USAO - New York, Eastern News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys   You are subscribed to USAO - New York, Eastern news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Attempting to Sexually Exploit Minors and Distributing Child Pornography 07/20/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Davis Burgos-Collazo was convicted by a jury of attempting to sexually exploit five children, two counts of distributing child pornography, accessing child pornography with intent to view it, and committing a felony sexual offense involving minors while being a registered sex offender. Oyster Bay Residents Charged with $27 Million Investment Fraud Scheme and Selling Foreign Nationals Access to Prominent U.S. Politicians 07/18/2022 08:00 AM EDT A criminal complaint was unsealed today in Brooklyn federal court charging Sherry Xue Li and Lianbo Wang with wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the Federal Election Commission's (FEC) administration of campaign finance laws. Li and Wang, both naturalized U.S. citizens, were arrested earlier today in Oyster Bay, New York, and their initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr. at the United States Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York. U.S. Citizen Extradited from Costa Rica to Face Wire Fraud Charges 07/15/2022 08:00 AM EDT David Butler, a United States citizen, will be arraigned today on an Indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors in a form of investment known as "binary options." Butler was arrested in April 2022 in Costa Rica and extradited to the United States on July 14, 2022. The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. Long Island Man Convicted of over $600 Million Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme 07/13/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, a federal jury in Central Islip returned a guilty verdict on eight counts of a superseding indictment charging Mathew James with perpetrating an over $600 million health care fraud scheme, which also included wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. The verdict followed a six-week trial before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert. Dark Web Vendor of Illegal Narcotics Indicted for Distributing Heroin and Cocaine in Exchange for Bitcoin 07/13/2022 08:00 AM EDT A three-count indictment was unsealed today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging Edison Hernandez, also known as "dragoncove," "originaldragoncove," "theoriginaldragoncove" and "Nino," with distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, as well as delivery and distribution of heroin and cocaine by means of the internet. These first two counts relate to Hernandez's alleged activities on the dark web starting in January 2013. United States Files Claims Alleging Fresenius Vascular Care, Inc. Defrauded Medicare and Other Healthcare Programs by Billing for Unnecessary Procedures Performed on Dialysis Patients 07/13/2022 08:00 AM EDT The United States filed a civil complaint yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn against Fresenius Vascular Care, Inc. ("Fresenius") alleging that the company performed unnecessary procedures on dialysis patients at nine centers across New York City and Long Island, and billed the procedures to Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Health Benefits Program and TRICARE. The complaint seeks damages and penalties under the False Claims Act. Two Eastern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Former Acting U.S. Attorney, and Paralegal Specialist Receive Attorney General's Award 07/12/2022 08:00 AM EDT Two Eastern District of New York Assistant United States Attorneys, a former Acting United States Attorney, and one paralegal specialist were among the 298 department employees recognized today by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland at the 69th Annual Attorney General's Awards Ceremony. Fifty-four non-department individuals were also honored for their work. The annual ceremony recognizes Department of Justice employees and partners for extraordinary contributions to the enforcement of our nation's laws. Folk Nation Leader Charged in Connection with March 22, 2022 Shooting 07/12/2022 08:00 AM EDT An indictment was unsealed today in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging Kwyme Waddell with being a felon in possession of ammunition. As alleged in court filings, the charge is related to a shooting Waddell committed in Brooklyn on March 22, 2022 in which the defendant shot into a crowd of people on the block of East 21st Street between Ditmas Avenue and Dorchester Road shortly after 9:30 p.m. The defendant is one of the top leaders of the No Love City (NLC) subset of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples, a violent street gang operating primarily in the area of Newkirk Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Long Island MS-13 Gang Associate Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Murdering a 15-Year-Old Boy in Freeport 07/12/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Eduardo Portillo, also known as "Firuli" and "Tito" (Portillo), an associate of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the "MS-13," was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 25 years in prison for his role in the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo in Cow Meadow Park in Freeport. The defendant, who was arrested in El Salvador and extradited to the United States to face these charges, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to racketeering, and admitted to his involvement in the Castillo murder and narcotics trafficking on behalf of the MS-13. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace to Lead Attorney General's Subcommittee on White Collar Crime 07/11/2022 08:00 AM EDT Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, has been selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General's Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace will play a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, securities and commodities fraud, and identity theft. Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 125 Months in Prison for Stabbing Pharmacy Employee and Attempted Robbery 07/07/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Rayvaughn Williams was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 125 months' imprisonment following his guilty plea to attempted Hobbs Act robbery in connection with his August 12, 2019 attempt to rob a pharmacy in Canarsie, Brooklyn, during which Williams repeatedly stabbed a pharmacy employee. Five Individuals Indicted for Crimes Related to Transnational Repression Scheme to Silence Critics of the People's Republic of China Residing in the United States 07/07/2022 08:00 AM EDT Yesterday, a grand jury returned an indictment in federal court in Brooklyn charging five defendants with various crimes pertaining to a transnational repression scheme orchestrated on behalf of the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The case is assigned to the United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall and the defendants' will be arraigned at a later date. Colombian Woman Sentenced to 10 Years and $5 Million Forfeiture for Narcotrafficking 07/06/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Hilda Maria Gonzalez Lopez, also known as "La Boyaca" and "Daniela," who aligned herself with powerful members of Los Rastrojos, a breakoff group of the violent arm of the Norte Valle Cartel, was sentenced by United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $5 million in forfeiture following her guilty plea for participating in a conspiracy to internationally distribute cocaine. In her October 2021 plea agreement, Gonzalez Lopez stipulated that she was responsible for distributing more than 450 kilograms of cocaine and agreed to forfeit $5,000,000. Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for $1.9 Million Paycheck Protection Program Fraud 07/05/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Leon Miles was sentenced by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to 72 months in prison following his guilty plea to making false statements in an application for over $1.9 million from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The court also ordered forfeiture in the amount of $1,904,593, including the 2020 Bentley that the government seized, and restitution in the amount of $598,299.39 to the authorized lender. Female MS-13 Gang Associate Pleads Guilty to 2019 Murder of 15-Year-Old in Central Islip 06/30/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Lidia DelCarmen-Rodriguez, an associate of the Leeward Locos Salvatruchas clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the use of a firearm, which caused the death of 15-year-old Jasson Medrano-Molina, on August 7, 2019 in Central Islip. Department of Justice Announces Additional Distribution of $92 Million to Victims in FIFA Corruption Case 06/30/2022 08:00 AM EDT The Department of Justice announced today a further distribution of approximately $92 million in compensation for losses suffered by FIFA, the world organizing body of soccer; CONCACAF, the confederation responsible for soccer governance in North and Central America, among other jurisdictions; CONMEBOL, the confederation responsible for soccer governance in South America; and various constituent national soccer federations. Justice Department Announces Investigation of New York City Police Department's Special Victims Division 06/30/2022 08:00 AM EDT Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today a civil pattern or practice investigation into the Special Victims Division (SVD) of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The investigation will assess whether the SVD engages in a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of the policies, procedures, and training for SVD investigations of sexual assault crimes, including how SVD interacts with survivors and witnesses, collects evidence, and completes investigations; any steps NYPD has taken to address deficiencies in its handling of sexual assault crimes; how SVD allocates staffing and other resources; and the services and support offered to survivors of sexual assault. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department officials will reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with SVD. Prior to the announcement, Justice Department (Department) officials notified Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, and NYC Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, who have pledged to cooperate with the investigation. R. Kelly Post Sentencing Statement 06/29/2022 08:00 AM EDT U.S. Attorney Breon Peace's Remarks on R. Kelly Sentencing 06/29/2022 08:00 AM EDT I hope this sentencing serves as its own testimony that it does not matter how powerful, rich or famous your abuser may be, or how small they make you feel – justice only hears the truth. Five Gun Traffickers Arrested for Selling Over 25 Firearms, Including Assault Rifles, Connected to Four Shootings in Brooklyn 06/29/2022 08:00 AM EDT A complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jamel Clarke, Dwayne Harris, Rayon Lovett, Owen Welch and Ronald Welch with engaging in a gun trafficking conspiracy dating back to September 2021, involving the sale of at least 28 firearms, including multiple AR-15-style semi-automatic rifles and AK-47-style assault rifles. At least two of the guns had been previously used in four separate shootings in Brooklyn. Dwayne Harris and Pheod Khan were also charged in the complaint with engaging in a crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy. An additional defendant is also charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy and remains at large. "R. Kelly" Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison 06/29/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, Robert Sylvester Kelly, the R&B singer also known as "R. Kelly," was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to 30 years in prison. On September 27, 2021, following six weeks of trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Kelly of all nine counts of a superseding indictment charging him with racketeering predicated on criminal conduct including sexual exploitation of children, forced labor and Mann Act violations involving the coercion and transportation of women and girls in interstate commerce to engage in illegal sexual activity. 12 Members and Associates of the "Route Boys" Charged with Multiple Burglaries, Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses 06/29/2022 08:00 AM EDT On June 28, 2022, a federal grand jury in Central Islip, New York returned an 18-count superseding indictment charging Carlos Acevedo, Ramon Collado, Naresh Deonarrain, Jason Liriano, Charlie Maisonet, Cavier Nedrick, Eric Nunez, Jose Rosado, Alberto Santiago and Jeffrey Vargas with conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances. The superseding indictment, which was unsealed this morning, also charged the defendants, along with Jonathan Santiago, with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including ecstasy and fentanyl. Furthermore, the superseding indictment charged Luis Cerda, along with Collado, Liriano, Rosado and Alberto Santiago, with conspiracy to commit bank larceny. The defendants were also charged with several related firearms counts, including possessing a ghost gun. According to court filings, the defendants are members and associates of a burglary and drug trafficking organization known as the "Route Boys." Over the past two years, the defendants, along with other associates of the Route Boys, committed dozens of burglaries of pharmacies and convenience stores in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester and Rockland Counties, as well as in New Jersey and Connecticut. They then used social media to sell the controlled substances and frequently displayed images of themselves possessing firearms. Earlier this morning, when agents arrested the defendants, they recovered several loaded guns and observed controlled substances in various defendants' residences and cars. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace's Remarks on R. Kelly Sentencing 06/29/2022 08:00 AM EDT Moments ago, R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison. This is a momentous outcome for all victims of R. Kelly, and especially for the survivors who so bravely testified about the horrific and sadistic abuse they endured. Former Airline Employee and Aircraft Part Sellers Charged in Kickback and Money Laundering Scheme 06/28/2022 08:00 AM EDT An indictment was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Keily Nunez, Julien Levy, Ivan Santos and Ramnik Soni with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The charges arise from a scheme in which Nunez, a former employee of a U.S. airline headquartered in Long Island City, New York (Company 1), accepted more than $1 million in kickbacks in exchange for steering Company 1 aircraft part purchase orders to Summit Aviation Supply LLC (Summit LLC), a New Jersey-based company controlled by Levy and Santos; and to Alaris Aerospace Systems LLC (Alaris), a Florida-based company controlled by Soni. Summit LLC and Alaris secured more than $1.5 million and more than $8.5 million, respectively, in purchase orders from Company 1 during the conspiracy. Levy was arrested yesterday; Santos and Nunez were arrested today and all three were arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann. Levy was released on a $400,000 bond, Santos on a $150,000 bond, and Nunez on a $150,000 bond. Soni was arrested today and will be arraigned tomorrow. U.S. Citizen Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Provide Electronic Equipment and Technology to the Government of Iran 06/28/2022 08:00 AM EDT Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Kambiz Attar Kashani, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally export U.S. goods, technology, and services to end users in Iran, including the Government of Iran, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Today's plea proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry. When sentenced, Kashani faces up to 20 years in prison. The defendant has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine, in addition to any forfeiture owed. 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