U.S. Attorneys News News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys   You are subscribed to U.S. Attorneys News news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Thibodaux Residents Charged with Federal Drug and Firearm Violations 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that EARL HENRY Jr. ("HENRY"), age 27, ROY ROBINSON ("ROBINSON"), age 34, and TAMMY THOMPSON ("THOMPSON"), age 56, all residents of Thibodaux, La., were indicted on October 4, 2024 for Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A) (Count 1).  HENRY and ROBINSON were additionally indicted for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A) (Count 2), as well as  Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(a) (Count 3).  Finally, HENRY was also indicted for possessing firearms after previously being convicted of certain felony offenses, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) (Count 4). U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Sentencing of Albuquerque Man for Violent Crime Spree 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Procopio Montoya Atkinson was sentenced to 200 months in prison for a violent crime spree that included a series of armed robberies and assaults across New Mexico, culminating in the carjacking and shooting of a 62-year-old veteran. U.S. Attorney 's Office and FBI Charge Arizona Woman with Child Abuse 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Avedale Johnson was charged by indictment on multiple counts of abandonment and abuse of a child for allegedly placing three girls in a dangerous situation earlier this year. Justice Department Secures Agreement with Durham, North Carolina, to End Discriminatory Hiring Practices in City's Fire Department 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with the City of Durham (City), North Carolina, to resolve the department's claim that the hiring process for firefighters in the Durham Fire Department (DFD) violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the department alleges that the City's fire department screens applicants with a written test that discriminates against Black candidates. Former New York City Hall Official Charged With Witness Tampering And Destruction Of Evidence 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation ("DOI"), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging former New York City Hall official MOHAMED BAHI with witness tampering and destruction of evidence in connection with a federal investigation of unlawful contributions to a particular 2021 mayoral campaign.  Blair Taylor Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for the Murder of Two People 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On October 3, 2024, BLAIR TAYLOR ("TAYLOR"), a New Orleans resident, was sentenced after being found guilty by a federal jury of two-counts of  causing a death through the use of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(j)(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. St. Petersburg Doctor Settles Federal Claim To Improve Services To Patients With Communication Disabilities 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Ocala, FL – U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida has reached an agreement with Dr. Mark A. Nowacki, M.D. to resolve allegations that his medical practice, Mark A. Nowacki, M.D., P.A., violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide auxiliary aids and services to patients with communication disabilities. Kissimmee Man Sentenced For Possessing Machineguns And Dealing In Unlicensed Firearms 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Jamal Joseph Mala Leonardo (20, Kissimmee) to 30 months in federal prison for possession or transfer of a machinegun and dealing in firearms without a license.  The court also ordered Mala Leonardo to forfeit several machinegun conversion devices involved in the offense. Mala Leonardo entered a guilty plea on May 20, 2024. Minnesota Man Sentenced to Prison on Felony Charge for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT A Minnesota man was sentenced to prison he previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia Alerts Public to Charity Scams in Wake of Hurricane Helene 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan advises the public to be cautious about hurricane relief fraud in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Maryland Staffing Firm Owners Indicted For Evading Payment Of At Least $10 Million Dollars In Taxes Owed To The United States 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Baltimore, Maryland – On October 2, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jeannette Gomez, age 54, of Perry Hall, Maryland, and Edgar Gomez, age 51, of Perry Hall, Maryland, with failure to report and pay over employment taxes accrued pursuant to their interest in SND Services, LLC and related entities.  Lehigh Acres Man Arrested In Connection With Multi-Million Dollar COVID Relief Fraud Scheme 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Fort Myers, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Lester John Parker, Jr. (55, Lehigh Acres) on a 15-count indictment related to his alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Parker's charges include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. If convicted, Parker faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces up to 10 years' imprisonment for each count of access device fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. The aggravated identity theft counts carry a mandatory penalty of 2 years in federal prison consecutive to any other penalties imposed.   Justice Department Secures Agreement with Durham, North Carolina, to End Discriminatory Hiring Practices in City's Fire Department 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Lehigh Acres Man Indicted For COVID Relief Fraud 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Thakur Sukhdeo (38, Lehigh Acres) with wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions. If convicted, Sukhdeo faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each illegal monetary transaction count. The indictment also notifies Sukhdeo that the United States intends to forfeit a 2018 Jaguar F-Pace, 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD, and $414,000, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. Former Indiana Police Lieutenant Convicted of Federal Civil Rights Violation and Obstruction of Justice 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT A federal jury convicted a former New Castle, Indiana, police lieutenant last Friday on multiple counts of using excessive force against people in custody and one count of obstruction of justice by witness tampering. U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison Alerts Public to Charity Scams in Wake of Hurricane Helene 10/08/2024 08:00 AM EDT Court Sentences Dominican Drug Smuggler Caught With Approximately 443 Kilograms Of Cocaine 10/07/2024 08:00 AM EDT On October 3, 2024, United States District Court Judge, Terry F. Moorer, sentenced Jesus Acosta-Acosta, a Dominican national, to 87 months imprisonment for smuggling 443 kilograms of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea. 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