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Defendants Conspired to Kill Federal Judge/Assistant U.S Attorney

Defendants Conspired to Kill Federal Judge/Assistant U.S Attorney

 

On October 9, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced that two men were charged for conspiring to murder a United States District Judge and an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.  The first defendant, Joseph Romano, is currently service a 15-year sentence for committing wire fraud and bank fraud.  The second defendant attempted to hire a hitman in order to kill the judge for Romano’s case and the prosecutor for the case.  
 
Authorities caught wind of the planned murder after an inside informant told officers that Ramano want to torture and kill the judge and prosecutor.  He asked the informant to hire a hitman.  Two undercover officers acted as hitmen and met with Ramano multiple times.  Ramano asked the hitmen to assault someone as a test, and after a staged assault, the hitmen were paid $1,500.  
 
The second defendant, Dejvid Mirkovic, was working along with Ramano the whole time.  He met with the same undercover officers and offered to pay them $40,000 for killing the judge and prosecutor.  After he explained Ramano’s plans for the murder, he gave the undercover officers a $12,000 down payment and another $10,000 for the next week.  He told the undercover agents he would pay the remaining $18,000 after the murders were completed.  Mirkovic was soon arrested and authorities found the remaining amount of cash.  
 
U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch stated, “Ramano thought he was buying revenge.  Instead, he bought the full force of the law, along with a possible life sentence.  By allegedly targeting for death dedicated public servants, the defendants attempted to strike a blow to the heart of our criminal justice system.  Today’s arrests send an unequivocal message that any plot to harm or intimidate our judges and prosecutors will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.” 
 
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Boston Man Convicted for Numerous Bank Robberies

Boston Man Convicted for Numerous Bank Robberies

 

On October 5, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that William DeVencinzi, an East Boston Man, was sentenced after he engaged in several armed bank robberies.  U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock sentenced DeVencinzi to 210 months in prison and five years of supervised release.  He is also ordered to pay restitution.  
 
The FBI reports that DeVencinzi and the co-defendant, Theodore Sawtelle, robbed the East Boston Savings Bank on Revere Beach Parkway in Everett on March 3, 2011.  They defendants then robbed the Bank of America in Winthrop on March 4, 2011.  A pipe bomb was placed on the teller’s counter during both of the robberies, and $4,900 was obtained in total.  
 
After the two bank robberies occurred, the Violent Crimes Task Force under the FBI made a profile for each of the defendants and submitted the information to the media.  After cooperation from the public, the FBI was able to identify DeVencinzi who was convicted of armed bank robberies and manslaughter in the 1980s.  
 
On March 8, 2011, the FBI was conducting surveillance on DeVencinzi and Sawtelle as they approached the Bank of America on Canal Street.  The FBI saw DeVencinzi change into a New York Yankes windbreaker and put on a hat and pair of sunglasses.  He then placed the pipe bomb in a green bag.  They were spooked by a police officer and fled the scene, only to reappear the next day.  
 
The two men were arrested before they could enter the Bank of America on Canal Street.
 
Sawtelle was sentenced to 48 months in prison and five years of supervised release on September 25, 2012.  The case was investigated by multiple agencies, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine prosecuted the case.  
 
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Duval County Woman Sentenced after Bomb Hoax

Duval County Woman Sentenced after Bomb Hoax

 

On October 9, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that Linda Gayle Wilson from Baldwin was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison after providing false information that involved a bomb report to authorities.  She was arrested on December 27, 2011, and she pleaded guilty on July 3, 2012.  U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. sentenced Wilson.  
 
Court documents indicate that between May 9, 2010 and the early morning of May 10, Wilson proceeded to make several phone calls from her residence to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.  On the last call to the Sheriff’s Office, she told authorizes that a female terrorist was on a cruise ship carrying a bomb and the ship was scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville.  She stated the bomb was set to explode before the cruise ship reached port.  
 
Wilson told authorities that the female terrorist was on the cruise ship Carnival Fascination.  Authorities then concluded that the Fascination was returning to the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal after a Mother’s Day cruise throughout the Caribbean.  A total of 2,404 passengers were on board along with another 896 members.  
 
After receiving the bomb threat, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the JAXPORT Security worked with crew members to immediately started bomb search procedures on the cruise ship.  
 
When the cruise ship docked at JAXPORT, federal and local authorities immediately boarded the cruise ship.  After an intense investigation, no bombs were found.  Authorities found that the information provided by Wilson about the bomb and terrorist were completely false.  
 
The FBI, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative service were thanked for their quick response.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Frein and A. Tysen Duva.  
 
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Kansas City Man Sentenced for Bank Armed Robbery

Kansas City Man Sentenced for Bank Armed Robbery

 

On October 9, 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced that James A. Griffin of Kansas City was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison without parole for his armed robbery at the Clay County Savings Bank in Smithville, Missouri.  The announcement was made by David M. Ketchmark, the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.  
 
Griffin pleaded guilty on March 6, 2012.  During his plea, he admitted to using the firearm to intimidate the teller.  The co-defendant, Ericka Y. Jones of Kansas City, is still awaiting sentencing.  She pleaded guilty on May 20, 2012 for aiding and abetting.  
 
According to the FBI, Griffin and Jones robbed the Clay County Savings Bank located at 1101 S. US Highway 169 in Smithville on November 28, 2011.  Both Griffin and Jones enter the bank at the same time and pointed a handgun at the teller.  The demanded money from the teller, and she placed her drawer on the counter.  Jones and Griffin proceeded to remove the money from the drawer and take the money from another drawer in a similar fashion.  They fled the bank with $9,172.  
 
On November 30, 2011, a confidential informant notified the police that Griffin and Jones were at a Foot Locker store on the same day of the robbery.  They used about $900 in $20 bills to buy clothing and shoes.  Court documents indicate Jones then returned to the store the next day to return some items.  She gave the cashier her name, address, and phone number.  Video surveillance also identified the license plates on Jones’ vehicle.  
 
Jones was arrested on the same day, and Griffin surrendered to authorities on the following day.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green.  
 
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Middlesex Construction Company Paid Bribes and Kickbacks

Middlesex Construction Company Paid Bribes and Kickbacks

On October 4, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced that George Chrysanthopoulos of Little Silver, New Jersey was indicted for paying $350,000 in kickbacks to the New Jersey Department of Transportation and a private port terminal operator as well.  He is believed to have paid the kickbacks and bribes in order to receive construction contracts worth millions of dollars.  

According to the indictment, Chrysanthopoulos paid cash bribes to a private terminal operator in Port Elizabeth between the years of 2002 and 2008 in order to obtain construction contracts for his company, Tarheel Enterprises Inc.  Chrysanthopoulos agreed to pay the employee $20,000 for every $5 million that Tarheel made from the terminal operator.  

The same employee began working with law enforcement and he arranged meetings with Chrysanthopoulos between February 2011 and April 2011.  During the meetings, the employee and Chrysanthopoulos discussed the kickbacks and about $150 million in construction projects.  The following statement was recorded: “We could do the same thing like we did last time, George…like for every $5 million, I get 20 grand, boom…I’ll be happy, man.”  Chrysanthopoulos responded with the following statement: “I know what the parameters are…20 per give.”  

During the same meeting, Chrysanthopoulos gave names of bidders that would be invited to a 2011 project bid.  The FBI reports that Chrysanthopoulos paid about $48,000 in bribes to a NJDOT engineer in order to receive the engineer’s influence for $44 million contract that was eventually awarded to Tarheel.

Chrysanthopoulos faces a combined maximum sentence of 100 years in prison.  He also faces a $250,000 penalty for each count of mail and wire fraud.  Prosecutors are asking that Chrysanthopoulos forfeit $17 million of the proceeds.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Bartle is prosecuting this case.  

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Drug Sting Leads to 44 Arrests in Puerto Rico

Drug Sting Leads to 44 Arrests in Puerto Rico

On October 5, 2012, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that 44 people were arrested in eastern Puerto for participation in a drug trafficking and money laundering organization.  The sting was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under the ICE, the Puerto Rico Police Department, and the DEA.  

The indictment stated that Julio L. De Jesus-Gomez, Tania De Jesus-Gomez and Julia Gomez-Calcaño all tried to launder profits from drug trafficking into Luquillo Boat Glass Inc.  The ICE reports that the three defendants bought real estate and other assets by falsifying the source of money.  Purchases included $75,000 for land, $265,000 for property in Fajardo, and more.  

Tania De Jesus-Gomez and Julia Gomez-Calcaño were also indicted for tampering with a witness.  The ICE reports that the two defendants told a witness how to respond to law enforcement if the authorities asked questions about the purchases.

Angel Melendez, the Acting Special Agent in Charge for HIS San Juan, stated: “This case exemplifies that those involved in money laundering and the importation of narcotics and other contraband into and out of our country will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.  HSI thanks out local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their significant cooperation in dismantling this narcotics and money laundering organization.”

All 44 defendants face a charge for conspiracy to commit drug trafficking.  Some of the members used private boats and boats from the Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority to smuggle large amounts of cocaine and heroin throughout Puerto Rico.  23 of the defendants face additional charges for carrying firearms in connection with the drug trafficking.  

In total, the ICE reports that three leaders, one manager, six drug point owners, four enforcers, one supplier, ten runners, two drug processors, and twenty-four distributors have been charged.  

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

NYC Supervisory Officials Plead Guilty to Bribery

NYC Supervisory Officials Plead Guilty to Bribery

On October 2, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced that two former supervisors part of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) pleaded guilty to bribery charges in a scheme to bribe highly ranked officials and receive much desired construction contracts.  Luis Adorno, who was the inspections supervisor for the HPD, and Michael Provenzano, who was the former HPD director of construction services, pleaded guilty.  

 
The FBI reports that HPD is the biggest municipal developer of affordable housing in the country.  According to complaint documents, Provenzano received bribes numerous $10,000 bribes over a span of several years in return for making inspection reports to the hired contractor.  The FBI also reports that Adorno received a $100,000 bribe from a general contractor in return of awarding the contractor with construction contracts.  
 
FBI Assistant Director in Charge, Mary Galligan, stated: “As alleged, these defendants flouted their responsibilities as city employees to profit personally.  When public employees favor bribe-payers, inevitably the city and the public stand to lose.  The city gets substandard goods or services or pays above market rates for them or the public is otherwise at risk.” 
 
Both Provenzano and Adorno face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  The investigation was handled by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in New York, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the New York City Police Department, and the FBI.  United States Attorney Lynch thanks the organizations for their assistance.  
 
DOI Commissioner Gill Hearn commented, “These two ex-employees lost their city jobs and are now felons who have admitted taking bribes.  Their conduct shows the peril and foolishness of corruption.  We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement and our colleagues in city government to expose, stop, and prevent corruption and protect the city and its taxpayers from this kind of abuse.” 
 
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

11 Russian Procurement Network Members Charged and Arrested

11 Russian Procurement Network Members Charged and Arrested

 

On October 3, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced that a Russian agent and 10 other members of a procurement network for the Russian Military and Intelligence were arrested while operating in the United States.  The individuals were charged for their part in exporting high-tech microelectronics form the U.S. to Russia.  The agent, Alexander Fishenko, was also charged for operating an unregistered agent for Russia while in the United States. 
 
The microelectronics are strictly controlled by the U.S government because they can be used in military systems like radar, surveillance systems, guidance systems for weapons, and detonation triggers.  
 
According to the indictment, Fishenko founded a company called Arc Electronics Inc. in Houston after he immigrated to the U.S. in 1994.  Between 2002 and before being arrested, Fishenko is believed to have shipped about $50,000,000 worth of microelectronics and other types of technology to Russia.  Fishenko is also part owner of Apex System LLC in Moscow, which is a supplier of military equipment to the Russian government.  
 
In order to export the technologies, the defendants reported false information concerning the purchase of the technology, hid the fact that they were exporters, and falsely identified the technologies in record submitted to the Department of Commerce.  The FBI reports that the defendants used sophisticated techniques to hide their procurement activities with the Russian military.  
 
The Department of Commerce also compiled a list of 165 foreign companies and persons that receives, transported, or allowed for the exportation of the technologies.  The defendants are Arc Electronics Inc., Apex System LLC, Alexander Fishenko, Shavat Abdullaev, Lyudmila Bagdikian, Anastasia Diatlova, Viktoria Klebanova, Sergey Klinov, Alexander Posobilov, Yuri Savin, Dmitriy Shegurov, Sevinj Taghiyeva, Svetalina Zagon.  
 
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Stephen L. Morris, announced, “In this day and time, the ability of foreign countries to illegally acquire sensitive and sophisticated U.S. technology poses a significant threat to both the economic and national security of our nation.”  
 
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Man Deported for Murder, Extortion, and Organized Crime

Man Deported for Murder, Extortion, and Organized Crime

 

On October 2, 2012, the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) under the Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement announced that a Salvadorian man was deported to his home country because he is wanted for murder, organized crime, and extortion.  The man’s name is Walter Fernando Alfaro-Pineda.
 
Officers under the Criminal Alien Program met with Alfaro-Pineda at Lee County Jail in Texas after officers retrieved an Interpol fugitive warrant after his arrest on June 18.  He was then released into custody of the ERO and sentenced by an immigration judge on September 5, 2012.
 
The Salvadorian fugitive was removed by the country on a charter flight by the ERO’s Air Operations Unit (IAO).  The ERO reports that 500 foreign fugitives have been removed from the United States since October 1, 2009.  The fugitives have been accused of serious crimes like rape, kidnapping, major drug offences, murder, and more.
 
David W. Jennings, a field office director at ERO Houston, stated, “This removal is the positive result of ICE’s thorough screening of jails and prisons throughout the nation.  This case is representative of the hard work and service by ERO and our law enforcement partners to ensure public safety.”
 
The Criminal Alien Program under the ERO attempts to identify fugitive aliens that are located in jails and prisons in the United States.  Targeting is mainly accomplished by conducting interviews and reviewing an inmate’s biographical information within their record.  Some of the criminal may stay in U.S. jails to finish their sentencing in this country before being deported and tried in their own country.
 
The ERO decides to hold the criminals or immediately deport the criminals based on their level of risk and the severity of the crimes in the home country.
 
Source: U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement

FDA Cracks Down on Illegal Internet Pharmacies

FDA Cracks Down on Illegal Internet Pharmacies

 

On October 4, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it took action against over 4,100 internet pharmacies that are illegally selling dangerous or unapproved drugs this week.  The FDA partnered with numerous law enforcement and international regulatory agencies.  
 
The FDA reports that this year’s effort to control online sales and distribution is called Operation Pangea V.  The initiative occurred between September 25 and October 2, and over 18,000 illegal pharmaceutical websites were shutdown and more than $10.5 million was seized worldwide.  
 
The FDA identified a large number of illegal medicines sold by the pharmaceutical websites: 
 
• Domperidone: the medicine was removed from the United States in 1998 because it can cause an irregular heartbeat, sudden stop of the heart, and even sudden death.  The medicine is used for increasing milk production in nursing mothers. 
• Isotretinoin (Accutane): the medicine is strictly controlled and used to treat serious nodular acne.  The medicine has serious side effects like birth defects, so the medicine has restrictions in the U.S. 
• Tamiflu: this drug is used to treat the flu and is often sold in its generic form online.  There is no FDA-approved generic version of the drug, and the FDA reports that many generic version contain the wrong active ingredients.  
• Viagra: the drug is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is strictly regulated because it dangerous when used by people with certain heart conditions.  
 
The FDA reports that it also sent warning letter to over 4,100 websites.  According to FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., “Consumers in the United States and around the world face a real threat from Internet pharmacies that illegally sell potentially substandard, counterfeit, adulterated, or otherwise unsafe medicines.  The week’s efforts show that strong international enforcement efforts are required to combat this global public health concern.” 
 
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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