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April 15, 2021

Former Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Sentenced for Sex Offense

Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to Over 16 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Children

Lauderdale Man Pleads Guilty under Project EJECT to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Tulsa Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to a Firearms Dealer to Purchase a Gun for Boyfriend

Bassfield Felon Convicted for Possessing Multiple Firearms under Project EJECT

Three Hattiesburg Men Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking Crimes in Hattiesburg under Project EJECT

Chicago Man Sentenced to Three and a Half Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Loaded Gun on City’s West Side

Tax Attorney Indicted For Facilitating Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud

Three Sparks Men Indicted On Fentanyl Distribution Charges

Rochester Man Arrested And Charged With Submitting False Claims To The IRS After Receiving Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars

Anchorage Man Convicted on All Counts of Sex Trafficking Minors, Child Pornography and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

Pryor man sentenced to prison for assaulting woman on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation

Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area

Citizen of Guatemala Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering U.S.

West Sacramento Postal Employee Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Packages that Contained Drugs

Marion County man sentenced for firearms charge

Detroit man admits to drug charge

For-Profit Trade School Owner Found Guilty of Defrauding VA, Student Veterans

Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy Charge

El Paso Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting a Child on the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Reservation

Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Firearm Charges

Gang member and convicted felon sentenced to over 11 years in prison

Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Former police officer convicted of child pornography charge

Waterford, PA Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography

West Virginia Woman Sentenced for Coupon Fraud Scheme Targeting Kmart Stores

Inmate Sentenced for Leading Drug and Sex Trafficking Ring from California Prison Cell

Idaho Man Arrested for Repeated Assault on Law Enforcement Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Red Springs Man Convicted of Firearm Offense

Arizona Man Sentenced For Possession Of Multiple Fraudulently-Obtained Unemployment Benefits Cards

Sacramento Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Falsely Claiming to Be an Attorney and Defrauding Couple of over $500,000

Tennessee Woman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Claims for Unclaimed Property

Car Thief and Two-time Felon Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm

U.S. Attorney’s Office Urges Participation In National Drug Take Back Day

Leader of Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Gang and Rap Artists “Original Block Hustlaz” Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison

Monongalia County woman admits to role in drug distribution operation

Ansonia Man Sentenced to Prison for Serving as "Money Mule" in Online Lottery and Romance Scams

Undocumented alien sent to prison for causing injury to federal agent

Dunmore Man Sentenced To 16 Months’ Imprisonment For Bank Fraud

Member of Violent Street Gang “11 Hunnit” Pleads Guilty to RICO Charge

York County Man Charged With Bankruptcy Fraud

Second Trash Company Executive Charged With Bribing San Francisco Public Regulator

Tucker County man sentenced for his role in a methamphetamine distribution operation

Wheeling man sentenced for firearms charge

Former Owner of Orange County Wastewater Treatment Company Indicted on Federal Environmental Criminal Charges

Lebanon County Man Sentenced To Seventy Months’ Imprisonment For Trafficking Counterfeit Drugs

Bloomsburg Couple Charged With Covid-Relief Fraud

Louisiana Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Receive Health Care Kickbacks

New Jersey Man Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $150,000

North Carolina Man Sentenced in Maryland to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud Scheme Involving $529,000 in Stolen Altered Postal Service Money Orders

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>Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Twenty-Two Indicted for Drug Trafficking in San Antonio Area

Twenty-two defendants from San Antonio, Del Rio and Laredo face federal drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance:

Matthew Noe Arteaga, age 35 of San Antonio;

Nicolas Rodriguez, age 39 of San Antonio;

Bryan Anthony Brown, age 33 of San Antonio;

Brian Victorino Chavarria, age 24 of San Antonio;

Oscar Oviedo, age 26 of San Antonio;

Joseph Richard Guerrero, age 28 of San Antonio;

Homero Garcia, age 36 of San Antonio;

Jesus Gerardo Vasquez, age 19 of San Antonio;

Jesse Martinez, age 41 of San Antonio;

Justin Paul Guerrero, age 26 of San Antonio;

Ricardo Gonzalez, age 24 of San Antonio;

Juan Carlos Robles, age 35 of San Antonio;

Fernando Jose Moreno, age 45 of San Antonio;

Rene Palafos, age 37 of San Antonio;

Michael Barron, age 39 of San Antonio;

Oswaldo Jesus Lopez, age 26 of Laredo;

Oscar Jesus Lopez, age 23 of Laredo;

Javier Garcia Lopez, age 29 of San Antonio;

Jose De Jesus Garcia, age 35 of San Antonio;

Madilyn Marie Alvarado, age 26 of Del Rio

James Patric Bartlett, age 42 of San Antonio; and,

Albelardo Oviedo, age 29 of San Antonio.

The indictment alleges that defendants Arteaga, Rodriguez, Brown, Chavarria, Oscar Oviedo, Joseph Guerrero, Vasquez, Martinez, Justin Guerrero, Gonzalez, Robles, Moreno, Palafos, Barron, Lopez, Jose Garcia, Alvarado, Bartlett, and Albelardo Oviedo conspired from June 2019 until April 7, 2021, to distribute methamphetamine. It also alleges that from June 2019 until April 7, 2021, Oscar Oviedo, Vasquez, Justin Guerrero, Moreno and Palafos conspired to distribute cocaine, and that Chavarria, Homero Garcia, Oswaldo Lopez and Oscar Lopez conspired to distribute heroin. All of the defendants except Albelardo Oviedo are also charged in substantive counts in the indictment related to specific instances of drug trafficking that occurred throughout the course of the conspiracy.

During this investigation, authorities seized approximately 24 kilograms of methamphetamine, six kilograms of heroin, three kilograms of cocaine, four firearms and approximately $100,000 along with other assets attributable to this organization.

Over the past two days, federal, state and local authorities arrested all of the defendants with the exception of Brown, Martinez, Jose Garcia, Alvarado, and Bartlett. Those five defendants were already in custody.

“These arrests send a strong and unified message that these crimes will not be tolerated in our communities and those who commit these offenses will be brought to justice,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Comeaux. “We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in order to enhance the quality of life for the citizens in the San Antonio region.”

Martinez, Robles, and Jose Garcia face between 15 years and life upon conviction of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Each has a prior serious felony drug conviction which enhances their minimum mandatory sentence. All the remaining defendants face between 10 years to life in federal prison upon conviction.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Terrell Hills Police Department, Seguin Police Department and San Antonio Police Department conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation called Operation Alamo Fade. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation. OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Adrián Rosales is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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>Three Sparks Men Indicted On Fentanyl Distribution Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nevada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Three Sparks Men Indicted On Fentanyl Distribution Charges

RENO, Nev. – A federal grand jury has returned indictments charging three residents of Sparks, Nevada, for their alleged roles relating to the distribution of fentanyl (a deadly synthetic opioid).

Jesse Arevalo, aka “Kay,” 30, and Francisco Navarro-Delgado, 32. Arevalo and Navarro-Delgado are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, and one count of maintaining drug involved premises. Arevalo is also charged with five counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to allegations in the superseding indictment against him, from February to April 2021, Arevalo possessed with the intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl and at least 500 grams of cocaine.

According to allegations in the indictment and arguments made in court, from about November 2019 to March 2021, Arevalo and Navarro-Delgado conspired to maintain several apartments for the purpose of storing and distributing large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine. Arevalo acquired thousands of fentanyl pills as well as kilograms of cocaine per month, using those apartments to store and distribute the controlled substances. Further, from about November 2019 to February 2020, Arevalo allegedly used students at a southeast Reno high school to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl pills, on his behalf.

Jaime Collazo Munoz, aka “Chivo,” 33. In a related case, Munoz was indicted on four counts of distribution of a controlled substance (specifically, fentanyl). According to allegations in the indictment against him, from July to November 2020, Munoz distributed at least 80 grams of fentanyl.

“During the pandemic, Nevada has seen an increase in overdoses, as illegal drugs and illicit drug use continue to exact an enormous toll across our state,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we will keep fighting to stop the distribution of drugs in our communities — particularly schemes that get children and youth involved in drug sales and trafficking.”

“Fentanyl and other highly potent synthetic opioids remain the primary driver behind the ongoing opioid crisis with counterfeit prescription pills being the most prevalent form of exposure,” said Acting Reno Resident Agent in Charge Aimee Koontz for the DEA. “Individuals that prey on our youth and community by distributing these potentially lethal counterfeit pills pressed with fentanyl will be held accountable. These fake pills are disguised to look like prescription pills, but in reality taking one is no different than playing Russian roulette that is fueling the opioid epidemic.”

“This time last year our community was reeling because of shocking fentanyl overdose deaths,” said Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam. “I asked for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s support in investigating the distribution of opiates in our region, and ultimately agents ended up adopting our drug cases due to their national and international implications. I am extremely grateful to the Drug Enforcement Administration and federal, state and local law enforcement partners for their diligent work on the cases. I promise you and every member of our community, we will not stop fighting illegal drug trafficking in Washoe County.”

Arevalo, Navarro-Delgado, and Munoz were charged by two indictments on March 25, 2021, and Arevalo was charged with additional criminal offenses on April 15, 2021. Arevalo and Munoz were detained and remanded to custody, and Navarro-Delgado was released on a personal recognizance bond. Jury trials have been scheduled before Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda Du and U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks on May 17, 2021.

If convicted, Arevalo faces a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000,000. If convicted, Navarro-Delgado, and Munoz each face a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000,000.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The cases were investigated by the DEA and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office with assistance by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Highway Patrol K-9, Regional Gang Unit, Regional Narcotics Unit, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Sparks Police Department K-9, and (Regional) Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the cases.

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>Anchorage Man Convicted on All Counts of Sex Trafficking Minors, Child Pornography and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Alaska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Anchorage Man Convicted on All Counts of Sex Trafficking Minors, Child Pornography and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage man was convicted on five counts of sex trafficking of minors, three counts of production of child pornography and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The verdict came after a three-day federal bench trial with Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between mid-October 2018 and December 1, 2018, Tristan Jamal Grant, aka “Goo,” 35, conspired with another person to traffic two minors, a 15-year-old female and a 17-year-old female. Both minors were runaways who stayed with Grant at his co-conspirator’s apartment. While at the apartment, they created an online advertisement that was used to market the minors. Grant then assisted his co-conspirator in trafficking the victims; encouraging them to perform sex acts for money; serving as protection for the minors and driving one of the minors to a date to perform sex acts. Additionally, Grant produced child pornography with one of the minors on two separate occasions.

Grant was arrested by Anchorage Police Department following a shooting on December 12, 2018. When arrested Grant was in possession of two weapons. Because Grant had previously been convicted of a felony, possession of those guns was illegal.

Grant remained in custody and was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 15, 2019. Grant escaped from custody during a court ordered release to meet with his attorney at his attorney’s office to prepare for trial. Grant was captured and later indicted on February 23, 2021, for escape by prisoner in custody and failure to appear.

“This conviction should be a strong reminder that sex trafficking and exploitation of children will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska. “The successful conviction of this case was due to the courage of the victims and the collaborative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutors. Our office will remain steadfast in our pursuit of all those who perpetuate sex trafficking of children.”

“Tristan Grant terrorized our neighborhoods and recruited minors for commercial sex acts, profiting from their exploitation. This guilty verdict is a win for our entire community,” said Robert Britt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI is grateful for our collaborative partnerships across the state, and in this case the Anchorage Police Department, as we continue to combat crimes against Alaska’s youth.”

Sentencing is scheduled for July 14 at 9:00 a.m. in Anchorage. As a result of his convictions, Grant faces a sentencing range of not less than 15 years in prison and up to life. Grant also faces a term of supervised release following prison of not less than five years and up to life. Each conviction carries a maximum fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Anchorage Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, working together through the FBI’s Safe Streets/Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children through sex trafficking, as well as to identify and recover victims.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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>Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

A Sioux City man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine around the tri-state area pled guilty April 15, 2021, in federal court in Sioux City.

Leroy Eric McCoy, age 39, from Sioux City, Iowa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In a plea agreement, McCoy admitted to conspiring to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine around the tri-state area. McCoy was previously convicted in 2005 of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine near a private location and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. McCoy remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. McCoy faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and term of five years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 20-4039.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

>>13435189

> Federal Jury Convicts Jacksonville Man Of Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Federal Jury Convicts Jacksonville Man Of Possession Of A Firearm By A Convicted Felon

Jacksonville, Florida – A federal jury has found Ronnie Jerome Jones (39, Jacksonville) guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Due to his multiple prior felony convictions, Jones qualifies for an increased penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2021.

Jones had been indicted on March 11, 2020.

According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Jones, a previously convicted felon sold a .45 caliber handgun to a pawn shop in Jacksonville. Jones has been convicted of numerous violent narcotics felony offenses and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. At the time of this offense, Jones had been out of prison for less than nine months.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus P. Zomorodian and Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.