On September 21, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia announced that Laurie Napper was sentenced for selling personal information about patients and even selling blank prescription forms.  Napper was sentenced to six months in a halfway house and required to perform 100 hours of community service for the federal charge. 

Napper was sentenced by the Honorable Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  She was charged with violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  She was placed on 3 years probation, and she will spend the first 6 months in the halfway house.  The next 6 months will be spent in home confinement.  Napper also received a fine of $2,100.

According to court documents, Napper worked in the general surgery department of Howard University Hospital as a medical technician.  With such a role, she had access to private health information of the hospital patients. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that Napper obtained the records of hospital patients on at least three different occasions.  She sold names, addresses, birth dates, and Medicare numbers to an outside party in exchange for monetary awards.  She received between $500 and $800 for every transaction. 

The same person also received blank prescription pads from Napper.  The FBI reports that the person used the blank pads for prescriptions of oxycodone.  The person provided Napper’s telephone number on the prescription pad so pharmacies could call and verify that the prescriptions were legitimate. 

James W. McJunkin, the Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s D.C. Field Office, stated, “Cases like this demonstrate that drug distribution is not just on street corners but can take place with an illegally obtained prescription pad and patient information.  Today’s sentence sends a message that selling patient information and forged prescriptions for personal benefit is dangerous and illegal, and we will bring those who commit prescription drug fraud to justice.”

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 27, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York announced that 11 defendants were indicted for conspiracy to distribute heroin around the area of Poughkeepsie, New York.  Another defendant was also charged for distributing the heroin. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the distribution ring operated in the following way.  The “Fisher Organization” is believed to have distributed heroin around the Poughkeepsie area from January 2011 to September 2012.  The leaders of the drug ring operated the drug dealing activity from a cell phone store on Main Street.  The store was used to conceal heroin, sell heroin to trusted customers, and direct customers to other locations. 

Shabari Fisher and Shateek Parker were the leaders of the operation and provided heroin to other members like Garen Fisher, Shannon Walker, Tyrell Rudolph, Steven Williams, Rasheed Harrell, Carlos Reyes, Christian Parker, Vaugh McKinney, and Gary Sessoms.

The operation used cell phones from the store that were called “dispatch phones.”  During the transactions, the distributors supplied the heroin in bags that were labeled with brand names like “True Religion,” “Gucci,” “Rated R,” “Red Bull,” “Coors Light,” “Scarface,” and “Bomb.” 

All of the defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison except for Tony Jarrett.  Jarrett faces a maximum penalty of 80 years in prison. 

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated, “At first glance, the cell phone store from which these defendants were allegedly operating looked like any other commercial establishment, but in fact, it was the epicenter of their dangerous, destructive, and potentially lethal heroin operation.” 

Bharara praised the efforts of the FBI, Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive United, the New York State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Newburgh Police Department, the Middle Police Department, the Beacon Police Department, the Dutchess County Probation Office and County Jail, and the New York Department of Correctional Services. 

The investigation into this case is still ongoing. 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that Semion Mogilevich is wanted for participating in a fraud scheme that affected the stock of thousands of investors in Canada.  The company was headquartered in Bucks County, Pennsylvania between 1993 and 1998.  The FBI estimates that the fraud scheme caused investors to lose more than $150 million U.S. dollars.  Mogilevich’s profile appears on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted. 

The image provided here was taken in 2001, and Mogilevich was indicted in April of 2003.  He may go by the following aliases:

·  Seva Moguilevich

·  Semon Yudkovich Palagnyuk

·  Semen Yukovich Telesh

·  Simeon Mogilevitch

·  Semjon Mogilevcs

·  Shimon Makelwitsh

·  Shimon Makhelwitsch

·  Sergei Yurevich Schnaider

·   "Seva"

Mogilevich uses the birth dates of June 30, 1946 and July 5, 1946.  He was born in Kiev, Ukraine.  He about 5’6” tall and weighs about 290 pounds.  He has gray and balding hair, and he has green eyes.  He has a light complexion, and he has pockmarks on his face. 

The FBI reports that Mogilevich may wear facial hair including a mustache.  Former acquaintances of Mogilevich state that he is a very heavy smoker.  Although his primary residence was in Moscow, Russia, he is believed to have an Israeli, Ukrainian, and Greek passport as well. 

The FBI warns that Mogilevich is most likely armed, and he is known to be dangerous.  If you have any information on Mogilevich, you need to contact your local FBI office immediately.  You can also contact the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.  If the information you provide leads to his arrest, you will receive a reward up to $100,000. 

Mogilevich is charged with fraud by wire, mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, RICO Conspiracy, aiding and abetting, filing false registration with the SEC, falsification of books and records, and false filings with the SEC. 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 27, 2012, the US Department of Justice announced that a real estate developer, Timothy F. Mobley, and an accountant, Timothy F. Hohl, have pleaded guilty to making unlawful contributions to the Republican Party of Florida.  The contributions went to an elected U.S. Congress member. 

The Department of Justice announced that Mobley pleaded guilty to one count of making illegal conduit and illegal corporate contributions.  Hohl pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding and abetting the illegal contributions.  Each crime is in direct violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). 

Mobley admitted that he made illegal contributions from March 2006 to October 2008 to an unspecified elected official.  He also admitted that he tried to cover up the contributions by offering money to employees and an employee’s family member, as well as using corporate funds and labeling them bonus compensation.  He made a total of $84,300 in campaign contributions. 

Hohl admitted that he worked as Mobley’s accountant from 2006 to 2008.  He stated that he knew of the scheme, and he also reimbursed certain individuals.  Additionally, Hohl admitted that his received reimbursements for his own contributions and his wife’s contributions. 

For his first count, Mobley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to $632,000.  For his second count, Mobley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Hohl faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

The Department of Justice states that the case is being prosecuted by John P. Pearson and Eric G. Olshan, both trial attorneys under the public Integrity Section of the Justice Department.  The case was investigated by the FBI Jacksonville and Tampa Field Offices and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 21, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced that two men involved in unrelated bank robberies were sentenced.  The two men are Larry McKnight of Baltimore, 48, and Joseph Dixon of Baltimore, 34. 

Larry McKnight received 81 months in prison and three years of supervised released for the bank robbery that occurred on November 14, 2011.  During his guilty plea, he admitted that he walked into the Bank of America on 2827 Smith Avenue in Towson and demanded money from the teller.  He walked out with $1,101.

Michael Dixon was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised released for the bank robbery that occurred on August 2, 2010 and September 9, 2010.  Dixon will serve the sentence concurrently with a three year sentence for robbing a bank in North Carolina, and was also ordered to pay $57,850 in restitution to the banks. 

During his plea agreement, Dixon admitted that his walked into the Regal Bank at 10123 Reistertown Roard in Owings Mills and demanded money from the teller.  The teller removed $8,850 from the drawer and Dixon fled. 

Then on September 9, 2012, Dixon drove Lutrell Williams to the Farmers and Merchants Bank on 15226 Hanover Pike in Upperco, Maryland.  Williams entered the bank and demanded money from the teller.  The teller then proceeded to remove $49,000 from the vault and Williams fled.  Witnesses identified Dixon and Williams driving away in a vehicle, which they later abandoned before driving away in another car. 

One September 17, 2010, police officers performed a search warrant at Dixon’s place of residence.  They found heroin, a pistol and ammunition.  Williams was sentenced to 78 months in prison and is required to pay $50,571 in restitution. 

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 26, 2012, the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Illinois announced that Ramon T. Carpenter, a former East St. Louis police officer, pleaded guilty to multiple charges.  He was charged with two counts of making false statements to federal officers when they investigated a civil rights complaint against him. 

On July 10, 2012, Carpenter was fired from the East St. Louis Police Department after a complaint was made that he received oral sex from an intoxicated female driver.  The woman was then released with no charges even though she was driving drunk with a license and was uninsured.  He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2012. 

The indictment stated that the woman was driving in the early morning on May 8, 2012.  She was pulled over around the intersection of Louisiana Blvd and 25^th Street in East St. Louis, Illinois.  Carpenter found that the female driver was intoxicated and driving with an open container.  Even though the woman should have been arrested, she was driven to a hidden area in Jones Park in the East St. Louis area and told that she would not be arrested if she performed the oral sex. 

Carpenter lied to federal agents about being in Jones Park during his shift, and he also lied about receiving the oral sex.  Because of the false statements, Carpenter faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and over three years of supervised release.  The sentencing is scheduled for January 3, 2012. 

United State’s Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton stated, “The power to arrest is the power to deprive someone of their liberty.  Used properly and professionally, such power is valid.  However, the conduct described in the indictment deprived this victim of more than her liberty—it also deprived her of her dignity.  This prosecution is a strong reminder to those in law enforcement that police officers are sworn to protect citizens, not prey upon them.” 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 28, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois reported that two leaders in the Chicago area were charged with federal drug charges.  The leaders were part of two different drug trafficking organizations, but the groups occasionally worked together and supplied each other with kilograms of cocaine.  

Three federal search warrants were issued on Thursday, September 27, and federal agents immediately began arresting the defendants in the Chicago area.  Defendants were also apprehended in parts of Indiana, Texas, and California.  After arresting the two leaders and 25 other defendants, the agents found 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, several firearms and $176,800 in cash.  12 other members still remain at large.  

During the investigation, it was found that Jesus Ramirez-Padilla and Humberto Jimenez were the leaders of the two separate organizations.  The FBI reports that each organization had its own distributors, couriers, stash houses, suppliers, and works.  The two organizations operated separately but occasionally supplied the other organization with kilograms of cocaine at a time.  The two organizations used code words, replaced telephones, and used different vehicles to transport the drugs.  

The year-long investigation uncovered and seized over 13 kilos of cocaine, 10 kilos of marijuana, 1.5 kilos of heroin, and about $75,000 in cash.  

The FBI reports that the most recent arrests have added to federal or state drug trafficking offenses in the Chicago area.  Almost 100 different defendants have been arrested in the last three weeks.  

16 defendants face a mandatory imprisonment of 10 years and possible life in prison along with a $10 million fine.  The rest of the defendants face 20 to 40 years in prison and a maximum fine between $2 million and $5 million.  

Assistant United States Attorneys Nathalina Hudson, Joseph Thompson, and John Kress are prosecuting the case.  

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Two high-profile cases in Houston showcase the metropolitan area’s reputation for serious types of crime.  On September 21, 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Texas reported that Jesus Martinez—a Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy—admitted to aiding in the delivering of controlled substances. 

The indictment for the case states that Martinez aided in the delivery of Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), or Ecstasy, around the Houston Area on or around July 23, 2012.  Because the drug is a schedule I controlled substance and Martinez is a police officer, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. 

The FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Rangers, HCSO, and the Houston Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAlister is in charge of prosecution. 

The second high-profile case in Houston is still ongoing.  The Houston FBI Bank Robbery Task Force has announced that around 12:46 p.m., an armed man entered an Amegy Bank on 400 North Sam Houston Parkway East.  The man was wearing a ski mask and flashing a pistol. 

The FBI reports that the armed robber pointed his gun at the tellers before exiting the building with the cash.  The co-conspirator was driving white dodge neon.  None of the tellers were injured in the robbery. 

The bank robber is described as Hispanic and male.  He was wearing gray hoodie, blue shorts, and carried a red tote bag.  The FBI has released the following photos:

The Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of $5,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the bank robber and the accomplice.  You can contact the Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS, or you can call the FBI Houston Office at 713-693-5000.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

According to Crime Alerts under the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Robert Metsos is wanted for conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign government as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

Metsos is wanted for the first charge because he failed to register as an agent of a foreign government from 1993 to 2005.  During the same time, Metsos is believed to have taken part in a money laundering scheme where money was illegally transferred to co-conspirators who also happened to be unregistered agents. 

On June 25, 2010, the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York issued an arrest warrant for Metsos in connection to conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.  He was arrested on June 29, 2010, but he posted bail and fled immediately.

Authorities believe Metsos may have fled to Russia.  The FBI notes that he has traveled all over the world, and he may wear a moustache and eyeglasses.  The FBI also warns that Metsos has a black belt in martial arts. 

Christopher Robert Metsos may go by the following aliases:

·  Pavel Kapustin

·  Gerard Martin Kelleher

·  Diego Cadenilla Jose Antonio

·  Luis Miguel Alarcon-Correas

·  Patrick Allen Woolcocks

·  Peter Michael Franklin

·  Graham Douglas Cox

·  Pavel Gukov

·  Sean Proinnsias O’Donaill

Christopher Robert Metsos was born on June 16, 1956, and he uses numerous birthdates along with his different aliases.  He has brown eyes and light brown hair, but he is balding.  He is about 6’0” tall and weighs about 180 to 195 pounds.  He has a scar on his chest and burn/pock marks on both of his arms. 

The FBI is offering a reward up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Christopher Robert Metsos.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 24, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Oklahoma reported that 10 defendants were charged with a total of 81 counts for an illegal gambling operation and money laundering. 

The defendants are listed below:

·  Teddy Dryden Mitchell of Oklahoma City

·  Dryden Ryley Mitchell of Oklahoma City

·  Billy Nick Mitchell of Oklahoma City

·  David Bruce Loveland of Oklahoma City

·  Jerry Wayne Gilchrist of Oklahoma City

·  Michael Lee McCullah of Ardmore, Oklahoma

·  Justin Edward Musgrove of Midwest City, Oklahoma

·  Richard Allen Hancock of Yorba Linda, California

·  Gary John Gibb of Reno, Nevada

·  Gortation Management, a Costa Rican corporation

The indictment states that the defendants operated and maintained “high stakes” poker games in Oklahoma City at 640 N.W. 150^th.  The defendants also took bets and wagers for sporting events, operated an illegal internet gambling website, laundered the proceeds, and engaged in numerous crimes in connection to the illegal gambling. 

The FBI reports that income was made from at least 400 games of poker every single week.  The defendants apparently took a percentage or “rake” of commission from the winnings.

The FBI also reports that Teddy Mitchell, Dryden Mitchell, Loveland, Hancock, Gibb, and Gortation Management in Costa Rica planned to launder more than $8.1 million from the gambling operation.  Teddy Mitchell owned several businesses, and the bank accounts were used to launder the money. 

Prosecutors are seeking a judgment of more than $8.1 million along with the forfeiture of 24 pieces of real property, vehicles, and various accounts. 

The FBI reports that Teddy Mitchel, Dryden Mitchell, David Loveland, Richard Hancock, and Gary Gibb all face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.  Billy Mitchell, Jerry Gilchrist, Michael McCullah, and Justin Musgrove all face up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation