Month: April 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tomas Rosario, 74, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and attempted tampering with a witness. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 11, 2022, the Rochester Police Department received a report of a sexual assault of a 13-year-old female (Minor Victim). Subsequent investigation determined that the Minor Victim was allegedly touched inappropriately by her school bus driver, later identified as Rosario. A review of surveillance video captured on cameras installed on the school van shows Rosario having inappropriate sexual discussions with the Minor Victim on the way to and from school. The Minor Victim and Rosario are the only occupants in the van. Rosario also the drove the Minor Victim past his residence and told her that if there comes a day when she does not want to go to school, he could provide her with his phone number so that Minor Victim could call him. Rosario then gave the Minor Victim a piece of paper with his phone number written on it. Rosario also told the Minor Victim not to tell anyone about their conversation. During the ride home from school, Rosario directed the Minor Victim to do something sexually inappropriate. The Minor Victim reminds Rosario about the camera inside the vehicle. Rosario then inappropriately touches the Minor Victim multiple times. Rosario tells the Minor Victim again not to tell anyone because he could have a big problem. A few days after this sexual assault occurred, Rosario encountered the Minor Victim in a convenience store and again warned her not to tell anyone. This encounter was captured by the store’s security cameras.

On April 13, 2022, the Rochester Police Department obtained a warrant to search Rosario’s cell phone, during which investigators recovered images of child pornography.

Members of the public who have information regarding this case are asked to call the FBI at 1-585-546-2220.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Police Chief David Smith, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

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.  

# # # #

Source: United States Department of Justice News

ST. LOUIS – Arlando Hill of St. Louis, Missouri, appeared before United States District Court Judge John A. Ross on yesterday’s date.  Based on a previous plea of guilty, Hill was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

According to the plea agreement, on February 23, 2020, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were called to a location in the 5900 block of Ridge Ave., within the Eastern District of Missouri for a shooting.  Officers conducting the investigation learned that Hill pointed a rifle at a woman and her children after a dispute over Hill smoking marijuana near the children. Fortunately, the victim and her children escaped the encounter without injury.  Hill was subsequently entered as wanted for assault by police.

On May 14, 2020, a security guard at a hotel located in the 5700 block of Natural Bridge called 911 after Hill refused to leave the property.  The security guard observed what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun on the front seat of Hill’s vehicle.  The guard told Hill to stop and wait as the police were enroute. 

While interacting with Hill, the officers learned that Hill was “wanted” for the incident occurring on February 23, 2020. The officers also observed a Kimber .270 Winchester caliber rifle on the driver’s seat of Hill’s vehicle. The rifle appeared to have had the stock and barrel sawed off. The officers placed him under arrest and seized the rifle.  Hill is prohibited from possession of any firearm due to previously being convicted of a felony. 

This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. 

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler announced that Bryan Mays, 33, of Toledo, was sentenced on Thursday, April 14, 2022, by U.S. Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release after Mays pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl. 

“Fentanyl continues to plague our communities and steal our beloved ones at an alarming rate,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “Anyone who chooses to contribute to this epidemic by dealing deadly narcotics can expect to find themselves in prison.” 

“Drug trafficking cases remain one of the highest priorities of the FBI,” said Cleveland FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “Whether one individual or a network of criminals, this case reflects the common goal and valuable partnership the FBI holds with law enforcement agencies to mitigate the distribution of illegal drugs and make our communities safer.”

“This conviction and sentencing should serve notice to individuals who choose to sell this poison on Toledo’s streets that we will use every available resource and partnership to bring these folks to justice,” said Toledo Police Chief George Kral. “I value our local, county, and federal partners and look forward to continuing our mission to keep this city safe.”   

According to court documents, Toledo Police Officers began an investigation into the death of an individual from a drug overdose on December 30, 2018. As a result of the investigation, police determined that Defendant Bryan Mays distributed a substance containing fentanyl to the individual. 

 This case was investigated by the Toledo Police Department and the FBI.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Freeman and Robert N. Melching.   

Source: United States Department of Justice News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Scituate man who shared sexually explicit images of prepubescent girls online with an undercover federal law agent he thought to be the parents of a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

David C. Duquette, 54, pleaded guilty on November 29, 2021, to possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 60 months of incarceration to be followed by eight years of federal supervised release.

According to charging document, in February 2019, a Homeland Security Investigations agent engaged in a series of online exchanges with Duquette, posing as both the mother and father of a 13-year-old girl. In those exchanges, Duquette admitted that, in the past, he communicated online with young teenage girls, and that some of them shared sexually explicit images. The agent suggested he too shared an interest in viewing child pornography. Duquette sent him two sexually explicit images depicting prepubescent girls.

Duquette was arrested on April 17, 2019. His cellphone was found to contain approximately 1,400 images of child pornography.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.

###