News published on Federal Newswire in April 2014

News from April 2014


Sen. Murkowski: Commerce Department has Authority to Allow Condensate Exports

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released a report demonstrating that the Department of Commerce retains the power to modernize its regulations and allow condensate exports.


Natchitoches Man Sentenced For Bankruptcy Fraud

News Release: ALEXANDRIA, La. -United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Wesley A. Pace, 38, of Nachitoches, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for bankruptcy fraud. He was also ordered to complete 300 hours of community service within the supervised release time period.


Ligonier Man Sentenced To Probation For Converting SSI Benefits To His Own Use

News Release: PITTSBURGH - A Ligonier resident has been sentenced in federal court to 2 years’ probation, 100 hours of community service and restitution in the amount of $26,302.02 on his conviction of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.


Progreso Mayor Convicted In Bribery Scheme

News Release: McALLEN, Texas - Omar Leonel Vela, 36, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.


Olean Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

News Release: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Willie G. Reid, 46, of Olean, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara, to possession of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least five years to life.


Ranking Member Carson's Statement on Disaster Mitigation

News Release: OPENING STATEMENT. THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON, RANKING MEMBER. SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. OVERSIGHT HEARING ON DISASTER MITIGATION: REDUCING COSTS AND SAVING LIVES. April 3, 2014. Good morning and welcome to our witnesses. Chairman Barletta, thank you...


News Release: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jonathan O. Dale, 62, formerly of Clarence, N.Y., who was convicted of failure to pay child support, was sentenced to six months in prison by U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $73,250.85.


News Release: Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury today found Air Force Senior Airman Jason Alan Hargrove (27, Brandon) guilty of attempted enticement of a child for sex. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2014. Hargrove was indicted on January 8, 2014.


News Release: LAFAYETTE, La. -United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Carol A. Thrasher, 61, of Lake Charles, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik, to three years in prison and three years of supervised release for stealing from her employer. She was also ordered to pay $551,357 in restitution.


News Release: Little Rock - Christopher R. Thyer, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas announced today that a Federal Grand Jury has indicted Dr. Robert Barrow, age 60, and Dr. Angela Barrow, age 50, of Little Rock charging both with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and six counts of health care fraud. In addition, Dr. Robert Barrow is also charged with four counts of making false statements in relation to health care matters.


Former Bank CEO And President Charged With Bank Fraud, Conspiracy And Perjury

News Release: Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed charging Poppi Metaxas, the former Chief Executive Officer (“CEO") and President of Gateway Bank, FSB (“Gateway"), with bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy and perjury. According to the indictment, in 2009, Metaxas fraudulently caused Gateway to execute a sham...


Sen. Murkowski Reiterates Call to Lift Restrictions on Crude Exports

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today repeated her call for the Obama administration to end the ban on crude oil exports during testimony before a House Foreign Affairs Committee subcommittee.


Mexican Police Officer To Be Arraigned Today On Federal Drug Trafficking Charges Involving About 20 Pounds Of Narcotics

News Release: RIVERSIDE, California - A Tijuana municipal police officer is expected to appear in United States District Court this afternoon to be arraigned on federal indictment that accuses him of illegally transporting more than 13 pounds of heroin and over six pounds of methamphetamine.


News Release: Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven yesterday sentenced Lawrence S. Hartman, a/k/a Larry Hartman, a/k/a Larry Hart, a/k/a Lawrence Scott Hartman-Grosser (48, Costa Rica; a U.S. lawyer formerly of New York and Florida), to 10 years...


Vitter: New IG Report on Human Testing Highlights Further Need for Transparency at EPA

News Release: U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, today commented on a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (IG) that reviews the processes and laws surrounding human testing done by the Agency used in research studies.


News Release: WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), today held a hearing on “Ensuring the Security, Stability, Resilience, and Freedom of the Global Internet." Members sought answers regarding the Obama administration’s proposal instructing the International...


News Release: ** Sexual Assault **. The United States Park Police, Criminal Investigation Branch, is currently investigating a Sexual Assault that occurred in the area of Foxhall and Canal Street, NW, Washington DC, in Glover Archibald Park on Tuesday, April, 1, 2014 at approximately 8:00 pm. The victim was assaulted...


El Canonazo Store Owner And Four Others Sentenced In Firearms Smuggling Case

News Release: LAREDO, Texas - Arturo Gonzalez, 42, businessman and owner of two J.C. Twiss El Canonazo sporting apparel and firearm accessories stores in Laredo, has been ordered to prison following his conviction of attempting to export more than 600 firearm magazines to Mexico, announced United States Attorney Kenneth...


Underscoring Commitment to Free and Open Internet, Subcommittee Continues Robust Oversight of Latest Administration Proposal

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), today held a hearing on “Ensuring the Security, Stability, Resilience, and Freedom of the Global Internet." Members sought answers regarding the Obama administration’s proposal instructing the International...


News Release: HOUSTON - Andrea Michelle Tellison, 47, has been convicted today of 14 counts of health care fraud and seven counts of aggravated identity theft, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The jury returned its verdicts this afternoon following three days of trial and less than two hours of jury deliberation.