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

On September 25, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska announced that Coleman L. Barney of North Pole, Alaska, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for conspiring to possess grenades and silencers and 5 years in prison for the possession of an unregistered destructive device.  U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler stated that the sentences will run concurrently. 

Barney and other defendants were found guilty in federal court in Anchorage on June 18, 2012.  Schaffer Cox, a militia leader, and Lonnie G. Vernon, a member of the militia, were found guilty of conspiring to murder several federal officials.  Barney was also a militia member, but the jury could not reach a verdict for his role in conspiring to murder the federal officials. 

The investigation presented recordings between Vernon, Cox, and Barney that mentioned the murder of several state officials.  The retaliation was motivated by an attempted arrest of Cox.  The sentencing for Vernon and Cox is scheduled for November of 2012.  Conspiring to murder a federal official carries a life sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Loeffler stated, “The actions of Mr. Barney and his co-conspirators presented a very real and dangerous threat to our community.”  She praised the efforts of local law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Alaska State Troopers. 

The Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Alaska, Mary Rook, stated, “This investigation and prosecution found its genesis in the voice of concerned citizens that a group of people, operating under the auspices of a sovereign militia, were planning to murder state and federal officials.  As a result of the investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Alaska State Troopers, Coleman Barney and his co-conspirators were arrested before they could carry out their murderous plans.”

Source:Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 25, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Ohio stated that Nicholas Delbrocco was charged with two counts after he provided items of value to the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters.  Delbrocco’s intentions were to receive business related to the pension and annuity fund for the union. 

Delbrocco is a resident of North Kingston, Rhode Island.  His official charges were “offering, accepting, or soliciting to influence operations of an employee benefits plan; and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.”

Delbrocco was an employee and part owner of several advisory firms, and according to the FBI, he tried to persuade an officer, agent, and employee of the Carpenters’ Union—referred to as PE61.  The crime progressed as follows. 

Michael Forlani and several other people were starting a project to build facilities used by Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland.  Around 2007 or 2008, Mr. Forlani asked for help from several people, including PE61, to go out and obtain funding for the project. 

Mr. Delbrocco tried to persuade PE61 into administering the pension and annuity funds of the Carpenters’ Union to his business.  The items of value included multiple airline tickets, frequent flyer miles, rental vehicles, hotel rooms, theater tickets, tickets for sporting events, meals, firearms, and help with the development project. 

On May 16, 2006, PE61 voted and approved $25 million of the pension fund to be managed by the Delbrocco’s business.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Antoinette T. Bacon, Ann C. Rowland, and Nancy L. Kelly.  The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 21 and 24, the US Attorney’s Office in the Western District of New York announced charges for two different men in the possession of child pornography.  Jeremy Otrosinka of Buffalo, New York, underwent indictment on September 21, and Thomas Mehegan of Elmira, New York, pleaded guilty on September 24. 

Otrosinka, 32, was charged with three counts of advertising, receipt, and distribution of child pornography.  He created a website that had a “password-protected bulletin board” that was used for discussing and sharing child pornography.  Members could post images and videos of child pornography as well. 

Mehegan was found to possess child pornography during a search and seizure performed by the New York State Police.  The troopers found numerous computers and hard drive containing child pornography.  During an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it was found the Mehegan had setup a secret camera in his home to record his adult-stepdaughter breastfeeding her child. 

Otrosinka faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Mehegan received two counts of possession of child pornography before the U.S. District Court Judge David G. Larimer.  Each count of possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release for life. 

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. made the announcements for Jeremy Otrosinka’s and Mehegan’s charges.  Mehegan will be sentenced on December 10, 2012, and Otrosinka’s sentencing is not yet scheduled. 

The case was part of Project Safe Childhood which was started in May of 2006 to prevent child sexual exploitation and abuse.  The project is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices (specifically the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section), as well as other federal, state, and local authorities. 

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 26, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey stated that Sixing Liu was found guilty of exporting secret U.S. military technology to China.  Liu was also found guilty of stealing trade secrets and lying to federal agents. 

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman stated, “The jury found that in order to promote himself, Liu took highly sensitive defense information and trade secrets to China, violating the rules of his company and the laws of this county, and then lied about it upon his return to the United States.”

The crime occurred as follows.  Liu worked for L-3 Communications, Space and Navigation Division in 2010 when he stole a huge amount of electronic files.  The files contained information about design and performance of missile guidance systems as well as information about rockets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and target locators. 

Liu is believed to have stolen the files in order to reserve future employment in China.  After stealing the information, he held multiple presentations at universities in China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.  Liu flew back to Newark Liberty International Airport on November 29, 2010, and federal agents found the computer and secret files. 

The FBI states that Liu can face the following maximum penalties: 20 years in prison and $1 million fine for export violations, 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine for stolen trade secrets violation, 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine for interstate transportation of stolen property, and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for false statements. 

Andrew McLees, the Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Homeland Security Investigations, states, “Exporting military weapons and technical data and the theft of sensitive technology in violation of the Arms Export Control Act are serious crimes with global consequences.  Illegal foreign procurement networks continue to threaten our safety and this conviction reinforces that HIS has no tolerance for those who try to undermine our nation’s safety and security.”

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

According the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia sentenced Amine Mohamed El-Khalifi to 30 years in prison and 10 years of supervised released because of his plans and efforts to use a suicide bomb in the US Capitol building in February of 2012.  The Eastern District of Virginia released the report on September 14, 2012.

El-Khalifi pleaded guilty to the charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction on June 22, 2012.  According to records from statements, a confidential informant noted that El-Khalifi responded to a solicitation from the mujahideen to fight in Afghanistan and asked the solicitor to respond.

Another report indicated that El-Khalifi met with a group of people on January 11, 2011 where one person showed “an AK-47, two revolvers and ammunition.”  Surveillance concluded that El-Khalifi agreed to a statement made by one of the members of the meeting “that the “war on terrorism” was a war on Muslims.”

El-Khalifi then met with an undercover agent in December of 2011 who went by the name “Yusuf.”  During the meeting, El-Khalifi talked of the bombing attack that targeted U.S. military offices, a synagogue, U.S. Army generals, and more.  During the meeting, the suspect “handled an Ak-47 and indicated his desire to conduct an operation in which he would use a gun and kill people face-to-face.”

El-Khalifi proceeded to travel to a parking garage close the U.S. Capitol building on February 17, 2012.  He had possession of a MAC-10 automatic weapon and a vest he believed was equipped with a bomb.  However, law enforcement had provided both a fake weapon and vest.  El-Khalifi exited his car and started walking toward the U.S. Capitol building.  He was immediately approached and arrested when he exited the parking garage.

The FBI Washington Field Office conducted investigations for the case.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 12, 2012, the US Marshals Service added Clyde Hall Jr., a convicted child predator, to the 15 Most Wanted fugitive list. 

According to his record, he has a violent criminal history back to 1985 for convictions of assault and numerous sex offenses.  According to the Agency, Hall “is clinically diagnosed was a sociopathic psychosexual career sex offender and the State of New York has labeled him a Tier III sex offender.”  Tier III is the most dangerous. 

Hall was to report to a halfway house in New York following a 25-month sentence at the Butner Federal Correctional Institute in North Carolina for violating the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.  He failed to report to the meeting and is now wanted for violating his federal supervised release. 

The Agency is warning that Hall is mainly attracted to adolescent girls; however, he has “secondary interests” in young boys.  Hall admitted to authorities to sexually abusing two 10-year-old girls and raping two adult women during his 20s. 

David L. McNutty, a U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of New York stated, “Hall is a career sex offender who committed countless violent acts against innocent women and child. His capture deserves our full investigative attention and we will work with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure justice is serviced against this violent sexual predator.”

The agency is offering a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to Hall’s arrest.  You can call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. 

Clyde Hall may go by the following aliases: Malcome Hall, Malcomb Hall, Clyde Jr. Hall, Malcome-Jr. Hall, Clyde M-Jr. Hall, Clyde M Hall, Clyde M Jr. Hall, CJ Hall, Malcomb-Jr. Hall, or Clyde Malcomb Hall.

Description:

·   Male

·   White

·   Born June 29, 1965 in California

·   5’8” tall and 175 pounds

·   Blue eyes, brown hair

·   Black Cat II tattoo on upper left arm

·   Light brown skintone

Source: U.S. Marshals Service