News from May 2023
Defense Contractor and Chief Executive Officer Resolve False Claims Act and FIRREA Allegations for Misusing Pandemic-Relief Funds
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: ALEXANDRIA, Va. - CybeCys, Inc., a defense contractor located in Texas, and its Chief Executive Officer, Harish Vajja of Fairfax, agreed to pay more than $283,000 in civil penalties, damages, and restitution and have repaid the full amount of two pandemic-relief loans to resolve allegations that Vajja...
Everett Man Sentenced for Armed Bank Robbery
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: BOSTON - An Everett man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for committing the February 2021 armed bank of a TD Bank branch in Allston.
Final Member of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: PHOENIX, Ariz. - Carlos Alberto Castro-Ruiz, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty yesterday to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine before United States District Judge Steven P. Logan. A sentencing hearing is set for July 18, 2023.
Former Founder And CEO Of Nanotechnology Company Sentenced To 48 Months In Prison
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JAMES JEREMY BARBERA, the founder and former chief executive officer (“CEO") of a New York-based nanotechnology company, Nanobeak Biotech, Inc. (“Nanobeak"), was sentenced today to 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl. BARBERA was previously convicted following a one-week trial of securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy offenses.
Rosebud Man Sentenced for Assault
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on May 8, 2023.
Eleventh Circuit Upholds Armed Career Criminal Sentence And Holds Florida Aggravated Assault A Violent Felony
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced that on April 25, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the 211-month sentence of Fred Somers, age 46. That sentence was imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in January of 2013 after Somers plead guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of an unregistered firearm.
Three MS-13 Gang Members Convicted of Racketeering and Violent Crime Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - A federal jury convicted three La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, members yesterday of RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, and destruction of evidence.
Jacksonville Registered Sex Offender Indicted For Committing Multiple Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Andrew David Salas (35, Jacksonville) with interstate travel with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a child, interstate transportation of a child to engage in sexual activity, production...
Multiple defendants sentenced or enter guilty pleas on federal firearms charges
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: SAVANNAH, GA: At least 20 defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal charges including illegal possession of firearms.
Meth trafficking sends Great Falls man to prison for eight years
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: MISSOULA - A Great Falls man convicted of trafficking methamphetamine while on supervision for a federal felony conviction was sentenced today to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against California Rental Property Manager and Owners
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the manager and the owner of a rental property in Los Angeles for engaging in sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Springfield Rapper Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearms
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Mo., man who was part of a local rap group pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms, one of which has been linked to several recent shootings.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Taylor County Man on Child Pornography Charges
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Bowling Green, KY - A federal grand jury in Bowling Green, Kentucky, returned an indictment on May 10, 2023, charging Robert Blake Merryman with producing, distributing, and possessing child pornography.
Leader Of Sex Trafficking And Drug Conspiracy Pleads Guilty, Faces Up To Life In Prison
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Lairon Graham a/k/a Shah a/k/a Uncle Shah a/k/a Unc, 65, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and sex trafficking by force or coercion. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $20,000,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Uses Civil Forfeiture to Recover $95,325.29 for Fraud Victim
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Jackson, Miss. - On May 10, 2023, U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden entered Final Judgment of Forfeiture against $95,325.29 in U.S. Currency seized from a Merchant and Marine Bank Account, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca. According to the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture in Rem filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Merchant and Marine Bank Account had been set up by a conspirator in a business email compromise scheme (BEC) to receive fraud proceeds.
Dearborn Heights Doctor Pleads Guilty to $925,000 Fraud Scheme
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: DETROIT - A Dearborn Heights doctor pleaded guilty today to defrauding Medicare of more than $925,000 in health care payments, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King Announces The Winners Of The 7th Annual “Do The Write Thing” Writing Challenge In Asheville
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: ASHEVILLE, N.C. - U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced the winners of the 7th Annual “Do the Write.
Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Travis Devon Woods, 34, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Justice Department Strengthens Efforts To Address The Crisis Of Missing Or Murdered Indigenous Persons
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: SAN FRANCISCO -- The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5, 2023 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. Responding to the unacceptable levels of violence that have led to the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a priority of the Department of Justice every day.
United States Attorney Names Long-Time Federal Prosecutor Arvo Q. Mikkanen to Serve in Newly Created Role as Senior Counsel for Tribal Relations
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: OKLAHOMA CITY - Today, United States Attorney Robert J. Troester named Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Arvo Q. Mikkanen to serve in a newly created role as Senior Counsel for Tribal Relations for the Western District of Oklahoma, as part of the office’s strong commitment to Indian country.