Month: August 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice

The Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Associate Attorney General today met with families of fallen officers to discuss the importance of the passage of the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022. The bipartisan bill expands coverage of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, administered by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, to include officers who are permanently and totally disabled due to particular mental health disorders and/or who die by suicide as a result of exposure to a traumatic event they encounter while on duty.

“Every day, public safety officers across the country put themselves in harm’s way to respond to some of the most difficult and traumatic moments that our communities face,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department welcomes the passage of the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, which will enable us to provide support to the families of fallen officers who have died by suicide and to officers who have suffered debilitating trauma-related mental health injuries.”

“The Justice Department knows the toll that service in law enforcement can take, not only on those in uniform but also on those around them,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “We commend Congress for passing the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022. It provides critical new support to families of the fallen. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that public safety officers throughout the law enforcement community are cared for and protected, just as they care for and protect us all.”

“Supporting public safety officers and their families after a tragic loss or catastrophic disability is one of our solemn responsibilities at the Justice Department,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “Since 1976, the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program—administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance—has provided nearly $2 billion in assistance to survivors of first responders. This bipartisan legislation is a welcome response to concerns expressed by the public safety community that this support be extended to recognize harms from an exposure to trauma while on duty. We commend members of Congress for their leadership on this issue and look forward to putting this bill to work on behalf of the brave professionals who serve and protect our communities.”

During the meeting, Department leadership heard directly from families about the unique grief of losing a loved one to suicide and discussed the impact this legislation will have on the healing process for families. Department officials recognized that public safety officers are routinely called to respond to stressful and potentially traumatic situations, often putting their lives in danger. 

Participating in the meeting were family members of officers Howard “Howie” Liebengood of the U.S. Capitol Police, Jeffrey Smith of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and Shelane Gaydos of the Fairfax County Police Department.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Defendant Extradited from Greece to Face Charges Stemming from the Operation of BTC-e, an Illicit Bitcoin Exchange Alleged to Have Received Deposits Valued at Over $4 Billion

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Bredariol (619) 546-8419 and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari (619) 546-8402

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 5, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Miguel Ojeda Agundez, captain of a drug-smuggling boat that rammed a Coast Guard vessel during a dangerous high-speed chase off the shores of San Diego, was sentenced in federal court today to 194 months in prison. 

Ojeda Agundez is the last of four defendants to be sentenced in connection with the event, which occurred in August 2020 off the shores of San Diego. All four defendants were charged in a 15-count federal indictment with trafficking close to 500 pounds of methamphetamine; failure to stop for the Coast Guard; and assault on five Coast Guard officers who were injured as a result of the ramming. Ojeda Agundez ultimately pleaded guilty to all 15 counts. 

At today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino described the defendant’s conduct as “egregious” and causing “immeasurable harm to the community.” She noted that members of the Coast Guard are working hard every day “to protect the community that they are sworn to serve…we have tremendous respect and admiration and gratitude to those who serve this country.”

The other defendants – Arturo Velasquez Soto, Luis Parada Reyes, and Juan Diaz Hernandez – were previously sentenced by Judge Sammartino to 14 years, 10 years, and just under nine years in prison, respectively.

On August 8, 2020, the defendants were detected by the United States Coast Guard Cutter FORREST REDNOUR traveling northbound off the shores of San Diego in the middle of the night. When five Coast Guard officers went to intercept the vessel, Ojeda Agundez, who was at the helm, aggressively turned the go-fast vessel towards the Coast Guard and rammed a Coast Guard smallboat, causing damage and injury to Coast Guard officers.  The defendants then led the Coast Guard on a high-speed chase on the open water.   

As the vessel continued closer to shore, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air & Marine Operations took over the pursuit. The defendants’ vessel attempted to ram the CBP vessel as well, but officers were able to bring the defendants’ vessel to a stop.  When law enforcement boarded the vessel, they discovered ice chests filled with close to 500 pounds of methamphetamine.  The defendants were brought to shore and arrested, where the investigation was continued by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations’ Marine Task Force.    

In 2012, a similar sequence of events resulted in the death of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III. In that case, a drug-laden panga intentionally rammed a Coast Guard smallboat off the coast of Santa Barbara, ejecting Chief Petty Officer Horne and another officer into the water. Chief Petty Officer Horne was struck by a propeller in the head and fatally injured.

“This case is a reminder of the heroism, bravery, and professionalism that Coast Guard officials employ on every mission to safeguard the United States from drug smugglers,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman.  “Violence against the Coast Guard will not be tolerated and will be aggressively prosecuted by this office.”  Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time the lives of our Coast Guard members have been threatened by drug smugglers,” said Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, commander, Coast Guard District 11. “Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III was killed during a counter-smuggling operation. Those individuals responsible for taking his life and threatening the lives of other Coast Guard members were held accountable. As a service, we do not take these actions lightly and I trust the decision of the courts to continue to hold these criminals responsible for their continued disregard for life.”

“This case highlights the dangers of maritime drug smuggling,” said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “HSI is grateful for its federal, state and local law enforcement partners and servicemembers who despite the dangers, continue to deny transnational criminal organizations the opportunity to carry out their illegal drug smuggling activities. HSI will continue to aggressively investigate criminal organizations who smuggle by sea, air or land.”

DEFENDANTS                                                         Case Number 20cr2509-JLS                       

Miguel Ojeda Agundez                                             Age: 26                                               Mexico

Arturo Velasquez Soto                                               Age: 44                                               Mexico

Jose Luis Parada Reyes                                             Age: 53                                               Mexico           

Juan Diaz Hernandez                                                 Age: 55                                               Mexico                                                          

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Counts 1-3 (All Defendants)

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on Board a Vessel –

Title 46, U.S.C., Section 70503, 70506(b)

Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine

Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Onboard a Vessel; Aiding and Abetting  –
Title 46, U.S.C., Section 70503, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2

Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine

Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Intended for Unlawful Importation  –
Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 959, 960, 963

Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine

Counts 4, 6-15 (Defendant Ojeda Agundez only)

Failure To Heave To

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2237

Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine

Assault on a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 111(a)(1)

Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

Assault with Intent to Commit Any Felony

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 113(a)(2)

Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

Count 5 (Defendants Ojeda Agundez and Velasquez Soto only)

Failure To Heave To

Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2237, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2

Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

United States Coast Guard

Customs and Border Protection

Homeland Security Investigations

Source: United States Department of Justice News

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Tyrus Brooks, 34, of Scott, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge David C. Joseph to 115 months (9 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Brooks was charged in an indictment on November 18, 2021 and pleaded guilty on April 29, 2022 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

On March 9, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Brooks’ residence. During their search, officers recovered multiple controlled substances and a Glock .380 caliber firearm and ammunition belonging to Brooks. An analysis was conducted of the seized substances, and they were found to contain methamphetamine with a gross weight of 117 grams.

Brooks has prior felony convictions for attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2011), possession of methamphetamine (2017) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2018).

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, and Lafayette Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy.

# # #

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued the following statement today commemorating the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act:

“Fifty-seven years ago tomorrow, one of our nation’s most consequential pieces of civil rights legislation — the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — was signed into law.

“The Voting Rights Act sought to make real the 15^th  Amendment’s guarantee that no American citizen be denied the right to vote on account of race.

“Central to the law was Section 5’s “preclearance” provision, which prevented jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting practices from adopting new voting rules until they could show the Justice Department or a federal court that the change would not have a racially discriminatory purpose or result.

“Yet in its 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court effectively eliminated the act’s preclearance protections. And in the years since, there has been a dramatic rise in legislative efforts that make it harder for millions of Americans to vote and to elect representatives of their own choice.

“Ahead of the 57th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, the Justice Department remains committed to relentlessly protecting voting rights with the enforcement powers we have. And we continue to ask Congress to restore critical tools to help protect the fundamental right to vote.”