News from April 2023
Coordinator and Money Middleman Indicted for Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Undocumented Non-Citizens
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week against Juan Manuel Soto-Guzman, 41, of Mexico, and Adulfo Soto-Guzman, 45, of Mexico, for conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens for profit.
Two Additional Defendants Charged with Civil Rights Conspiracy Targeting Pregnancy Resource Centers
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida returned a superseding indictment charging two additional Florida residents with federal crimes arising out of a series of targeted attacks on pregnancy resource facilities in the state. Caleb Freestone, 27, and Amber Smith-Stewart, 23, were previously charged with the same offenses in March.
Hong Kong Company, CEO, Agree to Permanent Injunction, Abandon Funds Fraudulently Obtained from Iowa Company
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Gold Wings (HK) Limited (“Gold Wings”), a Hong Kong company, and its CEO, Min Zheng, have agreed to enter a consent decree to resolve allegations made by the United States that they participated in and furthered a fraud scheme against an Iowa company.
Felon who Fired Rounds in Residential Neighborhood Sentenced to over Nine Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A man who fired a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun in a residential neighborhood in the middle of the day was sentenced today to more than 9 years in federal prison.
Jefferson County Man Sentenced for Mailing Threatening Letters
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Jesse Bartlett a/k/a the “Chinese Zodiac Killer,” age 46, of LaFargeville, New York, was sentenced today to 16 months in prison for mailing threatening letters.
Geneva Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 12, 2023
News Release: FORT WAYNE -Chad Billington, 38 years old, of Geneva, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Miami-Area Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Connection with Nationwide Gas Station Skimming Scheme
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Yuny Hurtado Rodriguez, age 34, of Cutler Bay, Florida, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for his role in an access device fraud conspiracy.
FBI Seeking Information From a Bank Robbery in Miami
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 12, 2023
News Release: FBI Seeking Information From a Bank Robbery in Miami.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Someone Posing as DEA Agent to Defraud Victim of Gold
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield to his role in a conspiracy which resulted in a Massachusetts victim converting her bank account funds into gold, because she was tricked into believing that her accounts had been compromised by purported drug traffickers.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Insurance Fraud
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Taliek Lanier, age 23, of Albany, pled guilty today to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) by obtaining unemployment insurance benefits under the names of other people, including benefits funded by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reno Woman Sentenced to Prison for Straw Purchasing Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 12, 2023
News Release: RENO - A Reno woman who made false statements when she purchased multiple firearms that were bought for her son, a convicted felon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Charge
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 12, 2023
News Release: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tremaine Jacobs a/k/a Teeter a/k/a T, 49, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to attempt to possess, with intent to distribute, cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Tennessee Man Sentenced to Life Plus 10 Years in Prison for First-Degree Murder in the Death of His U.S. Army Soldier Wife at Fort Campbell
By DOJ Newswire | Apr 12, 2023
News Release: Louisville, KY - A Clarksville, Tennessee man, formerly of Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to life, plus 10 years, in prison for the Oct. 14, 2018, murder of his wife and shooting of another man at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Owner of Boston Pizzeria Chain Indicted on Additional Forced Labor Charges
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Defendant allegedly physically abused and threatened at least seven employees
Essex County Woman Admits Role in $25 Million Securities Fraud Scheme Involving Blockchain Technology Company
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
An Essex County, New Jersey, woman today admitted her role in fraudulently inducing victims to invest over $25 million in cash and cryptocurrency, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Southwest Virginia Pair Sentenced to 10 Years in Methamphetamine Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Two people, who were sources of supply in a broader methamphetamine conspiracy, were sentenced last week to 10 years each in federal prison for their roles in the drug trafficking operation.
Big Stone Gap Man Sentenced for Role in Methamphetamine Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A Big Stone Gap, Virginia man, who conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Southwest Virginia, was sentenced last week to 180 months in federal prison.
Fentanyl-Related Overdose Death Leads to 20-Year Sentence for Drug Dealer
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A South Hill, Virginia man, who continued dealing heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl from a regional jail, was sentenced this week to 20 years in federal prison.
Catawba Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm and Drug Charges Following Fatal Fentanyl Overdose
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A Catawba, Virginia woman, who sold a fatal dose of fentanyl in October 2021, pleaded guilty last week to a series of federal charges.
Opelousas Man Sentenced for Distribution of Fentanyl
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
Elijah Jones, 31 has been sentenced by United States District Court Judge David Joseph to 51 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, as a result of a conviction for violation of one (1) count of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(l) punishable by 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(l)(C) – Distribution of Fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown.