News published on Federal Newswire in January 2018

News from January 2018


Mission Man Sentenced for Firearms Charges

News Release: United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of Unregistered Firearm and Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm was sentenced on Jan. 22, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange.


News Release: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Manuel Emilio Payano, age 42, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to Possession With Intent To Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, punishable by not less than 10 years imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000.00 fine, or both.


News Release: Memphis, TN - After a two and a half-day trial, a jury has convicted two gang members of illegally possessing firearms. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the conviction today.


Philadelphia Man Charged With Wire Fraud

News Release: PHILADELPHIA - Kenneth W. Lewis 41, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged today by Grand Jury Indictment with five counts of wire fraud announced United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. The indictment alleges the defendant committed wire fraud by applying for credit cards using information for several non-profit organizations and an individual and used the cards to purchase gold coins, precious metals, and diamond earrings.


Laboratory and Owner of Lab Management Services Company to Pay $3.77 Million to Resolve Kickback and Medical Necessity Claims

News Release: DALLAS - Primex Clinical Laboratories, LLC has agreed to pay $3,500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks in exchange for laboratory referrals for patient pharmacogenetic testing. In a related settlement, Mitch Edland, the Chief Executive Officer and owner...


Bishop Statement on Puerto Rico Fiscal Plans, PREPA Privatization

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló submitted updated fiscal plans to the Financial Management and Oversight Board, as required under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA). The proposals include initial plans for the privatization of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement.


Taunton Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Kidnapping

News Release: BOSTON - A Taunton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for the armed kidnapping of a Quincy man and two children.


Department of Energy to Host 2018 ARPA-E Summit

Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will host its ninth annual Energy Innovation Summit from March 13-15, 2018. The Summit draws thousands of participants from across the United States and internationally to convene a forum on the ...


News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), released the following statement on the Senate's confirmation of R.D. James, of Missouri, to be assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works.


News Release: In Austin, 47-year-old Charles McAllister, owner of Bullion Direct, Inc. (BDI), faces federal wire fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a scheme to defraud customers out of millions of dollars announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special...


News Release: BILLINGS-Billings resident Michael James Chapman was sentenced yesterday to 132 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over Chapman’s sentencing.


MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to Federal Prison

News Release: Acting United States Attorney Corey R. Amundson announced that, yesterday, United States District Court Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced JUAN BLANCO, age 37, a member of the notorious MS-13 gang, to serve 21 months in federal prison following his conviction for illegal re-entry into the United States by a removed alien.


Auto Show Hearing Highlights U.S. Innovation, Emerging Technologies

News Release: U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today chaired a full committee field hearing at the Washington Auto Show to discuss the innovation, research, and development of advanced vehicle technologies and their impacts on our energy security and infrastructure.


New Orleans Woman is Sentenced for Making False Statements to The Federal Bureau of Investigation

News Release: KYRA D. MORRIS-GRIFFITH, (MORRIS-GRIFFITH), age 37, of New Orleans, was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. MORRIS-GRIFFITH previously pled guilty to a one (1) count Ninth Superseding Bill of Information for false statements made to an agency...


Trucking Company Owner Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Tax Evasion And Bankruptcy Fraud

News Release: TRENTON, N.J. -The owner of a New Jersey trucking company was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for committing tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud while operating his wine delivery business, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.


News Release: BUFFALO, N.Y. - James J. Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement (DEA), and U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced that that William Padovani, 37, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny.


News Release: Faces Mandatory Minimum 15-Years in Prison for Dealing Meth while Armed.


Higher Education Act: Murray Calls for Expanding Access to Higher Education for Underrepresented and Nontraditional Students

News Release: Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee delivered the following opening statement on increasing access to higher education for historically underrepresented and nontraditional students, and expanding innovation to prepare these and other students for a changing economy.


News Release: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Rhett D. Gump, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months and one day incarceration for a drug distribution charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.


News Release: ALBUQUERQUE - Guy Bell, 29, of Las Cruces, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to drug trafficking and firearms charges.