News from January 2023
Biden-Harris Administration announceds $2.7 billion investment to improve rural electric Infrastructure: 'These critical investments will benefit rural people and businesses'
By Sam Jackson | Jan 31, 2023
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a $2.7 billion investment by the Biden Administration to help 64 rural electric cooperatives and utilities modernize and expand the rural electric grid for increased security.
Former county legislator, ex-girlfriend convicted of defrauding business 'both face justice for their shameless misconduct,' U.S. attorney says
By Karen Kidd | Jan 31, 2023
Former Suffolk County Legislator And Co-Conspirator Convicted Of Defrauding Mortgage Lender Out Of More Than A Quarter Of A Million Dollars
Former Prison Guard charged with sexually abusing inmates 'targeted vulnerable victims,' deputy AG says
By Karen Kidd | Jan 31, 2023
A former prison correctional officer in Hawaii arrested arrested last week on allegations he sexually abused female inmates went after vulnerable victims and undermined the mission of federal prisons, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said in a news release
Five Defendants Arrested For Stealing Millions From Government-Funded Childcare Programs For Low Income Families
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Susan A. Frisco, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), announced the unsealing of a seven-count Indictment today charging five defendants with participating in schemes to steal millions of dollars from government-funded childcare programs for low-income families, including by stealing proceeds from a fake after-school program that received millions in funding and by using funds to purchase private real estate, items at auction, and a luxury vehicle.
Massive drug trafficking investigation leads to largest-ever indictment in Southern District of Georgia
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
A total of 76 defendants are named in a newly unsealed federal indictment describing a massive drug trafficking investigation tied to the Ghost Face Gangsters criminal street gang that includes allegations of multiple deaths from illegal drug overdoses.
Tallahassee Man Sentenced To Nearly 20 Years In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking Offenses
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
Stephen Jerome Brinson, 47, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to just under twenty years (239 months) in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, offenses committed while Brinson was under federal supervision after his release from federal prison for his 2005 federal narcotics conviction. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Land O’Lakes Man Sentenced To 52 Years For Producing Child Sex Abuse Materials
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Mizelle has sentenced Michael Lumpkin (27, Land O’Lakes) to 52 years in federal prison for producing child sex abuse materials, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Lumpkin had pleaded guilty on October 3, 2022.
New Port Richey Man Sentenced To More Than 30 Years In Federal Prison For Producing Child Sex Abuse Material
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Eric Paul Jones (44, New Port Richey) to 30 years and 5 months in federal prison for production and possession of child sex abuse material.
Inmate Sentenced To 20 Years In Federal Prison For Forcibly Assaulting A Federal Correctional Officer
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced John Jones (56, District of Columbia) to 20 years in federal prison for assaulting a federal correctional officer with a deadly weapon and possessing contraband in a federal penitentiary.
U.S. Attorney Announces Sextortion Indictment And Seeks To Identify Additional Victims
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced charges against Brandon Huu Le, 21, of Maitland, Florida for coercion and enticement of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and receipt of child pornography in connection with an alleged sextortion scheme using the popular social media app, Snapchat. Sextortion involves threats against a victim—including threats to publish or distribute private and sensitive information about someone—if the victim does not provide the perpetrator with sexually explicit images or videos, sexual favors, or money.
Four Gun Traffickers Charged with Selling Over 50 Firearms in Brooklyn
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
Defendants Allegedly Distributed Semi-Automatic Handguns, Untraceable “Ghost Guns” and Guns with Defaced Serial Numbers; Defendant Also Charged with Trafficking Fentanyl
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to 104 Months for Possessing a Firearm with an Automatic Switch
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
An East St. Louis man received a prison sentence of 104 months on Tuesday in a U.S. District Court after admitting to possession of a firearm with a high-capacity magazine that operated as a machine gun as well as a 50-round drum magazine.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Murder-For-Hire
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
Defendant Murdered his Victim, Who Was Believed to Be Cooperating with Law Enforcement
Covington Man Sentenced for Possessing Thirty-Three Firearms in Violation of The Federal Gun Control Act
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MICHAEL MALONE, age 38, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, was sentenced on January 10, 2023 in the United States District Court in connection with his plea of guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Exploitation Offense
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL NASTU, 63, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 18 month of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense.
Child Predator to Serve 20 Years in Prison, Pay $100K to Victims
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
A San Antonio man was sentenced last week to serve 20 years in prison and pay $100,000 in restitution for the sexual exploitation of children.
Hudson County Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
A Hudson County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 51 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Two Plead Guilty To Conspiring To Traffic Stolen Medical Products From The Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced today that Jennifer Robertson, age 52, of Battle Creek, Michigan, and Michelle McAllister, age 56, of Jerome, Michigan, pled guilty to participating in a multi-year, interstate conspiracy to transport and traffic diabetic test strips stolen from the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center to a Pennsylvania man named Steven Anderson.
Del Rio Teen Mentor and School Tutor Sentenced to 18 Years on Child Pornography Charges
By Press release submission | Jan 31, 2023
A Del Rio man was sentenced Monday to 220 months in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Lying on Federal Gun Form
By DOJ Newswire | Jan 31, 2023
News Release: BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Allen DeCola, 65, of Perry, Ohio, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
