Month: August 2022

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Jonathan Jermain Thomas (33, Ocala) to 38 years and 4 months years in federal prison. A federal jury had convicted Thomas on April 28, 2022, of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, and more than 1 kilogram of heroin. The jury also found Thomas guilty of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possessing with the intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.

According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, Thomas supplied large amounts of drugs to a “trap house” in Summerfield, Florida. Once the drugs were delivered to the house, Thomas’s conspirators worked together to prepare, mix, and distribute the various substances to users and smaller-scale suppliers who made daily purchases from the residence. The conspiracy included Thomas as the lead supplier, enforcers who carried firearms to protect the drug assets, and others who helped package and distribute the substances from the house.

On September 9, 2020, Thomas was stopped by law enforcement on I-75 in Gainesville. After smelling the odor of marijuana, a search of the vehicle yielded nearly a kilogram of fentanyl hidden within the vehicle’s side paneling. The fentanyl had been packaged for distribution, and Thomas was heading to Detroit, Michigan to meet with a buyer. His passenger, who was charged in the indictment, pleaded guilty prior to trial.

In addition to Thomas, eight conspirators previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in this case: 

Name (Age, Residence)	Date of Plea	Date of Sentencing	Sentence Imposed
Samuel Glover (32, Summerfield)	4/19/22	8/26/22	35 years
Roddrick Anthony (29, Ocala)	11/10/21	7/20/22	15 years
Jelyssa Washington (30, Summerfield)	11/22/21	5/20/22	15 years
Crystal Lovejoy (43, Ocala)	11/10/21	5/20/22	10 years, 10 months
Brent McCray (30, Wildwood)	9/21/20	5/25/22	10 years
Aaron Bostick (41, Ocala)	4/20/21	7/20/22	5 years, 3 months
Elaina Buchanan (31, Ocala)	10/25/21	5/20/22	3 years, 5 months
Danny Lee Campbell (33, Belleview)	3/25/22	6/24/22	2 years, 3 months

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gainesville Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta and Tyrie K. Boyer. 

Source: United States Department of Justice News

BOSTON – A Boston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with multiple bank robberies in Massachusetts.

Jacob Pimentel, 31, was indicted on four counts of bank robbery. Pimentel is currently in custody in Middlesex County for a related offense and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the indictment, between April and May 2022, Pimentel allegedly robbed four separate banks in the greater Boston area, stealing a total of more than $6,000. Specifically, it is alleged that Pimentel robbed the TD Bank branch in Allston on April 25, 2022; the TD Bank branch in Brighton on May 4, 2022; the Santander Bank branch in Brookline on May 13, 2022; and the TD Bank branch in Cambridge on May 23, 2022.

The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Boston, Sharon and Lynn Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Gotlob of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice News

BOSTON – A Royalston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield on child pornography charges.

Kevin A. Divoll, 51, was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Divoll was previously arrested and charged on Aug. 4, 2022.

According to the charging documents, investigators identified Divoll, an employee at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Leeds, as the owner and user of a device allegedly distributing or attempting to distribute child pornography over the Medical Center’s public Wi-Fi from May 2022 through July 2022. The indictment further alleges that, following a search of his residence on Aug. 4, 2022, Divoll possessed child pornography that involved a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. 

The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography involving an image of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael Rollins and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, made the announcement. Significant assistance was provided by the Leeds VA Medical Center Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting 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 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NASHVILLE – A Nashville man convicted of robbing a pharmacy and a bank in 2020, will spend 13 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

David Powell, aka Dawud Powell, 31, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr. 

Powell was initially arrested on a criminal complaint on August 25, 2020, and charged with the August 19^th robbery of the Walgreens Pharmacy on Nolensville Pike, in which he brandished a handgun and demanded that the pharmacist give him all of the Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Lortab.  The pharmacist complied and the robber placed the bottles of drugs in a white bag and fled the store.

The investigation by responding officers and detectives from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department led them to the area of West Valley Drive where they observed an individual exiting a vehicle and carrying a white bag.  The individual ignored the officers’ commands to stop, and he fled, jumping a nearby fence.  Subsequent investigation by FBI agents identified Powell as the suspect. 

At the time of Powell’s arrest, he was in possession of four handguns, additional magazines and marijuana.  Two additional firearms were found in the vehicle he was occupying.  At the time of his arrest, Powell was on federal supervised release out of the Northern District of Illinois, where he was previously convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Powell was also found to be responsible for the January 3, 2020, robbery of the Fifth-Third Bank on Old Hickory Boulevard, based on a DNA analysis of a pair of discarded pants that were found in the woods while searching for the suspect immediately following the robbery. 

In May, Powell pleaded guilty to armed pharmacy robbery; brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm; and bank robbery.

U.S. Attorney Wildasin commended the FBI and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy, for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case which removes another dangerous offender from the community for an extended period of time. 

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Monessen, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charges of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

The eight-count Indictment, returned on Aug. 23, 2022, and unsealed today, named Rashawn Ford, age 27, as the sole defendant.

According to Indictment, on or about March 13, 2021, Ford possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing detectable amounts of heroin and fentanyl. On March 14, 2021, Ford possessed with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing detectable amounts of heroin and fentanyl. Also on March 13, 2021, and March 14, 2021, as well as Aug. 4, 2022, Ford possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Aug. 4, 2022, Ford possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.