Month: January 2023

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jaleesa Wallace was sentenced by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon to 30 months in prison for postal theft. As part of her sentence, Wallace was also ordered to pay over $4 million in restitution.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office (USPS-OIG), announced the sentence.

“The defendant exploited her position with one of our most trusted institutions, the United States Postal Service, for her own personal gain and caused significant losses to financial institutions,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Residents of the district need to be confident that postal employees carry out their duties honestly and that important documents can travel safely in the mail.”

Mr. Peace also expressed his thanks to the United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division, and the New York City Police Department for their diligent efforts on the case. 

“The Special Agents of the USPS OIG will vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who compromise their integrity for personal gain. The sentence imposed on the defendant will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences when individuals utilize their Postal position to commit crimes,” stated USPS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Modafferi. “The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

As set forth in court filings, in February 2021, 10,000 blank money orders were reported missing from a USPS post office on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn where Wallace worked.  The money orders can be deposited with a financial institution for up to $1,000 each.  Agents recovered over 3,000 of the stolen money orders from Wallace’s residence.  Over $4 million worth of the stolen money orders have been cashed at various financial institutions throughout the country. Agents also recovered prepaid Department of Labor unemployment benefit cards and approximately $43,000 in cash from Wallace’s apartment. Additionally, Wallace was in possession of approximately 42 pieces of mail from the Department of Labor that were not in her name. 

Wallace was terminated by the USPS in August 2021. She forfeited the cash seized from her apartment to the United States Postal Inspection Service. A related defendant, Willie Cook, pleaded guilty to mail theft in March 2022 and is awaiting sentencing.

The government’s case was handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Alessi is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

JALEESA WALLACE
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-153 (CBA)

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            CONCORD, N.H. – United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced that Corey Donovan, 40, previously of Wilmot, was sentenced to 115 months of imprisonment on Tuesday following his conviction at trial last year for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. 

            According to trial exhibits and witness testimony presented during the four-day jury trial in October 2021, Donovan was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.  In March 2021, law enforcement received a tip that Donovan possessed firearms.  After analyzing the information received and employing other investigative techniques, search warrants were obtained to search Donovan’s property and vehicles associated with him.  Located in Donovan’s Jeep, strapped to the Jeep’s roll bar, was a loaded 20-gauge shotgun, with several rounds of ammunition on and in the weapon.  Additional ammunition was located in the Jeep’s center console.   In addition, a companion 20-gauge shotgun barrel, several shotgun parts, multiple rounds of ammunition, two homemade silencers and various gun accessories were located in other locations on Donovan’s property. 

             Donovan has been detained since his March 2021 arrest.  He was on supervised release at the time of the offense following an earlier federal conviction for conspiracy to commit bank robbery and related firearms charges arising out of the February 2007 armed robbery of the Franklin Savings Bank where he and several compatriots initially escaped by snowmobile.  The sentence imposed by the Court consists of 110 months for the new firearms offense and 5 months for the violation of supervised release, to be served consecutively.  Donovan will be on a new term of supervised release of 3 years following his release from Bureau of Prisons custody.

            After the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Young stated, “Convicted felons, like the defendant, who illegally possess weapons and ammunition will be prosecuted and upon conviction, the government will seek significant periods of incarceration to ensure the safety of our communities and to deter felons from committing these crimes.”

            “ATF will continue the fight against violent crime in our communities.” Said James M. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division.   “We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners keeping guns out of the hands of convicted of felons.”

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Service, New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and Andover Police Department.  Special assistance was also provided by the Somersworth Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Charles L. Rombeau. 

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JUAN CARLOS CASTRO GONZALEZ was sentenced yesterday to 40 months in prison in connection with his participation in COVID-19-related tax fraud and unemployment benefits fraud schemes that resulted in actual losses totaling over $570,000 and intended losses of over $3.3 million.  On April 6, 2022, CASTRO GONZALEZ pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who imposed the sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Juan Carlos Castro Gonzalez exploited the Government’s efforts to help individuals struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to enrich himself and his co-conspirators.  Castro Gonzalez’s sentence shows that this Office and our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to prosecute those who sought to commit pandemic relief fraud.”

According to the allegations in the Information to which the defendant pled guilty, other public filings, and statements made in public court proceedings:

From 2019 to 2021, CASTRO GONZALEZ participated in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud by defrauding government agencies.  Between July 2019 and August 2021, CASTRO GONZALEZ worked with others to obtain fraudulent tax refunds and Economic Impact Payments, which were authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, from the Internal Revenue Service (the “Tax Fraud Scheme”).  Between June 2020 and August 2021, CASTRO GONZALEZ worked with others to obtain CARES Act unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (the “UI Benefits Fraud Scheme”).

With respect to the Tax Fraud Scheme, CASTRO GONZALEZ controlled several bank accounts under different identities.  These accounts were used by CASTRO GONZALEZ to deposit and receive, among other things, U.S. Treasury payments in the names of other individuals.  CASTRO GONZALEZ was observed on bank surveillance footage at several of these bank locations depositing U.S. Treasury checks into the accounts.  CASTRO GONZALEZ is responsible for $56,648.01 in losses to the Internal Revenue Service. 

With respect to the UI Benefits Fraud Scheme, CASTRO GONZALEZ verified CARES Act UI benefit applications to the New York Department of Labor (the “NY DOL”) that had been fraudulently submitted using the names and social security numbers of people who were unaware that such applications had been made using their personal information.  Once the NY DOL received and approved the fraudulent UI benefit applications, the funds were sent to specified bank accounts or to pre-paid cards, at least some of which were controlled and received by CASTRO GONZALEZ.  CASTRO GONZALEZ and his co-conspirators caused actual losses to the NYL DOL of $500,079 and intended losses of approximately $3,363,000.

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In addition to his prison term, CASTRO GONZALEZ, 35, of the Bronx, New York, was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $574,202.01 and to forfeit the same amount to the Government.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olga I. Zverovich and Danielle M. Kudla are in charge of the prosecution.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the results of the United States Attorney’s Office’s ongoing efforts to fight violent crime through its partnership with the Tampa Police Department (TPD). During 2022, federal prosecutors and TPD worked together to charge and prosecute 91 defendants for federal crimes, including firearms and drug offenses. In total, these prosecutions removed 74 firearms from our streets. The prosecutions supported by TPD include:

• Robles Park Criminal Enterprise – The prosecution of the “Robles Park” criminal enterprise involved members and associates who engaged in murder, assault, intimidation, narcotics trafficking, unemployment insurance fraud, identity theft, obstruction of justice, and other crimes. Among other acts of violence, on July 19, 2020, Robles Park members committed a shooting outside the Truth Lounge in Tampa, starting a shootout that left eight people injured, including minors. In retaliation for the Truth Lounge shooting, rival gang members initiated an armed confrontation with members of the Robles Park organization in the parking lot of the International Plaza retail establishment in Tampa near several witnesses. The ensuing gun fight left behind 25 spent shell casings and several damaged vehicles. As a result, four individuals associated with the Robles Park enterprise have been charged with federal firearms and violent offenses; three of those individuals have pleaded guilty.
• United States vs. Jeffrey Davis and Tyee Spike – Davis and Spike received prison sentences of 24 years and 26 years and 3 months, respectively, following their convictions. According to court documents, Davis and Spike committed a series of commercial armed robberies in Tampa, Fishhawk, and Riverview. They brandished firearms during each of the robberies. During one of the robberies, Spike shot a victim in the stomach.
• United States vs. Antonio Phillips – Phillips received a sentence of 8 years in prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.  On December 1, 2020, in Tampa, Phillips and others conducted a drive-by shooting on an occupied vehicle. After the shooting, law enforcement air support tracked Phillips’ vehicle, which had fled the scene. Video surveillance captured muzzle flashes coming from the passenger side of the car where Phillips was sitting. Numerous bullet holes were observed on the other vehicle. Phillips and others fled from their car, discarded weapons, and jumped over fences and across yards before they were ultimately apprehended. Law enforcement recovered 3 guns, a 50-round drum-style magazine, and trigger-mounted laser.
• United States vs. Javeon Jacobs – A court sentenced Javeon Jacobs to 21 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to three counts of brandishing a firearm while committing carjackings. According to court documents, Jacobs committed three separate carjackings. In one of the carjackings, Jacobs kidnapped two victims, one of whom he also pistol-whipped.
• United States vs. Natwan Callaway – On January 30,2021, officers responded to reports of shots being fired and observed two men running away from the scene. Natwan Callaway, who was standing next to another male, was observed with the imprint of a firearm and extended magazine on his front right hip and apprehended with an empty holster. Nearby, officers found two loaded semi-automatic 9 mm pistols. Ammunition from one of the pistols (Glock 17 9mm) matched that used in a homicide in October 2020, an aggravated battery in December 2020, and an aggravated assault in January 2021, all in Tampa. Callaway’s DNA was found on that pistol. In May 2021, officers found several Instagram videos of Callaway possessing and utilizing several firearms, many of which were loaded. Callaway pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon on December 13, 2022. He faces a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to doing our part to reduce violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “That goal cannot be accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners. In 2022, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) has played a critical role in investigating and prosecuting violent crimes. We look forward to continuing to work with TPD and our other local and federal law enforcement partners to further our goal of making the Tampa Bay area a safer place for its citizens.”

“Violent crime, in any form, negatively affects the quality of life of every person impacted, whether directly or indirectly,” said Interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. “Every community member has the absolute right to feel safe in their homes and in their neighborhoods. The Tampa Police Department will continue to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners in our tireless efforts to hold those who would harm or threaten the public accountable, prosecute them to the full extent of the law, and make every community member feel safe in our city.”

These cases were investigated by the Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. They are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Risha Asokan, Samantha Beckman, David Chee, Charlie Connally, Tiffany Fields, Craig Gestring, Michael Gordon, Michael Kenneth, Maria Guzman, Daniel Marcet, Christopher Murray, Samantha Newman, Diego Novaes, James Preston, Candace Rich, Michael Sinacore, Ilyssa Spergel, David Sullivan, Callan Albritton, and Jay Trezevant.

The majority of these cases are a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

 Memphis, TN – Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Assistant United States Attorneys for the district: Mary Morris, Jermal Blanchard, Courtney Lewis, and Bryce Phillips. All four of the new AUSAs will work out of the Memphis office.

United States Attorney Ritz said: “With the hiring of Mary, Jermal, Courtney, and Bryce, we have recruited top legal talent to fulfill the Department’s mission of upholding the rule of law, protecting civil rights, and keeping Americans safe. These four attorneys are already hard at work promoting and defending the interests of our great country. I’m thankful for their commitment to a career in federal public service.”

Mary Morris joins the office from the University of Memphis School of Law, where she was a professor for several years. Mary was previously a member at Burch, Porter & Johnson in Memphis, where she had a broad litigation practice with a focus on federal cases, including federal criminal and habeas matters. Mary clerked for Judge Julia Gibbons of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Judge Samuel H. Mays, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Alabama and Yale Law School. Mary has been appointed Appellate Chief and Special Counsel.

Jermal Blanchard joins the office from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, where he was a prosecutor for over six years. Jermal has extensive courtroom experience and has handled a variety of complex criminal matters, including murder, human trafficking, and sexual abuse cases. He graduated from the University of Memphis and Florida Coastal School of Law. Jermal is assigned to the office’s Firearms and Violent Crimes Unit.

Courtney Lewis joins the office from the United States Navy, where she has had a decorated career. She served as a Judge Advocate for 16 years and is also certified as a military judge. Courtney is an experienced prosecutor who has litigated several dozen criminal jury trials and supervised thousands of additional investigations and trials. She graduated from Villanova University and Suffolk University Law School. Courtney is assigned to the office’s General Crimes Unit.

Bryce Phillips joins the office from the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office, where he served as a prosecutor for more than a decade. Bryce has managed all sorts of criminal investigations and has tried dozens of cases. He was a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2017 to 2019. Bryce graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Memphis School of Law. Bryce is assigned to the office’s Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit.

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For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Cherri Green at (901) 544-4231 or cherri.green@usdoj.gov. Follow @WDTNNews on Twitter for office news and updates.