Month: April 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ricardo Jimenez-Rodriguez, age 35, of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 22, 2022, to 70 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for drug trafficking.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Jimenez-Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine.   On February 23, 2020, Jimenez-Rodriguez was intercepted while driving a tractor trailer in Conyngham, Pennsylvania.  Investigators searched the cab of the truck and found a duffel bag containing what laboratory analysis later revealed to be approximately seven kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of fentanyl.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.

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

# # #

Source: United States Department of Justice News

HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hannah Lapham, age 23, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on April 22, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to one year of probation for conspiring to make false statements during the purchase of firearms.  The term of probation includes three months of home confinement. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Lapham previously admitted that she purchased a firearm in February 2021, for another individual who was prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm.  While making that purchase, Lapham falsely represented to the seller that she was the actual purchaser of the firearm.  Lapham also admitted that she later attempted to purchase two additional firearms for that same individual.

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

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the York County Drug Task Force, and the York City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.

# # #

Source: United States Department of Justice News

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man, Monterious Deshawn Bullock, age, 22, was sentenced on April 21, 2022, to 90 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Bullock was ordered to serve three years of supervised release to follow his prison term and immediately pay a $300 Special Assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

According to court documents, this investigation began when law enforcement executed two search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of two loaded handguns-one with an extended magazine-multiple rounds of ammunition, and bags of marijuana. In a post-Miranda interview, Bullock admitted ownership to the items located in the residence. On November 10, 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice News

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia joins communities nationwide in commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 24–30, 2022. The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime’s (OVC) theme this year, “Rights, access, equity, for all victims,” emphasizes the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services for victims and ensuring equity and inclusion for all.

“This week we reflect on our responsibilities to the victims of crime in our communities,” said Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We express gratitude for the ones who come forward, often having to revisit traumatic events in order to report or testify. We are also conscious that many victims, out of fear, shame, or distrust in the legal system, do not report crimes to law enforcement. It is our responsibility to those victims to reach out, to listen, and to accommodate their needs so that we can accord their rights and hopefully prevent future crimes.”

According to OVC, NCVRW is a time to renew our commitment to serving victims of crime, acknowledge achievements made in the victim services field, and remember crime victims and survivors. Crime victims are our family, friends, neighbors, and community members. While we can never truly understand the depth of their trauma and the impact on their lives, we can ensure that equitable, inclusive, culturally appropriate, and gender responsive services are available to help them. By enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and upholding principles of equity and inclusivity for all, we can enable crime victims to find the justice they seek, in whatever form that might take.

OVC leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW, during which victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local, and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. For more information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week website.

The following events will be held in the local area to commemorate NCVRW 2022:

• NCVRW Candlelight Vigil on Thursday April 28, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on the National Mall, Washington D.C.
• NCRVW Service Awards Ceremony on Friday April 29, 2022, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Constitution Gardens on the National Mall, Washington D.C.
• The 2022 “Unsung Heroes” awards ceremony, hosted by the Virginia Office of the Attorney General on Tuesday, April 26 in Richmond to recognize outstanding service and support to victims of crime in the Commonwealth. For more information about the event, please visit here.

To commemorate NCVRW this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is holding a clothing drive to donate garments and toiletries to a local non-profit organization that assists victims in crisis.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

HOUSTON – Three individuals are now in custody in relation to the recent Comerica Bank armored car robbery in Houston, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Law enforcement took Malinda Cruz, 35, Houston, is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m. today. Law enforcement took her into custody April 22 following a federal indictment returned April 20.

Previously arrested via criminal complaint were Randy Long, 30, and Carl Johnson, 34, both also of Houston. They have been in custody and are expected to make an appearance on the new charges in the near future.

All are charged with aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery. Long and Johnson also face charges of aiding and abetting the discharge of firearm.

The charges stem from an armored car robbery that occurred in late March.

“After the armored car robbery and shoot-out occurred, the FBI Violent Crime Task Force and our law enforcement partners worked nonstop to arrest all three alleged suspects demonstrating the critical role that continuous law enforcement collaboration plays in restoring peace in our communities in a concise manner,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James Smith. “The FBI appreciates our law enforcement partners, especially those at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Houston Police Department (HPD), Texas Department of Public Safety and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who are equally committed to combating violent crime.”

On March 23, a Brinks armored car courier was servicing the ATM of the Comerica Bank located at 855 FM 1960 in Houston, according to the charges. Long was allegedly carrying a firearm and approached the courier along with Johnson. The charges allege an exchange of gun fire occurred between the three men, during which time the courier shot Johnson in the thigh. Long and Johnson were able to get away, according to the allegations.

During the robbery, Cruz allegedly acted as a look-out and scout during the robbery and was the get-away driver.  

The indictment further alleges Johnson aided and abetted interference with commerce by robbery and aided and abetted the brandishing of a firearm in relation to the robbery of an armored car Jan. 7. The courier had been servicing an ATM located at a Bank of America in Houston according to the charges. Johnson allegedly brandished a firearm and stole the cassettes and money bags from him as he was completing his job.   

Aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm and aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm carry minimums of 10 and seven years, respectively, and up to life which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

FBI, HCSO and HPD conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts 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.