

The conviction stemmed from an incident on October 18, 2016, when Mound assaulted his girlfriend after getting into an argument with her.

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Mound was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Dupree Woman Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Dupree, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Involuntary Manslaughter.

Dale Hendricks, age 36, was indicted on January 17, 2018.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 22, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 8 years in custody, 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 November 3, 2017, Hendricks did unlawfully kill an infant in a grossly negligent manner by rolling over and laying on the infant while she was asleep.

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

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Hendricks was released on bond, subject to conditions, pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Pierre Man Charged with Receipt, Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Receipt and Distribution of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Possession of Child Pornography.

David Foster, age 34, was indicted on January 17, 2018.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on January 25, 2018, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 40 years in custody and/or a $500,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $200 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that between October 5, 2016, and May 4, 2017, Foster knowingly received and distributed images depicting minors involved in sexually explicit conduct.  The Indictment further alleges that Foster was in possession of Child Pornography.

The charges are merely accusations and Foster is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.   

Foster was released on bond pending trial which has been set for March 20, 2018.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Colorado Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Fort Collins, Colorado, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on January 24, 2018, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Levi Drussell, age 25, was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Drussell was one of ten men who were arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2016 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting persons willing to pay to have sex with underage girls or boys obtained through the Internet.  The conviction stemmed from Drussell communicating with someone he believed to be a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts.  Additionally, Drussell sent multiple pornographic images of himself and repeatedly requested the minor send him child pornography images of herself.

The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.

Drussell was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.           

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Wheeling man admits to firearm, methamphetamine charges

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A Wheeling, West Virginia, man has admitted to firearm and drug charges, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Peter Hankish, age 57, was indicted on one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm” and one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.” Hankish, having previously been convicted of Theft in the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps General Court, possessed a 7.62 caliber rifle. Hankish admitted to possessing methamphetamine. The crimes occurred in April 2017 in Ohio County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Ohio Valley Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. presided.
 

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Providence Felon Detained on Ammunition Charge

PROVIDENCE, RI –  Eric Valdez, 28, of Providence, was ordered detained in federal custody at his arraignment on Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition.

The indictment, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, was brought as a result of a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation.

 Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

According to court records, in September 2011, Eric Valdez was convicted in federal court of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and resisting arrest by a federal agent. He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release.

After Valdez was released from prison, in 2013 in Rhode Island state court Valdez was convicted of assault, trafficking cocaine and other offenses.  He received an additional 9 months federal sentence for violating the terms of his supervised release.

According to court records and information presented to the courts, in November 2017, Valdez was in a vehicle with two other men where Providence Police located a loaded 9mm handgun. A court authorized search of Valdez’ residence executed simultaneously resulted in the seizure of two bags containing 9mm ammunition and a digital scale containing drug residue. As a result of the Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation, Valdez was arrested on a state charge of trafficking heroin by the Providence Police.  He was charged by way of a federal indictment with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Valdez pleaded guilty to a lesser drug possession state charge and was sentence to 3 months to serve at the ACI. Valdez appeared for arraignment in U.S. District Court on Monday on the federal indictment and was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation of the most recent alleged incident resulting in the federal charge brought in this matter.

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