Month: January 2023

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury indicted a Morris County, New Jersey, man for allegedly possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Anselmo Girimonte, 52, of Wharton, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He will be arraigned at a date to be determined. Girimonte was arrested on a criminal complaint on this conduct on March 4, 2022, and consented to detention.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From Dec. 27, 2021, through Jan. 17, 2022, Girimonte distributed material containing images and video files of child sexual abuse, via a publicly available online peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network of linked computers. Law enforcement officers conducted undercover online sessions to access the P2P program and during these sessions a user shared multiple video files of pre-pubescent children being sexually abused by adults from an internet address traced to Girimonte’s residence. 

On March 2, 2022, law enforcement officers lawfully obtained a cell phone from Girimonte’s residence that contained hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.

The count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The count of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. 

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.  He also thanked the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Rockaway Township Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea D. Coleman of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Maurice A. Taylor, 44, was sentenced on Thursday to 385 months in federal prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, for two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine (five kilograms and 500 grams) and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of fentanyl.

According to Taylor’s plea agreement, law enforcement was conducting an investigation into a residence that was being used to unload large shipments of illegal drugs.  On or about October 19, 2020, a trailer arrived at the residence and was pulled into the garage.  Shortly thereafter, Taylor had a woman come to the residence, where Taylor placed an item in her vehicle.  When she was stopped by police, she was in possession of approximately three kilograms of cocaine.  Inside the residence, police also found approximately 182 grams of a substance containing fentanyl.

Later, law enforcement was conducting a similar investigation, at a second residence, also involving the unloading of large shipments of drugs from a trailer.  On or about August 19, 2021, Taylor was followed to this second residence, where he waited for the resident to arrive.  Upon her arrival, they went into the residence and stayed for a few minutes.  Taylor then exited the residence with something under his shirt.  When he was apprehended, he was in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine and $18,166 in cash.  After his arrest, a search warrant was executed at the second residence, where law enforcement found an additional 7.9 kilograms of fentanyl.

Taylor pleaded guilty in July 2022.

“The defendant was dealing in massive amounts of illicit drugs, including more than eight kilograms of fentanyl, ” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “Fentanyl can be deadly in very small amounts – as little as two milligrams – meaning he had millions of potentially lethal doses of this incredibly dangerous drug.  For that reason, there can be little question that this investigation and arrest saved countless lives and dodged a massive impact on our community.  He unquestionably deserves the sentence imposed and I commend the dedicated work of all our law enforcement partners, whose efforts made this prosecution possible – and this community safer.”

“For years, Mr. Taylor has trafficked illicit drugs throughout the Lexington community wreaking havoc on countless families,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “Through steadfast collaboration with the Lexington Police Department, DEA, U.S. Attorney ‘s Office – EDKY, he will now spend the better part of the rest of his life incarcerated. Today’s sentence should send a clear message to those dealing illegal drugs, you will be held accountable.”

“Individuals who cause harm and misery in their community through the sale of illicit drugs should bear the full brunt of the justice system,” said J. Todd Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Louisville Field Division.  “Mr. Taylor preyed on vulnerable people and he must now account for his misdeeds by spending decades housed in a federal prison.”

“It takes all of us to keep our communities safe. I want to thank all of our federal partners who worked with the Lexington Police Department to apprehend and prosecute Mr. Taylor, said Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department. “Because of these efforts, we were able to stop an individual from supplying dangerous narcotics in our community.”

Under federal law, Taylor must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence.  He will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for eight years after his release from prison. 

United States Attorney Shier; FBI SAC Cohen; DEA SAC Scott; and Lexington Police Chief Weathers, jointly announced the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, DEA, and Lexington Police Department.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF) Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), a Department of Justice initiative designed to target trafficking of dangerous synthetic opioids.

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

DULUTH, Minn. – A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against a Duluth felon for methamphetamine trafficking and firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on May 7, 2022, John Robert Rieck, 66, was caught with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a Bersa .380 caliber pistol. Months later, Rieck was found with more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and an unregistered short-barreled shotgun bearing no serial number.

Because Rieck has multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 1975, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Rieck is charged with two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. He made his initial appearance on January 11, 2023, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Duluth Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Roso is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Ameen Alai, age 49, of Westminster, has been indicted on one count of distribution of ibogaine, a Schedule I controlled substance, resulting in death.

According to the indictment, on or about March 19, 2021, the defendant, also known as “Adam Powars,” knowingly and intentionally distributed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of ibogaine, the use of which resulted in the death of an individual on or about March 19, 2021.

If convicted, this charge carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison. The charge contained in the indictment is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The defendant made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews on January 12, 2023.  

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Rocky Mountain Division and the HIDTA Front Range Task Force (FRTF) conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Marshals Service took the defendant into custody after a 3-month fugitive investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus Y. Chung.

CASE NUMBER: 22-cr-00339-RM