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

On September 26, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced that Terry Rivers, Antonio Gore, and Montez Walker were sentenced by a federal grand jury for the robbery that occurred in January of 2012.  All of the defendants pleaded guilty in May of 2012, and the men were sentenced by Senior United States District Judge William C. O’Kelly. 

According to information presented in the court, the three men and an unidentified man robbed an armored car at the Walmart in Oakwood, Georgia.  During the robbery, the men restrained the courier and stole $75,000 before fleeing the scene.  Witnesses of the robbery promptly called police and gave a description of the SUV used for a getaway vehicle. 

As the police pursued the SUB, the men lost control and crashed into a creek on Woodward Mill Road in Suwanee.  The three defendants then proceeded by foot through the woods and creek.  The men were later apprehended by police and canine units, and all of the money was recovered. 

Terry Rivers received six years and six months in prison, and Antonio Gore received the same sentence.  Montez Walker was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison.  The defendants are also required to pay $23,091.50 in restitution for injuries sustained by the courier and lost wages during her time in the hospital. 

U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates stated, “These defendants boldly robbed an armored car at a busy Walmart during business hours.  Their actions endangered not only the courier, but everyone nearby.  The sentences imposed today reflect the seriousness of their crime and the danger that their actions and flight posed to the community.”

Rickey Maxwell, the Acting Special Agent in Charge for the FBI Atlanta Field Office, commended the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the Gwinnett County Police Department, and the Oakwood Police Department for their help in apprehending the robbers. 

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

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 25, 2012, the FBI announced that a man in Westmoreland County, PA and a man in Allegheny County, PA were charged with possessing material that depicted sexual exploitation of minors.

The man charged in Westmoreland County is Joshua J. Gildea who last resided at 116 South 7^th Street in Youngwood, Pennsylvania.  During his indictment, the court found that Gildea had possession of images and videos on his computer files that depicted minors in sexual conduct.  The FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Greensburg Police Department were responsible for the investigation.  

The man charged in Allegheny County is Harold J. Grant, III who last resided at 411 Halket Street in North Versailles.  He pleaded guilty to his charges before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.  During his guilty plea, Grant admitted that his possessed thousands of still images on his computer files that contained images of children engaging in sexual conduct.  The FBI states these children were very young, and some of them were even infants.  The FBI was the sole investigative body in the case against Grant, and Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting Grant’s case. 

Each defendant can face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.  Grant’s sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2012, and the FBI has not specified a sentencing date for Gildea. 

Project Safe Childhood is partly responsible for bringing forward these two cases.  The initiative was launched by the Department of Justice in May of 2006 in response to the child sexual exploitation and abuse.  The initiative is led by the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. You can find out more information about Project Safe Childhood at www.usdoj.gov/psc. 

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation

On September 19, 2012, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives increased the award to $50,000 for information that can lead to the arrests of the person or persons who caused the fire at the Islamic Center of Joplin on July 4, 2012.  The original award was issued at $15,000 on July 16, but the FBI is willing to award $40,000 and the ATF is willing to award $10,000. 

Public Affairs Specialist, Bridget Patton, of the FBI in Kansas City reports that around 3:30 a.m. on July 4, 2012, an arson fire was started on the roof the Islamic Center in Joplin, Missouri.  Video surveillance showed that a white male walked up to the building, threw an ignited object onto the roof, and fled.  The fire was contained to the roof. 

The FBI reports that another fire occurred at the Islamic Center in Joplin on August 6, 2012.  The actual cause of the fire on August 6 remains in question, but the fire consumed the entire building and the property suffered a total loss.  No one was in the building at the time of the fire. 

The FBI and ATF have increased the rewards to motivate the public to increase assistance in the investigation.  If you have information about the crime, contact one of the phone numbers below:

·  The FBI Joplin Field Office at (417) 206-5700

·  The ATF at 888-ATF-FIRE or (417) 837-2100

·  The Jasper County Sherriff’s Office at (417) 358-8177

·  The Missouri Arson Hotline at 1-800-392-7766

The investigation is being led by the FBI, the ATF, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety Office, and the Jasper County Sherriff’s Department.  You can find press releases, surveillance videos, and enhanced images of the suspect at https://www.fbi.gov/kansascity. 

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