>>13480726

Except Barr already had the deep cover arms-dealers off the streets through Operation Legend

>>13480749

His time as Verizon’s Counsel collaberating w/ DEA to harvest your (& their) metadata 🪃

April 21, 2021

Jury Convicts Man of Kidnapping and Assaulting his Ex-Wife

Prolific Document Counterfeiter from Montgomery County Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison

Mexican National Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Over 50 Grams of Actual Methamphetamine

Baltimore Man Sentenced to 5+ Years as Part of Nationwide Scam to Pass Counterfeit Checks Worth Over $1 Million

Fifteen Defendants Charged in a 37-Count Racketeering Indictment Against Lowrider Criminal Street Gang

California Man Charged with COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme

Ohio man sentenced for selling cocaine

Monongalia County woman sentenced for her role in a drug trafficking operation

Pennsylvania man admits to his role in a drug trafficking operation

Former Wilmington Fire Department Union President Pleads Guilty To Possessing Prepubescent Child Pornography

Provincetown Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

Manchester Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography Crimes

23rd Defendant Sentenced in Sweeping Federal Drug and Gang Case

Kokomo Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Sextortion Scheme

Bakersfield Medical Practice Agrees to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Cares Act Paycheck Protection Program

Middlesex Man Admits Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Scheme and Obtaining Funds from a Deposited Stolen and Altered U.S. Treasury Check

Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Charges

Former Chase Bank Teller Charged With Bank Fraud For Targeting Older Adult Victim

Clinton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Drug and Firearm Charges

Saturday, April 24th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

LEADER OF INTERNATIONAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION INDICTED

Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm Charge

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Announces Investigation of the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Minneapolis Police Department

Providence Man Detained After Accepting Cocaine Shipment

Owner of The Surrogacy Group Sentenced in Maryland to 32 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Clients of Fees Paid to Find and Support a Pregnancy Surrogate

Queens Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

DEA and U.S. Attorney’s Office encourage participation in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Leesburg Men Indicted On Methamphetamine Charges

Holyoke Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

New Haven Man Admits Illegally Possessing Firearm

Morris County Man Admits Role in Health Care Fraud Conspiracy, Conspiring to Obstruct Justice

Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty to $6.5 million Health Care Fraud Schemes

Comprehensive Pain Specialists And Former Owners Agree To Pay $4.1 Million To Settle Fraud Allegations

Nebraska Fugitive Pleads Guilty To Fraud Charges

Department Of Justice Awards Emergency Funding To Support Response To Nashville Bombing

>>13480839

>Fifteen Defendants Charged in a 37-Count Racketeering Indictment Against Lowrider Criminal Street Gang

epartment of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Fifteen Defendants Charged in a 37-Count Racketeering Indictment Against Lowrider Criminal Street Gang

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Four additional members and associates of the Lowrider Street Gang have been federally charged in a Superseding Indictment. In addition to the added defendants, a Federal Grand Jury charged members and associates with a Racketeering Conspiracy spanning from in and around 2013 to the present. In total, members and associates of the Lowrider Street Gang have been charged with five separate shootings and one stabbing against rival gang members that occurred between August 2015 and June 2020.

In August 2020, charges were previously announced for eleven members and associates of the Lowriders, a Davenport-based street gang, for various crimes including attempted murder in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, tampering with witnesses, knowingly transfer of a handgun to a juvenile, lying to the grand jury, use of persons under 18 years of age in drug operations, and firearms charges. Five members or associates of the Lowriders have been charged in state court for intimidation with a dangerous weapon, willful injury, criminal gang participation, and drug-related offenses.

Two other members were previously charged with federal firearms violations. Specifically, in November 2019, Alejandro Francisco Herrera, Jr., was sentenced after pleading guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. In February 2020, Zacharia Allen Clark was sentenced to 200 months of imprisonment after pleading guilty to prohibited person in possession of ammunition related to an incident in which he shot at another person in the parking lot of a Davenport nightclub. As a result of this investigation, twenty-two Lowrider Street Gang members and associates have been charged with crimes.

Those arrested on federal charges include AUSTIN NICHOLS, ADAN HERRERA, CODY HERRERA a/k/a Cody Williamson, KERRI JOANNE REITZ, JOSE MIGUEL PENA, ANDRES JOSEPH ARRIAGA, TEVIN MAXWELL LIRA, JACOB TRUJILLO, ANTONIO HERRERA, CARMELO REYES, ANGEL MORA, MARIO HERRERA, EDUARDO HERRERA SR., and ARNOLDO HERRERA. The identities of those who have not yet been arrested remain sealed at this time.

The charges were announced by Richard D. Westphal, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, and Paul Sikorski, Davenport Police Chief. In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Bettendorf Police Department, Moline Police Department, and Scott County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

“The law-abiding citizens in these neighborhoods deserve to feel safe from violent gangs such as the Lowriders, and their criminal rivals,” said Acting United States Attorney Westphal. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively pursue this goal of community safety and use every available state and federal prosecution tool to charge those individuals committing these acts of violence.”

It is alleged the Lowrider Street Gang is a criminal enterprise that engaged in racketeering activity, namely offenses involving controlled substances; acts involving murder; and acts relating to the tampering with a witness, victim, or informant. The Lowrider Street Gang and its members are alleged to have preserved and protected the profits of the gang through the threatened or physical use of violence and kept victims and witnesses in fear of the street gang through these threats of violence. In addition, it is alleged that the Lowrider Street Gang provided support to gang members who were incarcerated for gang-related activities; and retaliated against acts of violence perpetrated against the street gang including acts of violence against rival gangs known as the West Side Mafia and Latin King street gang. The Lowrider Street Gang allegedly operated and conducted their affairs through a series of rules and policies; held regular meetings at which they discussed, planned, and otherwise engaged in criminal activity; and initiated new members through the practice of causing them to endure physical assaults conducted by members of the gang at various gang-related gatherings. It is alleged that members agreed to distribute drugs, recruited juveniles to commit violent acts for the gang’s benefit, and agreed or conspired to commit acts of violence, including acts involving murder, against rival gangs.

>>13480839

>Former Wilmington Fire Department Union President Pleads Guilty To Possessing Prepubescent Child Pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Delaware

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Former Wilmington Fire Department Union President Pleads Guilty To Possessing Prepubescent Child Pornography

WILIMINGTON, Del. – Joseph J. Leonetti, Jr., Former Union President of the Wilmington Fire Department, pled guilty today before the Honorable Colm F. Connolly to possessing prepubescent child pornography, announced David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Mr. Leonetti faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced on August 24, 2021. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to publicly filed documents and statements made in open court, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Leonetti’s Wilmington residence on June 19, 2020, and seized his personal cellphone. After a later forensic review of that cellphone, investigators found nine videos and more than 500 cached images of child pornography. A cache is a reserved storage location that collects temporary data for easy retrieval. Also, in the cellphone’s “Notes” app, investigators found links to folders associated with cloud-based file storage services Dropbox and Mega. Investigators were able to recover the contents of four linked folders, containing over 2,000 images and 800 videos of child pornography. The child pornography found on the defendant’s cellphone and in the linked folders included depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in various sexual acts and the lascivious exhibition of their genitals.

U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss stated as follows: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware is committed to protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children—from the abhorrent shadow industry that produces, distributes, and collects child pornography and from those who lurk in its base marketplace. This Office fulfills its commitment without regard to the occupation or privilege of the wrongdoer. No one is above the law.”

“The defendant, while in a position of trust as the former Wilmington Fire Department Union President, possessed depictions of the sexual exploitation of prepubescent children,” said Brian A. Michael, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia. The innocent children in these images will have to deal with the impact of this tragedy for the rest of their lives. We hope today’s plea brings them some measure of justice.”

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham L. Robinson prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, 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.justice.gov/psc.

>>13480839

>Provincetown Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Provincetown Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

BOSTON – A Provincetown man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography.

Kerry Adams, 61, pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for July 22, 2021. In October 2019, Adams was arrested and charged by criminal complaint.

Over the course of several months in 2019, investigators engaged in a covert investigation of individuals using peer-to-peer networks for the trafficking of child pornography. In the course of that investigation, agents downloaded child pornography files on four occasions from the same computer, which was traced to Adams’s residence. On Oct. 17, 2019, investigators seized multiple devices, including laptops, thumb drives and SD cards from Adams’s residence. During the on-scene forensic review of a laptop, investigators located files containing child pornography in folders associated with peer-to-peer software installed on the computer, including the files that the undercover investigator had downloaded directly from Adams’s computer. Subsequent forensic analysis revealed hundreds of child pornography files on Adams’s devices.

The charging statutes provide for sentences of up to 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum term of five years on convictions for distribution and receipt of child pornography, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Secret Service in Boston; and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Provincetown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein, of Mendell’s Criminal Division, and Anne Paruti, Mendell’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, are prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/

>>13480839

>Manchester Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography Crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Manchester Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography Crimes

CONCORD - Robert Severance, 61, of Manchester, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 15, 2019, the Manchester Police Department (“MPD”) received a tip previously submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by the social media website Instagram. The tip reported that on June 6, 2019, a file uploaded to Instagram was identified as a Child Sexual Abuse Image. MPD investigators later determined that the Instagram account was associated with Severance, who was a registered sex offender in Manchester, New Hampshire.

MPD investigators spoke with Severance at his residence in Manchester on July 22, 2019. He voluntarily went to the MPD and consented to an interview. Severance admitted to creating the Instagram account and explained that he portrayed himself as a 15-year-old female in order to talk with other young females. He stated that he had a laptop at home and admitted to receiving thousands of pictures and/or videos of child pornography via email.

A search warrant executed at Severance’s home the following day resulted in the seizure of numerous electronic devices and other media items. Forensic review of all items seized from the defendant revealed thousands of images and over one hundred videos of child pornography.

Severance previously pleaded guilty on November 23, 2020. In addition to the prison sentence, Severance must spend 10 years on supervised release and pay a total of $9,000 in restitution to three victims.

“Child pornography crimes exploit innocent youngsters and cause immeasurable damage to their lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct and demonstrates the commitment of the law enforcement community to protecting children in the Granite State. As Mr. Severance has learned, those who engage in child pornography offenses in New Hampshire will face substantial consequences for their illegal conduct.”

"The dedicated men and women associated with the NH ICAC Task Force will continue to be vigilant and partner with hard working agencies like the Manchester Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Justice in an effort to hold individuals accountable and keep our children safe,” said Lt. Eric Kinsman, Commander, NH ICAC Task Force. “For more information and tips about internet safety, please go to http://www.nhicac.org."

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the NH Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.

In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

>>13480839

>Kokomo Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Sextortion Scheme

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Kokomo Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Sextortion Scheme

FORT WAYNE–Bradley M. Cox, 30, of Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady on April 21, 2021 after his December 2020 conviction on all counts of a six-count Superseding Indictment charging him with extortion, production and attempted production of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Bell.

Cox was sentenced to 420 months in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release. Cox was ordered to pay restitution to one of his victims in the total amount of $3,000.00.

According to evidence presented at trial, Cox obtained nude photographs of a woman while pretending to be a modeling recruiter. Cox used a social media account in the woman’s name to communicate with a Rochester, Indiana, man. Cox exchanged the photos of the woman with the Rochester man. Eventually, Cox threatened publicly to release the nude pictures of the Rochester man unless the man gave Cox the login to his social media account. Cox was given access to the Rochester man’s account. Once inside the account, Cox found thousands of nude pictures of women and girls. Cox hacked into another social media account, this time of a high school boy. Cox then sent multiple females the nude pictures of themselves he had found in the Rochester man’s social media account and threatened to publicize their nude photos online unless they sent more sexually explicit pictures and videos. At least two of these were high school girls at the time.

When victims refused Cox’s demands, Cox posted their nude pictures to a pornographic website. Using the hacked social media account, Cox demanded sexually explicit pictures and videos from a pregnant 15-year-old girl, bragging to others online that he had this girl “on the payroll,” which was a reference to her sending him pictures and videos. Cox divulged his scheme to at least one other woman whom he met online and eventually met in person. Other evidence in the case showed that Cox also attempted to recruit others, including at least one high school student, to help him with his scheme.

According to the evidence presented at trial, the FBI’s forensic analysis of Cox’s work computer, the social media accounts, and Cox’s cellular telephone identified Cox as the person using the relevant social media accounts, despite Cox’s use of sophisticated concealment efforts. Cox also admitted much of this conduct during later interviews with the FBI.

“Mr. Cox thought he could hide behind the anonymity of the internet to terrorize his young victims, causing them untold mental anguish, but this sentence is a clear message that those who engage in sextortion will be held accountable for their heinous actions,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “The FBI and our partners are dedicated to rooting out these perpetrators and ensuring they can never impose such terror on their victims and their families ever again.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, the Rochester, Indiana Police Department, and the Peru Indiana Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley J. Miller Lowery and Sarah E. Nokes.

>>13480839

>LEADER OF INTERNATIONAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION INDICTED

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

LEADER OF INTERNATIONAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION INDICTED

A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging former Michigan resident Ylli Didani, 43, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin.

Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division, Christopher Perry, Director of Fields Operation, US Customs and Border Protection, Acting Special Agent in Charge Kelly Lewis, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and Chief Jeff King, Farmington Hills Police Department.

Acting US Attorney Mohsin stated, “This is a very significant and important prosecution of a large scale, well-organized drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine worth tens of millions of dollars, across multiple continents. I salute the entire law enforcement team who labored so tirelessly on this case, from prosecutors to police officers, federal agencies to local police departments. Their efforts culminated in today’s indictment and demonstrate cooperation and teamwork at its best.”

Special Agent Martin stated, “This indictment of a major cocaine trafficker is the result of a joint investigation with law enforcement partners from around the globe. Our combined efforts should send a clear message to drug traffickers everywhere that you will be held accountable for your crimes.”

Director Perry stated, “The complexity of this case, which involved so many law enforcement partners throughout the region is a testament to the importance of cooperation among agencies. I’m proud of efforts of our CBP personnel, along with our federal, state, and local partners who played an important role in reaching this indictment.”

“Today’s indictment is a result of the hard work and dedication of our local and federal law enforcement partners. IRS-CI will continue to provide our financial expertise to disrupt and dismantle international drug trafficking organizations,” said Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Kelly Lewis.

Chief King stated, “This is an excellent example of the inter-agency cooperation and capabilities of our investigative taskforce. The Farmington Hills Police Department is extremely proud of our investigator and his tireless commitment toward disrupting and indicting a large scale-international drug trafficking organization.”

As alleged in the indictment, Didani and other unindicted co-conspirators planned and financed the distribution of cocaine from several locations including the Eastern District of Michigan. According to the Indictment, in two transactions that occurred in June 2016 and December 2017, Didani received at least $550,000 from other co-conspirators for the purpose of purchasing bulk cocaine. Allegedly, Didani and other co-conspirators used several means of transportation, including private aircraft and commercial containerships, for purposes of obtaining and distributing the cocaine throughout Europe.

According to a criminal complaint that was unsealed on April 1, 2021, following Didani’s arrest on March 31, 2021 in Charlotte North Carolina, it is alleged that Didani was the leader of an international drug trafficking organization with ties to the United States, Mexico, South America, and Europe. The complaint also alleges that in 2017, a co-conspirator in Didani’s organization was overseeing the design of an underwater drone that would be utilized to transport large quantities of cocaine to Europe. The drone, which was going to be equipped with an underwater modem and GPS antenna, would transport the cocaine while attached to the bottom of a commercial containership. The drone would then be remotely released from the containership off the shore of Europe. The drone and cocaine would then be picked up by a fishing boat controlled by Didani’s organization.

The criminal complaint further alleges that Didani arranged the distribution of several shipments of cocaine from South America to Europe, where the cocaine was seized by law enforcement. In 2019 and 2020, Law enforcement seized over 3400 kilograms of cocaine from Didani’s organization. The seized cocaine has a street value of over $100,000,000.00.

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

>>13480839

>Holyoke Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

partment of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Holyoke Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

BOSTON – A Holyoke man was charged in connection with receipt and possession of child pornography.

Alfredo Aldeco, 35, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Alcedo made an initial appearance yesterday in federal court in Springfield. He is currently detained in federal custody in connection with another federal case.

According to the indictment, between March and October 2018, Aldeco received child pornography. On Nov. 21, 2018, Aldeco allegedly possessed material that contained one or more images of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Each charge also provides for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathanial R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

>>13480839

>Pennsylvania man admits to his role in a drug trafficking operation

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Pennsylvania man admits to his role in a drug trafficking operation

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Lance Smith, of Confluence, Pennsylvania, has admitted to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Smith, 47, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine Base.” Smith admitted to working with others to distribute heroin and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” from March 2018 to September 2020 in Monongalia County and elsewhere.

Smith faces up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda E. Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mon Metro Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Related press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/seventeen-people-charged-heroin-and-crack-cocaine-distribution-operation