Month: January 2023

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Chance Seneca, 21, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced today to 45 years in federal prison for kidnapping and attempting to murder a gay man as part of a months-long scheme to kidnap and murder gay men. 

The court rested its sentence on many factors, including its determination that the defendant intentionally targeted the victim and other gay men because of their gender and sexual orientation.

“The facts of this case are truly shocking, and the defendant’s decision to specifically target gay men is a disturbing reminder of the unique prejudices and dangers facing the LGBTQ+ community today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The internet should be accessible and safe for all Americans, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. We will continue to identify and intercept the predators who weaponize online platforms to target LGBTQ+ victims and carry out acts of violence and hate.”

According to evidence introduced at sentencing and in an earlier hearing where the defendant pleaded guilty, Seneca in June 2020 used Grindr, a dating application for gay and bisexual men, to kidnap and attempt to murder H.W., a gay man. Specifically, Seneca used Grindr to propose a meeting with H.W., with the intent of murdering and dismembering him, and then drove H.W. to an isolated house, took out a handgun, instructed him to put on handcuffs, and then used several methods to attempt to murder him. Believing that H.W. was dead, Seneca then attempted to dismember him. After his arrest, Seneca admitted that he had planned to continue murdering gay men until he was caught or killed. 

Seneca acknowledged that he kidnapped and attempted to murder H.W. in order to satisfy a compulsive murder-fantasy. Seneca had become fixated with the idea of killing gay men, and this fascination led him to spend months designing a murder-kidnapping scheme that mirrored the murders of gay men committed by the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Seneca intentionally targeted gay men, as Dahmer had done. Seneca had also intended to eat and preserve the bodies of his victims, as Dahmer had done. 

“No one should ever be subjected to the type of horrendous actions that this defendant inflicted upon the victim in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “The victim never thought that he would find himself falling prey to a predator in such a way. Hate crimes such as this are a top priority for the Department and this office, and we take these kind of cases very seriously. It is important that we all remain vigilant and cautious as we use the internet in our everyday lives to avoid situations that may lead to destructive behavior of others towards us.”

“The preservation of civil rights and the investigation of Color of Law violations are of utmost priority for the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office.” “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that individuals like Chance Seneca will be held accountable. We thank our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana, Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Lafayette Police Department for their strong partnership and dedication to protecting the civil rights of every citizen.”

The FBI and the Lafayette Police Department conducted the investigation. 

Deputy Criminal Chief Myers Namie for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officer was arrested today in Oahu, Hawaii, on criminal charges related to his alleged sexual abuse of female inmates.

“As alleged, the defendant’s conduct targeted vulnerable victims and undermined the dual mission of the Bureau of Prisons: to provide a safe, humane custodial environment while preparing individuals for a return to society,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The charges announced today reflect the Department’s commitment to root out sexual misconduct within the BOP and to hold accountable those who illegally exploit their authority.”

According to court documents, Mikael Rivera, 45, of Kapolei, Hawaii, was a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu from approximately 2014 to 2018. While on duty as a correctional officer, Rivera allegedly committed multiple sexual acts with one inmate through the use of threats and engaged in sexually abusive conduct with two additional inmates under his supervision.

“As alleged, the defendant abused his position of power as a correctional officer and sexually abused multiple inmates under his supervision,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case demonstrates that the Criminal Division will not hesitate to hold accountable any officer who preys upon vulnerable victims and violates the public’s trust.”

“Government employees entrusted with the custody of inmates are responsible for the safety of both the community as well as those inmates,” said U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii. “This prosecution holds a prison guard accountable for flagrantly and repeatedly violating the law, and thereby failing to meet this responsibility.”

Rivera is charged with six counts of sexual abuse by threats and 11 counts of sexual abuse of a ward. If convicted, he faces a maximum of life in on each count of sexual abuse by threats and up to 15 years in prison on each count of sexual abuse of a ward.

“No inmate should ever experience abuse at the hands of Federal Bureau of Prisons employees,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG). “The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to aggressively investigating allegations of abuse, including sexual abuse, across the BOP.”

The DOJ-OIG is investigating the case with assistance from the FBI.

Senior Litigation Counsel Marco A. Palmieri and Deputy Chief Jennifer A. Clarke of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara D. Ayabe for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Multiple dental practice owners and co-conspirators were charged in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for allegedly engaging in a multifaceted racketeering conspiracy through a multi-state network of dental practices and related dental businesses.

On Jan. 18, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 12 individuals with operating and participating in a series of dental practices and related companies (the Savani Group) that engaged in visa fraud, health care fraud, wire fraud involving federal tax evasion, and money laundering. Six of the defendants were charged with being part of a racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO) conspiracy based on their roles in the Savani Group, and three defendants were also charged with obstruction of justice.

According to court documents, the defendants were allegedly part of a wide-ranging scheme to defraud Medicaid, U.S. Immigration authorities, the IRS, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and to launder the fraud proceeds. Bhaskar Savani, 57, and Niranjan Savani, 51, both of Maple Glenn, Pennsylvania and both licensed dentists, owned and controlled the Savani Group dental practices. Arun Savani, 55, of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, owned and managed the Savani Group companies and was responsible for the Savani Group’s financial affairs. The three brothers – Bhaskar, Niranjan, and Arun – allegedly conspired to recruit foreign workers for U.S. work visas while concealing the workers’ true job titles and responsibilities. 

Sunil Philip, 57, of Newton, Pennsylvania, was an outside accountant for the Savani Group and personal accountant of Bhaskar, Arun, and Niranjan Savani. Philip, along with Bhaskar, Arun, and Niranjan Savani, allegedly engaged in a wire fraud scheme to evade federal taxes.

Amen Dhyllon, 44, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, was a licensed dentist for the Savani Group. Aleksandra Radomiak, 45, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, was an employee and dental practice manager of the Savani Group. Dhyllon and Radomiak, along with Bhaskar, Arun, and Niranjan Savani, allegedly executed a scheme to use nominee owners of “on paper” dental practices to obtain and continue to profit from Medicaid contracts after managed care companies terminated the Savani Group dental practices’ Pennsylvania Medicaid contracts.

Jon Julian, 70, of South Carolina, was a licensed dentist for the Savani Group. Along with Bhaskar and Niranjan Savani, Julian allegedly conspired to place adulterated and misbranded dental devices in U.S. commerce. 

Vivek Savani, 35, Bharatkumar Parasana, 55, and Hiteshkumar Goyani, 39, all of North Wales, Pennsylvania; and Piyusha Patel, 41, of Ankenny, Iowa, were employed under the H1B visa program under the pretense of serving in specialty occupations for the Savani Group but actually performed office support roles for the Savani Group’s dental practices.

Susan Malpartida, 27, of Passaic, New Jersey, served in an office support function and allegedly obstructed the investigation when she made false statements about a Savani Group employee’s job function.

The defendants and their charges:

Name	Charges	If convicted, each defendant faces maximum imprisonment of:
Bhaskar Savani	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the United States Treasury, wire fraud, and conspiracy to distribute an adulterated and misbranded medical device in interstate commerce.	Racketeering Conspiracy: (20 years) Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years) Visa Fraud: (10 years) Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice: (5 years) Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud: (10 years) Health Care Fraud: (120 years) Money Laundering Conspiracy: (20 years) Money Laundering: (210 years) Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Treasury: (5 years) Wire Fraud: (20 years) Conspiracy To Distribute an Adulterated and Misbranded Medical Device in Interstate Commerce: (5 years)
Arun Savani	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the United States Treasury, and wire fraud.	Racketeering Conspiracy: (20 years) Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years) Visa Fraud: (20 years) Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice: (5 years) Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud: (10 years) Health Care Fraud: (120 years) Money Laundering Conspiracy: (20 years) Money Laundering: (210 years) Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Treasury: (5 years) Wire Fraud: (20 years)
Niranjan Savani	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States Treasury, wire fraud, and conspiracy to distribute an adulterated and misbranded medical device in interstate commerce.	Racketeering Conspiracy: (20 years) Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years) Visa Fraud: (20 years) Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud: (10 years) Health Care Fraud: (30 years) Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Treasury: (5 years) Wire Fraud: (20 years) Conspiracy To Distribute an Adulterated and Misbranded Medical Device in Interstate Commerce: (5 years)
Sunil Philip	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States Treasury, and wire fraud.	Racketeering Conspiracy: (20 years) Money Laundering Conspiracy: (20 years) Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Treasury: (5 years) Wire Fraud: (60 years)
Amen Dhyllon	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.	Racketeering Conspiracy: (20 years) Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud: (10 years) Health Care Fraud: (80 years) Money Laundering Conspiracy: (20 years)
Aleksandra Radomiak	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and health care fraud.	Racketeering Conspiracy: (20 years) Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud: (10 years) Health Care Fraud: (20 years)
Jon Julian	Conspiracy to place adulterated and misbranded dental devices in commerce.	Conspiracy To Distribute an Adulterated and Misbranded Medical Device in Interstate Commerce: (5 years)
Vivek Savani	Conspiracy to commit visa fraud.	Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years)
Bharatkumar Parasana	Conspiracy to commit visa fraud.	Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years)
Hiteshkumar Goyani	Conspiracy to commit visa fraud.	Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years)
Piyusha Patel	Conspiracy to commit visa fraud and visa fraud.	Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud: (5 years) Visa Fraud: (10 years)
Susan Malpartida	Conspiracy to obstruct justice.	Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice: (5 years)

Bhaskar, Arun, and Niranjan Savani, Sunil Phillip, and Aleksandra Radiomak made their initial court appearances on Jan. 20 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, FDA, Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the case.

Senior Policy Advisor Darrin L. McCullough and Trial Attorney Colin W. Trundle of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie S. Bonney, Meaghan A. Flannery, Sarah L. Grieb, and Kevin L. Jayne for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A man and woman who were involved in two carjackings at apartment complexes in Tulsa were sentenced in federal court this week, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. A third codefendant is scheduled to be sentenced in February.

U.S. District Judge Billy R. Wilson sentenced Raul Hernandez-Moreno, 22, to 225 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. He was convicted at trial in January 2022 of two counts of carjacking; two counts of carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien illegally in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced codefendant Nicole Marie Rumualdo, aka Nicole Hughes, 29, to 144 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. She previously pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Codefendant Carlos Alfredo Arroliga, 27, will be sentenced Feb. 3. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

“The defendants orchestrated two carjackings, pointed loaded firearms at the victims, and terrorized the victims. These convictions and lengthy sentences should send a message that my office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable dangerous offenders who threaten the public and commit violent acts within northeastern Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

On Oct. 26, 2021, Hernandez-Moreno, Rumualdo, and Arroliga were responsible for two carjackings in Tulsa. At 7:30 am, Hernandez-Moreno and his two accomplices pulled alongside a gray 2006 Mazda 3 in the Echo Trails Apartments in Tulsa. The defendants exited their blue SUV, and Rumualdo pointed a loaded handgun at the victim. Hernandez-Moreno blocked the victim from behind. Speaking in Spanish, Rumualdo demanded the victim’s wallet and cell phone. When the victim responded that he did not have his wallet and cell phone, Rumualdo snatched the victim’s keys. Hernandez-Moreno and Rumualdo drove off in the Mazda, and Arroliga followed in the blue SUV.

A few hours later, the three defendants targeted a maintenance worker in his parked vehicle at Bristol Park Apartments in Tulsa. The victim was preparing to perform repairs at the complex when the defendants pulled into a nearby spot. Hernandez-Moreno then approached the victim and pointed a loaded gun at the victim, ordering him to hand over his money. Hernandez-Moreno then took the victim’s keys and drove off in the victim’s 2010 gray Chevrolet Silverado. Arroliga and Rumualdo followed in the blue SUV.

Officers were able to locate surveillance footage of the crimes from one of the apartment complexes. The video showed the vehicle used by the defendants, a bright blue Ford Escape with a paper tag and unique license plate frame. The same day of the crime, the blue Ford Escape was observed on Garnett Road, and a traffic stop was initiated because it matched the description of the SUV seen in the surveillance video. Arroliga was driving the vehicle and taken into custody for questioning. On Oct. 27, 2020, Hernandez-Moreno and Rumualdo were found in the stolen Mazda at the Echo Trails Apartment complex. They were immediately taken into custody.

The Tulsa Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina S. Gilmore, Joel-lyn A. McCormick, and Thomas E. Buscemi prosecuted the case. U.S. District Judges Wilson and Sippel are visiting judges who normally serve in the Eastern District of Arkansas and Eastern District of Missouri respectively.

This case was prosecuted as 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Two Florida men were sentenced today in federal court in the Middle District of Florida for hate crime charges in connection with their racially-motivated attack against a Black man in Citrus Springs.  

Roy Lashley, 56, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, and his brother, Robert Lashley, 52, was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

According to the facts admitted in the defendants’ pleas, on Nov. 17, 2021, Roy and Robert Lashley traveled to the Family Dollar in Citrus Springs, where the victim, a Black man, was shopping inside. After Roy Lashley repeatedly used racial slurs inside the store in reference to the victim, both Roy and Robert Lashley followed the victim into the parking lot. There, Robert Lashley ran to the victim and hit him numerous times, while Roy Lashley retrieved an axe handle from the bed of his truck, ran to the scene, and struck the victim multiple times with it. Both Roy and Robert Lashley directed racial slurs towards the victim before, during, and after the attack. The victim sustained painful injuries to his face and legs, including a laceration to the inside of his mouth. Both Roy and Robert Lashley admitted that they willfully caused bodily injury to the victim and acted because of the victim’s actual or perceived race or color.

“Driven by bigotry and hate, the defendants brutally assaulted a Black man for no other reason than his race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Racially-motivated violence is abhorrent, unlawful and has no place in America today. Aggressive prosecution of hate crimes is a top priority for the Civil Rights Division, and these sentences should send a message to others who would carry out similar acts of violence that they will be brought to justice.”

“The brutal attack against the victim in this case was motivated by hate and bigotry,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the great determination and cooperation between our federal and local law enforcement partners, we were able to bring these callous criminals to justice.”

“Civil rights investigations are at the heart of what we do at the FBI,” Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office. “Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim; they are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community. Because of their wide-ranging impact, investigating hate crimes is among the FBI’s highest priorities, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to seek justice for victims and their communities.”

Assistant Attorney General Clarke, U.S. Attorney Handberg and Special Agent in Charge Onks made the announcement.

The FBI and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter.

Trial Attorneys Maura White and Matthew Tannenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hamilton for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. 

For more information and resources about the department’s work to combat hate crimes, visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.