Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI and the Helena Police Department are warning the public about a rise in business email compromise (BEC) schemes, specifically targeting title companies.

In one recent case, a local victim received an email that appeared to come from a title company with instructions on how to wire his down payment. The email was cleverly disguised to look legitimate and included the name of a title company employee. The victim didn’t realize it was a scam until the money was sent, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars. Prospective home buyers, real estate agents, and title companies should remain vigilant and verify any communications regarding money transfers.

BEC – also known as email account compromise (EAC) – is a sophisticated scam targeting both businesses and individuals performing a transfer of funds. The scam is frequently carried out when a subject compromises legitimate business email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to conduct unauthorized transfers of funds.

BEC scams are among the fastest growing Internet fraud schemes and cost victims hundreds of millions of dollars in losses every year. In Montana in 2019, 55 victims with losses nearing $2.5 million were reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

If you or your company has been victimized by a BEC scam:

• Contact your financial institution immediately.
• Request that they contact the financial institution where the fraudulent transfer was sent.
• File a complaint—regardless of dollar loss—at ic3.gov

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

SAN JUAN, PR—SAC Rafael A. Riviere Vázquez announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of: RUBEN ADNER PACHECO SANTIAGO.

Pacheco Santiago was indicted on December 3, 2020, for violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) – Felon in possession – for events which took place in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on November 19, 2020, when he fired a handgun at a police officer during a traffic stop and fled the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. The public is reminded that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty.

For more information and the full wanted poster visit: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/additional/ruben-adner-pacheco-santiago-

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

Press release available in both English and Spanish.

SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Rafael A. Riviere Vázquez, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office, announced the arrests of Carlos A. Ortiz Santiago (Ortiz Santiago).

Ortiz Santiago was charged under a complaint with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119 (Carjacking) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c) (Brandishing of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime), events which took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 2021.

The subject was previously arrested by Police of Puerto Rico officers who contacted the FBI. After careful examination of the evidence, Ortiz Santiago was arrested by FBI special agents of the Violent Crimes Squad of the FBI San Juan Field Office on February 10, 2021.

This case is being investigated by the FBI San Juan Field Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Gottfried, District of Puerto Rico, from the Violent Crimes Section.

Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s Internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.Gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The public is reminded a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty by a court of law. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Arresto de Carlos A. Ortiz Santiago

SAN JUAN, PR—El Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina de San Juan del Negociado Federal de Investigación (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés), Rafael A. Riviere Vázquez, anunció el arresto de Carlos A. Ortiz Santiago (Ortiz Santiago).

Ortiz Santiago fue acusado mediante querella por violaciones al Título 18, Código de los Estados Unidos, United States Code, Seciones 2119 (Carjacking) 924(c) (Uso de un arma de fuego durante la comisión de un crimen violento) por eventos que ocurrieron en San Juan, Puerto Rico en diciembre del 2020.

El sujeto fue arrestado por Agentes Especiales de la Escuadra de Crímenes Violentos de la Oficina de San Juan del FBI. El arresto se llevó a cabo el 10 de febrero de 2021 luego de que Ortiz Santiago fuera detenido por Agentes de la Policía de Puerto Rico.

El enjuiciamiento de este caso está a cargo del Fiscal Federal Johathan Gottfried, de la Sección de Crímenes Violentos y es investigado por la Oficina de San Juan del FBI.

Las confidencias e información ayudan al FBI y a sus colegas federales, estatales y locales en el desempeño de sus funciones. Por ello, se le solicita al público que contacte a la Oficina de San Juan del FBI al 787-987-6500, o reporte confidencias a través de la línea de pistas (tips) del FBI, disponible en la página de internet Tips.FBI.Gov

Los querellantes podrán permanecer anónimos.

Se le recuerda al público que una Querella sólo contiene cargos y no es evidencia de culpabilidad. Todo acusado se presume inocente hasta que se pruebe lo contrario más allá de toda duda razonable. El Gobierno de los Estados Unidos tiene el peso de la prueba.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lima Resident Agency and the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorney’s Office, announce the arrest of Jeffrey Armstrong, age 51, of Rockford, Ohio.

The complaint alleges that on February 10, 2021, Armstrong engaged in a conversation through an online messenger application with an individual he believed to be interested in sexual relations with minor females. Armstrong expressed that he shared the same interest. Over the next 10 days additional conversations occurred between the FBI online undercover employee and Armstrong to include the exchange of sexually explicit photos depicting underage females.

The complaint alleges that Armstrong knows two underage females that he was hoping to engage in sexual activity with, a 5-year and a 6-year-old. Armstrong informed the undercover employee that he has engaged in previous sexual activity with minor females.

A search warrant was executed at Armstrong’s residence located in Rockford, Ohio, the morning of Monday, February 22, 2021. Armstrong was taken into federal custody, without incident, at approximately 7 a.m. at his place of employment in Lima, Ohio.

Jeffrey Armstrong has been federally charged with coercion and enticement and receipt and distribution of child pornography. Armstrong will have an initial appearance in U.S. Magistrate Judge Parker’s courtroom today, Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.

Law enforcement is encouraging anyone that has a child that has interacted with Jeffrey Armstrong and they feel any of those interactions could have been sexually inappropriate or was an attempt to “groom” the minor for future sexual interactions to please contact the FBI at 1-877-FBI-OHIO. (1-877-324-6446). Armstrong has lived in Rockford, Ohio for several years and has frequented kids sporting activities in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Law enforcement considers this an ongoing investigation and information outside of the federal complaint affidavit cannot be provided.

Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Patrick Lentz at 216-522-1400 or at pblentz@fbi.gov.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The Cleveland Division of the FBI, Canton Resident Agency’s Child Exploitation Task Force, announces the arrest of Dennis E. Horn, age 69, of Smithville, Ohio.

A federal arrest warrant for knowingly receiving and distributing visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and knowingly possessing or accessing with intent to view child pornography was signed on February 8, 2021.

An investigation had been initiated by law enforcement on January 11, 2021, upon discovery that an IP address utilized by Horn was making child exploitative material online for sharing. A search warrant was executed at Horn’s residence where alleged images of child pornography were seized.

Law enforcement was unable to locate and arrest Horn last week and on Friday, February 12th, a press release seeking information on Horn’s possible location was disseminated.

Horn was observed by law enforcement in the Smithville area on Monday, February 15th. Law enforcement was unsuccessful arresting Horn at that time. Horn successfully returned to his residence and refused law enforcement orders to come out of the residence. After a lengthy overnight standoff, over 15 hours, Horn was taken into custody by members of the Cleveland FBI SWAT at approximately 5:25 a.m. this morning, without incident.

Horn had an initial appearance in federal court today, February 16, 2021. He remains in custody and will have a preliminary and detention hearing on February 22, 2021 at 1pm. 

The Cleveland Division of the FBI – Canton Resident Agency’s Child Exploitation Task Force thanks the assistance provided by the Smithville Township Police Department, the Wooster Police Department, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Highway Patrol, and the Cleveland Division of the FBI’s SWAT members for their assistance in peacefully apprehending Horn.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.