News from 2023
Hyde Park Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-Relief and Federal Assistance Benefit Fraud
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: BOSTON - A Hyde Park man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain pandemic relief funds and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as Food Stamps.
Tampa Bowling Arcade Shooter Sentenced
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Cedric Durham, Jr. (22, Tampa) to four years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Durham had pleaded guilty on Nov. 28, 2022.
Michigan Man Arrested and Charged for Illegally Possessing Firearms While Making Threats to Kill Government Officials
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: DETROIT - A Michigan man was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint with illegally possessing firearms after having been committed to a mental institution and while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. The man came to the attention of the FBI after he made numerous threats over YouTube to kill FBI agents, members of the LGBTQ community, President Biden, and Governor Whitmer.
Former Union Officer Sentenced to Incarceration for Embezzling More Than $500,000
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - Attia Little, 43, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to steal more than $500,000 from the labor organization, using the money for parties, trips, furniture, and other personal expenses. U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta also ordered $399,450 in restitution and 24 months of supervised release to follow the prison term.
Forest City Man Sentenced for a Child Pornography Offense
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA - A Forest City man was sentenced on Feb. 28, 2023, to 120 months in prison following his plea of guilty to possession of child pornography.
Tribe Member Sentenced To Prison For Shooting At Police Officer
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: RENO - A Winnemucca Indian Colony tribe member was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for shooting at a law enforcement officer and pointing his firearm at a second officer.
Former State Lawmaker Sentenced for COVID-19 Fraud Scheme at Springfield Health Care Charity
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A former Missouri state representative was sentenced in federal court today for a nearly $900,000 COVID-19 fraud scheme, as well as a separate $200,000 fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a fake stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri, and for illegally providing prescription drugs to clients of those clinics.
New York Drug Supplier Convicted After Federal Trial for Supplying Fentanyl to a Prince George’s County Drug Dealer
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Greenbelt, Maryland - A federal jury today convicted Valfonso Dewitt, a/k/a “Valentino" and “Val," age 72, of Bronx, New York, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and on two counts for using his cellular telephone to facilitate illegal drug distribution. The jury acquitted Dewitt on three counts of using his cellular telephone to facilitate illegal drug distribution.
Augusta Man Sentenced to 16 Months for Assaulting Federal Officer at Muskie Federal Building
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: BANGOR, Maine: An Augusta man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for assaulting a federal officer at the Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building in Augusta in April 2022.
Former Sheriff Victor Hill sentenced to federal prison for civil rights violations
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: ATLANTA - Former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill has been sentenced for violating the civil rights of six pre-trial detainees at the Clayton County, Georgia, Jail by ordering the detainees strapped into restraint chairs for hours without legal justification.
DeSoto County Career Criminal Sentenced To More Than Twenty Years In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Fort Myers, Florida - U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Robert Steven Harrelson (45, Arcadia) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The court also ordered Harrelson to forfeit a firearm and ammunition possessed during the offense. Harrelson had pleaded guilty on Nov. 30, 2022.
Ohio Man Sentenced On Felony Charge For Actions in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Defendant Joined Fight at Barriers, Walked Through Rotunda.
McComb Woman Found Guilty of Conspiracy and False Statements in Connection with Federal Unemployment Fraud
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Jackson, Miss. - A federal jury convicted a McComb woman for one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiring to commit theft of public money, one count of theft of public money, and one count of making a false statement to a federal agent.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Resolves Disability Discrimination Investigation of Bark Bark Wag Dog Rescue
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: DETROIT -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan resolved its investigation of Bark Bark Wag, a local dog rescue organization based in Livonia, Michigan. The complainant alleged that her adoption application was denied based on stereotypes concerning her use of a wheelchair...
Former New Orleans Police Officer Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a 15-Year-Old Girl
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: A former police officer with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) was sentenced in federal court to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old crime victim in violation of her constitutional rights.
Stockton Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Over 16 Years in Prison
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Miguel Castellanos Huitron, (aka Efrain Tavarez Lopez) 52, of Stockton, was sentenced today to 16 years and six months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Staten Island Gang Member Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Minors
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, a five-count indictment was unsealed charging Justin Dixon, a member of the Crips street gang, with sex trafficking, coercion and enticement of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor and felon in possession. On February 6, 2023, Dixon was arraigned on a complaint before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl and a permanent order of detention was issued.
Lakeland Regional Medical Center Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Settle Common Law Allegations for Impermissible Medicaid Donations
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Tampa, FL - Lakeland Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Lakeland, Florida, has agreed to pay the United States $4 million to resolve allegations that it made donations to a local unit of government to improperly fund the state’s share of Medicaid payments to LRMC.
Alabama Man Sentenced On Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: Defendant Was Among First in Mob to Enter Capitol Building.
Justice Department Secures Settlement to Remedy Race and Sex-Based Harassment of Students in Vermont School District
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 17, 2023
News Release: The Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with the Twin Valley School District in Vermont to resolve its investigation into complaints of student-on-student harassment based on race and sex.