News from May 2023
Maryland Resident Charged with Preparing and Submitting Numerous Fraudulent Applications for Federal Cares Act Financial Assistance
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: NEW ORLEANS - SIEDAH ELEY, age 30, a former resident of Columbia, Maryland, was charged on May 1, 2023 in a one-count bill of information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343, for her role in preparing and filing false applications for loans related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Importation of a Controlled Substance
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON -Jonathan Montiethe Perry 39, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty this week to one count of importation of a controlled substance (Gamma Butyrolactone), announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon, of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. Field Office, and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine and Firearms Trafficking Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: LAS VEGAS - A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to traffick methamphetamine and firearms - including a shotgun and machine guns.
Federal Investigation Into “Straw Purchasing” of Handguns in Wisconsin Results in Charges Against Chicago-Area Woman and Convicted Felon
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: CHICAGO - A Chicago-area woman has been charged in federal court with conspiring to “straw purchase" 19 handguns in Wisconsin on behalf of a convicted felon. The felon was charged as part of the investigation with illegal firearm possession.
Jury Convicts Former Aequitas CEO and Company Executives for Roles in $300 Million Fraud Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: PORTLAND, Ore.-After a six-week trial in Portland, a federal jury found three former executives of Aequitas Management, LLC, and associated companies, guilty today for their roles in a vast fraud conspiracy. Evidence at trial showed the conspirators raised nearly $300 million from defrauded investors.
Former elementary school teacher sentenced for sexually abusing children
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: ATLANTA - Stefan Zappey has been sentenced to federal prison for sexually abusing four of his former elementary school students near Stuttgart, Germany.
Foreign National Extradited to the United States for Kidnapping and Assaulting U.S. Army Soldiers in Colombia
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: MIAMI - A Colombian national has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face charges related to kidnapping and assaulting two U.S. Army soldiers who were on temporary duty in Bogota, Colombia.
Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 82 Months in Federal Prison for Gun and Drug Possession
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Travis Odale Henderson, age 39, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 82 months in federal prison following his convictions for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Court further ordered Henderson to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment, pay a $5,000 fine, and forfeit the firearm involved.
Inmate Convicted of Running Drug Distribution Scheme While in Prison
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Montgomery, Alabama - Yesterday, a federal jury found Johnnie Page Lott, 41, from Mobile, Alabama, guilty of conspiring to sell methamphetamine in an Alabama prison and conspiring to launder drug money, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart.
St. Petersburg Man Indicted for Possessing a Controlled Substance With Intent To Distribute and Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jason Washington (42, St. Petersburg) with three counts of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it, and one count of possession ...
Wormleysburg Man Sentenced For Theft From Federal Courthouse Construction Site
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 48, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 17 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $10,736.01 in restitution.
Albany Woman and Troy Man Plead Guilty to Money Laundering and Marijuana Trafficking
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: ALBANY, NEW YORK - Latrice Mumphrey, age 42, of Albany, and Victor Turner, age 68, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute marijuana, respectively.
Tulsa Man Sentenced for Armed Robberies
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Donovan Shaw, 29, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by way of robbery with two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm...
Iowa Felon Sentenced to Almost Four Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: A man who illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced on May 8, 2023, in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Minneapolis Man Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison for Violent Armed Robbery Spree of Minneapolis Businesses
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: MINNEAPOLIS - A Minneapolis man was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in three armed robberies of Minneapolis businesses, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Conspiracy
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: FRESNO, Calif. - Juan Medina, 29, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Jury Convicts Priest of Sex Trafficking Three Victims in Northern Ohio
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: TOLEDO - A federal jury in Northern District of Ohio convicted Michael J. Zacharias, a priest, of five counts of sex trafficking. The charges related to three victims, two of whom Zacharias trafficked when they were minors and as adults. The evidence presented to the jury detailed how Zacharias paid the victims to engage in sex acts with him using the victims’ fear of serious harm to compel their compliance.
Retired Special Education Teacher Sentenced for Traveling Overseas to Sexually Abuse Children
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Craig Alex Levin, 67, of King of Prussia was sentenced to 35 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Harvey Bartle, III for for traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with children as young as 12 years old.
Providence Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine and Fentanyl
By DOJ Newswire | May 17, 2023
News Release: PROVIDENCE - A Providence man, who court records show has been convicted multiple times on various felony drug, firearm, and/or assault charges, has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking in fentanyl and crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Salem Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Machine Guns
By DOJ Newswire Report | May 17, 2023
A Salem man was sentenced today in federal court for the unlawful possession of machine guns, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.