Security News in Brief: Four Charged in Alleged $150 Million Payment Processing Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Four individuals have been charged in the District of Massachusetts with conspiring to deceive banks and credit card companies into processing more than $150 million in credit and debit card payments on behalf of merchants involved in prohibited and high-risk businesses, including online gambling, debt collection, debt reduction, prescription drugs, and payday lending, according to an indictment unsealed today in Boston. Three of the four individuals charged were arrested today. The fourth defendant has not yet been arrested and is a fugitive on separate federal charges.

Security News in Brief: Baltimore Felon and Associate of East Baltimore Monument Street Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Nearly Five Years in Federal Prison After Being Convicted At Trial for Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition

Source: United States Department of Justice News

U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Daniel Blue, age 39, of Baltimore, today to 57 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal possession of two loaded firearms. Blue knew that as a result of a previous federal drug conviction, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. A federal jury convicted Blue on May 17, 2021.

Security News in Brief: Registered Sex Offender Facing 10-20 Years Imprisonment on Child Pornography Charge

Source: United States Department of Justice News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A registered sex offender investigated by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for possessing and distributing child pornography is facing between ten and twenty years in federal prison, having pled guilty today to possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.

Security News in Brief: Long Island Dentist Arrested for Distributing Prescription Drugs to Women in Exchange for Sex

Source: United States Department of Justice News

An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Central Islip charging Dr. Barry Arnold, a practicing dentist with an office in Valley Stream, New York, with writing illegal prescriptions to women for oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, and alprazolam (“Xanax”), a Schedule IV controlled substance, in exchange for sex acts.

Security News in Brief: Four Members Of “Robles Park” Criminal Enterprise Indicted For Racketeering, Shootings, And Economic Crimes

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the return of an indictment charging Keaujay Hornsby, a/k/a “Plug,” (26, Tampa); Kareem Spann, a/k/a “Reem,” (27, Tampa); Tywon Spann, a/k/a “Weez,” (25, Tampa); and Eriaus Bentley (29, Tampa). Hornsby and both Spanns have been charged with racketeering conspiracy which, as the indictment alleges, relates to numerous violent, drug-trafficking, and economic crimes, committed in furtherance of a criminal enterprise called “Robles Park.” Hornsby and Kareem Spann have also been charged with committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering, and discharging firearms in aid of crimes of violence. All four defendants are charged with conspiring to commit fraud and identity theft, and with committing numerous substantive acts of fraud and identity theft.