News from May 2023
The United States Attorney for Puerto Rico, FBI San Juan, and HHS-OIG Announce Redoubling and Focus of Investigative Efforts to Detect and Deter Fraud, Waste, and Abuse of Medicare Funds
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the San Juan Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Joseph González, and the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), José Luis Soto, are redoubling efforts and focus to investigate, detect, and deter Medicare fraud.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Gun Charges
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christian G. Cruz, 25, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Two Lawyers and Two Others Charged in Conspiracy That Defrauded Distressed Homeowners Looking for Help
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: Fraud Scheme Involved Multiple Law Firms.
Virginia Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Ordering Cell Phones on Behalf of Her Non-Profit Employer and Reselling Them for Cash
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - Celeste Santifer, 56, of Alexandria, Virginia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 41 months in prison for committing wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.
Cherry Hill Gang Member Sentenced to Over 21 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in Racketeering Conspiracy Including Murdering an Individual Believed To Be a Rival Gang Member
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, today sentenced Travis Alewine, a/k/a “Sticks," age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 253 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise in connection with his membership in the “Hillside" gang, operating in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore. Alewine admitted that as part of his gang activities, he participated in a murder.
South Carolina Man Arrested for Stealing and Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: Ocala, Florida -United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Alexander Timothy Rosa (31, South Carolina) on a three-count indictment charging him with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and stealing a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. If convicted, Rosa faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.
Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services Announce Interim Resolution Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Alabama Department of Public Health
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: The Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today an interim resolution agreement in their environmental justice investigation into the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Lowndes County Health Department (collectively ADPH) in Lowndes County, Alabama. ADPH cooperated ...
Activity in the United States Attorney’s Office
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: Firearm Offenses. James Paul Stokes, age 49, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 18, 2023, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The government requested 46 months’ imprisonment. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Stokes to 33 months in prison with three ...
Podiatrist Sentenced for Fraudulently Billing Medicare Nearly $2M Under False Identity
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: A Michigan podiatrist was sentenced today to seven years in prison for orchestrating a health care fraud conspiracy that resulted in almost $2 million in false and fraudulent claims being submitted to Medicare, as well as for falsifying records and identity theft.
Sacramento Man Charged With Methamphetamine Distribution Crimes and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment Thursday against Efrain Valentin, 54, of Sacramento, charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Jury Convicts Four Leaders of the Proud Boys of Seditious Conspiracy Related to U.S. Capitol Breach
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - A jury in the District of Columbia, today, returned guilty verdicts on multiple felonies against five members of the Proud Boys, finding four of the defendants guilty of seditious conspiracy for their actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
U.S. Marshals Arrest Murder Suspect in Bridgeport
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: Bridgeport, CT - The Connecticut U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, working with the Bridgeport Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, and West Haven Police Department apprehended in Bridgeport today a fugitive facing numerous charges, including a murder charge out of New Haven.
International Firearms Dealer Involved in $2 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Daniel Ira Johnson (35, Orlando), a/k/a “Shotta" a/k/a “Lajon Black," to seven years and six months in federal prison for shipping firearms to the United Kingdom and committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 unemployment insurance relief. Johnson had pleaded on Dec. 27, 2022.
Chairmen Jordan, Green, and McCaul Statement on H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) released the following statement after the introduction of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023
Billings Felon Admits to Firearms Crimes After Illegally Possessing Stolen Gun
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: BILLINGS - A Billings man who was on state supervision for felony convictions admitted today to firearms crimes after law enforcement found him in possession of a stolen gun, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Church Arson
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: A Colorado man pleaded guilty today to a hate crime charge in connection with a fire he set to a church in Loveland, Colorado.
Jury Convicts Four Leaders of the Proud Boys of Seditious Conspiracy Related to U.S. Capitol Breach
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: A jury in the District of Columbia today returned guilty verdicts on multiple felonies against five members of the Proud Boys, finding four of the defendants guilty of seditious conspiracy for their actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Jefferson Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug Offenses
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - LANCE STEVENS, age 27, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on April 20, 2023 before Chief U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to a six-count indictment charging him with violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
FBI Offers Reward for Arrest of Fugitive Tiara Thomas
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: FBI Offers Reward for Arrest of Fugitive Tiara Thomas.
Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Firearm at a Casino When He Shot a Security Guard
By DOJ Newswire | May 5, 2023
News Release: LAS VEGAS - A Henderson resident was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2021, during which he shot a security guard.