/qresearch/ - Q Research

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Rochester Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Stealing Nude Photos of Dozens of Victims

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nicholas Faber, age 25, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced today to serve 36 months in prison for computer fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with his hacking of online social media accounts and theft of nude images of dozens of female victims.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr.; Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and State University of New York-Plattsburgh Police Chief Patrick Rascoe.

As part of his guilty plea on February 8, 2021, Faber admitted that from about 2017 to 2019, he worked with co-conspirator Michael Fish to access the school email accounts of dozens of female college students and then used information from those school email accounts to gain access to the victims’ social media accounts. Faber then stole, and traded online with others, private nude photographs and movies stored in the victims’ social media accounts. Also, as a result of Faber’s crimes, the university had to allocate money and staff to identifying compromised accounts, reviewing computer and server access logs, resetting passwords, and notifying students and parents.

Faber obtained his undergraduate degree from SUNY-Plattsburgh, graduating in 2017.

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release, which will start after Faber is released from prison, and ordered him to pay $35,430 in restitution to SUNY-Plattsburgh and a $200 special assessment.

Fish pled guilty to computer hacking, aggravated identity theft and child pornography offenses on May 19, 2020, and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 3, 2021.

This case was investigated by the FBI with substantial assistance from the SUNY-Plattsburgh Police Department. Deputy Chief Michael Stawasz from the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Wayne A. Myers, prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/rochester-man-sentenced-36-months-stealing-nude-photos-dozens-victims

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Martinsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Randell Adist, age 50, of Martinsburg, New York pled guilty today to distributing and possessing child pornography. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea before United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd, Adsit, who has a prior New York State conviction for possessing a sexual performance by a child, admitted that he distributed child pornography using a social media application from approximately February 2020 through September 2020. Adsit also admitted that, on November 11, 2020, he possessed approximately 40 files depicting child pornography on his cell phone.

When Adist is sentenced on December 22, 2021, he faces at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison for distributing child pornography and at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography. In addition, Adist will be required to serve a term of supervised release of between five years and life after his term of incarceration and will be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.

This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/martinsburg-man-pleads-guilty-distributing-and-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Bedford Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

CONCORD - Matthew Dion, 49, of Bedford, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about April 19, 2020, the Bedford Police Department was contacted by a representative of an organization that facilitates foreign exchange students traveling to the United States and residing with American host families. The representative reported that a 15-year-old student, who resided in Dion’s home, believed he had been recorded by Dion while he showered. The child had found what he believed to be a camera hidden inside a device that looked like a pen in the bathroom he used in the residence. The Bedford Police responded to the residence and the child was removed from the home.

On April 28, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at Dion’s residence and seized various items including a Micro SD card from Dion’s vehicle. On the device, officers found images of the child taken in the bathroom as the child was getting out of the shower. At least one of these images was sexually explicit in that the focal point was the child’s genital area. A forensic examiner determined that the SD card had been reformatted on or about April 21, 2020, shortly after the Bedford police responded to Dion’s home. This is consistent with someone attempting to delete items from the device on that date.

Dion previously pleaded guilty on May 11, 2021. In addition to his prison sentence, Dion was sentenced to a 5-year term of supervised release, $30,000 in restitution to his victim, and a $5,000 assessment fee.

“This defendant’s sexual exploitation of a minor was reprehensible conduct that merited this serious prison sentence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “By placing a hidden camera in a bathroom, the defendant stole the innocence of a young teen and betrayed the trust of the family that had agreed to let this foreign exchange student live in the defendant’s home. The law enforcement community in New Hampshire works hard to protect children from exploitation and this 15-year sentence should send a message that this type of criminal conduct will not be tolerated in the Granite State.”

“Homeland Security Investigations is pleased with today’s sentence. Attempting to sexually exploit a minor is always wrong, but doing so under the façade of participation in a foreign student exchange program only adds to the damaging impact of the crime in this case”, said Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent In Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, (HSI), Boston. “As a result of his corrupt victimization of a minor student, Dion also created unwarranted damage to the reputation of the foreign student exchange program by betraying the trust they had placed in him as a participant. This case could never have been successfully investigated and prosecuted without the close coordination and teamwork of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Bedford, New Hampshire Police Department, the Milford, New Hampshire Police Department and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire, whom we greatly value for their support.”

This matter was investigated by the Bedford Police Department, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Milford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana L. MacDonald and Kasey Weiland.

In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/bedford-man-sentenced-15-years-attempted-sexual-exploitation-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Former Nixa School Official Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

Posed Online as Teen Girl to Solicit 13-Year-Old Victim to Send Sexually Explicit Photos

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former assistant principal at Nixa Junior High School in Nixa, Missouri, pleaded guilty in federal court today to soliciting sexually explicit photos from a 13-year-old victim by posing online as a teen girl.

Colby Fronterhouse, 41, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of receiving child pornography. Fronterhouse was employed as an assistant principal at the junior high school at the time of the offense; he was terminated on Feb. 8, 2021.

A Christian County sheriff’s deputy was contacted by a 13-year-old child victim and his father in September 2020. The child victim, identified in court documents as “John Doe,” had been engaging in a series of text messages for approximately a week with Fronterhouse, who posed as a 14-year-old girl. Fronterhouse, posing as a 14-year-old, encouraged John Doe to transmit sexually explicit images of himself to Fronterhouse, made specific requests for poses or types of images, and had sexually explicit conversations with John Doe.

Investigators learned that the phone used by Fronterhouse was a burner phone number with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) account, but they were able to trace the account to Fronterhouse. Officers executed a search warrant at Fronterhouse’s residence on Jan. 26, 2021, and he was arrested. Investigators seized Fronterhouse’s cell phone and found evidence linking his cell phone to the burner account. Investigators confirmed that Fronterhouse had access to the child victim’s cell phone number through school records.

Under federal statutes, Fronterhouse is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Project Safe Childhood

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, 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.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/former-nixa-school-official-pleads-guilty-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Grand jury indicts individual for health-care fraud and drug offenses

ST. LOUIS – On August 18, 2021, a federal grand jury issued a twenty-five count indictment against Katie Diana Rooney charging Rooney with health-care fraud and controlled substance offenses. At the time Rooney allegedly committed these offenses, she was a resident of St. Charles, Missouri.

The indictment alleges that through fraud and deceit, Rooney obtained prescriptions for Adderall and Xanax, both controlled substances. Rooney illegally sold these drugs to an undercover detective. Because the drugs were intended for Rooney’s two minor children, who were both Medicaid recipients, Medicaid paid for the drugs.

The charges set forth in this indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Inspector General), and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dorothy L. McMurtry.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/grand-jury-indicts-individual-health-care-fraud-and-drug-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Federal Jury Convicts Stephens County Man of Abusive Sexual Contact With a Child Under 12

OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, a federal jury convicted LAWRENCE JUNIOR LOFTIS, 65, of Stephens County, of abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 years old, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On April 20, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a three-count Indictment against Loftis, charging him with aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 years old.

On August 13, 2021, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Loftis guilty of abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 years old. Evidence at trial showed that, between early 2018 and late 2019, Loftis knowingly engaged in and caused sexual contact with a child, who was then eight to ten years old. The jury heard testimony from witnesses who had helped bring the sexual abuse to light, from the child victim, and from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office investigator who interviewed Loftis. Finally, the jury heard the testimony of another victim who had been sexually abused by Loftis for many years when that person was a child. The jury did not reach a verdict on the two counts charging Loftis with aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

At sentencing, Loftis faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison, restitution to the child victim, and a fine of up to $5,000. Loftis is in federal custody pending sentencing, which is expected in approximately 90 days.

Federal jurisdiction existed in this case because the crime was committed in Indian Country and Loftis was Native American.

This case is the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Oklahoma City Field Division and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bow Bottomly and Brandon Hale prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/federal-jury-convicts-stephens-county-man-abusive-sexual-contact-child-under-12

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Atlanta man sentenced for sextorting nine teenage boys

ATLANTA - Myles Frazier has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the offenses of cyberstalking, enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, and child pornography production.

“Frazier coerced numerous teenage boys online to engage in sex acts and send him photos and videos of that activity,” said Acting United States Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “He then threatened to expose the boys to their families and classmates when they refused to comply with his demands. This defendant is the online sexual predator that so many parents fear. His 24-year sentence is a critical step in achieving a measure of justice for the victims and their families.”

“Frazier will spend the next 24-years of his life in prison, which should send a strong message to anyone who even contemplates harming and extorting a vulnerable youth,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI takes sextortion very seriously. We would like to remind the community to be aware that people can pretend to be anyone online and to be extremely selective on what you share on the internet.”

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: Between December 2017 and July 2019, Myles Frazier targeted nine high school boys on social media using fraud and deceit to coerce the teens to meet him for sex and to create and send him sexually explicit images and videos. Frazier met most of the teens using an Instagram account where he was posing as an older attractive woman.

Three of the boys he targeted (Victim 1, Victim 2, and Victim 3) attended the same high school. Frazier, posing as a woman named “Liv,” pressured and paid Victim 1 to let a man (who was Frazier) come to Victim 1’s house and engage in sex acts with Victim 1 on two occasions. Both times, Victim 1 asked Frazier to stop mid-sex act, and on the second occasion, Victim 1 had to use physical force to stop Frazier. Frazier attempted to arrange similar in-person meetings for paid sex with Victim 2 and Victim 3.

Frazier also threatened to expose Victim 1 to Victim 1’s family and school, to sue Victim 1, and to come to Victim 1’s home. Over the course of a week, Frazier sent Victim 1 more than 100 threatening messages. Frazier made similar threats to Victim 2 Frazier even threatened to expose Victim 2 to cause Victim 2 to lose a college athletic scholarship.

The other six teens Frazier targeted lived outside the State of Georgia. Frazier coerced these boys to create and send him sexually explicit images and videos by paying them and sending them pornographic videos of a woman who Frazier claimed to be. When the minors stopped complying with his demands for sexual content, Frazier tried to extort several of them, threatening to publicly post their sexual content and expose them to their school principal, superintendent, and parents.

Myles Frazier, 29, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones to 24 years in federal prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release. He must also register as a sex offender as a condition of his supervised release. Frazier was sentenced on August 11, 2021 and pleaded guilty on February 12, 2021.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Annalise K. Peters and Laurel Boatright Milam prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/atlanta-man-sentenced-sextorting-nine-teenage-boys

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

North Carolina Man Indicted on Federal Charges of Sex Trafficking, Transporting an Individual to Engage in Prostitution, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Adolph J. Scott, a/k/a “A”, a/k/a “AJ”, a/k/a “Ghost”, a/k/a “Jay”, age 36, of Spring Lake, North Carolina, for the federal charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; interstate transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution; and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Chief Lisa D. Myers of the Howard County Police Department.

According to the three-count indictment, from at least January 2020 to February 2021, in the District of Maryland, the Eastern District of North Carolina, and elsewhere, Scott recruited, enticed, transported, advertised, and solicited Victim 1 to conduct sexual acts for his financial benefit.

Specifically, the indictment alleges from January 23, 2021 to January 24, 2021 that Scott transported Victim 1 from Maryland to North Carlina with the intent that Victim 1 would engage in prostitution and sexual activity.

The indictment further alleges that Scott also possessed controlled substances with intent to distribute including: a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, and a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

If convicted, Scott faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for sex trafficking. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Scott is currently detained on related state charges.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

This case was investigated by law enforcement agencies that are members of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders. Members include federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members. For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.

Report suspected instances of human trafficking and sex trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI and the Howard County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Setzer who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/north-carolina-man-indicted-federal-charges-sex-trafficking-transporting-individual

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Spearfish Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Spearfish, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on August 17, 2021, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Stanley Lee Lumbardy, age 70, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Lumbardy will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Lumbardy was arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Following multiple chats Lumbardy exchanged with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent. Lumbardy requested photos from the 15-year-old undercover persona and negotiated a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Lumbardy went to the pre-determined location to meet the minor, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Lumbardy was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/spearfish-man-sentenced-attempted-receipt-child-pornography

Rochester Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Stealing Nude Photos of Dozens of Victims

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/rochester-man-sentenced-36-months-stealing-nude-photos-dozens-victims

Martinsburg Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/martinsburg-man-pleads-guilty-distributing-and-possessing-child-pornography

Bedford Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/bedford-man-sentenced-15-years-attempted-sexual-exploitation-minor

Former Nixa School Official Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/former-nixa-school-official-pleads-guilty-child-pornography

Federal Jury Convicts Stephens County Man of Abusive Sexual Contact With a Child Under 12

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/federal-jury-convicts-stephens-county-man-abusive-sexual-contact-child-under-12

Atlanta man sentenced for sextorting nine teenage boys

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/atlanta-man-sentenced-sextorting-nine-teenage-boys

North Carolina Man Indicted on Federal Charges of Sex Trafficking, Transporting an Individual to Engage in Prostitution, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/north-carolina-man-indicted-federal-charges-sex-trafficking-transporting-individual

Spearfish Man Sentenced for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/spearfish-man-sentenced-attempted-receipt-child-pornography

Previously Deported Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Crimes and Illegal Reentry

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/previously-deported-man-pleads-guilty-child-exploitation-crimes-and-illegal-reentry

East Bay Man Sentenced To Over Six Years In Prison For Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/east-bay-man-sentenced-over-six-years-prison-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Former coach charged with distributing pornographic images of children

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 44-year-old Rockport man has surrendered to authorities following the return of an indictment alleging charges of distributing and possessing images of sexually-exploited children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery.

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Aug. 11 against Mark Daniel Malone. He is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby tomorrow at 10:15 a.m.

The investigation allegedly revealed Malone was a former high school basketball coach.

According to the indictment, Malone uploaded images of sexually-exploited children onto the internet. The investigation later revealed he had possessed photos of similar victimized children on his cell phone, according to the charges. Those images allegedly included children under the age of 12.

If convicted, Malone faces up to 20 in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Attorney General’s Office - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Dennis E. Robinson are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/former-coach-charged-distributing-pornographic-images-children

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempting to Entice Minor

EL PASO – Today a Mexican national was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice a minor.

According to court documents, Cayetano Lopez, 50, of Mexico, attempted to entice a minor into engaging in sexually explicit conduct via a social media messaging application. On May 20, 2021, Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor. By pleading guilty, Lopez admitted that in July 2020, he engaged in sexually explicit communications with a female he believed to be 13 years old, attempting to entice her into having unlawful sexual intercourse.

Lopez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on July 19, 2020, when he arrived at a prearranged meeting with the minor, who turned out to be an undercover agent.

“According to new data released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, online enticement of children has increased 97.5% amid the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “In response, the US Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, has redoubled our efforts to prosecute these very serious cases and keep our children safe while using the internet.”

“I am proud of the work done by FBI El Paso Violent Crimes Against Children personnel to ensure that another child predator was taken off the streets,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Downey, El Paso Division. “The FBI remains dedicated in the fight to protect our nation’s future by ensuring our children can prosper where individuals like Lopez do not threaten their welfare.”

The FBI investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Winters prosecuted the case.

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 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.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/mexican-national-sentenced-10-years-attempting-entice-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Mexican National Found Guilty of Transporting Unaccompanied Minor from Mexico

DEL RIO – Today a federal jury convicted a Mexican national for illegally transporting an unaccompanied child from Mexico.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Victor Manuel Monsivais, 67, was apprehended at 1 a.m. in an HEB parking lot in south San Antonio transporting an unaccompanied 8-year-old child from Mexico. Monsivais intended to give the child back to another person involved in smuggling the child from Mexico into the United States. Special agents with HSI, as well as officers from the San Antonio Police Department, were waiting for Monsivais at the HEB based on investigative intelligence about the intended exchange. Monsivais was found guilty of one count of illegal alien transportation.

Co-defendants Elida Kassandra Moreno, 28, a United States citizen and Nery Uriostegui-Dominguez, 28, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to bringing in and harboring aliens and conspiracy to bringing in and harboring aliens. Moreno was sentenced to 36 months in prison and a $1,000 fine on February 20, 2021. Uriostegui was sentenced to 18 months in prison on April 1, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, San Antonio Division, made the announcement.

HSI with assistance from the San Antonio Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Banister and Holly Pavlinski are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/mexican-national-found-guilty-transporting-unaccompanied-minor-mexico

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Springfield Man Sentenced for Racketeering Offenses Relating to Prostitution

BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for racketeering offenses relating to the promotion of commercial sex.

Kevin Smoot, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to time served (approximately 22 days) and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of one year in prison. On April 12, 2021, Smoot pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses and seven counts of use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution offenses.

Between February 2019 and June 2020, Smoot conspired with others to promote commercial sex involving several women. Smoot transported women to and from commercial sex appointments, recruited and encouraged them to engage in commercial sex acts for money and helped to procure illegal drugs for use by the drug-addicted women. In addition, Smoot provided a residential location for commercial sex acts between female victims of sex trafficking and male customers, taking actions to collect money from male customers, and benefiting from the proceeds.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/springfield-man-sentenced-racketeering-offenses-relating-prostitution

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Informational: Federal Court arraignments

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Appearing on Aug. 19 was:

Terry Joseph Jette, 56, of Anaconda, on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a child. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jette faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release. Jette was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-21.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/informational-federal-court-arraignments-140

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Using Facebook To Attempt To Entice 14-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis has sentenced Michael Jonathan Paul (50, Jacksonville) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Paul was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

Paul had pleaded guilty on April 26, 2021.

According to the plea agreement, between May 28 and July 28, 2020, Paul used Facebook Messenger to engage in a series of online conversations with a person whom he believed to be a 14-year-old child. Unbeknownst to Paul, this “child” was an undercover detective from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. During these online conversations, Paul discussed his desire to engage in sexual activity with the “child” when they met in person and told the “child” the different ways that he had planned to sexually abuse her. Paul also told the “child” to delete her online conversations.

On August 21, 2021, Paul was arrested, and during an interview with law enforcement, admitted “talking to some little girl on the phone,” and stated, “I shouldn’t have … did it.”

This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

“Thanks to the outstanding work by HSI special agents and our partners with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office this online predator was stopped in his tracks while attempting to victimize a young child,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “After a successful prosecution and sentencing, this predator will now be held accountable for his crimes.”

This is another case 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, 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jacksonville-man-sentenced-10-years-using-facebook-attempt-entice-14-year-old-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Assistant U.S. Attorney Receives Top Prosecutor Award From Women In Federal Law Enforcement

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash received the Top Prosecutor Award from Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE). AUSA Tokash was nominated by the Buffalo Office of Homeland Security Investigations for her tireless efforts fighting against human trafficking and advocating on behalf of victims.

AUSA Tokash was a commissioned officer and decorated Veteran in the U.S. Army where she specialized in prosecutions involving victims of sexual crimes before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2019. AUSA Tokash is head of the Special Victims Unit, which is focused on human trafficking, child exploitation and sexual assaults. She also leads the U.S. Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, coordinating efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement and non-governmental organizations in human trafficking investigations. One of those investigations involved defendant Valentino Shine, Sr., who was convicted following a jury trial of five counts of sex trafficking, and one count each of sex trafficking conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison.

AUSA Tokash is currently completing a 90-day commission on President Biden's Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/assistant-us-attorney-receives-top-prosecutor-award-women-federal-law-enforcement

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of More Than 5,000 Videos of Child Pornography

Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of More Than 5,000 Videos of Child Pornography

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Daniel Provencal, age 48, of Denton, Maryland, to 138 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. Provencal also admitted guilt to violating his supervised release conditions established in relation to his previous child pornography conviction. Judge Blake also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Provencal must continue to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Joseph A. Riley of the Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office.

According to his guilty plea, from January 2020 to October 2020, Provencal possessed and repeatedly distributed child pornography on an internet-based messaging application. Provencal used multiple devices to download and distribute images of prepubescent minors, including images that depicted sadomasochistic conduct.

In January 2020, the internet-based messaging application sent two CyberTips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding two messaging accounts, paperfly6 and hyproglo13. Between the two accounts, more than 10 videos of child pornography were detected, including a video of a prepubescent girl approximately six to nine years old engaging in sexual acts with an adult male. The IP addresses associated with both reported accounts were assigned to Provencal’s Denton, Maryland residence.

As stated in his plea agreement, on October 15, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Provencal’s residence and seized several electronic devices including two cell phones, an SD card adaptor, six SD cards, a laptop, a computer, and two tablets.

During the search warrant, officers also recovered a piece of paper with 26 account usernames and passwords. The paperfly6 and hyproglo13 accounts were included on the list of accounts.

A forensic review of Provencal’s devices revealed that each device contained child pornography totaling in 5,000 videos of child abuse material. Investigators also discovered videos involving the abuse of an infant. In addition, the review revealed that Provencal repeatedly distributed child pornography abuse material to other users on the messaging application. Provencal also engaged in explicit chats in which he discussed his sexual attraction to minors.

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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended the FBI, Maryland State Police, and the Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/repeat-sex-offender-sentenced-over-11-years-federal-prison-possession-more-5000-videos

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Iowa Woman Sentenced to 304 Months in Prison for Hate Crimes Involving Attempting to Kill Two Children Because of their Race and National Origin

An Iowa woman was sentenced yesterday on two hate crimes charges for attempting to kill two minor victims because of their race and national origin.

Nicole Poole Franklin, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 304 months in federal prison on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently to each other and concurrent to the sentence imposed in the related state court case. Poole Franklin previously pleaded guilty in federal court on April 22, to two counts of hate crime acts.

According to court documents and statements made at the sentencing hearing, on the afternoon of Dec. 9, 2019, Poole Franklin was driving her Jeep Grand Cherokee on Creston Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, where the first child-victim was walking along the sidewalk with another minor family member. Upon seeing the children and believing that the victim was of Middle Eastern or African descent, Poole Franklin drove her vehicle over the curb towards both children, striking one of them. Poole Franklin then drove away from the scene. The assault resulted in injury to the victim, including cuts, bruising, and swelling. Approximately 30 minutes later, Poole Franklin was driving her Jeep near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive, Iowa, where the second child-victim was walking on the sidewalk. Poole Franklin, believing that the child was Mexican, drove her vehicle over the curb and struck the victim, causing serious injury, including a concussion, bruises, and cuts. Poole Franklin again drove away from the scene but was apprehended later that day.

“Nicole Poole Franklin attempted to kill two children because of the way they looked and where she believed they came from. This kind of egregious racial violence and hatred has absolutely no place in this country and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “Children deserve to walk the streets of their neighborhood without fear of violence because of what they look like and where they come from and deserve to grow up in a world where they are not targeted simply because of who they are. The Justice Department will continue to protect the civil rights of all individuals and vigorously prosecute those who commit hate crimes in this country.”

“Nothing can be more devastating to the American dream of equal rights than the actions of Poole Franklin on a hate filled Dec. 9, 2019, as she callously attempted to run over and kill a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl - two minors who had done nothing wrong other than innocently walk on a street and happen to be of a different race and skin color from Poole Franklin,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa. “Her actions temporarily shattered, but did not permanently defeat this dream because these two courageous victims, and their amazing families, continue to epitomize the hopes of what our society can be. Holding Poole Franklin accountable, not only for her intentional actions, but for the malicious beliefs behind them, is what our justice system should be, and a must to provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, and protect the public form further crimes by this defendant.”

“Nicole Poole Franklin committed a despicable crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “She targeted and seriously injured two children because of the color of their skin. FBI Omaha will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and seek justice for the victims. We encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from Des Moines and Clive Police Departments. Acting U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and Trial Attorneys Katherine DeVar and Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iowa-woman-sentenced-304-months-prison-hate-crimes-involving-attempting-kill-two-children

.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Phoenix Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Operating International Drug Smuggling Ring Using Women as Mules Through Philadelphia and the Caribbean

The defendant was arrested in Essington after one of his smugglers was stopped at PHL International

PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Delgardo Frazer, 52, of Phoenix, AZ, was sentenced to eleven years and three months prison, and four years of supervised release by United States District Judge Chad F. Kenney for organizing and leading an international cocaine trafficking operation which was discovered and dismantled in 2018.

In April 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to all counts in a Superseding Indictment charging him with intent to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charges stemmed from an incident during which Frazer was arrested near Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in connection with drug smuggling.

For his illicit trafficking organization, the defendant recruited and paid several young women from Arizona to serve as “drug mules,” who would travel at his behest to various Caribbean locations and then deliver suitcases containing kilos of cocaine to him in Philadelphia, PA, and to his conspirators in Orlando, FL. As part of the trafficking conspiracy, Frazer also distributed fake oxycodone pills which, in fact, contained fentanyl. The operation came to an end in July 2018, when one of the “drug mules,” after traveling a circuitous route through the Caribbean, was stopped by federal agents at PHL with two suitcases containing over 4 kilograms of cocaine. Frazer was waiting at a nearby hotel in Essington, PA, to pick her up at the airport. When he learned that she was stopped by law enforcement, he told her on a phone call to take a cab to the nearest cheap hotel, and at the same time he packed up and abandoned the hotel room five days ahead of schedule. The defendant was unaware that the woman was with federal agents who overheard that call.

The defendant drove out of the hotel parking lot quickly, and a Tinicum Township police officer on routine patrol observe him commit multiple traffic violations. The officer stopped Frazer and searched his vehicle at an on-ramp to Interstate-95, at which point approximately 485 fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl were found in the gas cap, and a semi-automatic 9 mm Luger handgun loaded with 12 live rounds was found in the trunk. Frazer had a prior felony drug conviction in Arizona and was therefore not permitted to possess a firearm.

“Drug distribution and gun violence are an epidemic in Philadelphia, and the federal government is aggressively prosecuting both in order to be ‘All Hands On Deck’ to get dangerous criminals like this defendant off the streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “Delgado Frazer was a large-scale drug trafficker who exploited women to do the ‘heavy lifting’ of bringing illegal narcotics into our country through Philadelphia and other airports, which puts those communities in grave danger. We want to thank our law enforcement partners in this case, HSI and DEA, for their hard work and dedication.”

“Frazer admitted to organizing an international drug trafficking ring, putting deadly drugs in the hands of those struggling with addictions. HSI is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to ensure that those seeking to make a profit off the vulnerable are arrested to face the consequences of their criminal acts,” said HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge, Brian Michael.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrea G. Foulkes.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/phoenix-man-sentenced-over-11-years-operating-international-drug-smuggling-ring-using

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Group With Ties to Racially Motivated Violent Extremists Including two Former Marines Facing Additional Charge of Targeting Energy Facilities

RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, Paul James Kryscuk, 35, Liam Collins, 21, Jordan Duncan, 26, and Joseph Maurino, 22, were charged via a third superseding indictment obtained in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Collins and Duncan are former Marines assigned previously to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to damage the property of an energy facility in the United States.

According to the indictment, Collins, Kryscuk, Duncan, and Maurino researched, discussed, and reviewed at length a previous attack on the power grid by an unknown group. The group in that attack used assault-style rifles in an attempt to explode a power substation. Between 2017 and 2020, Kryscuk manufactured firearms while Collins stole military gear, including magazines for assault-style rifles and had them delivered to the other defendants. During that time, Duncan gathered a library of information, some military-owned, regarding firearms, explosives, and nerve toxins and shared that information with Kryscuk and Collins.

The indictment also alleges that the defendants discussed using homemade Thermite, a combination of metal powder and metal oxide which burns at over 4000°F to burn through and destroy power transformers. In mid-2020, Collins asked others to each purchase 50 pounds of Tannerite, a binary explosive containing aluminum powder and oxidizers, and can be used to make Thermite. In October 2020, a handwritten list of approximately one dozen intersections and places in Idaho and surrounding states was discovered in Kryscuk’s possession, including intersections and/or places containing a transformer, substations, or other component of the power grid for the northwest United States. If destroyed, the damage caused could exceed $100,000.

The defendants have also been charged, in previous indictments, with conspiring to manufacture, transport, and sell hard to obtain firearms and firearm parts in a manner that would hide these purchases from the federal government.

The previous indictments allege that Collins and Kryscuk were members of and made multiple posts on the “Iron March” forum, a gathering point for young neo-Nazis to organize and recruit for extremist organizations, until the forum was closed in late 2017. Collins and Kryscuk met through the forum and expanded their group using an encrypted messaging application as an alternate means of communication outside of the forum. Collins and Kryscuk recruited additional members, including Duncan, Hermanson, and Maurino, and conducted training, including a live-fire training in the desert near Boise. From video footage recorded by the members during the training, Kryscuk, Duncan, and others produced a montage video of their training. In the video, the participants are seen firing short barrel rifles and other assault-type rifles, and the end of the propaganda video shows the four participants outfitted in AtomWaffen masks giving the “Heil Hitler” sign, beneath the image of a black sun, a Nazi symbol. The last frame bears the phrase, “Come home white man.” Prior to their arrests, Collins and Duncan had recently relocated from North Carolina and Texas, respectively, to Boise to be near Kryscuk.

If convicted of all counts against them, the defendants face up to 40 years imprisonment.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation field offices in Salt Lake City and Charlotte with assistance from field offices in Boston, New York, and Newark, the Boise Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Eastern District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case for the government with assistance from Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Idaho, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, the District of Rhode Island and attorneys from the National Security Division.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:20-CR-167-M.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/group-ties-racially-motivated-violent-extremists-including-two-former-marines-facing

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Registered Sex Offender Arrested on Child Pornography Charge

BOSTON – A Lowell man was arrested yesterday and charged in connection with receiving child pornography over Snapchat.

Chayanne Nieves, 23, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. Following an initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy, Nieves was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 24, 2021.

According to the charging document, from around Nov. 30, 2020 until Dec. 3, 2020, Nieves communicated on Snapchat with an 11-year-old girl in Vermont. During those communications, Nieves threatened and extorted the victim to send him nude photographs of herself. During a search of Nieves’s residence in Lowell, Nieves confirmed that the Snapchat account used to communicate with the child was his. Nieves is a Level 3 registered sex offender.

Based on Nieves’s criminal history, the charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Matthew Birmingham, Director of the Vermont State Police, made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lowell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/registered-sex-offender-arrested-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Texas Man Charged with Conspiring with Michael Mann to Defraud Lenders

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Derek R. Schwartz, age 52, of Coppell, Texas, was indicted yesterday and accused of conspiring with ValueWise CEO Michael T. Mann to defraud companies that loaned millions of dollars to ValueWise subsidiaries.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Schwartz was charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud, along with four counts of wire fraud, and will be arraigned at a later date. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

According to the indictment, Mann obtained millions of dollars in loans from two financing companies, located in New York and Colorado, by falsifying his companies’ receivables. Mann falsely told the financing companies that Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (“UHG”), and its subsidiary OptumInsight Inc. (“Optum”), owed millions of dollars to his companies. Mann routinely created fake invoices reflecting the fictitious debt and assigned them to the financing companies as collateral for loans.

Schwartz was a high-level executive at Optum, and then began working for ValueWise in about October 2013. Until about August 2016, he operated TrueHR, LLC, a ValueWise subsidiary based in Dallas, Texas.

According to the indictment, in or about October 2013, Schwartz recruited a UHG/Optum employee, Luke Steiner, to falsely represent to the financing companies that the fake invoices created by Mann were valid and payable by Optum. With Schwartz’s encouragement and direction, Steiner regularly made these false verifications for six years, ending in August 2019.

Schwartz also allegedly took other actions in furtherance of the fraudulent scheme, including, according to the indictment:

In 2014 and 2015, he recruited at least two other UHG/Optum employees to verify false invoices that Mann submitted to one of the financing companies.

From 2014 through 2019, he made misrepresentations directly to one of Mann’s lenders, identified in the indictment as “Financing Company-2.” Mann falsely represented to Financing Company-2 that one of his companies, Weitz & Associates, needed loans in order to pay its vendors. As part of its due diligence process, Financing Company-2 verified, with Weitz’ purported vendors, that they were receiving payments from Weitz. One such purported vendor was TrueHR, a ValueWise company operated by Schwartz. In fact, TrueHR was not a Weitz vendor, and Schwartz regularly lied to Financing Company-2 about TrueHR receiving payments from Weitz – and continued to do so even after TrueHR ceased to exist as a company.

Schwartz worked with Mann to fabricate Weitz vendors. Mann told Financing Company-2 that, in additional to TrueHR, Weitz had a number of other vendors. Mann, with Schwartz’ help, fabricated the names and contact information of non-existent people working at fake Weitz vendors.

If convicted of any of the charges in the indictment, Schwartz faces up to 20 years in prison, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Mann pled guilty to various crimes in connection with his fraudulent scheme, and was sentenced earlier this month to 144 months in prison. Steiner, age 33, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, pled guilty in February 2020 to conspiring with Mann, and is pending sentencing.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, and being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Cyrus P.W. Rieck.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/texas-man-charged-conspiring-michael-mann-defraud-lenders

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Owings Mills Man Facing Federal Charges for Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Aborisade Allegedly Falsified Psychological Evaluations Using the Identity of a Licensed Doctor

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Oluwatoyin Aborisade, a/k/a “Thoyinstar”, a/k/a “Toyin”, age 43, of Owings Mills, Maryland, for the federal charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Edwin Guard of the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and Baltimore District Director Gregory L. Collett of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services-Fraud Detection and National Security (USCIS-FDNS).

According to the 23-count indictment, from approximately December 2017 to October 2020, Aborisade conspired with others to commit visa fraud by presenting false statements and fraudulent immigration documents to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Aborisade established Phenmick Legal Center LLC and Phenmick Life Support Inc. with the purpose of providing services assisting aliens in immigration-related matters by submitting fraudulent documentation to the USCIS for a fee. Aborisade allegedly gave false, inaccurate, and incomplete legal and immigration advice to alien-clients in order to induce them to retain his services.

The indictment alleges that Aborisade provided monetary compensation to a co-conspirator to facilitate the fraudulent marriage between a U.S citizen and an alien-client of Phenmick Legal Center LLC. Allegedly, Aborisade later assisted in the fraudulent green card application for the alien-client.

The indictment also alleges that Aborisade and a co-conspirator, an employee of Phenmick Legal Center LLC, exchanged emails coordinating the fraudulent editing and falsifying of documents to be submitted in immigration filings to the USCIS, including psychological evaluations.

Allegedly, in an effort to commit visa fraud, Aborisade also provided co-conspirators with sample lease agreements to falsify immigration documentation and evidence that alien-clients had resided with their spouses, when in fact, they had not. As alleged by the indictment, Aborisade submitted at least 12 fraudulent documents to the USCIS.

Lastly, the indictment alleges that Aborisade committed aggravated identity theft by using the identification of real people on fraudulent visas, permits, and other documents without the victims’ permission. Aborisade allegedly used the names, passports, social security numbers, IRS Forms 1040, and a physician’s medical license number in filings with USCIS without their permission.

If convicted, Aborisade faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit visa fraud, a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for via fraud, and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentenced imposed, for aggravated identity theft. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI, DSS, and the USCIS-FDNS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Setzer who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/owings-mills-man-facing-federal-charges-conspiracy-commit-visa-fraud-and-aggravated

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Bay Area Physician Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

SAN FRANCISCO– Joseph Andrew Mollick was charged in a federal complaint with possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

According to the federal complaint filed July 13, 2021, and unsealed today, Mollick, 58, of Menlo Park, used the social media application Kik to upload an image depicting child pornography. The complaint alleges that Mollick possessed, on his Apple icloud account, at least 2000 images and videos of child pornography.

The complaint charges Mollick with one count of possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B).

Mollick made his initial federal court appearance on the complaint this morning before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero. Chief Magistrate Judge Spero ordered Mollick released on an unsecured bond of $50,000 with special conditions imposed.

A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed. Mollick is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chambers is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Ralph Banchstubbs and Claudia Hyslop. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/bay-area-physician-charged-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Baldwin County Man Sentenced to 108 Months for Possession of Ammunition During Sexual Assault

MOBILE, AL – A Robertsdale, Alabama man was sentenced today to 108 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at sentencing, Ronald Howard, 51, having previously been convicted of a felony offense, knowingly possessed ammunition in connection with a sexual assault and unlawful restraint. As part of the sentence, United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer ordered that Howard undergo three years of supervised release after finishing his term of imprisonment, during which time Howard is ordered to participate in substance abuse treatment, sexual offender treatment, refrain from contact with minors, and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) Resident Agent in Charge Kenneth J. Fos made the announcement. ATF and the Mobile Police Department (“MPD”) investigated the case.

At Howard’s sentencing, Judge Moorer heard testimony about the indicent. On the morning of February 11, 2020, officers from MPD responded to a 911 call from a bystander who reported seeing a woman being pushed out of a silver car. When the police arrived, the female victim had a bloodied head.

The victim reported that in the early morning hours of February 11, 2020, she was approached by three people in a silver car who offered her a ride and Howard was in the back seat, where the victim was also sitting. While both were in the backseat, Howard repeatedly struck the victim in the head with a gun and sexually assaulted the victim, who reported that Howard was armed with two guns. Mobile Fire Rescue transported the victim to a hospital to receive treatment for her injuries, which included a laceration to her head that required six staples.

A few hours later, Mobile Police Department officers stopped the silver car, which matched the victim’s description. Officers took the three occupants, including Howard, into custody. Officers found the victim’s identification card in Howard’s pocket and collected Howard’s clothing as evidence. Officers located nine unfired rounds of .38 Special ammunition in Howard’s pants pocket. Subsequent forensic testing completed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (“ADFS”) revealed that the victim’s DNA (a blood stain) was on the pants that Howard was wearing on the day of the assault. The victim made a positive identification of all three persons in the silver car in a photo lineup.

During a subsequent search of the car, police found a loaded .380 caliber pistol and a loaded .38 caliber revolver. The two weapons matched the victim’s description of the firearms that Howard possessed during the assault. Police swabbed the guns for DNA testing completed by the ADFS, which later confirmed the presence of Howard’s DNA on a swabbing from the .380 caliber pistol.

Howard has pending state charges in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama for sodomy in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, and assault in the second degree. The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting Howard’s related state offenses.

The Mobile Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case, and were assisted by the MPD Special Victims Unit, the Rape Crisis Center, USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the officers of MPD’s Third Precinct. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Beth Stepan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdal/pr/baldwin-county-man-sentenced-108-months-possession-ammunition-during-sexual-assault

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Federal Indictment in Maryland Charges Four Men for a Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy in which the Drugs Were Sent Through the U.S. Mail to a Mail Carrier Who Accepted Bribes to Re-Route the Packages

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging four men with federal charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine sent through the U.S. mail to a mail carrier who allegedly accepted bribes to re-route the packages to drug conspirators. Charged in the indictment are:

Robert DuBois Miller III, age 30, of Bowie, Maryland;

Isaiah David Hamilton, age 24, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland;

Raynard Jordan Johnson, age 24, of Upper Marlboro; and

Walter Ellis Minor III, age 30, of Lanham, Maryland.

The indictment was returned on June 23, 2021, and unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendants.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Division; Postal Inspector in Charge Daniel A. Adame of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Malik Azziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to the eight-count indictment, between August 2019 and February 2020, Miller, Hamilton, and Johnson were part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that between October 2019 and January 2020, Miller mailed packages containing methamphetamine from post offices in Los Angeles, California, to addresses in Bowie and Lanham, Maryland, that were on the routes assigned to Minor, a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that Miller addressed the packages in the names of various individuals to addresses on postal routes assigned to Minor. Once the packages were mailed, Miller allegedly provided Minor the number of packages containing methamphetamine and the tracking numbers, so Minor would know how many packages he should expect to re-route. When the packages arrived in Maryland, Minor allegedly contacted Miller with a location where Miller or his associates could pick up the packages. These locations were not the addresses listed on the packages. As detailed in the indictment, if Minor was not able to obtain the package for delivery he would inform Miller, who would then dispatch an associate to wait at the location where the package was set to be delivered, in order to steal the package.

The indictment alleges that Miller paid Minor in exchange for Minor redirecting packages from the address listed on the package to members of the conspiracy. The indictment alleges that on March 9, 2019, October 30, 2019 and November 27, 2019, Miller provided payment to Minor in exchange for Minor diverting packages containing methamphetamine to Miller or other conspirators. For example, the indictment alleges that on October 29, 2019 and November 25, 2019, Miller sent a package containing methamphetamine to an address in Maryland on Minor’s postal route and Minor subsequently redirected the packages from the address listed on each package to a member of the conspiracy. Miller allegedly then paid Minor $240 and $300, respectively.

If convicted, Miller, Hamilton and Johnson each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for their roles in the conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Miller and Minor each face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Miller also faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for each of three counts charging him with giving bribes to a public official and Minor faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for each of three counts of acceptance of bribes by a public official. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendants will all have an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/federal-indictment-maryland-charges-four-men-methamphetamine-distribution-conspiracy

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Federal Court Permanently Shuts Down Chicago Tax Preparer

Preparer Included Claims for False Business Losses and Expenses on Client Returns

A federal court in the Northern District of Illinois has permanently enjoined a Chicago, Illinois, tax return preparer from preparing returns for others and from owning or operating any tax return preparation business in the future.

The civil complaint filed in the case alleged that Lennette Roberts and her company, Real Counseling Solution Inc., which did business under the assumed name RR Tax and Accounting, prepared fraudulent federal income tax returns. According to the complaint, defendants prepared returns that made false and fraudulent claims including: (1) false itemized deductions; (2) fabricated losses for non-existent businesses; (3) false or inflated earned income tax credits; and (4) false head-of-household filing statuses (which results in a lower rate as compared to single filing status).

According to the court’s order, Lennette Roberts and her company consented to entry of the injunction, which permits the United States to conduct full post-judgment discovery to monitor compliance. The order requires that Roberts (1) send notice of the injunction to each person for whom she and her company prepared federal tax returns, other tax forms, or claims for refund after Jan. 1, 2018, and (2) post an electronic copy of the injunction on any business social media profile currently maintained or created over the next five years.

Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. (More information can also be found here.) The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers, whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers.

In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/federal-court-permanently-shuts-down-chicago-tax-preparer

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Hancock County man sentenced to 25 years for child pornography charge

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Gavin Collins, of Newell, West Virginia, was sentenced to 300 months of incarceration this week for a child pornography charge, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Collins, 30, pleaded guilty in May 2021 to one count of “Production of Child Pornography by Person Having Custody or Control.” Collins admitted to producing child pornography with a minor in his custody from September 2018 to July 2020 in Hancock.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.

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 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.justice.gov/psc.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hancock-county-man-sentenced-25-years-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Man Who Distributed Videos of the Sexual Abuse of Toddler by Her Mother Sentenced to Federal Prison

Evidence Also Showed He Had an Interest in Traveling to Another Country to Have Sex with Children

A man who distributed videos of a toddler being sexually abused by her mother on social media was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison.

Douglas John Buttikofer Jr., age 41, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 2, 2021 guilty plea to accessing child pornography.

At the guilty plea, Buttikofer admitted that between February and March of 2020, he knowingly accessed with intent to view visual depictions of child pornography. The depictions involved at least one minor under the age of 12. Buttikofer committed the offense while on pre-trial release in the State of Illinois for the unlawful grooming of a minor. At sentencing, a witness testified that Buttikofer expressed an interest in traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with children. The judge noted Buttikofer maintained a “persistent pursuit” of child pornography, making him a danger to the community.

Buttikofer was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Buttikofer was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment and fined $100. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

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, 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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Buttikofer is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liz Dupuich and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Illinois State Police, the Dubuque County Sherriff’s Office, and the Dubuque Police Department.

Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

The case file number is 20-CR-1012.

Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/man-who-distributed-videos-sexual-abuse-toddler-her-mother-sentenced-federal-prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Grand Jury Indicts Williamsville Man On Multiple Charges Of Production And Possession Of Child Pornography And Enticement Of A Minor

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Michael Regan, 39, of Williamsville, NY, with production and possession of child pornography, and enticement of a minor. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on December 2, 2020, the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force was contacted by the Buffalo Police Department, which believed that the defendant was engaged in a sexual conversation with a 13 year-old-girl (Victim) through social media. Regan, a former corrections officer who identified himself as “Jason,” and the Victim met over Snapchat in late July and continued to chat over the next several weeks on social media. The chats were often sexual in nature with the defendant requesting that the victim send him sexually explicit photographs and videos. As the conversations progressed, Regan made plans to meet the Victim for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. In August, Regan met the Minor Victim and engaged in sexual contact. At one point, the defendant claimed to be a Cheektowaga Police Officer. In addition, investigators uncovered sexually explicit photographs of an additional Victim, who was an infant, produced by Regan, on the defendant’s cell phone.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/grand-jury-indicts-williamsville-man-multiple-charges-production-and-possession-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Grand Jury - August 2021

Acting United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 11 unsealed Indictments charging 11 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

* Jeremy M. Boyd, age 23, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Boyd with receipt of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct from on or about February 27, 2020 to on or about July 2, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and $35,000 additional special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with possession of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on or about July 2, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and $17,000 additional special assessment.

* Talis Dale, age 22, of Macy, Nebraska, is charged with sexual abuse of a minor on or about May 3, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment.

* Achocho Enita, age 28, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Enita with attempted enticement of a minor on or about July 13, 2021 to on or about July 23, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment. Count II charges the defendant with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct on or about July 23, 2021. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 30 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment,

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/grand-jury-august-2021

>>14402882

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https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/former-emt-and-volunteer-firefighter-charged-production-child-pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/floridians-charged-and-convicted-connection-international-enterprise-operated-sexually

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/collin-county-man-convicted-child-pornography-violations

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/terlingua-man-convicted-multiple-obscenity-crimes-involving-children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/shawnee-man-sentenced-5-years-buying-child-porn-site-membership

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/south-korean-national-and-hundreds-others-charged-worldwide-takedown-largest-darknet

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/alleged-dark-web-child-pornography-facilitator-extradited-united-states-face-federal

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/trial-begins-child-porn-case

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/raleigh-man-sentenced-20-years-manufacturing-child-pornography-through-online-video

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/godfrey-man-sentenced-federal-prison-child-pornography-offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/former-dea-agent-sent-prison-child-pornography-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Mississippi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Clinton Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

Jackson, Miss. - A Clinton man was sentenced to serve 720 months in federal prison for production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

Michael Allen Long, 49, of Clinton, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to two counts of production of child pornography.

The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda R. Haynes.

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, 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/clinton-man-sentenced-60-years-prison-production-child-pornography

Jacksonville Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Using Facebook To Attempt To Entice 14-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/jacksonville-man-sentenced-10-years-using-facebook-attempt-entice-14-year-old-child

Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of More Than 5,000 Videos of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/repeat-sex-offender-sentenced-over-11-years-federal-prison-possession-more-5000-videos

Registered Sex Offender Arrested on Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/registered-sex-offender-arrested-child-pornography-charge

Bay Area Physician Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/bay-area-physician-charged-possession-child-pornography

Hancock County man sentenced to 25 years for child pornography charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hancock-county-man-sentenced-25-years-child-pornography-charge

Man Who Distributed Videos of the Sexual Abuse of Toddler by Her Mother Sentenced to Federal Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/man-who-distributed-videos-sexual-abuse-toddler-her-mother-sentenced-federal-prison

Grand Jury Indicts Williamsville Man On Multiple Charges Of Production And Possession Of Child Pornography And Enticement Of A Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/grand-jury-indicts-williamsville-man-multiple-charges-production-and-possession-child

Clinton Man Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/clinton-man-sentenced-60-years-prison-production-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 20, 2021

Indian National Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Pradish Jehan Selvaraj, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for Attempted Enticement of a Minor. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Selvaraj to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Selvaraj will also be required to register as a sex offender and is subject to deportation to India by U.S. immigration authorities when he completes his sentence of imprisonment.

Between October 26, 2020 and November 4, 2020, Selvaraj responded to an online prostitution advertisement by texting the phone number listed in the ad. An undercover law enforcement officer purporting to be a 15-year-old female responded to Selvaraj’s texts. During the conversations, Selvaraj agreed to pay $80 to engage in oral sex with the 15-year-old and a 12-year-old female. He arranged to meet both minor females in Omaha, offering to pay the females in exchange for oral sex and agreeing to bring them McDonald’s breakfast. When Selvaraj arrived at the meet up location, he was in possession of condoms and a McDonald’s breakfast order. Selvaraj was detained by law enforcement. Selvaraj admitted to answering the prostitution ad and texting with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old female.

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 United States Attorney’s 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.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/indian-national-sentenced-10-years-attempted-enticement-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Chicago Area Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Advertise and Distribute Child Pornography

FRESNO, Calif. — Eric Leslie, 38, of Park Ridge, Illinois, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 17.5 years of supervised release, for his role in the advertising and distribution of child pornography through a website, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Jan. 21, 2020, Leslie pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to advertise child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. As part of the sentence, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd ordered Leslie to pay $3,000 in restitution to one victim.

According to court documents, from approximately October 2017 through December 2018, Leslie agreed with one or more persons to advertise child pornography and then also actually distributed to a website images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. When law enforcement officers served a search warrant at his residence in Illinois in January 2019, they recovered more than 600 images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct some of which involved violence.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) offices in Fresno, California, Chicago, Illinois, and The Hague, Netherlands. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa prosecuted the case.

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, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/chicago-area-man-sentenced-15-years-prison-conspiracy-advertise-and-distribute-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation Offenses Involving a Ten-Year-Old Victim

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Ryan Matthew Holden, 36, pleaded guilty to seven counts before Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Holden used Instagram to induce a ten-year-old female to provide him sexually explicit images and sent images of his penis to the minor victim. Holden also sent images of child sexual abuse material to the minor victim to encourage her to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Holden also received and possessed thousands of other items of child sexual abuse material.

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.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for December 13, 2021. The law provides for a total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $1,750,000, 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.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Holden.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/defendant-pleads-guilty-sexual-exploitation-offenses-involving-ten-year-old-victim

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Mexican National Who Attempted to Eat Memory Cards Containing Child Pornography Sentenced to 12 Years

RALEIGH, N.C. – David Sierra Orozco, 31, a Mexican national and recent resident of Georgia, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for possessing child pornography. A federal jury found Orozco guilty of the charge on March 23, 2021, following a two-day trial.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on July 25, 2017, members of the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office were observing traffic outside of Dunn city limits, when they spotted a Lexus whose registered owner had an expired license. They followed the Lexus, and after observing it twice drift across the center lane, conducted a traffic stop.

The driver identified himself as Orozco and presented a Mexican consular ID but no valid driver’s license. Officers noticed that Orozco appeared extremely nervous—he was sweating profusely despite the air conditioner on high and was shaking uncontrollably. They also noticed tool marks on the car’s instrument panel and that the cover was not flush with the dashboard. Recognizing this as signs of a possible hidden “trap” in the dashboard, officers called for a K-9 deputy. As the traffic stop proceeded, Orozco consented to a search, and the K-9 arrived and alerted to the car. Within a trap in the dashboard, officers found $111,252 in cash, wrapped in blocks within grocery bags.

While being processed into the Harnett County Jail on a charge of driving without a license, Orozco was searched. A folded up $100 bill was removed from his pocket, and as law enforcement unfolded it, several MicroSD memory cards fell out. Orozco lunged for the floor, picked up what appeared to be two memory cards, and put them in his mouth. Officers recovered one chewed half of a memory card from his mouth and three intact cards from the floor.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant based on possible narcotics trafficking. But upon opening the first MicroSD memory card, they spotted what appeared to be child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as child pornography. After securing a second search warrant, a full forensic review uncovered over 261 videos and 2 images of child pornography on one MicroSD memory card, another 14 videos on a second memory card, and 5 child pornography thumbnails on the defendant’s smart phone. Most files depicted children under 12 years of age.

Along with the child pornography, the forensic examiner found files linking the devices to Orozco. Two of the memory cards and the cell phone contained photographs that Orozco had taken of himself. The other card contained a photo of a car that an officer confirmed was the same make, model, and color as the Lexus that Orozco had been driving. Forensics further showed that Orozco had taken and sent one of the photos of himself using the same mobile application that had been used to collect the child pornography.

“Those who exploit children over the internet cannot hide behind their computers and phones. As this prosecution demonstrates, we will work tirelessly with both our federal and state law enforcement partners to ensure that these offenders answer for their crimes,” stated G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

“Orozco thought he could hide his crimes by swallowing a memory card, but he will find it tougher to swallow the fact that he will now be held accountable for his predatory behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in North Carolina and South Carolina. “Protecting our most vulnerable populations from exploitation is one of our most important and impactful missions.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Acker made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00095-D.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/mexican-national-who-attempted-eat-memory-cards-containing-child-pornography-sentenced

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Federal Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Exploitation Offenses

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years in jail and 12 years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Kenneth Wayne Spencer, Jr., 39.

According to information presented to the court, Spencer received and possessed computer images and movies depicting prepubescent minors, as young as infants, being sexually assaulted. During the FBI’s investigation, Spencer admitted that he had previously sexually abused two children, ages three and four. Spencer also attempted to hide his online receipt of child sexual abuse material by using another individual’s Internet connection. Spencer was previously convicted of a child exploitation offense in Pennsylvania.

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.

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

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Spencer.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/federal-defendant-sentenced-15-years-child-exploitation-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Military spouse pleads guilty to molesting child on two different military installations

Sexually abused child left in his care in Hawaii and Washington State

Tacoma – A 39-year-old civilian resident of Joint Base Lewis McChord pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to abusive sexual contact with a child under 12, and sexual abuse of a child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Shawn Matthew Wilcher faces up to life in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on November 15, 2021.

According to the plea agreement and other records filed in the case, Wilcher is the spouse of an active-duty enlisted Army soldier. Between October 2015 and January 2018, Wilcher resided with his spouse on Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. Between October 1, 2018 and May 21, 2019, Wilcher and his spouse resided on Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). Wilcher admits in his plea agreement that he sexually molested a young child left in his care during his residence at both military bases. The abuse came to light in May 2019, when the victim disclosed the abuse to a friend who reported it to a school counselor. Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and the FBI immediately investigated the case. Wilcher has been in custody since his arrest on May 25, 2019.

The charges in the District of Hawaii and the Western District of Washington are both resolved by this plea agreement. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the prosecutors will recommend a sentence of not more than 27 years in prison. Judge Settle is not bound by the plea agreement and is free to impose any sentence allowed by law up to life in prison. The defense and prosecution have both agreed that Wilcher will be on lifetime supervision following any prison term and will be required to register as a sex offender.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Army CID.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Grady Leupold and Matt Hampton for the Western District of Washington, and Morgan Early for the District of Hawaii.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/military-spouse-pleads-guilty-molesting-child-two-different-military-installations

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Mississippi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Wesson Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

Jackson, Miss. – A Wesson man was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jack Staton of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

According to court documents, Gunner Nathaniel Speed, 25, was stopped by the Flowood Police Department on November 15, 2019, for a traffic violation. He was found to have over 150 pictures and videos portraying children having sex and simulated sex with adult males on his cell phone.

Speed was charged in a federal criminal indictment on June 10, 2020. He pled guilty on March 1, 2021, to possession of child pornography.

Speed was sentenced today to serve 84 months in federal prison, followed by 8 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $214,301.43 in restitution.

The case is part of a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Flowood Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.

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, 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.usdoj.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/wesson-man-sentenced-seven-years-prison-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- August

Acting United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the August 2021 Federal Grand Jury B. The grand jury met the week of Aug. 16.

The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.

Jacquelyn Ellaine Blossom. Child Abuse in Indian Country. Blossom, 41, of Oaks, allegedly abused the minor victim by attempting to drown the child in a creek on April 10, 2021. The FBI is the investigative agency. 21-CR-352

Cameron Kelly McAbee. Child Exploitation Enterprise; Sexual Exploitation of a Child by a Parent; Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. From July 19, 2019, to July 26, 2021, McAbee, 31, of Broken Arrow, allegedly engaged in a child exploitation enterprise when he was involved in three or more incidents of child exploitation crimes that involved more than one victim. The defendant committed the crimes in concert with three or more others. As part of his enterprise, McAbee knowingly permitted a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child sexual abuse material, also known as child pornography. He is further alleged to have distributed and received child pornography via electronic means, as well as to have possessed, accessed and viewed the child pornography. The visual depictions involved at least one minor who was 12 years of age or younger. The FBI is the investigative agency. 21-CR-361

Johnathan Ross Robins. Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. From June 1, 2003, to March 8, 2021, Robins, 52, of Sand Springs, allegedly distributed and received child sexual abuse material, also known as child pornography. He further allegedly possessed, accessed and viewed the child sexual abuse material from June 1, 2003, to March 4, 2021. The material involved at least one minor who was younger than 12-years-old. 21-CR-364

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/federal-grand-jury-b-indictments-announced-august

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Dallas County Man Sentenced for Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex

PLANO, Texas – An Irving man has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

Cody Ryan Turner was convicted by a jury on March 10, 2021, of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.

“This case is a sober reminder that there are those out there lurking in cyberspace who target children to engage in sexually explicit chat conversations, seeking to eventually meet and sexually abuse these kids,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Parents and teens need to approach online ‘friends’ critically and with caution. The enticement of minors is not just something we see on television.”

“Thank you to our partners at the Plano Police Department for helping us stop an individual who attempted to entice a child. This case reminds all of us to remain vigilant about our children’s online behavior and social media presence,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We encourage parents to speak with their children about the dangers of online predators who use popular apps, games, and websites and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.”

According to information presented in court, in August 2019, Turner began messaging an individual he believed to be a young teen on a popular social media application. After receiving no response throughout August 2019, he sent a graphic image to the child in December 2019 then messaged the child again in June 2020, asking if she was interested in a sugar daddy-sugar baby relationship. At that point, the individual Turner believed to be a teen responded, and identified herself as a child. Between June 2020 and Sep. 8, 2020, Turner sent a series of sexually explicit messages to this individual, asking about the child’s body and development, discussing the child’s parents and ways to circumvent their supervision of the child’s online activities, and meeting for sex.

On Sep. 8, 2020, believing that the child was attending school online because of COVID, Turner messaged asking “want company”? After stating his intention to drive to the child’s residence, Turner asked for verification of the child’s identity, noting “you are very young so there is big risk for me.” Evidence introduced at trial showed that Turner drove from Irving to a location in Plano to meet the child, at which time he was arrested by a joint team of FBI and the Plano Police Department.

Turner admitted to texting with the teen but claimed that he believed the person to be “fake” and had driven to the meet site to call “Gotcha!” on the individual. Turner further stated that he could not explain his actions.

This case is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/dallas-county-man-sentenced-attempting-meet-minor-sex

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Grayson County Pastor Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Violations

Secret Cameras at Church Recorded 11 to 14-year-olds Undressing, Bathing

SHERMAN, Texas – A Denison man has been sentenced to federal prison for sexual crimes against children in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

David Alan Pettigrew, 49, pleaded guilty on April 7, 2021 to sexual exploitation of children; conspiracy and attempt and was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.

“David Pettigrew is a predator who used his position to exploit children for his own gratification,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Parents and kids in Grayson County trusted Pettigrew as an educator, pastor, and friend, all the while unaware of his criminal intent. Working with children is nothing short of a privilege, and EDTX is committed to ensuring that those who assume responsibility for children do not violate that position of trust.”

“The deviant behavior of any individual that occupies a position or role of public trust, especially one that betrays that trust, is unforgivable and repulsive. The actions and the emotional trauma Pettigrew caused to the innocent children he preyed upon is devastating and life-altering,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Dallas. “Protecting those most vulnerable is a top priority for HSI and we will never relent in our pursuit of characters like Pettigrew who breach their positions of trust to exploit minors.”

According to information presented in court, Pettigrew came to the attention of law enforcement through referrals sent by two electronic service providers and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which indicated that a user had uploaded files of suspected child pornography. Investigators traced the leads to Pettigrew’s home in Denison and the Denison Church of the Nazarene. Members of HSI and the Grayson County Sheriff's Office served search warrants at both locations on August 6, 2020, at which time Pettigrew was arrested for transporting child pornography.

As the investigation progressed, investigators discovered that Pettigrew and co-defendant Chad Michael Rider had set up hidden cameras in various locations in order to capture children in various stages of undress. On August 19, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Pettigrew with transportation of child pornography and both Pettigrew and Rider with conspiring to and attempting to sexually exploit children (a/k/a production of child pornography).

As part of his plea, Pettigrew admitted to conspiring with Rider to record minors, including while the minors were nude, at locations in Collin and Grayson counties. The videos were filmed using various hidden cameras, including cameras disguised as hooks, clocks, a picture frame, a smoke detector, an AC wall adapter, charging blocks, and a pen. Pettigrew further admitted that he secretly filmed a child in his home and that he and Rider filmed children undressing, bathing, and toweling off at the Denison Church of the Nazarene in Grayson County. The children were all approximately 11 to 14-years old at the time they were unknowingly recorded.

The case against Rider is ongoing and remains pending.

This case is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/grayson-county-pastor-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison-child-pornography-violations

Wesson Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/wesson-man-sentenced-seven-years-prison-possession-child-pornography

Dallas County Man Sentenced for Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/dallas-county-man-sentenced-attempting-meet-minor-sex

Grayson County Pastor Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Violations

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/grayson-county-pastor-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison-child-pornography-violations

Military spouse pleads guilty to molesting child on two different military installations

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/military-spouse-pleads-guilty-molesting-child-two-different-military-installations

Federal Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Exploitation Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/federal-defendant-sentenced-15-years-child-exploitation-offenses

Mexican National Who Attempted to Eat Memory Cards Containing Child Pornography Sentenced to 12 Years

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/mexican-national-who-attempted-eat-memory-cards-containing-child-pornography-sentenced

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation Offenses Involving a Ten-Year-Old Victim

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/defendant-pleads-guilty-sexual-exploitation-offenses-involving-ten-year-old-victim

Chicago Area Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Advertise and Distribute Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/chicago-area-man-sentenced-15-years-prison-conspiracy-advertise-and-distribute-child

Gloucester County Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/gloucester-county-man-charged-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Six Southern California Companies Convicted of Scheming to Avoid Payment of $1.8 Billion in Duties on Imported Chinese Aluminum

Businesses Also Found Guilty of Conspiring with Chinese Billionaire to Defraud Investors by Inflating Value of Company via Sham Sales of Aluminum in U.S.

LOS ANGELES – A federal jury today found six corporate entities guilty of participating in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud the United States via a wire-and-customs fraud scheme in which huge amounts of aluminum – disguised as “pallets” to avoid $1.8 billion in customs duties – were exported to the United States and were “sold” to fraudulently inflate a China-based company’s revenues and deceive investors worldwide.

The jury found the following two aluminum businesses and four warehousing companies – all of which were related to one another – guilty of one count of conspiracy, nine counts of wire fraud and seven counts of passing false and fraudulent papers through a customhouse:

Perfectus Aluminium Inc., an Ontario-based business;

Perfectus Aluminium Acquisitions LLC, a subsidiary of Perfectus Aluminium formed in 2014 to oversee several companies that received aluminum pallets shipped to the United States after duties were imposed on Chinese aluminum in 2011;

Scuderia Development LLC, which owns a warehouse in Riverside;

1001 Doubleday LLC, which owns a warehouse in Ontario;

Von Karman – Main Street LLC, which owns a warehouse in Irvine;

10681 Production Avenue LLC, which owns a warehouse in Fontana.

The two Perfectus companies also were found guilty of seven additional counts of international promotional money laundering.

According to evidence presented at the nine-day trial, China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd., Asia’s largest manufacturer of aluminum extrusions, Zhongtian Liu, the company’s former president and chairman, several individual defendants and the corporate defendants found guilty today lied to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to avoid paying the United States $1.8 billion in anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) that were imposed in 2011 on certain types of extruded aluminum imported into the United States from China.

The aluminum sold to United States-based companies controlled by Liu was simply aluminum extrusions that were spot-welded together to make them appear to be functional pallets. In fact, there were no customers for the 2.2 million pallets imported by the Liu-controlled companies between 2011 and 2014, and no pallets were ever sold.

The vast majority of the pallets were imported through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and then stockpiled at four large warehouses in Southern California, all of which were purchased at Liu’s direction.

Liu and his co-defendants orchestrated the bogus sales of aluminum to Liu-controlled companies in Southern California to falsely inflate China Zhongwang’s value. Liu was the majority owner of China Zhongwang, which has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since a 2009 initial public offering that raised $1.26 billion.

After the AD/CVD duties were put in place in 2011, the company’s annual reports falsely claimed that there was a robust demand for the aluminum pallets in the United States. Although the annual reports asserted that the aluminum pallets were being sold to independent third parties, and defendants used these reported “sales” to inflate China Zhongwang’s reported sales volume and purported volume of exports to the United States, in fact the aluminum was being stockpiled by Liu-controlled entities in more than 2 million square feet of warehouse space owned by the warehouse defendants in Southern California, as well as at Liu’s New Jersey facility.

Since there was no actual demand for the pallets, defendants Liu and China Zhongwang arranged for aluminum melting facilities to be built and acquired, which were to be used to reconfigure the aluminum imported as pallets into a form with commercial value.

The defendants facilitated their schemes by laundering hundreds of millions of dollars through shell companies to the U.S.-based aluminum companies controlled by Liu. The funds were then transferred to China Zhongwang and the other shell companies as payments for the aluminum.

United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner has scheduled a December 13 sentencing hearing in this case.

The remaining four defendants charged in the 2019 federal grand jury indictment in this case have yet to appear in court in the United States to face the criminal charges in this matter:

>>14440261

Zhongtian Liu, 57, a billionaire Chinese citizen who is a former Tustin resident, and who is the former president and former chairman of the board of China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd.;

China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd., a publicly traded aluminum company based in Liaoyang City that at the time of the indictment was the largest aluminum extrusion manufacturer in Asia and the second largest in the world;

Zhaohua Chen, 62, a Chinese national who allegedly was a close friend of Liu and a key player in the scheme; and

Xiang Chun Shao, a.k.a. “Johnson Shao,” 60, most recently of Irvine, who allegedly managed a collection of Southern California businesses that pretended to be independent third parties importing the Chinese aluminum.

In 2017, the United States Attorney’s Office filed civil forfeiture actions against the four Southern California warehouses used by Perfectus to store the pallets. In 2018, the government filed a fifth civil forfeiture complaint against “approximately 279,808 Aluminum Structures in the Shape of Pallets,” about half of which were seized in early 2017 at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the other half were seized from three other warehouses Perfectus was using to store the pallets. Those civil asset forfeiture cases have been stayed pending the completion of the criminal prosecution, in which the government is seeking the criminal forfeiture of the warehouses and seized aluminum.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/six-southern-california-companies-convicted-scheming-avoid-payment-18-billion-duties

>>14431413

>https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/collin-county-man-convicted-child-pornography-violations

Members of the FBI obtained a search warrant for the residence, which they served on April 25, 2018. The searching team discovered multiple digital devices in the residence, including server racks, network area storage devices, laptops, hard drives, cellular phones, and digital storage media. Agents testified that the entire second story of the house was filled with floor-to-ceiling book cases storing digital devices, manuals, and peripherals. Additional testimony revealed that forensic analysis of the seized devices took almost one year. During this forensic analysis, personnel discovered tens of thousands of images and videos of child pornography. Specifically, evidence demonstrated that a laptop belonging to Denton and located on one of his desks contained the same software used to distribute child pornography to the undercover officers. That software was also used to obtain child pornography, which was saved on a different portion of Denton’s computer. Evidence also revealed that child pornography was located on a 60+ terabyte storage device that Denton owned and possessed.

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Collin County Man Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography

PLANO, Texas – A Plano man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.

Edgar Raymond Miller, 38, pleaded guilty on Feb. 5, 2021 to two counts of distribution of child pornography and was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan.

“The incredible work of our federal and local law enforcement partners revealed a man focused on the violent sexual abuse of children living in our midst,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Law enforcement relies on tips from the public to help them identify and disrupt those engaged in the traffic of child pornography. I urge members of the public to report any interactions on social media applications that they find concerning or suspicious. Ultimately, your tip could prevent a child from being abused or exploited.”

“The FBI and our partners in the North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force work tirelessly to apprehend individuals who distribute or attempt to distribute child pornography. This collaboration resulted in an arrest and a positive outcome with today’s sentencing,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We will continue to prioritize the safety of children in the communities we serve.”

According to information presented in court, in April 2020, a detective with the Plano Police Department received an investigative lead pertaining to a user on an Internet-based chat application who was uploading child pornography. The user was traced to the residence in Plano where Edgar Miller lived. In June 2020, the Plano PD, FBI, and an investigator with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office served a search warrant at Miller’s residence, where they seized numerous digital devices containing child pornography. Forensic analysis revealed that Miller had collected more than 47,000 images and videos of child pornography across multiple social media platforms. Evidence also revealed chats in which Miller discussed the graphic and extreme abuse of children. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Miller with child pornography violations on July 8, 2020.

As part of his plea, Miller admitted to communicating with other individuals on the instant messaging mobile application about child pornography and the sexual abuse of children. Miller distributed images depicting male children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The children depicted were prepubescent (or under the age of 12 years old) and some of the images included depictions of sadistic or masochistic abuse. Miller admitted that he distributed and possessed more than 600 images of child pornography. He further admitted to distributing child pornography to others on the application in exchange for child pornography from them.

This case is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa Miller.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/collin-county-man-sentenced-distributing-child-pornography

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https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/three-drug-traffickers-sentenced-federal-prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/california-methamphetamine-and-firearm-dealer-sentenced-seven-years-federal-prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/camden-man-sentenced-87-months-prison-conspiring-distribute-over-1-kilogram-heroin

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Election Integrity

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Cincinnati man sentenced to 20 years in prison for creating child pornography of minor in his care at sleepover

CINCINNATI – Scott Surgener, 43, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 240 months in prison for sexually exploiting a minor.

According to court documents, from April 2018 through July 2019, Surgener engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor in his home for the purpose of taking pictures and videos of the sexual abuse. The pictures and videos were taken in Surgener’s residence while the victim, who was younger than 13, was in his care at child sleepovers.

In total, the defendant produced 28 videos and images of the exploitation.

Surgener was charged by a federal criminal complaint in October 2019 and has remained in custody since. He pleaded guilty in February 2021 to producing child pornography.

Surgener was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release following imprisonment and ordered to pay $3,000 in victim restitution.

Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Dan Leeper, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey and Springdale Police Chief Thomas Wells announced the sentence imposed yesterday evening by Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/cincinnati-man-sentenced-20-years-prison-creating-child-pornography-minor-his-care

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nevada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

North Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Kidnapping And Sexually Exploiting A Minor

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A North Las Vegas man was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years and four months in prison for kidnapping a girl in Arizona and repeatedly sexually assaulting her at his house in North Las Vegas, where he held her hostage.

“The sentence imposed by the Court reflects the serious nature of the defendant’s crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada. “Our office is grateful to the victim in this case for exemplifying strength and courage, and we’re thankful for the FBI’s and North Las Vegas Police Department’s hard work, which helped ensure the defendant’s conviction.”

“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort put forth to ensure this defendant was brought to justice and will no longer be able to harm children again,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse for the FBI. “Knowing that the defendant will serve the next 16 years in federal prison, ensures there is one less predator victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community. Our community is a lot safer because of today’s sentencing.”

According to court documents, Jimmy Carter Kim, 32, met and communicated with a 14-year-old girl through a social media application. Sometime between November 2 and 3, 2015, he and the victim met in person in Bullhead City, Arizona. Kim kidnapped the girl and drove them to his residence in North Las Vegas, where he held her hostage in a locked room for one month. He repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, and took photos and videos of the assaults. On December 3, 2015, the victim escaped and called the police. Kim was arrested the same day.

Kim pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Kim to 36 years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Chiou and Special Agent in Charge Rouse made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance by the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elham Roohani and Christopher Burton prosecuted the case.

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, 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 and for information about internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/north-las-vegas-man-sentenced-kidnapping-and-sexually-exploiting-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Dublin man charged with enticing minors, producing child pornography

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Dublin, Ohio, man has been charged federally with crimes related to sexually exploiting at least three minors.

Timothy W. Wright, 50, was arrested yesterday afternoon at his home and appeared in federal court today. The charges initiated thus far were unsealed during his initial appearance today.

Specifically, Wright is charged with enticing a minor, producing child pornography and possessing child pornography.

According to court documents, Wright paid females under the age of 18 to send him nude photographs and videos. As stated in the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, CashApp and phone records allegedly connect the payments for these videos and images to Wright and his company, L&T Trucking, and phone records also indicate Wright allegedly coordinated dates and times to meet with the victims at his Dublin residence.

The affidavit further details that Wright allegedly paid a minor victim $300 on least five occasions in exchange for the minor lying nude on Wright’s bed while Wright engaged in sex acts.

Enticement of a minor is a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Producing child pornography carries a penalty of at least 15 and up to 30 years in prison. Possessing child pornography is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

The case is being cooperatively investigated by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which operates under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and by Homeland Security Investigations, Columbus Division of Police, Dublin Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Unit, Delaware County Drug Task Force, and the United States Marshals Service.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/dublin-man-charged-enticing-minors-producing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Grand Jury Returns Two Indictments

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Former Ladysmith Teacher Charged with Producing & Possessing Child Pornography

McKenzie W. Johnson, 34, Ladysmith, Wisconsin, is charged in a two-count indictment with producing child pornography and with possessing child pornography. The indictment alleges that on January 13, 2021, Johnson used a minor to produce a visual depiction of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The second count of the indictment alleges that on August 24, 2021, he possessed an iPad that contained visual depictions involving the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment alleges that at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

Johnson was arrested in Ladysmith on August 24 and was charged with producing child pornography in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Madison on August 26. Federal law requires that an offense charged by criminal complaint must be presented to a grand jury for indictment.

At the time Johnson allegedly produced the child pornography, he was a teacher at the Ladysmith High School. This offense alleged in the indictment does not involve a victim from Wisconsin.

If convicted, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on the production charge, and a maximum of 20 years on the possession charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Ladysmith Police Department, Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Ladysmith School District, and the Fontana (California) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Andre L. McClinton, 49, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged in a nine-count superseding indictment with drug and gun crimes. The indictment alleges that from September through December 2020, McClinton participated in a conspiracy to distribute and to possess for distribution cocaine. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy involved five kilograms or more of cocaine.

The superseding indictment also charges McClinton with two counts of distributing cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine and crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.

McClinton is also charged with two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The indictment alleges that McClinton possessed a .38 caliber revolver and ammunition and a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition.

McClinton was previously charged with the drug conspiracy in a one-count indictment returned by the grand jury on February 10, 2021.

If convicted, McClinton faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison on the conspiracy charge, a maximum of 20 years on each of the three drug charges involving cocaine and crack cocaine, and a maximum of 5 years on the marijuana charge. The two charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition each have a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The two charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime each have a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in federal prison, to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

The charges against McClinton are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Chicago (Illinois) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is handling the prosecution.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/grand-jury-returns-two-indictments-10

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Ithaca Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Jeffrey Blake, age 51, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced today to serve 160 months (thirteen years and four months) in federal prison for attempted online enticement of a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his guilty plea Blake admitted that between June 12, 2019 and August 23, 2019, he exchanged text messages with an undercover officer he believed was the mother of 9 and 13 year old girls. In those messages, Blake expressed an interest in meeting the children and engaging in sex acts with them. He also communicated by text messaging with the undercover agent posing as each of the children. In those communications Blake assured the children that sex with him would not be painful, and that he would take precautions to keep the 13-year-old from getting pregnant. On August 23, 2019, Blake drove to a pre-determined location in Broome County to meet and have sex with the children. He brought with him vibrators and birth control as well as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and stuffed animals that he planned to give to the children as gifts. Blake was then encountered by law enforcement and arrested.

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also imposed a 10 term of supervised release, which will start after Blake is released from prison, and ordered Blake to pay a $100 special assessment. As a result of his conviction, Blake will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Blake’s case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force. This task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/ithaca-man-sentenced-13-years-attempted-online-enticement-minor

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Knowingly Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material Through Dark Web Sites

An Illinois man was sentenced today in the Southern District of Illinois to 151 months, or 12 and a half years, in prison for knowingly receiving child sexual abuse material over the internet.

According to court documents and statements made in connection with the sentencing, Kory R. Schulein, 37, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to knowingly receiving child pornography over the internet. According to court documents, Schulein first came to the attention to law enforcement in 2018 during an FBI investigation of child pornography on the dark web. Agents were able to track his internet protocol address and executed a federal search warrant at his home. Schulein served as a moderator of a dark web site dedicated to child exploitation and had been an active participant on other sites. Schulein had posted 13,733 messages, many of which included links to child exploitation images and videos. Schulein also collected and stored over 9,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on an encrypted hard driveThe FBI’s Springfield Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Alicia A. Bove of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois prosecuted the case.

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 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.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-151-months-prison-knowingly-receiving-child-sexual-abuse-material-through-dark

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Mexican national stopped at border sentenced for possession of child pornography

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 29-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for possessing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Luis Felipe Salazar-Sanchez pleaded guilty May 5.

Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 70-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. The court considered statements from seven victims describing the trauma they have endured. In handing down the prison term, Judge Olvera additionally ordered Salazar-Sanchez to pay $9,000 in restitution which will be divided equally amongst victims who requested restitution.

The investigation revealed Salazar-Sanchez had been purchasing child pornography. On Oct. 20, 2019, authorities suspected he was going to attempt to enter the United States from Mexico.

As he approached the Gateway Port of Entry in Brownsville, law enforcement identified him and referred him to secondary inspection. There, they conducted a search of his cellphone. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of nearly 600 images and videos of child pornography including numerous images depicting prepubescent minors and sadistic and masochistic conduct.

Salazar-Sanchez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigation Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/mexican-national-stopped-border-sentenced-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Idaho

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Pocatello Man Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

POCATELLO – Jeffrey A. McKie, 41, of Pocatello, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by ten years of supervised release, for possessing sexually explicit images of minors, Acting U.S. Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. announced today. McKie was also ordered to pay $19,000 in restitution to victims of the offense. McKie was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye. McKie pleaded guilty on March 11, 2021.

According to court records, McKie admitted that on October 19, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, served a search warrant at his residence. McKie was suspected of possessing child pornography after the Pocatello Police Department received a tip from his neighbor. In an interview, McKie confessed to looking at child pornography frequently. In total, on McKie’s electronic devices, over 7,000 images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were found. McKie admitted in court that he possessed the child pornography.

At sentencing, Judge Nye also ordered McKie to forfeit the devices used in the commission of the offense. As a result of his conviction, McKie will be required to register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Gonzalez credited the cooperative efforts of HSI, the Idaho ICAC Task Force, and the Pocatello Police Department, which led to charges.

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. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal 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.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/pocatello-man-sentenced-over-4-years-prison-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Receiving Child Pornography was sentenced on August 26, 2021, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Jebadiah Swenson, age 39, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $11,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Swenson was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in August 2020. He pleaded guilty on December 16, 2020.

The conviction stems from Swenson using the LiveMe social media application between October 1, 2019, and March 7, 2020, to obtain links to child pornography on the Internet. Special agents executed a search warrant and found hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on electronic devices belonging to Swenson. The images and videos included child pornography depicting sadism and masochism, sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, and bestiality.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.

Swenson was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/rapid-city-man-sentenced-federal-prison-receiving-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Marshall County Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse of Child

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Veblen Flats, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact was sentenced on August 30, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Dominic Steven Redday, age 43, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Redday was indicted for Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child and Sexual Abuse of a Minor by a federal grand jury on August 17, 2020. He pled guilty on June 7, 2021.

From on or about April 2011 to 2012, Redday knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, sexual contacts with a young female victim, using force, threats, and fear. At the time of the sexual contact, the victim was 12 years of age.

This case was investigated by the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Law Enforcement Criminal Investigations Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Redday was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/marshall-county-man-sentenced-78-months-federal-prison-sexual-abuse-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possessing child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.

According to court records, in August 2019, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants for the residence and person of Rodney Crowley, 33. HSI had obtained information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding child pornography activity involving users of an internet messaging application. In an interview with investigators, Crowley admitted being a member of chat groups in which child pornography images were exchanged. Investigators later found several images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a memory card in Crowley’s cell phone.

Crowley faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

HSI and the RCMP investigated the case.

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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/lewiston-man-pleads-guilty-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Florida Man Who “Tweeted” Child Sexual Abuse Images Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven today sentenced Marchaun Browning (24, Gibsonton) to 5 years in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing and possessing child pornography.

Browning had pleaded guilty on April 21, 2021.

According to court documents, in June 2017, Browning created several Twitter accounts. On several different occasions, he posted or “tweeted” child sex abuse images and tagged other Twitter accounts associated with elected officials, media outlets, and public figures. Browning’s tweets also contained messages directed at the intended and tagged recipients.

On June 18, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Browning’s residence. The officers discovered more than 160 images and one video depicting the sexual abuse of children, including some as young as toddlers, located on Browning’s devices seized from his residence.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray.

This is another case 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, 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/florida-man-who-tweeted-child-sexual-abuse-images-sentenced-five-years-federal-prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Operation False Haven: Convicted Child Rapist Sentenced for Passport Fraud, Civilly Denaturalized and Judicially Ordered Removed from the United States

RALEIGH, N.C. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that today in federal court, Mario Sotelo, age 49, a naturalized citizen of the United States born in Mexico, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Richard E. Myers II to four months imprisonment following a guilty plea to passport fraud. Moreover, Sotelo was civilly denaturalized as a United States citizen and ordered judicially removed from the United States.

According to court records, on September 5, 2008, Sotelo fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship by making a false statement under oath regarding his naturalization application. In response to the question “Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?” he answered “No.”

On August 23, 2018, in the Superior Court of North Carolina in Chatham County, Sotelo was convicted of sixteen felony counts, including incest, first-degree sex offense with a child, indecent liberties with a child, and statutory rape, for crimes committed against multiple victims between 2003 and 2015. Sotelo was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Sotelo was not arrested until after he naturalized, thus immigration officials were unaware of his crimes.

“Ultimately, Sotelo was unable to escape the consequences of his criminal past, and he will now answer for his disturbing predatory behavior,” said ERO’s Atlanta Interim Field Office Director Francisco Madrigal. “Removing violent, criminal non-citizens is a vital part of our mission to make our communities safer.”

“The granting of United States citizenship is one of the most prized and ultimate benefits that the government can grant. The defendant exploited our immigration system and unlawfully secured his naturalization, which undermines both the nation’s security and our lawful immigration system, “ said G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement.

Agents with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, assigned to the Document Benefit Fraud Task Force, investigated the case as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing initiative executed in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Office of Immigration Litigation to aggressively identify and prosecute child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:20-cr-00173-M(1).

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/operation-false-haven-convicted-child-rapist-sentenced-passport-fraud-civilly

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 30, 2021

Dennis Port Man Sentenced for Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

BOSTON – A Dennis Port man was sentenced today for receipt and possession of child pornography.

Sean Gleason, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 68 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In August 2020, Gleason pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Following an investigation into the use of a messaging application in the exchange of child pornography, a search of Gleason’s cell phone on Sept. 10, 2019 revealed hundreds of images of child pornography. A full forensic review of the phone revealed at least 498 images and at least one video of child pornography. The cache of child pornography included images depicting the abuse of infants, toddlers and prepubescent minors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam W. Deitch of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dennis-port-man-sentenced-receiving-and-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 30, 2021

Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Seeking Sex with Minor

CONCORD - Keith Colantonio, 39, of Milford, Massachusetts was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May of 2019, members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) conducted an undercover investigation targeting online sexual offenders. A detective created an undercover online persona of a 14-year-old girl residing in Nashua. Between May 21 and May 23, 2019, Colantonio engaged in sexually-charged conversations on social media with the undercover officer. On May 23, 2019, Colantonio traveled from Massachusetts to Nashua for the purpose of meeting the young girl to engage in illicit sexual conduct. When Colantonio arrived at the pre-determined location for the meeting, he was arrested.

Colantonio previously pleaded guilty on March 23, 2021.

“Dangerous predators lurk on the internet seeking to manipulate and sexually exploit young children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Thanks to good criminal investigative work, this defendant was unable to fulfill his unlawful goal of having sex with a young girl. As this case demonstrates, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the criminals who threaten the well being of children in the Granite State.”

“We’re very satisfied with today’s sentence for this child sex predator who posed a clear threat to our communities based on his actions in this investigation” said Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, (HSI) Boston. “Colantonio would likely have continued to victimize others were it not for the tireless work of our partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. We also appreciate the continuing commitment of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire in seeking justice for the victims of child predators in our region.”

“The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is proud to partner with our Federal Law Enforcement partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the US Attorney’s Office in an effort to protect the children of New Hampshire. NH ICAC would like to remind parents to stay vigilant and talk with your children about their online activity. For more information please visit www.missingkids.org” said Lt. Eric Kinsman, Commander, NH ICAC Task Force.

This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.

In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/massachusetts-man-sentenced-33-months-seeking-sex-minor

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 30, 2021

Panama child pornography investigation leads to sentencing of young man

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – An 18-year-old Brownsville man has been ordered to federal prison for possessing nearly 10,000 of images and videos of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Irbenis Mederos Jr. pleaded guilty April 27.

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez ordered him to serve a 168-month sentence to be immediately followed by 10 years of supervised release. The court considered statements from many victims describing the trauma they’ve endured. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rodriguez additionally ordered that $36,000 in restitution be paid and divided equally amongst the 12 victims who requested restitution.

On Sep. 28, 2020, authorities discovered the sexual exploitation of a minor child via social media. It was determined she was an eight-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Panama.

The investigation led to an IP address in Brownsville belonging to Mederos. Law enforcement conducted a search at his residence and seized a cellphone. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 1,229 images and 110 videos of child pornography, approximately 55 of which were of the minor female in Panama. Several others also depicted child pornography involving infants and toddlers.

Mederos will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Panama conducted the investigation along with HSI-Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Investigation Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikki Piquette is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/panama-child-pornography-investigation-leads-sentencing-young-man

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Albany County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Kurtz, age 57, of Albany, pled guilty today to charges of distribution and possession of child pornography. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In pleading guilty before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Kurtz admitted that between September 29, 2018 and at least January 12, 2019, he used a peer-to-peer file sharing software program installed on his computer to distribute approximately 28 videos of child pornography from his home in Albany. Kurtz also admitted to possessing over 200 images of child pornography on his home computer at the time of his arrest on March 18, 2019.

Kurtz faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, as well as a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. His sentencing is scheduled for December 28, 2021 in Albany. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Upon his release from prison, Kurtz will also be required to register as a sex offender in any state where he lives, is employed, or is a student.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, including investigators from the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Rachel Williams.

This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/albany-county-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-and-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Gloversville Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography Crimes

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jonathan L. Morgan, age 32, of Gloversville, New York, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for distributing and possessing child pornography.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In previously pleading guilty, Morgan admitted that he distributed videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children via a phone-based application connected to the Internet, from March 11 to March 12, 2020. He also admitted to possessing child pornography on two phones. Additionally, Morgan sought out videos of parents abusing their children, and provided detailed instructions to an undercover law enforcement officer (posing as a parent) as to how to abuse her daughter while filming it; smashed and tried to destroy one of his phones upon being approached by law enforcement; and admitted to inappropriately touching a child on several occasions.

Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 15-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release. Additionally, Morgan will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/gloversville-man-sentenced-180-months-child-pornography-crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Retired Crane Navel Employee Charged with Possessing Stolen U.S. Government Property and Possessing Child Pornography

EVANSVILLE – A federal grand jury in Evansville returned an indictment yesterday charging a Loogootee, Indiana man with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of stolen U.S. government property, and possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Timothy L. Guy, 74, of Loogootee, retired from Crane Navel in 2004 after working 38 years at the facility. During that time, Guy was an explosive handler at the Army Ammunition Activity Center and had access to ammunition and munitions.

The Indiana State Police and Martin County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Guy for his involvement with child pornography. Guy was arrested April 30, 2021 for possessing child pornography, and while at Guy’s property, an investigator discovered a vast amount of ammunition in a cellar. Law enforcement investigators secured the area and requested the assistance of the NSA Crane’s EOD, and the ATF. A search warrant was executed and over 10,000 various rounds of ammunition, several firearms, and a large amount of child pornography was discovered. Guy had a previous convection for possession of child pornography in April 2021 from Martin County. He is being held on state charges for probation violation and possession of child pornography.

Guy has been charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of stolen U.S. property. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine and up to 3 years supervised release on each count. He is also charged with one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and a term of up to life of supervised release. The penalty is increased to a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment for a qualifying prior conviction. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Indiana State Police, and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Childhood is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/retired-crane-navel-employee-charged-possessing-stolen-us-government-property-and

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Informational: Federal Court arraignments

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 23 was:

Taurean Jerome Weber, 39, of Lakewood, Colorado, formerly of Missoula, on charges of transportation of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Weber faces a mandatory minimum five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Weber was released pending further proceedings. The Missoula Police Department, FBI and Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-28.

Appearing in Great Falls U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Aug. 24 was:

Edward James Hovey, 30, of Browning, on charges of receipt of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hovey faces a mandatory minimum five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release. Hovey was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case. PACER case reference. 21-50.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/informational-federal-court-arraignments-141

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Jury Convicts Recidivist Defendant of Possessing Child Pornography

A federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia convicted a Virginia man yesterday for possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, James B. Clawson Sr., 58, of Alexandria, was previously convicted of distribution of child pornography after law enforcement learned that he was serving as an administrator of an online forum dedicated to trafficking in child sexual abuse material. In 2019, while Clawson was serving a term of federal supervised release in connection with this conviction, a U.S. probation officer discovered that he was concealing a laptop computer and multiple thumb drives in his home. Clawson told the probation officer that he had built a hidden compartment in a shelving unit in his closet to conceal the devices because he did not want to have his internet activity monitored.

“James Clawson is a repeat child sex offender who has demonstrated that he cannot and will not be deterred from downloading images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The department is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that child sex offenders like Clawson will be held accountable for their crimes.”

“The evidence at trial demonstrated that the defendant’s prior conviction for distributing child pornography unfortunately did not deter him from continuing to seek out such heartbreaking and illegal images,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Thanks to the diligent efforts of the trial team and our law enforcement partners, the defendant has been held accountable for his recidivist conduct by a jury of his peers.”

“Child exploitation sites present a grave danger to children and unprecedented challenges to the world’s law enforcement agencies,” said Assistant Director Calvin Shivers of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s verdict demonstrates the FBI’s ongoing commitment to pursue individuals engaging in child exploitation offenses and secure justice for children that are victimized by this egregious conduct.”

“Recidivism is a real problem among convicted sex offenders,” said Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. “As this jury verdict shows, the FBI is committed to bringing individuals like Clawson – who continued to exploit children even after they have been caught once – to justice no matter what it takes. The safety of our children is a priority for the FBI, and we will stop at nothing to protect them.”

Evidence presented at trial established that Clawson used the laptop to search for and repeatedly download from the internet images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and then stored those images on one of his thumb drives. The evidence further established that Clawson sorted these child sexual abuse images on his thumb drive and assigned them files names based on the specific sexually explicit conduct they depicted.

Clawson was convicted of possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1 and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case, with significant assistance from the High Technology Investigative Unit of the Justice Department Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).

Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of CEOS and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth M. Schlessinger of the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-recidivist-defendant-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Walton County Man Faces Federal Indictment For Participation In Nationwide Child Exploitation Enterprise

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael J. McClure, 43, of DeFuniak Springs, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal offenses related to his activity on Kik Messenger, a mobile device application, announced Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. McClure will make his appearance in federal court in Pensacola on August 31, 2021, at 2:00 pm before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon.

The indictment alleges that McClure was part of an ongoing child exploitation enterprise to produce, distribute, receive, and possess child pornography. McClure is also charged with the production of child pornography as well as its distribution, receipt, and possession.

McClure faces a mandatory minimum 20 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment if convicted.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jennifer H. Callahan.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/walton-county-man-faces-federal-indictment-participation-nationwide-child-exploitation

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2021

Cortland County Woman Sentenced to 45 Years for Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

Sarah R. Gates Photographed Her Sexual Exploitation of a Child Under Five Years of Age

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sarah R. Gates, age 40, of Cortland, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 540 months (45 years) in prison for conspiring and acting together with co-defendant Christopher Perry to sexually exploit a child under five years of age for the purpose of producing images of the abuse. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As part of her prior guilty plea to a three-count Information, Gates admitted that on several occasions in 2017, she and Perry performed sexual acts on the child while taking photographs of the abuse, using two cell phones.

Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release, which will start after Gates is released from prison. As a result of her conviction, Gates will also be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from prison.

Perry previously pled guilty to the same offenses and was sentenced, on November 3, 2020, to 540 months (45 years) in prison.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the City of Cortland Police Department, and the New York State Police-Computer Crimes Unit, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sahar L. Amandolare and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/cortland-county-woman-sentenced-45-years-child-sexual-exploitation-crimes

epartment of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Collinsville Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison After Caught with Child Pornography Depicting the Rape and Murder of Children

Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Chance Jennings Daykin, 26, to 14 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

“Chance Daykin accessed the dark web to feed his child pornography habit,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “He uploaded child pornography, viewed pedophile instruction books, and discussed, with others online, how to obtain children to rape and murder. Thanks to the work of the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office and federal prosecutors Julie Childress and Chris Nassar, Daykin will serve the next 14 year in federal prison.”

“I want to remind the public that the viewing of child pornography is not a passive crime. The demand for this material fuels the physical and sexual abuse of children around the world.”

On May 10, 2021, Daykin pleaded guilty, to distribution and receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and with possession of child pornography.

Daykin admitted to distributing and receiving child sexual abuse material via electronic means from Dec. 19, 2019 to Oct. 19, 2020. He further admitted to knowingly accessing with intent to view the child pornography. Some of those images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of minors who were younger than 12 years of age.

Specifically, on Dec. 19, 2019, Daykin uploaded images and videos of child pornography to dropbox.com. A search warrant was obtained for Daykin’s IP address based on a cyber tip sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that reported the Dropbox uploads. The search indicated the IP user was associated with an address in Collinsville. On Oct 19, 2020, the Roger’s County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the address and arrested the defendant.

Images recovered on the defendant’s electronic devises included bestiality and the rape of infants and prepubescent children. At least one image showed an infant either dead or seriously injured who had been sexually abused.

In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors outlined evidence discovered during the investigation showing the defendant’s behavior was escalating.

-After his arrest, Daykin admitted that he had a problem with child pornography and had sought treatment.

-In a recovered online conversation, Daykin bragged that he had access to children and had given a 7-year-old a bath and sexually abused her. Investigators could not substantiate the claim.

-On Dropbox, Daykin shared links and asked “Got any kids screaming? Those are hard to find.”

-In an online conversation with an individual he was communicating with, the two discussed setting up a Kik account for her young cousin so Daykin could reach out to the cousin.

-In multiple conversations with another individual online, Daykin repeatedly asked the individual if she had found parents who would let them “use their preteen girls.” At one point, the individual says she met a mother who needs money and was negotiating with her. In another conversation, the defendant stated that he wanted to “rape and kill” and later said “a little girl just adds more flavor.”

During the sentencing hearing, Daykin’s attorney reminded the court that while the communications were wrong and disturbing, the conversations were a lot of talk that “never left the desktop.” He also pointed to the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility, lack of criminal history and long-term difficulty with socialization.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Childress countered, saying Daykin’s pattern of sustained criminal acts were not simply a mistake. She argued that his actions showed an escalating and predatory sexual interest in the rape and murder of children. She further reminded the Court that the defendant had downloaded software to try to conceal his actions. Childress described Daykin as a clear threat to society, arguing the acts necessitated a minimum of 180 months in federal prison. She argued that a lengthy sentence would protect the public, serve as a deterrent to others, and allow the defendant to get the long-term treatment needed to counter his deviant addiction.

Following sentencing, Daykin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.

The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Childress and Chris Nassar prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/collinsville-man-sentenced-14-years-prison-after-caught-child-pornography-depicting-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Former Police Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing a Young Child

A Sapulpa man was sentenced Thursday for sexually abusing a young child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Bradley Don Goodin, 47, to 15 years in federal prison followed by 20 years of supervised release.

During the hearing, the young victim spoke before the Court as well as another child who was also abused by Goodin. Judge Frizzell noted how compelling the statements were and stressed that these types of crimes have a significant impact on both children and their families.

Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson said, “Goodin betrayed two young victims and took advantage of the role he played in their lives. The victims in this case bravely spoke today about the impact of Goodin’s crimes. I am proud of them for coming forward to face this child predator.”

On April 27, 2021, Goodin pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a child under 12 in Indian Country.

In a child forensic interview, the girl described two incidents when Goodin sexually abused her on Oct. 5, 2019. The girl was afraid to tell her mother what was happening at the time because she feared Goodin would harm them. She later disclosed the abuse to her mother. At the time of the incidents, Goodin was an officer with Bristow Police Department. He has not been employed with the department since November 2019.

In a February 2021 superseding indictment, Goodin was charged with sexually abusing a total of three minors. He was also charged with being a felon in possession of 21 firearms. Goodin opted to plead guilty the day his trial was to begin.

The Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriff’s Office and FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and Matilda Villalobos are prosecuting the case. Ms. Villalobos is a prosecutor from the District of New Mexico. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/former-police-officer-sentenced-sexually-abusing-young-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Pekin Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempted Production of Child Pornography

PEORIA, Ill. – Sebastian Sale, 30, of Pekin, Illinois, was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison following his conviction for attempted production of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge James E. Shadid further ordered that Sale serve a lifetime term of supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence and register as a sex offender.

Sale, who pleaded guilty on April 8, 2021, admitted that he attempted to entice a person he believed to be a minor girl to film herself engaging in sexual conduct and to email the video to him.

In a separate but related case, Sale’s girlfriend, Rachel Miller, was sentenced on May 13, 2020, to serve 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child. Specifically, Miller had recorded a video of herself engaging in sexual activity with a prepubescent male, and Sale later distributed that video through the internet.

In imposing a sentence above the advisory sentencing guideline range of 180 to 210 months, Judge Shadid noted the “sad,” “vile,” “disgusting,” and “unimaginable” conduct in which Sale had engaged. Judge Shadid also observed that the defendant’s conduct was hard to distinguish from that of Miller.

Both Sale and Miller have remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since their arrests in March 2020.

“Hopefully, the sentence Judge Shadid imposed will serve as a warning to others who may be inclined to harm minors and will make them think twice,“ said Acting United States Attorney Doug Quivey. “They will be caught. Along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the United States Attorney’s Office remains firmly committed to the Project Safe Childhood initiative, and we will do everything we can to both prevent and vigorously prosecute crimes against children.”

Agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Washington, Ill., Police Department investigated the case. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss represented the government in the prosecution.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/pekin-man-sentenced-30-years-prison-attempted-production-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Orange County Man Once Affiliated with Youth Soccer League Indicted for Possessing, Distributing and Producing Child Pornography

SANTA ANA, California – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Huntington Beach man with child exploitation offenses, including the possession, distribution and production of child pornography, the Justice Department announced today.

Mark Phillip Oster, 61, who served as a referee and a coach in the American Youth Soccer Organization from 2015 through 2021, was named in a four-count indictment filed Wednesday. The indictment charges Oster with two counts of producing child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

Oster has been in federal custody since July 30, when FBI agents arrested him pursuant to a criminal complaint that charged him with possession of child pornography.

During this investigation, the FBI uncovered evidence indicating Oster engaged in illegal conduct with minor victims.

Anyone who has information regarding the case against Oster or who may know someone victimized by the defendant is requested to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565 or through the FBI online tip portal. Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Oster is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment in United States District Court in Santa Ana on September 7.

If he were to be convicted of the four counts in the indictment, Oster would face a statutory maximum sentence of 100 years in federal prison. Additionally, each count production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Beshai of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Trial Attorney Kyle Reynolds of the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/orange-county-man-once-affiliated-youth-soccer-league-indicted-possessing-distributing

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor After Traveling to Florida to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

Miami, Florida – A 56-year-old man living in Minnesota pled guilty today in federal district court in West Palm Beach to attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Richard Martin Lehner admitted that, over the course of three months, he communicated with an individual he thought was a 15-year-old girl on an online dating application. Lehner repeatedly communicated with her through text and voice message, sending sexually explicit messages in order to convince her to engage in sexual activities with him. He then booked a flight from Minnesota to Florida and booked a hotel room in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he believed the girl lived. When Lehner arrived in Florida, he purchased condoms and drove to a restaurant where he planned to meet the girl, to then take her to his hotel room for sex. Law enforcement officers arrested Lehner when he arrived at the restaurant.

Lehner pled guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Sentencing for Lehner is set for November 3, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks. Lehner faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison up to a maximum of life in prison.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, announced the guilty plea.

HSI Miami, West Palm Beach Office, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon O’Shea Darsch is prosecuting this case.

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.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 21-cr-80094.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/minnesota-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-enticement-minor-after-traveling-florida-engage

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charge

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Davenport man, Preston Andrew Cole, age 28, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 144 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Cole was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term as well as pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $3,000.00 in restitution.

According to court documents, a routine home contact was conducted by the United States Probation Office at Cole’s residence due to Cole being on federal supervision. The probation officer noticed a wi-fi router and multiple electronic devices with internet connectivity capabilities. Cole was interviewed and admitted to viewing child pornography on the devices and consuming alcohol – both violations of his supervised release. A forensic examination of the devices revealed multiple images of child pornography. On April 28, 2021, Cole admitted to the facts above and pleaded guilty to the charge. Cole had been previously convicted of receiving child pornography in May 2016 and was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment with 10 years of supervised release to follow. Due to the new charges, his supervised release was revoked, and he was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison. That term was ordered to be served consecutive to the 144 months’ imprisonment on the new charge.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Davenport Police Department investigated the case. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the

U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/davenport-man-sentenced-federal-prison-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Foxborough Teacher Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

BOSTON – A teacher at Foxborough High School was arrested today and charged in connection with possession of child pornography and receiving child pornography over the internet.

Thomas Davis, 41, of Mansfield, was charged with possession and receipt of child pornography. Following an initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy, Davis was detained pending a probable cause and detention hearing scheduled for Sept. 1, 2021.

According to the charging documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Davis’ residence today and seized a laptop belonging to Davis. An on-site examination of the device revealed approximately 40 images of child pornography on the defendant’s laptop, including images involving prepubescent minors under the age of 12-years-old.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Mansfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/foxborough-teacher-arrested-child-exploitation-charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Oklahoma City Man Charged with Child Pornography Crimes

FBI Seeks Public Help to Identify Potential Victims

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma City man has been arrested and charged with attempted receipt of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. GREG ALLEN HENKE, 40, was charged by criminal complaint on May 14, 2021, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. He was arrested and has been ordered detained in federal custody since May 14, 2021.

On June 1, 2021, an Indictment returned by a federal grand jury charged Mr. Henke with attempted receipt of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The Indictment alleges that on or about May 10, 2021, Mr. Henke knowingly attempted to receive child pornography using a means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce. The Indictment further alleges that, between April 1, 2021, and on or about May 13, 2021, Mr. Henke using a cell phone and the internet, knowingly attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.

The FBI is seeking to identify potential additional victims. Anyone with additional information to report about Greg Allen Henke can call the FBI at (405) 290-7770.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Oklahoma City Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is prosecuting the case.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to public records for more information.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/oklahoma-city-man-charged-child-pornography-crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Stockton Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking of a Child

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Angel Jesus Sanchez-Manriquez, 22, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking of a child, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between October and December 2020, Sanchez-Manriquez posted approximately 70 advertisements on a prostitution website, each of which contained images of a 16-year-old victim and advertised the victim’s availability to perform commercial sex acts for sex buyers. Sanchez-Manriquez paid for motel rooms in and around the Stockton area for that purpose. Following execution of search warrants, law enforcement agents determined that Sanchez-Manriquez also used his cellphone to record images and videos of his victim engaged in sexual acts with adults such as himself.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Fogerty and Sam Stefanki are prosecuting the case.

Sanchez-Manriquez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Dec. 2, 2021. Sanchez-Manriquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison (with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison), a $250,000 fine, and a lifetime term of supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/stockton-man-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking-child-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Rapid City Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography.

Tell Logan Cadotte, age 30, was indicted on July 22, 2021. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on August 11, 2021, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is a mandatory minimum of 15 up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to lifetime supervised release, and a $100 assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Cadotte sexually exploiting an underage female between January 2019 and January 2021, by producing images of child pornography. He remained in possession of the images thereafter. A search of Cadotte’s devices found that he knowingly received and possessed images depicting the minor involved in the sexually explicit conduct. The charges are merely an accusation and Cadotte is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Rapid City Police Department and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case.

Cadotte was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for October 19, 2021.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/rapid-city-man-indicted-sexual-exploitation-minor-0

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Former Music Teacher Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

LOS ANGELES – A former music teacher in Southern California who contracted with several schools to teach music to children was sentenced today to 183 months in federal prison for producing child pornography.

John Edward Zeretzke, 62, of Ventura, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin.

Zeretzke pleaded guilty in August 2020 to one count of production of child pornography. He previously pleaded guilty in Orange County Superior Court to six state counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts with minors under the age of 14 years old. He was sentenced in July 2020 in the state court case to 18 years in state prison, a sentence that will run concurrently with his federal prison sentence.

From December 2016 to February 2017, Zeretzke used a computer and the internet to communicate with a female minor and coerced her into producing child pornography. The victim did not live in California at the time.

“[Zeretzke] preyed on young, impoverished girls in Third World countries and used his Flutes Around the World program as a means to contact and sometimes take advantage of those girls,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

This case is a part of Project Safe Childhood, the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to combat the plague of child exploitation crimes.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Catharine A. Richmond of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-music-teacher-sentenced-more-15-years-federal-prison-production-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Rhode Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Registered Sex Offender Facing 10-20 Years Imprisonment on Child Pornography Charge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A registered sex offender investigated by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for possessing and distributing child pornography is facing between ten and twenty years in federal prison, having pled guilty today to possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

Thomas Andreozzi, 60, of North Providence, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on November 17, 2021.

At a hearing today in U.S. District Court, the government detailed three separate investigations into Andreozzi’s criminal activity involving child pornography since a previous conviction in Rhode Island state court in November 2014 for possessing child pornography.

According to information presented to the court, in May 2020, Homeland Security Investigations received information that an IP address, later identified by law enforcement as belonging to Andreozzi, was used to upload child pornography via a social media platform. Further investigation determined that Andreozzi used at least five different accounts on the application to view and upload child pornography. Andreozzi communicated to another person via the app that “I have lots of young stuff.” “I have little girls,” and “I have lots.”

Separately, in June 2020, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Massachusetts ICAC that an individual in Rhode Island uploaded 14 files of child pornography. Further investigation determined that the IP address used belonged to Thomas Andreozzi.

Additionally, the FBI and the Winnebago County, Wisconsin, Sherriff’s department investigated the sharing of child pornography via a social media platform on July 20, 2020. The user claimed to be a 30-year-old in California who was actively molesting a young female. The FBI traced the IP address that shared the child pornography to Andreozzi’s North Providence apartment.

A cell phone in Andreozzi’s hand during a court-authorized search of his residence at the time of his arrest in July 2020, was opened to an electronic media storage service. A Rhode Island ICAC analyst observed numerous files containing child pornography stored in Andreozzi’s storage account. Also located on the phone was the social media application and user account brought to the attention of the FBI and the Winnebago County Sherriff’s office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/registered-sex-offender-facing-10-20-years-imprisonment-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of New Mexico

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

MDC corrections officer in court for possession of child pornography

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Craig Barnish, 43, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court today facing a charge of possession of child pornography. Barnish will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Aug. 27.

According to a criminal complaint, in January of 2021, Barnish, a corrections officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center, allegedly participated in a group chat on the Kik social media app in which he allegedly commented on two videos depicting a nude child. Later that day in the same Kik group chat, Barnish allegedly uploaded a video depicting child pornography.

After Barnish was identified as the user participating in the Kik group chat, he allegedly possessed multiple video files on his cellphone depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Barnish faces up to 20 years in prison.

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office is investigating this case with assistance from the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case 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 the 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/mdc-corrections-officer-court-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

South Padre Island man heads to prison following the discovery of more than 22K pornographic images

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 68-year-old local man has been ordered to federal prison for receipt and possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Robert Andrew Riley pleaded guilty June 25, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. imposed a 168-month term of imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the amount of child pornography Riley possessed and further ordered he pay $78,000 in restitution to 26 victims. He must also serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term, during which time he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Riley will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

In January 2018, authorities initiated an investigation into child pornography sharing on the internet. This led them to Riley’s address on South Padre Island.

Law enforcement later executed a search at his residence and seized several electronic and digital devices. Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of 22,628 unique images and 6,097 unique videos of child pornography.

Riley has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations - Rio Grande Valley Child Exploitation Task Force conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/south-padre-island-man-heads-prison-following-discovery-more-22k-pornographic-images

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Former Ladysmith Teacher Charged with Producing Child Pornography

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that a complaint was filed today in U.S. District Court in Madison charging McKenzie W. Johnson, 34, of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, with producing child pornography.

The complaint alleges that Johnson produced the child pornography on January 13, 2021. At the time, Johnson was a teacher at the Ladysmith High School. The offense alleged in the complaint does not involve a victim from Wisconsin.

Johnson was arrested on August 24 and is currently in the Rusk County Jail. His initial appearance in federal court in Madison has not been scheduled.

If convicted, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison and is subject to a lifetime period of supervised release.

The charge against Johnson is the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Ladysmith Police Department, Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Ladysmith School District, and the Fontana (California) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/former-ladysmith-teacher-charged-producing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Tulsa ‘Peeping Tom’ Faces an Additional Sex Offense Charge

Defendant previously charged with burglary and sex offenses in a 5-count indictment filed in February

A Tulsa man who was scheduled to plead guilty Tuesday for a series of sex offenses and ‘Peeping Tom’ incidents now faces an additional sex offense charge, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. The plea hearing was delayed in light of the new charge.

Jesse Thomas Moore was newly charged by criminal complaint with coercion and enticement and today made an initial appearance in federal court.

While in federal custody, Moore is alleged to have routinely accessed the program “JailATM” by means of a stationary kiosk or portable smart pad in order to video chat or message with a minor female whom he referred to as his girlfriend. The defendant has been in custody awaiting prosecution for previously charged sex offenses.

The Complaint outlines more than ten conversations between the defendant and minor that occurred from Aug. 1, 2021, to Aug. 19, 2021. During the conversations, Moore repeatedly pressured the minor for sexually explicit video and images of herself or tried to coerce the minor to engage in sexually explicit behavior while the two video chatted. The minor attempted to send some pre-recorded videos. Moore received at least one video while others were auto rejected by the system. Moore repeatedly told the minor to figure out how to send the videos differently, like she did before, so they would not be rejected. During one video chat, Moore was able to convince the minor to engage in sexually explicit behavior.

Moore was previously indicted for other sex crimes in February 2021, including lewd acts with a child under 16 in Indian Country (Count 1); burglary in the first degree in Indian Country (Counts 2, 3, 5); and attempted sexual abuse by threat in Indian Country (Count 4).

Court documents alleged that Moore broke into a home on May 6, 2020, and ejaculated on and near the victim who was younger than 16 years of age. Moore also allegedly broke into a different residence through a back door on Nov. 8, 2020. When Moore entered the home, he was confronted by a 12-year-old who yelled for his mother. Moore then exited the residence. On Dec. 13, 2020, the defendant also attempted to sexually assault a female victim after he broke into her residence. Moore entered the victim’s room and demanded she “get the fk up and don’t say anything or I’ll fking kill you.” Then he led the victim to the living room where he allegedly covered her mouth and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim bit Moore’s hand and screamed. Moore then exited the residence.

The crimes occurred following multiple Peeping Tom incidents conducted by Moore.

This matter will proceed in U.S. District Court in Tulsa, where the Complaint is currently pending. A Complaint is a temporary charge alleging a violation of law. For the case to proceed to trial, the United States must present the charge to a federal Grand Jury within 30 days. Once a Grand Jury returns an Indictment, a defendant has a right to a jury trial at which the United States would have the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick is prosecuting the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/tulsa-peeping-tom-faces-additional-sex-offense-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Rogers County Woman Sentenced for Production of Child Pornography

A Rogers County woman was sentenced today in federal court for producing child pornography involving her young child, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Brittney Jo Wallace, 29, of Claremore, to 25 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

“Brittney Wallace will spend the next 25 years in federal prison for taking sexually explicit photographs of her own child,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Thanks to the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tilli Villalobos and Chris Nassar along with detectives and agents with OSBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Tulsa’s Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation Task Force this child predator is behind bars.”

“We believe in giving a voice to the voiceless,” said Ricky Adams, Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. “The child involved in this case was just a toddler. Our ICAC Agents worked diligently, along with our other partners involved in this investigation, to give that child a voice. We are proud to have substantially contributed to the effort to get this predator off the street and to ensure justice is served.”

On April 28, 2021, Wallace pleaded guilty to production of child pornography by a parent. Wallace admitted that she had the toddler touch her in a sexually explicit manner while she took photos using her cell phone on Sept. 26, 2015.

In 2016, Wallace’s children were taken from the home after a doctor found signs of severe child abuse. The defendant’s parental rights were later terminated. During the 2016 investigation conducted by the state of Oklahoma, authorities seized the defendant’s phone which was later suppressed. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals later found the seizure and subsequent search of her phone were proper, and the phone was turned over to investigators. When authorities conducted a forensic examination of the phone, they discovered the child pornography.

On March 1, 2021, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Wallace on a federal arrest warrant. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, and Claremore Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matilda M. Villalobos and Christopher J. Nassar are prosecuting the case. AUSA Villalobos is a prosecutor from the District of New Mexico. She volunteered to assist prosecution efforts here in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to increased jurisdictional responsibilities regarding crimes involving Native American victims or defendants and that occur within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Cherokee Nation Reservations.

You can find the indictment press release here.

If you suspect a child is being sexually exploited, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children immediately at 1-800-THE-LOST or cybertipline.org. You can also contact the OSBI ICAC Unit at (800) 522-8017 or tips@osbi.ok.gov.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/rogers-county-woman-sentenced-production-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Oklahoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Jimcy McGirt Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jimcy McGirt, age 72, of Holdenville, Oklahoma was sentenced to life imprisonment and five years supervised release for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse In Indian Country, and one count of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1151, 1153, 2241(c) and 2246(2). The life sentences on each count were ordered to run concurrently.

In 1997, Jimcy McGirt was tried and convicted of First Degree Rape by Instrumentation, Lewd Molestation, and Forcible Sodomy in the District Court of Wagoner County. While serving two 500 year sentences and a sentence of life without parole in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, McGirt, an Indian, challenged his conviction, arguing the crimes occurred in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation and Congress had never disestablished the reservation, therefore, the State of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction to prosecute him. On July 9, 2020, the United States Supreme Court agreed with McGirt and vacated his state convictions.

McGirt was subsequently charged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Last November, McGirt was convicted by a federal jury after evidence was presented proving the defendant sexually assaulted a four-year-old child. The victim, who is now in her late twenties, testified the defendant touched and penetrated her genital opening, made contact with her vulva with his mouth, and caused her to touch his penis with her hand with the intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desires.

“The sentences imposed today are the culmination of many hours of investigation, case preparation, legal research and case presentation by Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Courtney Jordan,” said Acting United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Through tremendous cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, our office was able to help provide justice for the victim. We are elated Judge Heil followed the government’s recommendation and sentenced the defendant to a term of life imprisonment, which was above the advisory sentencing guideline range of 210-262 months. Today’s non-paroleable sentence will ensure the defendant is never be able to victimize another child.”

"While Jimcy McGirt's abhorrent crimes devastated and traumatized his community for years, the incredible bravery of his victims ultimately secured today's sentence," said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Melissa Godbold. "Because of their courage, Mr. McGirt will never again harm a child. FBI investigators were proud to partner with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma on this landmark case."

The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the sentencing hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Courtney Jordan represented the United States. McGirt was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await commitment to a United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edok/pr/jimcy-mcgirt-sentenced-life-imprisonment

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Pittsburgh Man Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Distribution and Attempted Distribution of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

The four-count Indictment named Wayne Edward McNutt, age 56, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from February 25, 2021 until July 26, 2021, McNutt used the Internet and a cellular telephone to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity. The Indictment further alleges that on March 11, 2021 and March 16, 2021, McNutt knowingly distributed images and video files that depicted minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The Indictment also alleges that on July 26, 2021, McNutt knowingly possessed depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct in computer images and video files.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and not more than life in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the FBI Albany Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, and the FBI Albany Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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, 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-charged-child-sexual-exploitation-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Clinton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charge

DAVENPORT, IOWA – A Clinton man, Ray Daytrel Hopkins, age 45, was sentenced on August 24, 2021, by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose to 120 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. Hopkins was ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release to follow his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund and $6,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, Hopkins was identified by law enforcement when an SD card from a camera belonging to Hopkins was turned over to the Clinton Police Department. Upon reviewing the SD card’s contents, law enforcement uncovered multiple videos of nude minor females. Law enforcement then executed a valid search warrant at Hopkins’s residence and seized additional electronic devices. On Hopkins’s cell phone, law enforcement located additional sexually explicit images of minor females. Hopkins pleaded guilty to the charge on April 9, 2021, admitting to knowingly possessing these visual depictions.

Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Clinton Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/clinton-man-sentenced-federal-prison-child-pornography-charge

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Michigan Man Charged with Traveling Across State Lines Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Child

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert Hardin, age 75, of Michigan, was charged today with interstate travel with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The criminal complaint alleges that during July and August 2021, Hardin communicated through a social media application with an undercover officer posing as a mother who was willing to make her 10-year-old daughter available for a sexual encounter. It further alleges that on August 24, 2021 Hardin drove from his home in Michigan to a location near Binghamton, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual conduct with the child. Upon his arrival at the location, Hardin was arrested. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Hardin appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and was ordered detained pending a hearing on August 27.

If convicted of this offense, Hardin faces up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Hardin would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force. This task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/michigan-man-charged-traveling-across-state-lines-intending-engage-sexual-conduct-child

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Grand Prairie Man Convicted of Trafficking Teenage Girl

A Grand Prairie man was convicted yesterday of trafficking a 16-year-old girl, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.

After a two-day trial, a federal jury in Dallas on Tuesday convicted 37-year-old Howard Sandford Williams of sex trafficking of a child.

“This defendant exploited a vulnerable teenager he found online,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “Far too often, traffickers target struggling women and girls, claiming that they can help. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI are committed to fighting the scourge of trafficking, and to getting justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”

According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Williams first contacted 16-year-old Jane Doe through Tagged, a dating app, after he viewed a live video of her venting about conflict within her family.

Mr. Williams checked Jane Doe into a hotel room in Irving, where he provided her with drugs and alcohol, had sex with her, and took photographs of her. He then posted those photographs online in commercial sex advertisements. Through the advertisements, Mr. Williams arranged for adult customers to go to Jane Doe’s hotel room for commercial sex; he also drove Jane Doe to adult customers for commercial sex.

Mr. Williams now faces up to life in federal prison.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Irving Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Hammond and John de la Garza are prosecuting the case. U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle presided over the trial.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/grand-prairie-man-convicted-trafficking-teenage-girl

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Box Elder Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Sex Crimes

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Box Elder, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet was sentenced on August 17, 2021, by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Judge.

Adam Ryan Swift, age 32, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and life in prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentences are to run concurrently. Swift was also ordered to pay $24,700 in restitution and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Swift was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 11, 2020. He pleaded guilty on April 9, 2021. The conviction stems from Swift communicating with the parent of a 9- year-old girl in New York state, who was in fact an undercover agent, with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the minor female. The undercover agent in New York prepared a report and sent to local law enforcement, who were able to identify Swift. Local law enforcement then contacted Swift, posing as the parent of a 5-year-old girl and arranged a time to meet, again with the purpose of Swift engaging in sexual activity with the minor. The meeting took place and Swift was arrested. Forensics of Swift’s devices and accounts revealed he produced images of child pornography with a 4-year-old male, as well as downloaded child pornography off the internet.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Swift was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/box-elder-man-sentenced-life-federal-prison-sex-crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Former Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced To 35 Years In Federal Prison For Sexually Exploiting Children

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Travis Ryan Pritchard (38, Green Cove Springs) to 35 years in federal prison for producing an image of a 15-year-old child being sexually abused and one count of possessing an image of a prepubescent child being sexually abused. Pritchard was also ordered to serve a lifetime term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. Pritchard had pleaded guilty on October 21, 2020.

According to court documents, Pritchard was employed as a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, assigned to the DUI unit, at the time of the offenses. From December 2019 through May 2, 2020, Pritchard used a popular online chat application (app) to communicate with a 15-year-old girl whom he had sexually abused on a weekly basis. On April 29, 2020, an undercover detective from the Green Cove Springs Police Department assumed the child’s online identity and continued chatting with Pritchard using the online chat app. Late in the night of May 1, 2020, and into the early morning hours of the next day, Pritchard encouraged the “child” to sneak out of her home to meet with him for a “quickie.” In anticipation of their meeting, he sent the “child” a photograph of himself from the waist down, wearing only boxer shorts. At approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 2, 2020, Pritchard arrived near the child’s home to pick her up in his patrol vehicle, and sent the “child” a message saying, “I’m here.” A short time later, Pritchard was arrested by officers from the Green Cove Springs Police Department.

A forensic review of Pritchard’s cellular telephone revealed many conversations between the child and Pritchard, as well as an encrypted digital folder containing numerous visual depictions of child sexual abuse. This included an image of the sexual abuse of the 15-year-old produced at the direction of Pritchard, as well as an image of the rape of a prepubescent female child.

“All child sexual abuse is appalling, but when this crime is committed by someone in a position of trust, it is beyond comprehension,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Thanks to our HSI special agents and our local law enforcement partners, this perpetrator will no longer be in a position to harm children.”

“The Green Cove Springs Police Department is committed to serving our community and protecting our citizens against all evil, even when that evil comes hiding behind a badge,” said Commander John Guzman. “As a law enforcement officer, Mr. Pritchard betrayed those who trusted him the most and now he will have to pay for his crimes.”

This case was investigated by the Green Cove Springs Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Karase.

This is another case 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, 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-clay-county-sheriff-s-deputy-sentenced-35-years-federal-prison-sexually

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Operation False Haven: Convicted Kidnapper and Child Molester Sentenced for Naturalization Fraud and Criminally Denaturalized

RALEIGH, N.C. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced that today, in federal court, Zaw Lin Lay, age 43, a naturalized citizen of the United States, born in Burma, residing in Craven County, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle to 7 months imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release following a guilty plea to naturalization fraud. Moreover, Lay was criminally denaturalized as a United States citizen.

According to court records, on February 17, 2017, Lay fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship by making a false statement under oath regarding his naturalization application. In response to the question “Have you ever committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?” he answered “No.”

On July 17, 2018, in the Superior Court of North Carolina in Craven County, Lay was convicted of six counts of indecent liberties with a child and one count of kidnapping. Lay received an aggravated sentence of more than 16 years because the offences were committed over an extended period between October 1, 2016, and February 17, 2017, while Lay was in a position of trust with the victim. Lay was not arrested until after he naturalized, thus immigration officials were unaware of his crimes.

“Lying is never a good thing but lying on an official document about not committing horrific, when you know you did, crimes is a surefire way to get yourself in serious trouble. This defendant is now seeing the consequences of his actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Special Agent in Charge Ronnie Martinez, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in North Carolina and South Carolina. “Whether it is protecting the integrity of our immigration system or finding and arresting predators, HSI adeptly handles multiple missions to protect this nation.”

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. Agents with ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations, assigned to the Document Benefit Fraud Task Force, investigated the case as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing initiative purpose-built to aggressively identify and prosecute child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-cr-00028-1BO(4).

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/operation-false-haven-convicted-kidnapper-and-child-molester-sentenced-naturalization

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Man Sentenced for Large Collection of Child Pornography

NEW BERN, N.C. – A Cary man was sentenced on Wednesday to 100 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for receipt of child pornography. On July 8, 2020, Christopher Mark Wilson pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Wilson, 66, was found in possession of over one million images and videos of child pornography. The investigation showed that Wilson was a prolific collector, using computers to receive and collect the images and videos over 17 years.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Cary Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, with the assistance of the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children, Ellington Digital Forensics, and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parris prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-cr-00529-FL.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/man-sentenced-large-collection-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Jury Convicts Chesapeake Man of Child Pornography Offenses

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Chesapeake man yesterday on charges of attempted receipt of child pornography and access with intent to view child pornography.

“The jury’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for his inexplicable decision to engage in this serious conduct while on supervised release and notwithstanding his prior federal conviction involving the receipt of child pornography,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our Office expresses its gratitude to the trial team and the FBI for their thorough investigative efforts, which helped secure this conviction.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in 2011 in the Eastern District of Virginia, Curtis Culbertson, 63, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and was sentenced to 90 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. While on supervised release in 2017, Culbertson began living and working in Chesapeake. Within days of starting his job, Culbertson began using an unmonitored work computer to search for and access with intent to view child sexual abuse material.

Culbertson faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison when sentenced on January 6, 2022. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar accepted the verdict.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Yusi and Megan Montoya are prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Norfolk Child Exploitation Task Force, which is composed of FBI agents and detectives from the Chesapeake Police Department, Hampton Police Division, and Newport News Police Department. Assistance in this matter was also provided by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children. Tips regarding child exploitation can be provided to the task force at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.

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. 2:20-cr-97.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/jury-convicts-chesapeake-man-child-pornography-offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Former Airline Pilot from Kenosha County Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on August 24, 2021, Devery Moses (age:29), a former airline pilot from Kenosha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Lynn Adelman.

According to court records, Moses engaged in online “sextortion” with several underage girls from across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Some of the victims were as young as twelve years old. Filings indicate that after Moses received sexually explicit photographs and videos from his victims, he threatened to expose them on social media if they did not comply with his demand for increasingly outrageous and outlandish sexual acts.

Filings in the case reveal that many of the victims suffered significant, ongoing emotional trauma from his actions, including one victim reporting serious suicidal thoughts.

This successful prosecution of this case was the result of the extraordinary efforts of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Milwaukee Division, and the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan J. Paulson and Abbey Marzick.

Moses’s federal sentence will run concurrently with a -year sentence previously imposed for a state conviction for possession of child pornography.

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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/former-airline-pilot-kenosha-county-sentenced-15-years-federal-prison-attempted-sexual

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Former Jacksonville Second Grade Teacher Pleads Guilty To Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Videos Using Social Media App

Jacksonville, Florida – Thomas Lester Hazouri, Jr. (41, Jacksonville) today

pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse videos over the internet using a social media messaging application (app). He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, and up to 20 years, in federal prison and a potential life term of supervised release. Hazouri’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. Hazouri has been detained since his arrest on September 4, 2020.

According to court documents, a company that owns and hosts a particular online social media messaging app notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that on March 26, 2020, one of its users, who was later identified as Thomas Lester Hazouri, Jr., had uploaded and distributed four videos depicting children being sexually abused to several users in a public chat room. Further investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) traced the internet protocol address used to distribute these videos to Hazouri’s residence in Jacksonville Beach. At that time, Hazouri was employed as a second grade teacher at Mayport Elementary School in Jacksonville.

JSO obtained search warrants for the social messaging app account for user “mybfsgaynotme” as well as for another email account used by Hazouri. Hazouri’s “mybfsgaynotme” account contained 19 images and 45 videos depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Hazouri’s email account contained several photos depicting child erotica. On August 6, 2020, JSO detectives and other personnel executed a search warrant at Hazouri’s residence and seized Hazouri’s iPhone and two laptop computers. Forensic examination of the iPhone revealed that it contained 123 images and three videos depicting child sexual abuse. The three videos on Hazouri’s iPhone appeared to depict the same content as three of the videos distributed by Hazouri using the app on March 26, 2020. Hazouri was subsequently arrested.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Duval County School Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

This is another case 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, 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-jacksonville-second-grade-teacher-pleads-guilty-distributing-child-sexual-abuse

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Former Preschool Teacher Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography

A former preschool teacher pleaded guilty today to purchasing sexually explicit images of children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.

Jason Sherod Baldwin, 29, was charged via criminal complaint in July 2020 and indicted less than a month later. He pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of receipt of child pornography.

In plea papers, Mr. Baldwin, a former teacher at Dallas’ Hockaday School, admitted that he used Kik, an encrypted messaging app popular among teenagers, to purchase links to child pornography from another Kik user. In chats, Mr. Baldwin requested “mainly preteen boy-on-boy vid[eo]s.”

According to court documents, the investigation into Mr. Baldwin began after FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at the home of a convicted sex offender in Philadelphia. A search of the offender’s phone revealed that he routinely used Kik to solicit payment for links child pornography. One of the accounts with which the offender communicated traced back to Mr. Baldwin.

On Oct. 29, Mr. Baldwin messaged the sex offender about purchasing child pornography. The offender shared a link to a “preview” folder and indicated the complete file set would cost $27. Mr. Baldwin sent the money through PayPal and received links to the files a few minutes later.

The investigation showed that Mr. Baldwin purchased child pornography from the offender several times over the ensuing months, on Nov. 11 ($13 for two videos of minor males), Dec. 8 ($10 for a video and more than 100 images), Dec. 18 ($12 for two videos), and Jan. 21 ($31 for seven videos).

In an interview with law enforcement after he was arrested, Mr. Baldwin admitted that he’d used Kik to purchase sexually explicit images of children. He said he had hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos of children stored on his cell phones, and that he had been viewing child porn for approximately eight years.

He now faces between five and 20 years in federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau’s Philadelphia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Dana prosecuted the case.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/former-preschool-teacher-pleads-guilty-receipt-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Browning man admits aggravated sexual abuse crimes

GREAT FALLS – A Browning man accused of sexually abusing two children on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Jonathan Cadotte, 60, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with aggravated sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Cadotte faces a maximum of life in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris set sentencing for Dec. 8. Cadotte was detained pending further proceedings.

The government alleged in court documents that from about September 2019 to September 2020 in the Browning area on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Cadotte engaged in a sexual act by force against a victim, identified as Jane Doe 1, and that from 1993 to about 1998, also in the Browning area, Cadotte engaged in a sexual act with a victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, who had not yet reached 12 years of age.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/browning-man-admits-aggravated-sexual-abuse-crimes

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Minnesota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Inver Grove Heights Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

ST. PAUL, Minn. – An Inver Grove Heights man was sentenced today to 180 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for producing sexually explicit images of a minor.

According to court documents, Antonio Eric Torres Maldonado, 34, admitted to sexually abusing a minor over a multiple year period. During this time, Maldonado used his cell phone to take sexually explicit photographs of the minor.

On April 21, 2021, Maldonado pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. Maldonado was also charged and convicted in Dakota County of first degree criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to 172 months in prison, which will be served concurrent to the federal sentence.

Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk for the District of Minnesota made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson sentenced the defendant.

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, 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.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Lakeville Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela M. Munoz.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/inver-grove-heights-man-sentenced-180-months-prison-producing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Carroll County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Possession of Child Pornography

Curtis Posed Online as the Mother of an Infant or Toddler and Discussed and Distributed Images of the Sexual Abuse of His Purported Children

Baltimore, Maryland – Matthew Curtis, age 24, of Hampstead, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charge of possession of child pornography. In September 2017, Curtis was convicted of possession of child pornography in the Circuit Court of Carroll County, Maryland and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison and three years’ probation.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner; Special Agent in Charge James R. Mancuso of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees, and Frederick County Sheriff Charles A. “Chuck” Jenkins.

According to Curtis’ guilty plea, from November 2019 through May 28, 2020, while on state probation for his conviction for possession of child pornography, Curtis downloaded, possessed and distributed child pornography. Specifically, Curtis used an internet-based messaging application to repeatedly share and distribute depictions of prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The investigation revealed that within messaging chatrooms, Curtis frequently posed as the mother of an infant or toddler and discussed the sexual abuse of his purported children. Curtis also distributed images documenting the sexual abuse of what he claimed were his children. In some instances, Curtis and other online users frequently discussed their sexual abuse of children and their desire to abuse Curtis’s purported children.

As stated in the plea agreement, on March 5, 2020, a cloud-based storage provider sent a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reporting that a user had uploaded 22 files of suspected child pornography. The IP address used to login to the cloud-based application was assigned to Curtis’s Hampstead residence and the email address was an address used by Curtis.

On May 28, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Curtis’s residence and seized electronic devices, including two cell phones. A forensic review of Curtis’s cell phones revealed a total of 429 images and 129 videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent minors and sado-masochistic conduct.

As stated in his plea agreement, upon his release from prison, Curtis must continue to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Curtis and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the guilty plea, Curtis will be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for October 22, 2021.

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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner commended HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/carroll-county-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-federal-charge-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23, 2021

Union City Man Sentenced to 4 Years for a Child Exploitation Offense

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 4 years in jail and 10 years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Matthew Swanson, 30, of Union City, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, in and around August 2020, Swanson possessed computer images depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Swanson came to the attention of law enforcement after Kik reported that a Kik user was engaged in child exploitation activity. That user was ultimately determined to be Swanson, who confessed to the FBI that he had been downloading child sexual abuse material for years and had recently used Kik to obtain illegal material.

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.

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

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Swanson.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/union-city-man-sentenced-4-years-child-exploitation-offense

there is a very sad theme that's

becoming apparent as we watch the

disaster

of the biden presidency unfold

biden's come on in policy has led to an

unprecedented number of deaths of people

trying to cross our southern deserts in

blistering heat

the open border has also led to a flood

of fentanyl in our streets which has

deadly consequences

the democrats support of keeping schools

closed is revealing

while they try to portray republicans as

uncaring for wanting to return to

in-person learning they certainly do not

follow the science on how the virus

affects young people

they don't care how far they are behind

academically they don't care how much

knowledge our young people have lost

they really don't care how much ground

china and our other enemies are gaining

as these democrat leaders urge worship

of the woke

revolution over over learning

the left also ignores the tragic death

toll of skyrocketing youth suicides

during the school shutdowns

much higher than the impact of the virus

on our kids

but perhaps we should not be surprised

one of the first executive orders signed

by biden was to reverse policies that

prevented our government from supporting

abortion providers

when your heart is hardened toward the

most vulnerable in our society the

preborn

your heart is hardened indeed

but now now we see that this callous

attitude toward life comes directly from

the top

there was a dignified transfer ceremony

at dover air force base

a transfer of the flag-draped coffins

holding the remains of our 13 troops who

were needlessly killed in afghanistan

while the world was honoring these

fallen heroes a messed up joe biden

thought it was okay to just glance at

his watch

five times

somewhere more important to be joe

these brave americans all volunteers

died because of his complete lack of

planning on the afghanistan withdrawal

they gave their all but apparently joe

biden cannot give them the time of day

america deserves a leader a

commander-in-chief who cares about those

he sends into harm's way sadly

that is not what we have today

here at the republican party of arizona

we are praying for our nation remember

it is always america first here

god bless our troops and their families

Department Of Justice Reaches Million-Dollar Settlement With Van Andel Research Institute To Resolve Allegations Of Undisclosed Foreign Ties To Nih Grants

Second Settlement With VARI Brings Total Settlement Proceeds To $6.6 Million As NIH Imposes Specific Award Conditions On All VARI Grants

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced today that Van Andel Research Institute (“VARI” or the “Institute”) has agreed to pay $1.1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to disclose a foreign component of a National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) award and by failing to disclose foreign research support for two VARI researchers who served as principal investigators on NIH awards. In addition to this settlement—the second settlement with VARI in two years involving allegations of undisclosed foreign influence in federally-sponsored research—NIH imposed Specific Award Conditions on all of VARI’s NIH grants, including by requiring personal, executive-level certifications to the accuracy of NIH submissions, withdrawing certain of VARI’s expanded grant authorities, and removing all of VARI’s NIH grants from the Streamlined Non-Competing Award Process (“SNAP”).

“Full disclosure is essential not only in validating scientific research, but also in the intense competition for scientific funding from the federal government,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said. “NIH’s application process is intended to yield information that is critical to the agency’s responsible stewardship of billions of taxpayer dollars. My office will continue to use every available tool to preserve the integrity of that process. The research community should recognize that these cases are not going away.”

“The government’s allegations in this case should remind research institutions of the potential consequences for failing to adequately investigate ‘red flags’ concerning researchers’ relationships and affiliations,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge of HHS-OIG’s Chicago Region. “HHS-OIG will continue to hold grantees accountable, and protect the government’s investment of taxpayer resources, regardless of the length or complexity of the investigation.”

NIH requires grant recipients to disclose and obtain prior agency approval if a significant scientific element or segment of an NIH-funded project will be performed outside of the United States (a “Foreign Component”). Foreign Components can include collaborations with foreign researchers who perform experiments in support of an NIH grant, regardless of whether those foreign researchers receive any of the NIH funding. NIH also requires grant recipients to disclose “Other Support,” defined as all resources made available to researchers in support of and/or related to all of their research endeavors, regardless of whether such resources have monetary value. Other Support includes high-value materials that are not freely available (biologics, e.g.) and selection to foreign talent recruitment programs.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2021_0901_van_andel_research_institute_settlement

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/immigration-and-customs-enforcement-officer-charged-receiving-bribe

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/escondido-man-sentenced-168-months-fentanyl-overdose-death-camp-pendleton-marine

my office released a report on the Drug Enforcement Administration,

or DEA’s, oversight of supported foreign law enforcement units.

The DEA relies on these units to target and disrupt transnational drug trafficking

organizations, conduct bilateral operations, and coordinate judicial wire intercept programs.

We found that DEA headquarters’ management and oversight of its supported foreign law enforcement

units are insufficient for the high-risk environment in which these units operate.

Specifically, there are significant risks in funding foreign law enforcement units and

sharing sensitive investigative information in locales with histories of pervasive corruption.

Indeed, historically, there have been a series critical incidents with a connection to DEA

supported foreign law enforcement units, including bribery, the use of deadly force, and solicitation

of prostitutes. Despite these events, DEA has not sufficiently assessed or augmented its oversight

of these units. We believe that DEA should ensure it’s taking reasonable and necessary actions—both

program-wide and locally—to identify areas of improvement. However, we found DEA’s response

to these incidents was not always timely and did not result in DEA comprehensively reviewing

or augmenting its oversight to mitigate the risk of similar incidents occurring in the future.

We also found that there are some foreign law enforcement units

that DEA works with and funds that operate with limited accountability

and oversight and outside the scope of formal programs.

We make 10 recommendations to help DEA improve its management

and oversight of this important program.

To read our report, please visit our website oig.justice.gov, or go to oversight.gov.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/restaurant-owner-managers-among-19-charged-rico-indictment

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/kc-man-pleads-guilty-shooting-female-z-trip-driver-26-times-during-robbery

Gloucester County Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/gloucester-county-man-charged-possession-child-pornography

Chicago Area Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Advertise and Distribute Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/chicago-area-man-sentenced-15-years-prison-conspiracy-advertise-and-distribute-child

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation Offenses Involving a Ten-Year-Old Victim

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/defendant-pleads-guilty-sexual-exploitation-offenses-involving-ten-year-old-victim

Mexican National Who Attempted to Eat Memory Cards Containing Child Pornography Sentenced to 12 Years

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/mexican-national-who-attempted-eat-memory-cards-containing-child-pornography-sentenced

Federal Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Exploitation Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/federal-defendant-sentenced-15-years-child-exploitation-offenses

Military spouse pleads guilty to molesting child on two different military installations

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/military-spouse-pleads-guilty-molesting-child-two-different-military-installations

Grayson County Pastor Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Violations

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/grayson-county-pastor-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison-child-pornography-violations

Dallas County Man Sentenced for Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/dallas-county-man-sentenced-attempting-meet-minor-sex

Collin County Man Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/collin-county-man-sentenced-distributing-child-pornography

Union City Man Sentenced to 4 Years for a Child Exploitation Offense

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/union-city-man-sentenced-4-years-child-exploitation-offense

Wesson Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/wesson-man-sentenced-seven-years-prison-possession-child-pornography

Federal Grand Jury B Indictments Announced- August

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/federal-grand-jury-b-indictments-announced-august

Carroll County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/carroll-county-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-federal-charge-possession-child-pornography

Inver Grove Heights Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/inver-grove-heights-man-sentenced-180-months-prison-producing-child-pornography

Browning man admits aggravated sexual abuse crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/browning-man-admits-aggravated-sexual-abuse-crimes

Former Preschool Teacher Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/former-preschool-teacher-pleads-guilty-receipt-child-pornography

Former Jacksonville Second Grade Teacher Pleads Guilty To Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Videos Using Social Media App

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-jacksonville-second-grade-teacher-pleads-guilty-distributing-child-sexual-abuse

Former Airline Pilot from Kenosha County Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/former-airline-pilot-kenosha-county-sentenced-15-years-federal-prison-attempted-sexual

Man Sentenced for Large Collection of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/man-sentenced-large-collection-child-pornography

Operation False Haven: Convicted Kidnapper and Child Molester Sentenced for Naturalization Fraud and Criminally Denaturalized

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/operation-false-haven-convicted-kidnapper-and-child-molester-sentenced-naturalization

Former Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced To 35 Years In Federal Prison For Sexually Exploiting Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/former-clay-county-sheriff-s-deputy-sentenced-35-years-federal-prison-sexually

Jury Convicts Chesapeake Man of Child Pornography Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/jury-convicts-chesapeake-man-child-pornography-offenses

Box Elder Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Sex Crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/box-elder-man-sentenced-life-federal-prison-sex-crimes

Grand Prairie Man Convicted of Trafficking Teenage Girl

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/grand-prairie-man-convicted-trafficking-teenage-girl

Michigan Man Charged with Traveling Across State Lines Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/michigan-man-charged-traveling-across-state-lines-intending-engage-sexual-conduct-child

Clinton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/clinton-man-sentenced-federal-prison-child-pornography-charge

Pittsburgh Man Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-charged-child-sexual-exploitation-offenses

Jimcy McGirt Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edok/pr/jimcy-mcgirt-sentenced-life-imprisonment

Rogers County Woman Sentenced for Production of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/rogers-county-woman-sentenced-production-child-pornography

Tulsa ‘Peeping Tom’ Faces an Additional Sex Offense Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/tulsa-peeping-tom-faces-additional-sex-offense-charge

Former Ladysmith Teacher Charged with Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/former-ladysmith-teacher-charged-producing-child-pornography

South Padre Island man heads to prison following the discovery of more than 22K pornographic images

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/south-padre-island-man-heads-prison-following-discovery-more-22k-pornographic-images

MDC corrections officer in court for possession of child pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/mdc-corrections-officer-court-possession-child-pornography

Registered Sex Offender Facing 10-20 Years Imprisonment on Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/registered-sex-offender-facing-10-20-years-imprisonment-child-pornography-charge

Former Music Teacher Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-music-teacher-sentenced-more-15-years-federal-prison-production-child

Rapid City Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/rapid-city-man-indicted-sexual-exploitation-minor-0

Stockton Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking of a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/stockton-man-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking-child-0

Oklahoma City Man Charged with Child Pornography Crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/oklahoma-city-man-charged-child-pornography-crimes

Foxborough Teacher Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/foxborough-teacher-arrested-child-exploitation-charges

Jury Convicts Recidivist Defendant of Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/jury-convicts-recidivist-defendant-possessing-child-pornography

Davenport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/davenport-man-sentenced-federal-prison-child-pornography-charge

Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor After Traveling to Florida to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/minnesota-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-enticement-minor-after-traveling-florida-engage

Orange County Man Once Affiliated with Youth Soccer League Indicted for Possessing, Distributing and Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/orange-county-man-once-affiliated-youth-soccer-league-indicted-possessing-distributing

Pekin Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempted Production of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/pekin-man-sentenced-30-years-prison-attempted-production-child-pornography

Collinsville Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison After Caught with Child Pornography Depicting the Rape and Murder of Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/collinsville-man-sentenced-14-years-prison-after-caught-child-pornography-depicting-0

Former Police Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing a Young Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/former-police-officer-sentenced-sexually-abusing-young-child

Cortland County Woman Sentenced to 45 Years for Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/cortland-county-woman-sentenced-45-years-child-sexual-exploitation-crimes

Walton County Man Faces Federal Indictment For Participation In Nationwide Child Exploitation Enterprise

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/walton-county-man-faces-federal-indictment-participation-nationwide-child-exploitation

Jury Convicts Recidivist Defendant of Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-recidivist-defendant-possessing-child-pornography

Informational: Federal Court arraignments

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/informational-federal-court-arraignments-141

Former Priest and ‘Shelter Home’ Operator Indicted for Illicit Sexual Conduct Against Minors

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-priest-and-shelter-home-operator-indicted-illicit-sexual-conduct-against-minors

Retired Crane Navel Employee Charged with Possessing Stolen U.S. Government Property and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/retired-crane-navel-employee-charged-possessing-stolen-us-government-property-and

Gloversville Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Child Pornography Crimes

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/gloversville-man-sentenced-180-months-child-pornography-crimes

Albany County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/albany-county-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-and-possession-child-pornography

Panama child pornography investigation leads to sentencing of young man

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/panama-child-pornography-investigation-leads-sentencing-young-man

Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Seeking Sex with Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/massachusetts-man-sentenced-33-months-seeking-sex-minor

Dennis Port Man Sentenced for Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dennis-port-man-sentenced-receiving-and-possessing-child-pornography

Operation False Haven: Convicted Child Rapist Sentenced for Passport Fraud, Civilly Denaturalized and Judicially Ordered Removed from the United States

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/operation-false-haven-convicted-child-rapist-sentenced-passport-fraud-civilly

Florida Man Who “Tweeted” Child Sexual Abuse Images Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/florida-man-who-tweeted-child-sexual-abuse-images-sentenced-five-years-federal-prison

Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/lewiston-man-pleads-guilty-possessing-child-pornography

Sussex County Woman Charged with Producing, Distributing, and Advertising Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/sussex-county-woman-charged-producing-distributing-and-advertising-child-pornography

Marshall County Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse of Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/marshall-county-man-sentenced-78-months-federal-prison-sexual-abuse-child

Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/rapid-city-man-sentenced-federal-prison-receiving-child-pornography

Cincinnati man sentenced to 20 years in prison for creating child pornography of minor in his care at sleepover

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/cincinnati-man-sentenced-20-years-prison-creating-child-pornography-minor-his-care

North Las Vegas Man Sentenced For Kidnapping And Sexually Exploiting A Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/north-las-vegas-man-sentenced-kidnapping-and-sexually-exploiting-minor

Dublin man charged with enticing minors, producing child pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/dublin-man-charged-enticing-minors-producing-child-pornography

Grand Jury Returns Two Indictments

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi/pr/grand-jury-returns-two-indictments-10

Ithaca Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/ithaca-man-sentenced-13-years-attempted-online-enticement-minor

Man Sentenced to 151 Months in Prison for Knowingly Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material Through Dark Web Sites

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-151-months-prison-knowingly-receiving-child-sexual-abuse-material-through-dark

Mexican national stopped at border sentenced for possession of child pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/mexican-national-stopped-border-sentenced-possession-child-pornography

Pocatello Man Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/pocatello-man-sentenced-over-4-years-prison-possessing-child-pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdnc/pr/statement-acting-us-attorney-hairston-shooting-mt-tabor-high-school

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Middle District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 2, 2021

York County Man Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on September 1, 2021, Stanley Bobula, age 63, of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of child pornography.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Bobula was in possession of images containing sexual exploitation of children on January 23, 2021, in York County. The indictment further alleges that Bobula possessed the child pornography images using a computer or cell phone.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Probation Office. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Miovas, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

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, 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.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense charged in the indictment is 20 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for the defendant if convicted. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/york-county-man-charged-possession-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Dark Web Child Porn Leads to 12 Year Sentence for Randolph County Man

SPARTA, Ill. – A Randolph County man is heading to federal prison today after years of downloading

and sharing child pornography on the dark web. Kory R. Schulein, 37, of Sparta,

Illinois, was sentenced this afternoon to 151 months in prison for knowingly receiving child

sexual abuse material over the internet. Schulein pled guilty to the charge in April.

According to court documents, Schulein first came to the attention to law enforcement in 2018

during an FBI investigation of child pornography on the dark web. Agents were able to track his

internet protocol address and executed a federal search warrant at his home. Schulein served as a

moderator of a dark web site dedicated to child exploitation and had been an active participant on

other sites. Prosecutors told the court that on one of the sites, Schulein had posted 13,733

messages, many of which included links to child exploitation images and videos. Schulein also

collected and stored over 9,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on an encrypted

hard drive.

In handing down the sentence, which fell at the low end of the advisory sentencing guidelines,

United States District Judge Stephen P. McGlynn observed that the guidelines called for a lengthy

sentence “because of the colossal and immensely harmful impact” child pornography has on children.

Schulein was unemployed and had for years actively participated in online forums where he

interacted with people who were producing child pornography. Judge McGlynn noted that some of the

images and videos collected by Schulein depicted children in bondage and adults raping children,

including 5- year-old girls and toddlers. “You must have felt no mercy or empathy for these

children you were watching being humiliated and tortured,” McGlynn told the defendant.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors also submitted evidence that Schulein had engaged in an

online “romantic relationship” with an 11-year-old girl in the United Kingdom. Judge McGlynn called

Schulein’s involvement with the girl “classic grooming behavior.”

Some victims of the child pornography that Schulein received and shared with others

submitted statements to the court. In their statements, they describe how impossible it is for them

to live any semblance of a normal life while images of their sexual abuse are traded online. “Every

time someone views this trash,” one survivor wrote, “he is once again making me re-live the most

horrific part of my childhood. I can never truly heal….” The mother of another victim

wrote: “Thousands upon thousands of people, all over the world have access to images of our

little girl during her darkest days…. A person can download her image, create their own child

pornography movie, share it with

other monsters, or keep it for themselves to continually exploit our daughter in their own private

bedroom.” Knowing that her abuse is memorialized on the internet for people like the defendant to

view and share forever “will shatter her soul,” the victim’s mother wrote.

As part of his sentence, Schulein was ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release and pay a

$5,000 special assessment. He previously paid $12,000 in restitution to several of the victims.

The case was investigated by FBI-Springfield, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S.

Marshals Service.

Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Alicia A. Bove of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and

Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan D. Stump of the U.S.

Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Illinois prosecuted the case.

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 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.justice.gov/psc.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/dark-web-child-porn-leads-12-year-sentence-randolph-county-man

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/man-pleads-guilty-committing-2015-rape-near-osu-tulsa-campus

Man Pleads Guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child Under 12

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/man-pleads-guilty-abusive-sexual-contact-child-under-12-0

Quapaw Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing a Native American Minor and Illegally Possessing Parts of Protected Eagles

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/quapaw-man-convicted-sexually-abusing-native-american-minor-and-illegally-possessing

Union County Man Admits Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/union-county-man-admits-receipt-child-pornography

Pittsburgh Man Admits Distributing Videos of Children Engaged in Sex with Adults

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-admits-distributing-videos-children-engaged-sex-adults

Jury Convicts Bourbonnais Man for Enticement of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/jury-convicts-bourbonnais-man-enticement-minor

Wareham Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/wareham-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

Jury Convicts Coles County Sex Offender for Sexual Exploitation of Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/jury-convicts-coles-county-sex-offender-sexual-exploitation-children

New Jersey Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/new-jersey-man-indicted-child-pornography-charges

Ponchatoula Man Sentenced to 72 Months Imprisonment for Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/ponchatoula-man-sentenced-72-months-imprisonment-receiving-child-sexual-abuse-material

New York Man Sentenced To More Than 10 Years In Federal Prison For Conspiring And Attempting To Engage In Sex Trafficking Of A Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/new-york-man-sentenced-more-10-years-federal-prison-conspiring-and-attempting-engage

Previously Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/previously-convicted-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography-0

Adult Man Pretending to be Teenager Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/adult-man-pretending-be-teenager-pleads-guilty-federal-child-pornography-charges

Federal Jury Convicts Local High School Janitor Of Secretly Filming Students In Bathroom Stall

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/federal-jury-convicts-local-high-school-janitor-secretly-filming-students-bathroom

Harahan Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/harahan-man-pleads-guilty-receipt-child-pornography

Federal Jury Convicts Former Police Officer For Attempting To Entice A 14-Year-Old Child To Engage In Sexual Activity And Soliciting The Production Of Child Sex Abuse Images

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/federal-jury-convicts-former-police-officer-attempting-entice-14-year-old-child-engage

Former New York DEA Investigator Convicted Of Enticing A Minor To Have Sex And Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-new-york-dea-investigator-convicted-enticing-minor-have-sex-and-child

Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor Following Arrest in Marion County Human Trafficking Operation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/louisiana-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-enticement-minor-following-arrest-marion-county

Chemung County Man Pleads Guilty To Receiving Images Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/chemung-county-man-pleads-guilty-receiving-images-child-pornography

Former JPS Band Volunteer Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/former-jps-band-volunteer-pleads-guilty-producing-child-pornography

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Production Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-pleads-guilty-production-child-pornography-0

Logan County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/logan-county-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-charge

Elkhart, Indiana Man Convicted After Four-Day Jury Trial

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/elkhart-indiana-man-convicted-after-four-day-jury-trial

Nevada Man Admits Traveling to Pittsburgh for Sex with a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/nevada-man-admits-traveling-pittsburgh-sex-minor

Ithaca Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/ithaca-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-online-enticement-minor

Pembroke Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/pembroke-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-and-possession-child-pornography

Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/massachusetts-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-child-pornography

Farrell, PA Woman Distributed 11 Images of Child Sexual Exploitation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/farrell-pa-woman-distributed-11-images-child-sexual-exploitation

Texas Woman Convicted Of Child Sex Trafficking

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/texas-woman-convicted-child-sex-trafficking

Local Hospital Nurse Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/local-hospital-nurse-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

Retired School Psychologist Faces Up To 20 Years In Prison After Pleading Guilty To Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/retired-school-psychologist-faces-20-years-prison-after-pleading-guilty-child

Oswego County Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/oswego-county-man-pleads-guilty-receipt-and-possession-child-pornography

Endicott Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register Email Accounts

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/endicott-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-failing-register-email-accounts

Monmouth County Man Admits Posing As Teenager On Facebook To Induce Minor To Send Sexually Explicit Pictures And Videos

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/monmouth-county-man-admits-posing-teenager-facebook-induce-minor-send-sexually-explicit

https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/california-man-sentenced-role-scheme-smuggle-endangered-and-vulnerable-turtles-us-china

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Registered Sex Offender in Fresno Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

FRESNO, Calif. – A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against Andrew Michael Alonso, 31, of Fresno, charging him with sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and committing a felony offense involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.

According to court documents, Alonso is a registered sex offender who was on California parole supervision with GPS location monitoring. He contacted a 13-year-old victim on Instagram and then communicated with the victim through text messages in May and June 2021. Alonso repeatedly asked the victim to create and send to him images of the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Alonso received still and video images of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He has been ordered detained as a danger to the community and risk of flight.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno office of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor, Alonso faces a statutory penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison, a potential $250,000 fine, and a possible lifetime term of supervised release. If convicted of being a registered sex offender who is convicted for sexual exploitation of a minor, Alonso faces a mandatory 10-year consecutive sentence in prison. If convicted of receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, Alonso faces five to 20 years in prison, a potential $250,000 fine, and a possible lifetime term of supervised release. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/registered-sex-offender-fresno-charged-child-sexual-exploitation-offenses

after the unjust

lockdowns last year so many people have

been able to get back to work and as we

come up on labor day weekend i hope you

and your family get some well-deserved

rest

labor day is a holiday meant to

recognize the working men and women of

our country

for years now the democrats have used

the media to convince us that they're

the ones rooting for the little guy and

that republicans are the selfish elitist

fat cats

the left has worked to create this

mentality in an attempt to divide the

american people and make the general

public skeptical of republican policies

and intentions

and as we look around today we see

the exact opposites true it's the

republican party that is making sure

that middle and lower class working

families are not devastated by

skyrocketing inflation and government

overreach with coven 19 mandates

republicans want to help keep small

businesses open and keep jobs in america

we want your child back in the classroom

learning without a mask on and we are

fighting for your medical and religious

freedoms

we are the ones fighting for america

first

meanwhile it's the democrats are the

party of wall street and the

establishment that has a globalist

america last vision

you need no more proof than the actions

of the fat cat executives at these big

tech companies many of whom founders are

the richest people in the world

these companies routinely silence

conservatives and manipulate algorithms

to boost the radical left agenda

we've seen this time and time again with

instances such as banning president

donald trump and suppressing the damning

stories of hunter biden and other

democrats

most recently the big tech fat cats just

silenced the mother of a fallen

serviceman

simply because she was speaking out

against joe biden and his complete

failure on the afghanistan withdrawal

and don't forget that these big tech fat

cats have ensured that members of the

taliban still have their platforms

though

republicans have stepped up in a big way

to defend our american workers while the

democrats are putting in overtime to

fatten their wallets and squash the

opposition

but americans see through the fat cat

lies and will no longer fall for the

democrat lies

here at the republican party of arizona

we're for the little guy

and remember it's always

america first

>>14511209

Attorney General William P. Barr announced today that Antoinette T. Bacon has been designated as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3345(a)(3). Bacon will replace U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, who announced his resignation upon his appointment as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

As Acting U.S. Attorney, Bacon will serve as the Northern District of New York’s chief federal law enforcement officer, supervising an office of approximately 49 Assistant U.S. Attorneys, 49 support staff, and 15 contract support staff. Bacon will be responsible for prosecuting federal criminal offenses and representing the United States in civil litigation in the district.

“I am pleased that the President has designated Toni Bacon as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Her contributions to the initiatives she oversaw while working for the Office of the Deputy Attorney General are a testament to her relentless commitment to protect and serve all Americans. I know the Northern District will find Toni to be an exceptional prosecutor and dedicated leader.”

“I’m honored and humbled to be designated as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. I look forward to working tirelessly with my fellow federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to continue the effort to make the community safe for all,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon. “I thank Grant Jaquith, a fellow career prosecutor, for his three decades in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and wish him well in his new role on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. His selfless service is truly inspiring.”

Prior to her appointment, Bacon served as the Department’s National Elder Justice Coordinator. During her tenure, Bacon spearheaded three of the largest sweeps of Elder Fraud cases, expanded the Department’s efforts to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations targeting older Americans, and launched the Money Mule Initiative and National Nursing Home Initiative to protect older Americans from fraud schemes and abuse.

As an Associate Deputy Attorney General, she assisted the Deputy Attorney General in formulating and implementing policies, including the landmark, bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Legislation – The First Step Act.

Bacon is a seasoned and recognized litigator, most notably for leading prosecutions of fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio (NDOH). In the NDOH, she earned her reputation for her commitment to root out corruption. She successfully prosecuted nearly 100 targets and led one of the largest corruption cases in this country’s history. Dubbed the Cuyahoga County Corruption Case, this nine-year investigation involved the prosecution of 60+ public officials and business executives, including a County Commissioner, a County Auditor, a Cleveland City Council member, two sitting judges, nine attorneys including five former prosecutors, two union leaders, and two senior hospital executives. The prosecution inspired an overhaul in Cuyahoga County government.

Following her outstanding efforts in NDOH, Bacon went on to serve as the national White Collar Crime Coordinator at the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, where she collaborated with prosecutors in all 94 U. S. Attorney’s Offices, federal agencies, law makers, corporate counsel, and other stakeholders to address our nation’s most serious economic crime threats.

Bacon first joined the Department of Justice through the Honors Program, as a Trial Attorney in the Antitrust Division, where she investigated international price fixing cartels. Prior to joining the Antitrust Division, Antoinette clerked for the Honorable Henry Coke Morgan, Jr., U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Virginia. She earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia and a B.A. in Communications, Law, Economics, and Government from American University.

Orangevale Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/orangevale-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-child-pornography

Fairfield Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Online Coercion of a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/fairfield-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-online-coercion-child

Jury Finds Broken Arrow Man Guilty of Sexually Abusing Two Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/jury-finds-broken-arrow-man-guilty-sexually-abusing-two-children

Jury Convicts Springfield Man for Attempted Child Enticement

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/jury-convicts-springfield-man-attempted-child-enticement

Laurel Man Pleads Guilty in Maryland to Federal Charge of Receipt of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/laurel-man-pleads-guilty-maryland-federal-charge-receipt-child-pornography

Orange Park Man Sentenced To 16 Years In Prison For Sexually Exploiting A Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/orange-park-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-sexually-exploiting-child

Chenango County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Three Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/chenango-county-man-pleads-guilty-sexually-exploiting-three-children

Sex Offender Found Guilty of Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/sex-offender-found-guilty-child-pornography-charges

Cheektowaga Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/cheektowaga-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography-0

Lawrence County Man Convicted of Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/pr/lawrence-county-man-convicted-child-pornography-charges

New Jersey Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Child Pornography and Cyberstalking a San Mateo Teenager

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/new-jersey-resident-sentenced-10-years-prison-child-pornography-and-cyberstalking-san

Fort Lauderdale Man Pleads Guilty to Sextortion of Children, Other Exploitation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/fort-lauderdale-man-pleads-guilty-sextortion-children-other-exploitation

Aventura Veterinarian Pleads Guilty to Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography and to Creating an Animal Crush Video

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/aventura-veterinarian-pleads-guilty-receiving-and-possessing-child-pornography-and

Milford Man Admits Receiving Child Sex Abuse Images Through the Internet

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/milford-man-admits-receiving-child-sex-abuse-images-through-internet

North Dakota Man Who Traveled to Connecticut for Sex with Minor Pleads Guilty

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/north-dakota-man-who-traveled-connecticut-sex-minor-pleads-guilty

Wyoming County Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Have Sex With An 11-Year-Old Girl

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/wyoming-county-man-pleads-guilty-attempting-have-sex-11-year-old-girl

Suitland Man Pleads Guilty to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/suitland-man-pleads-guilty-coercion-and-enticement-minor

Federal Jury Convicts Department of Defense Contractor of Attempted Child Enticement

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/federal-jury-convicts-department-defense-contractor-attempted-child-enticement

Boone County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Crime

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/boone-county-man-pleads-guilty-federal-child-pornography-crime

Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing Hundreds Of Child Pornography Images And Videos Via Instant Messaging App

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-man-pleads-guilty-distributing-hundreds-child-pornography-images-and-videos

Hinton Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/hinton-man-pleads-guilty-federal-child-pornography-charge

Former City Honors Teacher Pleads Guilty To Two Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/former-city-honors-teacher-pleads-guilty-two-child-pornography-charges

Batavia Man Found With Thousands Of Images And Videos Of Child Pornography Pleads Guilty

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/batavia-man-found-thousands-images-and-videos-child-pornography-pleads-guilty

Saratoga County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/saratoga-county-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography

Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/kanawha-county-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-charge

Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor Following Arrest in Marion County Human Trafficking Operation

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdms/pr/louisiana-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-enticement-minor-following-arrest-marion-county

Jefferson County Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/jefferson-county-man-pleads-guilty-failing-register-sex-offender

Upshur County Man Convicted of Sex Offense Against Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/upshur-county-man-convicted-sex-offense-against-minor

Chenango County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Three Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/chenango-county-man-pleads-guilty-sexually-exploiting-three-children

Oil City Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Charge; Judge Detains Him Pending Sentencing

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/oil-city-man-pleads-guilty-child-sexual-exploitation-charge-judge-detains-him-pending

Easton Man Admits Producing Images of Child Sex Abuse

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/easton-man-admits-producing-images-child-sex-abuse

Washington County Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/washington-county-man-pleads-guilty-distributing-and-possessing-child-pornography

Erie Man Admits Distributing and Possessing Sexually Exploitive Images of Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/erie-man-admits-distributing-and-possessing-sexually-exploitive-images-children

Tioga County Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/tioga-county-man-pleads-guilty-failing-register-sex-offender

Oneida Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/oneida-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-and-possession-child-pornography

Fredonia Man Pleads Guilty To Producing And Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/fredonia-man-pleads-guilty-producing-and-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Texas man admits to sending obscene material to a minor

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Marcus Moreno, of LaVilla, Texas, has admitted to sending inappropriate pictures to a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced.

Moreno, 27, pleaded guilty today to one count of “Transfer of Obscenity to Minor.” Moreno began communicating with a minor located in Berkeley County, West Virginia, via social media applications such as Snapchat, KIK, WhatsApp, and the minor’s school email accounts. The victim’s parents turned over her phone to investigators. Forensics revealed thousands of text messages, chats, and video communications between the victim and Moreno, dating from October 2018 to January 2019, when the victim was 15 years old. The investigation further revealed thousands of images of child pornography of the victim and obscene pornographic images of Moreno.

In May 2019, during execution of a search warrant Moreno gave a voluntary statement to agents saying he met the victim online in a chat room when she had just turned 14. Three weeks after that first conversation, they began online dating. Though never meeting in person, he told investigators he planned to marry the victim when she turned 18. He admitted to sending obscene images of himself to the victim. During the search of his home, the FBI found thousands of other graphic files and video files of the victim on several flash drives and devices.

Moreno faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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 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.justice.gov/psc.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/texas-man-admits-sending-obscene-material-minor

Stockton Woman Convicted of Sex Trafficking Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/stockton-woman-convicted-sex-trafficking-children

Dalton Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dalton-man-pleads-guilty-child-sexual-exploitation-offenses

Hunterdon County Man Admits Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/hunterdon-county-man-admits-receipt-and-possession-child-pornography

Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/springfield-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-offenses

Hartford Man Admits Recording His Sexual Abuse of Minor for Nearly 3 Years

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-man-admits-recording-his-sexual-abuse-minor-nearly-3-years

Federal Jury Convicts Massachusetts Man On Five Counts Of Child Exploitation Related Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/federal-jury-convicts-massachusetts-man-five-counts-child-exploitation-related-offenses

Cortland County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a Child

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/cortland-county-man-pleads-guilty-sexually-exploiting-child

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Receiving Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-pleads-guilty-receiving-child-pornography-2

Halfmoon Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/halfmoon-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-coercion-and-enticement-minor-engage-criminal

Northeast Ohio Priest Pleads Guilty to Charges of Sex Trafficking of a Minor, Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/northeast-ohio-priest-pleads-guilty-charges-sex-trafficking-minor-sexual-exploitation

Bradford, PA Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/bradford-pa-man-pleads-guilty-receiving-child-pornography

Albany County Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/albany-county-man-pleads-guilty-transporting-and-possessing-child-pornography

Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-man-pleads-guilty-child-sexual-exploitation-charges-0

St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting a Minor with the Intent to Engage in Prostitution and Sexual Activity

https://www.justice.gov/usao-vi/pr/st-croix-man-pleads-guilty-transporting-minor-intent-engage-prostitution-and-sexual

Park Forest Man Convicted of Enticement of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/park-forest-man-convicted-enticement-minor

Broome County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement and Coercion of a Minor

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/broome-county-man-pleads-guilty-attempted-enticement-and-coercion-minor

Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-child-pornography

Former Bixby High School Teacher Pleads Guilty After Recording Inappropriate Video of his Students

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/former-bixby-high-school-teacher-pleads-guilty-after-recording-inappropriate-video-his

Jury Convicts Registered Sex Offender for Using Facebook to Conspire to Produce Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/jury-convicts-registered-sex-offender-using-facebook-conspire-produce-child-pornography

Glassport, PA Man Admits Having an Extensive Collection of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/glassport-pa-man-admits-having-extensive-collection-child-pornography

Onondaga County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/onondaga-county-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-receipt-and-possession-child-pornography

Albany County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/albany-county-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-offenses

Onondaga County Man Pleads Guilty to Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/onondaga-county-man-pleads-guilty-receiving-and-possessing-child-pornography

Federal Jury Convicts South Bay Man Of Child Pornography And Child Enticement Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/federal-jury-convicts-south-bay-man-child-pornography-and-child-enticement-charges

Clifton Park Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/clifton-park-man-pleads-guilty-possessing-child-pornography

Alden Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/alden-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-charge

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to the Binghamton Area Intending to Engage in Sexual Conduct with Two Children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/pennsylvania-man-pleads-guilty-traveling-binghamton-area-intending-engage-sexual

Erie Man Pleads to Child Sexual Exploitation Charge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/erie-man-pleads-child-sexual-exploitation-charge

Amsterdam Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/amsterdam-man-pleads-guilty-child-pornography-charges-0

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/readout-meeting-between-us-department-justice-and-eu-commission

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/readout-associate-attorney-general-vanita-guptas-call-european-commission-executive-vice

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/readout-attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-and-associate-attorney-general-vanita-guptas

https://www.ojp.gov/about/offices/office-assistant-attorney-general-oaag

https://qagg.news/?q=%5BAS%5D

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 3, 2021

Gainesville Man Sentenced To 40 Years In Federal Prison For Production, Receiving, And Possessing Child Pornography

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – John Ernst Tennant, Jr., 71, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced Wednesday to 480 months in federal prison for production, receipt, and possession of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

Tennant’s sentence was the result of a federal jury returning a guilty verdict on June 3, 2021, finding Tennant guilty of production, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

“The Court’s sentence ensures that this defendant will never harm another child and should serve as a significant deterrent to others who would attempt to prey upon our most vulnerable,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Coody. “Acts of such depravity, committed by a caregiver, are both horrific and incomprehensible. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”

The sentencing court described the crimes as “horrific,” and further stated “too many people are doing these things.” The evidence showed that Tennant sexually victimized toddlers left in his care at a daycare run by his wife in Gainesville, Florida. Tennant photographed the abuse of the children and maintained a large secret collection of child pornography.

The Gainesville Police Department recognizes that child exploitation is the most heinous of crimes that could be committed. “These predators, such as John Tennant, Jr., seek out and perpetrate on the most vulnerable, our children,” said Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones. “Our detectives, and specifically our ICAC unit, work tirelessly and endure a great deal to ensure that our children are safe from predators like these. We are pleased with today’s conclusion but understand that there are many more out there which we will continue to pursue.”

“This case once again demonstrates the FBI's commitment to pursue those who seek to exploit innocent children,” said Rachel L. Rojas, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we will not waver in our efforts to identify these predators and seek justice for their victims.”

Tennant’s prison sentence will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions.

The case was investigated by the Gainesville Police Department, North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Williams.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/gainesville-man-sentenced-40-years-federal-prison-production-receiving-and-possessing

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/deputy-attorney-general-lisa-monaco-announces-creation-new-cyber-fellows-positions

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 3, 2021

Martinsville Man Sentenced on Child Pornography Charges, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

DANVILLE, Va. – A Martinsville, Virginia man was sentenced last month to 140 months in prison for possessing child pornography and possessing a firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony.

According to court documents, Terrance Antwain Penn, 38, came to the attention of law enforcement in December 2019 after a minor female reported having sexual contact with him on several occasions. The minor told police Penn used a phone to record this sexual activity and provided descriptions of two cell phones Penn possessed.

On December 7, 2019, authorities initiated a traffic stop on a car being driven by Penn. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed two cell phones matching the descriptions given by the minor, as well as a loaded Taurus, model G2C, 9mm semi-automatic pistol in the center counsel.

Investigators obtained search warrants for Penn’s phones, which contained videos of the defendant having sexual contact with the minor female.

Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

The investigation of the case was conducted by ATF, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the Martinsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin B. Johnson prosecuted the case for the United States.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/martinsville-man-sentenced-child-pornography-charges-possession-firearm-convicted-felon

https://projectapario.com/StumbleInto

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-prince-george-s-county-police-lieutenant-facing-federal-indictment-tax-evasion-and

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-dod-subcontractor-sentenced-federal-prison-submitting-false-claims-hours-worked

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdoh/pr/ta-crips-member-who-killed-rival-gang-member-shot-potential-witness-sentenced-30-years

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/retail-ready-owner-forfeit-72m-va-tuition-fraud

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdga/pr/convicted-felon-sentenced-additional-prison-time-after-threatening-witness-and-judge

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/chief-warrant-officer-pleads-guilty-international-navy-bribery-and-fraud-scandal

U.S. Army North (Fifth Army)

ARNORTH to support NIFC in wildland fire ground response operation in California

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, approximately 200 U.S. Army Soldiers will support a wildland fire ground response operation in Northern California. U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), U.S. Northern Command’s Joint Force Land Component Command, will provide operational command of the active-duty military ground forces in support of federal and state efforts.

“This request marks the fortieth time federal military ground forces have been mobilized to support wildland firefighting response efforts in a decades-long interagency agreement,” said Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, ARNORTH and JFLCC commander. “We had a very active fire season last year, employing ground forces from both the Army and Marine Corps in California, and are proud to once again support NIFC and the state.”

The supporting units, the 23rd Brigade Engineer Battalion and the 2-3 Infantry Battalion, both from the1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, I Corps, assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington, will assist with wildland fire response efforts on the Dixie Fire in the Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Plumas National Forest.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 30 at JBLM, the Soldiers will be outfitted with wildland fire personal protective equipment during NIFC-led training, which will cover the basics of wildland fire suppression and firefighter safety. Upon completion of training at JBLM, the Soldiers will deploy to Northern California to conduct additional fireline training prior to serving as hand crews assisting with wildfire suppression on the Dixie Fire.

“The rigorous training and certification process our Soldiers undergo, prior to operating in a firefighting environment, will ensure that once deployed, they will safely augment federal wildland fire fighting capabilities in order to protect lives, natural and cultural resources, and property,” said Maj. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, I Corps and JBLM commander.

While providing support, the Soldiers will be accompanied by experienced wildland fire strike team leaders and crew bosses.

The JFLCC, through USNORTHCOM, is the primary Department of Defense organization for coordinating defense support of civil authorities to help federal partners, like NIFC, respond to natural or man-made disasters.

In addition to the U.S. Army activation, eight U.S. Air Force C-130s equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems are currently fighting fires from the air, providing wildfire support across Western states.

For additional information, contact ARNORTH Public Affairs office at 210-428-9835 or usarmy.jbsa.arnorth.mbx.pao@mail.mil; for photos and/or videos, visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/NIFC.

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 3, 2021

U.S. Attorney’s Office presents Medicolegal Symposium to discuss the case against Reta Mays, convicted VA hospital murderer

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia, is teaming up with Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and West Virginia University to hold a symposium discussing the cutting-edge methods used to convict a serial killer who preyed on veterans at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg.

In May 2021, Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the veteran’s hospital in Clarksburg, was sentenced to seven life terms in prison plus 20 years for murdering seven patients with insulin and attempting to murder an eighth veteran. The two-year investigation that preceded the July 2020 guilty pleas was highly complex.

The symposium consists of examining the clinical, forensic, psychiatry, and legal prosecution techniques used to ensure justice for Mays’ victims and their families. The prosecution team, investigators, and experts from around the globe will be presenting during this dynamic event. The symposium has been approved for CLE and CME credits. Credits for LE in-service are pending.

“The Medicolegal Symposium on the Serial Murder Case of Reta Mays” will be held at the WVU College of Law on Thursday, October 14 from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Space is limited. Registration for in-person attendance must be submitted by September 14, 2021.

The training will also be available virtually via the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/usaondwv. Registration for virtual attendance must be received no later than October 12, 2021.

Medical professionals and medical students, attorneys and law students, criminal investigators and criminal justice students are welcome to attend. Registration is free but is required. For more information or to register, go to justice.gov/usao-ndwv.

Watch Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas discuss the symposium here: https://youtu.be/FIG0Oef6RYA

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/us-attorney-s-office-presents-medicolegal-symposium-discuss-case-against-reta-mays

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 3, 2021

Registered Sex Offender Sentenced for Possessing Child Pornography

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Washington, North Carolina man was sentenced to 210 months in prison for possession of child pornography followed by a lifetime of supervised release. On April 8, 2021, Nathanael Thomas Jackson pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Jackson, 28, possessed over 10,000 images of child pornography. The investigation began in 2018 with a cybertip that Jackson had uploaded two videos depicting sexual abuse of children to an online account. Agents were able to trace the uploads back to Jackson. Using search warrants, agents found Jackson in possession of 10,715 images, including videos, of child sexual abuse and child exploitation. The investigation uncovered that Jackson had used a pseudo identity and email account to coerce and threaten minors to send him explicit images of themselves.

Jackson is a registered sex offender from previous convictions in 2015 for incest in Perquimans County, North Carolina.

G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with assistance from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Beaufort County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parris prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national project, Project Safe Childhood, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-CR-00094-M.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/registered-sex-offender-sentenced-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Monongahela Man Sentenced for Possessing Videos and Images of Child Pornography

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Monongahela, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 24 months’ imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release on his conviction for possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Eric Allard, 50.

According to information presented to the court, on November 27, 2017, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations executed a search and seizure warrant at Allard’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices. Investigators searched the electronic devices and found approximately 12,088 images and approximately 16 videos depicting child pornography. Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Ambrose referenced the seriousness of the offense and the victims in this case.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended Homeland Security Investigations and the Monongahela Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Allard.

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, 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.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/monongahela-man-sentenced-possessing-videos-and-images-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Virgin Islands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

St. Thomas High School Track and Field Coach Arrested for Production of Child Pornography

St. Thomas – U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced that a St. Thomas man, Alfredo Bruce Smith, 50, was arrested today on a criminal complaint related to his alleged molestation of multiple minors and production of child pornography.

According to court documents, Smith works as a track and field coach and as a school monitor at Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into Smith’s alleged activities after receiving reports that Smith inappropriately touched a minor during a school-sponsored track and field trip in March 2021, and that there were photographs of juvenile males who attended CAHS in the Defendant’s cellular phone. One witness reported that over six young males confided that they had been molested or raped by the Defendant.

A search of Smith’s social media account revealed dozens of photographs and sex videos of minor males and their genitals. A federal search warrant was executed on August 31, 2021, at the Defendant’s residence. According to court documents, a video depicting a sex act was located on a camcorder belonging to CAHS, which was located in the Defendant’s bedroom. The sex act appears to take place within the school.

Smith is charged with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251, sexual exploitation of children. If convicted, Smith faces a penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Baker is prosecuting the case.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-800-981-3030, or by calling 787-729-6969.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-vi/pr/st-thomas-high-school-track-and-field-coach-arrested-production-child-pornography

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/09/02/governor-newsom-statement-on-death-of-sonoma-county-correctional-lieutenant/

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-peruvian-nationals-sentenced-incarceration-conspiring-defraud-thousands-spanish

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/postal-service-employee-charged-stealing-mail

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-postal-worker-sentenced-stealing-mail

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/two-postal-employees-charged-fraud-conection-unemployment-insurance-benefits

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/st-petersburg-postal-clerk-pleads-guilty-stealing-mail-and-passport-applications-commit

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/former-syracuse-postal-worker-sentenced-stealing-mail-liverpool

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/postal-employee-charged-theft-mail

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/postal-employee-sentenced-stealing-medication-intended-veterans

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/bill-information-filed-against-postal-worker-misappropriating-funds

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/postal-worker-pleads-guilty-mail-theft

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/ten-chicago-area-residents-charged-bank-fraud-schemes-involving-counterfeit-postal

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/former-postal-carrier-sentenced-discarding-mail-woods

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/leader-drug-trafficking-organization-sentenced-11-years-federal-prison-trafficking

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/two-ramsey-county-men-sentenced-prison-twin-cities-postal-crime-spree

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/st-paul-man-sentenced-prison-assault-and-attempted-robbery-postal-employee

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/las-vegas-resident-sentenced-robbing-two-us-postal-service-mail-carriers

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-agreement-state-new-jersey-under-national-voter-registration-act

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/bridgeport-city-council-member-charged-vote-theft-conspiracy

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/social-media-influencer-charged-election-interference-stemming-voter-disinformation-campaign

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/investigation-concluded-luzerne-county-ballot-case

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/us-attorney-s-office-monitor-los-angeles-county-vote-centers-compliance-americans-0

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/federal-prosecutors-serve-district-election-officers-seven-california-counties-during

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/postal-worker-charged-federal-court-after-alleged-theft-vote-mail-ballot-gift-and-debit

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-congressman-charged-ballot-stuffing-bribery-and-obstruction

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-philadelphia-judge-elections-convicted-conspiring-violate-civil-rights-and-bribery

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-protect-rights-military-and-overseas-voters

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-regarding-section-201-voting-rights-act-0

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/us-attorney-s-office-monitor-los-angeles-county-vote-centers-compliance-americans

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/joint-statement-doj-dod-dhs-odni-fbi-nsa-and-cisa-ensuring-security-2020-elections

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/campaign-fundraiser-agrees-plead-guilty-falsifying-records-conceal-work-foreign-agent-evading

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-congressional-staffer-pleads-guilty-extensive-fraud-and-money-laundering-scheme

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 3, 2021

Omaha Man Gets 120 Months’ Imprisonment for Possessing Child Pornography

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Tevin R. King, 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession of child pornography. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced King to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, King will begin a 15-year term of supervised release. Senior Judge Bataillon also ordered King to pay $3,000 in restitution and he will be required to register as sex offender.

On November 14, 2019, King self-reported to the United States Probation Office that he had viewed child pornography on his computer in his apartment in Omaha, Nebraska. King was previously convicted of possession of child pornography in the Northern District of Oklahoma on May 18, 2017 and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release. After his release from prison, King moved to Nebraska where his term of supervised release was enforced.

On November 18, 2019, the United States Probation Office subsequently conducted a search of King’s residence to retrieve his computer. During the search of the residence, King admitted to looking at child pornography on his computer. He also admitted that he acquired and viewed the child pornography using the internet through the “dark web,” or Tor. King admitted using a computer cleaning software program to wipe child pornography files from his computer.

A forensic search of King’s computer identified at least 10 images of child pornography. The images depicted nude or semi-nude, prepubescent females, between 5-10 years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which included exhibiting their genitals and pubic areas.

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 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 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.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-gets-120-months-imprisonment-possessing-child-pornography

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Eastern District of Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 3, 2021

Former Police Officer Indicted with Child Pornography Offenses

NORFOLK, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday charging a Virginia Beach man with attempted production of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and access with intent to view child pornography.

According to court documents, Nathan Allen, Jr., 33, who was employed as a police officer by the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg and before that by the Hampton Police Department, allegedly attempted to produce child pornography using a minor on separate dates in 2019 and 2021, when she was then 11 and 12 years old. The indictment alleges that Allen received images of child sexual abuse material on various dates in the spring of 2021, and in May 2021 accessed child pornography on a cell phone.

Allen is charged with two counts of attempted production of child pornography, three counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of access with intent to view of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the production charges, a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the receipt charges, and a maximum penalty of 20 years on the access with intent to view charge. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Raymond Villanueva, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Heck are prosecuting the case.

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. 2:21-cr-107.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/former-police-officer-charged-child-pornography-offenses

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