Month: March 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Jackson, TN– Lamon Terrill Massengill, 50, of Selmer, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense cocaine base.  Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney, announced the sentence today. 

According to information presented in court, on October 7, 2020, officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Oak Street in Selmer, Tennessee. Officers recovered over 3 grams of crack cocaine, hydrocodone pills, marijuana, and two digital scales in Massengill’s bedroom. On a chair in the bedroom, officers found an H&K 22 LR pistol loaded with 29 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, officers found a Revelation 22LR bolt action rifle with a round in the chamber.  

Massengill gave a Mirandized statement in which he admitted to selling cocaine since March of 2020. He would purchase one ounce of crack cocaine two or three times, and one-half-ounce of crack cocaine on at least 20 to 30 occasions, then sell the crack cocaine. Massengill admitted to being a convicted felon who could not legally possess firearms, and that the firearms in his home were for his protection.  

Massengill had previously been convicted of five aggravated burglaries, two aggravated assaults, and one burglary.  As a result of his prior felony convictions, he is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.  

On December 13, 2021, Massengill pled guilty. 

On March 15, 2022, United States Chief District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Massengill to the mandatory minimum sentence of 180 months in federal prison as an Armed Career Criminal, with three years of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the McNairy County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

Assistant United States Attorney Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. 

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The owner and operator of The Tax Company in Corpus Christi is set to appear in federal court on charges of tax fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Berlinda Luikens is charged in a 41-count indictment returned March 9. She is set to appear for her arraignment today at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Julie K. Hampton.

The charges allege she submitted false Form 1040 tax returns by including fraudulent Schedule C and Schedule F items, including fictitious businesses. This resulted in higher tax refund amounts her clients were not entitled to receive, according to the charges.

Luikens allegedly caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue loss.

“IRS – Criminal Investigation (CI) takes the job of investigating criminal violations of our nation’s tax laws seriously because tax fraud steals from programs that help every American,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Rodrick Benton. “We will continue working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to help identify suspected tax criminals and protect taxpayers’ money.”

If convicted, Luikens faces up to three years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count of conviction.

IRS-CI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck is prosecuting the case.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A federal court in the District of Columbia today unsealed two separate indictments charging Aler Baldomero Samayoa-Recinos, aka Chicharra, and his son-in-law Freddy Arnoldo Salazar Flores, aka Fredy, Freshco, Boyca, Boyka, Torojo, Flaquillo, and Flaco, with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms of cocaine for importation to the United States. Salazar Flores is a representative of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN).

A grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Samayoa-Recinos on Aug. 1, 2018. According to court documents, beginning as early as 2006 and through 2016, Samayoa-Recinos allegedly conspired with others to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

A grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Salazar Flores on May 30, 2017. According to court documents, beginning as early as 2010 and through May 2017, Salazar Flores allegedly conspired with others to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. 

This case was supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The DEA’s Bilateral Investigations Unit and Guatemala Country Office are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Imani Hutty, Teresita Mutton, and Doug Meisel of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations and Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice News

RALEIGH, N.C. – Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina is pleased to announce that the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of North Carolina Chapter, has awarded Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer P. May-Parker the 2022 Judge David Daniel Award for Excellence in the Legal Community.  Today’s announcement coincides with May-Parker’s assumption of her new role as Chief Counsel for Litigation.

The Judge David Daniel Award for Excellence in the Legal Community was created by the Federal Bar Association in memory of Magistrate Judge Daniel to honor lawyers who exemplify integrity, commitment, and service to the legal community. The award honors one attorney each year who has shown a commitment to the legal profession, to the Eastern District of North Carolina, to the clients they serve, and to their community.  To qualify, a nominee must practice in the Eastern District of North Carolina and exemplify the ideals of the legal profession and further the goals of equal justice under the law.

May-Parker has a lengthy record of success as a prosecutor and has shattered barriers in her career.  She is the first woman, the first lawyer of color, and first federal prosecutor to receive this award.  She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York City (Manhattan) District Attorney’s Office.  She then served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Environmental Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice.  In 2013, May-Parker was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as a United States District Judge in the Eastern District of North Carolina. This year will mark May-Parker’s 23rd with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

During her tenure in the Office, May-Parker has been a criminal trial attorney, an appellate attorney, the Chief of the Appellate Division, the First Assistant United States Attorney, the Diversity Chairperson, and a HOPE Court Team member.  She has tried numerous cases to jury verdict, written hundreds of briefs (and reviewed hundreds more) and argued many cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.   May-Parker also served as a member of DOJ’s Appellate Chief’s Working Group, which provides advice to the Department on legal strategy and key issues.

May-Parker recently assumed the role of Chief Counsel for Litigation at the United States Attorney’s Office, a senior leadership role.  In this role she will lead the Litigation Support and Victim-Witness Assistance Sections, lead the office’s training and mentorship programs for AUSAs, and take on special litigative projects in the areas of economic crimes and civil rights.   

U.S. Attorney Easley stated, “We are all inspired by Jennifer’s accomplished career and dedication in serving others.  Jennifer is always so willing to share her time, talent, and expertise to see justice done and to support her colleagues in the legal community.  She is a great team player, and I am honored that she continues to work so hard for the people of Eastern North Carolina.”

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Florida man who serves as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves appeared today on criminal charges related to an alleged bribery scheme involving special visas for Afghan nationals.

According to court documents, Jeromy Pittmann, 53, of Pensacola, Florida, currently residing in Naples, Italy, was paid to draft, submit, or falsely verify false letters of recommendation for citizens of Afghanistan who applied to the U.S. Department of State for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). There is a limited supply of SIVs each year for Afghan nationals employed as translators for U.S. military personnel. Pittmann is alleged to have signed over 20 false letters in which he represented, among other things, that he had supervised the applicants while they worked as translators in support of the U.S. Army and NATO; that the applicants’ lives were in jeopardy because the Taliban considered them to be traitors; and that he did not think the applicants posed a threat to the national security of the United States. In exchange, Pittmann is alleged to have received thousands of dollars in bribes.

Pittmann made his initial appearance today. He is charged with accepting bribes and conspiring to commit visa fraud. If convicted of both counts, he faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney John J. Farley for the District of New Hampshire; Inspector General John F. Sopko of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR); Special Agent in Charge Eric Maddox of the Economic Crimes Field Office of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS); and Special Agent in Charge Stanley A. Newell of the Transnational Operations Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) made the announcement.

SIGAR, NCIS, and DCIS are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Matt Kahn of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek for the District of New Hampshire are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.