News published on Federal Newswire in February 2023

News from February 2023



Passaic County Lawyer Charged with Fraud in Connection with COVID-19 Relief Funds

A Passaic County, New Jersey, attorney was arrested today for fraudulent acts he committed in connection with COVID-19 relief funds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.


Serial Fraudster Sentenced to Prison for Lead Role in $2.2 Million Unemployment Fraud Scheme

A Detroit man was sentenced today to 8 years in federal prison on charges of conspiring to defraud multiple government agencies out of more than $2.2 million in Covid-19 pandemic assistance funds and also to defraud the United States Postal Service (USPS) of more than $200,000, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.


Financial Advisor Sentenced To 42 Months In Prison On Fraud And False Statement Charges

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ADAM BELARDINO, the former chief executive officer of the Maddox Group, was sentenced in White Plains federal court to 42 months in prison for fraud in connection with separate schemes to defraud clients and to fail to pay over contributions made by Maddox Group employees to the Maddox Group 401(k) plan.


Fort Smith Arms Dealer Arrested in Austin, Texas

A Fort Smith man was arrested yesterday in Austin, Texas on criminal charges related to his alleged possession of an unregistered destructive device; namely, an improvised explosive bomb, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.


Twice Convicted Federal Felon Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud As Federal Trial Was About To Begin

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven D. Blumhagen, 71, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.


Federal Jury Convicts Tulsa Man of Brutal Assault on Elderly Victim

A federal jury convicted a Tulsa man Thursday for holding a 72-year-old woman captive in her own home and brutally assaulting her, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.


Delaware Man Sentenced For Felony and Misdemeanor Charges For Actions Related to Capitol Breach

A Delaware man was sentenced today for a felony and four misdemeanors stemming from his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach.


Tulsa Man Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder

A defendant pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for shooting and killing a man who attempted to drive away after a brief verbal altercation, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.


Parkersburg Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

Ashley Kawczynski, 32, of Parkersburg, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.


Former Maui County Official Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Honest Services Wire Fraud

Chief United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson sentenced Stewart Olani Stant, 55, of Maui, today to serve ten years in federal prison and pay a $1.9M money judgment forfeiture for honest services wire fraud consisting of acceptance of multiple bribes in the form of cash, bank deposits, and gambling trips to Las Vegas in order to provide lucrative sole source contracts from Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management to businessman Milton Choy.


Jury Finds Oahu Man Guilty of Posting Instagram Threats to Kill

After a jury trial before Chief United States District Judge Derrick K. Watson, a federal jury today found Oahu resident Lindsey Kinney (age 44) guilty of two counts of posting threats to kill others on Instagram.


Operator of Aircraft Supply Businesses Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for $7 Million Fraud Scheme

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYLE J. WINE, 42, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 132 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a $7 million scheme related to his commercial aircraft supply businesses.


 Valentine's Day in New Mexico Means Love - and Scams

Valentine’s Day means love is in the air, and criminals are online.


Jefferson County Chiropractor, Employees Convicted of Disability Fraud Conspiracy

A jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Wednesday convicted a chiropractor from Jefferson County, Missouri, one current and one former employee of conspiring to commit disability fraud.


Former sailor sentenced to federal prison for distributing child pornography and bestiality videos

Former U.S. Navy sailor William Vincent has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing child pornography and a video of himself engaging in a sex act with a dog.


Fort Wayne Woman Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison

Lisa A. Downey, age 50, of Covington, Virginia, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.


Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Procuring U.S. Citizenship Illegally During Execution of Multi-Million Dollar Covid-19 Fraud Scheme

Following a trial in Fort Lauderdale federal court, a jury has found Joff Stenn Wroy Philossaint, 32, guilty of illegally obtaining his U.S. citizenship by lying about fraud that he committed while his citizenship application was pending.


Visalia Resident Sentenced to 16.5 Years in Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

James Cox, 60, of Visalia, was sentenced today to 16 years and six months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


Texas Man Arrested on Felony Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

A Texas man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.