News from April 2023
Coon Rapids Man Sentenced to Prison for Threatening a U.S. Senator
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 12, 2023
A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to one year and one day for making interstate threats against a U.S. Senator, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Salem Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
On March 29, 2023, a Salem, Oregon man was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after he was caught transporting several dozen pounds of methamphetamine.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced To Life For Sexually Abusing Child In Indian Country
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joseph Stanley Harjo, age 40, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in federal prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. Harjo was found guilty of the offense by a federal jury in November 2021.
Worcester Man Indicted for Receiving and Possessing Machinegun While Under Indictment
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
A Worcester man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester on two firearms charges.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Sammy Olague, age 36, of Clovis, California, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute marijuana.
Morristown Man Faces Federal Drug Charge for Violation of the Controlled Substances Act
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on March 23, 2023, Michael Ulrich, 32, of Morristown, Vermont, was charged in an indictment with knowingly allowing his residence to be a drug-involved premises at which controlled substances were stored and distributed. The defendant was arraigned on the indictment on March 30, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, and is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings.
Kentuckiana Physician and Nurse Practitioner Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, Health Care Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
A local physician and an advanced practice registered nurse were sentenced yesterday on conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges. The physician’s medical practice was also sentenced for conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier sentenced for scheme to deliver drugs through the mail
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Former mail carrier Robert Elliot Sheppard was sentenced to three years of prison for recruiting fellow mail carriers, and teaching them how to deliver packages of cocaine and marijuana while he was on disability leave.
Mark Ridley-Thomas Found Guilty of Bribery and Fraud Involving Benefits for Son in Exchange for Lucrative County Contracts
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Long-time politician Mark Ridley-Thomas was found guilty by a jury today of bribery in a scheme in which his son received substantial benefits from the University of Southern California in exchange for Ridley-Thomas’ political support for lucrative county contracts and contract amendments with the university while he served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Newport News Man Sentenced for Unlawful Purchase of a Firearm Used in Three Local Shootings
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
A Newport News man was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for the unlawful purchase and possession of a firearm that was used in three community shootings.
Van Zandt County Man Sentenced for Federal Drug Trafficking Violations
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
A Canton man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
New Haven Woman Sentenced to Prison for Lying to Federal Grand Jury about Knowledge of Kidnapping and Murders
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAQUASIA SAMMS, also known as “Quasia,” 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 90 days of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for making false statements before a federal grand jury in connection with an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of two individuals, and the related murder of a third individual, in November 2015.
Wesley Chapel Man Pleads Guilty To Exploiting And Producing Sexual Abuse Material Depicting Half A Dozen Children
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Clayton Everett Colborn (31, Wesley Chapel) has pleaded guilty to two counts of enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity, five counts of using minors to produce child sexual abuse images and videos, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. Colborn faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison and mandatory court-ordered restitution. Colborn has agreed to forfeit electronic devices and his black Chevrolet Corvette, which were used in the commission of the offense. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced To More Than Two Years Additional Prison Term For Escape From Halfway House
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Keenan Hunter (32, Jacksonville) to two years and three months in federal prison for his escape from custody from a halfway house in Jacksonville. Hunter had pleaded guilty on December 29, 2022.
Wilson Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud Scheme in North Carolina
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Nekita Donyae Hooks, 44, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loan. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Georgia man convicted of fraud in seeking millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funding
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
A federal jury deliberated less than an hour before finding a Georgia man guilty on multiple charges for leading a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain more than $1 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funding.
Jacksonville Convicted Felon Sentenced To Seven Years In Federal Prison For Firearm Possession
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Frederick Lamont Sams (41, Jacksonville) to seven years in federal prison for possessing a firearm by a convicted felon. Sams had pleaded guilty in December 2022.
Syracuse Man Sentenced to Serve 192 Months for Possessing and Intending to Distribute Cocaine
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Jondell Middlebrooks, age 42, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 192 months in federal prison following his conviction for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, Chief Joseph Cecile, City of Syracuse Police Department, and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.
North Carolina Man Sentenced for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Cameron Robinson, age 25, of Grover, North Carolina, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 84 Months on Drug and Gun Convictions
By DOJ Newswire Report | Apr 13, 2023
Brandon Prawl, age 28, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for distributing heroin, possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.