Month: March 2023

Source: United States Department of Justice News

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jesus Ruiz Velasco-Ochoa, age 38, of Guadalajara, Mexico, was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

According to the plea agreement, co-defendant Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo, based in Aurora and Denver, organized the interstate transportation and local distribution of large quantities of illegal drugs. Co-conspirators worked with Mexico-based sources of supply to arrange pickups of illegal drugs from California-based intermediaries working with and for those Mexico-based sources of supply. During the course of the FBI’s investigation into her activities, Vallejo-Gallo arranged for the transport of large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. To effectuate her scheme of drug distribution, Vallejo-Gallo employed a network of co-conspirators, including interstate load runners, local runners, local multi-pound drug customers (who would, in turn, distribute to lower-level drug distributors), and lieutenants to coordinate the activities of the aforementioned coconspirators.

The defendant served as one of the primary interstate load runners for the conspiracy, which lasted from at least March 19, 2019, until February 12, 2020.  On July 31, 2019, for example, intercepted calls indicated the delivery of 46 pounds of methamphetamine in a load carried by the defendant. On October 21, 2019, two co-defendants started a load run to California at Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo’s direction, where they coordinated with the defendant and others to pay for drugs and transport drugs back to Colorado. On their way back to Colorado on October 23, 2019, Utah State Patrol stopped them and refused to allow the defendant, who was driving the load vehicle, to drive any further because he was unlicensed. Another co-defendant took over driving. The defendant transferred the methamphetamine he was carrying to the co-defendant so that she could complete the run. The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. A narcotics K-9 on scene alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Based on the positive dog sniff, CSP searched the vehicle, discovering approximately 53 pounds of methamphetamine in a large suitcase inside the trunk of the sedan.

“Today’s announcement is the result of a lengthy investigation and prosecution of several defendants, which would not have been possible without the diligent work of our many law enforcement partners,” said United States Attorney Cole Finegan. “This combined effort took a significant drug trafficking organization off the streets of Denver and Aurora.”

“This individual was a member of a drug-trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine onto the streets of metro Denver.  As a result of this multi-agency investigation, this DTO is no longer operational in Denver and Aurora,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Leonard Carollo. “FBI Denver is committed to working with federal, state and local partners in operations like this to dismantle DTOs, mitigate the distribution of illegal drugs and make our communities safer.”

“This multi-agency investigation and subsequent lengthy sentencing sends the strong message that HSI will use every resource and authority necessary to hold those accountable that jeopardize the safety of our communities for profit,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Denver. “This investigation that stretched across multiple states and crossed international borders can only be accomplished by dedicated law enforcement professionals that adopt a “One Badge” philosophy.”

“Targeting the profits generated by drug traffickers is a key step in the investigative process, and vital to disrupting and dismantling their organization,” said Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “IRS-CI, our law enforcement partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work together to eliminate this threat to our communities.”

United States District Court Judge Raymond Moore sentenced Velasco-Ochoa on February 24, 2023.

Agents and deputies assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force from the FBI, HSI, ICE ERO, IRS-CI, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation and were assisted by officers and deputies from the DEA, the Colorado State Patrol, the Aurora Police Department, and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus Y. Chung handled the prosecution of the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Case number:  20-cr-0028

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Dennis Daniels, 73, of Romulus, NY, who was convicted of mail fraud and willful failure to file an income tax return, was sentenced to serve two years’ probation, and pay restitution, including $22,440 to the U.S. Coast Guard and students, and $115,757 to the Internal Revenue Service, by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and David J. Rudroff, who handled the case, stated that Daniels owned and operated Sea Tech Marine Training, which offered U.S. Coast Guard approved training courses to include operator uninspected passenger vessel (OUPV), one-hundred-ton masters license (Masters), assistance towing endorsement and auxiliary sail endorsement. Daniels also owned and operated Sea Test, a business that offered drug testing programs for United States Coast Guard license holders. Between 2014 and 2017, Daniels received gross income totaling approximately $665,327 but failed to file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for those years. The tax owed on the unreported income was approximately $115,757.

In addition, in January and February 2019, Daniels taught 23 students the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved OUPV course with a Masters upgrade. The course should have included 80 hours of classroom instruction time, however, Daniels only provided 51 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, Daniels provided the students with the answers to certain examination questions and instructed students to provide false information regarding prior sea service. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, under the direction of Neal Marzloff, Special Agent-in-Charge, Central Region; the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the Boston Division; and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.    

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Shawn Johnson, 35, of West Seneca, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who handled the case, stated that in September 2019, investigators discovered an IP address, traced to Johnson, attempting to download suspected child pornography using the internet. On December 2, 2019, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s Angle Road residence. As investigators executed the search, they encountered Johnson standing in his bedroom smashing a laptop computer against the wall and trying to damage it. The laptop, which sustained serious damage, was sent to the FBI’s Digital Forensics Analysis Unit Laboratory where much of the data was recovered. The hard drive was found to contain numerous images and videos of child pornography.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents with the support of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, arrested two men charged with Transportation of Child Pornography, Possession of Child Pornography, Production of Child Pornography and Coercion and Enticement of minors, in two separate and unrelated cases.

According to court documents, in or about December 2020 through in or about January 2021, Nathan Gallarza Chaparro, 22, of Aguadilla, did knowingly transport one or more images and videos, which contained images of child pornography. Also, Gallarza Chaparro was charged with possession of child pornography. Assistant United States Attorney Ginette Milanes, from the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting this case.

In a separate case, HSI special agents arrested Eduardo Luis Marrero Casanova, 52, a religious leader in Cayey.  According to the indictment, in or about December 2022, through on or about January 25, 2023, the defendant used a cellular phone, as well as internet instant messaging services, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce two fifteen-year-old male minors to engage in sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, which includes the production of child pornography as defined in Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.). Also, Marrero Casanova did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor, and attempted to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct.

Defendant Marrero-Casanova is facing two (2) counts of coercion and enticement of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), and two (2) counts of production of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora, of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case.

“The United States Attorney’s Office and the federal and local law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our children from sexual predators,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.  “We remind and encourage the public to report all inappropriate behavior with children to their local authorities and together local and federal law enforcement agencies will seek justice for the victims of these crimes.”

“It is time for us as a community to stand together and protect our minors from these predators,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rebecca C. González-Ramos. “We have the services, the help, and the expertise. Please reach out so we can take these individuals out of our society. There will be zero tolerance for those who intend to harm our children.” 

On Friday, the defendants had their initial hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler. The defendants were transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center to await further judicial proceedings.

If convicted, Nathan Gallarza Chaparro faces a statutory minimum sentence of 5 years up to 20 years of imprisonment followed by a term of supervise release of 5 years up to life for the possession of child pornography. Eduardo Luis Marrero Casanova is facing a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum of life for each count of coercion and enticement; and a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years for each count of production of child pornography. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crime and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline.  HSI utilizes its vast authorities, international footprint, and strong interagency and public-private partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify, and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse, and help make the internet a safer place for children.

For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians.

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

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Source: United States Department of Justice News

BANGOR, Maine: A former Aroostook County resident pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Andrew Adams, 31, along with others, trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties. His participation in the conspiracy resulted in contacts with local law enforcement that led to the seizure of drugs, firearms, drug paraphernalia and other items.

Adams faces up to 20 years imprisonment. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle, and Houlton police departments. U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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