News from May 2023


Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Religious Land Use Case Involving Faith-Based Group That Feeds Homeless People in California

The Justice Department filed a statement of interest in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California explaining that the act of distributing food and drinks to people who are homeless by Micah’s Way, a faith-based organization that helps people in need, could be religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).


FBI Minneapolis Presents 2022 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Dr. Kenneth Snell

News Release: FBI Minneapolis Presents 2022 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Dr. Kenneth Snell.


Former Louisville Metro Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force During 2020 Protest

A former Louisville Metro Police Department officer pleaded guilty to violating an individual’s rights by using excessive force while acting as a police officer.


Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Prison for Possessing Firearm

News Release: CINCINNATI - Markeith Ford, 32, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 66 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.


“Justice Department and FBI (Executive Session)” published by the Congressional Record in the Senate section on May 4

“Justice Department and FBI (Executive Session)” was published on pages S1526-S1527 of the Congressional Record on May 4.


Retired Special Education Teacher Sentenced for Traveling Overseas to Sexually Abuse Children

News Release: A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison for traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with children as young as 12 years old.


Lawyer Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for $8 Million Escrow Fraud

News Release: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that BRIAN O’NEILL, a Maryland attorney and escrow agent, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni to nine years in prison for defrauding his clients of funds he was holding for them in escrow. O’NEILL pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud in November 2022.


Multi-Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Eleven Years in Federal Prison for Possession With the Intent To Distribute Cocaine and for Violating Terms of Supervised Release

News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Corinthian King (32, Jacksonville) to 11 years and 8 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine. King has also agreed to the forfeiture of a Glock 9mm pistol and ammunition, possessed during his commission of the offense. King had pleaded guilty on Sept. 21, 2022, and admitted to violating his supervised release on April 25, 2023.


Ada Resident Sentenced For Bank Robbery

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Matthew Thomas Pettigrew, age 42, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months for Bank Robbery on April 6, 2023.


Massachusetts Man Convicted Of Murder For Hire Scheme

Jury Convicted Allen Gessen After He Solicited an Undercover Agent to Murder the Estranged Mother of His Children


Idaho Man Sentenced on Felony Charge for Breaching Capitol on Jan. 6 and Obstructing Congressional Proceeding

An Idaho man was sentenced today on a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.


Man Convicted for Running Four Dark Web Child Sexual Abuse Websites

A federal jury convicted a Missouri man yesterday for running four websites dedicated to sharing images of child sexual abuse.


Former Austin ISD Teacher Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Illicit Sexual Conduct in Colombia

An Austin man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin Wednesday to 84 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places.


Four Men Sentenced for Engaging in a Child Exploitation Enterprise

Four men were sentenced for their participation in a website dedicated to child sexual exploitation.


Tennessee Man Sentenced To 600 Months For Child Production Offenses

On May 11, 2023, Cameron Ty Bolyard, 35, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison, by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville.


Siskiyou County Woman Indicted for Possession of Child Pornography

A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Shasta Lea Schnittker, 41, of Montague, charging her with possessing visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


Retired Special Education Teacher Sentenced for Traveling Overseas to Sexually Abuse Children

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


Thirty Individuals Associated with Milwaukee Street Gang Charged With Federal Offenses Ranging from Fraud to Murder for Hire

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that 30 individuals – all alleged to be members and affiliates of a Milwaukee street gang known as the “Wild 100s,” the “Shark Gang,” or “SNG” – had been charged in a 43-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury


Tennessee Man Sentenced To 600 Months For Child Production Offenses

On May 11, 2023, Cameron Ty Bolyard, 35, of Greeneville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison, by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville.


Mark Deakins Convicted Of Sexual Abuse Of A Child, Using Children To Produce Child Sexual Abuse Material, And Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material

On May 11, 2023, Mark Deakins, 63, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was convicted at trial before the Honorable Charles E. Atchley, Jr., United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, of multiple charges involving the sexual abuse of minors.