Government NewsPolice Blotter

Readout of Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco’s Trip to California and Participation in the 2024 RSA Cybersecurity Conference

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

In a keynote conversation at RSA on “Artificial Intelligence: The Ultimate Double-Edged Sword,” the Deputy AG highlighted how the Justice Department is developing guardrails to harness the benefits of AI to fulfill the Department’s mission, while mitigating the risks posed by misuse. She spoke to AI’s potential to help identify, disrupt, and deter criminals, terrorists, and hostile nation-states — and shared how the Department is using AI tools to speed up response times to a variety of threats. She stressed that existing laws offer a firm foundation to confront misuse of AI, even as the legal framework around AI evolves. Deputy AG Monaco warned of AI’s potential to supercharge existing threats to election security — in a year when over half the global population will vote — and she urged vigilance in the face of AI’s potential to accelerate online hate and disinformation, imitate trusted sources of information, and proliferate deepfakes.

Deputy Attorney General (AG) Lisa Monaco traveled to San Francisco this week to participate in the 2024 RSA Cybersecurity Conference and underscore the Justice Department’s efforts to combat cybercrime and other persistent and emerging threats to national security, including the abuse of disruptive technologies, particularly AI.

At the RSA CEO Roundtable, she joined other senior government officials and leaders across the cybersecurity industry to discuss combating cyber threats, including the importance of public-private collaboration to the Department’s cyber strategy of protecting victims and prioritizing disruptions. Strong public-private partnerships have accelerated both the speed and scale of the Justice Department’s disruptive operations and have proven critical to dismantling nation-state-controlled botnets, taking down darknet marketplaces, and disrupting major ransomware gangs — such as the LockBit group, whose creator and administrator the Deputy AG announced was charged in the latest phase of a targeted international law enforcement operation.

The Deputy AG was interviewed by former FBI Deputy Director Sean Joyce at the 14th Annual Executive Dinner at RSA, where she discussed the progress of the Department’s Justice AI Initiative. Launched by the Deputy AG in February at the University of Oxford, Justice AI brings together stakeholders across industry, academia, law enforcement, and civil society to share expertise on both the promise of AI and the perils of its misuse.

While in California, the Deputy AG visited the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento. In meetings with U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, his leadership team, and the prosecutors and professional staff of the office, she thanked them for their hard work and dedication to the Department’s mission. Deputy AG Monaco also sat down with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to discuss their collaboration to tackle violent crime and other public safety challenges.

The Deputy AG also led a roundtable convening, hosted by the Aspen Institute, with technology, financial, and venture capital executives to discuss the collective risks posed by the theft and abuse of disruptive technologies, especially AI, in a heightened geopolitical risk environment. She emphasized the work of the Justice Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a multi-agency effort to stop adversaries from siphoning our most critical technologies and innovations.

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Solar Energy Company Agrees to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Related to Paycheck Protection Program Loan

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorized forgivable PPP loans for small businesses experiencing economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most cases, the maximum amount a small business could receive was 2.5 times its average monthly payroll. For purposes of calculating payroll costs, the CARES Act excluded any compensation to an individual employee in excess of an annual salary of $100,000.

AUSTIN – Freedom Solar LLC, a solar energy company that installs photovoltaic solar arrays for residential and commercial customers, has agreed to pay $425,710 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

The civil settlement resolved a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Mossburg v. Freedom Solar, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:23-cv-00908 (W.D. Tex.).

Freedom Solar applied for a PPP loan in April 2020. The United States alleged that Freedom Solar failed to cap the annual salary of several employees at $100,000 when calculating its average monthly payroll. As a result, Freedom Solar overstated this number on its PPP loan application, which caused it to receive more PPP funds than it was entitled to receive. Freedom Solar later obtained forgiveness for the full amount of its PPP loan.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Parnham negotiated the settlement on behalf of the government.

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Ithaca Resident Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Noah Oliver Fisch-Lewis, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Ithaca, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court on May 8, 2024, to charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for October 1, 2024. The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, beginning on September 23, 2022, and continuing until October 8, 2022, Fisch-Lewis communicated with an undercover agent posing as the mother of a 10-year-old girl. During this period, Fisch-Lewis repeatedly expressed, in very graphic terms, his desire to engage in sexual activity with the minor. On October 8, 2022, Fisch-Lewis drove from upstate New York, to Erie, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with the purported 10-year-old, and was taken into custody upon his arrival at the agreed meeting place.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania State Police, Erie Police Department, Millcreek Police Department, and Erie County Detectives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Fisch-Lewis.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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Old Town Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

According to court records, between October and December 2022, Matthew Podlaski, 40, searched the internet for, and downloaded images of, the sexual abuse of young children, storing the images on multiple devices. Investigators seized 14 devices belonging to Podlaski, including laptop computers, flash drives and external storage devices.

BANGOR, Maine: An Old Town man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to possessing child [censored]ography involving a child under 12.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Podlaski faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child [censored]ography: Child sexual abuse material – in legal terms, “child [censored]ography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are shared or viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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Barbourville Pharmacy and its Pharmacist-in-Charge to Pay $215,000 to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances Act

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

The CSA was passed to combat the illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications.  The CSA’s requirements, which apply to entities like pharmacies that purchase, dispense, and sell controlled substances, are designed to protect the public from the dangers posed by highly addictive or dangerous controlled substances that could be diverted into the illicit market.  Under the CSA, pharmacies have a legal responsibility to ensure that controlled substances are dispensed only pursuant to valid prescriptions.  Prescriptions are only valid if issued by a medical provider for a legitimate medical purpose, acting in the usual course of their professional practice.  The CSA requires pharmacists to investigate prescriptions that appear to be invalid, such as those that bear “red flags” for diversion or abuse, and to refuse to fill such prescriptions if the concerns cannot be resolved.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Barbourville pharmacy, Smith Family Pharmacy, and its pharmacist-in-charge, Stephanie Smith, agreed to pay $215,000 in civil penalties, to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) by filling prescriptions for controlled substances that had been issued without a legitimate medical purpose, in contravention of a pharmacy’s corresponding responsibility to ensure that only valid prescriptions are dispensed.

“Under the Controlled Substances Act, pharmacies and pharmacists play a critical gatekeeping function, helping to prevent diversion of controlled substances into the community,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “Prescription drug abuse continues to be an enormous challenge to our communities.  We simply must ensure that everyone is doing their part to combat this crisis – including pharmacies and pharmacists – and we will continue to enforce these critically important provisions of the CSA.”

According to settlement documents, the Government alleged that, from April 2017 to December 2021, Smith Family Pharmacy, under Ms. Smith’s supervision, filled over 500 prescriptions for highly addictive drugs like oxycodone and oxymorphone, that showed “red flags” for diversion or abuse, but failed to resolve those concerns.  The prescriptions displayed several “red flags,” including combinations of commonly abused substances, high dosages of controlled substances, and patients traveling to out-of-state physicians to obtain prescriptions.  Some prescriptions with “red flags” that were filled by Smith Family Pharmacy were determined to have been written by out-of-state physicians that have since been convicted of illegally prescribing controlled substances (United States v. Herrell, et al., 6:21-cr-13).  

The DEA and Smith Family Pharmacy also entered into a four-year Memorandum of Agreement as part of the settlement.  Specifically, Smith Family Pharmacy agreed to hire a new pharmacist-in-charge, to replace Ms. Smith; agreed to submit quarterly compliance reports to DEA; and agreed to provide employee training, addressing the identification and resolution of “red flags.”  The agreement represents an opportunity for Smith Family Pharmacy to demonstrate compliance with its legal requirements under the CSA.

“Retail pharmacies are the last line of defense against the diversion of controlled medications with a potential for abuse, and Smith Family Pharmacy fell short of their obligation to operate in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act,” said Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division.  “I’m very proud of the hard work done by the men and women of the DEA in this investigation, which led to a substantial fine, as well as safeguards to oblige the pharmacy to compliance going forward.”

The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that all levels of the supply chain that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances will be held responsible for violations of the CSA.  Tips from all sources about possible violations of controlled substances laws can be reported to the DEA at www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

The settlement considered the penalties associated with the alleged violations, as well as Smith Family Pharmacy’s and Ms. Smith’s ability-to-pay. 

– END –

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, London Resident Office Tactical Diversion Squad.  Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Stubblebine and Katie Sheridan represented the United States.  The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

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Billionaire Chinese National Sentenced to Seven Months in Prison and Removal from United States for Straw Donor Campaign Contribution Scheme and Other Frauds

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), announced the sentence.

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Hui Qin, also known as “Qin Hui,” “Hui Quin,” “Muk Lam Li” and “Karl,” a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), who was listed on Forbes Magazine’s List of Billionaires and who operated SMI Culture, a Hong Kong-based entertainment entity, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to seven months’ imprisonment for making political contributions in the names of others, immigration fraud and producing a false identification document.  Qin pleaded guilty to the charges in March 2024.  As part of his plea, the defendant consented to abandonment of his fraudulently obtained LPR status and removal from the United States immediately after the sentencing.  Qin has been incarcerated since his arrest seven months ago on October 2, 2023.

“Hui Qin violated our democratic norms by illegally attempting to influence election campaigns through fraudulent political donations,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.  “His unlawful actions and repeated efforts to exploit various government agencies were disrupted by the FBI and such attempts by other threat actors will not be tolerated. Today’s sentence and his removal from the United States should dissuade any future schemers from engaging in similar activity.  The FBI is committed to exposing all forms of corruption, especially those that threaten election integrity and our duly elected officials.

“Qin’s brazen flouting of our political and immigration systems, and his defrauding government agencies resulted in a felony conviction, prison sentence and today, his removal from the United States,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Qin has learned a lesson in American civics the hard way, that no one is above the law.”

“By flouting laws vital to the sanctity of the federal election and immigration systems, the defendant threatened not only the community’s safety, but the democratic foundation on which the United States of America was established,” stated HSI New York Special Agent-in- Charge Arvelo.  “Hui Qin’s sentencing today underscores the importance of law enforcement’s collaboration, coordination, and unwavering dedication to one common goal: protecting the public. HSI New York stands united with our partners against any individuals attempting to jeopardize our national security.”  

“Qin interfered with our election system and tried to gain advantage through his straw donations.  He furthered his criminal activity by misrepresenting himself on documents to obtain a false Visa, then lived with an illegitimate status in his $5 million Manhattan apartment.   It is through our law enforcement partnerships and good police work that Qin was held accountable for behaving like he was above the law,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso.    

Additionally, as part of his plea Qin admitted that, in April 2019, he filed a false application for LPR status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.  In the application, Qin falsely swore, under penalty of perjury, that he had never used another name.  In fact, in 2008, a PRC government official provided Qin with the alias “Muk Lam Li” and between 2008 and the filing of Qin’s LPR application, Qin obtained identification documents, including a Hong Kong identification card, a PRC identification card and a Hong Kong passport in the name of the Li alias, which contained Qin’s photograph, but a date of birth different than Qin’s.  Around September 2017, Qin used the Li alias to transfer more than $5 million from the PRC to a United States bank account, a portion of which was used to purchase a luxury Manhattan apartment, where Qin resided. 

 As set forth in court filings and facts presented at the plea proceeding, between December 2021 and December 2022, Qin agreed to reimburse other individuals who made contributions on his behalf to the campaign committees for a candidate for a New York City-wide political office, a member of the United States House of Representatives for a congressional district in the Eastern District of New York and candidate for a House of Representatives seat in a Rhode Island congressional district.  During the scheme, straw donors made approximately $11,600 in contributions on Qin’s behalf, which caused the campaign committees to file false contribution reports with the Federal Election Commission in 2022.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley T. King and Adam Toporovsky are in charge of the prosecution.

Qin also pleaded guilty to engaging in interstate travel to fraudulently obtain a Florida driver’s license.  In December 2020, Qin travelled from New York to Florida and applied for a driver’s license at Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (“FLHSMV”).  At the time of his travel, Qin was a resident of Old Westbury, Long Island and Manhattan, but he signed an application stating that it was “true and correct” that he resided at an address in Miami, where he had never lived.  To bolster this false assertion, Qin presented FLHSMV officials with fake bank and credit card statements bearing the name “Hui Quin” and the false Miami address.  After FLHSMV issued Qin a Florida Driver’s License, he presented it to banks and a motor vehicle insurer as identification.

HUI QIN (also known as “Qin Hui,” “Hui Quin,” “Muk Lam Li” and “Karl”)
Age:  55
Old Westbury, Long Island and Manhattan, New York

The Defendant:

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-100 (JMA)

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Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Wide-Ranging Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy That Spanned Across the Country

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Erik Ventura, 35, pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2024. Ventura was arrested and charged in February 2022 and has remained in custody since.

BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization involved in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas and North and South Carolina. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

In September 2019, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) based in Providence, Rhode Island and known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. The investigation revealed that Ventura was a trusted member of the DTO and maintained one of the drug stash locations. Ventura transported cash and kilogram quantities of drugs to and from New York on behalf of the DTO, distributed thousands of fentanyl pills to wholesale customers in Massachusetts and was paid by the DTO for his work as a drug distributor. In February 2022, two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills, were seized. 

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Providence Resident Agency; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; Rhode Island State Police; and the Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kunal Pasricha of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.    

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Three Arrested in Armed Robbery of Cash Courier

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Steven Madison, 38, of Bridgewater; Christopher White, 37, of Raynham; and Quentin McDonald, 35, of Brockton, were each charged with one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, commonly referred to as Hobbs Act robbery; one count of arson of property used in or affecting interstate commerce; and one count of conspiracy. In addition, Madison and White were also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

BOSTON – Three men have been arrested and charged in connection with the February 2024 armed robbery of a cash courier in Swansea, Mass. The defendants are charged with robbing courier at gunpoint; zip-tying and pepper spraying victim; then burning the stolen getaway vehicle.

According to the charging documents, in the early morning hours of Feb. 19, 2024, two men were seen on video stealing a rental van from a U-Haul Moving & Storage location in Abington, Mass. Later in the day an armed courier who worked for a company that provides secure cash transportation services for licensed cannabis companies arrived at a bank in Swansea, Mass. carrying approximately $436,200 in cash for deposit. 

The defendants were arrested yesterday and were detained pending a hearing scheduled for May 13, 2024.

Surveillance footage showed that the courier managed to remove one hand from the zip-tie restraints while inside his vehicle, draw his firearm and fire four rounds in the direction of the U-Haul van as it fled the scene before calling 911.  

It is alleged that the U-Haul van pulled up alongside the courier and a masked man wearing a camouflaged vest exited the van and pointed a firearm at the courier before zip-tying the courier’s hands behind his back. It is further alleged that a second masked man exited the U-Haul van and quickly loaded the cash into the vehicle. After trying to disarm the courier, the two men allegedly forced the courier into the back seat of his own car, pepper sprayed him and closed the door. 

A subsequent investigation allegedly identified Madison, White and McDonald as the individuals involved in both the robbery and arson. It is alleged that during a search of Madison’s residence in Bridgewater yesterday morning, an estimated $5,000 or more in cash was located in various amounts throughout the house, as well as a $47,000 Rolex watch, a sweatshirt similar to that worn by one of the robbers, a firearm, and ammunition. Following a search of White’s residence in Raynham, zip-ties, a black mask similar to that worn by one of the robbers, a firearm and ammunition were recovered. 

After leaving the bank, the men allegedly drove the van to a nearby location in Swansea where they met with a third man driving an SUV. It is alleged that the men then transferred the stolen cash into the getaway SUV, burned the U-Haul van and fled.

The charge of Hobbs Act robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of arson of property used in or affecting interstate commerce provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up with 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

According to the charging documents, both Madison and McDonald have prior state convictions for masked armed robbery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and unlawfully possessing a firearm. White has prior state convictions for larceny and receiving stolen property. 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the Bridgewater, Brockton and Raynham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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Recidivist drug dealer returning to prison for distributing cocaine and fentanyl

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

According to court documents, on Aug. 22, 2022, Hopewell police encountered an Audi vehicle stopped in a roadway within a trailer park. When the officers illuminated the vehicle, the driver, Riezon Mekhi Murphy, 24, turned off the headlights of his vehicle and reversed down the roadway to a grassy area. At that time, two other individuals who had been seated together in the front passenger seat of the Audi got out of the car and raised their hands.

RICHMOND, Va. – A Hopewell man was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl.

Murphy was previously convicted of distributing marijuana and possessing a .380 caliber handgun. Six months later, Murphy was convicted for possession of marijuana and a concealed firearm. Four months later, Murphy was again arrested and convicted of selling Schedule I or II controlled substances and driving on a suspended license. Murphy was discharged from supervised probation on Feb. 7, 2022, six months before his arrest in this case.

An officer requested that Murphy lower his window, then observed an open bottle of tequila and currency strewn about the car. During a lawful search of the Audi, investigators located a loaded 9mm pistol under the driver seat and a gray backpack in the back passenger area, which belonged to Murphy. The backpack contained $1000 in cash, along with several individual baggies that contained approximately 45 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, 4.7 grams of fentanyl, 26 grams of cocaine, 96 grams of methamphetamine, and 220 grams of marijuana.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter S. Duffey and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon E. Schulz, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Greg Taylor, Chief of Hopewell Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-101.

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Chicago Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm and Participating in a Murder

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

ANDREI TAYLOR illegally possessed the loaded firearm on the afternoon of Sept. 19, 2022, in the Tri-Taylor neighborhood on Chicago’s Near West Side.  Taylor was a passenger in a Kia Optima that had been stolen in a carjacking earlier that afternoon.  When a Chicago Police squad car approached the Kia, Taylor and three other occupants fled the vehicle and ran off on foot.  Taylor tossed the gun, which had an extended magazine, into the backyard of a nearby residence before he was apprehended by police.  Taylor had previously been convicted of three firearm-related felonies in the Circuit Court of Cook County and was not lawfully allowed to possess the gun.

CHICAGO — A man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a handgun and participating in the murder of a man in Chicago on Labor Day weekend in 2022.

The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elie Zenner and Simar Khera.

Taylor, 27, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. imposed the prison sentence during a hearing Wednesday in federal court in Chicago.  In addition to the illegal firearm possession, Judge Tharp found that Taylor participated culpably in the premeditated murder of Kadaivion Jones, who was fatally wounded on Sept. 2, 2022, while standing on a sidewalk in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood.  The handgun illegally possessed by Taylor in the Kia was one of the guns used to shoot Jones.

Holding firearm offenders accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative that brings together law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions to the most pressing violent crime problems in a community.  In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.

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Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Conviction Of Bruce Garelick

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Bruce Garelick was part of a sophisticated group of individuals invited to invest in Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC), a special purpose acquisition company that had raised funds with the intention of later investing in a target company, Trump Media & Technology Group, not yet known to the public.  When he was given that opportunity, Garelick promised to keep the information about DWAC’s interest in acquiring Trump Media secret and not use it to trade in the stock market.  Garelick was also given a seat on DWAC’s board, which gave him direct access to additional non-public information regarding the acquisition.  As a unanimous jury has just found, Garelick blatantly violated the law by using the information that he obtained as an insider at DWAC to trade and tip others.  Garelick’s federal conviction is yet another stark reminder that insider trading is always a losing bet.”

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Woman Sentenced to 9 Years in Dark Web Murder-for-Hire Plot

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Michelle Murphy, 58, was charged via criminal complaint in September 2023 and pleaded guilty in December 2023 to one count of murder-for-hire. She was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman.

A Bedford woman who attempted to hire a hitman to kill her boyfriend’s lover was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Blockchain analysis showed that Ms. Murphy used an ATM to convert cash into cryptocurrency on at least three occasions. On July 27, 2023, she transferred approximately 0.358 BTC ($10,510) to a Bitcoin wallet she believed belonged to the murder-for-hire recipient.

According to court documents, Ms. Murphy used the dark web to attempt to pay a hitman $10,510 in Bitcoin to murder her boyfriend’s lover.

At Thursday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that it appeared the “hitman” who accepted funds from Ms. Murphy likely never intended to carry out the murder.

Agents subsequently confronted Ms. Murphy and the boyfriend in question. After being read her Miranda rights, Ms. Murphy admitted that when she found out her boyfriend was seeing another woman, she attempted to hire a hit man to kill the woman.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bedford, Euless, Grapevine, and Hurst Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht prosecuted the case.

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Oklahoma Woman Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

According to court documents, during January of 2023, detectives with the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force learned that Cerina Lynn Boehrer, age 40, of Ada, Oklahoma was transporting methamphetamine from Oklahoma to the Northwest Arkansas area for distribution. On February 3, 2023, detectives intercepted Boehrer as she was traveling in Fayetteville, Arkansas and discovered approximately one pound of methamphetamine and a firearm in her vehicle.

FAYETTEVILLE – A Oklahoma woman was sentenced yesterday to 200 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The Honorable Judge James M. Moody Jr. presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Laboratory and tested positive for methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Robbins prosecuted the case.

The Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force investigated the case.

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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Former Columbus vice detective sentenced to 11 years in prison for depriving victims’ civil rights, obstructing justice

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Andrew K. Mitchell, 60, of Sunbury, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to two counts of depriving individuals of their civil rights while acting under color of law and one count of obstructing justice.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Columbus vice detective was sentenced in federal court today to 132 months in prison for crimes related to kidnapping victims under the guise of an arrest.

“As a member of the vice unit and a long-serving police officer, Mitchell was well aware of the special vulnerabilities of the sex workers and often drug addicted females with which he came into contact,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Instead of helping them seek refuge, Mitchell was the type of predator who purposely targeted these women. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to upholding the community’s work to connect victimized women to services and to prosecuting those who prey on vulnerable victims, no matter who they are.”

Mitchell was employed by the Columbus Division of Police from 1988 until 2019 and was assigned to the vice unit from 2017 until 2019. As part of his duties in that role, Mitchell conducted law enforcement actions for solicitation offenses.

Mitchell used this ruse to handcuff the victim to the doorknob of his vehicle. He drove the victim to a nearby parking lot with multiple dumpsters and forcible held and detained the victim against her will before dropping her off at her boyfriend’s residence.

According to court documents, in July 2017, Mitchell picked up a sex worker who was working in the Hilltop near Sullivant and Whitethorne avenues. Mitchell was in plain clothes and an unmarked black sedan. He told the victim he was a police officer and acted as if he were doing a check for any outstanding warrants on the victim.

Mitchell kidnapped the victim and drove her to Lindbergh Park, holding her against her will.

Similarly, in September 2017, Mitchell picked up a second sex worker in the Hilltop. Mitchell was again in plain clothes and was driving a dark SUV. He began discussing the victim’s rates for sexual activity before announcing that he was an officer with the vice unit and said she was going to jail.

Mitchell was charged federally and arrested in March 2019.

Mitchell was also sentenced today for obstructing justice. Specifically, during the federal investigation into Mitchell’s civil rights crimes, he directed several individuals to assist him in cleaning out one of the rental properties he owned, located on Denune Ave. The individuals disposed of evidence including photos, clothing, bedding and rental records, and used bleach extensively in the apartment to clean a bed, couch, ottoman and floor.

# # #

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin W. Kelley and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.

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Longtime treasurer pleads guilty to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

William Curlis, 76, was charged by a bill of information in April 2024. He pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man who served as a campaign treasurer for more than 100 candidates since the 1980s pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud related to stealing nearly $1 million in campaign funds.

As part of his plea, Curlis admitted that he wrote checks from the bank accounts of certain candidates and one PAC to himself for personal use. The defendant transferred funds between campaign accounts without candidates’ knowledge to conceal the deficit he created.

According to the court documents, from 2008 until June 2023, Curlis defrauded candidates of approximately $995,231 of campaign funds.

Curlis wrote at least 179 checks to himself from campaign accounts belonging to 18 different candidates and one PAC.

For example, from 2000 to 2023, Curlis was the primary signatory on at least 111 bank accounts, and of those, he was the only signatory on 108 accounts.

Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. As part of his plea, Curlis will pay $995,231 in restitution.

Curlis sold his home in 2016 to cover the cost of campaign expenses, including campaign media costs and account balances, to prevent the discovery of his theft.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes agents and officers from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Columbus Division of Police and Ohio Auditor’s Office. The Ohio Secretary of State’s office was also an integral part of the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker, FBI Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the guilty plea offered on May 8 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King.

# # #

Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight is representing the United States in this case.

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Leader of Brooklyn-Based Elite Assassin Millas Gang Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy and Firearms Offenses

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Quandel Smothers, also known as “Chucky,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 23 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in connection with his leadership of the East New York-based Elite Assassin Millas (E.A.M.), a set of the Bloods street gang.  Smothers was convicted of the charges by a federal jury in February 2023 following a two-week trial.  Smothers conspired with other gang members and associates to deal drugs, commit fraud and to murder or attempt to murder their rivals from 2006 to 2019, resulting in multiple shootings that left one individual dead and several other victims permanently disabled.

Mr. Peace thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and the New York City Police Department for outstanding work in the case.

“Smothers, who fancied himself the gang’s “Godfather” and East New York his ‘Gun Town,’ deserves the decades behind bars imposed today for leading a criminal enterprise that endangered the community with their mindless killing, shootings and assaults of rivals,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office and our law enforcement partners have dismantled the Elite Assassin Millas and will continue the important work of ridding our district of violent groups that have no respect for the law or human life.”

On April 30, 2011, Smothers, the so-called “Godfather” or “GF” of E.A.M., shot a fellow E.A.M. member in the torso and leg over a drug and loyalty-related dispute, causing the victim’s leg to be amputated.  Over the years that Smothers led the gang, his underlings engaged in feuds with other local street gangs in East New York that frequently resulted in shootouts between the groups.  As a result of shootings, two individuals were paralyzed by members of E.A.M., and one victim — Michael Tenorio — was murdered.

As proven at trial, E.A.M. operated primarily in East New York, which the gang referred to as “Gun Town.”  The gang made money through fraud and drug dealing, particularly sales of crack cocaine and marijuana.  Smothers rose to the leadership position of E.A.M. through violence and fear.  E.A.M. members reporting to Smothers referred to themselves as “Homicide Town.” Smothers agreed with other gang members and associates to deal drugs, commit fraud, and to murder or attempt to murder their rivals from 2006 to 2019, resulting in numerous shootings.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

All six other members and associates of E.A.M. that were charged with the defendant have pleaded guilty to crimes including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, assault, and interstate stalking causing life threatening injury.  Tyshawn Corbett was sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment; Marlon Bristol was sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment; Devon Bristol was sentenced to 80 months’ imprisonment; Desmonn Beckett was sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment; and Andrew Campbell was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.  Qawon Allen is awaiting sentencing. 

The Defendant:

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Galeotti, Genny Ngai and Jonathan Siegel are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Brittany Wissel.

Defendants Who Pleaded Guilty

QUANDEL SMOTHERS (also known as “Chucky”)
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

QAWON ALLEN (also known as “40” and “Phorty Wap”)
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New York

TYSHAWN CORBETT (also known as “Reck”)
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

DEVON BRISTOL (also known as “D”)
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York

DESMONN BECKETT (also known as “Des”)
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

ANDREW CAMPBELL (also known as “Phaze”)
Age: 27
Brooklyn, New York

MARLON BRISTOL (also known as “Marlo”)
Age: 35
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-213 (KAM)

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Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced To 40 Years

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Kyle Burns, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Roland Vance Watson, 55, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced today to 40 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for producing child [censored]ography and committing a felony involving a minor while being required to register as a sex offender, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Watson was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.

According to court records, in 1991, Watson was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey. As part of Watson’s sentence, he was ordered to register with the Sex Offender Registry Board in any state or jurisdiction where he worked or resided. Court documents show that after Watson moved to North Carolina, he failed to register as a sex offender.

The criminal investigation began in January 2023, after law enforcement received information from a concerned adult that Watson had exchanged inappropriate text messages with a minor female. According to filed court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, investigators determined that, between August 2021 and February 2023, Watson had sexually abused three minor females on multiple occasions. Three cell phones seized from Watson and Watson’s home were forensically analyzed and multiple sexually explicit text messages were recovered between Watson and one of the minors.  In some of the texts, Watson induced the minor to send him explicit images and videos of herself in exchange for gifts and candy. The phones also contained child [censored]ography produced by Watson that depicted Watson sexually abusing the minors and other sexually explicit images and videos featuring the minors in various states of undress.

The investigation was conducted by HSI and the Hickory Police Department.

Watson will remain in federal custody pending placement by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Cervantes, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.

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Covetrus Sentenced for Criminal Misbranding of Prescription Drugs

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

In addition, the court ordered Covetrus to pay over $23 million in criminal fines and forfeitures.

ABINGDON, Va. – Covetrus North America LLC, a company based in Dublin, Ohio, which sells veterinary products to customers across the United States, was sentenced yesterday to one-year of probation for causing the introduction and delivery of misbranded veterinary prescription drugs into interstate commerce.

According to court documents, from March 2019 to December 2021, Covetrus shipped over $20 million in prescription drugs from their non-pharmacy locations throughout the United States to end-users that were not authorized to receive prescription drugs. Shipments from non-pharmacy locations to non-authorized end-users or locations are deemed “misbranded.”

Covetrus will forfeit $21,534,091, pay $1,000,000 to the Virginia Department of Health Professions, as well as a fine of $1,000,000. In addition, Covetrus is obligated to keep in place appropriate compliance measures to prevent future violations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and the Virginia State Police investigated the case, with the assistance of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge George Scavdis, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations – Metro Washington Field Office made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Ramseyer prosecuted the case.

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Member of Violent Gang Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Racketeering, Drug and Firearm Offenses

by Indira Patel
By Indira Patel

Paulo Santos, a/k/a “Bucky,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 10 years in prison and four years of supervised release. In January 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy), possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in connection with his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.

As part of his role in the gang, Santos and another Cameron Street member assaulted and robbed a rival gang member outside the Dorchester District Court on Dec. 6, 2019.  In a video posted on Snapchat later that day, Santos identified the victim as a rival gang member, chased him, and shouted to another Cameron Street member, “Get him!”  On the video, the victim shielded his face while he was punched and kicked repeatedly.  Santos and the other Cameron Street member then robbed the victim of his sneakers and took them as a trophy.  The video included captions that praised Cameron Street and denigrated the victim’s gang.

According to court documents, Cameron Street is a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. Cameron Street members possess, carry and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds.

This is Santos’ third firearm conviction. For his last unlawful possession of a firearm conviction, Santos served a four-to-five-year state prison sentence.

At the time of Santos’ arrest, approximately 900 grams of cocaine, 500 grams of marijuana, a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver and $15,597 in cash were seized from his stash house in Hingham.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  

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Maryland Driver Arrested for Drug Possession During Traffic Stop

by Shore News Network
By Shore News Network

CLEMENTS, MD — On Thursday, May 3, Senior Trooper Oyler conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Budds Creek Road and Colton Point Road. During the stop, Shaun Lee Resico, 45, from Hollywood, Maryland, underwent standard field sobriety tests.

Resico admitted to possessing suspected cocaine, which was subsequently found in the vehicle. He was arrested and taken to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center, where he was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) not cannabis, and possession of CDS paraphernalia. Notably, Resico was not issued any citations related to driving under the influence.

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Police Blotter

Disorderly Conduct Incident in Wilkes-Barre

by Local News Report
By Local News Report

Wilkes-Barre, PA—On Thursday, Police responded to a complaint about a disorderly female at 17 East Market Street. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who reported that Jennifer Stilp had trespassed by entering the establishment despite previous warnings.

Stilp allegedly verbally abused the victim and physically assaulted him.

Stilp, 40, of Hanover Township, was arrested, processed, and later released.

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Police Blotter

Calvert County Residents Urged to Prevent Credit Card Skimming

by Local News Report
By Local News Report

Prince Frederick, MD – The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is advising individuals to take measures to safeguard themselves when using credit or debit cards at various retail locations, including ATMs and gas stations. Skimmers are illicit devices positioned above card reader slots to unlawfully capture personal details and PINs upon insertion.

Skimmers enable criminals to access PINs and encoded card data by placing them on machines and using covert cameras to record transactions. This pilfered information can be utilized to fabricate duplicated cards or breach bank accounts for monetary theft.

Individuals who suspect skimming devices should promptly inform store or bank management and alert law enforcement to any suspicious behavior. Authorities recommend regularly checking bank and card statements for any unauthorized charges. For further information on skimming, visit https://www.fbi.gov/scam…/common-scams-and-crimes/skimming.

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Lucky Owings Mills Woman Claims Two Pick 5 Prizes for Grand Total of $75K

by Local News Report
By Local News Report

Baltimore, MD – An Owings Mills woman who plays Lottery games regularly, specifically Pick 5, always sticks to her favorite set of numbers for each game. Last Friday, this strategy paid off as she played those numbers on two separate Pick 5 tickets, winning the top prizes on a 50-cent and a $1 ticket, totaling $75,000.

The fortunate winner purchased her winning tickets at Save A Lot in Baltimore, where she often buys her Lottery games. Her chosen numbers hold significance as they represent the date of her boyfriend’s father’s passing. In the evening of the draw, she eagerly watched and was thrilled to discover her double win.

Quiet about her newfound luck, the winner, a nurse of 16 years, intends to strengthen her savings with the prize money. Besides work and enjoying Lottery games, the Baltimore County resident shared that reading is her favorite pastime.

Save A Lot, situated at 234 McMechen Street, will be rewarded with a $750 bonus for selling the winning Pick 5 tickets, earning the fortunate winner a grand total of $75,000.

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New Jersey Traffic Alert: Overturned Tractor Trailer Shuts Down I-78 During Evening Rush

by Shore News Network
By Shore News Network

Overturned Tractor Trailer Causes Delays on I-78 in Clinton Township

CLINTON TWP, NJ – An overturned tractor trailer disrupted traffic on I-78 in both directions today, particularly impacting the area west of Exit 16 – NJ 31 North. The incident, which began around 3:47 PM, led to the closure of two right lanes westbound, while all lanes remained open eastbound.

By 5:38 PM, the situation was updated, indicating ongoing delays. Motorists traveling westbound experienced delays of approximately 20-25 minutes as crews worked at the scene. Authorities are managing the traffic and working towards clearing the roadway fully.

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Police Blotter

Police Investigate Reported Theft at Wilkes-Barre Sheetz

by Local News Report
By Local News Report

Wilkes-Barre, PA – Wilkes-Barre City Police Department is investigating an incident of theft that occurred at Sheetz located on 815 Kidder Street. Marlin Bevan, 50, of Wilkes-Barre, PA, is suspected of unlawfully taking a set of keys used to access the Pennsylvania Lottery vending machine on the evening of the reported date.

Authorities responded to a call regarding the theft on the specified date and time and upon arrival, spoke with the complainant who witnessed the male suspect taking the keys and leaving the premises. Surveillance footage was reviewed, allowing officers to confirm the suspect’s identity as Bevan. The investigation revealed that Bevan had made a purchase using his “My Sheetz Card” before the incident, leading to charges being prepared against him.

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