Starr County defendant with heart condition seeks release
Ortizโs heart reportedly operates at 23% of its capacity prompting him to wear a vest that would restart his heart, in case it fails, his wife testified. De la Cruz explained Ortiz is scheduled to have an exam of his heart on Nov. 1. Yet, the judge pointed out Ortiz reported to probation that he uses cocaine on a weekly basis, a fact that did not escape the judgeโs notice when considering his release. Guerra said he was concerned for his clientโs ability to receive prompt medical attention in the event of heart failure. Canales was also on probation for a different crime when he participated in the drug conspiracy, the government attorney alleged.
myrgv.comFormer HPD officer sentenced to 87 months in prison on drug conspiracy charges
HOUSTON โ A former officer with the Houston Police Department has been ordered to prison after admitting her guilt in a Houston-area cocaine conspiracy, the U.S. Attorneyโs office announced Wednesday. On Jan. 16, 2020, 41-year-old Julissa Diaz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. At that time, she admitted she stopped a vehicle containing cocaine and arrested the occupant to allow others to steal the drugs. โJulissa Diaz used her position as a sworn police officer to commit these crimes. On Nov. 8, 2018, Julissa stopped and arrested the occupant who was actually an undercover officer posing as the drug courier.
"60 Minutes" interview about Capitol riot investigation sparks internal watchdog review
"60 Minutes" interview about Capitol riot investigation sparks internal watchdog review On Tuesday a federal judge said it was "troubling" that Michael Sherwin, the former acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, spoke about potential sedition charges in the ongoing Capitol riot investigation during an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes." Washington Post national security reporter Devlin Barrett joins CBSN "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano with the details, and the latest on upcoming plea talks.
cbsnews.comDepartment of Justice Issues Statement Regarding Federal Civil Rights Review Into March 2020 Police Encounter with Daniel Prude
Pamela Karlan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, James P. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, and Stephen A. Belongia, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Buffalo Field Office, released the following statement:โThe U.S. Attorneyโs Office for the Western District of New York, the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are aware that a grand jury empaneled by the New York State Attorney Generalโs Office has concluded its investigation of the various officers of the Rochester Police Department who encountered Daniel Prude on March 23, 2020, and determined that no charges would be filed. We intend to review the comprehensive report issued by the New York State Attorney General, as well as any other relevant materials, and will determine whether any further federal response is warranted.โ
justice.govStatement Regarding Federal Civil Rights Investigation Into Shooting of Jacob Blake
Eric S. Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin released the following statement related to the Aug. 23, 2020, shooting of Jacob Blake:โAs previously announced, a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Jacob Blake is ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. The federal investigation is being overseen by prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneyโs Office and the U.S. Department of Justiceโs Civil Rights Division who will make an independent charging decision. Also ongoing are federal investigations into the arson, rioting, and other violent crimes that occurred in Kenosha in August 2020. U.S. Attorney Krueger and Assistant Attorney General Dreiband urged everyone to act peacefully and abide by the law.โ
justice.govHunter Biden facing federal investigation over 'tax affairs'
(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)WILMINGTON, Del. โ President-elect Joe Biden's son Hunter said Wednesday that he has learned from federal prosecutors that his tax affairs are under investigation. The investigation by the Delaware U.S. Attorney's office was disclosed in a statement by President-elect Biden's transition office. Hunter Biden's attorneys did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.
Member of Neo-Nazi Group Sentenced for Plot to Target Journalists and Advocates
Johnny Roman Garza, 21, a member of the Neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, was sentenced today to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in a plot to threaten and intimidate journalists and advocates who worked to expose anti-Semitism. โThe United States and other nations fought a global war to rid the world of murderous threats and violence by Nazis. โThreats motivated by religious intolerance are unacceptable, and so too are threats aimed at those who work to end such discrimination. Garza, along with his conspirators, targeted and intimidated journalists from minority groups with communications threatening violence. The group focused primarily on journalists and advocates who were Jewish or people of color.
justice.govMaryland Tax Preparer Indicted for Preparing False Returns
A federal grand jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, returned an indictment today charging an Upper Marlboro tax return preparer with conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departmentโs Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur. According to the indictment, Anita Fortune provided tax preparation services under multiple business names, including Tax Terminatorz Inc. Fortune allegedly prepared and filed returns using co-conspiratorsโ electronic filing identification numbers and identifiers. In addition, Fortune allegedly provided money and office space in exchange for her co-conspiratorsโ electronic filing credentials. For the tax years 2012 to 2018, Fortune, along with her two co-conspirators, allegedly added fictitious or inflated itemized deductions and business losses to clientsโ returns, which fraudulently reduced their tax liabilities and increased their refunds. Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the divisionโs website.
justice.govFeds: Suburban Chicago businessman formed company as pandemic hit, then swindled more than $2.6 million from hospitals in Chicago and Iowa City
Though the hospitals are not named in the complaint, a spokeswoman for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City confirmed officials there contacted the U.S. Attorneyโs office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations โafter At Diagnostics did not return the funds sent in escrow when the purchase was canceled.โ
chicagotribune.comPrincipal Deputy Associate Attorney General Claire McCusker Murray Closing Remarks for the 2020 Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation
I so enjoyed meeting with you at last yearโs Tribal Consultation in Michigan, and Iโm honored to be with you again today to provide some closing remarks. Enforcement of Tribal Protection OrdersFinally, let me say a few words about the enforcement of tribal protection orders. At last yearโs consultation, some of you expressed concerns about the lack of enforcement of tribal orders by state and local law enforcement. OVW has supported a number of initiatives over the years to improve enforcement of tribal protection orders, including a project focused on Full Faith and Credit enforcement of tribal protection orders in Alaska. For example, in January of this year, the United States Attorneyโs Office in Oregon issued joint guidance with the Oregon Attorney General on the enforcement of tribal protection orders.
justice.govRemarks of Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division John C. Demers on the Iran Forfeiture Actions
On Aug. 20, 2020, the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorneyโs Office for the District of Columbia filed a complaint in U.S. District Court seeking to forfeit the seized weapons. In August 2020, the District Court issued a warrant for arrest in rem of the cargo. These actions represent the governmentโs largest-ever civil seizures of fuel and weapons from Iran. These cases also highlight that enforcement of the sanctions against Iran remains one of the departmentโs national security priorities. I would like to thank prosecutors from the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorneyโs Office for the District of Columbia for their work on both of these matters.
justice.govFBI arrests five in alleged 'Operation Fox Hunt' plot to stalk and pressure citizens to return to China
WASHINGTON โ The Justice Department charged eight people Wednesday with conspiring to work on behalf of the Chinese government to harass, stalk and intimidate Chinese citizens into returning to their home country. Five were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday, while the other three are believed to be in China, John Demers, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's National Security division, said during a virtual press conference. According to the complaint unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn, the defendants participated in an "international campaign to threaten, harass, surveil and intimidate John Doe-1, a resident of New Jersey, and his family in order to force them to return to the People's Republic of China." The international campaign, dubbed "Operation Fox Hunt," is part of the Chinese government's global campaign aimed at reducing the country's diaspora, officials said. "Operation Fox Hunt is just one of many ways in which China disregards the rule of law," Demers said.
cnbc.comONLY ON 2: US attorney discusses federal charges filed in Manzano case
HOUSTON โ Ryan Patrick, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, spoke to KPRC 2 on Thursday about the federal charges his office brought against Elmer Manzano, the man accused of killing a Houston police sergeant and wounding another officer. โWe brought two federal charges -- one for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for being an alien in possession of a firearm,โ Patrick said. Manzano, a 51-year old convicted felon, is accused of shooting and killing Houston police Sgt. Federal charging documents show that as early as Saturday, Houston police knew Manzano had a gun. On both occasions, the wife said Manzano displayed a weapon and she feared for her life.
Texas U.S. Attorney John Bash resigns
John F. Bash, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, resigned from his position. โI tendered formal letters of resignation to both the President and the Attorney General this morning,โ Bash wrote in a statement. โJohn has made significant contributions to the Department of Justice, including his service on the Attorney Generalโs Advisory Committee. Sofer was a counselor to Barr and worked in the Western District of Texas office for 12 years. It covers 68 counties โ with offices in Alpine, Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, San Antonio, and Waco โ and serves about 6.5 million Texans.
Owner of Medical Laboratory Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax Returns
A Shreveport, Louisiana, business owner was sentenced to 40 months in prison on Sept. 30, 2020, for filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departmentโs Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Alexander C. Van Hook. According to documents and information provided to the court, Robert C. Poimboeuf was a part owner of D&G Holdings LLC, a medical laboratory in the Shreveport area. From 2011 through 2015, Poimboeuf filed false tax returns that underreported gross receipts earned from his business. Poimboeuf concealed from his tax return preparers at least two bank accounts reflecting income earned, and falsely characterized business receipts as non-taxable loans. As a result of these actions, Poimboeuf caused a tax loss of more than $1.9 million to the IRS.
justice.govComEd to pay $200M over bribery, Illinois speaker implicated
(Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP, Pool, File)CHICAGO Electric utility ComEd has agreed to pay $200 million to resolve a federal criminal investigation into a long-running bribery scheme that implicates Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, federal prosecutors announced Friday. A deferred prosecution agreement for ComEd filed in federal court states that Public Official A is the Illinois House Speaker, but Madigan the the longest-serving state House speaker in modern American history is not mentioned by name. The U.S. Attorney's office scheduled a Friday afternoon news conference to announce developments in a public corruption investigation." The U.S. Attorneys Office said it filed a one-count criminal information on Friday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charging ComEd with bribery. A deferred prosecution agreement that's subject to approval by the U.S. District Court requires ComEd to pay a $200 million fine.
Attorney General William P. Barr Announces the Appointment of Stephen J. Cox as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas
Attorney General William P. Barr announced today the appointment of Stephen J. Cox as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. As U.S. Attorney, Cox will serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Eastern District of Texas. I am pleased to appoint Stephen J. Cox as U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Texas. Steve has been a consummate professional and dedicated leader throughout his time in the Office of the Associate Attorney General, said Attorney General William P. Barr. For more information about the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.
justice.govUniversity of Arkansas Professor Arrested for Wire Fraud
The complaint and complaint affidavit were unsealed this evening after Angs initial appearance in court before The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks at the United States District Court in Fayetteville. In the one-count complaint, Ang was charged with one count of Wire Fraud. The complaint charges that Ang had close ties with the Chinese government and Chinese companies, and failed to disclose those ties when required to do so in order to receive grant money from NASA. These materially false representations to NASA and the University of Arkansas resulted in numerous wires to be sent and received that facilitated Angs scheme to defraud. The charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
justice.govAttorney General William P. Barr Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Criminal Charges against Venezuelan Officials
Today, I am here to talk about the former Maduro regime and its direct participation in narco-terrorism, corruption, money laundering, and drug trafficking. Joining me today is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoff Berman; the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Ariana Fajardo; the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, Brian Benczkowski, and; DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. Further, the Southern District of Florida unsealed charges this morning against the Chief Justice of the Venezuelan Supreme Court, involving money laundering. With that, I will turn it over to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoff Berman. As alleged, the Maduro regime is awash in corruption and criminality.
justice.govFriendswood man, 22, gets 40 years for child porn convictions
Friendswood man, 22, gets 40 years for child porn convictionsRyan Patrick, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, stands by during a 2018 news conference in Houston. Patrick announced on Feb. 21, 2020 that a Friendswood man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for producing and possessing child pornography. Patrick announced on Feb. 21, 2020 that a Friendswood man was sentenced to 40 years in prison ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff / Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Friendswood man, 22, gets 40 years for child porn convictions 1 / 1 Back to GalleryA Friendswood man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for producing and possessing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick announced Friday. Authorities found 14 child pornography videos in a folder entitled Personal CP that Berlanga produced. Forensic analysis of those items revealed more than 5000 images and 70 videos containing child pornography.
chron.comAttorney General William P. Barr Names U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox as Chair of Attorney Generals Advisory Committee
Attorney General William P. Barr today announced that Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, has been elevated from Vice Chair to Chair of the Attorney Generals Advisory Committee (AGAC). Attorney General Barr also announced Justin Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, will become the new Vice Chair. I am pleased to have them leading my AGAC team.U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox replaced former Chair, Jessie Liu who resigned this week as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. In addition, Attorney General Barr appointed U.S. Attorney John Bash to the Attorney Generals Advisory Committee. Attorneys and provides advice and counsel to the Attorney General on policy, management and operational issues impacting the Offices of the U.S.
justice.govWashington State Couple and Companies Sentenced for Fraud and False Statement in Connection with Renewable Energy Fraud Scheme
Hector Garza Jr., 49, was sentenced to two years in prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Throughout this period, much of the renewable fuel claimed to be produced at the Gen-X facilities was either not produced or it was re-processed multiple times. Several conspirators have previously pled guilty and been sentenced in connection with their role in the fraud. In June 2017, Scott Johnson, the former CEO of Gen-X, was sentenced to 97 months in prison in connection with his role in the fraud scheme. In December 2017, Donald Holmes, the former vice president of Gen-X, was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment.
justice.govOrange County Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for December 28, 2019, Machete Attack at Rabbis Home
Thomas is expected to be presented in White Plains federal court later today. Every American should be free to live and worship in safety, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. The federal penalties for this type of attack are severe and justified. Thomas declared to dozens of assembled congregants, no one is leaving, and attacked the group with an 18-inch machete. Following the attack, Thomas traveled in a car to New York City, and he was stopped in Harlem by members of the New York City Police Department.
justice.govConnecticut Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS
McCormick was arrested on Oct. 21, 2019, and charged by federal criminal complaint. On Oct. 30, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging McCormick with the offense. It is further alleged that, on Oct. 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. The charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.
justice.govNorth Carolina Tax Return Preparer Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud
A Raleigh, North Carolina, man was sentenced to 45 months in prison today for conspiring to defraud the United States, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departments Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon Jr. According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2011 through 2014, Garvey Imhotep conspired with others to file false tax returns for clients of several tax return preparation businesses, including Tax Kings, Two Brothers Tax Service, and Taxes Done Right. To conceal his involvement and evade Internal Revenue Service (IRS) detection, Imhotep used tax preparer identification numbers that are assigned to other individuals. Imhoteps conduct caused a tax loss of more than $1.5 million to the United States. Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the divisions website.
justice.govVermont Man Indicted for Hate Crime
Stuart Kurt Rollins, 58, was indicted this week for two violations of 42 U.S.C. Rollins shouted derogatory comments about the familys perceived national origin, told family members to go back to their country, and threatened both to burn down the familys home and to set family members on fire. Rollins appeared in the District Court of Vermont in Burlington today. This case was investigated by the FBI Albany Division, Burlington Resident Agency, with the support of the Barre City Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julia Torti, Civil Division Chief, District of Vermont and Trial Attorney Olimpia Michel of the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division.
justice.govNew York company charged with illegal sale of Chinese-made surveillance and security equipment to U.S. government, private firms
A Long Island, New York-based company and seven of its current and former employees have been charged with illegally importing Chinese-made surveillance and security equipment and selling it to U.S. government agencies, military branches and private customers. The company, Aventura Technologies, was raided early Thursday for selling the equipment, which, according to prosecutors, the firm had allegedly claimed was made in the United States. Aventura claimed its equipment was being manufactured in Commack, New York, while prosecutors say the hardware was actually being made in China. The alleged scheme included adding fake "Made in the USA" labels to the equipment, prosecutors said. The company has allegedly been engaged in importing and reselling the equipment for more than 13 years, Donaghue said.
cnbc.comFormer Washington Metro Transit Police Officer Charged with Civil Rights Offense for Assaulting an Individual
A former Washington, D.C. Metro Transit Police Officer, Andra Vance, 45, was indicted today on charges that he used unreasonable force on an individual, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jessie K. Liu, and Metro Transit Police Chief Ronald A. Pavlik. According to the indictment, on Feb. 16, 2018, Vance, while on duty as a Metro Transit Police Officer, assaulted an individual by striking the individual with a baton multiple times on the head and then using the baton to choke the individual. Vance faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the two civil rights violations. The Metro Transit Police Department conducted a routine review of Vances use of force within hours of the incident. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendra Briggs of the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Nicholas Reddick of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
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